Christmas presents to Soldiers

Hey Friends!! I know it's early to start talking about Christmas presents, but I received an email today from my FRG in Italy that includes mailing deadlines for Christmas presents. So I thought I'd share them with you in case you'd like to send anything to Michael or his medics. Hopefully you're not offended by this at all, I just know he'll miss being around family for Christmas this year. I'll even include his address for you and names of his medics.

So the date for Priority Mail (which is the best way to send anything to a soldier) is December 4th. Now those of you who want to send Michael a Christmas card, it's the same date. We will not be together for Christmas this year, but I'm hoping we will be stateside for it next year.

Please know that whatever you send to a soldier is always appreciated. Here is Michael's address:
Sgt. Michael Honsberger
(Legion) Troop 1-91 CAV
173d ABCT
Task Force Saber
APO AE 09354

Also here are the names of his medics:
SPC James Thomas
SGT Justin Crain
PVT Chenowith

Things can be sent to the same address as Michael for the other guys. Just let them know that you're friends with Michael and myself. I'll let you know if there's a different address in another post for the other 3 guys. Believe me the guys appreciate anything that you send them.

Have a great day!!! And from a military wife, I thank you all for your love, prayers, and support. Michael will be coming home in about a month for his 18 days of R&R. I'm so looking forward to it because we're going to try to take a cruise for our honeymoon, 1st & 2nd anniversaries, and birthdays all rolled into one.

I made it down alive....

Here I am on the phone with Alison Baker before the hike. I carried the first aid kit, 4 bottles of water, a sleeping bag, and my woobie. This thing weighed about 20 pounds.

The view of the lake and the Stoops' house from almost the top.

It took the girls from Columbia to get the fire started. Here is Adrina, Monica, Capt. Aida, and Laura.

The comfy tent that I slept in. Michael you should be so proud of me!

Sleeping in the tent. Yes I did sleep outside!!!! It can be done.

Camping

Well friends, I just wanted to let you know that tonight I will be sleeping out on Torne Mountain with our Wilderness Girls. Now for those of you who know me well, know that camping to me is a hotel. My husband will be so proud to know that I did it. I'll be taking pictures and posting them as soon as we get back tomorrow morning.

Pray for me as I sleep under the stars with the bugs!!!

2 more sessions to go....

So we're on our next to last session of camp. We have 21 girls here for Wilderness Camp and it started with rain today. There was no hike this afternoon or scavenger hunt this evening. I'm in charge of Girl's Night In tonight.

Michael called this past Saturday. He's doing well and looking forward to his R&R coming up in about 44 days'ish. They're in a stable place right now just waiting for their next assignment. He's not sure how long he'll be at this one base, but he's enjoying some relaxing time. We are so thankful for all of you who are praying for both of us.

That's about all the excitement here. Will write when something else happens.

What a week!!!

Well, here at TMC things are going well. Andrew & Patti are here and it's great being able to spend some time with them. They brought Stud down with them because he's going to be living with me now. He's gotten so big, and not fat big, just long and tall. Michael is going to freak when he sees him.

Speaking of Michael, he's updated his blog so take a look. We were able to speak for a whole hour 2 weeks ago, which was so welcomed. There wasn't even a delay on the phone line which made it even more wonderful. There's about 48 days until he comes home for R&R. I'm so excited for that.

That's about all for now. Prayers have been answered by the way. I have a job starting on Sept. 10th at New Jersey Divisional Headquarters. Right now it's a trifecta type of job, working in the Youth Department, then with Janette Barrington in Human Resources, and then helping Major Vicki Berry in her department. Not sure what it all entails, but God is good!!! I've come to learn how faithful He can be once we put our trust in Him. It's been an amazing summer of changes for me in my faith. Please continue to pray for me as I'm dealing with a bit of depression at the moment. I'm not ashamed or afraid to admit it. I've dealt with it for years, but lately it's been a bit of a downer right now. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I'll be asking for something to take the edge off things.

Hope all is well with each of you. Until next time.

Prayer for Michael's Company

Friends,

I received an email last week about the company Michael is with from Germany. There was an altrication with some Afghan fighters and there was a loss of the company commander and the second in command. Please note that this did not involve Michael's company but has had some affect on his company. Due to the death, they will be in a time of transition as Michael's company will now be moving to different locations. I am not exactly sure what this means, if he will go somewhere safer or what, but I do know that contact with him at this time will be minimal. Please keep them all in your prayers, both companies and the families of those who were killed.

Also, please keep our friends Josh & Patty in your prayers. I received an email from Patty the other day, they are Army friends in Italy, and Josh has been leading the 21 gun salutes in Italy for the fallen soldiers. He has also had to escort a body of a fellow medic home to his family. He is just needing prayers because this is a very hard job both mentally and spiritually.

It seems that everytime I post something it turns out to be not so exciting news. Camp is going well. We are in our last session and I'm looking forward to Territorial Music Camp next week because both Andrew & Patti will be here. It will be nice to spend some time with them. Michael will hopefully be home somtime in October for his R&R and we're hoping to go on a cruise to celebrate our first & second anniversary since he will have missed both. It will be nice to be able to spend time with family and friends.

Until next time, I will post some good news!!!!