GRADUATION!!!

I have just returned from the journey to San Antonio which I am grateful because I spent two hours driving around San Antonio trying to drop off my rental car.... so stressful. I was crying because I was sure I was going to miss my flight, but all's well that ends well and I am home and it ended well. I actually had a cool experience coming home which made the day more rewarding than driving around San Antonio for hours and still not knowing where anything was. I was sitting at the gate and this guy sits next to me and is all social... so I talk to him about San Antonio and my trip and he told me that he was here playing music and we talked about all the places he has traveled and how he is on his way to San Diego and I told him I loved it there... so we just chit chatted until we boarded.

So I sit down in my seat and wait for us to take off and this really tall big guy sits next to me and offers me a piece of gum and starts reading his book. I was enjoying the sensation of flight and looking out the window at the world below. I had my Terry Brooks book on my lap and the guy asks me if I had been reading the Shannara series. I told him I had read them all except this latest book, which I was holding. This icebreaker opened up a very rewarding conversation. After discussing our favorite books and authors he asked me where I lived and where I was traveling to. I told him I was from Utah and I was going home from seeing my husband graduate from basic training. He told me he was in the army and we talked about that for awhile... then he said... so you are from Utah. Are you a Mormon, and then he corrected himself, or a Latter Day Saint? I told him yes and we began discussing religion. He was well versed in the bible and told me he had a Mormon friend and also that he had two missionaries knocking on his door this past week. He said he also lives by the San Antonio temple. So he started asking me about the temple. He asked what they looked like inside and I told him they are very beautiful and he wanted some more detail so I told him that we progress through a series of rooms in which we perform ordinances. He had never heard that word before and asked what an ordinance was and I told him it is a sacred religious ceremony like a baptism. I told him that in the temple we receive the exalting ordinances which allow us to return to God and live with him eternally. I told him that we believe every individual deserves the right to either accept or reject those ordinances so I told him we call temple work redeeming the dead. We research our ancestors and preform that work for them so they have the opportunity to return with God. I bore my testimony to him several times during our 3 hour conversation. He was knowledgeable and a funny thing was he asked me how "John" died.... I said do you mean Joseph Smith? He said yeah so I told him about the martyrdom and some basic church history and the pioneers. He just kept asking questions so I kept explaining and talking to this guy. I told him that we believe that God is the same yesterday today and forever and that he continues to give revelation to his children and I told him that in connection with the Bible we have The Book of Mormon. I also told him that we have continued scripture from the prophet and apostles who write books and address the church. He mentioned a passage in Isaiah about the two sons who return to Jerusalem to bring the gospel to that people and how the world will watch as those two men are killed and then Christ will raise them from the dead and return to the earth. He said that it has only been recently that that could ever happen. I told him that the revelation we have received about that scripture is that those two sons will be two of our apostles and that Christ will raise them from the dead and will start the second coming. We agreed that the only way the world could all watch was through television and the Internet... so this guy and I actually agreed on a lot of what we talked about. I like to think that it all made sense to him. So we discussed some other things from the scriptures and then started to talk about people who only practiced their religion on Sundays. He said well if I die on Sunday I am ok right? I said... deathbed repentance? We don't believe in that. I told him that repentance is a process in which we acknowledge our sins and are actually changed in our character to never do those things again and I told him that can't happen on your deathbed. We then proceeded to talk about people who said they have already been saved by accepting Jesus Christ but have never practiced their religion. We both agreed that that was not how it worked. He told me that one time some preacher came up to him and told him that it would only take 30 seconds and he could be saved. He walked away from the guy because he thought that was crazy. I laughed. I told him that I have had friends that have served their missions in the Bible Belt and that they had a hard time with success because everyone was already certain that they had been saved. I then told him my brother was serving a mission in the Philippines. We related missionary work to joining the military and I talked about my experience in going to church with Chris which I will relate later. We talked about our families and I told him that my dad converted to the church and none of his family are members but they are all really good people but I also told him about my mom's family and how they were all members but how most of them had fallen away. So we talked about how there are good people in the world even if they aren't Mormon. We then started talking about religious fanatics. I told him people can get pretty fanatical in Utah with their emergency preparedness and certain aspects of the church and I told him that I believed that I need to heed the words of the prophets and what they have counseled but not make my own analysis on revelation and try and convince everyone to join with my thinking. We talked about how life is all about balance and how people that are religiously fanatic are not very balanced therefore not very healthy. He told me that there are fanatics with every religion but he also believed that there needed to be a balance. I told him I am a very religious person and am striving for balance in my life. The conversation was just all natural and not forced and he was genuinely interested but in the end he said it is just easier for him to believe that we were created and then when we die it is the end. He said that is a pretty desolate view point and I talked to him about yes our bodies die but what about our spirits? I told him that spirits are eternal. He didn't really want to believe that and then we started talking about the creation and how this guy he worked with thought it was strictly 6 days. 24 hour periods. I told him that is not what we believe. I told him they are periods of time which God designates calling them by one day. We discussed how it is impossible for us to judge God's timeline and we can't compare it to what our time is set at. We then started talking about the details of the creation. He related this to me. There is a tree. You cut down the tree, shave the tree, cut the tree and then shape the tree into the chair but there has always been a tree. The whole time he is talking about this I just kept thinking about the temple and the part we learned about the creation. I wish I would have told him more about how we organized matter to create these things but what I ended up talking about what how God creates everything spiritually before they were ever created physically and he agreed with that. So this guy was kind of contradicting himself saying that he didn't believe in a before or after life. So I am hoping I planted some good seeds with this guy. We talked until the plane landed and he got up and told me it was a pleasure talking to me. So I felt pretty good. I smiled the whole way walking through the airport. It feels good to have missionary experiences and I am grateful to have those experiences that make me realize more how much I know and believe and am grateful for the gospel. He was a nice guy and I hope one day he realizes it is worth it to think and ponder and come to know God and your divine nature instead of taking the easy way out and just not believing it. So I am grateful for Terry Brooks and that conversation that his book created for me on my flight today.

