This past weekend, we drove down to visit Jake at Ft. Benning for Family Day. Basically, the guys were allowed to have family visit for the weekend. They couldn't spend the night away, but they were allowed to be with us from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
This was the such a great weekend! I can't begin to tell you how great it was to see Jake. I don't think I had fully realized how much I missed him being here. We have always been really close, but we had gotten much closer since I moved back to Atlanta in '05.
The weekend began with a brief meeting of the Drill Sargents with the family and then the guys were "released". It was so emotional seeing him all dressed in his formal attire! He looked so different. Not only because he's lost at least 20 or 25 lbs, but he just looked so focused and "manly".
We rented one of the cabins there on base and it was great. Mom and all five grand kids -- three of which are Jake's kids -- Curtis and me all stayed together. It was a hoot. (I'll post funny side stories later.) We grilled out, played whiffle ball, kick ball, and just spent time together.
Jake has really changed -- all for the best! Like I said, he's so focused. His whole demeanor has changed too...he's so much more in-tune to the kids, really mellow ... it was hard not to just stare at him.
He told us a lot of unbelievable stories of life in boot camp. They have a lot of hard work coming up before their graduation in May. This week they have an 11 mile march with 65 lbs on the back! Next week is a 12 miles march carrying the same 65 lbs. Week after -- 26 mile march, with 65 lbs and a week in the woods! He said his feet just get numb after a while and that he has nerve damage on his shoulders from carrying his pack...as in he can't feel the front of his shoulders.
Good news is that Jake is really making a name for himself and setting himself apart as a leader. He's the company leader, meaning his over 50 guys and has to make sure they're ready for standards. Also, it's a big deal whoever is chosen to lead the group in marches or personal training (PT's) tests and Jake is the leader! He said being in front is a lot easier than being 50 guys back.
If I tried to explain how proud of him I am, I don't think I could do him justice. When a lot of guys are just going through the motions to get out, Jake has forced himself to have a great attitude and do his best.
I said to him, "I bet before those long marches you get that feeling like 'I don't want to do this.'" He replied, "If I'm going to make it to the end, I can't have that attitude. I have to get really psyched up, jump around and say, 'I can't wait! I can do this! I can do this!!" Whoa. I bet that does make a difference. I was so convicted. I should have that same attitude about the hard things in my life..."I can do this!".
Jake said he will most likely be deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. "WHAT?!?!" This was really hard to hear. Mainly, because Jake is training to be in the center of the "action/danger". This is going to be hard not to worry about.
Anyway, it was a great visit. I couldn't help but cry when we were hugging goodbye. I'm so proud of him! I hate that he won't live around us again for a while but I'm trusting that God is going to protect him.
Would you commit to praying for Jake? Like I said, he's got a really tough couple of weeks coming up and I feel burdened to get him covered in prayer. I've listed below a couple of ways you can pray for him specifically. I've also printed up the picture of him with his three kiddos to send out as a prayer reminder ... hoping people will put it in a place where they'll remember to pray for him. For example, near the sink while you wash dishes, in you Bible while you do your quiet time, on the mirror while you're getting ready, etc. If you would like to commit to praying, simply post a comment here (if I already have your address) or email me (sarah.jefferson@comcast.net) and I'll send you a picture out.
Prayer specifics:
- physical protection from injury
- full recovery from all the physical work
- complete rest and restoration when he sleeps
- the sometimes terrible food would nourish his body (I can't imagine how many calories he's burning in a day!)
- to stay strong mentally to get through to the end of the marches
- for the upcoming 26 mile march and week in the woods
- acceptance in RIP (ranger training that he REALLY wants to get into)
- he really wants to be based, in the beginning, out of the base in Washington state (I think it's Ft. Lewis)
- **Ultimately God's will for his training and future placement**
- he would feel the Lord's presence their with him
- he would continue to set himself apart from the others and be a leader
- Pray for his kiddos (Will, Faith and Sarah Kate): it's hard to wrap their mind around all of this and go so long without seeing him
I'll update his specific needs as he makes those known to us!
Thanks in advance for covering him in prayer!
Playing kick-ball
Jake managed to kick the ball in a pine tree.
3 comments:
Will, Faith, and Sarah Kate are growing up too fast. You know I will be praying for him. I remember when Brent went through bootcamp I was so nervous for him and sometimes I would cry when I thought of all he had to go through. It's hard as a sister to see the brother you love going through that but at the same time it is wonderful because you are so proud!
I don't know how I have missed this post! I will be praying for Jake! I know how close y'all have been...so how about I pray for you too? Worry isn't going to help anything you got going on sister. :-)
I don't know if Jake remembers me but, tell him I said congrats on gradauting basic, I was at Ft. Benning for six weeks, and my barracks were near the RIP guys, I definitely did not envy them. Tell him good luck, I'm sure he'll get into it.
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