And it Started With a Party...

A going away party to be more specific, and a reason to re-open the Blog I closed over a year ago after returning home from my last deployment to Iraq. Here we are almost three years to the day from when I started my pre-mobilization training for the first tour, but with so many changes over the last two years this time feels completely different and worse in many ways. It's harder to leave the second time, anyone who says it's easier hasn't seen combat, or they really like being shot at, but I have yet to meet anyone who actually enjoys getting shot at; if I ever do I will be sure to post it here and let you all know. Anywho, aside from that slight stomach ache is the fact that I am leaving so many people that mean so much to me, and I have a great many more people that I have come close to in the past two years then I feel I did previously. It's a good wonder how I kept from breaking down at the going away party, but I can safely say I made up for it that night, especially after really looking at the gift the youth of my church gave me to take with me. Remember when Kim talked about the precious gift she had received? The suitcase full of memories... yeah this gift was that good for me and my heart, but boy did it start the water works going =) I am so lucky to have so many people lifting me up in prayer and you may never know just how amazing and overwhelming that constant loving impact is on my heart. I attribute all I am too God and those God has used to supported me along the way, because if it wasn't for good friends and close family I wouldn't be a fraction of the man that I am today. Through all things God gives me strength, and when I fail to see it or use it God then goes a step further and gives me all of you to keep me upright and moving onward and upward so that His kingdom may be glorified. Maybe it all started well before a party, but however it did start I know how it will end, and that will most definitely be with a bigger party! =) I love you all and can't wait to see many of you at Easter before I take off for the long haul. Take Care and stay Safe.

Your Son, Brother, Nephew, Uncle, and Friend in Christ

-Chris