A Note from Brad...

Howdy,
Ive been informed it’s again time for an update. So here goes: I am still in Afghanistan.

I could expand on that a little I guess……I had a pretty good Fourth of July yesterday, considering. We actually had the day off and I didn’t do a lick of work. Slept in, read a book, played baseball, watched movies and listened to Willie Nelson with all the guys. All in all, a pretty all American celebration – we even had cheese dip and summer sausage. The only thing that could have made it more like a TX 4th of July would be some ice cold beverages, and of course…..being in TX would be nice. One thing that is nice about being in a combat zone on the 4th of July, is that there is no shortage of fireworks.....We didn’t have any roman candles but parachute and signal flares are plentiful around here!
The last few weeks I have been pretty busy to say the least, which is good – it keeps my mind focused on the job and time flies. I know that Molly is happy when I sit in the office most of the time, but lately we’ve been taking lots of trips up into the mountains working on some projects with a tribe of Afghans called “Hazarans”. They are not the Afghans you read about on CNN. They have resisted the Taliban and are more than ready and willing to work with whoever wants to help them. In this case it is us. They take good care of us when we go to visit. I’ve seen some pretty amazing sights over the last few weeks. Trekking and sleeping on 11,000 ft. mountain passes, playing soccer with the kids, and swimming in mountain streams and hot springs – it really takes it out of you! Don’t get me wrong, we do a lot of actual “work” to, but that’s all pretty boring to talk about.
My culinary pallet has been greatly expanded as well. When were on our long missions, we live and eat off the local economy. Homemade goat milk yogurt, lamb and goat kabob, long grain rice, flat bread, and various parts and pieces of multiple types of animals (don’t ask for specifics, cause I don’t know) are all staples of our diet. No major intestinal problems, for the most part, but everyone get a case of “Mohammed’s Revenge” every now and then.
Other than that, its life as usual around here. Every day is different than the day before, and I spend most of my free time dreaming of what I am going to do with my time when I get home for good…again. When I talk to Molly and everyone back home, sounds like things are going well there. If you see Molly, please tell her that she is the most awesome wife in the whole world, and while you’re there, remind her that one of these days I WILL be home for our anniversary. Yep, that’s right, Molly and I have been the perfect married couple for 4 years, the best of my life…. I don’t like spending 3 of 4 anniversaries in a warzone, but because I’m married to the sweetest girl on earth, there’s not a happier man on earth on 9 JULY every year! Love ya Darlin!
So, I guess I ought to keep it short. I miss everyone back home, and congratulations to Rusty and Mindy on having a baby girl! Hold on Clark family, we’re now in uncharted territory! Anyway, I’m always thinking of yall, can’t wait to get home.
Take Care,

Bradley