STEP has started.
My first interaction with the girls came Sunday night with a little “fashion show”. This was an impromptu deal I got to head up in an effort to help the girls understand what their clothes can do to guys. I had the leaders find something in their wardrobe (or borrow from those who had more than one item) that could be worn immodestly. There are no pictures of this event due to death threats from those modeling and a seven day confiscation of any camera that had the audacity to appear. 
First thing this morning I ran all the girls through a P.T. test so I could get an idea of where we were with physical ability and what we need to work on. I think running will be our big area of training.
I get back to the house and find a message that I need to pick up the girls from the lake with the bus at 11:20. I worked several hours on my Nutrition power point (to be given tomorrow) and picked up the cameras (video and regular) from AV – these will be my charges for the duration of STEP.
Yeah, I think I have enough to do. 
28-May-2007
27-May-2007
Brian left this morning for a week long deployment 
I’ll miss him.
25-May-2007
Brian has received several awards this week so I thought it proper to inform the world of his accomplishments. 
The first thing came in the mail – his diploma from college!
He worked off and on for seven weeks compiling all the training and
testing he had done since high school and sent it in to be evaluated.
He was told he had three things to do to complete a Bachelors degree so
he studied a week and took two CLEP tests then spent another three or
four intense days of study to complete a course on Biblical geography. He has graduated and his transcript is on the way to get him enrolled at Liberty university where he will pursue a Master’s in Business.
Next came the award ceremony at ALERT.
Wednesday we received certificates for completing a financial course and a Presidential Service award for the volunteer work we’ve done here on campus.
Thursday they handed out awards within the ALERT program and Brian was up for quite a few!
43rd Scripture Memory award (each award for reciting a passage of 50 or more verses)
24th Physical Training Excellence (this is hard to get!)
13th ALERT cadet challenge award
3 ALERT service awards
Giving him a total of 137 awards and making him the most “decorated” ALERT man ever!
Brian is a high achiever and excels in everything he puts his hand to.
I just wanted to say, way to go my man!
23-May-2007
A whole lot has been happening recently so I’ll try to catch up a little.
Monday evening Brian, Lori, Kevin and I went to hear the year end performance of the Longview Area Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Cahill plays viola, Benjamin is the principle second violin and Daniel is the Concertmaster!
(that’s Daniel standing up)
They played a good selection of crowd pleasers, my favorite being Russian and Ludmilla Overture (never heard it before but it was lively). They played a medley of Phantom music while three of the musicians sang; they all did well but the “Phantom” out-shined the other two.
As Concertmaster, Daniel played a solo on his violin which was accompianed by the orchestra.
Daniel played Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major by Mozart – for those who want to know.
I liked this picture of the two brothers.
The evening was wonderful and filled with family fellowship afterwards. I’m glad we were able to be involved in a big part of their life.
20-May-2007
This weekend Brian and I were deployed to a book fair near Jackson MS. We had a wonderful drive, savoring the extra together time, and stayed at a wonderful house out in the country under the hospitality of an ATI mom.
The fair was small but it caused the people attending to be less harried and more willing to stop a moment and talk about the program. I think I recruited at least three girls for STEP next year. It was also a good chance to encourage a Cadet family (Father and son helped run the booth) trying to establish a squad in the Jackson area.
One evening after the book fair, the family invited us over for dinner and on the way to their house the father gave us a tour of downtown Jackson. Among many historic and interesting buildings we saw this:
A Memorial to the Missing.
When this little house is full it will hold 50 million pennies – one
for each baby killed by abortion since Roe v. Wade.
First Baptist
church of Jackson has erected this memorial and it stands right across
the street from the state capitol.
After the tour we enjoyed a wonderful meal and a good visit with the family. In all, we had a good weekend, though we were glad to head for Texas…..and cheaper gas!
