I'm back

I just finished my first week back after an amazing Spring Break. I had a lot to do this week, and I got a lot done. It was a very successful week.
I had a lot of tests/quizzes/stuff to get ready for and take this week. I did really well on everything, I think. All my buddies and I were worried about our Math WPR, but it actually turned out to be really easy (thankfully). Right now, Zack (my roommate) is studying with another guy for a huge history WPR they have tomorrow. Thankfully, I don't have it. I do have many huge papers and projects coming up near the end of April. I have to start those quite early, like now, so it won't be as bad later on. It should be alright, though. I also met with the academic office to discuss my schedule over the next three years/six semesters. It actually isn't as bad as I thought. I'll probably take STAP next summer, and maybe the summer after to lighten my load, but I should be fine. I just have to be careful, because once I add my classes for my major, they will run over into a seventh semester. It's all very confusing, but I am a bit more relieved than I was before.
Football practice this week was the same as past weeks. Tomorrow, we start going outside; I'm really looking forward to that. I lifted with Zack on Saturday after Super Saturday 8 Hour Training (I'll explain in detail later). I took some of his Nitric Oxide, which basically gets you ready for a lift. I don't know if its a psychological thing or not, but I felt good about 15 minutes after I took that stuff. It's really hard to get a good lift in here because you are always tired, but this substance is supposed to increase your energy levels to exercise. Personally, I think it worked, I wasn't able to lift 500lbs, but even after an hour of lifting, I felt good. That energy (which is lacking here) is key to getting a good workout in, so I decided to pick up some of my own. I can't wait for it to come.
So...Super Saturday 8 Hour Training...basically we got bussed out to FOB (Forward Operating Base) Buckner and went around a really long loop with four different stations. I got designated to carry a rucksack (35 lbs), but it wasn't bad; we passed it around after each station. So, we half jogged, half walked the first leg, and did communications (radio) training. We walked the next two legs to the weapons and land navigation training, and we finished with medical training. For the final leg, back to the beginning, the BTO (Brigade Tactical Officer) ran with us back to the beginning. That was cool that he ran with us. I thought the training was interesting, though. The whole day was more of a ruck march/run rather than training, but whatever. After we had a BBQ with the company for lunch, and we had a Chicken and Beer (rootbeer for me) Party that night. That was fun. And I fit in lifting in there somewhere, too. Last night, though, after the party, I felt so sick! So did, Zack. That wasn't fun. I couldn't wait to get in bed.
Today, I slept through three alarms and missed Bible Study and church. That ticked me off so bad. I really was looking forward to going to it today! My Bible study this week was "Are you growing?" It was good; it focused on what kind of food (milk or meat) am I getting, and what fruit am I producing. Again, it really hit home on Quiet Time, which I am really struggling with. I could really use prayer in that area if anybody gets the chance (Thanks!). I also met with CPT Warren, my small group leader for OCF and Bible study. He is discipling me, and we went over the parable of the Sower and the Seeds. Oh yeah! An upperclassman in my company asked me the week before Spring Leave whether I wanted to get together with him to just go over what God has been doing in our lives and such. On Friday, we got together, just gave eachother a basic background of ourselves, and we are going to begin meeting once a week and going over the book "Too Busy Not to Pray" - which we both agree is an area of struggle with where we are. It is going to be awesome.
We had a thunderstorm a little while ago. I love thunderstorms!! There's just something about them that remind me of how mighty and powerful my God is! I love to watch the lighting and feel the thunder. It is one of the best feelings in the world.
This week, I don't have too much going on. My buddy, Standley, and I are getting up at 5:20 again to work out (I didn't do so hot at getting up this past week). Hopefully I can this week. Academics don't look bad either. Tomorrow, I have to pick up a Cadet Candidate for an overnight stay. That should be interesting. Hopefully we can give him a good impression, or a realistic impression (I don't know which is better).
Well, I have to go take a shower, read my Bible, and go to bed. I will definitely need the rest to be ready for this week. Here's some pictures of some recent events:

Here's a pic from the PPW banquet.

Here's a pic from Super Saturday. This is
me and a yuk in my company and on my team,
Tom (CPL Fowler in the company area).

This Post is for You

(The person who this title is meant for knows it because I have been constantly bugged to post something!)

