I was in the midst of writing an entry about my frustrations with potty training my almost three year old when I got this group email from my friend Kim:

Onto another subject… for families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

My husband is with Oregon’s 41st Brigade Combat Team. He is an embedded team trainer with the Afghan National Army. I don’t know much about what they do or why they are really in Afghanistan. You can never believe what CNN has to say or take the word of your opinionated neighbor… and then, I was introduced to journalist Scott Kesterson. He is the embedded reporter with my husband serving in Kandahar.

Scott Kesterson and his blog have created an outstanding service for our US National Guard soldiers in explaining their misssion and depicting exactly what they do and why they are doing it. I have followed Scott’s progress from training in Mississippi to the front lines of Afghanistan. You feel as though you are living a moment with the soldiers and, finally, understand their tribulations.

Scott’s stories are from our soldier’s viewpoint. I now understand more about my husband’s mission, the Afghan people and their country’s cry for freedom. Not only does this site take you on life threatening journeys, it also has incredible photos and video that paint surreal images for our families. I know this has brought me closer to my husband. This blogsite has brought me closer to my husband and his experiences – of which, thankfully, I will never have to endure.

When you have time, please visit this site: http://beloblog.com/KGW_Blogs/afghanistan/

And so I will ignore my petty griping for a bit, see what Perry is up to these days, and say a prayer for everyone’s safe and speedy return home.