On to the trip!

I flew in on Wednesday and spent the evening trying to aquaint myself with the base... I had a map but was completely lost... I ended finding the commissary and base exchange and bought some food and shampoo because mine exploded during travel... it has happened to me before... I should have learned my lesson... but alas, I made the same mistake. So after exploring I went back to the hotel to sleep. I set the alarm on the clock in my room and on my phone and planned to go to the 7:3o orinentaion the next morning. I went to sleep and the next thing I woke up... I thought it strange that I would wake up before my alarm so I rolled over to look at the clock. It was 10:26!! I cussed and then started to cry because I missed orientation and the airman run. I didn't know when the coin ceremony started so I threw on some clothes and went out the door... I made it to the best part of the coin ceremony and found Chris and amazingly with a packed crowd there was a seat on the bleachers right by him. So I sat down and ended up crying because the ceremony was so cool. Afterwards I approached Chris from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. I told him about my morning and we went exploring the base together. We went to some stores and justy spent time together and we were waiting for his parents to get there. We went out to eat in the BX and ate some pizza. We then decided to go to a movie because we were bored and didn't want to sit around waiting for his parents. We went to Transformers 2 which was a huge waste of time. After half an hour I was ready to leave. It was funny though because after the previews there was no sound and two more times the movie was interrupted and Chris told me it was probably some TI enjoying messing up the movie... we ended up leaving early because we didn't want Chris to be late and lose privileges the next few days. We found his parents at the theater and brought him back to his dorm. I was tired and went to bed while his parents explored. They met me again after they were done and we set a time for us to meet the next morning for Graduation. I thought it wasn't as cool as the coin ceremony but here are s0me pictures of the parade.

After the parade we got to see his dorm. Marie was so worried about 60 guys sharing the dorm so I took these pictures just for her... it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was very clean and well taken care of.

Afterwards we had the chance to see a WNBA game... it was awesome. The San Antonio Stars and the LA Sparks. I have gotten bored with the NBA and these women were so exciting. They were so fast and making all these swirly plays. I loved the picks and rolls that those women did. The game ended up going into over-time and was very exciting. The only obnoxious thing was the announcer really had us do DEFENSE every time the opposing team had the ball... he was so obnoxious the way he said it and Chris and I made fun of it the whole game.

Saturday we had the whole day to be with Chris. I had a rough morning and Chris and his parents went to the River Walk and the Alamo. Then Chris came and spent the rest of the day with me. We watched Napoleon Dynamite because it is kind of a tradition with us... kinda weird, I know. Then Chris parents left and Chris and I watched his BMT video and looked at the pictures that were taken. He said the movie was so toned down and softened compared to the real thing. It was very interesting. I went to take him closed and my usual gate was closed so we were driving around and worried we would be late, but he made it.

Sunday was awesome. We ran some errands and then went to church. The spirit was so strong. Everyone wanted and needed to be there. At home people are just there by obligation or that is what there family and friends were doing. It was hilarious though because on of the counselors came up to Chris and said, "Since you are such a starwalt member will you say the invocation?" So Chris said yes and then right before the meeting started another counselor approached Chris and asked him if he had seen a certain trainee. Chris didn't even know who he was talking about and ended up pinch hitting in his place. He spoke on reverence and respect. He related it to his mission and then to basic training and then bore a powerful testimony. We didn't get to stay for any other meetings because of Chris' curfew so I took him back and we said our goodbyes. I thought it would be harder then the original goodbye but I was renewed and strengthened by his presence. I then came home the next day. It was very rewarding and I wished I had an experience where I could have so much growth and accomplishment. I was jealous. Hopefully one day I will feel that way about myself. I am so grateful for the sacrifices Chris made and continues to make in behalf of our family. I am truly blessed to have him as my husband.

