Week 408-409 - So Long to Good Friends - 06-15-2014

Elvis Angels Have Left the Building

Over the last eight years we have rented our home to "these people" and "those people". Lieutenant Joel, his wife Amy and their family are not "those people". This wonderful family from Texas have become our close friends. Two years ago we spent hours on the phone trying to convince them that a Christian family with six home-schooled children was probably not a good fit for our "little" house. However, both Joel and Amy, on different trips, traveled to Atascadero from Texas to check out our four-bedroom home. They said they could make it work and they moved in. Madilyn took the small bedroom, Hana took the smaller bedroom and the three boys, Jackson, Joshua and Joel II landed in the family room. Mom and dad and Abigail shared the master bedroom. The office became the home school room, computer lab and music room. The outdoors was their playground.

Joel who joined the Army 24 years ago, is a graduate from West Point and Texas A&M. One of his tours of duty was an instructor at West Point. He and his family usually move every two years and have lived in Texas, Georgia, Hawaii and other locations before coming to Atascadero. Here, Joel was in charge of Cal Poly's ROTC program for the last two years, while Amy commanded the squad of six at home.

Every landlord prays for good renters. Eight years ago we had okay renters, then good renters and now angels. Angels? Well, you decide. They always paid their rent on time, called only a few times with issues and usually resolved problems themselves. Then came along December of 2012. Joel and his family were going to be out of the house the entire month of December. Learning that we were in town, they asked us if we would like to house-sit our own house. We did. They paid the rent, paid the utilities, cleaned the sheets and decorated the entire house in a Christmas theme including two large Christmas trees! The allowed us to have a Christmas dinner with our family in our house and have guests stay in the bedrooms. When they returned "home", Amy tried to pay us for taking care of their small dog and cat! In the words of John McEnroe, "You've got to be kidding!", we did not take it. Oh yeah, did we mention that they did this again in 2013?

This year for the last six weeks we parked the Mothership next to our house to show the house to potential renters. We have shared the property, meals and Abigail, played cards at night and even double dated with Joel and Amy.

This Saturday we were invited to the 2014 Cal Poly ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, the culmination of Joel's effort during this tour.

In these days of informality and lack of decorum, it was fabulous to see these young cadets formally receive their commissions as U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenants. The ceremony was respectful, honorable and mindful of God's provision for this country. And yet it was a time of joy and laughter as parents, relatives and friends witnessed the achievements of these fine young men and women.

Each cadet was introduced, stood and with military precision turned to face the audience.

Lieutenant Colonel Joel, our renter, issues the Oath of Office to three of the cadets.

Each cadet had a video presentation from their youth to the present with slides of themselves, family, friends and some of their more recent military training. Moms, dads, siblings and relatives were given the honor of pinning the 2nd Lieutenant insignia onto their soldier's uniforms.

Lieutenant Colonel Joel presents the commissioning certificates to these new 2nd Lieutenants, then introduces speaker Brigadier General Timothy Coffin.

The speaker articulated well as he was realistic, praising and encouraging, giving the 2nd Lieutenants a possible glimpse of what lies ahead of them. At the end of the ceremony, all present sang the Army song and then the time was closed in prayer followed by a reception.

Our beloved renters spent one more night before heading out. We played cards and enjoyed refreshments and fellowship. In the morning everyone joined in to get ready to move out. Josh, Joel and Abigail took care of the the little animals. Hana went to the neighbors for final care of their 20 Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Madilyn and Jackson were very busy helping Dad and Papa David get the trailer secured for the trip. Mom as usual was doing dozens of last minute tasks.

Everyone posed for a final picture at the Mattson Compound as they head out on their Great Adventure. Next assignment for this Army family is for Joel to command a Battalion (about 950 troops) at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska. They will travel for 16 days in their trailer from Atascadero to Fairbanks. We have encouraged them that it will be an incredibly memorable journey.

Leaving the Mattson forest heading North to Alaska.

Even before they left our property, we are already missing ~~those~~ ~~people, those renters~~, brothers and sisters in Christ and life long friends!!!

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

With love, Pete, Ellen, Mandy and Sam

Photos from Jun 2014