Leavin' on a jet plane.........Homeward Bound!

I am able to get on today's R&R flight out of Kuwait. PTL!!! The flight is scheduled to stop in ATL then proceed to DFW. Arrival will be tomorrow, Saturday, around 1300.

Thank you for your prayers.

"For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 117:2
See you soon.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Wait in Kuwait

Well, great plans don't always fall into place. I am not sure when I will get out of here. There has been a big surg of R&R troops and they take priority over me so I am stranded here. Maybe I can be home by Sunday with slight chance of Saturday.

The good news is the Major and Master Sgt from the Dallas R&R operations are here for meetings and finished early. It was a wonderful surprise to see these great guys. Just a touch of home! That is a sweet ending to this adventure.

God had been so good and my heart is full as I transition home.

I will keep you posted on my departure.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

I will see you all soon!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

I'm Coming Home

Dear All,

I'm on my way home! Kuwait today and Dallas Friday!

My heart is so full as I come home.

The Major and Master Sgt from the R&R Dallas Operations are here for meetings and have finished early. We will all travel home together. What a special ending to this amazing journey!

See you soon.
In HIS Mighty Grip,
Linda

Bittersweet Goodbyes

Dear All,

The days are drawing close to departure and the goodbyes get harder and harder. Mixed with the sadness of saying goodbye there is a deep sense of satisfaction that I have completed the job God ask me to do so many months ago. The tears are full of great joy and blessing that this year has forever placed deep in my heart. The year has not been without pain and sorrow and conflict yet I know in time those things that were hard will only prove to strengthen and grow me as God desires.

The United Through Reading program has been the number one highlight of this year. Being so connected to the moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents of our deployed families has etched in my heart memories that will always be cherished. Their tears and emotions touched me deeply and allowed me to see how important this program has been to our military families. From generals to PFC’s love for our children runs deep and strikes cords deep within that rank cannot hide. Your gift of books has made this possible and down the road will be recognized as one of the factors that made a difference in this war.

Tuesday was my last day at the Special Forces compound. The army side surprised me at the end of the day with a special presentation. Many of the moms and dads came and expressed their appreciation for the program. I was given the traditional army certificate and the Special Forces coin. Their love was warm and so meaningful to me. The Air Force side did the same at the end of the day. The Chaplain thanked me and gave me the unit t-shirt and coin then stepped up to his keyboard and sang to me “We love you with the love of the Lord”. With both groups I tearfully thanked me and feebly expressed my appreciation to them. I pray someday that some of our paths cross again.

Today a young Captain came by and handed me a flag that he had had flown for me on 9/11 and had carried with him on a Half marathon he ran that day. I was so taken back and touched and his words of thanks will always be near and dear my heart. Another young man ask for my email so he could keep in touch. I remember him when he came in through Dallas nearly two years ago on emergency leave. His family was there to pick him up as their older son and this young man’s brother had been killed by an IED here in Iraq. When I talk to this soldier shortly after the center opened and remembered who he was I have prayed for him and his family. He is such a sweet young man and I am so glad to have crossed paths with him. Pray for encouragement and strength for this family.

Last and by no means least, I am standing in the need of prayer myself. I went to space block for my flight out of here only to find out my military travel orders expired in June. I have made all the appropriate calls to the USO higher ups and am totally dependent on God’s providential care and intervention to expedite these orders so I can fly out of here the first of next week.

I love you all dearly and your support has meant the world to me. See you next week.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Black Hawk Day

Dear All,

Last week I got to go on a Black Hawk mission. It was absolutely the most fun! I think I would like to stay another year and be a Black Hawk stewardess. What a cool experience! I mean all the sudden you are just going up in the air and hovering over the earth.

It was an amazing opportunity for me to see outside these wires yet not be in harm’s way. I got to see Baghdad, Taji, Warhorse and several other FOB nearby. It was so cool to see the country. There are actually some very beautiful areas here. Oasis area with huge palm trees! There were also area that were just rubble and yet life goes on with children playing in the streets and men and women out farming their land.

The pilot was a friend and he was on his last mission before going home and he was training his replacement. I got to sit right behind the pilots and wear the headsets. That made it really cool as I could hear all they were saying and hear the training and stories. One stop we made was kind of near and dear my heart…Taji….when John Micah was here on his first deployment his unit poured the concrete that extended the helicopter landing area. I took a picture of my boots on the ground there.

I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took.
I will see you soon.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Sand Storm

Dear All,

Busy fun days here for me! Though we have more staff now I am still as busy as ever. I am enjoying every minute of these last days here and trying not to miss a thing.

We had a bizarre sand storm last week. Different from any of the others we have had there was no wind. It was more like snow storm. The sky went from clear to brown to yellow to bright red. It was almost eerie. As you would walk outside you would get sand flakes on your clothes. That morning when I got up it was like footprints in the snow.

1200 Sand Storm outside my room...

1300 Sand storm outside my room








1400 Walking out from bunker.... Teresa and I ran some errands that afternoon and had the opportunity to go down into one of Hussein’s big bunkers that are on base. They are all over everywhere, some of which are used by different units but most left vacant. They are refurbishing this particular one for office space for a new unit coming in. It had it’s own air filtering system that would have made it nuclear war proof. All very interesting! From the outside they look like pyramids and they go down as deep as they are tall. I have always thought it would be cool for the USO to have one for a center. I can just see the whole side of it painted with the USO logo.

I have been packing and mailing stuff home as the day to leave is approaching fast. I am hoping Angela gets back from R&R before I leave. I can’t imagine not getting to say goodbye to her. She has been such a joy.

I love you all and will see you soon.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Going Postal!!!

Dear All,

I have so much I want to tell you but for right now I will share my heart about my post office experience today. I will write later to tell you about and send pictures of the most incredible sand storm and my Black Hawk ride. As I near the end of my time here, I don’t want to miss a thing and am exhausted but flying high on loving the guys and girls I love so much.

Today was my regular scheduled run to the Post Office to mail UTR. It is probably one of my most laborious tasks that I do. I go with 100+ packages. Each packages content has to be searched and inspected and then sealed up and signed. Once all are inspected we begin the task of weighing and paying. Each custom form has to be stamped on all six pages and then placed in a plastic holder and taped to the package. It is a long process and normally takes at least two hours. I have a standing Wednesday and Saturday morning appointment. They let me come in thirty minutes before they open to try and expedite the process. By the time I am out of there the line behind me is long and as I walk out I keep my head down. No eye contact. THEY ALL HAVE GUNS, YOU KNOW!!!!

Today it hit, as I place each package on the scale to be weighed and processed to go the reality of leaving here hit and the cherished memories of these troops and their families painfully weighed on my heart. Nakeed, Chloe, Jamison, Mia, McQuade, Quentin, Delasia, Sammi, and I could go on forever with the names of the children that these Untied Through Reading packages have been sent to. The stories their dads, moms, aunts and uncles have shared are forever in heart. This has truly been and amazing adventure and leaving is so hard. My heart is torn between being with my precious family and serving here with the troops I have grown to love so deeply. Their faces are forever etched in my heart. Day before yesterday this beautiful Marine, who was stranded here a couple days came in to read to his children. I took him in to get him all set up and as I did I ask how old his children are and he did not respond. I looked up to see this beautiful young Marine, father of five with tears streaming down his face. The only words he could get out were Madam, I just love my family so much.

Another dad yesterday at the SF camp was so excited to share that they were expecting a new baby and he had just found out it will be twins. You always hear about pregnant women glowing, well this young dad was glowing. So Proud!

I must tell you thank you for your support and for supporting this program. The thousands of books you have sent and or money you have sent to USO headquarters in honor of this program is making a huge difference. Our troops and their families are being blessed by you. Never doubt that you don’t have a voice here. I love to tell the troops of all you have done and watch them grin in humility and pride.

I love you and will see you soon.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Pictures

Dear all,

I thought I would send you a couple pictures. This is not of my hair cut. I don’t have ones of that. This is Angela, myself and Teresa with some of our Navy and Army volunteers. They are wonderful and spend their off time at the center helping us. With out their help we would not and could not be very effective.



