Have you ever testified at a court martial?

No?  Me neither, but I was very close today.  I was flown to an Army base 3 days after first learning that testimony on data that I'd provided could be used as additional evidence in the case.  And you thought that data analysis was boring.  I don't want to give a lot of details because I really don't know if I should.  I know very little about the case so the case isn't really my main interest.  I was released without testifying.  Oh well.

However, for 3 days, I thought I was going to testify in an Army court martial trial (in case I didn't make that clear).  That's a little trying on the nerves even though I had nothing to be nervous about because I wasn't on trial.  In everything that we do, I feel like God is using that situation to help us learn and grow.  I just couldn't figure out what I was supposed to be learning.

After spending parts of 2 days on a military base, it hit me pretty hard.  I learned how lucky I am to live in a country that is free.  And that freedom comes from the dedication and sacrifice of our men and women in the military.  It's something you hear a lot, but being in the middle of it gives you a new appreciation.  While on base, I could see the structure and respect that is missing in a large part of our country today.  There was no sense of entitlement; just a sense of dedication to the task at hand.

While waiting in the witness room, there was a serviceman named Smith that struck up a conversation with me.  I don't know his rank or even his first name, but we had a good talk.  He seemed interested in our database and what we did.  He said he had an interest in getting into computer systems and networking and was currently "in charge of anything with batteries" (along with other things in communications).  What most caught my attention was that he had a 14-month old little girl that he was able to see while he was back at the base.  He'd been flown in from the war zone to testify.  It was only the 3rd time he'd seen her in the last 10 months.  Having a 3 1/2 year old, I couldn't imagine having missed major parts of Taylor's first years.  He joked about relatives telling stories about Thanksgiving and Christmas and not being able to remember those events.  "Oh yeah," he joked, "I wasn't there."  It made me realize how lucky we are to have brave people like Smith who are willing to give up the prime of their life (and in many cases sacrifice their life) to protect our freedom.  I get upset if I miss a Carolina basketball game or a Yankees playoff game.  These folks are missing holidays and milestone events with their family.

In the end, I think that is what God was trying to show me.  Reminding me first-hand that no matter what I have going on, there is always someone else that could use my prayer.  So I ask that you join me in praying specifically for Smith and more broadly for all the men and women in the military, as well as their families.

Why?

That's a good question. Why should I start a blog? Why do married men do half the things they do? Because their wives tell them to. It wasn't actually a command, more of a healthy suggestion. She probably gets tired of being the only outlet for my political rants and sports fanaticism. I guess she wants someone else to suffer.

Lets's get this straight up front. I do happen to think it's healthy to argue with polical commentators on TV. I do think Alex Rodriguez can hear me when I yell at him for striking out with runners in scoring position. Roy Williams can hear when I'm screaming, "Call a timeout." He just won't listen.

What will I talk about? I'm a guy that analyzes numbers all day. I'm boring. Spend time with my family, go to church, go to work. Wonderful, fulfilling, wouldn't trade it for the world. It's just not something to blog about. However, the last couple of weeks have shown me that it's not so boring after all.

Besides, this isn't about you. It's an outlet for me. Hopefully, it will be interesting. If not, sorry.

We'll just sit back and enjoy the next adventure that God has in store.