PFC Guido

Private First Class Guido is finally looking like a soldier with his boots as well as his rank. They let him eat with a fork now (last week was spoon only). What luxury! He was thrilled to picked up a Bible sent by a church with people's writings in them. He misses home and his friends very much. He give his love to you all!
Pray for his adapting & adjusting to the heat, 'annoying people', lack of sleep, no friends, etc. It gets depressing at times (who wouldn't). He's been awake no later than 4 AM. That's basic training for you!

Words from Ben

Well, we're excited that we're finally heard from Ben - phone call & letters, all in the same day! We've not had contact with him for awhile. Funny, when he's away to college, it didn't seem to concern us as much. He did not talk too long on the phone.

Basically, he is doing as well as expected - can't expect much in basic training. He has to get used to a very rough environment - foul language like he'd never heard before (it's rubbing off on him too!). They march, stand, and lots of waiting.

The weather in GA, well you know, is very hot & humid. It's warm at 4:30 am & fiery fuurnace between 1500 - 1800 hour (2 - 6 pm). Not much sleep - sometimes have get up at 3:00 am and goes 'til 9 pm. The good thing is that 'food is great, but no talking in the chow hall and have to finish everything'.

He's asking for prayer for understanding, patience, and quiet times. He makes time to go to church on Sunday mornings. :-)

His basic training will actually start tomorrow 6/26. He may not be able to come home after training because he only gets the weekend off then they'll hold him for a week before airborne school starts again. :-(

When he gives us an address, I'll post it here. He says NOT to send anything but letters unless otherwise specified. He'll get in trouble if he receives other things.

He misses his home & friends. Please pray for quick adjustment & we know God will sustain him during this 'rough' time of transition.

That's all folks!

Gratitude Campaign

Safe and Sound

Ben just got in GA and is safe and sound! Praise God! The weather is hot and humid there as expected. He has to wait for couple of hours for the bus to take them to their final destination.

Remember Me Video

This film was made by a 15 year old girl. It is the hottest thing on the Internet and on Fox News today. Lizzie Palmer who put this YouTube program together, is 15 years old. There have been over 3,000,000 hits as of this morning. In case you missed it, here it is.

Watch all of it........and, pass it on!!

On his way

Ben should be on his way to GA this morning - finally. He is in charge of 4 other guys getting it there safely. He's flying Delta Airline at 6:15 AM.

Ship tomorrow?

I was told that Ben went back up to San Jose today, waiting to be processed out tomorrow (Wed) and possibly fly out the same day or Thur. It just amazing how long this process takes and how efficient (not) the government runs - it's too scary to think about it. (This would not happen in a civilian work place, that's for sure). I'm guessing that it's been a painful 2 days for Ben just being pushed back and forth and not knowing when life will go on. And being a mom, it's awful knowing your child has nothing with him like a homeless person since Sunday. He has not called us with any update. Perhaps not wanting us to worry. Not exactly what I thought but guess it'll prepare me for the future. I do hope that it'll be sooner than later that he reaches his destination. The good thing is that he is in God's hand!

Gone but not gone

We dropped Ben off at the recruiter station by 10 AM on Sunday 6/14 in SLO. We missed church but thought it was important for us to be there to say 'Good-Bye'. He was supposed to be driven to San Jose and stay over night there, then fly to Georgia on Monday.

Well, I received a surprised phone call from Ben Monday afternoon asking for Whisky's phone number. He's a friend from Cuesta College. Good thing Whisky is around to rescue/help him out.

So this is what happened. Apparently, the government computer shut down so they could not process him in San Jose. So they (the Army) are sending him back to SLO and drive up again tomorrow and try it again. I don't know why they couldn't put him up for another night at San Jose. I just can't believe what a waste of time and tax payers' money when things like this happens. He has nothing with him, since they would not allow him to bring anything with him to basic training, just with the clothes on his back and 1 oz. of shampoo, no jackets, no cell phones, few bucks in his pocket.

Nice government job!

I think I better hit the sack. My brain cells needs to be recharged!

Graduation

Jacob will graduate from 8th grade at Redwood Middle School tomorrow 6/12. He will be attending Thousand Oaks High School in the Fall.

Matt have requested me to make some snikerdoodles for his wrestling BBQ tomorrow.

Matt will be going to the Agape Main Tour on 6/22. Jacob will be busy at wrestling practices & Silverfin Lacrosse Camp with Pat Smith.

Currently, I'm designing a website for a graphic designer, driving kids around to their activities and keeping up with the squirrels in the garden & regular stuff. I try to make time for daily devotions, but that is always a challenge, esp. after I turn on the computer.

What is this all about?

Just checking out what blogging is all about. I'd figured it's time to learn to keep up with the technology.