"Fussy" and "Sore"

On Saturday while I was home with Gwen- which is a treat now that I'm working- I noticed that she was unusually fussy. I felt bad because I was afraid she was bored now that she's used to being around other kids during the day. Tonight I realized that the reason she was fussy is that she just cut four teeth all at the same time! The poor thing cut one more bottom tooth (in the front) and three 1st year molars! She let me rub my finger in her mouth while I was brushing her teeth so I could see all of her hard work. I'm lucky that she has such an easygoing personality. And now I also know why she hasn't been eating anything lately! I finally got her to eat cold pasta and frozen peas with her glass of milk tonight. I'll have to try more cold foods for awhile until the swelling has calmed down a little.

Beau sent a letter to tell me about his tough week. He's had a lot going on, so he basically sent 4 letters all together and finally mailed them on Friday. This week they had to do the stereotypical timed obstacle course and the infamous "gas chamber, " called the Nuclear/Biological/Chemical Training center. They crammed 40 soldiers in a 20' x20' room full of very concentrated pepper spray. First they make them just break the seal of their masks so that they're breathing in some of the gas while they have to yell out their names, rank and social security numbers. Then they are marched around a corner where they have to pull off their masks and respond to screaming drill instructors. They have to recite the "Soldier's Creed" and then their rank. They also have to open their eyes and tell the drill sergeants how many fingers they're holding up. Beau said that several soldiers got sick, but that thankfully, he wasn't one of them and that the burning subsided a few minutes after they were out of the room. He said what helped him most was that he was trying to keep one of the guys in his group calm during the whole ordeal. And Beau's been promoted to Team Leader, which will give him more responsibility within his platoon.

On another note, Beau was asked to give a talk last Sunday about "who he is at his core." Elliot, his brother, was able to attend and pass the sacrament, so he was glad to see him. Beau said that he has had the opportunity to bring an investigator from his platoon almost every week to church. And He and Elliot were able to give one of the older female soldiers a blessing this past Sunday. I'm so glad to hear him talk about the church and his ablility to excercise his Priesthood authority while he's in Basic. It keeps him centered and focused with all of the craziness around him.

Beau wanted me to tell everyone hello for him and to let everyone know that he's sore- "which means I'm working hard. "