I'm leaving on a jet plane... I don't know when I'll come home again... well actually next monday

Hello!
The time has come.... less that 24 hours I will be on a plane for San Antonio. I spoke with Chris last night. Here are his final stats.

PT
1.5 mile run: 10:45
Push ups in 1 minute: 48
Sit ups in 1 minute: 50

So his rank is liberator.

He has lost 22 lbs. He now weights 175 lbs

He scored 93% on his academic test. So keep your fingers crossed that he gets honor grad.

Graduation countdown: 15 days! And a letter to boot!

7/22/09

These letters are so rare :( Let me get some important stuff out of the way. Next week like the 31st or somewhere around there, you will get a phone call from me that will be rushed and super short. Basically we will be going to the BEAST, but we will be telling you that we are deploying. We will be out in "the field" for a whole week. No mail, no contact. It's all good though. More to read when I get back :)

Today was the obstacle course. We marched an hour to the course and an hour back :( The course was 1.5 miles long and very exhausting. Crawling, climbing, swinging on ropes, climbing, crawling on a rope over water, swinging over water, lots of running and all in our uniform. By the time I was done I weighed about 20 lbs more due to water weight (sweat) and sand, and I lost a little skin on my finger, but it's all good.

7/24/09

I have less than ten minutes so I will try to get as much info as possible in here. Today was CBRNE training and the gas chamber. They drove us out where we are going to camp on week six and taught us a lot about being prepared for attacks and improvised explosive devices. So we all have gas masks issued to us. I think they are cool. We went into the gas chamber 20 at a time and did 10 jumping jacks before taking off our masks. It burns your skin... before you can leave the room they make you take two deep breaths and give a reporting statement. Not fun. It chokes you and you can't see and your nose runs....

7/25/09

So, ok... Where did I leave off? I told you about the obstacle course, I talked to you on the phone about 2 hours ago. What happened today? We worked in our wall lockers ( we got our "blues" uniforms this week) all morning. We wont even get to wear them until week seven... more stuff to inspect. :(

Have I ever told you that laundry crew sucks? Most of us are wearing dirty clothes today. We'll catch up tomorrow. Sunday is the only day we can expect to get laundry done.

7/28/09

We did our MIGA2 training yesterday... It sucked. Well it was fun, but I didn't get marksman. :( we had to shoot with gas mask inserts, the gas mask and a big huge hearing protection.. I had a hard time maintaining my stockweld while targeting.. Oh well I passed. I can still look forward to honor grad. That's a lot of hard work. I've got to keep pushing.

Today we took pictures in our Blues "big pimpin" uniform and we took the flight photo. I look pretty good in blues :) We do a lot of marching....

Let me tell you what we eat and how we eat. We get three meals a day and are required to eat. So the instructors can't punish us by not letting us eat, but they can restrict how much time we have to eat. So breakfast is about 5 minutes to eat, 7 for lunch and 10 for dinner. So it is your standard lunch line. Servers on one side and trainees on the other.We stand tray to tray and order our food with, :"please sir/mam" and a "thank you sir/mam." I usually have sausage, eggs, ham, french toast, yogurt, banana, a glass of water and a glass of gatorade. ( more than I used to eat at home) Sometimes it is hard to keep it down after PT.... for lunch we usually have roast beef or chicken with whatever they decide to put out. Green beans, carrots, broccoli, rice... sometimes they have ravilolies or spinach and cheese, rolls, bread.... fruit...left overs. Same with dinner. I think there is a quantity over quality rule the chef lives by, but the food isn't bad. We have had MREs twice so far. They are a lot better than the old ones my dad used to have. We will be eating those all week next week.

I got a letter from Marie and Ty today. It was pretty cool. I should write them if I get the time. I also got your letters from the 24th of July and that card from your grandparents.

Keep on keeping on. I do think about you a lot. I've only had two or three dreams wand you were in one. The other ones were BMT dreams :(

Well I have a lot to do before bed and need to be up at 0230. It's a detail day again... sigh. Put your shoulder to the wheel!!!!

Base Liberty means a phone call home!

Chris had told me in one of his previous letters that he might be able to call me today... so of course I am on break and in the bathroom when he calls... So I answer the phone and I wonder what Diana was thinking of me because she was in the bathroom too... oh well... this is important. Who cares what she thinks...

So I answer the phone and Chris told me he had 24 minutes to talk. So I have 5 minutes left of my break and I was like who cares. So I ended of taking a 29 minute break. It's ok my supervisors are nice. So he starts by telling me he was catching up on my letters. I asked him how many he had and he said 4. So I asked him how often he got mail and he said usually everyday but some days they are just too busy. He said he wishes he could write more but if you are doing what you should be doing there wont be much time to write letters. He said some guys mess around or will write letters at night, but he is doing what he is supposed to and if it were me I would want as much sleep time as possible. So I am not bitter.

I asked him if he received our family home evening packet and if he got made fun of for all the girly paper and colors and markers. He said no. The only time anyone sees his mail is if he gets a package and the TI will just open that for everyone to see. And if they receive a picture they are required to show that to the TI. So apparently he can have more than one picture so send him pictures if you want... just not anything that you don't want all 60 of them to see. And remember the TI made fun of his hair in our wedding photo.

I asked him if he liked my rambling letters and he said yes. Getting mail is definitely better than getting no mail.

In one of my recent letters I had told him about Lily trying to jump out the window at cars when we are driving, so he asked me if she really did that and I told him that she loses her window privileges when she does it so she is getting better. Then I asked him if he got the letter about her and my pills. He said yes and that he knew that was going to happen. I asked him why and he said because you have so many pill bottles on the counter... so I told him they were no longer there.

I asked him what church was like and he said they march for a half hour to the chapel and then they have sacrament meeting and the speakers are usually the trainees that graduated that week. After sacrament meeting they go to either relief society of priesthood or the new comers class. So the first week was with the missionaries and they sent me the email and the pictures and the second week they had interviews with the branch president.

I asked him a question from my dad. My dad wanted to know if this or the MTC (missionary training center) was harder. In a previous letter he told me this was the hardest thing he has ever had to do. So I asked him if going to the MTC better prepared him for basic training. He said I think it is just because I am older. Most of these guys are straight out of high school.

I asked him if he had friends or if he stuck to himself. He said the atmosphere promotes team work so they are all pretty good friends except there are a few who are the odd man out.

I asked him more about his inspection when he got called a liar and he said there was more to the story which was sensitive information. He told me he kept a sock that he used for dusting and the TI went off about his sloppy sock. Poor Chris.

He told me he has been doing laundry for two days. I asked him if he volunteered for the position or if he was assigned the position. He said the TI asked for volunteers first and he volunteered because everyone had told him to do that. I had talked to his boss, Dan, and he told Chris that he should do Kitchen Duty. So I asked him about that and he said he did it for one day and it was just as bad. He told me he was the guy that got everyone's trays when they were done and it really sucked. I asked him what the best job was and he didn't really answer.

In a letter I had sent him I asked him what he wanted to do while we were there for his graduation. So he asked one of his friends in the background what we should see and he told him that we should go to the River Walk. He said we can go to Sea World if we want to as well.

He asked what else was going on and I told him his Dad was in Yellowstone and his Mom works hard. He said he wants pictures of all of them. So I am going to send him all the pictures in his wallet but feel free to send him some as well.

He then gave me an overview of what the next few weeks would be like. He said this upcoming week is Hell Week and they are going to be really busy. He said they are taking a lot of tests and one of them is to see if they can take apart their gun and put it back together. He said they also get fitted for their "blues" as well this week. The week after that they go to the obstacle course and the week after that they spend a lot of time working with their guns because week six is The BEAST, Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training. It is where they put everything they have learned about combat training into action. They simulate a war zone for more info go to
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/afbmtbeast.htm
It gives you all the details.

After that they told us we had one minute left and we said our goodbyes.

I was just surprised he got 24 minutes... lol. It was great!

Day 25

7/11/09

Hey Megan!
I'm tired... This week has been hard. Tomorrow we start third week. These guys are so young it sucks. I am trying to be patient but it is hard. Things got shaken up and we are all in different beds. Everyone disliked that and the new leaders in our flight are just as immature as everyone else. This week is known as "Hell Week," because everyone is going to start to snap and get in each other's faces. Fun.

We had our first official inspection yesterday and I actually got caught lying to and instructor!
He asked me if I used the spare razors in the back of my drawer and the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "No." He found hair on one and chewed me out for being a liar. I was really disappointed in myself. I couldn't believe that happened. :( We did our second evaluation for PT on Thursday and I clocked in at 11:40 on my run. I need to push harder. I need to make 9:30 by week seven. I know I can do it. It just wont be fun. At all. I'm sure I am losing weight. We eat a lot and drink a lot, but we also move a lot. I guess that our flight has a good chance of making PT excellence. More than 40 of us are running in the fastest lane during PT. We are all getting overconfident and it's just a matter of time until everything crashes down. There isn't much I can do to prevent it. There is too much ego here.

My drill is getting better. My legs just take a little extra time to get everything down so I practice that when I can. It is going to look really cool when we march on graduation day.

This is definitely the hardest experience of my life. I don't recommend it to those who are between the ages of 17-20. It's like a bad day everyday.. My pulse is at 66 btm. That is the lowest it has been my whole time here! When I was running the other day it was at 170 bpm.

So our TI is Staff Sergeant Dancer. He is like 6'7" and weighs about 200 lbs. He is always wired and sometimes he'll show up to the dorm with Mountain Dew or a Monster. He is actually a lot cooler than most. I think we all really look up to him and respect him because he seems more human than some TIs.

I really want a snack right now.

So I think I am currently back under the radar and am not sure if I want to stay under the radar for long. I don't really see myself as a leader. I am more of the advising type..... sigh, we'll see what happens.

