Week One

Well, I know it's not healthy to start counting the weeks or days yet it's good to have this first week behind us. We flew from Savannah through Ireland to Kyrgyzstan  and then on to our final destination, about 30 hours total travel time. I am on Bagram, the largest base in the country and also probably the most crowded with a mix of the 3 core branches (Army, AF, Navy) and many other nations (US, UK, Poland, Germany, Canada et al.) I will post pictures of my living quarters once I am fully settled but all in all I'm content if not comfortable.

 Jocelyn will write more about the emotions of this first week from her perspective as all too often the left-behind spouse's role in the deployment is not fully appreciated. We've been able to talk almost every day and now with Internet in my room we can Skype! Of course we'll continue with the old-fashioned letters but praise God for the technology to bridge the gap. With Christ as our cornerstone, communication is the mortar that will carry us through this year. The military mindset is that 'if you deploy with a great/ok marriage, you'll come home to a good/poor marriage'. If that formula holds true I'd like to think that we were on an extended 1.5 year honeymoon when I left and will reunite as precociously in love as ever!

Round Two

Family, Friends;

My flight leaves tonight for Afghanistan and I'm planning on sending updates throughout the next year. I have decided to use a blog format in order to not clog up all of your in boxes so if you know of anyone who may appreciate these updates feel free to forward this URL.

Obviously a lot has changed since my last deployment. Now married to Jocelyn, the woman I had been waiting 27 years for (and the winner of my Valentine's contest you may recall), my priorities have shifted and my attitude is definitely different. I should not be flying this time as I will be working a logistical desk job--which is fine with my wife--so my responsibilities have changed also.

Please pray for us in this transition time as I adapt to a new environment and Jocelyn adjusts to life home alone, lest I forget our little yorkie Bella who will undoubtedly keep her company and give plenty of kisses.

Grace and Peace,

Mark & Jocelyn