These are some pictures of Annie and Bella hanging out with me while they were up here for my graduation from ODS and my first few days in chaplain school.

Josh

Chaplain Training

Well I have been in chaplain school for a little over a week and so far we have been through 10 hour classroom days where we do nothing but look at powerpoint. We went down to the Coast Guard academy to see how they do things down there and we went to Groton Naval Sub base where we went through the Texas (Thank God chaplains aren't on subs!!). I can honestly say that chaplain school hasn't been as fun as I thought it would be, but instead it has been one powerpoint after another. Only about 5 more weeks.

One thing that I have been going through here in chaplain school and during my time in ODS is that my time is focused on what I am supposed to learn, and I have allowed my time in the word and in prayer to wain. This has caused my spirit and heart to be downcast and the hardest part is that I don't really have people here that I can talk to. I am surrounded by 50 other chaplains and chaplain candidates but it's hard to tell them about my struggles. It makes me long for the time I had with my small group in Lynchburg. Mike, Josh, Chris, Brian, Zip, Joe, I miss you guys, and its hard to come to grips with the fact that our time together is more than likely at an end. But we are the body of Christ whatever the distance, so please pray for me while I am here that the Lord would give me a desire for Him. That I might see His beauty all around and that it might propel me on towards a passionate pursuit of Him.

God Bless
to you all
Joshua Earls

VIdeo

The video that is below is of the Pass and Review section of our graduation from ODS. I am in the last group, second row from the front, and furthest to the inside as we pass closest to the camera.