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Dear All,
The time seems to be flying and things for the center are moving along. They have just about finished painting the rooms that they can and now our work begins doing touch ups and all those things that will make the center homey. This was the first painting this crew had ever done and I guess for a first they did pretty well. Many drips, drops and run found their way to the floor and we are hopeful they come up.
Shari is here and will be with us through the end of the year and we are most grateful for that. She is a delight and a very hard worker and I am excited about learning from her.
Big news! I am moving! Shari needed a room and they found her one a couple miles away from mine in a different pod. It is a little smaller pod and the bathrooms are much, much closer. We did some checking and talked to the appropriate people and were able to secure me a room in the same area and in fact just across from Shari’s. For me this is a real blessing. One the bathrooms are very close and there is a walk way to the showers which will be wonderful when the rainy season begins. With Shari and I there together we will be able to do the battle buddy thing which will make us both feel much more secure. I couldn't be more pleased and relieved. The room is almost exactly like what I was in so it will be an easy move.
The weather here is wonderful. It is in the 50’s when I get up and gets up in the 80’s during the day. Very pleasant! I think I am a little intimidated by the rainy season that everyone talks about. I had two people ask me today if I had my rubber boots. That sounds attractive! They say it is really yucky and messy. The sand is so fine is just makes a paste and it goes everywhere. I am sure I’ll have much more to tell you about it when it is here. Until then I will enjoy these beautiful days in this land where it all began.
Shari came with me to the hospital yesterday and was trained at the helipad. We stayed for a couple hours and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We will enjoy the time we have right now to be there as I know once the center is open it will be a little harder to go. I am still hoping to work my schedule where I have at least one night a week where I can go and help. It is just so rewarding and I love meeting all the different ones that come to volunteer. I have so many special friends there at the hospital. Most will go home sometime during the first of the year so then I will have a whole new group to get to know.
United Through Reading is tomorrow and I am always excited about that. I have received a good deal of books and that makes it so wonderful. I received a big box from Pat and Jill yesterday!
Well I must get to bed. I love you all dearly and miss you so much.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Busy Days and Books and Bagpipes
Dear All,
It has been a busy week but one that has some progress to show for it. First and foremost, we have a building. It will be perfect and we are excited to now move forward. We have a crew of Iraqi national who are painting and cleaning the building. It is quite a process for them to work on base. I don’t know what all that process consists of but I trust they have been thoroughly screened. Even with all the screening they are accompany by two armed soldiers who guard them as they work. They only work about two to two and a half hours in the morning and are gone before noon. If you want them to stay until mid afternoon you must provide them lunch. The guards have quite a job keeping them working. They would rather take breaks than work. A strong work ethic is not real apparent. It feels like it is going to take forever for the painting and all to be finished but they actually have made pretty good progress.
Supplies are hard to come by on the base. Finding and having enough rollers, buckets, extension poles and paint is a battle in itself. Of course one must realize we are in a war zone and supplies to help improve the esthetic of building is not, as it should be, a priority. We are fortunate to have some wonderful contacts that are doing everything possible for us. The base is thrilled at the thought of having a USO Center here for our troops.
In the process of all this I found an area that I think is so cool. On base they have an area set up with all sorts of tools that the troops can use. Though the materials are somewhat limited, troops were there making shelves, tool box cabinets, flag cases and one sweet soldier was making a beautiful little something for his wife for Christmas. I am not going to tell you what he was making, just in case she reads this blog. It was sweet and I was touched that with as few hours as he has off he chose to spend it making a treasured keepsake for his sweetheart. And it wasn’t even Christmas Eve! He planned ahead! WOW! Ya’ll know me and tools….I was itching to get in there and build something.
In the last two days books have been arriving in the mail for the UTR program. I am so excited and can’t wait until next Friday. Big thanks to my Mom, Aunt Ann, Don, Greta, Connie and Candy for all the books. I will now be able to go ahead and set up times in some of the other units to go to their headquarters and film their troops. With as many soldiers, airmen and marines on this base you could keep a person working pretty much full time just doing this program.
Now to the heart of my day! This week three Air Force Special Agents from our base were killed in an IED explosion. Today was their memorial. Once again I was so touched to able to participate in this memorial. If only the world and especially America’s could see how our “Fallen Heroes” are honored. I was intrigue and awe struck by the reverence and valor I saw displayed throughout the entire hour and half ceremony. The unfolding and folding of the flags, the firing of the guns and the bagpiper playing Amazing Grace all spoke loudly of the honor and value placed on the lives of these three who sacrificed all for me. There were no details left unattended. The words prayed and spoken by those present were not only a tribute to these three beautiful young service men but also a testimony to the country they loved. I couldn’t help but think of their mothers, fathers, siblings, wives and children who were at home grieving. I pray that God Almighty will comfort them during this time of pain. I pray the communities they live in will embrace these families not just today or through these initial weeks but will stand by them for the many years to come.
At the end of the service as the bagpiper played, those that served side by side with these three walked up in pairs to the traditional boots, helmet and gun to say their final goodbyes. To watch them stand and so reverently salute then kneel by each pair of boots and grieve absolutely took my breath away. I’ll never be able to express all the emotions that ran through as I watched. Sorrow, pain, pride, joy all mixed up together!
I sit here tonight only seven weeks into this journey and find myself so grateful for all your support and encouragement. Every card, email, package and book you send speaks volumes to me of how loved and supported I am. Johnny Robinson, you are my hero! Thank you for supporting in this journey and for being that constant hand of support.
I love you all so dearly and miss you greatly!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
It has been a busy week but one that has some progress to show for it. First and foremost, we have a building. It will be perfect and we are excited to now move forward. We have a crew of Iraqi national who are painting and cleaning the building. It is quite a process for them to work on base. I don’t know what all that process consists of but I trust they have been thoroughly screened. Even with all the screening they are accompany by two armed soldiers who guard them as they work. They only work about two to two and a half hours in the morning and are gone before noon. If you want them to stay until mid afternoon you must provide them lunch. The guards have quite a job keeping them working. They would rather take breaks than work. A strong work ethic is not real apparent. It feels like it is going to take forever for the painting and all to be finished but they actually have made pretty good progress.
Supplies are hard to come by on the base. Finding and having enough rollers, buckets, extension poles and paint is a battle in itself. Of course one must realize we are in a war zone and supplies to help improve the esthetic of building is not, as it should be, a priority. We are fortunate to have some wonderful contacts that are doing everything possible for us. The base is thrilled at the thought of having a USO Center here for our troops.
In the process of all this I found an area that I think is so cool. On base they have an area set up with all sorts of tools that the troops can use. Though the materials are somewhat limited, troops were there making shelves, tool box cabinets, flag cases and one sweet soldier was making a beautiful little something for his wife for Christmas. I am not going to tell you what he was making, just in case she reads this blog. It was sweet and I was touched that with as few hours as he has off he chose to spend it making a treasured keepsake for his sweetheart. And it wasn’t even Christmas Eve! He planned ahead! WOW! Ya’ll know me and tools….I was itching to get in there and build something.
In the last two days books have been arriving in the mail for the UTR program. I am so excited and can’t wait until next Friday. Big thanks to my Mom, Aunt Ann, Don, Greta, Connie and Candy for all the books. I will now be able to go ahead and set up times in some of the other units to go to their headquarters and film their troops. With as many soldiers, airmen and marines on this base you could keep a person working pretty much full time just doing this program.
Now to the heart of my day! This week three Air Force Special Agents from our base were killed in an IED explosion. Today was their memorial. Once again I was so touched to able to participate in this memorial. If only the world and especially America’s could see how our “Fallen Heroes” are honored. I was intrigue and awe struck by the reverence and valor I saw displayed throughout the entire hour and half ceremony. The unfolding and folding of the flags, the firing of the guns and the bagpiper playing Amazing Grace all spoke loudly of the honor and value placed on the lives of these three who sacrificed all for me. There were no details left unattended. The words prayed and spoken by those present were not only a tribute to these three beautiful young service men but also a testimony to the country they loved. I couldn’t help but think of their mothers, fathers, siblings, wives and children who were at home grieving. I pray that God Almighty will comfort them during this time of pain. I pray the communities they live in will embrace these families not just today or through these initial weeks but will stand by them for the many years to come.
