I promise to get back to scrapbooking and traveling and shopping and pretty things soon but my mind and heart is pretty much consumed right now with Brandon's departure for Iraq today. He called as he was heading out to the plane and promises to call when they land in Maine sometime during the night tonight before they leave the US and his phone doesn't work anymore. He'll be in Kuwait for a couple weeks and then head into Iraq. He had his assignment and I have his address all ready to send things to him, but today he found out that it may change and probably won't know where he'll be until the day he goes into Iraq.
Even as I type that, I can't believe it's real. I'm full of so many conflicting emotions... my mind is telling me one thing and my heart tells me another. I've been dreading this day... but here's what I know for sure: I know I trust God, that He is in control, that He loves my son even more than me, and that He will accomplish great things in and through Brandon during this time. I will miss him so and will always be concerned for him. I'll be clutching a penny... that's for sure! :) (If you're new to my blog, God sends me "pennies from heaven" to remind me to trust him. "In God I trust.")
Brandon said he got a hug from the "hug lady" as he left at the airport. The hug lady is 79 year old Elizabeth Laird. She hugs every single soldier who leaves or arrives back at Ft. Hood. God bless her for hugging our sons and daughters when we can't be there! (this isn't Brandon... it's a picture I found of her online. :)
I found some pictures of a couple of the bases where Brandon may be stationed. It was comforting to be able to picture where he'll live. The soldiers live in 2 person CHUs (sounds like shoes)... Schuh in a CHU... I bet he'll get some ribbing for that! They are containers that become home!
It's going to be mighty hot there... they have a heat index guide...
(I found most of these pictures on a soldier's blog that was stationed where I thought Brandon would be, so I assume it's ok to post them... especially since I'm not sure he'll be there now.)
I posted this on Facebook and I'll include it here too... the Bible verses that Brandon likes the most and brought up again yesterday...
Psalms 144:1,2 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge.
I'm so thankful for the comfort of God's Word and the love of friends and family. I am treasuring every message of encouragement and appreciate your prayers for all of us more than I can say. Thank you, thank you!
Alicia leaves on Saturday... pray for her too!
With so much love, Debby :)
Still keeping you in my prayers and how neat to find those pics online to help you be able to picture him there, in his "home", etc.
Posted by: Larell Strickland | July 07, 2011 at 07:59 PM
Debbie - Be sure to check out www.freeportflagladies.com and http://ourstopinmaine.smugmug.com/TheTroops2011/ They both take and post pictures of the troops passing through the airport in Maine. It's always exciting to see our soldiers - even when they've only been gone a short while. Josh and I are working on our fourth deployment, so if you need anything, just give me a shout!
Posted by: Connie | July 07, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Sorry - spelled it wrong! Debby!
Posted by: Connie | July 07, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Thank you for the smugmug link! I'll be stalking it for Brandon's picture!! I hope they take them even when they arrive in the middle of the night.
Posted by: Debby Schuh | July 07, 2011 at 08:15 PM
sending love and hugs and hope for all of you! thankful for men like Brandon (and their families) who protect and support our freedom!
Posted by: Shelly Berg | July 07, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Both sites usually have someone there all hours of the day and night. They want the guys to feel the love no matter when they show up.
Posted by: Connie | July 07, 2011 at 08:25 PM
D.. Thnx 4 ur very raw & honest post - i cant even imagine whst this experience must b like 4 u as a Mom - i will 4 ever more think of u when i find a penny & know that it comes from G- d - dont know if this will b comforting 2 u or not but my niece's husband is in the Air Force & just returned from his 5th deployment 2 in Iraq & 3 in afghanistan - the cool thing was he could email her regularly & they also had skype sessions - not as good as in person but at least they could b in touch - unlike the days when my Dad was in WWII & wrote letters 2 my mom that tool weeks 2 arrive so she never really knew where or how he was & then the censors cut out lots of his letters - a different time! My thoughts & prayers r w/ ur son & daughter in law - b strong - trust G-d & soon he will b home in ur arms - much love xoxo reva
Posted by: Reva | July 07, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Debbie;
You and your family don't know me but I want you all to know that I am thinking of you. I have two young adult daughters and can't imagine how I would be able to cope with either of them serving in a battle zone. My father was in Vietnam when I was a child, and that was hard. I remember standing in front of my first grade class to share a doll my father had sent me. Of course I loved it, and was super excited to bring it for show and tell. I stood up in front of everyone and said "my daddy" and then the tears just flowed. My dad came home, healthy.
Thank God.
I'll be thinking of Brandon and Alicia and you and your family.
Posted by: Kathryn in Benicia by the Bay | July 07, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I will include Brandon and Alicia in my daily prayers. Thanks for sharing your story. You must be so proud.
Posted by: Kathy C. | July 08, 2011 at 12:21 AM
Hugs Debbie.
Posted by: Kip | July 08, 2011 at 02:05 AM
Thinking of you and Brandon and Alicia everyday. God will take care of your precious ones.
Posted by: Heather Bellanger | July 08, 2011 at 05:31 AM
I am thinking of you and your family. A big thank you to Brandon and Alicia and to all of their families for their contribution to our armed services. Hugs to you.
Posted by: Sunny | July 08, 2011 at 06:38 AM
Sending prayers your way for the safe return of both your soldiers and their respective platoons or whatever the Army calls the group of soldiers they are with. My hat is off to both of them for proudly serving our country. Hugs to you.
Posted by: JanSC | July 08, 2011 at 07:08 AM
I continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you to Brandon and Alicia for their service!!!! PEACE.
Posted by: ReneeD | July 08, 2011 at 07:44 AM
Debby, Brandon and Alicia continue to be on our prayer chain through my church. I know this is hard.
Posted by: Deb J | July 08, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Thank you for sharing with us and my heart goes out to you and all the families that sacrifice so that we may live in this great country . Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Bobbie | July 08, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I'm speechless.
Posted by: cathy L | July 09, 2011 at 09:03 AM
I thank the Lord for people like Brandon and Alicia, so brave and unselfish. Your last few posts have brought tears to my eyes and fills my heart with such emotion. I will keep all of you in my heart and prayers.
Posted by: Penny Houser | July 09, 2011 at 07:05 PM
Gotta love these people who sacrifice so much for us. Please let us help with gifts, cards etc. If you can,
give addresses in your blog
Posted by: Gayle | July 12, 2011 at 08:03 PM