We have had one of our worst sand storms today. It was different to any other. The wind was not particularly blowing but the visibility was pretty much nothing. The center is always packed on days like this as so many get stranded here. It was fun and we were able to finally get everyone on the phones and computers.

This is one of our Air Force guys. I found some drawing tablet and colored pencils and he was drawing all sorts of pictures.





I have not told you but we have all new computers. A very special friend from home sent us all new computers and it has been such a huge blessing to us. Our previous ones had so many issues and it made it really hard. There are always Internet issues but prior to now it was a dual issue between the old computers and the Internet provider we have. The troops are so appreciative and our computers stay full from the time we open until closing. I was amazed our Internet worked as well as it did today with the nasty sand storm.


A veteran's group in Florida sent boxes and boxes of drink singles for the troops. It has been wonderful and greatly appreciated by our troops.

For those of you who do not know John Micah is at Fort Stewart in Georgia training and preparing to deploy to Iraq. I will be home in time to go out and see him and be there when he leaves. I can hardly bear the thought of him returning to this country. I stand again in that place of, I don’t know what the future holds but I do know who holds John Micah’s future. We will once again pray our son through this deployment.

I love you all bunches and will see you soon.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Good Days

Dear All,

The days are passing quickly and life at the center continues to be fun and busy. They love the fresh bread days and cookouts and are so appreciative of all the fun snacks you have provided for them.


This is Angela and I up in the tower the day we went out to take Teddy Bears to the Iraqi children.

Me with Iraqi Girl.

For me it is still all about the troops and connecting with them. I stand amazed at the continued little divine appointments God brings my way with our troops. As I listen to their broken hearts, about their new babies and their hopes and dreams for the future I am challenged to not grow weary as I move towards my departure.

I am probably the only person in Iraq who has spent the summer cold. I am in side 90 percent of the time and I will say the air conditioning works well here. For me going out into the sun feels so good though I can see where if I had to be out in it and in all the gear our troops wear I would be whining all the way. The past three days it has been overcast and we even had rain, not just rain, thunder and lightening. The thunder was so strong and constant that when I woke up I wondered if we were under attack. It was a pleasant surprise to have rain and certainly not expected at this time of the year. It cooled the temperature down which made it very nice. It was so odd the first overcast day with all the humidity; I almost thought I was in Texas. It normally does not get below 100 before the wee hours of the morning, but tonight at 10 pm it is already down to 94 degrees. Nice!!!!

The United Through Reading still remains to be the highlight of my days. It has made such a difference for our troops and I love to hear how meaningful it is to them and their families. One dad told me his two year old daughter did not know him after his first deployment and they had a hard time adjusting when he got home. She is now six and loves the DVD’s of her dad reading to her and to the two old brother during dad’s second deployment. Dad is encouraged that his two year old son will not have the adjustment that his daughter had the first time around. At the beginning of the summer I was so well stocked on books and was bewildered yesterday when I went in the UTR room and realized that I was getting low again.

I love you all and will see you soon,
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

My Military Hair Do

Dear All,

Life is good here. I got my military hair cut so I am good to go. It was not intentional that I got my military look but I knew when I heard the hair stylists get the buzzers out I was getting a little different do than I had intended. What can I say; it lightens my load, adds minutes to my day in prep time and is certainly cooler.

The Center is busy with troops relaxing, connecting with home and just seeking someone to talk to. We have this beautiful theater where they can watch movies but we find they would rather watch them in the lounge despite the distraction of troops in and out and us calling out names and constant talking. Where there are some who like the quiet get away of the dark theater room most seem to like the interaction of being with everyone. Of course, we are just certain they want to be by us and that is the reason they stay in the lounge. In the lounge I tell them they cannot watch severe violence or blood and guts because I cannot handle it. Only chick flicks……you can imagine how well that goes over. Those of you who know me, know that me and suspense is not a good combination. I think that is why the troops love to sneak the really suspenseful ones in there because they get a kick out of my reaction. I try so hard to let it roll off my back but it just does not happen.

Our volunteer network is rebuilding after our Fort Sill guys left and what amazing young men and women who volunteer their off time to help us out. They work 10, 12, 14 hour days and then still come give us time. We are so appreciative especially since we still do not have the staff that we had anticipated for so many months.

This morning I had a fun experience. We were able to go outside the gate but still inside the safety of the wire to give teddy bears and soccer balls to Iraqi children. There were only a few there but it was fun. We also had lotion for the Iraqi women and some treats to eat for those who wanted them. We will go earlier in the morning next time as many of the children had already left when we got there. It gave me a new appreciation for our troops. It was so unbelievably hot out there with all the IBU gear on. Our troops are there all day in that guarding us. It was fun seeing some of our regular troops that are in and out of the center out there. They were all smiles when they saw us coming. They loved showing us what they do.

We are required to wear reflector belts here at night for safety. I was out with some troops one night and told them I felt a bit like a beauty queen wearing my sash across my shoulder. I told them that instead of them singing “There she is Miss America”, they could sing “There she is Miss Cellaneous”. They all laughed and thought that was funny. Well three days later they showed up and had had embroidered for me a reflector belt that says Miss Cellaneous . What a sweet treasure. Don’t be surprised to see me wearing it out at night when I get home.

I took a day off yesterday and it was nice to relax, sleep in and even go to the pool. The pool was fun. You almost forget where you are. It is the most beautiful pool, big pool I have ever seen. It has all the different high dives and all around the edge of the fourteen foot deep pool is a small ledge that is af about four feet. You can stand there in the water and it is so very nice. When I first got there I had to laugh watching these two army kids, as fast as they could they were doing one legged Indians into the pool and jumping out and doing it again. I am not sure why but they were sure having fun and it thrilled me to pieces watching them. I try to stay to myself there….I mean here are all these darling guys and gals with their cute little tight bodies and here I am fifty plus with my not so tight body. I did talk myself into getting in the water and boy did that feel good.

Well I need to get out the door to the center to get things set up. I love you all dearly and will see you soon. Thank you so very much for all your support and encouragement.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Good Times at the USO Center

Dear All,

We have had some significant changes here at the USO in Balad and the atmosphere and center are thriving even greater than ever. Our new director arrived last Sunday and already you can see the atmosphere at the center taking on a new feel. I have enjoyed watching our new director enjoy the troops and have a great time with. I know she will bring much to the center and life here.

We have a basket on the counter that says Operation Fresh Breath. It has all sorts of dental hygiene products in it for the troops to take. The soldier in the picture got a bunch of stuff donated for it. Amazing that it was all gone within less than a week. We can't keep enough toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss around.

Prior to her arrival a director from Kuwait came in and we had a great time. She opened the door to doing fun programs with the troops that we had not been able to do before. One night last week we did quiz night. We had twenty questions for the troops to answer and the three with the most answers right got prizes. We had pizza afterwards. Another night we took 25 pizzas over to the pool for the troops. We had our logo Frisbees to give out. Friday night we played BINGO in the center and that was a big hit. We had all sorts of fun giveaways for the winners. Saturday night we had a cook out and volunteer appreciation night for all those who have helped us so much. A unit from Fort Sill left out this week to go home for good and five or six of them had volunteered over 600 hours. They had become very special to us and it was hard to see them go. Wonderful knowing they are home with their families. I have heard from a couple of them and they sound great.

I had another all day United Through Reading at another part of the base and recorded 64 UTR’s. I always enjoy those days. We have had a record month recording 601 DVD’s. That represents around 1400 children that will have smiles on their faces because they got to see their mom or dad on DVD and have a story read to them. I am having a few issues with my cameras so we will soon begin to replace them one at a time. As of today we have filmed 3042 UTR’s since we have been here. The cameras have served us well but possibly could be getting a little tired.

The director from Kuwait was a great encouragement and has given us so many ideas of things we can do in the center with the troops that we did not know we could do. Angela got back from R&R and it is great to have her back and to hear all about her trip. She is such a sweetheart. There is nothing like working shoulder to shoulder in a war zone to knit two people together.

