Another Four Months: Spring Greetings

Life goes on, even when the blog does not reflect it. And, as usual, our last four months have been full of change, challenge, and excitement. Here is our attempt to sum things up.

February and March were fairly routine as I spent most of my time on schoolwork and Shaela did almost everything else. However, we had one significant accomplishment in the spring when we completed our long-term food storage, something we had been wanting to do since we got married. After deciding to get it done, we took some time during my Spring Break to purchase appropriate amounts of bulk food items, borrow the #10 can sealer from a local Church cannery, and package everything up. It was a long, all day project but we really enjoyed doing it. Since we did everything in the garage, even Caroline was able to help prepare the cans for sealing! The boxes now take up the entire lower portion of the closet in our study, but they realistically contain enough food to keep us going for a year.

During our self-sufficiency surge, Shaela also got into sprouting. She has become quite the advocate of sprouts and is continually coming up with new and tasty ways to use them. We have had a lot of fun getting back to basics in the way we live (except for Caroline's fancy dresses) and feeling the stability of preparedness

April was finals month, so I spent many long days studying. Fortunately, the time was well spent and I performed well on my exams.

On Cinco de Mayo, we had an appropriate celebration with law school friends and their children, the Whites and the Barons. It also doubled as a celebration of our successful completion of our first year of law school! We had an outstanding feast prepared by James White and a wacky pinata made by Eldon. The little ones had a great time smacking the pinata with some help from their dads.

That evening, Tulan and Caroline played their way into the Grimm's yard next door and ended up on their playground. During a chat with Pete Grimm in his office/museum, I had occasion to don a WWII era dive mask that he has amongst his relics. It is as heavy as it looks.

During May, we moved out of Anne Pinnock's home to make way for her daughter and their family, Andrea and Rob, who will be buying the house and staying with Anne until she wears herself out enough to rest for good (with a name like Action Anne, that is not likely to happen soon). As a result, we spent May moving in to our new home in the East Village of University of Utah's student housing. We love it there. Caroline and Joseph especially benefit from having a park/playground as our front yard. Our old family van, The Beast, was a real benefit that allowed us to move everything by ourself and at our own pace. Since many of our things have been in storage since last July when we left California, it was somewhat like Christmas as we unpacked some boxes, especially as we uncovered some of our nice wedding gifts that have remained in their boxes due to lack of space. As shown below, Caroline had fun drinking out of the enormous ceramic stein from Austria (for those who are familiar with John Wayne's McClintock, she even knows the meaning of "down the hatch"). We were able to feel properly moved in by the end of May when we hit the road and headed west to begin our summer adventure. We like our new home. In the words of one visitor, "you guys know how to make cinder block walls look good!"

After a brief stay with Shaela's family in Las Vegas, we pushed over to Simi Valley for the baptism of Chad & Amy Pettit's second daughter, Madeline. The cousins had lots of fun playing with each other.

Nicole and Madeline are particularly good examples, helpers, and playmates despite the fact that all their other cousins are under the age of three.

Of course, where there is a trampoline, Shaela (our amazing gymnast with her new short hair) has to do some tricks. It is much easier for her to jump now than when she is nine months pregnant ;-)

Joseph also enjoyed the company of cousins, especially his new pal, Charlotte Rose Darracq.

At the beginning of June, I began my work ("summer fun") at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC, also referred to as the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center, MAGTFTC) in lovely Twentynine Palms, CA. I qualify that statement with the caveat that it is lovely to anyone who appreciates the desert. While somewhat desolate, isolated, and hot (at this time of year), it really is a neat place.

As a summer funner, I work in the military justice section here but have also taken on responsibility in the administrative law section. I will be handling several guilty pleas ("dives") by acting as Trial Counsel in the next few weeks, but that is about all I am allowed to do in the courtroom at this point. However, my past experience at Camp Pendleton as an Adj continually proves to be invaluable, not just for helping me understand almost everything that goes on, but for being able to apply that expertise in ways that helps the other lawyers here and the units here. Despite my involvement, having limited responsibility and sometimes experiencing some fairly slow days is difficult for someone who is much more comfortable being significantly over-tasked. However, I take advantage of the quiter moments and study things like the Military Rules of Evidence, which will not only help me out in my future work but will also put me ahead of the game next year in school.

Shaela and the kids spent the first part of June in Modesto with "Bobo & Papa" along with Suzanne who is now a Navy wife learning what it is like to have her husband gone on deployment.

Before going to Leavitt's gradutation in Las Vegas, Shaela et al stopped by my temporary desert home and we were able to spend some time together in Twentynine Palms over the weekend.
We had a great time riding the carousel at the Carousel Cafe,
swinging on the playground of our condo-like hotel,
and exploring the Mara Oasis at Joshua Tree National Park.

Should any of you want to visit, we now have two convenient locations to serve you better: Salt Lake City, UT and Twentynine Palms, CA. Hurry, though, because this exclusive offer expires at the beginning of August.

Four Months in Review

It has been a busy four months. Here is the brief version of our recent family history.

October brought the burial of Grandpa Beck, our third wedding anniversary, and the birth of Joseph all on one day: 15 October. Joseph spent five days in the NICU because of his mysterious hypoxemia. We finally got him home though, he remains on a small amount of oxygen when he sleeps. Hopefully he will grow out of it soon. November brought a lightning-fast voyage in the Beast out to Modesto for Thanksgiving with the Becks. December was finals month and Christmas in Vegas with the Wells. January was the month of sickness; when we were not sick at home, we were spending five days in the hospital with Joseph (thank you, RSV). In February, we are simply enjoying being a happy family. On 15 February we celbrate our 40th monthiversary!

Best wishes to all. Enjoy the photos.

Caroline with her new baby brother.

Great Grandma Nicolaysen visits.

Daddy dancing with Caroline and Joseph.

A monkey, an angel, and an Iraqi couple.

Caroline's 2nd birthday and Thanksgiving in Modesto, CA.

Enjoying late autumn at Heritage Park.

A December Sunday afternoon.

Caroline thanking Anne ("Nana") for her Christmas present (a dress).

Eldon and Caroline riding the train (UTA TRAX) while Mommy and Maju take care of Joseph at the hospital.

Our early February family snowshoe trip in the wilderness of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Eldon and Caroline breaking trail.

Shaela the motivator wearing Joseph and enjoying the beautiful, soft, treacherous powder.

Grandpa Beck - In Memorium

Any thought of Grandpa Beck brings to mind a few choice words that are worth preserving for our posterity. He understood the value and necessity of work, family, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He possessed an unwavering testimony and eternal family perspective which inspired dozens of children and grandchildren to be strong links in the generational chain. His life reflected the knowledge that "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God . . . ." He entrusted to us a legacy of faith, family, righteousness, and work that we must now preserve, improve, and instill in the rising generation.

I'm working on a list of Grandpa's Gems: witticisms, observations, counsel, declarations. I think a well compiled list could serve as a humorous, inspiring, and compelling eulogy. This is only the beginning. Please send me any concise additions that would help make this list an accurate representation of the patriarch we knew and loved.

On Work
- "Man was made to work. When I stop working I will die."
- "People are like concrete... when they stop moving, they set up."
- When a job was satisfactorily completed: "Just like downtown" or "First class"

On Marriage
- "There are two kinds of women: work horses and show horses. Get yourself a work horse. Of course I was lucky enough to get both!"
- "Marry a pretty girl. You're going to be looking across the table to her for a long time."
- "Marry a pretty girl. The last thing you want is ugly kids."
- "President Packer once addressed a group of missionaries and asked them who they would marry when they had the choice between an unattractive girl with a strong testimony and an attractive girl with a weak testimony. The missionaries predictably replied that they would marry the girl with the strong testimony. Pres Packer surprised them by responding that a testimony can grow, but a girl is not likely to become any more beautiful than she is when you marry her!"

On Family
- "People who don't have kids don't leave many footsteps to follow."
- "What you learn in this life you learn by raising children. Those who choose not to have kids never really learn anything."

Test of embedded slideshow

For those who say Caroline looks like her mother... Take a look for yourself! She's her father's daughter for sure!

Shaela's 1st Birthday

Eldon's 1st Birthday

Caroline's 1st Birthday!

