Tuesday, October 30, 2012

GETTING COMFORTABLE

Dear Airman Chadwick fans,
Jordan is feeling very comfortable in his situation right now. He hasn't written since the first part of October. He has called each week and we have been able to talk to him. He is very upbeat and positive. He loves his life and his brothers. He called on Saturday for a short while and talked about us coming this week to his graduation. They were able to have patio time which is where they are outside at a bunch of phone booths to make their calls instead of their cell phones being given to them. We were hoping for another call so that he could tell us if he needed us to bring him anything. We will wait till the last minute to see if we get another call  to pack some things for him. Of course, he may be okay too since the Air Force has and will supply all he needs for the next few years of his life except maybe civilian clothes. He will probably not be wearing those until maybe December.
This is how our week will go.
Wednesday
Leave Salt Lake at 9:55 a.m. arrive in San Antonio at 12:30 p.m.
Get rental car and go find a few floral shops to check out.
Locate our hotel which is only 1/2 mile from Lackand AFB.
Relax
Thursday
Airman Run-we get to see Jordan for the first time running in formation with his flight at 8 a.m.
9 a.m. briefing
10 a.m. graduation ceremonies
11 a.m. we get to be with Jordan till 8 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. graduation activities again
11 a.m. we get to be with Jordan till 8 p.m.
Saturday
We can take Jordan off base all day till 8 p.m.
Sunday
We will go to church with Jordan and then be with him till
we need to get to our plane at 4:30 P.M.

Jordan will be coming home on December 22 for his Christmas leave. He will return on January 2nd.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

MIDWEEK/SATURDAY CALLS

Thursday, October 4, 2012
We are the luckiest parents in the whole wide world. We received a call from Jordan today.
His flight was able to earn a 1 hour phone privilege. His TI said that they would have to divide the time into two days. He will call again in the next few days.
He still loves basic training. He says they have community prayer everyday. Even though they are all different religions, each person takes a turn praying that day. He also says they have bible study. They gave him a NIV of the Bible. He had to go to the BX (Base Exchange or store) to get a King James Version, the one he is used to. Only the New Testament came with his scriptures from the missionaries.
He is starving for news. He doesn't hear anything at Basic and wants any news that is happening around the world or at home.
He received his dress blue uniform this past week and his name badges. You could hear the smile over the phone.
He did get in trouble for not saying the right thing on Wednesday. The lady that was questioning him asked him for a 341 (a piece of paper that you are supposed to carry around with you for discipline. You are supposed to carry two around with you at all times and when your instructor asks for one you are supposed to give them one.) He answered that he didn't have any 341's because they were in the laundry and he washed them. She then asked for another 341 when he gets them. I guess he and his dad will be checking their laundry more carefully now. (Daryl washed his cell phone while in Kansas)
Jordan mentioned that one of the "brothers" was going to be recycled or sent back to the first part of training but he decided to pray and that helped him out. He had never prayed before and he feels that helped him to do better to not get sent back.
Jordan is also training in some of the same places that his Dad did. He and Daryl have a lot to talk about when it comes to all the activities that he is doing.
Jordan was advised by his dad to volunteer for everything that he could and that would give him new adventures. He has been taking that advice and has been doing a lot of different things.

Update: Saturday, October 6, 2012
Another Phone Call came our way on Saturday. Right after Conference started. Knowing this might happen, we taped Conference.
Jordan was able to call and talk for 40 minutes. A record!
He was able to talk to Jodie and his grandpa for a few minutes. He replayed the 341 story for his dad who we had just picked up that morning from the airport. It was like a mini reunion.
We were so glad to hear from him again and that he was alright.
Although Conference was Sunday, he said they would go to church anyway. He wasn't sure what they would do. He and the other Latter-day saints were going to investigate the Buddhist church after the LDS church. I guess a lot of them were talking about how it is "just meditation" and "very cool". Well, he will see for himself. We will look for an update on that adventure.
He had an 18 hour day doing KP last week. He said it wasn't his favorite but he worked hard anyway. I guess volunteering isn't always what it's cracked up to be.
We talked about conference and the news about Elders and Sisters and the new age requirement to go on a mission. It was a surprise for all of us.
Jordan is doing well and enjoying his life in the military