LCPL Adam

March 8, 2005

March 8, 2005

I wanted to give a quick update on Jesse. He is having a hard time with one of the pins in his left leg. They are in the process of getting flight arrangements to San Antonio for tomorrow. Please pray for him - this is very defeating to him. I hope that the ortho guys will be able to take the pins out and just put him in a cast boot. That surgery was planned for 2 weeks from now - but hopefully they will be able to do it while he is there. Also, the burns on his head aren't healing very fast and hopefully, the burn guys can get that problem addressed while he is there.

I am attaching a link to a short video of the homecoming celebration of you all to watch if you want. Just know that emotions were running very high!!!! That was a great feeling! Click here to go to the link: Adam's return.

Adam has to report to active duty in Bartonville tomorrow. The Marine Corp only gave them a 72 hour leave. He will be on active duty for the next 30 days. They have medical things to clear and other final details before he will get back to one weekend monthly. We have been having a great time with him. He is getting used to taking a shower daily - he told us to remind him if he forgets - it's hard to get back into that routine. He also said that it is so different to have so much room in his personal space. After living in such small quarters, he really feels like his room is huge. He is sleeping in short periods of time - that is how he slept for the last 7 months and he needs to be able to get into a different routine. Today, he was eating chips and salsa and he said "OK, now I'm going to be really annoying for about 1 minute." That was while he was fixing the chip bag, he said that you always had to warn your bunk mates when you were going to be annoying or they would get really mad. That helped them all cope with a lot of togetherness.

Please pray right now:
1. For Jesse - for flight arrangements to come together quickly for he and Paula - for wisdom for the doctors as they assess his orthopedic status. That he would be treated quickly and be back home quickly. He is scheduled to be presented his purple heart on March 18 - please pray that NOTHING would prevent him from being home to receive this recognition. That his burns would heal quickly.
2. For Adam and all of C Company - for adjustments to home both mentally and physically. Pray for sleep and rest. For medical clearance.
3. For the Ziegel family and Tyler's daily healing.

We are thankful for you all.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

March 8, 2005

March 8, 2005

Adam is doing great and so far seems to be adjusting without too much trouble. He has to report to active duty tomorrow on the 9th. He will be on active duty in Peoria for about 30 days. Then he'll just do one weekend a month and 2 full time weeks in the summer. He isn't talking a lot about his experiences, but we just got some pictures developed yesterday and hopefully, he'll give us commentary on them.

Jesse is coming along. I go every day to change his dressings and just keep an eye on things. Just keep praying for him.

Please pray right now:
1. For Jesse - for infection to be controlled, for healing of his wounds, for sensation to come back in his feet, for his mind to be clear.
2. For Adam and the rest of C Company - for mental healing, for physical adjustments to being back in the States, for plans for the future.
3. Praise God for His protection and love on all of these young people. For His presence to be real to all of them.
4. For all the troops in Iraq right now. For protection, for wisdom to make quick decisions, for physical and mental health.

Thank you all for praying. We will be having a party for all of you - but Adam wants to wait for a while. I'll keep you informed as details come together.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

March 3, 2005

March 3, 2005

Adam will be coming into Peoria Airport at 2 pm on Friday the 4th. It is so exciting, but still hard to believe. We all just can't wait to get our hands on him, see him, hear his voice and just look at him.

I spent quite a while with Jesse the past few days just working with his wounds. He is coming along. Just continue to pray for him. Pray for healing without complications. He is to return to San Antonio at the end of March for rechecks on his injuries.

Please pray right now:
1. For Jesse - for continued healing, for control of infection, for encouragement emotionally.
2. For Tyler and his family - for continued healing and encouragement for the days and weeks to come.
3. For Adam and all of C Company - for safety for the flight home and adjustments emotionally and physically to home life.
4. For the guys in C Company from out of our area - their families will probably not be able to greet them at the airport. We have some from Vermont, Oregon and other places around the country. For their families as I know that they would want to be here to greet them, but logistically unable.
5. For the families of those young men and women who will never return home - for comfort and peace in their hearts and minds.
6. For all our troops still in Iraq. The war continues even as C Company is home. For their safety and protection, for wisdom to know the enemy. For alertness and quick thinking.

Thank you so much for praying. Please continue to pray. I'll keep you updated. We are planning a welcome home celebration at our home for Adam sometime in the near future. I will let you know the details as I know them.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 28, 2005

February 28, 2005

We just got a call from Adam and he is in California. He said that they were in medical clearance all day today. They were especially checking out his knee. Nothing final was decided, but he isn't going to complain about it now. He just wants to get home. Tonight, they were going bowling on base and have pizza. He sounded so good. Just like our old Adam. Ashlee is here with us right now, so she got to talk to him also. He was talking on Adam Miller's cell phone. Adam is an active duty Marine from Metamora currently stationed at Camp Pendelton. He was able to find Adam and C Company. He told Adam that he should call his Mom and handed Adam his cell phone. What a great guy! He holds a special place in my heart right now. Adam said that he couldn't use his ATM card, so the cell phone saved him some money!

No word on their arrival at home yet. We may know in a few days. We are just praising God for His protection over these last months. God is truly good and we are humbled by His care for our son in major and minor events over the past months.

Please pray right now:
1. For safety on the flight home. For medical clearance for everyone. For minds to be clear and adjustments to home to be complete.
2. For Tyler Z and his family. For healing to be quicker than expected and without complications.
3. For all the families of those fallen heroes. For comfort and peace during the weeks and months to come.

We are thankful for all of you.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 27, 2005

February 27, 2005

Adam's girlfriend, Amy, just got a call from Adam. HE IS IN MAINE ------- USA!!! Praise God with us!
They had a terrible connection, but she got that much. They will be flying on to San Diego for debriefing and medical clearance. Then home when that is finished. We are all so excited. I'll let you know as soon as we know when he will be arriving home.

Jesse was able to be in church this morning. It was great to see him there. Please continue to pray for healing and adjustment back home.

Please
1. thank God with us for His protection and for quick processing in California.
2. pray for Jesse and adjustment to home - healing without complication
3. pray for Tyler Z and his family - I imagine this is a hard time for them as everyone is coming home

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 26, 2005

February 26, 2005

We just had the best phone call yet!!! Adam called and he is out of Iraq and in Kuwait! I can't even express the relief, thankfulness, joy and really every other emotion. The load that is lifted from our hearts is amazing - it makes us want to celebrate NOW. He said that they are just lazing around today - it is warm there. He just talked to us a few minutes because he wanted to talk to Jesse. He has tried at least 10 times to call him and has never made connections. All the guys are concerned for Jesse and Tyler. They get an update from here through the Marine Corp but it's not the same as talking to them.

We don't know for sure when he will be back in the states but it could be in just a few days. He will be in California maybe as short as a week and then home. It is hard to even print those words. The Marine Corp will keep their flights quiet as far as time and day go. Everyone will have to be cleared medically in California. We did find out that everyone from C Company left Iraq together. Initially, they had told us that some would remain in Iraq to finish things up, but that is not the case. I just think that it is great that they are all together.

Please pray right now:
1. Thank God for His faithfulness to each of these men and women. For His protection and watch care over them all. For safe flights from Kuwait and California. For clearing of each one medically. For each Marine's adjustment back to American culture. For God to clear their minds of unnecessary debris from this experience.
2. For Jesse and Tyler - it will be really hard for all of them to see their Marine comrades, but encouraging at the same time.
3. For the families of those that aren't coming home. For comfort and peace that only God can give.

We will keep you posted as we hear anything else. Thank you so much for your continued prayers in these next days and weeks.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill.