October 28, 2004

October 28, 2004
We haven't heard anything from Adam and don't expect to. Please be in prayer for all of our troops. We are still sending more young men and women over to Iraq.
If you are planning to send anything to Iraq for Christmas, be thinking of sending it early in November. The mail is expected to be slow around Christmas. If you can send cards and a personal note of encouragement, I know that Adam would appreciate it very much. He loves to here from people at home. We don't know when he will be able to get mail again, but it would be great if he had some to greet him when he returns to base.
The Marine Corps website has an article about Charlie Company and some of the support work that they have been doing to help make life easier for their fellow Marines . Click on Marine article to be taken to the news about C Company posted on www.usmc.mil.
I am copying part of a letter from Chaplain Benson's address for the month of November. It puts into perspective our freedom and makes me so thankful for what each soldier and Marine is doing to protect my freedom.

The CSSB7 battalion continues to work hard and increase the effectiveness of what we do. The Marines are doing a great job, and doing it with a smile. I have seen lots of care packages delivered to Marines and the smiles that come with that. Contact with loved ones at home makes such a difference for morale here! Please continue loving, supporting and encouraging your loved ones here in Iraq. Your support makes a difference.

In looking ahead at November, it will be an eventful month: The elections in the U.S., the Islamic celebration of Ramadan here in Iraq, and Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving, my family has a Thanksgiving tradition I’d like to share. At some point in the big meal when everyone has gathered, we go around the table and everyone shares something that he or she is thankful for. Sometimes it is light hearted and sometimes the expressions of thanks are shared with tears of gratitude. I would like to share with you a few things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for the “small” comforts of life we often take for granted: running water, a piece of fresh fruit, a mattress to sleep on. I am also thankful for modern communication: email and phones that let me stay in touch with my family so I can listen to my two year old learning to talk and the sound of my wife’s voice. I am thankful to be an American, to live in a country where we don’t discover mass graves, have to be afraid of loved ones being abducted in the middle of the night by state police, or being arrested for speaking our minds. And as hard as it sometimes is, I am thankful to be here in Iraq with the Marines of CSSB7 helping to make Iraq a country that enjoys the same freedoms we do in America.

Please pray specifically for
1. Protection for each one of our troops. All are in harm's way.
2. Chaplain Benson as he ministers to our troops at Camp Al Asad
3. Pray for each one during the holiday season when it is very hard to be away from home.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our family. We appreciate all of you.
In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

October 23, 2004

October 23, 2004

We just got an update from Major Quehl in Iraq. There was an incident just outside the base where Adam usually is. (He is not currently on base). Major Quehl verified that NO Marines were hurt or injured. Below is a clip about the incident.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A suicide car bomber set off an explosion Saturday at a police station near a U.S. Marine base in western Iraq, killing at least 16 policemen and wounding 40 other people, officials said.

The explosion occurred at about 7 a.m. outside the gates of Marine Camp Al Asad in Baghdadi, about 140 miles west of Baghdad near Ramadi, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

No American soldiers were hurt in the attack, the U.S. military said. Some of the wounded were being treated at a U.S. military medical facility, while others were flown to civilian hospitals, a spokesman said.

Please be in prayer for all

Setting foundation blocks 

Adam on Sea Hut roof

Adam - highest on right side

October 21, 2004

October 21, 2004

I am writing to just remind you to pray for Adam and all our troops. Adam is not on base, we don't know where he is, but he is very "involved." It is our understanding that many in C Company will be very involved soon. Just keep all the troops in your prayers.

We were excited when we checked C Company's web site and found about 8 pictures of Adam that someone had taken. I am attaching them to this email. The pictures will give you an idea of what he was doing when he was building. It was great to see him!

His girlfriend talked to him early this week and he told her that he wouldn't be communicating for "some time." And that he won't be getting any mail. But she said that he sounded good. He told her that he is the busy barber when he is on base. He gives about 20 Marine haircuts weekly. As he said to me before he left, " Mom, when does a Marine need a haircut? Never!." It is very important to the Marines that they all maintain that Marine Corp look! He did tell Amy that he taped a "Message from Iraq" that will be broadcast around Christmas on our local TV channel. I'm not sure which channel, but it will be good to see him and hear his voice. So watch for him around Christmas time.

Right before Adam left, his best buddy from boot camp was killed in Iraq. His name was Tim. Well, Adam got a package from Tim's mom. That was really special to him. It was really hard for him when Tim was killed. Right before Adam left, he laminated Tim's picture and put it in him boot with his extra dog tag. Tim was a Christian and he and Adam had a great bond and accountability with each other. It meant alot that his Mom could even think above her grief to send him a package.

Please pray for
1. Kay Creagor - Tim's mom. She is a Christian, but she is a single Mom and Tim was her only child.
2. Pray for protection as Adam is on this mission. Keep him alert and safe.
3. Pray for the upcoming elections - both in Iraq and here in the USA.

We are so thankful for all of you.
Trusting in Christ's love and protection,
Jill

October 17, 2004

We had a great call from Adam yesterday. He had access to a phone, but we don't know where he was. He said that he won't be able to call us for some time now. He is really busy with whatever he is doing.
He sounded good and laughed alot as we related stories from home. He gave Rod a hard time because he hasn't been out in the deer stand yet. He is really missing that part of home. It was great because Ashlee was here as was my mom and they both got to talk to him also. It seemed very important to him that he had an opportunity to talk to us.
Other than listening to us, he wasn't able to tell us anything and we really don't need to know what he is doing. He did say that he was receiving some packages, but he hasn't been able to acknowledge them personally. So he says thanks to anyone that is sending him things. He really appreciates your attention.
Please pray
1. for safety - there is alot of activity all over Iraq now. Pray for God's protective hand
2. for calmness and wisdom for each Marine and soldier in Iraq. They are all covering one another's backs.
3. for our leaders here and in Iraq - we don't know the plans, but we do trust our leaders
We are so thankful for each of you and your concern. We covet your prayers.
In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

October 12, 2004

We got a letter from Adam today and I'll just quote from it. You can get a real feel for what is happening with him.

"We will be leaving base ???????????? that could be interesting. I found out that there was an improvised explosive device that didn't blow up right on the route of the convoys we have been running. God is watching over us. I have been going to worship band practice regularly so that is really uplifting for me. God has really been working in the lives of many of the men here. It has really been good for me to see.
I miss you and let everyone know that I said HI."

Scary, but encouraging in the same note. We are assured that God is specifically answering the prayer of people on behalf of Adam and our troops. God is in control.

Please pray for
1. Protection, alertness and wisdom
2. For spiritual growth during this trying time. God is faithful!
3. For Chaplain Benson as he ministers to our men and women.

We are so thankful for all of you and you will never know the encouragement you are to our family and Adam.
Rod just created this blog spot. It is pretty cool. If anyone wants to catch up, please direct him or her to the above site.

In Christ's love and protection,

October 11, 2004

Just heard from my nephew, Jeremy. He was able to call my sister and she relayed the message. Adam is on a mission somewhere and he is building something. We don't know when he will be back on base. My nephew was on the convoy to get the team there and said that Adam is OK.
I'm so thankful for relationships with family.

Please pray for
1. Protection for our troops - especially to and from missions - those convoys are risky
2. Pray for wisdom for the leaders of our troops as they direct and orchestrate moves.

We are so thankful for your faithfulness in prayer!
Trusting in Christ's love and protection,
Jill

October 9, 2004

Rod and I have been out of town for a few days, but on our way to the airport, Adam called Rod's cell phone. That was on Monday, October 4. He sounded good and we talked for about 15 minutes. The connection was good. He said that he probably won't be able to call us for a few weeks now. Things are very active in Iraq right now. If you are watching the news, our troops are very busy. Of course, he can't tell us what he is doing (I don't think I really want to know). It would be very dangerous for anyone to know the plans. As a safety feature, even the guys don't know what the other guys are doing. If anyone was to get captured, they wouldn't be able to tell anything.
The weather is cooling off - fall over there also. It is only about 98 during the day and much cooler at night. After fall the rainy season will start. We got a letter from Chaplain Benson and he told us that he has a chance to pray with each convoy before they leave the base on a mission. I will just copy from his letter.

Almost every morning I go to our Motorpool to send off that day’s convoy with a prayer. When I arrive I walk up and down the convoy greeting the Marines, Sailors (Navy Corpsmen) and Soldiers. Walking the line lets me get a sense of how the Marines are feeling about the day’s mission. Before long, the Marines assemble for formation to be given the Convoy Commander’s intent and detailed instruction for their mission. The Convoy Commander shares what each Marine needs to know to ensure the safe arrival and return of the convoy. When the briefing is over I share with the Marines from Scripture and then say a prayer for their safety. We also pray for our families and loved ones back home: for your safekeeping and for God to meet all of your needs in our absence. After formation, it is time for everyone to make final adjustments to their loads and make sure their water coolers are packed with ice for another long day in the desert.

As you can imagine, convoys are demanding both physically and mentally. Long hours in hot conditions on bad roads make for weary backsides! In spite of these difficult conditions, every Marine stays vigilant during the trip, staying on the lookout for the first sign of trouble. Before the convoys leave, specialized security teams search the roadsides and surrounding areas for the hazards. The security teams in our area do an awesome job of sweeping the routes, and disabling any bombs to keep our Marines safe. Additionally, every convoy has their own security team of heavily armed and well-trained Marines that guard over them during their journey. When needed the supply convoys can call for air support comprising of fighter jets and attack helicopters.

There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for each day’s convoy. It begins with planning what goods are needed. There is always maintenance to be done on the hard driven vehicles while other Marines are busy loading the supplies onto the vehicles for the convoy. Many times the Marines work late into the night to accomplish these tasks in order for FOB’s to remain supplied. There are a lot of moving parts to the operations and the Marines are doing a great job of maintaining success!

He is encouraged with the morale and committment of all the Marines. I am thankful for his influence with the guys and gals.

Just one comment from a political standpoint. Please get out and vote in November. Take advantage of our freedom. If you aren't registered to vote, you can register up until November 1. Please let your views be known and vote for the candidate of your choice.

Just pray for
1. Safety and alertness. Wisdom and control.
2. Pray for Chaplain Benson as he ministers to our kids.
3. Pray for plenty of work. Adam says they would all rather be busy, it is too lonely when they have down time.
4. Pray for our upcoming elections. For wisdom for the leaders of our troops here and in Iraq.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

October 3, 2004

We missed a call from Adam today when we were in church. He did leave a little message on the answering machine. He was able to get in touch with his girlfriend, Amy. He said that he is doing OK. They only talked a few minutes. He said is he working from about 4:30 am until 7 or 8 pm building on base.

Please pray
1. For protection - the news from Iraq is not good. He, of course, cannot comment on any missions, but there is a lot of activity in Iraq right now.
2. For health, alertness and wisdom.
We are thankful for all of you and thank God for your faithfulness to our family.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill