Letters From War

Mar 1, 10

Dear Honey,

We're almost done with this separation. This will be my last letter because I'm short on time here, and have only one more envelope.
...I'm really looking forward to getting home to you. When we started our marriage I really did not foresee so much separation. I always knew that the possibility existed, just didn't think much about it back then.
The good news is that I haven't turned crazy on this deployment...so I should be just about the same person I was when I left.
My mind is wandering now though, so I am going to close this for now.

I love you and will come home to you soon!

Letters From War - IM Edition

Mr. S4J: hey, i meant to tell you this before

Mr. S4J: but i was also thinking of keeping it a secret surprise

S4J: oh?

Mr. S4J: but anyways, i thought that since it is our 15th year of marital bliss, we could have a vow renewal ceremony

Mr. S4J: do you want to do that?

S4J: oh crud! you just made me cry!

Mr. S4J: haha, sorry

S4J: I would love that

Mr. S4J: ok, we'll work it out

S4J: okay honey

Mr. S4J: i was thinking that if our anniversary was on a sunday, i would surprise you with it after services

Mr. S4J: but it would all be too hard, so i am just telling you

S4J: butthead

Mr. S4J: plus my old vows need to be renewed

S4J: oh?

Mr. S4J: they were good and all, but my dumb job got in the way of them sometimes

S4J: to make new ones or to reaffirm?

Mr. S4J: i'll make new ones, or reaffirm the old ones so you can know that my new dumb job won't get in their way

Mr. S4J: how is that?

S4J: I'm not sure

S4J: what do you mean by that?

Mr. S4J: i mean that sometimes i can't be there for you in sickness and in health because i am doing war

Mr. S4J: since i'll be retiring i will be able to be there more, and want to officially remind you of that

S4J: oh good Lord. Go to dinner before I turn into a pile of mess.

Mr. S4J: hahaha, sorry

Mr. S4J: have a good rest today

Mr. S4J: i love you

S4J: I love you too.

*sigh*

Letters From War - Appreciation Edition

This letter came from my dear, dear friend. You can read the post in its entirety here. *sigh*


Dear Military Wife,

I wish there was something stronger, more sincere, more potent that I could use rather than words to express my gratefulness for what you do for our country, but in the absence of knowing what that something is, this will have to do.

Thank you. Thank you for the sacrifice you make. Thank you for sending your spouse into harm's way time and time again. I know you don't want to, ever. Yet, you provide something irreplaceable to our soldiers. Something to come home to. Something worth fighting for. A face to put to a cause. Thank You.

Thank you for enduring our whining about our husbands being gone overnight or for a couple of days without gouging our eyes out. Those of us whose husbands go on luxury airplanes to stay in cushy hotels to learn about the next trend in technology don't mean to be insensitive, we just don't always remember the thing you can't forget: the fact that your husband leaves for months, rarely comes home on schedule, and might not come home at all. Yet, you're patient with us most of the time. Thank you.

I see you, ladies. I notice you out there, learning how to get all that business attended to that those of us with husbands who come home every night take for granted. You mow the lawns, take out the trash, get the car fixed, kill scary spiders, and much more... all with a fever and a cough and a nagging worry about how close your husband is to the area they're showing on the news tonight. Thank You.

Often, I say stupid things. When you're moving for the umpteenth time, I say "I could never do that" or "I don't know how you do that" or "I could never make it as a military wife"- as if you have a choice. It's fight or flight... and you choose to fight. Thank you.

Often, Americans say stupid things. We want to show our support for our soldiers, but we're dumb. We blast the war for being pointless right in front of you. We call it senseless and say we should cut military spending when you're barely scraping enough money together to buy your kids the essentials. We forget that you are standing RIGHT THERE when we take the sacrifice for granted. Yet, you press on. Thank you.

You often endure crummy health care, undesirable locations, and long days of loneliness. You regularly leave behind friends, hairdressers, gardens, and lots of your favorite stuff that gets lost in the move. Your kids change schools, count down the days til Daddy comes home, and skip Father-Daughter dances. I know it's not all misery, yet the stuff that stinks, stinks a LOT. You put up with more than I even know. You endure these things because your husband has made a choice to stand up for my right and the rights of my children to live and play and worship and vote and dream how we choose. And he's able to do that because he has you, loving him, praying for him, waiting for him at home. Thank You.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Letters From War

Apr 10

Friends.


I've never been good at making and keeping friends. Most guys I know are work acquaintances. One of them was seriously wounded today. I am deeply saddened by this. it hurts my heart, there is a lump in my throat. I want to yell and cry. I want to go home.

Letters From War

(your dell ink has shipped)

Don't be bad and order things online!!!

On a side note, I watched Evan Almighty today, and it made me realize something about you. The wife on the movie was not initially supportive of the husband as he began to build the ark. I think if I were to start building an ark, you would bring me water for when I got thirsty.

I love you

Letters From War

Feb 25, 08

Honey,
I hope everything is going good when you get this. If it isn't, I hope this letter at least brings you a smile.
I just got off the phone with you. I'm so thankful for the phones here. I can barely imagine how it was without them. I know I call you a lot. I just want you to know that I'm okay. I'm just sorry that I keep waking you up.
It's rainy here today. It was windy this morning, thankfully no dust storms today.
My work is going good. As much as I despise the slow and boring days, I know they are a good thing. The more peace the better.
I don't really have much to write about. Just know that I love you and I will come home to you. I will do all that I can to be the same man (or better) as when I left home.
Love,
C

Mar 2, 08

Dear Honey,
Not much new to write about tonight. It's Sunday, the day you're recording your album, and I am really excited about that.
I think the hot weather is starting up already, well warm anyways. For sure isn't cold.
The work days drag on and on.

Mar 12, 08

I am a negligent writer. Sorry it's taking me so long.
Today wasn't too bad. A soldier was badly wounded today and I felt so sad about it. This war was a lot easier to deal with from home. There, you only read the news or watch it on TV. Here you see it firsthand. I see the pictures hanging on the wall of heroes everyday. I pray that will never fill up.
I love you.
C

Letters From War

07 March 2008

Honey,

The Furminator is the thing you need for my dogs. It removes all of their extra dead hair before it can shed all over the house.

I wrote in my pocket notebook about my thankfulness to the Lord for even the small things He gives me. I normally read the Stars and Stripes daily. The night I was waiting for the helicopter to fly me back to my FOB, I was feeling a bit nervous. I won't go into why, but flying around a hostile city is not my favorite thing.
Anyways, I had not read the paper that day, and happened to find a current copy sitting in the waiting room. So, I got to read the paper while I waited for my flight, which took my mind off the situation for a while.

I also want you to know two things. First, I always wear my ID tags, even to the shower. The last thing I want is for something bad to happen and not be identifiable. Secondly, I am doing everything I can not to go crazy or something. I want to go home so bad, but I do not want to go home to you as a crazy person, or as a different (for the worse) person than I left you.

I love you.

C

Letters From War

Feb 4

Honey,
Thanks for getting me some shoes. I will try them out tomorrow.
Everything is going okay here. I'm very tired and my knees hurt today, though. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
I'm keeping a journal here. So just in case anything happens make sure you look for it.
I'm doing my best to stay safe for you. I try not to go outside during the times I shouldn't. I lock my door whenever I'm in my room.
I have been eating pretty good and usually remember to take my vitamins. I didn't even remember how old I am when someone asked the other day. :)
I just wanted to send you a quick letter to brighten your day.
I think of you all the time.
I love you

Letters From War (excerpts)

Honey, Try not to be sad. You should go outside and get fresh sunlight on you, it will help...
I love you. Stay strong.
C

Letters From War (excerpts)

Jan 24, 08
Honey,
With everything going on I haven't had much time to sit down and write. I know you prefer a handwritten letter over an email.
...It rained all day today and I must have stepped in every puddle on my way to breakfast this morning. It's usually still dark out when I go, I wasn't doing it on purpose.
Hopefully I'll have my school work drama sorted out long before you get this. That's probably something you wouldn't think would be an issue during a war, school work.
I'm glad you liked those flowers I sent. I thought you could use some color to cheer you up (the purple on your ankle didn't count.)
I'm counting the days til I come home. I miss you. Give my love to the kids (and dogs).
I love you,
C

Letters From War (excerpts)

..."the Hero flight went out of our fob... we made a formation and saluted when the ambulances drove by...thats how they carry the bodies to the helo pad... I don't know how I managed to stay standing in the formation... I wanted to fall to my knees and pray and cry... especially when I saw the bags they carry them in, just like on tv...but I made it through okay...when I saw a convoy going out earlier I wanted to get on my knees and pray for them right in the street."


Thank You Lord that my husband's eyes and heart are turned towards You in a time and place that it must be so difficult to see You.

Join Me In A Good Cry

My friends,
Whatever you are facing this day and in the days to come,
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Letters From War (excerpts)

Dec 30, 07

Honey,
...I haven't been able to go to church services yet, because of my schedule. I've been fairly diligent at daily Bible studies though. I'm doing the one from FUMC and the Strength for Service book you sent me in Korea.
...So at the very least I'm reading the Word of God, and it does lift me up.
...Besides the Bible, I haven't found any books worth reading.
I will close the letter for now.
I love you and I will come home to you.
(heart) C

Letters From War

"I thought this would brighten your day. I love you, C."

Letters From War (excerpts)

Dec 15, 07

Honey,
You probably won't get this til after New Years, so I hope your trip was good.
I'm still hanging in there. I actually got two nights in a row of decent sleep.
...Christmas is right around the corner but it sure doesn't feel like it here. I try to remember to floss and take my vitamin every day. I'm also trying to increase my fruits and veggies. I made it through two swallows of V8 juice and just couldn't do it.
Shoot, i'm really writing about nothing.
...
I love you.
Be strong in Him.
C

Letters from war (excerpts)

Nov. 28, 07

Dear Judi,

I hope you're keeping strong during all of this...

This is definitely an adventure....

I've been praying every day, at least once if not more. And I've been trying to read more of the Bible. I'm still in Genesis and trying to follow who got married to who, and which parents begat which kids. It's hard to follow.....

Okay I will close this now. I love you. Stay faithful to God and He will get us through this.

Love,
C

*Judi sighs with bittersweet contentment*