Getting Settled

Dee left Indiana on June 22nd and it took them 6 days to arrive on base. That was a long week for sure. They stopped in several countries and stayed in Krygyzstan for a few days. Since then, he has gotten set up in temporary housing amongst 200 soldiers piled in there. He can't unpack because there isn't any room so for a month and 1/2 or so, he's living out of his bags. They started out only working 4 hrs, but now they are on 8 hour shifts until the other unit transfers command some time in August. At that point, Dee will be working a 12 hour shift. When Dee first arrived, the only communication was a military phone for the soldiers to use that cuts off after 15 mins. Usually he'd have to stand in line to use it. Then they had military computers set up for personal use that you could log in for 30 mins....and there was always a line there. Even when we did talk, most times, we got disconnected after 6-8 mins. It was frustrating but good to hear from him. Finally, they put wireless internet in the temporary housing and Dee paid for the internet use ($100 a month). But it is so worth it! Just this past weekend, we finally got Skype Video chat and Yahoo chat set up. I got to see him for the first time in a month, via video. He looks so good and is so handsome!! I absolutely loved seeing his beautiful smile and hearing his contagious laugh! I just felt such a relief to have made this kind of connection with him.
Dee and I have talked via video chat several times now and since they have alot of down time right now (until the other unit leaves) we just chat. Last night (morning for him) we just played Chinese checkers online with each other! What a wonderful thing to be able to connect in this way. We both felt so much better and we feel like we can get through this year. It won't be as hard now. There will be lots of changes and depending on when his 12 hour shift is, might effect our ability to talk...but we are praying for a shift that will allow the girls to see him and talk to him. I can stay up late and get little sleep but they can't.

Dee and I have been talking about how blessed we are. We know that so many soldiers end up divorced after a seperation like this. But we have chosen to dig deep and stay positive through it all. God is our stronghold and has guided us along the way. We prayed that God would bless our marriage and he has. This past month, we feel like newlyweds all over again. After 14 yrs of marriage, I can say I love him more than ever. Because we spend quality time talking about our lives together and planning for the future. Things we might have taken for granted before, we cherish now. I know this is the silver lining in all this. As well as God using this time to bring each of us closer to HIM!
Dee sees many men cheating on their wives and just being stupid! But we know we have to best marriage on the planet and can't wait to celebrate that together when he returns. I foresee a renewal of vows when he returns! I am very proud of Dee and all he is doing there. He is an amazing man and very smart! God has blessed me so much with such a wonderful, Godly husband.

We went to the beach last week and stayed with another Army family in a very nice condo right on the beach. I felt better than I have in a very long time. The beach and the atmosphere helps my fibro tremendously. My prayer now is for God to open an opportunity for Dee near the beach, when Dee returns. We are so ready to move!

We have been keeping busy. Two wks ago, another Army family came down here from New York and we met in Atlanta and stayed at a hotel and then went to the aquarium. It was so much fun.
Then last week at Ormond Beach, Fl, near Daytona.
We came home, washed clothes, repacked and got Jessie ready for camp. She left this morning for a camp with the church in Tennessee. She'll be back Friday then we have Jolie's bday party Saturday at a local gymnastics place. FUN!

School starts for us on Aug. 10th. We are homeschooling again this year and using a new curriculum. We are very excited about that!

Dee has been blessed with several boxes of things and has enjoyed reading some new books. Right now, he doesn't have any items he needs but once he gets in permanent housing, he may need to restock some personal items.

Thank you for praying for Dee and for our family. It is very obvious that the prayers are heard and being answered.

Love,
Lori