Jackpot!

So, I felt like I hit the jackpot yesterday! I got two letters in the mail from Abel yesterday. One envelope had 3 letters and the other had 1. I have never in my life looked forward to getting the mail each day than I do now! I definitely took for granted the convenience we have in technology, not anymore!!

Overall he is doing well, but he said it is very tough mentally. In this phase, they try do discourage them and "tear them down so they can build them up the Army way". Not exactly fun, but what are you gonna do, right? :)

In one of the letters he was telling me that most of the guys in his platoon are young guys that basically have no respect for authority and they are constantly getting "smoked" meaning they're getting in trouble and they make them do a ton of push ups or other physical stuff, not letting them shower, etc. He said there are a couple of older guys like him in his platoon and he said they all understand each other and try to stick together but are all feeling the same way about these young kids, because they all get in trouble as a platoon. He said he was having a really hard time with this at first, but he said one day something just clicked in his heart and he is pushing through it and keeping his focus.

He said he likes his Drill Sergeants and actually likes Basic Training, except for what I explained above...one of the days they did Victory Tower which he said he LOVED! He was a little nervous about this because he's kinda scared of heights, but he said "it was sooooo fun!" Basically they have to scale up one side of this really tall tower and then repel down the other side. He also said they got their M16's (their own gun) and are learning all about them and that this week they'll get to go use them, he said "I can't wait!" :) He also said that they've done obstacle courses and some combat survival classes but said it wasn't very interesting. :) He said he can't wait to get out of this phase that they're in the "Red Phase", so he can move on and do what he came to do! So proud of him!!


So please be praying for him:
1. For the guys in his platoon, that they would get their act together!!!!!!!
2. For his mind that it would stay sharp and that he could keep his focus on his goals
3. For his strength, health protection and stamina
4. For his feet, literally. He said his feet are killing him, trying to break into his boots.