MFP

I have finally figured out what is wrong with me. Read the symptoms below, makes a lot of sense now.

You are probably feeling a bit queasy and perhaps have a lump in your thought. To the untrained person that feeling may manifest itself as fear, uncertainty and doubt. Even worry.

It is not..... The feelings you are experiencing is the onset of what is commonly known MFP (Marine Family Pride). I is commonly mistaken for worry and concern as the early symptoms are identical. There are studies underway that suggest MFP comes from inhaling sand flea dust often found on letter originating from Parris Island.

According to the USMC Medical Journal...
Marine Family Pride - a.k.a. MFP
Initial Symptoms - 0 - 8 weeks - This is the first two phases of the illness. Lump in throat, watery eyes, feelings of despair, depression and intense worry. Develops and increases over 12 week period.
Intermediate Symptoms - weeks 9 - 11 from onset - Third phase of illness - uncontrollable weeping over simple items like childhood photos of Marine recruits, recent photos, letters from recruits.
Advanced Stages - weeks 12 - 13 - Crucial phase (pronounced CRU - SI - BAL) Swelling of chest (related to pride). Difficulty breathing (chest swelling). Watery eyes. Anxiety.
Cure - Only one cure. EGA placed firmly in hand, accompanied by family day and graduation. Cure is permanent (same as EGA).
Recovery period - 10 days following graduation providing there is close attention. Monitor closely.

Crucible Prayer Chain

Well folks, here is the beginning of the end. Josh will face one of his hardest challenges this week on his way to becoming a US Marine. It's called The Crucible. If you're not familiar with it, here's a brief run down on some of the obstacles these guys are having to go through. This is a little long, so please bear with me.

For 54 straight hours, recruits’ endurance, teamwork and skills will be pushed to the limit. Through perseverance and courage, they will finish as platoons and earn the title of US Marine.

The Crucible emphasizes trainee teamwork under stress.
They get two-and-a-half MREs and they are responsible for rationing out the food to themselves. Then they are put them through tough physical activities like road marches and night infiltration courses. They march about 40 miles in those 54 hours

The Crucible begins at 2 a.m. with a six-mile road march from their barracks to Page Airfield, the Crucible site. Once there, recruits place their gear in huts and prepare for the first of four four-hour events. Each event has a number of "warrior stations" that the team of recruits must work together to overcome or solve. Each station is named for a Marine hero and the drill instructor has a recruit read a brief explanation of how the hero's actions exemplify the Corps and its values.
One warrior station is built around an enemy-mined rope bridge that the recruits must cross with their gear and ammunition boxes. They have only a couple of short ropes and their personal gear to solve the problem. At another event, recruits run into firing positions and engage pop-up targets with 10 rounds in two magazines. Recruit teams battle each other with pugil sticks in yet another event.
The recruits grab food and water when they can. After the first two events comes a five-mile night march. The recruits hit the rack for four hours of sleep, then begin another day and finish the final two events.
At the end of the second day, the recruits go through a night infiltration course and then hit the rack for another four hours. When they get up, they face a nine-mile march and the end of the Crucible.
The march begins at 4 a.m. and, at first, is done quietly. Recruits limp along, because no one wants to drop out this close to the end.
As the sun rises, the recruits cross DI Bridge. Once across, the drill instructors start Jody calls and the recruits join in. As they get closer to the main base, the Jody calls get louder until they reach the Parade Deck. The recruits form up around a half-size replica of the Marine Corps Memorial -- also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. There, a significant transformation takes place.
A color guard raises the flag on the memorial. The chaplain reads a prayer specifically written for the finish of the Crucible, and the company first sergeant addresses the recruits. Then the drill instructors present each of their recruits with the Marine Corps insignia -- the eagle, globe and anchor. He shakes their hands and calls them "Marine" for the first time. Many accept the honor with tears streaming down their faces.

The YUKU group that I am a member of have started a prayer chain to help these young men along. They will be getting started on June 30th @ 2:00 AM and ending July 2nd at approx 7:00 AM. If you have a few moments during that time, if you would, please send up some prayers for these fine young men. I'll also be leaving a light burning, so my son can find his way back.

Ta-Daaaaaa

After only 2 1/2 months, countless tears, curses, rearranging, professional consultations (thanks Wendy and Judi), Mom and I have FINALLY completed the Moto Run banner. O M G?!?!?! What was I thinking? I think if I had just bought one it would have been less traumatic. Judi suggested we use this great spray on adhesive stuff for the letters, this is Mom's version of using the product. As you can see, it got a little sticky after all of the use.




And here is a picture of the finished product. I sure hope he likes it, because it has definitely been a labor of love. Next week the Crucible will start for Quebec Company. If everyone could just say a short prayer during the grueling 54 hours these guys have to go through, I sure would appreciate it. I'll be leaving my light on for them to find their way home on next Thursday morning.

Mom, this is a special thanks to you. I'm not going to write everything I feel, you know everything that i've been going through. I just want to say THANK YOU and I love you so much!!

The Blue Ticket

Today I FINALLY received my coveted blue ticket for Josh's graduation. I have been looking for this thing for a week now. I've kind of equated it to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory golden ticket. Remember when everyone was buying all the candy bars hoping for that golden ticket? Well, I've been stalking the mail lady looking for my blue one. As Judi would say WOOOOOHOOOOOO it finally came. Graduation is finally near, the next time I see my son he will be a United States Marine. I can't wait!!

Marisas 1st concert

I have been told I was remiss in posting Marisas first concert picture, so figure me. I was having blog issues.

MIA

Sorry to say i've been MIA again here recently. Looking over the blogs, seems like I'm not the only member of my family who has been having the same affliction. lol Seems like there has been a lot going on in Kalos World that I wasn't prepared for, so i've been having a little down time trying to come to terms with everything. So here's a brief update.

Marisa had her last day of school on Friday and will be starting as an 8th grader next year. Gosh, I can't hardly believe it, one more year she'll be in high school. But she had a better year than in some in the past. Seems like she has a great group of friends and has managed to stay half way out of trouble. She actually went to her first concert the other night to see one of her favorite bands. Here's a pic with her friend Andrea. She'll be heading to PA after we come back from Josh's graduation to spend some time with her grandparents in PA.

Josh seems to be doing well in boot camp. He only has 27 days left before he graduates and becomes a Marine. His letters seem pretty upbeat and positive, but I know he misses home. I'm sure it's been quite an adjustment for a laid back guy like him, who liked to sleep until 2 in the afternoon, to having to get up at 04:00 as he calls it. I've definitely seen an increase in maturity from him, and I hope the process doesn't eliminate that laid back quality of his. The last big test they have is something called the "Crucible" which I'm sure everyone has seen glimpses of, but not the whole thing. It's a very intense, 54 hour grueling ritual that all Marines must complete before they can graduate. This wonderful site that i've joined has started a prayer chain for the time, so if you'd like to participate, just let me know.