Chris

Do you ever wonder what God has in store for you? I know I do. Growing up, I was full of energy and always looking for adventure. I would climb trees, jump off cliffs and constantly seek adventure.

In tenth grade, my friend and I decided to go to a Marine recruiting station in Bloomington. We talked with recruiters a few times and even went on a three-mile run to see if we were Marine material. I learned more about the United States Marine corp, but I wasn't really interested in joining at the time. After graduating I decided to attend college for a year. College was very difficult for me since I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD.

After my first year of college, I realized college wasn't for me. I really had to ask myself some hard, personal questions. What was God's plan for me? Should I go to a technical school and learn a specific trade? Should I move to another state and start a new life? I kept coming back to that day at the Marine corp recruiting station, and I made an irreversible decision: I was going to join the Marines!

In August of 2003, I took the military entrance exam and on September 8th I was heading to Camp Pendleton in San Diego for thirteen weeks of basic training. I knew we were in the middle of a war, but I was continuing my quest for adventure. During the thirteen weeks in basic training I attended church regularly. I grew up in a Christian home and committed my life to Jesus Christ at the age of twelve. Looking back, I don't think I fully understood the significance of my decision, but I continued to believe that God had a plan for my life.

I graduated from basic training and started my career as a Marine. In June 2004 I married my high school sweetheart, Kaye. Two days later I was deployed overseas to Okinawa. Three weeks later I found myself getting on a ship and heading to Kuwait. While in Kuwait we did desert training drills and exercises. Shortly after our time in Kuwait we headed into the heart of Iraq where I was stationed near Fallujah.

Here I was at twenty years of age in the heart of the most volatile and dangerous region in the world, getting ready to mount an offensive as soon as we got the call. As you would expect, the days leading up to the offensive was met with uncertainty. My friend and I started to read the book The Purpose Driven Life. We got through about nine chapters of the book before the orders came. The book helped me realize that it is God's will, and not mine, that I am living for.

The time had come to strap on our gear, receive the final instructions and head into Fallujah. Throughout my deployment I was very appreciative of all the letters and packages that I received but what helped me more than anything was all the people that prayed for me. Believe me, when I say that I felt your prayers.

I also received letters from family and friends. One came from my mom and dad. It had a prayer that gave me strength to press on during this difficult time. It was from Psalm 23: "The Lord is my Shepard. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me. In the presence of my enemies you anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

I know I said that I wanted adventure in my life, but this isn't quite what I was seeking as a child. Nevertheless, this was the work that I had chosen, and now it was time to do my job.

When our job was done and our mission was complete, we headed back south to Kuwait. Soon I was back on the ship headed to Okinawa and eventually Hawaii. I am currently on a thirty-day combat leave and am enjoying some well-deserved R and R.

I believe now that God has a plan for my life. I don't always know where it will lead me or what adventure I will come across next, but I know that it is his will, not mine.

Kaye and I are settling into our home in Hawaii and I continue to seek God's wisdom and guidance as I prepare for my life. I am reminded by a Bible verse from John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

My future as a Marine will most likely include another deployment back to Iraq or to Afghanistan, but I am now stronger physically, mentally and spiritually to deal with the task at hand.

In closing, I will fulfill my four-year commitment to the Marine Corp and then seek education in a specialized field. Until then I will continue to grow as a Christian and I look forward to that day that I meet my heavenly Father and hear those words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."