Holidays...

Dear Friends,

I am going home for the holidays, but the funny thing about "home" now is that it is not all in one place. 22nd-23rdDEC I'm in Chicago. 24th-26thDEC I'm in Ohio. And 27thDEC-02JAN I'm in Chicago again. Anyway, work was crazy this last week. Washington has no idea what to do when it snows so we actually had late call every day for work, and one day work was completely cancelled. The Army had a snow day- lame right? So now all but one of the roommates are already gone, and I'm really just trying to get some last minute things done before I leave. Our house's Bible Study is also taking leave until we all get back in January. I'm sure that we'll be ready to go, though, once everyone gets back

Life right before the holidays has ended quickly with a flurry of crazy work days, Christmas parties, and good time spent with the housemates. And now there's really only one thing left to do. I'll end with a list (not all inclusive) of people I'd like to see over break. Mom, Dad, brothers (and their respective families), Micah, Steve, Brad, Adam, Ben, Ann, Amy, all cousins and uncles/aunts in Chi-town, and anyone else I may be missing. Keep in touch!

Escape the Mainland...

Dear Friends,

This weekend was one of the best so far here in Washington. Luke, Tim, Isaac, Jamie, Andrew and I all took the ferry to Anderson Island this weekend. It was awesome to get away with the guys especially since we'll all be going our separate ways soon for Christmas. The house we stayed at was epic: a fire stove to heat, plenty of room, and a family of tamed deer who seemed to really like Luke. We also ended up eating at the island's restaurant and relaxing away the majority of our weekend. It only took us about 20 minutes to drive all the way around the island, and it seemed like everyone there knew everyone else. To top that off, the snow finally came this weekend. It's very unlike this part of Washington to snow in December, but we'll take it. I'll consider it an intro to the winter I'm sure awaits me for me Christmas Break in Chicago. Anyway, I have 5 more days of work, and then leave begins. Should be fun!

Promotions and Other Stuff...

My Company Commander Pinning On My Rank

My Battalion Commander and I

Dear Friends,



I have mostly good news to share. Within the last 2 weeks I have been promoted to 1st Lieutenant, received my new platoon sergeant, and been able to run several shooting ranges including my first mortar range. Work has definitely been enjoyable. Unfortunately, I was supposed to be going to Combatives Level II school for the next week, but I was pulled from the course last minute due to overbooking. I'll get to go eventually though.



The new Bible Study that my house has been starting is extremely volatile...we have 12 guys out one week and then 6 the next. We're hoping and praying that God gives us a couple core guys to really build the study off of. In the words of the famous movie, "We're looking for a few good men." (2 Tm 2:2) Life is incredibly busy, but I am enjoying Washington. I can't believe that I've been out here for over 6 months already...and over 1.5 years in the Army! It's crazy. I'll see all you Chicagoinians soon. Until then!

New Eyes...

Halloween Night (Above), Steph Pauls Visiting Seattle (Below)

Dear Friends,

I have my new eyes.  They are the same color, roughly the same size, and still sparkle like stars, but slowly I am gaining eagle eye sight.  They say it will take about 3 months until they finally stabilize, but I am already seeing pretty well.  Anyways, I really just laid around for the past 4 days.  I've listened to a lot of music, used a lot of eye drops, and ultimately drifted in and out of consciousness.  It has been complete relaxation.  However, I am looking forward to getting back to work.  There's another 3 day weekend here in 2 weeks for Thanksgiving so that is my next checkpoint before the holidays.  Work should keep me busy, and I hope that we can get some good training in before the break.  My roommate Isaac is supposed to get back tomorrow so that is the other big news.  We'll just be waiting on Eric to get back from the Philippines after that.  He's gone until at least late January.  My week really hasn't been exciting or eventful otherwise.  I guess that's sometimes a good thing though.  Bye.

Hello Again...

Dear Friends,

Much has been happening since the last time I wrote. To begin with, we had a killer Halloween Party last week. We ended up having a little party at the house and then we visited one of our friends who was stuck working at Starbucks. It was a fun time. In other news, the platoon is doing well. My guys have managed to stay out of trouble for the most part, and we are trying to get some good training in before Christmas Leave. I'm also due to get my new platoon sergeant in about 2 weeks. That should be good. He'll be the last key piece of leadership that we're missing in the platoon right now. Finally, Isaac Fones is finally returning from Iraq after a 5 month deployment. He's a Blackhawk helicopter pilot whom I got to know pretty well before he left. It will be great to have him back at the house.

