Children

So first a little information, block 11 is done and so just one more block to go.  Block 12 is mostly admin stuff and 15 pass/fail test.  I will be graduating on December 17 but I still do not have any information on phase II training yet.

Friday we were given a 5 hr lunch break so I went and saw a matinée of the new Harry Potter movie.  It was great, now just have to wait longer to see part 2.  I is going to be out in July 2011.  That means you will be able to by the box set of all the movies for Christmas 2011.  Good planing on their part.
I also went to Wal-Mart and pick up a new toy for Lucy.  She really likes playing with them.  She is so fun to have around.  I spent most of yesterday and today reading.  I really like the series I have been reading.

Now for the children.  I talked to my three oldest today.  I got good news, bad news, disappointing news and news that brought a tear to my eye.  It will be an interesting year.  You just never know what news they will spring on you next.  I love all my children very much.  They are all so different from one another.  They can bring such joy and such heartbreak.

Reading:  The Work and the Glory  Vol. 7 by: Gerald N. Lund

Ether 11: 22 And they did ^areject all the words of the prophets, because of their ^bsecret society and wicked abominations.

Ruby

The text message came about 6:30 this morning from my son-in-law, Ruby was finally here.  Ruby Margaret Matthys was born at 5:43am and weighed 8lbs and was 21 in long.  Reanna went the the hospital where Zach works about 11 last night and they never went back home.  The doctor was going to induce labor today if she have not decided to come on her own.  Both mom and baby are doing good.  I now have 3 granddaughters to spoil.  I will get to see her over Thanksgiving weekend.

I also what to tell about my dinner last night.  The Golden Corral had is annual Veterans' Day free meal last night.  A fellow airman and I wanted to go, free food.  When we got there about 5:30 the line was almost around the building and still more people come in the parking lot.  We decided to kill some time at the mall and wait and see if the line would go down.  We returned about 6:30 and the line was just inside of the building now, so we went in.  We were greeted at the the door by members of the local VFW and given a sticker thanking us for our service.  The local Boy Scouts were there to seat us at a table that had two open spots.  They were filling every table to the max.  We were seated with an older couple, that was just about done.  We chatted with them some and them went for food.  Upon our return of refilling our plates, they had gone and our table had been cleared.  So they had to find us another table.  This time we sat with two gentlemen.  They had both severed in Vietnam.  One was drafted and one was not.  One was in the Army and the other was a Marine.  We had a go chat with them.  They asked what we were training for, where we were from and where we were going.  The night will be remembered for the event and not the food.  It is good to see have things have changed over the years for the better.

Reading:  The Work and the Glory  Vol. 6 by: Gerald N. Lund

Ether 4: 19 And blessed is he that is found ^afaithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be ^blifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him ^cfrom the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.

Veterans' Day

I have been thinking of this for a few day and it still might not come out right but here I go.  In my family there are many veterans, from extended family to my direct family, but most dear to me is my dad.  Dad was in the Army before the war in Vietnam started and for many years after.  I know it was never a declared war, it was war none the less.  He was in the army when it was not cool to be GI Joe.  I don't remember many details, but I do remember him being gone and his return from his second time there.  That was the longest he was gone from home but it was not the only time.  I remember my dad having to leave many many times for TDY (Temporary Duty Yonder) as I was growing up.  I know that the sacrifice was not just his either.  My mom had to support him in his service which was not always easy with 4 boys.  The families of all our service men and women deserve our gratitude for there sacrifices.  My dad was active duty for over 26 years. He received a medical discharged because of a heart condition in 1983.  He served with honer and I proud of him and the many years of sacrifice he made for this country.  He then went to work for the army as a civilian.  He did that for about 10 before receiving another medical retirement.  Now he serves the visually and hearing impaired students at the university that he got his degree from after his second retirement.

The first 18 years of my life I spent as an 'army brat'.  I would not trade it for anything.  I got to do and see thing many people will never be able to do or see.  The two that stand out most to me as I reflect on this Veterans' Day are the Berlin Wall and Panmunjom.  These two stand out as place where I felt the most grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.  While in Berlin I had dinner with a family that had a boy my age and it was fun to play with him in his back yard.  The only draw back was that his back fence was the WALL. We could see across the racked sand, trench and barbed wire another boy our age playing too.  How would it be to grow up neighbors and never know even know each others names.  Then at Panmunjom, which is the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea the tension so thick you could almost cut it.

I joined the Air Force and served during the 1991 Gulf War.  The contrast to the way the service men and women were treated at the end of that war compared to Vietnam are like day and night.  I remember a bumper sticker that said volumes in just a few words 'I am not a Gulf War hero, just Vietnam vet'.  I was able to spend some time with my dad while I was doing some training in Oklahoma and he was drive between New Mexico and Missouri.  It was a good time to talk and really get to know my dad.

  I got out of the Air Force in 1996 after 10 years and move to Missouri to be near dad while he was having medical troubles.  I loved serving my country and an glad to be doing it again.  This time it is with the Missouri Air National Guard.  I am almost done with phase I of my training and will be on to phase II.  Phase II will be completed in an operational Air Force hospital.  That training should last about four months.  

Now to end this were it started, with my dad.  Starting about two years ago my dad was in and out of the hospital several times and one time he was very critical.  We all thought we might loose him.  Family and friends shed tears and prayed for him.  He is loved by so many.  Dad spent a lot of years serving his country and then so many others.  He is such a charitable and kind man that quietly helps so many.  I want to tell the world how much I love and respect the man I call dad.

                            

Internet

So last I wrote I was having to move.  Well the building that I was living in is now in the process of being demolished.  So I guess the move was necessary and could not want for me to graduate from here.  The really bad thing about the move is the location of my new room.  I am on the second floor of a three story building and midway down the hall of an old brick building.  So with that I get really bad cell reception and I was not able to get the internet anymore.  Finally another airman that will be here for sometime got the service and I pay him some so that I can use his connection.  It is not he best but it is better then nothing. Now with that I should be able to post more often.

My days here are getting short, just over a month to go.  My hole class made it by the Continental x-ray machine and block 10.  The first half of block 11 was fun and easy.  We got to put a computer together and work on fixing it.  I enjoyed it.  We am just about done with block 11.  We have one more hands on test to take on the 19th or 20th.  When that is done I will have taken 106 test worth 6440 points and about two dozen pass/fail test in the 41 week school.  We will have some pass/fail test in block 12, that will start Nov 23and end Dec 17.

I also started a spin class ( stationary bike)  in addition to the noon workout with one of my classmates.  As it turns out the spin instructor is the wife of one of the block 11 instructors.  He comes to the class sometimes.  Those days the workout is harder, we blame him.  It is a good workout but she keeps it fun too.  Nothing like riding a bike for 45 minutes to a mix of old and new music.

Reading:  The Work and the Glory  Vol. 6 by: Gerald N. Lund

Mormon 9: 27-28

  27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. ^aDoubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and ^bcome unto the Lord with all your ^cheart, and ^dwork out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

  28 Be ^awise in the days of your ^bprobation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your ^clusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and ^dliving God.