I need your prayers

Good morning my friends and family,

I'm writing you a short little segment while I'm on my lunch at work, I need your help. I made my first appointment for my medical board evaluation...dont stop breathing, I'm not coming home...yet. This is the steps I have to take to figure out if the Army will hold onto me or let me go. I'm nervous. My NCOIC said they asked him if he wanted to stay or go. Quite honestly, I'm torn. I'd love to come home, boy would I ever, to see Jackson, babysit him, to spend some much needed time with my sister-in-law. Just be there for my family...but I'm needed here too. And I'm not set up to get out of the Army right this moment. I'm not covered now if I leave for health insurance (which I will DEF. need for my neck and weekly visits to my chiropractor) along with I'd lose my pay, and possibly not get all of my GI Bill money. There are a LOT of questions I have before I can make a choice and its all so overwhelming inside...I guess what I'm saying is I need God's still small voice to calm my scared and shaking spirit, and to guide toward the way that He wants me to go. I want to come home, trust me I do, but I'm scared of not having my degree and coming back to attempt to find work and support Zeke and I on our own...We all know I can't go back to mom's for a LONG period of time, she and I are great when we don't live together, so moving into an apt or getting a house is Zeke & I's best option...just gotta find a job that will help me to pay rent and oh btw go to school to, to finish my degree. Oh man, I'm nervous and I dont even go until December 14th...0830...

In need of your prayers and hugs,
Emily

Southern Hospitality....YEA RIGHT!

So... I went to Kadie's today..and then we went to Target...nothing out of the ordinary, until I went to start my car at the end of our shopping trip. It started alright, I heard a bang or pop if you will, the car started running and stayed running long enough for me to see smoke coming through my vents, and so, I shut my car off. I walked around to the hood, asking Kadie to stay back. I had no idea what I was going to find under my hood. When I popped the hood, the picture above is what I'd found. I saw the tear in the lining on the underside of my hood lid. I knew what looked like a spark plug had popped out. So I called SSG Mooney. I figured, he's a guy, and my boss...he'll surely know what to do. Well, he was over an hour away so he suggested calling my 2 senior most Chaplains. Both are handy with cars and would most likely be more than willing to come give me a hand. I thanked him, and then first tried the installation NCOIC of Chaplain Assistants SFC Stokes (he likes to play with cars and work on them!) He was willing to step away from his homework and come help me out. While we waited in the the strip mall parking lot in front of Petsmart I kept the hood popped...I'd say it was at least 45 mins when SFC Stokes got there to help out...Note that NOT ONE PERSON stopped to ask if we were ok...2 females with a car hood popped, come on people I know back home for a fact at least a dozen people would have stopped...so I dont know where the Southern Hospitality lies, but I've yet to find it here in the year that I've been here. Anyways, SFC Stokes conclusion was that the spark plug is not stripped and is actually looking very nice. He says whoever did the tune up before I bought the car, didn't tighten them down well enough. He tightened it down as much as he could, he was one extension short of being able to use his ratchet to get it tightened all the way, so I have to head over to his house tomorrow after work and he'll finish the job and check the rest. Bless his heart, going out of his way on his weekend off to help one of his Soldiers...now thats taking care of Soldiers! A HUGE HOOAH And thank-you to SFC Stokes and his family for the help!

Update on my health:
I'm still overweight according to the Army (no surprise there) so they now (my new command) have correctly enrolled me in the Army Weight Management program. I went this week for blood tests to check for diabetes and my thyroid. I'm sure we have nothing to worry about, but when I mentioned Grandma having Diabetes, my doc wanted to be sure to check for it. Plus its protocal for the program. While I was there, I met my new primary care doctor...(I could never get appointments except a month out to see my doctor and thats just ridiculous..so I asked for a new one) He checked into my Medical Board process, for some reason they didn't acknowledge it, so he resubmitted for a new one. He told me I should hear something in less than 2 weeks...If not, I am to let him know. Still seeing my chiropractor once a week, and I'm so very thankful for him...It helps, for the week. My Chiro says its just going to take time for it to improve...I'm still waiting.

