When Prayers Are Answered

I cannot thank you ladies enough for the kind comments you left me. It has been hectic crazy, but I plan on going through my email soon and replying to each and every one of you. (Also: I did not mean to imply anyone who wants to EAS does so in a negative manner. I know there are people with families who want to get out and do a different line of work or go to school, I did not mean them. It is more something that is very prevalent at 8th and I where a lot of people just have no desire to be there and cannot wait to just get out. They have given up on the Corps and are very negative towards it. )

We went to church yesterday and I kneeled down and prayed harder than I had in a long, long time. I think the last time I prayed so hard was when Ryan was in Iraq. I saw my husband praying too. I paid attention the entire mass, no wandering thoughts for this girl. (You know, sometimes when the sunbeam hits the priest's head in just the right way and reflects off and you wander with the sunbeam... it happens!) Ryan had his arm around me or held my hand the entire mass. We prayed together. For an answer, a solution, something to get us through.

During mass they discussed an upcoming retreat and Ryan shocked the hell out of me when he said he wanted to go. Sadly when we looked at the information table we saw it was the weekend of our first wedding anniversary and decided against it. But I had another idea. Lent is a time of abstaining, sacrifice, and alms giving in the Catholic church. Ryan already gave up all alcohol for lent (gotta love my Baptist husband, I never expected him to do this with me!) except for wine (because Jesus drank it) and I gave up soda.

Well we agreed this week we were going to give up wine as well. Sacrifice/Abstaining. And we decided to go to the 7pm nightly mass every day this week. Also a sacrifice of sorts. We also grabbed an bag to make an Easter basket for newborns and moms to bring back next week. When we went to the commissary we loaded up on newborn diapers (Ryan was shocked at the price... oy), wipes, lotion, bottles, and pacifiers. Alms giving.

So we have our plan. We're still calling in our favors with anyone who many know anyone. One of my clients at work today said a retired Major General was willing to talk to Ryan and see if he could help. I get the number and go to call Ryan. No answer.

Then I get this text message:
I got Ground Radio Technician. Don'y know where yet and nothing is in writing. It has been verbally stated by headquarters that I am approved!


!!!!!!!


What does this mean?

Well, it is 95% certain my husband can stay in the USMC. To be in this MOS basically the Head of it told his Career Planner he would take Ryan if he had taken Algebra in high school. Ryan took Algebra I and II. So Ryan got his transcript, the Career Planner got his package together, and it was sent to the head of Radio Ops. The Career Planner is hoping to call Ryan by 16:30 with more information.

Nothing is in writing yet. We don't know the when or the where yet, but to quote my husband, "Things went from looking really, really bad to pretty damn good."

We still plan on going to church all week, if not for the original intent of prayer for hope for our future but in thanksgiving.

Ladies, thank you so much for your good thoughts and prayers for our family. Please keep them coming a little longer if you can.

And of course once I know, you will know.



On a different note: As many of you know the "A Final Goodbye" post from {mis}adventures of an army wife has been circulating the military spouse community. According to comments left on her blog Jessica has been located and is safe, received treatment. Bloggers, I hope you all know anytime you feel alone and need to reach out to anyone, I am here. Email me anytime at imyewneek@yahoo.com. You are NOT alone and you ARE loved.

Gee, thanks USMC

Why is it whenever I go to the barracks I hear guys (and girls) complaining about how they hate being in the Marines? How they cannot wait to EAS and get out? They are just counting down the days until they can get out of there.

There are so many of those.

Yet my husband who loves being a Marine, wants to make a career out of it, works so incredibly hard, has a tremendous amount of pride and dedication... is getting screwed?!

It frustrates me to the point I want to just break down and cry. But I can't. Because that won't help Ryan at all.

No answers from the career planners at all. For my husband to remain in the Marine Corps would take an act of God at this point. Every single thing is full or there just is not time for him to go before a huge board and be told no.

So he went to the Army. He looked at this program they have called From Blue to Green. He got excited about it again. He contacts a recruiter who says... only Special Forces are getting accepted at this point. Which we think is untrue (especially after talking to the army guy who lives above us) and he just wanted to go home early and not deal with it.

Now what???

Air Force? Navy? Nonmilitary life? Prior service recruiters??

My husband wants nothing more than to be a Marine. He wants to continue to serve his country and keep doing what he is doing. But he can't. Yet there are hundreds of people in the Corps that would gladly take an instant EAS date if it were to be offered to then. Ryan never thought when he joined the USMC he would have to worry about job security. Ever. My husband graduated high school and was in boot camp three days later. He has wanted nothing more than this since he was thirteen years old. That was when he decided to join and has never once wavered on that. He has no idea what else he can do besides military service. There are no degrees to fall back on. This is his life. He wants it to be his career.

Pardon my language in this sentence, but this is fucking ridiculous.

I can see how it is upsetting him, how hard he is trying every option possible. I can see how he is keeping himself strong and positive regardless, but I am failing to do the same. I can go to a recruiter today and enlist with no problem, but he can't stay doing the job he has done so well for five years.

I have been praying and praying. I keep praying and hoping and wishing and it is doing absolutely nothing. I've never experienced a hopelessness or worry of this magnitude. That bothers me. Especially since it is for the one I love the most.

We need a miracle here. The rest of my husband's career is depending on it.

Please Pray

We got a phone call from Ryan's mom at 3;30 this morning. Ryan's grandfather had a massive stroke. There is nothing doctors can do. We are flying to South Carolina. Please keep us and our family in your prayers. Thank you.