Goofin' Off

So this week was really busy and went by really fast...I can only pray the weeks will all pass this fast. In the midst of all the bustle we did manage to have some fun. Fun in the Army... in Iraq? Quite often it is all we can do to keep from thinking about home. Que the Harlem Globe Trotters music...

And yes Wendy that is your man being hung on like a tree...because he IS one!!!

Al Faw Palace

I went to a class on Sunday in the palace on post here. When I entered into the foyer of the palace my jaw hit the floor. Everything was marble or some sort of rare form of granite. The pillars were dark Grey marble accented with light sort of bone colored marble and capped with inlays of red granite. From the ceiling hung a chandelier that had to be about 15 feet across attached to a downward conical array of sky lights cased in wood and crowned in 3D mosaic tiling. The bathrooms were as impressive; the fixtures were real porcelain with abalone accent, a hand painted flower trim pinstriped in real gold. The spiral stairs were solid marble, but the quality was amazing and the veiny inconsistencies were perfect for the overall effect. Everything was amazingly detailed and though in places you could see the evidence of war, in all the palace was just breathtaking. These are just a few pictures that really don't do it justice but short of actually being here, the grandeur of this place just can not be conveyed in mere pictures.

By the way, all my pictures are date stamped on purpose so that you all know when I took them.

Happy Birthday to Wesley and Stephanie

I can't believe you two are getting so big.  I remember holding the both of you in my arms in the hospital.  Your life was a blank slate back then.  I thank God for allowing me to watch Him begin to fill that slate.  May God keep you and bless you my children.

Futility Itself

As I walked to the band hall today I noticed a man operating weed waker.  Nothing seemed odd about this at first, and then it dawned on me,  why on earth would you weed whack an area this already barren.  I guess you could weed whack the dead weeds or the dirt that is on the sidewalk.  EIther way it was very humorous.

God's People

Ya know, God is so good...I thought I would catch you all up on some happenings that are not merely an accident and that took until today for me to put into context.

I went in to start my internet service out here and the as I was filling out the papers the Philippino lady behind the counter starts singing, "Lord I lift your name on high...Lord I love so sing your praises...I'm so glad you're in my life...etc."  Today I was eating lunch and ran into a man by the name of Rob who used to support a civilian contractor running guns from place to place out here.  His truck broke down in the middle of Baghdad and he was stranded in a bad neighborhood for an american to be.  Long story short some folks from the Army got him out of there and saved his life and he was wondering if we could look them up because he never got to say thank you.  Then I saw him pray over his meal and he continued talking to us about his experience using phrases like "by the grace of God" and things like that.  He was obviously a spiritual man.  It just always amazes me who God places in my life and the timing.

Also I though I would gross you guys out by posting a picture of my small pox area on my sholder...now this is absolutely normal so don't be alarmed...muahahaha

Weird man

I was just having a though as I sit here on CQ.  CQ is a 24 hr shift which means I sleep here at night to ensure the security of high dollar items in the band hall.  That being said, there is a huge possibility, in fact almost a certainty, that Saddam Hussein once roamed the room where I now sleep seeing as how this was his pool.  Weird huh?  Kinda creepy.

Death by Picture

I forgot to put a few pictures in yesterday...I couldn't figure out how to upload them in order so here are few of all the bags while still on Ft. Drum, one of me in the cockpit on the flight to Kuwait, one of my cot/living area in the tent in Kuwait, one from inside the C17 on the way to Iraq (everyone has their Kevlar on), a bunker on post here in Iraq, one of Saddam's palaces on post, and last but not least the band hall. Here is one of me all kitted up for you honey. Everyone enjoy...more to come.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Well it took a little bit of doing but I am in Baghdad...via Kuwait. I would have to say that though Iraq is more dangerous than Kuwait it is in many ways better. Although I awoke to a sand storm this morning it is better here because there are things to look at, interesting buildings, and it is an odd feeling being thrust into the middle of a location of such turmoil and recent history our children will be learning about in school years from now.

Here are some pictures of Kuwait so you can see just how barren it really is there. Keep in mind it is a little better where I am now and I actually have a room. There are actually plants and it is nice to be able to work again! Working is a worthy distraction from the many days we have ahead of us. I will have more pictures tomorrow or so...I am really tired so I think I'll go to bed...goodnight.

Don't wanna sleep

I have all my bags packed and ready...nothing left but a few home-buying oriented things tomorrow...(checking time)...I mean today =(. I don't want to go to sleep. I am tired and my eyes are droopy but if I go to sleep it will be morning sooner.
What do you do when your heart is afraid of what you know you must do?

My Last Sunday @ NCF for 15 months...or so

Today was my last Sunday at NCF until I get back from Iraq. We had a great time praising our God together as a family. The kids were largely unimpressed (or perhaps unaware) that this would be my last Sunday with them, they really just wanted to be with their friends.
The message was about parenting...really about realizing that no matter what we try to do God will have His will through our children, as well as through us.
At the end of the sermon the pastor called up Sandy and I to pray over us as we face this deployment...no problem, infact it's a very biblical principal? I appreciated the sentiment of his proposal as he had the entire congregation "celebrate" my service after the prayer. No problem there either...if it was someone worthy of the celebration. Facing only my first deployment, and as a Bandsman at that, I felt extremely inadequate and undeserving as I stood before a congregation of soldiers who have served multiple times in both Afghanistan AND Iraq as they stood applauding me. This is to say nothing about the pastor as I realize that he loves us and just wanted to let us know that we have support and that we are appreciated.
I am not sure what I am really trying to say, just that I am pretty sure I have some insecurities to work through.

Here's the kick off!

Here we are, mere days from deployment. I'm sure you can imagine what emotions are raging...excitement, sadness, anticipation, dread...but I digest (<---for you honey). God is still in Heaven and continues to bless me and my family. The past two months have been rather trying; after almost getting to go to a SSGT promotion board (which is now taking place in Iraq almost immediately after we get settled) then going to Armorer class, WLC, and block leave with as little as a day between each while still staying current on my deployment processing...needless to say, I'm fried.
And as if all that wasn't enough, God has blessed us with a home. You heard me right. In the middle of the deployment rigamaro (pronounced syllabically ri-ga-ma-ro) we are completing purchase paperwork for a 5bd, 2bth, 3400 sq ft home in Carthage, NY. We love this town and the house. I just think that God's timing is hysterical but ultimately perfect, so really who are we to complain. No one, that's who...we'll just take our new home and like it thank you very much GOD!! No...really...thank you God for our new home, it is truly yours. "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b
These last few days before deployment are a great break until it's "back on your heads" time. God has really brought us through some times and blessed us tremendously. I know He wil continue to uplift my family by glorigying Himself in every way.
Lord, thank you for giving us so much to tell when we speak of your goodness to others. Let us lean not on our own unerstanding but teach us to trust in You as You lead us toward heaven. Let us remember that Christ is our refuge and righteousness, our strong tower. You are the only wise God, all praise and honor belongs to You through Jesus Christ. Amen.