Thanksgiving Blessing:

I went to bed around 10PM on Thanksgiving evening knowing I would be getting up in 5 hours to get ready for work the next morning. I fell asleep around 10:30 and then was awakened about 11pm to a strange phone call. I almost silenced my phone and didn't answer it. Praise the Lord He allowed me to answer it. What a wonderful Thanksgiving blessing and surprise it was for me to hear my beloved husband's voice on the other end. =) We were able to talk for about an hour!!!!

Dave said he is doing well. He sounds like he has recovered from any illness he previously had during Mtn. Phase. He sounded like an excited boy scout learning new things and earning more merit badges when he described the Florida Phase classes on reptiles, hypothermia, and hazards in the swamps. He is in Eglin Air Force Base's Camp James E. Rudder near Destin and Navarre Beach, FL. He said his feet were doing well, but after reading many Ranger journals they should be like ground chuck after this phase. The Ranger Instructors labeled the first phase the "crawl" phase, the Mtn. Phase was the "walk" and this Florida Phase is the "run" phase. That basically means little to no food each day (1 meal and whatever you find in the swamp), and 0-2 hours sleep each night.

This phase is where the sleep deprivation really kicks in and guys end up "droning out" (sleep walking/marching). There have been guys reportedly trying to put dollar bills into trees thinking they were vending machines. Dave said he's seen a couple of guys fall off 20-30 ft. cliffs b/c they fell asleep while ruck marching. Poor guys!

Right now he is on his final 9 day FTX (Field Training Exercise). During this FTX he will be in and out of the swamps. Due to previous deaths during this phase, they are not supposed to get in the water if the total temp does not equal 100 degrees. You get the total temp by adding the outside air temperature to the water temperature. If it does not equal 100 degrees, they are not supposed to enter the water. From looking at the weather and water temp each night, I pray he has not had missions going through the swamps as it is been 40 degrees air temp and about 50 degrees water temp. :(

Dave asked that we pray for his continued health, favor with the RI's and his Ranger buddy's, continued success in leadership positions and missions, for his fight against hunger and fatigue/exhaustion, for patience, and for him to graduate Dec. 12, 2008. He also asked that we continue to pray for Jon and Charlie as they are with their units (Jon is deploying this week for one year and Charlie is deployed).

At this rate, Dave should graduate Friday, December 12, 2008 at 10am near Camp Rogers at Fort Benning, GA. If you are interested in attending let me know and I will give you more details.

I am sorry I am not writing very eloquently; my heart is heavy right now. I have a sweet friend who is hurting so deeply and has an overwhelming amount of decisions to make for her family. She is married with children and is separated from her husband. They are separated by distance alone - not by choice, think of it like a deployment. I cannot give more details, but please pray for them; the Lord knows who they are and what their needs are. May the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer.

Oh, before I forget: EXCITING NEWS!!! Krissy, Logan and Faith are coming down next week to visit us in Savannah!!! WOOOHOOO!!! Shane will be here in spirit as he has to work. Boo! Hiss! I said the "work" word. =) They may even be here for Dave's graduation. He does not know this, so if you write him or talk with him, please do not mention it. We want to surprise him, plus we aren't sure if the dates are going to match up as of yet. We cannot wait to see them and spend quality time with them. It has been almost a year since I have seen my beautiful and handsome neice and nephew. I CANNOT WAIT to see them!!!

Thank you for reading, for your prayers, and for your support. We are so grateful for wonderful friends and family. I pray you had a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving. God bless you and your family.