I realized that I had yet to write of the changes in Daniel's military world:
He is a Platoon Leader!
That which he has been training for for the past 5 years is now upon him. That which he has dreamed of, sweated over, and has had his heart beat faster for, is here.
A Platoon Leader. A leader of 40 men. A leader that will take these 40 men to combat.
It is amazing the weight of his responsibility.
When we first arrived in Washington, we were both under the impression that a platoon would not open up until they were already overseas. But the platoon opened up just about a month ago, and Daniel has been leading for the past two weeks.
The life of a platoon leader is many things, but most certainly it is busy! My husband wakes at 4:50 and is out the door by 5:20 am.
He begins the morning at work by leading his platoon in their Physical Training.
Then, throughout the day, he is given task after task after task to complete. However, underneath all these tasks lies the responsibility of organized paperwork, training tasks of the day, and fellowship with his platoon. And, he maintains an open-door policy. So all his men like to come and talk with him (I mean, I would want to too!). Needless to say, it is extremely hard to find the time to complete all of his tasks!
Sometimes he doesn't return home until 7:30 pm and as he says: "I could stay until midnight and still not have everything completed.."
Wow. He is an extremely hard-worker and the best Soldier I know. Leading a platoon is not for the faint of heart.
My husband and I have been working through this transition to the leadership position. I selfishly have chosen to not see life from his perspective. But my eyes were opened this past Saturday as we delivered a meal to one his platoon members, who had just welcomed the arrival of their third child.
Just to see his face, Daniel's, next to that of this man, this man who Daniel would lead in combat, made the realization hit hard. It is largely Daniel's responsibility to bring this man home. Home from war. Home from overseas.
And then I looked at his wife and at the faces of his three precious children. What a responsibility to bring the husband of this woman and the father of these children, home. A noble responsibility.
And what a shame that I have not supported as I should have but only looked to the selfish ache in my heart for more time and for more of my needs to be met. Praise God that I can fall upon His mercy, where no time is wasted time, and I can begin anew and afresh today to support my husband as he leads.
Daniel will lead his platoon into combat this coming April. For 9 months he will lead them. For 9 months he is purposed with the homecoming of each and every one of these 40 men.
Would you please join me in prayer for both my husband and for these men?
Savored times!
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