" I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?"

Psalm 121
1 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
2 No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. (The Message)

 Cyndi and Matt enjoy a backcountry adventure in New Hampshire-
 Mt Washington
4th Engagement Anniversary
http://www.mountwashington.org/


Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). It is famous for its dangerously erratic weather; until 1996, it held the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, at 231 mph (372 km/h) on the afternoon of April 12, 1934 It was known as Agiocochook, or "Home of the Great Spirit", before European settlers arrived

The mountain is located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, in Coos County, New Hampshire. It is the third highest state high point in the eastern U.S. and the most prominent peak in the Eastern United States,         (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_(New_Hampshire)

1st Brigade Combat Team cases colors for deployment to Afghanistan

Photo credit Pfc. Blair Neelands
Col. Bill Burleson, left, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Defreese case the brigade colors Feb. 9 at Magrath Gym, as the brigade made final preparations for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. FORT DRUM, N.Y. - The 1st Brigade Combat Team cased its colors Feb. 9 at Magrath Gym, officially making the final preparations for its upcoming deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

More than 3,000 Warrior Brigade Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan within the coming months.

Guest speaker at the ceremony was Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander. He told Soldiers and Families of the brigade how proud he is of them and how much faith he has in their abilities.
"I am confident you are all ready for the challenge to come," Terry said. "You are strong, you are prepared, and you embody the Warrior Ethos."
Although 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment left the North Country last month and is already operating in Afghanistan, Soldiers stood in formation representing the rest of their battalion.
Since its activation on April 11, 1986, 1st Brigade has deployed to exercises both overseas and throughout the country to include Honduras, Panama, Somalia, Haiti and southern Florida. The brigade previously deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, with its 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment being the first conventional unit to enter Afghanistan.
The unit has since grown from a brigade of approximately 1,800 Soldiers to a brigade combat team of roughly 3,500 Soldiers.
Most recently, 1st BCT deployed twice to areas of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Once the brigade has reached its destination in Afghanistan, units will uncase their colors and begin their mission of training the Afghan National Army.

Stowe , Vermont skiing-

Great time.
 Paisano Glade skiing !!
Sleigh Ride was so much fun!!

Gealy and Betty thanks so much for blesssing us!

Matt thanks for coming!

Christmas - 2009 - "For unto us is born ...a Savior"

For unto you is born this day… a Savior who is Christ the Lord .”
Luke 2:11

Hope has Come
Let us join with the angel voices
Let us join their happy song
All of heaven and earth rejoices
For the Lamb of God has come
He has come to rescue sinners
Come to meet our desperate need
He was born to bring forgiveness
Born for Calvary

Alleluia, Hope has come
Alleluia, Christ has come
We once were slaves in misery
Till You appeared and set us free
Alleluia, Hope has come

Let us lay our gifts before Him
Let us magnify His Name
With our thankful hearts adore Him
For the Lord has come to save
He has come to break sin’s power
He has come to set us free
Hope was born that glorious hour
Christ the mighty King

by Stephen Altrogge

Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man

Cyndi- 3 yrs Comissioned- excellent work!!

We remember the day 3 yrs ago 2006 when you pledged to serve , Thanks for the excellent example.

Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits

Matt and Cyndi


You are truly a blessing to us.

We never want to forget that you are a gift to us by God.

We also want you to know that our soul is refreshed when we think of you and spend our cherished times together.

So be encouraged this day and know, new and afresh, the new mercies and protection of our Lord.

We give thanks this day for you!

Love,

your fam

“In order to our return of praises to God, there must be a grateful remembrance of the mercies we have received from him: Forget not all his benefits. If we do not give thanks for them, we do forget them; and that is unjust as well as unkind, since in all God’s favours there is so much that is memorable.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Afghanistan surge

16,000 have orders for Afghanistan surge

Officials Announce First Afghanistan Surge Units
By Jim Garamone
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_afghanistan_orders_120709/

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2009 – About 16,000 Marines and soldiers have been notified they will deploy to Afghanistan as part of President Barack Obama’s new strategy.
Obama announced his decision to deploy 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan in the first half of 2010 on Dec. 1. The troops in today’s announcement primarily will come from Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Camp Pendleton, Calif., Pentagon officials said today. More notifications will be made in the weeks and months ahead, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
These initial deployments will join the 68,000 American troops already in the country. At the end of the effort, about 100,000 U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan.
About 1,500 Marines from Camp Lejeune will deploy later this month. In addition, 6,200 Marines of Regimental Combat Team 2 at Camp Lejeune were alerted for deployment early in the spring, Whitman said.
The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton will deploy 800 Marines in the spring, Whitman said.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum will deploy 3,400 soldiers in early spring to train Afghan forces.
 Additionally, 4,100 support personnel will deploy at various times through the spring, Whitman said. Military officials call these personnel “enablers” who do essential missions and bring extra value to the counterinsurgency effort. These include military police personnel, engineers, civil affairs personnel, route-clearance teams, explosive ordnance demolition personnel and experts in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Christmas/Thanksgiving 2009

 

"The Rising Sun will always speak your name.

Your memory is never passing
It won't be long, we'll meet again .
My love for you is everlasting." (Killswitch Engage-song)