Checking In

I realized something the other day--I don't miss blogging. My postings have become so infrequent that most of you probably forget I even exist until a random post pops up every few weeks. And you know what? I'm ok with it. Yes, I really do enjoy blogging and it provides a great release sometimes. But other than that I don't feel very compelled to blog all that often.

There are some things (1 in particular) about which I could easily post a million things, but I'm just not ready yet.

However, I do have a specific reason for posting today. My family could really use any prayers/thoughts/whatever you can give right now.

Last Sunday we had a going away party for my mom's youngest cousin (my extended family is super close). Paul left for Iraq on Thursday, February 19 on his third tour of duty. He has 3 boys under the age of 5 and a beautiful wife already anxiously awaiting his safe return. He's part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and his group is the largest to be deployed from the state of Wisconsin at one time since World War II. You can read a little about them and the send-off ceremony here.

Paul works as a Military Policeman and is usually charged with some of the most dangerous posts. This time around, he's not even allowed to tell anyone what he'll actually be doing. That right there tells you how dangerous his job really is. A lot of people are speculating (based on experience) that he'll be guarding convoys of diplomats and the like. If you've even read one article about the war, you know that the bombing of convoys accounts for a large percentage of troops killed.

Of course, we try not to think about that sort of thing, but it's hard not to have it floating around in the back of your head. So please send some extra prayers and thoughts Paul's way.

And while I don't want to hoard all of your prayers, there is one more thing I'd like to ask for.

On Valentine's Day I found out that my uncle has lung cancer. The good news is that the cancer was caught very early and completely by accident. My uncle got a new job and had to have a physical. One thing led to another and they discovered the cancer. The doctors are very optimistic because of his overall health and complete lack of symptoms. I know he and my aunt have met with various oncologists and surgeons, and while my uncle is not in a great place right now emotionally, the diagnosis thus far does look to be on the better side of things.

And yes, my uncle was a smoker. A pretty heavy smoker for 40 years in fact (he's 55). He also worked in a factory as a welder for about 35 years, and the doctors say that probably has more to do with it than the smoking (although the smoking definitely accelerated it).

So please, anything you could send my family's way would be much appreciated.