Frostbite?

Several lieutenants from my platoon went to medical today. Their toes have been hurting since the middle of last week. Mine have hurt too, but I figured it was from all the running we've been doing lately. Apparently, it's frostbite. How do you treat it? The same way the Marine Corps treats all ailments-Motrin.

Moral Dilema

We had an exam this morning-multiple choice, 80 questions. When I finished, I walked by one of my roommates. She had a scrap piece of paper where she was writing all the answers to the test. I almost told the Sgt in charge of testing that he might want to check it out, but I hesitated. She could have been using it to organize her thoughts. Plus she put the paper away when they went over test answers. Later today, I found the paper crumpled on top of her desk. The thing is, taking test answers out of the classroom is an integrity violation. Not only that, but knowing about the test answers and not bringing it up is also an integrity violation.

I told my roommate and told my Staff Platoon Commander. My roommate pretty much hates me. I'm not trying to kick her out of the Marine Corps, or make others think less of her (word gets around), but I had to act. I had a moral obligation to report it. So, why do I feel like I did something wrong?

Fingertips

My fingertips have been numb since FEX III. At least they now match my toes that have been numb since June.

In Difficult Times

He leadeth me, O bless'd thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the victory's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Words by Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862

Difficult Week

As my company gets closer to the end of our program of instruction, the stress level is rising. There is constant threat of being recycled back to another company, meaning starting the six month training cycle over again. One of the areas we are graded in is leadership. This coming week is our third field exercise. I will be constantly evaluated for four days. Depending on how well I perform this week will determine whether I graduate with Fox company or get recycled to another company. I've always given 100% in what I do. It's frustrating when my best is not good enough.

Of the trials I've gone through, I've learned I cannot trust in my own abilities. My biggest fear is failure, yet I know failure is not the end of the world. I am doing my best to grasp this concept. I've learned I cannot succeed by myself. I will only make it through with God's help and honestly, I don't know what will happen next. Whatever happens will happen for a reason and that is the comfort I have going into the coming week.

Cute Story

Check it out.

Cake

My sister gave me a new baking dish for Christmas, so I made a cake. I told Aaron it's counting as his birthday cake since I will be in the field the second week of February. It was great, except for one thing.



When I used a toothpick to see if the cake was done baking, it deflated in the center. Being the innovative one I am, I used a large amount of icing to cover the dent.



Does anyone know how to prevent this from happening? Though I must say using a large amount of icing wasn't a bad fix...

Christmas Leave

I knew as soon as Christmas Leave started it would be over in a flash. I have to say having that taste of civilian life back didn’t help me look forward to the two months of training looming ahead. This year has challenged me more than I could ever imagine. Though I know that I am where I am supposed to be, it has not been an easy journey and I still have a long way to go. I have a lot to learn and a lot of growth ahead.

Christmas Leave brought Aaron and I to Missouri to see his family and my family was able to make the trip to Aaron's parents' from Oklahoma . It was great catching up with family, friends, and coworkers. Our cat lives with Aaron’s parents, so I enjoyed getting to spend time with her.

St. Louis



Rural Missouri-It's hard to see, but the toilet is decorated with Christmas lights.



My sister and Mother-in-Law playing a duet.



Baci and Aaron

GPS

Aaron now has a GPS unit that will plug into his laptop. He’s found uses for it I had never imagined. Aaron used it all the way too and from Missouri. “You are currently driving 67 mph, 66,67,68,67,66,65,69… Did you know you’re speeding? You should put the cruise control on… Looks like the next exit will be in 1 mile, 0.9, 0.8, 0.5, 0.1, turn left now… Check this out, I can find the address of that house we just passed. Did you know our current elevation is 643 ft, 642, 641…”

It's everything I ever needed to know...and so much more.

Which List are You on?

My Staff Platoon Commander decided to play Santa on our last day of training before Christmas Leave. Apparently, I need to work on things for next year.