One of the very frustrating things about having a son in boot camp is the isolation. For the first time, as a parent, I have no access to Ryan unless it is granted by someone else. Someone I don't even know. Even if we have a family emergency, I cannot contact the milit*ry. I have to contact the Red Cr*ss.
I knew that we would be waiting until the weekend for word from Ryan. You wouldn't think that this would be such an ordeal, but my stomach was in knots all day. I couldn't think straight--totally preoccupied and wondering what was happening in South Carolina. If he didn't pass, he would have had to re-do some or all of boot camp. I knew that would be horrible for him. If he was held over for a few weeks, his graduation might be scheduled the same week as our Make A Wish trip to Disney. All I could think of was how discouraged he would be and how I wouldn't be able to enjoy Disney if I was missing Ryan's graduation. ugh.
It didn't occur to me to ask God to give us an answer before the weekend. I didn't even think it was possible. As the day progressed, I just became more and more aware of the tightness in my chest and stomach. The minute the girls got off the bus they all asked if we had heard from Ryan. Um...no...we never hear from him on a week day. I explained that we would be waiting until the weekend. Bless their hearts...they had been praying for their big brother.
Well...God must have decided that waiting until the weekend was just going to be too much. He arranged for Ryan to be on night watch duty tonight. Apparently, when on that particular duty, the recruits get to use the phone. At 9:30 PM the phone rang. My pulse quickened when I saw the caller ID....'PAYPHONE.' RYAN!!!!! He was able to talk for about 20 minutes and had called to tell us that he had taken the fitness test and....
HE PASSED!
by five seconds....but he passed.
I truly believe he only passed because of God's help and all the prayers that went up for him. Thank you all sooooo much!
He was on night duty until 11PM and then would be getting up at 4AM, going on a 10 mile march, carrying their heavy packs (and it's supposed to rain tomorrow and be 40 degrees--just to add to the misery). He said he is feeling better and he didn't cough while we were talking--so that was good.
I am just sooooo thankful that God granted us the gift of hearing from Ryan tonight.
"Before they call, I will answer...." Isaiah 65:24
