Ross Again

We got to talk to Ross again today.
He's been "dog-sick" this past week. He thinks he caught something
from his "battle buddies". But he's still hanging in there and though
hoarse, sounded great. He's still on track for graduation with his group
in the end of July.
They have been doing a lot of ordinance exercises. This week will be
with live grenades. He says his all-time favorite weapon is the Automatic
Grenade Launcher. I imagine they call them AGL's. He loves the automatic
stuff...
We are continuing to pray for his safety and health especially.
Thanks for all your prayers in his behalf. He says that he can tell it helps.

Ross Up-date

We got a call from Ross this afternoon for Father's Day.
He sounded really up-beat. Things have been pretty hot
there at Ft. Leonard Wood. He's getting fitted for his dress
uniform this next week.
Last week he sprained his ankle, so he's been on crutches and
has a brace on the foot. But he managed to still get through his
training and not have to start Basic all over again.
When we talked to him, he'd been put in charge of another recruit.
He said it's been frustrating trying to keep this other guy out of trouble.
He said it's like being a parent to someone. David and I both had
a little chuckle...

Chipper...

I have a new friend at the house.

His name is Chipper.

Actually it's Chipper the Happy Speed-Bag.

I go to Chipper whenever I feel like I want to beat the crap out of something.

And he's happy to accommodate me.

Really I just wanted something to help me get some exercise and work on my

coordination. I wanted something I could do at home.

I'm starting to get the hang of it. There's a rhythm to it.

And it's actually fun to hit something.

Ben drew the face on the bag (can you tell?)

Ross Up-Date #3

We finally got to talk to Ross last night. And it was so great just to hear his voice.
Even though it was croakie sounding from the gas chamber exercise, he still sounded
very up beat. He said that the gas chamber thing was the worst thing he's ever experience
in his whole life. So I would think it had to have been pretty bad.
He's been doing the shooting classes and likes those a lot. He was one point away from being classified a sharpshooter when his gun jammed. [They randomly put rocks in the barrels of the soldiers' guns to simulate weapon failure.]
He's started getting our letters. So I was very happy to hear that. Not much free time
for him yet. So he hasn't written any letters yet. But as long as he's getting our letters,
I'm happy.
He said that this week they are almost up to full-gear and they are going out on a road
march. So I guess that means he'll take his full pack on the hike.
We couldn't talk for but a few minutes, but it was so wonderful to hear him so positive.
He said to tell everyone hello and sends his love to you all.

Ross Update...

I got an up-date from Melissa on Ross, so I thought I'd share it with

everyone. She heard from him last Sunday.

He said on Saturday they went into the gas chamber, which was

pretty rough. This week he's been doing a road march and starting

rifle and bayonet classes.

He's only seen a few of the letters that she and I have sent. So I don't

know what's up with that. But I plan on keeping it up. I think he'll

get them eventually.

She said he sounds real good. I missed his call today.

So I've been very disappointed about not being able to talk to him

personally since the first two calls. I miss him very much.

If everyone could please continue to pray for him, for his safety and

success, and continue to write to him- I'd be extremely grateful.

Thanks!