Coping Mechanisms

As far as trials in friendships go, this has got to be not only a first, but the hardest. I spoke with Nick and Tony last night on the phone and they both seem much more sober about the mission at hand. They're unable to tell us where they're going, what they'll be doing, or even when they're leaving...which is hard for both them and us...but they seemed far less optimistic about the whole trip than when we had spoken before their briefing. This, of course, scared the pants off of all of us. We don't like hearing that risk is involved in our friends' lives.

So, in order to cope with extreme anxiety, my friends and I have all become care package masters. We've bought a truck load of goodies to send them, things ranging from candy to anti-bacterial lotion. I'm having all the children I tutor write them letters and draw pictures for them. One of my mom's art classes will be drawing their unit pictures. Basically, we're like those team moms that take care of everything...only we're more like team sisters :)

Making sure they feel supported and prayed for has been one of the best coping mechanisms I could think of. Not only do we feel as though our friends are being taken care of, but it's also a way for us to finally show the support and care we have for our troops as a whole. Prior to this, I prayed without ceasing for our guys, but I never felt as though I had any interaction with them. Now, we're in the prayer trenches with them and it's good to feel useful.

Nick and Tony: We love and support you and are praying tremendous safety over you and your fellow Marines. I can assure you that not a day will go by without you being prayed for. We have your pictures up in our rooms to remind us, if that's ever even needed. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds.