Line upon Line

Christmas in Kuwait
By Robert F. Reeder

Christmas 2002 seems like only yesterday.  After going through the usual ritual of opening presents, taking pictures, talking to relatives on the phone, and doing the other things that families do on this special day, I took the opportunity to ponder about the many “presents” that I had been blessed with.  Specifically, I thought about my wonderful family who supported me in my occupations.  I say occupations as I hold the title of  “Citizen-Soldier” – a member of the United States Army Reserve.  I began pondering what the next year might bring.  I had recently been selected for promotion, which required that I transfer to a new unit.  The week before Christmas, I submitted paperwork to transfer to a field hospital.  My thoughts also turned to the news that was being reported in the days prior to Christmas – Reserve units were being called up in preparation for a possible war against Iraq.  And my new unit was being strongly considered for mobilization.  I sat on the couch wondering about the future.  Would I be home for Christmas 2003?  Could this possibly be my last Christmas?  After a few minutes of wondering and contemplation, I realized that the answers to these questions were unknown, but more importantly, they were out of my control.  Nevertheless, I knew that my Heavenly Father would be watching over me and He would be very involved in my life for the next few months.  I have always had a testimony of my Heavenly Father’s involvement in the events of my life.  The reason for what happens may not be readily apparent at the time, but later, I have come to an understanding of the reason for many of the events in my life.

The Saturday before the Super Bowl, I was enroute to a multi-stake Scout training conference with Elder Melvin Hammond of the Seventy, and General Young Men Presiden, when I received the ominous phone call – be at the Reserve Center in Spokane, Washington on Monday morning.  After attending the meeting and returning home, I spent the rest of that evening and the next day after church moving all of my personal belongings from my civilian office to home and making final preparations to deploy.  Phone calls to family members were made.  I also made a phone call to my boss informing him that I would not be at work on Monday, and that I didn’t know when I would return.

The power of the priesthood must never be underestimated or underused.  Although I desired a father’s blessing, such a blessing was impossible as my parents live in Bountiful, Utah.  However, on Sunday evening, my wonderful home teacher and my bishop came over to give me a priesthood blessing.  After that, I led my family in family prayer and retired for the night.  The next morning, I said good-bye to my wife, and two youngest children, dropped my two oldest children off at the seminary and drove the 100 miles to the reserve center.

We spent 4 days in Spokane before traveling to Fort Lewis Washington where we made final preparations.  My unit was supposed to provide medical support for the troops that entered Iraq from Turkey.  When that option become unavailable, and Baghdad fell as quickly as it did, we wondered what our future would hold.  It wasn’t until mid-May that we learned that we would be split up and sent all over the country.  Four of us were reassigned to a field hospital out of Chicago and sent to Kuwait to provide healthcare services to the soldiers stationed there.  We arrived in Kuwait near the end of May for what was supposed to be 179-day mission.  We were given assurances that we would be home in time for Christmas 2003.  However, in early September, we received official word that we should not expect to return home until May 2004.  Obviously, more than a few soldiers were devastated, and many tears were shed.

It has been through faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I have been sustained through this deployment.  I know that the same can be said for the other members of the church with whom I meet every Friday afternoon for sacrament and priesthood meetings.  In the Middle East, Thursday and Friday are the “weekend,” days that people do not work.  Hence, most LDS services in the Middle East are held on Fridays.  As most military members will attest, church services are held in a multitude of surroundings and environments.  However, I can testify to the truthfulness of the verse “where two are more are gathered in my name, there will I also be.”  Even though church services have sometimes been held in a tent, or in a foxhole, I can testify that the Spirit of our Heavenly Father is present with those who recognize his hand in all things and submit to his will.

As servicemen, we humbly accept the sacred oath of “supporting and defending the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”  This is possible only through the support of our families and others in our lives.  Every deployed church member can relate stories of the services their home teachers rendered in magnifying their callings, as well as support received from other members of their wards.  We can relate stories of how our families have been comforted, blessed and protected by unseen forces during our absence.  The power of the priesthood ordinances performed back home has sustained us in our absence.  Last summer, my youngest daughter turned 8.  A few months later, my oldest son turned 14.  These two events usually result in priesthood ordinances – baptism, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, and ordination to be a teacher in the Aaronic priesthood.  How fortunate I am to have a father who is a faithful Melchezidek priesthood holder who traveled to Moses Lake, Washington to baptize and confirm my daughter and to ordain my son.

Tomorrow will be Christmas in Kuwait.  There are more than a few Christmas trees, lights, and decorations around the post, yet the brown sand causes many of us to long for a white Christmas.  Here at the only US military hospital in Kuwait, we are privileged to care for the soldiers involved in the global war on terrorism in this part of the world.  This past week has been challenging, yet fun, as we have diligently strived to bring the Christmas spirit into the halls of our facility through our activities and attitudes.  It is our deepest desire that the heroes who are brought to our facility will feel as much of the Christmas spirit here as they would at home, wherever that may be. 

Last Friday for priesthood meeting, we watched the Church’s “Joy To The World” video, depicting events of the Savior’s birth.  I had forgotten how close I currently am to the Holy Land.  I wondered whether the wise men could have traversed some of the territory that I have visited over the past seven months.  While watching the video, I am sure that the others attending church had the same feelings that I did.  Christmas is not about Santa, presents, stockings and all the other tangible, earthly items that the world readily associates with this time of the year.  It is about the love of our Heavenly Father, and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The sadness that we feel being separated from families at this time is miniscule compared to His love for us.  It is through this love, as well as gospel principles and ordinances that He has provided us, we are able to return and live with our families forever.  Having a testimony of this sustains us not only at this time of year, but throughout our time away from home.  The best gift we as servicemen and women can receive are prayers that our Heavenly Father will keep a protecting hand over our deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines and a watchful eye over their family members and loved ones.