The girls and I spent a week at Lake Powell on a house boat with some friends--it was a fantastic time! Very relaxing and the most beautiful place on earth!
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Jared Called
Jared called Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. He is doing fine. The phone connection went bad this morning and didn't get to talk more than a couple minutes. This was the last time he was going to be able to call for quite awhile. He's going on a long mission and will have no way to contact us. He will not be receiving letters or packages from us during this time either. Please keep sending them while he's gone so there's alot waiting when he gets back. Chef Boyardee Ravioli is his favorite gift right now.
On a previous mission Jared ended up at a US Army and Italian base. They actually hade an authentic Italian Pizzaria. The REAL THING supplied by Italy. An Army Sgt. bought them all a bunch of pizza and gave them the coldest gatorade they've had since they've been there. "We try to find a shady spot to put our gatorade so it's not boiling when you drink it. Those guys have to thaw theirs so they can drink it." He's trying to find another mission to go on to get back there.
According to the news this weekend the violence in Afghanistan is escalating again. The guys are doing an amazing job over there and being very successful. But it is currently the most dangerous hotspot in the world right now. So please keep Jared and the Marines of the 2/7 in your prayers. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated.
On a previous mission Jared ended up at a US Army and Italian base. They actually hade an authentic Italian Pizzaria. The REAL THING supplied by Italy. An Army Sgt. bought them all a bunch of pizza and gave them the coldest gatorade they've had since they've been there. "We try to find a shady spot to put our gatorade so it's not boiling when you drink it. Those guys have to thaw theirs so they can drink it." He's trying to find another mission to go on to get back there.
According to the news this weekend the violence in Afghanistan is escalating again. The guys are doing an amazing job over there and being very successful. But it is currently the most dangerous hotspot in the world right now. So please keep Jared and the Marines of the 2/7 in your prayers. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Jared called 2 days in row.
Jared returned early to his home base from his last mission. Things went well but repairs needed to be made to vehicles. He was a little banged up from the last couple weeks, but doing well and in good spirits. They are being successful with what they are doing there.
The second day he called we just talked about cars, kayaks and the Red Wings. He did ask contrary to our last posting to NOT send anything that looks like birthday presents. No birthday wraping paper or something that flags it's his birthday. Apparently even in Afghanistan the guys have thier own way of giving a "bithday treat" when they find out it's someones birthday. Jared would prefer nobody knows.
He did say someone sent him some Chef Boyardee Ravioli. Who ever it was He sends a special "Thank You". After living on MRE's for a couple weeks he took the can out of his pack, opend it and set it on the roof of his vehicle. It was cooked in 10 minutes. "It was the best meal I had in 2 weeks". He does the same thing with Ramon Noodles in a bag of water. These are 2 favorite foods they've found that can be shipped easily to him.
Jared said if we don't hear from him for a couple days that he's probably left on another mission. They are being called on more frequently now since they are being so effective. It's been a week now since he called so we asume he's out again.
The second day he called we just talked about cars, kayaks and the Red Wings. He did ask contrary to our last posting to NOT send anything that looks like birthday presents. No birthday wraping paper or something that flags it's his birthday. Apparently even in Afghanistan the guys have thier own way of giving a "bithday treat" when they find out it's someones birthday. Jared would prefer nobody knows.
He did say someone sent him some Chef Boyardee Ravioli. Who ever it was He sends a special "Thank You". After living on MRE's for a couple weeks he took the can out of his pack, opend it and set it on the roof of his vehicle. It was cooked in 10 minutes. "It was the best meal I had in 2 weeks". He does the same thing with Ramon Noodles in a bag of water. These are 2 favorite foods they've found that can be shipped easily to him.
Jared said if we don't hear from him for a couple days that he's probably left on another mission. They are being called on more frequently now since they are being so effective. It's been a week now since he called so we asume he's out again.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Jareds Birthday
Just talked to Jared again today and he will once again be gone from his "home base" for an extended time period. When he arrives back--it will be his 21st birthday! What a bummer--he turned 18 at Boot Camp, now 21 in Afghanistan!
During these missions, they have no phone contact or mail. He told me to tell everyone though to keep sending things as it's like Christmas when they return from their missions and have lot's of "stuff" waiting for them!
If you are able, please send a "birthday" package in the next week or so to have it waiting for him when he returns to home base. Let's make it a GREAT birthday despite his circumstances! Also send birthday cards!
These past couple of weeks have been really tough on all the guys there--please keep them in your prayers!
During these missions, they have no phone contact or mail. He told me to tell everyone though to keep sending things as it's like Christmas when they return from their missions and have lot's of "stuff" waiting for them!
If you are able, please send a "birthday" package in the next week or so to have it waiting for him when he returns to home base. Let's make it a GREAT birthday despite his circumstances! Also send birthday cards!
These past couple of weeks have been really tough on all the guys there--please keep them in your prayers!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Be praying for the Marines of the 2/7
We thought it was time to post some information about Jared and the Marines of the 2/7. There's been alot going on in Afghanistan and I do need to be somewhat vague about locations and dates. Starting with Jared's call on Friday from the last posting. It seemed somewhat funny at the time but Jared was able to witness a premature IED explosion. There was a man on a motorcycle coming at them and they were getting ready. The suicide bomber hit a pot hole or bump and the motorcycle bounced. When the man's hands let go of the handle bars the explosives strapped to his body exploded. It was far enough away that no one was injured.
The next day got more serious. That day as they were moving from the base they were at to their home base, 4 Marines were killed by an IED. Jared was on the recovery team for the fallen soldiers. Within the next 5 days there were 4 more casualities for the Marines of the 2/7. There was an attack on a prison and 400 plus Taliban fighters escaped in the area. Violence is escalating in the area as the pope harvest was just completed and the Taliban is well funded again.
Jared has more missions that must be accomplised. We ask for your prayers for his safety and the soldiers of the 2/7 during these times. Things have not always gone as planned. On a recent mission that was suppose to take one day Jared was told to pack for two days. He was gone for two weeks. Food and water supplies were low and he ate some kababs at a local village. Meat cooked in dough with seasoning. Tasted Great! He then spent 4 days throwing up.
So please be praying for the safety of the Marines of the 2/7. They have lost more hero's in this last week than during their entire previous deployment to Iraq. With all that is going on in Afghanistan they find themselves at the front of what is going on. Your prayers and support are appreciated more than you will ever know.
The next day got more serious. That day as they were moving from the base they were at to their home base, 4 Marines were killed by an IED. Jared was on the recovery team for the fallen soldiers. Within the next 5 days there were 4 more casualities for the Marines of the 2/7. There was an attack on a prison and 400 plus Taliban fighters escaped in the area. Violence is escalating in the area as the pope harvest was just completed and the Taliban is well funded again.
Jared has more missions that must be accomplised. We ask for your prayers for his safety and the soldiers of the 2/7 during these times. Things have not always gone as planned. On a recent mission that was suppose to take one day Jared was told to pack for two days. He was gone for two weeks. Food and water supplies were low and he ate some kababs at a local village. Meat cooked in dough with seasoning. Tasted Great! He then spent 4 days throwing up.
So please be praying for the safety of the Marines of the 2/7. They have lost more hero's in this last week than during their entire previous deployment to Iraq. With all that is going on in Afghanistan they find themselves at the front of what is going on. Your prayers and support are appreciated more than you will ever know.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Jared Called Friday, June 13, 5:30 a.m.
Jared called for the first time in 3 weeks. He's been on the move alot and living in his vehicle for 3 weeks now. It's getting really hot. He received the thermometer I sent him that goes up to 140 degrees. It's doesn't go high enough for the day time temperatures. At night it cools down to 100 degrees. He says that feels cold and he wraps up in a wool blanket and trys to stay warm.
He called from the first real base he'd been at in awhile. He was able to sit on an air conditiond toilet seat. "I couldn't believe how good that could feel" was his comment. He is supposed to be going back to his home base on Saturday. He has filled the card of his digital camera. We hope to get the pictures soon and post them for everyone to see. So stay tooned.
He called from the first real base he'd been at in awhile. He was able to sit on an air conditiond toilet seat. "I couldn't believe how good that could feel" was his comment. He is supposed to be going back to his home base on Saturday. He has filled the card of his digital camera. We hope to get the pictures soon and post them for everyone to see. So stay tooned.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Stay Off The Roads!
Jesi turned 16 yesterday and got her drivers license--stay off the roads. Jami wrapped up her car keys and gave them to her--since Jami will be leaving for college, and can not take a car with her--the car is now Jesi's!
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