Thursday, 26 March 2009

• JERRY IS HOME TO STAY!

  Thank you all for checking back! Yes, it is true, my Soldier is home to stay! I can hardly believe it. Tuesday of this week was the 15 day mark for us, indicating that had Jerry only been able to come home for the original R&R, he would have already boarded a plane to head back for Iraq to serve the remaining 5+ months of his tour. Instead, the Lord has blessed us incredibly and answered a prayer of mine in allowing Jerry to not have to re-deploy to Iraq for this rotation. Thank you Jesus!

  On March 4th at approximately 0500, I was sleeping soundly in my room out in Guam. The plan was for me to stay out there until around March 10 when I would head back to Texas to begin making preparations for Jerry's return, work ahead on school, take exams, etc. Jerry was scheduled to fly to Texas (DFW Airport) for R&R (a total of 15 days of leave) around the latter part of March and I was going to pick him up in Dallas, then drive back to Houston, get all of our things and we were going to drive back to Colorado together. It was going to be a whirlwind of activity but we were BOTH looking forward to it! I was counting the days and minutes!

  But like I said, everything changed on that Wednesday morning. I got a call from a number that popped up on my caller ID as a Colorado number and I answered it with great trepidation thinking that something was wrong. I wasn't sure who it was calling at that hour, but come to find out it was a very stressed and tired sounding JERRY! After the usual "Hi! How are You?" he got right down to why he called. He says, "Are you awake?" I respond, "Yes, of course!" Then he says, "No, are you really awake?" Slightly puzzled, I said, "Yes, Babe, I'm awake!" Then a third time, "Because I really need you to be awake so I can talk to you." First annoyed, then frustrated, then scared, I responded a little frightened, "What's wrong?" (With the 7 hour time difference between Guam and Iraq I was known to drift slowly to sleep while talking to Jerry in the early morning hours... his voice was always so calming and reassuring...I know, I know! I was terrible! Anyway... now you know why he asked so many times!) He says to me, "You need to get on a plane TODAY and head back to Texas. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm taking leave sooner. That is all I can tell you right now." I was shocked. I was scared like I said, wondering what was going on... Jerry never talked like this and I could tell something was wrong. After reassuring me that everything was ok he said he needed to go.

  So, I got out of bed and started packing. I began throwing things together, all the while trying not to cry or worry wondering what in the world was going on. Why the sudden change? Why couldn't he tell me what was going on? Why the rush? An hour or so later my family started to surface and gathered for their usual morning Bible study and wisdom search. I was already showered and ready for the day at this point, my room in complete disarray still, and I went out to talk to my dad about what was going on. He too was concerned and went to get on the computer to see if there were any flights available for me to fly out that afternoon. God had his hand in everything the whole step of the way. Dad had already been looking at the loads for me for the following week when I was going to fly out and even 8-9 days out they were filling up fast... like 1-2 seats left on some flights and in some cases already oversold. However, when he checked that morning, there were seats on ALL THREE planes and all at the right times for me to make the connects!!! Just amazing. The Lord knew... it all caught me completely off guard, but He had his hand in everything.

  The next few hours were quite busy and I don't remember much. It took everyone to get me packed and ready. I had been living out there nearly 3 months and to try and pack all of my school, clothes, etc. was quite an event. Dad and Mom listed me for flights, others did my laundry and packed things in my bags and the little ones brought me cards and letters to pack up and give to Jerry. There were quite a few tears, especially from me... I felt like my world had turned upside down and I was quite scattered. But the Lord and my family helped keep me in check and within 2 hours, I was heading to the airport to board a plane to go meet Jerry! As excited as I was, I was praying constantly for Jerry still not knowing what was going on and trying not to worry and cry too much. At the same time, I was sad to be leaving my family so abruptly. I like having a plan and everything mapped out in my mind, and this was not how I envisioned everything. I just hoped and prayed that Jerry was ok.

  So as not to write a long novel (hah!) I'll just sum up what happened next: I arrived in Texas and stayed at the Roland's a couple days waiting for Jerry to arrive. He was able to fly right to Houston which was great, and I picked him up on Sunday evening, March 8th in baggage claim. As I saw him come off that escalator it was all I could do to not cry... I ran up to him and gave him the biggest hug and kiss! HE WAS HOME... I didn't want to let go... I wanted the moment to last forever! As I stood there hugging him and causing a small scene I'm sure, he pulled me away briefly and told me to look at his face... as I did he held me and shared the best news...that he wouldn't be going back to Iraq... that he was going to stay home! WHAT? HOW? WHAT'S GOING ON? IS EVERTHING OK? Come to find out, he is going to take command of the Rear Detachment for the remainder of the deployment. For various reasons regarding the prior staff, they were removed and Jerry was assigned as the commander. I'm still in shock! There are hundreds of wives in the battalion who all have husbands over in Iraq... and of all of them, MY husband gets to stay home. It was (IS!) quite amazing and humbling all at the same time.

  The next day was spent with the Roland's and visiting with family. After that, we hit the road for Fort Carson. He had to get right back to the office and assume command immediately (this was the reason for the initial urgency as it was imperative that Jerry get home sooner than later) so we didn't get any "days off," but that's ok with me... I'm just thankful he gets to come home each night. So, here we are now at day 17 that he has been home and already it's been quite busy. Yesterday we attended a memorial service for a fallen soldier from the unit and that was hard. I know the next several months are going to be long (especially for Jerry) but we are both just so glad and thankful that he is home!

  For all of you faithful prayer partners out there... THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! God indeed answered your prayers in allowing Jerry to stay safe while he was gone for 6+ months and He gave us an additional blessing by allowing Jerry to stay home. Thank you for rejoicing with us! We have received emails and phone calls already from many of you and they have blessed us both. Please continue to pray for all of the Soldiers still over there. They have several months to go and need your prayers.

  So, here are a couple pictures of Jerry and family right after he came home. I didn't get a single one of us in the airport and I was so bummed! I had on a cute little dress and everything! Oh, well... here are some from the following day...

  

  The Petty's came out to take some pictures for the whole Roland family that afternoon, so this is just a crop of Jerry and I. I'm hoping the others look a little better... we both have huge smiles in this one... I wonder why??!!

  

  More Smiles...

  

  Lots of Hugs...

  

  Much Gratefulness...

  

  Excitement from the little ones... (not sure what's with the glasses on Tim!)

  

  An extra bonus was that Dean got to be home on leave at the same time... it was great seeing the "brothers" together!

   

  Two proud Army wives with their Soldiers! It was a great day indeed!

  I've got several more pictures to post, including more from Guam that I never had time to add. So, I'll write more again soon. Also, my dad and mom along with CJ and NellieMae are all in Israel right now on a 14 day trip with folks from their church. So, please be praying for them as they're getting to see all sorts of incredible things. The three younger kids are staying in Guam with other friends from church, so please be praying for them too as Mom and Dad are gone. Thank you all so much! Love and hugs, Erin and Jerry

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