Jason Lewis: September Newsletter

I was speaking to a senior officer this week and we were discussing marriage and deployment. He said a marriage that is having trouble before a deployment will fall apart during it. Conversely, a good marriage will get even stronger. I can honestly say that Elizabeth and I are stronger. After nine and half months of separation we picked up right where we left off; and the intensity of our love and the goodness of seeing each other was glorious.
Throw a beautiful baby girl into the mix and I was overwhelmed by how good life can be. All the dirt and grime of life in Baghdad absolutely faded during those 18 days of vacation. Like I was never even there. The picture is of Elizabeth, Cambria and I in Salzburg, Austria. We took a spin on the horse carriage and Cambria got to sit up front with the driver for a bit. Cambria is definitely mama's child for a bit longer but I suspect daddy's little girl is just around the corner. She seemed to have that look that says, "who's the guy in bed with mommy?" for a couple of days. As she warmed up it was dadda this, dadda that. We played the binky game and I liked carrying her on my back as we walked places. I think I have finally reduced life to its simplest
point: joy. If C.S. Lewis was surprised by joy, I was completely relieved to see it still in the world. After the gravity of all the business we are about in Iraq, the freshness of simple joy at being in the presence of people you love and people who love you is all the salve the soul needs to heal. I highly recommend big doses to everyone. I am at less than 90 days till I exit theater, and then on to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Army made me an offer I couldn't refuse and Elizabeth and I decided during our leave that the Army is still the place for us. It was actually a huge relief not to need to face another career choice with woman and child in tow. The truth is I love the Army most days and can't stand it others. I guess I will have more times of being on the verge of leaving. Like I've said before, so hard to know exactly what to do on this earth-keep breathing, eating and drinking water are the only definitives. After that its mostly luxuries. Of course God intends to pull us up farther from grub-hunting, dirt scrappers. I think most of mankind is doing fine by that standard. In any case Elizabeth and I are all about counting our blessings now. With a grueling separation under our belt we are past the tough part and are thankful for each other, our family and how incredibly good God always is. And not only to us- my brother and sister in law have added the most beautiful girl to our family. Havilah was born four days ago and I can't wait to see her. http://elizabethhoneycutt.blogspot.com
Here is a website for any of you that want to take a look at my niece. I highly recommend it. For those easily driven to envy avoid the site-its hard to get a much prettier baby. As to newsletters we are fast approaching the end of these updates. You have two more. I can't think of a better milestone. I love you all.