Nap of the Earth

Two days ago I left Camp Dubs to perform a site survey in Kapisa Province. I had two FOBs (forward operating bases) and a new ANP (Afghan National Police) District Center I needed to check on. The trip up and my time there was great and fairly uneventful, however the trip back was something different altogether!

The company that carried me via helicopter to Kapisa was unfortunately told that due to some communication issues, they would not be able to return to that FOB. So, there I was, stuck the night before my now cancelled return trip home with no promise of a return anytime soon.

The ops guys (U.S. and French) came to the rescue! A French convoy was passing my location and continuing to a much larger base where I could easily catch another flight that would get me closer to home. I have nothing against riding in convoys or riding with the French, so I accepted the offer and continued on with the evening - working on a book critique for my graduate class.

Groggy and tired, I woke up the next morning and dragged myself and my gear to the ops center of the FOB to meet my French convoy, arriving within about 15 minutes. I talked to a French captain and he was aware of my "hitching" a 90-minute ride to the larger base. He also asked why I wasn't taking a helicopter. A helicopter? I didn't know of any helicopters that would be able to take me for at least another 14 hours! Well, he did.

He informed me that two French helicopters would be arriving within ten minutes bringing a group of visitors and that they would be continuing on to the same place the convoy would take me - only the trip by air would prove to only last 15 minutes. Count me in!

He was more than happy to call and see if I could add on to the ride and was just as happy to inform me that I was a "confirmed" passenger. Enter the "Nap of the Earth".

This is an expression to describe aerial movement that is so close to the ground, you are practically touching it as you move. Well, the helos came in, low and fast. The crew got off and I was motioned around the machine and into port side door - already open.

The first time we got off the ground was pretty cool - a cameraman and a beautiful French madamoiselle stayed on board to take video from the air of the FOB. In order to do this, the pilot swiftly lifted the French Cougar helo into the air and took a wide, fast, banking turn all the way around the FOB. I'm pretty sure the helo was rolled at least 35-degrees to the right the entire time - pretty hairy! Anyway, we landed and the cameraman and companion hopped off. We were off - just not very far up! The side doors were still open.

Instead of climbing to a few thousand feet above ground level, we stayed no higher than what seemed to be 50 feet - the entire trip! The only exceptions were when we crossed over canyons or had to climb over hills - yes, climb, not fly, over hills. Some call it "terrain following". I call it "fun". We were fast and we were low!

This can actually be a real danger in Afghanistan, as you can imagine. Low flight opens up the possibility of small arms fire or RPG, but I felt pretty safe. Each side of the aircraft had operators on large CSW (crew-served weapons) and another gunner floated inside the aircraft keeping a careful watch and carefuly aim out the open side doors.

Alas all good things must come to an end! We banked hard right to gain a very little amount of elevation and passed over the towns on the outskirts of the larger base. Soon (very soon) we were on the tarmac, taxiing to the terminal, and the trip was over.

I've got video that I'd love to share someday. So, if you see me - just ask to watch "Nap of the Earth" and I'm glad to share.

God Bless!

David

Bible Study Baby Shower

I guess first of all, just in case anyone reading this blog entry doesn't know that David and I are expecting our 4th child in mid-September, I should clarify that. I guess I just did.

I also wanted to give a minute to something that has been a major part of my life since arriving to Alabama in October 2006. I have been involved in a Friday morning Bible Study made up of fellow Air Force wives that has been a most wonderful blessing in my life. I have grown in the Lord and learned to trust Him so much more over the past 2 1/2 years, and these ladies(including a few others who have already moved on) have been the firsthand witness to that journey, including all the joys and tears and challenges that accompanies such growth. I have had the joy and honor of witnessing and bearing their growth and joys and sorrows as well. It has been one of the biggest blessings of my life to have been part of a group of women so committed to living their lives for the Lord. The friendship we share together as well as my individual relationships with each of them have so often been the arms that God has used to uphold me in times of weakness.

This picture was taken at the baby shower they threw for Robbyn and I (green shirt, next to me). We had a great time eating delicious cake, playing games and laughing and sharing. But in the Air Force, as in all of life, nothing lasts forever. Come the first of July, they will all have gone on to serve God and the Air Force in different states. I do know that God will keep us together and keep us in His love, but life will change, not just for me, for all of us! With their absence, the Lord will be filling me up, I firmly know, and in His time, will bring me new sisters and grow my relationships with the ones I already have at church and in my community. He will do the same for (from L-R) Nancy, Bonnie, me, Robbyn, Lori, and Mary.

Travelin' Man

(MP) - After reviewing my activities from the last 22 days, I've come to the realization that my job is definitely a traveling job. I've been away from the base at least 16 of the last 22 days. A little sobering considering most Air Force dudes are chillin' at their repsective FOBs.

T-ball

I never really imagined that Andrew would play t-ball, but the opportunity arose and it seemed like the right thing to do. There have been quite a few bumps in the road between practices and games, but so far, I think it has been a positive experience. And, I never would have imagined Elizabeth playing also! The coach encouraged the younger siblings to practice with the team on practice days, but one day, when there were only 3 other players there at start time, we grabbed her an extra shirt and let her play. She's a great little batter, but gets frustrated because she never catches the ball! Andrew is competent at both hitting and catching, however, he has been pretty upset in the past at having to share catching the ball with his teammates! I guess that whole "team" concept comes slowly as they all learn and mature.

Resurrection Sunday!

It was a blessed, though busy, day at the House of the Lord. The choir sang three worshipful selections in the morning and 3 more later that night. We kept our Easter dinner simple: hot dogs. There were a few eggs and some candy as well. It is a tradition at Taylor Road for the children to bring flowers to decorate a cross. This picture is the result.

Elizabeth's Birthday!

Well, little Elizabeth isn't so little anymore! She has entered the realm of four-year-olds, whatever that's worth. She was so happy with her birthday. Her great-grandma Joann and her Pamma and Grandpa Jack were able to celebrate the day with us. Her gifts included a Barbie, a bike, a jumprope, fairy wings, a craft book (to keep her little fingers busy!), and some make-up and nail polish from her brother! It was a joy-filled day, that also included a t-ball game and feeding the ducks and turtles and fish at the park. She requested spaghetti for dinner to be followed by a strawberry cake with pink icing, strawberries and pink M&M's.

On a slightly more thoughtful thread, I was very proud of how Andrew and Elizabeth treated eachother on each of their birthdays when the other was opening their gifts. I never had to hover over them or separate them, nobody threw a fit about not having whatever gift the other got, and they were just so genuinely gracious and excited for the other. Those glimpses of kindness are not seen as often as we would like...it's more regularly, "Can you go buy me a new toy? I wanna play with her toy! Mom! Let me have that toy back!" You know the story well if you've ever had young ones this age. It brought a little motherly joy to my heart.

An old Russian tank

Mosquito Hawks and Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Well, with a title like that, I'm not sure where to begin?

A mosquito hawk is the bug pictured above. They are everywhere. At this point, most of them have mated and died off, but though dead, they linger still in bedroom corners, between window panes and screens and in spider webs.

The name "Mosquito Hawk" is a common misnomer for this insect. It's correct name is Crane Fly. We had a few in Alaska, a few, and people called them "damsel flies" but that is also incorrect. And, unfortunately crane flies do not eat mosquitoes or do any good that I can tell. They can actually damage your grass if you have an infestation of them. They lay their eggs and when the larvae hatch, they eat the roots of the grass until they reach maturity, and emerge from the ground to swarm and scare innocent children and invade houses only to be slapped and killed. Fortunately, they are not fast fliers and are easy prey, even for a six year old!

So for the chocolate chip cookies...we just had a hankerin' for some of these yummy Toll House bars I make (I've slightly changed the recipe), and Elizabeth helped me make them. Hannah, um, helped, too! She at least looked adorable. We then enjoyed sharing them with friends and eating the rest ourselves. We just wished Daddy had been here to eat them with us! He loves chocolate chip cookies--especially these!