At the end of the service as the bagpiper played, those that served side by side with these three walked up in pairs to the traditional boots, helmet and gun to say their final goodbyes. To watch them stand and so reverently salute then kneel by each pair of boots and grieve absolutely took my breath away. I’ll never be able to express all the emotions that ran through as I watched. Sorrow, pain, pride, joy all mixed up together!
I sit here tonight only seven weeks into this journey and find myself so grateful for all your support and encouragement. Every card, email, package and book you send speaks volumes to me of how loved and supported I am. Johnny Robinson, you are my hero! Thank you for supporting in this journey and for being that constant hand of support.
I love you all so dearly and miss you greatly!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Moving Forward
Dear All,
It has been a busy week but full of new adventures and progress. Things are moving forward with our center. We are thrilled. The cleaning and painting has begun and that feels wonderful. Paint is very limited here on base so we only had two colors to pick from. We chose a light gray. When it first was going up and in contrast to what was there it looked like a beautiful shade of baby blue. Fortunately for me that was nice since I love blue. As more and more goes up and you see less of the old paint it is a light gray and will be just fine! We have a crew of Iraqi Nationals who are doing the painting. That is an interesting opportunity to work with them. We also have two soldiers who guard them so all is well. I will say they don't believe in working long hours and they expect many breaks so we are lucky to get two hours work out of them during their three to four hour time with us! They are very short on supplies here on base so you have to be a bit creative to get the work done!
It will be great when finished. We are anxious to get our offices set up and the rest of the center. We still have phone lines to run and Internet lines to drop so we are a ways from the finish line but we at least can see where we are going.
The United Through Reading is going well! Books are starting to come which helps so very much. Thank you all who are sending them. I will try to get some pictures of the set up and some of our troops reading. It is such an inspiring program and something that really means so much to our troops.
I had one soldier come Friday, grinning from ear to ear as his wife had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was so proud. Of course I wanted pictures and all he had was on his computer. He took my thumb drive and put them on there so I could see the baby. Beautiful! Beautiful! That night I made a couple copies and brought them to him Saturday so he could expand his bragging rights. Kind of hard to walk around with a laptop all the time to show off pictures. He was thrilled. He read a book to his new son! And, let's see, what did Linda do......cried like a baby!
Another hospital staff person walked by and told me about his new son also! Isn't it amazing the sacrifices these troops are making for us. I can't imagine not getting to be there for the birth of my child and missing it's first couple months of life. It makes me doubly proud and honored to be here and rejoice with our troops in these new arrivals.
Well I need to run. This afternoon we have a memorial service for three that we lost this week. This will be hard but something I want to be apart of. Again so proud and honored to share this time with our troops...even the hard times!
I love you all dearly and miss you!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
It has been a busy week but full of new adventures and progress. Things are moving forward with our center. We are thrilled. The cleaning and painting has begun and that feels wonderful. Paint is very limited here on base so we only had two colors to pick from. We chose a light gray. When it first was going up and in contrast to what was there it looked like a beautiful shade of baby blue. Fortunately for me that was nice since I love blue. As more and more goes up and you see less of the old paint it is a light gray and will be just fine! We have a crew of Iraqi Nationals who are doing the painting. That is an interesting opportunity to work with them. We also have two soldiers who guard them so all is well. I will say they don't believe in working long hours and they expect many breaks so we are lucky to get two hours work out of them during their three to four hour time with us! They are very short on supplies here on base so you have to be a bit creative to get the work done!
It will be great when finished. We are anxious to get our offices set up and the rest of the center. We still have phone lines to run and Internet lines to drop so we are a ways from the finish line but we at least can see where we are going.
The United Through Reading is going well! Books are starting to come which helps so very much. Thank you all who are sending them. I will try to get some pictures of the set up and some of our troops reading. It is such an inspiring program and something that really means so much to our troops.
I had one soldier come Friday, grinning from ear to ear as his wife had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was so proud. Of course I wanted pictures and all he had was on his computer. He took my thumb drive and put them on there so I could see the baby. Beautiful! Beautiful! That night I made a couple copies and brought them to him Saturday so he could expand his bragging rights. Kind of hard to walk around with a laptop all the time to show off pictures. He was thrilled. He read a book to his new son! And, let's see, what did Linda do......cried like a baby!
