My thoughts

Amber and I were talking today about the next set of orders that I will take. I will be up for orders in June and want to go to another Aircraft Carrier or Squadron in Norfolk, Virginia. Its going to be tough going to sea again, not only the drain of the six month deployments, but because I will miss my lovely family. I try and take a positive spin on things, so here is the good that can come out of it: 1) Amber and I can draw closer. Sometimes the tough stuff you gotta go through makes you stronger, not just as individuals but as couples also. We will have phone calls and e-mails, but being without my Queen is going to be really hard to do....

2) I will be able to share the gospel with people that I would never get a chance to otherwise. I love the gospel and I love the change, hope and peace that it has given me, and I really want to share that with others. The early saints had to go on Missions anywhere from two to five years at a time, so six months is quite small compaired to others sacrafices that were made.

3) I will be able to get my family some really cool stuff from all over the world.

I honestly feel that there can come some good from this conflict. I truly feel that as Americans we need to look at the big picture. Look around Iraq, who are it's neighbors? Who would benefit if all the troops left? Where would Iraq be in a month? Wheter we should have gone over there in the first place simply does not matter anymore. It just doesnt. What matters is what we do now, and I feel that there can be good that comes from this conflict. Maybe not in a year or two, but for our children.

I love my family, and just like Moroni stated in the Book of Mormon, we must protect our land, liberty, wives and children. Not just for the moment, or for tomorrow, but for eternity. We need to give our children the best possible future, and I feel that this is a step in the right direction. I am very thankful that I am able to protect my family, and that I have been given this opportunity to serve others.