There were four Mormons in our flight and from the sound of it, that is some kind of record. Well one of us was sent off to the 319th because his eyes kept blanking out... he should have never come here. What a waste of time. So the three of us that are left are all next to each other. We are all married and we tend to perform better than most of the other trainees. Probably because we are older. People ask the funniest questions and since we didn't have name tapes to start we were called "The Mormons" and it has stuck.

I enjoy your letters. It is cool that I get one every time he passes out mail. I wish I could write more. There is a rumor that we might get Base Liberty next weekend.... we'll see how that goes. If so then I'll probably be calling again.

You are still in my prayers! (of course) Thank you for giving me strength!

Love,
Christaupher!




7/12/09

Meggie,
It's a Sunday and I am sweating. I spent all morning doing laundry. Sigh. Laundry sucks. We did towels, underwear and t-shirts.

I slept pretty good last night. We pretty much eat, stand in line and go to church on Sundays. The rest of our time goes to folding clothes and studying.

Church starts at 14:30 and it is half and hour march to the chapel. We only go for two hours and we are back just in time for dinner. I think you will find our church services interesting if you come.

I get paid on the 1st and the 15th and I guess all special pays are split between the two. Make sure you let me know how much we are getting paid so I can fix any errors.

A TI told me to march out to the patio and tell all the trainees that is was closed because of the heat. That was fun. All these older trainees looked at me like, "Who are you?" I yelled at them again. Then they heard the TI behind me and they scattered like rats.

Well I'm off to church....

Day 21: Family Home Evening and a letter home

7/7/09

Meggie,

Unfortunately my ime to write is very limited but I'll write as much as I can. I received a letter from my father and a letter from the church commending me for my decision to join the Military. I will have to limit most of my communication to you and you will have to tell the family and friends.

When the TI hands out mail there is always some ridicule. Some people get 7-10 letters at a time so feel free to write as much as you want. I actually got laughed at for my hair in our wedding photo but I don't care. I am glad you sent it.

I am sorry things aren't running very smoothly but I am happy you are using your resources. I thought I registered Windows! Grrr.... Dan will get you up to date.

I burned 3300 calories in a 15 hour time period yesterday. We spent two hours in 80+ degrees rolling through sand and practicing weapons fighting. There was dirt everywhere. Have I mentioned that it is always hot and we are required to drink 8-12 canteens a day? People pass out everyday.

I have started to settle in. I am becoming more confident and am noticing that I pick up on things faster. A lot of trainees look up to me but I am trying to keep as low as possible. Most of our leaders have been replaced once or twice and I don't want that much pressure while I'm trying to memorize and practice everything. The TI knows my name but I think we are on good ground.

I am on Laundry Crew like everyone said I should do and it sucks... I hate you Justin!

Be strong. I know you can do what is required. You might need help but you can do it. Pull on the strength of our families and the members of the ward. Keep reading your scriptures and apply them. It is so cool to share the gospel here. They actually tell us to live from Sunday to Sunday here.

Got to go... Love you!

Loves!

Christopher W Clark


So I am horrible... I just made it so Chris will get a load of ridicule today. I had the activity for FHE tonight and we wrote Chris letters with all this colored paper and fancy scissors and markers. Lol. I feel bad for him but it is great all the same. He will love them and so will everyone else because they can make fun of him. It will be great! So everyone write him letters!! I want him to break the record for most letters received! I think that would be a great accomplishment for all of us!

Day 15: A phone call and letter home

Today was eventful. I sent the usual letter in the mail when I leave for work and then I went to work and then to the Doctor and then back to work. I always leave my phone concealed on my desk so I can feel it vibrate but people can't see it so I wont get in trouble because cell phones are a no no in my workplace. So at 4:50 my phone starts vibrating. I look at it and it is a number I don't know with an area code I didn't recognize so I am like.. It's gotta be Chris... but I am stuck on the phone talking to this dumb guy wanting to transfer $1800.00 out of his account. Who does that? Honestly... so I miss the call and I am sad and determined at the same time that I am going to finish with this dumb man and call the number back. So as soon as I am ending the call with this guy my phone starts vibrating again. So I lock my computer and run out into the hall and answered the phone.... I didn't recognize the voice. I figured it was Chris but he sounded so weird. So I asked who it was and he said Chris. So I said you sound so weird. And he said, "Well we are all a little sick around here." I asked him why and he said, "When you get 60 guys living in the same dorm sharing one bathroom everyone gets sick. We call it the crud." I asked him how he was and he said he was tired but good. He said things aren't as crazy around her like the last time I called you but they are still pretty crazy. So I asked him why I hadn't gotten a letter from him because I thought it was pretty unusual for me to get a phone call from him and not a letter. He said he had sent me one on Saturday so I should be getting one soon. And I got one in the mail today!! :D. But we were talking about letters and he told me he got the one with the picture of us from our wedding and then he got another one today that had the picture of our house with the flag and the dead grass.
I wanted him to see how Patriotic I was and also how mysterious it was that our grass just died. He said he didn't have a chance to read it yet but that his MTI made fun of him for it. Because over the week of the Holiday I couldn't send out his letters so they stacked up, because I write him everyday, so this enveloped had like 4 days worth of letters and I couldn't get the envelope to seal so I had to use the only tape in our house which happens to be a blue roll of painter's tape. So when his MTI saw that he asked him if I was painting the house and they all made fun of him. So I thought that was pretty funny and I had used the tape like that on two letters... so the blue tape is a no no. I guess I will just have to use more than one stamp instead of cramming it all in one envelope. He told me his letters might be a little random and disconnected because he writes whenever he has the chance and then sends it out whenever they send mail. I told him... oh so they will be like my letters. I usually write him a letter at work in between calls that I just write weird stuff. Like yesterday I wrote him two dorky poems. I think they will put a smile on his face though. Then we talked about finances and how stressed I had been and how we hoped I would be able to come to his graduation. He had also left me a message about the information he needs to get for everyone who wants to come to his graduation. So we talked about that. And I had so many questions to ask him that I just forgot while we were talking. He asked me how Lily was and I told him she had been moody with me because we were playing volleyball at my parents house with Marie and Tyler and the Buchanans and we couldn't keep her outside because she would chase the ball around. So when I took her home that evening and ever since she had been moody and wont sleep with me. She keeps trying to sleep under the bed so I drag her out and put her in her kennel. The poor thing. I had demonic calls today so I was 40 minutes late coming home from work and she was so sad. She has separation anxiety. So she is outside chewing on grass to help her feel less stressed. Which isn't good. She hasn't been eating her food either.... Maybe it is time I called the vet again. Poor thing. But then he asked me how I was and I said good. I had been so busy with Marie, Ty and Lucy here that I had been going back and forth from their house to my house and I said, "I don't know how you handled driving to and from SLC everyday. That must have really sucked." Then people started telling him how much time he had left. So he told me to listen to his message about his graduation and send out the letter with everyone who was coming so he could get them cleared to come on base for the graduation. And then we said goodbye. So we talked for about three minutes. But here are the letters he sent.

7/2/09
MEGGIE!
I guess I'll start by just letting you know that no one can send me anything but letters. The TI's go through everything!
It has been harder than I thought, a lot harder, but I know it is worth it. A lot of people don't have the advantage of knowing what they are doing this for. I know what job awaits me and that you will be there. When things are the hardest I try to remember why I am here.

The group started with 60 and we have lost 4 and gained 2. The 2 we gained were "recycled" from older flights because they received too many derogatory comments and 341's (Disciple forms.) Believe it or not, I had four pulled this week alone. They say that five will give you a "U" for the week of training and a "U" will disqualify you from getting Honor Grad. So everyone is constantly stressed.

It is one of the hottest summers on record down here and I will be here throughout the worst of it. It is usually around 100-107 degrees outside. We can't even march in that heat.

Out MTI is 6'7" 207 lbs and when we first got here he was like a demon from Heck!... Sometimes he still is.

Zero week was a whirl of screaming and running like chickens with heads cut off. They want us to absorb so much so fast!

Church was a long hard 30 minute march on Sunday and I cried when I thought about you. I miss you soo much. I cling to that last hug and kiss you gave to me at the airport and can't wait to hold you again.

I love you, I pray for your strength as well as mine.

Chirstopher W Clark

P.S. I am sorry this was so short. We have so little time. I got your letter dated June 28th and a letter from Ty and Marie. I look forward to a picture :)






7/4/09

LOVE!
I hope you enjoyed fireworks and family today. We had our first wall locker and dorm inspections today and everyone failed! Everything in our dorm is inspectable from here out. I am on Laundry Crew and that is stressful at the moment. Everyone is crying about not getting clothes back or about how they are not clean enough. I just tell them that if they follow the instuctions they were given that everything will be fine.... bunch of whining teens.

Yeah we stink pretty good. I don't care. I am losing weight. The TI seems to think our Flight can get some fitness award. So I am doing exercises at night. I am gonna be ripped! We test again on Thursday. I will let you know how I am doing.

The guys cried again today when they lost a phone call we never knew we had. The TI's like to tell us stuff to get us motivated. :) Patience is very important for us older guys here. It's usually a mistake or error on the part of a younger trainee that creates discomfort for everyone.

I will need new garments.... the day I get off this base. So we graduate on the 21st! That is quicker than I anticipated. Unfortunately I will be stuck here until the 30th doing details and mentoring trainees. I want to get out as soon as possible!

Let me know what is going on at home or write me questions. One day I might get a call home but don't expect it. Keep me in the loop on finances. I really want you to be there when I graduate!

Well I have got to go. It's time to send mail..
I love you!

Christopher W Clark :)


So there you have it... I didn't even cry today. Which I think is an accomplishment..... but the day isn't over and waking up in the morning is the hardest. Peace out.

