Hello, Jeff.

A really swell soldier named Jeff came and spoke to my class while he was on leave at Easter. He absolutely thrilled them with his talk of army life as he knows it. I can't show pictures of my students, but here are a couple of Jeff, who gave me permission to post his likeness online. (Here he is showing us his Ferrari stickers on his laptop and explaining the "backwards" flag on his sleeve--that is, placed the way it would be viewed by another person if carried by someone else--field first, stripes following.) They also keep the patch colors "dull" so as not to be easily seen by enemies. These details--plus all the specs on the guns and ammo, of course--made for a riveting hour and a half for my class and the younger ones.

We're praying for you, Jeff, and hope you're safe. How are the violin lessons coming along? Thanks again for taking time to visit us while you were home.

Seven Years Ago Today

I was homeschooling. Joel was in utero. The TV was off, as usual during the day, and Paul called to tell me around 9 a.m. I was stunned. I turned the TV on real fast to catch the news for myself. When the I thought I was tuning in to replay after replay of what I thought was the ONLY crash, along came a second plane! I remember how sick, how utterly, numbingly sick I felt. This was real and it was no accident.

Today I wept as I prayed for all those who lost loved ones as a result, whether at Ground Zero or overseas in the military since 9/11.

Where were you and what were you doing when you heard the news of the terrorist attacks on
the Twin Towers?

Loving Military Mail

So far I've heard from all four branches of the US Armed Services, and how wonderful it feels to see an email or (better yet) a real paper letter in the mailbox! I can only imagine how it must make their day to get something from "home" --even from a stranger. To see English, to see name brands in the care packages, to see a familiar state on the return address, to hear about "normal" life.

One guy, Eric F., who is my son Ben's age, is in Kuwait, an Electronics Tech for the Navy. He gave me a little education (that I asked for) on how the Navy does their ranking. He is so nice. In co-op last week I read aloud a short email he wrote thanking Mia, one of my little art students, for her drawing. She looked up from her work at the sound of her name and just BEAMED. I thought she was going to levitate. It was so special because she is usually critical of her own art, always asking for help, rarely smiling. He says the Ladybugs picture is on the window at their helpdesk, the first thing people see when they walk in.

I've also heard from others, whom I've mentioned, but the one I feel compelled to stay in touch with, and probably draw out, is Ashly. She's a young, pretty soldier who has yet to get anything from home. There's just such a lonely tone to her letters, and since loneliness is something I battlle (which is best battled by reaching out, not expecting others to do the same for me) then I feel this is my mission for now. It's a way of being on foreign soil without actually stepping foot in the sand. (I don't have to deal with sniper fire either, thank God.)

Must admit it's really hard to curb my appetite for snatching up stuff for soldiers. Sarah and I went to BB's and they had a HUGE box of lotions and shave gels for 3/$1.00. I mean where else can you buy unlimited quantities of that? I bought 9, with self-control. Then there's the single drink mix packs. I like to put one in each letter. I try to write a letter or two a day to various soldiers (Attn: AnySoldier/Sailor/Marine/Airman). Then there was beef jerky for 1.99 a bag. I seldom buy it cuz it's nearly 4 bucks a bag at Walmart, so I bought 4 bags at 1.99. I also found some really cool men's body wash in bottles shaped like a plastic oil can (you can "grip it" and pour thru the spout). The scent is called Full Throttle. I picked up extra for Stephen since "living your life full throttle for God" has been his motto from a retreat a while ago.

Anyway, if you think of it, please pray for a soldier today. The war might not be something you support, but I hope you realize that fighting the terrorists in their backyard instead of ours is something you should dwell on whenever you're tempted to argue with Bush. If you go a packed stadium without fear of a bomb killing everyone around, thank a Marine.

If you're a service member reading this, you know you have my support--and a care package coming soon!

The Game of Give (Or Sacrifice)?

I am making a morale-boosting game for the troops and I don't know what to call it. I'm toying with "Give" or "Sacrifice." Since I couldn't afford to buy a game, I came up with my own. It's a creative way of sharing the goodies we've been sending over, as well as entertainment.

I would like it if you could add questions to the game.

For 2 or more players
The game is based on the verse "it is more blessed to give than to receive."
Object: to sacrifice more of your care package goods than anyone else
Game pieces: none
Set up a container (called The Basket) in center of table.Fill it with snacks, toiletries, puzzles, DVDs, etc from your latest care pkg.
Start with youngest player.
EAch person takes 2 goodies to start with.
Player 1 draws a question, answers it, and follows the instructions.
Play continues till all goodies in center have been taken in the game.


Questions I've come up with *just a smattering).

If you've gotten a call from home this week, sacrifice all your goods to the BAsket.
If you haven't had a shower in 48 hours, take 2 items from player to your left.
IF you have a dog at home, give one item to player across from you.
If you have sheets on your bed, give 3 items to the Basket.
If you have read your Bible today, take 1 item from the BAsket.
IF you got a letter from home (or anyone in the STates) in the past week, give 2 items away.
If you had creamer for your coffee today, give 2 items to person on your left.

Can you all help think of more? They should be related to the troops in terms of :
support
hygiene
sleep
family life
food
entertainment

Which name do you like better for the game? Or suggest a new one.

Sheets for Soldiers

I am on the hunt for very inexpensive or free, 100% cotton fitted sheets--TWIN size--for soldiers' beds. They are currently using their sleeping bags, but it's hot over there--already in the 100s-- and their only other choice is to lie right against the bunk mattress. I've read many requests for bedsheets and pillowcases and would love to send a few at a time but can't fund it on my own. Anyone care to help? Right now I need :

-two fitted sheets that would go well with a cool dark green color I found in flat
-one white flat sheet to go with a light-blue-with-white-starfish print I found in fitted
-coordinating pillowcases

Have you slept on the new birch fabric? Feels like silk when I run my fingers into it in the bag at the store, but wondering if it breathes like 100% cotton? I want to "love my neighbor as myself" and I wouldn't want to sleep on anything but pure cotton or something very breathable.

Additonal Stuff for Military

Magazines of any hobby. (Someone is bound to share the interest, and besides, they say they love to read anything from home. I remember when I was in Russia, it was a treat just to read anything in English!)

Bibles. Small. Modern English. (I would guess a good bit of this younger generation have been unchurched. They need a version that's easy to read. These aren't requestede, but you and I know we don't always ask for what we REALLY need:)

Kellogg's cereal. Maybe even those multi-pack of single-serving. But large boxes of cereal are fine.

Music CDs. All genres.

TV shows on DVD. They are longing to catch up with what's happening in AMerican pop culture.

Books. I would suggest paperbacks you're ready to get rid of, or finding them very cheap secondhand.

Ziploc bags in any size.

THat's all I can think of for now.

Oh, one of my themes is Hodge Podge Lodge. I sent miscellaneous stuff in a box so there's "something for everyone" (in my dreams). If it's liquid, please double ziploc bag it. IF it can make a mess, it will. Thanks again.

Theme Girl and Soldier Care Packages

If you know me, you know I think in themes. I call myself Theme Girl. (Sarah told me if there was one way to give me an unhappy birthday party, make it themeless.) Anyway, thinking in themes helps me when it comes to packing care packages for our military. For one thing, you can shop in one aisle for all kinds of the same things. Or you can be sure that you're not sending soap in the same box with PopTarts.

If you have thought you'd like to send stuff to soldiers (or Marines or Airmen or Sailors) but would like a specific list, here are my themes, to be shipped when a box is full and to anyone on AnySoldier.com whom I find doesn't have many supporters as of yet.

Theme 1: Micro Meals and Bottled Water Buddies
With only access to microwaves (and some units don't have them) they love getting microwaveable meals and desserts. Target and Walmart are well stocked. EAsyMac, Healthy Choice soups, Maruchan brand soup. I've heard there are microwaveable brownies but haven't seen them. Anything in its own bowl is great.
What I call Bottled Water Buddies (to be annoyingly alliterative) would be Crystal Light or Propel "shakers"--come in a 10 pack and can be poured into the water bottles on the go. These are often on the request lists.

Theme 2: Work Out Wishes
athletic tube socks (white), sports bras (mostly medium and large are requested), hand towels, t-shirts to work out in (no white and not dark) with logos like Adidas, Fubu, Nike, etc. They can't wear civilian clothes otherwise, by policy.
Runner's World magazines, Men's Fitness, any sports magazines.

Theme 3: Bathing Beauties
Dove moisturizing body wash, loofahs and washcloths, bath towels, hand towels, good moisturizing shampoos, razors, body lotion, nice smelling hand soaps, and magazines to read while their feet are soaking.

Theme 4: Writing Wonders
note pads, envelopes, thinking-of-you/love you/birthday cards they can write to their loved ones (stamps not necessary), other office supplies

Theme 5: Hygiene Helpers
Most oft-requested (practically begged for, I should say) are pearl tampons (read: smooth plastic applicator), nail clippers, foot scrubs, and anything girlie. -Yes, I know they all signed up for hardship--and they know it--but they really, really appreciate the comforts of home being sent to them by complete strangers who pack stuff with love. They say "it's like Christmas" or "it really boosts morale" or "we wish we could meet the people in person who send us these things" or "it really helps us do our jobs better to know we have support from home." To me, that's priceless.

Theme 5: Bedding Bliss
100 % cotton sheets because they only have mattresses and sleeping blankets and very worn pillows. The guys like black, dark blue, green; the women--pink, purple, "anything girlie." If you find coordinating separate flat and fitted sheets, I'll sew up a pillowcase. It's more economical in some cases, and always more personal!

Theme 6: Snacky Stuff
Goldfish, NutterButter cookies, granola bars, Little Debbies (not chocolate; it's getting too warm and would make a mess), gummy worms, cheese/crackers packs, trail mix, dried fruit, breakfast bars, beef jerky, graham crackers, tuna in a can with the pull-tab lid, etc.

As always, they love cards and letters from kids. They hang them up on the dull, drab walls for color and smiles. So if your kids produce a prolific amount of art, would you consider asking them to donate some of it for the sake of soldiers?
I try to ship on or about the 5th and 25th of each month, so let me know ahead of time what you'd like to contribute so I can plan accordingly (I pack TIGHT in the flat rate boxes), If you can, I'd appreciate help with postage (41 cents for every 6regular sheets of paper or 3 construction paper, or a dollar per pound of goods.

Thank you. I realize this cause may not be popular with everyone, and that I may be just a wee bit obsessed, but I feel like it's part of my calling because it's such a huge joy to me to think of someone opening a box and feeling, in some small way, that God has heard their prayer that day. It might be a prayer for lotion, or socks, or sheets, or a child's card saying, "hev a good day soljer." I know it would make MY day!