Sunday Surprise!!

I was just on my way out the door when I heard "blip, blip" on Dan's computer.  "Are you there Dad?" was the Skype message I saw.  Bob was on a computer in the Rec center!  We chatted for the 20 minutes of time he is given, and he seems to be doing great!  He still does not have an Internet connection but he and his two roommates are working on it.  Hopefully within the next two weeks he will be able to video Skype with us.

He is working 12 hour shifts from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm and works 6 days a week.  In his off time he watches DVD's and is reading this book.  Have any of you heard of this one?  He said that it was 100 degrees today but doesn't think it is as humid as it is here in Omaha, so I guess that is a good thing.  He finally has a mailing address and when I asked what I should send he said "DVD's!"  If you would like to send him something please contact me and I will send his address via email.

It was great to hear from him even if it was just a text chat.  Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers for Bob as well as for all those who serve our country!

Skype Chat

I just heard from Bob.  It was 10:30 at night while we were chatting.  He was on a computer in the rec center so he did not have video.  This is the log:

Bob Peters: hey mom
Linda: Well hello there!  How are you?
Bob Peters: im doing pretty good...how are you guys doing?
Linda: We are good.  Dad is playing golf today and I am working.  Where are you?
Bob Peters: im at the MWR (Morale, Wellness, and Rec) center
Bob Peters: dad is playing golf today?
Linda: He is playing in an outing at Platteview
Linda: What is it like there? Hot?
Bob Peters: its 1030 at night...so yes
Linda: Still hot even that late huh?  Wow!
Linda: Are you living in a tent or dorm or what?
Linda: Do you share a room?
Bob Peters: right now im staying in a transit tent...its for people who are either just getting here or getting ready to leave
Bob Peters: so theres a bunch of people in there
Linda: sounds like fun, then where will you go?
Bob Peters: once the guys from our squadron leave and all that...we will move into the rooms they had
Linda: Do you know any of the guys that are there with you?
Bob Peters: yeah...theres 4 guys here now, and our team is replacing them
Linda: I am glad you know a couple of people
Linda: How is the food?
Linda: From what I have read, you are supposed to have the best food in Afghanistan!
Bob Peters: its pretty good...im going to be ending up eating breakfast for two meals a day though since im working nights
Linda: Oh, that will be fun, a little bit cooler to work but hotter to sleep. 
Bob Peters: and its not that hotter to sleep...we do have air conditioning
Linda: Now that is a relief.  So you don't think it will be that bad???
Linda: Are you on your computer now?  Will you have Internet access in your room?
Bob Peters: no im not on my computer...and yes once i get into my room i will have internet access
Bob Peters: and no i dont think its going to be that bad
Linda: Well this doesn't sound nearly as bad as I had expected! 
Bob Peters: sorry mom...i have to go...my time is up on the computer
Bob Peters: i love you
Linda: I love you too!  Take care!!!!  Miss you!
Bob Peters: talk to you soon


 Please keep Bob in your Prayers!!!

Made it to Afghanistan

Bob posted on Facebook several hours ago:

Father's Day???

In my heart of hearts I was hoping that Dan would have heard from Bob on Father's Day.  But, no such luck.  Dan said he wasn't disappointed; he knows that Bob is still in transit.  (I am shocked at how long it takes the military to move people from place to place!)  The last time we heard from him was Thursday, June 17.  He was in good spirits and was enjoying the US Open!  Hopefully we will hear from him in the in the next week or so.  I will keep you updated! 

Linda

Skype Chat

I heard from Bob via Skype Chat today.  Here it is:

Bob Peters 12:31 PM - hey mom...im here safe and sound...we finally got out of germany last night
Linda 12:32 PM - Are you in afghanistan now???
Bob Peters 12:35 PM - were not in afghanistan yet...were in kyrzykstan or something like that...its just a midway point until we fly out to our final location
Linda 12:35 PM - When will you fly to your final destination?
Bob Peters 12:37 PM - im not going to be able to call you right now...i forgot the headphones for my computer, but ill give you and dad a call whenever i can...prollly tomorrow
Linda - Okay.  Thanks for letting us know.  We miss you like crazy.  Love you so much
Bob Peters 12:38 PM - and the internet's a little slow here
Linda 12:41 PM - Do you need me to send headphones?  Please let us know what else you might need.
Bob Peters 12:41 PM - i love you guys too, but im doing actually pretty good right now...i get to have two drinks a day, and i am having mine right now while watching the US Open
Linda 12:42 PM - Cool, I forgot that was starting today!  Enjoy the drinks, you deserve them!  I think you will be fine once you get to Salerno
Bob Peters 12:43 PM - ill be fine once i get settled in wherever im going to be for the next 6 months
Linda 12:43 PM - I know, I just want you to be safe and secure.  It is just so darn far away!!!
Bob Peters 12:44 PM - i know...i will be safe though
Linda 12:45 PM - Okay, sounds like quite an adventure!  I can't wait to see you again and you can tell us all about it!!!
Bob Peters 12:45 PM i will tell you whatever i can

Facebook Comments

I am so thankful for all of you that are praying for Bob, and I am especially thankful for my first follower...my little sister Laura!!! Here are some of the comments to my update on Facebook.

Links to Camp Salerno Information

Here are a couple of links that we have found that provide good information about where Bob is headed:

Web site from Central Texas College

Blog from Camp Salerno

Camp Salerno is located just outside of Khost. Although Khost is not shown on this map, I believe it is close to Gardez on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.

Lack of Communication

Since he has been in Germany, we have been using Skype to communicate with Bob. What a great tool. It has been comforting to not only hear him but to see him as well.

We last talked to Bob more than two weeks ago. He has been busy getting ready for his deployment and has also had trouble with his Internet. So, were we not exactly sure when he would be leaving...until today. Here is a copy of the chat he had this morning with Dan:

[6:42:10 AM] Bob Peters: Hey. I'm tryin to get online right now
[6:42:28 AM] *** Call to Bob Peters, no answer. ***
[6:42:52 AM] Dan Peters: I see you but it keeps saying no answer.
[6:43:22 AM] Bob Peters: Yeah. I'm on my iPod right now
[6:43:41 AM] Dan Peters: Are you still in Germany?
[6:44:29 AM] Bob Peters: Yeah. I'm at the airport right now. Were supposed to be leaving this afternoon
[6:45:47 AM] Dan Peters: Do you think you will have Internet communication when you get to Salerno?
[6:47:45 AM] Bob Peters: We are supposed to. We might even have it in our rooms
[6:48:44 AM] Dan Peters: Are you ready for the next adventure? Mom and I have been thinking about you a lot. We are proud of you!
[6:49:50 AM] Bob Peters: Yeah I'm ready. I've been thinking about you guys too. Hope you are doing well
[6:50:39 AM] Dan Peters: We are doing fine. Don't worry about us. How long to get to Salerno?
[6:52:00 AM] Bob Peters: I'm not sure exactly. I know it's still gonna be a couple days til we get there
[6:54:00 AM] Dan Peters: Okay. Be safe. We will be thinking of you. I will update the family on your status. A lot of people have been asking about you and wanting to know how you are doing. Everyone is very proud of you!
[6:56:09 AM] Bob Peters: Alright dad I should go before my iPod completely dies. I'll get in touch with you as soon as I can. I will be safe and I love you guys
[6:56:35 AM] Dan Peters: Take care. I love you too!

We will keep you posted when we hear from him again.

Bob - the History

We have had so many people asking about our son Bob and his deployment, but first here is a little background. Just over a year ago Bob decided to join the Air Force, and last summer Dan and I went to San Antonio to attend his graduation from Basic Training. Then he was off to Mississippi for his technical school. We were able to see him last Christmas just before he left for Germany. This spring he told us that he would be deployed, and he is now starting the next phase of his journey....in Afghanistan.