False Alarm

So I went out to the mailbox yesterday and guess what I found. An envelope addressed to me in Chris' handwriting so I got excited until I opened it. It was an invitation to his graduation and a brochure of travel in the area that would make a contribution to the Airforce if we chose their services. A good thing to have but I wanted a letter from him. So I guess they are still just letting them address the envelopes. It has been two weeks as of today so hopefully I will get something soon.

So with this addressed envelope I discovered that the missionaries that emailed me did not give me his full address. So hopefully our letters have been getting to him but here is the full address.

AB Clark, Christopher W
321 TRS/FLT 557 Dorm A-1
PSC #3
1320 Truemper ST, Unit 364063
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5570

I updated it in the previous post as well. So write him some letters!!

Letter from the Seventy

I went outside in the rain to get the mail today and I had a letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, The Seventy. It reads as follows:

Dear Sister Clark:
We recently learned that Christopher has joined the military and is attending basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. We are pleased to inform you that he has been attending the Church services on base and are grateful for the spirit he brings to the meetings. President Collins is the Church leader at Lackland AFB and will do all he can to help strengthen Christopher's faith and testimony. We appreciate your support and know you join with us in asking that the Lord will guide and protect him during this time of uncertainty and turmoil in the world.

In these troubled times, it is heartwarming to see members courageously step forward to help preserve our freedom and way of life. You can be proud of the part you have played in supporting Christopher in this important decision. Military life can be very rewarding for both the service member and his family. We express gratitude oi you for your selfless service and sacrifices in his behalf.

We have a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of Church members everywhere and want to ensure the blessings of Church membership are available wherever Christopher and you are stationed. As military members move around, occasionally they are unable to find out where and when the Church meetings are held. Our Military Relations Division can assist you. In addition, many times they can assist in locating the name of an LDS group leader at a deployed location around the world, so Christopher can attend Church services while away from his family.

If you have any Questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Military Relations Division at (801) 240-2286 or e-mail them at PST-Military@ldschurch.org. We know that the Lord is mindful of you and Christopher and the challenges you will face together as he valiantly serves in the Military.

Sincerely,
Robert C Oaks

It just strengthens my testimony that Heavenly Father is indeed watching over everyone of us and gives us the support we need in this life. As terrible as the world can be there is the calming influence and support that the gospel and the Church bring to us. We are truely blessed to have such leadership in the church. I can't imagine what other family members are feeling without having heard anything about their family members. The missionaries contacted me and now the Seventy has contacted me. I can feel peace in knowing that he is being taken care of and watched over by multiple people in the Church. We are so blessed.

Day 6: PICTURES!!

I was at my parents house and we were taking Lily on a walk when I received a phone call. It was from the full-time missionaries on Lackland AFB. They told me they were trying to send me an email with pictures of Chris but Chris had given them the wrong email address so they had to call me to get the right one. They also informed me that they would have to earn the privilige of writing home so not to expect any letters for a couple of weeks. But they encouraged us all to write incouraging letters to him soon. Also.... I got the address wrong over the phone and I just updated it on the blog so you can have the real address. So send it to the new one!

165 days!

Phone call home. Day 5

Chris called me today around 3:30 pm. I was at work and I was very grateful I was able to talk to him. I answered the phone while running to an area of the building that didn't have surveliance cameras and he asked me if I was at work. I said yes. Then he said we need to be quick and asked me if I had a pen and paper. I told him no and I set the phone down to run and get one. I got back on the phone and got the address from him and he already knows the phonetic alphabet so my S as in Sam sounded pretty dumb to his S as in Sierra. I am glad he knew them or they would have given him a hard time. So he gave me his address I verified it with him and in the background people are yelling at him and counting down the time that he had left on the phone. So at 10 seconds he said send me letters. no packages or candy and I get to have one photo so send me something from our wedding. Then I told him I loved him and goodbye. So that was it.

So here are the rules!

NO PACKAGES!
If you are sending pictures print them off on your computer so they are on a paper because he can only have one photo.

Here's his address:
AB CLARK, CHRISTOPHER W.
321 TRS / FLT 557 - Dorm A-1
PSC #3
1320 Truemper Street Unit 364063
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5570

166 days to go!!

Day 2: June 24

Hello everyone I, Megan, have taken over the blog and thought I would give you the update. Chris' flight left at 9:50 yesterday so we left the house at 7:45 after the last minute affairs... Like Chris showing me the finance plan he has made for the next two years. It is impressive he can plan that far ahead. hopefully we can both accomplish our goals and be in the position we would like to be in. We listened to Muse on the way to the airport and that made me cry because it was one of the songs on our wedding video.

"I'm far away. This ship has taken me far away. Far away from the memories of the people who care if I live or die.

Star light I will be chasing the star light until the end of my life I don't know if it's worth it anymore.

Hold you in my arms. I just wanted to hold you in my arms. My life, you electrify my life. Let's conspire to reignite all the souls that would die just to feel alive.

