THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE – MEMORIAL DAY 2012

The last Monday (and weekend) in May is a time that many people celebrate for many reasons: the end of the school year; the official start to the summer; sales weekend at the department stores; a big sports weekend with the NBA Playoffs, the Colonial Golf tournament, Indianapolis 500 and Coca Cola 600 races in one day; and for many it is just a three day weekend that gives them a reason to spend time with friends and family around the grill or at the lake. Unfortunately for some families, it is a day that the United States of America has set aside to honor the fallen men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice to all us to live in a free country and to protect our country from harm.

In my position that I am in for this deployment, I hear and read reports where soldiers have lost their lives. As Memorial Day approached this year, it really has put a different light on things. I pray for those who have lost loved ones and that God gives them the strength to continue to move forward.

TIME CONFUSION

Since I have been in Afghanistan, most of the time when I would call home it would be shortly after I woke up to begin my day, but it would still be night time back home. The other day I was talking to my daughter and she asked me if I was going to bed. My response was that I was getting ready to go to work, because when she is sleeping I am working. (It was really hard for her to understand, so when I do talk to her, I have to tell her that I am going to bed, too).

Shortly after that conversation, it hit me – although I am working while she is sleeping, it is simply due to the fact that I am in a different time zone. But one thing that remains true both home and here, is that when we are sleeping, there are people that are working to keep us safe, around the world, so that we can have a good night’s rest.

THANK YOU

Over the past decade, men and women have been deployed to continue to fight to protect our country. The sacrifice that they have made is nothing to take lightly. The sacrifice that their families have made has been just as important. The support that friends and families have provided is one of the things that have been proven and is one thing that keeps these men and women (and myself) going throughout these years.

With that I would like to say THANK YOU to all of the military men, women, and their families; as well as the policemen and women, and the firefighters who serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year (366 this year); that are simply doing something they enjoy and doing it to keep us safe at home and through-out the world.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY

Yes, I know that it has been over a month since my last post. I have come to realize over that past few months of posting that I enjoy writing, but I do not make myself write when I haven’t fully developed my thoughts. I have taken some time over the past month in a half to look at many things and (hopefully) pull together some good things over time. This post might seem like a lot of random items, but in my mind they are all connected.

DISNEY CRUISE

For two weeks in the month of March, I was able to go home and spend a sometime with my family and some of Disney’s greatest characters. As celebration of mine and my wife’s 10^th Wedding Anniversary (See previous post titled “10 Years of Being Blessed With My Bride”) we and our daughter took a Disney Cruise. Disney puts on spectacular service and shows. The staff on the boat were the most professional and courteous people that I have ever dealt with (when dealing with corporations). We enjoyed going to the beach on St. Marteen (St. Martin), shopping in St. Thomas, and relaxing on Castaway Cay. The restaurants and food were unbelievable. The shows were top notch in a theater that when watching the show, felt so big, that you didn’t even realize you were on a boat. Some of the fun, was simply seeing the some of the same people over again, and being able to meet them and talk to them.

With all of the wonderful sights, shows, and experiences that Disney provided, the one thing that I keep remembering from the trip had nothing to do with Disney at all. It has to with a blind man (legally) that was on the boat. From my perspective, this man was not there for himself, but to make his children happy. I watch him tie the pirate bandanas on his children’s heads (by sure feel and up close view). I saw him with his daughter in the lobby when Cinderella came out and she was excited and said “there is Cinderella” and his response was “where”, she then guided him as to look in the direction and they had a short conversation about what she was wearing. The one thing that I could tell that he was doing was doing something that he enjoyed, and that was being with his children and family.

