The next group of soldiers...

Well belonging to a military ward, it is inevitable...another group of soldiers is leaving next week. As I get to know each one of these families more and more, it tears me up inside watching them get up on fast Sundays and bear their amazing testimonies as well as say goodbye for 15 months. They tease that they are headed to the BIG SANDBOX. I had to sleep off a headache after tearing up so much at church today. I watch these men and can't help but think how amazing they are, and what great examples they are. They have taken care of all the wives, and children whose husbands are already gone. It is just so amazing to me how military wards work. You would be amazed at the amount of loving service that goes on that only Heavenly Father knows. They don't do it for the praise, and most of the time they won't even own up to it if you catch them in their acts of service. I even had one soldier in the ward offer to help me put my spark plugs and wires in before he leaves. He is leaving in 3 days, yet offers to help me and my family. I can't get over their selfless service. My friend and I were joking that if they don't start having some soldiers come home soon, then we won't have any men at all in the ward. We have a few amazingly strong civilians that work for the military. When I gave my talk I told them, from the bottom of my heart....thank you. I know that you guys spend hours making up for all the soldiers that are gone. My home teacher is amazing. He took a week off work and drove one of the wives to Texas to see her husband who was injured in Iraq. He is in Young Mens, he is in Scouts, he does 100% home teaching, and he has 5 kids of his own! I can't imagine how frustrating it is to have people constantly coming and going. They are so supportive. I have a grandpa that sits next to us every week, and anytime the boys get rowdy he passes them candy. He always takes the time to give me a hug, and ask me how my week was. I just am amazed, and truly thankful for the great ward I am in! Even mom and Ginger when they came to visit me were saying how awesome the ward is! They happened to catch us on a Fast Sunday too, and got to experience how heart breaking it was to watch all the soldiers say goodbye, and bear their testimonies.