Hello all. Sorry for the delay in posting. The last couple of days have been pretty fast paced as I moved from Kuwait up to my final location, which I can now safely say is Baghdad. If you’re interested, you can look up Camp Victory on Google or Yahoo and it will tell you a whole lot more than I can or you care to hear from me.
Frank, a friend I was really drawn to during some training I received before coming here, posted a comment today. Frank’s a civilian and a first-generation American who literally can’t wait to come over here and do his part. It’s guys like him that fire me up and inspire me. Frank – thanks for your friendship and encouragement.
I can say that walking around this place is like a step backwards in time to being a character on the Flintstones. I keep waiting for someone to hop out and say “Yabba Dabba Doo”. The buildings on Victory are all part of an old presidential compound / retreat of Sadaam’s. In fact, I actually used the bathroom in one of his old latrines today and couldn’t help but chuckle about it all. All the architecture has this Arabian / Flintstonian aire about it and when you mix it with the thousands of tall concrete walls that are around here, you can see where I’d get the Flintstone thing from.
Today was the first full day of work. Met my new boss today, who I was pleased to find out plays in the gospel band at the chapel and also homeschools his kids. Over dinner tonight we had a great discussion and found we have much in common. Also at dinner tonight, I bumped into an old friend that I served with nearly 12 years ago in Korea. He and I were platoon leaders together, and this morning I crossed paths with my old Brigade Commander. It’s funny how you run into people you know 7500 miles away from home. Gotta love the Army.
Thank you all for your prayers and emails / comments. They are felt and appreciated. Please pray especially for the kids. Stephen seems to be taking this harder than we expected and is in a prolonged case of the doldrums. He’s just old enough to understand what war and bad guys are and what it feels like to be hurt. He’s now learning to worry and at his age is when kids develop the ability to have foresight, to think “If this happens, then x would happen as a result”. Pray that Katy would have the wisdom and words to help calm his fears and the energy to be a one man show till I return.
The time so far has consisted of getting oriented to my new base and the job. I’m also getting used to again the simple things of being a Soldier – carrying a weapon 24/7 (bathroom, shower, sleep, etc), OPSEC galore, and drinking tons of water. Between the heat and all the water you have to drink, I think I will be able to drop those pounds as my appetite is much smaller. You also have to walk everywhere which is another bonus. This will certainly be a challenging assignment and I am excited about the chance to do something that directly contributes to saving Soldier’s lives, helping the Iraqi people, and beating the enemy.
I’ve also enjoyed the time I’ve had to be alone with God in the evenings and not have the distractions of business, TV, computer, music, and on and on to distract me. The days of real adventure are coming and it’s time now to build up strength in the Lord for those.
Pretty soon I should be able to start posting some pictures once I get where I can use my personal laptop to download them and plug into the web. Till then, just have a “Yabba Dabba Doo” day! Love you all.
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Hi Joe,,
Last night we saw Katy & her Mom & Grandmother (& of course, the two little dolls with the Pullen name.) at the Church League ball park. I had no idea Stephen was playing TBall. He is in the same league with Cade, so hopefully we will get to see them again. From Katy’s blog, it seems Stephen and Cade are in the same boat…..
few Wins and kids not knowing what to do with the ball when they get it…but loving it when they get their Icees!
I’m so glad Katy gave Joy this site address………I seldom hear from Robert or Doris. This is a good way to keep up with you.
Just wanted you to know you are in our prayers and hope the time goes by quickly.
I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you and all the family being separated for so long. Stay strong and I know God will take care of you.
Love………Aunt Doris
Dear Sir,
I stumbled upon your site today trying to prepare for a speech I will be giving in the morning to build the support for our troops!!! Now that I know about you, I will be praying for you and your unit as you continue to keep us safe! Thanks for all you do!!!!
Stay safe!
Hey Fred, Wilma here! I hope you are feeling well! It was good to talk to you earlier. Stephen is doing better today. He is a strong, smart boy and the same Holy Spirit helping us through this is strengthening him as the days go on! We are proud of you and look forward to seeing you on the webcam soon! All our love, Sweet Soldier!
Well, it’s hard to follow Wilma . . . I’m glad (and not a bit surprised) to see that Katy is keeping her sense of humor alive and well.
) We’re glad to hear that you’re bumping into some friends while you’re far from home, and we will definitely pray for your children. You’ve both given Stephen a great foundation in understanding God — and this time apart will surely deepen his understanding of what it means to trust God to take care of his daddy.
Love from WI,
Nancy and Peter
Hey Joe I appreciate your comments and the sentiment is more than mutual. Keep your head up and stay strong Brother, your Family is in my prayers.
All – Thanks for the encouragement and comments!
Jessica – How did the speech go for you? Please keep us posted and we thank you for the support.
Hey Joe, I appreciate the stories. It cool when your reading these stories and when you know some of the people that wrote the stories. This is my third and last deployment. I know everyone at PC Hardware is saying about time!!! But Debbie, Sam & Kay have been very supportive of all of us troops. I too say thanks for all the prayers and support. God bless you all. Oh yes! I would like to share something the Lord impressed on me..”Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is”. That can apply to everyone. From all of us here at CSC Cedar II, Be careful & stay safe.
Hi Joseph,
I’ve been reading your blogs. Keep it up.
I’ve been in touch with your Mom & Dad. Had them over for dinner last week. Doris is still selling “stuff” and Robert is helping. Uncle Don cleaned up the Buick for her. Debbie and are planning a little outing to include your little family soon.
Love you
Hey, Joseph!
We heard about your “trip” when we got to the reunion! I was really taken back with news that you were OVER THERE!!! Dorothy gave us the link to your blog and I have been reading it faithfully. And even keep up with Katy and the kids on hers. Your kids have really grown and are such little cuties. You know we don’t get to see much of the family until the reunion, so its always an especially fun time. It was extra special this year as my sister got to go for the first time in at least 20 years! She has moved back to Kansas (from CO) and is living in the same town as Mom, Dad, and my brother. I get such a kick out of your folks. When Katy and Grace got there, someone told me that Grace could actually walk……………if Doris would ever put her down! So funny. She loves those kids! Your blog just totally blows me away. You write so well! So just keep the faith and know that your “Kansas Cousin” is keeping tabs on you!! Proud of all that you do. Love, pjw