I need you to pray!!
Back in August, I wrote about how my nephew, Caleb, is off to be a Marine.  (Please click here to read.) It has been a long process, with many obstacles in his way, but Caleb has been an overcomer through it all, and has had much responsibility.  I’m so proud of him!  I can’t wait to hear about the entire process. Hopefully there will be an interview coming soon.
Well, in the wee hours of the morning, 2:00 AM to be exact, Caleb began what is called The Crucible.

This is a grueling experience which will last 54 hours.  It is an evaluation of recruits’ mental, moral, and physical character in order to validate their transformation from recruit to Marine.
In an email my sister-in-love shared with me, the bottom line is…”The Crucible is a rite of passage that, through shared sacrifice, recruits will never forget.  With that memory and their Core Values learned in recruit training, they can draw upon the experience to face any challenge in their path. These 54 hours will include food and sleep deprivation and over 45 miles of marching. The recruits will work together solving problems, overcoming obstacles and helping each other along.  The obstacles they face range from long marches, combat assault courses, the problem-solving reaction course, and the team building Warrior Stations.”
I pray Galatians 6:9 for him through it all:  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we DO NOT GIVE UP. (emphasis mine)
Caleb’s parents specifically ask for prayer for: clear-thinking, wisdom, strength, stamina, health, teamwork, and leadership.
I’m including some bible verses and photos of a prayer I found online so that you can join me in lifting up Caleb through this process.
Clear thinking:  Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. ⁷ And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Philippians 4:6-7
Wisdom:  Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord. Those who obey him are very wise. Praises will be sung to him forever.  Psalm 111:10
Strength:  Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God.  I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.  Isaiah 41:10
Stamina:  We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. ³ Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.  Hebrew 12:2-3
Health:   Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. ⁸ If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body. Proverbs 3:7-8
Teamwork: Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You should not be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10
Leadership:  In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

We have a battery-operated candle perched on our mantel with a precious Marine figurine beside it.  This candle will stay lit until Caleb is finished with The Crucible on Saturday morning. Thank you so much for praying right along with me.
As my sister-in-love says, “Saturday morning we will have a Marine!”
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie

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