August 18, 2004

We got a telephone call from Adam early this morning just after midnight. It was great just to hear his voice. My motherly instincts knew that his voice sounded fine. He said that it was between 115 and 125 degrees hot, but he said that it didn't seem that hot.

<>He said that he tried to call before, but the lines to use the phones are very long. He had waited in line several times for an hour or so and just as he was getting close to the phone, he had to leave to do whatever. He said that if he called when it was late here, there wasn't much of a line. We assured him to call whenever! He said that the base is huge and is divided into 4 sections. They have a big prison there with many POWs. He said they have some big name Iraqi terrorists in their prison. His fire team (a group of 4-6 Marines that work together most of the time) was assigned prison guard duty for the next 2 -3 months. Since Adam is a machine gunner, he didn't have to do that job. He has to be available to go with a convoy if needed. He is glad that he didn't have to pull guard duty. I think that guard duty is a lot safer than his machine gun job, but will just continue to pray for his safety. He has been on several convoys already.

His unit is still getting acclimated to the base and Iraq, but will be moving to some old Iraqi buildings soon. He is thankful for the air conditioning right now.
<> Some of you have asked if he needs anything and I asked him that last night. He said that phone cards would be nice. The minutes burn through very fast, but he can use them on the base to call back to the States. Otherwise, he said he really doesn't need anything right now.

When you pray for him, please thank the Lord for
1. His good spirits - he sounded great.
2. Acclimation to the climate
3. Safety thus far and in the future.
4. His spiritual growth and relationship with God. I didn't get to ask him about their chaplain.

Again, you all don't know how comforting it is to all of us to know that so many people care and are lifting him and our family up in prayer.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill