first picture

I am soooo happy that Daniel finally sent me his first official Army picture. This picture was taken his first week at basic training, and they weren't allowed to smile. Nevertheless, I am happy to have it. I am soooo proud of him.

Please be in prayer for Daniel as he takes his final PT test on Saturday. He is still a tiny bit short on his pushups and his run. I believe that he can do it, but more importantly, Daniel knows he can do it.

Daniel has the most wonderful battle buddies. They really encourage and help each other through the difficult times and rejoice with each other in the good times. The wife of one of Daniel's battle buddies spoke to me yesterday. She lives in Missouri, so she is going to try to go see the guys on Saturday when they (hopefully) have an on-base pass. She wanted to know what Daniel's favorite treats were, and she is going to take the guys an Easter basket. I am so grateful for her.

God has always been good to put just the right people in my path at just the right time. And I am thankful!

a poem

A friend sent me a poem today (posted below). It really fits how I have been feeling lately in light of the fact that I know that Daniel will be deploying soon. I have run the gamit of emotions while he has been at basic training, only to realize as his training is drawing to a close what all this really means.

I have missed Daniel terribly and worried about him often over the past 11 weeks. And I beam with pride about what he has accomplished. I look forward to seeing him very soon (only one month from today). I can't wait to see how handsome he looks in uniform and to see the young man that the Army has turned him into.

But then I start to think. Basic training has probably been the safest place where an 18-19 year old young man could be. He is under the strict supervision of drill sergeants and isn't permitted to get out line. Even the simple issue (such as the wrong platoon number on his incoming mail causes him to have to do pushups). Basic training is all about discipline, direction, leadership, teamwork, and learning to be safe and stay safe. They are preparing him for deployment. Even typing that word causes me to pause and tremble with fear. It is a frightening word. I worry endlessly about what that means and the dangers it entails.

But then I am reminded that Daniel truly has a great calling. I remember the story of Abraham and Isaac where Abraham was called to sacrifice his son. I think about the fear that must have been running through Abraham's mind and heart, but the fact that he trusted the LORD and was obedient. In the end, GOD did provide the sacrifice. Daniel truly has taken a similar step of faith, and I applaud him for that. As his mother, I know that I must be as Abraham was and trust GOD with my son.

Therefore, to the Army (and to all the citizens of the United States), I say today --

I Give to You, My Son

I held him as an infant; I hugged him as a boy
and through the years he has become my greatest pride and joy.

I love him more than I can say, his life more precious than my own,
but gone are the whims and notions of the little boy that I had known.

For the years have passed so quickly since the time it all began
and now he stands before me with the conviction of a man.

He wants to serve his country, he states aloud with pride
as I try to sort out the emotions that I'm feeling deep inside.

A union of uncertain fear, which I cannot control
and the allegiance which lies deep within my patriotic soul.

I trust that my years of guidance will serve as a strong foundation
as he performs the duties requested from his beloved nation.

God please guide him as he travels to the places our soldiers have bled
and walk with him through pathways where those heroes' feet have tread.

Oh Sweet Land of Liberty, humbly I give to you, my son
praying you'll return him safely home when his work for you is done.

girl scout cookies

I forgot to mention a cute story that Daniel told us on Sunday. Apparently, one of his Drill Sergeants has a daughter that is a girl scout. She came up to the base and sold girl scout cookies to the recruits. The Drill Sergeants let the guys buy them AND EAT THEM! (It was the first junk food that they were allowed to have since arriving 2 1/2 months ago so I'm sure she got a lot of sales!) Daniel bought peanut butter patties.

After the guys ate their cookies, then the Drill Sergeant made them do extra PT (physical training) to "work off the girl scout cookies." Daniel said, "It was worth it!"

Daniel got his orders

We got two calls today from our SOLDIER! He got a 12-hour on base pass and spent most of it at the USO. He said he got to eat "real food," which included pizza and Chinese food. He also got to spend a little bit of time on the computer (for the first time in 9 weeks). He has asked us to send him his computer in a couple weeks. (He'll be allowed to have it as soon as he passes his PT test.)

Speaking of his PT test. He passed the PT test to get through the basic training portion, but now he has to pass a more difficult PT test in order to become a combat engineer. He needs to be able to do 42 "proper" pushups (meaning that his body must be completely straight), 53 situps, and run 2 miles in 15:54. He is 4 pushups short of his goal, and he will have multiple opportunities to pass the test before graduation on April 23.

He has been issued and is wearing his beret. This is HUGE for the new soldiers. It is one way that they are distinguished on base from the recruits.

He hasn't mailed me any pictures yet. I did get him to agree to put one picture of himself in an envelope and mail it to me this week. Actually, I'm thinking of mailing his a pre-addressed, postage paid envelope for him to send me the pictures. When I finally do receive pictures, I'll definitely post them here.

Now for the real news ... Daniel has received his orders. After graduation, he will be headed to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From there, he is expected to deploy in the late fall or early winter to Afghanistan. Daniel is disappointed that he didn't get stationed at Fort Hood, as he really wanted to be closer to home, but Fort Carson is certainly closer than many other places he could have ended up. Not to mention prettier! I'm already planning a summer trip.

today's the day

Today's the day ...

Today's the day that my wonderful husband and soulmate Lee was born 47 years ago. I am so very blessed to have him in my life! We've been together nearly 15 years and married 14 years in May. He is my best friend. I love him more than words can express. I don't know what I did to deserve him. God has been so good to us both. I am especially grateful for the fact that, he chose Daniel to be his son and me to be his wife. He is the most wonderful husband and father to our children that I could ever ask for.

But this blog isn't about Lee ... Today marks another incredibly important day in our family's history ...

Today is the day that Daniel has taken his next important step. Today, Daniel became a SOLDIER in the United States Army. This is the day that he has been working for and looking forward to for the past nine weeks. Today is the culmination and recognition for all that he has accomplished. Today, even his drill sergeants recognize him for the strong and courageous young man that he is. Today, these new soldiers are issued their berets and are permitted to wear their class A (dress uniforms) for the first time. It is an incredible honor for them. They deserve to be proud of what they have accomplished. I am very proud of what he has accomplished! He has overcome far and beyond what any of the "experts" thought he could do. He even exceeded my expectations, but we never ever gave up on him, and we never ever told him that he couldn't do anything. He now has six weeks of job skills training to be a combat engineer. He will learn to build bridges and other structures, drive bulldozers, and blow things up. He will continue to train with his same drill sergeants, but they will seem to be more human now. Lee and mom and I will travel to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for his family day and graduation on April 22/23. I can't wait to see him!

I am so blessed to have two such amazing men in my life. They are truly heros! Not only in the sense of their official duties -- Lee as a firefighter and Daniel as a soldier -- but also heros in the fact that they are true men of God. They never give up on themselves (or me). They are an inspiration to others. And I am proud to call them mine!

Confidence Course

This is a story from the Fort Leonard Wood publication and it is specifically talking about the unit that Daniel is in:

http://myguidon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11826&Itemid=39