Another hospital staff person walked by and told me about his new son also! Isn't it amazing the sacrifices these troops are making for us. I can't imagine not getting to be there for the birth of my child and missing it's first couple months of life. It makes me doubly proud and honored to be here and rejoice with our troops in these new arrivals.
Well I need to run. This afternoon we have a memorial service for three that we lost this week. This will be hard but something I want to be apart of. Again so proud and honored to share this time with our troops...even the hard times!
I love you all dearly and miss you!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Monday, October 29, 2007
I Have Missed You!
Dear All,
I am sorry that it has been so long since I have written to you! I certainly didn't mean to worry anyone but it has been necessary. Some questions about my blog came up from this end and I needed some time to seek the right counsel. The last thing I would want to do is write anything that caused concern or put any one here at risk. I took a copy of my blog to the JAG office for them to look over and advise. They did not have much to say and did not feel a need to read it. I have one other direction I need to go for the appropriate counsel and I will do that hopefully tomorrow.
It was very painful to think that anything I have said hurt someone! I will seek out the information and any training I need on security things and then continue from there. It may become necessary to password protect this but I will hopefully be able to do that where you are all able to have that password. That would just make it where someone just searching the Internet would not be able to open the blog.
It has been a busy week. The pool here is closing so this weekend we had a Luau and BYOGC (bring your own guitar - contest. We had close to 700 come out for the event and that did not include the many who helped. We had hamburgers and hot dogs provided by MWR, favored slushies and lots of fun games and prizes. This was pulled off in less than two weeks but fell into place and was a wonderful day of fun. For me just watching our troops laugh and play and have a great time was a joy. We had 8 bring their guitars and play for all. We had everything from country, Leonard Skinner(you'd loved it Rhenda), Zeppelin and some of the troops own originals. Amazing the talent here on this base.
We had some very distinguished guests come and spend the afternoon with us. The Base Commander and his chief of staff came and we put them to work as our judges for the guitar competition. The AF TSGT that won did a incredible version of Zeppelins, Star Spangle Banner. Fun was had by all! We will probably do it again for opening day of the pool.
We have several events we are helping with for Halloween. A Fun Run, and a Karaoke Contest. We will also pass out at the DFAC some candy bags we have put together. Good times with some America's finest and best heroes!
I continue to do what I can at the hospital. I have ask Johnny if I came stay a little longer after my USO commitment and be a Candy Striper here at the hospital! (I do hope I spelled that right please forgive if I did not) I just love helping here and find it so rewarding!
Friday was another wonderful day with the United Through Reading Program. I was low on books but even still filmed sixteen troops. IT is just so great. I will ask one of them this week if I can put their picture on here for you to see the set up. Maybe I will just read you all a book. HMMMM! Can I put video's on here? I will check!
I enjoyed church again on Sunday and find it to be such a blessing to worship with our troops. The three young men who sat in front of me this week I had met the day before and visited with them at lunch! They were finishing up their time here and will head home before the week is over. They were so cute and fun to be with. They always ask who is there for the first time and always ask those who are leaving that week to go home. That for me is always such a praise to know they are going home to their families. An answer to the prayers of so many of you who pray so faithfully for our troops!
Thank you to so many of you who have offered to send books for the children's UTR. That is a huge praise! All are greatly appreciated. Mary, yours came today and the timing could not be better. I was so low and was concerned about Friday and having some that the troops would want to read! Thank you, thank you! They are perfect!
To each of you thank you for your support and for your prayers. This is truly the most amazing journeys I have ever been on and I wish so much you were here to share it with me. I know through your prayers, emails, cards and carefully prepared care packages you are here with me and you walk with me every day. Last night after a long day with the Luau and all I came to check my email here at the hospital but found I was to tired to response to most of them so I headed back to my room. It was a beautiful night with a big almost full moon and the emotions ran deep as I looked up to see God's beautiful creation. I couldn't help but think how all of God's creation shouts his glory! What comfort to know that those I love could look up and see the same and to pray for those who see God's creation yet know him not!
I love you all so much and am so grateful for your support! I will keep you in the loop on the blog situations. Pray that God keeps these doors of communication open if that is his will and that it will be pleasing to him.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
I am sorry that it has been so long since I have written to you! I certainly didn't mean to worry anyone but it has been necessary. Some questions about my blog came up from this end and I needed some time to seek the right counsel. The last thing I would want to do is write anything that caused concern or put any one here at risk. I took a copy of my blog to the JAG office for them to look over and advise. They did not have much to say and did not feel a need to read it. I have one other direction I need to go for the appropriate counsel and I will do that hopefully tomorrow.
It was very painful to think that anything I have said hurt someone! I will seek out the information and any training I need on security things and then continue from there. It may become necessary to password protect this but I will hopefully be able to do that where you are all able to have that password. That would just make it where someone just searching the Internet would not be able to open the blog.
It has been a busy week. The pool here is closing so this weekend we had a Luau and BYOGC (bring your own guitar - contest. We had close to 700 come out for the event and that did not include the many who helped. We had hamburgers and hot dogs provided by MWR, favored slushies and lots of fun games and prizes. This was pulled off in less than two weeks but fell into place and was a wonderful day of fun. For me just watching our troops laugh and play and have a great time was a joy. We had 8 bring their guitars and play for all. We had everything from country, Leonard Skinner(you'd loved it Rhenda), Zeppelin and some of the troops own originals. Amazing the talent here on this base.
We had some very distinguished guests come and spend the afternoon with us. The Base Commander and his chief of staff came and we put them to work as our judges for the guitar competition. The AF TSGT that won did a incredible version of Zeppelins, Star Spangle Banner. Fun was had by all! We will probably do it again for opening day of the pool.
We have several events we are helping with for Halloween. A Fun Run, and a Karaoke Contest. We will also pass out at the DFAC some candy bags we have put together. Good times with some America's finest and best heroes!
I continue to do what I can at the hospital. I have ask Johnny if I came stay a little longer after my USO commitment and be a Candy Striper here at the hospital! (I do hope I spelled that right please forgive if I did not) I just love helping here and find it so rewarding!
Friday was another wonderful day with the United Through Reading Program. I was low on books but even still filmed sixteen troops. IT is just so great. I will ask one of them this week if I can put their picture on here for you to see the set up. Maybe I will just read you all a book. HMMMM! Can I put video's on here? I will check!
I enjoyed church again on Sunday and find it to be such a blessing to worship with our troops. The three young men who sat in front of me this week I had met the day before and visited with them at lunch! They were finishing up their time here and will head home before the week is over. They were so cute and fun to be with. They always ask who is there for the first time and always ask those who are leaving that week to go home. That for me is always such a praise to know they are going home to their families. An answer to the prayers of so many of you who pray so faithfully for our troops!
Thank you to so many of you who have offered to send books for the children's UTR. That is a huge praise! All are greatly appreciated. Mary, yours came today and the timing could not be better. I was so low and was concerned about Friday and having some that the troops would want to read! Thank you, thank you! They are perfect!
To each of you thank you for your support and for your prayers. This is truly the most amazing journeys I have ever been on and I wish so much you were here to share it with me. I know through your prayers, emails, cards and carefully prepared care packages you are here with me and you walk with me every day. Last night after a long day with the Luau and all I came to check my email here at the hospital but found I was to tired to response to most of them so I headed back to my room. It was a beautiful night with a big almost full moon and the emotions ran deep as I looked up to see God's beautiful creation. I couldn't help but think how all of God's creation shouts his glory! What comfort to know that those I love could look up and see the same and to pray for those who see God's creation yet know him not!
I love you all so much and am so grateful for your support! I will keep you in the loop on the blog situations. Pray that God keeps these doors of communication open if that is his will and that it will be pleasing to him.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Quiet Day
Dear All,
I am having a quiet day here. I did go to the post office to mail all my UTR packages. That always feels good to know those are on there way. I did a few errands then cleaned my room and did my ironing! WooHoo!! It was nice though and gets me all ready for another week.
I think I am a little homesick today thinking of my family all out in California. Oh how I would love to be with them. I know they will have a great time. I talked to them yesterday and they were having lunch by the ocean. NICE! I have the sand but no ocean!!!
We had a little discouraging news about the center. We may not get the building that they thought they had for us. We will know more on Monday! The hurry up and wait is not fun but then I guess that is the life of the military.
I just wanted to say hi! Jan Dunn is that you who left the comment! Girl how are you doing! Email me! llrobinson12@hotmail.com I'd love to hear what all is going on in your life!
I love you all dearly,
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
I am having a quiet day here. I did go to the post office to mail all my UTR packages. That always feels good to know those are on there way. I did a few errands then cleaned my room and did my ironing! WooHoo!! It was nice though and gets me all ready for another week.
I think I am a little homesick today thinking of my family all out in California. Oh how I would love to be with them. I know they will have a great time. I talked to them yesterday and they were having lunch by the ocean. NICE! I have the sand but no ocean!!!
We had a little discouraging news about the center. We may not get the building that they thought they had for us. We will know more on Monday! The hurry up and wait is not fun but then I guess that is the life of the military.
I just wanted to say hi! Jan Dunn is that you who left the comment! Girl how are you doing! Email me! llrobinson12@hotmail.com I'd love to hear what all is going on in your life!
I love you all dearly,
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Friday, October 19, 2007
If It's Friday It Must Be United Through Reading
Dear All,
It was another great day here at the hospital with United Through Reading. I filmed twice as many as last week and got to know that many more of our wonderful troops. They are all so appreciative. The troops here at the hospital work 12 -15 hour days and are not able to leave during that time. They are so grateful to have this program here and it is so much fun talking to them. What fun!
BUT.....I need books, books, books! Any new children's book would be appreciated. There are two sizes of flat rate boxes and you can load those things full and the shipping is the same. I believe it is $8.95.
I could hear one airman in there singing to his children. You can just imagine I was crying like a baby. Some of these soldiers are very shy but turn them loose with a camcorder and alone in a room to talk to their children and it is so precious. I love it, love it, love it!!!!
I filmed 14 DVDs and that represented 31 children. Isn't that cool to think that 31 precious little ones will go to bed with a smile on their face here in about a week or so. I had many ask if I would be getting any Christmas or Chanukah books. I told them I would see what I can do!
It is late and I am exhausted so I am going to head to bed. I just was excited about my afternoon and evening with the UTR and wanted to tell you about it.
My family is all out in California. They are running in the Mud Run at Camp Pendleton. I am so proud of them and would love to be with them. Both Grandmas went out with Johnny to cheer them all on. They will all have a blast. Go Robinson Family!!!!
I love you and miss you all greatly.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
It was another great day here at the hospital with United Through Reading. I filmed twice as many as last week and got to know that many more of our wonderful troops. They are all so appreciative. The troops here at the hospital work 12 -15 hour days and are not able to leave during that time. They are so grateful to have this program here and it is so much fun talking to them. What fun!
BUT.....I need books, books, books! Any new children's book would be appreciated. There are two sizes of flat rate boxes and you can load those things full and the shipping is the same. I believe it is $8.95.
I could hear one airman in there singing to his children. You can just imagine I was crying like a baby. Some of these soldiers are very shy but turn them loose with a camcorder and alone in a room to talk to their children and it is so precious. I love it, love it, love it!!!!
I filmed 14 DVDs and that represented 31 children. Isn't that cool to think that 31 precious little ones will go to bed with a smile on their face here in about a week or so. I had many ask if I would be getting any Christmas or Chanukah books. I told them I would see what I can do!
It is late and I am exhausted so I am going to head to bed. I just was excited about my afternoon and evening with the UTR and wanted to tell you about it.
My family is all out in California. They are running in the Mud Run at Camp Pendleton. I am so proud of them and would love to be with them. Both Grandmas went out with Johnny to cheer them all on. They will all have a blast. Go Robinson Family!!!!
I love you and miss you all greatly.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
It's Getting Closer
Dear All,
We are getting closer and closer to securing a building for the center and we are thrilled. I continue to volunteer at the hospital as much as I can and it is so rewarding. I love going to the DFAC/Dining Facility not necessarily because of the food but because that is soldier time. It is always so fun to see where and who God sits me next to.
Keep in mind that this base has thirty thousand troops. The young man I had lunch with on Friday, I have run into him three times now! I emailed Gary Smalley as his material had been so helpful to Johnny and I some years ago when we were struggling. He emailed me back and is sending some of his materials. I am thrilled and thrilled to share it with this young soldier. I am not quite sure how else I will do it but there is a huge need here to share this material here on base.
