Not "mine" but "ours" - 9 August 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Norfolk, Virginia. There have been several significant changes since the last time you heard from me; allow me to share. I finished up my time in Okinawa and hopped on the "Freedom Bird" to bring me back stateside on 23 May; I arrived at my new duty station (for the next two years) of Norfolk, VA, shortly thereafter; on 3 July, I married the love of my life, Mrs. Abigail Haack (Cleveland, formerly); we went on our honeymoon and then moved into our new apartment together; I have started a new job working for a unit called Marine Forces Command. Finally, most of the dust has settled...

The most significant change noted above, obviously, is our marriage - going on 5 weeks now! Accordingly, you will see the language of these updates alter since they are no longer "mine," but rather "ours." Along those lines... Our adjustment to married life has been very smooth (we would actually say it has been nothing short of amazing/incredible/wonderful/you get the idea, but we'll just stick with very smooth for now). This is a testimony to God's grace, which has covered us throughout the entire process - whether it be our long-distance relationship and engagement, to travels to and from Okinawa for special visits, to our wedding plans and the actual ceremony/reception, to our honeymoon and eventual move-in together in a brand new place, and absolutely everything in between. Of course, we are now thrilled to begin this phase of our lives... pursuing Jesus together as ONE, for His purpose and glory alone. Amen. And thankfully, God's grace will be covering us as we enter in to this as well - we wouldn't be able to do it any other way. As such, we are trying to find our niche in Norfolk, between things like finding a solid church in which to serve, finding brothers and sisters in Christ with whom to fellowship, and most importantly, building a solid foundation for our marriage upon our Rock and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.


We love receiving updates from you, so please let us now how you are doing! Also, let us know if you will be in the Norfolk area and would like to stop by - our address is listed below, and our email addresses are in the "To" line. Lastly, I'd like to take this opportunity to advertise our new blog titled, "Thou Shalt Grow" which you can find here http://stevenandabigail.blogspot.com/ We have lots of pictures and posts about our new life together for you to enjoy. The next entry we are looking forward to posting will be titled "The Haack Family is Expanding." This has to do with our two new goldfish... and you thought we were going to start making babies already... yeah right!
Take care and talk to you soon.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more,
Steve & Abby Haack

New Address...

Steve & Abby Haack
636 Rhode Island Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23508

About that time... - 19 August 2009

Ladies and Gents, it is about that time to transition. Why? Because a lot has happened in my life since I last posted. I have been in the United States for almost three months now, having arrived on 23 May 2009. The significant changes are highlighted in one last post you will see shortly. But before I go I want to share what the last two months of my time in Okinawa was like.

It is hard to remember now, but I believe a few pictures will bring it back pretty quickly. These pictures and descriptions tell of the big four things I wrote about in my last post that I wanted to accomplish before I left. In no particular order, here they are:

(1) travel to historic Iwo Jima (2) complete requirements and testing for my private pilot's license (3) bike around the perimeter of the island over a long weekend (4) SCUBA dive in the Kerama islands off southwest tip of Okinawa, said to be one of the top dive sites in the world according to Jacques Cousteau.

I am very pleased to report that I was able to do all four before I left, and I was able to capture some of the memories.

Atop historic Mt. Suribachi with Iwo Jima landing beach in the background.

Trek around Okinawa. At this point I was about 1/3 of the way around.

I seriously am licensed to fly single-engine planes. Ridiculous, I know, but true.

Beautiful Okinawa from the sky.

And now, on to another chapter, which you can read about in the next post. Pretty sure it will prove to be even better than this one. Amen. Thank you and bless.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more,
Steven Robert Haack

Three month's time... - 13 March 2009

Dear Friends and Family:

