An It's-About-Time-For-An-Update Update

Andrew is doing great! He's getting settled in at his barracks and trying to get used to the 12 hour/day, 7 days/week shift! The bright spot does come on Friday when he only has to work 6 hours. Whew! It's nice for him to get off work at 6pm instead of midnight just once. That way he actually has an evening to catch up on things and to check in with family. And get to bed early for a change.

It has been good for Andrew to finally get to use the skills that he's trained 3 years for. He's too humble to tell you this, but he's by far the best linguist in his unit and they need his talents! It's so rewarding to finally have his work respected. And this by the Marines that they're working under in Ramadi. My husband is brilliant. I'm so proud of him!

We just have 6 months, 3 weeks, and 2 days until he comes to Oregon on leave! Not that we're counting days or anything... and we are already 1/10th of the way through this deployment. Time actually is moving.

As for me, it's been wonderful to be in Oregon surrounded by family and friends and love. I've been staying busy which has been nice. It makes the days go by! It's been fun going to the gym with Jenny at least a couple times a week (I have a new respect for Step class...), meeting with the ladies for a Bible Study on Wednesday mornings, hanging out with my parents and brothers, and getting boxes ready to send to Andrew every week! (I LOVE doing that!)

By the way, I know many have asked what they can send to Andrew and how. His address is in the margin on this page, and if you need ideas for what to send, email me! I always have a running list... You can pick up "flat rate" boxes at the Post Office for free, then it only costs $8.10 to send a box, no matter how heavy you make it. (It's my own personal challenge to fit as much as I can in every one!)

I have much to look forward to, including a trip back to North Carolina with Jenny for a baby shower at the end of March, moving into an apartment in April, buying a car, possibly even trying out for a role in this summer's community production of Beauty and the Beast! Not to mention the birth of our first nephew and grandbaby on this side. Chandler Thomas, we're so excited to meet you in May!

God is so faithful to us. He is using this trial of life in so many ways. Some of which He is gracious enough to let us see even now! And He doesn't owe us that. He loves us so much and we see His hand in our lives every day. Praise Him for His plan and the path He's placed before us! We certainly wouldn't have chosen it for ourselves (and we'll be glad when this chapter is done), but we're so glad we know the One Who will fulfill His perfect plans for our future. We only have to trust Him.


PLEASE PRAY:

• For Andrew's health. The silty desert dust just seems to get into his lungs and then throws him into unexpected coughing fits.
• For at least one good man whom Andrew can buddy around with. It's so hard to be alone.
• For a wall of safety around Andrew, his brother William, and all of the brave soldiers they're with.
• For opportunites for Andrew to share the reason for the hope that lies within him.
• For the peace that passes understanding...that it would continue to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank you all for your prayers and loving support.

You Know You're a Military Wife When...

... Someone asks when your husband will be home, and you say "December" or "January" instead of 5 or 6.

... You live on your own and by yourself more after you're married than before you were married.

... You know all of your husband's co-workers by their last names, only.

... You need ID to buy groceries.

... You forget you even have a driver's license and take that military ID everywhere with you.

... You read everything you can get your hands on to learn more about your husband's job.

... You really want to buy something but you say, "Well, I'm going to have to wait til the 1st...or 15th...for it."

... You ask someone "What's your MOS?" rather than "What do you do for a living?"

... Half of your wardrobe has some kind of military insignia on it and once belonged to your husband.

... You only write in pencil because everything is subject to change.

... You know that a 2-month separation is short, no matter what your civilian friends say.

... You know that any reference to the "sand box" describes a deployment to Iraq/Kuwait, not a backyard play place.

... You know better than to go to the PX or Commissary between 11:30am and 1:30pm unless it's a life-or-death emergency.

... You have enough camouflage in your house to wallpaper the entire White House.

... You don't even have to think about what time 2130 is.

... You pick apart uniforms on TV and in movies for their inaccuracy.

... You are asked to stop speaking in acronyms and translate it all to English.

... You have multiple copies of Powers of Attorney to throw at the credit card people and cell phone companies.

... You can't handle people on reality shows who cry because they haven't seen their dog in 3 weeks.