Women in Aviation Int'l Conference

Well the next stop on my agenda is a conference in Atlanta, GA. Yes, I signed myself up for this as well. I was a member of Women in Aviation Int'l for a while, but never had the opportunity to go to the conference. This time around, I'm going and with a group of military aviators in various stages of training or instructing here at the flight school. I'm pretty excited about this opportunity and adventure. I do what I can to keep this time of waiting filled and so far so good. Smile...

Leaving next Wednesday, we'll be driving to Atlanta (about a 5hr drive) to stay through Sunday. I would greatly appreciate your prayers on this adventure. It's nice to take advantage of these new opportunities, but also a challenge as well. Going with a group of gals most of whom do not know our Lord is a chance to let Christ shine through me, but it's also a place where I could be faced with temptations. I suppose any place is a place for that.. I'm going with the Lord though and that makes all the difference. PTL!!! I'll try to update you all upon my return...though I have a feeling I might actually be busy for the next couple of weeks following the conference. Smile...

Yes, I'm headed to Mobile, AL the Monday after returning from GA to work at a Coast Guard airstation for a month or so. From what I've been told, I'll be working with the training department there assisting in whatever way is needed. I'm looking forward to having something to do for a while. I guess I never was much of one to sit around for too long and enjoy it.. Smile.. I'd rather be working and being productive with my days allowing me to enjoy the off-days more. PTL!!! While I'm in Mobile, I'm planning on getting on some flights...hopefully as many as possible. A friend of mine who is stationed over there flies the Falcon Jets for the CG and has already told me he'd take me up... I've met over helo pilots and plan to try to get up with them as well... We'll see... Would appreciate your prayers that I will be effective there in Mobile and a blessing... Also, that the Lord will give me good connections there. I have already been blessed to meet the Commanding officer of the Mobile airstation who is a believer. He and his wife are quite wonderful people. PTL!!!

Bless you all for all your prayer and support. It is always a nice reminder to know that I have friends and family praying for me and supporting me in my journey with the Lord.. I'm learning much in this adventure of military life. I was reminded this morning to the hope that we have in Christ that others do not have the privilege to enjoy. When trouble hits the fan and life is a challenge, we can remember Christ's promises for everyday life as well as His overarching promise of salvation and His soon return. We have HOPE!! PTL!!! Have a blessed weekend..

Military Mardi Gras Ball & Beach walks...

Veronica & I are in flight school together!

Yes, I've been helping out with military balls these days, well only one actually.. A friend I made while working at the Presidential Inauguration in DC was in charge of coordinating a Mardi Gras Military Ball in Mobile, AL. Interested in being a part of what was going on and being in attendance that this event, I offered to help in any way I was able. Andy & myself....his wife is in the group pic of gals...

My friend, known as Andy for the remainder of this blog, was quick to snatch up my offer and I soon found myself helping out with door prize events, and other last minute details for the ball. I loved being involved, serving others, running around in the middle of all that was going on... It was totally my style. I was able to enjoy the ball, but I was also busy and not just sitting around trying to make conversation with whoever..

A Commander & I worked on door prize stuff together most of the day!!

While at this ball, I met many important individuals, which was a plus. One of the most exciting introductions I was given was to a Christian couple in the Coast Guard. After conversation with them for a short time, we were soon talking about where we went to church and some good churches in the area. Since they had previously been stationed in Pensacola, they were familiar with some of the churches in the area that I'm living in. They asked me if I'd heard of a church, and I was pleased to discover it as one that I had recently visited and liked the most. Church hunting has been a job for me it would seem. It has been a challenge going weekend to weekend without being plugged into any one church. I have been in and out of town, and I have visited three or four different churches since I moved here. I believe I have finally found one that I'd like to attend regularly.. It was nice to have a sense of confirmation through my conversation with the couple at the ball. PTL!!!

Worked on Ball stuff with this LCDR all the day of the Ball!!
Anyway, moving on... I'm still waiting for flight school stuff to get rolling for me. I'm on a waiting list, so in the mean time I'm having to fill my days. This time has been good for getting settled, learning the area, and getting small details here and there accomplished. I've enjoyed decorating my own home for once in my life, being able to finally print some of my photography collection and use it in my home. PTL!!! Waiting has also been a huge challenge. I've had much time to think, too much time if you ask me...which leads to anxiety, depression, and loneliness, etc if I'm not careful. I've struggled with these and other things since being here, but the Lord continues to care for me and pull me through. Depression has been my most recent rival and I'm continuing to pray through that one. My next adventure includes spending a month working in Mobile, AL at the Aviation Training Center for the CG. It is the CG's "Mecca" for aviation. I will most likely be involved in helping with writing aviation manuals for a new aircraft that the CG is slowly moving into the fleet of aircraft. Since I've been able to make some friends there in Mobile, I also plan on getting up on some flights whenever possible. Looking forward to getting back up into the air.. It's about time for that.. I'm looking forward to going to Mobile for a few weeks, because it will give me something of a schedule and a reason to get up each morning.. I need something productive to fill my days with besides sitting around thinking about flight school and wondering.. Grin... I have a big enough imagination without giving it too much reign to run wild...
This week a friend of mine flew in from Miami in his CG Falcon jet to let me see it and have lunch. That was a brght spot on my week. I enjoyed a tour of a CG jet, meeting the crew, and getting to hang out with an ole friend of mine over lunch. Good times.. A few other coasties were able to come out and meet us for lunch and see the aircraft as well. It's been a lot of fun meeting pilots and CG aviators and asking them lots of questions. I've appreciated those aviators who are ahead of me in the game, have been flying for a few years or more with the CG who are more than willing to share their experience and offer whatever wisdom or advice they've gained over the years. It's been fun!

A little R&R on the beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon!! Very relaxing and a great day to read a book and soak up the sun and beauty of God's creation!! I only imagined being in FL on beaches and now I live here.. WoW!!

Well...I believe that about updates you all.. I appreciate the continued prayers and your interest in what the Lord is doing in my life. I would especially appreciate prayer concerning being a believer in the CG. Not an easy thing. I've talked with others about this topic, one who used to have a relationship with the Lord who no longer walks the walk because it didn't fit into her new life.. She is a coastie who seemingly has let go of her relationship with the Lord to fit into the CG world...maybe that isn't what led her away from the Lord at all, but it hits me everytime I've talked to her about it.. I am not willing to give up relationship with God to pursue this career... I've reminded the Lord that He put me here and I need His strength in this.. Your prayers on this matter would be amazing!! Thanks guys..