Three Cheers for WET CHU's

Jon continues to work long, hard hours, although he was able to write a little report about a base he recently visited.

"The temperatures from Sunday to Tuesday were above 100, though Wednesday and today (Thursday) were back down in the mid 80's. On my trip, I learned a new acronym: CHU. I learned there are WET CHU's and DRY CHU's, and WET CHU's are to be preferred over DRY CHU's. I've lived at the base where I am now for a total of over fifteen months, where the living options are known as blockhouses or cans. Blockhouses are concrete barracks buildings constructed by Iraq pre-invasion, and are notable in that toilet plumbing does not permit #2. Cans, so known because they appear to be made of thin aluminum and offer no more protection from indirect fire than a soda can, are ten foot wide by forty foot long single wide "mobile home" type structures, basically, subdivided into rooms of varying size based on the rank of the occupant. Blockhouses and cans are both dependant on Comfort Trailers, which are basically ten foot wide by forty foot long "mobile homes" subdivided into toilets and sinks on one end and shower stalls on the other.

At this other base I went to, they had different terminology, and slightly different options. The concrete structures there are simply called "hardstands." They don't use the word "can," they use the acronym "CHU." CHU stands for Containerized Housing Unit, and some (for higher ranks and VIPs) come with plumbing, making them "WET." The plumbing at this base in hardstands is fully functional, limiting the number of comfort trailers required, except to support DRY CHUs. I was able to stay in a WET CHU (not because I'm high ranking or a VIP, but because I think they were refurbishing some of the other units), and let me say that it was a very posh experience--considering we are in what is defined as a combat zone out here. I had a huge room, a matching press-board wood-laminate covered wall locker/desk/chair suite, a bed frame actually long enough for me with one of those comfy double mattresses on it, and inside my room (kind of like a motel room) was my own toilet, sink, mirror, shower stall, and hot water heater. It was pretty sweet just enjoying not having to take a 500 yard stroll to use the head or take a shower.

So, given the context, if a Marine asks you if you want a WET CHU, the answer would be "YES." However, in a different context, you'd end up getting an already been chewed chunk of chewing tobacco, so just make sure you understand the context :)

Speaking of that other base -- I will probably be moving to that base, probably before my scheduled R&R. This is a good thing, mostly. It is an even safer base, if possible, than the one I'm at. It has a huge chow hall called the MOACH (Mother of all Chow Halls) that has really good food, but it is spread out. The base I'm at has been compared to New York in that no body had a vehicle and you can walk every where. The other base is compared to Los Angeles--you have to have a car to get anywhere, as things are so spread out. All of this is relative, of course--there is a bus system at both bases that goes anywhere you want to go every half hour, so it boils down to convenience. On this base, I never have to wait for a bus and I can get wherever I want to go in minimal time. There, I'll have to wait for the bus, and it will take double the time even if I time my trip with the bus schedule. Of course, if I end up getting a WET CHU, it might be worth it..."

Thanks for your prayers for all of us.

Sheryl

Hair Cut

Well, I did it. I cut off 8 1/2 inches of hair. I was ready to go shorter but am enjoying this in-between length. Those of you who have only known me for the past 6 years have never seen me with short hair, but it has been shorter than this for most of my adult life. I've e-mailed the pictures to Jon and am waiting for his reaction, but he has always been supportive of whatever I wanted to do with my hair, so I'm sure he'll be fine with it.

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Sheryl

Plenty to eat

Those of you who have eaten with Jon will appreciate this report sent yesterday,

"I went to the chow hall tonight and had a full plate of stuff -- chicken fajitas, chicken slices, big helping of mixed veggies, bowl of beef noodle soup, and some cantaloupe, when I saw some chicken cordon blue... I couldn't very well put any of the stuff I had on my plate back, but I just had to have some chicken cordon blue, so I did. Managed to eat all the food on my plate, too, though I skipped dessert (in this case, it would have been banana bread pudding, which is really good...). I'm doing pretty good on my weight, even though I don't have the time I'd like to run, tonight will probably set me back some, but oh well. I also took a 2 hour power nap today from 1300 to 1500, which I really needed. It's about 2245 now, and I should be able to get to bed before 2330--and my meetings don't start until 0930 tomorrow, so a full night of sleep in the offing as well."

