Sunday--Week 2 Complete!!
I miss you all! Today we sit in church at 8:30 after we marched about 2 miles. This week we set off clay mines! (The movies have nothing on real life!--50 m kill zone, 150 possible kill zone)
Not this week but next we start BRM (see last posting if you don't know what this is).
As a group we are becoming closer. It is really great.
Fun story--I stick out like a sore thumb: Never talking dirty, swear or anything like that. One of the DSs asked me why. I said because I am a Christian. Then he asked me if he is going to hell. I told him if he is not a Christian then he is going to hell and then explained to him what it means to be a Christian, in front of the whole platoon.
People are asking me about my faith and some are starting to read Bibles and going to chapel.
It has been a great time, one more week and we are out of the red*, I hope. I will let you know when you can send cookies.
Josiah A. Wallis
*Josiah's mom does not know what "out of the red" means. She will let you know if she finds out.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Cookies are Contraband
Mom's note: I sent a large box filled with small packages of homemade chocolate chip cookies and homemade banana bars so Josiah could easily share with his fellow soldiers. This is the response I received a few days later.
July 21
Do Not Send More Cookies!!!!!!!!! We saw them and then the DS (Drill Sargent) took them away. We are not allowed cookies or sweets at this time, but the DSs are very thankful. Along the same lines, NO FOOD talk. (Bring cookies for family day.)
Can't wait to see you guys. In two weeks we start BRM, Basic Rifle Marksmanship.
Otherwise life is great. Write you later.
Josiah A Wallis
July 21
Do Not Send More Cookies!!!!!!!!! We saw them and then the DS (Drill Sargent) took them away. We are not allowed cookies or sweets at this time, but the DSs are very thankful. Along the same lines, NO FOOD talk. (Bring cookies for family day.)
Can't wait to see you guys. In two weeks we start BRM, Basic Rifle Marksmanship.
Otherwise life is great. Write you later.
Josiah A Wallis
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The First Sunday
(Written by Josiah; typed onto the blog by mom; some clarification provided with italics)
Date: Sunday
The first week is over! This week we did some obstacle courses. In the course we raced against other platoons (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). 4th , my platoon, won by a full minute.
Things are getting better. Everyone in 4th knows that I am Christian. I have had lots of questions about it. There are two other people here that seem to be strong Christians.
I got to go to church for the first time today. I LOVED IT! It reminded me of FCC (our former church in California) with only Army in it. Great message, had people get saved, others starting to read the Bible. As for me I read Psalm 91 and marked it in my Bible.
With this letter are three post cards and one I wrote on the first week but never had a chance to send. The first week (and hardest according to Drill Sargent and everyone else), I got three letters and a postcard from Mom (thanks for the funnies). I enjoyed reading notes from my friends in California and Kentucky. I have so many stories to tell you guys.
Josiah A Wallis
P.S. Turtle pie* is what three-fourths of the platoon will make when they get home.
Date: Sunday
The first week is over! This week we did some obstacle courses. In the course we raced against other platoons (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). 4th , my platoon, won by a full minute.
Things are getting better. Everyone in 4th knows that I am Christian. I have had lots of questions about it. There are two other people here that seem to be strong Christians.
I got to go to church for the first time today. I LOVED IT! It reminded me of FCC (our former church in California) with only Army in it. Great message, had people get saved, others starting to read the Bible. As for me I read Psalm 91 and marked it in my Bible.
With this letter are three post cards and one I wrote on the first week but never had a chance to send. The first week (and hardest according to Drill Sargent and everyone else), I got three letters and a postcard from Mom (thanks for the funnies). I enjoyed reading notes from my friends in California and Kentucky. I have so many stories to tell you guys.
Josiah A Wallis
P.S. Turtle pie* is what three-fourths of the platoon will make when they get home.
*Turtle pie is a famous Wallis/Biggs boy cousin concoction for holidays. It is comprised of cookie dough, ice cream, a variety of chocolate candies, and magic shell.
Sometime in Week One
This is off of a postcard that Josiah wrote sometime in Week One (I think you can understand how his days are blurring together)
First Week
Thank you, mom, for the notes. So far they have been good. A lot of tests, papers, and lines. Got my uniform today. Going to start my first day of the nine weeks of BCT on Fri. Not meeting anyone I have known before. I do not think any here. Have some great stories, but have run out of room. Please tell Terry not to send his letter for 3+ weeks. Love you all and miss you. Let everyone know that I am fine. Thanks.
First Week
Thank you, mom, for the notes. So far they have been good. A lot of tests, papers, and lines. Got my uniform today. Going to start my first day of the nine weeks of BCT on Fri. Not meeting anyone I have known before. I do not think any here. Have some great stories, but have run out of room. Please tell Terry not to send his letter for 3+ weeks. Love you all and miss you. Let everyone know that I am fine. Thanks.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Official Army Stationary--Note from Josiah
Note--The dates and content are Josiah's; the typing is Mom's.
12 Jul 2010
Hey I miss you all. This is the first time I have been able to write. There is so much I want to tell you but so little paper.
??July 10--Tuesday?
