This Day Five Years Ago ...

On this day five years ago I quit smoking. Some of you might not even remember me as a smoker but it's true. Some of you might never have known.

I started out as a casual smoker in my senior year of College in 97. Before that I would swipe an occasional cigarette (2-3 a year) from Ken and before that Ronald. I did it when I wanted to feel like a bad boy. Well when I joined the Army it became a when I go out occasion. I mean I was going to smell like cigarettes anyway so why not get the filter.

Then three things happened the encouraged the habit. First SFC Lewis was replaced by SFC Tessie Coe. What does that have to do about it? Well SFC Lewis was perhaps the best NCO I have ever known. SFC Coe the opposite. The stress was enormous. Second I was not selected for Officer Candidate School. Third I had a change of friends. Amy Wood and PFC-PVT-SPC Randy Holtzapple. Well I don't blame any of them but lets just say my life was unique at that point and I started smoking all the time.


I tried quiting after a year or so and figured out that I was hooked. I quit for over a month before PLDC (Primar Leadership Development Course, Now WLC Warrior Leader Course). I hit the stress of training and folded. I quit again as soon as I hit Fort Belvoir.

Well then I got serious about it. I remembered a few sermons I heard. One was from Paul Wagner about how some trials in our life require two people or more to help conquer. He gave the illustration of how foot soldiers would take out a knight. One would block the lance therby creating the opening and the second with his pike would dismount the rider. This sunk in. I needed help but what kind I already tried a support group.

The second sermon I remember was from Dr George. I attended his Sunday school class back at Liberty. He suggested that to stay at the cutting edge spiritually there were six relationships that you needed to maintain. Three were from each area of your life, work, family, church. The remaining three were three roles that were needed, the encourager, the mentor and the disciple.

The third thing was from my father. Mark Spooner is one to fast. If you see him dealing with a big issue in his life that he can't seem to get his hands around he fasts. I had heard of people who fasted a great many things. William VanDyke a friend of mine fasted all sorts of things. So I tried to convince six people to pray and fast for me for a month. Not a full fast but give up for one month what they enjoyed the most. When ever they craved that item they would refrain and then pray for me.

Well there was a lot more to it then that. I fasted prior (favorite thing) and I did what I could to prepare. I would like to say it was easy but it wasn't. It was hard but it got easier. It continues to get easier. Well tomorrow I go to CH BOLIC to finish the Army part of my Chaplain training. I just celebrated my third Wedding Anniversary and I will finish Seminary in the fall. My relationships are now stronger and have greater meaning. I am happier, healthier and have a better hope for my future. Was it worth it? You bet.

I hope to post again soon but CH BOLIC as most Army trainings can be strenuous so it might be a little bit. So until then I hope you stay heading toward that hope filled future.