Sheryl

Celebrating Passover

Joshua and I did a fun and educational activity yesterday. I really wanted to go to the Maundy Thursday service at our church, remembering the Last Supper when Jesus had Passover with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. Our pastor washes a member's feet, communion is served and every person in attendance is prayed for individually by a pastor or staff member. It is an amazing service, but didn't start till 7:00 and of course goes pretty late, so Joshua and I stayed home.

I decided to try to do something in the afternoon that would give Joshua a better understanding of one part of Passover. At 2:30 in the afternoon we started making bread from yeast. He has heard the Passover story many times but since I NEVER have made "real" bread since he was born I realized that the concept of "unleavened bread" would be completely foreign to him. We had a great time. He thought the yeast was "gross" and looked like "vomit." He kneaded the dough for over 5 minutes and we waited. He loved punching down the dough after the first rising. We made one loaf and 12 rolls and waited again. We didn't get to have our first taste until after 7:00 pm. In the mean time for dinner we whipped up a batch of Bisquick biscuits (not true leaven bread, but the perfect example). Our biscuits were ready in 15 minutes from start to warm buns on our plates. We talked a lot about Passover and I read the Exodus account as well as the Last Supper account in two different children's Bibles. It was such a fun activity and I think it really made an impression, so I just wanted to share.

News from the Front

Here's the latest from Jon, "Well, like it or not, the planning process is actually working, though a little slower than anticipated. I will have to be taking another trip shortly, back to the same place I went last month, again the trip is planned to be of short duration. Of interest/concern is that I picked up a bug at this place on my last trip there, please pray that this doesn't happen again--the water is reportedly more contaminated there than here, despite our best efforts: there are signs everywhere, particularly in the "comfort" trailers (which are the toilet/shower facilities) that warn of fecal cologen, and suggest that the mouth remain closed during showers, use only bottled water for brushing teeth, etc. I was very careful, but might have inadvertently slipped up. Also, it would be helpful if my boss, who's currently still on his "TAD", is back by then, a situation of which there is some possibility..."

Thank you for your prayers. I hope you all have an amazing Holy Week.

Sheryl

Looking for a renter

Thank you for your prayers for Joshua and me. I thought he was well enough to go to school on Tuesday, but then Wednesday morning he was feeling sick -- head, nose, stomach -- so I sent him to bed and he slept for 3 1/2 hours. You know your child is sick when he sleeps during the day. This morning he seemed okay, ate breakfast and didn't complain too much about his nose so off to school he went. So far I am staying healthy.

Another prayer request is for me to be able to find a renter for our house in Orange. This was our home before moving to the southern part of Orange County after Jon was activated by the Marine Corps. We had a young woman in the house for a little over 2 months. I knew it would be a short time due to her circumstances but didn't expect her to move out quite so quickly. If you know of anyone looking for a place to live in the Orange/Santa Ana/Tustin area, please let me know. The person would have two rooms and a bath upstairs above the garage sharing the kitchen and living area with one couple and single man who live in the four rooms downstairs. Thanks for any leads you might have.

Jon and I were able to talk on the phone yesterday, which was a huge encouragement in the midst of all the business that is my life. He continues to work long hours but I think most of the time he is fairly encouraged about the work. He does miss being a part of our lives.

Thank you to the many of you who read this blog regularly and pray for us. May God bless you.

Sheryl

Sickness strikes again

My weekend started out marvelously. I took Joshua to my Dad's (Mom is visiting their youngest granddaughter Maddy in Seattle) Friday afternoon and then I went out with girl friends for dinner and I got to hang out till 9:00 without worries of the babysitter bill. For about four years these friends (Shirley, Cathy, Karen, Jill and I) have been gathering four times a year to celebrate our five birthdays. We do miss our good friend Richelle who lives in Spokane.

Saturday I was able to attend a Silent Retreat at my church -- my first. Wow! What an amazing experience. If you ever have a chance to do something like this I highly recommend it. It is not an easy thing to do and I was exhausted afterwards, but in a blessed and holy way. I was only silent from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, but that was a long time for me. :) I had about an hour at home alone to do chores and check e-mails before my dad brought home my sick little boy. He had a fever (which hasn't broken as of Sunday afternoon), he seems to have a stomach bug as well as a runny nose and of course he feels miserable. He got about 11 hours of sleep last night and after a short phone conversation with Jon this morning, he has spent most of the day in bed. TV doesn't even help because his eyes hurt. I got about 10 hours of sleep last night, so I'm trying to take care of myself.

Please pray for me. We were healthy most of the fall and beginning of winter and now this is the third time Joshua has been sick since Jon left. I got his bug last time, so please pray that I don't get it this time. Also pray for peace as I will have to give up things on Monday that I really want to do, unless he has a miraculous healing this afternoon. Thank you for joining with me in this journey through illness. It is such an encouragement to know that people will pray with me.

News from Jon is that spring ended last week over there. He said it felt like spring for a couple weeks. Last week it got up to 80 and they are expecting it to hit the 90s this week. He continues to work long hours, but seemed fairly encouraged this morning when we spoke. They don't go to day light saving time until April 4, so now he is only 10 hours ahead of us.

Thanks for your prayers.

Sheryl

Long overdue picture

Jon and I attended a Marine Corps Ball back in early November but we only just received our pictures this week. Hmmmm I'd say there is a little problem at the photographer's office. I tried to send the picture to Jon, but it is too big and so I am just going to post it on the blog so he can see it, and of course so can anyone else who wants to. :) Hope you enjoy us in our finest.

Sheryl

BUSY

As I mentioned, things are crazy busy for Jon. Here's what he wrote today,

"I'm incredibly busy now, as our planning sessions are sucking up all my time, and I've still got all these weekly, bi-weekly, whatever odd jobs due to various authorities. Dealing with daily internal stress, retaining mental alacrity in the planning sessions, reading an avalanche of reports every day to retain situational awareness, and kicking out product as required to support the planning process, the cumulative result is actually tougher to deal with than the stress resultant from my job in 2006. As soon as the lead for my sections returns from a short TAD, it should let up a little, as we'll have two folks to cover all the work. Well, I'm not trying to whine, just communicate the business of my life. One of the Chaplain's sermon illustrations from Sunday was a Chinese pictogram for 'busy.' Apparently it incorporates two characters, one meaning 'heart' and one meaning 'kill.' I thought that was pretty good. Semper fi"

Thanks for keeping him in your prayers.

Busy lives

Sorry it's been a while since I posted to the blog. There isn't anything new from Jon. He is very busy working long hours. Thank you for your prayers and a BIG thanks to those of you who have sent letters, Motomails and packages. Anything from home is a big encouragement to him. Jon mentioned that he really appreciates newsy letters because it helps him to feel connected to what's happening back here.

I have been very busy with PTA activities this past week. Many of you know about California's budget crisis and at this point it looks like it will mean a huge cut in funding to the public schools. Our district alone has been required to cut $28 million. And so I am helping to lead a letter-writing campaign at our school, encouraging parents to write to the legislature in Sacramento as well as our Superintendent and Board of Trustees. Some days it is a bit consuming. It is encouraging not to feel alone and to have a sense that we might be able to make a difference. At least we have the amazing privilege to communicate with those "in power" to try to influence their decisions, something that millions of people around the world are not able to do, without fear of retribution.

Joshua had a very fun weekend. Saturday afternoon our good friend Mr. Ken and his son Alex picked up Joshua for a sleep-over. Alex has Wii and I believe the boys spent many hours playing together. I ended up doing some of my FSEA (the job I get paid for) work that evening and then watched a DVD before heading to bed early. Today I was able to attend church at Trinity Pres., where I heard an old friend Tim speak. He teaches at a seminary in Istanbul, Turkey. It was wonderful to learn more about the people of Turkey. And after 15 years as an active member at Trinity Pres., it is always great to worship with so many friends even though we have been gone from Trinity for 5 years. This afternoon we met some friends at a new park in town and I got to catch up with my friend Tiffany while Joshua and her son Jay ran and played for a couple hours. It was a very restful weekend.

This week will probably be very busy. We have a special PTA meeting Monday morning to encourage parents to sign letters. Then we'll set up tables on the sidewalks around the campus after school to get the parents we missed in the morning. Tuesday night is the regular monthly PTA meeting. And then the week goes on with other meetings and activities. Fortunately I truly love what I am doing and know that this is God's calling for me right now.

Thanks to all of you who read and pray.

Sheryl