Wednesday, August 11, 2010

5:45 AM Fast Wake-Up!


Got a wake-up phone call this morning! I was just ecstatic to hear that sweet guy's voice again! THIS time I handed the phone to his dad who was home!!!! There was only one other guy there to talk on the satellite phone. Justin got to talk for almost 25 minutes with only one drop...but he called back immediately.


Justin said it was quiet.....the first day of Ramadan.
As they were talking, a very large herd of goats went by, and Justin commented the man must be wealthy.


He has been eating a variety of the foods and fruits from the area. So he will have a colorful life experience in many ways from this deployment. He enjoys getting to feed and water and pet the donkeys....and of course loves having the company of a dawg!
Bandit is their black lab bomb-sniffing doggie.

Here is one photo - courtesy of Bill Ardolino a reporter with the Long War Journal who was embedded with the 1/2 for a brief time. This is actually a photo of some members of Justin's platoon. No telling who they are. In full gear, it is impossible to identify them. I like to think maybe one of them is Justin. :-)


Time is winding down for this deployment. Thank you all for continuing to pray for Justin and all of his battalion as they finish this long scorching stay in Afghanistan.
They are not done YET!... but they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
God Bless them, and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

good morning Julie and yes I do believe one of the young brave men in the pictures is Justin!!! Try to prove it isn't him!!!! hahaha. Yes the tour goes on and soon we will see our sons home safe and sound but others will still be there so everyone please keep up the prayers for some other mom and dads boy or girl. I think prayers have helped more for this war than anything else, just keep praying as hard and as long as you can. I am so afraid to even get excited about them coming home yet, won't let my emotions down till I see him here on good old American soil. Carry on Marine Mom. nancy settel

Cindy Lou said...

Oh how wonderful it is to get those wake up calls!! And to know that time is drawing to an end!! It really just warms the heart! I continue to pray for all of those serving but always call Justins name out!! I know that prayers work! We are having some signs of maybe PTSD but he will deal with that when he gets back to base! Enjoy your day and a great big OOHRAH for that special phone call!! Blessings from Georgia!

Mari said...

awesome...that's one great wake up call indeed!!

Theresa said...

Oh Julie, I am sooooo happy you got to hear his voice this morning! Cindy and I always picked out pictures of our Justin in pictures even when it wasn't him! It will be wonderful to get him back from the war zone. You will enjoy that moment and I would love to be there when ALL of them come marching in! Enjoy your day, I know your heart is full with happiness that he is safe! Big hugs and love from your Georgia Sister! "Dear Lord please keep Justin safe and return him home to his sweet Mama, AMEN!"

Joyce said...

I am teary eyed again! So happy you got to talk to him so long! Bet ya didn't go back to sleep after that! So happy dad got to talk to him. God is good!!! All the time! Praying!!!!

KK said...

I'm glad that phone ringing was him. :) I inititally thought, "Who else would be calling so early??", but then I was like, "But he JUST called." Yaaay, hoping they get to hang onto the phone for a while.

billypandnikkysmom said...

Oh Julie I am so happy that you got to have a nice long chat with Justin & that dad was home to talk to him too! I am prying for his safe return & so look forward to sharing in your joy! Have a great day, blessings & prayers!!! OOHRAH MMS :)

Dianna said...

Julie, my heart is so blessed by the way the Lord continually answers our prayers. Each day that I would check my blog roll and see there wasn't a post up from you, I somehow knew you were keeping busy as a result of the last phone call. I fell asleep last night praying for you, tears falling and a smile on my face. I'm so grateful to the Lord that Kurt was home this time and had opportunity to talk with Justin for an extended time. If I know you like I think I know you, what you really needed was to hear Justin's voice again this soon and then were content to give your man the phone for as long as he needed.

I love you, friend,
Dianna

CACHANILLA73 said...

Awww, Our Lord is AMAZING!!! Prayers do change things. I am very happy for You and your Husband, to hear your son's voice is a magnificent gift from Our Savior. As my favorite verse says "...Yet You don't have because You do not ask..." (James 4:2).
Thank You for your prayers, from here I keep praying for Justin and all the Military safe return.

Blessings and Hugs!!

Cotty

Sandy said...

Hallelujah! Another call from dear
Justin! Glad his time will soon be
over and he can come home to his
loving family. I know that call
has just made your day!
Love,
Sandy

Janean said...

awww, what a great wake up call!

yes, we complain about the 100 degree weather, but we have A/C and don't have to wear the gear our guys & gals do.

hugs to you, sweetie!

Vijay said...

hi visiting and dropping on your blog..

so to be frank do u like my blog..if so follow and drop a comment ..if u dont like means just dont drop a comment ..

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Hi Julie!

Woo Hoo! Sounds like a very good call! It's so good that his deployment is nearing the end!

Hugs,

Manuela

Privet and Holly said...

Hooray!!!
I only "know" Justin
through you and your blog,
yet I know that I will sleep
much more soundly when he
is at "home," with US!!!
And I cannot wait to see
his reunion photos with his
sweet dog. That is a day I
am soooo looking forward to.
God bless him and of course,
the wonderful parents that
raised him!!! Love you,
dear bloggy friend!
xx Suzanne

Julie Harward said...

Hi Julie...(yes he did! LOL) WOW...what a way to wake up! Every Mom's dream. I loved the pictures here...and I am ecstatic too for you, nothing like hearing their voice is there?! I continue to say a prayer for him and his mom! :D

Lili said...

What a beautiful way to wake up Julie! Glad that Dad got to talk with him this time too. Blessings and prayers to all of you. Those are awesome pictures too! ~Lili

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

YYYEEEAAAAA!!!!!!!That is GREAT news!!!! I am so happy for him and your family that he was able to call. So happy that they do see light at the end of the tunnel too.Our military is the ultimate!!!! God bless you and your family and God bless the USA!!!
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens