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.

February 24, 2005

February 24, 2005

We were able to give Jesse a heroes welcome tonight. We had a great turnout at the airport. Thanks to all of you that could make it. The crowd was very encouraging to Jesse's family. They felt bad that they didn't get to see everyone and greet them. Jesse is so glad to be home. The fire truck from Metamora met the caravan just outside of Metamora and escorted us all to Jesse's house. All the way with sirens on and lights flashing. It was very emotional and touching. There were signs throughout Metamora welcoming Jesse home. He truly is our hometown hero. My nephew, Jeremy, was able to be at the airport and came to the house with the caravan - that was really encouraging to Jesse.

No firm word on Adam and the guys in Iraq. We hope to hear something soon. Just know that I will let you all know whenever I hear anything. We are trusting that things are progressing for the trip back to the states SOON.

Please pray right now:
1. For Jesse and his adjustment to home and family. Pray for control of his pain and continued healing from infection in his leg. Pray for rest and refreshment.
2. For Sid and Paula, Larrisa and Tyler as they adjust to Jesse being at home again. Pray for patience and control of emotions.
3. For Adam and C Company - for quick deployment out of Iraq - for safety while still in great danger.
4. For families of fallen heroes - for comfort and peace. I can't imagine their grief during a time when I am so anticipating great joy.

We are so thankful to all of you.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 22, 2005

February 22, 2005

We missed a call from Adam this weekend - felt really bad about it. He did leave a message on the machine. He said that they have moved out of the barracks and into the tents. Remember, when he arrived in Iraq, they stayed in tents before moving into barracks. This move is another good sign that they are preparing to leave. We still have no word of when that will be. Keep praying for them - it is still very dangerous over there.

We got a call from Rod's brother, Sid, tonight. He said that Jesse will be coming home sometime on Thursday. What great news! We have no idea when or what airport. I'll let you know as soon as we do. We want as many people as can to come to the airport to welcome Jesse home. He needs that encouragement and so does his family. So watch your email closely and I'll let you know the details. We are all so excited to have him on the way back home. It will be 9 weeks since the accident.

Please pray for:
1. Jesse's paperwork and flight - for his comfort and for the flights to be on time and without any delays. For his transition to home. For Sid and Paula.
2. Those in Iraq - for safety and concentration during these last days. For flights to be safe and without delay. For speedy processing in every detail of their return.
3. For the families of those heroes that are not ever returning home. For comfort and peace during these trying days.
4. Thank God for His many answers to prayer.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 12, 2005

February 12, 2005

I talked with Paula today and Jesse was released from the hospital this morning at 1 am. He was determined NOT to stay there. The surgery was to replace 2 pins. He is having quite a bit of pain now. They are trying to get the pain meds adjusted. If you send cards, they go to the same address at the Fisher House.

We got a letter from the commander of Adam's unit today. It said that the majority of his company would be leaving Iraq sometime the week of the 21 of February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will land at an undisclosed location and stay in California for debriefing of a while and then come back to Peoria. We are so excited. But the letter also said that about a fourth of the company would arrive in March sometime. Of course, we don't know which group he will be in, but it is probably a pretty sure thing that he will be here soon! That was the best news yet.

Please pray right now for:
1. Jesse's pain and healing. That the infection would be controlled and that the pain medication would be controlling his pain.
2. Adam and his company - to be diligent and alert during these last weeks in Iraq. Patient with fellow Marines - they have been together for a long time and patience is a little thin for them all.
3. All the troops deploying currently - for them and their families.
4. The families of soldiers and Marines who have given their lives for our freedom. Comfort and endurance to start each new day and finish well.

You are all special to us.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 9, 2005

February 9, 2005

We got a call from Adam early this morning about 1:15 am. We had a great conversation. He sounded real good. He said that his knee is getting better, but he can't kneel on it at all. He is working out, but not running much yet. He is just so anxious to get home now. He was asking about college and his application to ISU. He doesn't know whether he wants to go this fall or not, but he is thinking about it. It is hard for him to think about that far ahead right now. He said that they have a 2 - 3 week window of time that they may be flying back. They don't know the exact time yet, but it could be as early as the first of March. Isn't that great!

