Have you ever wished you could understand that soldier you know and love better? Or perhaps youre a soldier yourself who feels as if no one really understands what youve been through. In Hope on a Strange Planet, author Chaplain Stephen Dicks seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the experiences of an American in the military by sharing this personal narrative. He came up through the ranks in the US Army from a private to an officer, with two long tours in Iraq. From Baghdad and Mosul, attached to a combat support hospital during some of the hardest fighting, to his final tour with the Fortieth MPs out of Fort Leavenworth and the 2011 withdrawal of US troops, Chaplain Dicks offers insight into the life and thoughts of a US soldier deployed to a strange planet in the middle of a combat zone. He gives hope to those who have been there that they can survive. In this memoir, an army chaplain presents his life story with humor, pride, and sorrow, along with a firsthand understanding of the sacrifices the soldiers and their families make each day.

The paramedics, one at each end, rolled the gurney out the door. Hummer followed, standing in the street as the men opened the back of the ambulance and slid the gurney inside. They banged the door closed, cutting off Hummer's view of her Nana forever. Hummer was alone. Fifteen year-old Hummer Manning was too numbed by her grandmother's death to understand that even greater problems lay ahead. Would her father take custody of her? Would the woman he was about to marry accept her? Where would she live and go to school? Only the beat of her favorite music could penetrate her grief.

Summary about the story: In the year 2075, people made a very important discovery: they found an alien world that could support life. A group of astronauts was put together to explore the newly found planet, and after moving for a few months, they got there. The planet was lush and green, with tall mountains and deep valleys, and it was full of life, which made the team very happy. The team met a peaceful species of humanoids on the planet and made a tentative alliance with them. They shared information and ideas with each other. The aliens showed the people how advanced their technology was, and the people shared what they knew about health, biology, and chemistry. But the humans and their alien friends were surprised when a hostile reptilian species attacked human settlements several times, causing a lot of damage and chaos. The fight turned into a nasty and bloody war quickly, and both sides lost a lot of people. But in the end, the humans and their friends won because they had better technology and were more determined. Both the humans and their alien friends were deeply affected by the war, and they both learned important lessons about how to work together and why it's well to work with other species. Over time, humans and their allies built a number of settlements on the world. These settlements were used for different things, like research and development, farming, and making things. Scientists and engineers from all over the galaxy came to study and learn from the humans and their friends. This made the planet a center of innovation and progress. The finding of the alien planet had changed everything for humans. It had inspired new generations of explorers and scientists and helped bring together different species in the galaxy. Others were inspired by what the team had done, which showed that with hard work and creativity, anything was possible. Their success also changed how people thought about their place in the universe, making them think beyond their own small viewpoint and open up to the many different things in the universe. At the end of the story, the crew was getting ready to go on their next trip. They were ready to explore the universe, find new kinds of life, and carry on the tradition of finding the alien planet. The crew's trip had been full of adventure, new discoveries, and hard work. They were ready for any challenges that lay ahead, thanks to their advanced technology, willingness to work together, and desire to learn more. The Story Starts: In the year 2075, a group of scientists using cutting-edge technology found an oddity in a nearby star system. This meant that a planet that could support life might be closed. Quickly, a group of astronauts was put together to explore this new world. It took them months to get to the lush, green planet. The world was full of life, including a humanoid species with blue skin and big eyes that was friendly. The people on the ship and the aliens made a deal to work together. They shared information and thoughts about their cultures and technologies. But this alliance was put in danger when the crew found a hostile species on the planet. These reptilians attacked human settlements, causing damage and chaos. The humans and the aliens who helped them began a counterattack. After a few years of a brutal war, they won. After the war, the humans and their alien allies worked together to build a new society on the planet. Different settlements were used for different things, like study, farming, and making things. This new society became a place where people from all over the galaxy came to work on new ideas and make progress. The finding of the alien planet changed everything for people because it gave them new ways to learn and explore. The humans and their friends kept working together to make the future better for themselves and for everyone who came after them. When the alien planet was found, it was the beginning of a new time of cooperation, growth, and exploration. Overall, the story of Alien Planet is about finding new things, making new friends, getting into fights, and moving forward. It looks at what might happen if humans met aliens and how we might react to that. It also shows how important it is for different species to work together and understand each other, as well as how cooperation can lead to growth and new ideas. Part 1: How It Was Found The year was 2075, and the quest for finding extraterrestrial life had been an ongoing endeavor for humanity. Despite years of exploration, advancements in technology, and investments in space study, no concrete proof of alien existence had ever been found. Humanity stayed steadfast in its search, fueled by a deep curiosity and desire to understand its place in the universe. It was during this time that a group of researchers made a groundbreaking finding that would change everything. If they found them, it would be a tantalizing possibility that there is life beyond our world. The importance of such a discovery couldn't be overstated because it could change the way we think about the world and the things it could do. The researchers' discovery gave people a glimmer of hope. It showed that the search for life on other planets wasn't a waste of time and that the world might still have secrets to reveal. Scientists and researchers from all over the world were excited and eager to learn more about the finding and figure out what it meant. The year 2075 was a turning point in the search for life beyond Earth. If we found it, it could have changed our view of the world and our place in it for good. The team of scientists who looked for signs of life on other planets had access to the most modern tools and space probes. When they found something strange in a close star system, they were scanning it. The team had found something strange, and when they looked into it more, they found a planet going around one of the stars in the system. The fact that the world seemed to have the right conditions for life shocked the scientific community. The discovery of a planet that might have life on it was a big deal because it raised the exciting possibility that there are other intelligent beings in the world. The team of scientists worked very hard to study the atmosphere, composition, and climate of the world. Using advanced space probes and telescopes, scientists were able to find out that the world had a similar climate and atmosphere to Earth and that there was liquid water on its surface. These were the perfect conditions for life as we know it, and the chance of finding life on other planets was higher than ever. The finding of this planet marked a significant milestone in the search for extraterrestrial life and offered a new hope for discovering new forms of life and a deeper understanding of the universe. It was a remarkable success that set the stage for further exploration and discovery of the universe beyond our planet. The team of researchers who found the planet that had the potential to support life was ecstatic at their discovery. They knew the importance of their results, and without wasting any time, they alerted the scientific community. The news spread quickly, and scientists and experts all over the world were excited and curious about it. In just a few weeks, a group of scientists was put together to study the newly found planet. The team was put together after a long and difficult process. Each member was picked for their unique skills and experience in space exploration. The astronauts went through a lot of training to get ready for the long trip ahead. They learned a lot about the planet's environment, conditions, and possible dangers. The group of astronauts set off on a trip that would take several months. Most of the crew was put into a state called "stasis" to save resources and lower the risk of health problems. During the trip, a small group of robots took care of the spaceship and made sure everything worked perfectly. The project was ambitious, and there was a lot at stake because the astronauts would be the first people to step foot on a planet that could support life.

