AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you haven't been a military spouse, then you really have NO IDEA what crazy is!

Steve was suppose to be home in OCTOBER for his Leave.

He came home in SEPTEMBER for a short version of it.

Whatever.

We were both glad to have it...& sad to say "Good-bye" again.

I could tell you what I have learned today, now that he's back

in-country; but I won't, I can't.

We're both tired.   Tired of the BS that he has to deal with over there and the BS that I have to deal with here.

Although I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit tells me when to pray specifics for him, it wears on me when I KNOW what I'm praying for...and then...Steve confirms the danger.   

Again, I AM THANKFUL to be able to know and to pray.

But...we'll both be glad when he's home.

We'll both be glad when ALL of our troops are home.

I suppose that the next time that I will post here will be when I know FOR SURE that he'll be home.

After that, I'll be on my new website that I've just created.

Although it's official up and going, I'm not going to share the site with you just yet.   I have some tweaking to do.

Check back in a few weeks for my website info, and check back in November and December for Steve's homecoming; that's the closest date that I can give for him.

Tired Love,

Patti

ALICE WAS A SISSY!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!     It's one of those days.

Not one of those stepping through The Looking Glass...

meeting up with some freaky-strange, weed smoking, crack eating characters...

and finding oneself falling for an eternity down some flippin' rabbit hole.

("Eat this."   "Drink this."  Ummm...I don't THINK SO!)

NO.   Absolutely not one of those days.  

I'd KILL for a nice day like that!!

I'm talking about the ones where you have things gnawing through the insulation of your soul, then you feel the sharp teeth beginning to shred the protection on the hard wires of where you're plugged in.   

Where you can't stop the sound of the clickity-click-click-sssccrrrrrratch of their claws as they scurry from one end of the mind to the other, short circuiting any able-firing synapses they can find.

I'm talking about hanging onto anything physical and that's MORE than just nailed down.

I'm going to have to call The Master Electrician before I get chewed in two.

I don't have bats in the belfry; I have rats.

Big, nasty, New Yawhk rats tearing around up there.

    

And, there are other scampering visitors up there as well.

   

I hear them in the middle of the night whispering to the rats.

The Belfry is The Battleground Of The Soul, you know.   

Everything is won--or lost--there.

     

It's not a good day to be near me.    Dangerous, actually.    

I could snap at any moment and you would lose your pretty/handsome little head.   (I said "handsome" just for you, Jeff.)   ;)     

Talked with hubby on Skype today.    I have been praying for his "latest situation".   (Don't ask.  Honestly, you wouldn't believe me anyway.)   

The answer couldn't have been any better!    Truly!  It was very excellent!    

Made me want to do my little "Nanny-Nanny-Boo-Boo!" the I'll-dance-on-your-grave-for-doing-THAT-to-my-husband while spewing sarcasm and vitriol everywhere.  "I'll get YOU my pretty!  And your little dog, too!"

(**Musical Warning Note for Non-Musicians:  I am singing and dancing to "Thank You Very Much" from "Scrooge, The Musical" only MUCH nastier.) 

I WARNED  YOU, didn't I?  

Now, you would think (those with normal mindsets--which leaves out about 5 of you), that my Rats In The Belfry Syndrome has something to do with what Steve has been going through and us being apart.   

You would think so.  

And you would be wrong, Camel Breath!

My torment comes from an extremely deep and old Well of pain that is taking years to clean out.     

Sometimes the Well lid gets knocked open and I fall back into it, which isn't so bad the first several thousand feet because I can see where it's been cleaned out, expanded, and there's nothing jagged left on the sides to tear at me.  

I can see light and hope here in these places.

It's the remaining monstrous pit of despair and loss that is the Reaper, or even Raper; both are ample words to hold the context of agony-of-soul.

Now don't you wish that you could know what this is?     

I cannot tell you; for it is much too vicious to see daylight yet.     

Even I cannot bring it up to the light; it screams worse than a Banshee and thrashes and tears at me worse than a Hell-Beast with poison-tipped, rapier claws.  

And what's worse:  I cannot even release the agony through tears.     

Days like today...I think that my head will just "nuke off"...and it'll all be over except the Fall-Out. 

My best friend knows everything that I know.

My husband knows everything...at least up to the latest revealing that the Lord gave to me; so even he isn't up to speed.   Skype doesn't quite cut-it for the deep things.

And Jesus knows everything I know....and beyond. Thank-You Lord!

So on days like today, I can know that I know, that more of the answer is coming.   

Deeper and more severe wounds take much longer to heal and require patience if more surgery is needed to chase down hidden infected pockets.

The Lord showed me in a vision/dream 17 years ago what this was.   

Of course at the actual time, I had NO IDEA what was in this final "Well" that was so much deeper than all of the others.   

But He did tell me and show me that this was the FINAL Well to be healed, because it was the deepest, and the life that would come out of THIS particular Well--ONCE it was healed and purified--would bring needed healing to others. 

He knew that I would NEED that vision of life through these many long years...and whatever time which remains...in order to give me something to hold onto when the battle was the most vicious.

Total healing MUST BE close.   

The battle for this deepest parcel of ground is growing more fierce day by day, sometimes second by second.

  

And the rats are calling in back-up!

That's okay.   MY back-up is bigger and badder.  

When it's all said and done...I just might be His Woman of God after all.

I never really saw myself as one of "those" women-of-God types.   

You know, (uh-oh...**MUSICAL WARNING NOTE:  "I bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never, never, ever let you forget you're a man, cuz I'm a WOMAN...

W-O-M-A-N...)  

(Sorry.   That's life in my brain.   E V E R Y T H I N G  IS  A  MUSICAL!)

I guess somewhere I just thought that "holy women of God" were made by being "good".   (Whatever the hell THAT means.)   

If that's so.....I'm screwed.

MY experience is different, as I suspect is every other TRUE man or woman of God.    Actually, I know that it is.  

After pastoring the "what-and-where's" we have been sent to over the past 30+ years...

...oh yeah...

I know that the Real Children of God are 

  gathered in by a sharp sword, 

    broken on the rock, 

      crushed upon the threshing floor, 

        formed with great pressure, 

          and birthed in the fire....

to become bread for the hungry. 

To be made into bread...just like Jesus is The Bread of Life.

It's that dying to self part that's the kicker.    Dang!  

Even through the din of the rats scurrying and scrrrratching and gnawing,

       

through the dark fear of my own Pit and Pendulum....

                            

...there IS hope.  

And even more than hope...

  ...there is Grace to withstand...

     ...and stand...

          until Jesus and I make our way back up this last Well.  

Yeah.   Alice was a sissy.   

Nice story, Alice, but I'm looking for the ending that brings more than just some sappy resolution.

At the end of MY story there will be never-ending change and abundant life. 

Enough for me to give to my loved ones, and for all

--who, like me--

have had rats in their belfry.

Until next time, dear ones...

Put De Lime In De Coconut,

Patti 

Pssst!! You're On!

(Fanfare: "Tah-dah!", as she scurries out from behind the curtain...)

Hey there everyone! 

Ummm....it's not that I've forgotten to update you about Steve...ummm....

it's just that... (digs toe into the stage floor)

...that for quite awhile now there's been nothing new to update.

Okay, well, except for him

                        --and most everyone at Camp Adder--

have been horribly sick with a nasty viral infection.   

Other than that, it's Army life as usual.   

My "excuse" for not writing is that I've been scurrying around trying to get things ordered and gathered to send to him in order to help him feel better.

Since we both do the Hippy-Dippy-Natural-Medicines, dude,

I had to draw from several sources to get his last set of boxes sent off.   ("One toke over the line, sweet Jesus, one toke over the...)   

Kidding, okay?

It's a good thing that I already had him set up with a bunch of natural oils to take to fight against that virus.   

He DID get better quicker than the other soldiers.

This virus has been so wicked, that the Pentagon actually sent one of their doctors to get involved.

(Steve "accidentally" ran into him and he got to talk to him about some of the issues at hand.)

One of the worries has been that it was a "Germ Warfare" attack, because of the way that it took over the entire Camp. 

Time will tell, I suppose.

There are other things that I'm aware of that I can't share, but everyone can certainly be in prayer for "those things".   

I've had a request from a dear friend from high school, for me to add things that I've been doing while Steve is gone.   My friend obviously READS the blog but does not MESSAGE BACK....Jeffrey, dear.