I'm on my last day of Spring Break. Where has all the time gone!?! I'm just about to head off to church at 0915 and I'm leaving at 1500. I have had an amazing break. I know I haven't written in a while, so I'll give you a brief overview of everything happening up until break...
The two weeks of school before break were what we call "Thayer weeks" - weeks filled with tests, quizzes, papers, and lots of stress. For example, I had about 3 WPRs, two HUGE papers, and more. I didn't even have it that bad, though. There were others who had it much worse. However, on top of my school work, I had my APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test). Now, in the army, you just have to pass this test. In West Point, they grade you on it. I was really nervous about this because my push-ups were horrible up until this point and I hadn't even done a sit-up in forever and all I did for running was what we did in practice (which was mostly sprints - not the kind of training you want for a two mile run). To say the least, I was quite anxious, as were most of my teammates. However, when it came to testing time, I managed to pump out 92 push-ups, 79 sit-ups, and a 13:59 two mile. Unfortunately, the two-mile is what kept me from getting a 322 (An A). You see, if you want to have a max score, you have to max everything. I maxed sit-ups by one, push-ups by a lot, and I didn't max the run, so, instead, my score ended up being a 286. I must say, though, that I was quite pleased after only expecting a 250ish score.
After those two intense weeks, we had PPW (Plebe Parent Weekend). It was actually a blast. All the upperclassmen left on Friday, and plebes had reign over campus. It actually kinda stunk because we lost 2 and a half days of spring leave, but we survived. It was good, though. My mom came up with her parents and we had a good time. They got to see my classrooms, Arvin (the best place at West Point), and my barracks. Saturday night we had our PPW Banquet. It was pretty sweet. One of my good friends, Courtney, even agreed to be my date for the night even after being sick the week leading up to the banquet (and still recovering at that time) and being exhausted from her sister's bridal shower earlier that day. I got to introduce her and my mom to many of my friends that they had heard about, but they can now put a name with a face. I had a really good time, but the best part was the next morning when we got to go home!!
Sunday, I don't really even remember. We dropped Courtney off, and I don't even remember the rest. I think I just relaxed and hung out with my family. I needed the recovery. Monday, I took my sister out of school early for a little shopping/movie date. It was a lot of fun going around with her when we both had some money to spend. It actually made it enjoyable, rather than the window shopping we usually do. I also got to hang out (till one in the morning) with one of my buddies from highschool. We took a late night golf-cart ride, hit up some cherry slushies, watched some movies - just like old times. Tuesday, I just hung out at home until we went to some family friends' house for dinner and some games. After that I headed over to my second favorite place to be while I'm home, the Swingle's house. I actually hit up there place three times this week. (for those who don't know, this is Courtney's family). We just hung out and caught up. Wednesday my mom and I went to Perkin's for breakfast (AMAZING!), and then headed out to knock out some more shopping. This was probably the best day of shopping ever; my mom and I went to pick up my long awaited handgun. I went to get a Walther P22 (yeah, James Bond getting a Walther), but I ended up getting a much better one for just a little more. I got a Browning Buckmark .22LR. I have been wanting a handgun for the longest time, especially with the pending ban. I'm stoked. Anyway, I'll touch more on that in just a second. Wednesday night my mom's brother and his daughter came up. We just hung out and had an incredible steak dinner. Thursday we went ice skating with him at the Ice Box (check out the video below). It was a lot of fun, my younger brother and cousin learned how to skate, and they both did an amazing job! (They were even using single-blades.) That night we played a little Mario Kart on the Wii, watched transformers, and crashed. He left early Friday morning, and all I was doing was anticipating going shooting with Mr. Swingle and Bryan later that day. I got to shoot my Buckmark, and I absolutely loved it. I'm still working on my consistency, but I guess its pretty accurate. I also got to shoot Mr. Swingle's .17. That is one amazing rifle. I'm actually checking one out right now. (Which my mom isn't too keen on.) But anyway, we shot for a while, and then headed into the warmth of the house and the smell of Tacos. We ate, hung out, and then watched "Enemy of the State." Saturday was a day spent with Isaac. He was at school 4 days this week, and he is usually only there for three, so I didn't get much time with him. So, all day Saturday I chilled with him. We built forts, shot Nerf guns, built a train track, played football, helped ride his bike, and tons more. It was awesome. That night, I headed over to the Swingle's house agian. Played some games (yeah, I know more Disney trivia than I thought), chekced out the stars, which were amazing last night, and talked for a long time.
It was a fantastic week, but I am somewhat ready to go back. I need to get back in shape after eating all of the food I ate this week. My buddy Standley and I plan on getting up at 0530 and working out pretty much every morning. He's already in great shape, and I'm trying to work on my cardio. Again, I had an awesome time, and I love being home. Sometimes I feel like I could definitely get used to it again. But I know that God is using me and is going to use me in ways that I don't understand.
One more thing I'd like to highlight. While I was talking to my friend this weekend, she said something that got me thinking. I really don't remember just what she said, it was more of the whole conversation. I basically started thinking about this past year. I have probably struggled more than I ever have before, and I have fallen way too many times. But I am learning so much about God's grace and mercy, and I believe that God is using this year, my first year away from the protection of my home, to strengthen the foundations of what I believe and to use my experiences (some that I am not incredibly proud of) to shape and mold me.
If you want to pray for me, here are a few things that I am struggling with/working on. Please pray that I can maintain a consistent quiet time. Please pray that I make Godly decisions so that my actions may portray Christ's love that my classmates may see a difference in my life. Please pray for my attitudes and motivation concerning my life as a West Point cadet as I try to see how God wants me to use this experience to be a witness for Him and to grow, instead of being cynical towards it (as it is so easy to get caught up in). Please pray that I guard my heart and mind from the many things that are constantly thrown at me.
Alright, so this time, I'll try to post a little earlier. I definitely don't want to get nagged again. This coming week will be interesting as I get back into the routine, but it'll be fine. I'll be home in three weeks again for Bryan & Katie's wedding (which will be amazing!).


It was my uncle's idea...

**"Stop telling God what He already knows! Somebody ask Him for something!"** ~ Ed Underwood