This next week I'll be out of the fight so to speak. I'm getting PRK surgery to correct my vision which basically requires you to take it easy for about 5 days after the surgery. I won't be able to go to work or work out for about a week which is probably a good thing. Also, for those who care...my Christmas Leave will be from 22Dec to 02Jan, and I'll be in Chicago for the most part. Give me a call if you will be around. Until then!

Sorry So Long...

Dear Friends,

I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post. With Jamie getting married, work getting super busy, and my computer crashing I have found it hard to keep up all my old routines. This blog was one of the first to suffer. Anyway, life has been very interesting. My platoon constantly keeps me on my toes. In addition to that, we are starting to shoot our weapons a lot more at ranges during the work week. Today I was even able to shoot in addition to my guys...it was one of the first times I've shot in over a year. Overall, work is challenging yet enjoyable every single day. I'm learning something new all the time. I also got a new platoon sergeant today. I'm supposed to be getting even more help in the next couple weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

Tim Frazier, an old friend from Wheaton College's ROTC program, just moved into the house here in Dupont on Monday. Right now we have 2 roommates deployed, Isaac and Eric, with myself, Tim, Luke, and Steve still living here. It's really awesome to live with guys who have the same values and goals. I'm definitely encouraged and strengthened daily from living with these guys. They all love Jesus and are not ashamed to share this with others. Hopefully I'll get my computer up and running soon. Until then!

Still Rolling...

Dear Friends,

I am still rolling around these days.  This week was long simply because I worked from Sunday straight into Monday without even leaving the office.  Training was pretty fun though.  We got to go run around in the woods doing Land Navigation.  I'm now taking the weekend to relax a little and hang out with some friends here in Washington.  There's a chance that I'll be going to Oregon next weekend which is cool because my family lived there before I was born.  I might be able to finally see what they were always talking about.

In other news my roommate Jamie is getting married in 2 weeks!  It's crazy, but we all like his fiance Courtney.  We'll be losing a roommate but kinda gaining a sister.  We accept the trade.  Anyway, the rain finally came this week after months of the most beautiful weather I've ever experienced.  We'll see if we get any glimpses of the sun this week.  Laters!

Piano Bars and Fairs

Dear Friends,

This week was interesting.  My guys in the platoon always keep me learning.  I feel like I fill out a new form and deal with a new issue every day.  I'm getting to know them better, though, and I am loving work.  The Army is a great place to be.

This weekend was great too.  Friday night we went to a dueling piano bar called "Chopsticks".  I've always wanted to go to one, and I finally was able to.  They played everything from The Police & The Eagles to Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z.  It was like a 5-hour sing-a-long.  Saturday my roommates and I went to the Puyallup Fair here in Washington.  We rode roller-coasters, ate elephant ears, and admired the many attractions at the fair.  However, tomorrow I have to give up my Sunday and work for Staff-Duty.  It stinks, but I actually will use it to get some work done.  Laters! 

 

A Full Week...

Dear Friends,

Life is only getting busier. This week seemed to be over before it even began. I lots of work to do and not enough time to do it, but I feel that becoming a better manager of time is a natural progression in my life. You can pray specifically that I get some new soldiers who can help me manage and lead my platoon. It should be a really big transition period for the next few months.

Anyway, this weekend has been great. Yesterday I just crashed from the weekend, and today I was able to meet with some folks who I haven't gotten a chance to hang out with recently. I was basically a good day to catch up. Also, my roommates and I went to a local pub and caught the Ultimate Fighting Championship fight. We all love the fights, and ultimately it's just a good time to hang out.

The pictures posted are some of those from my Seattle visit last week. Enjoy!

4 Day Weekend...And a New Roommate

Dear Friends,

This week was an easy one. We had 2 ceremonies which ate up most of our time on Monday & Thursday, and Friday marked the first day of a 4 day weekend in honor of Labor Day. I also have exciting news in that I have a new roommate, Luke. He is a Kiowa helicopter pilot who just got back to Ft. Lewis after a 4 month deployment. We've already gotten to spend some time hanging out, and I think I'll enjoy living with him.

Saturday I finally got to travel to Seattle and spend some time with some friends from Wheaton who were now working there. We toured a good portion of the city but here are the day's highlights; we chatted and watched "free-style" walkers at Gas Works Park, we visited the giant troll under Freemont's bridge, and we saw the center of the universe street sign. At the end of the night we were invited into a wedding party. We didn't know the bride or groom, but apparently they didn't care. Seattle people were strangely friendly. These highlights would make a lot more sense if I had pictures, but unfortunately I left my camera at a friends house. I'll post them when I get them. Until then!

The Big Dance...I Guess It's a "Ball" Technically

Me and Some of the New LT's (Haynes, Taylor, Lee, & Me)

Dear Friends,

This week has been one to remember. I started off on Monday working 36 hrs straight without sleep due to pulling extra "staff duty". The rest of the weekdays flew bye as work and friends kept me going non-stop. This Friday was also eventful since it was the first time that I ever went to a casino. The games themselves were a blast not to mention the characters who sat down at the tables with us. I ended up loosing to the casino, but my friend won over $500. Needless to say, he bought dinner. I can't say that I'll be back anytime soon, but it was a ton of fun.

Saturday night was my first official military ball. It is called the Manchu Ball (after our Regimental mascot which happens to be a 5-toed Chinese Dragon called the Manchu). I enjoyed myself but look forward to not having to go to one again anytime soon. Tomorrow is early morning time in the Word, chapel, ultimate frisbee, Bible study, and then off to start another week. Laters!

By the way...my roommate Jamie loves Halo 3. Here's a picture of him playing. He claims to be, and I quote, "Awesome!"

First Week...

The Roommates right before I went to Mortar Leader's and Eric & Isaac deployed...

Eric, Me, Isaac, Jamie, & Steve

Dear Friends,

I had a vision of what my first week as a platoon leader would be. I'd show up, report to my commander, and then meet my platoon sergeant (PSG). After that my PSG would introduce me to my platoon who would be doing some sweet live fire exercise. At the end of the day I'd stand in front of my platoon and give an introductory speech. The rest of the week would be a storm of initial counselings, training plans, and other baptisms by fire.

Me Camping Spring 2007

The reality of the situation is that my first week as a PL was anything but ideal. I barely even met my platoon because the other PL is still around, and I've been tasked out to do other stuff. It's been good, but I am learning quickly that my present situation is anything but typical. My entire unit is resetting and rebuilding. It will be a slow build-up but a good one since it allows me to really shape the platoon and direct it where I want it to go. My PSG, however, is very good which will make this process even easier. I'll keep you all posted.

Tim and I at the Drive In...

Sprains and Boats

Dear Friends,

This last week was our last week of half-days. I should meet my platoon tomorrow and get right to work...whatever that may be. I haven't been too active this week, however, because I sprained my ankle last week playing soccer. I can now walk on it fine, but running will have to wait a little bit longer. In other news, some friends and I spent Friday at American Lake water-skiing and tubing. The first pic is of Charlie and Wes. They live 3 doors down from me. Tim and I are in the next pic. Tim should be moving into Charlie's house sometime in September.

So anyway, being out on the water is always a good time...even if it is chilly. I continue to remember just how lucky I am. My main prayer concerns are just to get healthy and to get to work. The Bible Study is also quickly growing. We're actually having trouble being able to follow up with all the new guys coming out...but I guess that's ultimately a good thing. Did I mention that Washington is awesome?

New Approach...

Dear Friends,

I've realized recently that a picture can speak a thousand words...so with that said I am going to try to post more pics and videos. This week you'll get to meet some of my friends out here in Washington. This Friday we had a Christmas in July party at my buddies Wes' and Charlie's house (they live 3 houses down the street from me). It was complete with a white elephant gift exchange and a game of "4 to a Couch" (way too complicated to explain in writing). Anyway, this is the guys and I celebrating our victory after the game.

Below are pictures of two of my roommates who are deployed. The first, Isaac, is a helicopter pilot and the second, Eric, is Special Forces. You can pray for both of their safeties.

In other news, my commander is telling me that they are going to make me the new Mortar Platoon Leader. That is, for the most part, good news since it means I'll be a PL right away. Also, the weather has been beautiful this week. Those in Georgia should be extremely jealous.

I Love Washington

Dear Friends,

I arrived back home in Washington yesterday, and I was greeted by temps in the 70's and a sun-filled sky. Although these perfect weather days are short lived here, they are some of the best I've ever known. The roommates are all doing well. Saturday night we went to a fair in Olympia (a town South of Ft. Lewis) where I almost lost my lunch on the infamous "Zipper" (just imagine a ferris wheel where the seats flip upside down). It was great just to be around these guys again. The ministry I'm a part of here at Ft. Lewis is also still growing rapidly. There is a huge need for these soldiers to hear about Jesus. I know God is going to be challenging and using me here in the coming months, and I am excited to be back here for that specific purpose. My "Army" job, however, is still not too rewarding. My unit is still on vacation for the most part since they only recently got back from Iraq. I'll keep everyone posted on when that area of life picks up. That's about it I think...did I mention that I love Washington?

First Weekend In GA...

Dear Friends,

My plans for Florida this weekend were foiled by nature. It turns out that thunder storms were threatening our Southeastern coast this entire weekend. I didn't feel like driving 4.5 hours to the beach if it wasn't going to be sunny. As a result I am spending my first weekend in GA despite being down here already for over a month. It's giving me some time to hang out with the other LT's down here from 2ID outside of class which is a good thing considering that I'll be working with most of them for the next 3 years. Speaking of class, tests are becoming considerably easier now that we are learning to use the newest computer systems for computing firing data for mortars. The newest systems are literally just beefed up palm pilots with touch screens and Windows software. I can come up with information in about 30 seconds where as it used to take me about 2-3 minutes to do the same thing by hand (with no where near the accuracy).

Anyway, I won't bore you with anymore talk about mortars. I'll be mortar-qualified in less than a week, and then I finally go home to Washington. That's the bottom-line!

4th of July...

Dear Friends,

I was able to spend the 4th of July weekend with friends and family in Chicago. All my friends from high school (minus 1) were there which has been a rare occurrence in the past few years. Now, however, I am back in Georgia for 2 more weeks of Mortar Leader's Course. We're dealing almost completely with hand held computers which do all the work we had previously learned to do by hand. To say the least, it is much easier. All you do is plug in the data, and then you get the answer. It makes me appreciate technology.

I'm hoping to make it to Florida this weekend and soak up some sun at the beach. We'll see if that actually goes through because I'm already visiting Atlanta on Friday. Anyway, I'm pumped to return to Washington soon so that I can enjoy that beautiful West Coast summer! This Georgia weather is ridiculous...humidity is so high that you sweat if you just stand outside. Laters!

Fort Campbell

Dear Friends,

Since the Army saw fit to send me 3000 miles away from the home I was just starting to really enjoy, I have decided to make the most of the situation. I've been able to use Fort Benning as a staging point to visit friends throughout the MidWest. Last weekend was Fort Rucker, AL. This weekend is Fort Campbell, KY. Next weekend is Chicago. Anyway, this week was pretty busy. My schedule was wake-up, workout, class until 5, lift, Bible reading, studying, and then bed. I thankfully passed this Friday's test which means that I don't have to go to any of the review sessions this weekend. My trip to KY was pretty good motivation to pass it.

I really do miss my friends out in Washington, but I'm staying busy here. The time definitely goes by quickly. Other than that, I am happy to say that all is going pretty well where I am. Until next time!

Hot, hot, hot!

Dear Friends,

Georgia probably has the worst weather on earth during the summers...at least for doing training. It would be great for a day at the pool, but the 90 degree days and 90% humidity have been brutal. Luckily, however, we aren't doing much more out in the heat. For the next 4 weeks we'll be in the classroom. This last week was simply learning how to set up, aim, and shoot mortars. On Friday we shot about 300 live rounds at the range. The huge 120 mm mortars were pretty impressive to fire and watch hit their targets. We got to fire the smaller 60 mm mortars by hand too which was really cool. It was like holding a mini artillery piece.

Anyway, right now I'm in Alabama visiting Josh Bell (helicopter pilot) for the weekend. We went to the shooting range today and will hopefully hit up a movie tonight. I look forward to returning to Washington in July, but I'm taking advantage of being able to visit some friends in the South. Bye!

Back To Benning

Dear Friends,

I am finally doing work...kinda. I'm at least reporting to a "job" everyday. There's not much going on, though, and as a result they want to send me back to Fort Benning, GA for a 6 week school. I'm not too excited about it considering that I am exchanging the 6 greatest weeks of weather in WA for the 6 worst weeks of weather in GA. However, it is a good school that will potentially get me a pretty sweet job in the future. Also, I may be able to see some old friends who I just missed by leaving in April. We will see what happens, though, and I haven't even gotten official orders yet.

In other news, life with the roommates is going well. No one has deployed despite the Army giving us several canceled dates. I think we all realize that God is controlling our ultimate fate of placement and deployments. As a result, we sometimes are frustrated, but we remain positive. I'll keep everyone updated. Bye! (The above pic was taken at the movie theater...it was a good time)

10 More Days of Rest....

Dear Friends,

I signed into 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division on Wednesday. I was quickly assigned to a battalion. I met with my commander later that day. We had a good talk, and then he signed me out on 10 more days of permissive TDY (free vacation). It turns out that my future platoon was just getting back to the U.S. later that day. It was better if I just got out of the way for a week or so. There's really no immediate work for me. My future looks pretty low-key at least for the summer. My unit will be on block-leave until early August, and I won't get assigned a platoon until then or early September. Until that time I'll probably work a staff job. This is a little disappointing because I will probably not see a deployment until later 2009/early 2010. However, I am taking my commander's advice and enjoying my free time while I have it. I'll officially starting work on June 6...I'll just keep "hanging out" for now.

In other news, I continue to enjoy hanging out with the guys in my house and Bible study up here. The summer months are upon us bringing some of the best weather I've ever experienced. I bike down to the bay every week hitting trails along the way. The Northwest is truly a beautiful place. I think I'll stay here for a few years. Bye!

West Coast Here I Come...

Dear Friends,

I have spent most of my life in the Midwest. Every year growing up my family vacationed to the East Coast. For the past year I lived in the South. Ultimately there seems only one last logical place for me to go...and that is the West Coast. Tomorrow I leave for Fort Lewis, WA where I will spend the next 3 years or so of my life in the Army. I am about 90% recovered physically from Ranger School, and my mind is eager to move on from training to doing an "actual" job in the Army. I am unsure yet what I will be doing when I initially get out there, but I will keep everyone posted. All I can say is that I'm eager to go on to the next stage of this career.

p.s. I'm prepared for the weather out west...I already got a new rain jacket.

Update

Dear Friends,

Honestly there's not much to update on. Life outside the Army sometimes seems a little too simple to write about...good, but simple. I did get to spend last weekend with my family in Ohio which was great, and since then I have gotten to travel to Iowa City to see Micah as well as spend a night downtown Chicago with my cousins and friends. Truthfully I am just enjoying my break day by day. Bye!

Trying My Best To Leave...

Dear Friends,

The above picture is the view I hope to have in about 72 hours. I've done everything that I can do to get out of Fort Benning, but unfortunately my trip has been delayed by at least a day. I'm just waiting on paperwork to be signed so that I can leave. Anyway, I really haven't been doing much besides trying to learn a little Arabic, get back into shape, and enjoy some of the last days of my relative freedom. This next weekend I'm going to a waterpark with my family up north. My niece and nephew, who I haven't seen in almost a year, will be there which should be great. Other than that I just look forward to hanging out with friends in Wheaton. I can promise everyone that I will be much more coherent than I was over Christmas Break when I was back visiting. I'm not sure I actually ever "woke up" until the 2nd or 3rd week of break. I may have been sleep-walking. Bye!

Leaving Fort Benning

Dear Friends,

I won't be writing you about anymore exciting training anytime soon...because I am finally getting to leave Fort Benning! Don't misinterpret my excitement. I loved my time down here in Georgia. It just so happens that my leaving is perfect timing. The last of my friends left here also began out-processing (which is actually a 2-week process) this week, the Georgia summer is rapidly approaching with its insane humidity, and I am simply tired of "training". It is just time to move on to the next step.

Anyway, my plan is to leave Fort Benning sometime between April 22nd and the 25th. I will then spend somewhere between 15 and 30 days traveling to Fort Lewis, visiting with family in Ohio, and hanging out in Wheaton. After that I'll finally start working in the Army instead of training. Right now, however, I have important business to attend to...most notably watching 3-4 more movies...hey, it's Saturday.

Still Training...

Dear Friends,

Right now I am currently writing from a friend's dorm room at Belhaven College in Mississippi. I had Thursday and Friday with not much to do so I took a 4-day pass. It was a 6-hr drive, yet I enjoyed every minute of it. I haven't really been away from the Army in over 3 months. Anyway, in the past 2 weeks I have qualified as a Javelin missile-gunner, and I am also now qualified as a Combat Life Saver (CLS). CLS class was probably one of the most useful classes I've had in awhile...the best part being able to actually give someone an IV. Seeing 2 guys pass out (some people get squeamish around blood) was also pretty interesting since we actually got to treat real casualties.

Not much else has happened. Two of my roommates graduate from Airborne school today and start out-processing next week. I too will be leaving Ft. Benning in a little less than a month. It's a little sad to say good-bye to guys you've been training with for the past year, but the anticipation of actually going out and doing our jobs far outweighs any sadness. Everyone here is anxious about leaving. So yeah...I will write again soon...until then!

Back Into The Real World

Dear Friends,

I can say with confidence that I am almost 100% adapted back into the real world after Ranger School. I no longer wake up at 0400 in the morning thinking that I have to pull security, my body is slowly remembering what it's like to be slightly in shape, and being around civilians isn't quite as surreal as it was at first. I'm currently in the Javelin gunner's course which is a good, easy class for me right now. My mind, however, is definitely on the future and the many possibilities. Most of my buddies that I've gone through training with are leaving within the next month or are already leaving. There is a climate of "moving on" at my apartment. My roommates and I all like being able to hang out again like we did during IOBC, but we are also eager to start the jobs we joined the Army to do. Many of my classmates from ROTC are already over in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's tough to explain to people who aren't in the Army, but when you have friends over fighting a war you can't help but want to get over there with them for no other reason than just wanting to share the experience with them. Anyway, I hope you all have a good Easter weekend and take care! I'll be relaxing down here in Georgia where the weather is still cool/calm at night and warm/sunny during the day.

What's Next?

Dear Friends,

I have to say that these past few days have been exactly what I needed. My parents left Saturday morning, and since then I've just been getting back into shape (a long, painful road), watching movies, and relaxing. Today, however, I've had to go back to work...work for me right now consists of the occasional odd job, group PT in the morning, and showing up for formations a couple times every day. Until I sign up for another course, my supervisors give me as much time as I need to take of the little things that have been neglected for the past months like car registration, dentist appointments, and filing taxes. I'm trying to b e efficient with my time rather than wasting it away.

In the end I have almost no idea what the next 2 months will entail. I may leave GA in 2 weeks, or I may stay here until April 30. I may also try to work up in the Wheaton area for a little in April. Either way I will try to keep everyone up to date. Also,

A Ranger...By the Power of Prayer

Dear Friends,

This Friday I will finally meet the biggest career goal of my life so far...graduating from Ranger School. Some of you may already know a lot about my experience either through my parents or talking to me over Christmas, but here's a brief summary. My starting weight was 180 lbs/ low weight was 155 lbs/ and peak weight was 195 lbs as I tried to fatten up during Florida recycle status. Right now I'm acutally pretty healthy and not nearly as beat up as I was over Christmas Break. I look forward to running/jogging starting this Saturday rather than walking around wtih 80 lbs on my back. As I mentioned I recycled Florida Phase the first time which had me waiting around in limbo for 3.5 weeks between classes. Recycling was tough to stomach, but looking back I realize that I learned more through recycling than all the rest of Ranger School combined. In retrospect, every phase was challenging for me. Ranger School was definately not a time to shine with my abilities. I feel that God chose to teach humility and reliance on Him instead. I had to battle through injuries in the Benning Phase, extreme physical fatigue in Mountain Phase, and mental stress/failure in Florida Phase. In the end, however, I feel that prayer is what brought me through. My family, friends, and fellow Ranger buddies carried me through daily. It seemed that I was always encouraged at the right times especially during this final Florida Phase when God provided me with a group of 4 guys who got together daily and prayed for each other. Not surprisingly all of us are now graduating.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from everyone, and I have to thank you all for the letters and support you gave me. You'll probably never know in this life just how specifically you affected me. There were many days out in the field when a rain-soaked letter brightened my eyes. I'll be sure to update again soon on what my future plans are. As of right now, though, I'm just ready to pin on that tab. Bye!

Quick Update

Dear Friends,

I have to be quick...this is the first time I've been able to post since I've been down here in Florida. If you haven't figured it out yet, then I should inform everyone that unfortunately I've recycled Florida Phase here in Ranger School. That was 3.5 weeks ago, and I've just been hanging out since. We start again on Saturday and I should graduate on Mar. 7. Just pray that I meet my goal and graduate. Florida has been "nice", but it's about time I get back to the real world. Laters!