ALSO!!!! I've become the new credit card holder for my office. Which means...I am in charge of all purchases made for the office...which includes hotels, restaurants, transporation, etc for Wounded Warrior Retreats..which means..I have to be on the retreat! So...with that in mind, I leave Wednesday for Orlando am gone most of the week, then we turn around and leave early next week for Washington DC and will be there most of that week!! HOW SWEET IS THAT?! Then I'm back here for a week before its Christmas already and am on my way home!! Not only will I get to see and hug my brother and sister-in-law for the first time since July (feels like forever ago!) I'll get to be with my nephew for his first Christmas!! WOOHOO!!! And my momma for christmas and her family..but I'll get to see my BOYFRIEND! Thats right my devoted friends...I've...no We've rekindled an old flame, I've been praying all month for God's direction (even longer than that, but I'm not gonna say how long God and I have been wrestling with this) with Jeff and I...last night it became official, we are dating...again...so I will leave you with this inspirational story, so fitting that it would be the weekly inspiration emailed to me this week!!

"HOW GREAT LOVE IS"

Once upon a time there was an Island, where all the feelings lived;
Happiness, Sadness and all the others including love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the Island would sink,
so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to persevere till the last possible moment.
When the Island was sinking, Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love, in a grand boat,
Love said "Richness can you take me with you?" Richness answered "no I can't."
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat and there is no place for you here. Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, "Vanity please help me?" I can't help you love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness let me go with you?" "Oh......Love I am so sad I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy she did not even hear when Love called her! Suddenly there was a voice "Come Love, I will take you."
It was an elder. Love felt so pleased and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived on dry land, the elder went her own way Love realizing how much he owed the elder asked Knowledge, another elder "Who helped me?"
"It was Time" Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding How Great Love Is.

Barbara Smethurst
albar@smethurst2405.freeserve.co.uk
www.SomebodyCares4U.com
We're here for you

What a memorable and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wow!!! Can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone and at the moment I'm sitting with the love of my life cuddled up next to me (I LOVE MY ZEKE!!) and Kati is at the other end of the couch curled up with her head on the pillow watching Because I Said So. Diana is sprawled over the loveseat reclined reading a book. She's already finished one while she's been here...I hope it hasn't been boring here for them, I sure know I've had a BLAST!

So the trip started with Thursday morning going to chapel and then thanksgiving meal in the hospital chow hall...






Friday we slept in, had homemade pancakes, then went to Adventure Crossing Mini Golf followed by Arcade Games!!






In the evening we went to Lights Of The South and took a 20 minute hay ride through the woods getting to see ALL kinds of different Christmas Lights...IT WAS AMAZING!

Please dont forget about me...

"Why is it that when you deploy your family seems to never get what its like for you. Tey seem to allways go about there lives as if you never left. Your children are growing up with out you and you don't have a clue whats he or she is doing. Your family doesn't think that time when he did that funney thing is important. To them its just another funney thing. But to you those things keep you going. They put a smile on your face sometimes the ony smile you will have all day. Or remind you why your in the Army fighting and risking your life. This time I feal pretty safe I meen I'm a Fobit. No senes in trying to make it something its not. But when I look around at the infantry guys and the MP's I for the first time understand when they say that they feal all alone. I realize that most of the time when families break down from deployements its because Soldiers leave and life goes on with out them and sudenaly its not there family anymore. They remember what there family was like but it will never be that again. But that other family (there Unit) Never leaves them they stay with them, they risk there lives, they tell them every little detail, They cry with them, They even rejoice with them on ocasion. But back home is these other people that once did all that. But no longer do. Dont be that family. Keep in touch, tell them all the stupid little stuff that you don't think matters. Trust me it matters. And listen to your soldiers. Even if you don't have a clue what there talking about. For Gods sake flipen listen and give a damn."

