HE IS HOME!!!

Thank you dear friends and family for your prayers, support, acts of kindness and bold displays of love. Micah is home - physically in a place where he will reside - embraced by love so peaceful with his presence.

Happiness in uncontainable around here. We are thankful, grateful and relieved to have him home - however - there is this experience, that we've all just been through, that will not allow the common thread to be broken with other soldiers, their families and friends - a bond to pray, support, continue acts of kindness and bold displays of love. As you look at his arrival pictures and at this great time for celebrating - please, please don't forget there are other men and women still in harms way. Some families and friends will not have joy at their loved one's homecoming but unimaginable grief. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for Micah's and his units safe return - it is miraculous.

After debriefing at Ft. Benning -

*his first stop was Auburn (WAR EAGLE),

*next was Birmingham, only long enough to move into his new apartment, buy a car

*then off to Nashville, Indianapolis and Chicago.

The months that follow will be eventful.
Alli starts her new job in October.
Micah will return to college in January.
The wedding is set for June 28th!!!!

MICAH IS HOME!

This journey was just an awaking to another...
Thank you Lord!!

Thank you!

MAY was WONDERFUL!!

I'm sorry that it took all of June for me to make this entry.
Micah did make it home. For 16 glorious days. He looked wonderful, skinny, but wonderful. At the airport, as he walked toward us I literally couldn't breathe. Watching him snatch Alli up into his arms, gratitude washed over my heart. It wasn't until the moment that I could look straight into his eyes, with that smile two inches from my face, did my breath return "Thank you Lord!"

Kenn, Elise, Alexander and I all had wonderful times with him while he was home but none of us had our fill - the countdown for coming home was replaced with the ticking dread that he had to go back. But the looming May 22nd date became so minimized because Micah, on the other hand, made the most of his time here.

He had been masterful for months, planning all that went into asking Alli Byram to marry him. He included all of his family, her family and their friends (who - showing how awesome they all are) kept the secret to the very minute he got down on his knee.







Alli - has been amazing while he's been gone but seeing how strong they are together was a gift. They had time at the beach with her family. Time in Auburn with their friends and time here in Birmingham with us, his Uncle Jeff from VA and his Crazy Aunt Kathy and her husband Jeff from Indianapolis. We had the most wonderful glimpse of how fun and wonderful it is going to be with her in the family.

As most of you know, he is back in Iraq now - with only 8-12 weeks to go until he is home again, this deployment finished. Another countdown. Taking him to the airport and watching him get on the plane was the most agonizing thing I have ever been through. Nothing in my life so far has had this deep of an effect on me. It's impact has not left me. I have dropped him off places, (sleep overs, camp, trips) I have let him go, (baptism, college, boot camp, Iraq) but this was Surrender. Any thread of personal possession, credit, pride I have held in Micah vanished. You spend a child's life saying, "My baby. My boy. My son." Secure, they grow up knowing who they belong to - who loves them. Looking into his eyes that morning I saw a man divinely designed to be able to do a remarkable thing. To bravely leave those he loves, who love him; those which he belongs to and belongs with; those who want to hold him, celebrate him and protect him; courageously he walks past opinions and for the moment, brushes aside political tensions and heads straight into harms way and danger, toward those who for many reasons want to destroy him; he is an American, a soldier and a Christian (literally marked on his body); so to do his duty, protect his family, friends and homeland - he goes to Iraq.

This man who held my gaze - came from God's mighty, loving hand . This son - I surrender -

He is amazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH!!! 22 - Whooo Hoooo!

This is might be what Micah is doing on his 22nd birthday - March 14, 2007!

Or he could be involved in his profitable

past time...

He probably would prefer to be in Auburn
with Alli...

...and all his friends

- BUT - we know he is working hard and is dedicated to getting the job he is assigned to do - DONE IN IRAQ.

So let's surround him with thoughts, prayers and love - so he knows that we celebrate the day he was born and the man he has become.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH!

WE LOVE YOU and THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Hurry up May!

As January comes to a close the weight of being in the middle months of Micah's deployment is being felt by all. He says he doesn't need anything so let's fight the slump. Post a poem, prayer, song, joke, note, article or whatever - to cheer on Micah and inspire us all. Starting us off is a poem Micah wrote that says it all - and some pictures to remind us - these men and women volunteered for this - 1% of the entire population of our country defends us all - willingly. They've got my admiration. Micah will be able to come for leave in May just in time for his girlfriend Alli's graduation from Auburn (and many of his friends) and his sister Elise's graduation from Vestavia High School. So - Hurry Up May!

"I Never Meant To Be A Hero"

I never meant to be a hero.
I raised my right hand to fight for our land,
To serve with honor and to serve with pride,
For my people I would give my life,
But, I never meant to be a hero

Now as I walk this land

Boots covered with sand, weapon in hand, I ask Why?

Why give up my girl, my life, my world?
For a country so dark, so desolate, so grim
Filled with sin and hate for my men.

Why would I want to be your hero?

But, then I realize, as I drive by - Why!
I see you run as fast as you can, across the hot sand
No shoes on your feet, just to greet - Me!

I see the huge smile on your dirty little face,
as I race across your land, you extend your hand
thumb raised high, towards the sky
I then realize
Why?

Because, I am your Hero!

the hooch

below is one of Saddam's palaces

below Micah is on the left and to the right is a view in Night Vision

2007 is finally here!
The countdown was not as the ball dropped to welcome the New Year... But began the instant the ball landed heralding 2007 and we were able to cross off one day --And will continue to do so, marking one day off at a time until Micah comes home.

Micah received so much at Christmas.
Thank you all!

The gifts were timely and needed. The DVD's and games are much appreciated, helping to relieve stress and tension on those days off, in between missions. He did say that he has lots and lots of snacks. He is well supplied and will share - throughout the whole next month. Cards and letters are so helpful and supportive. I can't help imagining, them creating and paving a clear pathway for his journey back to the United States.

Exactly what he is doing over there may not be known to us - but what is evident - he is being committed and brave. Their missions I am told by the Commander's wife are going well and they are doing excellent and effective work. I wish the media told us, showed more of this aspect. Their unit has taken some injuries but none life threatening. The danger lies in the nature of their work and those who want to stop them in their progress but as Micah says over and over again - "We're ready - We're prepared," and I'm sure they are but I am still gonna bath him (them) in prayer and gushing exhortations of support and encouragement. I have heard many of you express the same.

GOD BLESS THIS NEW YEAR!

Christmas Reflections - between USA and Iraq

How many miles is it to Iraq? Not so far that our prayers cannot reach or expressions of love and support be felt. Its distance cannot deter that we celebrate with family and friends across oceans. War will not rob us of one memory or stop the making of new ones. Fierce is the passion for protection, calling toward a land that holds one that we love - MICAH - and for him the once babbling, rambling petitions are becoming so simple and pointed.

So many of you have said that as you shop, dine, entertain, decorate, buy trees, visit Santa and bake that you are mindful and soberly aware that many fellow countrymen and women are engaged in war, in danger and sacrificing themselves on many levels through their commission. In return, Micah (and countless others) are mindful of us. Christmas is mystical - God becomes man - a virgin gives birth - angels appear to shepherds - a manger the chosen bed for the Messiah - the incomprehensible becomes consuming comprehension.

Is Christmas 2006 a little mystical?

There is a feeling; an experience, a strong tether to Iraq; a conduit keeping us close to Micah.

Or is the same as it always is in the ways of the Lord - Acts of Love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John3:16

Noel
A Christmas reflection

Magnificent angels manifest joy
His birth disarmed death’s claim

Heavenly jewels crowned the world
Earth tendered a manger plain

God’s love for all mankind
Marked humans all the same

His finding quenches the searching soul

Even those who deny speak his name

There will be a Merry Christmas between Micah and all of us .

Between Iraq and the United States.

Because...

Christ is Born - Let us glorify Him forever!

A Different December...

During this time of year thoughts, prayers and memories all intermingle with reality that Micah is serving in a war. The marked difference of the life we have here in America clash with Micah's stark living conditions in Iraq but in photos it doesn't show on his face and his voice continuously assures that he is alright. When I spoke with him last he had a cold but was on the mend. He told about one of their missions working in the orchards at one of Saddam's palaces. He said it was beautiful. If you're like me - I can't wait till he can send pictures.

Here he is workin' That boy loves to drive.

Night vision goggles- you know he loves these - bet he wishes he had them at Auburn.

He also said he is training on some new equipment. He can't say what or where but they are out on missions a lot now - I think they were out during Thanksgiving and I know he is out at this writing. After intense situations and hard work - Y'know Micah is always gonna find a way to play.

He says Hello! Loves you all! Is thankful for all you are sending! Misses Everyone!