Only 319 days to go!...
better yet only a FEW DAYS UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER IN SEATTLE, YIPPEE!!
Last week I went to the FRG meeting, the Family Readiness Meeting in Inver Grove Heights. They talked about what to do if a soldier is hurt or dies while on duty.
There were a few ladies that were emotional. It is valuable information and I was looking forward to hearing about the process. One thing I did not know is that 99 percent of the time when you hear of injuries or of a fatality on the news, the family is notified before it actually hits the news. Of course there is that one percent that leaks out. However I felt like I can at least watch the news and not worry. I made a few connections with a few other ladies.
Jay is keeping busy getting everybody ready to head to Iraq. The last few Sundays he has been able to kick back and relax a little bit so that has been good for him. He says that he is enjoying the rain, he sees the sun about every 4-5 days.
Make sure no letters get sent to the Ft. Lewis address after April 1, 2009. Everyone that we know should have the new APO address. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO THE APO ADDRESS UNTIL APRIL 10, 2009. E-mail Nancy or call for the address if you did not receive it. thank you!
OUR VERSE FOR TODAY:
Psalm 145:18-20
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Jay and the Gov. "The Longest Ball Competition"
Today March 24th there was a golf outing and lunch with a few of the troops and Tim Pawlenty. Jay was able to meet up with the Gov, in the chapel just before he left Ft. Lewis... they shook hands, a quick picture, and a few brief words!
Jay took fifth place in the Longest Ball Competition. He won a golf club, of course it was right handed! maybe he can exchange it for a left handed club in Iraq! some how I doubt that though. The picture above is of the top 5!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
some photos of Jay and misc...
Jay has finally had a few hours for himself, He got out and played some b-ball. He said "he was the only white guy on the court" I am so Glad he was able to get outa the office!
We have been able to web cam quite a bit it seems this last week. The boys played some Internet games with Jay like Chinese checker and hang man. Our technology is so amazing. It was just like a family game night. We told Jay next time we'll make the popcorn! For Jay, and I it is really hard to say goodbye and then go to bed without each other. "an emptiness" during this time we open up the Word and are reminded of God's promises. Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Jay was in Ft. Lewis when he first signed up with the National Guard in the early 1980s. The barracks where he stayed is still there, Along with other memorabilia. I posted a few pictures... one of the vest that Jay wore in Korea, you can see a big difference if you notice the vest that Jay is wearing while sporting those amazing glasses! (I feel like I'm MC~ing a fashion show) I need to get some more information about the other photos and then I'll post more later!
Tyler and I went to Menards to pick up a few things we needed around the house, for this spring. I tell ya it was really hard to be in there without Jay. It may sound weird.. however I'm never in there without him.. of course I got a little teary eyed. Tyler still gives me those looks like are you ok?? or what??
The boys have been staying busy with school and church activities. On Sunday eve, we go to the youth Pastors house for prayer. Last Sunday night was amazing. It was so awesome to see Tyler leading the youth. He had an amazing personal experience with God, during this time. "all I can say is it was very cool" hopefully more to come for ALL OF US! This is a season for spiritual growth for this ENTIRE FAMILY. We can all see it, feel it, and desire it!
We are counting down the days when we will see each other in Seattle... 24 to go! It is hard to believe that Jay has been gone for 6 weeks.. 46 more weeks and he will be home!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
God gives those that LOVE him the "desires of their hearts".
Last night was a hard night for me "Nancy" Jay, called and I was doing good until he said that he wished he was holding me.. then the flood came, I just could not stop crying. Jay prayed with me on the phone and I felt better, but I was not done crying. It was the first time I have cried since the day at the post office. I guess it had just built up and needed to be released. A half a box of Kleenex later I got outa bed and ventured to the computer room. I noticed that another military wife had found me on the web and we ended up chatting - IM-ing until early this morning.
Earlier during the day I was thinking and praying about how nice it would be to connect with more military wives... "that know Christ". This gal KNOWS CHRIST! and because of her relationship with God we instantly bonded.. God is so amazing!
Earlier during the day I was thinking and praying about how nice it would be to connect with more military wives... "that know Christ". This gal KNOWS CHRIST! and because of her relationship with God we instantly bonded.. God is so amazing!
Friday, March 13, 2009
What NOT to say to military spouses!
This came from some military spouse's heart.. straight to the point, and a good thing for civilians to keep in mind. I agree to most of it! I think it is a little defensive.. however right to the point!
