Fort Drum, New York

Josiah left for Ft. Drum, New York last Monday. We have only had sketchy contact since but his attitude is good. He could use more sleep and an ability to learn material to everyone's satisfaction (ha!ha!).

Since he is the "new guy", he is now at the beck and call of the rest of the company; Unlike Basic Training when everyone was new and their only task master was the Drill Sargent. Needless to say this poses extra stress.

Processing is a long, drawn out governmental procedure. Enough said. So Josiah is not really settled.

I have been praying for his roommate as normally they are in dorm-like rooms. Well, at Ft. Drum, the rooms are singles! I wonder if Josiah can get along with himself? :)

His company was recently deployed so they are next scheduled for deployment in 2012. We are all breathing some relief but are also aware this may change at any time.

Josiah's internet connection is non-existent but he hopes to reconnect with the rest of the world around Nov. 7th.

For Physical Fitness, normal Army standards are scores around 180 out of 300. Josiah scored 245. The company standards are 270.

Prayer requests:

• Mental, physical, and emotional strength
• Consistent Christian character displayed under stress
• Connection with other believers/strong church
• Internet connection
• Able to learn quickly the needed material

home again

It is nice to be home. I get to sleep as much as I want and eat some good food (and some food I should not eat). But the best part of being home is the ability talk and spend time with friends. I want to thank all the people that have been praying for me and the people that have been asking how I have been doing. Thank you for taking interest and supporting me and other military personal.

One thing that has taken some getting use to is all the people saying "thank you" to me, when I have not done anything yet, I did what any of them or their kids can do. All I did was put my name on paper and did some training that was hard but most anyone could do.

Thoughts on basic training: I believe the term is, "in the world and not of it." and to know what that means in the most extreme ways what the 14 week wake-up call of BCT (basic combat training). But now I know something of the life outside of the home and how much I stand out in a group of non-Christians. One part of my life there That I was not ready for was how many people called themselves Christians and had no clue what it means. Because of this when I get to drum I will not call myself a Christian, because no one thinks of Christians as any different than anyone else, the "Christians" they know do the same sins and fall into their life style just like everyone else. So because of this misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christian I will describe my self as a "disciple of Christ" to simply set my self apart from the "Christians" they know instead of getting put in the same group of people as people that I would not call Christian just by their lack of knowledge about what it means to be Christian and their lack in a lifestyle that honors Christ.

One of the great best parts of BCT was Chaplain Fisher, he is a very Godly man, and God is using him greatly. He was always there for anyone that needed him.

God bless and I will post more later.

PVT Josiah A. Wallis

Yes, Josiah is home

The Turning Blue ceremony and graduation went well as did the traveling from here to Georgia and back again. Since then Josiah (and family) have been visiting with friends and other family members.The Open House went well.

Today we are in recovery mode and enjoying having our son back in the house for a few days.

October 8 update

Yes! A phone call. Josiah was very focused during this phone call. It was going to be short and we had a lot to cover since his graduation is around the corner and our house dynamics have changed. Here is the shorter version spoken from Josiah's perspective (mom's clarification in parenthesis):

Here is what I need to get done after the Turning Blue (infantry designation ceremony): Best Buy, plane reservations for my next duty station and some other errands and downtime with you. Oh, yes, we will visit the Infantry Museum @ Ft Benning.


After the Graduation on Friday I want to be OUT OF HERE! (Which is fine since we were driving home after graduation :).

Saturday, do we have any plans? No--Good. I want to make Dutch Babies with you (fluffy oven "pancakes" drizzled with lemon juice and powdered sugar). But they make not be for breakfast. Closer to noon. I am not really interested in getting up very early.

Then we need to make pizza together. Maybe on Saturday? Oh, how long is Terry staying? I want to make those Stuffed Burgers with him while he is there. (I assured Josiah we would have time to fit in all his favorite foods, but I think I need to start a list).

And Sunday we just have church. (And the Open House Celebration). Oh, yeah. That all looks great.

While Nat(cousin) and Terry are around, I just want to spend as much time with them as possible. I really don't care where I sleep. When they leave, it would be nice to have a few days in my room (which his two nieces are presently using) but I can deal with whatever needs to happen.

I really want to have an airsoft time in our backyard. Please see what you can arrange.

I can have up to ten days off but I may leave after only seven so I can have more time off at Christmas.

As far as I know, my orders have not changed.

Field Training Exercises went quite well despite the weather. 12 mile hike in with 50 lbs packs. 8 mile march back out with packs and carrying monster truck tires, stretchers, logs, etc . . .

The "Higher Ups" will be doing an inspection on Monday. The platoon with the best bay area MAY get to keep their phones.

I spent 12 hours cleaning my personal weapon. (M-4?) Please make sure John Powell knows about this.

Monday is also the BIG Physical Fitness Test. I would appreciate prayers for that.

Time's up. Love you.

Unstatus Report/Rumors??

Not sure what to call this report because we have heard NOTHING from Josiah for going on three weeks. However, I am part of a facebook wall for Foxtrot Families, so I will give you some of what I am hearing from them.

Very few have heard from their soldiers. We suspect there were issues and the company is being "smoked" by the DS. Thus, less privileges and probably less sleep. One reported some soldiers refilled canteens at a faucet and this resulted in more smoke.

Those that did hear said that the Field Training Exercise ended up being quite brutal because Georgia had two tropical storms come through resulting in 36 hours of straight rain--while in the field doing their maneuvers.However, after complaining, they said it was really not that bad.

Honor Hill followed the week of Field Training Exercise. I think this is when they get to drop their packs and run up the hill and receive their infantry pins. I heard reference to "bloody pinning" but no details.

Now they are in a major cleanup phase that any mom would love to see done at home :). They are also practicing for graduation. One week from today our family leaves for Georgia to see our son's ceremonies.

Josiah is in second row, at this end with his arms raised.

For those who did not see my Facebook Posting last Friday, I did see a picture of Josiah at Bible Study. I could not believe, at first, it was him because they just finished their Field Training Exercise and had to be exhausted. But there he is praising God for the gift of strength. Josiah has established priorities of fighting for Two Armies! I do hope God grants him some sleep along the way.