Many times, when I have couple that come by to talk about their relationship, I find that they are comunicating with their spouse about the relationship.  As a matter of fact, that is ALL they are talking about.  And that is no fun.

I believe in working though our relationships.  It is important that we take time to discuss our comunication styles and our disagreements. 

But, we also need to talk about the price of tea in China. Really!

Many times when we focus so much on “the marriage” it bogs us down to the point where we don’t enjoy being together at all.

Do you think it is fun to talk constantly about the problems in your life and how they are centered on the person you are married to?  Do you think it is fun to be on the recieving end of this conversation every time you talk?

Now, listen to what I’m saying.  It is important that we discuss our problems.  But discuss them and move on.

There is more to talk about that how you don’t get along–why do you try getting along?

Many times we talk forever about our problems because we don’t want to make the effort to truly change.

If you really want to change your marriage, take what your spouse has said and change.  Then take what you said to your spouse and forgive.

Sounds easy?  No, it isn’t–but I would imagine that is what you’ve been putting off.

Inside my office, behind my desk is a wall that I keep my pictures on–I thought you’d like to see them.

From left to right you will find two copies of the MYTHOS comic books (Spider-Man and Fantastic Four), a digital picture of me and my assistant on a Superman comic book cover, a picture of the staff, and a copy of Daredevil 232 (written on the cover: “God and Country”–which happens to be the Chaplain motto as well. )

The next row is a foam craft project sent to me from children in the states of the Lord’s Supper–underneath is my cerificate from the adoptachaplain.org. 

Then there are pictures on the kids and I.  And finally some butterflies made by my girls during play group at home.

You may also notice a little card at the bottom, which is a birthday card from Monica–that was in her gift to me this year.

This week has been one of those weeks in Iraq that go by so fast that you forget which day your on and at the end of the day you don’t have a clue what you did.

That is hard to explain, until you’ve actually been here to see it.  During a deployment, you live at work–everywhere you go is work.  You wear a unifrom, whether it is your ACU’s or your PTs (mostly ACUs) everywhere you go, you always wear your eye protection each time you walk out the door,  you see your boss everywhere you go as well–at chow, in the gym, or even in the PX–there’s really no place to hide, and you are away from your family and everything normal.  You are truly at work 24 hours a day.  So, if you have buzy days–it is quite easy for the day to turn into night without you noticing, and it is very easy to forget what day it is.  They all begin to run together.

So what did I do this week?

I went to meetings.

I talked about the meetings.

I listened to a 10 minute speak from Gen Petraeus–after waiting 30 minutes in the hot sun–it was worth it–he pretty cool.

I started a Monopoly club.

I played football with the staff.

I counseled Soldiers.

I worked on my sermon.

I cleaned up my office.

I went to chow.

I prayed for convoys going out.

I gave out “letters from home” bags.

I watched eight hours of Smallville–over a five day period is not alot really–how much TV do you watch?

I read half a book.

I ran 12 miles.

I unpacked and distributed packages.

I wrote some emails.

and I took my laundry…

What a great job!!