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! :)

God has just really had Tyler on my heart for prayer...

Tyler is in the toughest week. He finishes next Thursday which is such a praise, but he has extremely tough days ahead of him. He has a PT test sometime this week. Again, pray for his push-ups because that's what he's struggling with the most right now. We have not heard from him any this week, so they have them very busy. Tyler cannot make it through this week on his own strength, but he can make it with God's strength! Thank you so much for your prayers through these past 9 weeks. Pray that he'll stay encouraged and that he'll lean on the Lord for strength and energy!! Thank you and I love you all!

Blue Phase

Praise Jesus for the victory of Tyler making it to Blue Phase last week! He has made it eight long, trying weeks by God's powerful might! This week he has had land navigation training and a 10-mile ruck march. Next week he'll have a PT test that he must score a 60% on. The test includes push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. He has already succeeded at getting a 60% on his 2-mile run; he ran it in 15 minutes!! He is so proud of the title he is earning of Infantryman, and rightfully so. God has amazed me during this time. He has two more difficult weeks ahead of him until he completes his basic training. So please be praying for physical and spiritual strength. I have been reminded this past week in more ways than one that it we present our requests to God through prayer and petition, that He will provide for us in ways we never thought possible. God will see Tyler through to the very end because He never leaves his child. TWO MORE WEEKS!!! I am ecstatic!!! Praise Jesus! Love you all!

Tyler really likes White Phase...

He said that they shoot off lots of bullets each day. They just recently started their Infantry tactical training. Which is learning how you stand in battle-rattle when you're firing at the enemy, ARM (advanced rifle marksmanship), and moving to various barriers for cover. They have to wear something called an IBA, which is their body armor. He said that it's really cool, it's just really heavy, and bulky. "Imagine standing with your legs bent, back straight, bent at the waist, wrapped up in a 20lb-25lb body armor vest; including your flick which is another vest with bags and pouches that hold gear, ammunition, grenades, and canteens." Not to mention, they are also wearing a helmet to stop the bullets. "We choose what we want to eat, the Drill Sergeant goes home at 5:00 PM and we march ourselves to chow; there's a lot more freedom than Red Phase." His platoon won BRM so they received a streamer for that, and they won their battle march and shoot, so they received another streamer for that! He asks for prayer as he enters into the last phase of basic on Friday. Pray that God gives him strength and energy to pull through! If we call on God in our weakness then He will make us strong. Praise Jesus! Love you all!

I talked ON THE PHONE with my honey Friday night!

On Friday, Tyler's platoon excelled in their expectations for the day, so they were rewarded with a few minutes of a phone privilege. I cannot even begin to express what it was like to hear his voice. It was a true blessing from the Lord. Tyler had had an extremely difficult week, and I had really been struggling as well. We were struggling at the same time, and God blessed us with hearing each other's voices. When I answered the phone, I was at my grandmothers house, and what I was hearing with my ears took a few seconds to connect with my brain :). Once it connected though, I cried, he cried, and then we talked as fast as we could to get every little thing in that we possibly could. I never realized how much we really do take for granted something so simple as talking to someone on the phone. God gave us exactly what we needed, exactly when we needed it! My lips will forever praise Him! Tyler is doing wonderful. It's physically straining, but he said over and over how he has seen God's provision through it all. He is loving all of the letters he's receiving from everyone! They have kept him encouraged! So, he sends his love and his thanks for thinking of him to keep him encouraged! And Billy, the picture you sent of your grandfather in uniform has blessed his heart more than you could possibly ever know. So thank you. Pray hard for four more weeks, and then we'll be celebrating over him crossing over the finish line as he completes his basic training!! If we are faithful to serving the Lord, he truly does provide and bless us! And sometimes it's something so unexpected that it literally brings us to tears. Love you all!

Scarce week of letters.

The only day this week that I've received a letter was yesterday. He said that it's been an incredibly busy week, and he's been sick. The majority of their time has been spent shooting guns, and he's been doing very well with it. Last Friday they had a ruck march to their range. That totaled in six miles so that was physically straining, because it's not just walking, it's striding in formation at a quick pace. His words were that as tough as things may get he will not quit. He said that God has really been working where he is. Tyler has had several opportunities to witness to many different guys, and a new guy comes to church with him every Sunday morning. He has also been given permission to go to his Bible study on Wednesday nights ever since he transitioned over to White Phase. God is seeing him through this time. He is providing and answering prayers! We serve an almighty God! I am so proud of Tyler for putting God first in his decision to leave and serve our country. That gives me such great respect for him. He has faced his fears and God is blessing him for it! God bless you all!

A quick update!

He is doing very well! He is extremely happy to be out of Red Phase, aka "total control," and into White Phase. It's funny how little things make you happy after having your every move under some one else's control. Prime example: he can now CHOOSE what he wants to eat! :) That made him very, very happy because he loves the french toast in the mornings! I had a moment of pure excitement whenever I read that he completed their 3-mile run at the front of the line, AND he kept his juice DOWN, which for those of you who do not know, this is a big accomplishment for him! haha! He could never keep anything down after running, but he has finally built up enough stamina to run with ease. He is hoping that now being out of total control, his drill sergeant will allow him to attend the Bible study. So please, please pray for this! Being in a Bible study is so important, and this will be such awesome encouragement for him from fellow believers! Pray also that God continues to carry him through, as He has been doing for 5 weeks now. God is good! Your prayers are felt. Thank you. God bless you all!

Tyler got to see deer!!

All last weekend Tyler had a Land Navigation course. And then Monday night at 2 AM they were woken up to begin their course in "night-time" land navigation which lasted through Tuesday. He said that it was fun to walk around the woods and see DEER (which everyone knows that this is Tyler's domain)! He is getting lots of letters, and is staying encouraged! He said that everything is getting a lot better there, but that he'd still like prayer for the PT tests. On Wednesday they shot simulation ranges. And for those of you like me who have no clue what that means; it's an M4 hooked to an air compressor and shows you on a screen how you shoot. He said it was really cool, and that he was doing pretty good until his broke :)!
Bull and Teresa, Tyler received the post cards that Mrs. Loretta sent of the tropical paradises y'all visited and he said that it made him sick ;) haha!
He said that the food really isn't that bad (that is, of course, in his opinion :)). He has learned new ways of doing things like with folding clothes, eating, walking, standing, dressing, etc.! "It's going to be weird eating like a human again!" Thank you all for your constant prayers! With the Lord, he has made it this far already...he can do it!! God bless you all!

Red Phase is OVER!

I am so proud of him! He has made it through three of the most difficult weeks. I haven't heard from him for two days now so all I have right now as far as prayer requests is the PT test that he has on Monday. He said that he needs to show significant improvement on his score, so pray that God gives Tyler the strength he needs to complete every task, and to complete it well. Thank you all so much for your prayers! There is nothing stronger than a body of believers praying over another! God promises in His word that where two or more are gathered, there He is also! Please have Brian in your prayers as well as he is now officially traveling back home to Tori. Pray that he will safely arrive home on Monday.

God bless you all! Thank you!

It is official....

Tyler is now receiving our letters!! I've been waiting all week to find out whether he's gotten them yet or not, and praise the Lord, because He answered my prayer for the day!! He said that he got his Mom's, Vickie's, and Arlene's, and mine. Now get this...his drill sergeant made them do 10 push-ups for each letter they received. Which was not good for him, because he received 9 all at one time! (That was my bad for sending 5 all at once, whoops) haha! So he had to do 90 push-ups just to read the letters! He wanted me to let y'all know though that it was so well worth every single one, because each letter was so encouraging from y'all! Please be praying for his platoon, because there are several lazy guy's who are extremely immature and lack discipline. He said that so many have already been trying to get out and quit. It's really sad, but what's most important is that Tyler is giving this his all and he's succeeding! He's doing very well. The physical part is, of course, still very difficult but it's doable for him, and he's making it through each task one day at a time! Also, he said that there is a Bible study on Wednesday night's. He was told to put in a request to his chaplain to attend, so be praying that this works out for him. This was one of his biggest prayers prior to leaving! Thank you all so much! Love you all! I'll be updating soon again.

Tyler is doing good!

Since Tyler's first letter, I have received a few more, and he is doing really well! He has adjusted very well and is doing really good physically. He said that there are "those guys" in his platoon that can be lazy and end up making them all look bad. But then he later said that he's hoping they will all pull together and work through those things. On Wednesday he learned about IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) and how to look for them. And they blew up 2 claymore mines. He also has the opportunity to be certified Level 1 combative, which he is very excited about. He has gotten very speedy in eating the MRE's, and he actually likes them now! He also got his gun which you all know, REALLY made him happy! (: I just praise God that he's doing well! Living in this technologically advanced world makes being restricted to letter writing only extremely difficult. But you know, it's so personal and exciting! I wouldn't have it any other way right now. He's growing and learning and that's what's important. Continue to keep him in your prayers! And DO write. That's what's going to get him through is the encouragement from those who love him most. Love you all!

Correction on his address...

#318 Pvt.1 Richard Hazel
B Co. 2-58 INF 3 PLT
9375 Conway Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905

Got a letter from Tyler today!!!!

I walked to the mailbox this afternoon with heavy feet but a hopeful heart and when I was fiddling through the different pieces of mail I suddenly floated to cloud 9 as I came across Tyler's very first letter to me!!! Ahhh! I am so happy. Today has been the best! He is doing well. It's most certainly physically trying and difficult to get through each day, but he's making it. He said that he misses the small things back home and never realized how much he took them for granted. One of my favorite lines out of the letter said, "It's crazy how much freedom you have to loose to provide it." Pray that God will carry him through these first three weeks, because they will be the toughest. In the morning, he'll already have one week done and he'll never have to go through it again! Praise Jesus! I am so in love with him, and I cannot wait to see what God has done with his life in the end. Tyler and I are a "work in progress" with Jesus each day! Thank you all for your prayers!! Now, for the words I having been aching to type for awhile, WRITE AWAY!!! His address,
#318 PVT Hazel
B Co. 2-58 INF
9375 Conway Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905
                                                    

Today marks Tyler's fist full day of basic...

I have realized this day that the weekends are going to be my worst enemy in missing Tyler! I just pray that he is doing well, feeling well, and staying encouraged. Yesterday afternoon he was shipped down range where it all began. Pray that God surrounds him as he transitions once again and settles into a new place. You know, I am so thankful that we have God to call upon during times like this, because He is so faithful. Thank you Lord! "Be still and know that I am God." With love in Christ, Brittany

Well the first week is OVER!!!

Tomorrow bright and early Tyler is shipped down range to begin the "red phase" of basic (AKA The first/hardest phase that will last for 3 weeks). Pray that this evening God gives him the best sleep, so that he's physically ready to perform the tasks he faces. Also, be praying that God keeps him wrapped in His arms as he is pushed to his limit physically. I am SO excited, because this is really the beginning! It's the point where we can start counting down the weeks. Nine weeks of basic training, beginning early tomorrow morning! We can pray him through each moment! Love you all! -Brittany

Thank you...

Philippians 4:6-7
      "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you Tori for this blessing!

This verse holds such true meaning in my life right now, because Tyler is solely in God's hands. Meaning it's left up to us, as believers, to present his name before the Lord through prayer and petition. In doing so, God PROMISES His peace and understanding through it all. I just stand in amazement at what God has already done in Tyler's life, just in this first week alone. So thank you, for all of your prayers. We serve an amazing God! Greater things are yet to come!! I love you all! -Brittany

This is how God works...

Tyler has gotten to know another guy who is a fellow believer and knows God's word! As Tyler says, "He's like a Bible whiz!" They're standing together in what they believe and have had opportunities to witness to several others already! Pray that these seeds grow that they have planted!! God has just blessed me in so many different ways this day, from Tori's sweet encouragement, to talking with Mrs. Loretta, to hearing about Tyler's friend in Christ and witnessing to others!! Thank you Lord for this blessed day! I just cannot give you enough praise Lord! Tyler sends his love!
-Brittany

Talked with Tyler...

He sounded really good today! Much better than he has been sounding. He's getting to know the guys and is finding out that they're from all over (he's the only one from South Carolina!). Keep praying for encouragement through all of the transitions. Love you all! He feels your prayers and knows that the Lord is with Him. God is good!!

Tyler's ship off day to Georgia

Last night we told Tyler good-bye in person for the last time for the next 10 weeks. It was, of course, tough to leave him there, but we would all agree that we felt overwhelmed with God's peace and loving hands wrapped around us. We've only said good-bye for a little while though! Today, he has been able to call Mrs. Loretta and me letting us know that he's traveling there now, and should be arriving around 6 PM.

Tyler is excited and nervous all at the same time, but what really amazes me is that he is most excited about seeing what God has in store to teach him as he develops a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. Specifically right now, be praying that everything goes as planned during reception so that basic training will begin within the next week to get it all started. Also, be praying that he'll feel God's loving arms wrapped around him in the first few days as he struggles with being away from all those he loves. Thank you all for your prayers and support! Y'all are truly the best! God bless! -Brittany

Before shipping out to Ft. Benning......

Well, it's less than a month before I ship out. Brittany and I figured out something. I decided to create a blog to save myself from writing a hundred letters with the limited time I'll have. This way, you'll all be able to keep up with what phase I'm in during training, how I'm doing, and so forth. Brittany will be maintaining this blog until I return.