Quality Air Force Training

Aloha! Well, after 11 weeks of quality Air Force training at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, I finally have some time to sit down and write a blog to update you on what is going on with us. I have been attending the Advance Maintenance Munitions Officer School. The best way I can explain it is like cramming in all the information required for a Masters Degree into 14 weeks. Then add Physical Training, way too much to do in the allotted time, causing multiple sleepless nights, very few weekends off or any free time. So it's pretty much like going through hell, which is a good comparison seeing as how the school is located in the hot Nevada desert near "Sin City". I don't think I have studied harder or been through a more challenging course (mentally and physically) in my military career. It will definitely be nice to be finally done.

Abi has been quite the trooper while I have been gone. Going through a Summer break with 4 kids and no help from Daddy has been quite the experience. Thankfully, she has the help of Mama, Mom, Dad, Joel and Meilani! In fact, the first week I was gone we had quite the experience. Abi and the kids were over visiting with some of our friends (Dulans) at their condo. Well somehow, Robbie managed to find his way pass a gate and into a pool chasing after a stick that he and his friend were playing with. Thankfully, his friend was quick enough to alert the adults and Abi dashed over to get him out of the pool. He was still holding on to the stick and when he finally came to said, "I fell in the pool!" Well, needless to say, he had us all worried and I was pretty much ready to head for home, but by the grace of our Heavenly Father who was watching over Robbie, he was alright and recovered very quickly. I was thankful for the blessing that I had received from Bishop Data prior to my leaving and the promise that my family would be watched over and kept from harm. Another great example of the power of prayer!

Missing out on Birthdays (both Isi's and Esa's), our 11th anniversary, and Holiday's (Presidents Day & the 4th of July) has been difficult, but I keep myself motivated knowing that some of my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are in much worse places putting there lives on the line and missing special days with their families as well. It also helps to have a cell phone and Internet that allows me to reach out and hear from my loved ones on a daily basis.

Only 3 more weeks to go and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel....hopefully that isn't the light of an oncoming train rushing toward me:)! I can't wait to be finally done so I can get back home. Well, keep me in your prayers and I hope to see you all soon. 'Ofa lahi atu!

Rob (aka "KONG")