When Cammie first told us that she wanted to join the Army National Guard, we were shocked, stunned, flabbergasted. You may think that we doubted her abilities, felt she couldn’t handle it, or thought maybe this was never, ever a possibility she would or should consider. And to you I would say you’re probably right!

But that uncertainty quickly turned into assurance as we learned to trust His plans for Cammie and reminded ourselves that she can do all things through Christ (Phillipians 4:13).

Since then, I’ve been astounded at God’s work through her. Watching her grow from a timid young girl to an outspoken, courageous and determined woman has brought much joy to this mama’s heart. Yet, as she changes hats for the many roles of her life—wife, mother, Soldier, upcoming college student, employee—I continue to advise and guide her.

As moms, we often wonder if we’re fully preparing our children. But I’m quickly learning that I am the one often unprepared for what comes their way in life.

On extended drill in Cameron, LA, since June 12, Cammie has worked with her unit to protect the coast from the oil spill. My vivid imagination provided a picturesque scene of Cammie and the other Soldiers rescuing wildlife and gently protecting the fragile creatures as they presented them to trained personnel for careful cleaning with Dawn liquid soap.

Imagine my surprise when she called to update me that the dump trucks arrived with only two licensed drivers so she and some of the others were going to have to test for their license to drive the massive vehicles. (Yes, they’re massive. See Google.) Now I’m not quite sure how many dump trucks they had or how many other Soldiers were available to test for said license, but this was all I could picture:

The damage to my garage on the day of The Great Louisiana Blizzard of 0’10

*Not included: The damage done to Cammie’s car on the day of The Great Louisiana Blizzard of 0’10

**Note: Collision was not caused by snow

Now you may be thinking that once again I was shocked by this news of Cammie’s latest adventure and not at all remembering that she can do all things through Christ. And to you I would say that you are right.

Any details that my vivid imagination failed to paint, Cammie quickly filled in quite humorously.

After passing the test, she was told to get ready to drive. “I don’t know about this. Are y’all sure I’m qualified,” she questioned. But they told her she passed the test. “A written test,” she reminded them. But apparently that’s all it takes to be licensed to drive a military dump truck. That and, you know, be in the military.

So she jumped in the driver’s seat with a licensed driver sitting in the passenger seat and proceeded to back the dump truck up as she followed the hand signals of the poor guy behind the truck. “And you know I don’t speak that language, mom,” she told me. So of course she was all over place. (I would pay good money to anyone who might’ve caught just a glimpse of this on film.) “And then the guy comes up to the driver’s side and says ‘get out’.”

In spite of the many laughs I got from this that carried over the course of several days, they put her right back in that truck. I’ve asked her on several occasions to please give me the number of the person in charge so that I could send the above photos. Apparently she doesn’t find me as humorous as I find her. She has yet to get anyone to snap a photo, any photo, of her operating a dump truck.

I’m proud of my daughter. Really, I am. But I would be remiss if I neglected to warn anyone in the area of Cameron, LA to travel with caution around military dump trucks.