"Extraction"– Photo courtesy defendamerica.mil
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Since the founding of the ‘Grok, Skip and I have been blessed by the many new friends we have met as a result. We got to know Sue Peterson thanks to our mutual friend Karen Thurston and the NH Blue Star Mothers. Sue’s son Alex is currently serving in Iraq. If you really wish to get a true feel for what the sense of duty, honor, and sacrifice is, get to know someone with a family member who is an actively serving soldier in the US armed forces– especially a mother.
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Sue was kind enough to write a brief note about an email exchange she had this week with her son…
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always" 1 Chronicles 16:11 and the note with it says…."Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple movement of heart toward God will renew our powers. Whatever He may demand of us, He will give us at the moment the strength and courage that we need."
I just wanted to share part of what Alex was able to share with me about 12:40am (EST) or 0900 (Baghdad) on Monday ….I was sleeping and heard the familiar and lovely "cash register" sound that indicates that Alex had signed on to AOL Instant Message…
and here is what transpired…
Alex: when u pray, praise God he protected me last night – we went on a Medivac run and the enemy must have seen our helicopter land because as we loaded up the wounded, mortars rained in on us and we had no where to run to because we were in an open area. The mortars landed behind, to the right, to the left, and in front of us. Some were only about 40m’s away – but none of us got hurt. T hey hit in a circle around us and not in the middle where we were
Then I told Alex…..you know…tonight before i went to sleep you were on my mind so much…i just prayed for a hedge of protection around you…so…praise God for His protection. I am so grateful for the prayers of so many…and thankful for this answered prayer. Also…who knows how many are praying for the soldiers you are with….
You know, I thought if I ever heard something like this, I would be so scared, crying, etc….but, I have to say that what it did was give me comfort…..comfort in knowing that no matter what….Alex is in God’s hand and nothing can take Alex from Him. Also…I know that nothing is going to touch Alex that does not pass through the loving hand of God. So…praise God for His protection and mercy…and thank ya’ll for your continued prayers and support.
Just a little insight as to what transpires between a mother, her soldier-child, and God. I stand in awe of such people…
BY DOUG