August 17, 2004

We are so thankful for your prayers. We haven't heard directly from Adam, but we did get an update through the internet web site from Major Quehl. He let us know that they are all in Iraq at an airfield called Camp Al Asad. (if you would like to see where it is in Iraq, just do a search for Al Asad and you can see right where he is). The company is in the process of transferring gear from the company they are replacing. As I said before, I am so thankful for the guys who will be heading home soon.

We know that the living conditions are better than expected for right now. They have a chow hall run by a civilian contractor and have 3 hot meals a day. As a Mom, I am thankful for food that is apparently plentiful. They will have access to a small store, phones and internet periodically. We are thankful for that also. Right now, they are sleeping in tents that are air conditioned, but soon will be moving to old Iraqi buildings. They have room at the camp to run and a gym to work out in.

I am so thankful for this update and to know that right now he is more comfortable than I had imagined.

So please thank the Lord for food, shelter from the heat and access to communication.
I hope that we will be able to hear from him soon personally, but I am so glad to hear this news.

He knows that there are a lot of people praying for him and he always says to tell you all thank you. I'm so thankful for all of you.

If you haven't sent a birthday card, please do so soon. It may take over a month for them to start getting mail. Since his birthday is September 17, the cards should get there around the right time.

I am attaching some pictures of him. If you want one for your refrig or any place. The second picture was taken at the Peoria airport right before they boarded the plane to leave. Of 140 Marines there, they got Adam's picture. He is the one holding the 2 M16 rifles.

Please try to write the address exactly as above so there is no delay in processing.
I'm thanking God for faithful people like all of you. Thanks also for your encouraging notes and emails. I am keeping copies of all of them for Adam to see when he gets home.

In Christ's love,
Jill