Spring Update

The family is back together now. We're quite grateful for the last several months we have enjoyed together since my returned from Okinawa in January. I continue with my job for the time being as 1/5 prepares for its next deployment with the 11th MEU. I, however, will not make this deployment. The time has come to move on. The move, like all moves that follow very challenging and successful esperiences, will be bittersweet. I have been richly blessed by the opportunity to stretch myself each day in service, to lead Marines, and associate with some remarkable men in the Corps' finest battalion.

The next move--sit down for this--will be to Salt Lake City, Utah where I will commence my studies at the University of Utah's Quinney College of Law in August. The school let me in and the Marine Corps selected me to go to law school, so we are going. We are just entering the planning phase of this move and we are excited for the adventure that will come over the next few months.

It is important to note that I am not getting paid to go to school. In fact, I get paid not to go to school. Under the Excess Leave Program (Law) of which I am now a part, I get paid for every day I do not have school classes or exams. All my school expenses come out of my pocket. This is good. The next three years will be our opportunity to be starving students, struggling through graduate school while having children and raising a family. During the summers I will be working with other Marine judge advocates at a major military installation, most likely Camp Pendleton. We will work out the details of all that when the time comes, but right now we are hoping to find a way to (a) keep the family together for a good portion of the summer and (b) spend some quality time on the beach (which we will sorely miss after leaving Dana Point).

Other significant news, for those who don't know, is that our second child will be reporting for duty no later than the end of October. We don't yet know if its a boy or a girl, but due to our significantly constricted budget we are tempted to find out prior to the delivery so we can streamline any required baby purchases... More to follow on that.

We are loving life. I have actually put on some healthy weight and frequently enjoy running the steep hills of the San Mateo area in the NW corner of Pendleton or the beach between Trestles and San Onofre. Shaela is more beautiful than ever and intends to end this pregnancy lighter than she started her first. Impressive, no? Caroline continues to astound people with her wit, charm, strength, and coordination. We are grateful for the many blessings the Gospel brings into our lives and pray that you may be similarly blessed.

Hugs, kisses, peace, and love... Eldon

We Like Sheep--and Retired Generals--Have Gone Astray

I saw an article that I could not simply read and forget when I checked my email tonight: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,121509,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl. So I did as the page suggested and "sounded off" to let my voice be heard. Admittedly, my response is a bit lengthy for these online forums, but I'm also "firing for effect" here, not simply taking a halfhearted jab at someone else's stupid comment. It needed to be said, so I said it:

How unfortunate that some retired general officers can be so easily swayed by popular trends and so ignorant of true principles. This article is replete with claims of the clear failure of current policy, yet there is no evidence of failure that could ever be presented in this matter. This argument, like so many others that try to pull wrong behavior into the mainstream, is without principle, without historic or future vision, and without understanding of the realities of religion and family. Indeed, Gen Shalikashvili and his ilk, by claiming to be in touch with popular America, demonstrate how out of touch they are with the America that so many have given so much for.

First, there is a necessary distinction that must be made between our nation's founding principles and popular pressures. The father of our nation, a remarkable man who has been honored and revered far more than any of our retired generals ever will be, warned the fledgling country of the attributes and attitudes needed in public servants: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity." He continues with an assertion and a question that should drive all of us to serious contemplation and focused action: "It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?" How easily we invoke the privileges of popular government while forgetting the necessary foundation for it: virtue and morality. We must define the public debate and turn public discourse and public behavior back to these fundamental elements of free government.

Second, this argument takes a narrow look at a short term manpower situation without any regard for long term consequences. Of note is the figure of 11,000 who have been dismissed over this policy over more than a decade. Considering the tens of thousands who enter and leave the service over the course of every year, well under 1,000 per year is hardly an argument for a critical loss of personnel. We separate far more casual drug abusers and alcoholics, many of whom have performed superbly in combat. Clearly they are a much more significant drain on our critical personnel. If we are truly stretched thin on personnel such that we have to abandon fundamental guardians of good order and discipline, then we need to first reconsider our policies on substance abuse, personality disorder, and body composition! Balderdash! How much more shallow can we get in attempting to keep our force strong? The power that drives and energizes a mighty military force is found in inspiring leaders filled with integrity, men and women challenged to excel, units that trail hard, and solid professional climates that foster esprit de corps in support of the nation's missions. We maintain strong and motivated servicemembers by holding high the torch of good order and discipline, not by extinguishing it and yielding to a sordid free-for-all. The natural progression of this idea, leading to the open acceptance of homosexuals in the military, would be a dark milestone in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. If "individual" lifestyles and "private" behaviors truly are deemed insignificant and independent of "public" military service, then we are done fighting the nation's battles because we will have destroyed ourselves from within.

Third, and finally, I make a very real plea to the common sense of the many good people within the military. With this policy, consider what we would gain versus what we would lose? I speak of strong families. When we talk about "our service" or "the military" being stretched thin, we are really talking about individual choices that hundreds of thousands of individuals have to make. Acceptance and endorsement of homosexuality is fundamentally opposed to the principles upon which the family is based. The family is the fabric of society; homosexuality and its associated forms of confusion and depravity are the shredders, burners, and seam rippers of that fabric. They do not co-exist and flourish together. Where one is given "maneuver room" the other is quickly sidelined. We give more and more lip service to strengthening and retaining families to keep the military strong, yet we are still woefully inadequate when it comes to acting in accordance with this concept. I can think of no policy that would more effectively turn more families away from military service than one making the military a safe haven and open political battleground for the radical homosexual movement. I will serve with all my heart and soul so long as I can keep my family strong and serve with a clean conscious. Being deployed half of every year makes it hard enough to feel like I'm doing right by my family, but the implementation of this policy would be a no-brainer for me and many others like me. Those strong family men and women of strong religious conviction--many of our finest leaders--would quickly recognize the broad destructive effects and implications of such a policy. The military would then increasingly become a massive political puppet in the hand of a sickening and confused nation.

For the love of all that we hold dear, may we reflect upon the fact that there is a God in heaven who loves us as his children and wants to bless us. Our homeland was set aside for a special purpose: its discovers were guided to it, its founders were united under divine direction, and its inhabitants over many decades have been miraculously blessed and prospered because of their overall tendency to do good and choose the right. We have been far from perfect, but we have been doing our best for a very long time. If we despise and reject the great Creator and Lawgiver and turn our backs on his commandments, then we will soon go the way of all other wicked nations that have become puffed up by pride and infected by iniquity. May we embrace and uphold those true and virtuous principles that have been the source of our "public and private felicity" for so long. In so doing, may we boldly defend them from the many attacks that they will most certainly face as we—retired brass and old big wigs included—try to remember the purpose for which we live, the purpose for which we unite, and the purpose for which we sometimes may have to fight and die.

2006 in Review - Part I

Welcome to the Beck Family's happy little virtual home. This will serve as a satellite representation of our home for those of you who are not fortunate enough to live right next door to us. On the other hand, since half of our married life has been spent on opposite sides of the world, this little site merges our experiences into one fascinating whole. Since you are only primarily acquainted with one side or the other of our worldwide family, this may help you see the world that we know and love, even though it is often experienced through virtual conversations, email, and mutual spiritual impressions. Wherever we may be or whatever the conditions that may separate us, we strive to love and serve the Lord so we may "live after the manner of happiness." Caroline is living proof of this happiness, as displayed in this Kodak moment captured in our backyard which is also known as Salt Creek Beach (August 06).

The year 2006 was filled with many challenges and wonderful blessings for us. I will start with one that covers a lot of territory:

The Legal War

During the first half of the year, I (Eldon) assumed a substantially larger workload as Adjutant for the Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines when all the other units in the Regiment deployed. What this meant was that all the legal issues of our sister battalions (that would be 2/5 and 3/5, for those of you who don't know military pedigree charts) and 5th Marine Regiment became mine. As a result, I had a new six month mission of conducting extensive liposuction on a four ton gorilla that had long arms, sharp teeth, and a substantial appetite. In six months, I handled more administrative separations, courts-marital, nonjudicial punishments, and death investigations (we lost three men between April and June) than you want to hear about. Thanks to the energy and tireless work of an exceptionally committed legal clerk, Lance Corporal Chris Johnson, First Lieutenant Beck effectively reduced the legal burden of four units to what would normally be expected of one. Though I consider it a miracle, the miracle has within its shadows many early mornings, late nights, the ten pounds I lost somewhere, and the spirit of a close colleague who tragically took his life at the climax of this perplexing effort. I thank a loving Father and a patient, understanding, and thoughtful wife for sustaining, encouraging, and guiding me through this trying time.

