...confessions of a war bride...

Famous Movie Lines

2006-12-23T21:34:00.000-08:00


Just me being stupid one night...made a weird impromptu movie about famous movie (but really not-so-famous) lines from the Brady Bunch, Little Women, Over the Hegde, and The Sound of Music.

Yay for Christmas Break!

2006-12-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas break is finally here...and it certainly hasn't been boring so far. We've had time to catch up on sleep and have been keeping busy with Christmas shopping, work and just having fun. TJ is working security some nights and doing a bit of office work during the day...I'm mostly doing office work and house work. It's so nice to have more time to work on things at home...and since school let out I have successfuly given myself several 2nd degree burns and accidentaly turned my hair yellowish while highlighting it (grrrr...it's never been this yellow before).

God is good. I pray none of us forget Him in this very special season.

Thanksgiving with Grammie

2006-11-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

2006-11-13T10:55:00.000-08:00

2006-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just a few Pictures

2006-11-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

...post # 151...

2006-11-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Life has been busy. We've been busy in the extension office and tackling school and preparing for my recital and enjoying married life. :) The Lord is good. TJ has been working away on a movie project he intends to shoot next weekend, so that has kept him busy as well. And I've been busy with this recital coming up on December 1...it's been a good experience and I have a great cast, but I am looking forward to being done with it.

...Artist Series...

2006-10-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

2006-10-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

So sorry about the lack of updates...I actually update my xanga much more than I do blogger. The address there is: xanga.com/white_chamorro.

...back in the blogging world...

2006-09-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update (soooo sorry it's been so long). We are alive and well at NBBC - working away in the extension office and taking some classes. We are team leaders of the Pioneer Evangelistic Team (going to Chetek this weekend) and having a good time with our team members. Thank you for praying for us...the Lord has been very good and is faithfully providing for us and giving us strength as we face this busy time in our lives.

I'll hopefully post more pictures and a more thorough update soon. Love you guys!

2006-08-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is a fun photo of TJ and his good friend John (who will, Lord willing, be coming to NBBC next semester) next to Arnold.

If you're interested in some of the lovely details of yesterday when I got to be with him after they touched down, here's some of the story:

I got there 2 hours early and set up a chair right in front of the rope that separated us from the plane our soldiers would be on. Reporters were everywhere and people slowly started filling up the space we were given.

The wait was long. Over the next 2 hours random things kept us occupied: Some people behind me started a poker game, a proud father set up a chair next to mine and told me how he would blow his duck call loud so his son could find him, some business gave us all free ice cream while a military band played songs randomly, and I had fun chatting with a friendly grandmother of one of the soldiers with me during our wait.

The weather kept getting colder. I felt bad because I knew the soldiers were going to be freezing once they got off the plane.

Finally we saw the aircraft and everyone started to go crazy. Emotions were uncontrollable. It landed...then took forever for them to let the soldiers off. They couldn't come see us right away because they had to turn in their weapons first. Finally small groups of them were released to see their families...they would walk toward us through darkness until the lights showed us their faces...then you'd hear random screams from the crowd for soldiers people knew. After 45 minutes of desperately searching the soldiers faces to find TJ's, I spotted him. The next hour was one of the sweetest hours of my life. I can't even describe how relieved I felt to be back in his arms again.

After about and hour of happy reunions they were loaded up in busses to go finish debriefing, but they will be back with us soon. Thank God for bringing my wonderful husband home safe! I love you, TJ.

...today's the day...

2006-08-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

I get to see him today! They're gonna let us be with them for about an 1 1/2 hours before they ship out to Fort McCoy for debriefing. He'll probably be home next week. :) Praise the Lord.

...baptisms...

2006-08-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

I'll get to see TJ for an hour and a half next week. :) Yay! Soon after that they'll let him come home for good.

These pictures are from a recent opportunity TJ had to baptize 2 guys he's led to the Lord. They both insisted that he baptize them, and so he talked to the chaplains and got the ok. This is the Persian Gulf...a nice big baptistry!

2006-07-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just got some official info that TJ will be coming home next month (August). I'm not allowed to disclose the date (and I don't know the for sure date yet), but I can tell you it will be within the next few weeks. Thank the Lord! This deployment is almost over.

2006-07-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Well, TJ is done with his missions and very happy about it. They're going through demobolization stuff right now...it's just a waiting game before he gets on the plane to come home.

My awesome family has been helping me move into our apartment. :) Good times. I praise the Lord for giving me such an awesome and supportive family.

...frappuccinos and overnight missions...

2006-07-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

e

I've been mixing an endless amount of frappuccinos for mobs of teenagers. He's been running the last overnight missions of his tour.

I've been getting ready to move into an apartment next week. He's getting ready to move to a new camp.

