So, I'm completely new to this whole blog deal. Really, I'm new to this whole writing about your life thing (unless you count facebook status..?). First things first, I apologize if I ever seem to jump from one topic to another or seem completely random. That's just who I am. I guess I can make this first blog about my life and how I got to where I am. Nothing like a history lesson to help everyone understand what I come from. Well, here we go...
I was born and raised in Florida. Moved to Tennessee and North Carolina after that. I've lived here in Asheville, NC for a good 10 or so years. However, that will be changing in a couple weeks when I move to Ft Bragg, NC where I will be stationed with the Army. I enlisted in high school between my sophomore and junior year when I was 17 and plan to make a career out of the Army. I attended Infantry School at Ft Benning, GA and since have served with the Honor Guard (Military Funeral Honors). I was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in early 2009 and was there for a short 9 month tour. I now will be attended the John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School where I'll be training to receive a Green Beret.
Three things have affected my life greater than anything else- God, the Army, and my friends. It might seem difficult for people to see sometimes, but I am a practicing Christian. I find that term ("practicing Christian") amazingly accurate because I have yet to perfect it and haven't finished working on it yet. There have been times in my life when I felt God abandoned me. In actuality though, I know that I'm the one who abandoned Him. He has always been the reason I have been successful in anything I've done and I constantly know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that He loves me and doesn't expect anything in return. Sometimes I try to ignore that knowledge but my heart and mind will never be able to deny it. He is my best friend and while I'm not much of a good friend to Him, He's always there for me with His arms wide open and waiting to catch me when I fall. He IS love.
Now for part two of the things that affect me most- the United States Army. I should warn you all now, I sometimes talk non-stop about the Army. I have lots of stories from it and drink too much coffee to shut my mouth. I love my job. There are times and events that I don't like it but it defines who I am. The only things I ever felt truly accomplished about are things I've done in my career. I'm not the best soldier but I try and I will always seek to progress and improve myself. I plan to become a Special Forces Operator (which I'll begin training for once I arrive at Bragg). My time in Iraq changed my life big time. It changed who I was. Some things good. Some things bad. If I could go back and change the way things happened, I wouldn't change almost anything. It taught me a gigantic mess of things that nothing else could. As a quick side note, let me say this now: DO NOT ASK ME IF I HAVE KILLED ANYONE! There are things everybody, military or not, that they don't want to relive or talk about. Anyways, enough about the Army. I'll stop myself before I can't stop.
Lastly for life-altering things- my friends. I'm pretty sure this one goes without saying since most people feel like their friends help them in tough times and keep them happy. I will say this, however, while I might not say it or act like it at times, I am thankful for all of you and love you dearly.
Now for some random facts about me:
-I love the show Scrubs. Not the new seasons. The old ones (aka the good ones).
-I absolutely love photography. I currently am without a camera but will have a new one soon... I hope.
-While I have zero musical talent, I love music.
-I am sarcastic. Only a little though... *cough*
-I have one tattoo but want more. A lot more.
-I don't know what to put right now thanks to a brain fart.
-I love food. Lots and lots of food.
-I take long very hot showers.
-I don't sleep much but when I do it's at oddball times.
-Coffee makes me a better person.
-I'm still learning how to dress myself so don't hate.
-I, like everyone, have had a troubled past. Big deal.
-I carry a pen and paper almost everywhere with me. It's a military thing.
-Yet another brain fart.
-I joke around a lot about my PTSD. It is a very serious condition though that does affect me.
-I play video games, board games, and mind games.
-Now I want some coffee but am out of it. I hate life at this moment.
-Only the first part of that last one was true.
-Nough said yo
I think that's all for now. I'll try thinking of something good for next time. I'm going to end this with a cool Bible verse. Yeah, going out with a bang.
PSALM 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
