Mister - Captain - Sir

A few months ago Uncle Caleb
Skyped us while he was on the MEU where
he's been training for this next deployment.

Here's his view just as he left cell reception!

 And here's his grinny-grin-grin

And, as much as I can barely believe it,
he has already deployed again!

This is his fourth deployment in five years,
and this one feels like it "cuts deeper" than the last few.

I feel at-a-loss as to how to pray for him,
how to pray for his wife, Nancy,
how to pray for his baby girl, Sophia.

So, today I'm going to look through photos
and celebrate how God has been present
in every little step in Caleb's life so far,
and choose to trust:
trust that God does things with intention and purpose,
trust that the next 7-10 months
are part of His plans for Caleb, for Nancy, for Sophie
trust that He will provide the grace, strength and mercy
necessary for them during this time.

Look at this cute Babe!

I feel like I could go for a swim in those
big ole' chocolate brown eyes!

 

Hanging out at Punta Carnero
Our favorite family vacation spot!

Handsome boy at elementary school in Folsom

Never "too cool" for his Mom- even at school!

At the Butterfly Farm outside Quito
hanging with the Morpho Blue Butterfly

Celebrating my BIOLA graduation in La Mirada!

 Hanging with his first in-law in Salinas!

And willing to pose for a picture before heading into the water

Takin' a boatride out to Isla de Plata
and making more and more memories!

Cheering in the Estadio in Quito

Vamos Ecuador!!

  

Supporting Neil as he gets married in Arkansas

 Displaying his love of Ecuador in his dorm room

Hiking a volcano in Guatemala

 Third-time becoming an Uncle,
and a natural with a newborn

Dating this lovely woman, Nancy

 Married and loving life,
visiting family in Wisconsin

Now a Da-da!

 And loving her so well!

I love you brother!

Am praying for you many times per day.

 And choosing to trust God to carry each of you forward!

Sacrifice

You will often hear people say
we should be thankful for the sacrifices
the troops make overseas.

Somehow I've mainly interpreted that statement to mean,
"Be grateful for those that lost their lives
defending the freedom I so freely enjoy."

While I do realize it is important
to acknowledge that some lose their lives
defending our freedom here,

I think this sacrifice the troops endure
is often different than giving their life!

My incredible brother, Captain Caleb Gowan,
was deployed to Japan a few months ago,
leaving behind his wife and unborn daughter.

Through Facetime and Skype
he was able to be Nancy's "Coach"
as she delivered baby Sophia Lee Gowan,
and then Caleb was graciously allowed to come back
to be with them, arriving just two days after she was born!

In order to fulfill his duties as a Marine,
Caleb sacrificed the opportunity,
the DUTY of getting to be present to be a helpmate to his wife,
and the GIFT of being there to hold his little newborn daughter!

He got to spend 10 "blissful" days with his little family,
and get to know Sophia
while also supporting Nancy
and learning to parent alongside her.

This was a gift- and I'm SO grateful God put the pieces together
to allow this to happen immediately after her birth! 

Today he is on his way back to Japan.

And again will return to his duties as a Marine...
...his duties that include
a sacrifice of holding this sweet little girl for the next few months!
a sacrifice of experiencing those sleepless nights
and handing the fussy, hungry baby off to her mama!
a sacrifice of getting to spend time face to face!
a sacrifice of sleeping next to his wife!

I know he knew he was signing up for this.
And I know he has chosen to be a Marine Officer.

I know God has given continuous signs that this is
where He wants Caleb, Nancy and Sophia to be right now.

And so I hope!
And I see Caleb and Nancy continue to put Hope in the Lord!

And I trust!
And I witness Caleb and Nancy trusting His perfect will!
And I pray!
And I hold Caleb and Nancy up in prayer
as they continue to deeply be shaped by Him!
And I love!
And I watch Caleb and Nancy grow in their love for Jesus
and their love for each other despite the obstacles they face!

Today I read this on a friend's blog.
She is going through her own struggles
as she spends some time away from family
believing she is acting in obedience to God,
but struggling to consistently maintain her trust in Him.
She quotes:

...when Jesus invites us on an adventure,

He shapes who we become with what happens along the way.

 Bob Goff

Love Does

 I believe Jesus has invited Caleb and Nancy on this adventure.
It's a hard one! It's a rocky one! It's quite unknown!
And I believe He longs to continue shaping them
as they walk this path on which He has them!

