Lessons I learned from Basic Training

This post isn't about what my son learned at basic training but what I have learned as a mother of an LDS Airman and as a participant of the basic training we are going through in this life preparing us for a better life to come. This will contain thoughts that have come to me as we went through this experience from the out side looking in (they are not Josh's views, just mine in all my imperfectness) as I have relied on my Heavenly Father to get me through these last few weeks. It will contain lessons I have learned for myself and is meant to apply to me and will include my sincere testimony of the church I belong too. Sooo, if you don't want to read further I understand but I feel it my responsibility to write it.


So here goes....

When my son returned from his mission in the Jackson Mississippi Mission, he came home with the desire to join the Air Force Reserves after serving on an Air Force Base in Biloxi. These are words most, if not all, mothers dread. Don't get me wrong, I love my country with all my heart in spite of history and because of it!! I know it was founded on religious freedom and it has been blessed of the Lord. I display the flag often and have taught my children the of love of country. But my son??? How could I stand the idea that he might be called to war?? But really aren't we all fighting some battle (addiction, sin, mental and physical ailments, poverty, wealth, false pride, selfishness, etc.)? Josh thought through all the stuff that comes with joining and held firm to this path he had chosen through much prayer for his life, to the chagrin of me and his new girlfriend. Likewise did we when we chose to come to earth and gain this mortal experience! Knowing full well it might not be pleasant, we might not make it back in one piece or at all, or even what we thought we might be signing up for once we got here, we chose to come. So we as did Josh, headed off to a new adventure! Things got really tough for Josh right from the beginning and we knew it would from all the TV shows we have seen which portray basic but are even worse when you are the one living it. No one can prepare enough for the mental and physical anguish that this experience throws at you right from the beginning. When our son called home after the first week and a half he broke into tears as did we, it was hard stuff he was going through but he was determined he was where he needed to be. He talked about reading his scriptures for the first time and how he felt better after doing so. He told us about attending church, the picture below was taken that first Sunday at church (he is on the first row left hand side). I think his face says it all!!



I wonder if that is how I have looked on occasion in my life!!






The church calls couple missionaries who have served in the military in their lives to over see the recruits when they arrive, similar to our parents when we chose to come to earth. The missionaries took this picture of Josh and the other 0 weekers, and sent it to us with a nice letter telling us that Josh had attended church and how to contact him through letters and them through email and phone calls. What a tender mercy to have some one watching for him each week, giving him encouraging words and giving him light and knowledge. I owe a debt of gratitude to these missionaries and the leaders of this branch (church, ward) for the strength and the support they give these young people. They knew he was coming to their base and they were watching for him and all the others. Like our parents anticipated our arrival, they were preparing to teach, comfort and support us but can they ever really prepare enough for what lies ahead in raising children? Is it always like what we see on TV (Leave it to Beaver, etc.)? No, it's not! Were they prepared enough for the mental and physical struggles (sleepless nights with a colicky baby, waiting up for a teen to arrive home, science fair projects, waiting for a rebellious child to come to him or herself, etc.)? But they put their best effort into it with the knowledge they had. Hopefully, they tell us how to get in contact with our Heavenly Father through prayer and how to prepare for the buffetings that will come through this earth life by reading our scriptures, attending church and following the Prophet. If like me you were raised in an inactive family or if you were raised by non religious parents those things were not taught and you had to look for yourself. I found people who were not afraid to share what they knew, or others who just taught me by example. I remember from my earliest recollection the feelings I had when I attended this church on occasion and I now know were to look for peace.


Josh made it through basic training!!! We arrived to watch him in an Airman's Fun Run (2 miles and they call that "FUN"), receive a coin in a grand ceremony for finishing basic, receive another coin that read "The Best of the Best" for graduating with honors, watched him march in a grand parade and to graduate from enlisted Airman Basic to Airman 1st class. As we had the great privilege of watching these events I wondered if we at the end of this life will have our own "fun run" into Heaven, when we arrive there will our loved ones who have gone before us be waiting to cheer us on? Will we graduate with honors and be welcomed into the rest of our Heavenly parents? Will we be welcomed with "The Best of the Best"? Will we parade in and graduate into a 1st class status? I believe we can, but only through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ who experienced all things and is our biggest cheerleader and advocate with the Father. We can not make it on our own merits and I believe Josh did not make it alone either. His Savior and Father gave him the needed strength because he showed his faith by reading his scriptures and attending his church meetings, and I believe our Savior helped him because he showed he was willing to give 2 years of his life to preach "His" gospel and Josh made this choice to join the military through prayer.

When we attended church with Josh on his last Sunday at Lackland AFB, I was struck by something else that I must add even if this is running long. I apologize but I have to write it! After Sacrament meeting ended they made an announcement that if any of the Airmen felt like they needed a blessing to come and sit on the front row of the chapel. If that row filled up they could sit on the second row too (these are long rows I might add, at least 10-12 people could fill them I think). I leaned over to my son and asked him if he ever got a blessing and he said "YES". Well, both of the rows filled up with young men and women and into the third who felt they needed the Lord's help to get by the next week. Some ot the leaders and other volunteer priesthood holders (Airmen) of that branch spent the next full hour performing these blessings for these choice children of God. Do we use the Priesthood of God enough in our lives?? I think not! May we use this glorious power more in our lives, He gave us this power and it is our privilege to have it to bless our lives and help us to get through the next week or through life. Not just by the laying on of hands but by partaking of the Sacrament each Sunday. This is my prayer and testimony. This is the true church on the earth today. I leave you my witness. In my Savior's holy name. Amen