My Ten Year Adoption Anniversary

On May 9, 1998, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Janelle adopted me into their family rescuing me from an abusive father and giving me a loving family. This was exactly ten years ago today. I struggled with a lot of things growing up including rebellion and resentment over my childhood. These folks who had no reason to help me continued to love me no matter what. This is a poem that I wrote in honor of their sacrifice.

Thank You by Nicholas Z. Cardot

In Honor of James and Janelle Delhotal

There comes a time in every life when trials fill the soul,
And all around no help is seen as heartaches take their toll.
Nowhere it seems can he escape whose life is plagued with hurt,
And the pains that fill that life of gloom, no joys come to avert,
When all around on every hand only struggles can be found.
And though that life would like to sing, the heart seems chained and bound.
Downward ever falling, that life would soon lose hope,
Distresses seem to hang that life at the end of no small rope.

Some men when they do reach that point, they put their trust in God,
And God draws near and walks with them as through this life they trod.
But other men, a bit less wise, reject the God from up above.
Their heart is filled with bitter thoughts and they decline His perfect love.
And when I found myself surrounded by these fears,
And on my face no joy was seen, but only always tears.
I chose the path of the unwise and departed from what's right.
Against the God who loved me so, I decided now to fight

I turned my back on all God's will, and fled from his bright face.
I hated all that brought to mind the thought of His sweet grace.
But in that time that I rebelled, when my heart was cold and black,
I seemed to feel a loving tough, it was a hand upon my back.
And when I looked to see whose hand was extended in my aid,
I saw a loving couple with no profits to be made.
The love of God shone in their face and pierced my heart straight through.
Their loving care reached deep within and made my heart anew.

I'll never understand just why they loved me so,
I'll never understand why they were there to help me grow.
And yet, they'll never really know how much their love has meant,
They'll never truly understand the thanks that I have sent.
Nothing could ever repay what these two have done for me,
No gift could open up my soul and truly let them see.
Instead I'd like to bring to them, on this their special day,
A heart of love and thankfulness, and these simple words I'd like to say,

Thank you for your love

A Lesson Learned: Persistent Prayer

This past weekend I was able to attend a ladies retreat with five other ladies from our church. We all had a good time and it was great getting to know the other ladies better. All of us that attended were married except for one lady. By the time we came home on Saturday, we were all ready to see our husbands again and those that had children were ready to see their kids.

We were in an active cabin. That was the camps way of saying that we were in a loud, noisy, crazy, etc cabin since the other cabin was quiet. We were in the right cabin though since we didn’t go to bed until very early in the morning both nights.

On Thursday night after the session they divided us all up into eight different groups. The way we were divided made it rare for us to end up with someone from our church and that was the point. While getting to know the other ladies that were in our groups, we had to decorate a paper flower in a mosaic pattern. It was a lot of fun.

Friday afternoon they did a craft. The craft was a candy tin where we took 12 Hershey nuggets and wrapped them in a piece of paper. You then arranged them inside of a tin that has a clear front so you could see the pieces all wrapped up. We then placed a ribbon around it with a paper tag that we made that could say a variety of things from "I love you," "Thinking of You," and "Thank You." They were very simple to make and they make a great gift idea.

There were a total of five different teaching sessions. The one that stuck out to me the most is from Friday night. The speaker taught about the woman in Matthew 15 whose daughter was vexed with a devil. The first time she speaks to the Lord he doesn’t respond. The disciples want Christ to send her away. The woman speaks to Christ again and is compared to a dog. The woman then uses Christ’s words when she says that even the dog eats crumbs from the master's table. Christ then answers her prayer by healing her daughter and he even tells that whole world about her great faith.

This is an example of a woman who had a need and she didn’t give up because Christ didn’t respond right away. She was persistent. She kept at it until she got an answer. How often in our lives do we go to Christ in prayer and then we stop praying because we don’t get an answer right away?

This was an encouragement to me to continue praying about the same thing until God answers. If I only pray about something once or twice and then say well God’s not going to answer this so I might as well stop praying, then I lack faith. This is not having faith that God will answer and supply the need. Don’t give up in your prayer life because God didn’t answer in your time frame. Pray consistently and God will answer in his time.


Serving the Master,

Diane Cardot

A Sunday Morning Surprise

This morning when I arrived at church, one of my friends approached me and asked if I could teach the Sunday School lesson for the teenagers. "Of Course!" I replied and I reached down into my Bible for my notes from this week's "A Tale of Two Kings" lessons that I have been posting here at the blog. They weren't there. Before I left for church, I had cleaned out all of the excess papers from my Bible.

"Oh, well!" I thought. I'll just teach the lesson from memory. And so I did. A couple of times, I stumbled looking for the exact verse, but the teenagers actually helped out and worked with me. The lesson went great and the teenagers paid attention really well.

One of the reasons that I maintain this blog is because I am not always able to preach as often as I would like. By reading, studying, and writing articles for The Baptist Muse, I am forced to stay on my toes in this area. I am able to preach through writing and I am able to exercise my preparation skills. Then, when preaching opportunities arise, I am able to step up to the plate and give it my all.

Let me turn this brief testimony into a little challenge. What are you doing to sharpen your skills in the areas that God has called you into?


In Christ,


Nick

Comfort the Mourning with Lies

In front of me to my left was a simple coffin in which an honored member of the United States Army was to be buried. Surrounding it were six bearers, an officer, and a chaplain. A small group of family and friends gathered to my right facing toward the coffin. At my side was the Arlington Lady whom I was escorting. She was there to convey condolences to the family on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Army, General George Casey. I stand at the perfect position of attention: feet together, head high, chest out, shoulders back, eyes pointed straight forward. My uniform, and the uniform of every soldier in attendance is perfectly pressed. The seems are sharp and crisp. We did the work on them ourselves. We know that everything is perfectly in place.

Once everyone has moved into place, the officer takes a step back and to the side signaling to the chaplain that he may now speak. The chaplain steps forward and begins to eulogize. He speaks about the great sacrifice that this man made to earn the privilege of a burial in Arlington National Cemetery. He talks about the loving husband and father that he was to his family. Then, looking the widow right in the eyes, he begins to tell of the happiness that he is now enjoying in the bliss of Heaven since that is where he now is.

It seems, based on the account of the chaplains, that every person whom they have ever buried is now enjoying God's presence in heaven. Catholic, Jewish, protestant: They are all on the road to the same place. They are, of course, unless you believe the Bible.

Day after day, my heart is torn during these funerals. I stand trapped in the prison of my ceremonial composure, locked at the position of attention, listening to a blanket of lies in the name of comfort and help. They throw out a candy of temporary comfort in exchange for eternally confusing the theology of everyone present.

Oh, Bro. Nick! It's not that big of deal. They are just trying to comfort a family during a time of grief and sorrow. No, friends, they are perverting, on a daily basis, the truth of the gospel in that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not found through sacraments, through American heroism and patriotism, or through having a rabbi pray for you. Salvation is only found through Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, every white-washing of the truth and every lie that a chaplain tells to a friend or family member only helps to ensure that they do not see their need for Christ. Every compromise that is taken, every truth that is neglected can ultimately lead to eternal consequences.

Almost on a daily basis, one of the chaplains try to recruit me and encourage me to consider becoming a chaplain. Almost all of the chaplains that work in Arlington National Cemetery have sat down with me and discussed the benefits of taking that job.

The Army Chaplaincy, however, seems, much like modern evangelicalism, to be plagued with compromise and pluralism. Chaplains are not willing to take a stand for God's Word because it might offend someone or because their superiors might not approve of their actions. They are not willing to speak the truth because it may not be comfortable to hear in the Army culture.

"Consider how neat it is to have Uncle Sam paying for the work of the Lord!" a chaplain chimed in one day. "Imagine living on an officer salary and doing the work of a pastor!"

At another time, one told me that I needed to be willing to not always pray in 'Jesus Name.' He encouraged me to consider praying to 'our most gracious God.' After all, that is still praying to Christ and the father yet it won't offend someone who may be a Muslim. Besides, when Christ told us to pray in his name, he wasn't just talking about attaching some magic words to the end of our prayers. He went on to tell me that if I wanted to be a chaplain that I would have to learn a few 'tricks' like this.

They've asked me to consider the chaplaincy. I would, however, prefer to take the road less traveled. I would rather live for the truth. Here I stand. God help me.

Sickness and Sunsets or The Nasty Bug

Recently, my husband Nick was sick with a sore throat that he says he got from all of you other bloggers. He is still not feeling 100% but he is almost there. Unfortunately he managed to give it to me after I was so patient in taking care of him and pampering him just like he asked me. But like he says, he was told to share as a child and that's what he did.

After a lot of sleep, rest, and drinking lots of fluids, I felt tons better by Sunday night. Today I felt almost back to my normal self (which isn't actually very normal, especially since I am married to Nick). He still has a little bit of a sore throat and is starting to see that drinking a lot of fluids is the key to getting rid of this nasty bug. He has a hard head but he is slowly learning that his wife is always right! LOL!

Today was great. It was around 70 degrees and the sun was beautiful. When Nick arrived home from work, he wanted to get outside and do something active. I think he was tired of being cooped up. We went for a run around our neighborhood. Well...Nick ran and I rode my new bicycle. This way he was able to run at a pace that is comfortable for him and not my slow poke running pace. It was a good run and we finished up just as it was getting dark. We were able to watch the sun set. I love seeing God's handiwork in nature. It was so peaceful minus the cars driving by, but it was almost like we were alone in the country somewhere with only nature, God and each other.

Catching the Croatian Flu

I have been hearing a lot throughout the Christian blogosphere about people being sick with the flu or with really bad colds. Maybe when I began reading about these illnesses I should have stayed away from the computer so that I wouldn't catch whatever you guys have. I didn't, however, and now I am getting sick just like everyone else. I know I must have caught it from getting too close to the germs you guys put out on your blogs.

When your sick, you are supposed to stay home from school, work, and church so that you do not give your illness to those around you but none of you thought to stay home from blogging. Who cares if your faithful readers catch your germs? I'm especially talking to you Sis. Julie and Sis. Tori. I don't care if you are all the way in Georgia and Croatia, I think what I'm getting is because of you!

Of course, ninety-five percent of that first two paragraphs are a complete joke. The only thing serious about it is that I have been getting sick now for the past couple of days. The night before last, I actually went out on the couch to sleep so that I wouldn't keep tossing and turning and kicking my wife. I sweat really heavy all night that night which was another reason I didn't want to be in my nice bed. I hoped that maybe it ran its course that night but yesterday my throat started hurting and today I can barely talk...But I can still blog just fine!

Childhood Memories: A Night With The Monsters

As I have been reading through Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, I have been overwhelmingly amazed at the immense horrors that she faced as a child growing up in the Middle East. Yet she doesn't dwell on the issues seeking pity. She uses them as an accellerant to propel the truth about Islam and the culture she was forced to be brought up in. Her response to her childhood and background is inspiring and although my childhood experiences don't quite compare to what this woman had to live through, I have decided to share some of them in an effort to do exactly what Ali has done. Promote the truth. The truth that I wish to promote with my childhood stories is a simple yet too often rejected one: God is good regardless of our troubled backgrounds or emotional scars.

When I was a child, I experienced some pretty crazy times while I lived with my father. He did a few things while raising me that normal people would consider less than orthodox.

One night around midnight, he staggered into my room reeking of alcohol and declared that he wanted to go for a ride. When my father said that he wanted to go for a ride, I knew exactly what he meant. He was ready to go cruising through the gravel country roads that stretch out for miles outside of our little town of Amboy, IL. When I say cruising, of course, I mean going about 90 mph, laughing like a drunken hyena, and blaring The Jimi Hendrix Band through his stereo system.

I remember nights that we had raced down the gravel roads so fast that that I was sure he was going to lose control. One night, he took me down a long straight patch of road that climbed up to the top of a hill. A patch of straight road was all he needed to max-out his little Chevy S-15 Pick-up truck. As we were approaching the peak of the hill, my dad was trying to push the speedometer up over 100. Then suddenly, he slammed on the brakes and we began to slide up and over the hill. The truck began twisting sideways and the tires through gravel into the air. Then as we hit the very peak of the hill, I saw what I thought was the end of my life. Just a short distance ahead the road turned a very sharp ninety degrees. If our truck decided to go straight, we were going to be embedded in the sides of some tall oak trees. The entire truck frame lurched toward the side as it slammed to a halt just a few feet from the edge of the point-of-no-return.

I always imagined us overturned in the ditch miles from the nearest house not to be found until we had been there for hours. He never seemed to want to 'go for a ride' when he was sober. Somehow God smiled on me because He never let that happen. After many rides like this, however, I had become conditioned to his drunken tours through the countryside. Sometimes I viewed them as a nuisance or a waste of time and other times I enjoyed the thrill.

This was the type of ride that my dad had in mind that night and I knew that it would only make matters worse if I begged or whined about not wanting to go so I just gave in and went along. The night started out with the usual speeding and using the emergency brake to do 'donuts.' For some reason that night my dad decided to terrorize me in another way. That certainly wasn't unusual. He was always looking for ways to do just that.

Just outside of Amboy, the little town we lived in, there was a large cemetery that had probably been around for the past 150 years. The alcohol must have impaired my dad's ability to read the signs stating that the cemetery closes at dusk. It probably stopped him from even seeing the signs. The night was dark as he drove far back into the cemetery. Finally, he came to a stop and turned off the lights. I was scared out of my mind.

"Get out." His words were slurred.

"No, dad."

"Get out!" He shouted throwing in a few curses and threats. I had no choice. I either had to do what he said or he was going to make me do what he said. I slid the seatbelt off and slowly pushed the door open. At that age, I was scared to death of monsters so I looked all around me as I put my feet on the ground.

As soon as I stepped out, he shouted at me as the vehicle jerked away from me, the door slamming shut from the momentum. "I'll see you in the morning if they don't get you!" I could see his tail lights as he sped down the road towards the gate.

Tears were streaming down my face as I stood there. My father had forced me to watch horror movies with him. He said that it would make me a man and that it would put hair on my chest. The only thing it did for me was give me nightmares. And now, as I stood in the pitch black night in the middle of a graveyard I was completely terrified that monsters or zombies were going to get me. I was too afraid to sit down or even to run. I turned to my left, and then to my right. I turned around. I was constantly looking to see if anyone of anything was coming for me. It probably sounds silly but I was a little kid and I didn't know any better.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, I saw his lights reappear in the distance. It had probably been about fifteen minutes. Tears were still streaming down my face when I crawled back into the truck.

I had to grow up in a bizarre environment. Yet I can still say that God is good and his mercy is more than any of us deserve. No matter what you experience, God's love is extended to you!

For a while when I became a teenager, I resented the fact that a loving God would allow me to have to grow up with such a crazy father and with no mother. In fact, at one point as a teenager, I boldly proclaimed that I didn't want anything to do with God. Yet somehow God spoke to my heart and caused me to realize that those experiences were what shaped me into who I am. The traumas that I faced only served to make me stronger. They became stepping stones that provided me with a greater ability to help others in similar situations. I can relate to people and situations in a totally unique way that nobody else can understand. I now stand thankful for every trial that I experienced as a child.

One Year In The Army

I am happy to announce that today marks one year in the Army for my wife and I. This also marks the day that I receive a promotion from Private Second Class to Private First Class.

On Feb. 7, 2007, I left my beautiful wife and headed for basic combat training at Fort Benning, GA. It was here that I was trained for the next several months. I stayed up late after lights out and tried to write my wife a letter as often as I possibly could. She even posted a few of these letter on this site. You can find them by clicking here.

I graduated from basic training on May 25, 2007 and for the first time in almost four months, I was reunited with my wife. This reunion was short-lived, however. I still had more training to do.

She had to go back home and I continued in my military training. I headed up the street at Fort Benning to Airborne School. During the summer months, the classes are full so some students have to wait for a few weeks before they are allowed into the class. I was required to wait five weeks before I would get in.

During these weeks, I took a two week Javelin Gunner's Course (You can read about it here.) where I learned how to fire and operate an image-guided, shoulder-fired, medium-range, anti-tank, missile system.

Finally after five weeks, I was trained to jump out of airplanes! My first jump was the scariest five seconds of my life. I was the second man off that plane. Before we jumped, I found myself standing right next to the door waiting for the light to turn green. I could see the ground moving past us below. I should probably note that I am scared to death of heights! Then the light turned green and I took a step over and then a step out the door. I could feel my body twisting and turning in the wind...for about four seconds. By that time the parachute was completely deployed and the rest of the trip back to earth was extremely peaceful! The rest were easy. Even the night jump wasn't bad compared to the fear of the first one.

After airborne school, I picked up my wife and we headed out to Washington DC to serve with the 3rd Infantry Regiment The Old Guard. This is where I have been since August 1, 2007.

I praise God for the opportunities that he has given me and the lessons that he has taught me as a result of my military experience. I hope and pray that these experiences only make me a stronger servant for His kingdom. Although I love and am very passionate about serving in the Army, I cannot wait until my enlistment is up and I can, if the Lord is willing, serve God in a full time capacity. God's call on my life is to serve Him either as a pastor or as a missionary. I take extra care to learn everything that they teach us in the army, knowing that many of the principles of discipline and leadership will help me in my journey to serve God with my life.

I am so thankful for the wonderful wife that God has allowed me to have. Diane Cardot has been the greatest blessing that a man could ask for during these times. She has faithfully stood by my side each step of the way and I just want to publicly thank her and praise her for her goodness to me over the past year. I have no idea where I would be were it not for her loving encouragement! She really is an angel!

Thank you also to all of you who have been good to support me and pray for me. Please continue to pray for me. Thank you.

The Day is Cold and Dark and Dreary

The day is cold and dark and dreary,
It rains and the wind is never weary.

These dark words form the opening line from the poem The Rainy Day written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I became very familiar with this poem when I was in high school. Unfortunately today, These words are also a very fitting description of my tragic work conditions. During my first funeral today, the sky opened and a barrage of rain began to attack just as we were getting out of the car and walking toward the graveside.

Despite the weather, I am still having a great day! Last Monday, I locked two high ranking officers outside for about ten minutes in the freezing cold! You can read about that by reading A Bad Case of the Mondays. Last Friday, it rained all day and it was about twenty degrees colder than it is today. Today isn't really that bad.

Also, I just had a great weekend. The weather on Saturday and Sunday was in the fifties and the sun was shining. On Saturday afternoon, a friend and I went running on a trail that overlooks the Potomac River. It was a very enjoyable run. I love running and have actually been running quite a bit lately trying to get into better shape. I was up and running on my treadmill at about 5:40 this morning.

Whenever it rains like this, I am reminded of the first time my wife ever flew. I had already flown several times. In fact, at this point I had jumped out of as many airplanes as I had landed with. She was really nervous and the weather wasn't helping. It was dark and foggy. The rain was coming down just a little bit off and on. It was a dark day. When we lifted off, I could tell that my wife was a little nervous. Immediately after liftoff, we began the climb to our cruising altitude. After only about a minute of climbing, we began pushing up through thick clouds. Literally, I am guessing that we could only see about fifty feet in front of us. Then suddenly, we reached the top of the clouds and pushed into an area of the sky that was completely clear. My wife was watching out the window this whole time. She looked down at the blanket of clouds below us and the sun shining above us and her face just lit up. "That's really neat!" She said. So now, I always remember that the sun is shining up above the clouds!

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

A Bad Case of the Mondays

When I arrived at work yesterday morning, it was about 25 degrees outside. I know. I know. It's not as cold as where you are at but let me just tell my story here. I shuffled from my car down into the office at the Arlington National Cemetery Administration building as fast as I could. I didn't want to spend any extra time outside than what I absolutely had to! I hate the cold!

As soon as I got in the office, I picked up the phone and began dialing the uniform phone number. Each day, depending on the weather, the uniform changes. And since there are fifty or more soldiers marching in the cemetery at any given time, someone has to put the word out what the uniform is so that we all look good together.

Monday being as cold as it was, I knew that the uniform would be overcoat and trooper cap. The trooper cap is the winter dress cap that we wear in cold weather. It actually snaps under your chin. I think it looks dorky but I have to say that it is very very warm.

As I was almost finished dialing, I heard a beeping sound coming through the phone. Someone must be trying to call in. I hit the button. "Arlington National Cemetery. This is private Cardot." I said.

"Hey, Cardot, this is Chaplain Horton. I was just calling to let you know what the uniform was for us on this first mission." I have been working with Chaplain Horton on a daily basis since the first day that I was transferred to this job over three weeks ago. He a real joy to work with.

'Great' I thought. 'Overcoat and trooper cap!'

He continued, "We're just gonna wear the blues blouse and the ceremonial cap today. The other Chaplain that I am training today doesn't have an overcoat that fits."

"Uhhhhhhhh......Okay...uhhhh....sir." I said. 'Blues Blouse!? That's our summer outfit. Doesn't this guy know that it's only 25 degrees outside! ' Of course, I didn't say that part out loud.

"I'll just meet you at the grave site," he concluded and hung up. 'Oh well. I'm in the infantry. I've been cold before,' I thought.

The mission went just fine. I was able to control my shivering for the most part and the service didn't even take too long. At last it was over and we all headed back to the car, my Arlington lady, the two chaplains and myself.

When we arrived at the car, we were all extremely cold and ready to get warmed up. I reached into my pocket to pull out the keys and suddenly a shocking revelation came over me...I had locked the keys in the car. 'I'm a dead man!'

"Sir," I said. My face was probably already turning pale. I really thought that I was in big trouble. He stared back at me. He looked as though he were really worried about what I was about to say. "I locked the keys in the car."

A huge smile swept across his face. He actually started laughing out loud. Chaplain Horton just looked at me. Here I was with two high ranking officers, a Major and a Lieutenant Colonel, and I had locked them out of the car in freezing cold weather without any coats on. He just laughed.

"Don't worry about it, son. It's not the first time this has happened." And that was it. About ten minutes later a backup key arrived and we all went on with our day. Live and learn.

When I arrived back at the office, I found out that the other driver had left his minister at the grave site of his funeral and forgot to give him a ride back to the office. The minister had to hitch a ride back to the office from a cemetery employee. I guess that we all had a bad case of the Mondays!

The Week In Review

The Arlington Ladies

This week I have had the distinct privilege of escorting the United States Arlington Ladies and the Chaplains of Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington Ladies is a group of ladies who volunteer to attend each and every funeral that takes place at Arlington National Cemetery. They attend to personally represent the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General Casey, to the loved ones of the deceased. Each Arlington Lady is either married to an Army man or is widowed by an army man. It is an honor to work with these ladies as they bestow their condolences to the families visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

When I first heard that I was being moved to this detail, I was wary of it. I didn't understand what was involved and in my line of work, the new detail probably meant bad news. The exact opposite has been true. I have loved every minute of it. Working with the chaplains and the Arlington Ladies is the biggest joy you could imagine. These ladies are so sweet and kind! I have been assigned to this detail for the next three months. I am thrilled and excited about it.

Site Updates: New Patriotic Theme!

You will also notice that over that past week or so, I have been making many changes to the layout and structure of this website. I wanted to create a theme or environment for the site that expresses who I am and how I feel. I wanted to display patriotism and Christianity side-by-side. The two words that I hope will be used to describe my life and my website are the words a 'patriot' and a 'Christian.' The rippling flag at the top of this site is my pride and joy. I love to watch those stars and stripes wave freely in the air!

I already have many plans for future changes and additions that I would like to make. In fact, I have two or three new sections that I want to add to the site. I am just trying to find the most effective ways to integrate these new features while still maintaining a crisp clean look. I want to fill the pages of this website with loads and loads of useful information and enjoyable entertainment. Here are a few of the sections that I hope to add to the site:

• A Collection of Stories, Illustrations, and Poems
• A Collection of Simple Online Flash Games
• A Collection of Family Friendly Clean Jokes

Please continue to give me feedback on the website. I want to tailor it to satisfy those who use it. Let me know any ideas that you have for it and also let me know which of my ideas are good ideas and which of them are bad. The more feedback I can get, the better I can make it. Besides, comments are the soul of any blog. When you leave me comments it fills me with a fuzzy feeling. Okay. So I'm being a little sarcastic. But I do love comments, so let me have it.

I appreciate everyone who stops by.

Blog on!

Important Prayer Request

I just received the following email from my former pastor at Clays Mill Road Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. I say former because I have moved to the Washington DC area and am now a member of a church in this area. Anyways, his wife has suffered a major accident and is in need of much prayer. It would mean a lot to me personally, and I know that it would mean a lot to him if you would pray for her. Thank you in advance and God bless you!

I am writing to tell you about an accident my wife had on this past Thursday evening in the kitchen at our house and to ask you to pray for her. Michelle had prepared supper and had boiled some tea for iced tea. She turned with a glass pitcher in her hands and it broke spilling the hot tea of her foot. When the tea hit her foot she jumped back and when she did her foot slipped and she fell, with her right arm and wrist first, on the broken pitcher. We knew immediately from the amount of blood that she was severely cut.

I held the artery in her right arm tight and got into the back of our vehicle with Joel driving toward the hospital. We called 911 and an ambulance met us on Clays Mill Road and transported her on to UK hospital. I rushed back home got the kids settled for a minute and then rushed back to the ER.

She ended up in surgery starting a little after midnight and the surgery lasted for almost five hours as she had cut all eight tendons going to her four fingers in her wrist and then had cut six of them again with cuts to the three fingers. She also lacerated her artery as well as several nerves. The hand surgeon said he was able to re-attach each of the nerves, tendons and arteries. She got into recovery about 5am and then to a room about 1PM today.

She was released from the hospital and sent home about 5pm this evening (12/28) and is here at home resting now.

The doctors say she will have several months of therapy and work to restore the use and feeling in her fingers again. Of course, we are concerned about her hand because of her ability to play the piano and teach piano lessons. The doctors say only time and therapy will tell. This is where we ask that you pray that she will be able to have the movement and felling restored to her fingers.

We have received many notes and emails from folks who have heard about this incident and we are grateful for your prayers, your friendship and love.


Preacher and Michelle

The Week In Review

I had a fantastic Christmas this week! On Christmas eve, my wife and I were invited to my former squad leader's house for some snacks and board games. We had loads of fun. We played a series of games in which we witted the guys against the gals. We played 'Scene It: Squabble,' 'Battle of the Sexes,' and 'Cranium.' The guys, of course, won two out of three of the games that we played that night. I also filled up on pizza bites, tacquitos, and mini egg rolls. Not very Christmassy, but very tasty!

On Christmas day, we were back at it again. This time, however, it was a nice couple from our church that had invited us over for Christmas. There were three couples total and again we played board games. This time, however, we played Taboo, which turned into a complete riot. We were all laughing so hard.

They also provided an awesome meal for us. We had turkey, ham, potatoes, green bean casserole I ate like a king. It was a great Christmas meal.

My wife and I cheated, however, when it came to opening presents. We tore into our gifts not on Christmas or even Christmas Eve. We opened our presents on Saturday night. We had a lot of fun, though. My wife got some scrap booking supplies and I got a new sweater. We both got new pajamas...mine are superman! I'm wearing my new Christmas sweater in the picture above.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I was really surprised. I went into work at my usual time of 5:45 AM only to be released from work between 9:00 Am and 10:00 AM both days. They basically gave me both days off.

So on Wednesday, my wife and I went out on a date. We headed out to Ruby Tuesday and had another huge meal. I took down a whole rack of barbecue ribs. I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. I am going to be fat and out of shape by the time I really have to go back to work. We also went shoe shopping and bought some more Scrap Booking supplies.

Today, I will be participating in either two or three funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. I love having the privilege to do what I do and to honor the men who I am able to honor. I thank God for all that he is doing in my life. Pray for me as I go my way. God bless you!

P.S. I just added a new feature over at the resources section of The Baptist Muse. You can now rate each resource on a scale of one to five. Be sure to swing over there and try it out. Also, be sure to leave me some comments or email me to let me know of any resources that I can add to the site. I don't have a whole lot on there yet and I want to continue growing it. Thanks in advance and have fun!

The Week In Review

For the first three days of the work week, I was able to enjoy half days at work. I got out of work on Monday through Wednesday at noon. During those days, I attended several holiday safety briefings, a absentee voting briefing, a change of command ceremony, and several other things. The change of command ceremony was to honor a new Command Sergeant Major who is taking charge of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) in Washington, DC.

As a result of the early release, I was able to spend some extra time at church on Monday afternoon. We have been working at the church to build a new Sunday School building. We are now at the final stages of the project and we hope to be moved into the building by the first of the year...or thereabouts.

On Thursday and Friday, however, I was back in Arlington National Cemetery participating in Funerals for soldiers. We conducted three ceremonies yesterday and one today. Today, my nose started running right at the beginning of the mission. That is one of the worst feelings because I am completely frozen in place. I'm not allowed to move a muscle and I know that it is going to be that way for about the next thirty minutes or more. It was torture! Oh well.

I heard a great Christmas story the other day. A grandfather comes home to see his granddaughter playing with her new toys. "Do you think the neighbor girl got toys as nice as you this Christmas?" He asks her.

"Oh, grandpa. She's not Christmas. She's Hanukkah...and she's not easter, either. She's passover." And then she paused for a few seconds. All of a sudden her eyes lit up and a huge smile swept over her face. "...but we're both fourth of July!"

I am looking forward to Christmas. I will not be headed home like I would wish, but I will be spending a lot of time with my wife with the four day weekend that I will be enjoying this week and next. I am definitely looking forward to gorging myself and taking a few days off work! I hope you all have an awesome Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Long Hours and Lots Of Fun

Today I arrived at work at 5:45 AM and left at 8:30 PM.  We are in the final crunch days for what is being called "Spirit of America!"  It's a lot of work, but it is going to be really great.  If you live in New Hampshire or Pennsylvania, you will have to come check it out. 

I have to try to get some sleep tonight (I have to get up at 4:30 AM) so this is all of an update that you will be getting tonight.  I will post more about Spirit of America either tomorrow or Saturday.

Thanks,

Nicholas Z. Cardot

A Christian and a Patriot

I came across this picture the other day.  As I looked at it, I began to think how that I would love to have my life be a living testimony of the beautiful objects found in it.  A Bible and Old Glory!  A Christian and a Patriot.  Blood Bought and Free in the home of the brave! 

I have caught a lot of grief over the fact that I am a member of the United States Army.  Most of that grief has come from people who I go to church with.  I understand that people discourage Christians from going into this type of work because of the negative influence that you face being a part of it.  I understand as well as anyone (I'm in it) the difficulties of maintaining a walk with God in this environment.  I also understand, however, that when God calls you to do something, he equips and enables you to keep yourself clean and pure for Him.  He gives you the ability to do what is right and to be a shining light for His glory!  I only pray that God will continue to use us in that way.  I long to be used of Him in whatever capacity that God calls me into.

I wish that more good Christians were influencing the men in the military and in politics...

Settling In and Meeting The Neighbors

I apologize for my lack of consistent posts.  It has been difficult to allocate time to the pursuit of blogging in the midst of the chaos of moving across country.  My wife and I continue to appreciate the prayers that many of you have offered on our behalf.  We happy to express that we are in the finishing stages of making this our new home.  Praise the Lord!

After moving just over 550 miles, we are finally beginning to get all of our stuff settled in.  We have painted the apartment, organized our furniture, put away all of our laundry, and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom.  We have spent the entire week unpacking and cleaning and have made great progress.  I hate white walls in my apartment, so we have made a lot of effort to paint everything to make it look more comfortable.  Attached is a picture of my living room.      

We have also been able to meet the neighbors.  The man below me is a Tomb Guard which means that he works for The Old Guard guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The man who lives next to me works for The Old Guard in Charlie Company.  The man who lives below me and guards the Tomb works for Echo company.  I work for Alpha Company of the Old Guard.  All three of us work for the same people, though...The Old Guard.  We do not work far from one another.

I go back to work on Tuesday.  I have loved not having to work for a while.  It has been such a relief to have a few days off.  I have loved spending the time with my wife.  I have loved setting up my apartment.  I have loved relaxing and sleeping in.

Come Tuesday, however, everything will change.  I will once again begin awaking at 5 o'clock in the morning.  I will hurry off to work early enough to watch the sun rise over the horizon.  I will do physical training.  Oh yes, the mornings do come frightfully early.  I suppose I will just have to go to bed earlier.

I will run from office to office taking care of financial issues, transportation issues, and maybe even some medical issues.  Paperwork.  Bureaucracy.  Military Life.  I will try to finish my transfer work this week.  It shouldn't be difficult.  Pray for us.

Thank you and God bless!

Nicholas Z. Cardot

Running, Reunion, and Relocation

So far, Washington D.C. has been great.  I have seen sights that I have wished for the opportunity to see since I was still in High School.  I have jogged down the Potomac River, I have experienced a D.C. style traffic jam, I have even seen a couple of the monuments.  I am so excited to be able to serve in the Army in Washington D.C. 

On Tuesday of last week, my squad leader decided that he wanted to run to the Jefferson Memorial and back while wearing our IBA's (Individual Body Armor).  This memorial is just over two miles from where we began running.  We ran down the waterfront of the Potomac River, under a gigantic bridge, and over to the memorial.  It was amazing!  We ran up and down the steps of the memorial for a while before heading back home.  It was an exhilarating workout.  We get to do the same type of PT as everyone else in the army except we get to do our PT up and down the streets of Washington D.C.

On Friday, I got my leave approved to drive home and get my wife.  My leave was scheduled to begin at 12:01 AM on Saturday Morning.  I stayed up Friday night and I signed out at exactly one minute past midnight.  I set out on a nearly fifteen hour trip that I would not stop on until I reached my destination.  I drank two Red Bulls, a Full Throttle, a couple Liquid Z's, and a five dollar Espresso from Starbucks.  I was doing everything that I could think of to stay a wake.  It was a difficult task. 

At around 2:45 PM, I finally arrived at my destination in Franklin Grove, IL and I wrapped my arms around my beautiful wife for the first time in just over ten days.  Seeing her was well worth skipping a night of sleep.

Today being Monday, we set out toward Kentucky where we plan to load up all of our stuff into a Uhaul truck.  On Wednesday, we plan to head back toward Washington.  Please continue to pray as we make this transition.  So far, God has been blessing us with safety and lots of joy and fun.  I praise Him for how good he is to us!

Thanks,

Nicholas Z. Cardot

The Journey Of A Lifetime!

 Dear Friends and Bloggers,

I left this morning at 7:00 AM and headed toward Washington D.C.  I pulled up my route on Google Maps.  It directed me through Chicago and onto Interstate 80.  It caused me to go through Chicago right at rush hour and it set me back a couple of hours.   I was in six lanes of bumper to bumper traffic for a couple of hours.  That's alright, though.  I love the city so I rolled down my windows and enjoyed the ride. 

I had a full tank of gas when I left my home town of Franklin Grove, IL, so I didn't have to fill up for $3.40+ a gallon in Chicago.  I was able to fill up later in Indiana for about $2.69 per gallon.  Woohoo!

Anyway, around 7:30 PM, I decided to pull up for the evening with just over two hundred miles left on my trip.  I pulled up in a Red Roof Inn and ordered a pizza from Dominoes.  I'll head out early in the morning and I will probably be able to make it to Washington by about 10:00 AM tomorrow morning.

I am so pumped about going to D.C.  I can't wait to get there.  I'll let you all know all about it as soon as I get there!

Thanks,

Nicholas Z. Cardot

Mr. Cardot Goes To Washington

Dear Friends and Bloggers,

I praise the Lord that he has seen fit to process my orders and send me to our nation's capital.  I received a phone call from my liaison approximately two hours ago informing me that he had gotten my orders processed and that I would, for sure, be going to Washington D.C. 

I am to report to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, on Wednesday, August 1, 2007.  I will be  leaving from Illinois tomorrow morning at about 6:30 A.M.  According to Google maps, the trip should take just over thirteen hours.  According to the way that I drive, the trip should take less than twelve...

Having received this information is such a relief and it is most definitely an answer to prayer.  I heard about a hundred different people tell me that they were praying that I would get this assignment and I am so happy to be able to say that God answered prayer once again.  Be sure to thank Him with me for is goodness.  Thank you all for your prayers and your support for my wife and I.  God bless you.

Thank You,

Nicholas Z. Cardot