Unbelievable

Well here is my first post during flight school. Can you believe that I am finally here. After all that has happened over the last year and a bit, it is unreal that I am finally here, starting flight school. As you heard from the wife, the first week was not exactly what I had expected. Rather than exciting and overwhelming, it was rather easy and slow. And, of course, rather frustrating as I was sick for the whole week. Though I am slowly recovering from my cold, it looks like I will have to deal with it for a few more days.

We have now completed all our classes on survival, and have our first test tomorrow. We have also begun classes in physiology, which is actually really interesting. We had an hour long course last week on the eyes, and I have been telling Ashley interesting facts ever since. This next week will be a long one, but a good one. In addition to our two tests, we will be doing our egress lab (meaning practicing getting out of the plane as quickly as possible), our O2 lab (not exactly sure what that is), the altitude chamber (where they give us hypoxia so that we can recognize the symptoms if it ever happens to us), taking our muscle endurance test, and sitting through hours of class. It's going to be a long week, but I think it will be a good one.

Of course, it is not all fun and games. I miss my wife already, and find it difficult to leave in the morning knowing that I won't see her again for 10 hours or so. I know that this is normal for a lot of people, but after having spent all day every day with my beautiful wife, it sucks having to be apart. And with my having been sick it was only worse. I see already that there will be many challenges to face in the coming months, but am encouraged by the knowledge that Ashley and I will be going through it together. Even with only one week done, I am sooo excited to go through this experience with her, and believe that it will challenge us as a couple, and help us grow in ways nothing else would. Ashley has already shown herself to be everything I could hope for, and has continued to be that pillar of encouragement when I am questioning the future, or when I'm sick, or stressed. God has blessed me sooo much, I can't even describe it.

Well that's it for now, back to studying. If you think of it, please be praying for us this week, and for health (Ashley came down with something today as well). We love you all.

Zach