CHP ~ Day 49

Today, Matt called me to hang out :) my brother loves me. We ended up going to lunch with Drew and Jilly, I don't get to see Drew that often...so it was nice to have some time with them and visit.
Matt and I ran into an old family friend when we were leaving...Rick Solomon is a friend of my parents, and his family was one of the one that did all the couples Bible study camping trips with our family and others for YEARS...I don't think I've seen him in over 6-7 years myself. He didn't recognize Matt or I. We realized though, how tough the economy is and how hard finances are when someone you haven't seen in that long offers all the information he did. And it really makde Matt put the amount of work my dad has been able to get lately into perspective (Rick is an electrical contractor also), and it made me very gratefully that Drew got into the CHP Academy and we have that as a steady job instead of construction right now (no matter how much Drew may miss electrical). And it helped calm me, because I realized that everyne's struggling and most people are a little behind right now...I didn't feel so alone in that any more :)

I came back home and started the project that I attempted to start last night, before Drew called me and said he had liberty. I've been "filing" and attempting to organize all the CHP paperwork, and also organize any receipts and whatnot that are going to be tax write offs...I had a HORENDOUS time of figuring out my taxes last year because I hadn't separated those receipts. And, we are going to have a decent amount this year! All the money we have poured into the CHP thus far can be written off...which is really going to help.

Anywho, Drew sounded really good when he called this evening. He was fitted for his official Officer uniform tonight, EXCITING! And really strange that we are that far into the Academy! The senior cadets only have about 2 or 3 weeks left!!! then the newbees come in...time is going by reasonably fast, as a whole :) He also cleaned his gun today (and was very excited about it!) He is really enjoying range because it is so hands on...and that is definitely how his brain works! He also had that Spanish quiz today (not a major test yet) that he was concerned about, he says he has a good accent but has trouble understanding other people (since the language is spoken so fast) and he has a mental block at the moment trying to remember the words. But, he said he only missed 2 or 3 questions...so that's a blessing!!!

It sounds like tomorrow Drew only has two classes aside from PT in the morning...just four hours of his range class and then his accident investigation class. BUT! He'll be home tomorrow night!

CHP ~ Day 48

Today I worked on cleaning the house since we are having company this weekend...DEd and Sherri are coming up to spend time with Drew for his brithday. And began to organize my filing system. I've accumulated a few piles of junk that I've needed to go through, PLUS the amount of paperwork we have received from the Academy and benefits...AND everything we have receipts for that has been purchased for the CHP...I've been needing to organize for taxes and whatnot...So, that's always a huge undertaking!

Drew had an ok day today. A little good and a little bad. PT this morning was rough, and a few individuals from the other company think he's the reason for it if they have a rough workout in the mornings. So, that's a little discouraging... BUT!!! He passed SKID PAN, first attempt! PRAISE THE LORD!!! He also received a test score from the beginning of the week, passed...woo hoo...(that doesn't mean it was barely passing, that just means he didn't remember what the score was when he told me) :)

He received his bonus check today, just barely enough to cover a bill I need to pay, PRAISE GOD for that as well! I think we should have enough to cover our gas for the next week until his paycheck comes. So, I went down to pick up his check and ...sort of... helped him study for his Spanish (I'm so bad, I don't know how I could have been helping him). But, I went down a little late, so he was able to get all of his other work, boot shining, and uniform prep done for tomorrow before I got down there.

THANK YOU LORD, for continuing to work and provide for us, even when we become impatient or begin to doubt.

CHP ~ Day 43

Well, today was eventful. Heh, I guess that's one way to put it!

