THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!! HE'S HOME

January 2006

In an E-mail from a
friend, a MOM of a new SOLDIER who was just sent over there. THE SANDBOX

Please send some junk food like candy bars and Doritos. Will message
again as soon as possible. Working Hard

I could cry. I'm very happy, and
very proud, and very sad.

BACKSTORY

I was the interim Youth Pastor of a church for almost a year and got real close to several of the parents and several of the kids that were seniors that year. One of them was called Andy. Ok Now his mother of course called him Andrew. She wanted him to go to College but he had a great desire and a great need to become an airborne ranger. To go and fight for our country and I in my heart knew that was what he was going to do. His first war was to win the one against her. He would have to fight a mother who only had one son to send off to a place that was dangerous when he could stay in a safe place close to home, closer to her and go to college.

IN December 04 he graduated from Basic Training only to be sent to sit a while in Texas so close to home doing paper work and waiting.

“We learned on Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) that Andrew may be sent home to do some Home Town Recruiting. He could fly in on Monday. That would just be soooo wonderful!!!! He'd be home for approximately two weeks and then travel to Fort Hood, TX. He shared that the electronic version of his orders (received Wednesday) has him going to TX, but because it's not a paper copy, he can't say with complete certainty that this is his destination. We'll just wait and see.

How have you lived with the military mentality of "this could happen,
but this might, and then this may be what happens instead?" I feel like
everything is certain, but nothing is concrete. What a rotten way to manage a person's life.” MOM was learning fast that her son was not her son anymore but the property of the military.

So one year passes and he goes off and then I get this E-MAIL:

Nov 11th 2006 we FINALLY have heard from HIM.

This morning (while we were sleeping), He left a message. He's in
(blank) now and expects to arrive at Fort Hood, TX this Tuesday, November 14th approximately 2 PM.

Praise God! Praise GOD! PRAISE GOD!!!!! He will
remain in TX for approximately 30 days for reintegration. Then home!! What a wonderful Christmas gift. I'm beside myself with relief and long awaited joy.

Thank you, thank YOU, THANK YOU, dear friends, for your ongoing prayers,
encouragement, and emotional support during this long, difficult time for us.

Have a blessed day,

___________

Nov 15th 2006 Just wanted to let you all know
that Andrew arrived in Texas noon-ish today.

A day later than expected,
but here nonetheless.

I just got off the phone w/him.

Praise the
LORD

______________________________

Now, Ok, Why do I tell this story? Because Andy or Andrew (whatever you call him - I call him Andy) the 18 year old my husband chaperoned to his HIGH SCHOOL PROM (drove him to and from to keep them safe) was meant to go to war. He wanted to go and he knew it from the time he was around 16. I knew it I could see it in his eyes. He was one of those kids that like playing those video games (where they shoot each other and get all the computers in the same room). But it was more than that. I had a strange feeling deep in my gut that God had a Plan for him. Still has a plan for him. Will he go back? Will he stay on? All I know right now is Mom is happy he is home for Christmas. I don’t ask any questions. I just know that God had a plan a long time ago that this kids was meant to be exactly where he was this last year and I have no doubt he had some bad times, sad times but he had the ride of his life. God prepared him for it. I saw it in his eyes when he asked me to calm him Mom’s nerves when he asked me to talk to her about him joining the Army. Let’s see he must be almost 22 now. A man!! Ten years older than Corbin. Could I do it? I don’t know but boy I would be saying thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing my baby home too from a place like where he just came from. I’m glad he is home safe Until he goes again.

My husband will put him on his lists of Vets he honors!!

I have never been prouder of a kid correction MAN I helped mold!! and a MAN who helped me come to terms with GOD HAS A PLAN - see ANDY helped me listen to GOD even over this last year to listen more than talk to GOD!! Andy was and is smart beyond his years.

It’s funny it all comes down to they just want Doritos!! Simple things in life!!

Still the same!!

Let the Holiday’s begin!!