HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! We are missing you and thought we could update you with some pictures of what has been going on here. The mosaic salmon is your birthday gift I made. It still needs to be grouted. Check out the new carpet. Phil also put up the rest of the trim...well most of it. Tomorrow they are going to build the shelves in the bathroom, closet, and hang the closet rods. Move in date is February 1. We all wish you a Happy Birthday. The picture of Emme is just too cute not to send..It's from when they were here at Christmas.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" Isaiah 26:3

These are the pictures of our new home remodel thanks to all the kids!!! I am so grateful for the inspiration. You have no idea how I have been sorting and cleaning after this. blessing. It is long overdue. I appreciate all your hard work. Soon to be posted are the updated pictures of the apartment we have been working on too. Everything is coming together. I just told Dad that all his hard work has paid off. Please keep checking the blog and praying for Dad (Bernie). We sure do miss him!!!

The Mini-Gun is mounted outside our shop for customers that don't want to co-operate.
Bernie with the Humvee and M-249 SAW .

This is a Humvee that was hit by an IED (Improvised Exploding Devise)

The ground cannot absorb the water as fast as what it rains here resulting in small ponds every where you go. The mud is like a peanut butter consistency and just as tough to get off you boots!

This is our pods (housing). Each unit has 3 rooms approx. 10x10. Not bad and a lot better than the tents that several troops live in. There is no running water in the room so outhouses and shower trailers (shown above) are the norm. Each pod area is surrounded by T-barriers and sand bags to protect the pod from frag blast.

To the left is a few confiscated weapons from the Insurgents being prepared for destruction.
Below is my customer service tech with a 50 cal sniper rifle.

Happy New Year!! It's hard to believe it's already 2006!!! Hallelujah! Here are some recent photos of our Christmas vacation. Please continue to pray for Bernie as he is in Balad, Iraq for the next four months.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him.' Psalms 22:8" "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my saviour--from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from mine enemies". II Samuel 22:2-6