Will you join me in praying for this beautiful little family?

Caleb said good-bye this morning,

and will travel several hours to get back to Japan.

Last night they celebrated "Thanksgiving & Christmas"

and enjoyed time being together.

What is one thing I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving year?

There's not just one thing!

* Facetime and Skype *

* Flights from Japan to California so he could get there quickly *

* A generous C.O. that allowed Caleb the paternity time *

* Confirmation that God has them on this path intentionally *

* A skilled and talented brother that is willing to sacrifice *

* An incredible sister-in-law that perseveres and sacrifices too *

* A beautiful, precious new niece *

* Friends like you that will read and hold them up in prayer *

God bless each of you Caleb, Nancy and Sophia!

Others

I haven't blogged much about others lately,
mostly cuz I'm "self-absorbed" in my world ...

But others' lives are full of their own
happenings, news, movements, etc.

One that I am particularly thinking lots on these days...

Caleb deployed again last week- this time to Japan-,
and back in San Diego is their sweet dog, Angel,
and Caleb's incredible wife, Nancy, who is great with child!
Their little girl is due to make her debut in mid-November.
Again I am impressed and proud of his ability to
accept the tasks given him, pursue excellence in those tasks,
and find fulfillment even in tough circumstances.

I find I'm praying for them...

when I long for Greg while he is away only for a day-worth of hours,
when I think about the support Greg brought to me during labor and delivery,
when I imagine Caleb getting used to another new place,
when I watch Greg hold, burp, snuggle, bathe or love on Baby Jacob,
when I see promotions for the Olympics that will be in Japan in 2020,
when I pick through my kids' clothes and think of Baby G that will arrive soon,
when I stare into my kids' eyes and thank the Lord for them!

I am also thinking about this man and his fam a lot, especially today...

Today Neil turns THIRTY!
It amazes me that I am over thirty,
so to think my little brother is thirty... weird!

He is an incredibley hard worker and inspires me
with his desire to continue bettering himself,
becoming the man God intends for him to be,
and learning to love God and others well.

I find I'm praying for them:
that they love and lead their children to a relationship with Jesus,
that they continue to form friendships and find godly mentors,
that they find time together, time to dote on their kids,
time with the Lord, time to do His ministry, time to experience life,
that their love for one another would continue to deepen and grow.

I wish I was closer to you, my brothers!

I am so thankful for how technology allows me to feel closer to you,
but I find my heart longs for proximity-closeness!
Our little family of five is the same "order" as the fam I grew up in!
Girl, boy, boy-- all within a relatively close age of one another.
I think of you two so often when I look at my three...

I love you two dudehs!

Dudeh: prounounced "doo-day"

Capt'n Gowan

 Captain Gowan!

So proud of this man!

Pinned

Today 1st Lieutenant Gowan is no more!!!

Uncle Caleb was pinned CAPTAIN GOWAN

and we're so excited for him!

"Gratz! Yay!"

"Captain Cookie"

"Shall we salute him?"

"Like this?"

"Wait, which hand?"

"This is SO embarrassing!"

"Nailed it!"

Captain Gowan, we salute you!

Thank you for your service!

So proud to get to be your sister!!

Home

He's Home!!

There's a VeggieTales song, one of the original episodes,

where the Israelites are about to enter the Promise Land
and they sing:
"We didn't have a lot of fun in the desert.
We didn't have a lot of fun in the sand....
But now we're on our way,
(I'll have a cheese souffle)
Because we're going to to the Promise Land.
And in the Promise Land
It'll be so grand
We'll have our fill from the grill
As much as we can stand
It'll be so great
Oh we can hardly wait,
Cuz we're going to the Promise Land!"

I imagine Caleb looks forward to much more than the grill,
but is SO glad to be out of the desert
-the figurative and literal desert-
and back home with his wife,
and the comfort and freedom he was there to protect!

Caleb, We want to welcome you HOME!

Nancy provided some really fun "coming home" gifts
and "welcoming home" signs!

And Laura and her girls
made this awesome sign for their house too!

I'll bet Angel will go NUTS to see her "Daddy" home too!

