Gotta Go!

We were able to talk on the phone for the first time in a week, that is about the average communication lately. The siren goes off, you can hear stuff in the back ground and GOTTA GO!! are the last words that are spoken! Can anyone say NeRvOuS bReAk-DoWn! I absolutley hate when this happens, the GUT WRENCHING pain inside the pit of my stomach, trying not to shake, sob, throw up!

Trusting God, to protect Him, and thoughts of two dressed soldiers coming to my door the next day was the emotional~spiritual battle going on inside of me! Naturally I started to PRAY in the spirit as I text the prayer warriors to start praying. I cranked up the worship music and cried, prayed, worshiped for what seemed like hours.

I get a text from Jay saying he is ok, they are waiting for an all clear, and he is not sure if anyone is wounded or killed. Now I am supposed to go on with my day as normal... WHAT THE HECK IS NORMAL!?

THE LIFE OF AN ARMY SPOUSE... and everyone asks.. HOW ARE YOU DOING!? well, this afternoon NOT SO GOOD!



The picture above is of a "Non-Smoking" Bunker thanks to "SSG Urbacke"

Here is an e-mail I recieved from Jay, the next day. Once the excitement calmed down...

Everything is fine here. I slept really hard last night, with the heat and the extra excitement! They did not hit the base. I am fine, I am glad the Lord, had me go to the bunker I was at, so I could let you know everything was fine!

I hope you can tell I am very proud of you for what you are doing without me to keep our family running smoothly! I could ramble on all day about you and the sacrifices you have also made while I have been gone.

LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE EACH DAY!

THANK YOU JESUS FOR SUCH AN AMAZING WIFE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME! XOXOX!

It all depends on the day....

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


"This deployment is harder than Jay, and I both thought it would be". Some days are harder than others!

"This deployment is easier than Jay, and I thought it would be". Some days are easier than others!

Depending on the day... I feel both! "ONE DAY AT A TIME"

I know in my heart that this tour is an extended missions trip for both Jay and I. We have had opportunity to minister to other military families as they in return "unknowingly" themselves minister to us. I have a joy in my spirit this morning and excitement for what Jesus is going to be doing in the hearts of the Army Wives he has placed in my life. I have opened my home to several ladies and they are WANTING to be here. One lady said she feels so relaxed when she is here... Praise God for his presence in my home!

Last night I had an opportunity to pray for another Army Wife, she is 24 has two children under the age of 2 and is waiting for tests results of cervical cancer.

Yesterday I shared with an Army Husband that Jay and I are praying for them, as his wife has filed for divorce while she is in Iraq. They have three beautiful girls under the age of 12. He barely held back the tears!

Another husband just went back to Iraq from his leave time... is having trouble with blood in his stool. I'm know it is STRESS related.

Jay and I have our own issues to deal with like everyone else. I could NOT IMAGINE doing this without CHRIST in our lives! Pray for their salvation... God knows their names. My heart aches for these families, yet GOD is in CONTROL! and I expect Him to move in a Mighty Way.

Blessings this Morning!

The PX

Here is a photo of the px (shopping center) The shelves are empty most of the time. There are too many soldiers, to keep the shelves stocked! KEEP WRITING LETTERS AND SEND THOSE CARE PACKAGES! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! if you were in a desert for a year, you would want to stay in touch with family and friends. I CANNOT STRESS IT ENOUGH! send photos of your family, have your kids draw pictures, send a care package, write a letter with some scripture in it to encourage Jay! If you need any ideas I am a phone call ~ e-mail away!

Christian Coffee House

Here is a photo of Holy Joes. This is a Christian coffee tent. It is a tent sprayed with insulation! I thought at first it was the chapel, and then Jay corrected me. (oops)

Not just Hot... HUMID too

In Iraq....This puddle was NOT created by rain. It is from all of the humiditiy in the air YUCK HuH?

Love and Faithfulness

Today is a "NEW DAY" soak in His LOVE and FAITHFULNESS

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful!

I Praise the Lord, for protecting the area that Jay and the other troops are in. He had only four hours of sleep the other night. A little excitement once again!

We made it to the "HALF WAY POINT"

February 12th Jay left for Seattle Washington. August 12th is the half way point, and MY BIRTHDAY! Jay surprised me with FLOWERS! There is nothing better for a woman than when her guy plans ahead! He is scoring very high with his wife! I LOVE YOU JAY, THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS!

Send Letters ~ Cards to IRAQ!

Please continue/or start to send Jay letters and cards. It means so much to him to recieve mail. Now that he has been home it is going to be especially difficult to be away. Right now the only thing that he is requesting is calling cards! make sure they are AT&T cards! send pictures of your families and have your children make/color pictures. He really does hang them up in his office. He has a several pictures colored from the little Ling girls and loves it!

Thank you for all of your love and support! This deployment has been harder than we had first expected!

A card in the mail!

While Jay was home; We recieved a card in the mail from an old friend of Jays. It goes like this...

Hi Nancy ~

I have thoughts of Jay often and have not much skill on the computer to say hi myself! My first thoughts remember him as the skinny little boy in coveralls and shaved head in the summertime. I am so proud of the man he has become ~ serving our Lord and Country as he is doing!

We remember your family in prayer and want you to have a special "treat" to enjoy this summer ~ signed "J" and family (enclosed was a check for one hundred dollars)

God is so faithful!

3 Fallen Soldiers

While Jay was on his way home for R&R, the area where he is at; was attacked by a missile and three soldiers were killed. This was very hard for both Jay and I, as it is just to close to home. Please pray for these families and the rest of the troops that are serving!

Vacation

Jay came home on July 15th at 4:00p.m. in the afternoon. It took a few days for him to get some rest and get back into the swing of things and then when he did we never stopped... below are pics of a few things I captured while he was home. The resort, canoe trip, Camp Ripley, MN Zoo, Valley Fair, 2 movies at the theatre.. GI JOE and ICE AGE 3, A quick trip to Wisc to see Joyce, Jay's sister, A going away party for my neice, dinner with friends, Lunch with Jim and Julie, softball, Jay's hand surgery, Caleb's 13th Birthday Party, Sibley Park, Restaurants - to name a few.. chinese, mexican, and lots of pizza!... and the list goes on! We were kept busy that is for sure. It was good to have him home and to spend time with each other and the kids! Jay left on August 8th at 7:30 a.m. and had arrived at his second to last destination on August 8th. at 1:oo p.m. I guess they really wanted him back. It was a quick trip!

I of course am heart broken, and I know it will take a few days to get back on my feet. The boys are doing pretty good. Caleb showed some emotion at the airport as we all did. Reign thinks its great that daddy went up in the sky on the plane! :-) how fun for daddy!

We covet all of your prayers during this time!
Blessings to you!

Back to the Airport!

Reign laid back on Jay's chest and gave Daddy a kiss bye-bye.

Prayer

We had an opportunity to gather with friends for worship and prayer! Praise the Lord for our church family!

Corn On The Cob

One of Jay's favorite foods, and Reign got to enjoy it with Daddy ... her first time eating it! (we had to save some firsts for daddy)

Caleb's 13th Birthday!

Caleb turns 13 on August 25th. We decided to have his party a few weeks early so dad could be home to celebrate!

Sibley Park ~ Mankato

This is one of mine (Nancy) and Reign's favorite parks to go to. We love the flowers, water and animals. It is so relaxing

Softball!

Of course Jay could not resist getting in a game or two of softball while he was home. It was a good game... He played with Andrew and they played against 3 of Jay's nephews. Jason, Jamie and Jesse.

A 4 hour drive - for a 1 day stay... WISCONSIN

We went to Wisconsin, Jay had a nice time visiting with his sister Joyce, while Caleb, Reign and I relaxed.

ValleyFair!

One more summer activity... We met up with the youth group from church, along with my neice Christina and a few other friends and family. we had a blast!

Surgery

Jay had surgery on his left hand, He had seen a Doc in Iraq and they suggested he see a specialist while at home on leave. They removed a thickening on his tendon, on the palm of his hand. He was able to stay home an extra week. However they wanted him back the day after the stitches were removed!

Jakes Pizza!

Before going to see the new movie "GI JOE" we went and ate at our favorite pizza place!

The Minnesota Zoo!

Dinner with Friends

Tom and Kris, Pastor Greg and Donna, Kip and Kathy, Dave and Tina