Independence Day!

Very excited to spend Independence Day with Jon this year! His homecoming is a true reminder of this holiday as well as his sacrifices. His arrival will be this weekend. I thought I would share this video of my daughter Morgan's best friend, Erin Hoyle. Her father is a well-known musician in Buffalo as well as throughout the country. He writes amazing music, and will soon release a record with Ron Hawkins. (www.strictlyhip,com). I just love his music and talent. He sings a lot of "American" songs as well! His talent is so amazing, that it has rubbed off onto his sweet nine year old daughter. As she prepares for her first HUGE debut this Thursday at Dunn Tire Park, she will be singing God Bless America in front of thousands of fans from Buffalo!

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Please remember the true reason while you are enjoying picnics and time spent with family. :) 4 days!

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

9 days!

Just an update that Jon has made it back to Germany. He has been taking transitioning classes and is enjoying his own room alone for once in over a year. He arrived on his birthday (June 16)! What a great gift! Upon arriving, Brad, Rosie and Stacie were there to greet him with open arms. Brad and Rosie hold a ministry at Festaburg? that does fellowship and traveling with the military. Jon absolutely loves that place! I am so thankful for the relationships that he has made, and even more thankful for all that they do for Jonathan. When getting back to base, he was a bit lost without his personal belongings. He had to go shopping for new clothes because he didn't have any. He didn't seem too thrilled, but I would have been ecstatic! I love new clothes :) and I love shopping!
His belongings arrived a few days ago. He is now with a television, video games, and all the things that he packed up before deploying. It's good to know that he is getting back to "normal." We are enjoying being on Skype and being able to communicate with minimal interference's like there were in the Stan. The picture is almost like HD. :) That being said, he will be leaving Germany in 8 days and will be arriving home in 9 days! We are all so excited to see him and enjoy the summer together! Thanks for all your prayers! I will be sure to keep you all updated as our journey continues.
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

FINALLY!

I am happy to report that Jon has FINISHED his tour of duty in Afghanistan! :) (Happy Dance) He was set to leave the other day and it got pushed back. He then said he was leaving today. He called me early this morning to say the flight was delayed. That being said, he is officially done in Afghanistan and has left that awful country! I am so overjoyed to announce the work of God and his great mercy and grace over the past year. God continues to show me his blessings, and I am beyond thankful and blessed for all that he has done for me and my family. It truly makes me know that he is at work through all that I have been through. Without being in him, I would not have had the strength, courage, or determination to make it through this awful wrenching year.  It's been a long one full of emotion, anxiety, excitement, sadness, etc. However, I am happy to say that I am relieved that Jon is physically safe. He will be heading to Kyrgyzstan for a layover for about four days. He should arrive back at his home base of Baumhoulder, Germany either Friday or Saturday. After that, he will begin his PTSD and transitional classes before coming back to the states. He originally was supposed to come home July 8th, but his time has been moved up to July 3! Just in time for Independence Day! This month is off to a great start! Finishing the school year out, Morgan's birthday, Jon's birthday, his journey back home and spending the entire summer with my two favorite people! I am beyond blessed. Thank you to EVERYONE for your continued love, support, and encouragement! We are so thankful as I know Jon is as well!
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

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

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

Happy New Year!

Wow a new year! Who would have thought that this past year would fly by so quickly? I had an amazing 2010 and am looking forward to an even better 2011! With that being said, the whole resolution thing kicks in! I'm excited to stick to new goals and keep them. Last year I was able to lose 30 pounds! This year, I have many attainable goal.
First, I want to lose 10 more pounds. I blame it on all that holiday food that has gotten the best of me this past month! In doing so, I plan to start working out and most importantly watch my eating habits. I feel like this is key when maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is a real challenge, but once I get started I am pretty good at sticking to it! Secondly, I would like to spend more time becoming active and sharing the love of God with others who may not be enlightened by his love and grace. Through faith, I will be able to be active in various ministries and other organizations throughout the community. This is something that I have always wanted to do more, but since being in school for the past seven years, that was unreal in my world. Lastly, would be saving. Ahhhh...I am always so quick to spend. If I have the money why not? But now I am saying why spend it? Saving will truly put my priorities into check and allow me to see the greater benefits in doing so. I look forward to many things in the upcoming year....mostly because Jon will be out of Afghanistan and home for three weeks! It will be truly awesome to spend time together and know that he will be heading back to Germany to be safe and sound. I look back the past few weeks, and I have been an emotional roller-coaster. I never imagined how hard doing this would possibly be. Lack of communication and predicting the unknown has got to be the most hardest part. I cannot imagine people who have spouses that do this as a regular career, on a regular basis! I don't think I could do it....well if it were Jon I would! However, I know that pressing into God makes it so much easier during this difficult time.
It's been quite a few days without a word. I know Jon is safe and I trust that he is being well aware of his surroundings at all times during this mission. This has in fact been the longest that we have gone without talking and I look forward to hearing his voice in less than one week (6days!). I miss him so much.
I hope everyone is sticking to those resolutions! Please continue to pray for Jonathan and his unit.
Love and Prayers,
Kristine

1,000 mark!

Wow, as I return from a fun filled day of Chuck E. Cheese and sledding; I notice that my blog since July 1, 2010 has reached 1,000 viewers! This blog was only served to keep local family and friends updated on the progress of Jonathan while being deployed. I am overjoyed to look at that number and seeing nothing but the outpouring love that so many of you have given not only to Jonathan but myself. I pray that this blog finds you full of appreciation of ALL of your service men and women. It is truly a gift that there are so many of you praying for his safety and well being during this difficult journey. And a difficult journey it has been thus far. This blog has given me tranquility, relaxation, and the release of stress. So many times it's so hard to share my true emotions of how I feel. When coming here, I feel like it is an escape to get everything that I think about during this time. I am thankful that God is working through me during this experience! It has been a difficult one, but sooooo rewarding for so many reasons! :)

Since there are so many people that have reached out to this blog, I am beginning to think that this could be something I could get in tuned with as the new year approaches. Why not right? Just finishing my Masters a few weeks back, I feel like I will have a lot more time. My plan was to stop the blog once Jonathan was out of Afghanistan. However, since so many people are interested, I may in the future turn it into a photo blog that captures Jon's time in the military as well as our time spent together. Who knows? I think it would be a great way to look back in the future and see the blog and how much both of us have grown.

So, if you start to see the blog change a bit in the upcoming year, don't be alarmed! It's me trying out my new creativity.

Please continue to pray for Jon while he is on this dangerous long mission for the next twelve days. He has contacted me and seems to be doing well "virtually." I know that it is very dangerous where he is at, but I also know God is working in and through him!

I pray everyone has a safe and prosperous new year!

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

Holiday Photographs

Here are some pictures Jon's sister took right before he was heading to the airport. Some of my favorite ones captured our happiness together! :)

Safe

This morning I received great news that Jon is safe! It has been three days since I have talked to him and he was not sure if he would have been able to call at all. However, when I awoke, I had a missed call from him saying that he was doing well and was safe! I needed that little reminder today to get me through the day. The past few have been pretty rough. It is so hard thinking that the one you love is in harms way and you don't know what is going on, what he is doing, or what is he thinking. I am so grateful today, as I start a new day for Jon's sacrifices and dedication to our country so that all can remain free here in the United States. Please Lord, continue to watch over him and his unit and keep him safe through the rest of this mission.

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

Rough Stuff

Christmas has gone and past. What a wonderful day it was merely for celebrating our Christ Saviors Birth! Time spent with family, joy with one another, and sharing old time stories from the past. However, something was missing, and that was Jonathan. It was a very emotional day. We tried numerous times to talk to him and be able to just say Merry Christmas, but deep down inside it certainly was not the same for him or for us. Failed connections via Skype, dropped phone calls made it even more frustrating. It broke my heart talking to him, knowing that of all things he just wanted to be home with family, and he couldn't. The Army did provide him with a nice hot meal which was nice to hear. I think that's the best thing I have heard the Army do since he has been deployed.

Today marks the first of fourteen days that Jon will be on mission. YES, this will be the longest that I will go without talking to him! It certainly will be a long two week. Especially when he is so sacrificial to call home or send a message to let us all know how he is doing every 1-2 days. However, this mission is different. 14 days gone with no communication. It is dangerous, unknown, and life risking. I would say this is the most intense mission since he has been in Afghanistan, and I know there have been quite a few already. I pray that God will continue to protect him and keep him focused and aware of his surroundings at all times. He could not share much with this mission, which is totally understandable. Please keep him in your prayers through another difficult task. I could only fathom the cold weather, deprivation, depression, and anguish he must be going through to know that he is stuck on this mission for 13 more days! It breaks my heart. I want him back to his FOB safe and sound with a nice message saying "I'm back safe, Kristine." Until then, I will patiently wait and continue counting down the days, hours, and minutes.

On a brighter note, the new year is fast approaching. I hope you have all your resolutions set and stick to them! I'm looking forward to a new year in that Jon will only have 5 more months left! Thank you for all your support and prayers. Happy New Year!

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

It's a Cold one

Wow! It surely is getting cold. The hustle and bustle is taking place everywhere you turn. People rushing for the perfect gift, on fast forward, with no time to stop and think about the real meaning of this holiday season. Our world is so caught up in the societal view of what everyone else is doing...in my words all I can say is "grrrr!"

I was able to spend time with family tonight and head into Delaware Park in Buffalo, NY where we took in the beautiful sight of God's creation! It was incredible! As we were driving home, an awesome song came on that reminded me of Jon as well as the rest of the soldiers fighting around us. I miss him terribly but was happy to be able to talk to him today! Man, do I loooove skype! Great communication tool...especially when it is built into your cell phone :) Anyhow, a quick note to share this video with you all! Merry Christmas!

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

The True Meaning of CHRISTmas

Love and Prayers,

Kristine

A Long Week

Boy what a long week it has been! I was stuck in Detroit for nearly 2 1/2 days due to lack of staff, weather and various delays! I was supposed to be home Sunday morning in time for Morgan's production in the The Story of Christmas at the Chapel; instead, I got in Tuesday afternoon! I was surely be tested, but was overjoyed to be able to use patience and see how God was going to use me with other people around me. It was great experience to say the least!

I hardly talked to Jon at all this week. He went on missions Tuesday and I was not able to talk to him until this morning. 4 whole days! I know, you may think that's nothing, but when you love and care for someone so far away it's torture! I talked to him this morning and he seemed very tired. I know that he has been working hard and the weather is getting very cold at night. During his four day mission, he had to sleep outside in temperatures as low as 26 degrees. To hear that, breaks my heart. Why is it that we dare sit here and complain about what we don't have, and instead be thankful for what we DO have?! The conditions that I see the soldiers go through are retch-id. Unfair. Agonizing. You have people like Jon who give their life to fight for our country but are still not being treated right. At one point today I broke down in tears because of this exact issue, but more because of the holidays. I am sad to know that Jon wants nothing more than to be home with his family right now and how much we all want him to be here with us. To know that he can't, kills me inside. He deserves to be here with his family. During times like these, I am thankful to know that he has chosen to be so selfless in helping others and giving back to others. His determination, strength, and faith never seizes to amaze me. He is a courageous and wonderful man! So as we approach Christmas this week, remember those who cannot be with their families this year. And please remember the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas! Happy Holidays!

Love and Prayers,
Kristine

Great News!

Jon has made it back to Afghanistan and is adjusting back quite well. He began his first mission today since being back. I know it was VERY hard for him to leave home and head back to a place where the conditions are beyond horrible. However, I know that he will be strong and God will continue to wrap his arms around him and keep him safe.

With that being said, Obama had made a recent visit to Afghanistan while Jon was on R&R and made an announcement that he wanted to start pulling troops out by July 2011. How awesome! It is even better that Jon has heard that his unit will be finishing up missions in May and will be able to leave towards the end of May from Afghanistan and head back to Germany! What a blessing that would be. Once he gets to Germany, he will then take his leave at the end of June or beginning on July! This news yesterday made my ENTIRE day, week, and the rest of the year!

I feel that all the troops deserve this beyond words can ever express. I am thankful each time the phone rings that Jon is safe and the rest of the men and women in his battalion are as well. This journey has really strengthened my faith in Jesus! I am overjoyed with the many blessing that he has continued to provide! Please continue to pray for Jon's safety and strength for the next hopefully (finger's crossed) five months! Wow that sounds so awesome to say!

As the holidays approach, please don't forget to remember the REAL reason this holiday season! It is not about gifts, but the gifts you can offer to one another who are less fortunate.
Love and Prayers,

Kristine

A lovely trip home