This one is for the Ladies!

Lately I’ve felt impressed to write about something that I feel very strongly about. I kept putting it off because it seems kinda weird to do this, but I keep getting this feeling like I ought to. These past few weeks that I’ve been gone have been hard on me as the three people who read my blog will remember from my almost constant complaining. There have been a few things that have gotten me through more than anything. Those would be my faith and the love of my Heavenly Father, those stupid blue pills, and my very caring and concerned friends and family; more particularly those of the female persuasion.

The women in my life are always something that I’ve treasured above just about everything else. The roots of that come from being raised by Mom and in part by my Grandmom. I have a deep and abiding love for these two women, and it wasn’t till I was older and on doing more things on my own that I came to realize just how influential they’ve been. Truly they’ve shaped the way I think and view the world, molded my faith, and sculpted my character. My early childhood was filled with much joy and carefree times. I remember helping my Mom work in the yard in the red apartments during a difficult time in our family, riding in the blue car with the sunroof, and being loved. I remember going shopping with my Grandmom, and spending endless summer days with her just playing. I never doubted that I was her favorite thing in the whole world, followed by my brother, her husband, my Mom and my Aunt.

Being raised mostly by those two women meant that I was instructed in proper manners and social customs. Every time I am complimented on my manners and how respectful I am, (not to toot my own horn, but people have said that about me!), I always tell them that it’s because of my Mom and Grandmom that I turned out as well as I have. Opening doors in buildings, cars, walking on the road side of the sidewalk, all of those things are second nature to me. I remember getting in trouble in Boot Camp for calling a female Drill Sergeant “ma’am” instead of Drill Sergeant, because I was raised to call women you didn’t know well or respected “ma’am” (ma’am is what you call an Officer, not an Enlisted person). That was one of maybe three times I was dropped as an individual and made to do push-ups the whole time I was in Basic. Everything good that I do in my life, and everything good about me, I can directly point back to those two women as the foundation of all of it.

That’s not saying that other women haven’t had an enormous influence on my life as well. My sisters, all four of them have helped me develop the protective instinct that I feel towards all my female friends, to care and look out for each of them. I was taught to protect them, care for them better than I would myself, and before myself. I do love each of my friends, and I hope they know that I would do anything for any of them at the drop of a hat if I could possibly do so, but I think that counts especially for the girls. My sisters are wonderful, and I love each of them individually, they are very much their own person with their own talents and strengths, and I wouldn’t change anything about any of them, except to have them know that I love them more so than they do now. My friends that I’ve made throughout the years, especially these past 5 or 6 years have been so amazing. They’ve listened to me talk forever about things they probably didn’t understand and acted interested, they’ve lent me strength when I was lacking. They’ve given me encouragement to do more than I ever thought I could do on my own, they make me believe in myself when I doubt. They forgive me when I’ve been rude or thoughtless or made them cry or broken their hearts. They’ve stuck by my side in situations when most other people would’ve run away, and pulled me from the depths of my own despair. They’ve taken care of me when I’ve been sick or broken, and trusted in me enough to confide in me. Each of them will have my eternal gratitude and good will, no matter where life takes each of us.

Something that has always bothered me is the lack of self image that a lot of girls have about themselves. I believe that society and probably other girls are the main things which break down a woman’s self image most. I believe that generally women are very susceptible to other people’s opinions in forming their own self image, and that is a shame. We’re taught that “beauty” and the right clothes and make up will make you desirable and that’s all that matters. While I’ll be the first to admit that a woman who takes care of her body catches my eye, it’s not what keeps it there. A woman who has confidence in herself and her abilities, who has faith and self assurance, that’s what gets me. Often you can see it in her eyes and the way she carries herself, that’s what lights my heart up. The ability to dig deep and accomplish things that she desires and challenges her is more desirable than fancy clothes any day. I have multiple friends who struggle with eating disorders and weight issues, and I imagine they will struggle their entire lives with it. If I could permanently convince them that they are so so beautiful the way they are because of whom they are, then I would. I would want to tell you that you’re wonderful as you are, and you don’t have as many improvements to make as you think you do.

A special place in my heart is reserved for those of you who are Mothers, or will soon be Mothers (even if you don’t think it will ever happen). Quite honestly I don’t know of a more selfless act (other than Christ’s) than a Mother. I’ve watched the heartache that I’ve caused my own Mom when I mess up, and that drives me to do and be better than I currently am. I can’t imagine the love that is developed from the side of a Mother, but I know not to mess with the prayers of a Mother. Despite my best efforts to do otherwise, the prayers of my Mom kept me in Kuwait, bored but safe the last time I went overseas. I hope those of you who are Mothers know of the gratitude that I have for you, even though you’re not “my” Mom. I’ve said occasionally to a few people that I hope my children are friends with yours when they’re growing up, that way I know their friends will have been raised right and it will make my job easier. I know that it must be hard to lose yourself and place your dreams and seemingly your personal progression on hold while you devote yourself to someone who doesn’t really appear to appreciate your efforts for them. Now that I’m “grown” I know just how lucky I was to have my Mom available when I got home from school every day, to have her to drive me places, to give up her money, food and time to keep me happy in things that I probably didn’t need. One of the things I guarded jealously was while I was in High School was making it home about twenty minutes before she had to leave to pick my sisters up from their school. I loved being there and talking to her about our days. That was my time with my Mom.

And for a moment let me just say how amazing it is how spiritually in tune and sensitive you all are! If you don’t believe me, take a look at a Relief Society meeting and an Elder Quorum meeting. One of my best friends was recently a RS Pres in her student ward and we’d talk about our Sundays and compare lessons and the like. The RS starts out with and I’m pretty sure ends with a hymn, while the Elders are trying to grill out an opening prayer from someone. The Elders do usually sing, but an acapella version of “Elders of Israel” or one or two other hymns. RS lessons are planned and prepared for usually at least a few days if not a week or two in advance, Elders, lucky if it’s sometime the week prior, usually the night prior, or that morning. RS answers are thought out and freely given, Elders; you’d have better luck pulling teeth with your fingers than get volunteered answers. And who is always out first, and who has kids opening the doors to see if their meeting is out yet? Those kids aren’t looking for Dad, that’s for sure! But honestly, the ladies are almost always more sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit. They just seem closer to Heavenly Father than the rest of us. Go ahead and find a guy who disagrees with me, and I’ll show you a fool.

So ladies when your heart weighs down and you’re struggling to remember who you are and what you stand for, remember at least that they are surrounded by love and support, starting with me and always and unconditionally by our Heavenly Father. Women are wonderful. End of story, cease debate. Ya’ll are amazing, stop arguing with me about it! TRUST ME!!

President David O. McKay put it beautifully when he said, speaking of mothers, “This ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift to love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, endowing with immortality eternal spirits, she is co-partner with the Creator himself.” -H. Burke Peterson

First, there is gratitude for our mothers. Mother, who willingly made that personal journey into the valley of the shadow of death to give us birth, deserves our undying gratitude. One writer summed up our love for mother when he declared, “God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers.” While on the cruel cross of Calvary, suffering intense pain and anguish, Jesus “saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” What a divine example of gratitude and love! -Thomas S. Monson

You never know what a girl is worth,
You’ll just have to wait and see;
But every woman in a noble place,
A girl once used to be.

Woman was taken out of man; not out of his feet to be trampled underfoot, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.

Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: “Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved. – Thomas S. Monson
You young men need to know that you can hardly achieve your highest potential without the influence of good women, particularly your mother and, in a few years, a good wife. Learn now to show respect and gratitude. Remember that your mother is your mother. She should not need to issue orders. Her wish, her hope, her hint should provide direction that you would honor. Thank her and express your love for her. And if she is struggling to rear you without your father, you have a double duty to honor her. – Russell M. Nelson

I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the “highest place of honor” in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty. One of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God-given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernal gifts, bless the lives of children, women, and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. Use it to serve others. –James E. Faust

Do the best you can, and remember that the greatest asset you have in this world is those children, whom you’ve brought into the world, and for whose nurture and care you are responsible.” I repeat that tonight. Do the best you can to help all of us reach higher and do better. Use your innate spiritual gifts to bless. Help us push back the pernicious influences of the world in our lives, our homes, and in the Church. – Gordon B. Hinkley

Gripes and Thanks.

