This came today:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm assuming from the letters that I you have started receiving my letters, that's good because I was starting to worry that maybe the government was starting to steal them or something. (lol)

Life in boot camp continues to be difficult, but I have started noticing the changes in the strength of my body, the only problem is that the training we are receiving has gotten harder as well. :)

Sadly, the energy bars you sent me did not arrive on time :( but luckily my sense of what date it is, is totally off. You probably have another three weeks before we actually use them. :)

Tell Tyson and Jana that I love them and thank Tyson for the letter, also tell the Rudds that I think about them a lot, but I've decided I only have time to write to you guys, so I'll be using you to send messages.

I learned from a phase 3 recruit that I should be asking permission from my Drill instructors to get Intensive Training. I don't know if dad went through intensive training or not, but if not, he doesn't know what it is, it is a very intense work out that lasts anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes. That recruits reasons was that I will need the strength that it will give me for 2nd phase.

That same recruit filled two of the washers with a full bottle of soap, and messed up the whole laundry house. Thanks to a quick prayer, I found a way to quickly flush all of the bubbles down a drain.

Thanks so much for the energy bars, Mom and Dad :) and Erin :)

Oh, I also did my first combat conditioning exercise today. It was much harder, although much less (intense isn't the right word). It was much less painful than intensive training but my body is now completely drained of energy.

Again, I love you guys so much. Tell Amanda never mind. Tell everyone that I love them, and next time you mail me, send me stamps and envelopes. They are super expensive here. I love you guys a ton!

Love, Ryan

PS I got one of the members of my platoon interested in coming to church a few days ago. Apparently he was baptized when he was younger but somehow he fell away. He noticed how I read the Book of Mormon you gave me every evening devotion, and how the Protestants or Catholics, can't remember, and how the members of other groups just messed around. So I gave him my extra copy of the Book of Mormon and will be taking him to church Sunday.

PSS Tell everyone like Alayna, to keep writing me, or to start writing me. I miss everyone so much.

This is a new era of my life--sending out one's youngest--and in ways most vulnerable--to a life of a Marine. Will there ever be moments of security again--first the struggle to become beyond his attention deficit--and after that--what kind of risks? We hope they are few and far removed from the action--but there is no guarantee--and there are parents whose son's are at the forefront. Mortality is so real!

Faith and prayers are in hot demand!

Dear Parents,

I love you guys very much, and I think of you guys constantly. I don't know if you guys are receiving any of the letters that I've sent you, but I hope you guys have.

I am extremely homesick and I wish I could go home every night. I am still dedicated to becoming a Marine, and I find ways to motivate myself and give 110% at everything I do.

Almost every moment that I am awake, I am under stress, even during free time because of all the things I need to do in order to make my life easier.

I love you guys so much, and I want you guys to send me a letter every chance you get.

Love, Ryan

PS: From Mum. We write him every day, plus send Erin's and Garrett's e-mails, and the letters from Justin that Tara posts. I hope he is getting them, but can't tell from the three short notes we've received. Tomorrow, he will have been gone a month.

Here is Ryan's first letter. Also, for some reason it looks like there is a time limit on sending Cliff Bars (the best kind of power bars). I hadn't mentioned it yet, but family can send them for the last 54 hour "Crucible," but they are only put into a fund for the whole group. It helps get them through those hours of no sleep and little food and demanding physical (war-like) activity. I can't imagine why November 10 is the deadline--but if anyone wants to mail a few, I can provide an address.

Also, we are sending envelopes and stamps to you kids to help keep the letters coming.


Dear Mom and Dad,

I want you to know that I'm doing alright. Things are very difficult though, since I've been very sick for awhile now. It's not been anything serious yet, but I've gotten a lot of small things all at once.

The platoon has only been getting an hour of free time every day for about 4 days now, and it's taken me all of that time just to get on top of all the things our drill instructors expect from us.

It's pretty amazing how much I've come to realize I love the church. It is the only thing that I've got to hold me together.

