Update

I heard from Brandon this evening. I asked him what he need and wanted right now and he couldn't really think of anything. He doesn't want a lot of sweets (he's trying to stay as healthy as possible, granted he eats army food). Snacky foods are ok, although he's got a stockpile of sunflower seeds. Pretty much, he's going to let me know once he thinks of stuff. He's well provided for right now and can't think of anything he wants. Perhaps once he's in Iraq, more will come to mind.

Other than that, he's doing well. He's out on the field until tomorrow. He says its like a little campground with all the tents up and stuff. However, they return to the buildings tomorrow, at which time the soldiers will be going through an SRP (Soldier Readiness P...something, I don't remember).

Please pray for Brandon as he will be receiving an Anthrax vaccination which is quite painful (he's had one before). It will be a series of shots, the first of which he'll get tomorrow, the next in two weeks, then a month after that and so on. He will also be getting a small pox shot soon, too. Not a fun time, but necessary precaution, nonetheless.

Ok, so Brandon's birthday was on the sixth, last Wednesday. I posted earlier about the effect of the heat, but didn't give full detail. So here it is: the soldiers in the WLC course went out to the field to do some final evaluations and training. It was about 98 degrees out there and stinkin' humid! After the first mission, just before heading out for the second one (said by one of the leaders to be much longer and hotter), Brandon started to not feel so good. Well, one thing lead to another, and he ended up getting hooked up to an IV. He wasn't the only one. They had an ambulence bring them off the base to a hospital just so they could get checked out and make sure everything was ok (as much as it could be). He said he drank two camelbacks full of water and a ton of Gatorade, but still, it got to him. So, this is how he spent his birthday.

BUT! While he was in the hospital, a nurse asked him his date of birth and so on, and he told her it was that day. Well, later she came in with chocolate cupcakes for him! This blessed me so much to know that he was being taken care of! Even when I couldn't be there to make him a cake and celebrate with him, God brought that nurse into his path. YAY!

Since then, he's been doing pretty good with the heat. They haven't felt the worst of it yet, but with our prayers and a whole lot of water, I know they'll get through.

Tonight, while sitting doing lovely paperwork, I got a phone call from Gina Harcey (Brandon's bud's wife), asking me if I wanted to go walk in the park with her and her sister-in-law. Well, of course I couldn't pass that up! We had a great time walking and talking. I'm so thankful to have someone who understands the feelings and trials that we're going through. God set it up, I have no doubt about that.

Well, beyond that, I'm not sure what else to say except that Brandon says hi to everyone!