I’m munching on chocolate chip cookies that I managed to not gorge myself on which came as a result of my shameless begging for food. Oh so good. And not doing anything to help me decrease my run time. Tomorrow my brigade goes on a 4 day pass, but my section isn’t leaving because we’re in a class that goes through the pass. I think out of the 330 some people we have here, all but 15 of us are leaving. There’s an officer here who is being “left in charge” of us, and he’s the biggest pain in the rear I’ve ever met. Well one of the biggest anyway. He’s a very high maintenance Porto Rican who probably has a bit of OCD. He plays his Latin music really loud when he’s in the shower, and when he’s in front of the mirror shaving or brushing his teeth. Not only does he have his music up loud, but he dances the mambo in his underwear and sings while he’s shaving. I don’t know about you, but I try to stay pretty still when I’m shaving…. His biggest claim to fame around here is flipping out when someone else started to take a shower in the stall he wanted to use even though he wasn’t anywhere near being ready to shower, and there were other stalls open. So he tried to use his rank to make the other guy leave. Big mistake, as the other guy was another Warrant Officer who had been in the Army long enough to not give a crap about some idiot. It didn’t end well for the Porto Rican, and it resulted in him being teased about his habits for a while. And he doesn’t clean up when it’s his turn, so someone crossed out the names on the clean up roster and put his name on every day. It was all meant in a joking way to get him to realize that he needs to start being more accommodating to everyone else.
Anyway, all that was to set the stage for how he thinks this weekend is going to go. We set everything up to run smoothly without him being involved, and then he thinks he’s actually going to be in charge of the rest of us. All I know is if he tries to tell anyone in my section what to do outside of what we’ve already been told to do, we’re going to blow him off completely.
Sorry, but I’ve got another gripe… In this class that I’ve been in, I had high hopes for it, because I took it last summer in Wisconsin and learned a ton of good stuff, and it’s exactly what we’re going to be doing in Iraq. But the teacher who is teaching it here on Ft. Hood is killing us. She spent the first two days reading Army Regulations to us, straight from the regulation. If you don’t know how boring an Army Regulation is, go look up some congressional bill and try to make normal human sense of it. But anyway, we took the test over that this morning, but there were several questions which were questionable. We came back after lunch hoping to go over the test, but the teacher says she doesn’t do that, even though it’s a requirement for Army tests. So we all were wondering what the answers to the questionable questions were, and there were three people who would pass the test if they were right and the test was wrong. I spent 20 minutes arguing with this teacher that we need to go over the test so that I can see where I missed questions so I know what to study up on more. I really wanted to argue those few questions that I thought I got right. After an hour of yelling, showing her in the regulations where I was right, she finally said that she’d give us credit for one of the questions, when we had proven that at least two of the questions were wrong. I think everyone was pretty upset for the rest of the afternoon. But finally we got into the actual computer system and it got slightly more interesting. Granted it took us 3 hours to do something that should have only taken us a half hour, and it was one of the easiest things we’ll do… but it should be better tomorrow.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to these next couple weeks. The next few days it will be almost empty where I live so I’ll have peace and quiet. I’ll be in a classroom where I can do almost whatever I want because the teacher knows she’s lost me and I get the idea that she doesn’t really know what she’s talking about and just reads the pre made lesson plans to us. Then I go on my 4 day pass to the wonderful South! I get to see my parents and friends, just relax, do some cooking, watch movies, and float down a river. It will be different going home though, my dog Daisy died in late June, and it’s going to seem empty without her. My unit is still scheduled to leave around the same time that we were before even though they changed it several times since we first found out. I just want to get overseas and actually start doing my job. I hate sitting around so much.
I love and miss my friends and family dearly, and it’s hard when they all feel far away. But I just have to remember to keep my head up and have faith that I’ll eventually ok with where I wind up in people’s lives. I just want to get overseas and start doing something so hopefully time will go by more quickly. I am very grateful for all the prayers, love and support that I've gotten so far. I feel it and need it!

Help me test a theory!

Guess what everyone? I've decided to enlist your help in doing a study. What is it? To test the endurance of baked goods shipped via the postal system or any other freighter from random places in the United States to Killeen, Texas. That's right! You can participate in a scientific study looking at the durability of food products such as cookies, breads, pepperoni rolls, brownies and much much more! Entries into this study will receive a genuine letter of appreciation from an officer in the US Army, and all food stuffs will be properly disposed of. Submit your articles of delicious food to this address:

WO1 Jeff McGill
Bldg 56413
96th SBDE
North Fort Hood, TX 76544

And if you're not interested in helping science, look at this as a chance for service, to do something for the troops to help you feel good about yourself on the 4th of July, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Tuesday, or any other day of the week! Write it off as a charitable contribution, or another option to sending food to the local Salvation Army, send it to the real Army!