Paradoxically, my excess of practical legal experiences proved a considerable hindrance to my academic legal preparation. I had planned to take the LSAT in February, but very prudently put it off until the next available date in June. I had no way of foreseeing what would transpire over those months... which was probably a very good thing. In the final days of preparing for the test in June, we lost a solid two days during our pre-deployment leave period (ie study time) due to the serious injury of one Marine and the death of another. I felt like a man who signed up to run a marathon, started the race with reasonable expectations, took extensive detours throughout, cared for the downtrodden, injured and dead along the way, and still finished with a respectable time. Not surprisingly, on the two acceptance letters I have received thus far it is noted that my leadership experience--not my inspiring LSAT score--put me over the top. The Lord opens doors and windows at just the right time; sometimes he even breaches walls, flattens cities, and rearranges mountain ranges and coastlines! He has led me thus far and I know he will lead me on.

In mid July, I kissed Shaela and Caroline goodbye to commence a deployment to Okinawa, Japan. The photo at left at the gate of Shurijo Castle is proof that the plane landed in the right place. [Historical Background: My battalion morphed into Battalion Landing Team 1/5 as it attached a Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) platoon, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) platoon, a Combat Engineer platoon, and a battery of artillery (I Btry, 3/11). The BLT then became the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is America's forward deployed force-in-readiness that covers the entire Pacific Ocean all the way west to India. If you're dying for more, research "MAGTF": Marine Air Ground Task Force. When I taught MAGTF 101 to Shaela on our first "real" date, it inspired a nearby generous couple to pick up our tab ;-)] With more than 2/3 of our cycle spent in Okinawa, I had the resources and opportunity to craft a personal statement and apply to 15 different law schools. I was lucky to have such opportunity. After all, many months on a ship, in a tent, or back in a combat zone like Iraq would have effectively prevented me from having the time and communications abilities that I needed to complete these applications.

On the other hand, a deployment that goes to exotic places where Marines and Sailors have "liberty" makes it quite easy for people to make some very poor choices. On the bright side, however, we did not cause an international ruckus while in Subic Bay, Philippines, (pictured at left with the USS Essex and Harper's Ferry in the background) though there were protesters there demanding "justice for Nicole" from the incident that occurred with some Marines from the MEU last year. With rare exception, every legal problem I have dealt with would have been prevented if those involved had chosen not to become intoxicated. While the foolishness stemming from drinking usually passes without major impact, the natural extension of that foolishness introduces moral turpitude that destroys lives and wrecks families in a most tragic way. This is an area of experience where once is one time too many. I never want to see another married man intimately engaged with a foreign woman. I never want to handle another capable young man passed out from drunkenness. I never want to draft charges of rape and adultery against married men who hold significant leadership positions. My own Marines have heard the passionate message from me on many different occasions: freedom must be good for something! Freedom abused is freedom lost. How unfortunate that so many of the young men supposedly fighting for freedom do not even know what freedom is. Far too many--including many officers--are oblivious to the inexorable ties between liberty, religion and morality... but this is a book or at least an article in the making so I will not use this forum to examine this malady (stay tuned for more). In sum, my legal experience developed a whole new dimension during our deployment in Southeast Asia.

The outlook for the coming months is exciting and very uncertain. I have applied to law schools all over the US and am just beginning to hear back from schools. Early in 2007, I will apply to the Marine Corps' Legal Education Program to see if they will select me to join their elite team of "LEPers." The Marine Corps may pay me to go to law school (Funded Law Program / FLEP), they may turn my pay off and give me the time to go to law school (Excess Leave Program / ELP), or they may tell me to pound sand and get back to work. Of course, I am confident that a miracle will occur and the outcome will be positive. As a result of this secondary application process, we will have no idea where our next home will be until the end of April.

In the meantime, we will continue to strengthen our family and do everything we can to lift, love, and inspire all those around us. After all, if we fail to do that, what are we doing with this divine gift we call life?

We are extremely grateful for our good family and the peace that comes from the eternal sealing that unites us here and hereafter. We are mindful of all our dear family members and pray that you may feel of and share in the happiness that sustains and motivates us everyday.