Joy

MCRD
(Marine Corp, Recruit Depot)

We arrived at the base around 7:00 after stopping to get a bite to eat. The accommodations are quaint (they're great for 20 bucks a night!) and they have a lot of things here so that the families can enjoy their stay, Corinne and I took a walk around the base for about an hour just looking at where our son has lived for the past 16 weeks and wondering what it's been like for him. Right at 9 o'clock we heard Taps being played which means bedtime for the recruits (imagine, Samuel in bed at 9). It was funny to think that even though we couldn't see him, Samuel was somewhere close by hearing the same thing we were.
Well in less than 12 hours we are going to get to see our son, thank you all who have given such encouraging emails, prayers and emotional support to us, we are grateful beyond words and you have filled our lives with hope and joy through not only Samuel's decision to join the Marines and his time in boot camp, but through all the difficulties in our lives at this time. Your simple Thanksgiving and Christmas blessings, the emails, phone calls and gifts have meant so much to Corinne and I.

Thanks so much for keeping in touch.