15 Care Packages

Time for another update. Yay! Bobby!!! I came across this picture of Bobby the other day from his Airborne School graduation. It was actually around this same time in September 2008. Three years ago. It really doesn't seem like it's been that long. Crazy. Airborne School was the first of many schools for Bobby, and the first of many times that we've spent apart. I was telling some of my friends tonight that I'm glad he has gone to as many schools as he has...because it helped to prepare me for this deployment. Being apart isn't easy.... but having some practice ahead of time sure does help.

I haven't heard much from Bobby this week. He called me the other day, and although we were only able to talk for about 2 minutes he did give me some good news. He let me know that he received 15 care packages in one day!!!!!!!! 15!!!!!!! That just made my day. 1. Because it was a good morale boost for him, 2. Bobby has plenty of food and baby wipes now haha, and 3. It made me realize how much people care for Bobby. I'm glad to know how many people are willing to go out of their way to help keep Bobby in high spirits. He deserves every bit of it. Unfortunately b/c our conversation was so short, he wasn't able to give me all the details about who sent each package. He mentioned a couple churches, his amazing parents of course :), and some extended family members as well. I'll try to get more information out of him the next time, but I think we did pretty good pretty considering we only talked for 2 minutes. We were able to update each other, and still manage to say "I Love You" 200 times before he had to go. I know there are some people out there interested in getting the names of some soldiers in his company...so that families and churches can "adopt" a soldier in the unit. We're trying to work on that as well. Hopefully soon we'll get some names of soldiers that could use some support. In any case, all your thoughts, prays, and care packages are GREATLY appreciated. I cannot thank everyone enough!

Also, on a similar note....During our 2-minute-speed-update...Bobby mentioned that one of the 15 care packages he received actually had an XBOX in it...with an anonymous note attached...that read: "From Your Florida Friends." Considering I live in Florida now, I had my sneaking suspicions who it might be from...and sure enough my suspicions were confirmed. My good friends Lindsey and Phil Lennon were the culprits. I managed to give them a horrible thank you considering how emotional I was, and I would just like to take the time again to thank them...not just for sending an XBOX...but for caring. For caring about me and for caring about Bobby. Lindsey and Phil are two of the most amazing people that I have ever known, and I'm so glad to say they are a part of my life. They're the type of people that when you're around them, you're reminded of how lucky you truly are. Without them, this stage of my life would be much more difficult, but with them I feel a sense of ease. I know that if I needed something I would have someone to lean on...and that is an amazing feeling. Between them and my best friend Kari...I'd be in a lot worse shape right now. Kari keeps me going on a daily basis, and although she might not realize it...without her I'd be lost. She may think that I'm stonecold-robot-T-Jo, who shows no emotion, but it's only b/c of her that I can keep it together as well as I do. You're my rock and my best friend and I'd know you were an alien if you weren't there to keep me company every single day. Don't worry Kari...your side-cart awaits you :) I wouldn't have it any other way.

I just think it's important to acknowledge the people who help you through these times, and it's these friends that make day-to-day life a real possibility in the mix of all this going on. Hopefully next time I'll have more to update on Bobby. His phone access has been pretty good lately, and I'm hoping it stays that way. Cross your fingers!

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help."