Update #4

Today is the 15th of October, and that means 'moving day.'

For the past 4 weeks AJ has been in California at Fort Irwin which is located in the Mojave Desert. While there they continued their training to prepare for their trip overseas to Afghanistan later this year. The middle 2 weeks was spent in 'the box' where the soldiers went through intense training to simulate what it will be like in the desert overseas. During that time the soldiers had to turn in their cell phones and all other electronics to cut off communication with friends and family at home to teach them to bond together as a team and family with their fellow soldiers. Those 2 weeks were pretty tough, especially when things wouldn't necessarily go the way I wanted them to here back home and couldn't talk to him about them. But we made it through, and thankfully he was given his phone back on October 8. And it has been SO wonderful to be able to talk to him again :)

Today the soldiers returned to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. While there, they will continue to do more training before they finally head overseas for the real deal.

AJ is doing well, and seemed to really enjoy the change in scenery and location while being in California after being in Mississippi since he had first left. But it seems like he's just ready to be done with training and finally get over there so that he can start experiencing it all.

Please continue to keep him and the rest of the National Guard soldiers in your prayers as they continue this long journey ahead of them. We truly appreciate everyone's prayers, thoughts, and encouragement through this time. We are truly blessed beyond words!

Only 9 1/2 months to go!! :)