Over all, though, I'm still glad that I chose to come to boot camp. Despite how hard it is, it will set me up to live a better, more righteous life.

Much love,
Ryan Hoffman

PS If you guys don't get your hands on 82 Cliff bars before November 10, keep them, they would make an awesome graduation gift.

And keep sending letters. They do a lot to keep me happy.

I miss you all so very much.

I'd like to share the letter we received from Robert C. Oaks of The Seventy. While it is a bit of a form letter, it is all words of comfort for parents of military members. The Church has amazing safety nets--they've been everywhere around and throughout my life.

October 30, 2008


Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman:

We recently learned that Ryan has joined the military and is attending basic training at MCRD San Diego, CA. We are pleased to inform you that he has been attending the Church services on base and are grateful for the spirit he brings to the meetings. President Briggs is the Church leader at MCRD San Diego and will do all he can to help strengthen Ryan's faith and testimony. We appreciate your support and know you join with us in asking that the Lord will guide and protect him during this time of uncertainty and turmoil in the world.

In these troubled times, it is heartwarming to see sons and daughters courageously step forward to help preserve our freedom and way of life. You can be proud of the part you played in molding Ryan's character. Courage and patriotism do not come automatically; they are planted in the hearts of children by their parents. We express our gratitude to you for your selfless service in his behalf.

We have a deep and abiding interest in Ryan's welfare and want to ensure the blessings of Church membership are available wherever he is stationed. As military members move around, occasionally they are unable to find out where and when the Church meetings are held. Our Military Relations Division can assist them. Likewise, we are able to help concerned parents locate the bishop or branch president where their son or daughter is stationed. In addition, many times we can assist in locating the name of a group leader aboard a ship or at a deployed location around the world.

We know the Lord is mindful of Ryan and the challenges he will face as he valiantly serves in the military.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Oaks

Oh, and the recruit office here says that Ryan would not have had time to write us yet. They keep them busy every minute of the first weeks. Knowing that is a relief!

So, we keep a close watch on our most problematic student. He is tall, passable looks--but unmistakeably special education. Two of us aides were walking back to class with him from the cafeteria, with him carrying his tray. There were several stops where we had to encourage him onward--with us knowing that if he lost control, we could have an interesting trip across, or beyond, campus on our hands. The aide in charge has a cell phone with security's number on speed dial, plus a walkie-talkie. Said-student didn't want to have his lunch alone and was struggling because of that. He dodged from us to ask three gorgeous girls who were taking their lunches out of their lockers if they would eat lunch with him.

They couldn't understand him since his speech isn't that clear, and I quickly inserted my two cents in the conversation suggesting that they say "Thank you, but that they were busy." This they did, with what he asked them finally clicking.

We went on our way, and after reaching the room pulled out our lunches to eat with him, because he was still sad at eating alone. Five minutes into the lunch, we get a call from the secretary in the front of our 5-room complex. "Did so-and-so invite some girls to have lunch with him?" We hesitated, but said, "yes." Had they complained to someone, we are wondering.

"Well," the secretary replied, "They're here." We hadn't even given them the room number. As these lovely girls come into to room, our student gets the most dumbfounded look on his face, I've ever seen. It was classic!

He turned shy, but still managed to have a nice lunch with them, after which he showed them around the Special Education area.

Today, we are into lunch--and, you guessed it, they returned--along with another 5 gorgeous girls! Our boy and 8 girls filled our round lunch table, and they spent the whole lunch hour with us.

We are supposed to teach him not to approach people like he did, but with results like that ... who would want to?

So many people are so very, very good!

My friend, Nancy, who is bicycling with her family from the tip of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina, posted these pictures while in Wyoming.

She said something like "What happens if you take a beader and send her to Yellowstone.



And show her this



And then coop her up in a motel room because of this?



You get a bicycle decoration like this



As you can see, one of my fairies is on a very long trip.