Day before yesterday I was woken up early by an explosion. I looked out and back by the hospital there was a big mushroom cloud of smoke. For a moment I thought the hospital had been hit. The warnings did not go off so I knew it was not inside the wire. I headed out to take my shower and I no more got out my door and a step or two away and the sirens went off saying Incoming, Incoming! I darted back in my room and took cover. Very shortly they said All Clear, All clear! It is just so odd and still seems so unreal that this happens. It wasn't until that afternoon that we found out that it was a car bomb outside the wire but with in haering range. None of our troops were injured!
That afternoon while at the hospital one of the Dr. ask if I wanted to help with some Iraqi toddlers that were in the ward. Of course I was thrilled so once I finished up some USO meetings I came back here and babysat. What fun! Who would ever think all those BSF finger plays would be used here in Iraq. The two year old was actually ready to be discharge but did not have any place to go as mom was here also. The five year nephew and fourteen year old niece were here as well. The mom was hurt more serious. A mom is a mom in any country and I loved watching her try to love and nurture her son. We played with balloons and balls and it was such a sweet time for me. I came back the next day to help feed the little one lunch. Tonight I watch the family all be placed on a helicopter and taken back to their home town where the rest of there family is. There will be those there who care for the little one as mom remains in the hospital there.
Yesterday afternoon I was here at the hospital checking email and the sirens went off and it was a code red. Code Red means that somewhere on base there was a direct mortar hit. We all hit the ground and took cover. Fortunately for me I was here inside but Angela had just left to go run an errand so she had the joy of sitting out in a bunker for 15 minutes or so. There was a group of Generals from the states here tour the facilities so she spent that time in the bunker with them. Once the All Clear is up everyone has to report to their unit for accountability. Quite a little process. I must say that through all this I still have never felt as though I was in danger or my life threaten in any way. I feel very safe here!
Kevin, our regional supervisor is here and we spent the morning with the Mayor working on the building and then the afternoon, Shari, Angela and I making a plan for the rooms and the things we need and prioritizing the needs. We are pretty excited about what looks like it will be our new home. We finished up around 16:30 and they were exhausted and jet lagged so we all went our ways.
Me, of course came here to the hospital. AS I walked in the door different ones kept saying you have a truck for all your mail. Well I needed one. Between Angela and myself we had received 19 boxes today. Whew! I left and walked over and got the car from Angela and came back to load up all the boxes. 11 of the boxes were mind. WOW! Thank you Laurie! What fun!
Before I left I came by the computer room to check my email and weirdly enough I was the only one in here. I stuck my head out and ask if something had happened because that is really strange to have no one in here. They said that a trauma code x5 (meaning 5 injuried) had been issued and all went back to help. I knew that would be busy so I went back to see if I was needed and was immediately taken to a helicopter to help. This time it hit hard and touched my heart. It was the first time I brought in one of our wounded troops! There were several and emotionally I was not prepared for what I would feel and yet all I could think about is how glad I was to be there making eye contact with the soldier and reassuring him all the way that he was safe now and in good hands. As you take them out of the choppers you walk through this tent tunnel called Heroes Highway before you enter the Er. The whole ceiling of this tunnel is one huge, I mean huge American flag. That is what our heroes see from the stretcher looking up.
I went back to my room and had a good cry and thanked God I was here to help! It is an amazing thing watching everyone go into action and care for our wounded. After opening my boxes....and that was fun...I came back to the hospital and helped at the pad a couple more hours. I just love it!
I am waiting now for my nurse friend who is finishing up in the Operating Room so we can walk back to our rooms together. It has been a good, great couple of days full of so many new experiences and divine appointments! I am continuously surprised by joy as I serve here and see the hand of God in my life and in the surroundings he has placed me.
You are all the best and your support and encouragement means the world. Continue to support our military guys and girls as I stand amazed at their sacrifices for our country.
I love you and miss you greatly!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
We are getting closer and closer to securing a building for the center and we are thrilled. I continue to volunteer at the hospital as much as I can and it is so rewarding. I love going to the DFAC/Dining Facility not necessarily because of the food but because that is soldier time. It is always so fun to see where and who God sits me next to.
