Home for christmas

Hello everyone. im home for christmas and i will be in town until jan 2. thanks to all that wrote to and please continue to write. i love hearing from everyone and i enjoy getting letters from friends and family. thanks for all your support.

Mom and Emily went to visit

We didn't think we could visit, since Sarah was on "medical profile". (So much lingo to learn!) She called Tuesday night and said she would be able to get an on-post pass, and could visit with us after graduation. Since we didn't think we were going, we cancelled our vacation requests. David (Dad) couldn't get off at the last minute, but Mom was able to, and Emily was out of school on Thursday, September 11. She and I went to Missouri and were able to spend some time with Sarah.

Her foot is doing better, and she will be assigned to another group to complete the three weeks she missed. She looks great, and has "buns of steel" for real! We don't know what her address will be for the remainder of her basic training, but will let you know as soon as we have it. We took pictues and a video. Will be posted in the next day or so (depending on Emily's schedule - since she has the pics).

I am thankful for all the young adults who have chosen a career to protect our country! They are an amazing group of soldiers!

Keep her in your prayers!

Graduation

Hello everyone. Today was our graduation for Alpha 2-10. I unfortunately was unable to graduate because of my cruches profile so I am being restarted to day 1 week 1. I will be doing all my training over again but I know that I will graduate next time around. Thank you to all of you that wrote me during my time in basic. Please continue to write me, I'm always looking forward to getting letters and it makes the time go by faster. For those of you that don't know what my job is , I am a 74D which is a chemical, biological, and nuclear specialist and I have one of the most dangerous combat jobs out there so wish me luck. I will still be here at fort Leonard wood so don't worry. I'm almost certain I will be shipped to Iraq at some point, but don't worry I've been highly trained in my job so I know what to do in case something does happen. I bought pictures so if you would like one, please let my mom know. I will keep you all updated until my next cycle starts. until next time. Private First Class Mastin.

The latest

We are all on alert ----- Sarah is off crutches, and will be on traffic duty this week when the rest of her group graduates. When we talked to her yesterday, she said a number of women and men are repeating part of Basic Training.

She has new inserts for her shoes, and new running shoes. I hope it helps! She will find out Friday where she is going next week. I think she will join a new unit, and make up the work she missed while she was on medical (something). We may know by Friday where she will move, and a new address.

i am disappointed that we are not going to MO this week. Will update everyone when we learn more.

Michael Stansbery, her friend (sometimes boyfriend) left for Kuwait Friday (maybe Saturday). Please pray for him. He is in a combat unit.

God Bless!

On crutches

Sarah called Wednesday, August 27, 2008 to tell us that she is not going to graduate with her unit. She has an undetermined injury to her foot, and is on crutches! She explained these options: (1) She will have a good prognosis on her next checkup and join another unit to complete basic training or (2) she will be sent home for 30 days to recuperate. She is in a lot of pain, and cannot participate in the physical training, which is why her gradution has been postponed.

When we hear more, I will update you! Keep her in your prayers!!!

Sunday phone call August 17, 2008

Sarah has successfully completed her first five weeks of Basic Training. She has qualified in marksmanship, and is working hard on PT. In order to pass the physical training portion of Basic, she has to be able to do 13 pushups in 2 minutes, 47 situps in 2 minutes, and run 2 miles in 19 minutes, 42 seconds. I got these numbers from the Army website, and these are minimums. She said she is improving a lot from where she started! I know she can do it!

Her graduation is on Thursday, September 11, and she moves to her new location for AIT on Friday the 12th. She told us she will be able to come home after AIT for a short leave! She is looking forward to a little more freedom during AIT. They will be able to go off base some, and will have much better accomodations. She mentioned having a refrigerator in her new quarters several times during our call - I think she misses being able to eat when she wants!

She is past the half way mark and needs encouragement more than ever! Please continue to write positive letters to her. She really appreciates hearing from everyone.

Sunday conversation

Sarah is really staying busy now, with very little personal time for things like writing letters. Your letters mean a lot to her, so please don't quit writing to her if you don't hear back. They are in the first phase of Basic training now, and soon will enter the second phase know as the White Phase.

She told us about her rapelling experience, and she survived, though it caused her to have a panic attack. This is a real leap (no pun intended!) for her considering she wouldn't even look over the edge of a high cliff in the recent past! She is learning to get along with the other soldiers in her unit, and sometimes it's a challenge. So much togetherness after having her own bedroom with a door!

If you want to write to her, here is her address again. Also, I learned this week that it's helpful to write the platoon number on the back of the envelope (4th PLT). It helps them sort the tons of mail they get.

PFC Mastin, Sarah 6626
A Company 2-10 4th PLT
495 Iowa Ave. Unit 12
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473

Write on the back of the envelope "4th PLT"