Caleb,
I can't think of a better item to give thanks for,
than to know you're home, safe, reunited, here.
I love you,
I thank God for designing you the way He did.
Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

Jesus,
You are oh-so-faithful.
I want to publicly acknowledge Your hand
and your involvement
in bringing Caleb home safely.
Thank you for protection.
Thank you for Your faithfulness.

Thank you.
What a gift!
What a sweet reunion!
Thank you.

Not Yet

Every time I check my email
I get little butterflies
as I wait to get the news
that maybe Caleb's on his way Stateside.

Not yet.

I feel excitement,
butterflies,
smiles cross my face
when I think about how soon he'll be
wrapped up in Nancy's arms.

Then I think about how excited
he and Nancy must be!

Today I'm thanking the Father
for bringing the two of YOU together!
Today I'm thanking the Holy Spirit
for accompanying both of you through this season.
Today I'm thanking Jesus
for His love for each of you individually
as well as His love for you together!
The Lord has blessed the two of you.
He has given you each other,
he has orchestrated your circumstances
so that He can best use you for His glory
in the place He has you,
in the church He has you,
in the next job He'll place you,
in the circles of friends He provides for you,
in the new circumstances He'll put in front of you.
May He continue to bless you,
use you,
be glorified through you
and your relationship!

Love you guys!

Our Veteran

Happy Veteran's Day!

Today's not Tuesday,
but that doesn't mean we're not celebrating Lt. Gowan,
and praying for him as he is in the ends of his tour!

Yesterday was the USMC's birthday.
Caleb put this great quote up on his FB page:
"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines.
They are convinced to the point of arrogance,
that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth-
and the amusing thing about it is that they are."  

--Father Kevin Keaney

1st Marine Division Chaplain

Korean War 

Happy Birthday, USMC!

The time is so close to here!
I'm so excited for the day when I'll hear the news
that Caleb and Nancy are back together!
That Caleb's feet are on "home" soil.

Here's Caleb with his unit.
I found myself praying for each of these men.

As kids, when we "re-entered" the US after being in Ecuador,
we were told coming "home" would be hard.
We'd feel like we didn't belong,
we'd be very aware of our "differences",
we'd find ourselves in "shock" by unique triggers from the cultural differences.

I'm sure it's different,
to have been deployed
compared to being a missionary kid,
but I also assume that
it's difficult to come home,
as you face various obstacles.

One thing I am SURE of though,
is that Caleb and Nancy will be glad to have
this phase over and done with!

I also know that Caleb is excited to see
BOTH
of these beautiful ladies! =)

Caleb,
Nancy,
I'm stoked for you to be together again!
I'm so proud of both of you
and how you've made it through this past season,
and clung to God and your friends and family!
May your reunion be SWEET as can be!

Lord Jesus,
May Caleb and his troops recognize how much we appreciate them,
may they find purpose in the months they've spent away from
friends and family here in the US,
and may they find comfort from your Spirit.
Bring these men to your side,
and call them by name,
so that they may know you and glorify you
as they soon leave Astan
and head for home!

Waitin'

There's something about waiting

that is so hard for us to handle.

The combination of
anticipation or excitement,
unknowns and/or expectations,
nerves or even fears,
anxiety and hope,
boredom or unnecessary busy-ness,
mashed up together to become
the wait.

Lieutenant Gowan is now approaching a big change
and it's so close he can taste it

and I assume he's in that waiting phase
that is so... what word describes it?
I dunno

So, Caleb, this week
I'm praying for your heart.
I'm praying you remain faithful to your Lord,
that you rely on Him in the interim.
I'm praying you hear the Holy Spirit loudly,
that your heart would be softened to His voice.
I'm praying you continue in strength,
that you find contentment in the place God still has you.
I'm praying for you.

Nancy, you, also, are covered in prayer!
I'm praying for your heart too!
I'm praying you remain faithful to your Lord,
that you rely on Him as you wait and anticipate.
I'm praying you hear the Holy Spirit loudly,
that your heart would hear His voice as He comforts you.
I'm praying you continue in strength,
that you find contentment as God journeys with you
even in these last few weeks.
I'm praying for you.

God,
the Father of all,
the Creator, Designer, Almighty King,
the Savior, the Comforter
Emmanuel
God's with you.
even as you wait

Stand Up

Sort of randomly
I've thought several times this week
about a story about Caleb
back when he was in high school.

