Hard Goodbyes

by 2fast4u
Well this will probebly be my last post for the next 7-8 weeks. I got the call today that I'm shipping out for basic training this tues. 4 months ahead of schedule. i am actually going to be working in Intel instead of avionics. Im gonna be an Imagery anlyst ( however thats spelled). So by tuesday its gonna be a long 4 weeks. I cant stop thinking about Shells. It breaks my heart to have to leave her. I think she's cried enuf to fill the grand canyon allready. I must admit, I didnt expect us to go so well, but she has been a shure blessing having her in my life, and you dont just let something like that get away. I know Im gonna bust out crying as soon as I get on the plane. But It is a big boost to know she's gonna be at my gradution ceremony. The perfect prize. My gradution is supposed to be on the valintines day weekend, so Im gonna do my best to make this the best valintines day she's ever had. Erin, Im so sorry it has to happen so quick like this. The military likes to typically do stuff like this. You have been a total blessing from God, and I thank him for you and even your curiousity about his word. Your eargerness to learn more, to learn beyond what you are just told is truely a gift. Never let go of that. I have not allways agreed with what some believe to be the only possible doctrine. But I rejoice in the saviour that came to die for the lost. I have found myself this week in need of Gods forgiveness and peace. I tried to strugle through things and in the end it wasnt me that changed anything. It was him speaking to my heart, through the words of a pastor at a little covenant church. He works in misterious ways. Never settle for the commonly accepted "right doctrine", but search in your own copy of God's word, for what is truth. Dont make the bible fit your decisions, but make your decisions fit the bible. Dont become so bogged down with the doctrine that you forget the heart. Erin, you have such a heart for christ. Please never lose that. I will continue to pray for you and for the kids when I am gone. I hope to get a letter written tommorow morning for the kids. I will truely miss them with all my heart. I truely pray that they will one day love Christ and choose the path of rightiousness. I will never forget them. The rest of ya'll. i didnt forget about you. I just have to get some sleep. I just wanna thank the rest of you for your friendship. I know I havent been at the church as much as I used to be. But I have done what I can for both my familey here at home, and for the famiely I knew as the church. I would just beg everyone, Do not forget the heart that jesus had twords sinners, and the heart of sacrifice he had twords us. Practice the heart of christ and make things as they should be. I truely think that some people feel alienated because of this issue. For now I will read any responeses till i leave. But by tuesday my life will make a big change. One I hope God will continue to use and make a blessing to others. i have alot of big plans this next year and am quite anctios to get the ball rolling. I ask that you pray that God grant me strength and wisdom as I begin my military carreer. Do not worry about yesterday, because what is done is done, and cannot be changed. Do not fret what the future might bring for that is unseen to your eyes. But take today, deny yourself, pick up your cross and carry it!
Read 14 comments
i always figured when i'd have to say goodbye that i'd be ready, that i'd have this great letter written to you, your korean sunday school scrapbook would be ready, the kids would be there, and i'd have all the right words. and then last night i hardly had any and after i left last night all i could think about was what i hadn't told you, the most important stuff. you've made a difference in my life since you told me i owed you a million bucks to
talk to maryanne on the phone way back in the day. you've been a friend, someone i could spring ideas off of, and always a great, Godly man who loves his God first, his family second, his friends third, and puts everything else under. you love people in general, and you have a heart that won't accept anything but the one and only truth, and God has used you more than you can know in my life. thank you for accepting nothing less than the truth
and making that fact public. the first time you taught Korean Sunday School, you filled in for me because you're a super guy. the next time you taught, you skipped a party at Steve's because i didn't have any helpers. the rest of the time you taught, we taught and you'll never know how much BETTER the whole class became because what you brought to it. you were priceless, and i felt like the sunday school really became a family.
the kids will NOT forget you, and neither will i. you may not be there, but the unity that God has brought to the church and the kids through you will be there, and you will always be in our prayers, every day and most certainly when we're together in sunday school. we'll write you often ... i want you to know that even though you'll be gone, you certainly won't be a "thing of the past." i will be strong, i will take care of those kids,
and i know we'll both be praying for them every day, that, like you said, they'd grow up to choose God and love him. i am PROUD of you. you're going to serve your country, and our country is blessed. there's so much to say, i could write volumes as always, but know that God has used you SO GREATLY and He will continue to do so, both in the lives of the people that you're yet to meet and the lives of the people you've touched so greatly.
i probably should have written this in an email, but here it is. thank you for everything, and expect tons of letters and know that you're always being prayed for. i know you've faced a lot of changes lately, i know you have a lot of changes coming up. take heart in the Lord and be strong. He's always got you. you know that. i love you as a brother. the kids and i will be looking forward to those two weeks, no matter how far away they are.
i'm praying for you and Shelly.
your sis in Christ,
erin
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Dan, you can't leave!! I will be praying for you. You are truly one of the sweetest guys in the world that I know. Don't ever change. Tell Shelley she still needs to come to FBC even though you won't be there. I would love to hang out with her sometime. We'll all miss you...
Becca
hey im an army wife. the military does things when they want to do them with out any concern for what other people want lol. Or at least thats whats happend sofar:P good luck with basic
[Anonymous]
Dan, saying this online is super impersonal but, because all of this happened so quickly it will be better than nothing. I hope that God keeps you safe and in good health. I hope that you can learn and grow in your knowledge of Him and that He gives you vast opportunities to serve Him through the military. You've been a truly gracious friend. Godspeed Double-O Dan!

Prayers,
Stacey VZ
Wow...well I have an uncle who's in the marines who just got shipped out to Iraq again, and I also have an uncle in the air force, and an uncle in something I can't quite remember(just found out)~(it's not typical I guess), but it something military...and my best friend's brother is in the army in Iraq, but he will be home soon...well my prayers do go out to you..you might not even get this comment..since you haven't written in it since dec.
but..I still do wish you the best..may God be with you and protect you. God works in mysterious ways...
CONGRATS, DAN! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU AND SHELLEY! SOOOO PROUD OF YOU ... both about graduating Basic and proposing. haha. ;) that's incredibly wonderful news. Hope to hear from ya sometime! God bless, prayin for the both of ya!!!!!!!!
In Him,
Erin! :D