Just like you see in the movies....

Early Wednesday morning, Feb. 11th, Mike arrived safely on US soil! And we were able to meet his plane in Bangor, Maine to welcome him home after a 15 month deployment in Iraq!
It was a total God thing and the timing was perfect! We had an idea as the days approached when he would be arriving back in the states but we weren't sure what plane he was on or where exactly it would stop for fuel before heading to Texas! After lots of phone calls, sleuthing on the Internet, and prayers we decided we had a 50/50 shot that he would be arriving in Bangor at 4:30am on Wednesday. (There are approx 20,000 troops in his division that have all been coming home the last few days and we were trying to track down the one plane of 300 soldiers that he was on and due to security etc...they aren't able to give details as to when and where planes are arriving.) Tuesday evening after dinner, my parents and sister and I all packed in the car for a road trip 3 hours north to Maine! We arrived at the hotel and promptly went to bed knowing we would be up early to meet the flight. We got to the airport a little after 4am the next morning and eagerly awaited the plane's arrival. We kept asking one another, "Do you think he is on it??!!" Remember, we weren't sure and Mike didn't even know that we were trying to meet the plane! Finally, we saw the plane land and the soldiers started to come down the walkway!
Praise the Lord! There was Mike, about the 5th or 6th soldier off the plane! He immediately recognized my father and then holding back tears realized that we were really all there!
It was a scene out of the best scripted movie...lots of group hugs, tears of joy and relief, and of course smiles from ear to ear! It was so great to see him and as my mother said a huge weight off her shoulders knowing he was home! We were able to spend about an hour and half with him, having some breakfast, catching up, meeting friends and co-soldiers and hugging some more! The time was short but incredibly sweet! Mike made a quick call to Christy in Texas letting her know that he was headed her way! One more round of hugs, some quick pictures and off he went on the last leg of his journey home to Texas to reunite with Christy and the kids! It was dream like as we looked around after they all boarded the plane and the airport was empty!
Mike called later that afternoon and reported that they had a wonderful reunion with the family and that it was so great to be home after 15 long months! God is good and faithful and His timing is perfect! To Him be the glory! Thank you all for your prayers for Mike and his family during the deployment!