First Presbyterian Church, Honolulu

We had a wonderful worship experience today at First Presbyterian. Mom sang in the choir, Aaron and Jeff ate breakfast at the Kooalu Kitchen after visiting the Golf Shop....and we attended the worship service where Pastor Drew Hulse spoke to us about Advent and the coming of Jesus in the fullness of time.

Galahad

Marty and Lynette's "Galahad."

Thanksgiving Day 2008: Hickam AFB, Hawaii

We celebrated Thanksgiving at our house with the 10 sitting down to the feast. Gail did a wonderful job on the turkey, using fresh herbs from her garden. Jackie Mike and Clare brought the mash potatos (lots of butter and cream) calling themselves the carb. couple. Steve brought his mother's famous cranberry relish. Mike W. came bearing wine and his usual good cheer. Although Joe was on duty, he was able to join us for dinner, and later for desert. He brought a salad and his buddy Barrett, an Australian/Border collie mix who is a charter member of the dog park. (Maggie and Galahad kept him well in line). Galahad and his boy Marty brought sweet potatos. We all missed Lynette as she was with the grands in Texas. Aaron invited his friends Damien, a UH student, and Kelly, a traveling nurse from Tampa serving at Tripler Army Medical Center. We missed our Chris who is currently deployed, and Anna and Kevin, at home in Tacoma. I am truly thankful for my family and our friends.

Makapu'u Lighthouse Walk

Today, our HQ PACAF/HC staff hiked to the Makapu'u lighthouse for a wonderful view of the leeward and windward sides of O'ahu, and a distant view of the island of Molokai. What fun and fabulous team-building Chief Steve, Fr. Mike, TSgt Jason, SSgt Sara and Melissa.

"Description: According to Hawaiian legend, Makapu`u was a supernatural being who, after arriving from Tahiti, took up residence on the point now bearing her name. This being's defining feature was her set of eight bright eyes, which is reflected in her name Makapu`u, Hawaiian for bulging eye. On October 1, 1909, the light from another bright, bulging eye was seen on the rocky point of Makapu`u as the giant lens in the Makapu`u lighthouse was illuminated for the first time. " http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=141

Team Guild

Here is a recent photo of our three kids...or our young adult children. From left to right is Aaron, currently a student in Hawaii studying IT. Anna in the middle is married to Kevin and living in Tacoma, Washington where Kevin is in the Army Reserves at Ft. Lewis. Anna is a veterinarian technician. Chris on the right is a Senior Airman currently deployed to the middle east. We are very much blessed by God with these three...I am a rich man, indeed.

Good News

Hi Family and Friends,

I have accepted a call to a Presbyterian Church in Florida as its pastor. We will begin in the Spring of 2009. My AF retirement is officially 1 June 2009. I will keep you all posted as the details unfold. I am absolutely thrilled to receive a wonderful calling. God is good. The picture is of the new chapel at Eielson Air Force Base outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. The temperture the morning this was taken was -20 degrees C. Yes folks, 20 below in October. We are happy to be going to Florida from Hawaii. Don't think we would like Fairbanks...but you never know! As the calling in Florida heads toward official status, I will give your more details. Keep in touch.

Asian Travel

I have been traveling since the end of September with only a few breaks. Went to Korea, Guam, Alaska, Georgia, San Antonio and Tampa. My plans are to stay home through Thanksgiving, then I make another trip with Chief Steve Watcher to Japan and Okinawa to visit our bases. I have met some great people, wonderful chaplains, chaplain assistants especially. I am privileged to have had such a career to serve the men and women of our Air Force.