Patrick's newest letter!
Patrick now holds a licence to use deadly force. Isn't that comforting???
He scored expert on shooting. Only 1% of recruits score expert. Remember he wasn't allowed to play with guns when he was little! :)
Funny Story~ (from Patrick)
Shooting is so natural for me and I was just putting rounds down range when my instructor stops me. "What the heck did you do before you joined the Navy?" At this point his eyes are real big. I proudly replied 'I worked at Chick-fil-A'. You should have seen the look on his face! "Were you dishing out more than sandwiches?" he asked. Need less to say he praised me up and down saying that my shooting was some of the best he'd seen. Out of a possible 240 score I got a 230. This is huge because I will get a medal for it.
(Ok, I just had to brag a little. Proud Mom)
I made him fill out a long questionnaire (fill in the blank) and send back. It has some fun questions and of course he had to add some side notes. Here are a few
~Have you had to go to sick call? Yes um I'm on a first name basis with the staff haha
~Someone mentioned that you only have 5 minutes to go to the bathroom, are you handling that o.k.? Ha ha you try it and get back to me
~The hardest thing for you so far has been? Not having music!
~Do you get to sleep in on the weekends? Ha ha only someone who's never been here would ask that!
~Does the entire division sleep in one big room?Yes ... No, No we have our own rooms with TV, refrig and entertainment center!
~Do you get mail everyday? yes
~Can you read your mail everyday? Yes for 2 mins.
~ Are you sore from all the PT? Yes, every time I move, the Navy loves squats, I now have Rambo thighs
He went through the Gas Chamber yesterday (Friday). We prayed for him but can only assume he did fine.
Battle Stations will be coming up his last week. I will post what Battle Stations is so you can be well informed! :)
Hugs and thanks to all of you!
Sherri
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Two Letters one for you and one for us
Patrick updates:
~He is feeling better and got his voice back. He still has sinus pressure and nosebleeds but feels good. Thanks for your prayers.
~He gave us a list of things he wants to do after graduation. He has 3 days of liberty with us. 1st he wants to find a Starbucks. I think we should tell him they don't have any in Chicago. Then he listed eating out at Bubba Gumps (coconut shrimp), shopping a little for a few things he needs. (he needs a laptop for A School), taking a real shower and just relaxing.
~He won't find out when he starts A school for another 2 weeks. We are praying that he isn't put on hold to class up. Meaning waiting for enough people to start a class. Sometimes that can be a lengthy wait.
~He loved going through the Marlin Spike last week. They practiced bringing a ship in and out of port on a huge replica of a ship. Though he has heard it is NOTHING compared to the USS IOWA. A mock ship used for Battle Stations. It was built by Universal Studios and is said to be the next best thing to a real ship.
~Loves his job as Duty Yeoman. "RANK most certainly has its privileges, but also its responsibilities." His job is to maintain and manage the schedules of 10 Divisions (0ver 600 personnel) and report to and update the ships officer and senior chief (the big wigs)
~One of the perks he talks about is that he gets some alone time. As we all know Patrick needs his alone time. (Just like his mama).
~He is learning all about banking, savings, CD's etc.
~Lastly he asked if anyone would like to write a card or note to a female recruit. She isn't getting much mail. He told her his family, friends and church back home would love to send her some. So Patrick! If you would like to send her a card let me know and I will give you her address. He only asked that you don't mention his name. I don't think males and females are even allowed to talk to each other. I can only assume that because of his position he knew she isn't getting any mail. I cannot even imagine being a young person away from home in total seclusion and not getting any mail. Breaks my heart. I have told Patrick that there are many recruits there who have no one praying for them. Let's bless this young woman with some good 'ol southern North Carolina & Georgia mail.
Hugs to all of you
Sherri
~He is feeling better and got his voice back. He still has sinus pressure and nosebleeds but feels good. Thanks for your prayers.
~He gave us a list of things he wants to do after graduation. He has 3 days of liberty with us. 1st he wants to find a Starbucks. I think we should tell him they don't have any in Chicago. Then he listed eating out at Bubba Gumps (coconut shrimp), shopping a little for a few things he needs. (he needs a laptop for A School), taking a real shower and just relaxing.
~He won't find out when he starts A school for another 2 weeks. We are praying that he isn't put on hold to class up. Meaning waiting for enough people to start a class. Sometimes that can be a lengthy wait.
~He loved going through the Marlin Spike last week. They practiced bringing a ship in and out of port on a huge replica of a ship. Though he has heard it is NOTHING compared to the USS IOWA. A mock ship used for Battle Stations. It was built by Universal Studios and is said to be the next best thing to a real ship.
~Loves his job as Duty Yeoman. "RANK most certainly has its privileges, but also its responsibilities." His job is to maintain and manage the schedules of 10 Divisions (0ver 600 personnel) and report to and update the ships officer and senior chief (the big wigs)
~One of the perks he talks about is that he gets some alone time. As we all know Patrick needs his alone time. (Just like his mama).
~He is learning all about banking, savings, CD's etc.
~Lastly he asked if anyone would like to write a card or note to a female recruit. She isn't getting much mail. He told her his family, friends and church back home would love to send her some. So Patrick! If you would like to send her a card let me know and I will give you her address. He only asked that you don't mention his name. I don't think males and females are even allowed to talk to each other. I can only assume that because of his position he knew she isn't getting any mail. I cannot even imagine being a young person away from home in total seclusion and not getting any mail. Breaks my heart. I have told Patrick that there are many recruits there who have no one praying for them. Let's bless this young woman with some good 'ol southern North Carolina & Georgia mail.
Hugs to all of you
Sherri
A LETTER FOR YOU!
Dear Family, Friends and Bethlehem Church,
Thank you so much for your letters, prayers and support! It has meant so much to me to know I am bring prayed for and supported by all of you back home. There are many trial s and tribulations in Boot Camp as one can imagine, but I know I am blanketed in your prayers. As of tomorrow 10 March I am officially halfway done with Boot Camp! Please continue to pray for me and my shipmates as we continue the journey to become Sailors. I look forward to coming home in a couple of months to visit!
Your Son, Brother,Grandson, Nephew and Friend in Christ,
Patrick
Thank you so much for your letters, prayers and support! It has meant so much to me to know I am bring prayed for and supported by all of you back home. There are many trial s and tribulations in Boot Camp as one can imagine, but I know I am blanketed in your prayers. As of tomorrow 10 March I am officially halfway done with Boot Camp! Please continue to pray for me and my shipmates as we continue the journey to become Sailors. I look forward to coming home in a couple of months to visit!
Your Son, Brother,Grandson, Nephew and Friend in Christ,
Patrick
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Another Week
We got a new letter today. Patrick finally got to the Doc's and got some medicine. His throat was closing up but they got it in the nick of time. He sounded a little better. He is very thankful to be at the 1/2 way point and looking forward to graduation.
What he misses most: Starbucks,MUSIC, fast food, XBox and doing what he wants when he wants! LOL
He seems to be excelling in the job of Duty Yeoman. Sounds like there are some perks even though it is a lot of work. No more watch!
He sent a beautiful letter to Hannah. I cried so hard I was choking and then when I read it to Hannah she had HUGE alligator tears running down her cheeks. Her brother's blessing.
Again he thanks everyone for the letters and cards! Asks for continued prayer as he approaches some of the harder elements of Boot Camp.
Hugs to all of you for being so faithful to lift him in prayer and send encouragement his way.
What he misses most: Starbucks,MUSIC, fast food, XBox and doing what he wants when he wants! LOL
He seems to be excelling in the job of Duty Yeoman. Sounds like there are some perks even though it is a lot of work. No more watch!
He sent a beautiful letter to Hannah. I cried so hard I was choking and then when I read it to Hannah she had HUGE alligator tears running down her cheeks. Her brother's blessing.
Again he thanks everyone for the letters and cards! Asks for continued prayer as he approaches some of the harder elements of Boot Camp.
Hugs to all of you for being so faithful to lift him in prayer and send encouragement his way.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A Letter and a Phone Call !
Friday was a great day in the Wheeler household! We got a letter on Thursday saying Patrick was calling on Friday to have our phones with us! JohnMark even got a letter wishing him a Happy 16th Birthday. It was a real brothers blessings and made us all cry.
We couldn't wait for the phone to ring. Patrick is still sick with something new. He is going back to the Doc's today. He has had strep and a stomach virus and now has hardly any voice. Our phone connection was not good and his voice is almost gone so it made for a fun phone conversation. We also lost the call 3 times and he had to redial all those phone card #'s.
Bottom line....he is doing good. Anxious to finish. He is at the half way point. He says it is hard at some points but them gives him such a sense of pride at other points. He has been selected to be on Captain's Watch and is training to be a Duty Yoeman. Both a big honor. He gets to carry a 9M with 5 rounds in a magazine. He loves it.
He said to tell EVERYONE thanks for the cards and notes! They keep him hanging on. Truly! They mean the world to him even though he can't write back. He does get mail everyday but can only write on Sunday's for a short time (less than an hour) and only if he has everything else done.
The next 3 weeks will be really tought. Please continue to pray for him. He says he can really feel the prayers that are covering him. Especially since he has been so sick and still working. He knows that is the only way he is able to do well. Two big things that are coming up the Gas Chamber and Battle Stations. They are both big and have to be passed to graduate. He said April 6th is Battle Stations but only said that the gas Chamber would be in about 2 weeks. I will post more when I get a better time frame or date.
He sounded so grown up and mature on the phone. He misses everyone!
Thanking all of you!
We couldn't wait for the phone to ring. Patrick is still sick with something new. He is going back to the Doc's today. He has had strep and a stomach virus and now has hardly any voice. Our phone connection was not good and his voice is almost gone so it made for a fun phone conversation. We also lost the call 3 times and he had to redial all those phone card #'s.
Bottom line....he is doing good. Anxious to finish. He is at the half way point. He says it is hard at some points but them gives him such a sense of pride at other points. He has been selected to be on Captain's Watch and is training to be a Duty Yoeman. Both a big honor. He gets to carry a 9M with 5 rounds in a magazine. He loves it.
He said to tell EVERYONE thanks for the cards and notes! They keep him hanging on. Truly! They mean the world to him even though he can't write back. He does get mail everyday but can only write on Sunday's for a short time (less than an hour) and only if he has everything else done.
The next 3 weeks will be really tought. Please continue to pray for him. He says he can really feel the prayers that are covering him. Especially since he has been so sick and still working. He knows that is the only way he is able to do well. Two big things that are coming up the Gas Chamber and Battle Stations. They are both big and have to be passed to graduate. He said April 6th is Battle Stations but only said that the gas Chamber would be in about 2 weeks. I will post more when I get a better time frame or date.
He sounded so grown up and mature on the phone. He misses everyone!
Thanking all of you!
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