Only 4 weeks to go!

Clips from Michael's latest letter:

"Parris Island is absolutely beautiful. During that three-mile run yesterday, we were crossing marshes with a view of the distant beach. I was hoping we would have a chance to roll down that way, but we turned around...It is strange how it's juxtaposed to such a harsh "society." It's hard to explain, but just think about the platoon marching and then doing something wrong and getting yelled at and/or pitted for it. All the while, there's this amazing scenery surrounding us: pines, oaks (really old ones), marsh, savannas, etc. And the weather here reminds me a lot of Florida's. Could be cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon. And it's really humid here."

He goes on to ask us to look up the average temperatures for this time. He wants to know what to expect for the "Basic Warrior Training" week when they have to camp. He included some "bullet points" on another paper:

• "Took initial Physical Fitness Test. Run time was 21:42 (I think that's for 3 miles), 97 crunches, 9 pull-ups."
• "Finished Class 3 in swimming."
• Their old Sr. Drill Instructor is back. Looks like they replaced a couple others.
• "I love Saturday noon chow: Burgers, chili cheese fries, and other greasy stuff that's no good for you."
• "I'm so ready for rifle week."
  

Rifle Week is next week. Pray that he passes this because you can't graduate if you don't qualify for marksmanship!) He says his platoon is "seriously the most undisciplined platoon." (Hmmm. Is it true or just some kind of motivational head game the DIs are playing with them?)

Finally--IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SENDING PACKAGES: The DIs won't let them have the powdered Emergen-C mixtures. It comes in other forms, including tablets and gels. And, he says, "Don't bother with power bars. We have a half a footlocker full, and we only get these on occasion." They may earn more of that privilege later. I'll keep you posted.

Finally, say a prayer about his job assignment. He says he's interested in avionics. We are praying that God will open just the right door for him, wherever that may be.