Wednesday, August 18, 2010

meeting and greeting...


Oh my goodness! I just looked at the last blog I posted, which wasn't even an update, and realized that it has been over a week! So super sorry! It has been mass busy around these parts and I was also able to slip away for a long weekend to go camping with my family!
I will post more about my camping trip, Ben's sisters visit while I was away and she stayed with Ben (she wrote about it and I will post) and the many of things Ben has been doing!
This post is for all the people that we have had to priviledge to meet just in a week! It was an honor to be invited to meet them and share a bit about Ben, who he is as a man and Ranger and all the progress he has made!

I will start with last Monday, August 9th....


Coronel Sutherland, who now works out of the Pentagon, came to visit our unit. He is an advocate not only for injured soldiers but also for their families. We had a brief group sit down with him and then he went to visit the boys in their rooms!

Thursday, August 12...



U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer came to see us. Ben was in therapy and was unable to meet her but I was asked to sit down with her and tell her about my stay at the Fisher House. This is the house that I have been living in since I have been here. Senator Boxer is grateful for the sacrifices made by our service men and women and their families. She has diligently worked to ensure that members of our nation’s armed forces are afforded the care and services they deserve.

Today, August 18...



First, Ben's First Sergeant Williams (has the sunglasses on) flew in from GA later last evening! He is spending a few days with us and giving Ben some Ranger tests! Making sure that he remembers all of his Ranger lingo and creed! Ben was able to verbally say the whole Ranger Creed with him last night with minimal verbal ques! It was awesome to hear!



Our second visitor was US Congressman Steve Buyer from Indiana (light blue shirt.) He has a proven record of leadership on many complex issues facing the nation including health care, energy, telecommunications, veterans and military matters. His public commitment and military service embodies his dedication to the country. Congressman Buyer continues to serve as a Colonel in the Army Reserve. In the 111th Congress, Congressman Buyer serves as the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.





Thirdly...Dan Wheldon, former Indy 500 champion! Wheldon who was born in Emberton, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom took up karting at the age of four with funding from his father, he progressed through the junior ranks of motor racing during his school years. Attending Bedford School until he completed his GCSEs at age 16, he frequently took time off to race. During his early career in open wheel racing, he developed a rivalry with Jenson Button before ultimately leaving the United Kingdom to race in America. He's the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament.

As, you can see it has been busy around here! It has been really neat to meet all of the people that come to visit the facility! They do amazing things for our country and serve our military well!

I end with this...praising Jesus for all He has done, doing and WILL do in our lives....1 Chronicles 29:11-13 "Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, my Friends, How pleased I am for all of your visitors. I am so proud of you, Ben!!! You are testimony to Father's saving grace AND the strength, courage, and amazing will of our Rangers. What a moment of pride when you did so well with all your Ranger lingo. I know this is just the tip of the iceberg as to your total healing. Katie, I am proud of you too. You are testimony to Father's amazing love and sacrifice. Thank you both for sharing Jesus with your words and just with your life. Much love, Marion

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord!
I love the pic of the two of you. Not only is it romantic but also a promise of your future to come.

Anonymous said...

Hi Katie and Ben!

Loved the updates about the concert! We are so happy Ben continues to make huge progress. Rob, the kids, and I think of you guys all the time. Like I said before, we'll be passing through Labor Day weekend though I'll text you a couple days before we leave just so you two save your appetite for In-N-Out :)

Keep your head up, Katie. One day you two will look back and be amazed how strong the both of you are at this time and how your marriage will be that much stronger! Say hi to Ben, your sis, and Chandler for us!

<3 Alma Thompson

P.S. I was going to sign in but I don't know how. I don't speak "laptop at coffee shop", ha ha!