I wasn't doing much this morning, I couldn't sleep last night so I was up until 3am once again, so OF COURSE I slept in. My mom called me and we went out to lunch a visited for a bit. And then, my sister came over for a little while after her French class. We were venting about life and visiting for quite a few hours...it's times like that which make me feel close to her, not quite so distanced. :)
I was getting some sandwiches and stuff ready, and shortly after Rachel left, I left to pick up Drew. I ran by the bank and then the gas station first, and I got a call from Drew (as I usually do on Wednesdays to let me know he's done for the day). But, he sounded wretched, and said don't come I'm on restriction...I'll explain to you later if I have time...pray for me. Well, if that's not the most gutt wrenching thing to hear suddenly. So, I called Sherri and my mom to give them updates and have them be praying as well. The only thing I could assume was that he had really bad test scores on the two EVOC written tests he took Monday (which he felt unsure about).

My mom ended up picking me up and driving me up to Auburn to spend the evening with them (get my mind off of stressing). We went to dinner, THE WHOLE FAMILY...amazing! :) And when we got back, I made some banana bread for Drew. He called me at about 9:45 ish.

Apparently, within the last few days (I'm not sure when) all of the cadets in his class filled out a cadet evaluation form, listing their top 3 and bottom 3 cadets (in their opinion). The results were back today, and Drew was in the bottom 3 for 95 of the cadets (about 50% of the class). Which meant he spent a class period being lectured about the issues brought forth by the survey's and that they've never had anyone have so many negatives! There were a few officers in there and the sergant "discussing" with him...and it was immediately after that when he called me -- NO WONDER he sounded so aweful!!! He had to write a 3 page memo on what he wants out of the Academy, what he can do to better himself, and what he can do to try harder. After a certain amount of time, one of the officers came in and read over what he had and shared with him how he can get the most of his Academy experience, and also out of this career, and how he can make a bigger impression that he is working hard. I think that encouraged him a little, but it is still very disheartening to hear that all your hard work is going unnoticed, and quite the opposite...that "he doesn't give 100%".

Well, he called me after he did some homework to say goodnight (around 11:20). He told me that the rest of his day was rough also. A certain officer that was hard on him the first few weeks, had been on vacation for a while and came back today...so that made PT wonderful...and he lost a blue card there for "giving only 50%". He lost another blue card for being late to drill...because he is still on double PT, he is late to catch back up with his company. On a lighter note, he received the test scores from the two Monday tests that he was concerned about, and he received an 80% and a 90%!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

I am now fervently praying that God would release him from his double PT duties. That would keep him on schedule with his company, he would not have a second round of it while others are fresh and on their first, and it would just be one less thing to worry about!!!

Weekend Eight...Moving Right Along...

Yeah! Drew's home for the weekend, finally...he got some more test scores back yesterday! He believes it was his final for the Crimes Against Children class, an 88%! WooHoo! And he got his range bag yesterday also...with his gun belt, etc in it! So, that means he gets his gun on probably Monday, and starts range either Tuesday or Wednesday!!! He's already at that point!!!

It's nice to have him home, I feel very heavy hearted right now...and I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's stress or the occassional meloncholy spurts I get once in a while...but it's nice to have him here.

We received some sad news today about a couple that is VERY near and dear to our hearts, and has had such an influence on us as we were dating and preparing to get married. They are struggling, and their situation has been on my mind and heart all morning and I feel so disturbed by it. I've been praying about it most of the morning, and wishing we lived closer to them so we could be there to love on and support them. God started showing me a few things that relate to this situation: one thing which I find is interesting- is that my cousin and I were talking about relationships and God spoke through her that I was supposed to pray for relationships (this was only TWO DAYS AGO), and the other is something that I heard a couple weeks ago- I believe I have an entry about it on Tuesday three weeks ago, that at RHOP our Pastor was discussing three Christian leaders who are currently in the midst of scandal and having issues with their relationships and their positions of leadership in His church. Pastor Francis was sharing that Satan is really actively moving right now , to seek, kill, and destroy God's church! And that leaders are being attacked and struggling in so many ways right now. After we all prayed that day, I realized how many leaders in our own church were struggling (with depression mostly), but still doubting themselves. Now we have news of people who are SO much closer to home to Drew and I, and SO dear to us...and they are going through a trial right now as well. All of this solidifying what Jill spoke to me on Thursday.

LORD, BLESS AND KEEP THESE FRIENDS! LORD, GUIDE AND PROTECT THIS FAMILY! KEEP THEM FROM HARM, SURROUND THEM WITH YOUR GUARDIAN ANGELS, AND KEEPT HEM FROM SATAN AND HIS ATTEMPTS TO DISTROY!

CHP ~ Day 39

I had a pretty good day today...hung out with Jilly. We ran some errands and went shopping...it's so nice being so near them :) I even saw my brother :) he was hanging out with Andrew. Jilly and I were talking about lots of stuff and she spoke a word to me...that she feels that God wants me to pray for relationships...because of things that I have dealt with in life through relationships and whatnot. And I thought that was very interesting, I hadn't seen those things from that perspective before...and it relates to my call to JUSTICE prayer also. JUSTICE is generally regarding the value of human life...but the topics involved are VERY relational! (abortion, pornography, homosexuality, sex industry, etc...)

Drew didn't call me until LATE tonight...about 9ish...I think Tuesday really made him realize how much work he can get done if he doesn't try to do it in his room! He was doing his written work (his training table menu, and another report form) in a classroom tonight, and he called me while polishing his boots, and he got to bed around 10! PRAISE THE LORD! So, that's positive, He got another test score back today...A second version of his Radio codes test that he took a couple weeks ago, and he got an 88% on that! PRAISE YOU LORD FOR THE AMAZING RESULTS OF DREW'S TESTS SCORES THROUGHOUT HIS TIME AT THE ACADEMY, AND ALLOWING HIS STUDYING TO PAY OFF!!!

CHP ~ Day 38

Drew had his liberty today, so I ran some errands this afternoon, and went to go pick him up. HA! I have had such a hard time (jokingly) from the Officers when I try to get through the gate :D Most often they just wave me through when they see my sign (rather, a big yellow piece of paper with Drew's info and our license plate # on it)...but there have been a few times- like today I was told that he was on restriction, and I could only pick him up if I fed him heaping amounts of gravy for dinner! I have been asked codes, I was kinda joked about whether I was allowed to come in once and then he laughed and asked how we were doing with the process...they're funny!!! I must be wearing a sign that says easy target!!!

Anywho, I brought Drew sub sandwiches from our favorite sandwich shop in Roseville...Lenny's SO GOOD! We drove over to old town Sacramento and sat on a picnic bench and ate, then walked over to an ice cream shop and got ice cream cones :) We wandered around for a while (it's weird how empty that place is in the middle of the week!) And he was ready to go back yet, so we headed over to IKEA and walked around there for a while (and he got a cinnamon roll and ANOTHER Mountain Dew), he broke his whole diet in this ONE evening of liberty!) But it was fun, it felt like a date, we were alone most of the time, which was nice because we usually end up in a noisy crowded restaurant.

He had a good day...the test score from his big vehicle code test on Monday was a 90%!!! WooHoo! And he found out he gets his gun next week and they start out on the range...Time Must Be Flying!

CHP ~ Day 36

Well, today I didn't do much...feeling a little sick and weak and tired...

Drew had a pretty good day, for a Monday...the one class he had the report due in, he is going to be able to make up the report because he spoke with the intructor about how he was REALLY supposed to write it. He had his big codes test that he was putting notes together for, and he feels pretty good about it, PRAISE GOD. He sounds tired, but it sounded like a typical pretty smooth flowing day, which is very positive.

He bought a new hat today...it is incredible, when new their Cadet caps are BLUE, dark blue. And after a month in the sun, it is BROWN, just faded...no stains, and aside from the stitching there's no proof the fabric of the hat was EVER blue! So, he got another one of those to go on his knoggin.

