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