KLIF in Dallas, Texas did a snack drive for us and we have been receiving boxes of snacks. That has been so wonderful to have good stuff and different stuff out for the troops. They eat it as fast as we can put it out. I think it is more that they are in a home like environment that gives them the munchies. Thank you so much Dallas, Texas for your generosity. You are such an encouragement to out troops.

Well I am off to bed. I stay pretty tired as we still work very long hours. I have to work at getting myself to bed so I don’t wear myself out. I love you all and thank you so much for your support.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

The Temperture is Rising!

Dear All,

The time has flown and I extend by deep apologies for my lack of communicating. The past weeks have been my hardest and busiest so far. Loneliness and fatigue hit hard bringing my greatest discouragement. There was even a point that I wanted to throw in the towel and come home but a short conversation with a young soldier brought new strength and conviction. He was greatly discouraged and rightfully so after missing the birth of his first child and the death of his grandfather. He did not have the option of even thinking about throwing in the towel. I knew after talking to him I had to toughen up and focus on moving forward and not on the issues that were weighing me down.

The temperature continues to rise. During the day it is getting up around 112 - 116 degrees. When I turned off my lights last night to go to bed at 2300 it was down to 102 degrees. I have to say that I can not complain as I am inside the center 90% of the time so the little I go out the sun and heat feels wonderful. If I was out in it long and certainly if I was working out in it I would be whining all the way. It is just like I had always heard...it feels like someone is pointing a big hot hot blow dryer at you.

The center continues to thrive and part of what makes it so special is the support it has received from so many of you. Your snacks, children’s books and even prayer squares have been a huge help and greatly appreciated. We have just gone through a rotation change so the faces have changed and we had to say goodbye to many that were regulars in the center. It is always sad to say goodbye but always a thrill knowing they are going home to their families.

We have a great group of volunteers right now that are there every day all day long helping. They leave here for good in just a few days. They have already passed their responsibilities on to their replacements and are just waiting to leave. The timing could not be more perfect as both of my co workers are on R&R. Two directors from Kuwait came and that has been nice. One has returned to Kuwait and the other is still here. She has been a delight and given me all sorts of new ideas of things we can be doing in the center. That has been so fun and I look forward to continuing these fun interactive activities.

The United Through Reading Program continues to be my joy. We filmed 548 last month and will come close this month also. Due to our staff being gone I have had to cancel several of the remote UTR days that I do. That makes me sad as I know how these particular troops appreciate and depend on that time. The books have continued to arrive and I smile through and through when the troops walk in the UTR room and go WOW look at all the books. Your faces come to mind and I always tell them about you and your love for them. A couple of weeks ago a young soldier came in and asks if we had any way he could record a message to his grandmother. He shared that he had just received word that Hospice had come in and her days were few. We were thrilled to set him up in the UTR to record. He was able to tell his grandmother how special she was in his life and say his goodbyes. The blessing is she did receive it and get to see it before she stepped into glory. It was such a help to this young man to be able to do this.

One of our Air Force dads told us his little girl was so excited about her DVD she took it to school and showed her class and took it to Sunday school and to gymnastics and to her ballet class. She was proud to show it to everyone. Another Military mom told me that her daughter hugs the TV when her mom reads to her. She now hugs the TV every time she passes it and say “I love you, Mommy”. Thanks to all of you this program thrives.

Thank you all for being so patient with me as I move through this incredible journey. The joy of being here with and for these troops blesses me over and over again. The personal hurdles I have faced in recent weeks are nothing when compared to the joys deep in my heart from serving here in this place.

I love you all dearly and am so grateful for your support.
Strong in His Mighty Grip,
Linda

I Fly Away

Dear All,

We are experiencing bad sand storms here. You would not believe the inside of our car. When I get in it to go somewhere I have to turn on the windshield wipers to clean the sand on the wind shield so I can see out. It is nasty!

I was up and off to church this morning before going into the center. Our music tends to be the more contemporary worship songs and it is lead by a very humble young man. The worship team consists of troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force. They do a good job of leading the worship time. We had sung a couple of contemporary songs and then he went right into the old hymn I'll Fly Away. I grinned from ear to ear as it took me back many years to Irving Bible Church on Finley Road. I remember well one Sunday probably in the late 70's the choir was singing I'll Fly Away and a dear friend Rick Knight was in the choir that Sunday and was truly enjoying and worshiping as he sang and the memory of him was forever etched in my heart that day. When I think of him I always go back to that place. It was fun to stand there this morning a half a world away from Finley Street and remember such a sweet memory. Rick Knight you blessed my heart today.

The center has been unusually quiet and slow the past couple of days. The main thing the troops want is the Internet to instant message with their families or phones to call home. There is almost always waiting lines for those. Our snacks are pretty slim picking these days. We are grateful for all the Girl Scout Cookies that have come our way. If we did not have those some days there would not be hardly anything. The PX runs out of stuff so quickly and they limit us to buying only two of many items. Chips and things like that! I know I opened at least fifteen boxes of Girl Scout cookies today and I believe Angela did at least that many herself. It does not matter what we put out they eat it.

We had a USO tour come through today also. It was Operation Hoop Talk! Basketball coaches from several colleges. They walked through the center and visited with the troops and sign pictures for them. It is always fun to have surprises like that for the troops. They were supposed to be in Baghdad but the dust storm kept them in Balad. Fortunate for us!

Well I just wanted to say Hi. I am trying to write more frequently and give you more of the daily flavor of life in Iraq. Pray the sand storms go away. Sand Storms also mean mortar attacks so we need the sand to just stop blowing.

I love you all dearly and thank you for your support.

A Big Happy Birthday to my Johnny. You're the best!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Return To Balad

Dear All,

I am sure you are wondering if I fell off the face of the earth or maybe did not return from R&R. None of the above, it has just been busy and I am just now getting into the swing of things and my routine back. R&R was wonderful. Nothing tops being with Johnny and our children!

I was so grateful for the opportunity to ride home on the R&R flight with all the military troops. I always knew it was a long grueling trip but now I KNOW it is a long grueling trip. For me it took four days to make it from where I am in Iraq to Dallas. I was fortunate that I had no issues getting home. No sand storms or delays or canceled flights as many of our troops experience. My trip could not have gone smoother but even still it was long and exhausting. The hurry up and wait certainly takes on a whole new perspective. Hours it took! It is a very smooth operation but when you are moving that many troops it just takes time to do it and do it safely. I literally had to dump my whole suitcase so customs could go through it and then repack. Nothing went unnoticed! Once through customs we were secluded until boarding buses to go to catch our flight. Prior to the time we went through this process the place that we were secluded, I had thought was a prison on the base. Now I know….it is the holding place for all R&R troops. Sure like a prison to me from the outside.

I met many great troops along the way. I had a darling Marine colonel as our commander for the flight. I am sure he would grin to hear me say that. He was headed to the west coast to his wife and two darling little girls. I was one of three civilians on the flight. Every seat was taken so we were packed in like sardines. Once leaving Kuwait we made one stop before arriving in Atlanta. Flight time around sixteen hours! There were cheers as we landed on American soil. Those of us going on to the next leg of the flight to Dallas never left the secure area. It was sad as there was no one there to cheer and tell these battle weary guys thanks. Maybe it happens when they leave the secure area but certainly not where we were. The flight from Atlanta to Dallas got a little livelier as troops recognized they were almost there. The cheers were even greater when we landed in Dallas. Dallas you make me proud the way you greet our troops. I walked off the plane and into Johnny’s arms and boy did that feel good. It was wonderful to walk out to the cheers of so many and see my mom and daughter and uncle and so many friends.

