Prayers are Needed

Over the last couple of weeks, Leigh has been injured. She's doesn't think she has completely broken her foot but she does think that she has a fracture. She is in a significant amount of pain but has been pushing through. Running for miles and miles, marching everywhere you go, completing obstacle courses, etc. is VERY DIFFICULT to do with a fracture. She hasn't dropped-out of any activity but the injury has affected her completion time. As a result, this week she was boarded which means that at some point in time this week, she will have to go before a group of Marine officers and state why she thinks she needs to be able to graduate NEXT WEEK.

Needless to say, Leigh is heartbroken that she has come so far but she is not defeated. She will work just as hard as ever this week and not give-up. She could have ran to medical and gotten out of a lot of activities but that wouldn't have ultimately gotten her anywhere but back home. She has chosen to do her very best and stick it out until the end.

Please pray that God will provide her with healing, strength, and encouragement. She needs your prayers more than ever this week.

New Pictures from OCS

Far Left of screen. She standing with her arms behind her back.

On the right.

Written June 30, 2009. Received July 6, 2009.

Hey Ashton!

So glad I got to talk to you this past weekend, little buddy! I got your card and pictures in the mail, and they just made my day.

Have you and Mommy been going to PaPa's and playing in the swimming pool? BoBo got to do the combat course on Saturday. Running in the woods, splashing in the mud, swimming under logs - you would have had so much fun!

Hope you are being a good boy. Did you enjoy the fireworks at church? I love you and miss you and am sending lots of kisses your way!

Love,
BoBo

Written June 30, 2009. Received July 6, 2009.

Halfway through week 5 of training! Kind of bittersweet, since this was the point last cycle when I ceased training.

Last week was really physical, and I thought this week might be a little easier, but not so far. Yesterday (Monday) was the fartlek run for PT, which in and of itself is not too bad. However, we also drilled for nearly 3 hours during the course of the day, and had a class outside too. The sun was really intense on the black asphalt of the parade deck. Today was the Day Land nav/Compass Course exam (I made a 100!). We hiked 3 miles out to the course, then had 2 hours to find all of our boxes, ate an MRE for chow, then hiked 3 miles back. I had to carry the daypack (like a backpack from school) of one of the sick callers as well as my own daypack and rile for most of the way out to the course. I swear some candidates go to medical just to get out of whatever training is going on that day!

Tomorrow won't be too bad, hopefully. We have a run and muscular endurance circuit for PT in the morning. Thursday we get to do the confidence course and Tarzan course (high obstacles, etc), which I am looking forward too.

Jason, how was the South Dakota trip? I can't wait to hear all the details. Glad, too, to hear your back is better.

Erica, splash a little in the pool for me! It has been HOT - my cammies are usually soaking wet with sweat.

Oh, guess what? I got a card from the Keltons today! Mail has been much more consistent this cycle. I am praying all goes well at court in Ethiopia. I can't wait to meet my new niece!

All my love,

Leigh

She's free until July 5

We just received a text with the above-picture. It was labeled "Bun Hair Even On Libo!" (Libo = Liberty from the base; a pass to be able to leave the base)

She sounds really pumped and very honored to be serving her country on it's birthday. She is doing really well and is now 1/2 way through the program! She said thank you for all the mail as it is SO uplifting - keep it up!

She's going to send me an e-mail all about this past week and I will post it for your reading pleasure!

Happy Birthday, America!