He said that everyone is well there and that there isn't much activity right now. That is a blessing also.

I talked to Jesse for quite a while last night also. He is sounding better and better. He saw the ortho doctor yesterday and they took his stitches out. He has a little infection around one of his pins - so he is on antibiotics. He is able to taper some of his meds and that is a great thing! He was shopping for some civilian clothes - he doesn't have anything from Iraq or from home. Anyway, he was shopping and a guy just walked up to him and gave him a card. The guy said that Jesse should call if he could use his services and that it was free. It was a limo service. Jesse's girlfriend Danielle is going down this weekend and so Jesse called and a limo will pick them up at the Fisher house and take them to dinner. That was encouraging to Jesse. What a great guy - it's great for our troops to know that they are appreciated!

Please pray right now:
1. For concentration and alert minds during these last days and weeks. For patience and perserverance to finish well.
2. For safety in the midst of calmness.
3. For the minds of all the troops to be cleared of harmful memories and thoughts. For rest in the night - for minds that shut off and rest with the body.
4. For all the wounded that God would heal in miraculous ways.
5. For Jesse that this infection would heal quickly and that he would be able to taper more and more meds. That his burns would heal well and that his bones would heal above and beyond what is expected.
6. Thank God for His answers now and in the future.

We are thankful for you - please keep praying. It is still very dangerous and all the trooops need your prayers.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 7, 2005

February 7, 2005

We got a short email from Adam this weekend. He has mailed some of his stuff home in preparation for return to the States!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was great news for us. Right now, there is a good possibility that he could be in the States around the first week in March. Thank God for a shorter deployment than anticipated. He said that they are just busy getting things packed and turning things over to the company taking their place.

Jesse is doing his therapy and tomorrow will see the orthopedic doctor and hopefully find out what the plan is for the next few weeks.

Jeremy was on Channel 25 tonight. It was a good interview about the suicide attack. He did a very nice job and looked very handsome. A great Marine.

Please pray right now:
1. For Jesse - that the doctors would allow him to come home and do therapy and fly back and forth to Texas. Pray for healing of his bones and burns.
2. For C Company - that they would be returned to the States soon. That they would stay alert and focused during these last weeks in Iraq. For good decision making in the days to come.
3. For the families that have lost their loved ones. As those companies return, that the families pain would be eased and that God would comfort them as only He can.

We are so thankful for all of you. Keep praying.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 3, 2005

February 3, 2005

Some of you have asked about Jesse's new address. It is as follows:
Lance Corporal Schertz, Jesse J.

Fisher House
3623 George C. Beach Road
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6200
I know that he will love cards and mail. Just keep prayiing.

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill

February 2, 2005

February 2, 2005

I talked to Sid tonight and he said that Jesse was discharged from the hospital today and is staying with Paula in the guest house down the street from the hospital. He will be able to go to the hospital as an out patient for his therapy. What an answer to prayer! I know that Jesse was so ready just to be outside for a while. We still don't know when he will be released, but this is a good step! Sid flew home yesterday, so Paula is again by herself. Keep praying.

We haven't heard from Adam, but I tried to email him a letter through a service the Marine Corp provides. It is supposed to get a letter to him in 24 to 48 hours. Well, his name has been deleted because he may be coming home in the near future!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that great! So I guess that means that you can stop sending him cards and letters. They really don't want them to pile up at the base after the guys are gone and it can take 6 weeks to get mail there. Wouldn't that be great if maybe he was home or at least back in the states in 6 weeks. I guess it is a possibility!

Please keep praying for:
1. Jesse - that therapy would progress quickly and healing would be complete. That there would be no infections or other complications. That he would be able to come home soon.
2. Paula - that she would have endurance and wisdom with doctors and Jesse. That she would sleep well and be refreshed.
3. All the marines and soldiers in Iraq - for protection, for concentration, for quick and accurate motions.
4. C Company - that they would be coming home soon. Keep them focused to finish well and safely
5. The families of Marines and soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom. For strength and endurance for the coming days. For comfort that only God can give.

We are so thankful to all of you. Please keep praying!

In Christ's love and protection,
Jill