Two-Ply

I am a firm believer in simple pleasures. In Afghanistan the simple things please me even more. Chocolate chip cookies, light on demand, running water and WiFi are just a few examples of simple things that I take for granted back at home in Alabama.

Recently I was taking my regular sojourn to the LSS (Latrine/Shower/Shave) CONEX (a big metal box used for shipping stuff) which is really not that bad compared to other latrine facilities I've been forced to use. There is very little room to sit down, close the door, and take care of business, but at least we have them, and they are well-maintained. Until yesterday, however, I was forced to tidy up with single ply.

Over time, I have grown accustomed to certain luxuries. Fresh Alaska Salmon, not-from-concentrate orange juice, 110" movies at home, and two-ply, quilted toilet paper are on a short list of "must haves" in my household - anything less is substandard (in my humble opinion). Since being deployed I have been forced to "suffer" without these things with no suitable subtitutes. The sandpaper that disintegrates as I "finish off" that is passed off as toilet paper is pretty much reprehensible, and yet I deal with it. And then I had a very pleasant surprise waiting for me in stall number 2 of my favorite LSS yesterday afternoon - half of a roll of two-ply.

No, it wasn't quilted. But it was a wonderful change nonetheless. I'm saving this sacred roll now for special occasions - the first of which was a photo op (shown above). I think you will agree with me that this is a terrific boost for my morale. Away from family and friends, yes. Missing some finer things, maybe. No two-ply? Not anymore!

Memorial Day

The halls were certainly decked for this sacred American holiday. The dining halls, that is. Above is a picture of our DFAC (Dining Facility) expansion - a project I coordinated the finalization on. The DFAC staff does an amazing job trying to make us feel as close to home as possible, so along with Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, cold Coca-Cola, and televisions with AFN (Armed Forces Network) broadcasting 24-hours a day, they decorate for holidays.

The festiveness of the decorations is an honor to those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" though they don't tell their tale extremely well. Like the story of First Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte, victim of a recent IED attack. She was killed while traveling to Bagram Airfield for a conference on May 20th, 2009 in Afghanistan, just northeast of Kabul. When she applied for the US Air Force Academy, the war on terror had already started. We had troops in Afghanistan and a raging battle throughout a country already ravaged by 30 years of war. The Air Force already had an established presence in country and her participation in this battle was all but certain. She knew. She knew that gaining a comission from the Academy could mean a deployment to a war-zone in very little time. She knew that she could face the ultimate test of patriotism one day. And on a windy, hot day in Afghanistan, her patriotism was without question. Rightfully so, we honor her, not just on this designated holiday, but every day we benefit from the privilege of living in a free land.

Organization!!!

A couple of weeks after Jeremiah's death, I needed a change. Some dear sisters came and helped me get my bedroom clutter under control. It's spilled over to the bathroom, the pantry, and other areas yet to be re-organized. Here's the proof-in-the-pudding along with a shot of the process in progress. I have had so much more peace in my alone time since then! I have to be careful to not let clean surfaces be my "god" yet, it is so much more manageable now that everything has a home!

Gymnastics

Here is our little gym star! She really did very well at gymnastics and (once we got the right coach) always enjoyed going. Here are some pics from her meet/show last week. She did awesome and had fun. Despite the positive experience gymnastics has been however, she really wants to take ballet. So, I'm going to let her start in the fall. We'll let you know how that goes!

oh, everything

I've had lots to blog about, really, I have. Today, I am blogging on my adorable new mini laptop. David gave it to me for our anniversary a little over a week ago. I'm really enjoying it so far, but there are a lot of things to update, a lot of files to move, a lot of problems to overcome in the old desktop as well as on getting this up to where I need it to be to use it to the fullest.
I've had quite a few other problems to overcome and so many blessings to co-ordinate! It's been a little tough at times, but God just keeps causing people to bless us! Even today, God is still putting it on dear friend's hearts to call and see how we're doing for some reason, completely not knowing all we've been through in the last 3 weeks (delivering a child stillborn to be with Jesus, house flooding, city flooding, brakes failing). I have hardly had a moment to catch up and breathe before the next event to handle. But, though exhausted, there is peace. God is speaking to us and growing us always more into His likeness.
I want to leave you with some Scriptures that the Lord showed me this morning. This is all from 2 Cor. 1. "God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others(vs.3-4). " "We think you ought to know...about the trouble we went through...We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it...But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God...(vs.8-9).
I don't like suffering any more than anybody else, but God has changed my perspective of it. I hate to even acknowledge it at all...I naturally minimize things as a coping mechanism. Yet, God is saying to me to allow myself to feel to the fullest so I can rely on Him to the fullest and that others in the Body need to know about our struggles. It's been kind of difficult for me to continue to receive all the blessings we have, but I just keep taking a deep breath and trusting that all in all, my small sufferings are actually giving the Body a chance to be like Jesus and grow in His likeness! It's really quite miraculous, isn't it? "And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many peoppe will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety (vs.11)."
So thankful,
Rachel

A Typical Flight

1. I meet the helicopter at the pad next to the FOB. (Every time the helo approaches I have to drop to a knee, grab my gear, and shield my face from the rotor wash and dust it kicks up - it's a very M*A*S*H-like moment)



2. I wait for the dude to usher me to the chopper and he stows my bags in either the tail bin or behind the passenger compartment.





3. This time I decided to take some range pictures and video and one of the pilots asked for my camera. He's Canadian and you just can't say "no" to those folks, they are all so nice! So, he toook my camera and took a shot of me with my "Mickey Mouse" ear muffs on. Yes, they look kind of stupid but that doesn't matter - I'm still flying over Afghanistan which is way cool.

4. The flight usually takes me over some really awesome scenery - this was no exception. We flew pretty close to this mountain pass and I was able to get some sweet video - I'll post this when I have much more time on a computer.

5. Eventually we land the "machine" - that's what the Canadians call it. This time I landed in Jalalabad, Nangahar Province. I was met by a mentor team and off I went. Another successful helo trip in the bag. Praise the Lord!

In Him,

David

Two of My Many Heroes

Mother's Day is a wonderful time to support worthy causes throughout the country such as FTD, Hallmark, and Russel Stover's. For me, it's a great time to reflect on two heroes in my life who happen to both be mothers.

Rachel

No one on this Earth is capable of filling the void that would otherwise be in my life right now like my wife of eight years and sweetheart of fifteen. Yes, she may go ballistic if I don't put my dishes in the washer, but put her in the toughest of situations and she is calm, cool, collected and a much better decision maker than me! She is everything I could ever imagine or dream of in a wife and mother and I am thankful for the work God did by bringing us together.

Mom

Unlike my wife, I had little choice in who I was stuck with for a mother. Sure, there were times I even questioned my place in her home and made the "run" away only to find myself back on a plaid couch, comforted by Mom. Mine is the quintessetial mom. She may have raised six kids but she made each of us feel (in just the right proportions and at just the right times) like we were her only child. My Mom had a temper! Hooo-ee! But, no matter what, she always demonstrated to us her love for our dad (the best lesson she taught me) and no matter what, she would always find a way (any way) to keep the family moving forward.

I really don't know how either one of them does what they do. Maybe it's really not for me to ask. Rather, I am supposed to just honor them and thank them for being who God called them to be.

Jeremiah Sulhoff

"God will uplift"

On 28 April 2009, Jeremiah was born into the hands of God. Five days later a very small gathering of family members honored this tiny life during a short graveside funeral in Montgomery, Alabama. We never really knew him or his desires or his talents. But we know this, God did. Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 remind us that God is aware of our innermost being even before we are born. Although we mourn our loss, we can rejoice in His gain. Jeremiah lived a life short of the usual selfish desires and temptations that plague all of us. Yet we still recognize that he was also saved by grace and not by any work of his own. He received the inheritance of sin through me and Rachel and nothing can change that. But he also was received by the Lord as the Bible promises those little ones a place in heaven.

I'm saddened deeply that I was not with Rachel and the kids during this difficult time. God still provided though, in the way of family and friends at my work, our church, and in nearby Atlanta. Thank you for being there for her and the kids. Thank you for being there for Jeremiah. Thank you for answering His call.

In Him,
David