Always Stand up and Salute

Good evening! It's been about a week. Again, sometimes no news is good news! Above is a beautiful sunrise taken in Afghanistan last week. Jon's 15 day mission went well. Wow was it ever a long wait! I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it is waiting not only on a daily basis, but a weekly basis to get a phone call to say "I'm safe." I don't think I have ever been so upset since Jon has been deployed, as in that few weeks. It was awful. He said that the mission was okay. Interesting enough they got to put their survival skills together and make some awesome food! They went into the town and got some chickens from the local vendors...and did one thing...came back to cook em! Gross! The thought of him and his unit plucking, skinning, and grilling chicken...irks me. However, I guess it is good to know that they truly know how to survive during hardship. 9 days with no shower was definitely a drag. Jon does not take a shower for granted anymore after that awful experience. Overall, that mission went well.
As we speak he is now in KAF doing some work for a another five days or so. This is about a two day voyage from where he is at now in Tarin Kowt. Upon finishing, his unit will then head back to TK for more missions. I pray that these 15 days missions are not going to start being a regular routine. However, I know that God is protecting him and the rest of his crew.
Please pray for a young man in Jon's unit who was injured last week in the motor pool. He has been sent back to Germany where he will remain to get surgery and recover. He will not be returning during this duty. I pray God will heal him quickly and allow him to be back in full force. I know that he is a great guy according to Jon and was very close with him during this deployment.
As the weather gets bitterly cold here in Buffalo, all I can say is STAY WARM! I am off to FL for a week to visit some friends. I'm also looking forward to a wonderful lunch date with Jon's aunt while being there. High seventies beat the negative temperatures up here.
Please keep Jon and his unit in your prayers. We have almost met the 5 month mark! I cannot wait!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine