Then...

and Now.

I took a six-week job with the National Guard on Wednesday. I am now stationed at Camp Roberts in San Miguel, California, where I will be assisting with Combat Lifesaver (CLS) training for roughly 3500 mobilized guardsmen out of Oregon.

This camp has ghosts. It isn't spooky, but it does feel like it has history; like, being here, I should be training to fight Hitler's Germany, or Communism in Southeast Asia. Or, at least, like I'm interrupting those who are. I can hear some burly NCO's voice from 1941 every time I turn the faucet. "Get outta my past, kid!" New Yorkers...

It does have some nice diversions, however. There is a river that runs through the property (two of them, actually) that is famous for it's trout fishing. I work with a sergeant who knows a few spots and has offered to take me out to them. He also says there is awesome surfing only an hour away near Pismo Beach. I don't mean to tell tales out of school, but it's rumored that at a certain military-friendly surf shop, you can get a full set-up; board, suit, boots, hood, all for under twenty dollars a day, and that's if they remember to charge you. I'm going to have to look into that. Other than that, this is great cycling country, and I just happened to bring my bike.

The Spanish Lady and I are craving independence. Being able to work and go to school long distance has made us curious about the possibility of doing this long term. There are a handful of more permanent positions on post that I might be able to put in for. If it worked, we would try to move near San Luis Obispo before the baby gets here. Right now, it's just pure fantasy, but a very potent one. It's enough to make us realize we're not entirely happy with where we're at, and are anxious for some changes. All we can really do right now is talk about them, but they're fun conversations to have.

For the first time in a few years, I was able to watch general conference on the day it was broadcast. How I got BYU tv on the same service that doesn't include national networks hints at divine intervention to me ('they came in from nowhere, and, after fixing every tv in the billets, plowed old man Jenkins' field in one afternoon...'). It was nice to hear the words of apostles and prophets, and to feel the spirit that accompanies them. It helped me to put some perspective on my life and it's challenges. I feel like, whatever they'll be, I can let the changes happen; that I'll be able to deal with them, then. Knowing that is enough for now.