No brownies, please!

Now they are able to receive goodies from home. But they will tell (beg) you not to.

At first, the DS gets the package and put it in the middle of the floor of the barrack, and 30+ guys just dive right in and devour in less than a minute. Then he thought that it's too easy for them, so he thought of a contest. Normally, it's doing sit-ups and push-ups. But this time, DS got creative! They are to go to a hill, bring a huge tracker tire (weighs over 100 lbs) down to a designated spot, and get back within certain time. Well, not knowing what the contest was, everyone in Ben's group volunteered him because he's good at sit-ups & push-ups. Since the tire is too heavy for him to carry, he had to rolled it down the hill, but made terrible time. He came in second to the last, then his group got smoked for that. So that was bad!

They got a new DS the other day. He made Ben do extra 25 pushes just because we used address label for the envelope. They'll think of anything to make him work for it.

Some good news, because he and his teammates came in first out of the whole company, on a physcial training test through an really touch obstacle course, they were given a 6 hr pass. Unfortunately due to the time difference, he couldn't reach many of his friends. I talked to him while he was bowling (interrupted by his turn about every 15 seconds!) away and having pizza, in an A/C room!

He's asking for prayer for this week because they are training (camping) out in the woods from Sat (8/12) 'til Thur (8/17). It'll be very tough not only physically, but emotionally as well. They will not have any hot meals or letters. Please pray for protection from the elements, good weather (it will really suck when it rains), strength & endurance from lack of sleep and food. Pray that he will feel the presence of God & endure this whole process. He is also very concerned about the 12 mile ruck march. They have to be able to carry their own pack, which could weight 60-80 lbs. They march at a fast pace over a rough terrain. They are in full battle uniform ('fatigues' pants/shirt, body armor, helmet, weapon, canteen/water, etc.) It really adds up, and in Georgia's humid weather! The most exhaustion will come from the legs and lower back. And with his swollen ankle, it certainly does not help. We know he is strong, but this is no cake walk for him.