Tonight was our monthly Family Fun Game Night at our church. Freddy was at work so the kids and I went down early to help with setting up like usual. We had several people show up and were having a great time. I was in the bathroom with our unofficial grandson when his mother came in to tell me they needed me in the kitchen to take a phone call. She said it was our youngest son, Bobby. For those who don't know, Bobby is 20 and in the Army. He is in WA. at Fort Lewis. He was suppose to deploy a while back, but his orders were pulled and he was told he wasn't going. Then they said another group was going this Sunday. He was told he wasn't on the list to go. As soon as I answered the phone I said this isn't going to be good is it. He said no that he was going to leave on Sunday and he is heading to Afghanistan. He knew last night when we talked, but he wanted to tell me and his Daddy at the same time. Tonight he ended up having to tell us one at a time, but that is okay. I am worried, proud, scared, nervous, sick to my stomach, did I mention proud? So you get the idea. I am all those things and more rolled into an Army Mom. So your prayers would be greatly appreciated this weekend and of course every day. He is going to call us again tomorrow, but I wish I could just hug him one more time before he leaves. Since that is not possible at least I can take comfort in knowing that he knows I carry him in my heart always. Thank you all. Beth
Beth, I am so terribly PROUD of Bobby! I have been praying and will continue to pray for Bobby and your family. I can't even begin to imagine all the different emotions that you must be going through tonight. One thing I do know is that whever Bobby is, there, God will be also! We will continue to keep Bobby's name on the Prayer Room wall, as well as yours. If you would like to PM me his unit/division name I'll add them to our wall as well. What the prayer wall is for, is that on Tuesday mornings our lady's intercessory prayer group meets to pray for all the people/needs that are placed on our prayer room wall; also on Thursday evenings our men's group meets and prays for those names as well. Anyway, please know our family is praying for yours. We really are so very proud of Bobby. If you need to talk or just vent, you know I am always available. LucyRicardo
Beth, my brother is being deployed to Afghanistan later in the year - in the British army. While it's not as close a family link as you have, we can understand to some extent the mixture of pride and anxiety. In the end, though, the Lord has every one of us in his hands. There are no better hands.
will definitely be in prayer for your son. I have two family members there myself and find myself torn between pride and fear as well.
Beth, We will be praying for Bobby here. Keep up updated on how he is doing. I'll let the family know.
Beth, remember when you get an address to PM it to me. I will encourage Phillip to write him. There is another young man from our church who is about Bobby's age will be shipping out with the Navy this week. He and Phillip are "buddies", and I will be encouraging Phillip to write to him, too! You might consider getting the book From Basic to Baghdad: A Soldier Writes Home by Maggie Hogan. She's the gal from Bright Ideas Press, which publishes MOH and other stuff. It's a collection of letters she put together from her son in Iraq. I've heard it's very good!
Praying. The next time you talk to him, please make sure to THANK HIM for the sacrifice he is making to preserve the freedoms in our country.
Beth, Peanutsweet posted something that you really MUST see!!! Here's the link: http://www.homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?t=21890
hang in there Beth we are with you. Remember if you ever need to talk come here and we will listen, if you need to cry come here, we all have big shoulders for wonderful friends. Give Bobby our love and tell him Thanks for all his hard work.
Prayers are being sent to you and him! My sisters dh just got back from Afghanistan after 8 months and I can understand your feelings. (((hugs)))
Crystal just got an IM from Bobby. He is in Kuwait and is waiting for a turn to use a phone so he can call us. I told her to tell him we will be waiting! He said everything was okay. I feel better hearing that, but still can't wait for the phone call!
He called! It was a great connection and I could hear him just like he was in the next room! It was a little after three in the morning and around 80 degrees there. He said he was fine and his friend was in the same tent he is in. I wanted to talk longer, but I knew he wanted to call his girlfriend before his time limit was up so I told him it was okay and to call again whenever he could. He said he would try again tomorrow! I feel so much better just hearing his voice. Thanks for listening. Beth
No call yesterday but I am sure there are tons of soldiers waiting to use the USO phones. I couldn't sleep and got up early this morning. I am feeling sort of anxious and down today. I am hoping Bobby gets to call soon.
