I came home from seminary to this...

...on the news.


7 Taliban killed in attack on Bagram air base
Americans downplay the significance of the assault on the largest U.S. installation in Afghanistan.
May 18, 2010By Laura King, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan — Insurgents early Wednesday launched a bold attack on the largest U.S. installation in Afghanistan, leaving at least seven of the attackers dead.

The fighting at the sprawling, heavily fortified Bagram air base, about 30 miles north of Kabul, began at dawn when Taliban fighters attacked with rockets, guns and grenades, the military said.

Matthew and I went upstairs and tried Skyping Chris. No response.

I calmly (don't be misled by that word, because I was trying hard not to cry) called Aubrey and asked if she had heard from Chris recently?

Yes, I just Skyped him was her reply.

And then of course, the tears started, not Aubrey's tears, but mine. I cried for her, for Chris, for their beautiful children. I cried that he was OK and I cried that there are soldiers and their families that are not OK.

Then I thought of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIrGKB5nRKE

...and how Aubrey is running a marathon of her own with heartbreak hills everyday and all around her are those cheering, "Go Aubrey, you can do it."

She called yesterday and said she was doing laundry, load #3. Abbie got sick in bed and all you moms know what that means. Laundry! Before the day was over she would put clean sheets back on the bed, answer numerous phone calls regarding Primary, reassure other wives of soldiers at Bagram (because she is the one everyone calls), make dinner for her kids, clean, cook, nurse Abbie, pay the bills with not enough money, clip Luke's toenails, comb Maddie's hair, again, throw in another load of laundry, help Preston with his homework and answer several more phone calls, before getting up and doing it all over again today.

Remember, this is a marathon.

I thought of how brave she is and how proud I am of her.

I thought of all our family and friends, of their prayers in behalf of the Tyler six.

I could hear it, the cheering....

...be of good cheer, Aubrey, you are not alone.