Unit 49 Advancement

Ryan successfully completed 9 weeks of Basic Training, which includes the pressures of a military-style "boot camp."  The focus of Basic Training is on intense spiritual, physical, and mental training that requires the young men to continually depend upon God and to serve one another.  This rigorous 9 weeks of wilderness hiking, physical exercise, basic living skills, memorization of Scripture, and learning respect for authority builds the disciplines necessary for service.  (Check out alertacademy for more information).

Friday, March 22, 2013, Advancement Ceremonies began with skills demonstrations on the field:  repelling, knot tying, river crossing, patient transport.

The 55 young men of Unit 49.

 Dress parade included marching and jodies.

 

Unit 49 singing "O Church, Arise" and "Soldiers of Christ, Arise".

The recitation of the book of 1 Peter (chosen by leadership to help them look to their Savior to make it through their 9 weeks of basic training) was an absolute highlight.  Not many dry eyes in the room during this event.

 Recruit Moyer is awarded for Personal Excellence, Scripture Memory, and completion of the Endurance Hike while being promoted to Responder.

 ooo-rah! 49'ers!!

Sweet reunion...

Recruits for Unit 65??

Helping Ryan move out of barracks to Aspen.

Ryan will continue with the 10-week Emergency Response Training, which involves specialized training in disaster response, basic firefighting, high-angle rescue, Rescue Systems One, emergency medicine, search and rescue, working with a chain saw, and search-and-recovery diving.  The men will also participate in disaster relief, rescue work and service projects as opportunities arise.

Dylan's Hockey Tournament

Adler Planetarium

Nathan is 10

 

This month Nathan lost three teeth.  

One day he announced, " Loose tooth!" and ten minutes later it was out.

Aunt Karen treated the kids to outdoor ice skating in Elgin.  Beautiful sunny day!  

 

Afterwards we came home and celebrated with gifts and games.

 

 

Quotable Quips

 


While driving next to carpet cleaning van...
Kevin: What is that?
Mom: [Explained what carpet cleaners do.]
Kevin: I guess you call them if you're too lazy to do it yourself.



 

 

Ryan and Lisa had a battle of wits...
Did you hear the one about the expensive phone call? It isn't worth telling.
Did you hear the one about the pig farmer? It's okay. He butchered it.
Did you hear the one about the weak boxer? There wasn't much of a punch line.
Did you hear the one about the outlet? It's too shocking to tell.

 
In a game of catch phrase, Ryan was trying to get his team to guess the word "cage."
Ryan: You stick flying animals into it!






 


Michelle: Did you hear about the pillow that was making headlines?
Siblings: You have to tell the punchline!
Michelle: I did! (Pause.) Oh, wait...did you hear about the CORDUROY pillow that was making head lines?






 



On Christmas morning, Stephen was so excited to eat his beloved cinnamon roll that he bit his finger while taking a bite.

 



Nathan and Kevin were conversing about their meal. Mom, correcting their grammar, interjected that they "had eaten" yesterday. Nathan was pleased with her comment and said, "Mom, you are very absorbant!"