This was written by a coworker currently deployed on board the USNS Comfort.

This From Clara:

This is part of an email written by one of my coworkers who is currently deployed aboard the USNS Comfort. I thought it was worth sharing.

I decided to stay after work to type an update to all of my family and friends. So as we enter into our third week here aboard the Comfort I have realized the great strength of the Haitian people. I have watched mothers cry and mourn the loss of their child here in the ICU, with no clue if any other family member has survived the earthquake or if they did, where they currently might be.
I have seen God's mercy over a mother and her premature infant after her house had collapsed on her causing her water to break. She went around for a week until the Comfort came and then delivered her baby here on our ship. The baby was said to have a no chance of life. But GOD! That baby is still thriving. I have done chest compressions on another little boy babe who has no evidence of parents and who was found in the rubble supposedly by a search and rescue team. He has stolen my heart the most because he doesn't have a mom or dad to come console him, so I do it!!!

So as you all go to bed tonight, think of the 100, 000 survivors who didn't make the death toll which is 200,000. They sleep out on the street because they are afraid to sleep in the house as another
aftershock can take the only inkling of a place they call home. We are so blessed and fortunate to have a home and we still complain about getting a bigger one or not having this type of basement or patio. I thank God daily for this humbling experience. I am allowing God to use me to encourage mothers and fathers to keep the faith and also give me healing hands to heal the sick. He has been using me as I see a new miracle every day. Continue to pray for my strength in the Lord and I pray my return will be quick but only after my purpose has been fulfilled aboard USNS COMFORT.

Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer one snow shoe at a time.

When our friend Pam was diagnosed with Cancer, our entire neighborhood was affected, as was everyone else she knows, fortunately we have finally heard some good news respecting her health, but good news does not mean the war is won, and she will continue to have to fight this for the foreseeable future.

One of her daughters has chosen to participate in the Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer, and I thought it would be appropriate to post this here to allow people the opportunity to help support Lindsay in her efforts to support Susan G. Komen for the cure.

In that light below is the email that Lindsay sent out to support her mom, and the links on this blog will take you to Lindsay's page where you can donate if you would like to. In a real sense this is potentially donating to your own friends and family. Please click through and read what she has to say, and give what you feel is appropriate.

Hello friends and family!

As many of you know, my mom Pam was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. In support of her and other women in their fight against cancer, I have decided to participate in this year's Romp to Stomp Snowshoe Series. Please check out my personal page (link below) and consider supporting this cause through participation, donation and/or encouragement.

Please also consider forwarding on this email to others who might also be interested in the cause. Thank you for your support. I look forward to hearing from you as I track my progress toward my fundraising goal of $500.

I hope to see some of you on Saturday, February 27th with your snowshoes!

Personally I believe we can help Lindsay raise more than $500 for this cause.

Very Respectfully,

Keith

Growing up again

When I was 18 I thought I was a grown man because I had joined the army, and I had jumped out of airplanes not on the ground. Then I got to my unit and figured out that I did not know it all, and pulled my horns in somewhat. When I graduated college, got commissioned and graduated from infantry basic for officers and then Ranger school I was sure I was a grown man because I was 26, and as lean and mean as I was ever going to be. Every time I thought I had life handled something came along to prove me wrong.

Now I am 45, have raised two kids, and the normal yada yada stuff. One of our friends was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news hasn't gotten good yet, I am watching her husband attempt to be strong and tough, and I know it is killing him.

You don't want to let cancer be the focal point of your time with them, but you don't want to treat it like the elephant in the room. I know my wife and I are scared for them, and we will pray for them, because as I said to my wife, I don't have anything else I can do to help.

I have to believe our fears and emotions are a fraction of their daily fears.

I don't know what to do, and I feel like I am learning how to be a grown up again, and like most growing, it seems to come with some pain.

USNS Comfort

Below is the address for an excellent blog about our military deployed to Haiti on the USNS Comfort. Written by the XO on the ship it is well worth your time to read. Go take a look!

www.comfort-xo.blogspot.com


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