The time of this deployment is almost over. I'm gettin super excited. The last month is the hardest for a number of reasons, but God is giving grace. I'm just praying that he'll be getting home on time or a bit early rather than late.

2006-07-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Haven't been able to talk to TJ much at all lately. They've been super busy starting preparations to come home and haven't had much down time at all. I'm very excited to begin counting down the weeks for him to be home. Soon I'll be able to start moving into an apartment. :) Praise the Lord for his provision.

2006-06-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

...plugging away...

2006-06-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

Well, TJ has been running lots of night missions. He had a couple days off, and is now gonna be hitting the road again. The guy in the pic is TJ's buddy John Prucha...TJ was able to lead him to the Lord a while back and they have been able to have some really good fellowship while over there. Pray for John - he's seriously considering attending NBBC after the deployment.

2006-06-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

24 years ago today Anthony Sablan Camacho Jr. was born. :)

I love you, TJ!

...the birthday boy...

2006-06-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

(One of TJ's junior high pictures...hehe)

Yes, it's true. Very soon my favorite soldier will soon turn 24! Wow, I can't believe it. He already got his birthday package and opened it over a week in advance. Among his presents were lots of his favorite snacks and the entire Narnia collection.

Happy birthday, TJ!

...Memorial Day...

2006-05-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Please take time today to remember those who have served our country by giving their lives in the line of duty. I'm just in amazement of how many men and women have given their lives so we can be free.

Thanks to those who have and do serve our country.

...bald and back again...

2006-05-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

I talked to my favorite soldier online for quite a while today. He's back at Navistar (already got his hair shaved off) and is hitting the road again tomorrow. He's also not feeling well, so maybe they'll go a little easy on him.

Meanwhile I'm finishing up paperwork for my Pell Grant, getting things ready to move into the apartment and doing projects before next week's camp training starts (I'll be working in the campus stores at Northland to stay busy).

...saying goodbye...

2006-05-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

I had to see my favorite soldier off at about 5:30 this morning. I miss him already. Bless his heart, he was tired and I know those planes don't afford much sleep. Last I heard from him he was in Atlanta...he's probably on his way to Germany now.

Please pray for continued encouragement and strength as he finishes these last 10 weeks up. We're on the home stretch! Praise the Lord!

2006-05-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

awww...what a cutie. :)

2006-05-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

Long Slide Falls

2006-05-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Right before the Spring Concert.

2006-05-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

:) happy times.

2006-05-12T15:01:00.002-07:00

yay for an awesome brother-in-law!

2006-05-12T15:01:00.001-07:00

:) oh, yeah.

2006-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

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2006-05-12T15:00:00.003-07:00

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2006-05-12T15:00:00.002-07:00

_________________________________

2006-05-12T15:00:00.001-07:00

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2006-05-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

______________________________________

2006-05-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

................................

...so good to be together...

2006-05-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

...almost here...

2006-05-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

Lord willing, tomorrow is the big day. He's finally home for a bit! yay! I'll try to put some pics up soon of our time together.

...exciting times...

2006-05-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

4 more days!!!

...funny story...

2006-04-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

So it turns out TJ is on a mission and some guys in his group got sick, so they're stuck for a while and bored. What did they do to pass the time? They found scrap wire and string/rope and decided to creat makeshift fishing equipment (This story makes me laugh becuase I can totally see TJ doing this). It wasn't enough to make the hooks and line, they had to go try it out at a nearby stream. Didn't catch anything, but did see some fish.

13 more days!

...countdown...

2006-04-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yay! I get to see TJ in about 3 weeks. *grin*

Well, he passed his PT test just fine - he's very glad that's overwith - and now he's running missions all over the place. Seems like he's been doing one everyday now.

...run...

2006-04-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

So, I'm totally pumped and distracted. Only about 28 more days until TJ gets to visit! :) He's very ready to come home for a break.

If you think of it, pray for him this week. He's got a really big PT (physical training) test coming up on Thursday. It's high-pressure.

...speedy delivery...

2006-03-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Well, as for the note Peter Ambler gave Andy to deliver to TJ, it got to him. :) TJ was able to meet with Andy for a bit, but wasn't able to get anywhere with the gospel.

He's on a mission right now...sounds like he's been keeping busy. He's also been doing physical training like crazy - has shin splints from jogging so much.

Your continued prayers are very appreciated.

...post # 114...

2006-03-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

Big praise! I was able to talk to TJ for an hour on the phone today. :) He's been on a chaplaincy trip (kinda like a minnie chaplain conference) and got a little extra time to call and do IM. Was a huge blessing...he's very refreshed after this time with fellow believers, and is a little more ready to do the Navistar thing again. Thanks for those of you who have been praying for him...things haven't been easy, but the LORD has really encouraged Him.

Check out this awesome story on Peter Ambler's blog: equippingroom.blogspot.com (the post entitled "Obvious Appointment"). He ran into a soldier that's from TJ's unit!

...hi and bye...

2006-03-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Was able to catch TJ online for a couple minutes last night. He was about to go jog a few miles, then was off to do some sort of mission. In a few days he'll be able to go visit another camp and possibly see a former pastor of his who is over there serving as chaplain (Pastor Grey). I'm praying they'll be able to meet up and encourage each other.

...hi, again...

2006-03-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Well, TJ has been keeping very busy. I got an email yesterday...haven't been able to talk to him much lately. :( Such is life right now, though. He says he's been running around doing something I'm not familiar with (I think he called it a Cedar Run). And he's been doing physical training like crazy, so he's been tired and soar. I'll try to update again soon as I get news.

Thanks so much for praying!

...go, go, go...

2006-02-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

This pic was taken almost exactly a year ago...it's from the Valentine's banquet last year. :) Good times

While I'm hitting the books hard here, TJ is hitting the road hard there. If you think of it, pray for him. He's going on a mission up north.

I'll try to write more later!

...R & R...

2006-02-17T15:32:00.000-08:00

Was great to talk to TJ for about 30 minutes on the phone yesterday. I definitely prefer phone to messenger. Got a super long message from him on my phone today...but it was just a bunch of background noise. I think he called me and somehow didn't hang up when I didn't answer...Those trucks are noisy!

Good news: our tired soldier is getting a couple days break at a special camp in Kuwait designed specifically for soldier rest and recreation. I think he'll be very refreshed and well-rested after these few days.

...off the road for a bit...

2006-02-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

TJ is off his super long mission. Was so good to chat with him the other. He was as chipper as ever. Said he'll probably be off the road for a while, so that means I'll get to chat with him more.

I sent him a couple packages for Valentine's Day. People here have been giving me a bunch of stuff to send to him, and I got some stuff to go with it. He should feel very loved when he receives them.

Please pray that we would specifically have wisdom as far as the future goes. We have a lot of decisions to make over the next several months. Pray that God would clearly direct us.

...post 108...

2006-02-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry, still no news from the frontlines. Please continue to pray for his safety.

..long time, no see...

2006-01-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the lack of pictures lately.

TJ is on a very long mission now - probably the longest yet. I'm not expecting to hear from him for a while since I don't know when he'll see another computer for a while. Do pray for his safety...he'll be hitting some not-so-friendly places.

...new blog...

2006-01-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed yet, I like blogging. A couple weeks ago I started a Xanga site, too...I'll be posting about TJ there as well, if you'd like to visit from time to time. The address is: xanga.com/white_chamorro.

...adventures in the north...

2006-01-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

There hasn't been too much to post about lately...TJ is mostly doing work at Navistar for now. Love that boy. :) I talked to him last night...he sounded pretty chipper.

OK, well I've been having my own "adventures" while TJ is busy with his. I put this post on 2 of my other blogs, so I'm gonna put it on this one, too. :)

I don't believe in really long posts...they get kinda boring after a while, but I'm making an exception this time...traveling stories are just too much fun.

Leann, Jennifer, Joel, Mr. and Mrs. DeWeese and I caravanned to Northland from Michigan yesterday...we thought it would be a fairly easy trip...haha.

It all started with busted windshield wipers - I couldn't very well see the icy road I was driving on, so Momma DeWeese insisted we stop and replace them. We did. The next discovery we made was one of our vehicles was dead...the Lord provided jumper cables. Next we had a low tire. Things were good for a while after that.

After the bridge, we made a bathroom stop. We stretched our legs, etc, and Leann and I hopped back into my car. We were soon ready to start the next leg of the trip...we left before everyone else 'cuz we knew the way from there. Haha...we missed our exit onto US 2 'cuz we were just not paying attention. About 25 miles later I got a little concerned that I wasn't on the right road...yikes...turned out we were going northeast instead of west. we ended up stopping at the same gas station twice - once for directions, once for a map. :) Leann took over map duty. It was getting dark, so she used my cell to illumine small areas of the map. Oh, yes, we had chocolate and gummy worms to brighten the trip. Sugar is great...We really were having a blast getting unlost. After an eventful hour or so of eating chocolate, calling the other parties in our group and winding around on obscure backwood roads, we made it back to US 2 - even double checked with a gas station to make sure we were on the right road. We called our not-so-directionally-challenged fellow travelers to see if they were stopping for dinner...they stopped at Pizza Hut and waited for us to get there. Leann took over and we sped to meet them. We were in for it. :) By the time we caught up with them, they were done eating and very ready to tease our ears off. LOL...it was hilarious. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I've learned my lesson about staying alert to road signs. Needless to say, they didn't let us drive for the rest of the trip.

The night before all this we ended up driving in a blizzard until about 2:30 AM...I guess the Lord decided to send some adventures our way to keep thing exciting. I love His sense of humor.

Random bit of info: Leann is lots of fun during blizzards.

...speaking of...

2006-01-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well, this week was quite eventful. I've been staying with the DeWeeses while doing my teaching practicum in Grand Rapids - learned a lot, and was able to teach quite a bit. Was a very good experience.

Yay! TJ was able to call me on a phone card today. It's been a long time since we've been able to have a long voice conversation...was so good to hear his voice. He's been asked to take his old job in the connex again...at least for a couple weeks. Hopefully he'll be able to keep it for a while - would give him a little more time to rest. For the past couple weeks he was going on mission after mission...was a busy man. He was able to be teamed up with a believer, so that was encouraging.

Well, I'll talk to you soon! Leaving tomorrow to get back to school.

...plugging away...

2006-01-17T04:02:00.001-08:00

Sorry about the lack of posts lately. I've been out of state.

TJ is starting to feel better. I guess his symptoms have weakened. Please continue to pray...things are hard for him right now. Pray that the LORD would send encouragement his way today.

I'll write more later when I'm able to hear from him again.

...post number 102...

2006-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Awww...he's so cute. :) Love that boy.

If you think of it, please pray for TJ. He's been pretty sick for a while, but hasn't been able to get off work to catch up on his rest. He just shipped out on another mission and won't be able to get rest for another good while. He called me today and was asking for prayer. He's feeling pretty weak...please ask the LORD to continue to give him physical and spiritual strength.

2006-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

TJ was on a mission for the past several days. I I wasn't sure when he'd be back at Navistar, but today I came home to several messages on IM from him. :) Lord willing I'll be chatting away with him soon.

...bowling is good, too...

2006-01-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Well, TJ has been quite busy lately, so I haven't been able to hear from him much. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we've been keeping busy. This candid shot was taken on a little bowling outing I was burdened we take. :) Beth was there, too, but she was behind the camera for this shot. Mom kept getting strikes and spares...was pretty impressive.

This week is inservice (I'm gonna be helping out with that), and next week I head to Leann's to do my teaching practicum near her place. It might be a little while before I'm able to post again. God bless. Talk to ya later.

hey there

2006-01-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone!

So far so good over here, although i will be out traveling again in a couple days.
Life over here is goin smoothly, a little bumps, but not much.

Taking care of some projects to keep me busy. I miss you all so much.

My wife has done a wonderful job in creating this blog for keeping you all updated. I love her so much. Thank you all again for your prayers and support, I really mean that.

I'll jump on again to post when i get back, but until then thank you so much!

love: tj

...new guy on the blog...

2006-01-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

Well, folks here's a picture of our new blog member. I know he looks a little young to be typing, but he's grown a lot since this photo was taken. :) This pic is about...23 years old. Hopefully soon we'll hear from him on here!

Pray for TJ's health - he's got a head cold right now. I'm hoping he'll be able to catch up on his rest soon...that will help.

...happy new year...

2005-12-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it's the holiday season and we've all been kinda chillin'. They're keeping the guys overseas quite busy - that's probably a good thing. Haven't heard from TJ in a while. He's doing a lot of what's in the pic...traveling. He's still as sweet as ever. :)

I'm just praying God keeps him safe, and missing him. God's giving amazing grace as always! I never knew quite how strong His grace can be until this experience He's allowed us to face. I'm truly looking forward to learning more about our Lord from this experience.

...white Christmas...

2005-12-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a white Christmas for us up here. That's normally the way it goes for us northerners. :) Had a lovely time of worship at church this morning with the family. It's neat to have the Lord's birthday on a Sunday...kinda helps put the focus in the right place.

TJ traveled part of today, but we were able to meet online. The past couple days he's gotten about 6 hours of sleep -- was so tired. He said his trip was very eventful, and the people were quite interesting. Some of the guys he was with have labeled him a "religious lunatic." That made us both kinda laugh...reminds me of the first part of Matthew 5. Good ministry training once again.

TJ sends his greetings. Have a wonderful New Year!

...missing you...

2005-12-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

It's always hard when I don't hear from TJ for long periods of time...it's especially hard now during the Christmas season. But God is giving grace, and it's nice to have family and friends around.

Dad Camacho called me up today to wish me and the family a merry Christmas. We had a great chat, he was telling me some stories about TJ when he was a little guy. Thanks for calling, Dad!

...Ho, Ho, Ho...