Both Neil and Caleb played baseball
from elementary school and on up into high school.
It was a very small league,
and we knew about 75% of the players,
as they were mostly from the American schools in the city.

Well, as high schoolers,
the players had the opportunity to umpire the elementary games.
Both Neil and Caleb did it.
I think it was an excellent learning curve for them.

I remember a specific story about Caleb.
He was umping, and a parent,
one of my parents' peer missionaries,
had gotten into the "spirit" of competition a little too much,
and was shouting, uh, "not nice things" at Caleb about his ump calls.

Caleb had to make a choice.
Ignore Patiently
React Violently
Approach Respectfully

He tried the first, but ultimately had to go with the third choice!
He chose to stand up.
As far as I remember, Mom and Dad weren't at that game.
So later that evening other parents attending the game
gave my parents a call
telling them how proud they were of Caleb!
He chose to stand up.

This is a great picture of who Caleb is.
He is patient. He is bold, while he is respectful.

Lord Jesus,
thank you for working in Caleb's life as early as You did.

You cultivate in him patience.

You develop in him boldness balanced with respect.

I pray that you would reward him greatly

for his desire to follow You,

to respect and show Your love to his superiors,
to speak with boldness and confidence
that he gets from his relationship with You!
What gifts you have given.
I pray that your Holy Spirit

move in Caleb these last weeks in A-stan.
Empower him with the
extra patience, boldness and respect
that he needs in order to finish well.

Amen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nancy, Caleb's wife, has been at home alone,
through the storm as it ravished the shores of North Carolina.
She has stayed safe, and is through the thickest part.
She is grateful for the prayers,
for their dog, Angel,
for her friends around the base helping,
and for God's protection over their home.
Keep her in your prayers as well!

Honored

I got this photo from Facebook.

What a reminder of where Caleb is,

What he's standing for (flag in the background),

How he's working with other men and women.

When he was in A-stan last time,

I was teaching third grade,

and my students were praying for him every Tuesday,

and would frequently ask how he was doing.

We wrote him a letter

and he wrote an incredibly appropriate and articulate reply.

So he was special to them,

and I believe they were special to him.

When he returned,

I surprised my class

when he showed up in uniform

to be our special speaker!

They were stoked and we were so blessed to have him.

But Caleb also blessed us that day

with a gift of all gifts,

and I would like to share it with you.

That picture above made me think of it,

as I saw that flag flying over the base.

Caleb gave me and the class a flag, 

with an official certificate,

and I wanted to share with you what the certificate says,

as at times it has brought tears to my eyes when I read it.

Let it be known that 

this American Flag was flown 

in the face of the enemy 

in [H-] Province, [A-stan]

on this day,
25 December 2010
in honor of
Mrs. Hickle's 3rd Grade Class

We will honor our fellow Americans,

who perished during the attacks on our nation

and way of life on September 11, 2001,

by bringing the fight to the enemy.

We will hold the lines in this war against terror,

and bring those responsible to justice.

The American people can rest assured

that the Marines and Sailors serving

with [this] squadron in [A-stan]

are committed to defending our nation

and her citizens no matter what the sacrifice.

"We few,

we happy few,

we band of brothers,

for whomever will shed his blood with me

this day shall forever be my brother."

Then it is signed by his squadron's Sergeant Major and Lieutenant Colonel

What a special gift.

I will forever treasure it. 

Caleb is now in the home stretch of his second tour in A-stan.

He is close enough to his return,

that his wife can go from counting weeks to now counting days.

So, Lord, we know Caleb is in Your hands.

We praise you for how You've worked in and on his life

over these last months while he's been in A-stan.

I am continually amazed at how You are omnipresent: 

with Nancy here, with Caleb there
speaking to me here, speaking to Caleb there
comforting Nancy here, comforting Caleb there
giving strength here, giving strength there

What an amazing God we serve!
I pray for Caleb's patience and endurance

to remain strong in his last days there.

Give him eyes to see his troops

with your love and care

while leading them to their finish line.

Give him clear thoughts and words

so he can communicate to any one taking his place

when he leaves to return home.

You are God of Gods
and King of Kings
and we praise You for Your involvement in our lives.
Amen

Caleb,

I felt honored the day you gave me that flag and certificate.

I feel honored to be related to you.

I feel honored to pray consistently for you,

and to know God is working through you.

Love you!