1."Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?" (This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list). Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds ---but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front.
2. "I don't know how you manage”. I don't think I could do it."(Is this is intended to be a compliment). Though, it’s just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.
3."At least he's not in Iraq." This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.
4."Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/ birth of a child/wedding/ family reunion, etc?" Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.
5."What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?" Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. For those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.
6."How much longer does he have until he can get out?" This one is REALLY annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.
7."This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it." Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you've gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.
8."My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through." OK. Do NOT equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/ Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do NOT feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a ford taurus with mercedes convertible. "Wow you must miss him?" This one also gets another big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.
10."Where is he exactly? Where is that?" I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere.
11."Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there. Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything; he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.
12."Don't you miss intamacy?”I couldn't do it!" hmmm, no I don't miss sex. I’m a robot. seriously... military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most 'normal' relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.
13. "Well in my opinion..... " Stop right there. I didn't ask for you your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not in Jamba Juice, not at Nordstrom, not in a bar when I'm out with my girls trying to forget the war, and CERTAINLY NOT AT WORK. We tell co-workers about deployments so when we have to spend lunch hours running our butts off doing errands and taking care of the house, dog, and kids, they have an understanding. We do not tell co-workers and colleagues because we are giving an invitation to ramble about politics or because we so eagerly want to hear how much they hate the President, esp. while we're trying to heat up our lean cuisines in the crappy office microwaves.) Last but not least....
14. "OH, that's horrible...I' m so sorry!" He's doing his job. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.
1."Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?" (This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list). Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds ---but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front.
2. "I don't know how you manage”. I don't think I could do it."(Is this is intended to be a compliment). Though, it’s just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.
3."At least he's not in Iraq." This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.
4."Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/ birth of a child/wedding/ family reunion, etc?" Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.
5."What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?" Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. For those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.
6."How much longer does he have until he can get out?" This one is REALLY annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.
7."This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it." Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you've gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.
8."My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through." OK. Do NOT equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/ Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do NOT feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a ford taurus with mercedes convertible. "Wow you must miss him?" This one also gets another big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.
10."Where is he exactly? Where is that?" I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere.
11."Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there. Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything; he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.
12."Don't you miss intamacy?”I couldn't do it!" hmmm, no I don't miss sex. I’m a robot. seriously... military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most 'normal' relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.
13. "Well in my opinion..... " Stop right there. I didn't ask for you your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not in Jamba Juice, not at Nordstrom, not in a bar when I'm out with my girls trying to forget the war, and CERTAINLY NOT AT WORK. We tell co-workers about deployments so when we have to spend lunch hours running our butts off doing errands and taking care of the house, dog, and kids, they have an understanding. We do not tell co-workers and colleagues because we are giving an invitation to ramble about politics or because we so eagerly want to hear how much they hate the President, esp. while we're trying to heat up our lean cuisines in the crappy office microwaves.) Last but not least....
14. "OH, that's horrible...I' m so sorry!" He's doing his job. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Photo above is of the humvee roll over training.
Jay got his leave, I will be flying out to see him sometime in April. Just in time for our 19th anniversary. We are so excited! just us! whoot whoot.. No children. This will be the first in a very long time! I am still overwhelmed with the generosity of those from our church.. A very special person gave us some money to put towards my ticket to WA. She simply felt lead to bless us! God is so amazing!
Not sure where to begin.. The boys and I have adjusted, we established our routine. Reign did great when she saw daddy on skype this last time. She was eating mnm's. She shared one with daddy. As Jay took a bite she couldn't figure out why it was still in her hand.. it was really cute.
Jay is still extremely busy... please continue to pray for his health, stamina, patience with the people he is working with. After 4 weeks co-soldiers can kind of wear on a person. Pray that it slows down a little bit for him. He has been able to go to church a few times, so that has been encouraging for him. The cool thing is that The chaplains are going over the book of Daniel in Bible study. The same book the Lord put on my heart to read before Jay left.. We think that's cool! chapter ten spoke volumes to Jay and I the other night! email me and I would love to share more!
On Sunday it occured to me that as Jay and I long to be with each other, spend time with each other, hold each other. Jesus longs to be with us, spend time with us, hold us... in that very same way. He loves us so much, we will truly never be able to comprehend HOW MUCH God loves us. I encourage you to embrace Him this day!
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