Surprise!

Last Friday, I got a phone call from my little brother, Jon.  He had an unexpected layover in Dallas on his way home from Afghanistan!  We were SO thankful and excited to have him spend a few hours with us.  He looked great, and we enjoyed the visit.

Jon was extremely tired and jet-lagged, but he was craving Gulf Coast shrimp, so we headed to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Pappasito’s.  It was delicious and Jon assured us it was a great improvement over M.R.E.’s!

When we got home, Todd and Jon planned on catching up on DVR’d episodes of their favorite show, Burn Notice.  Jon laid down on a mattress for the first time in several months while we got Grace ready for bed.  He was out for the night!  We’re so glad he got some good rest on a comfortable mattress before he boarded the plane home to Hawaii. 

Todd took him back to the airport the next morning, and he arrived safely home to his family!

I love you, Jon!

Deployment

My sweet brother Jon is leaving today for another deployment to the Middle East.  This time he will be in Afghanistan for several months.  He leaves behind his pregnant wife, 3-yr-old, and 1-yr-old daughters. 

It’s at times like this that I find it difficult to obey God’s command not to worry, especially when I’m constantly bombarded with media coverage of the atrocities that are happening over there (and here!).  But part of walking in faith is trusting that God’s plan is working just as it should, no matter how difficult or worrisome it seems. 

We all covet your prayers for Jon and his family during this lengthy time of service.  Specifically, you can pray for protection for Jon and his entire Marine unit, a healthy pregnancy for his wife, and comfort for each member of their family during his absence.

I also encourage you to continue to lift in prayer all members of our military who give such great personal sacrifice to ensure our freedom to live as we do.  Here in Texas, our national and state flags are being flown at half-mast because of the terrible Ft. Hood tragedy.  It is a constant reminder of the force of evil that is at work in this world. 

Thank you, veterans, for your works of service to this country.

Thoughts on 9/11

I still remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.  I was working as a school counselor at an elementary school, preparing for a difficult parent conference.  My principal knocked on my office door and told me that I needed to go to the library and watch what was happening on the news. 

The librarian had moved the TV out of view of public eye and a few of us gathered around to watch the horror.  I remember the fear that went through my body.  Not necessarily fear for myself, but the fear of the unknown and of being responsible for 500 children DURING the unknown.  I remembered that I was supposed to be the calm one, and I started praying.

Parents soon began to arrive to pick up their children.  I completely understood…while it presented challenges for us, if I had been a parent at that time, I would have wanted my child with me too.  The superintendent released a statement asking school personnel to go about our duties as normal, releasing students to parents if requested. 

Since most teachers were in their classrooms working with kids, they didn’t have the freedom to get information.  Of course word (and panic) got around quickly, and teachers were doing their best to remain calm and not show their students that anything was wrong.  Every time I walked by a classroom, a teacher would signal me and ask what was happening.  I talked one teacher through a panic attack.  I can honestly say that 9/11 was one day in my life that I literally prayed without ceasing.

The images of the two towers falling is one that will stay in my mind until I die (or lose my mind!).  Pictures of the Pentagon and the plane crash wreckage will always haunt me.  Everyone’s life changed that day.  Many experienced deep personal loss while the whole country grieved. 

We will never completely win the war against terrorism until the Lord returns.  In the meantime, many of our men and women are fighting the battle for us to remain safe and protected in our country. 

My brother Jon is leaving for another tour of duty in Afghanistan in a few weeks.  He leaves behind a sweet wife and two beautiful daughters. 

We are constantly praying for his protection and the safety of his unit.  In reality, we know that as Chief Surgeon he will probably see and experience many horrors.  Not to mention the loneliness that comes with being separated from his family for nine months. 

I hope that today we can all remember the lives that have been lost as well as the folks who are giving their lives to ensure the freedom that we often take for granted.

Update on my brother, Jon, in Iraq

My brother, Lt. Jonathan Malone, is currently serving an 8-month deployment with a Marine unit in Karmah, Iraq. (See previous post). As a physician, he is involved in caring for his Marine unit, as well as facilitating medical care for the Iraqi community. We are thankful that the Lord has protected him.

It is truly amazing to hear of the good things that our soldiers are doing in Iraq. While our media is consistent about reporting all the terrible things that happen, Americans rarely get a glimpse of all the good progress that is being made as we fight this war on terror.

I am providing links to two articles that describe the successes of Jonathan's unit in Karmah. (My brother is quoted in one of them.)

Article 1

Article 2

God Bless America!

Cost of Freedom

My little brother Jon left this week for his 8-month assignment in Iraq. This has really brought home to me the sacrifice that so many of our men and women make every single day to protect our freedom. My brother leaves behind his young wife and daughters. He will not experience his newborn's first Christmas or 1st birthday. He will miss so many of the special milestones of both of his girls. He will miss the companionship and support of his wife. As a physician, he will potentially witness first-hand the horrors of war and violence.

Oh, may we not take for granted the sacrifices that our military are making each and every day. May we continually lift them and their families up in prayer. May we pray for our military leaders and commanders, that they will have wisdom and vigilance in their duties. May we pray for our soldiers and other personnel that they will be comforted and protected while away from their loved ones. May we pray that our enemies' plans will not come to fruition. May we pray for peace among the nations. And, may we thank the Lord for nations like the USA that make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom of people around the world.