Update from "THE STAN"!!!!

So, I am really not good at updating this blog. Not at all…never have been. But I hope the “I have been in Afghanistan for the better part of 4 months” excuse will fly. LOL. So, as I sit in my room….most of you all are fast asleep, I felt that I need to write. (by felt…I mean my wife suggested I update my blog….but I really was planning on it myself….really..I was!)
Lots of people ask how I am doing. And I always say OK. But really, that is the best way to describe me. I am ok. Some days…I am really good, others, its really hard. I will say, there are more good than bad. But the bad…is REALLY bad. Weather we have lost someone…or I am really homesick missing my bride and my boys…the hard is really hard, and seems to outweigh the good. But like I said…there is more good than bad. So..that is what I mean by ok. Its 70/30.
What I will say, the Lord is here. Wow. He shows himself to me EVERY DAY! At night…it’s the milky way. During the day, it could be a cool breeze, or the smile from an Afghan child that reminds me of home, or the pictures on my wall. He is also here in the worship services and bible studies that I am involved with. I am not in the island that I thought I would be here. There are other very strong believers here. It is AWESOME! The Lord knew this would be an encouragement to me…as well as to others to know that we are not alone. Praise Him!

I have been playing guitar and leading worship every time I am here when we get together. Sometimes I am on mission but can not make it…and that is a bummer, but I still have my Zune…so I have my own little worship service if I am able. We have a Sunday morning service, and on Sunday evenings we have a bible study and we are currently going through Ephesians. On Tuesdays we have another bible study, most of the time I am out during that one. Thursdays are a praise and worship night with a lot of prayer. We are usually together for at least an hour and a half. It is such a blessing for the heart! I feel charged up every time I go, it really is something to look forward to.

The last 3 months have been hard. This is the closest I have had to deal with death, and destruction. It is not fun. There is nothing glorious about it. War truly is hell. It has made me really appreciate all that I had taken for granted back at home. But like I said, the Lord is here and He alone is sustaining me. Thank you for your prayers, they are felt, and I know that is why I have the peace in my heart that I do.

I am really looking forward to December, I will be going on leave then, and CAN NOT WAIT to see Tiff and the boys. Please pray that I am there for Christmas day and that my travels go well. (and that time comes to a STOP while I am there) I look forward to phone calls and webcamming!

BOXES. Oh my gosh! THANK YOU a thousand times. They make my day! Really, each time I get a box, its like Christmas! (BTW…Kelli and Lee…the dave glover CD, Are you kidding?? YOU ARE AMAZING!) I have been able to spread the love and generosity around my platoon. Some give me a hard time for how much I get…until they need shampoo, soap, a brownie (miss krosley…amazing), or something else. Really, the inside of my CHU looks like the PX!
Now that I can do this…I will try to update more. (yea…I will try. Mom…stop rolling your eyes.) This one really has no theme other than a shotgun blast update…and unfortunately…my stories may have to wait till we all see each other in person. But..we will see.

Again, thank you all for your support, prayers, boxes, and love. All are needed and felt. You all truly show what it means to love.
Thanks.
Tiff-you’re beautiful.
jerm

Is it bad?

So I was inspired by my good friend to do an is it bad post...

Is it bad that I think the 10 second rule can apply to 90% of the places you go for anyone?

Is it bad that I think the TV is a perfectly fine substitute for parental supervision at times?

Is it bad that not everyone will get that because they might not know me that well?

Is it bad that when we are driving around...walking places...going to the mall, that I am looking for spots we COULD be ambushed...or get ambushed....sizing EVERYONE up to see who could pose a "problem" if something awful came up.

Kinda like above...
Is it bad that I have a thing about standing/congregating in doorways? (at work we call them the fatal funnel) And I have to know and will look for all exits when we are out anywhere...ya know...just in case.

Is it bad that if you are a police officer I feel it is your duty to carry your weapon concealed to church?

Is it bad that my thoughts are like those above?

Is it bad that I want my boys to be tender, caring, strong young men of God who are fiercely devoted to their family, that are well loved by others, but those that may not like or love them, know that if they dis-honor their mother, sister (if they have one) or are just mean to others around them...that those people will have a "bad day"?

Is it bad that I think video games are a true hobby?

Is it bad that I really think I could go toe to toe with a cougar and win......seriously.

Is it bad that I feel I should be able to open hand...or back of the hand (you all know what that is) smack, the Jonas brothers, Perez Hilton, most of the cast of high school musical, The pres of Iran, and the entire congregation at the West Boro Baptist church?

OK...there ya go...
What are yours?

Beer Review #5

Name:Shiner Romanian Black Lager
Temp:Same as the other 4
Vehicle:Frozen Pint Glass

Ok...its official, I have a thing for Porters! Dunno what it is...but they are so friggin good! LOVE THEM!!! I did notice something with this beer, that I can say about the other porters but not of the traditional beers. They are almost better a little warmer than Ice Ice cold. (for those of you that are like me that are now 2/3 of the way through ICE ICE BABY in your head...rock on!) It was a strange find to me. Finnaly I dont feel like I have to slam a beer so it wont taste like warm urine! WOOT.

This stuff is awesome! Love it! Smooth finish, great taste (see the other porter review) If yo like porters or are looking to get into them....go here!!! Plus the bottle looks cool!

Beer Review #4

Name:Mandarin Hefeweisen
Temp:Back of the fridge cold
Vehicle:Frozen Pint Glass

For me Hefe's have been hit and miss...almost 50/50. This one was good. It had some type of chinese beer influences (So sayith the label). It was good, stronger than the other to lighter beers in the previous posts. But good. Not my fav. 6/10. I think the saving grace was the hint of citrus. If not for that...just kinda of a blah beer.

Beer review #3

Name:Blue Star
Temp:Back of the fridge cold
Vehicle:Ice cold pint glass

A little different than the Honey beer in the previous post. It is an unfiltered wheat ale. AND IT WAS GREAT! Of the 3 lighter colored beers I have had so far...this was my fav! Smooth taste. Had a GREAT after taste. Kinda like some of the porters I have it has a great finish! Again, if you are like I was a few short years ago...another great beer to start to expand your horizons on!

Beer Review #2

Name:Oregon Honey Beer
Temp:Back of the fridge cold
Vehicle:Frozen pint glass

The first of some of the lighter colored beers I have. It was very sweet, refreshing... tasted great! Not too weak...but this was no IPA or some other bitter beer. Very smooth, easy to drink. A good Beer for the first timer going out on a limb away from the Budweiser tree.

Beer Review #1

About 8 years ago I enjoyed my first beer. Yes...it was almost that long ago. I was with some friends from work (Kevin and Mark) and it was so cold...so GOOD! I am NO lush, but I enjoy the taste of a brewski!

My brother can attest to the fact that my palate was limited. I would never go past a Bud-Select for the longest time...no matter how hard he tried.

But over the last year or so...I have broadened my beer horizons. Thus I will be giving my review (although I dont have alot of knowledge on beer...I just know what tastes good to me) on some brews that were recently purchased that I have not either tried before...or have limited time drinking.

So this is for us Beer retards that are not educated on the
brews...but like the taste. So this will be in layman's terms to say the least.

But before I begin...here is what I like to drink.
Blue Moon
Guinness
Pyramid line of beers
The Michelob line of Micro-Brews
Stuff at the Ram or The Rock restaurants
Henry Weinhards
Shiner Bach
Black Butte Porter
Other stuff like Blue Moon

Ok, so on to my first review..

Name: Henry Weinhard's Classic Dark
Temp:Back of the fridge cold!
Vehicle: Pint Glass

First impression was a DARK beer. It was NOT see through. Poured into the glass...no head (because of the pour)
First taste....SMOOTH! Oh so smooth. Nice taste...not bitter...did I mention how smooth it was? Not really a coffee taste...kinda "woody" if that makes any sense... My wife thought it was amazing! If you are skeptical about dark beers...let this be your first! VERY GOOD!!

So this was the first of at least 6 that I will do over the next week or so...maybe sooner depending on how "hard" my day was. HA!

So...if you are a NOVICE beer connoisseur like I am...I hope this helps!