I will do that for Jeff...and any other sneaky visitors who don't leave a message...perhaps next time.

While I've been trying to get this little bit down, I've been on Skype with Steve, and texting with two other friends.  

My brain has been taxed enough for today.   I need to save some grey matter for later in case some thing else happens.

I hope my synapses will fire up...

That's it for now ladies and gents and whatever else is hiding in the bushes and watching.

BIG LOVE,

Patti

(Exit: bows and leaves the stage sans music)  

 




    

Today's Forcast: Sunny, 125 Degrees, With 70 MPH Winds. Have A Nice Day!

By now I'm use to hearing about the sandstorms that rip the hide off of Steve and everyone else.

Today I got to hear about Nature's Heat-Ray Gun.

When the temperature is that hot (soon to be up in the 140's), and with Category One winds blowing the suns rays over any exposed skin, it's like being blasted with a Heat Ray Gun or a laser.

Steve said that just having to walk to do his normal, everyday duties, absolutely wore him out today.   

"Top" is tired.   And freshly sanded.

And he still has to walk to the shower and then try to make it back clean.

And you wonder why Baby Wipes are still Number One on every soldier's list?   

Just in case anyone would like to ship him some, he likes the

Huggies brand that are Aloe and Cucumber (I think).   

And some Beef Jerky would be GREATLY appreciated.

I'll write again once I find out when and where he'll be going to later this month.

Much Love!

Patti

PS...when you think you're hot this summer...just remember:

you really aren't. 

TIME GOES CREEPING ALONG

No news is good news, or so it is said.

No news to me just means that Steve is still guarding rocks and sandstorms; keeping America safe.

Sorry for the sarcasm.   Time is d r a g g i n g  along for the both of us.

The best update that I can give is that he is doing well, but very tired.   

They've been having to do most of their "drills" through the night hours because of the constant sandstorms.  

Knowing what his "drills" are for doesn't make me feel any better, except that hopefully everyone is ready to go and react at a moments notice.

I always think back to when my brother Dick got back from Viet Nam.  

I will NEVER forget being told to not get near him or especially touch him if we saw him sleeping.

It was because if awakened suddenly...he'd instinctively grab you...and go to "hurt" you.  He didn't know that he was home and that we weren't the enemy.  

The things that our men and women have to know and do in order to fight and survive is great while there.

Once home, much love and even greater patient endurance is required for them to re-acclimate to movements and motions that we take for granted.  

*sigh*

I would like to ask everyone who takes the time to check in with my blog on Steve, to take a bit more time and write him or email him, or better yet...send him a little something from home.   

Time for him is 24/7.   

There are no days off.

  

There are no week-ends.   Especially for the higher Ranks.  

 

Thank you for your prayers for him and all soldiers serving around the world.   

I'll check back in when there is any news from Steve.

Love To All!!

Patti
 

QUICK UPDATE ON STEVE

Very quick update!

Two days ago while instructing REMEDIAL PT (yes, I typed it correctly and you read it correctly), he strained one of his knees.   Actually, it's a knee that he needs surgery on and it's re-injured.   

When he went to the doc, the doc was absolutely amazed at his blood pressure: BETTER than the "youngsters" ages 19-25.    

It's just that his body is not fairing quite as well as his engine.

So, please pray for Steve and his knee.

And you might want to pray for soldiers who are already in a WAR ZONE who have to take REMEDIAL PT.   *eye roll*

MUCH LOVE AND SIGHS,

PATTI

Let's Write and Send Stuff To Steve!

Here we are...finally!    I've copied it directly from his email to me:

My mailing address is simply:     1SG Steven Elzy
                                       HHC 219th BfSB
                                       Camp Adder
                                       APO AE 09331 

DO NOT put Iraq in the address it messes things up.

I know that I have already sent out lists of what the soldiers need and like to receive, but if you missed that--let me know.

Also, Steve has particular items that he personally needs, mainly certain vitamins and supplements that he takes to keep his "youthful edge" on his youngsters!  ;)   

If you want to do this--it would be greatly appreciated--so just let me know and I'll let you know what he needs.

Love To All!

Patti

BREAKFAST AT TIFANNY'S, I MEAN CAMP ADDER

I wish that I could give you the actual date when Steve got into Iraq---I think that it was sometime this past week-end.    

