More Letters, and Great News!!

I mailed Kellen as soon as I got his address, but the MLK jr holiday really threw off the mail delivery making both of us wait and wait for each others' letters. I was SO bummed going a whole week without any word from Kellen. Then, on Saturday, I went to the mailbox and found THREE envelopes from him! I was thrilled- but the best part is what one of the letters said.
He has liberty starting Jan 31st- that's less than a week away people! I am on cloud 9, especially compared to how low I was on Friday afternoon.

I'll try my best to sum up his letters, by typing up the meatiest parts.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Kellen and me- we really appreciate it and if you've been writing him THANK YOU! He really can use the midweek pick-me-ups that your encouraging letters offer. I'll put his address below for those who'd like to write him.

Candidate Lake, Kellen, K. 1252
OCS, C Company, 2nd Platoon
2189 Elrod Ave
Quantico, VA 22134-5033

Also- if you want more info you can check out the Marines OCS website. You may eventually be able to see pics of Kellen by clicking on the links on the left hand side of the site below. Just look for him in C Company, 2nd platoon.
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/

Letter 3- Monday Jan 12

"The good news is I passed the MEPS (medical)stuff. So that was a nice "Thank You" to the Big Man Upstairs. Academically I am ahead of the game, so I get to write more, but after this letter, don't expect a ton as often. I only have X amount of stamps. When they had the photo guy taking pics of us getting stuff 60% of all his photos were of me. I must have "The Look" (lol)

I am ready to take the PFT and start doing some of the physical stuff.Colonel Marine (British guy) has two huge arm tattoos of dragons. Like I said, he looks the part. But you can tell he isn't going to be as hard like some of the other Sgts.

At MEPS I only had to get 4 shots! Most guys had to get 9+. Pull ups are going to suck for them.

My body feels great. This down time is going a long way. I'm not sore for the first time in I don't know how long.

I have made about 16 name tape stamp labels. SO hopefully that won't slow me down. I can tell already that I should have practiced taking my clothes on and off really fast.

We got our boots and uniform today. Remember when I said I hope I got Danner lights? Well, I did! So I'm thankful for that. Plus, I look pretty good in a uniform (But you knew that already, didn't you?)"

Letter 4- Tuesday Jan 13

We did the PFT today. I scored a 283! It would have been 288, but I didn't perform the last pull-up. I didn't go all the way according to the monitor. I got 19 pull ups, 100 crunches and a 19:55 three mile run. So I am pretty proud of that.

Right now I am waiting in line to see the Colonel about my weight. I feel pretty confident I have to say, "Good afternoon, sir. Candidate Lake reporting to Commanding officer of OCS as ordered" Then I get grilled.

Well, that's over with. I passed with flying colors! I am so happy, God made me sound like a genius. I was in there for a while with a ton of officers and the colonel. He asked me some questions, I answered. I told him I was college football, etc etc. Then I told him my parents were missionaries, which led to a religious conversation. I told him of why I wanted to be a marine and how you had said "anything but a marine" And how when we went to get military info you said "Go with the Marines" All the officers and the colonel tried not to laugh at that statement. He said "that's a very moving story Lake." And after a Master Gun Sgt said as I was going out the door, "Great job, Lake." Pray that I lose the weight!

I prayed with another candidate because he was in the same boat as I was and God came through for him as well. So please keep praying and spreading the word to others.

Letter 6- Friday, Jan 16
Well, the crap has hit the fan. It is starting to get old. It is now the end of day 3 and everyone has a 300 words essay to write as well as some homework. The worst part is in the last three days I might have gotten a total of 8-9 hrs of sleep. Last night I got 2. They had mail call today and I didn't get anything. I almost cried. It is very tough when you are just hoping to hear from the person who means everything to you. So, please write me. It would mean A LOT! It is easy to be here, but it is also Very Very stressful. So little sleep, so so much to do.
But, that being said, the instructors like me. I do what they say when they say it. I need to do a ton of other stuff. It's 10pm now, so maybe I'll be in bed early around 12 or 1am.

Letter 7- Sunday, Jan 18
Things were wonderful today. I went to church. We played on the obstacle course. It wasn't near as horrible as things have been. I made it. There's a guy in my platoon who used to play in the NFL. It's like a who's who. I can't believe I made it. Tomorrow we run OCS. Lucky for me I didn't get a billet. I should be studying and I am definitely buying a head lamp. Things until today were crazy tough. We were all operating on 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep a night. Some none. I don't know if I've lost weight, but my abs are looking good. Today was first I had time to look at myself in the mirror. Please have people write me. I need the encouragement.

Letter 8- Tuesday, Jan 20
My liberty weekend kind of is on the 31st of Jan. It starts at 4pm I believe, but my company has duty, so that sucks. But I will be able to leave at some point. And I really really want and need to see you.
I'm standing in line to get a hair cut. Things have been ok. I get like 3-4 hours of sleep if I'm lucky. They give us so much crap to do like mark gear. We had prayer & praise last night. There are a lot of good guys here and I am making some good friends.
I am now at my bunk and they have given us "free time". I can't believe it. I have a test on Friday and an essay due Sunday at 5am, so if this isn't love I don't know what is.

Letter 9- Wednesday, Jan 21
Well tomorrow is your big day (birthday). I hope you have something wonderful in mind and trust me I wish I could be there. I love you so much. I can't wait to see you the 31st.
It's been crazy. The highs are high and the lows are low. I love PT time. That's when I never get yelled at because I'm always one of the top performers.
My favorite Sergent Instructor is Gunnery Sgt Keith. He thinks he is big and buff (he is), but he tries to make it bigger than it really is. He really likes me, I can tell. I can't stand Staff Sgt Walters. He always makes us play 'games' like "rip up your sheets and throw them in a pile and then make your bed up in 30 secs". The worst part is the chow hall is about 3/4 mile away. So we have to get dressed. Which, depending on the amount of "games" are played can take for ever! About 300 yards from the chow hall is this huge bridge. Which we have to march over 6 times a day. If I graduate and become CO of this place I'm going to bomb it.
Please keep praying for me. The schedule is very busy and demanding. We start at 4am and don't get free time until 9pm. But we have to stay in our racks for an hour before we can get up and do things in the dark.
I need you to buy me a head lamp with a red lens! Very important! If I had that I could study much easier. It must be pretty hard for you right now. At least I am busy, but whenever I have time all I want is to spend it with you.
I love chapel. It's the highlight of my time here. The chaplain is so/so, but it's still nice to be able to get energized. It's hard though, because if you don't go you get time to do homework.
My company has duty on our liberty weekend, so that might mean that I will only be able to go to Quantico base. But you will be able to come one I'm sure, or Tony or Melody could get you on. I can't wait. It's only 10 days away. Jan 31st.
I believe we get mail call tonight. We've only had it once! There was a long holiday, so I'm hoping I get some!! Well, I need to write an essay and study.
Love you so much!
Your husband!
Kellen