Sorry about that. Drill Sgt (DS) walked in so everyone stops what they are doing, in this case-writing. On Monday I got my M4 with dot sight! My group 4th platoon, being infantry goes almost everywhere with our weapons and helmet. Today we did an obstacle course. It was fun.
I understand what Terry was talking about when he said, "The Army motto is hurry up and wait." We have about five minutes to eat then you go wait for another 15 before you go onto the next thing.
Oh, and Terry, go on and send me the letter. My DS will have a fun time with it. We have the best DS in the world. They really push us but at the same time they have fun with us. Like we have a guy that is about 6'9", no joke, and another one that 5'0" so they made them battle buddies. They do everything together. In my squad we have one guy that is 36 years old! Also the DS thinks I do a perfect imitation of Elmer Fudd so I am always to to say "you rascally rabbit" in my Fudd voice.
Besides that there has been a ton of PT (you think?). No, more than you are thinking right now. I have really liked it. And it has been good for me.
So much I want to tell you and so little paper. The guys here are starting to work as a team.
Would you guys send me pictures, mainly family, but friends can send them too? The reason that I ask is, at this point, I am running on God, thoughts of my family and friends, and food, when I can get it.
14 Jul 2010
(the only reason I know the day is because I had to do paperwork)
Love and miss you all,
Josiah A Wallis
P.S. Pet Puppy for me.
12 Jul 2010
Hey I miss you all. This is the first time I have been able to write. There is so much I want to tell you but so little paper.
??July 10--Tuesday?
Sorry about that. Drill Sgt (DS) walked in so everyone stops what they are doing, in this case-writing. On Monday I got my M4 with dot sight! My group 4th platoon, being infantry goes almost everywhere with our weapons and helmet. Today we did an obstacle course. It was fun.
I understand what Terry was talking about when he said, "The Army motto is hurry up and wait." We have about five minutes to eat then you go wait for another 15 before you go onto the next thing.
Oh, and Terry, go on and send me the letter. My DS will have a fun time with it. We have the best DS in the world. They really push us but at the same time they have fun with us. Like we have a guy that is about 6'9", no joke, and another one that 5'0" so they made them battle buddies. They do everything together. In my squad we have one guy that is 36 years old! Also the DS thinks I do a perfect imitation of Elmer Fudd so I am always to to say "you rascally rabbit" in my Fudd voice.
Besides that there has been a ton of PT (you think?). No, more than you are thinking right now. I have really liked it. And it has been good for me.
So much I want to tell you and so little paper. The guys here are starting to work as a team.
Would you guys send me pictures, mainly family, but friends can send them too? The reason that I ask is, at this point, I am running on God, thoughts of my family and friends, and food, when I can get it.
14 Jul 2010
(the only reason I know the day is because I had to do paperwork)
Love and miss you all,
Josiah A Wallis
P.S. Pet Puppy for me.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Address and phone calls
Our Soldier's Address:
#451; PFC Wallis, Josiah
F Co., 1-50th IN
9877 Second Armored Division road Bldg 3585
Fort Benning, GA 31905-5919
Josiah was able to call twice, each for exactly one minute. He is alive and says things are going great. Enough time to remind him we love him and are praying for him.
On Monday, we received a form letter which included this address and a reminder of the importance and difficulty of what Josiah is going through at Boot Camp.
Some important dates:
Sept 4th, Boot Camp ends with a ceremony and family day pass
Josiah then does his Advanced Infantry Training which ends on Oct. 14th with a Turning Blue ceremony and graduation followed by an unspecified leave period.
#451; PFC Wallis, Josiah
F Co., 1-50th IN
9877 Second Armored Division road Bldg 3585
Fort Benning, GA 31905-5919
Josiah was able to call twice, each for exactly one minute. He is alive and says things are going great. Enough time to remind him we love him and are praying for him.
On Monday, we received a form letter which included this address and a reminder of the importance and difficulty of what Josiah is going through at Boot Camp.
Some important dates:
Sept 4th, Boot Camp ends with a ceremony and family day pass
Josiah then does his Advanced Infantry Training which ends on Oct. 14th with a Turning Blue ceremony and graduation followed by an unspecified leave period.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
He is alive!
Josiah had a spare moment and called from Pre-Boot Camp training to let me know that he is alive and doing just fine. He hopes to write this weekend and maybe, then, I will find out how to write him. Of course, this weekend is the start of the real training so we will see if his letter comes written in blood, sweat, and dirt.
Since Josiah set up this blog to be focused on how God is using him and teaching him--I would say that any nineteen year old who has "just a moment" and calls his mom, is honoring his parents and thus, honoring God.
Since Josiah set up this blog to be focused on how God is using him and teaching him--I would say that any nineteen year old who has "just a moment" and calls his mom, is honoring his parents and thus, honoring God.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Lat day
This is my last day on this world, Next time I post on this blog I will be a different person.
Going into this I have a lot of fear, and a lot of hope. I have no clue what is in front of me, however God does, and that is where my strength is. At this great time in my life, where anything could happen, but whatever happens I know that it is what God wants for me and my life. I pray that I would make it, and that I would come out a stronger Christian. Please be praying.
When I am in BCT I will send letters to my mother and she will post them on the blog for me. This way you guys can know what to pray for me. Thanks again.
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