Taking Things Day by Day

The holidays are here and our hearts are still breaking. Our strength rests in God alone...He is carrying us through this journey and we are trusting Him to mend our broken hearts.

Home and Grieving

Well, for those of you who have not heard, our mother, Debbie, passed away very unexpectedly last Wednesday at 11:05 p.m. CST. Click here to read more about the events of the past week because it is just too emotionally draining to describe the horrible pain that our family is undergoing right now. We miss Momma with all our heart.

As for Leigh's military endeavors, she is currently disenrolled with the option of returning at the end of May and starting the process over again. She is prayerfully seeking God's guidance in deciding whether or not she will pursue the Marine Corps. or another branch. Please continue to pray for her during this rather emotional and heartwrenching time so that God can make the decision clear because right night we are all moving through the day like robots.

Updates from the Weekend

Leigh was unable to leave base this weekend, however she was given liberty so that she could call home. Of course, it was so good to hear her voice!

She has a very specific and urgent prayer request - she must master the obstacle course challenges or she will be dropped from the program. She has 2 weeks to learn to overcome her shortness. She reported that she is doing better with the rope climbing and has mastered the wall but she is having a lot of difficulty with throwing her legs over bars and propelling herself over in one swoop. If she expects to graduate, she must be able to meet the obstacle course challenges. Please join us in praying specifically for this need!

She got sick last Sunday with a terrible stomach virus and found herself in medical. She was not allowed to go on the hike on Monday because she was so sick that they made her stay in her quarters. She said that the people in medical were very nice but that the drill instructor was not because he just saw it as a way to get out of the hike. She was allowed to join her unit on Tuesday morning and is feeling much better now.

There are only 27 females left in the program. This means that 68% of the female candidates have disenrolled from the program! Leigh stated that she met with a commanding officer and was told that they do not want to ask her leave and encouraged her to work extra hard on finding a way to overcome her height. She has a deadline, so let's all bind together and do 2 things: 1st - pray specifically for her to be able to meet the challenge and 2nd - write a very encouraging letter or note to her because she needs support.

Why the name "Bo Bo"

Leigh, as a toddler, playing with a dandelion

Many of you have sent e-mails asking why we call Leigh "Bo Bo" or in some cases "Leighbo". Well, here's how she got the nickname. When she was little, her hair was blonde curls and fuzzy. Also, it took forever for her hair in the front to thicken-up but she had tons of curls on the sides. A popular show was "Bozo the Clown", and we started calling her "Bo Bo the clown" but Leigh called herself "Be Bo the clown" for some reason. The "Bo Bo" just stuck and gave way to the name "Leighbo" as well.

New Pictures of Leigh at OCS

There are new pictures posted on the OCS website and two of those contain Leigh.

Picture 1: Leigh is standing in the photo and has her glasses on. Look at the center of the picture and then to the right. She doesn't have a helmet on and is the 2nd female (may be 3rd, I can't tell if one person is male or female) from the trees. Her hair is parted and that is shown in the photo. This is taken at the long, exhaustive hike that she was requesting prayer for.

Picture 2: Leigh is squatting. She is at the bottom center of the photo and only the back side of her head and profile are shown. There are guns with red ends on either side of her head...wait a minutes, that's a scary thought. As her sister, what's even scarier is that Leigh is carrying a gun herself!

Letter to Sister's Family

Letter was received on Oct. 27, 2008:

October 23, 2008

Hello, Reed family!

I love you and miss you. It was so exciting to receive the letters and pictures and kissing hands and everything today. I sent Ashton back my kissing hand too.

I am plugging along at OCS – as with anything, some days are better than others. I have been a company billet holder the past 2 days: Candidate Company Executive Officer. Coordinating the internal functioning of the candidate company (shadow) staff and maintaining accountability for every candidate in Charlie company (approx. 190) is no easy chore, I assure you. I turn over the billet at 0500 in the morning.

We spent our first night in the field on Monday. Our packs are almost as big as me! We set up camp and shared I person tents and ate MRE’s. The next morning, we did a 4 mile hump (hike) wearing the packs. Mind you, I am in boots, utilities, camouflage face paint, the whole nine yards. I hung in though, and didn’t fall out. Later, we did some land navigation and leadership reaction coursework practical applications. Surprisingly enough, I am pretty handy with the compass and plotting map coordinates!

Erica, you did such a good job on Hannah’s cake! Almost too pretty to eat. Thanks for the sports updates and devotionals. And, thanks most of all for your love, prayers, and support!

Jason, I trust all is well with you. Those pictures of Ashton look so much like you!

Ashton – be a good boy for Mommy and Daddy. I hear you moved up to a new class! BoBo is so proud of you. I love you and miss you bunches and bunches!

Love,
BoBo

Update on Leigh

Well, Saturday evening we received another call from Leigh. She sounded exhausted. She said that she is pretty worn-out and very sore. We caught-up on the news from home and she stated how much it meant to her to receive mail. So far, she hasn't received very much and really encouraged us to write as often as possible. I told her of the letters and cards that we had sent and discovered that she hasn't gotten very many of them yet. She said that their mail is being held, so hopefully she will get more of our letters at the next mail call. If you can, please try to send her a brief note because she truly needs encouragement. If you don't have her address, just e-mail me and I will make sure that you get it.

At the onset, there were 84 females in the program. As of now, there are only 38 and at least 5 if not 6 of those plan on dropping-out voluntarily on Monday - the first day that you can voluntarily withdraw from the program. Leigh says she's hanging-in there until they tell her to go home or graduation, whichever occurs first. She specifically requests prayer for next week. They will be doing a 6 miles hike and enduring a very complex obstacle course. She is still having difficulty with the ropes. Also, her legs are so short that she sometimes struggles with the marching in formation because it takes her several steps to equal those of the much taller individuals (she is just a little over 5'1") as well as propelling herself over walls.

I can't imagine being in an environment in which people are yelling all the time and don't think twice about spitting in your face (or in Leigh's case on Saturday morning- in her ear). I told her that these people need to enroll ASAP in a 12 week anger management class. I understand that the purpose is to break the candidates in every way possible but especially mentally, but come on. I guess that is why I am in private practice and not trying to get into the JAG program.

We tried to convey to Leigh how proud we are of her and that we support her completely. She sounded really flat but not defeated. She had to be back on base at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday for firewatch again and then had off base liberty until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. I know she misses home and we truly do miss her. I cannot even imagine what she is enduring. She is working hard and doing her very best - that's all we can ask of her. We pray for her all day every day.

She Called

At 3:48 p.m. central time, Leigh called! It was a very brief call but she is expected to call back tonight. She said that she was preparing to leave base and couldn't talk but she wanted us to know that liberty was granted. Basically, all she had time to say was that she is sore all over. I'll update when I hear from her. Be sure to check back!

Is that Leigh in the pictures?

The day Leigh left, she sent me a link to a the Quantico OCS website. I was just looking at it and noticed a section of photos from the Fall 2008 session of "Charlie Company". Look at the designated person in these pictures. Maybe I'm seeing things just because I miss her so badly, but I think it is actually Leigh!

I'm not sure if I can post the pictures here, so I'll post the links instead. Oh, I just want to hug her head off!

Picture 1 - 5th girl

Picture 2 - 7th girl on left side

Picture 3 - 2nd girl

Letter to Parents - 10/15/08

Letter to our parents that was received on October 18, 2008:

October 15, 2008 at 2300

Hey Mom and Daddy!

Got your first letters last night – keep them coming! It was a real morale booster to hear from home. I won’t lie – OCS is a lot tougher than I imagined in the mental end. Last night was refreshing though, because after evening chow we had the chance to go to prayer and praise if we so chose. There was singing, a short message from the chaplain, and then time for testimony from the candidates. I am encouraged by the words of a fellow candidate reminding us that we are identified NOT by what our drill instructors are screaming, but that our identity is in Christ alone!