Kaylid Novellas All the novellas and a bonus short story in one place. New Games - When Perc Alexander shifted into an extinct cat, he didn't know this was just the beginning. Meet Perc, his troubles on and off the field before he gets swept up in the chaos surrounding McKenna Largo. Home Alone - Charley Davis learned a long time ago to never trust adults, but McKenna changed that. When she and the other adults get taken, he has it proved once again you can't trust a grown up. On the run with his two best friends Charley is trying to take of everyone. Being the responsible one is much harder than he thought. Decisions - Cass Borden liked her life logical, scientific and boring. Changing into a wolverine did not meet those criteria. Isolated from her family, scared of this twist of events, she focuses on her job. The last thing she expects is to be kidnapped and wake up in the jungle with a bunch of other shifters. And then her life spins out of control. Trust - JD Davidson has always been leery about letting people close to him. Childhood lessons remain with you. But when everything changed. When he changed, into a bear no less, he had no choice but to trust. Trust McKenna Largo. Trust his heart. And scariest of all, trust that someone, something, might save them all. Bonus: A short story about the origin of Ash. Enjoy this bundled group of novellas and short story and dive into the world of Kaylid.

Kids and adults alike love Pixar's movies. We come out of the theater not just entertained or amused, but inspired. Everybody agrees: Pixar makes fun, clean, terrific movies. But what makes these movies so appealing is not merely amazing CGI animation, clever humor or fantastic imagination. These movies are not just great. Pixar's movies are good. Robert Velarde unpacks the movies of Pixar and shows how they display the best of classic Christian virtues. Pixar's films resonate with us because of their moral character. Their virtuous themes of hope and courage, friendship and love connect with our deepest human longings. Whether we identify with the plight of a lost fish or the adventures of toys, bugs or cars, Pixar's characters help us build our own character, with the kind of virtue that we want for ourselves and those around us. Insightfully exploring each of Pixar's movies, this book is a friendly companion for fans, parents and church leaders. Discover how the imagination of Pixar can awaken in you a Christian vision for a moral life and a better society.