Army Bound Around October 2009

[Rev. John & Tabitha Pike]

Well, Army Recruiter Collins came out to the house yesterday. John has been thinking about joining the army for some time now. The day finally come to find out everything we need to know. For about 2 hours we talked with Collins and found out some vital information about our futures. We found out that it wont be until October before he can sign up because of a new law Obama has put in affect for our Military. For a time period of I am not sure of, they can only sign up 65,000 soldiers. The time clock goes back to Zero in October. Collins seemed very excited and present about joining the army full time. This is called Active Duty. In doing so John would get a bigger signing bonus, better health care, and better housing. After the recruiter Collins left, we then sat down and talk.

This is something we have not jumped into head first without thinking it out. We have been praying for months on this issue. Finally we got to sit down and talk it through. All the signs pointed to yes, and we know that the Holy Spirit is leading us in the direction he feels is best for our family. So in October, John will be taking the ASVAP test, a Physical Test, then off to boot camp for 9 weeks. Once he graduates boot camp he will be stationed somewhere in the USA on base or close to base. Then He could be sent to Iraq for a years time. This is a little scarey for us, but we feel it is right.

I was told that I could get a job on base as a Civilian. I would be paid well, and that I would also get free schooling for me and the kids. We would get free health care and we would get housing. Since I have a CDL on my license Collins said it would be no problem finding me a job. I was pretty much guaranteed a job on any military base. So there you have it. John is going to become Army Strong in October, after boot camp there is no telling were he will be based. I will quite my job, or at least give them a notification that I will be quitting and going to live somewhere else in the USA. God only knows were we will be stationed. I hope it is not to far away. I don't think I would like living in Hawaii. I like to visit someday but as far as living on a Volcano, I don't know.

There will be many people effected by this change in my life. First of all my children's lives will be changed but I believe for the better. Then there is my immediate family such as my sisters, my mother, father, nieces and nephews. I would only get to see my family once a year, at the least. It depends on were we are stationed. I look at this situation this way, it is better pay and I would be able to provide for my family better, it is a chance of a life time, my kids would get an adventure, and get to travel around the world, something they have always dreamed of as well as me. We would be able to see the world.

I would still write and publish my books and I would still keep my website up. I would have plenty of spare time to try to keep the harder issues off of my mind such as John going to Iraq for a year, and having to fight in a war. Only God knows what will become of this, but I will not suffocate my longing to do something important and live my adventure or my children's adventure. This family will become Army Strong. We are already Strong, and Christian Strong, Cross of Christ Strong, so I know we can endure anything that comes our way.

Please be praying for us.

Tabitha Robin

[Lori]

We will be praying for you!

[Rev. John & Tabitha Pike]

Thank you Lori for your prayers, we sure do need them. God bless you.

Lori said:

We will be praying for you!