The next morning I spent two hours walking through Wal Mart. Who would ever think Wal Mart could be so fascinating. It was amazing seeing everything you need right there together. Next I ventured into Sam’s and Home Depot. Oh to have had these stores close when we were trying to do all the renovation on the center. I just kept walking through my house and loving it. It was beautiful and clean and HOME. John Micah drove in from Lubbock and Amy flew in from California. It was so good to see them. On Saturday Johnny had arranged for Amy, Alyson and I to go to this very nice exclusive spa for a day of pampering. We had massages, body scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures and the works. What a wonderful day of pampering and even better that I got to share it with my girls. When we got home Johnny had everything all set up for all our family to come over for dinner. He catered the dinner from Babe’s! Yummy! I did not lift a finger! It was wonderful seeing everyone and visiting and just being together in my home.

The rest of my time at home was spent visiting with family and friends and just taking it easy. I was able to be a part of the Defenders of Freedom Annual Golf outing and that was fun for me. The days flew by and leaving was tough. Somehow it does not get easier saying goodbye.

It is so strange because as hard as it was to leave it was good to be back and doing what I feel called to do right now. The trip back was as grueling as the one going over but with a more somber atmosphere. I spent another night in the transient housing in Kuwait and then spent the next day sitting at the terminal waiting on a flight. We sat on a C17 for an hour or so before they canceled that flight and back to the terminal to wait. I finally got back to Balad a bit sleep depraved but ready to get back in the swing of things.

It was good to see so many of you while I was home. You are all so special and your support means everything to me.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Starting Home for R&R!

Dear All,

I’m on my way. I had no issues getting on a flight out of Balad and it looks like everything is a go to be home as planned. I am very excited about flying on the R&R flight with the troops. After meeting that flight for so many years at DFW it will be fun to see the whole process. Here in Kuwait I am staying in transient housing just like the troops and going through this process just as they do.

My last day in Bald before leaving on R&R was bitter sweet. My Col friend who flew into Iraq with Angela and I back in September left out for good. He has become such a dear friend and has been such an encouragement to me these past eight months. I am thrilled for him that he will be home with his family but will greatly miss him. While seeing him off I saw several other of my SF buddies and said goodbye to them also.

That night two of my UTR dad’s who are doctors at the hospital invited me to dinner. They are precious young things who have seen more in the four months they have been here then most in a life time. They will leave out for good while I am home so this would be our farewells also. What a treasured evening! They were my singing dad’s who sang children’s Bible songs on their UTR recordings and often prayed. They were a blessing from beginning to end. They brought me a gift that will be forever cherished. It was a framed picture of the three of us at the Toby Keith concert and also their ER coin.

I am laying here on my bunk in transient housing and enjoying having time to reflect over these past eight months in Iraq. There have been so many adventures and life experiences that have impacted me greatly but none more precious than the relationships of so many troops that will always be remember. My dear Angela who has experienced this adventure with me since day one, is a joy and a bright spot as I watch her serve and take care of our troops. Her boundless energy amazes me and her brilliant mind astounds me. She always goes above and beyond!

I love my United Through Reading days out at the SF compound and at the hospital. I cherish that time interacting with our troops, often hearing their life stories, heartaches and joys. I hold dear my times with them. I will never stop thanking all of you who have supported this mission and supplied the books. I don’t think we will ever really see how far reaching this program is in connecting our troops to home and family.

Being away from my family has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Johnny Robinson has been my hero, always supporting me and lifting me in prayer. He has also become quite the poet. Often he writes me poems that are so precious. They are about the things I am doing or he is doing and they are such an encouragement. There have been ones about the UTR program and the children that impacts and even one about my grand puppy, Stella. Many mornings I have woken up to a hymn that he has written out for me or scripture that was on his mind. Those things always came right when I needed them most and carried me and sustained me through my day. He has been my rock on the hard days and held me up and wiped my tears from half way around the world. I am one blessed women to have a man like that in my life.

I love you all so dearly and without your support I could have never made it this far. You have all been wonderful. Your care packages shout in my ear how loved I am. I am not sure if I told you that the postal people know me and say I get more mail than anyone here on base. I am so proud of my mom and her support. She has been strong and I am so thankful for her encouragement. My mother-in-law or should I say my mother-in-love has been a huge advocate of the UTR program and has her teacher sorority sending books like crazy.

Amy, Alyson and John Micah are my pride and joy and I am so grateful for them keeping Johnny busy and taken care of.

I will see you soon.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Fun Times!

Dear All,

We had two days last week of dust storms. It was nasty! Though it was blowing, you really could not feel the sand as it is so much like talcum powder. At the very most the visibility was a quarter of a mile. My head pounded and I coughed horribly all day from all the dust. The center seemed to be inches deep in dust. Seems useless sometimes to dust but we do it anyway lest we lose control.

One thing that happens during dust storms are mortar attacks. The air support cannot get out do surveillance and the insurgents know that so they make their presence known in a big way. Before the day was over we had had many sirens and alerts. One did injure a soldier but I understand he is doing fine. So much to learn and understand! Mom, I am very careful and do exactly what I am supposed to and I am also in a hard structure so I am really safe.

I am hoping that when I go to post this I will be able to put pictures with it. You just never know here if the internet is going to cooperate or not. This picture is a five pound chocolate bar that Johnny sent. He had contacted the Hershey Company and they also sent a case of chocolate Kissables.

Well it has been a week since I started this and so much has gone on that I want to tell you. Hopefully I can stay awake long enough to finish this. We have had several more days of dust storms since the one mentioned above. It’s that time of year so you just deal with it. You never really feel clean. Once you shower you still have to walk back to your room. It is just kind of nasty. Everyone walks around outside with something around their face where all that is exposed is their eyes. It is really kind of scary looking. I understand that this will remain with us until probably mid June. Now that excites me.

Guess who came to town? TOBY KEITH…. Those of you who know me, know how much I love Toby Keith music. His concert was supposed to be Sunday night but he got stranded at another FOB because of the sand storm. His band made it in but he did not. They brought the band by the center to visit and they were so fun. We decided to pull off a cook out for them so they came back over and spent the evening with us. We had ten of our volunteers and probably fifteen band members and stage hands. We were able to get steaks, hamburgers and the dogs from the PX and then we all went over to the DFAC and got to go boxes with all the side dishes. The evening went well and we all had fun. I found out that one of the band members use to live just a few blocks from me in Coppell and another lives in Valley Ranch right by me. They were fun and down to earth and I enjoyed watching them interact with the troops. The hope was to get Toby in the next day and have the concert then.

They had planned to bring Toby by the center for a tour on Sunday but it did not look like that would happen for us on Monday. Late in the afternoon we got a call saying they were bringing him by in an hour. Forty-five minutes later the USO WHQ representative comes running in saying he was there can you give him a tour. You can imagine I was happy to oblige. He was quiet and not real personable but I am sure it was that he was shy being with me. It was fun going from room to room and watching the troops be surprised when they saw Toby.

The concert was wonderful. You know me I got emotional watching the troops have so much fun. HE sang all my favorites. After the concert I had a few things to do at the center to clean up and close up. One of our regular volunteers who will be leaving next week stayed to help. We decided to take these USO “Mortaritaville” Frisbees over to the band members. Long story short, Toby Keith was sitting out front and me and this soldier sat and visited for almost an hour. Toby was hungry so we ran down to Burger King and got him something to eat. It was pretty awesome. He was very nice and signed some things for us to have to give to troops and even gave this soldier his Toby Keith coin. When we got in the car I told the soldier I was with that I felt rather silly. Here I am a 54 year old women giddy excited that I got to see and talk to Toby Keith. Oh Well! I just have such respect for him because he values and honors our troops so much! That is big in my book!

I start home for R&R soon. I am thrilled. I hope arrive the 7th. It will be so good to see my family and friends and all those who have so graciously and generously supported me and the mission here. You are all the best.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Pictures

Connecting Through Crafts







John Micah's friend









Finally we are getting my computer working. Wanted you to enjoy these pictures. Now that it works there will be more to follow.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Bitter Sweet Week!

Dear All,

I am going in a little late today so I thought I would write to you before leaving. I was up early and out to where we rented our car to have the oil changed. While I was there we had a Code Red so I got to take cover there and wait for a little bit. One new worker from Nepal, when he heard the sirens took off running and dove into a connex that was close. I think he was a bit embarrassed when he realize that though we took cover the urgency was not quite as he thought. I won’t say time has made me or most complacent but by the time the siren goes off, whatever was coming, has already come. His buddies harassed him a bit but I patted him on the shoulder and told him it was okay. Better to do that than nothing! I remember my first and it does kind of rattle you some. Once the car was finished I took it for its monthly inspection. You have to have the car inspected monthly and the paper work you get is what allows you to get gasoline.

I went from there to do my laundry and it was wonderful because I walked in and there were three washers right there in a row. No waiting! Unheard of! I caught up on some computer In Kind stuff while I waited. By the way, I was picking up our mail the other day and one of the postal workers announced my arrival as I walked through the door. I was a little taken back and ask why , and he told me they all wanted to know who Linda Robinson was, the lady that gets more mail than any one on base. I grinned from ear to ear and in my head I saw each one of you. You have been amazing to provide and support this mission. I loved telling the workers there that it was a very support community of God’s people who wanted to do all they could for our troops to encourage and support them. You all got a hats off from all the postal workers. Thank you, thank you!

It has been a hard week in some ways. John Micah’s best friend , Blake, who I call my other boy, had a good friend from his old unit killed last week here. The young man had been in our home and it sadden me greatly to hear of his death. Army Sergeant Smith served his country well. I have thought so much about his family as they grieve and pray that God will encourage them and give them hope. I went down to the hospital to see if he had come through our hospital just because I knew that if he did he was honored and loving cared for as I see over and over down there. He had not come here. Tuesday out at the SF compound while I was doing the Untied Through Reading in the Chaplains office a young man came in looking for a book to read. I was the only one there at the time so we had a great visit. He is an Army medic and had spent the past month in the ER trauma ward in Baghdad doing some training. He had story after story and I found his strength and compassion for troops remarkable. Towards the end of the conversation I told about Blake’s friend. He knew exactly who I was speaking of and was one of the attending medics there that try everything to save this young man life. It meant so much to me that such a caring individual was there doing all that he could for Tim. I will probably never meet or know Tim’s family but if I ever get the chance I would love to reassure them that Tim was not alone when he died and that those around him were some of the most caring soul’s I have ever met. I came home that night feeling so blessed that God gave me that little gift of getting to meet one of America’s finest Army medics.

I had a very fun blessing this week also. One of John Micah’s friends who was based here came by the center and I got to spend the evening getting to know him. What a sharp young man. He had pictures of John Micah from when he was home on R&R and it just meant so much to get to be with him. Here is a picture of us together. Don’t be fooled that is near beer in my hand. We had a cook out that night at the center and they had near beer. Mom, near beer is non alcoholic! Tom wanted a picture drinking a beer with Rob’s mom in Iraq. Rob is what they call John Micah. He had some fun stories about John Micah and I love hearing him talk about my baby boy. I am thrilled for him as he has finished his time here and is on his way home.

It is now getting up in the 100's during the day, though today has cooled off and we are having quite the sand storm. I am not sure what the visbility is but it is bad out there. I am hacking and coughing.

Well I have got to get down to the center. I just wanted to say hi and tell you how special you are and how much I appreciate your support of me and our troops.

Well once again I can not get the pictures to upload. I will add them later. The joys of internet in Iraq. Nor will it allow me to spell check. I apologize for any glaring spelling arrows. I need Karen or Kathie to edit....

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Trying To Catch Up!

Dear All,

I think we will hit our first 100 degree day. Day before yesterday the air changed and that nice crispness that was there vanished and you could feel the heat settling in. Though there is a breeze it is like a warm blow dryer coming at you. It does help though having the air circulate. I can’t imagine what it will be like come July. I’ll be sure to share. Well I started this blog two weeks and am just now getting to finish. The weather though warm has not been bad at all. Mild temperatures with somewhat cool nights and mornings!

What makes the days so fun are the troops that come in the center. Though we have many regulars we also get many that are just passing through Balad and find us. I can’t wait to get you a picture as we had another set of brothers come in the other night. Two darling young men and their third brother will arrive here soon. I understand that they were featured on one of your night news shows here recently. I just think of their mother and father. I will send her pictures every time I can get them together.

We got another order of 550 cord in yesterday so the Connecting Through Crafts is back running full swing. I think it is so fun to see the troops have fun doing that kind of stuff. It is one of those relaxing things that they can do and then send home or have for themselves. They are pretty funny about it. Well since I wrote last they have used all the 550 cord. We can’t believe it. We had probably 15 different colors and 500ft of each. They love making the bracelets and key chains. Time to reorder!

I am not sure I have ever told you about the OPSEC training I had some months ago. It is an important issue that all here has to know and follow. OPSEC stands for Operation Security! It is unfathomable to me that there would or could be those out their/terrorist that would go through trash or tap in to phone lines or emails or anything to gain information to try and use against our troops or civilians that are deployed. I am careful to never mention specifics of when we travel. Though it becomes public information quickly that we have mortar attacks here, hence the name “Mortaritaville” I am not to say where any of those may have hit at least not unless it has become public through media. Every package you send me I cut the labels off and the labels are shredded or burned. When I am on the phone I can’t share times and dates of specific events or dignitaries that are coming! All these things if not done properly could put others in harm’s way. This has all been new to me as I have lived a pretty sheltered life and in a very sheltered environment. Exact dates, times, locations are all romper room no no’s to share.
Week before last I went to another special part of this compound and spent the day filming United Through reading. What a thrill. I filmed 61 that day. That represents 105 children. Isn’t that cool? This group of troops rarely has the opportunity for special things so it was so nice to be able to provide it for them. They were so appreciative and being a first for most, it was a day to dry tears and encourage them they could make it through. One young man was so nervous and he finally said that this would be the first time his two year old son got to see him. Hard to believe and who knows why but how wonderful to think this little program had a part in introducing a father and son. I also had another new baby this week. One of my Dr. at the hospital had his third. A baby boy! I just turned in my March reports and we filmed 548 United Through Readings in the month of March. To the best of my calculations we have filmed, and by we I mean all you who have supported this, 1357. Imagine that! That is well over 2500 happy children who were recipients of your support and generosity.

I can’t remember if I mentioned in my blog but my friend Laurie did a chocolate candy drive and we received over four hundred pounds of chocolate. Thank you DynCorp and the Southern Cruisers! The troops have loved it and believe it or not, they have just about gone through it all. They open the fridge and you can hear them say Wow! Chocolate!

The center continues to get busier and busier. We have had many troops volunteer their time and we are trying to put together a schedule so we have the help we need in the center. Our Air Force units are only here for three/four month rotations and so every time we get them trained up they leave. The group that did so much to get our center up and running just left this week and it was another round of sad goodbyes. We have another new addition to our center. They built a deck on the side just outside our lounge. We had our inaugural cook out this past Sunday and the troops had a great time grilling, making guacamole and drinking near beer. The music was cranked up and the night full of laughter.

I need to close. I apologize that I can’t seem to write more often. My ninety to hundred hour weeks, though exciting and great and full of the very thing I love doing, supporting our troops does leave me at the end of the day pretty beat. Thank you for all the books you have sent.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

The Smell of Bread Baking

Dear All,

The days go by so fast and most of the time I don’t even know what day of the week it is. I just realized it has been well over three weeks since I last wrote you. The center gets busier and busier as more and more troops find us and come.

Just before I went on R&R I was at the laundry mat and a soldier was making those macramé bracelets that are made out of 550 cord or parachute cord. He showed me how to make them so I picked up some 550 cord on R&R. Once we were open and running I one day got it out and started to make one and immediately I had several troops around wanting to make some. It was so fun and since we have done and taught them how to do hundreds of them. We have now ordered our third round of 550 cord. We haven’t decided what to call it but it is a toss up between Connecting Through Crafts or Relating Through Rip Cord. They love doing it and have made them for their wife, children and self. They do bracelets and key chains. I hope you enjoy the picture of them. They are all so cute and I enjoy teaching them how to do it.

We had a distinguished visitor last week. Vice President Dick Chaney. He spoke to the troops at the stadium. Talk about the security measures. He was quite protected. I did not get to go see him as this is my United Through Reading day on the other side of base and it is a one of my weekly highlights.

The smell of fresh bread brings home to the troops. My friend Laurie sent a bread maker to us via a soldier who was home on R&R. We opened it that day and baked three loaves. The troops loved it. Can you imagine what they felt when they walked in the lounge to the smell of bread cooking. Laurie sent twelve boxes of bread mix and four days later we had devoured it. We had troops set their alarms so they would be back when the bread was ready. Thank you Laurie for the bread machine! It has been quite the hit.

I was talking to Johnny and the other night and he ask me how many UTR’s we had done since we arrived. I went back into my records and if my recorded are right we have done close to 1100 recordings for the United Through Reading program. Isn’t that cool! That represents over 2200 children whose mother, father, aunt, uncle or grandparent has read a story to their special little one. That’s a lot of books that have been mailed home and brought so much joy to our deployed troops families. For many it is their life line to their child. Not all our troops have supportive families at home cheering them on so for some here being able to send these readings home is God tool to breath love into their children. I have talked too many who these little DVD’s is the only connection they have with their children.

Easter was a bit quiet. I went to my little church and was blessed by the fellowship with God’s people. We had stuff Easter Eggs for the troops and Chocolate bunnies. Some of the eggs had prizes so that was fun.

I again face another rotation of troops finishing their three months here and headed for home. It is so hard to say goodbye to the many that have been such an important part of our USO heritage here. I have been so blessed by so many and I realize that for the most part I will likely never see them again this side of glory. A sobering reality.

I am going to close. I keep falling asleep trying to write. The alarm goes off early and my normal weeks are averaging around 90 plus hours.

I love you all dearly. Your books have been such a blessing and the chocolate that Dyna Corp and my biker buddies from meet and greet in Dallas collected has been a huge hit. I love to tell them about you and how much you appreciate them and the sacrifices they are making. They are so taken back when they realize they are so loved.

Resting In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Taking It Easy In The Lounge!

I thought you all would enjoy this picture of some of our troops taking it easy in the lounge.





Here are the troops watching and listening to the children read to them via web cam.

United Through Reading

Dear All,

It is Tuesday and United Through Reading at the SF compound. Today I had many new airmen on the Air Force side. The Air Force does four month rotations so I am now on my third rotation. The enthusiasm for this program is huge. Being their first week in country many are homesick and sitting down to record a book to their children proves to be quite an emotional event. Several needed to just sit and talk a minute to regain their composure before beginning. I remember well my first week here and how hard it was and my children are grown so I can’t imagine the emotions of leaving school age children and infants. What an amazing group men and women serve our country.

One of my dads who has participated regularly during his time here came in today and could not say thank you enough for this program. His son was only six or seven months old when he deployed and next month he will have his first birthday. He said…… my son knows me, he really does know me. He had talked to his wife the day before and she told him that when she put the DVD of him reading to the son he crawled to the TV and said over and over, dada, dada! That was one very happy daddy! This program truly connects families and gives them a way to remain involved in their children’s lives. I sat here this evening as another dad was reading and he was having so much fun and was so expressive and it just brought tears thinking of this little boy and little girl getting to see this. I am so blessed to be a part of this.

The center remains busy and growing. We have had many of our troops volunteer their time to help us. We are doing an orientation soon and will get them all slotted to help. Last night we had fun at the center. It was Dr Seuss’s birthday and in the states it was read across America in many elementary schools. A first grade class in Pennsylvania had arranged to web cam with us and their first grade class was going to read a Dr. Seuss book to the troops. They were darling. We had about fifteen soldiers and even a marine around the web cam to watch and wave and clap and cheer them on. There was not a dry eye in the room when the children sang Lee Greenwood's “Proud to be an American” and then at the end they sang God Bless a America and all our troops in the room joined in. This was one event that I had many crying with me. I used one of our cameras and made a DVD of the troops watching the children and then had them say hello and greet the children. We will send that to them. Fun, fun stuff! For me just watching the troops smile and laugh and enjoy themselves makes any effort made so worthwhile.

I just had to share my UTR stories. Thank you so much for your support. Thank you for the books you are sending. Believe me they are so appreciated and are making a difference.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Blessing Upon Blessing

Dear All,

The days are busy and full. Each new day brings more and more troops into the center. They love the games rooms and spend hours in there. The UTR at the center continues to increase also.

I enjoy my one day a week at the Special Forces Compound doing the United Through Reading program. They are all so appreciative and enjoy so much reading to their children. One dad told me that he looked forward to the time so much and it had helped get him through this deployment. I had one young soldier read a book to his two nieces this week there and he was so cute. I could hear him in there just a cutting up and having fun reading to them and talking. Don’t you know those little girls will be tickled to get a DVD from their uncle? I wish I could remember what he said they call him, it was so cute. I record in two different areas of the SF camp. One in the morning and the other in the afternoon! Both in the Chaplains office area and Chapel. They are very gracious and it has been so fun to get to know them. The Chaplains Assistant on the second side was leaving this week and so that meant another goodbye. She has been so sweet and I have enjoyed my time with her. She calls me Mama. That evening I was filing along and the Chaplains, from the front side and some others come over to where I was. I figured the were there to say goodbye to the assistant that was leaving. We were just visiting and enjoying the time when all the sudden they ask me to come up. They presented me with a certificate and a flag that had been flown on a combat mission over Iraq. I was so honored and touched but the sweetest thing of all was the inscription on the certificate. It was to Linda Robinson “Our USO Angel”. It will be a treasured memento from my time here along with the memories of spending time with so many dear airmen and soldiers.

We also had another first and treasured event at the center. A young airmen came by a week or so ago and ask if we had any place that was private that he could web cam with his wife because she was due to deliver their second baby. The hospital had agreed to allow them to have a web cam there for the delivery. The airmen had been all over base trying to find a place where he could go when the day arrived. We let him know we would do whatever we could to help him out. He runs in the other night and says she is in labor. We go to work and get him set up back in our office. We were having trouble getting my laptop to download and by the grace of God our Internet guy was there and he hooked him up to another computer the was in our office. In order to do that we had to close down our computer lab which we hated but this was one of those special events in life that took priority and was not to be missed. It was fun watching him talk to her and coach her through. In Iraq fashion right towards the end our Internet went out and we were doing everything we knew to do to get it up and running. Finally we talked to the special unit that share the other wing of our building and they hit the ground running and had our new dad hooked up within minutes. 2:45 a.m. a beautiful baby boy was born. Daddy was proud and mom was grateful he had been by her side though the miles were many.

Today is John Micah’s birthday. Being so far away on special day’s brings a certain sadness and an awareness of how far away I am from those I love. I talked to him on the phone and it was great to know he was with his sister and girlfriend and having a wonderful time together. I am very proud of him. For those of you who have not heard he has been redeployed and will return to Iraq around the end of the summer. He is an amazing young man, proud to serve his country.

I must get myself to bed. I love you all dearly and thank you over and over for your support and encouragement.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Pressing On

Dear All,

The days are busy now that the center is open. Troops in and out and playing games, talking on the phone, watching movies, hanging out in the lounge and filming United Through Reading. There is always someone to talk to and needs to be met.

The game rooms are the biggest hit. There is one that has eight Xboxes in an octagon shape that are all interconnected where they can play each other. Each system can play two players so you can have sixteen at one time in there playing. You can only imagine the laughter or should I say hoopin and hollerin going on in there. The troops run over on their lunch hour and come after their shift and play until we close.

The other game room has the Wii games which are much more interactive. You can bowl, or play tennis or Dance, Dance Revolution and many others. They get to going on those and even work up a sweat. There are also Xboxes in that room in the corners and they get to jamming with the guitar hero.

Of course there are always troops on the phones and in the evenings there is a wait to get a phone. We have to limit the calls to thirty minutes and having to tell them to hang up is one of my hardest tasks.

