read the WHY of Servicemen Sunday by clicking on the button below
Sometimes, you come across people in the vastness of this, the world wide web, and you just feel like one day, you ought to meet them in person. Tobi is on my people I'd like to meet list. And from what she tells me, her husband ought to be on that list too. I wish that we could all, you included, sit down and have a bowl of Rocky Road Ice Cream and talk about life as we know it. But since that isn't really possible, how about a virtual introduction instead?
This is Tobi, her husband Joel, and their kids.
Tobi and the kids live here in the states at Fort Carson in Colorado while Joel spends his days in Camp Marmal, in Afghanistan. Joel is a calibrator for the Army. What does that mean? He calibrates test diagnostic equipment to ensure that it measures accurately - things like multi-meters, signal generators, and torque wrenches.
When Joel isn't working and making stuff work the way it's supposed to, he likes to read science fiction, and play his bagpipes. (See why he's on my people I want to meet list?!) Conversations with his family generally happen on Saturday or Sunday. The difference in time makes it harder to talk to the kids more frequently than that. When he's waking up, it's well past their bedtime, and when he's going to bed, they are both in school. Tobi says it's the most difficult part of deployment - watching her kids struggle with how much they miss their Dad. They talk about him everyday.
"When is Daddy coming home?"
"Why does Daddy have to go to Afghanistan?"
They question, they pray, they even write letters to Santa asking him to bring Daddy home for Christmas. This year, Christmas will come a little early when Daddy does come home for a surprise visit. Tobi says it's all she can do to keep it a secret.
What keeps Tobi busy? She loves to read, she loves photography, she loves to blog, she volunteers at her children's school. And she tries to just be there, to be strong for her kids. It isn't easy to fill the shoes of two parents with only her own two feet, but she does her best to reassure them that they are loved, at home, and in Afghanistan.
No matter the difficulties, Tobi and Joel are grateful for the blessings that come from service in the military and recognize the divine inspiration that led them down the path they now walk. There are sacrifices, sure. But there are blessings too.
Joel, Tobi... you guys are awesome.
To you, my readers, please take a minute to thank this amazing family for their service and sacrifice. One click, one comment. They deserve it. Spread the word. Grab a button. Tell your readers. Fill the comment box with love. And, as always, keep all our servicemen and women in your prayers.
*Do you know someone who deserves to be spotlighted? Click on the contact me link up above and email me your nominations.
To you, my readers, please take a minute to thank this amazing family for their service and sacrifice. One click, one comment. They deserve it. Spread the word. Grab a button. Tell your readers. Fill the comment box with love. And, as always, keep all our servicemen and women in your prayers.
*Do you know someone who deserves to be spotlighted? Click on the contact me link up above and email me your nominations.
