Update on Clark

So many of you have asked about Clark, and I thank you for that. I actually asked him to write something for the blog--like a "what I've been up to" kind of post. But he opted for me to do it instead. I guess I shouldn't have given him that option!

From what I can tell, this has been a much easier deployment for him than the last one was. The two things that have helped out the most are a lot more port stops and finding some other officers who enjoy a good game of Settlers of Catan as much as he does. I think they play that game five nights out of the week! He works out every day--and that seems to help him keep from getting super depressed. Anyone who knows Clark very well knows he's not one to get depressed too easily, but the last deployment was rough, with hardly any port stops and not enough dentistry to keep him busy. It's hard not to get down when you are stuck in the same few tiny rooms and are away from your family for months on end. I often think that I really have the easier role. At least when I'm lonely or have had a hard day I have the kids to hug and it makes me feel better.

He has hit some really cool ports. Here's a list:

Souda Bay, Greece
Haifa, Israel (Jerusalem, Nazareth)
Mauritius
Reunion
Madagascar
Seychelles
Bahrain, United Arab Emirates

I think the coolest one by far was Israel. He got there over Easter weekend so it was amazing timing. He was able to tour around and see all the historical sites--the Mt. of Olives, The Garden of Gethsemane (the picture at the top is him in front of an olive tree there), the Jordon River, and so many more. It was amazing. He also found out that he had a great-great uncle who was one of the early missionaries who traveled to Haifa, Israel. He caught small pox and died and was buried there. His headstone was proof to the government that the Mormon church had been in Israel prior to WWII. Because of that proof, the church was able to establish a presence there and build the Jerusalem Center. Pretty neat, huh? Clark was able to track down his headstone and take some pictures and share them with his family.

Right now the plan is for Clark's replacement to get there mid-June while they are in port in Greece. As long as the plans stay the same, I am going to fly out to Greece and we're going to spend a week there before flying back to the states. (I hope it works out! I am sooo excited!) I'll fly back to Texas to pack up the kids and drive up to Idaho with my Dad the first week of July. Clark will go back to Norfolk and finish the paperwork he needs to do to separate from the Navy. He's officially separating on June 30th. After that he and his brother Russ (who is flying out from Boise) will pack up all of our stuff from storage and drive it cross-country to Idaho. I'll meet him there with the kids and we'll live happily ever after! That's the plan anyway. Not too much longer now. It's gone pretty quickly up until now. This last month is going to drag, I think!

Thank you for all of your concern and prayers! You don't know how much it means to me!