Keep in mind that this base has thirty thousand troops. The young man I had lunch with on Friday, I have run into him three times now! I emailed Gary Smalley as his material had been so helpful to Johnny and I some years ago when we were struggling. He emailed me back and is sending some of his materials. I am thrilled and thrilled to share it with this young soldier. I am not quite sure how else I will do it but there is a huge need here to share this material here on base.
Day before yesterday I was woken up early by an explosion. I looked out and back by the hospital there was a big mushroom cloud of smoke. For a moment I thought the hospital had been hit. The warnings did not go off so I knew it was not inside the wire. I headed out to take my shower and I no more got out my door and a step or two away and the sirens went off saying Incoming, Incoming! I darted back in my room and took cover. Very shortly they said All Clear, All clear! It is just so odd and still seems so unreal that this happens. It wasn't until that afternoon that we found out that it was a car bomb outside the wire but with in haering range. None of our troops were injured!
That afternoon while at the hospital one of the Dr. ask if I wanted to help with some Iraqi toddlers that were in the ward. Of course I was thrilled so once I finished up some USO meetings I came back here and babysat. What fun! Who would ever think all those BSF finger plays would be used here in Iraq. The two year old was actually ready to be discharge but did not have any place to go as mom was here also. The five year nephew and fourteen year old niece were here as well. The mom was hurt more serious. A mom is a mom in any country and I loved watching her try to love and nurture her son. We played with balloons and balls and it was such a sweet time for me. I came back the next day to help feed the little one lunch. Tonight I watch the family all be placed on a helicopter and taken back to their home town where the rest of there family is. There will be those there who care for the little one as mom remains in the hospital there.
Yesterday afternoon I was here at the hospital checking email and the sirens went off and it was a code red. Code Red means that somewhere on base there was a direct mortar hit. We all hit the ground and took cover. Fortunately for me I was here inside but Angela had just left to go run an errand so she had the joy of sitting out in a bunker for 15 minutes or so. There was a group of Generals from the states here tour the facilities so she spent that time in the bunker with them. Once the All Clear is up everyone has to report to their unit for accountability. Quite a little process. I must say that through all this I still have never felt as though I was in danger or my life threaten in any way. I feel very safe here!
Kevin, our regional supervisor is here and we spent the morning with the Mayor working on the building and then the afternoon, Shari, Angela and I making a plan for the rooms and the things we need and prioritizing the needs. We are pretty excited about what looks like it will be our new home. We finished up around 16:30 and they were exhausted and jet lagged so we all went our ways.
Me, of course came here to the hospital. AS I walked in the door different ones kept saying you have a truck for all your mail. Well I needed one. Between Angela and myself we had received 19 boxes today. Whew! I left and walked over and got the car from Angela and came back to load up all the boxes. 11 of the boxes were mind. WOW! Thank you Laurie! What fun!
Before I left I came by the computer room to check my email and weirdly enough I was the only one in here. I stuck my head out and ask if something had happened because that is really strange to have no one in here. They said that a trauma code x5 (meaning 5 injuried) had been issued and all went back to help. I knew that would be busy so I went back to see if I was needed and was immediately taken to a helicopter to help. This time it hit hard and touched my heart. It was the first time I brought in one of our wounded troops! There were several and emotionally I was not prepared for what I would feel and yet all I could think about is how glad I was to be there making eye contact with the soldier and reassuring him all the way that he was safe now and in good hands. As you take them out of the choppers you walk through this tent tunnel called Heroes Highway before you enter the Er. The whole ceiling of this tunnel is one huge, I mean huge American flag. That is what our heroes see from the stretcher looking up.
I went back to my room and had a good cry and thanked God I was here to help! It is an amazing thing watching everyone go into action and care for our wounded. After opening my boxes....and that was fun...I came back to the hospital and helped at the pad a couple more hours. I just love it!
I am waiting now for my nurse friend who is finishing up in the Operating Room so we can walk back to our rooms together. It has been a good, great couple of days full of so many new experiences and divine appointments! I am continuously surprised by joy as I serve here and see the hand of God in my life and in the surroundings he has placed me.
You are all the best and your support and encouragement means the world. Continue to support our military guys and girls as I stand amazed at their sacrifices for our country.
I love you and miss you greatly!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
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