SHORT-TIMERS SYNDROME

As I write this post, I have less than 100 days left on my deployment. This is about the time when people start counting down, tolerance levels go to a little bit of nothing, and sometime people start losing focus. It is what we call in the military a Short-Timer, which I then diagnose them with Short-Timers Syndrome. We see this all the time, not just in the military world; and yes I can say that I have experienced these in multiple situations and stages of life. This time sets in a different timeframes, not just 100 days; sometimes it is 2 weeks, or a month, but it is there. We see this when people are getting close to going on vacation from work, when the school year is ending and you (teachers and students) are ready to be done, when people are getting close to leaving one job for another, and (yes) we see this when people are getting close to retirement.

When Short-Timer Syndrome sets in the hardest thing to do is to remain focused to finish our task at hand on a strong note. We must not forget that we chose to do what we do. If in some cases, the task that you are leaving behind is having somebody else replace you in your role, it can even be harder – as you are ready to go on, but you also need to do the right thing and set up your replacement for success by providing them with a good hand-off. I personally have seen individuals ruin their finishes, because they have gotten relaxed.

Most can relate to the game of football – a team gets a head and then relaxes thinking they can breeze through the finish and start playing a preventative game (and become relaxed), and then wind up losing their lead and for more than it should be, they lose the game.  Losing a game is not that detrimental to people lives (or should not be), but unfortunately some things in life are not just a simple game. Sometimes it is a career and/or a relationship that is affected (and as a result can greatly affect others that were influenced by the situation); and unfortunately, when I think about combat; winning and losing can come down to life and death. (Please do not misunderstand me, as I do not mean that anytime somebody dies un-expectantly from a tragedy that they lost focus, because that is not always the case.) Something I always try to convey to the students that I taught and coached is that there is not “Reset Button” on life (as there is on video games) – you cannot undo what you have already done.

YOU CHOOSE, SO CHOOSE WISELY

Most all things in life, we choose what we do. We choose what we do from what type of job (because you did have to apply for it) we have so that we can pay the bills, what education we want, where we live, where we go to church, and what we do in our free-time. Whatever it is that you choose to do, I say choose wisely – choose something you enjoy. If you do not enjoy doing something, then it might be time to sit down and look at what you enjoy doing and try to do that, like the man on the Disney Cruise with his kids.  

Over the past year, I have spent time around people that enjoy doing a lot of different things. Some of these people simply enjoy watching movies, playing video games, fishing and hunting (which they have missed this year), watching sports on television, playing poker, and many other activities.

When I think about the things that I enjoy doing, I think about what I miss doing, like spending time with family and friends; and doing pretty much anything that involves sports whether it is coaching, playing, or watching. I miss playing golf and softball with family and friends. Now, I think about returning home and coaching my daughter in whatever sport she plays (hopefully) – although I have been informed that it is probably a good thing that I was not home for Carley’s first season of soccer.   

When it comes to a ‘job’, we must realize that we applied for the job that we have. We chose to be involved with the company, occupation, or industry in which you get paid to do. Through-out the length of time that you are involved in your job, there are times that we feel that we have to do something, but most of the time we need to realize that it is simply a part of the job that we chose to do. I see it this way – if it is something that I would do for free, is it really a job if I get to do it, and get paid to do it? I don’t think so.   

The most important thing to remember is that we all chose whatever it is that we do, and therefore we might as well chose something that we enjoy doing. If it is something like a job or something that last for some time, we need to remain focused (and not get Short-Timers Syndrome), so that we finish strong and win.

10 YEARS OF BEING BLESSED WITH MY BRIDE – March 16, 2012

MEETING DAY– October 23, 2000

Monday, October 23, 2000 is a day that will remain forever in my memory, as this was the day that I was introduced to a pretty little lady name Jenalie. This coming less than 48 hours of me making a comment to James, my roommate at the time, that I guess that it was just going to be him and me for the rest of our lives. I also made the comment about Cade wanting me to meet his cousin, and that I had no problem meeting anybody – if only if I would have known what God had planned.

On that Monday, I had just finished football workouts and was going to the “World Famous Bean” on the campus of Abilene Christian University to link up with Cade to eat dinner – and meet his cousin. When we got to the table that he had selected, Cade was specific about what seat he wanted me to sit and had one of his friends there to sit in a certain seat, so that would only allow Jenalie to wind up sitting across from me. I will never forget the sight as she turned the corner with a look as she had just gotten out of the shower. One thing that she told me of that day, was that the thought crossed her mind on her way to dinner with no make-up on was “what if that guy Brad is going to be there” – which I was. After she sat down, we talked for 2 hours - and then talked for another 2 ½ hours on the phone (she was in her dorm room and I was standing in Moody Coliseum on a campus phone on the wall). Since that time I was hooked.



THE QUESTION



Lighting the Unity Candle which symbolizes
God's Unity of the Two of us becoming One

After one failed attempt to get a hold of Jenalie’s dad, I had to wait another day. On September 3, 2001, I was able to get a hold of her dad – and let’s say I was not the calmest person on this call. I will never forget his comment when I asked him for his permission, blessing, and Jenalie’s hand in marriage – as his response was “I cannot stop a runaway freight train” and received his blessing under two circumstances – I would always love her and take care of her; and I understood that divorce is not an option”. I accepted his conditions – and then went in the other room of the house, and proceeded to ask Jenalie to marry me (after she found the ring in the house – which I had placed on a shot glass in front of the wedding picture of my older brother and his bride on the entertainment center in my room). 

MARCH 16, 2002 – The Day

After only a few months of planning and hard work from our friends and family, the day that I got to marry that my beautiful bride had finally arrived. With the work of many of our friends and family, Hawley Church of Christ was wonderfully decorated to perfection for a day full of blessing from God. On this day we were blessed to be surrounded by our family and many of our closest friends to celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives together.

On this day we were married by God, through Emmett Miller, with Keri as the Maid of Honor and TJ as the Best Man. We were also blessed to have Angela, Kiesha, and Katie as Bridesmaids; and Matt, Bill, James, Andrew, and Clint as Groomsmen. I am also thankful for the support, guidance, and love from Miller family (Emmett, Pat, Terry, & Beth), as they treat Jenalie and I like family from pretty much the day we met.

THE PAST 10 YEARS

Over the past 10 years, we have experienced many ups and downs, but Jenalie has remained by my side through thick and then. I think the first day that she saw me and probably did not know what to say or how to approach me was only 8 days after we got engaged, that day being September 11, 2001. I was upset, mad, and speechless at times - as many people were on this day. That evening we went to eat dinner and I obviously did not have the greatest expression my face – and became very mad when the person at the place made the comment to me regarding why I was not happy, as the events of that day happened a world away – and my response was that it was my country (not in a very pleasant tone). Jenalie quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me away and calmed me down, at which time, I knew that she was with me and has remained by my side through my years of military service, including my 2 deployments.

She has always been there by my side through the many different things that we have experienced over the past 10 years. The things being college graduations, military promotions and officer commissioning and 2 deployments, job changes/career changes, moves (8 of them), vacations (military deployments do not count), purchasing of 3 homes (to include the newest one that I have only slept in for about a 1 ½ months cumulatively over the past 9 months that we have had it), 7 half-marathons (all hers), deaths, living apart due to job locations, and the birth of our wonderful daughter. I will tell that all of these items seem to be happy events, which most of them are, but we have had are struggles and she has remained by my side through all of my selfish times and things that I have done.

PERFECTION BY GOD

No marriage is perfect, as we have had our struggles, but what makes our marriage perfect is the commitment, unconditional love, faithfulness, and trust that we give each other and allowing God to be a part of our lives and marriage and leading us through all things. HE makes it perfect. God gave me the perfect partner to live the rest of my life with and with HIM and Jenalie, I have the support to make it through all things.

