Sunday, July 18, 2010

Abesentee Blogger

Long time, no blog!

For those of you wondering, I'm doing just fine here in HOT sunny Afghanistan. Sorry that I have let so much time go by since my last post. We were encouraged (directed) to lay-low on the blogs/Facebook/MySpace after our base was attacked on the 19th of May. It only took 7 minutes for the news of our attack to hit CNN and there were a lot people posting info and pictures that were not allowed. That was a crazy day here and the Lord abosultely protected us. Several circumstances and divine intervention helped protect many soldiers that day and we lost no troops on our base (in contradiction to the Taliban's report that they killed several high ranking generals). Since then, all has been pretty quiet, but we remain vigilant and poised at a high security level.

Now another BIG event is coming soon... my return! Our replacements have arrived and we couldn't be happier! Wow, I can't describe the feeling it is to see people coming off a plane walking toward you that will be the ones who allow you to go home. We are in the middle of transition with our replacement unit, then soon I will leave this place and begin my journey home. I am so excited to see my family and spend time with them. I have missed Stacey, and Alison, and Isaac so much over these past six months and I know they have missed me too. Alison and Isaac both had their birthdays while I was gone and are now 11 and 9. Alison is starting her summer volleyball camps and she's been keeping her social calendar full with sleepovers and friend outings. She is a wonderful daughter and continues to impress me with her diligence and responsibility. Isaac has started a lawn-mowing business this summer in our neighborhood and is taking care of at least 4 yards on our street. He's a very hard worker and he is doing well and having some fun this summer too (his sister is a little jealous of the new-found income of her younger brother :) ). Stacey has been doing an awesome job as a single mom and working hard to keep things going at home, not just with the kids but around the house as well. I know she has a long list waiting for me when I get back, but by-in-large she has been able to handle all the litany of problems and nuances that have manifested. I'm very proud of her! I love all of them very much and I am very proud of their sacrifice too for me while I have been away. Sometimes I think it is harder for them since they have to stay home and try to live with a big hole in their lives, while I, on the otherhand, am fully distracted with a muriad of new challenges and demands that keeps me fully engaged and allows the time to pass by with haste.

It's been a long time... and yet it doesn't seem that long ago I was setting up this blog in Germany on my way here. We've accomplished a great deal of work and I'm amazed to look back and see all the changes that have happened during my stay. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the least bit sentimental about it... I'm ready to go home! Please, get me out of here!

This may be my last post and I wanted to send a special thank you to all of you who have supported both me and my family while I have been gone. I recieved several care packages, letters, cards, emails, and tons of encouragement from several people; it was all very wonderful. Thank you even to those who just tuned in to my blog to see what I was up to. It is nice to know that you are surrounded by people who care. God bless you all!

Jason.