Need some prayers...

Hey Guys, sorry about being so long in posting. No good excuses. I even had some great things to blog about this week. Last weekend Mom and Dad came up from Fort Worth, and Jelaine came from Ohio to see my first barbershop concert. It was really fun. I also got to take them to the zoo and Jelaine and I went to the Air Show in Lincoln too! I was going to have some really great pictures, but I don't have time right now.

I am in the middle of packing to go to Fort Worth. I am driving down tomorrow because my grandmother is dying. Dad's mother, Nana has very severe alsheimers and is to the point where her brain isn't even reminding her that she needs to eat and drink. So, needless to say, they think she will pass any time now. I believe she is going to see Jesus soon. I know she has always talked of Jesus and always kept the family in church and praying, but pray for her soul anyway. Also please pray for my family. It seems the only time my dad and his siblings get together anymore is when someone dies. I pray that there aren't any complications over funeral services or fights over the will. That is what tore them apart in the first place. And please pray especially for dad. You guys know him, and he is a strong man, but this is his mother. He is the oldest sibling, and a husband, father and grandfather now. He will essentially be the head of the Fondren family. That is a lot of wieght for one person. I know he will want to be strong for everyone else, but he shouldn't have to be. I only hope I can help carry a little of that burden by going down there to be with him, and everyone.

I think it is better at this point to pray that Nana goes peacefully than that she hangs on to her worldly body for a few more feeble moments in eternity. I love her though, and I would like to tell her that in person one more time. One thing I consider a miracle is that she has never forgotten me. I have always been her "Little Armand" (since her husband, my grandfather was Armand) But even when she has forgotten my other cousins or thier children, and maybe even her own children at times, she has always known me...and Jelaine! Just Tuesday mom showed her a picture of us and told her they were up here visiting and she recognized us both and called us by name.

Thanks for your prayers and support guys. You are my family, and I know your thoughts will be with us. God Bless.

Armand II

Museum Mischief

So there I was...

...with Jelaine as an reluctant lookout and "E" as my accomplice. We went to the SAC (Strategic Air Command) Museum. The museum consists primarily of two hangars full of old bombers, fighters and recon planes. Well, you can imagine that we were really into this place and we noticed right away that it had great potential for unauthorized exploration. So we exploited the given potential to our benefit. The three of us were checking out the bomb bay of a B-36. This is the largest bomber ever made. Also the only bomber to never drop a bomb during wartime. If you were the normal tourist, this is what you might have seen.

Well, that wasn't quite good enough for us. So as we were checking out the underside of the plane we noticed that we could see part of the cockpit from the bomb bay. "E" also noticed with his keen and refined since of mischief that I could climb up into the bomb bay and, once concealed inside the belly of the beast, continue unobstructed upwards into the cockpit. Once we committed to the task J decided she had had enough and left the bomb bay. So I got up and in without to much trouble, other than making quite a bit of noise. I climbed over what appeared to be some sort of downward facing radome and through another section into the cockpit. It was pretty cool, and from the picture above you can see that it is pretty high up too. After taking one blurry picture with a malfunctioning camera, I heard our signature "iron will" whistle and assumed the cover was blown. So I returned to the bomb bay and awaited the all clear signal to make like a bomb and drop from the rafters of the bay. Well, as I was ready to jump another official looking man came way to close to discovering the bomb bay so "E" with his cunning techniques of distraction began to discuss the wiring with J as I stood there helpless. Finally, he gave me a quick signal to move. I then proceeded to knock my ear on the rafters as I freed myself from the bowels of the bomber. I know Jelaine was thinking "serves you right," but at least she pretended to be concerned.

Nevertheless, we once again proved our skills of stealth and mischief are still intact.

Our visit with "E" here in Omaha was awesome! Jelaine had to leave Monday for Ohio to start school and "E" took off Tuesday to head back to Texas. I am so glad they got to come up for the weekend.

On another note, I passed my check ride so I will be mission qualified very soon. Praise the Lord for great weather and a great flight. Catch you all soon.

Kilroy was here!