Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that Ive really...I’m Alive and Well and Living in Iraq
Posted by Erik Rupard on March 13th, 2008
Quick message today; more to follow later tonight (probably a long entry). After a very eventful 24 hours, I finally made it to my intended destination, a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Iraq. (I think that I can tell you more specifics about the base soon, but I have to get permission from one of the security people first.) It is very nice here, and I have, at long last, a room of my own with a real mattress. Woo-hoo! More details to follow.
I do want to take a moment to sincerely thank those who have sent me e-mails, left well-wishing comments on my site, and/or kept me in their prayers. I can tell you now, and with certainty, that those prayers have made a difference, as I have thus far lived a fairly charmed life, wherein what should have been major inconveniences became minor ones, and a lot of minor problems never materialized for me, even though they plagued many of my colleagues. Also, and most importantly, I have been safe, and already have behind me 50% of what is easily the most dangerous part of deployment: transportation to and from the combat zone.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated, and have availed me much. I am humbled by your kindness, and grateful for it. Thank you.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Hi Erik,
This is the entry that we have been waiting and praying for. So good to hear of your safety this morning. Thanks for having the know-how and the means in which you are keeping us all updated. Nothing like your own room and a good mattress. Looking forward to your later entries.
With love, Audrey & Mike
March 13th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Yeah Erik!
Maybe we can all breathe a big sigh of relief. I am so glad you are done traveling for a while. We are still very interested in your daily drudgery and are hungry for any word from you – so keep us as informed as you are able. Always in my prayers.
Love, Becky
March 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Erik, good to get your last epistle from the land of sand and dust. All is good on the home front. Kids are off to school in their dress uniforms for the play, tonight. Mom and I checked in with Jonathan at Gerald Jones this am but he hasn’t received word from corporate. I had a long talk with him yesterday and went for a test drive with Rob; the trany is defective and will have a shelf life of unknown length. Should hear from Jones, today. Temp today will be 79 with clear skies and blooming pear trees. The birds are twittering and all is well in our tiny little part of the world. We pray that is it where you are, too. Rock on Doc. M&D
March 13th, 2008 at 10:58 am
As you can see, your trusty fan club has been anxiously awaiting word of your safety, and as Becky stated, can now breath easier. Glad to hear that your travel went well, and that your difficulties have been minimized. Looking forward to hearing more of your excellent adventure. Take care.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:38 am
…Even if it’s a low grade three-inch thin mattress with no sheets on it and no pillow.
All things in perspective, I’m sure you’re in heaven with a ‘can’ of your own. (Such an unfortunate name for your housing.)
Your mom and I had so much fun shopping for your bedding yesterday that she and I nearly got kicked out of Marshalls! (I assure you that’s never happened to me before honey). Remember the time you disagreed with me when I said, “Marilyn is actually a partier.”? Hmm.
Anyway sheets, a pillow and other good stuff are on their way as of today. The USPS gives a (I think, $2) break on any Priority Post packages that are heading to a military APO. We are shipping it all out today.
Seriously though your place is REALLY ugly. I think we all need to send artwork to cheer up those sad, lonesome walls. I wish I could take a hop over and come decorate for you; I know you’ll forget all the rules about grouping in threes and putting like things together.
It’s been so comforting to have your parents here for the week. Your dad painted the mailpost (already!) and has fixed about 10 things I didn’t even know were broken. He was also sweet enough to drive the girls to school this morning. I did it yesterday since we needed your car to take it to the Honda dealer. Your mom and I are going out today and readying for opening night of “Millie”. Drew and Maddy are surviving the stress and sleep deprivation but I bet you can guess who’s handling it more civilly. I’m taping the show and maybe you can talk me through dubbing it over to disc for you. Should be a good one.
I ran into Spencer Crunk at Wally World who wanted to check out your blog. Also Ed Frarracio says, “hi and good luck”.
People want to hear about the flight in. It’s all incredibly interesting. Maybe you could re-live that experience on one of your upcoming entries.
I have to run. Your mom and I are off to complete a job…that is… finish up what we started yesterday although for obvious security reasons I can’t divulge any details. (I would only be incriminating myself.) Just know that our mission is very important/food-centered. Suffice it to say that we will first be TDY-ing to franchise X and then to franchise XX.
Yum!
Bye Enrique Rupardioso! Love you.
Lorisa.
Thanks to everyone who reads this blog/cares about and/or loves my husband and is concerned for his welfare during this mission. I truly appreciate all of the support and I can’t tell you how much it means to us.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Dear Erik,
Iam so glad that you are there! I know that traveling can be the most dangerous part, and I am glad you are”safely” on a base now and have a tad bit of privacy. You must be dying for some down time all to yourself. It is hard to be surrounded by legions, no matter how nice they are. I hope all your notes are keeping your spirits up. I really miss you, but am so releived that you are safe. Your blog is keeping me going, and I will be really interesting when you start to see patients, if you haven’t already. I will be interested to see what kinds of injuries come through your clinic.
I love you so much and think of you constantly. Thanks to you, I have officially gone off food, and sleep, although things are starting to normalize. becky and I speak daily of you and pray for you constantly.
You f.s., Mit
p.s. did Barry and Ellen forget to send you a christmas card this year? Just wondering, Mit
March 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Erik,
I think I found something worse than the army. becky just called me to read you blog, and naturally I couldn’t hear her(background NOISE!!!) she informed me there were at that particular time 12 boys in her house. Just shoot me now! I’d rather be in the army! Only kidding, but you get my point. I told her that was 11 too many and she said “try 12″ Just a little sidebar of the madness that makes motherhood such an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The sad part is that I would almost take 12 boys over three constantly sparring teenagers. (Note the word Almost)… Mit
March 13th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
We are enjoying the blog immensely. I loved the hat tip to the Peoria Presbyterians…..
We would really like to send you something, so let us know what you would like or you’ll end up with things my kids pick out, like Nerd Rope, Lik-a-maid, and a _Dumb & Dumber_ dvd…. So, your call, my man.
We are happy to hear you are there safely and all is well.
You Rock!
The Spice Rack
March 13th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Dad! I’m sorry I haven’t been able to talk to you much here. We’ve been swamped with play practices and our first play performance tonight. I played Alice and Drew was Cora, and everyone loved it! I’m sorry you weren’t there, but Im glad you are doing your duty in Iraq. I’m so glad your safe and mom will be sending you some footage soon from the play. I hope your not too uncomfortable over there on your twin long bed. I’m really tired right now, so I’m going to bed, but I hope to hear from you soon!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
hey dad! sorry i didnt write anything earlier! ive been so busy lately esp with the musical and homework. WE performed the first tonight! it was amazing and i played cora today but tomorrow ill be a speed tappest. I think you were asleep when it started (7pm here, 2am there) and right now im really tired bcuz its almost 1130. there i think it is 630 am so you are awake. Well luv you dad and hope u r safe! Mom said call between 10am and 11am our time saturday. Wuv u! Mom and Drew
March 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Dear uncle Erik, I am glad you are safe in the war. If we dont remember to say you in are pryaers, mom stops us and makes us say it agen.I am getting babtized soon. iwish you were there. I cant wait to get the Holy ghost. Mom says it is a speshal gift and he is helping you in the war. I hope you will be safe and not get hurt or lost. Maybe we can go to disney when you get back. that was the funnest time I ever had in my life. I love youand miss you. I learned to do computer incomputer calss at school so I can right to you alot. Love Juliet
March 14th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Dear erik,
You sound good to me. I am glad you are taking such a positive aproach to this trying time. It will stand you in good stead. I talked to mom and some of the girls last night. I told Maya to tell Maddy and Drew to ” Break leg”. She said she would. the play was wonderful according to mom. I hope you get a copy soon.
We want to send you a care package, so please tell me what you crave the most. Candy, gum, soap, socks? I really can’t guess, so give me some clues. If you have any buddies who are in need of a package, let me know. we will send care packages as a yw service project to guys and gals in your company. ask around. We are not to proud to beg the ward for goods if need be. also, we will send letters. are there any members of your co. that don’t get mail? we will take care of that discretely if you give us the info.
I am proud of you, but would be willing to give that up to have you home. Love you, baby brother, Melissa