Oops! We missed an issue!
If you were wondering what happened to our newsletter this past fall, the simple answer is that it didn’t get sent out. The more complicated answer is that we had a lot going on with John returning from a summer deployment and going back to seminary, as well as Bree adjusting to being back at school full-time, and the kiddos starting at “Miss Lisa” for the school year. Some of you probably thought we just “went green” and stopped sending them. Well, we are “Going Green!” but only for those who tell us they would prefer reading our newsletter electronically. If you would like to see us and hear about what is new on a more frequent basis check out our blog: http://www.jblmr.blogspot.com/ We have already added a link to our blog for these newsletters. Please email us at: jpmcdougall@hotmail.com or bmcdougall31@hotmail.com to let us know if you would prefer email notification when there is a new newsletter. If we don’t hear from you, we will continue to snail mail you a paper copy.
Serving “God and Country” at West Point
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On July 1st, exactly 12 years after reporting to West Point for the first time, John returned to his “Rockbound Highland Home” (an affectionate, yet somewhat sarcastic nickname for West Point) to spend seven weeks ministering to the cadets as a chaplain candidate. Upon his arrival, John was assigned to two Cadet Basic Training companies and served the incoming plebes in those companies for the duration of the summer – from R-day (the day the New Cadets report for duty) to the march back (the day the New Cadets complete their training). Over the course of the seven weeks, John was able to practice many ministry skills. He preached sermons on several occasions. He also counseled cadets on topics ranging from theological questions to personal problems. Perhaps John’s favorite aspect of ministry was simply ‘being there’ – being there when they were facing a difficult road march, being there when they were scared about the future, and being there when they needed someone to talk to. By summer’s end, John left with profound disappointment that he could not remain, but with renewed enthusiasm about returning to the chaplaincy full-time.
US Army Chaplain Fact
In 1917, the United States was preparing for a full-scale war in Europe and the chaplain corps was an integral part of this mobilization. Before the war, the Army chaplaincy consisted of only 126 ministers. By war’s end, over 2,200 additional chaplains joined their ranks! Many were decorated for valor including 27 Distinguished Service Crosses and 18 Silver Stars. (Found on http://www.usachcs.army.mil/)
Life in the 1st Grade
Bree went back to school full time starting in August. While it has been good to be back, teaching full time with 2 young kiddos at home poses its own set of challenges. The biggest one being getting out of the door by 7:32am so Bree can “beat” the school buses! Thank goodness John is around this year to help dress and wrangle Lydia and Micah.
The beginning of the school year started off a bit bumpy as Bree has twenty-one 1st graders, many of which have extraordinarily unique behavioral, emotional, social, and academic needs. However, every student has begun to show growth in all areas of the classroom and Bree has really fallen in love with her rough and rowdy bunch! Bree is also very happy to be back at Fircrest where she loves the staff, the administration, and is continuing her leadership role on the staff development team in the area of mathematics.
Kids Korner
Since I’m the big sister, I get to write first. This summer was super exciting. First Daddy went off to the Army and I got to go live in Seattle at Nonna and Opa’s house for 5 weeks! I have a feeling Nonna and Opa were a bit shell shocked when we first arrived! While living in Seattle we kept ourselves very busy. I played lots outside (helping to “water plants”), made friends with “Nonna’s Ruth and John” (next door neighbors), and even got to take 2 weeks of swim lessons with Natalie and Andrew! (The kiddos that Aunt MaeMae nannies for.)
The best part of the summer however was flying on 2 airplanes to go see all my NJ family and Daddy at the Army! Thank you to all the NJ family who helped schlep us to and from the airport, our hotel, and many other places! While in NJ we were able to help celebrate Great-Grandmom’s (“Opa’s Mommy”) 80th birthday and Great-Granny’s (“Nonna’s Mommy”) 85th birthday! Both parties had very yummy cakes with lots of frosting for me to eat. I even got to help blow out birthday candles!
One other major highlight of our trip was going “down the Jersey Shore.” We spent a wonderful day on Long Beach Island where we met Aunt Eileen and Michael. We climbed to the top of Barnegat Lighthouse, Micah and I both dipped our toes in the Atlantic for the first time, and I christened the shore when I “lost my lunch” after tasting ocean water for the 1st time! I’ve played lots in the Pacific but have never gone in enough to taste it! YUCK! Despite losing my lunch I loved the beach and really enjoyed being able to share the shore with Opa and the rest of my family!.jpg)
Well, a lot has happened since this summer! Sharing “Miss Lisa” with Micah everyday, pumpkin patch adventures, Thanksgiving fun with both sets of Grandparents and “Auntie Glenda” and “Uncle Jeffy,” we’ve even made a trip to see Santa! Christmas is something I am super excited about this year. For starters, Grandma (McDougall) has made me a “Princess Christmas Dress.” I’m also way into this whole “Baby Jesus” thing and even tell people that I have a “Baby Jesus” in my belly. I’m not quite sure what the weird looks and rolls of eyes are about when I announce my big news. Maybe someday I’ll understand. Ciao for now! I’m going to let Micah have a turn!
I am 8 months old now and am crawling everywhere, weigh 20+lbs., and am pretty much inhaling anything in the big wide world of “solid” food! So far I have really enjoyed: oatmeal, yogurt, any and all pureed veggies, any and all pureed fruits, and my favorite is avocado pureed with chicken and mild salsa! Mommy’s blender gets a serious workout on the weekends when she makes my food for the week!Aside from solid food I’d have to say the most exciting introduction in my life has been College Gameday! College football fans, you know what I’m talking about. It really doesn’t get any better than a Saturday afternoon game, sitting on the couch or bed, and listening to my dad yell, clap, and cheer at all the different plays. Most recently we’ve been cheering for teams like Auburn and Texas (in honor of my Aunt Jenn). Unfortunately, NFL (Seahawks) hasn’t been nearly as much fun to watch this season. Seattle has had one of the most pitiful sports seasons in years, so I’m really looking forward to a fresh start for Seattle sports with Mariner’s Spring Training in 2009!
Well it’s Christmas time and I’m not quite sure what all the hype is about. However, I do enjoy trying to pull ornaments off the tree whenever the grown-ups aren’t looking. I had a good time meeting some big guy named Santa. While I sat on that guy’s lap mom and dad made funny faces, clapped, and made goofy sounds. I smiled and that seemed to keep them happy! Happy Christmas to all!
