My husband was able to call me last night on his cell phone. At first they were told that when they had "square-away" time they could use cell-phones, CD players, chargers, etc. We were both really happy about that because pretty much unless they're out in the field they get square-away time every night. Even though his training does involve a lot of time out in the field it would mean at least probably two or three calls a week, at least. But then another commanding officer told them they couldn't use their cell phones and stuff. We were both pretty upset but we figured then at least we'd probably get one phone call a week. Last night I found out that my husband realized that the second guy has said they couldn't use their cell phones in the barracks so as long as they're outside on their square-away time it's okay. That is such great news for us.

I'm beginning to learn that when you're involved with the Marine Corps hope can kill you. Whenever I'm hoping that my husband will be able to call and he isn't I am simply devestated. However, if I expect that he won't get a chance to call me and he does, well that can make my day. I'm also learning to find peace in this situation. God planned things out in our lives so that Wil could spend this time in the States training. Because of God's grace he is in a place where he can call me occasionally, mail takes only a few days, and I will get to visit him. Sometimes it's hard to see the blessings that God gives us when a situation is this difficult, but I thank Him that Wil is here in the US instead of in Kuwait. I still don't understand why my husband had to be taken away from me and maybe I never will, but right now I'm very grateful for the way the Lord has blessed us. There are many military families, including most of those from his unit, who aren't nearly as fortunate.

It's been awhile since I've written. Last week was Spring Break and I've also been spending every last minute with my husband. He left on Tuesday. Someone recently told me to expect anything with the Marine Corps - I'm learning to expect to get screwed over. About two weeks ago my husband learned that his school date would be pushed back until March 25th. He wasn't crazy about that because he was tired of having to go back and forth to the drill center. Plus he was just ready to get going and get done. I, however, was very excited. One more week with my husband was an amazing gift, plus it meant that he'd be there for my birthday on the 23rd. The only downside was that he'd have to go to California instead of North Carolina so the chances that I would be able to go see him if he got liberty would be pretty slim. About a week ago my husband called me from the drill center to let me know that his date had gotten moved back up to the 18th. The only good thing about this is that he's back in North Carolina so I might be able to rent a car, split the cost, and drive down there with the wife of another Marine from his company.

Well my husband didn't get to come home last night. They got released from the drill center really late because they were waiting for some guys to bring some weapons from up north - oh wait - they were out in a garage behind the drill center the whole time. We also had a pretty bad snow storm here last night. So it would have meant my husband would have been driving at least an hour (depending on road conditions), going to bed as soon as he got home, and then having to get up very early in the morning, only to have to brave the terrible roads again to drive back. Needless to say I still wanted him to come home. But that's the strange thing about being in love with someone. Even though it hurt so much I knew that I had to put his safety and frankly his sleep before my own needs. If he had decided to come home anyway I certainly wouldn't have tried to stop him. Even though it broke my heart I had to tell him that it was okay for him to just stay up there.

Well we still don't know where my husband's company is going (of course even if I did I wouldn't publish it here). They don't even have a deployment date yet. You know it seems like if they were going to activate a company then they might do it when they had a place for them to go and a time for them to leave. Not the Marine Corps! I can be as sensitive as the next girl but when it comes to my husband having to be away from me for a year OR TWO then I'm an emotional car wreck. Before my husband got activated I didn't even like it when he had to go to drill for the weekend because I missed him like crazy. Now the Marine Corps is asking . . . no telling me, that I have to be separated from my husband for up to two years! But don't worry because we'll get our housing paid for and we'll even get $100 a month to pay for him have to be away from me. Yay! That just makes it all better. I am simply not emotionally prepared to deal with this. I keep praying that God will keep him here with me and I know that nothing is impossible through Him if we believe, but it's not looking like it's going to happen. I don't want to start praying for peace about the situation because that means that he really is going to have to leave me and I don't know if I can face that yet.