Mom, glad to hear that you passed your accreditation and are showing improvement. Oh, and trust that I am still clanking down the stairs every morning – just in boots, utilities, with a rifle, canteen belt, and a day pack. Keep me posted on my shows, now – especially who wins “Project Runway”! Oh, and my college football scores.

We may get liberty next Saturday evening (not this coming but the following) and I will try to call. However, liberty is at the discretion of the staff so there is no guarantee. Even if yes, I may not be able to leave base yet.

Daddy, I hear you are becoming quite the accomplished maid. Glad the same stuff I left in the fridge won’t be there when I get home! Keep praying for me, I know you more than anyone knows what I am going through right now – physically and mentally! I especially need prayers that I will be able to master climbing the rope. It is essential if I expect to pass OCS!

I am actually in pretty good spirits, especially after receiving letters. Yesterday was first mail call, and we were all glad for what we received. I am trying to maintain and air of peace and thankfulness. I know God is with me and in me, and that I can count on His presence and strength to carry me through. I have some ugly bruises and some cuts, scrapes, and blisters, but am still powering through. Other than the rope, drill is what is hardest for me. Marching, counting, sounding off all at the same time – we all know that grace is not one of my strong points ;)

I haven’t actually tasted any of the food that we have been served. We just shove it all in and run to the next task. Our days are long and busy but that helps make the time go by fast. We are all tired, though, because we spend one-half of time at night preparing for the next day. Night is our only time to study, write letters, etc. – and that is only with a headlamp on and hunkered down in the head (bathroom). We have had a couple of tests this week, so I am about to break-out the books and study before a little sleep and then an hour of firewatch. I will try to write as often as I can, but I can’t promise all will be as long as this correspondence.

I love you and miss you! Thank you for your love, cares, and support.

All my love,
Bo

Letter to Sister's family dated 10/15/08

This letter was received on Saturday, October 18, 2008:

October 15, 2008 at 2349

Greetings from OCS!

Hope all is going well on the home front. I love and miss you guys, and can’t wait for an onslaught of mail. We got our first letters yesterday and they were a real spirit booster! OCS is tough, but your love, prayers, and support help keep me going. I am doing OK on the runs, but definitely need to master climbing the rope.

Erica, thanks for writing Mom’s letter for her, and thank you for all your care for her. We had prayer and praise last night which really just reinforced the strength and presence of God even here in the midst of the OCS chaos.

Ashton – I hope you are being a good boy for Mommy and Daddy. BoBo misses you and loves you bunches and bunches. Are you taking care of BoBo’s Scooby Doo mat and doing your exercises? How is school? You will have to send BoBo a picture soon!

Jason, I hope all is well with you. Take care of our family, and I look forward to seeing you all in December.

I have a test tomorrow, so I am going to sign off and study for a bit.

All my love,
Bo

1st Letter from OCS - Dated 10/06/2008 and 10/07/208

This letter was received on 10/10/08:

Monday, October 6, 2008 at 1113 (11:13 a.m.)

Family and Friends,

Good morning! We are waiting outside Medical on our campstools, so I have a little time to write. Nine of us reported from TN on Saturday and so began the cycle of hurry up and wait. ;)

On Saturday, we got our large and small bag issue (toiletries, shorts, sweats, t-shirts, etc.) and our linens and war belt (web belt with canteens) and stool. After issue, we were given box lunches (NOT Heavenly Ham!) and then moved to the classroom building. We marked gear, did paperwork, etc. Later we moved to the chow hall for dinner (tell Ashton the dining hall is named “Bobo Hall”). Lights out is officially 2100 (9 p.m.), but we had a lot to finish, so many of us used our headlamps to get a little more done before calling it a night. Lights on was 0500 on Sunday, but you had better be up and ready well before that! I got up at 0430 to shower and put my hair in a bun and make-up my rack. I have been wearing the same pair of khaki pants since Saturday over my green shorts and t-shirt. We wear our war belts everywhere and are constantly being prompted to drink water.

On Sunday, we had breakfast at the chow hall and then moved to the classroom area for chapel. They divided up the Catholics, Protestants, Jews, etc. We sang a few songs and then the chaplain gave his sermon and we walked forward for Communion.

We had a number of briefings/admin tasks yesterday (financial paperwork, medical paperwork, etc.). We lunched at the chow hall again (turkey noodle casserole, apple, salad, etc.) and then returned to the classrooms for more paperwork/admin. When not marking gear, we are reading our candidate regulations and making head calls (lots of water = lots of trips!).

We moved back to the squad bay and did our urinalysis and height/weight and tattoo check. Afterwards, we formed our platoon and had chow outside on the parade deck. Other candidates did the serving and were unsure how much to dish out. I was near the front, so I got less than half a scoop of some beef/rice dish, a little broccoli, rice, and an apple. Needless to say, I went to bed a bit puckish and woke-up ravenous this morning.

Lights on was at 0445 this morning. I had firewatch from 2400 to 0100 this AM (basically, 2 candidates monitor the squad bay, make sure canteens are full, candidates are where supposed to be, clean up, etc.). After formation this morning, we bussed immediately over to the Exchange. We received our sea bag, 2 pairs of boots, 4 sets woodland camo, 2 sets desert camo, caps, etc. After issue, we had breakfast out in front of the Exchange on our campstools. We marked gear, read regs, etc. Then we bussed back to the barracks, dumped our gear, and had a few minutes to get our records and paperwork together for Medical. I have had 3 different people look at the same record page but at least I have some time to write a letter home ;). We just finished eating chow since I started writing an hour ago. Some kind of veggie/noodle/unidentified meat stew, corn, potatoes, salad, etc. We ate outside again, so no march to the chow hall yet today.

We are supposed to do the initial PFT in a couple of hours – the 5 mile run, flex-arm hang, crunches.

Tuesday, October 17, 2008 at 1435 (2:35 p.m.)

Day later and we are out in front of medical again – waiting on our campstools. I am about to get 7 shots in the arm. Thank God the PFT was yesterday. Oh, and I ran my 3 miles in 23:10 – under 8 minutes per mile – yay!

We had breakfast at the chow hall today – first time there since Sunday lunch. Then we went back to supply for our field gear – packs, sleeping bag, helmet, etc. Then we moved back to Skinner Hall (our barracks) to label all the gear. Then we moved out to lunch at the chow hall and FYI: you do NOT want the baked fish from Bobo Hall!

We get picked-up tomorrow, so that is when it all breaks loose and the drill instructors enter the picture. Hopefully I will start getting mail soon. We didn’t get our first letters home out until this morning. Please just remember me in your prayers. I miss you and love you all! Mom, I am praying for you too.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

All my love,
Leigh

Reporting for OCS

Today was the day when Leigh was supposed to report for OCS. It was with fear and excitement that she called our parents and said, "I'm at the gate and about to go in." She was ready to be sick but knew that her life was about to change in amazing ways. God had brought her to the gates and has a very specific plan for her life. We won't hear from her again until at least October 25th when she "may" have liberty and be able to leave base and call home.

No more make-up, high heeled shoes, and fancy clothes. Life for my little sis has changed forever! Of course, our letters must still include details about "Project Runway" and LSU football scores.

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Leaving for OCS

This morning, Leigh left for Officer Candidates School. It was an emotional time as our mother was preparing for exploratory surgery for possible cancer on the same day. She and another candidate from Middle Tennessee began a day's journey to Quantico, Virginia. She arrived around 10:00 p.m. that night. We praise God for a safe journey!