Home again

Hello All,
As I think about what to write today, I am lead to think about what went on in my life for the last year. The Lord has blessed me this year, as He does without me deserving any of it. I was blessed with good health, good friends and family, and a job that paid off my bills and gave me experience in my future. My family grew by two this year with the addition of my nephew Uriah, and my future brother in law Chad, who became engaged to Amanda in June.

I've gained new friends over the last year, both from working in Iraq and being around the military personnel we came in contact with every day. My network of acquaintances is growing. I got that from my father. He knows a lot of folks, and is very open to meeting and getting to know more and more people.

I certainly do appreciate what the military personnel do for us every day. I wanted to see for myself what we as a nation were doing to give some small part of thanks back to these men and women who continue to protect the freedoms we have every day, some of which are far away from their families so that you don't have to be far away from yours. I pray you don't take these freedoms for granted and realize at what cost these are afforded to you.

I am back to the States, and enjoying my time back. I am settling into Mankato again. I have an apartment, a truck, and money in the bank. I have a few applications out for jobs, and I pray that I do get a job soon.

May the Lord continue to bless you and yours the way that He sees fit. May you never forget what He did for you, and take for granted the things you have in this world, and be more concerned with the treasures waiting for you in Heaven.

Lord's blessings to you in your life.

New Post

Hello Everyone,

So it's been a little while since we last talked. My family life is changing every day. Sister Amanda is getting married to Chad next May, and they've asked me to be a groomsmen. I accepted this offer with great joy. I've always been an usher or ringbearer in any wedding I've ever been in. So this will be a welcome change. Now all that's left is to be the best man or groom. God hasn't given me the blessing of a Christian wife, but I am not discouraged, and I ask for this blessing almost every day.

My sister's son Uriah is growing up more and more every day. I get news and pictures of the little guy all the time. But I still feel there may be something missing. I have yet to see him in person, but that will happen in less than 60 days, so the feeling of missing his life will go away at that time.

Among the daily thoughts I have for the day I make sure I thank God every day that I have the blessings I have been given, which I don't deserve. I also thank Him everyday for good health of my family and friends, and also myself. And lastly, I thank Him for the technology he lead people to create, in order to allow me to communicate with my friends and family. I would say that no one should take anything they've been given for granted. Ever

To My Nephew

Hello Little One,
I wanted to let you know that I love you very much. You won't be able to realize this for a few years at least, but I wanted you to know this just the same. You haven't arrived yet, as of this post, but there is so much love that is being shown towards you and you don't even realize it. While I was home on my R &R from working in Iraq, I went to see your Mom and Dad and you, with your Grandma and Grandpa Hulke. It was so good to see your Mom and Dad. I couldn't wait to see them when I got home and was supposed to have seen them the first day I got back home, but things didnt work out that way.

I will most likely not be able to see you for the first few months of your life, which I'm coming to terms with. Your mom and dad will no doubt send me pictures and updates, but that isnt the same. Your aunts, uncles, and grandparents will get to see you and hold you before I do, and they'll love every minute of their time with you.

Now, I've come to realize that, you and I will have our own day of meeting each other. When we meet for the first time, everyone else in your life will have already met you. That is something that I can now look forward to instead of missing the first few months of your life while I am so far away from you and the rest of our family. Take care wee one. I love you more than you will ever know.

P.S. it seems weird to me to call you nephew before you're born, but your mom and dad have not revealed to the rest of us what name you will have for the rest of your life. I will meet you soon.

First of (hopefully) many

So I'm a little late on this blog thing, but I have a good reason for that. I couldn't figure out how to change the default language that the blog would show. That is due to the internet that I use is currently located in Iraq.

Just a warning to you, the majority of the posts I will be doing are fire related. But I may jump to other topics. Anything from new pictures of my nephew (still yet to arrive unfortunately), to random thoughts, to Biblical and historical topics. I may also share a note or two from my Facebook profile from time to time.