I always will remember the response that Ron gave me when I asked him for Jenalie’s hand regarding divorce, because it is not an option. Not that marriage is a game, but I was raised very competitive and to never give up and play hard to always win – which means not giving up on marriage. Through-out this deployment and in the past couple of years marriages has been treated as it was nothing more than a junior high relationship – here one day, gone the next, then move onto the next one. Unfortunately, over the past year I have worked with people that talk about divorce and previous marriages (sometimes multiple) like it is no big deal. It really pains me to hear people talk like they do regarding their divorces and previous marriages, as God has given us specific instructions regarding marriage.

I am thankful to have many friends who have given us examples of God led marriages: the Pendergrafts (both couples), Dills, Norwoods, Millers, and many others. I am blessed to have these and others that have greatly influenced our marriage and lives over the past 10 years. I also pray that one day Jenalie and I will be influential to young couples, just as many of our friends have been to us.

10th Wedding Anniversary Dinner at the Palo
aboard the Disney (Magic) Cruise Line

MY BEST FRIEND

I know that I do not tell her this enough, but Jenalie is my best friend and the greatest wife and mother to our child that anybody could ask for. I tell her everything (ok, except for some things regarding my military stuff). She is the one that I can always rely on to take care of things. She has made many sacrifices to make sure I was able to do things. She is my forever love.

I will never forget March  16, 2002 – the day that I married that beautiful girl that I was introduced to on October 23, 2000 – and look forward to the rest of our lives together. I love you Jenalie.

IT IS WHAT IT IS

I would like to start out by saying that I appreciate all of the kind words and support that I have received over the past couple of months. Although this deployment has not been toughest physically for me, but it sure has been a lot tougher mentally, emotionally, and spiritually than my first deployment.

TRAVELS

Since I have been in Afghanistan, I have had the opportunity to travel to a few different locations and seen some beautiful sites (unfortunately I have very few pictures, but hope to get some from some of the soldiers). Since Thanksgiving weekend, I had moved to a location called Warrior and the soldiers of my unit did some great work for their fellow soldiers to be able to use there. Then I went on to a place called Moqur. I have then since moved back to Fenty, which is where I am based out of. I have also made stops at Sharana, Shank, and Bagram.

During my travels I have experienced different terrain and weather. When I left Fenty, the weather was in the mid 70’s during the day and didn’t below 50 at night, and the terrain was mostly flat with paved roads and sidewalks. When I arrived at Warrior (which is about 6500 feet altitude) the weather was already cold with the highs in the 60’s and the lows in the 30’s, which then start to drop lower every day (to include some nights, it was reported to have dropped below 0). The terrain there was rocks (big rocks) and dirt/sand (moon dust). As the weather got colder and the snow moved in, then the ground at Warrior begin to freeze. So we went from walking on rocks to walking in 6 inches – 2 feet of snow. As the snow melted, then it would simply freeze over night and some days remain frozen all day, so therefore you would be walking on ice – which I would say I have gotten pretty good at falling. Some parts of the road would melt during the day and would be puddles of water that you would have to navigate around.

Once I arrived at Moqur, snow was still on the ground and the first 2 nights there were the coldest that I have experienced without heat. The first night it got to 5 degrees (according to AccuWeather), but with the wind, I am sure it was much lower. This was the coldest I have ever been (and pretty much shivered all night long as I tried to sleep). Fortunately we were able to get some heaters and with the hard work of a few of the soldiers, they were installed and we were able to sleep in a semi-heated building the remainder of the time. As our time there continued on and as work begin to take place, the snow that was on the ground started to melt, which then the ground became a big water and mud puddle. Everywhere you walked you were walking in either mud or water or both.  The 18 days that I was there, we did not have showers or any type of plumbing to use the bathroom (except for the port-a-potties that arrived shortly before I left).

I know the above was a lot and may seem like a ramble, but I say this to set up the remainder of this month’s blog.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-13

⁴ Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful.

