Been a while

Whats up. Ive been deployed for 7 months now and so for it has been pretty great. I feel as if I have grown and matured a lot over these past 7 months and able to handle myself in any situation life throws at me. I've learned not to take crap from anyone who doesn't deserve it, since I've been such a pushover previously in my life. I don't have time for "NO's" and I am not going to live my life waiting around on people. I'm doing my own thing now, which is also God's thing. I still have tremendous goals but I am going to live one day at a time. Being here has hardened my interior more, but has also given me a softer heart for people who need a helping hand. I've managed to get myself addicted to red bull, but I hope to not bring any bad habits home that I have grown custom to in this place. I have learned a whole new meaning to the word LOVE and it's the type of love that is taught in the bible, if you want to know about that type of love just read the gospels and live like Jesus. "Greater LOVE has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" JOHN 15.13. I believe in this scripture with all my heart, for the deserving, humble and meek. I have lived a healthy lifestyle, and learned to appreciate new and better things. Despite the insufficient amount of Christian fellowship to my liking here, I feel I have advanced my knowledge on what life is really all about. I have been shown who my true friends are. It's not easy being away from people you love for a whole year but the ones who send you mail, e-mails, and messages and the ones who encourage you means more than you can imagine. You can imagine how many hard times people go through throughout a whole year and just because you are away that doesn't change. Its the support we need more than anything. I've also learned how to take a brutal ass chewing, and on the contrary humble myself while receiving promotions and awards. Overseas deployments effect everyone differently, and as for me I am confident its for the better. Lastly, and most importantly I have learned that we take life for granted every day in the united states, and I don't think we can see otherwise unless we live among a type of people who have NOTHING for an extended period of time. Therefor some people will see a change inside of me on my return home, while others will see none. You will have to find out for yourself. I thank God for this experience in my life.

RR