2005-12-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

I feel sorta like Santa Clause today. I've got TJ's presents all wrapped and will be sending them soon. :) I know he'll enjoy what we got him...will provide some more cool things to do in his down time. I imagine he'll probably be traveling during Christmas, so these will probably end up being his post-Christmas presents.

We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' birthday in the midst of all the business. Please do take a little time to thank the LORD for the freedom we are blessed with in this country to celebrate Him freely.

God bless our troops!

...yay for Yahoo...and MSN...

2005-12-16T17:35:00.000-08:00

In the past few days I've talked to TJ so much on messenger -- it's gotta be a record. (I think Yahoo's emoticons are my favorite of any messenger.) :) It was nice to be able to chat so much, and he's been keeping me laughing...soon, though, he's gonna be working tons so I won't get to hear from him much for a while.

Just got our Christmas presents from him today. I've gotta wrap 'em and put 'em under the tree...Christmas won't be the same without him, but we're so proud of what he is doing over there.

Have a great weekend, ya'll! God bless!

...bright lights...

2005-12-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

The pic has nothing really to do with the story I'm gonna share. :) It's some Iraqi kids the soldiers have interacted a bit with.

I was chatting with TJ on webcam and he pointed out a little red mark on his forhead. So, naturally, I asked him what it was from. He told me that his Iriver recently quit working, so he was examining it under a very bright lamp. He kept leaning closer and closer to the lamp to get more light on the examinee...and you probably get what happened - He got burned. :( So, he's gotta watch out for lightbulbs now, too. :) Hehe. Little tidbit from the life of TJ in the Middle East.

...long time, no post...

2005-12-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

This is just a fun photo from August I don't think I've posted yet.

Sorry it's been a while. :( Things have been a little crazy around here. There's not a whole lot of new stuff to post about. I've met TJ online a few times this week...he's been doing the same old, same old. He's been busy with a lot of stuff at the his home camp. He's kinda been able to get into a routine there now, even though his work schedule is sparatic, and time is going by fast for him. I'm glad...especially coming up on the holiday season that we'll both be busy.

Thanks for your continued prayers...they are so appreciated.

...post number 90...

2005-12-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

This is a pic of some Iraqi kids TJ got while doing a trip...it's a unique shot.

Well, I haven't been able to chat with him much the past couple days. He's been extra extra busy around the camp and running trip 'n stuff. He did (just today) get the package that the Cummings and a bunch of their friends sent him. He send a big "thank you!"

The other day he got sent on an unexpected trip, and met some pretty cool, higher-ranking soldiers. Sounded kinda like an exciting little trip. :) Life's not without its adventure over there. Thanks for your prayers!

...do it yourself...maybe not...

2005-11-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

Sounds like TJ's life has been a bit exciting the last few days. He told me that the other day he basically worked 20 straight hours. He was a very very tired soldier afterwords.

Interesting tidbit: he went around to other tents and found random pieces of furniture guys didn't want and asked to take them to his tent for his guys. (What a nice guy.) *smile* Well, he found a 6' refrigerator and got the go-ahead to take it...but he had no one to help him haul it...so he did it himself with a dolley-type thing. Talk about a workout!

2005-11-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

Got to chat with TJ 3 times in 2 days. :) He had an ok Thanksgiving, wasn't really able to eat much because he got sent on a big errand.He's been pretty encouraged lately.

Well, I took his crashed computer to the "Geek Squad" yesterday, and they're diagnosing it. Looks like a bad hardrive...hoppefully they'll have it fixed and on its way to TJ in no time.

Thanks to those of you who helped Jon and Lacey put together a package for TJ...it's on its way to him, and I know he will be very encouraged when he gets it.

...hmmm....

2005-11-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

Found a few minutes to forget the books and update ya'll a little. :) Thanks for being patient.

Well, life has been crazy busy for me here. Our fall drama (I was pretty involved with it) has kept me busy up until a week ago...the LORD really blessed. And I just got back from a week-long drama seminar, and am back in school hitting the ground running. I'm ready for Thanksgiving break! :) Only wish TJ was here to celebrate with us.

TJ has been very busy, as always. Hasn't gotten many days off recently, but he did share with me that he was able to get a 40 gigabyte portable hardrive the other day...since he has no computer for now, he'll be able to store info and pictures on it. I'll be going to Best Buy very soon to try to figure out what to do about a new computer for him.

2005-11-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

Well...TJ's Toshiba laptop got incurably ill and is gonna have to take a hike back to the US. We're not exactly sure what caused the piece of technology to "lose it," but TJ is fairly technically adept and hasn't been able to figure out the problem. We have a warrenty, so hopefully that will do some good.

...oops...

2005-11-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

I feel like such a bad blogger lately. I haven't updated in a while. My life has been insanely busy. :) This week is the play, and I had a flat tire over the weeked, and I'll be gone all next week...add school into the mix, and you get a busy kid. That's me! TJ is doing alright...he won't get another day off for a couple weeks. He's doing his best to stay encouraged, and do his job well.

I'll update more later...but it might be a little while.

2005-10-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is a little collage that one of TJ's cousins put together for me. Was very sweet of her.

TJ has been super busy lately...not so much traveling all the time, but a little bit of everything has been happening to him. Keeps him guessing, and keeps life exciting. (Good ministry training in that he's learning again adn again to be flexible 24/7.) We haven't gotten to talk much at all lately either as a result of his hectic schedule. But the good thing is that we are both busy, and God is keeping us both encouraged through various means. I know I say this all the time, but I mean it: Thank you to all of you who have been praying...God is answering.

2005-10-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ouch. TJ was in a little pain yesterday. He had a flu shot and a PT test (physical fitness test) in the same day. I would have loved to have given him a little wifely sympathy, but I wasn't able to get a hold of him. I trust he was feeling a bit better today, but wasn't able to get a hold of him to confirm my hunch. Thanks so much for your continued prayers!

...mixin' in...

2005-10-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

I was glad when TJ told me that he's been able to have some interaction with some Iraqi kids and teens. (I got this picture from AKO online...it's a National Guardsman with some town kids). TJ said that they mostly teach them some "cool" american expressions 'n things. They also have to try to teach them to be safe around the trucks...some of the teens get a little crazy around them sometimes. I know it's a nice little change of pace for the guys to be able to mix with some of the people for a while.

2005-10-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

OK, put your thinking cap on...just like Fifi up there...yep, that's what a thinking cap really looks like. :) I've got a question...just for fun...see if you can find the 3 things I just changed on the site. I took two things away, and added one thing in place of them. If you think you know what I did, leave a comment about what your guess is.

OK, there's not a ton to write about at the moment. TJ has been working super hard, and there's no day off in site. So, I'm trying to keep busy until we get a chance to really catch up on things.

...long-distance date...

2005-10-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight is an artist series concert at the college. Should be much fun and all. Lots of my friends are going with dates and are super excited...or nervous. :) My date is a little busy at the moment, and an ocean happens to be separating us. I think I'll bring a picture of him along...haha. That would be fun. I have about 3 (unique) couples I think I'm just gonna try to observe...should provide lots of entertainment on top of the tuba music.

Have a great weekend!

...yawn...yawn...

2005-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Haven't really been able to talk with TJ much the past few days. Mostly been text messaging here and there. He's been pulling sorta double duty and is absolutely exhausted. He's so tired that when I called him he really didn't even have the energy to carry on much of a conversation (that's not like him). Please pray for strenght!

...packages...

2005-10-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Lately lots of people have been asking about things they purchase and send to TJ. I've posted a list at church, but here's a more extensive one:

SPAM
Chap stick
Mints (Mentos, gum...anything minty...he really like Listerine strips)
Beef Jerky (preferably not the spicy kind)
Jolly Ranchers
Cans of soup
Phone Cards (international)
Munchies (the brandname packages snack mix)
Letters of encouragement
Pens
DVD's

There are lots of other things. Let me know if you have something specific you want to send to him, and I'll let you know if it's on the military approved list. You'll probably need to send your items through me (some address security reasons, and I've gotta fill out customs information). You can get me the items -- packaged or unpacked, and I'll have it on its way in no time. If it is packaged, please include a list of all the items in the package so I can accurately fill out the customs information.

...mints, Munchies, and meat...

2005-10-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

If I shrunk myself and wore this outfit for artist series, TJ would love it. He's a mint fanatic...can't get enough of 'em. And now that he's in a hot climate, he says the mints help keep his mouth cooled off. So, I've been doing my best to keep him supplied. :)

He got one of my care packages today. He's a happy soldier now. :) I sent him three of his favorite snacks: mints, Munchies, and meat (beef jerky)...It's gotta be illiterated. :) Like I said, He's such a mint connoisseur -- he'll consume with passion just about anything that has mintiness to it. It's great...means he's got great breath almost 24/7.

Got a meetin at the armory coming up soon. Should be very informative and helpful.

Keep praying for continued encouragement. Things are getting hard for him over there. Thank you to those of you who have been giving me things to send to him. I know it will be a blessing when he receives it.

2005-10-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

...video clip...This is just a fun video clip of TJ and me when he was here on leave (in August). Hope it makes you smile.

Powered by Castpost

...sehr interesant...

2005-09-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Things have been quite eventful for TJ the past few days. He's mostly been stationed in one place, but seems like things have stayed interesting for him. The other day when I called his cell, he was in the middle of dealing with a possible explosive...and just a few hours earlier (way early in the morning) he was startled awake by a gunshot and had to get up and right a report about a sort of freak accident. I'm meeting him online in a couple hours, so I'm sure he'll have more stories for me. :)

He's been sounding quite jovial lately...I only wish we didn't have to cut our cell conversations so short, but it adds up so quickly...just hearing his voice makes me very, very happy.

...weep with those who weep...

2005-09-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

I got a sad phone call yesterday. The families of the 2-127 are grieving; Two of our soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb explosion yesterday and two were injured. TJ did know one of the men that was killed. It's hard when this kind of news hits home.

I'm really praying that God will use this tragedy to draw their families to Him, and to open the spiritual eyes of the soldiers TJ works with...this could be a wonderful witnessing opportunity.

Thank you to all of you who are praying for us. I can't express my gratitude in words...so many times I'll be going about a normal day and someone will tell me that God keeps bringing us to his/her mind...and they're upholding us before God. That makes my day. :) Thank you, thank you, thank you. God's answers to those prayers is really what is keeping us going.

...integrity rewarded...

2005-09-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely IM chat with TJ last night...was able to spend about an hour online with him. He's tired, but had quite a bit to fill me in on.

Without going into great detail (I don't know all the details anyway), TJ's duties have changed. His superiors noticed that he is a man of integrity. So they decided to give him more responsibility because they believe he is a trustworthy man. He'll be dealing with inventory stuff on convoy security. They were shorthanded as far as this particular duty goes, so they needed someone to majorly help out with it. For TJ this means more work, less sleep, and more trips to hostile parts of Iraq. He needs prayer for protection.

Please pray that the time he does get to sleep will be very restful. He's very tired.

...singing soldiers...

2005-09-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Got this picture from TJ on my phone. He's still got a wonderful smile. :)

The believers TJ has met while at base camp have been enjoying fellowshipping in their free time. They don't just wanna hang out though, they wanna do something worthwhile. So they just recently decided to start singing together...you know, form a little choir just for fun. TJ has been asked to join, and I know he'll be glad to. Soon they'll all be singing away. I think it's wonderful that these rough and tough soldiers still realize and know the importance of singing praises to God. I know there's gonna be a lot of heart in the music. :)

...big price tag, but it's worth it...

2005-09-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

International cell capabilities have been such a blessing. I called TJ's cell today expecting to get his voice mail (I thought he was still on a mission) and was surprised when he answered. He sounded very alive and well. :) That makes me happy. The missions they have been sending him on lately have been lasting just the whole of a day -- which is nice because he normally gets a day off right afterwords...which means I get to meet him online. So, anyways, back to the cell conversation. :) We talked for a couple minutes and at the close of our conversation someone walked by me just as I was saying, "Love you!" to TJ...the person walking by me thought I was talking to them for a second, but was relieved to see that I was having a conversation with someon on my cell. Turned out to be pretty comical.

It's always so hard to keep the cell conversations sorta short (it costs 1.50 for just one minute of talk time), but we do our best...it's worth the money just to hear his voice. We use phone cards for the long phone times, but the cells come in handy when we've got to get a hold of each other.

Praise! The LORD has put a strong Christian in the same tent as TJ at base camp. TJ is quite excited about this...he hadn't really been able to have good Christian fellowship in a while, so this is like a really really huge breath of fresh air for him. I thank the LORD for sending this guy to TJ...and for sending TJ to him. I have yet to find out his name, but the LORD knows who it is and I can thank Him still the same.

...another romantic internet rendezvous...

2005-09-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Yawns are frequent...eyes are drooping. It's been a long day. In about 3 hours I'm meeting my man online again. This is our new way of communicating. We set up a time to meet online (becuase it's much cheaper to talk online than on the phone) and we can talk til our hearts content. So, I'm getting up at 2 A.M. again. :) I don't care what time it is...I just wanna see and talk to him again. I'll fill you in on what I can very soon. :) The LORD knew I just needed a little encouragement, so he made it so TJ's mission would end today so I could talk to Him in the morning. God's sovereignty never ceases to amaze me.

On another note, please continue in prayer for our servicemen and women...especially those who are believers. I've found Psalm 91 to be so incredibly appropriate to pray through for TJ...it fits the situation and time so well. God's word is so incredibly potent and appropriate for all times and seasons of life.

...2 A.M. is the perfect time...

2005-09-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Got up at 2 A.M. this morning to chat with my hubby online. Was 10 A.M. his time and when he found out what time it was for me he was like, "You need your rest!" That's my man...always so thoughtful. *sigh* :) Was so good to see and talk to him over webcam. We chatted for over 2 hours catching up on things. He's seems to be well rested, and ready to hit another mission soon.

As much as I love webcam, I'm convinced the tech companies need to make some improvements: they need to come up with a beaming feature. :) I wish so badly I could jump through the camera and talk face to face...but the LORD is definitely teaching me patience through this. I've never experienced His grace in a more real way than through the times when I feel like I can't go another day without TJ. I thank God for His sustaining power.

...they're off again...

2005-09-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

While my hubby is off being a good soldier in Iraq and Kuwait, I'm trying to get back into the swing of school. Things are going pretty well so far, but I'm still trying to get used to being off campus.

TJ informed me that the desert fleas over there are pretty abundant...they get into the guys tents and attack our american heroes in there sleep. I'm determinded to find out if there are any desert-flea-killing products out there. :)

The LORD has allowed several wonderful times of contact between us this week. TJ got off a mission and was finally moved to the camp he will be at long term. It's more high tech (they've even got wireless), so it makes contact a little easier. So, the other day we were able to talk on the phone for about 45 minutes...I hadn't been able to talk to him via the phone for about a month, so hearing his voice again was wonderful! Also, now that he has wireless in his tent when he's off missions, he'll be able to email and do instant messenger more often.

...he's been everywhere, man...

2005-09-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

I must explain the photo...no, it's not my yearbook picture. LOL! It's a middle eastern Camel Spider. TJ is determined to catch the region's infamous creature. It's as big as your palm...and it does bite. He wants to send one back to Dr. Raske for his collection...he assured me that the spider will be dead before he sends it. :) I don't like spiders.

Yesterday I was able to do webcam with TJ again. Yeah, buddy! It was such a blessing. I had a mic -- he didn't...so I talked to him, and he typed his responses. :) It was so refreshing...hopefully soon he'll have his own mic (I sent him one in the mail) and it will be a two-way audio conversation. There are just so many things an audible voice can do that typed words can't. It was really a blessing to see him again, too...he's as handsome as ever. :) Webcam is such a wonderful invention.

This is the longest mission he has been on so far. They've been going all over the place. Today he was able to have a day of rest, so that was a much needed blessing. I thank the LORD he got to sleep in. Please continue to pray for physical, emotional, and spiritual strength!

...let me explain...

2005-09-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

OK, I'll find myself at school...talking away (like normal)...and suddenly the name "TJ" will roll off my tongue. Then the person I'm conversing with gives me a strange look and says, "TJ? Who's that?" This has happened on several occassions. Let me explain.

My husband's name is Anthony Sablan Camacho, Jr. Everyone knows that Tony is a cute substitute for Anthony. Hence the "T." And, if you take a look at his full name, he's a junior. Hence the "J." Put the two together and you get "TJ." Growing up this was his name since his father went by Anthony or Tony...everybody called the little Anthony "TJ"...to avoid confusion. Then, suddenly when he moved to Northland, a very interesting thing happened; Everyone looked at his full name on his student information sheets and addressed him as "Anthony" like it said. TJ, being the nice guy he is, decided not to correct them and just let them call him that.

When we were dating I asked him which name he prefered and found out that he has a soft spot for "TJ."...so I like to call him TJ. The name is slowly starting to catch on. :) Make sense?

Have a wonderful day!

...new record...

2005-09-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

World record! So far I've heard from TJ 3 days in a row. :) Guess they decided to give him a couple days off. Thank you for those of you who are praying...he is so grateful. The LORD has really been encouraging him.

...webcam wins again...

2005-09-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

I like this picture...it's very fun. :) That's his goofy yeah-i'm-macho-man face.

Anyways, on with my update. Thank the LORD, after 10 days of not hearing from my hubby, TJ contacted me while we were both online. We had a lovely MSN instant messaging time with some webcaming going on. Turns out he's been all over Iraq the past couple days. He's very tired, and sleeping in a Hum V doesn't help things too much. Please especially pray for physical strength. You know how it is when you get really tired...everything seems harder. They probably sent him on another mission today, so I'm hoping he'll get a break soon! TTYL.

2005-08-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't heard from my wonderful hubby for about 9 days...so I can't really update you all on anything. My best guess is that he's on a mission right now, getting trained and all that good stuff. I hope to hear from him soon. I'll keep you posted as best I can.

2005-08-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

Haven't heard from TJ in a few days...so there's really not much to blog about. So, I decided that I'd share some of the fun photos we took while he was here on leave (August 11-15). We had a total blast...I think that comes through in the pictures.

2005-08-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Almost there!

2005-08-26T20:45:00.001-07:00

I like this shot...it's a very candid...happy picture.

2005-08-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Dramatic tango lessons...in the basement. :)

2005-08-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

Impromptu shot in the basement.