All I know is that he told me on a phone call last week that, "I'll be there for breakfast tomorrow."

Where's "there"?

Why Camp Adder, of course!   

My first thought: "Wonderful. He's at a place named after a deadly desert snake.  Great."

Then my next though (of which the Holy Spirit pushed into my head): "Oh, he's at a place where he gets to stand upon and rule over the 'evil snake' of the area.  That'll work!"

Obviously, it takes me a few times to REMEMBER who we are in Christ....

Okie dokie!   Camp Adder....

Camp Adder is LITERALLY in the midst of the ruins of UR of The Chaldees, and everyday he looks at the ruins AND the Ziggarut that was built pre-flood, in order to worship their Moon God.

 

Pre-flood, there was a huge lake there.  The people built a huge Ziggarut in order to get high enough to see the reflection of the moon in the lake.

After the flood, the area became marshland, which drew the Bedouin people to settle there.   

Sadly, now, it is a salt marshland.   Very barren and desolate.

As for Steve, his quarters are in the middle of camp, so he gets to walk from middle to end, from end to middle, and back again, and again, and again.....

He told me that Chow Hall is at one end of the camp, which means that after having to walk back and forth to chow 3 times a day, he walks almost 8 miles a day JUST to eat! 

I told him that he surely wouldn't have to worry about working-out to lose weight!

Because of his Rank, he has his own personal quarters, which is VERY nice this time around.   We can Skype all alone!     

Also, he's in the area where all of the Officers are, which (believe it or not) is a good thing.   He has some VERY good leaders this time around. 

I have been BEGGING him for pictures of the area, but he tells me that because of the sandstorms, it's almost impossible to get shots.   

Whenever he sends me something---I'll post it!   Promise!

Also--once he gets through the next few weeks, he'll be going OUT on Missions throughout the entire country of Iraq to check on all of his troops.

I will not write what "going OUT" entails.   Just know that when I let you know---PRAY FOR HIM!   

I do know more to tell, but cannot.   So please, pray for Steve and all of the men and women of this particular mission.

This mission is suppose to be THE ONE that "Shuts the doors and turns off the lights."

And we all know how these things can go--when politicians get their noses in there.

If you are curious, get on-line and check out UR of The Chaldees (or go to your Bible), and also look up Ziggarut.

He is officially in Tallil, if you want to look it up on a map.   

It's in the basin area of where the three rivers meet--literally within the area of The Garden of Eden.   

This Tour of Duty is a rough one, but it is also such a God One!   We're both excited to see what things the Lord will do!

I'll post his address on my next blog for you.

Much Love To All!

Patti

PS...Steve TOLD ME how to spell "Ziggarut" like it's spelled there.   So don't be yelling at me that I spelled it wrong!  ;)

And for MORE info, just Google "UR of The Chaldees Ziggarut".

First Contact

At 4:30 this morning...STEVE CALLED ME!    (yawwwwnnnn!)

I must say that, for me, being awakened that early, it could only have been my honey on the phone.

He is in Kuwait and will be for at least another two weeks.   So for now, he is 7 hours ahead of me (EST).  Once he gets to where he's suppose to be in Iraq, it should be 8 hours ahead.   Doesn't seem like it by looking at the map; but what do I know?!  

We couldn't talk very long, so I don't have much info to share with everyone.

As usual, the 16 + hour flight was rough on everyone's bodies; a lot of fluid retention, making for puffy and stiff extremities.

He said that he was going to go get a bite of lunch and then go and work out.   He needed to work on getting acclimated and get "the puffy" out.

That's about it.   Like I said, he didn't have long to talk.

I'll post again when he calls.

Until then...don't forget to pray!

Sleepy-Eyed Love,
Patti

It's Mother's Day. Do Something Different For God's Sake!

Yep.   It's Mother's Day again.   

Time for homemade cards with crayon, water paints, or maybe some kind of pasta & glue.

Time for Hallmark to rake in another bazillion bucks.

Time for emailed cards for those who either can't draw, paste, or get to a Hallmark store.

Time for beautiful, heartfelt gifts for mom.

Time for d***it, I have to do something for mom, $%^&*(!!!

Time to share your true heart with your mom.

Time to be guilted into giving-doing-being something for mom.

Time to dress up and help FTD, 1-800-Flowers, or Pro-Flowers, rake in the bucks with flowers from Ecuador that will die in less than a week.

Or to buy the 50% off wilted rose from Wal-Mart because Lord knows you ''HAVE'' to get something.


Some of us still have our moms...and wish we didn't.


Some of us don't....and wish we did.


And for a great many of us, believe it or not, just wish this day didn't exist because of the pain it causes us.


I've seen some of the most callous and clueless acts thrown as emotional javelins through the hearts of mothers--in church over the years, that--not only I--but a host of mothers just don't show up on Mother's Day because it hurts too much. 


Well, unless they're guilted into it.

Or the mother makes DEMANDS on their family.


As for me, having miscarried too many babies, I've endured
far too many Mother's Day Services than I should have had to.

Not that I have minded giving and serving others; that part was dear and sweet; no, I'm just speaking about heart's like mine today.  


And my best friend, sheesh!, you could write a horror story about the things she's had to endure.   And NO, I'm not kidding.


My best friend and I have both suffered together through some BAD M's Day.   *shudder*

Which brings me to today's Mother's Day. 

My best friend and I have both ENJOYED one of the BEST Mother's Day ever!   Sweet!

Even though my mom is with Jesus, and I do not have any physical children...I have hundreds of spiritual kids all over the nation.   Wherever Steve and I have pastored or he's served in the military, we have "children".

Yesterday, as you know (if you've read my blog) my honey was on his way to Iraq, and is now there--somewhere.

And yesterday as I went to dinner with my other friend Angie last night, I opened the perfectly timed arrival of the cards that Steve sent me.   They were both Mother's Day cards--from him to me--celebrating ME as HIS Proverbs 31 woman.


Then when I got home I opened a large envelope (thought it was ??), and it was a gift from my honey!   A black leather bracelet with a lovely thin bar with the inscription: "Love you more" on it.     And yes, there is a story behind that.    I'm still smiling...

My friend's mom is with Jesus too, as is my friend's husband; but she has been blessed with two way cool sons.  And when I found out what her youngest gave her for her Mom's Day gift, I couldn't stop laughing!

Both because it shocked me and hit me funny, and also because it was just...SO...Joe, her youngest son.   

He got her a gun.   And now they can go target shooting together.  (Sitting her laughing as I type!)  

I wish that you knew all of the nuances and variations-on-a-theme to our friendship, because it's the only way to bring you into just how wacky this is.

And why it made it the PERFECT Mother's Day.   

For her...and for me.

Naturally, we BOTH did NOT go to church today; me in Indiana or her in Texas.   

And no, we did not miss anything, nor did anyone else.

Our Heavenly Dad blessed us both with what we NEEDED to sooth and to minister to OUR hearts--NOT the expected standard.

I'm writing today to celebrate freedom from the expectations and demands of a tight-assed church, locked into the confines of their own individual religiosity.

(Yes, Virginia; I just typed, and you just read what you thought you read.   Get over it and get over yourself.)   


I LOVE my life in Christ.   And I love that I can speak plainly in order to get a point across.   

I pray that everyone had the Mother's Day that they DESERVE--
--NOT THE ONE THAT THEY HAVE TO ENDURE.

And I pray that perhaps my itty-bitty-blog will smack you right between your double-lidded eyes, and you will start to SEE and REALLY honor your mothers and wives and sisters, as The Father would have you to do.

For God's sake!   DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Do something inspired by the Holy Spirit!

Go against the mundane and typical.

GET REAL.

Loving You Like The Mother I am,
Patti

It's Catch-Up Time, Everybody.

HOLY CATS!   I truly thought that once Steve got out to Ft. Irwin, WA, I would have TIME to not only Blog on a TIMELY basis, but do other things.   

OBVIOUSLY NOT.  

I would have loved to have kept you up-to-date with his training and his "Herding cat and chasing squirrels" on a weekly basis.

But then....I would have LOVED to have done a lot of things other than what I've been having to do.  

I would have LOVED to have told you about Steve's two and three-quarter days of Leave here at home while it was happening.   There wasn't any time to do so then.

Here it is now:

We spent our first 3/4 day--going to the--CHIROPRACTOR together!  Woo-hoo!   

We did go out to eat at Cracker Barrel because it's "comfort food" to us; and we were blessed with someone paying for our meal.   

That was SO SWEET!    Almost as sweet as being out in public with my soldier in uniform and catching up on things. 

Then we went home to HAPPY-HAPPY-JOY-JOY dogs.   Insanity with fur.   They barked and ran like maniacs for over an hour.  

Next we called for "our" kids to come down to see me, not knowing that Steve was there.  It was great to surprise them!

After they went on home--we both crashed.   Steve especially. He was SO tired.

The next day was OUR DAY.   A day to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it.   And although if I told you everything we did--you'd find it mundane.

But then nothing is mundane when you're with the one you love; every moment is a treasure.   

It was a laid back, fun day; us and the dogs!   

The next and final day, we both were crabby and almost stand-offish towards one another.   That was because we knew that tomorrow would be our last time together for a year.  

When things hurt---we pull away from the pain.

Steve cleaned up the garage for me--and everybody else who would be coming in there to help me fix the house this year--so that was a mess.   

I was underfoot trying to plant my first flowers of Spring.   I was having a good time being outside with him in the damp-cool day--until I got a chill.   

Then the rest of the night I just sat in pain with every joint screaming.   NOT the way I wanted to spend our last night, but he had to pack bags anyway, so it was okay.

After 33 years of marriage, you KNOW one another, and you don't have to perform love; you just are love to one another.

It's the love that transcends all things and is unquenchable.

The next morning at 4:30, we hugged and kissed our last good-bye on the curbside at the airport.   Neither one of us wanted me to go with him to his gate; why prolong the pain.

So I watched him go; leaning out of the car and straining to see the last of him leave my sight, dissolving into the airport.

I sat and cried alone in the car.   Security left me alone and didn't shoo me away; they knew and let me be.

The days after his short time at home have been the same light-speed-blur of days as before he came home.   Only crazier.

Paperwork-paperwork-paperwork.

Legalities-legalities-legalities. 

Get-it-or-else...
get-it-or-lose-it...
get-it-or-have-no-medical-coverage...
get-it-or-NOT-be-Mrs.-Social-Security-Number-Elzy...
get-it-or-get-NOTHING.


Get the JAG attorney to fight for me.   (Again.)


Call "The List" and explain to them my rights and to "...back off!"


Call the JAG attorney again for advice on a new "surprise" battle.


Have a Scavenger Hunt for things Steve forgot; find them and ship them.   That one was fun.    NOT.


This and SO MUCH MORE...plus all of the other daily "extras" that the Lord would put on my plate to do.


Oh, almost forgot trying to get "Man Help" to take care of issues that I absolutely could not do.   Thankfully, I have six faithful men that I can depend upon for muscles and other "man help".   


I have made use of the stubborn-part of my personality to tell my feet and body to "Shut up!!" so I could help one of my best faithful men/neighbor, turn my ugly yard into a pretty garden.


There were days where I couldn't walk the day after digging and dragging and planting and moving stuff.  OYE!  


My dear neighbor and I have the worst parts over and done with; all that's left is the mulch to put down.
(OYE!!!  In advance.)


The main reason I worked so hard on several physical fronts was because I wanted it out of the way BEFORE Steve actually left the U.S.    


I finished the most painful part of my outside work on Wednesday, May 4th, and he left Ft. Lewis on Friday, May 6th.   

I spent all day and night yesterday just being by my phone so I could talk to him every chance he got to call me.


They left Washington state and had a short lay-over in Bangor, Maine.


Then the next leg of the journey (which is continuing now, even as I type this) will be to Leipzig, Germany, for another short lay-over.


Then onto Iraq.   


For those of you who want to count hours difference, so you know what time it is where he'll be; I'm Eastern Standard Time and I count AHEAD 8 hours.  (He thought that it was 12 to 14 hours difference at first, then realized that was Afghanistan time difference.)

So as far as I know---I've caught y'all up.   There are so many other little things, but if they need to be told, they'll come out in my future blogging.

Today, my girlfriend Angie, is taking me OUT; as in, get OUT of the house while your husband is in-route to Iraq and all that is ahead of us.   

I'll appreciate it later.   Right now....I'm just waiting by my phone...just in case.

Love To All And Keep Checking In With Me Here!
Patti