AND it sounds like Ed and Sherri are coming up at the end of the month, so that will be a nice visit for Drew. I've been researching the nearby hotels for them today... :)

Our 7th Weekend Comes to a Close...20 Weeks Left

Well, PRAISE THE LORD...Drew survived Friday. As it turns out he did not end up having to do all three PT's again on Friday, because he would have missed his run. So, he did his usual two which was a blessing because he didn't think he was going to be able to survive a third, his arms were just too worn out. He DID have his first in car experience at EVOC!!! And he said that it made the first 7 weeks, no matter how hard they were, completely worth it! He passed all the test that they were given the first day: such as straight backing at 40mph and hand over hand turning, etc...The instructors came out in Camaros and were sliding past them...He was VERY hyped on that experience :D

However, due to his EVOC class he missed the first day of another class (report writing), which everyone is going to miss a class at some point as they cycle everyone through. But he needed to depend on another Cadet to collect handouts for him and to write notes for him. When it came to writing the first report assignment this weekend, he had a sample of how to fill out the report form...but the actual written part that is your account of the incident, he really was not sure how he was supposed to put that together. So, we spent some time on that over the weekend...and he spent ALOT of time putting together notes and shortcuts for info on the vehicle codes that he could put into his book. He has a BIG vehicle codes test this week, and its open book and they can put the notes they are able to fit in the back pages of the book. So, hopefully he was able to get togther everything he needed.

It's exciting to see how far God has carried us through this process! All the blessings, all the answered prayers, all the support from our families, and how He has been growing each of us through this whole strange experience!

Drew wasn't able to relax too much this weekend because of all his work, but I fed him well!!! And we were able to get out and see my family for my mom's birthday (excuse me birth-MONTH)! That was fun.

The last couple weeks Drew has not had Wednesday liberties, so the last two weekends have been SO hard to drop him off, because I haven't seen him during the week, and it feels like the weekend is just ONE day too short! But here we are, beginning week EIGHT! AMAZING, two months down...four and a half to go! And PRAISE GOD, he called me after he checked back in and said that his name was not on the restrictions list, so it appears that he has Wednesday liberties this week. That will help the weekend come so much faster!

CHP ~ Day 34

I had another low key day today...cleaned, finished decorating with my pumpkin stuff :) and put all of that away...finished the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, made scones MMMM!!!!

Drew sounded EXHAUSTED tonight. He had a late class so he didn't call me until about 8:45. It was a rough day for him. He ended up with THREE PT classes this morning, whatever the reason they weren't happy with his performance and had three today and will have three tomorrow... :( There are three "companies" within his class, A, B, and C - because he was having difficulty with the push ups he was already indefinitely assigned to two PTs (he's in company A and has to stay and do PT again with company B)...so today and tomorrow, he's there for ALL THREE. He felt pretty confident with his batton handling for his PMA class, but only 16 out of the 200 in his class passed that today (not many usually pass on the first try)...so he was disappointed about that. Luckily, the test he had yesterday and the radio codes test today he feels pretty comfortable about. He asked me to wake up tomorrow morning at 5am and just start praying about the PT in the morning. He's so tired and he's not sure if his muscles are going to be able to hold up tomorrow morning...and then he has his first EVOC lesson tomorrow, and he needs to be able to focus on that.

He's so funny, he's been CRAVING Cheez-it's!!! And every time I talk to him, he brings up the fact that he NEEDS Cheez-it's!!! HA! Poor thing, PRAISE GOD we were able to go shopping last weekend, I have plenty of tasty food to pour into him this weekend, and I'm going to pamper as much as possible...and will be praying all night and all morning tomorrow...

CHP ~ Day 28: Two Year Anniversary!

Well, today is our anniversary...TWO YEARS...I just stayed home and stayed to myself today...OK! So I moped a little. I watched some movies, and worked on my blog. Drew didn't get his liberties tonight :( The EVOC test they took last week was SO bad, more than half of his class failed it and had to stay tonight. I guess they didn't have to re-take it...but they had to clean the EVOC course...the cars and move tires...etc But, most of the guys said they'd rather do that than be writing a memo or doing PT. It has been a rough day...I talked to him for about 15 minutes a little bit ago...but we'll hopefully go out to dinner this weekend.

CHP ~ Day 25

I went up to Auburn this morning, my haircut!!! :D I love it, it looks just like the picture. I'm going to have to get used to embracing the fullness of it, I've been straightening for so long now... :P

I headed over afterwards to my parents house and went to lunch with Rachel and mommy. We went to this salad shop in downtown Auburn, YUMMY! It's nice to be close enough to visit with them in the morning.

I headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Rosene's for a while and visited with them. I haven't seen them since before Drew left, I think. But we haven't seen very many people since Drew left at all...But that was nice to see them and share what God is doing.

Drew had a good day too! ANOTHER 100%! And the unthinkable happened, he got 2 compliments! One was because he was not repeating the greeting that everyone else was saying and looked at his watch first, when he said "good afternoon"...the Officer pointed him out, Drew was so happy. And in his extra PMA (Physical Methods of Arrest) class today, his instructor pulled him aside (which he was afraid he was getting in trouble!) and she told him good job, because she could see he was stepping it up! PRAISE GOD!!! That is just amazing!

CHP ~ Day 21

Today my mom came and took me to lunch...I told her about everything that God was revealing to me last night on the way home -- she's excited for me and thinks it's wonderful. We went to Home Depot and I helped her buy some pots and flowers for the backyard that she's relandscaping.

Drew called tonight, he received a 93% and a 100% on the two tests last week!!!...and that's NOT including his spelling tests (which he's been getting A's on)! He sounds tired...but I'm SO relieved! I told Ed and Sherri and they were ecstatic! It's been so wonderful to have such laid back in-laws that I can call and talk to and to vent to...and they have been so supportive...and they're SO proud of Drew!

CHP ~ Day 19

OYE! Stayed up ALL night last night...I was working on typing out the verses for Drew. I really wanted to get them to him this week, and not just give them to him over the weekend. So, I finished early this morning and called the Academy to see if there was a place that was acceptable for me to drop them off. I drove to the Academy and dropped the letter and verses off at the front desk so that Drew would get some mail today.

So, I then headed up to Auburn and I spent most of the afternoon with grandpa and grandma Mosburg and my mom and Rachel, we had grandma's homemade tacos and homemade ice cream and hot fudge!!! mmmm...we visited and did a puzzle. And from lack of sleep I headed over to mom and dad's and PASSED OUT on the couch! :D So, I tried to regroup myself, and I ended up going out to dinner with daddy and mommy at the alehouse in Auburn.

PRAISE GOD...I had a great chat with my dad tonight...it was nice to visit with him! We were out sitting on the patio he just put in in the backyard, and the moon was almost full, so it was bright and in Auburn you can see the stars. It was nice...and it's really late so it looks like I'll be spending the night here...

Drew is doing well, another good test score today! 83% So, it looks like thanks to his third test, he gets to come home this weekend again!!! :D (so, I'll see him tomorrow!!!)

CHP ~ Day 12

Today I felt better, but just did some more laying around. I still feel very meloncholy and like a recluse. Alot of TCM :)

Drew told me he got another 93% on a test...PRAISE GOD!!! I called my mom and Sherri and let them know...it is WONDERFUL how much support we are receiving! PRAISE THE LORD!

CHP ~ Day 9

Today was fun! I called my mom and talked to her about everything that is going on with us as far as yesterday goes. She was SO excited for us...she started crying! I think Ed was right - I really needed to pray that God would reveal his will for us to my parents also, so that they can also see how He is working.

We had lunch with my mom and the three of us went shopping a bit. We had fun, watched a movie when we got back and then walked up to Big Spoon and got some frozen yogurt (heh, I'm a bad influence, Sherri'd kill me :) ).

Drew called...ANOTHER HUGE PRAISE!!! 93% on his first POST test, he hasn't ever had scores like that in his life. God is providing and working in our lives in incredible ways! PRAISE GOD!!!