Almost Home

Well I know I have not written in a while. Sorry about that lot going on around the world.
I am almost home, as of know I am about 2 weeks away (maybe some change). I am more than ready to get home. I missed my brother-in-laws wedding (congrats to him and his bride) (wow that is different), but I seen pictures on the web of the kids. Wow how they have changed. Mason looks almost grown and is handsome as ever and Savannah is more of a princess than she was when I left. 4 months is hard to be away I could not imagine 12-18 months.
I have enjoyed my time here for the most part. I had a lot of work going on, but without my team and a few others we would not have prevailed as we have. There were a lot of changes made for the betterment of the troops and I am proud to say "I am proud to be deployed with a team who cares about the betterment of others, and sweats blood and tears to make comfort for them a #1 priority".
I have got to go off base and see the country. Wow how different it is from home. The people here are nice for the most part, but live very poor in most areas. I am on a trip coming up to go to the orphanage. This should be a humbling experience I am excited to have the opportunity to play with the children.
Well that is all I have for now. I hope everyone has a great October beginning and I will see you all soon. God Bless.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - I Love and Miss You More everyday.

Half way there

YEAH I just hit the half way mark. Half done is a good feeling, of course not as good as DONE. But hey baby sets.
The last week was eventful. We (my squadron) adopted a village named Jany Pakhta. We help out at the community center and the school. Wednesday we went done and carried 45 desks up 3 flights of stairs to replace old desks in a computer class room. We also got the chance to hand out new school uniforms to the local school kids. We raised the money to pay for the uniforms and then got to had them out to the kids, what an experience.
We had a bag full of candy we handed out to them. They were happy about that. We had box lunches and after we got done eating I took every ones things they did not want that was not opened and handed it out. Then the fun came, we had an ice chest with our lunches in it and there was ice we were going to throw away. Yep you guessed it I handed it to the kids and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. They played with that ice until it melted. I have never seen kids have that much fun with a piece of ice. Then I found out they have never seen ice like that, well that explains the craziness over the ice.
We picked up trash at the community center. Went to eat supper and then back to the base. It was a wonderful day. It makes me appreciate what I have at home. There were no restaurants, gas stations, not many cars, smelled really bad. The farm animals roam wherever they want to. This place is a very sad, poor, poor place but the kids were happy. I guess it is safe to say you don't know if you didn't have it in the first place.
Well all else is ok. Missing the family more everyday and ready to be home with them.
All have a great week and please pray for our troops.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - Love and Miss You - Me

And another one down

Well all another week is done and I am that much closer to going home. You know I get excited about going home since I am only here for 4 months and I have 2 more to go. BUT I look in the eyes of the troops coming thru going down range for a year and see fear in some, determination in some, pride in some, and just plain "WHY AM I HERE?" in others. Now I am not one to stand back and watch them go thru here without talking to a few if not all of them. I ask where they are from, how they got into the Armed Forces, why they joined. All those questions are answered proudly but when you ask "Did you leave anyone behind?" The expressions change, there heart beats faster, they look at the ground and say "Yes sir, a wife and baby/babies" Then it seems time just stops, (What do I say next? Should I say something? Oh man why did I ask that?) but the only thing I have found to say that works for the both of us is "God Bless you solider, you are in our prayers, have a safe tour", and wow the response I get from that. Only one word, but it brightens their face as well as mine "HOOAH SIR". HOOAH pretty much stands for "HEARD and UNDERSTOOD" and then they press on with life.
Some of these young troops enjoy the visit others really don't care. But the talks are nice. On the flip side when I talk to the ones coming home, the stories they tell. I've heard about gun fights, ambushes, and just plain war. They don't say much about those they lost and I don't ask. If they want to talk about it they will. No need to relive tragedy of a fallen brother.
The reason I am writing this is I have now been here for 2 months and I always say something about pray for our troops. This time I wanted to give you a bit of inside on why you should pray for those in harm's way and those out of it as well.
Today in church we had the Lord's Supper. It was a great ceremony. There were 3 people that shared their testimony and then we had the Lord's Supper. What a great time, and for those who ask "No I did not fall asleep".
Well I hope all is doing well. I cannot wait until October to see everyone especially the family. I could use 3 hugs right now and everyday I have been gone and have left.
P.S. I am anticipating the hugs from Shelli, Mason, and Savannah. I Love and Miss You - Me

Yeah getting closer

Well everyone it is once again another week down. I would like to say time is flying by but it is really not going all that fast. I am though closer to getting to my loved ones than I was last week.
Things has not changed all that much in a week. I have not been off base so nothing to report there. I cannot say alot about what is happening on base so nothing to report there.
I guess this blog is a short one. I am sorry I do not have more to say this time. Please continue to pray for or troops and their families. They are doing an awesome job where ever they are.

P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah I Love and Miss You EVERYDAY. - Me

And another

Yeah ANOTHER week down. I think the weeks maybe getting a little faster. I am so busy throughout the week I barley notice the date. Kidding I know exactly how many days I have left believe me I am counting.
Here is the same ol same ol. Work, Work, Work all day long and a short time to relax. I guess it helps to pass the time when all you do is work. I am read to get home and relax with the family. I miss them more and more everyday.
The other day I got a package from the family, which was awesome to get. Anything from home is great. I thank Shelli for keeping looking forward to packages and cards from her and the kids. Anyways, she sent me some Bottle Cap candy and we ate them together on the web cam from two different parts of the world. That was amazing and I think the kids enjoyed it as well. We even ate Cheetos's together. Wow the technology today.
I do not have much more to report this time maybe next time I will have more to say. Keep praying for the troops and their families.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah I love and Miss You -Me

Another one down

Well we made it another week. I think time is going faster than at first. It seems like just yesterday I wrote the last blog.
This last week was eventful I actually went off base to play golf. Yep your right my game here is as bad as it is back home. So much for me beginning a world tour. Even though my game was not all that good the day was enjoyable. We played 9 holes. The longest fairway was about 500+ yards. The course had some of the pretties views of the mountains.
I hope all at home are doing well. I get to talk to Shelli and the kids everyday and it sounds there are times I need to be home to safe her and from going completely crazy. I think sometimes between the kids and me being gone she can get a little on the edge of crazy. So if you have a chance please call her and make sure she has not gone crazy. Thanks.
This week has been pretty slow at work but is gradually picking up, which is good it makes time go faster. I now the busier I am the faster time goes.
Well I don't have much more to discuss so I will go for now. Remember to pray for OUR troops and families.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - "I LOVE AND MISS YOU"

Settling In

Well I think I am finally settling in. It has been three weeks away from home and really not getting any easier. I am kinda in a numb state, I am adapting to this area physically but my heart and soul are still half way around the world. I am thankful for cell phones and computers because I get to talk to my heart at least twice a day.
I joined the Base Honor Guard team to help pass the time. I did my first detail today. We posted the colors for a Wing Awards Ceremony. I held the Air Force flag. It was awesome I had a good time. I plan to do as many details as I can and maybe go for the Honor Guard member of the month I have not decided yet.
Also to pass the time I have been exercising. I have been running to include watching what I eat. Of course I have not started loosing weight I just started. But I hope to lose at least 20 lbs before I get home. Maybe more (I hope).
"Happy B-Day" America. This weekend is Independence Day to include my father-in-laws B-Day on the 4th. Happy B-Day. I will miss the ribs, chicken, brisket, and trimmings he cooks every year. I hate that I am going to miss it, the 4th is one of the days I can say I don't know when to stop eating. I think they will have a little something here. No fireworks though, but that is ok, we all know the BIG town of Greenwood will have a super duper fireworks show. Hope all enjoys.
Our commander mentioned to us about the contract we signed when we joined the USAF. I did not think of it this way but we signed the Constitution of the Unites States. If you get a chance to read it this weekend please do, that is what each Air Force, Marine, Army, and Navy member signed when he/she decided to say I will serve and protect the United States of America. So if you know, see, or run into an American Solider or Airman please give them a hug, shake their hand, and or simply say a prayer. Those of you who have never left your heart halfway around the world do not realize what a solider and their family feels. Please say a prayer for each and everyone of them because "I Do and I Have".
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - I Love and Miss You.