Blessings

When you fly over the United States you realize how overly blessed we are. There are supermarkets and stores and lush green growths all over the place. There are woods and pastures and lots of animals and crops. We get to go down to a store and actually shop, if we don't like the price we go to another shop. Sometimes we will travel to another city or even another state to get stuff. We don't worry about IEDs. We don't worry about breaking down and no one will stop and help us or at least we can use our cell phones. I really didn't fully understand this concept until I left our United States and came here. I wish the liberal thinkers would really come and live here for a little while. They would realize that that kind of we are the world, lets let government help everybody, just doesn't work in places where hard work is a virtue and something to be looked up to, not just a government hand out and a free ride. When you have a very little, a work ethic is very important.

Dust Storm Lifts

Wow,
Dust storms in the desert are really nasty things. I would hate to be on a camel and going across the desert following a really bright star. Tonight it cleared up and you can see all sorts of stars and the moon and spy satellites :). Now I know why camels have such long eyelashes and a big old tail. The flys around here are really persistent and the dust just messes with your eyes. The dust really gets to you, it is so fine it takes your breath away. I tried to blow up a glove for a kid, and well I couldn't even get get it past a normal sized glove. Thankfully I am not trying to play trumpet here. Things are kind of in the groove here, like the movie groundhog day. Same story, new day. Thankfully they are not changing for the worse. Last thought, it is funny that they actually use a vacuum truck on the airport ramp, but it seems to stir up more dust than it sucks. Best way to clear the ramp is a rotor wash from a blackhawk helo. 2 weeks down. Seems like an eternity since I was in Ohio.

Little Things

It's the little things that you appreciate when they are not there, like grass and trees, clear skies, not having to walk 1/2 mile to get food, and not wearing a reflective belt after dark. Not having to get all armored up to go shopping. Not having to sign out a vehicle keys just to drive it. And for some reason, it bothered me the most taking the 3 min "combat" shower. I realize these are whiny things, lots of soldiers have it a lot worse off, so that is when I just thank God for where I am and remember how truly blessed we are in the United States. It's funny how we American's expect all this stuff and take them for granted. They are a fleeting gift and lots of men and women are sacrificing to allow us to have those little things.

Back On

Now I know how Radar O'Reily felt. Sometimes you pack everything you think that you need, but don't realize what you need until you get there. So you scrounge what you need and barter with people for things that they want, and you need. It works, I guess it is a throwback to the older days when trading a chicken for nails was still "normal." I am finally adjusting to the time difference. My bladder still thinks that 0330 here is morning, but other than that my mind is slowly getting sharper. At least that what the Nintendo DS game Brain Age is thinking. I still meet lots of interesting people, both military and civillian. All have very different reasons for being here, some for service, some for honor, some for self-sacrifice and some just for material gain. It is nice being able to blog again, unfortunately the military internet does not allow access to blogging sites, it is pretty restrictive, but that is understandable, we've got a war to win, not a blog to write.

Today

I've spoken to many brave men and women here. They all have various reasons for being here. There is no one reason, but most are still proud to serve and they enjoy doing what they are doing. Many are back and have been deployed multiple times. Some are weary, I can see how this would get to you after awhile. Sitting in front of the BX, you notice that people still get and like the small creature conforts (i.e. Monster drinks, Dunkin Donuts, Lays Potato chips on sale for $0.10 a big bag.) I guess that's what gets you from day to day if you don't have an eternal hope.

Dusty Feet

Today I had a revelation on how dirty the Middle East is. My laptop is dusty as I type. Also, I ran/jogged/hobbled about 1.8 miles on the track and my feet and shoes were filthy. After this I put on flip flops and treked about 300 yards to the Cadillacs (oddly named shower trailers). Just going that 300 yards from our tents (oddly manufacured by Alaska Tent Co), my feet were once again very dirty. It makes me appreciated how dirty My Savior's feet would have been, and how humble it would be to wash another's feet after a long dusty, hot trek.

Another day of travel is done. All told it has taken about 22 hours so far, and still not to my final destination. Fatigue has set in and I am making little mistakes. Tried to read the Bible and Epicenter, but only kept reading about the same paragraph. Eventually I just gave up. Maybe I can get some rest, but the time change may take some getting used to.

I have spent about 14 hours spent on the trip so far. Nothing major so far, Germany is rainy and 37 degrees. Still getting 3 square meals a day. Not much else to write about.

Day 1

I sit here thinking about the adventure that I start today, while my family sleeps, mostly peacefully. I realize it is by God's grace that I am here and benefit from health and many rich blessings. I am truly thankful for that blessing. I only do this blog because a really good friend goaded me into doing it :), and he knows who he is. I will endeavor to do this daily and make it both meaningful and also a blessing to my Savior Christ Jesus.
At this point, I don't really know why God got me up at 5:45 AM (besides needing to listen to the snoring from my sons, daughters and just a little from my wife) and what lies ahead for me this day. I know there will be a lot of waiting and sitting, but as I contemplate how those before me travelled, a sleek aluminum covered aircraft is really a luxury, compared to travel by ship taking days to weeks to get to the other side of the world. Enough for now, maybe some more later, time to read a little daily bread....:)