This a quote from a very wise man's blog. It was dated 11 Nov 07 and written by SGT Victor Goltz of the US Army, Chaplain Assistant. When I read this, I cried. Someone finally knew how I felt while I was isolated, I mean stationed in Korea. Its like we live duo-lives. Those in the military know what I mean, and I'm sorry I dont mean the silent ranks of the wives or family members even though I know they face their own obstacles back home. I'm so very thankful for the family and friends I made while in Korea. I really truly am. The hardest part was, and still is, that I know I'm missing out on the "little things." Laughing with Amy at silly things Nevaeh does, smiling with Kandy over the wonder and amazement that Jackson brings to our lives. It hurts. Bad. knowing I'm missing it, I missed my cousin graduate highschool, another small thing to some. I cried the day he graduated. I've missed weddings, funerals I should have been at to support friends...and I know I'll miss more. So here's my challenge if you know a military family, ask for their service member's address, email, or what-ever. Take the extra effort, just to send them something and talk about the little things you do throughout the day, what you encounter, especially if you're back at their home. I receive someof the greatest mail once a week, every week, since I left for basic training. My pen pal Peggy, sits down once a week, she asks me a few questions, then she just shares whats going on in her life. When Zeke was back there, she'd tell me how when she walked past he would be outside barking. Zeke is my world as most of you know (my dog) I could visualize him out there barking, and it would bring the biggest smile to my face. Its funny, my most favorite thing in Korea was hearing Zeke bark in the background when I'd be on the phone with mom. Share the little things with your loved ones who are away. They miss you, and are out there for you fighting or whatever their duty entails so that you can enjoy the little things. Take care of those you love, their the ones who will be there for you in more ways than you can ever comprehend.

Thankful...

Well its one of my favorite times of year again, my birthday has passed, we payed tribute to our Veterans...and now its time for Thanksgiving. Looking back on the year, man do I have SOO much to be thankful for. I'm thankful first and foremost for the birth of my nephew Jackson, he's the light of my life. I'm thankful for being back in America, Korea was a rough year we all know that. But I have to say now as I've been reflecting, it wasn't all bad either...I got to see ALOT of another culture, and country that I NEVER would have. I understand my family more, particularly my father as I experience Active Duty life and encounter Soldiers every day away from their families or even here with their families. I'm thankful that I'm broke, because if I wasn't broke, I'd be wasting my money on random things, and I'd be without Zeke. Life is so good just even having him around. I'm thankful that in 6 days I'll be picking up Kati and Diana from the airport for a few days of just them and me....how awesome is that?! I can't tell you the last time that I got days on end with just them and I, oh wait, thats NEVER happened. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!! We get to spend one of my favorite holidays together in my apartment!! YAY! I could go on and on about everything I'm thankful for, but above all I'm thankful for my Freedom and for my brothers and sisters that are out there enduring the heat, the sand, the wind, the enemy so that I can enjoy time with my cousins, so that my nephew can rest peacfully and continue to grow into the wonderful man I know he will become. I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters that are out there spending Thanksgiving alone all around this world, ensuring that we can all gather on that day and eat and enjoy our families...So brothers and sisters my heart goes out to you all, know that you will be in my prayers on thanksgiving as much as your always in them everyday...I may not know your name or your face, but your spirit for America and for freedom is forever engraved upon my heart. Thank-you for your sacrifices. Know that you're loved.

Ok everyone...SOUND OFF...what are you thankful for this year?

The Big 2-4

Well that special day has come and gone, and this year was nothing short of AWESOME!
I awoke with a great big birthday kiss from Zeke (ok I had to coax it outta him, but I got it none the less.) Then I got to be a bum for a few hours before I had to be in uniform and at one of the Chapel's on post. I volunteered to be the Chaplain Assistant working a wedding with one of our hospital Chaplains. I know I"m nuts for working on my birthday...but the way I see it, I could be a bum all morning before I started getting ready for the party orrrrr I could share one of my special days with someone else's special day! So I chose the later. Then I came home and showered, played with the dog, and then started preparing for the tacos. Around 5:00 the Steeb's showed up...Lauren, Dan, Crimson, and Eli (Dan is my supervisor)

I had a blast playing with their 18 month old daughter Crimson, and talking and playing with 2 month old Eli. They are such sweet kids! Around 6:30 Kadie, Brice, and Shirley all showed up...
From there I started the taco meat. And soon after Shafer showed up. We had tacos for dinner...that I made! Followed by not 1 but 2 birthday cakes...My barbie one that Kadie made, and the Irons' bought an oreo ice cream cake! We played some truth or dare Jenga, and had a GREAT time!! I got a really cool present from Kadie and Shirley too... Can you believe it?! My very own wrestling ring and John Cena and Shawn Michaels wrestlers!!!

and...one more thing...

5 Days til my Birthday!!! Saturday the 10th I turn 2-4!!!!