Happy Spring! I regret having been unable to send Christmas greetings this past holiday but do trust that you were in my thoughts and prayers. I hope 2012 was a happy year for you and that you’ve had a positive start to the new year. For me, 2012 was a year full of changes. I left my hometown—people and places I loved, to begin a new journey. As always, it was another year of priceless experiences.
As of February 21, 2013, I am a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army! I successfully completed Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina in the fall. An experience it was, however, most certainly not something I could be paid to go through again. I decided there that girls are crazy and if I am blessed with children in my future, I want sons!
In November, I moved to Fort Benning, Georgia for twelve weeks of Officer Candidate School. Some days were longer than others. I was presented with many challenges—both physical and mental—but was able to conquer them. Whereas I could not wait to get away from those at Basic, I actually met some awesome people at OCS that I am going to miss very much and hope to keep in touch with years down the road. I was privileged to have had the opportunity to go through school with many of them.
I am home for a month doing some hometown recruiting with the same recruiting station that worked with me. Last Saturday, I had the honor of meeting Four Star General Cone who came for a visit to the station. Not many 2LTs can say they interacted with generals their first week as an officer! My next adventure will take place in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where I will be through October. I do not know yet where I will be stationed my first three years as a lieutenant. I will leave that one up to God as the opportunities are many!
In other news, I will become a proud aunt again to a second nephew in April. My nephew and godson, Lucas, is going to be a big brother! My brother Jimmy started his own business last year—Lynch Exterior Improvements—so if you are looking for work to be done, he’s your man! Kaci, Mara and Kalli are all still in school working hard.
I am a single girl again—a wide world of possibility and opportunity ahead of me. I look forward to cashing in on every new experience that awaits me. I wish you a happy, healthy and blessed 2013. May it too be full of fun adventures, priceless moments and the making of joyful memories!