Finally back in SC...

Thank you for all of your constant prayers. Only through the power of prayer and God's continuous hand at work was I able to make it. All the letters I received gassed me up to push throughout the week. Brittany's writing letters, maintaining this blog, encouraged words and love is one key ingredient that pushed me through to the end. She waited for me at the finish line and persevered as much as I have throughout this. Sweetheart, I love you very much for everything you have done for me throughout this entire process.  These 14 weeks was a humbling experience teaching me not to take small things for granted. Everything from toilet paper to family. This has also taught me that we must give up freedom in order to keep it back home. It takes more than a lot to keep us free. 

 .....I am here now and forever, I am the Infantry! Follow Me!

Here we are at the very end of this journey...

This evening I became quite overwhelmed with emotions, joy, and pride as I thought of how long of a journey this has been. However, it has been one of the most rewarding journey's. From some mirrors if feels as if this time has flown by as quick as the blink of an eye, and then from other mirrors it feels like this has been the longest four months of my life. Mere words cannot fully express how proud I am of Tyler. He is one of the elite to complete this training, and we know that it was all by the strength and grace of a Great God. We leave in two short days for Georgia, and we're so excited we can hardly stand it! My prayer request now is for safe traveling mercies for all of the family who will be heading down to Georgia to see him and bring him HOME. Tyler, I love you. We ALL love you! And we're all so proud! Praise God for fixing our eyes upon the finish line...finally!! Thank you Lord! I love you all. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of your prayers and encouragement.

We serve a God who deserves the Utmost of our praise!

Richard Tyler Hazel, I am SO proud of you! THROUGH Christ you have accomplished one of your biggest goals in life. What a blessing! How God has orchestrated this time has been incredible. We are extremely proud of the man you have become.
Mrs. Loretta texted me Friday afternoon asking if I was available to talk at that time so I called her as soon as I read the message. She was so excited to tell me that she had just talked to Tyler and that he was doing incredible! His week in the field went very well. After completing the seven day FTX, he had the privilege of walking up the "Hill of Honor" where he was presented with his cross rifles. His sergeant told him that he had done a great job. Following this, they were invited to go upstairs to receive their “Real Blood Cross Rifle.” The pin they give them is presented by the D.S. and as part of the tradition they place it on their chest really hard causing them to bleed. Tyler said he has two holes where it was pinned on him and he is very proud.
I feel as if proud just doesn't even suffice! But all day long, I have been overflowing with peace, and joy! God has my whole heart singing with praise because of the mighty work that He has done through this time. God has seen Tyler through each and every day giving him the strength to push on and complete the task. I am so proud of him. God has amazed me through and through and I will forever sing His praise.

Tomorrow morning FTX begins.

FTX is a field training exercise that will last for 7 days and 6 nights. They have to march to where their going for 6 miles with their ruck sacks. Tyler's prayer request is that he will recall all that he has learned in his training to perform well during this whole week. We need to be lifting him up in prayer constantly because he will not be receiving any mail this week to hear any encouragement from home. God is going to do amazing things for Tyler this week. He will make it through by God's everlasting grace. Not a day will go by that Tyler is not drenched in the holy spirit! After we get through this next week, we then prepare to GO PICK HIM UP AND BRING HIM HOME! Pray for him all week and we'll trust God as we place Tyler in His hands. God is going to give Tyler energy that he's never had before and he's going to soar through this week. And just in going back to the simplicity of it all; pray that he will just have fun as he learns new things! God bless you all. I pray that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are so blessed. Love y'all!

I received the blessing of talking to Tyler on the phone today!

While I was doing some homework this afternoon, my phone rang and I lost my heart in my stomach as I answered! He sounded so good! He sounded encouraged and energized. This coming week he'll be doing most of the same stuff he did this past week. Then the following week is the field training exercise...which is the very last training exercise they will do before graduating! After the field training, they'll be cleaning up for a whole week to prepare for the next group that will be coming through after them. He has almost completed all of his training which is extremely exciting! However, we still need to be in fervent prayer over the week that he'll be out in the field. Mr. Robert, Mrs. Loretta, and I have asked him how we can specifically be praying for him over that week, so I'll have an update soon regarding that week. However, for now, be praying that he'll stay encouraged as he finishes this race well. God calls us to finish well, and in 2 Tim. 4, Paul beautifully reminds us of what it looks like to finish our race with great faith. God will provide Tyler with everything he needs, which gives us peace. I just cannot even begin to express how excited I am to know that we'll be going to get him to bring him home in just 3 weeks! Just imagine how proud we will all be when we see him graduating as an Infantryman for the United States Army. Praise God for our military! Love you all!

We just had the most amazing weekend!

On Thursday we began our journey down to Georgia to see Tyler. Our ride was quite comical because we would all get so giddy at different times about seeing him! Well, I'll leave Mr. Robert out of the "feeling giddy" group! haha! He was certainly excited though. Not many of us slept at all Thursday night as we eagerly awaited the arrival of the sunshine on our faces Friday morning. Whenever we made it to where we would pick Tyler up, all of the families went into a classroom to be briefed on what we could and could not do with our soldier's for the weekend. Then we walked to an open area underneath the building Tyler stays in, and we all quickly looked around to find Tyler standing in formation. When we found him and he found us, he winked at us. By that point I could hardly stand still. Then the guy's dropped out of formation to grab their bag's. A few seconds later he was released to us by his D.S.

I then made my last few steps alone before lunging into his arms. He held me up for what felt like an eternity, but it felt like we were the only two people around. It gave me such great joy to watch as he hugged his mom and his dad, and all of those who love him so dearly! We were just overjoyed and so proud! It was incredible to hear some of his stories, but hard at the same time to hear of the difficult things that he had endured. We enjoyed every second of our time together as we all went to the Infantry museum and into different shops on base. Being apart for so long is the most difficult thing that we have ever had to do, but whenever you're reunited and in each other's arms it's the most precious experience in the world. I would not trade our time apart for anything in this whole world right now because we now appreciate the small things in a beautiful way! Tyler has so much love and support behind him, so he will make it to the finish line. God is faithful and will provide Tyler with what he needs, exactly when he needs it. Continue to lift him up in prayer.

Praise Report

The PT test that we prayed over for Tyler....well, he PASSED!! Meaning, he will be graduating Basic Training as an Infantryman! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 113:1-5
"Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere-from east to west-praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high?"
Psalm 9:1-2
"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."
We serve a faithful God. He loves us so much! He has provided for Tyler for 10 weeks and He will continue to do so. Thank you Lord!

Prayer Requests for the week...

Tomorrow morning Tyler begins his last week of basic training! How exciting! God reminded me this week in an incredible way that He is God, and that His glory will be revealed if we fervently seek after Him. Be praying that Tyler will stay focused this week to accomplish everything to the best of his ability. He's such a strong young man of God and I am so proud of him. He has worked so, so hard to get to where he is now and that's something to be celebrated. So pray that he'll fervently seek after God's face this week, and that God will give him strength and energy to make it every last step of the way. There is power in the name of Jesus Christ! I pray you all have an incredible week. I love you all. Bless you.
After posting, Mrs. Loretta told me that they had a voice mail at home from Tyler this afternoon and he'll be in the field for training Monday through Wednesday, so be praying for him through these cold nights! :)