I will never let you go if you promise not to fade away. Never fade away.

Our hopes and expectations blackholes and revelations. Our hopes and expectations. Blackholes and revelations.

Hold you in my arms. I just wanted to hold you in my arms.

Far away this ship has taken me far away. Far away from the memories of the people who care if I live or die.

I will never let you go if you promise not to fade away. Never fade away.

Our hopes and expectations. Blackholes and revelations."

Chris said that song sure has a lot more meaning now. And music has always struck a chord with me. So I cried all the way to the airport. We were early so we pulled into the park and wait and said goodbyes and then we drove to the terminal and said goodbye and I drove home crying. So I went home to an empty house and tried to keep busy for the hour I had until I left for work and so I tried to sing because that usually makes me feel better but when I sing I sing with emotion and so the only emotion that I could sing was sadness so whenever I tried to sing I would burst into tears. So I cleaned our shower and ate some food and then headed off to work. I was fine at work. I went on my break at 1 and Chris called me from the airport. He said that he had to wait there for 3 hours before they could be picked up. One of his comrades had brought his cell phone and he let him call me. He told me that they were on a tiny little C-9 airplane that was shaking all over the place. And he also said they had to confiscate his shaving cream and body wash since he didn't check any luggage and just had a carry on. So that is a bummer. He will just by stuff on the base though. He didn't have a chance to call me back but he'll get one official call home to give someone his address to write. so I am expecting at least one more call. Hopefully I wont be at work when he calls. Occasionally when the MTI thinks they can have some spare time they have the option to make phone calls but of course everyone lines up to use the phone and they don't get much time. But that is if you are lucky. The only free time they really have set apart is to write letters home. He doesn't have access to a computer so there will be no emails until tech school. I am planning on getting him a web cam when I bring him his computer and cellphone when he graduates from basic training the last week of August. So far Wade, Debbie, Jean Marie and I are planning to attend. Hopefully we won't have too many unplanned expenses so I can make it out there. But that's the update as of today. Hopefully I will get a call from him tomorrow with his address.

Oh yeah... I woke uo at 6AM today to Chris' alarm.... I will have to remember to turn that off tonight. Who wants to get up that early? lol. Not me.

Zero Week and Week 1

Here is the first of eight basic training updates. They are provided to let you know what life is like as a basic trainee.

First I want to let you know what I am taking:

Glasses
Laundry Soap
Ball-point pen (blue or black)
Shampoo
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothbrush Tray
Toothpaste
Notebook and paper
Black shoe polish
Shine Brush/cloth
Shower shoes
Soap (liquid stuff)
Glasses
Razor
Shaving Cream
Calling Card
Watch
3 days Civilian Clothes

And here are my fitness stats:

Push-Ups: 35

Sit-Ups: 42

Pull-Ups: 3

1.5 Mile Run: 12:14

Weight: 198 lbs

ZERO WEEK:



First Uniform Issue is not until Thursday or Friday. So for at least the first day everyone in your flight will be in civilian clothes and you will be called a "rainbow". After receiving your uniform you will not touch civilian clothes again until 30 days into your tech school. However, while you might be wearing spiffy ABUs you will still be wearing white tennis shoes and your whole flight will be known as the "baby" flight.



At about this time everyone gets marched in to get their shots. Everyone in the Air Force is vaccinated to protect against certain deseases. You will also have a trip to the dentist for a complete evaluation including x-rays.



After a day or two at basic you will receive your first haircut. The barber gets paid good money to do the same haircut over and over again, every other week... and all he uses are those electric "buzzers."

Heading off to Basic Training

Alright, it has come at last. I ship out to Lackland Air Force Base on Tuesday. I thought I would give everyone a rundown of what is happening before I leave.

Monday: I will check in at Hill Air Force Base to do my out processing (which is turning in all my financial paperwork and receiving my orders). I will also stop by the recruiter and complete my final weigh in and review. We will make sure I have all the things I need for basic and my recruiter will answer any questions Megan and I have.

Tuesday: My flight is scheduled to leave at 0900. I will be in Texas by 1300.

So everything is finally coming together. Megan and I were a little worried when we found out that I wasn't going to be leaving until Mid June (I swore in on February 3 and we originally thought I would be off to basic by March). I am scheduled to graduate from basic on the last week of August and my Tech School is from September 1 to November 30. There is a possibility that I will be home in time for Thanksgiving but who wants to get their hopes up only to see them crushed by the system?

When I get back in December I will be eligible for promotion from Airman to Airman First Class and the plan is to be a Senior Airman by the time my brother-in-law gets home from his mission in the Philippines.

Along with serving twice a month and two weeks a year as a reservist I will be starting a new GS job on base with the unit I am currently working for as an Air Reserve Technician or ART. In time I hope to move in to Public Affairs or the graphics department.

All of this is to, of course, provide a better standard of living for my family. With all this new income we plan to pay off debts and move to a more pleasurable location by Spring of 2011, Where we can perhaps raise some children?