Tonight I had an eye-opening experience that I wouldn't have traded for the world. This may sound strange considering the delays and hassles at the airport that stranded me overnight in a Dallas hotel on the way home for the holidays. But considering that the airline put me up in a nice Marriot room, where I'm now laying comfortably in a robe nibbling on a chocolate croissant (compliments of the breakfast voucher they let me use early), I really can't complain. It was a bummer to realize that I won't see my parents until tomorrow morning, but the thing is, I will see them! And get a whole 18 days to enjoy them and the rest of my family who I love so much. I'll be home for Christmas, there's no doubt. I guess that's something I've always taken for granted...until tonight.
I got on the shuttle with 5 soldiers headed back to Afghanistan from their two week R&R in Alaska. Some of them got to see family there, some even got there in time for Thanksgiving. But now their shipping out again...right in time for Christmas.
It was hard for me to talk to them; I have such reverence for their sacrifice that it almost makes them unreal to me. I'm used to talking to missionaries for my church, who give up 18 months or 2 years of their lives to engage in selfless service. But putting your life on the line for your country...that takes a different kind of bravery. Honor. Patriotism. Loyalty. Humility. And Courage. Lots and lots of courage.
But when I plucked up my own courage to ask them about their lives, I found out that they were just people. Regular people who become great when they put on that uniform. And probably some of the most respectful people I have met...they stopped the elevator doors from closing and helped me fit in with their bags, saying they were used to being packed in tight. One said it was like a cattle car. Really? They ride in cattle cars? I don't know if that's slang for something, but whatever it is, it doesn't sound very comfy. Here I am living in the lap of luxury...do I ever think of those who willingly sacrifice their own desires of comforts for the good of others?
There was one soldier that looked so young, about my age. He said he got to spend Thanksgiving with his wife in Alaska, and he was grateful. I don't know how I'd be feeling if I were that wife right now. Grateful, or just plain lonely? Probably a bit of both.
The news this week that the United States is pulling troops out of Iraq (something that I did not learn until tonight, since I've been so consumed in Finals that I haven't paid any attention to the news lately) must have come as a relief to thousands of families of soldiers overseas . But what about those in Afghanistan? In Kuwait, Japan, South Korea? It is incredible to me that there are thousands of self-sacrificing people out there who are so wonderfully brave that they give up their own personal freedoms to protect ours. They don't choose when or where they go. They go where their leaders direct them. And they've probably seen things so horrific that much suffering has ensued in their personal, emotional lives. They are willing to die for us. I don't know about you, but I'm seeing a lot of parallels to what the Savior did for us. And it astounds me that there are people who do this every day. It's in their job description. And they volunteered for that position. And why? So that you and I can sit safely around the Christmas tree next week with our loved ones, exchanging gifts of the caliber that the Afghans will never know or see in their lifetimes.
Waiting in line at the hotel, the young soldier noticed on the news coverage of riots going on in Egypt. Cars were burning and police were shooting. He made a comment to his comrade that I didn't completely catch, but I could tell that whatever they were seeing on that screen was familiar. And it meant something different to them. It was real. It is real. This world turns round with things like this happening every minute of every hour, while I throw up my arms in frustration as I watch my plane pull back away from the gate without me. An inconvenience.Thatled me to a king size bed and a 28" plasma tv. It's a nice hotel, and I'm comfortable despite the fact that my baggage with all my clothes and toiletries is somewhere in the vast expanse of Dallas airport (that doesn't count as unattended baggage does it? I'm guessing they'll keep a good eye on it:)
It's a nice hotel, it's fine for a night. But imagine having to sleep in hotels for 3 nights in a row on the way in and out of the country. Then sleeping in tents, or maybe even cattle cars, in a foreign country where enemies might fire at you any time. So far from home. At Christmas.
There's something extraordinarily comforting about home. Sleeping in your own bed. Pulling up the covers knowing that when you climb out of them the next day, you'll be greeted by smiling faces of those who love you.
Needless to say, I didn't come into my room tonight and turn on my plasma screen to watch some mindless sitcom. I was given some food for thought, a kind that I've never tasted before, and I feel like I have feasted.
I think many of us forget our servicemen and women in our prayers because we are not closely tied to anyone overseas. I am guilty of this. I had never had much exposure , and my ignorance bred ingratitude. But now I know what it means for someone to be home for Christmas ONLY in their dreams. To be serving elsewhere and to miss the gleam in the child's eyes, to miss the carols around the piano, to miss the love that emanates from the spirit of giving and of family.
Next year I will be on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will not be with my family for Christmas, but I know they will not be far from me. And they will be safe, and I will be safe. These soldiers and their families don't have that assurance. But we as Americans will maintain our freedoms and safety as long as they are willing to serve.
So to all those who will be home for Christmas only in their dreams...I salute you. And say thank you. God bless you, and God bless America!
Sidenote, if you haven't seen the movie Courageous, that needs to be the next on your list. So good! It shows the influence a righteous man can have not only on his family, but on the world.
This week was a big one in the life of Aubrie, so for those rare people out there who actually care about such a humble life as mine, I thought I would share a few thoughts.
Thought #1- Heavenly Father loves us and is SO willing to bless us in our lives! Yesterday morning I started studying a booklet that our Stake Relief Society handed out as part of a 14 day program to come closer to Christ. It's a big deal that I did this in the morning, since my scripture study usually consists of reading a few verses before I fall asleep at night, and drifting off before I can write down what I learned. I could have/should have/would have been frantically finishing my reading for a quiz I had to take that morning in my Stress Psychobiology class (go figure, it would be so stressful!), but I decided to take my chances on the quiz and put the Savior at the top of my list.
So not only did I start out the day enveloped in a peaceful and happy spirit, but I continued to feel this joy throughout the day. And then four amazing things happened that assured me of God's blessings. It's like he showered them all down on me simultaneously just to assure me that when I put Him first, He will not withhold His tender mercies nor His mighty miracles!
First, my aunt who is my best buddy in the world and a radiant, elegant lady called and said that she is engaged to be married to a man we all adore. The wedding will be in March and I couldn't be happier for her!
Second, a close friend of mine who has been waiting for years for her chance to visit France has finally been presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity and a perfect fit for her! I hope it works out for her...and something tells me, this time it will!
Finally, a dear girl who I have had the privilege to get to know this past year has finally overcome the main obstacles in her relationship with a wonderful man, and they are making plans to be married next year. Yet another manifestation of God's perfect timing when we put our lives in His hands.
Thought #2- I didn't tell you the fourth big blessing. Did you catch that? Well, it deserves a section of its own because it affects 18 months of my life and has to do with proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to people who are ready to receive it. Yep, you guessed it. After 2 years of waiting for the day I would be ready (more like 23 if you consider that I entered this world wondering where my black name tag was)...it's finally happening. I'm submitting my papers to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Originally the plan was to graduate first and set my availability date for sometime at the end of June 2012, but talking to my boss the other day and discovering I might need more pre-reqs for Grad School than expected, I decided, "Why put off for tomorrow what could be done today?" No need to rush through school and stress myself out. I'm finally in a place in my life where I am ready to serve my Savior full-time. So I will send them in right before Christmas and I expect to hear back probably around the time of my birthday. I'm hoping they come on January 18th, since that's my confirmation date and I will have been a member of this Church for exactly 15 years on that day. But we'll have to wait and see. I'll go where, and when, He wants me to go! I'm expecting state-side due to my medical history, so if I get a foreign language or a different country that will just be an added and unexpected bonus. But if I get called state-side, I can go back to visit more often! And maybe I'll love the area so much I'll decide to go to Grad School there! So it's time to hang up the old part-time badge. It's time to paint my masterpeice!
Thought #3- So with all this goodness, it turns out dreams really do come true! Maybe having Pascal as a hood ornament brought me good luck! When will my life begin? It already has, and it's been a great ride!
Thought #4- Pictures are great!!! Here's some from our Halloween party, Amy and my True Blue Experience, Road trips to the Vernal and Jordan River temples, my time in St. George with some awesome friends, and of my cute nephew...because what would an Aubs Blog post be without showing off my little cuties!
I think this last picture best expresses how I feel about life right now. I'm having a ball and can't wipe this smile off my face. Things right now are better than ever, and the best is yet to come.
That doesn't mean I won't have days and even weeks like these...
But it does mean that no matter how dim and grim things get to looking...there's always a shower of blessings waiting for you down the road!
