Continuing Impressions of Mississippi

Tim at Centrifuge

In April Tim did centrifuge training in California. He got to go in a machine that simulated going very high g’s. He got g loc during the fourth event and had to make it to 7.5 g's for 30 seconds in order to pass the event.

When the guys g loc, often they will fall into a dream state. Tim, sure enough, dreamed that he was sitting on the couch at home having a nice relaxing conversation on the phone. It only lasted a few seconds, but in Tim’s dream it seemed to be much longer. Of course, some guys have not so nice dreams. One guy, whose experience has now been immortalized, woke with his hands in the air. When asked what he had been dreaming, he answered, “I dreamed that my wife was pulling a gun on me.”

Due to the pressure inside the machine, capillaries in Tim’s arm burst and he had funny red dots and bruises all over his arm. Thankfully, he made it to the required amount of g’s and passed on his next attempt. He even got a nice little DVD with a video of him in the machine, so I got to watch him g loc on camera. Random fact: shorter, stouter guys are able to handle the g forces more easily than taller, thinner guys.

Tim at work

I enjoy being married to a guy that loves his job. Fast machines will bring out the little boy in most guys, but most guys don’t actually get the chance to fly a military jet. When I ask Tim how his flight was, most days I'll get a big grin and hear about some new procedure, pattern, or maneuver. 

In July Tim got to enjoy race cars and jets in a flyover at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. On Saturday he got to hang out at the race track with two buddies and their instructors. They had fun being VIPs for the day and got to hang out by the pit crews and sit in the grandstand for the preliminary events. On Sunday he got to ride with his instructor in the flyover during the national anthem (with a police escort back to the track!). I texted him right after the flyover and asked him if he had fun. He said, “Yeah!”

Hearing a jet fly over your head does give one a lot of awe for the power of the machine. As they say, “That’s the sound of freedom.”

This world is not my home

We get asked a lot how long we’ll be here in Mississippi and where we’ll go next. My best answer is that Tim is hoping to get winged next March, and he is hoping to train for F-18 Hornets next. That could put us in California next year (or South Carolina).

Of course, “The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs His steps.” Training can be slowed or halted, so I try not to set my heart on any one option. “This world is not my home,” and I’m reminded of that every time friends ask, “So how’s life there in Louisiana? Alabama? Oh… Mississippi?”

On the home front

On the other side of the coin, we have our normal everyday lives to live. When Tim is home, he shares my more mundane concerns, such as THE RODENT POPULATION of central Mississippi. When we first moved here, we quickly learned not to attach our bird feeder to our roof if we wanted to avoid having little squirrel footsies scampering across the roof all day.

There are always three more

Three bird feeders later (squirrels destroyed the first two) we are much smarter. Our feeder is on a metal pole that has been lubricated with WD-40 and PAM. Tim has now trapped (and yes, killed) thirteen squirrels and three chipmunks. However, my Pop’s wisdom on squirrel matters has proved correct. No matter how many you kill, there are always three more.

Note since the first draft: We are now on bird feeder number four. Apparently, PAM wears off the pole more quickly than WD-40. 

At Rosalie House in Natchez - July 4th Week

Our neighborhood is really quite pleasant. When we go walking or running around the lake, the neighbors’ dogs will often join us. Tim loves this and often stops to talk to the dogs (which they love, too). When our neighbors arrive at their summer home after their week in New Orleans, their dogs will run up our driveway first thing, looking for my husband. When he’s not here, they figure I’ll do. I got a wet nose in my face during my walk on Friday.

Our church

Tim and I appreciate the family that we found at Northpoint Presbyterian Church (PCA). Although we are not from a Reformed Presbyterian background we have found the preaching here to be more accurate and understandable than the preaching at many other churches we've visited.

It’s an odd experience to come from your own little world and find that “we’re not the only deer in the forest.” In our part of the forest, the deer talk about BJU, the WILDS, and Billy Sunday. When we ventured across the valley, we found that some deer had never heard of these things. These deer talk about the General Assembly, RTS, and the Westminster Catechism. Thankfully, none of these differences concern Bible doctrine (well, the Westminster catechism pertains to Bible doctrine, but it is the same core doctrine that one would find taught at a Baptist or Bible church). 

We've appreciated the welcome our church gives to military couples and families. We really enjoy being involved with our Sunday School class and our choir. In May Tim even got to attend a church work day that finished up with a craw fish boil (a first!).

 How to get the local girls

During the check-in process Tim and his class were given pubs, gear, and general info about base and the surrounding area. In a general spirit of helpfulness, one instructor gave some advice about how to get a girl. (At this point in training many of the guys are still unmarried, and keep in mind that for a Marine, “getting a girl” does not mean finding a girlfriend with the intention of pursuing a committed, pure relationship with her).

His advice: you don’t want to get a girl at the local bar. These girls have all been around too much. Instead, find one at a local church. They’re good southern girls but they know more than you’d think.

A different instructor took it a step further. He said to find a girl at church, but not just any church. You have to visit a bigger one where you’ll blend in a bit.

 A random thought

This week I started putting together some photo albums. My second photo album started with pictures from the mission trip that I took to Africa the summer before my junior year of college. I remember how I spent that summer wondering what on earth God wanted me to do with my life. I didn't have a boyfriend and hadn't picked a major with the intention of getting a job.

Enjoying the adventure

The album ends with pictures of our wedding rehearsal and reception. In one short album, I could see pictures of God's provision and direction in my life over the course of two years. 

The Gospel has changed the way that Tim and I view life. It's not about us and what we accomplish. As exciting as we find military life, that is not what we live for. We're just trying to be faithful where God has put us, and for now, we're enjoying the adventure!