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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Update on Andy

Most of you know my son Andy is in the army, currently deployed to Afghanistan. Some of you have asked how he is doing, so I thought I would give you a view of our communication with him.
He works a lot! He's on duty for at least 12 hours a day, with only occasional days off. Between that and the problem of the time difference, it's not easy to talk to him. We can't call him and it costs him a lot to call us, so we depend on Skype.
Skype is wonderful, if you have good internet. Unfortunately, Andy's is really bad, so we usually don't use the video feature, and sometimes we just have to do the online chat instead of talking.
However - it's so nice to occasionally see his face, and hear his voice. And we know how blessed we are compared to parents in the past, who just had to wait for the occasional letter!

Here's a screen shot I took last week, when we were actually using the video.



Andy can't tell us anything that is happening over there, or take any pictures of his base. He did send this shot of the mountains outside his base.
Thanks for your continued prayers for him!

24 comments:

Mike Golch said...

I'm glad that he is doing ok. I am proud of him.Big Time Hug.

Karin said...

Blessings to you and to him as he serves his country so well!

Unknown said...

So glad you have skype and other means to communicate with him even if it is a bit iffy at times. Gods blessing to you and him.

Aspiemom said...

It's so great that you have Skype and technology so that you don't have to wait for a letter. I'm glad he's doing okay.

Shelly said...

Glad he is okay and very thankful that he is serving our country. It is amazing how technology makes things a lot better for us now a days.
I bet you miss him!

Connie said...

Sounds like Andy is really busy. Glad you have Skype to keep in touch. I remember when my brothers were in the army and how we wrote to them every week and hoped to get a letter back. Times have changed. But the missing them doesn't change does it.

Unknown said...

He looks great! If skype ever gives out, try Oovoo. It is nice to talk three ways. My sis and I use it with my parents.

How much longer will Andy be deployed?

Kalli said...

I will keep him in my prayers. and I am glad to hear that things are going well. I have a guy that I work with that is getting deployed in July. He is with the National Guard. I hope that time goes fast and that he comes home safely soon.

Colleen said...

Mari, I didn't know this but now that I do I also will be praying for him. What a brave man.

Cheri said...

That was great to see his face :)
The picture is beautiful!

sara said...

technology is wonderful in times like that!!! So glad you get to see his face and smile occasionally...does a mom's heart good!!!

Mari said...

You have to be so proud of him! I am...and I'm not even flesh and blood! Thank him for what he is doing...and thank you for letting him GO.

Karen said...

It's good to hear an update on how Andy is doing. I will keep him in my prayers. My nephew just returned from Afghanistan in January and I continue to pray for all of our fine service people who serve our country. It is a huge sacrifice for them to be away from their families for so long.

RR Mama said...

So thankful he is well. A huge thank you to you and to him. I am grateful he service. I am always so touched by how much our service men and women do for our country. It fills me with pride! God bless your son!! And God speed for him to come home.

septembermom said...

I'm very happy that Andy is doing okay. I'm glad that you get the chance to connect with him via the Internet. I will continue to pray for him and all that are over there. God bless you all :)

Anonymous said...

His status is not unusual. I remember when we were not allowed to tell anyone where we were or what we were doing. He sure took a nice sunset picture. Skype is good and used a lot by people with the Internet.

Cherdecor said...

I am so proud of Andy. I know that seeing him makes your heart so happy. I am glad you have skype to see him.

Betty W said...

Thanks for updating us. I¨m so glad for you that he is ok. You are lucky to have the internet now a days to keep in touch.

Kari said...

that is so great and you are able to chat - I've heard great things about skype. my daughter uses it with her friend back in the US.
That's a nice photo of the sunset.

Melissa said...

Gorgeous picture! I'm glad to hear he's doing well :)

ancient one said...

Skype is a wonderful thing... I'm so glad you can communicate with your son. Please tell him that we appreciate all the troops and what they do.

Jean said...

Bless his heart. And yours too, Mari.

Raise Them Up said...

I think of your son (and pray for him) often when I hear things on the news. Thanks for the update. I'm sorry I missed it when you posted it. Someday soon I hope to rise above the fog of renovation and visit everyone more often. I'm missing everyone too much! :)

Kayren said...

When Robert went to the first Gulf War, phone calls were $10 for the first minute and $3 for each add'l minute. We didn't really talk. We didn't have email or computers then either. It was just snail mail. They also didn't offer the morale calls. It was completely different when he went back the second time (which was when we had kids so I'm glad that he could at least chat with them).

Glad to hear the update, even though it took me a while to get over to read it!