Protecting and Serving

The other night I sat in a room full of police cadets. I listened as they told their favourite and least favourite parts of the academy. They laughed with each other and moaned unanimously as one after another described the pain of all the physical activity they had done. The room was filled with the contagious excitement of the cadets who were so ready to graduate and finally be out on the streets protecting and serving their city. It was exhilarating.

Throughout the past few months my respect for police officers has multiplied immensely. Their job is one that I could never do and would never have a desire to do. They go out every day not knowing what the day will hold and literally risk their lives to protect people they don't even know.

I've also realized that police officers are just as human as I am. Yes, they have extreme training to make it through the rigors and struggles of their job, but they are also friendly, funny, have families, and love to do every day activities.

I'd also had a little idea in my mind that police officers were almost super-human. They could walk into a dangerous situation and come out unscathed because they are police. But that is not the case. They are human. They walk into dangerous situations because that is their job and sometimes they make it out unscathed, but other times they have wounds that tell the tale, or images replaying in their minds of the tragedies they saw that day.

It is not an easy job and it is a job that comes with very little appreciation. Many times what a police officer does on a daily basis goes unnoticed, but as soon as they mess up the news is eager to run the story. It's sad, but it happens. So, I just want to say how thankful I am for the men and women who serve as police officers.

Thank you for ticketing people who speed because you probably helped prevent an accident. Thank you for staying up through the night to make sure we sleep safely. Thank you for responding to a fender bender and helping where needed even though it mean you have to write a long report. Thank you for running into a dangerous situation when everyone else runs out because you are trying to help limit crime. Thank you for caring, for listening, for being out there every day because you want to serve and protect. Thank you for doing your job well even if it means you are not praised every day for your work or paid well. Thank you for making me feel safe when I am out shopping or driving to work. Thank you for responding to every call you get no matter how small the matter may seem. Thank you for serving.

As I've become more aware of all the duties of an officer, I've become more aware of the dangers of this job. I am thankful that there are men and women out there who want to do this job. And I am even more thankful that God is the one who is watching over them. I can get anxious very easily and it is nerve racking to know that my sister will soon be out there helping and serving. I'm thankful that she is living out Micah 6:8, and I'm thankful that she is trusting in God to help her through every day.

I also want to encourage you all to, firstly, pray for the men and women in your police department. It's not an easy job and they need prayer for safety and discernment. But also, thank the officers in your community. They deserve a lot more recognition for their job. I'm sure a thank you would go a long way.

And to all the officers, or soon to be officers, thank you!

Oh no. I've slacked off again.

It's official. I'm a slacker when it comes to blogging. Some months I'm on a roll and write faithfully throughout the month. Other months I don't write at all. Like the past three months.

Oops.

I've been trying to figure out how to update my blog without boring you all with a rundown of my life for the past three months. And instead of writing, I've been avoiding writing at all cost, which has led to more time passing and a longer update on the horizon.

But, no need to worry. Though I haven't written in three months, I will not attempt to write down a play by play of my life throughout that time. In all honesty, nothing much has happened. Instead I'll write down a brief (hopefully) update and then get back into the rhythm of blogging more frequently.

I think the most significant event to take place is that Damarise and I moved into our 17th home. Being a missionary kid has led to having many homes. And each home has been filled to the brim with wonderful memories. This home has already begun to have its fair share of good memories.

It's a little one bedroom apartment in the heart of our city and we absolutely love it. It's the perfect size for us and placed in a cute and cozy neighbourhood. God blessed us with it in the nick of time too. We are thankful! We got to house Janessa for a few months in it too while she was job and house searching. It was fun to have her stay with us, though I'm sure she is thankful to not sleep on a couch anymore.

Us on the day we signed the lease (sorry for the poor quality... it's an Instagram picture).

I have begun subbing, though not as often as I'd like. However, it has been so fun and such a blessing of a job. I have gotten to sub in Middle School math and English as well as at one of my Student Teaching placements. It has been a joy to put my education to use and realize that I did actually learn something throughout my four years at school (I knew I had, but it's nice to put it to use).

Sarah has started at Covenant College and it has been so fun having her in town. She's loving being at Covenant and I'm so thankful she gets to have the same wonderful education Damarise and I had.

Damarise got officially accepted into the Police Academy and I couldn't be more proud. She has put in so much work into applying and has persevered like no one else I know. I can't wait to see all that God has in store for her through that.

Well, I think that's the main points. Hopefully this will get me back on track for updating more... hopefully being the key word.

Until next time.