A Ranger and His Love: Week 13

5th Ranger Training Brigade, Attempt #1

August 18, 2012

The Ranger

Hey Darlin'

How's your day? I got your letters yesterday which was awesome. I just wish there was more to read because its like getting to talk to you for a brief period of time. And I love getting letters. I'm glad you finally told some family about the adoption, and I can't wait to hear my parents reaction. You definitely need to write me all about it. Well for me, tomorrow is the last day before the first field problem so that is going to suck, but there will some funny stories about droning and halucinating from lack of food and sleep. So that's always fun. Today wasn't bad. We practiced conducting Raids all day and tomorrow is mission prep. Then that night we get the leadership for the first mission which has a good chance of being me since I am the senior officer in the platoon. So pray we all do well. I do not want to do this phase twice. Well its late so I should go. I love you bunches and bunchehs. I hope I get mail from you tomorrow before we go to the field.

August 18, 2012

His Love

Hey Babe-

I hope you are doing well. At this point I think you are finishing mountaineering training and going to get into the graded portion soon. I'm still praying for you. Well I got our local adoption application completed for the home study. I'll get it in the mail Monday probably because its too late today. They are going to want to schedule our visits ASAP so hopefully you graduate soon. So I told your parents! They are so excited! Your mom says now she can answer the "when are you going to be grandparents" question. :) Your dad called Memere to tell her we claim #10 great grand child. This afternoon I'm going to Knoxville to see C. We are going to rent bikes downtown, $10 for 2 hours! and ride along the river. It will be fun. C works out everyday now. I can't wait to see what great shape she's in. I want to buy roller blades still. Can I have a pair for my birthday? They'll give me hot legs :) and it's fun! Okay, running out of room. I love you to the moon.  Keep working hard. You have great things to come home to.

<3 SJ

For further reading:

A Ranger and His Love Series:

Week 1                Week 6

        Week 2                Week 7        
Week 3                Week 8
Week 4                Week 9

       Week 5                Week 10   

Week 11

Week 12  

These letters are very candid, and through sharing them, you can take a deep look at our life in 2012. You can read about the behind the scenes emotions and discussions that we have had regarding our biggest revelations and announcements. These letters were our main communications, something not so common anymore. From this unique perspective, you will see how a love can grow deeper and lives can change despite the time spent apart.

 Just a warning, Mike's letters were, at times, written under extreme sleep and food deprivation. Some of the things he says are a little...off. He rambles, gets repetitive at times, and sometimes doesn't use eloquent word choices. Please forgive him and find the humor in his misery.

A Ranger and His Love: Week 12

5th Ranger Training Brigade, Attempt #1

August 15, 2012

His Love

Good Morning Babe!

Today is (Mike's unit) 70th birthday! I thought you would like that little fun fact. Week of the Eagles is also this week. I also wanted to share this scripture. I don't know if you remember we studied it at church a while back, but it showed up  again in the prayer book I'm doing.

"So do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

I hope you are doing well and trying to stay dry. Its been raining quite a bit here. I'll keep reporting news as it happens around here. Love you lots!!

<3 SJ

August 16, 2012

The Ranger

Sorry I did not write the last few days. I didn't get a chance and I didn't have pen and paper with me. So I spent the last couple of days on Mt. Yonah. We could see Miley Cirus's summer house from there. Its really big and has its own mountain. So the hike up wasn't terrible. Me and F have done harder, faster. It just sucked not being in shape. So the first day our was all climbing and rappelling. I got to lead climb which was fun, and I crushed all the routes. Second day was hard because we had to maneuver a "casualty" to the top. That sucked dragging 250lbs up a mountain and make pulley systems to get people and the weight up. I enjoyed it though cause I learned I can walk and ruck where almost no body else can. Apparently, I'm just a mountain man. Tomorrow or this morning I should say, we start platoon tactics training for our patrol days so pray I pay attention and learn so I can pass patrols. I love you bunches and miss you tons. O hope you write lots of letters because I love hearing from you. It always means a lot. Anyway I have to wrap this letter up cause I only get to sleep 3 hours tonight. 

Love you

His Love

Hey babe-

I officially mailed in our adoption application today! I'm also sending you the announcement pic. Do you love it? Tonight I finally get to tell your parents. I can't wait. We have video recorded everyone's reaction. So far, Aunt M had the best one. She wanted to see the baby....uh we don't have the baby yet...duh. It was really funny. Today was Jacob's last first day of school. He gets out at 1:30 and then we are picking A up and heading to the climbing center. After climbing we will head to your parents for grilled yumminess and the big announcement. I think your mom might cry. 

Okay something more fun. A told me yesterday that Burger King is selling bacon and ice cream sundaes and milkshakes! What a crazy combo. But I thought you might love that. Maybe you could get one on your next pass. 

Keep working hard. Only 5 more weeks. I'm praying really hard for you. Last night was for a positive attitude. That makes hard stuff a little more bearable. You are so strong and God gave you such drive and determination. You will be successful because He called you to be. I love you and I'm so proud of you. Keep focused on all the blessings we have been given throughout the Ranger school journey. :) Please pray for our baby girl and her birth mommy. This next year is going to bring so many changes. I love you sooooo much!!! Everyone misses you.

<3 Sarah Jo

The Ranger (again later that day)

What up Babe,

How are you doing? Today wasn't bad. It was about 4 or 5 hours of classes followed by about 12 hours of practical exercise on the same drill which was great. We should be able to execute it in our sleep now which we probably will be doing on the FTX. One funny thing happened . A lizard climbed on me and hung out on my leg for 5 or 10 minutes. So sad thing happened at the end of the day. Today we got mail, but not me. I was sad. you should write more. I like getting letters here. Anyway, I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Love you

For further reading:

A Ranger and His Love Series:

Week 1                Week 6

        Week 2                Week 7        
Week 3                Week 8
Week 4                Week 9

       Week 5                Week 10      

Week 11

These letters are very candid, and through sharing them, you can take a deep look at our life in 2012. You can read about the behind the scenes emotions and discussions that we have had regarding our biggest revelations and announcements. These letters were our main communications, something not so common anymore. From this unique perspective, you will see how a love can grow deeper and lives can change despite the time spent apart.

 Just a warning, Mike's letters were, at times, written under extreme sleep and food deprivation. Some of the things he says are a little...off. He rambles, gets repetitive at times, and sometimes doesn't use eloquent word choices. Please forgive him and find the humor in his misery.