Brothers in Christ

   I'm now a month into the second semester of the BYU Chaplaincy masters programs. First, an update as far as things military are going. I went through MEPS (Medical Pre-screening) a few weeks ago. Not so bad. It's basically an amalgamation of every check-up you've ever gotten. They check your vision, hearing, do a written health check akin to one you've already filled out, do a physical, check your urine, and other things like that. There's no running, sit-ups, or push-ups. They check your flexibility, but there's nothing physically strenuous. Just a lot of waiting in line for one check-up, then waiting in line for the next. I've got all of my paperwork done that I need to do. I'm waiting on one letter of reference, and then I'll just be waiting for the board. From what I understand as soon as the board approves I'll be able to go to an officer and actually do the deed; pick an officer I know and have them swear me in.

   In other news, this week is the 180th general conference, as well as my second LDS Chaplains conference. Every October conference they also have a conference for all LDS Chaplains. Friday before conference, we have an evening meeting with 'heavy hors d'oeuvres.' There is a speaker (about an hour), but it seems like the main purpose is to allow all the chaplains to catch up with each other, and see how all the other chaplains are doing. They give us tickets to all five session of conference, which occupies Saturday, and Sunday, then Monday and Tuesday will be a series of seminars from 8-5 in the church office building and conference center. Last year the Army Chief of Chaplains was among the speakers. This year we'll have Elder L Tom Perry and RADM Mark L. Tidd, Chief of Navy Chaplains. The whole experience is a spiritual feast, with the unfortunate risk of having so many great spiritual entrèes that you can't handle of it. 

   I titled my post Brothers in Christ because in one session of conference, when some of the other chaplain candidates in my cohort sat directly behind me in stead of scooting all the way to the end they were asked if they were family. Ryan Lewis jokingly said, "We're brothers in Christ, does that count?" I started thinking about the friendship and bond that has grown between us these past few months and I think his title for us is probably the best one. I happened to have my journal with me at the time, and I wrote down the following.

I was thinking about my fellow chaplains in school. We're not technically chaplains yet, but we are already brothers in Christ's gospel. It's interesting and amazing that we have already developed such a powerful bond. I can feel for each of them, and feel their love and support in return. I can think of no better term for it than brothers in Christ. How blessed am I.

 I am on a long and arduous journey, but I am not alone. I have my Lord, my family, and my brothers in Christ.

Genesis

   Today (or I guess yesterday since we're past midnight) a member of the seventy asked us to keep record of all that we do as chaplains so that our history can be cataloged for future generations. I can't remember his name (names have never been my strong point), but I felt the truth of it, so here I begin my chronicle.
   For me the journey began during priesthood session of general conference a few years back. I don't remember exactly which one, but it was well before I was married(2007). Something one of the speakers said reminded me of a question that had been on my mind for some time; what should I do with my life? There came into my mind a resounding that that I needed to try and be a seminary teacher. The thing that bothered me a little was the word try, which almost implied that I was going to fail. Nevertheless I began the process of becoming a seminary teacher. My wife, being the more spiritual of the two of us knew that something was wrong before I did. All through my final months of training she kept asking me if I was sure that this is what I wanted to do. After a semester of student teaching I finally realized this myself, and began the search anew.
   College seemed like the place to be with the waning economy, but we had no way to pay for it. That brought in the idea of the military service. We looked at several branches and compared army/navy/reserves, etc., and the idea of being a chaplain got thrown in the mix too. The real change happened on the way home from by brother-in-law's graduation from MCRD San Diego. There was a car overturned on the side of the road, and in our caravan we had an EMT, police officer, MD, and a marine (he directed traffic). We stayed there until the ambulance arrived. While the rest were doing what they could my wife and I got out and helped pick up the papers that were scattered across the side of the highway. I felt an overpowering desire to help, and not just here and her daughter, but everyone I possibly could. Somehow, in  that moment, I knew the way that I could help best was to be a chaplain. At a chaplain conference (held annually in conjunction with LDS general conference) about a year later, my wife and I both felt prompted that we were to join the Navy.
   The process of getting here is quite a bit of paperwork and time. The first step is to get in touch with military relations at the church office building. To even be considered you have to have an ecclesiastical endorsement from your bishop, stake president, a member of the seventy, and the military relations division of the church. Once you've been endorsed you then have to get accepted into a masters of religion program somewhere. While it's possible to go to any divinity school and earn a masters, we chose BYU because of the scholarship opportunities and the benefit of being educated by those of your own faith. Once accepted you can then start all of the paperwork. You need a complete background check, so just about everything you've done and everywhere you've been for the last 7 years. You'll need to get references, peer reviews, interviews, health papers, etc. If all were to go perfectly and you had all of your paperwork down lickety split you'd be lucky to get it done in three or four months. As it is, near the end of my first semester of college I'm still a couple months from officially being in as a chaplain candidate. Then it will be two years of school, the officer version of basic training, and chaplain schools (6 weeks, like AIT). Then if the board accepts you, you're officially in. It's a long process, but I have faith that it will most definitely be worth it.
   Next post I'll go into the semester so far, and schoolwork in general.