3/11/14
Hey Fam,
Well, the first day has been....interesting. Not bad, but just kind of what one would expect, a lot of what one would expect, a lot of standing, waiting, listening and reading. They forced us to spend $240 of our own money but the majority was a one time purchase so that is good. They guys I am here with are for the most part, pretty good people. I've got a great bunk mate and the drill sergeants... well they are drill sergeants. What more can be said. We do not have a return address yet, but we will probably be changing location pretty soon so it wouldn't do any good to give one if we had one. They also will not let us exercise, which stinks, but what can you do? Well, I guess that is about it for one day.
Love y'all,
Jay
03/14/14
Dear Fam,
Well, we are adjusting. We still haven't started basic yet, but are getting closer every day. We had our shots yesterday and our dog-tags passed out. I did not have to have that awful shot in the rear end because of my allergy to Augmentin, which means I am one of the few who are walking normal today. We have also been issued our ACV uniforms, and I have to admit, I look pretty dang good. I am with a group of good guys; a little rough around the edges and there are some who won't make the cut, but they are for the most part well-intentioned. There really isn't much to tell, just been doing a lot of sitting around and reading; waiting for the next station, i.e.: hearing, dental, shots, etc.
Love you guys, I pray for you daily,
Love,
Jay
03/15/14
Dear Family,
Well we have finished all of our in-processing and we still have until Tues/Weds till we start basic. That means a lot of doing nothing. As such, I don't have much to tell. I do not speak up around here very often. Mostly because everything that is talked about is high school-age topics. There area a few of us seasoned guys though. However, when I do speak up, everyone seems to listen. (Must be the gray hair.) I have been called "Sir", "Sergeant", "Drill Sergeant" and all kinds of stuff and I gently remind them that I am not different than they are, we are all in the same boat. In my barracks, everyone just calls me "Specialist." (Even though there are other, I seem to be the only one they call that.)
It is odd how the days pass sooooo slow, but the week has just zipped on by. They, the Drill Sergeants, say that Basic will pass so quickly that we won't remember half of it. We will get a video of it all at the end, to remember our time here at L-Wood.
I love you guys,
Miss you all lots!!!
Jay
03/16/14 (This letter was written at church and mailed with a letter from the Branch President and a picture of Jay!)
Hey Honey,
This will probably be the first letter you get from me, and I apologize for that. I have written 3 others, but have not had a chance to get them out yet. I will do so in the next day or so. I caught the last half of sacrament meeting today and what a needed blessing! There was a very impressive talk on self mastery. Self control was likened to a rudder on a ship which allows it to travel in a straight line. The compass gives spiritual direction so that the line we choose to sail brings us back into the safe harbor. Loved it.
I miss you all dearly,
Love,
Jay
03/16/14
Just a quick update: This morning on the way to breakfast it was freezing rain. Coming home from church it was sleeting. On the way to lunch it was snowing. At dinner time there were 2-3 inches of snow. Coming back from dinner the sun was shining. Thank you Missouri!!!
Love you guys,
Jay
P.S. Thompson and Hatfield said - Hey!
