update.

kenny called sunday and mentioned that he is need of letters/pictures and razors. he uses schick quattro titanium and he just needs the blades (he is allowed to recieve these). also i think he is needing some encouragement and reminder of his family here, so if you get a chance please send him a letter. his address is in the previous blog. thanks everyone!

letter one.

i received the first letter from kenny a few days ago. so far, basic combat training has been going well. it has been easier than expected but the lack of sleep and food has been rough. sleep is a privileged, not a necessity, and food must been eaten in under 3 minutes. apparently drill sergeants are portayed pretty accurately in the movies- lots of yelling and smoking (when you have to do push ups, sit ups, and random work outs). also kenny now sleeps, eats, and carries a M-16 A2 riffle everywhere he goes. ha.
kenny can ONLY receive letters, birthday cards, and pictures (nothing immoral or scandalous). sending anything else will cause him and/or his entire platoon to get smoked. i know cards and letters will be much appreciated these next few weeks, especially around december 6th, which is kenny's birthday. oh and i'm sure kenny would like to know any and every football and memphis basketball update possible.
i know your prayers and encouragement during kennys last few weeks in memphis have encouraged and strengthened kenny during this transition. he thanks you all and says hi.
here is kenny's address:

PFC Kenneth Johnson
F Company, 3-34 IN
1st Platoon
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

chapter one.

Today is the beginning of kenny's exciting journey. he reported to recruitment yesterday and will be heading to south carolina this afternoon. i received a text from him saying he arrived at the memphis airport and is in charge of 9 people... which means he will be the first to get yelled at when they arrive in south carolina. no pressure.
kenny's main prayer request is for the emotional aspect of leaving memphis and being somewhere new without the support and family he has here. I am sad but also excited and proud of kenny with this huge step of faith he is taking. anyone close to kenny knows he has had an incredible life story. i know this is but one chapter in all that God has planned for him. i am ready to hear all of the incredible stories and encounters that kenny will have while he's away. but, in the meantime, let us pray that he holds tight to God's love and comfort as he travels and begins his new chapter.
-jm

kenny's begining

hi!
we are hoping to make this a place where people can post updates about kenny while he's gone. when we get letters we can come here and fill everyone in. this way we all will know what to be praying for and really just be able to see how he's doing. i know kenny is leaving memphis feeling loved and cared for, thank you all for making this possible!

also, we made a video for kenny and surprised him with it on sunday night. here is the video on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCgunhqSMvE