sometimes the good comes with the bad

Hi everyone,

This is going to be short since I am on my way back to base!

So I have spent the two weeks and have really enjoyed. Worked hard and had a lot of things to do. Lots of paperwork as well as soldiers to see and things to keep in order. As well as having some fun on the side. Staying on the base last weekend was pretty quiet and relaxing and i had fun with my friends on the base.

This past week has been filled with good and bad. Monday night I traveled with the base doctor to another base to see the sick soldiers on the base. It was really fun to travel and be on a different base for a while. Also to be able to help the soldiers on the base and understand their problems was great for me.

then Tuesday there was a terrorist attack near our base. Four jews were killed as they were driving in their car. our base was called to respond and follow up in trying to catch the terrorists. It was a brutal scene and hard to digest. this also meant that the base was put into lock down and all soldiers at home had to return to base. Wednesday was supposed to be a fun day for all of the lone soldiers and we weren't sure if we could leave. The head of the base finally decided that we were allowed to leave so off we went early wednesday morning to have some fun.

The fun day was amazing. it was held at a great beach with food, music, activities, and friends. Even thought it was great fun, in the back of our minds was always the thoughts of what was going on near our base and whether we had to return to base or could go home for the night. I luckily was allowed to go home for the night and was told that I didn't need to return to base until sunday.

This morning I woke up to news that there had been another terrorist attack in the west bank and a possible third attack somewhere else. I didn't get a call to return to base so i decided to get together with some friends and hang out. Then at around 4pm this afternoon I finally get the call I have been dreading. I needed to return to base. We were in lock-down and all soldiers that had been released had to return. I had none of my army stuff, was not at home, and had 3 hours until the last bus to base 2 hours from my house. So i quickly started towards home to pack my bag and head to base.

Right now i am on my way to base. I missed the last bus for today to base. so i will be staying in beer sheva for the night with some of the other girls from base that also missed the bus. I am worried what this means and how long I will be staying on base, but not only that, but why all of these attacks so suddenly.

Please keep Israel and her people in your thoughts. It has been a hard week, but hopefully it will get better. the past weeks have me worried, but i am confident also in the soldiers that I work with and in the spirit and strength of this country.

love,
Roxanne