March 12

Just wanted to send you guys a quick update...

I picked David and his buddy Pearson up from work yesterday and they wet on and on about how crazy yesterday was! They said it was by far their hardest day yet- so hard that 10 guys DORed (and a lot of them were "high profile" guys- petty officers who were studs physically and mentally and leaders in the class). They said that they were wet and cold all day long- they had a 2 mile bay swim in the 40-something degree morning weather and then immediately got out, dressed in dry clothes and... had to get wet (instructors are cruel!) They then went straight into a PT session. After lunch, they headed to the pool for what was basically supervised drowning! They all had to fill their masks with water and then do exercises in the pool like flutter kicks with your hands on your head. They also had to tread water (still with masks full of water so you couldn't see) and pass weights to one another. They said it was exhausting and definitely kind of freaky to be in that position. This is when so many of the guys dropped- they couldn't get over the fear of drowning.

I think it shocked David to see so many guys quit, but he said that DORing hasn't really crossed his mind as an option yet. He says it's just like any job- Even at Booster when he didn't want to be there some days, he had to stay and get the job done. He also said that one of the guys in his class who was in BUD/S a few years back said that yesterday was as hard as any first phase day, so I think it's encouraging to David to know that first phase is going to be hard, but it won't be anything he can't handle.

So, I tell you all this because I know you'd think it's interesting, and also of course because I'd love for you to pray for him! He's doing great physically, but he still has a cough (all the guys do...), and I know he's just tired (his body just convulses when he falls asleep as his muscles relax- it's bizarre!) He also has been encouraged recently by Bill and Stephen to focus on his spiritual reason for being in BUD/S, which as Bill puts it is "not just a mission, but The Great Commission". Pray for him to focus on encouraging and speaking truth to his men, and pray also that he finds someone who can pour into him.

In other fun news, Samson is flying out to us today... and David has no idea :) I'm going to pick Samson up from the airport this afternoon and then surprise David with his after work! Can't wait...