Ryan's Branch President contacted our bishop to tell him that Ryan was adjusting well and had attended church with his military scriptures in hand.

That's all we have heard, but this much is even heartening.

We've been drying apples and cabbage--not at the same time, freezing some peppers, tomatoes, and onions, canning rhubarb, rhubarb jam, green tomato salsa (36 pints!!!), and green tomato mincemeat, and digging up potatoes. I've yet to harvest my broccoli, carrots, and the other half of the beets. This Saturday I need to bring my geraniums in and harvest marygold and zennia seeds. We will dry onions and carrots--and then we should be ready to dry pack two large bins of dried stuff, including making my vegetable soup mix. It's all good.

I thought I would be bawling my eyes out because I would get teary thinking of Ryan leaving for the Marines, but I am kind of numb. I'm not sure what I am feeling. I know he needed to go--it's the best opportunity he could see for making a career for himself and giving himself opportunities. And it is a noble thing to serve one's country. I just want to attend the temple, read my scriptures, pray a lot more, and support him in every way I can. From a cushy life to boot camp has to be a huge step.

We said quick good-byes--Ryan wanted it brief--perhaps to cover his own emotions.





We had a good day--Stake Conference with lots of good instruction. Visits from Ryan's friends and time with them. Nice meals. Our home teacher assisted Ivan in giving Ryan's a father's blessing. Taylor and Colin came over to visit. Then we stopped at the Rudd's on the way to the hotel. Brendan chose a different way than the Marines, and I am glad he didn't join just to please Ryan. That's too hard of a load for anyone to bear. They are very good friends, however.

First of all, Ryan leaves for Boot Camp on Monday--we say our "Good-byes" on Sunday night when we leave him at the Marine's hotel rooms. He is ready for it, and we all believe it is the best thing for him. I still reserve the right to be sad--though not in front of Ryan (his request).





Tyson and Jana's Open House was sheer magic to me. The weather was beautiful; Merlyn and SanDee's park was beautiful; Tyson and Jana were beautiful; our company was beautiful; and the BBQ, I must admit, was delicious.

I worked at a furious pace for a day and a half--and it was so busy I didn't even get pictures, but I did have time to slow down and enjoy myself through the last half of the event--and I enjoyed the preparations and work also. I like hostessing when you see people enjoying themselves. We might have had about 45 people, and several stayed the whole evening. It seemed that everyone had a good time. Carolyn and Don came and enjoyed visiting with old friends. Merlyn and SanDee were so nice to let us use the park.

Tyson and Jana opening gifts afterwards:



Even before Tyson and Jana left on Sunday, my friends, Nancy and John and boys arrived. They are bicycling from the tip of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina--but while in Jackson Hole, they realized they needed to return to Boise (by rental car) and do some major errands. They stayed at our house Sunday and Monday. I didn't think to take their pictures, but Nancy took ours and put it in her blog.



Then as they were leaving (if I remember right), Ivan was also leaving to deer hunt. He did get a deer--first time in 29 years (he didn't hunt many of those years). A cold front came through with frosting, freezing nights. I covered the garden and some of my major flowers, but I also had to hurried harvest a bunch of the food. We are still canning and drying it.

Brussel Sprouts



Two wheel barrows and 3 garbage cans filled with produce, plus stuff piled underneath.



We have produce in Meryln's cold room, our wood shed, my storage shed, as well as in the garden and piled by our front door. I am a driven woman--and Teryl just rolls his eyes as I glean under the fruit trees and grape vines.







I miss blogging. I am not doing so well in my signing class (though I am satisfied with my pace, considering I don't do well with languages and I have no homework time). And I need to scramble to catch up with freelance--but overall, I am happy with everything. These are good challenges to have. I love working at the high school and I love my coworkers and students. That is SUCH a blessing!

Jon is one of Erin's best friends--and adopted family member. The fact that he is a photographer is icing on the cake.






Lori and Hannah are Jon's wife and daughter




Jana's family: