5 things you probably should'nt do in Germany! at 6:12 AM

I haven't been here too long and i've already personally witnessed enough stupid crap to formulate a list about things you shouldn't do while traveling in Germany! I'm stationed here in Germany! Yes I am stuck here filled with testosterone pumped guys who want nothing more than some german beers and a sneak peek at some german boobies! Lets see, army guys + money + beer + endless amounts of woman = never a good thing. Learn from these people!

1. This one is called the Krusty Crab!
This guy came into my barracks room explaining to me the good time he had with some random romanian girl from the red light district. If you don't know what that is its basically a playground for hookers. Gross right? Anyway when this guy proceeded tell me about his adventures with this girl he had to pay 100 Euros for (which is roughly 160 American dollars.) He kept going on as if I cared to hear about his sad stories about how he had to pay for a good time. As he continued to tell me his story i couldn't help but nothing something was bothering him… i don't need to go into detail because I feel that the title is enough for you to figure out but let me tell you something. Man-scaping in my shower is not going to be a good solution, Actually its more of a HORRIBLE idea. See, now I am just pissed!
Moral of the story: Just because prostitution is legal here does not mean you wont get the itchies! Gross!

2. The Battle Buddy System!
Here in the army we don't do anything alone! Why? Because if something goes horribly wrong you've got a soldier to cover you, to watch your back, to make sure you get out alive! One guy decided he was too good for his battle buddy and left him in a hotel room passed out with a hooker in a city pretty far from base. The next morning he found a note and some money, she felt bad for him and paid HIM to get back to base! Taxis here arent cheap either! Moral of the story: Pick the right battle buddies! Don't leave your buddy in a hotel room with a syphylgonjuas infected woman. Thats not right!

3. Loans are for houses, cars, or really expensive things!
I know obama wants us to spend money so the economy can kind of fix itself, I guess a few guys here got the idea ohhh so wrong. If your a single guy, 18 and have never really made to much money before the armies pay seems pretty freaking awesome! Right? If your 21, paying child support and are in debt at home you should probably be careful with what seems to be not enough money for you… And when i say careful I don't mean taking out a german loan and spending 2500 Euros in one night. I wish this was a joke but sadly its not…. How does one spend that much money in a strip club? Where do they keep all that money? I probably don't even want to know! This guy spends his nights in the barracks now! Hes out of money.
Moral of the story: You're in Europe! Spend the money on something better than strip clubs! Go see something cool! Do something other than blowing all your money! Also, this place is HELLA expensive don't blow all your money!

4. Watch your stuff!
We've learned that some people over here:
A. Hate americans
B. Hate soldiers more than american civilians
C. Are Racist!
D. Will steal your credit card when your drunk and will max out your cards at strip clubs!
This one is pretty simple… Watch your stuff, be careful who you talk to, and remember…people here arent to fond of us, esp soldiers.
Moral of the story - Look at A through D again.

5. This ones for real
Although the 1 through 4 are pretty funny this one….eh not so much. Maybe you arrant aware but sex trafficking is a pretty popular thing in this world. I would like to say that things in the movie, "Taken" aren't true, but that kind of stuff is happening. Germany is one of the worst countries for hosting sex trafficking. Its not funny at all… This stuff is a real bad issue. The red-light district is a city block of women in windows waiting to be picked! sex for money. You think they all want that? How can anyone willingly take part in that? That makes you just as bad as the assohle pimp who deserves a grenade in his mouth with the pin pulled…. Take it as you will! Moral of the story: Dont be a part of that girls horrible life...

This place is nuts! Just as a sidenote, I haven't been involved in ANY of these shenanigans! Why because Im Awe…

wait for it…


wait for it…

some!

Hope you've enjoyed my return to the blogging world!
E

Im Back Fools... at 2:51 PM

After many many many months of crazy training... I have found time to start blogging again. Its going to get intense here...

Be ready!

Writing from Germany!
Hope to see you soon!

Evan

Basic Training: Be back in Oct at 4:05 PM

Well im gone.

Im sitting in new jersey right now on my last time on a computer for a while.
Today is the hardest day of my life.
I have been praying, and I can only keep praying

I hope things get easier cause this is not easy at all.
I've been alone for 4 hours and im already freaking out!

How do people do this without God?
Well i already miss everyone. Take care

With Love,
Evan

12 Days of Reflection - Day 1: Countdown Begins at 9:49 PM

Its July first and all I can think about is leaving in 12 days. Its incredible how you see life so differently when you are ready to leave everything you've known.

This past week I got the incredible opportunity to travel to Holland, Michigan for my 5th year of CIY. This was a great time to really reflect about my life, my future, and Gods plan for both. This was a great week for me to share how I felt about everything to God and to my friends. The week was amazing because it was one last huge hurrah with CCV.

I wake up and the first thing I think is... "I have ___ many days to wake up in my bed, in my house, being comfortable.

I go to bed thinking, there goes one more day, Did I spend it the way I wanted?

Don't get me wrong, I am not depressed about what I am doing. I am not annoyed with my decision or regretting it. I have never done anything this huge in my life. (thats what she said)
Im excited! I am stoked! I am ready! I feel ready! I feel prepared! Its the right thing and I believe so.

I want the spend the next 12 doing things that make me the happiest, with the people I love, with people who I wont let go of when I leave. I will blog for the next 12 days...all leading up to my goodbye.

God, Thank You for allowing me to serve with the best team,
E

Pastor To Private - Why I did. at 7:06 PM

I never was a pastor and as far as I am concerned I never will be. I don't feel like its my calling. But I can explain.

A few years ago if you would've told me I was going to be in the military I would've peed my pants and said no way Jose. 2 years ago I thought I had it all planned out for me. Here's what I had going on

Two years ago I dreamed of being a youth pastor...hence the title, "Pastor to Private" I loved it!! I loved following my old youth pastor around, doing youth ministry things. I dreamed youth ministry. Well of course God threw me an unexpected curve ball and my emotions eventually changed.

Last year I went on an incredible missions trip with an incredible group of people. We stayed in Juarez, Mexico. While we were staying in El Paso, TX we were living right next to a military base. FT Bliss. It was cool driving by and seeing tanks, cannons, soldiers, barracks, Humvees and all other crazy military things. While down there in Mexico I was seeing how cool it was to serve. I was out of my comfort zone, even though most of you seem to think Mexico is my home (You know who you all are, and I hate you :-)

While in Mexico I experienced serving in a totally different environment. Now I am a mind-reader and I know what you are thinking, "If you loooove God, and you love serving, and you wanted to be a pastor than why don't you just work in the field of doing missions trips?" That's a great question! I loved helping the people in Mexico but....

I love danger
I love protecting others
I love blowing stuff up
I love guns
I want the challenge
I want the experience
I want the uniform
I want to be a part of the United States Armed Forces

As I was sitting on the plane home, on a plane with more soldiers than civilians I was thinking about life and what I wanted to do...

Im going to serve my King, and my country.

Hooah,
Evan

BCT - Basic Combat Training at 8:36 PM

Everyone fears it, but not everyone has to go through it. So I leave July 13th for Ft Benning Georgia. My emotions are running all over the place

I am not happy because: I have a little summer, leave my best friends I have, I'll be pushed harder than I ever had, July in the south is not fun at all, I will miss my church community, I will miss the summer nights, the bonfires...

I am happy because: Im on a new chapter of life, Im testing my faith, Im pushing my body physically and emotionally to make me a better person, I get to play with Guns, I get to travel, I get to experience things not many people will, I'll get an amazing oppertunity to serve, I'll make amazing new friends, I get to put on the uniform I've always admired.

Either way I am leaving In July and I am enjoying every last moment I get to spend with my friends. Until then I'm going to have a blast! The summer has been great so far! Stick around for more posts until July 13, 2009.

One Love,
PVT Flora

When One Chapter Ends... at 8:14 PM

I still remember my mom pushing me out of the door on the first day of 1st grade. I still remember what I was wearing. Red sweat pants and and a red shirt. I was crying hysterically. I told her I couldn't go because I felt like I was going to throw up. I was horrified because this was truly the first time I was leaving my house for a long time. I walked to the bus stop with Adam crying. He always tried to tell me everything was going to be just fine. He always protected my on the bus. He's always had my back. Everyday I left my mom waved to me at the same window.
When Adam went to middle school and I was in second grade she came with me to the bus stop everyday. We always talked.
She worked in the cafeteria for a few years and kids always got grossed out when they saw the lunch lady kissing a boy...but it was my momma. She always got me a little something too :)

Middle school rolled around and I was one goofy kid. I had a tough time adjusting to a new building and dealing with the big bad 8Th graders. What an awkward time in life. I don't miss any part of middle school. I spent my days talking about squirrels and trying to figure out why my voice was getting deeper.

I still remember perfectly the first day of high school. I was small and the seniors were big and had beards. Enough said. I remember getting off the bus and just walking into massive crowds of people. I got lost for a while. Freshmen year seemed to be never-ending. Sophomore year was a blur, and junior year was annoying. Senior year was the best hands down. I had all the perfect classes, was with my awesome friends, and definitely met some really cool new people. This year flew and I had one great time. I got in the car today, looked back at the school and waved and said, "you treated me well" and drove off.
Im done. I am finished high school and it sure does come with many different emotions.
Im on senior career study until graduation. June 12th.
Im sitting here now asking, am I ready for the next chapter?