⁵ Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon.
⁶ Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him.
⁷ Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.
⁸ Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.
⁹ Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example.
The God who gives peace will be with you.
¹⁰ At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you have been concerned. But you had no chance to show it.
¹¹ I’m not saying that because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.
¹² I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
¹³ I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

BARBED WIRE HALO

I have been reading Aaron Watson’s Barbed Wire Halo blog for the past few years. This last year Aaron and his wife Kim have gone through something that I would not want to imagine going through, but I know that God blessed them and provided them with the strength to make it through their situation. (I will not discuss another person’s situation on this blog, but if you would like to read his blog, you can do so by going to www.aaronwatson.com and clicking on the “Bared Wire Halo” blog logo or by clicking on this link http://barbedwirehalo.wordpress.com/).

BE CONTENT AND IN CONTROL

In the Philippians passage above God tells us that we are to be content and that He will give us the strength to make it through the tough times, like the Watsons. God continue to show the Watson’s His love and blessing through-out their situation and not once did He leave their sides. The Watson’s story reminds me that we are to be content with what God give us and take it and use it for His Glory. We are to tell His story in the life that He gives us on this earth.

I am glad that He has given me the opportunity to walk on the slate rock on the edge of mountain of Gowerdesh; the large rocks, sand/moon dust, snow and ice of Warrior; to the snow, water, and mud of Moqur; then back to the paved roads and sidewalks of Fenty. (I guess all that I am missing is a nice plot of grass). I have been reminded through Philippians and the Watson’s story that I am to be content with whatever God gives me to walk on, as well as any other situation that God puts in my life.

During this past month, I remembered a saying that I would use in during my Iraq deployment, which was “I would rather be alive and here, than dead and anywhere else”. This saying would catch some people off guard, but I look at it as God continuing to provide me with a chance to experience what He has in store for me.

As we are to now be content with what God gives us, just as verse 6 states – don’t worry about anything, tell God everything, pray and give thanks to Him – I firmly believe that we are only to concern ourselves with things that we can control. Be in control of what you can control -  and let no one control it for you -  but do not worry or get upset about the things you cannot control. Just be ready and prepared to deal with what happens as of the result from the things that you have no control over, as it affects your life and allow God to lead through those times, as He will give you the strength. This is something that I firmly believe that Job (past) experienced, as well as the Watson family (present), and God will lead you through any trials and tribulations that you may face (future).  

REST AND RELAXATION

As I conclude this month’s blog, I am looking forward to going home for couple of weeks to spend time with the family, and then will return back over here to finish out this deployment. I look forward to what God has in store for me and pray that he will continue to lead me to be content and only do things that he will be Glorified by. I look forward to writing the March blog, and will fill you in on some of the blessings that I hope to experience while I am at home (or in my travels to and from). Hint: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and a boat.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS - OR NOT

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS – OR NOT

 Wow, how time has flown. It is the last day of January and although I have thought about this month’s blog since I wrote December’s, the days have gone by and it is now that I have been able to stop and put this on paper. This month’s blog has weighed on me, as you read this, I hope that you take what you will and apply it to your everyday life – as I try to do mine.

CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH

Truth – it is what you always want, or is it. I was raised that when you tell a lie, typically you will have to tell another lie to cover up that lie. I agree with this theory. I also agree that sometime the truth is to always be told. Sometimes when you tell the truth, people do not like you for it. That is okay.

Just because you (or they) do not like the truth, doesn’t mean you should change it to say what you “want” it to say. Sometimes the truth hurts. When you are telling the truth, sometimes it may seem to be “negative” to others, but that is okay – because as long as it is the truth, that is what it is. I have known and dealt with people that do not like to hear the truth, because it is simply something they do not “like” or “want” to hear.

My thoughts on the quote “You can’t handle the truth” from the movie “A Few Good Men” are that is you always tell the truth, then typically you have no problem handling the truth. You usually take it and deal with it, whether it is positive or negative, and keep pushing forward. Sometimes the truth may seem to be bad for you, personally, but in the end you will have no need to second guess it, as I am positive that you will be one that pushes forward and make the best of it, because you did not change the truth – you took it for what it is.

CONFESSION

Yes, this paragraph is title confession. The truth is that I fell to a point where I was utilizing language that I was not proud of. Although, I refuse to and did not lie, I did not refuse to use this language. The language that I speak is what some people would classify as “four letter words” or use symbols to spell. I was using these words and for the most part did not even realize I was using them. I am not proud about this, because I feel like I was a negative example and leader to my soldiers and to the people around me. I felt that I was a hypocrite by having told many of my soldiers and peers for so long that utilizing these words are useless and not necessary, but yet I found myself using them and it not affecting me.

One day when working I came across one of the soldiers on the base where I am located, I will call him Shelby. Why do I bring up Shelby – well on this day, I came across Shelby during our daily work and realized that he always has a smile on his face and seems to be happy and enjoy what he is doing, and I had never heard him use any of this bad language. At that point I realized that I had no excuse for using these terrible words. I also realized that by using this language did not cause a better result of what I was trying to get done – it would only place a bad light on the ordeal and I felt like a fool afterwards. In the end it was not pleasing to God, nor was it the Christ-like thing to do.

Thinking about this period of poor use of language, I realized that if I do not gain control of my tongue, that I would use this language around my daughter and wife, which would disappoint them. I also realized that by not using these words, it would not make me look like a fool around my fellow soldiers, friends, and peers. After seeing Shelby on that day and coming to the realization – my attitude has change (for the better) and I have felt better at the end of each day.

 CHANGING TIME – NOT A RESOLUTION

As I come to a conclusion on this month’s blog, I think about the title of this month’s blog. I titled it the way that I did, because I have never been one for New Year’s Resolutions, as these are things that most people make and usually brake and not felt bad about. Is it not a “resolution” that will make you the better person you are striving to be, but a permanent change that you must make that what will make you the person that you are striving for when you originally made resolution.

As this year kicks off, I challenge you to be like Shelby – always smile, have fun doing whatever you do, and do not use un-necessary language.

I finish up with this quote “If you ain’t making your momma and Jesus happy, you shouldn’t be doing it.” by Aaron Watson. This is one of my favorite quotes, and is something that I will continue to strive to live by. Always tell the truth, even if it hurts – and whatever you do, Glorify God, as He is who deserves the Glory.

PERSPECTIVE EXAMPLES

PERSPECTIVE EXAMPLES

RIP PRINTER

I paid $30 for a printer that died on me. I had it shipped from my original location to my current location. Upon on receiving it, it would not turn on. It worked before it was sent. When I mentioned it to others here, some of the responses were that I shouldn’t have spent so little money on it. This is where the perspective comes in, with my response. I paid $30 for it in January 2009, and it has traveled to Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; numerous times back and forth to drills at Denton and Brownwood; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Jalalabad, Afghanistan; and its final destination to my current location in Afghanistan – where it would not come on. My thought is different than many thinking that I got a raw deal, but I think I got more than my money’s worth.

SNOW, SNOW, and MORE SNOW
Yes, it snows where I am at – and a lot. Some of you might think: cool, pretty, neat, and wish I was there. My response is COLD, COLD, and VERY COLD. It is only pretty for a little while, until the single digits with wind chill of negative degrees hits you, then it become not so pretty. It is also not pretty when you are walking and hit a patch of ice, and then well let’s just say you are trying to get back onto your feet – after being vertical, and then all of a sudden your body is horizontal. Of course this is my perspective.

Hope you all have a great (and safe) winter wherever you are.

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THINGS

Since November’s Monthly Blog, I have been out to a few different locations in Afghanistan and have made a temporary move for my unit to complete a mission. At the beginning of the travel and move, I watched the movie Soul Surfer. If you haven’t seen the movie (I highly suggest it), I won’t spoil it for you, but in one of the scenes of this movie, it talked about perspective – by showing a zoomed in portion of a picture, the audience guessed what it was; then it zoomed out and revealed what the picture actually was. The point to this scene was to show the audience that seeing a picture was all about the perspective that you looked at it from. This scene stuck with me (and still does) throughout my current operations.

