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Show mm 1 February 22. 2001 Eaton stresses balance between perception, reality by Bill Orndorff Hfftop Times editor -- Speaking on a theme of situational iwareness, tormer Utah jazz stand out Mark Eaton urged a Hill AFB audi- Vnce to consider what God wants them todo. . . Eaton spoke at the Hill AFB obser-anc- e of the National Prayer Break- last Thursday in the Officers Club, rhe audience included base employ es, and mayors and business leaders Irom area towns. Noting that he enjoys military themed xoks, Eaton said he likes to read about eople responding to critical situa-ion- s and pushing themselves beyond he limit. Asking why some excel in hose situations while others strug gle, he said he tries to understand how he would measure up. '.. "Much of the decision-makin- g a given challenge. "And the more I thought about this, the more I found it to be synonymous . . with my challenge of following and coming alongside of God." While we may not always know what God wants us to do, Eaton said God remains patient, continues to pursue us and eventually draws us into situations that require our full attention. 'Five years ago, I sat in my pastor's office and I told him 'I really don't see myself getting out and talking about God,' and yet as I look at my life now and all the places I've been and all the experiences that I've had, I can clearly see God's hand moving and shaping said. "I believe the challenge that's before us is learning the situational awareness of God and observing where he is working, and what you think God is doing in your life on a daily basis. "Do you perceive the reality of his presence in your life? Have you ever sat back and considered what God's process that particular challenge is well as the environment and influ of those around us," Eaton said. at age 39 he fe than well he ever as or better playing in amazed his I'm career. las constantly t his ability to look at situations and udge them correctly and to make the ence Look at John Stockton ' t perspective might be in any one instance? I know sometimes that if s a challenge, but I try and pay attention to what God jight decisions. . might be doing in any one situation." a J "When you look at him not faith Eaton told how fear uy, who doesnt really run that fast controls who we are and clouds what jr jump that high and has many other God's trying to show us. And while iiards come through and challenge God remains with us througKall situim in athletic skill, and yet time after ations, Eaton said our job is to ask God me after time he prevails. When you he would have us do in all situations. k at an NBA player, seven or eight This character development, just are about all they have. John is like being in the military, is filled with I7th seaon in the NBA and is peaks and valleys," he said, "and the flaying,' not in a supportive role more I try to see these experiences through God's eyes, the more I undern Jerry Sloan looks down the stand how critical they are for God chMooking for a key player, he to be able to mold me into the per'fifteWnHfies in son he wants me to be. ie 1 find that very fascinating." "It gives me a hard deck to plant my sone book Eaton read, the author feet on when times get tough. When the metaphor, "situational aware-f- o others are running other ways and describe times when per-.kj- n there is a constant state of chaos, it and reality come in balance really gives me a focal point to come ' each other. back to just kind of stop and sit and erhb excelled in a tactical sit-- consider where God might be workon, Inji tense combat situation, ing in my life. Because really, it's not re those that could accurately iden- - a situation I've found in y the reality of a threat and react taking a little time and considering fcordingly," Eaton said. "I found this what God might do in a different sitvery profound because it means uation. It's really an expe- six-fo- ot 6 . b r, 7 who I am and where I'm at today," Eaton omes down to how life has prepared ks prior to that all a person's experiences and training must come together in perfect alignment with their response to "' life-or-dea- th . eye-openi- ng Photo by Former Jazz Center Mark Eaton signs autographs at the Prayer Breakfast Hill AFB Bill Orndorff observance of the National ish rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister who handed out life jackets during the 18 minutes before the ship sank until no more were available. In a final heroic act, the chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to other sailors, then chose to remain to calm and comfort the nearly 700 men who is your perception of God?' Do you pos- went down with the ship. They were sess situational awareness? And what last seen, standing on the hull with is your state of readiness for God's their arms linked in prayer as the work in your life? I truly believe you Dorchester went down. will be amazed at what can be done They ended up giving their own to save the lives of their brothonce your perception is aligned to the ers," Eaton said. "Consider what God reality of God," Eaton said. Eaton ended his remarks by playing might use you to do in a given situaa song written by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch tion." and performed recently by gospel Harp music for the program was The tells Winton played by Kathryn Elwell of the Washsong Phipps. singer the story of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester ington Heights Baptist Church, and and how it was torpedoed by a Ger- scriptures were read by Master Sgt. man Feb. 3, 1943, off the coast Dick Knudson, Military Equal Opporof Greenland. tunity Office; and Lt. Col. Mary Gillam, Aboard were four Army chaplains 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron comLt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minmander. Chaplain (Capt.) Gregory ister; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jew Jans offered the Prayer for the Nation. nence. g Eaton told about attending a surdinner recently and being prised that he impressed a dinner guest he only briefly greeted. The guest saw Eaton again two weeks later and remarked, "there's something different about you. I believe that you're a I just knew." Christian "My question to you today is 'what fund-raisin- life-jacke- ts U-bo- at nnnucii assisicinue Tuna kickutt ureaKrctsi iviunuay "Commitment to Caring" is the theme for the 2001 lir Force Assistance Fund campaign. A Master Sgt. Rob Freedman, 84th RADES, Veronica Garcia, Commodities Directorate, kick-of- f reakfast will be held at 8 a.m. Monday at the Offi- - ers' Club. ',. All active duty military and civilians are welcome o participate in the breakfast and other fund- - aising activities. The annual AFAF drive set goals to raise money or four organizations. These benefit active-dutr Force wide, Reserve, Guard, and retired Air orce members, family members and surviving pouses. Last year s contributions totaled J?4.d mu- ion, and the 2001 goal is $3.4 million. Hill Air Force Base contributed $47,400 in 2000 nd this year's goal is $43,149. The four organizations that benefit from the drive are the Air Force Aid Society. Air Force Enlisted Windows Home Foundation Inc., The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund. Donations may be made in cash, check or by payroll may donate to one or more of the four charities and 100 percent of the contribution goes to the chosen charity. AFAF donations are considered itemized deductions for federal income y deduc-tionPeop- le tclXCS The Hill AFB 2001 AFAF project officer is 2nd Lt. Angie Carsten, at Ext. Volunteers for the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign are: Staff Sgt. Richard Arroues, 75th Range Squadron, Senior Airman Crystal Barrett, 84th Radar Eval- - V uation Squadron 1st Lt. Ben Brandt, Mature and Proven Aircraft Directorate, Master Sgt. James Burke, 75th Security Forces Squadron, Capt! Michael Cartwright, 75th Medical Support Squadron, 2nd Lt. Brett Casey, Mature and Proven Aircraft Directorate, 2nd Lt. William Charlton, 75th Support Group, 1st Lt. Brandon Fisher, 75th Logistics Group, Capt. David Frakt, Air Force Legal Services Agency, 2nd Lt. Liz Giglio, Contracting Directorate, 1st Lt Ryan Harris, 75th Communications Squadron, 5- - 3926; 2nd Lt. Robert Hayes, 75th CS, 2nd Lt. Janelle Jakulewicz, 75th Transportation Squadron, Senior Master Sgt. James LaRocque, 75th SFS, Master Sgt. Ernest Lhamon, 75th SFS, 2nd Lt. Helen Magnusen, 75th CS, Master Sgt. Albert Matysiak, 75th SPTG, 2nd Lt. Dave McCoy, 75th SPTG, Capt. Chris McDaniel, Comptroller Directorate, 6- 3417; 2nd Lt. Chris Miser, Training Systems Manage- ment Directorate, Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Molosz, 75th MSS, Master Sgt. Wes Morris, 75th MDG, 2nd Lt. John Scarlett, Technology and Industrial Support Directoate, Senior Airman Jason Stacy, 75th MDG, Airman Josh Thomas, Contracting Directorate, 7- - 0204; 2nd Lt. Aaron Weaver, 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 2nd Lt. Nikolai Wedekind, 388th Logistics port Squadron, Tech. Sgt. James Williams, 75th Operations port Squadron, SupSup- |