Today marks two weeks since Dan swore in and shipped out. A lot has changed. There has been much adjustment. Some good and some bad.
The first 11 days Dan was at Fort Benning he was in what is called reception. It is here where they get very little sleep. Stand in formation for most of the day unable to talk to anyone. The soldiers get a ton of shots, blood work, dental, eye and health exams. Hair cuts... Uniforms... Sign us up for insurance... During this time I was able to have 2 three minute phone calls from Dan. The first was such an emotional relief. I couldn't "hold" it together like everyone says to. I cried a lot but kept saying, "I'm okay I am really okay. I am handling everything better then I thought... I'm okay." The second call was much better. He sounded more like himself. I didn't even cry at all LOL He was excited and ready for the journey to officially begin! I have also gotten a few letters to hold me over since then.
Then on Thursday 9/22 the evening before his actual Basic Training was scheduled to begin they gave him his phone back for an hour! It was a huge release of anxiety and such a great comfort to pray together and feel connected again. We are so in sync that it is just a huge motivation to have that time to just talk. We knew contact would be limited after this conversation both not knowing when we would speak again... We said our goodbyes.
Basic Training started for Dan on 9/23 he is in G-Co 2/19. On 9/25 I received a 3 minute call with his new company information. With this information I was able to get in contact with some wives and moms that have someone in the same platoon. It is such a huge support. I also forwarded everyone his address so we can all send encouraging letters. Dan sounded pretty tired and mentioned the first day of training was so exhausting he almost passed out! Dan is in great physical shape so I can only imagine how challenging and demanding this is. I know it will get easier as he gets more conditioned. That was the last time I have spoken with him. He did say a few letters were in the mail. I haven't received any yet but I am definitely keeping tabs on the mail lady. LOL I expect to have a letter tomorrow... I also mailed out 6 envelopes of letters already written. Just finished one today and will mail it out tomorrow as well. I need to send Dan some stamps too just remembered!
Among other things I have been trying to keep Aiden and myself busy so time passes a bit faster. I went to March AFB today and got my military ID. I was so intimidated seeing so many people in uniform. But the kind people there quickly made me feel welcome and comfortable. Aiden and I even went to the PX and bought an Army teddy bear for him to sleep with to bring some comfort with daddy being gone. I got some cool key chains and magnets etc... It was neat to see everything they had for all military.
So what is next? Well Dan will train until around Dec 20th and fly home on our own expense (pray that God provides) for Christmas!! He will be home for 2 weeks and then return for another 2 weeks of training at which point he will graduate. Right after he will have 2 and a half weeks of Airborne training where he will purposely jump out of airplanes. (Yes I think its crazy too) He will also have a graduation for this around February 3rd. I am not sure if I will be able to fly out for either graduation but we will see how everything plays out. I am saving though! :) I am so proud of Dan. What a great man of God he is. He is a great husband and father. Provides abundantly for our family. Thank you Jesus. Your will is so much better then my own thoughts or ideas of how life should work out. You do know best. I am a lucky girl. :)
Our family will also find out where our first duty station will be before Christmas break. We don't plan to tell anyone until Christmas so we can tell everyone together. I am going to be so excited I hope I can hold it in!! LOL
I think thats about it for now... I will try and update often how Dan is doing...
Prayer Requests:
1. Dan's knees are bothering him from standing for long periods of time etc.
2. Dan's feet/blisters
3. Endurance/Strength/Disciple/Motivation
4. Aiden's sleep (a few nights he has woken up crying)
5. Understanding for Aiden that daddy will be home as soon as he can.
6. Strength for me to keep motivated and stay busy.
Love you all. Thank you so much for your support.
<3 The Soria Family
No comments:
Post a Comment