Since it's been a couple of weeks since I gave an update on Eric, and some of you have been asking how he's doing, I thought I'd fill you in on some of the things he's been up to.
First of all, he is still loving boot camp! He called us last night, and was so excited because they had done their final PT evaluation, and he scored 2nd in his entire Platoon, so was chosen as a Squad Leader!! He will have 15 men under him in his squad. He was also given a medal for Bayonet marksmanship last week.........I can just picture him running through the woods thrusting a bayonetted rifle at targets! He must have had a blast doing that!
On Friday they were put in a gas chamber with masks on, told to take them off, which he said was horrible (no surprise there), and then answer a question before they were allowed to leave the room. I won't give details, but he said he was coughing like crazy, and that there was something flowing out of every orifice in his head when he got outside! Then he said it was 'fun.' ............here's where I insert the basic fact of life that boys are different from girls. :o)
He's really looking forward to the next two weeks which will be spent entirely on the firing range. He'll fire live ammo for the first time and learn to use a hand grenade (extra prayers for that, please!!)
He's missing home and freedom quite a bit, and told his older sister in a letter that he would be more than happy to 'run any errand Mom and Dad asked him to' right now.......and I'd love to have him home to do just that! But in spite of his being a bit homesick, he said that he knows he 'is where God wants him to be'
He also told us on the phone that one of the young men he's been witnessing to bought a Bible at the PX, and wants Eric to start a Bible study with him!
Praise the Lord!
I'd like to thank all of you for praying for Eric, for the young men he's sharing the Gospel with, and for us! I had a good long cry after we talked with him last night, and I miss him so badly it hurts, but it is so thrilling to know that he is so happy being where he is, and to be so very proud that he is willingly serving this fabulous country of ours!!
One word...Psychoanlysis...he really should think about it. :-)
Aug. 26 1967, Lackland AFB 0200hrs. "OH MY GOD, what have I gone and done."
Well, I'll vouch for him. It was fun :)