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"
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hurry up and wait is over!
The reception time teaches recruits how to "hurry up and wait". They are required to be in certain places on time, then wait for what comes next! This is the reality of combat. Many of the soldiers that have trained for combat go to "war central" (Iraq) just to wait some more for real action. They have to learn patience, so they don't jump the gun (no pun intended!).
Sarah is fully into basic training now, and we are not getting as many letters. She is probably going strong from sunup to sundown. We all think about her and pray for her daily. Those of us who know her best, understand that she is doing what she was born to do. I believe in my heart that she is destined for greatness, and what that is, remains to be revealed.
I look forward to visiting her in September and experiencing Basic Training graduation. It will be a proud time for all of us! Sarah is an amazing and complex young woman! (Yes, a woman!) I knew before she was born that God had a plan for her, and she may not yet be aware what it is. I just hope that God will receive all the intercessory prayers for her, and will one day enter her heart. God must be at work, already, for Sarah has a heart for humanity. Just wait and see!
Sarah is fully into basic training now, and we are not getting as many letters. She is probably going strong from sunup to sundown. We all think about her and pray for her daily. Those of us who know her best, understand that she is doing what she was born to do. I believe in my heart that she is destined for greatness, and what that is, remains to be revealed.
I look forward to visiting her in September and experiencing Basic Training graduation. It will be a proud time for all of us! Sarah is an amazing and complex young woman! (Yes, a woman!) I knew before she was born that God had a plan for her, and she may not yet be aware what it is. I just hope that God will receive all the intercessory prayers for her, and will one day enter her heart. God must be at work, already, for Sarah has a heart for humanity. Just wait and see!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Our weekly phone call
One of my friends in church always teases me about wearing my "bluetooth" during church. But I didn't want to miss Sarah's weekly phone call, and never know what time it will come! During church service today, my phone rang (only in my ear!), and it was Sarah from her new phone! I'm so glad I sent it to her, because now she doesn't have to wait in line at the pay phone, and can talk longer. She still only gets 20 minutes, but that's a lot more than she had before. She only has access to her phone for those 20 minutes each Sunday, then it is taken back and kept with her other personal items.
She has been doing teambuilding this week, climbing ropes, and really loving it. She receives her M16 rifle in the next few days, and will learn to take it apart, clean it and drill with it. The next segment of basic training will include markmanship (markwomanship?!?). If you want to follow what she is doing, click on the site under "Sites about me".
She said she really enjoyed the Buddist service last week, and was thinking about attending the Catholic service today. It really is a benefit to have all those different services right there on base. She has been wanting to learn about different faiths for a while, and now she has a great opportunity.
She said the letters mean a lot to her, and she wants everyone to know she appreciates them so much, even if she doesn't write back. She is busy from the time they are awakened at 4:00 AM until lights are out at 9:00 PM. Last night, she said they didn't have a very good drill, and had to work on it for an additional hour, so didn't get to bed until 10:00! Not so bad unless you have to get up at 4!
Keep writing!
She has been doing teambuilding this week, climbing ropes, and really loving it. She receives her M16 rifle in the next few days, and will learn to take it apart, clean it and drill with it. The next segment of basic training will include markmanship (markwomanship?!?). If you want to follow what she is doing, click on the site under "Sites about me".
She said she really enjoyed the Buddist service last week, and was thinking about attending the Catholic service today. It really is a benefit to have all those different services right there on base. She has been wanting to learn about different faiths for a while, and now she has a great opportunity.
She said the letters mean a lot to her, and she wants everyone to know she appreciates them so much, even if she doesn't write back. She is busy from the time they are awakened at 4:00 AM until lights are out at 9:00 PM. Last night, she said they didn't have a very good drill, and had to work on it for an additional hour, so didn't get to bed until 10:00! Not so bad unless you have to get up at 4!
Keep writing!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Visit from an army friend
Tonight, Michael Stansbery, a friend of Sarah's came by to visit with us. He is at Ft. Carson, and is going to Iraq in August. He likes cigars, so I got a couple for him. He went to Florida to visit family last week. If you would like to write him, email me at kmastin@gbod.org, and I will share his address.
The last letter we got from Sarah started with "Please send a cell phone!" So, of course, I did! She said she could have access to a cell phone for twenty minutes on Sundays during Basic training. That's better than having her stand in line at a pay phone, only to have one minute to talk because they are out of time.
She starts Basic this week, so I think she will be more engaged when we talk to her this weekend. That is the hardest for us, not talking to her! When she completes Basic Training, she will be able to have her cell phone all the time and we can talk to her! She is feeling a little like, as she said, " in army high school". I think that will change this week, when Reception is done, and Basic starts.
Being the helicopter Mom that I am, I Google Earth'd (is that a real phrase?!?) her base. You can download Google earth for free, and see a satelite view of anywhere on the earth! I think we can see the top of her barracks!
The last letter we got from Sarah started with "Please send a cell phone!" So, of course, I did! She said she could have access to a cell phone for twenty minutes on Sundays during Basic training. That's better than having her stand in line at a pay phone, only to have one minute to talk because they are out of time.
She starts Basic this week, so I think she will be more engaged when we talk to her this weekend. That is the hardest for us, not talking to her! When she completes Basic Training, she will be able to have her cell phone all the time and we can talk to her! She is feeling a little like, as she said, " in army high school". I think that will change this week, when Reception is done, and Basic starts.
Being the helicopter Mom that I am, I Google Earth'd (is that a real phrase?!?) her base. You can download Google earth for free, and see a satelite view of anywhere on the earth! I think we can see the top of her barracks!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Address!!
We got a letter in the mail yesterday from Sarah, and she now has an address where we can write letters to her! We are allowed to send pictures and certain news articles. No food or packages. We can shower her with goodies when she comes home on leave.
You will need to address your letters exactly as follows:
PFC Mastin, Sarah 6623
A Company 2-10 4th PLT
495 Iowa Ave. Unit 12
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473
She misses everyone, and is looking forard to receiving mail from home. Please send her words of encouragement!
You will need to address your letters exactly as follows:
PFC Mastin, Sarah 6623
A Company 2-10 4th PLT
495 Iowa Ave. Unit 12
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473
She misses everyone, and is looking forard to receiving mail from home. Please send her words of encouragement!
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