Joe's 1st email

We received Joe's first email today, he says that internet service is "spotty" so he asked us to relay the info on to the blog. He is in Kuwait and is busy with more training and waiting for the rest of the unit to arrive. It is very hot 120-130 but a dry heat. Joe describes the terrain as "endless expanses of dry dusty desert". But the base has good food and the gym is open 24/7. He says he is doing well but misses home already. He will not have a mailing address for at least 2 weeks and probably longer than that but email obviously still works. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Joe has arrived

Just got word from Joe that he has arrived safely in Kuwait. He says all is well but the weather is HOT.

Here is some helpful info from the US postal service on how to receive FREE boxes and labels when preparing to send a package to Joe. More info on sending packages can be found on the USPS site: www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm

thanks for your support of Joe

Military Care Package Mailing Kit

Since Priority Mail service supplies are the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the USPS has created a "Mili-kit" based on the items most frequently requested by the military.

The kit contains:

• Three (3) each of flat rate boxes O-FRB1 and O-FRB2
• Two (2) each of Cube boxes OBOX7
• Address labels - Label # 228: 8 each
• Address labels - Label # 106-A: 1 each
• Customs FORM 2976-A: 8 EA.
• Customs FORM Envelope 2976-E: 8 EA.

The kit may be requested by calling 1-800-610-8734 (Packing Supply) and:

1. Choose your language (“1” is English, “2” is Spanish).
2. Choose option 1 (it states it is for Express Mail service, Priority Mail or Global Express Guaranteed).
3. When you reach a live agent, request “CAREKIT04.”
4. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

Note: These are free supplies, postage must be affixed.

Joe will not have a mailing address in Iraq until about the middle of September. Once we have the address we will post it and let interested friends know so they can sign up to send Joe letters and care packages. You will "sign up" to send him a package by letting us know by email and we will post the date you want to send the package on the blog calendar. By keeping track of the mail sent to Joe on the calendar we can avoid too many mailings or too few mailings in a particular time period. Ultimately it will be everyone's job to spread out the mailings and keep them coming to Joe while he is deployed. Thank you for your interest and care for Joe

Sam and Frances Thompson email: stthomp627@aol.com