It is not about you

Throughout my travels this past month I have been fortunate to see different locations of Afghanistan (some better than others – perspective) and meet and work with soldiers from different parts of America and with different backgrounds. Everywhere I have been the soldiers and leadership of these areas has been very helpful and always wants to make sure that the troops were taken care of. You never know who you will work with, but always doing the right thing and doing your best work, will allow you and your fellow soldiers (or co-workers) to successfully complete the task/mission no matter what you are given to work with. The experiences this past month, and working together with many different people have allowed the soldiers to complete task that we would not been able to complete on our own. Remember that it is not always about “you” – and most of the time it never is.

Dealing with technology (or lack of) has also been a challenge. When you or the people that you work with are used to you always having technology at the tip of your fingers, then all of a sudden you are without it, it is hard to relay that message that you are unable to communicate with them because you do not have the technology to do so. You cannot let technology control how you operate. When you don’t have it, you can’t use it – so you just continue to work to complete the mission. Personally not having technology (for work) it has given me the opportunity to get out and work with some of the soldiers that I typically would not have the opportunity to.

The living conditions of the different locations are not what I had at the location that I am based out of. As I mentioned before, some places are nicer than others, but that depends on your perspective. Nonetheless, the soldiers make it work. One of these locations (I will call the mountain top) soldiers lived in wood building and sleep on the floor. The only way in and out was by helicopter, so the food and water had to be air dropped to them. This meant that the food they ate were mostly MRE and occasionally hot food that was brought in by air. Fortunately, these soldiers go do a mission, then go back to a bigger location with better amenities. The location that I am at now is different than mountain top, but still doesn’t have as many of the luxuries as the location I am based out of. Still here, the soldiers make it work and have learned to live without many of the luxuries that we are used to having (and sometimes take it for granted). Living in tent, with a heater that works most of the time, at a location where there is no shops (PX) to buy things, but the ability to eat hot meals at a dining facility sounds better than the mountain top – but at all locations the people that you are with are what make the different places unique and worth the stay.

Just a little description of our current living conditions: We live in a tent with roughly 15 other people. Soldiers have to walk about 200-300 yards to take a shower and use the bathroom. The dining facility is about a half a mile (but it is food). It think of it as one long camping trip. Although these conditions might sound bad – I am blessed to have them compared to how many people in the United States have to live.

Throughout the travels, I have also realized even more how much I enjoy living in Texas with its 2 day a year winters and how much I do not like the cold. The most recent move has placed us in a location that is already cold (highs in lower 40’s and soon to be where it doesn’t get over 32 degrees during the day). The weather has begun to hit single digits at night and will last this way for the next couple of months. Yes, the soldiers that I live with think I am crazy for sleeping under 3 blankets (one of them being a heated blanket – thanks Dad and Birdie).

Perspective / Blessings

After thinking back this past month on the places I have been and how the soldiers have to live (at times), I realize that not everybody is fortunate to have all of the luxuries that others sometime have. I also realized that sometime you do not need those luxuries, as many times they can simply be distractions.

Regardless of our location and the luxuries of life, I am blessed to be with soldiers that work hard and do whatever it takes to make things work. They all have great attitudes and enjoy doing what they do. It is blessing to get to work and interact with each of them.

At home, I am blessed to have a nice house to live in and wonderful family and friends. Just like over here, most things in life, without my family and friends I would be unable to do many things that I do.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years

As the Christmas season is upon us, I simply ask that you not only think about the men and women that are away from home during these holidays season, but you also think about their families that are celebrating at home without them. Even though I will not be home with my family, I am blessed to have a great group of friends, that I consider part of my family, over here that I will be celebrating Christmas and New Years with. I pray that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.