Three months ago was the last time you heard from me, after I'd arrived back on the tropical island of Okinawa from my tour of the South Pacific with the MEU. A lot has transpired in my life since then, as I'm sure it has in your life as well. I encourage you to think back three months ago (beginning of December 2008 if you can't remember!) and ponder all the ways that God has worked in your life, the many blessings, and perhaps the many trials. Whether the Lord gives, or takes away, He is still worthy of our lives lived unto Him. As the scripture says, "The Lord [gives] and the Lord [takes] away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:20). I'm not quoting that verse in some soft, light-hearted, fate-related sort of way. I'm quoting that verse and believing that Truth and sharing it with you based on the fact that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). God has not changed and will not change, regardless of the great joy or great sorrow in your/our lives. His mighty hand and outstretched arm are extended to us just as they were extended to the Israelites of old - offering the amazing grace, great strength, miraculous healing, holy redemption, and extreme blessing through our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Over the course of the past three months I have experienced God's extreme blessing. Believe it or not (at least it's hard for me to believe), I only have 10 weeks left in Okinawa before my boots hit the deck in Norfolk, Virginia, which is my next duty station. I am due to report to Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM) no later than 4 June. I'm getting married shortly thereafter in the month of July…. wait a minute, did I type that right? Heck yeah I did!!! Shortly after returning from the MEU to Okinawa, I traveled across the Pacific for Christmas leave. I wasted no time in my marriage proposal to the beautiful Miss Abigail Cleveland (soon-to-be Haack), as I brought her to the Monday Night Football game on 22 December in Chicago the same afternoon that I landed at O'Hare Airport. Little did she know that at halftime the scoreboard would read, "Special message for Miss Abigail Cleveland… Abby, will you marry me? Love, Steve." Romantic? Perhaps. Cold? Yes!!! -13 degrees and the coldest game since 1963 or some crazy statistic like that. However you look at it, it was certainly a night to remember for Abby and I. The remaining two weeks of leave were spent with dear family and friends in the Chicago and Washington D.C. areas. Saying goodbye was made easier with the purchase of a plane ticket for Abby to visit me in Okinawa once more before I PCS (short for permanent change of station) in May. That time has also come and gone, as she visited from 19 February - 9 March. We had a low-key visit where we enjoyed each other and our engaged status, though it'd most certainly be a lie to say we're not anxiously anticipating the "honeymoon phase" and finally being married after almost 1.5 years of long distance relationship. While this is by far the most exciting news, other recent highlights include my acceptance to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary to begin online/correspondence classes towards a Master's of Divinity degree, and finishing the Okinawa Marathon on 22 February with a time of 3 hours 17 minutes 01 seconds.

There are a few things I'd like to do before I leave the island (1) travel to historic Iwo Jima, my unit has a trip planned for 1 April (2) complete requirements and testing for my private pilot's license - I'm almost there! (3) bike around the perimeter of the island over a long weekend (4) SCUBA dive in the Kerama islands off southwest tip of Okinawa, said to be one of the top dive sites in the world according to Jacques Cousteau. I also am praying that God would give grace as I move on from many significant friendships that I've made over here through my church (the Harbor) and otherwise, and that I would have a successful professional transition as well.

Please let me know how you are doing when you get the chance; I would love to hear from you. Take care for now.

Pressing on towards the Goal,
1stLt Steven R. Haack
S-6 Officer, MACG-18

Back on land - 7 December 2008

Friends and Family,

After traveling to the Philippines, Korea, and finally Hong Kong, the 31st MEU safely and successfully finished its fall patrol last weekend by arriving in Okinawa. This means I am back on land! While I was able to also set foot in the Philippines and Hong Kong, it is great to be back on Okinawa. Nine weeks at sea is actually a very short deployment. The east and west coast MEU's typically deploy for seven months at a time, with their destination being the Middle East. The Pacific Area of Responsibility (AOR), while strategic and important, is obviously quite different. There were no contingency operations that we were needed for, which is good news. While events like the terrorist attacks in India and the unrest in Thailand were/are very unfortunate and ugly, thankfully neither escalated to unmanageable proportions for those respective countries.

The highlight of the patrol was the port visit to Hong Kong. Of all the places I've visited in the world, Hong Kong is at the top of the list. The amazing cityscape on the north side of the island, contrasted with the beautiful southern coast and old British colonial area, separated by only a few miles, really have a lot to offer. I was able to troop around with a couple other lieutenants who I knew from my time in Virginia that also were assigned to the MEU.

Professionally speaking, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Learning the MAGTF (pronounced MAG-TAFF, which means Marine Air Ground Task Force) basics first hand will prove to be invaluable as I move forward with my career. The highlight of this portion was a four day visit aboard a Japanese naval vessel called the Kunisaki, during the Navy's annual exercise with the Japanese. Myself and five other Marine Officers went to the Japanese ship to serve as Marine Liaison's with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. It is interesting to think about that fact that only one or two generations ago we were killing each other, now we are aboard one another's Naval vessels as allies discussing warfighting tactics. That is some pretty awesome progress in my opinion. Wouldn't it be great to eventually be able to say that about some of the bad guys that we are fighting now? Other than the fact that I'd be out of a job, I think it'd be an awesome thing. I'm sure I could find something else to do anyway.

I will be returning to MWCS-18 for the final 6 months of my tour in Okinawa. As it stands right now, I will be heading to Norfolk, VA, this summer. I've learned, however, that in the Marine Corps nothing is guaranteed until you see it in writing, or until you are actually on the plane! We'll see how things pan out.

That is all for now. Take care and hope to hear from you. Press on towards the Goal. - Philippians 3:14. Always.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more,
1stLt Steven R. Haack

Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Disney, 31st MEU, and one beautiful girl - 10 September 2008

Friends and Family:

Last time I wrote a quick debrief of my summer activities. Isn't it crazy how a relative period of time, or a number of personally significant events can be squeezed into an email that lasts a mere page? Playwright/journalist Ben Hecht's sentiments ring true, "Time is a circus, always packing up and moving away." Likewise, the real truth can be found in 2 Peter 3:8, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (see also Psalm 90:4). What does this mean? One take away for certain is this: cherish our time here to work for Jesus and His kingdom, while living in the light of eternity all the while. Amen. This email will prove to be no different.

Allow me to share one last story about my summer before I move forward. This is perhaps the most significant summer event, which I did not mention before for fear of it being overshadowed by the rest of my previous email. Anyway… this summer I had the outstanding privilege of being visited by my girlfriend, Abigail Cleveland. Abby, a Marine Corps brat whose dad was also an officer, is the niece of a former Navy chaplain, Rick Hamme. Rick mentored me during my time in Quantico, VA. After leaving Virginia, Uncle Rick graciously gave me Abby's contact information, as well as consequent permission to begin correspondence (thanks, Uncle Rick!). After seeing her photo, it did not take me long to decide to act; this was around the time I returned from the Philippines last November (to see what was going on in my life at that time visit http://okinawaone.blogspot.com/ ). After corresponding via electronic messages (email, facebook, im), I felt that we needed to meet if anything were to come of all this. Conveniently enough, my sister, Stacy, was getting married shortly after Christmas (good timing Stacy and Brennan, thanks!), thus, a trip to the States was in store anyway. After finagling the airlines and ticket prices, I wound up in the DC area (where Abby and her family have lived for the past 10 years) for five days prior to my sister's wedding. I had an amazing time with Abby and her family, to include Uncle Rick. I gave her a webcam for Christmas and our time spent on the computer increased exponentially over the next several months. Even before leaving DC, we talked about her coming to visit Okinawa (the fact that she lived here from 8 months-3 years old was a good excuse for her to come back and visit since she hadn't been back since, besides seeing me of course!). When she arrived in June for her three week visit, it was a very pleasant surprise to see how solid of a foundation we had from over six months of talking about everything under the sun, reading together, and praying, all over skype, from over half-a-world away, and all for FREE (besides monthly internet service)! Needless to say we had another amazing time. We're now in the ninth month of our relationship, with much invested on both sides. It's exciting of course… love always is! But Christ is the Rock upon which we stand, and therefore we know that Romans 8:28 holds true. As we continue to move forward in our relationship, your prayers would be coveted. Thank you very much. I hope that brief history was as fun for you to read as it was for me to write. Be advised the rest of the email is not about love, but rather, the Marine Corps and other events, which are still interesting topics, but probably not as interesting as Abby ;)

Another area of excitement for me comes from my recent assignment to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). In a few short days I will board the USS Essex for a 2.5 month tour of the South Pacific region. This will begin with movement to the Philippines, followed by Korea, with the last stop being Hong Kong. This schedule will remain intact barring any real world contingencies. For those who don't know, the MEU, of which there are a few in the Marine Corps and two-three afloat at any given time in the world, is a maritime force in readiness that is trained and prepared to execute a wide variety of missions from airfield/port seizures, to special operations, to non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). Most recently the 31st MEU was involved in HADR missions when Burma/Myanmar was hit by cyclone Nargis this summer, as well as assisting in similar fashion when Bangladesh was hit by cyclone Sidr in November of 2007. In summary, you can think of a MEU as America's 9-1-1 call to any global emergency that needs military assistance - terrorist threat, natural disaster, or otherwise. Besides the operational side of the MEU, which is a welcome change of pace from the world of Marine Corps Communications, I've never been aboard a true Naval vessel (the High Speed Vessel I took to Korea and Philippines before is a far cry from the real thing). Considering all this, and the fact that being part of a MEU does not come along very frequently, one can see why I'm excited about this opportunity.

As a final note, on Labor Day weekend, Jim and I went to Tokyo with high hopes of climbing Mt. Fuji and plans to visit Tokyo Disney the following day. I am pleased to inform you that we climbed all 3,776m (12,388ft) of the mountain in just over five hours (note we began the climb at the 5th station of the mountain - elevation 2,305m). We began the climb on Saturday night to see the sunrise on Sunday morning. The sunrise, coupled with the experience as a whole, was spectacular.
We went to Tokyo Disney the following day to boot. Being greeted by Disney World/Land classics such as Alice's Teacups, Space Mountain, Peter Pan's Final Flight, and It's a Small World, made us feel right at home (and like kids again). Amen.
That is it for now. Take care and please let me know how you are doing when you get the chance. I'd love to hear from you before I leave.

Fair winds and following seas,
1stLt Steven R. Haack

My past year as a Communications Officer in the United States Marine Corps - Stay motivated.

First Lieutenant Haack's experiences in the communications field cover a broad spectrum. Whether it be acting as Data Platoon Commander, Syscon Watch Officer, MWCS-18 Communications Detachment OIC for a major MEF and follow on Wing-level exercise, or Company Operations Officer, these different opportunities have provided a base of knowledge extending beyond the scope of his paygrade and MOS.

As a Data Platoon Commander, a Captain's billet by T/O, he quickly learned his MOS by becoming familiar with the concepts of data network planning, software and hardware application, and the installation and operation phases of data communications systems, network services, and equipment. He was educated in such matters on numerous occasions when his unit played in Wing, MEF, and Joint-level exercises, most notably Ulchi Focus Lens 07, Talon Vision 08, Wolmido Fury 08, Key Resolve 08, Foal Eagle 08, and Cobra Gold 08. Also as a platoon commander, he was the Responsible Officer for a CMR valued at over $5 million, to include $500,000 worth of CCI gear; he managed this account for over ten months without error, all the while improving accountability and maintenance measures for the equipment.

On many of the exercises mentioned above, Lieutenant Haack also acted as Syscon Watch Officer. Responsibilities included monitoring all ACE communication circuits including data networks, radio networks, and switched-voice networks, then acting as the focal point for conducting restoration efforts for these networks, systems, and links to ensure communications and systems availability. By executing these duties for Wing, MEF, and Joint-level exercises, he learned valuable lessons with regards to extensive communications architectures, which often times spanned across an entire country or peninsula, and the supervision needed to execute such plans. Complex logistical and operational preparations were also a heavy part of the planning process for all these exercises, familiarizing Lieutenant Haack with MSC movement timelines and criteria, TPFDD data, and extensive personnel and gear accountability.

His broad understanding of communications and operational concepts was tested and confirmed on two significant occasions. In November of 2007, after cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh, he assisted in the development of a thorough communications support package for 3rd MEB's Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team with less than 12 hours notice. Then, from February to April 2008, Lieutenant Haack served as MWCS-18's Detachment OIC for MEF-level exercise Key Resolve, and the follow on Wing-level exercise, Foal Eagle.During this six week period, he was responsible for all phases of planning, supervision, and execution of his detachment's deployment and retrograde from Okinawa to the Korean peninsula. With 35 Marines under his charge, at two different locations in country, he oversaw the communications support of two flying squadron's for these exercises, providing their Combat Operations Centers and Air Ground Support Operations Center with vital communications services to include secure and non-secure radio, voice-switching, and data services.

In all these situations, he has demonstrated the ability to work in a high demand environment by consistently maintaining composure and confidence, which enable him to render sound judgments and decisions. As the current Alpha Company Operations Officer for MWCS-18, another Captain's billet by T/O, he is planning for a Group and a Wing-level exercise simultaneously, working closely with the G-6 and with S-6's from adjacent units for the exercise. Lieutenant Haack leads by example and motivation, emanates core values daily, is very mature, continually demonstrates superb physical conditioning, and would be an asset to any command.

*End of Statement

Please note that I wrote this about myself for the purposes of applying for a certain billet that would take me to a place commonly known as the Middle East. Hopefully it will all pan out.

I think it is also important to note that this professional biography of sorts makes me sound much more important than I actually am. Furthermore, it may make it seem like my intent in joining the Marine Corps was to become a very good communications officer. While I believe it is very important to be good at what I do, as that too bears testimony to my Faith (Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men."), my purpose must always be glorifying God through sharing my Faith with others and coming to know Him more. By His grace, I can say that has happened on numerous occasions in numerous circumstances throughout this past year. The morale of the story is it's all about Jesus.

So, what began as an autobiography where I bragged all about myself, has become an excellent way to reflect on my past year in Okinawa while keeping it all in the proper perspective. Where would I be without Jesus as the Lord of my life anyway? Actually, I can legitimately answer that question... I would be on my way to hell. But, "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord... [for] there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 7:25-8:1). Amen.

"Don't Waste Your Life" - 3 August 2008

Dear Friends and Family:

Greetings from Okinawa. A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. Among other things, the mission trip to Thailand was an amazing experience; I recently changed billets (jobs) from Data Platoon Commander to becoming the Operations Officer for my Company; and my friend Jim and I just bought plane tickets to go to mainland Japan at the end of August to climb Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest peak.

Though it was a while ago, here are a couple things from Thailand that were significant for me and hopefully they will be for you too... The missionaries we went to support were a 55 year old couple from the midwest, Dave and Shirley, who had taken early retirement to move to Thailand so they could minister to/provide loving Christian homes for Thai orphans, most of whose parents died from AIDS, drugs, or violence. Having just read John Piper's classic, Don't Waste your Life, before going to Thailand, it was an amazing contrast to a tragic example Piper gives on pages 45 and 46, "I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest, which tells about a couple who 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punto Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.' At first, when I read it I thought it might be a joke. But it wasn't. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life-your one and only precious, God-given life-and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream."

While Dave and Shirley will be the first to tell you they are far from being saints, as american Christian's often assume foreign missionaries to be, they are most certainly storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Amen. I challenge you, whether young or old, to read Matthew 6:19-24, and assess where you are storing your treasure.

Another significant part of the trip was something I've experienced on other mission trips throughout the world, Thailand included, and it is something I wrote about a couple months ago. Ephesians 4:4-6 says it best, "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." There is perhaps nothing more significant to a person's faith in Jesus when that person bears witness to people of other nations, languages, and cultures who worship the same great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It speaks volumes to the authenticity of the Faith, in a way that can bring you to your knees in awe, reverence, and wonder. Amen and Amen.

Thanks for reading. More news to come soon on my job transition and climbing Fuji once we actually do it. Please write and let me know how you are doing; I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, take care. Press on towards the goal to which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Phil. 3:14

Semper Jesus,
1stLt Steven R. Haack

Post Script - Special congratulations to my great friend Brian Hammer, who just got married this past weekend. Way to make it happen, Brian and Jill, by the grace of God. That a baby. 1800 miles on a bike. ONE.

The Work of God - 18 May 2008

Dear Friends:

It's been almost two months since I last wrote. I arrived back in Okinawa after a very successful exercise and experience in Korea, which I shared in my last email. In the six weeks that I've been back on island I have continued my involvement in a very cool Christian community called the Harbor. It is a ministry/hospitality house run by Cadence International (a missions organization who ministers to the military throughout the world, where there is a US base, there is a Cadence ministry nearby almost without fail). This has provided the ministry outlet that I'd been longing for a few months ago. The Harbor is led by a pastor named Mark. He has a deep love for Jesus and the Truth, and has a very effective teaching ministry (he has a wife and three daughters too, please pray for them and their ministry to me and other service members like me). The Harbor has recently started small groups and my friend Jim (also a communications officer, and lieutenant, but in the Army ) and I have the privilege of leading one for single guys. We are examining "The Best Question Ever" (self-proclaimed of course, by the preacher/author Andy Stanley). The question is this, "In light of my past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes/dreams/aspirations, what is the wisest thing God would have me do in this situation?" It is partly based on the verses Ephesians 5:15-16. Please pray for the group as we examine this and grow together as men of God and followers of Jesus, and pray for Jim and I as we have the privilege of being in leadership positions that afford us the opportunity to invest in peoples' lives in a small group/community setting.

Typical of when I've written my past emails, I'm either on my way back from somewhere or getting ready to go somewhere. This email proves no different; tomorrow I leave for Thailand. The circumstances, however, are quite different than the joint military exercises that have taken me throughout this region of the world, and I couldn't be more excited/thankful for this opportunity. I am actually going on a mission trip through the Harbor to work in a couple different orphanages that a missionary couple run in the Chiang-Mai area. As I seek God's continual call on my life, I can't help but think of my passion for Missions being in there somewhere - which is directly related to the joy, love, grace, passion (list goes on) that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given me.... and my desire to share that priceless gift with others. This trip will be a way for me to examine that further. While that may be a benefit that I get from this experience, the truth is that this trip has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God and His glory. Whether me and my other team members go to Chiang-Mai for the next two weeks or not, God is at work there, has been at work there for a very long time prior to our arrival, and will be for a very long time after we leave. But you know what the really amazing thing is? We get to share in the His Kingdom work for this short time. Amen.

Despite the impersonal nature of this email, I request that you reply and let me know what is going on in your life. I love hearing from anyone on this list and responding on a personal basis, so please do so if you have the chance. That should do it for now. Fight the good Fight of faith, and press on towards the Goal. - Philippians 3:14.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more,
1stLt Steven R. Haack

If you wish to keep reading, please do. Significant spiritual insight follows from friends of mine on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are two of my best friends in the Marine Corps, and they are training each respective country's military/police to defend against terrorism. Listen to God at work in their lives and be blessed by them as much as I have. It is truly an honor and privilege to call them my brothers in Christ, and brothers in arms. Furthermore, be encouraged that these are the officers that are leading this Fight.

From Afghanistan:
I am sorry that I have not been better about writing. Things are going well, pretty low key. I have been on a COP that was shot with harassing fire but that is about it. I get to go outside the wire on patrols a few times a week. I was moved from a little COP out in the mountains to a bigger base because the Afghan staff needed work with their logistics. It was fun being up there because it was more like an infantry type billet, but it is still good down here. I am keeping busy, but still have enough time to get a good nights sleep; spend time with the Lord in the word and in prayer; and do a little bit of reading. This is a huge blessing, I thought that it was going to be so busy that it would be tough to get that stuff in.

I just finished reading Watchman Nee's "Sit, Walk, Stand," and thought of you much. Like most of the books that make a lasting impression on me, I disagreed with it most of the way through, but by the end began to digest what the author was getting at. I have taken to the Puritan writers who have more of a bent towards laboring to kill sin, Jonathan Owen says, "If you are not killing sin then sin is killing you." The more that I have thought about it, I don't think that these two concepts are necessarily at odds. We must be sanctified though the strength of the Holy Spirit or it is merely self will, but we should labor towards that end eagerly pleading with God that the Spirit might work in power in us, and knowing that the battle is won.

From Iraq:
Things have been much more busy with the job lately. We have a lot of different things going simultaneously. It has actually been nice because we've actually been able to accomplish some tangible things. The past couple weeks we've captured or killed several key terrorist leaders, some of whom operate beyond Iraq. I was intimately involved with one of these and it was great to actually do something for which I've trained. I am extremely thankful for the opportunities that my job presents, but it is typically very passive, so it was great to be actively involved in securing this country rather than instructing the Iraqis on how to do it.

The high op tempo has kept my team split up for the most part in several different locations, so meaningful conversations have been more limited. It has been frustrating. After the conversation I spoke of in my last email, I was hoping I would be able to follow up with guys shortly thereafter. But God has been faithful to bring the opportunities in the past, and I believe He will continue to do so on His timeline, not mine. I have to learn to be at peace with that without growing complacent or losing my sense of urgency. This has also made my time with Lord more difficult to guard, and I have not been as jealous for as it I should be. Pray that I would be disciplined in this.

[After conversing with a friend who has had lots of questions about the Faith]

I admitted that there is plenty of emptiness in churches in America where emotionalism has become a substitute for truth. There is a equal amount dead intellectualism. But truth, when understood, should awaken the deepest passions within us. I went back over my testimony once again, emphasizing how life changed when I realized that fact. I took him to several passages in which we are commanded to to be joyful. I took him to Jesus' life and showed him who He really was. He could go toe to toe with the intellectual giants of His day, never back down, and shred them. He could then go play with kids, spend time with prostitutes, and spend all night in prayer and worship. He could go voluntarily to a cross, the thought of which caused him to sweat blood, without wavering. Then He could break down in tears over His dear friend. And it was all driven by love for us and for His father. That love made Him strong and it made Him passionate.

..sharper than any double-edged sword...

"The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

This verse indicates that when we read the Word of God there should be a holy conviction in the deepest part of ourselves. Such a conviction may be in either a positive or negative light. For example, it could be something which God has shown us about Himself or His character that we are compelled to share with others (positive), or it could be something that corrects a certain prejudice or belief the reader holds about God, himself, his spiritual walk, etc... (negative). Note that while I classify the latter as negative, the end result after conviction and upon repentence/understanding a deeper Truth through the Word is absolutely positive. As a matter of fact, I would argue this is one of the best ways to be corrected and to learn, from the Truth of God's Word.

I was convicted in this way recently. I am reading through the Gospel of John, and a verse in the fifth chapter struck me. Jesus has some harsh words for the Jews in John 5:39-40, "39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life." Jesus' words struck me here because I felt like, at least according to verse 39, Jesus was talking about me. I certainly do 'diligently study the Scriptures,' and I think that by them they help me understand how and why I do possess eternal life. But after reading verse 40, I was in fervent prayer about coming to Jesus in order to receive life. I want to come to Him; I don't want to be the one who refuses. The fear of God strikes me when I think about having a Pharisaic faith, one based on memorization of the Law vs. learning Scripture by heart, one based on do's and dont's vs. being compelled by Christ's love to act/behave in a Christ-like manner, one that diligently studies the Scriptures to find life vs. coming to Jesus, the Author of Life. It makes me shudder, and fall to my knees asking for God's mercy. Lord knows I desire to study the Scriptures, but Lord help me if it is because of some self-righteous sort of motivation. I want to know Jesus and come closer to Him by my study. I DO NOT want to be the one who studies but refuses to come to Him.

A few days after reading this, I was put at ease when I read through John 8. Jesus is again speaking to the Jews, and again scolding them for their unbelief after He gives compelling reasons through compelling speech as to why He is the Light of the World (John 8:12). Specifically verses 42-47 caught my eye this time, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here... Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say... He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." I DO hear Jesus. I DO love Him. His speech is blatently clear to me - He is the Son of the living God, the Messiah, the one about whom the Scriptures testify. It is for these reasons, among others, that I know I'm on the right track - it's all because of Him, who He is, and what He has done. The fact that I can catch even a piece of that is only by grace, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Amen.

The main reason I write about this experience/conviction is to say that we always must be in the position to be corrected by the Word of God. This keeps you in spiritual check, and keeps spiritual pride from becoming your vice. So, if you or I are not in that position of humility, where we can be corrected by God's Word, or even more so, where we can welcome that holy conviction and correction, get there by surrendering your life and your will to Jesus Christ.

And that will do it for now.

Coming to you from the Republic of Korea (ROK) - 26 March 2008

Not more than seven months ago I sat in virtually the same location as I am right now - Camp MuJuk in Pohang, South Korea. It is amazing to think/see, however, how significantly things can change over such a relatively short time. Seven months later I am the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Marines from my unit, whereas I was one of six lieutenants the last time I was here. I am now a First Lieutenant. And South Korea from late February through late March is a little different than the sweltering summer heat of the ROK in August. While there are still other changes than the few I've mentioned, not one is more significant for me personally than the spiritual position in which I find myself.

Remembering back to August, I can think of the significant time of healing that my heart was undergoing. At that time the Spirit of God was pouring into my life, showing me once again how great His love for me is. This was truly amazing and broke me down to my core. It was at that time I adopted what I will forever claim as my life verse(s), Philippians 3:10-14. Knowing Christ is my Goal, and like Jacob in Genesis 32:22-30, I will not give up until that hunger is satisfied. While that tenacity may at times bring more pain - God did break Jacob's hip, after all - it is a promise of the living God that, "You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Pain is nothing to fear, by the way. Listen to the deeply encouraging words that the writer of Hebrews gives to us, "Endure hardship as discipline... no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:7...11).

This time in Korea has been much different. The exercise went very well from a Communications perspective. The Marines from MWCS-18 accomplished their mission effectively and with professionalism. Because it has gone so well, we've been afforded the opportunity to engage in other life matters without reservation.And as the OIC, I am able to emphasize what areas I'd like my Marines to be working on in their free time, for example, getting on a normal physical training (PT) schedule and working on their online courses. PT and studying Scripture were at the top of my list. This led me to the most significant difference - a spiritual one. Over the course of the past month it was pointed out to me that I have been the one that has been doing the pouring out this time around. This is not of my own accord, but similar to the way the Apostle Paul says the comfort that we have received from God can be poured into other's lives (2 Corinthians 1:4). In that same way, I have been able to share the amazing Life that Jesus has given me with my fellow Marines. Hear these amazing examples...

The first Sunday we got to Korea the chaplain hadn't arrived yet. Fearing a missed opportunity for myself and for others to hear the Word of God, I held a church service for 15-20 Marines and delivered a powerful message about the faithfulness of God, playing off the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for "Always Faithful." Questions about Jesus and Christianity were asked to me directly by some of my Marines, and I led a Bible study each Wednesday night of the exercise. The Wednesday before Easter, I shared some of the compelling similarities between Christ's death and the first Passover
the Israelites experienced (Exodus 12). Eyes were opened, literally and figuratively speaking, as the Messianic symbolism of the first Passover were noted for the first time by many (email me to learn more about these).

Here is one compelling miracle that is representative of the time I've shared with some of my Marines. One of them who had spoken with his wife prior to this exercise about needing to "get back to church," called her the first night after we had a significant conversation about Jesus. Before even mentioning to her anything about our conversation, his wife told him about a question that their two children asked her that day out of the blue. They came downstairs after playing in their rec room and asked their mother, "Can you tell us about Jesus?" Upon hearing this, the husband was floored! He then shared bits and pieces of our conversation and both husband and wife were brought to tears! Amen. Jesus is amazing.

Add to all of this my prayer request from my last email - asking you to ask God on my behalf for the opportunity to minister, disciple, share the Word with others. Look at how He has answered! Most faithfully and in a way I would have never imagined. Now there are about five Marines from my unit and a similar number from other units who are going back to Japan with questions answered, and/or a hunger to search Jesus out for themselves. Please pray for continued opportunities in this area, as my passion is sharing the Word of God with others. It literally stirs my heart and I love it and it brings me closer to God because I believe I am in His will most when doing this. Please tell me how you are doing and how I can pray for you. Also, check out my blog for more insight into what God has been showing me recently http://okinawaone.blogspot.com/ .

Lastly, I just want to say in a [somewhat] public forum, congratulations to my grandparents Karl and Donna Abt who are celebrating 60 years of marriage this weekend. Amen for that too.

Sending you Love from the Korean Peninsula,
S.R. Haack