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