'Tis but a Flesh Wound

Okay, so I had a minor little hand surgery last week... If you don't like mildly gross pictures, this post is not for you.

I apparently had some form of a cyst or something that formed on the tendon of my middle finger - in the palm of my hand. They originally thought it was "Trigger Finger," but alas after surgery, they think it might have just been a weird cystic knot. Who knows?

I thought it would go away, but it didn't and the entire tendon was sore to touch, it was hard to open my hand all the way, or put my hand down flat on anything. Yea for being currently insured!

See the weird knot under my middle finger? Never mind the pen marks on my hand I seem to come home from work with everyday?.?.?

They sent me home looking like a mummy. Of course I'm right handed...and swollen.


My pretty little stitches...very itchy by the way.


Got the stitches out today and steri-strips instead. -And brought home more pen marks :)


The strips didn't last long...the healing mark after one week.

What is this World Coming To?

Okay, so it's not often I hear a news story and it's still on my mind days later unless it's:

1. Overly played/analyzed.
2. Something local.
3. Related to something I've been following socially/politically.
4. Or just completely shocking/outrageous.

Well, this is a #4. It is just so peculiar and horrifying - and I never saw it on the news, although we have Fox News running 24/7 in my office. I did hear about it through a friend who saw it on the news though.

You can read the full story here and here.


Here's the gist though: (You'll never think of public transportation the same)

A greyhound bus driving overnight through the plains of Canada - A 40 year-old man gets on the bus and rides for about an hour quietly. Then he just decides to get up and calmly (some reported "robotic like") stab a 22 year-old guy, who is sleeping with headphones on, about 50-60 times with a hunting knife and kills him - and doesn't seem to know the guy at all. It's gets worse...

He throws the body on the floor and decapitates him, holding the head up for all the other passengers to see as they are fleeing off the bus! Then meticulously disassembles and disembowels him as well - one passenger reported he's certain he saw the guy eat some of him!?!??!

The bus driver and a trucker who stopped with all the frantic people fleeing the bus, held the door closed, containing the crazy on the bus, as he tried to get off with the knife. He has been arrested, not without trying to flee - and has not been interviewed as of yet... Currently, it appears this was a completely random attack.

All I have to say: "What is this world coming to?"

From the "Mile High City" to the "City of Brotherly Love"

I left for Philadelphia last week for another conference, this one being much better than all previously attended... While many good things occurred on this trip, it wasn't without Murphy's Law.

For instance, here is a short list of of craptastic events (we'll get this out of the way first, then on to good stuff and pictures!)
1. I dropped my uniform hat in the toilet (it tucks under your belt; you loosen your belt before taking your hat out from under it, it falls to the floor - or whatever stops it first.)
2. I had Bronchitis the entire time - hacking until I hyperventilate and continuously have to run out of conference events.
3. During the huge formal dinner event, I had run out while the General was speaking and coughed until I threw up outside the hotel in my formal uniform.
4. I somehow lost my cell phone the morning I flew out. I didn't get to the airport with it, but I did see it that morning - so it's either in the hotel (which they didn't find) or in the cab I took - can't tell you even what cab company it was... So, if you get a phone call saying you were in my phone book on my cell - it's mine!

Okay, on to the cool stuff -

We were fortunate enough to be staying in the historical district, which allowed for us to do walking tours and such in the evenings since none of us had cars.

(My room)

(The view from my room)

(The Liberty Bell...this shirt looks like a maternity shirt!)


(Independence Square - where the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time. That is Liberty Hall, where it was signed and Washington was inaugurated for his second term as the first president of the new free nation).

Note: I have some really cool pictures from our group inside Independence Hall, but they are on the boss' camera - so I'll add those when I get them.


(The Betsy Ross house where she sewed the first American Flag)


(Carpenter's Hall: "The Birthplace of the American Identity"
The meeting place where it was decided that America was going to become independent and congressed passed bans on slave imports/trades, which was the first major step to ending slavery in the US.)


(The Delaware River - New Jersey on the other side)


(The Washington Memorial in Washington Square: This was once a Potter's Field and then became a mass grave for soldiers and those who died of Yellow Fever.)


(Closer view of the memorial with the tomb of the unknown soldier)


(Click on the picture for a larger view to read the wall inscriptions)


(The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the Revolutionary War: There are thousands of unknown soldiers buried in mass graves amongst the grounds of Washington Square.)


(A foot stone along the memorial path)


(And because no Philly tour is complete without a Philly Cheese Steak...it was tasty)

And my little tour ended with me getting caught in a huge rain/hail storm. I had planned to walk over the bridge over the Delaware into NJ...so I had to backtrack about eight blocks to get to a bridge. There I sat for about half an hour before realizing it was only getting worse with no end in sight, pretty late and I was a female alone in an unfamiliar area, I still had Bronchitis and was cold/wet, and I might as well just go ahead and run the rest of the way back to the hotel and take a hot shower.

(Siting under the bridge: That is my hotel ahead, but there is a big fence that runs down another 4 blocks)


(Another stop along the way in a bus stop booth when it started hailing - fortunately, I had a cami on under my thin light-colored shirt!)

Other stuff that happened:
1. I was invited to dinner with another female who didn't know anyone at the conference. Little did I know she was the General's personnelist and that some of the staff was having dinner with the General. (she wanted someone near her rank with her...we were the two junior's there). So I had a 3 hr dinner with the General and his wife along with 6 of his staff members. I got to sit across from him and have a very lengthy conversation...he loves fellow Texans! (Sorry, I didn't have my camera ready as it would have been really awkward, though I did take a small pic on my phone cam, which is...somewhere). I really admire this man - and am HONORED to serve under his command.

2. There are three alumni from my college within the organization; myself, one much higher ranking than I, and one that is about 3 years behind me. The higher ranking one, whom I will refer to as "Col," has mentored and kept up with me via e-mail for a little over 2 years... We finally got to meet in person.

(Me and the Col at the formal dinner the last night - Her uniforms are TBD as she is in the middle of a PCS from the Desert to another overseas location...sucks).

3. I was informed I am an annual award winner for the entire command and will be competing in my respective category for the entire Air Force!

So, now I'm back in my little hotel room in Colorado. Four more months here and then back to home for awhile...

The Apocalyptic Discourse

What I am about to share is completely my opinion; my observations, my thoughts, my feelings...and completely abbreviated. I'm not presenting this as a debate, though religious topics usually spurn such things. If you want to discuss - please feel free by all means... If you have questions, I'll do my best to expound upon/explain; however, I don't consider myself a scholar.

For centuries people have been proclaiming the end of the world, with theories from the burning out of the sun to the threat of a nuclear disaster - and with exact dates even! It has always amazed me that the Bible, so well preserved, as been so greatly ignored in these matters. At one time, a large portion of the Bible was unfulfilled prophesies, proclaiming the coming and redemption of the promised Messiah. Now, we find that most of the Bible is historic with some yet unfulfilled prophesies. And yet, we ignore this fact - or simply state that it is not a fact. We look at other options, anything that circumvents the idea of a creator - regardless of how ridiculous the idea or story. It can't possibly be as ridiculous as the story of a creator and the evidence that has been found to support it. Why? Because it's prophetic.

So, where am I going with this? I'll be blunt. I've never been the "doomsday" type; I've always been labeled a "skeptic" in most all things, including "doomsday proclamations." I will say however, that I feel God has been revealing a lot of things to me through Scripture, prayer, and study. What does it come down to? "...the kingdom of God is near." - Matt 4:17, 10:7, Luke 10:9. - A message given time and time again throughout the Bible. Are we listening yet?

Ok, the apostles were saying it back in Biblical times, so how close is "near" really? Well, let's discuss. Back to prophesy - "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." - Luke 21:28 "So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass way until all things take place." - Luke 21:31-32.

From this, it's safe to say that the religious zealots who have proclaimed the coming of God with dates have done so without the facts - without the fulfilling of Biblical prophesy. "All things" prophesied have not yet taken place. So what's left? Well, this could be a week long discussion, but I'll try to boil it down to some of the basics.

Yeshua (Jesus) predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple, the scattering of the Jews among the nations because they would not obey, and the survival of the Jews and the Church. "And among those nations you shall find no rest nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul." - Deuteronomy 28:65 "And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you." - Deuteronomy 4:27 Wow, um...WWII anyone?

Never before has a people group been so hated, so mistreated, and yet still survived - and thrived! They are the "chosen people." (I do not believe in the "replacement theory.") And because they have been chosen, God continues to show His strength and power through them, fulfilling prophesies and promises He had made. You show me a people group so small and so "exterminated" who is still here - and a vital part of the economy, etc. He proclaimed a time when Israel would then again be reestablished... - Ezekiel 36: 24-28 and Jeremiah 32: 37-38 The Jews have been scattered three major times, and three times they have been supernaturally reinstated in the land that was promised them. How much even greater this third time - no one would have put money on that.

1. They fled to Egypt and returned through Moses.
2. The twelve trips fled through 722-586 BC and returned under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah through 538-444 BC.
3. The Jews fled again a third time in 70 AD under the Romans...

Notes on #3: Yeshua had prophesied that the huge temple would be completely destroyed, not even one stone left on another. - Matthew 24:2 That generation saw it happen just as he said when Titus demolished it in 70 AD. The Jews fled and over hundreds of years, lived in varying nations. And they have suffered greatly as prophesied...during the Holocaust (and yes, it did happen) 1/3 of the World-Wide Jewish population was exterminated! And yet, they thrive!

Update on #3: After hundreds of years and great suffering, Israel was reestablished in 1948 after the Holocaust - thanks to God who fulfills his promises and the supporting nations He uses. (Many started returning as early as 1871, but this had been minimal). When Israel was reestablished in 1948, only 650K Jews lived there. 2006 was a historical year for the Jews! It was then that Israel became home to the largest Jewish population in the world, after 1900 years! It's Jewish population is now well over 5.3 million! They have returned as prophesied - after 1900 years! "Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind." - Ezekiel 39:28 Though the possibility exists that representatives from all 12 tribes have returned (only 3 tribes can be identified through lineage), obviously not all of the Jews have returned. Is it the tribes or all the people, I don't know. If people, how many are left? I don't know. To what extent of Jewishness, I don't know.

He also claimed that the world would once again become globalized in control, finances, religion, etc. We still have yet to reach the "globalization" prophesied in the Bible. The world has always seemed too large and too disconnected to ever be "globalized" in such a way. It was so far reaching - seemed like such a remarkable futuristic event in even our grandparents generations... The last few decades have really brought this closer to fruition with the expansion of the internet, television and world news, the end of the Cold War, the creation of the World Trade Organization, global terrorism, and the "industrial gold"...oil. Now, in our generation, we see the stage is quickly setting for such an event.

Side Note: Keep your eyes on Iran and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, who openly declares his desire to "wipe Israel off the map", is trying to convince the world the Holocaust was a myth, and plans to hasten the return of the Islamic messiah by ushering in his vision of the apocalypse, which includes the annihilation of the Jews.

Prophesy clearly states that Israel would be reestablished before end of "the period of the Gentiles." And non-Jewish nations were still going to be in control of Israel's destiny during final judgment and suffering. The Jews "will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end." - Luke 21:24 This clearly shows that the struggle for Israel (Jerusalem) will continue until the end. Currently Israel, surrounded by Arab nations, is a target on all sides. And those who hate Israel also hate their supporters. With such a history of survival, how will Israel be "trampled down"? Won't God save them again? Well, the Bible states that such a battle will exist and because Israel can't win this last battle, Yeshua will bring the "period of the gentiles" to an end. Then the lion will lie down with the lamb...

And now the introduction of terrorism... We are seeing it now. How do conventional military forces beat unconventional terrorist? The US and Israel have the greatest military forces in the world, yet terrorism continues to evolve... Is this how Israel will be "trampled?" I think it's quite possible - With the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorist and/or Arab nations, at any moment we could see a call for worldwide jihad. Don't even get me started on oil... This is quite longer than I anticipated already.

I will say this: With the Middle East being the only location with enough oil reserves for the US demands, in addition to terrorism, the US is extremely vulnerable. Depending on how things come about abroad, I also believe the US is on the verge of another civil war, fighting among ourselves... Long story short: If ever there was a time for the Arab nations to come to power, it's now during the oil crisis while they are holding all the industrial nations' cards. I find no reference to the West or America in the end times...makes me curious of its outcome and loss of influence.

Ezekiel 38-39: These chapters prophesy about the evasion in Israel in the end times by a vast coalition of nations, all of whom are Islamic today, with the exception of Russia. Many believe the rise of Islam (especially Radical Islamic terrorism), is a foreshadowing of Ezekiel's prophesy. This isn't to say that this will happen "soon." It suggests that Israel will be at rest, which they obviously are not currently. It is possible they will ever be?

Daniel 9:26-27 talks about the group of Ten world leaders who will lead a coalition, much like that of the Roman Empire. Out of them will come one who will be the "strongman" or leader... Daniel 9:36 states, "a ruler will arise." He (the Antichrist) will enter into a seven-year treaty of protection and peace with the people of Israel...and then break his covenant, desecrating the Temple by demanding praise/worship to himself. Most believe this will take place after the rapture with a "false treaty" that will dupe Israel into being at rest. Point being - we may never see the Antichrist come to power if the rapture happens first... So, don't bet on watching for this sign. Other theories suggest that this prophesy was fulfilled when Yeshua walked the earth and died...which creates a different spin on a lot of common teachings about end-time prophesy, to include common theories on the rapture, the Antichrist's timing, and the length of the tribulation period (basically, there is no second chance after the rapture as the first theory suggests).

According to the first theory, the Great Tribulation would start after the rapture (according to most) which would last approx 7 years? (There are very different theories on this.) The first 3.5 years (or half) of the Great Tribulation is a time Israel would be at rest - Then Russia and her Islamic allies will invade Israel, fulfilling the prophesy. We can talk more on this later if anyone is interested in researching/discussing. However, they would probably attack Israel for 4 reasons:

1. Gain territory (Ezekiel 38:8)
2. Gain wealth (Ezekiel 38:12)
3. Destroy people of Israel (Ezekiel 38:11 and 16)
4. Challenge Antichrist who is allies with Israel according to the treaty (Ezekiel 38:14-16)

Anyway, my message: I think we are definitely living in the last days... I think we still have the 7(?) years of Great Tribulation ahead...but I think the stage it pretty well set for that to begin very soon - could be a year, could be a few decades...who knows? I do think there is a great possibility it will be in our lifetimes. Regardless of your end time theories, one thing does appear to be clear - "the kingdom of God is near."

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity withing your palaces.' For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, 'Peace be within you,' Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good." - Psalm 122:6-9

Note: I am by no means a scholar - please study on your own and don't take my thoughts/noted theories as fact. I just wanted to bring this to light and hopefully invoke some discussion and/or stirring up for the scriptures, meditation, and repentance.

US Air Force - In Big, Big Trouble

"Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T.
Michael Moseley resigned Thursday following a series of high-profile scandals and
disagreements between Air Force leadership and Secretary of Defense

Robert Gates." - Air Force Times, 6 Jun 08

Where to start? Just absolutely disheartening...

You can read the abbreviated story here if you want. Just a crappy end for the top two Air Force officials after a series of misfortunes and failures. And these two are just the beginning... I foresee a lot of open positions and potential early promotions for some high ranking officers in the very near future.

I will say though, that I have been very disappointed with the USAF over the last few years for a number of reasons ranging from crap like "Force Shaping" to the dealings of Air Force leaders whose actions have been swept under the rug (I won't publicly humiliate them...but I can give you MANY examples). There just seems to be an overwhelming lack of responsibility and accountability. It's not the same USAF it used to be... it's a "kindler, gentler Air Force"...that's going down the crapper.

Force Shaping: Many officers with 2-5 years of service (not to include any fliers, but did include prior enlisted officers with up to 15 years - 5 years from retirement!), many of whom spent four years as cadets earning their commissions, were laid off without any severance packages by senior officials who saw this as the "best idea" for budget cuts.

Anyway, I doubt many of my 4 faithful readers really care about this stuff, so I'll end it here. I just thought I would spread the knowledge - I predict this is just the beginning...

Maria Chapman - Tragic Loss

You may have seen it on the news, but my heart breaks for the Chapman family. Steven Curtis Chapman (Dove and Grammy Award Winner) and his family has suffered a tragic loss this week.

Steven's youngest daughter, Maria (5 years old), was accidentally struck by an SUV, driven by one of her teenage brothers, in their driveway on Wednesday. Maria was rushed to the hospital via LifeFlight, but died of her injuries. She had just celebrated her 5th birthday a week and half prior. The family was preparing to celebrate Caleb's High School graduation and the engagement of their oldest daughter, Emily, in a couple of hours. Now they are preparing to bury their youngest child tomorrow.

See a video of Maria and Steven Curtis Chapman, taped two months ago.

Steven has dedicated his entire life to the ministry of Yeshua - and has adopted half of his children from China, including Maria, continuing to supporting the adoption of children outside of the US. Satan hates this family - that much is obvious.

Please pray and/or continue to pray for this family - they are most definitely engaged in some serious spiritual warfare. And please pray for the teenage brother (unknown which one) who is most certainly struggling emotionally at this time...

OKC to Chicago...and on to Denver, by way of Kansas

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted anything. And while some may say that no excuse it the world will cover my lack of posting for my audience of maybe four, let me offer some insight.

I had to go to a weekend conference, come back on Sunday night, and then leave Tuesday morning for a 10-hr drive to Colorado. And the week before? We'll, my brother-in-law was installing central air/heat in my house and I was helping after my last day of work on Tuesday...(I'll write a quick blog on that later).

(Roxy knows when I start packing, that I will be gone awhile - her passive-aggressive way of telling me she's not happy, or at least plans to go with me...which she did to Colorado, not Chicago)

Last weekend I had to go to a conference in Chicago. I flew out Friday afternoon (got delayed and stuck at the airport for 5 hrs) and instead of getting into Chicago at 7:30 pm, I got to the airport about 12:30 am, had to track down a shuttle to my hotel, and check in. Unfortunately, though I had a reservation, they didn't have a room available...so after a while, I was given a nice handicapped room. I think I crawled into bed around 1:45 am - and since I got there too late to register for the conference, I had to be at the morning registration at 6:30 am, showered and in uniform. I have never slept so good as I did in this "miracle bed." And the view was amazing from my 35th floor room.

(The view by day)

(and by night)

The conference was less than amazing - I took a few naps, drew an elaborate mosaic on my 5-page notepad I got with my $23 non-refundable conference fee...(still really irritated about this whole last minute, nothing on paper, cash conference fee.) Anyway, Saturday night some of us who were in the same training class in GA, met up and did the quick Chicago touristy thing.

We headed out to a local hot spot for dinner, took a group photo on "The Magnificent Mile," and then decided to hit the John Hancock Center (they let us in free) to see the view of Chicago from the observatory. The amazing view spans up to 80 miles and 4 states. I'm not sure how many floors it is, but I know we went to the 96th floor to check out the bar/restaurant with the live music. And since the tallest tower in Chicago is the Sears Tower at 110 stories, it's between 97 and 109...

(This is looking down on skyscrapers...)

(And it just keeps going...)

(And you could see the Sears Tower - the one with the pink lights)

So the girls decided to "shoot down" Chicago instead of paying a dollar to view it...(and yes we were sober, and cheap).

(Wendi [not my sis] and I apparently had 50 cals - and I was "lobbing it")

(Taken in front of the green screen at the observatory...notice it's magically daylight now)

Then I got home Sunday afternoon, after flying standby on a 4pm flight instead of my scheduled 8:50pm flight - yea!) . Monday I unpacked and repacked; Tuesday I trucked out on my 10-hr drive to CO. I've only been here since Tues night, so this will be brief - more to come later.

(My home for the next few months)

(You can kinda see the mountains - it's been real cloudy this week)

(The living room/office area - and Roxy)

(The office/kitchen/door area)

(My king size bed in it's own little room with the bathroom - notice all my clothes not put away - I had NO hangers...store trip #1 of 4 this week)

(The bathroom area)

So now you see where I have been lately - and where I will be camping out for a while. If you happen to come through Colorado this summer - shoot me line. I've got a king bed and couch that folds out into a queen in a separate room...