We are able to film the United Through reading all during our open hours and boy is that a hit. I particularly like the fact that since Balad is in such a large Air Base we get many troops that are passing through on their way to other FOB’s. They will not have the opportunity to participate in the UTR program where they are going so it thrills me that we can film while they are there. One young father who got strand in Balad for several days filmed three and we are going to mail them at month intervals. His wife and little baby were staying in Dallas while he is deployed and it was fun to talk about the things we love and miss from the Big D.

I mailed last Saturday 84 UTR’s and again today mailed another 81. I am in good shape on mini DVD’s but am beginning to get pretty low on books. We allow them to pick a book for each child so you think about 81 recording that could be as many as 160 or more books we are sending out. I feel great joy when I get them mailed knowing how many of God’s precious children will soon get to see their mom or dad or grandparent on TV. I get to hear story after story of how their children respond. The smaller children just talk away to the TV as though they were there and the older ones are a bit more emotional seeing their loved one. I have one dad at the hospital that every time he gets to read a book he always ends up singing praise and worship songs to his children and I always he him end the tape praying for them. Can you imagine the blessing those children are receiving to hear their father pray for them and what a joy for them to have for the rest of their life. One dad brought his guitar and instead of reading books to his children played and sang songs he had written for them.

I think I am the one that is the most blessed. Hearing their stories, seeing the joy they receive from getting to record these connections of love, putting the children’s pictures on my bulletin board and receiving thank you emails from their families at home makes any effort expended so worthwhile.

I am not sure I have ever told you about the post office. When you go to the post office here you are not allowed to seal your packages. They inspect the contents and then seal them. You would think the postal workers would dread to see me coming with 80+ packages a couple times a week but it is quite the contrary. I have had many of them that work in the post office come over and record books for their children and grandchildren so they have become some of my strongest advocates. They are some of my sweetest friends here.

The troops appreciate so much when we have snacks for them. Having a variety is hard as the PX though good for a PX doesn’t have a lot to pick from. We find they love candy and particularly chocolate so any candy is greatly appreciated. My friend Laurie is working to get us candy here. We are trying to stock up on chocolate now as we only have about two months before it will be too hot to mail chocolate here. We also have peanut butter and jelly out for them on days when we can get bread and they love that. Christmas we were sent two honey baked hams that have been in our freezer and we thawed them this week and boy was that a hit.

I had a thrilled tonight when two young soldiers walked in, obviously brothers, in fact twins. I found out that they were not at the same FOB and were only in Balad to take a class and had not seen each other in a year and a half. They were darling! I pulled out my camera and took a couple pictures and then we emailed them to their mom. It made my day! I can’t wait to hear if she gets them.

Well I must close for now. I will try to write more often now that we are settling in to a more regular schedule. I love you all dearly and treasure your support and prayers for this mission. It is my prayer that we will become a place that our battle weary troops can come and find encouragement, support, and a touch of home.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Opening Day Pics and video

Pictured above is everyone who contributed in the start up of the USO building.

Go to URL's below to view General Petreaus speech at Opening ceremony. The second URL shows Linda getting 'coined' by the General plus takes you inside the USO. Coolio...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f91_1202400070

http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=34861

Opening Day

Dear All,

What a wonderful day is was celebrating our Grand Opening! Besides all the preparations with the building there was much to do to prepare for the opening celebration itself. With dignitaries coming, security issues had to be coordinated and timing...yes timing of arrivals and flight schedules had things changing right up to the last minute.

Gen. David Petraeus was our distinguished guest. I was very impressed with him. So personalable and down to earth and very much about the troops. Took so much time to talk and take pictures with the troops. He went through the center and when he got to the ame room he had one of the trrops teach him how to play golf on the WII game.

Another surprise of the day was Will Courtney. He is on the USO World Headquarters board and the Dallas USO board. He came to the Grand Opening with other headquarter board members. It was so fun to see someone from home.

I need to get to bed but wanted to say hi and send some pictures. I tried and could not get the pictures to post. The internet is running very slow and that makes a difference. I will put them on as soon as I can.

I am so grateful for God's incredible faithfulness and provision for the USO Balad Air Base Center. What fun it was today to have troops in and out and enjoying the center.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Good Times!

Dear All,

We have had eleven absolutely wonderful days here together that will forever be cherished for both Johnny and I. We spent many days laying on the beach, saw what we wanted to and never looked at the time nor felt any pressure to hurry or rush. We are well rested, a little sunburned but more than grateful for this time we have had.

Wednesday we took a bus half way around the island to Puerta De La Cruz, a very quaint harbour town with a wonderful town square and old fortress from the 1400's. There were more cliffs than beaches but the beaches we saw had their share of topless bathers. HMMMMM!!!!!! I just don't get it! Most of the streets were cobble stone and full of people with cute little resturants and shops.

Thursday we took a bus tour to the summit of El Teide a dormant volcano. Quite a contrast from the beautiful sunny beach to snow. The bus ride up was something else, up a very narrow winding road that at times made me hold my breathe. Johnny and I had chosen seats on the upper level right up front so it made for quite the trip. We rode a cable car up as high as you could go and hiked a short distance further. The homeward journey wasn't quite as treacherous and included several quaint little villages. With the two days of sight seeing we had pretty well been around the whole island.

We became frequent customers at our favorite little resturant. Four times I believe. It was a two and a half mile walk over from our hotel and the same back. I think we thought if we walked it we could eat more, but as I sit here at the airport I am finding my jeans to be a bit tight. Our next to last night we found a beautiful resturant where we dined in candle light with an amazing pianaist entertaining. It was a wonderful evening. There was not a dance floor but that did not stop Johnny from waltzing me around the area we were, once the other people had left. Another couple saw us and joined us dancing. Beautiful! So nice we went again last night!

We are now at the airport and will soon start our journeys home. This first leg we will do together then go our different directions once we are in London. I don't dread going back to Iraq but can not bear the thought of being apart again. Goodbye the second time I am finding harder than the first time.

I will be glad to know how things are in Balad. I do know we are on water restrictions and only we be allowed a three minute shower every other day. That's going to cramp my style.

That is all for now! I love you so and again am so appreciative of your support and encouragement.

In His Mighty grip,
Linda and Johnny

P.S.

As you can see from my previous post, I have my IT man with me and hence.....Pictures in the posts! More to come....though I am sure that feature was not available in Iraq because I know I could have done that on my own! HA! HA!
Linda

PS Sorry Wendel it took me so long!

Tenerife at Last...

Dear All,


What a wonderful time to be away and with Johnny. I think Johnny and I are the only American’s here. This must be the vacation spot for Europeans. With each day we are gearing down more and more. No big plans or places we feel we need to go, just taking it easy and enjoying being together.

Our room faces the ocean which is wonderful but also faces the night life of Tenerife, so we consequently have music until the early hours of the morning. It doesn’t seem to effect my sleeping as much as Johnny’s. During the day we just roam around seeing whatever sites we want to and spend a lot of time walking along the ocean and sitting out on the beach. We have just taken it easy up and until now, but plan to venture out to some of the surrounding towns and sites. Today we took our first bus ride to the next little village over. It was nice and we found a nice little restaurant with probably the best pizza I have ever had. It was called Olive Garden and not to be confused with what we know and love back home.

The trip here went fairly uneventful. I was very frustrated in Kuwait when they would only allow me to check one bag. I had planned on two. I brought a lot of stuff that I did not need that I was sending back with Johnny. Not only did they only allow one bag, the one big one I had was over the weight limit. I had to start stuffing stuff everywhere to get it down enough to qualify. Everyone around me had huge bags and were checking two. I figured they were going someplace different only to find them on my flight in my same row. I must not have received the memo with 'who to pay' to get more through. When I arrived in London I went to the check in counter to find out exactly what I was allowed for the next day. I got that all squared away and went on to my hotel. I boxed up a big box of stuff I was sending home with Johnny and had the hotel shuttle take me into the little town close by to mail it. That was a fortune but much cheaper than paying for the extra bag on the airlines. Later I walked into the same little town and after walking in circles several times I found this very, very old pub that had been recommended and stopped to have dinner. It was very quaint and I enjoyed the fish and chips and sitting by the fire place. Since my walk in had not been as direct as I thought I took a taxi back to the hotel.

