My Family!

The biggest and most current news since I wrote the Christmas letter just last week is that Josh, Brooke's husband, left today for 9 weeks of Basic Training with the Navy Reserves! He will go straight to his job training as a chaplain's assistant after basic training, so he will be gone until March 30.

Why, you ask? Well, Josh has a strong belief that all Americans should do something in return to the country for the freedoms we enjoy...so the Navy Reserves will satisfy that desire in his heart. It is a good choice because of where he is in his life...married, responsibilities, no children (yet!), a supportive wife, and a job that can function without him for 3 1/2 months. When he is finished with his training, he will do the monthly weekend duty plus two weeks each year somewhere. The job for which he is training (chaplain's assistant) fits his career goal of becoming a preaching minister...and I personally can foresee Josh making a huge difference in the lives of all the military personnel with whom he meets in this role.

Upon his return, he will finish his undergrad degree at the University of Memphis and will immediately begin his work on his Masters of Divinity at Harding Graduate School of Religion next fall. He will be able to use the financial assistance from the GI Bill in pursuing his graduate degrees...and that is another reason for his choosing to join the Navy Reserves.

Of course, being me, I couldn't let the occasion pass without a party! The Friday night before he left, Brooke invited several of their friends to come to our house for an "Anchors Away" Party! It was tricky coming up with an Americana/Navy/Christmas theme for the table decor...but I managed to find an antique display sailboat flying an American flag...and voila, with a little snow and some shiny tinsel and an Uncle Sam just the right size, I was able to put together a pretty cute scene on the dining room table. Not that Josh nor his guy friends were that concerned with the decor, mind you...but the girls who came liked it!

Here's a message from Josh about his new career.

Hello Everyone, Just wanted to drop you all a quick line and wish you a merry Christmas. I hope that this message finds you and your family healthy and safe. I also want to make a quick request of you all if I can. Some of you may not know this, but I have joined the Navy Reserve. I realize many of you may be slightly shocked by that decision, as I have really sort of “leaned” towards the pacifist side of the coin for the last several years. I won’t bore you with the explanations for this choice, but I will tell you that I feel convicted about doing this. Furthermore, I will be working as a Religious Programs Specialist (basically a chaplain’s assistant) and think this will be a great opportunity to learn and grow. I “ship out” for training Monday morning, the 12th of December.

I will be gone for almost 4 months and will have very limited contact with Brooke during that time. I will not be in combat or in danger of anything, except getting yelled at a lot. My greatest concern is of course my wife. Brooke has been incredibly supportive of me as we considered this decision together. Nevertheless, she will be home alone for quite a while, and neither one of us likes the sound of that very much. That’s where you all come in. I would be so thankful to you all if you would take the time over the next 2 or 3 months to contact Brooke in some way and encourage her. Phone calls, a card, e-mails, or even a visit just to encourage and love on her a little bit would be so great. Brooke is being incredibly strong about this time apart, but I want to make sure she has as much support as possible over the next few months. I hope that you will honor that request once, twice, or ten times over the next few months. I have put Brooke’s email address below.

And of course, please keep us in your prayers. I promise that you all will be in mine. Thanks so much for all that each of you means to my life. All the good that is in me would be less without all of you. I love you guys!

Josh

brookebray@gmail.com

Here for some pictures of our party for your enjoyment: Click on each photo for a larger view.