Update on request

First with the good news, Chad called and prasie our God he is fine. He was there, but only has two tiny scratches. Pray for his emotional well being though. Holding someone during their last minutes of life is nothing to be taken lightly and he is hurting.

The soldier who was killed as I told you was Chad's Plt. Sgt. Right now, Chad and two others have stepped up to his position, as they all take on various tasks and make decisions, etc. Chad kept saying that he just can't believe he's gone. Yesterday they had the memorial service for him in Iraq and next week they'll have one for him in Germany. His wife and children left today to head back to the states, so please be in prayer for them. In my life's experience the worst thing one can go through is the death of a child, and the next worse thing would be the loss of your beloved spouse. So please pray for this family. I will not write his name on this blog, since I don't have permission and would not feel comfortable giving out such private information on another family. God knows who it is.

As to the other two soldiers who were also injured in the attack, they're both doing better. Over this weekend they'll be heading to Landstuhl! I am not sure, but believe my friend will be joining her husband in Germany. She may be on her way for all I know. I hope they're reunited soon. I know that her husband has some lung issue's, shrapnel hit his lungs, so pray for those to heal completely (he is breathing on his own...PRAISE be to JESUS!!) and he is stable and awake. He did lose a finger, but that seems to be such a minor thing compared to what it could have been, so God has been very gracious to him. The other soldier who I don't know, is stable and well as far as I know as well.

I know I mentioned it earlier, but Chad did call on Thursday and it was so good to hear his voice. We talked for about an hour and he was able to talk to all 3 kids and his Mom as well. His voice sounded so sweet to my ears as he told me he was ok, but admitted his heart was hurting. We were able to talk about other things and he was able to laugh a few times. It's breaking his heart to be away from the kids and for him to be missing out on our little girls babyhood/entrance into toddlerhood. I will never know what that's like to have to miss out on such precious time with my children. I am so thankful that God has made Chad a man who's willing to fight for his country and do what needs to be done, and to be a man who's willing to admit that being away from his kids is the hardest part of it all.
Pray for Chad in his mission with the Army as well as his mission with the Lord. He's in deep prayer right now over where God is leading him. It's something I've been praying over for years and will continue to pray. I know that if this is God's will he will make it all possible and tear down any and all obstacles that present themselves.

The kids and I are having a good time here in the states. So far my "favorite" time has been my days with Emily. I miss her like crazy. We're at my inlaws right now and it's actually going VERY well. Neither of my inlaws health is very good, and it's truly sad to see just how it's changed in the last 4 yrs since we last saw them. Our nieces and nephew have grown by leaps and bounds. Chad's sister's middle child, is 10 and Jacob is as tall as she is. Now Jacob is tall, but "C" is also quite short for her age, although she's built so thin that she seems very tall. I know that seems to contridct itself, but if you saw her you would understand! ;) Tomorrow we will go visit Chad's grandma. I know she'll love seeing the kids and will most likely have a huge amount of food prepared. She always does! LOL The kids will probably have a good time there, she has a nice fenced in backyard so they should be able to spend the majority of their time out in the backyard playing. Here they've spent pretty well from 9-8 everyday outside playing, only stopping to eat meals and then they're off riding bikes, swinging, having waterballoon fights, etc. They've had a great time playing with their cousins and I know they'll all miss each other when we head out on Monday. Monday we head to my best friend Tami's. I am so excited to see her and her kids! Her boys are the same ages as mine and they're all going to probably play until they drop. We'll celebrate Jack's birthday with them. Her and I have to go shopping so I can get Jack a few more birthday gifts. I think we're him to a fun resturant that's aimed towards kids, but it's NOT Chuck E Cheese (or anything like that). It'll be fun. She planned to invite a couple kids his age to go along too so it'll be fun and give him his special day too!

Emma's still not walking and that's fine. I will say it'd probably be good with her spending so much time outside, she gets filthy in minutes. Hopefully today she'll stay somewhat clean and will not mess up her outfit, it's shorts so I think we have a fighting chance today! LOL She's had a blast staying outside though, crawling around and playing.

Thank you for the prayers for Chad, his soldiers, etc. Thank you for travel prayers for the kids and I.

God Bless