KZ Marathon's Space

Well, I have been home almost a week and it is absolutely great, just like I thought it would be! We haven't done much by design, just the little things around the house. You know, the little, everyday things like mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, watching a movie, etc. Little things aren't so little when you have not had the opportunity to them. I have had a blast doing the little things this week - makes you appreciate being home.

I was able to start running again, thankfully, and it feels great! I had stopped running in Baghdad because they were lobbing metal things through the air and I really missed it. Those couple of weeks off really killed my fitness levels though. Add to that the fact that we have hills in Huntsville and you get some pretty sore legs! No worries though, the fitness will come back. I am getting ready for the Cotton Row 10k at the end of the month and am really looking forward to it.

Time to get ready for church! I have missed my church greatly and can't wait to see everybody.

Thanks again to all who prayed me through this past year and the transition home.

 

In Him,

 

Z

I have turned in all of my gear and have completed all requirements at Fort Benning. I have a flight out of Atlanta tomorrow morning and will land in Huntsville at 0930! Can't wait!

I have been awake for about 36 hours, but have made it McGuire AFB, NJ, enoute to Benning - will get in there later on today. Thanks for all the people who prayed for my transition and the weather - God answered!

Today is the day! We will board the Freedom Flight later on this evening and start the trip back. First we have to go through Customs to ensure we aren't taking back anything we aren't supposed to. Unfortunately, that means I have to dump all of my bags in big bins, let it get inspected, then pack it all up again. I have two duffle bags of equipment that I locked up at Benning last year and haven't opened since. I just didn't need all the stuff that the Army said I would need in theater. Well, today I get to open them up and then try to recreate the engineering packing job I did a year ago. As long as it means I get to go home, I will do anything today, with a smile on my face and a courteous attitude!

Time to sign off and get moving. Thanks to all who have been praying for my transition - almost there!

 

In Him,

 

Z

After two days of waiting, I have made it out of Baghdad and am now at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait! I left the IZ on Tuesday and made it into Camp Victory without a problem, found a bunk for the night and then headed out to the airbase to try and catch a flight down here. Unfortunately, only one aircraft made it into Baghdad on Wednesday due to a really bad sandstorm (I will NOT miss those things) so getting a flight out that day was impossible. So, I reversed the process and found another bunk for that night and then did the same thing yesterday. Thankfully, I got on a flight rather quickly. After about 2 hours on a C-130, we made it here.

My computer time is up - have to go. Will write more later.

 

In Him,

 

Z