I was up and out early to meet up with Johnny. All went smooth until I got to the security check and they told me I could only carry in one item and it had to be a certain size. By that time I was getting anxious and had wanted so bad to be at the gate when Johnny arrived. I did not know what to do. They sent me back to the check in and by then I was in tears. I kept apologizing for being so emotional and the little gentleman that helped me could not have been nicer. He just took my one bag that I had wanted to check anyway and checked it through and told me to go and enjoy my husband. I was so grateful and wish I had his name to be able to thank him. I was still so emotional and disappointed that I would not be at the gate when Johnny got in. They do security really weird…..I love DFW Airport….I love DFW Airport! You send all your stuff through and you go through and then you go through another one at the end where you take off your shoes. I wanted to share with them an easier way but decided it best that I didn’t. As I was putting on my shoes, I looked up and saw Johnny walking down the way. It probably wasn’t real lady like to yell his name and ran. Probably scared everyone around us! I don’t need to tell you what I did…..Cried like a baby! Johnny kept trying to console me but it was just so wonderful to be in his arms.

We made our way to our next flight and just kept grinning at each other. SO hard to believe we were finally together.

Needless to say we are having such a great time. Telling stories and remembering things to tell each other. We have talked to Amy, Alyson and John Micah a couple times and that has been so fun.

I am not sure what is going on back in Balad but I keep getting updates that they are on a power shortage, water shortage and high security alert. You are only allowed 3 minute combat showers! So sorry I missed that! I hope to hear soon what is happening there. Pray for our troops.

Well enough for now. Again I love you all dearly and appreciate so much your support and encouragement.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda and Johnny too!

R&R

Dear All,

Yippy skippy! I am on my way! I got out of Iraq yesterday and spent five hours sitting like a sardine in a C1-30. I unfortunately did not get a direct flight into Kuwait from Balad. We made two stops and each time a few got off and more got on. Our last leg we were jammed packed in that plane. For the day, I totaled three combat take offs and two combat landings and one normal landing in Kuwait. (Combat landing not necessary in Kuwait)I landed in Kuwait late in the evening and could not find any of my USO counterparts and the USO Center was not open. I decided to take the military bus into the airport and get a hotel from there.

You have to wait about thirty minutes for your luggage to arrive. It comes in on a big pallet on a fork lift and is placed out in an open graveled area. A little different than DFW Airport. I had to get my orders stamped and have all my battle rattle (vest and helmet) stored. I missed the bus by about 15 minutes and had to wait until 01:30 to get the bus in. I walked around the base and had McDonald's to eat. Who would ever think I would get excited about a McDonald's hamburger. I made a couple of phone calls and the wait went really fast. You wait for the bus in the R&R check in area. I sat through the briefing that they give the troops getting ready to head home on the R&R flight that goes into Dallas. I talked to several that were going to Dallas and ask them to tell you all hi.

I finally arrived at my hotel at 3 in the morning. As I crawled into bed all I could think of is how much more appreciation I have for our troops. Going on R&R is grueling! Once the troops arrive in Dallas they have been through so much and have to be absolutely exhausted. They have it all very organized but it is still quite an ordeal. Once they get to Kuwait they sometimes have to stay there a day or two. They sleep in tents with fifty others. I felt very blessed to be in a very nice hotel and able to get a little rest before I head out to meet Johnny.

I slept until I woke up this morning and had a very nice quiet day. I even got a pedicure and manicure. I have to be at the airport early, early in the morning. I will have another night alone in London then will meet up with Johnny. I just can't wait.

I just wanted to say hi and let you know I am on my way on R&R. I was able to get so much done at the center before I left and that felt great. I had troops that came and volunteered and helped. I had so much fun with them and getting to know them. One night I got pizza for eight airmen that came to do all sorts of little jobs. They were such a help and were so fun. They all leave in my housing area and had been asking and asking to come help so I put together a list of things that needed done and they got them done. They also did the United Through reading for their children while they were there.

We will check in once we are in the Islands.
I love ya'll and appreciate so much your support and help. The books you are sending are making such a difference and enjoyed by our troops and their families so much.

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda

Snow in Balad!

Dear All,

I am having a hard time getting on the internet here lately so I am sorry that it has been a little while.

Snow in Balad! Hard to believe but day before yesterday I woke up to a layer of snow on the ground. What an odd sight and one I never expected to see. It had rained all that night and in the early hours of dawn turned to snow. By mid morning, though still very cold, the snow was gone and the moisture had made this place a nasty, muddy mess. I think I have just a little better picture of the why the rainy season is spoken of with such dread. The talc consistency of the sand, now mix with moisture, is a little like peanut butter. It sticks and stays and creates quite a mess.

I had the Iraqi crew come today to help me scrub the bathroom and for most of them it was the first time they had ever seen snow. They said it was a sign from God. I am not sure what that sign said but they were clear the snow was a significant deal.
It has been a busy week for me. With both Shari and Angela gone I am going as fast as I can to get as much done as I can before I leave next week for R&R. I was able to get my new bookshelves put together and over to the hospital. It was fun moving in them and getting the United Through Reading office and room a little more fixed up. It looks so much better.

I spent one day repainting our doors in the center. They put these wooden louvers in the doors to help with the airflow and they needed to be painted. Amazing how quickly things get dirty as painting that little bit made the rest of the door look bad. Keep in mind that the only paint we can get on base is flat paint and we are very grateful to have it even though it is hard to keep clean and looking good. All the equipment for setting up our internet arrived and I spent some time tracking that down and getting it here to the center. It should be installed in the next two weeks. Boy will that be a blessing and be a key contributor to getting the center open and running. I also went out to the Special Forces compound to do United Through Reading there with those troops. They are fun and I am so honored to get to go in and do that.

I spent almost two whole days writing thanks you notes for all the books and care packages you have sent. Your support is unbelievable and I love telling the troops over and over what all you have done for them and how much the people back home love them and support them.

I spent most of yesterday and today making pillows for the sofas and some of the remaining drapes. I’m almost there. I am going to buy pillow from the PX and take the stuffing out of them to stuff my pillows. You have to be resourceful! There is no Wal Mart or hardware store to back me up when I need things. Who would ever think I would miss Wal Mart?

The Air Force units stay only four months. We came in at the same time with a new unit at the hospital and now four months later they are all starting to leave. I said goodbye to a group of them last night and that was so emotional for me. Of Course what hasn’t been!!! We came in together and struggled through those first weeks together all homesick and experiencing things we never thought possible. So many of them regularly read to their children and I call their children now by name, so it was like telling family good bye. It made me think of John Micah and the bonds he made during his time here and how close they all were and how hard that transition is when everyone goes home. There is nothing like the issues of war to unite you to people who you would never be close to otherwise. We all stood around in the cold last night waiting for the bus to load and reminiscing about events over the past four months. They finely all loaded the bus and those of us not going lined up by the bus and gave them a proper farewell salute. Since I don’t feel I have earned the right to salute I just put my hand on my heart and cry. I guess that is appropriate for me. Everyone dispersed from there but the bus didn’t leave right away. I couldn’t stand it so I went right inside the bus and told them all how proud I was of them and what an honor it had been watching them serve together. They are top notch men and women that have served their country well. Watching them serve these past months has certainly been a picture of strength under pressure, valor through pain and honor for country above self. They would make you all proud, they certainly did me.

There will be a steady flow of airmen leaving now over the next two weeks. Some that I was the closest to will leave while I am on R&R!

R&R…………I just can’t wait! I can’t even imagine seeing Johnny. What a glorious day that will be. We will meet up the London airport. I get in a day before him so I will have a night there to relax and rest before meeting him. Rest …. I will probably go four hours early and wait at his gate.

Well enough for tonight! A very Happy Birthday to my brother, George! Have a great day!

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda