Week Six

The past couple of weeks have been both enjoyable and very challenging for Sean. He has been able to train with hand grenades, advanced rifle marksmanship, learn about the machine gun and rocket launcher (they don't get to shoot the rocket launcher due to how much it costs), and receive his dress uniform. One night was spent sleeping "out in the field." They also participated in a 12K ruck march, carrying their ruck sack and all other weapons and gear. All of this training, with the exception of one or two classroom days, occurs in triple digit heat. Sean says he did pretty well for the 12K, especially considering he was in the hospital 2 days earlier due to the kidney stone. During the 12K march, Sean said they were not allowed to talk, so it gave him a lot of time to think. I can't say it as good as him, so I'll just let him say it:

"I had time to reflect on this whole experience and see some of the really great blessings our Heavenly Father has given our family. We are healthy, we have a loving family relationship, we have a good out look for our future, and we have the true Gospel in our lives to help guide us."

Sean has always had a strong testimony of the Gospel, but through this experience he has grown so much!

The biggest challenge for Sean has not been the actual training, but those members of the platoon who do not care to apply themselves and truly learn the Army values. Many of them have not even given a thought to what it really means to be a soldier in the US Army. Many of them have not thought that a few short months from now they could be deployed and may not ever come back. This past week, Sean has been doing all his training, out in the heat every day, while battling the flu. His hardest point was Thursday, when they were told they would get to call home that evening, but got delayed because many of the SIT's did not complete their jobs, resulting in the platoon getting smoked. Getting smoked while sick with the flu is not easy. Getting smoked while sick with the flu because someone else was lazy and didn't care how his laziness effected those around him is worse.

Sean was able to visit the Dr. Friday and get some things to help him get better. He was put in quarters for the night (essentially quarantine for those who are sick, or who have washed out) , but insisted on getting back to his platoon and his training Saturday. I was able to talk to him Saturday evening and he was doing much better, which is good because Monday they take their last PT test.

This week marks the beginning of the Blue phase, the third and final phase of BCT. They will be doing more US Arms training, they will do a 16K ruck march (this time at the end of the day I believe, instead of early morning like the previous 12K march), and the last week will be spent finishing up and turning in gear. This means there are only 2 1/2 weeks until the kids and I will see Sean at this graduation! And we are very excited!

We are all doing well here, with the exception of all the kids being sick with a bad cough last week. Lewis is still sick, it hits him harder and worse because of having RSV a few months ago. We're grateful for all of you and all you do for us. Good friends and family make all the difference in the world.

Sean is almost done with this half, then he gets to do AIT (job training). He has had challenges, but he has stuck with it and has learned a lot. Today in church, a wonderful young man who is preparing to serve the Lord for 2 years gave a talk and in it he said something really neat, "The Celestial Kingdom doesn't accept quitters." It may not always be easy to endure to the end, and we don't always understand why the Lord requires us to go through certain trials, but if we do stick with it, the reward will be greater than we could ever imagine. This is what I rely on late at night when I miss Sean the most. I know that the pain and longing are only temporary and I will be with Sean again, and by keeping our temple covenants, will be with him always.