Happy Memorial Day!

First and foremost, Happy Memorial Day! Much of your weekend, was spent with family, having cookouts, night at the movies, the beach, or just going on about your busy "usual" day. I know for sure that my weekend was very busy...for most of the reasons listed above. However, I was overjoyed to see the outpouring support of our community and nation this Memorial Day. I for one, was very more observant this year than many years past. Experiencing a year away from someone you love, as they sacrifice their life truly puts things in perspective. Today was a day to continue remembering and thanking our military service men and women. Not just one day out of 365. As I strolled through Wilson this morning, the streets of people significantly resembled great patriotism. Streets decorated with flags, signs and billboards hanging high, and the attire of many American supporters. As I drove down the street various departments were holding ceremonies as well as Memorial Day parades. How awesome! I know that this Memorial Day also marks a time of ultimate sacrifice for those who have died for us to be free in order for us to be able to do what we want to do each and every day on US soil. For that, I continue to thank those soldiers who give and have given just that....especially Michael Lammerts. I hope that each one of you enjoyed your special day with loved ones but certainly stopped to thank a veteran or soldier for their daily sacrifices today!  Nearly 1,400 soldiers have died since being in Afghanistan. Never Forget! As we approach the 10th anniversary of the attacks, this is a time to reflect on the years and know that it is not over yet.
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

1 month...6 days!

Wow as I look over at the clicker to the right of the page, I am overwhelmed to see how fast it went from 13 months, down to 1 month and 6 days! Yahoo! I am getting so excited as I know the rest of Jon's family and friends are as well. The past week or so has been pretty rough. Our communication has diminished a lot. Upon arriving in KAF, the boys found out that they do not have any internet. Grrr what a huge barrier. However, Jon has tried to call whenever possible. Today was interesting! He called for a few minutes to say hello and it was very hard to hear. Upon asking him what was wrong, he proceeded to say that "There's a huge sand storm over here. It's crazy!" My sudden reaction was uh oh. I know that those storms are pretty intense. A friend of mine was over there for a year and sent pictures home as to what it looks like. Not pretty at all! Breathing becomes difficult, you cannot see, and it is a huge mess all around! Soldiers are susceptible to sickness due to enhanced wind speed and the spread. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be better. Just a quick update! Hope everyone is well.
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Safe arrival!

Just a quick update that Jon has made it safely to Kandahar after traveling by truck for two days! This will be his final destination before heading back to Germany in 17 days! Internet is limited, but it will suffice! Thank you everyone for your continued love, support, and prayers!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Less than 24 hours!

Good news! Jon's journey in Afghanistan is coming to an end! Finally! I cannot begin to express how overjoyed I am to know that he has almost made it through this year...with a lot of humor! He is currently finishing up his last eight hours of so until "tomorrow" their time begins! He will be leaving Tarin Kowt, where he spent the majority of his deployment on IED missions. I can thankfully say that he will be leaving tomorrow morning to head to KAF(Kandahar) where he first began his deployment. He is so excited! When talking to him this morning, he was intrigued to inform me that he only has 21 more days until he leaves Afghanistan all together! Which means only three more weeks until he is done! With all good things, certainly comes bad things at times. That being said, Jon will have no internet. Which means our communication will be disrupted for awhile, but I am hoping that he will be able to head to a local internet cafe. Just a quick update!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

A long Overdue Update!

Well let me start off by once again apologizing! I know that it has been SO long. And this has somewhat shown my selfishness in "abandoning" my blog. However, I keep bringing my thinking back to well if everything is all good then why do it? That being said, I have been taking a lot of slack from family, friends and followers of Jon's blog...including him. I guess I never thought or fathomed how important this blog really is to all of you guys. So again, I apologize for any inconvenience my slacking efforts may have caused you. I know after writing my blog, I feel a sense of relief and freedom with my thoughts, feelings, and eagerness I sometimes feel and have felt during this whole process. This blog has allowed to release much of that.  I have been trusting God through this journey...and he has provided!
Since the last post, Jon was just returning from that crazy long mission of nine days! Thank God he survived. I would never wish that experience upon anyone. Seemed like quite the torture to say the least. Upon returning, he  twisted his ankle and was down for quite a few days. If you know Jon, he never expresses his feelings, but I could tell that this put a damper on many things. He was very busy with missions going four days on and having two days off which still consisted of long and strenuous days. Studies have shown that men who served in the military overseas tend to have a lot of health issues when older. (Back, legs, muscles, etc.) I guess I have a lot of massage training to work on in the years ahead. :)
My birthday came and gone in February and what a great surprise it is to know that your boyfriend is still in tuned each and everyday that he has been away. It never seizes to amaze me. The sacrifices that he has made to show each one of us that he is safe, and has called home whenever possible. Have I mentioned how much I LOOOOOVE Skype? Anyhoot, he proceeded to send me flowers to my work, a wonderful gift, and an even better surprise. A trip to Seneca Lake! If any of you know me, you know that I love wine, wineries, and trips! :) I am so excited! It blows my mind because I would NEVER expect anything from someone who fighting for our country, in turmoil and danger every day and night! Jon is so selfless in more than his generous ways. He is always thinking of others before himself and would want nothing more than to make those around him happy all the time. Despite what he is going through...which is more than any of us who have not served in the military could fathom...he always tries to show that he is happy. I know that the last few months have been putting a huge toll on him mentally.
Towards the end of February, one of his good friends from the military that is in his unit was injured. He was working in the motor pool and something from the truck fell on him and crushed his foot. He was discharged from the military and sent back to Germany for surgery. I know Jon was pretty upset about losing a friend. Imagine growing up all your childhood dreaming of the day you could serve your country. Then a incident happens like this? Does is ruin your pride? Your dream? I would have to think so. Brothers are brothers until the end...especially in war.
Last month Jon went on mission and returned very sick. At one point he was throwing up blood and was quite sick for about three days with a fever, weakness, chills, and vomit. I was so scared. The worst news you ever want to hear when the one you love is so far away is that they are injured or are not good. To know that he was so far away, and there was nothing that I could do for him killed me. He longed for his mother to be there at side...as anyone would. Moms always make it better. We were very worried. He had cuts in the back of his throat. The doctors told him that it was due to the conditions in Afghanistan. After hearing that, I never realized how bad that place really is. To know that such a gross and third world country can have such an impact on health. You always hear about it, but it never becomes a reality until it actually happens to someone that you care so deeply about. With that being said, Jon is now physically healthy and doing well. He has been a bit bothered by that darn ankle of his. Delaying and interfering with his PT performance.
Now for the GREAT news! Jon has FINISHED MISSIONS! He finished his last mission on May 7. Wahoooo! I had a dance party right in my living room! (Morgan thought I was pretty nuts) This journey has been a true testimony of God working in both of our lives. I cannot even begin to tell you! I am so blessed that up to this point...nearly one year; Jon is physically safe! God has had his hands at work through all of this.
He headed out of Tarin Kowt where he was informed to go to stay in a tent. However, once arriving the tents were not ready and they have moved into a gymnasium where his unit currently is staying. The internet reception stinks and has been a huge damper on our communication the past few weeks. Skype calls are delayed or broken up. It's costing us both money to talk to one another...but every cent is well worth it! He is finishing up his duties at TK
The end of this week Jon will be heading down South to KAF where he originally began! Looking back I can't believe he is finally to the end. He will stay there two weeks and then head back to Germany for transitional classes! I pray that God keeps his mind healthy and that all transitions go smoothly. This has been my biggest fear since he left. I continue to pray that he will trust God and that all things are possible in and through him. I have watched many military movies...and Restrepo has given me the biggest inside look to military life while deployed...and it is NOT good. Please keep Jon in your prayers over the next month has he goes through all the classes, rehab, and transition, and that his mind will be cleared of the memories that Afghanistan has had on his mind. Thank you for all your support over the past year. I know that Jon, his family, myself, and friends could not have done it without God and the encouragement that each one of you have laid upon him through notes, care packages, organizations outreaching to his unit, and just words of encouragement.
Also, please continue to pray for those who have lost their loved ones overseas. Last month I lost a classmate who was also a brother in law of my best friend over in Afghanistan. While attending the funeral, all I could do was thank God! But to more importantly know that his wife and two little ones will never see their hero here on earth again...see video footage in bottom post. I am so thankful for each sacrifice that all military has made and will make.
I will be doing my best to update the blog more frequently now that I know how much you all depend on it! Thanks again for all your support. I will close with this special quote honoring those who we have lost:
"Let us not mourn that such men have died but rejoice that such men lived." George S. Patton
Love and Prayers,
Kristine
I tried to steal pictures from his facebook page but I am unable to save them and post. Darn the new facebook rules and regulations!

Family remembers fallen Army Sergeant