Josh is home and enjoying it. He is working at Hill Air Force Base and is getting more training. He is working there for 2 months and then will go to Orem to UVU for school. He spends all his spare time on weekend with Stephanie. They are cute together and we think they are a good match!

Almost done!

We got a call from Josh on Monday and he is coming home on the 17th! So just 8 more days. Hip, hip hooray!!!

Tough times

We talked to Josh on the phone sunday night and I just wanted you to have an update on how things are going for him. He is 4th in his class right now and is studying hard to move up. He was down when I talked to him because some one stole some of his civilian clothes from the dryer last week. They did return the shorts because Josh thinks there isn't any one there that can wear the size of shorts Josh does (I guess it pays to be lean). He also loaned his I pod to a friend across the hall and his room got broken into and the I pod was stolen. It sounds like things aren't to different in the Air Force as in the rest of the world. We look forward to having Josh return Sept.16th, yipee!!

Thanks for all your love and support to our son!

Basic training graduation weekend

I just wanted to share our experiences from attending our son’s graduation from basic this last week.

We arrived late on Wednesday evening and were blessed to be able to stay on base for 3 nights only a few blocks from our son’s dorm. One day when we were talking to our son on the phone a few weeks before he said that Lackland AFB has rooms you can rent if you want. Well not being a military family until now we wondered about that but we didn’t know how to go about getting into a room there so, I sent an email to the couple missionaries serving in the branch there and they sent me a number to call to make reservations. The only scary part of it is you can only call 3 days before the graduation to get the room reserved which makes it scary that you might not get into any place on such short notice if they don’t have a room available. Well we called the Sunday before and were able to get the room but only for 3 nights so we did have to move to a place off base for 2 nights. We loved being right there nice and close though. Thursday morning they have a briefing that explains how things will be for the remainder of the weekend. We went to the fun run and cheered on all the 600 + men and women at basic. A couple of hours later we went to what is called the coin ceremony, where all the men and women march in in their flights and receive this really nice coin for completing basic training. We were allowed to go find our Airman and take pictures of him. Luckily after that we were invited in to watch our son receive an honor grad award which is only awarded to the top 10% of the airman and our son was the only one from his flight of 48 men to get this award. The Airmen are graded on their physical scores (sit ups, push ups and running the mile and a half), a written test and on recommendation from their MTI (military training instructor). After this ceremony we were free to enjoy the rest of the day with our son on base, we went to eat, shop and go bowling before he had to be back in for the night. The next morning we headed over to the parade grounds which was just across the street from our room and watched the parade and graduation ceremony. Our son’s flight was privileged enough to carry the US flags and the flags from all the other states. After graduation which is a very emotional and thrilling event we were able to take our son off base for a nice slow dinner at Texas Roadhouse, something my son has been waiting for for a long time. On Saturday we were able to pick him up early and spend the whole day together until 7:30 in the evening. We went to Sea World San Antonio, to dinner again and moved to our other hotel. Sunday morning we were able to take him off base again since he was an honor grad then returned to base at 2:30 to attend church with him. What a delight to attend the branch, meet the leaders there, meet the missionary couple that corresponded with us and to feel the spirit. I will treasure this experience for my whole life. We are proud of our son!!

2 weeks and 4 days til we see Airman Basic Jacobson

We got to talk to Josh on the phone yesterday and he told us what to expect when we get there for graduation so, I wanted to share it with you all.

Actually I will tell what is in store for him this week first. It is beast week at basic training which is the week they have been preparing for the whole time he has been there. They will be acting as if they are deployed and will set up a camp with guards, medics, and war similations. Josh will be on the medical team and it sounds quite grueling. He said it is very hot there and they will be in full gear and will even need to wear chemical suits some of the time. (It will be 89 degrees today with 20% humidity). I can't wait to hear all about it, well all that we can drag out of him anyway.

We will arrive on the evening of the 20th and we get to go cheer Josh on in the airmans run the next morning the 21st and spend time with him on base. the 22nd (friday) will be a parade and his graduation. Saturday he will get to leave the base with us and he really wants to go to the Texas Road house to eat real slowly (his words not mine). Do you think they make them eat fast or something??? Then we can visits some of the sights around San Antonio (The Alamo and the river walk). Then Sunday we will get to attend church with him and spend more time on base. The next morning we fly home and he heads for Shephard AFB near Dallas for his tech school until September.

We are so excited to go see him and we want to express our appreciation those of you that have sent him letters, you have helped him immensely and we love you for it. He has even been blessed to have missionary experiences while at basic.

1st letters home

We received letters from Josh yesterday and we would like to share just a few excerpts from them here for you! These were sent in individual letters to us his parents but I have combined them here.

Dad & Mom,

I love you and miss you more than I ever have! I'm sorry I've been so unappreciative for everything you do for me. It's pretty rough here, it's hard and and I'm having a hard time. I need your prayers right now, but I'm going to make it through. It wasn't until 2 nights ago that I actually got to read in my scriptures and it really helped a lot. The church has come up a few times but everyone has been really respectful. I've had time to talk to people about church and things. There are 3 trainees in my flight from Utah including me, one of them is LDS but not active at home though he does attend here. It's officially the start of week 2 now, they say it gets better around the end of the week. I love y'all at home and if you come for graduation we can see each other Thursday- Sunday. Unless someone does something stupid I can leave the base on Saturday. I want to go to Texas Roadhouse or something equal to that. Let the family know I'm having a rough time but I know I can make it, and yes I can still smile =)

Just a reminder of his address because he needs them very much:

AB Jacobson, Joshua W

323 TRS/FLT 371 (Dorm B-9)

PSC3

1320 Truemper St. Unit 369558

Lacland AFB, TX 78236-5570

Thanks

I'm so grateful for valiant Missionary couples

29 March 09

To The Family of Airman Basic Joshua Jacobson;

We are full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in San Antonio , Texas . As part of our Church assignment, we had the opportunity to meet Joshua on Sunday at the Base Chapel. He gave us permission to e-mail his address and photographs (which are attached below). His address at Lackland AFB is:

AB JACOBSON, JOSHUA W.

323 TRS / FLT 371 - Dorm B-9

PSC #3

1320 Truemper Street

Lackland AFB , TX 78236-5570

Trainees may not be able to write or call home for the first couple of weeks until their flight earns the privilege, therefore encouraging letters from home would be welcome by them. We are confident that the Trainees will write as soon as permission is granted by their Military Training Instructors (MTI's).

Sincerely,

Elder and Sister Reynolds

Military Relations Missionaries

Lackland AFB, Texas