Images were captured from the Marines Facebook page

Miah climbing down a wall.

More images of the 125 foot wall

Miah is on the left second in line.

Almost hidden behind a post.

  This is an image from the Platoon video.

Charlie Company - an image off the video

Thanks for your prayers!

http://www.devildogs.info/Charlie/C%200819%201046.wmv
Today is the final test.

Thank you for your prayers for Jeremiah Carder. Today is his toughest challenge with the Marines. It is the Crucible, a 54-hour test of strength, endurance, trial, running and teamwork. He must pass this test to become a Marine.

For more info and pictures of Miah go to Facebook.com/rickEcarder
Or carderfamily.blogspot.com

Article from Emotional Intelligence website

Did you know that when you laugh and smile, your face sends signals to your brain that you are happy?  Your brain literally responds to the nerves and muscles in your face to determine your emotional state.  So what does this mean for self-management?  When you're stuck on a frustrating or distressing thought, forcing yourself to smile counteracts the negative emotional state.  If you work in customer service, or any time you need to look upbeat when you're really not up for it, making yourself throw on a large, legitimate smile (where your cheeks push upwards) will trick your mind into feeling the mood you need for the moment.

French university researchers measured the power of a smile by having two groups of subjects read the same comics page from the newspaper.  Once group of subjects was instructed to hold a pencil in their teeth while reading (which activates the muscles used in smiling), while the other group held the pencil with their lips (which does not activate the pencils used in smiling).  Those who were unknowingly "smiling" found the cartoons far more humorous and had a better time while reading them than the people in the group that weren't smiling.

You can also use smiling and laughter to lift your mood by watching a show or reading a book that you find funny.  This can feel like an odd choice when you're feeling down, but it's a great way to override the negative emotions and clear your head, especially if your down mood is paralyzing your judgment.  Smiling and laughter won't eliminate feeling down, and they shouldn't – ever mood has its purposes – but it's nice to know you have an out when you need to put on a happy face.

Rick

Miah is at Marine boot camp - We love his letters....

The other day we got another letter from Miah. He is doing great. He thanks everyone for their letters, facebook posts, and cards. We are so thankful as well.  Miah says that he can feel your prayers!  His sinus cold is much better.   

 

I especially appreciated getting Miah’s letter because he wished me a happy father’s day as well as a Happy Birthday.  He didn’t forget!  His kind, affirming words to me were humbling….Thank you Miah!

 

He may get an opportunity to make a 10 minute call this week. He said in his letter that if his team does well at drill, they will be able to make calls home.  They are competing with other teams for this coveted honor.

 

This week is swim week. The last entry I did I told about the activities of Swim Week. I am sure that he is doing fine.

 

More later….

USMC Miah : Swim week

This week Miah will take part in Swim Week. This week's assignments include not only swimming but also carrying an extra 30 pounds of gear. That ought to be a challenge.

Miah can swim but with the added burden of a backpack, gear, weights and weapon may be a difficult challenge.

According to Jon who went through the Marine boot camp three years ago, this should be relatively challenging. He will be loaded down with heavy weights and then dropped into a deep pool. Jon said that the pool was about 12-15 feet. The challenge is to get across the pool within a timed exercise. The challenge is to "relax and stay calm with 15-30 lbs of gear on." says Jon.

The Marines has been a positive experience for Jon. Jon has said that would never like to go to San Diego again. The day he graduated from boot camp he couldn't wait to get put of town. In spite of that he may be going with us to see Miah's graduation.

As I write this it is Father's Day. I am reminded of how proud I am of my children. I pray for them and hope that they will faithfully serve Christ in their life choices. I know that God is keeping watch over them.

Miah is preparing himself and learning the disciplines for a successful life.

More later...

USMC Miah : Prayer & Appreciation

We received another letter from Miah. It was short but filled with prayer updates and a deep appreciation.

First, Miah is dealing with sickness. He has bronchitis. He was on bed rest a few days on the 10th, 11th, & 12th. He has bunch of Meds and an inhaler to help with the congestion.

On a bright note, he wants everyone to know how much he appreciates your prayers. He loves getting messages over Facebook. I print them and send them. Post encouraging comments!

He didn't have much time to write.

More later....

My birthday tribute!

Today is my birthday which is often a self-centered, me-first day that narcissism is actually expected! Well, in keeping with what's expected, today I wish myself a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I also reflect upon how blessed I am!!

June 15, '65 was a day in history that I took my first breath. Thanks to the nurses and the doctor.
I AM BLESSED!

If not for my parents, this day would likely not have come for me. My parents met in the most unlikely way; dad was in the Military Service and mom caught the right bus. Their marriage required mom to move to the cold north from West Palm Beach, Florida and raise eight children. Dad had no idea that raising boys and one girl would mean that he would have to work overtime often just to make ends meet! Their love and lessons!
I AM BLESSED!

Some of the most influential people in my life have been church people. I can't possibly mention all those that have poured themselves into my life. To name those people would take a long time. Their names are written in God's journal. Their reward is coming. Thank you Monroe Wesleyan and Maybee Camp!
I AM BLESSED!

Growing up wasn't always easy! Tough neighborhood. At time, tough at home. Hard to get through school. Hard life; worked too early in life and too many jobs. Few resources. Too many floods. Although it wasn't always easy, I had a bike, friends, brothers that looked out for me, a sister that was fun to grow up with, a little brother to do things with, and parents that did everything they could to give me a warm bed and food. The memories are great! The experiences were life changing! My life is rich because of what I lived through! I AM BLESSED!

For the camping trips...
For the church...
For the too many jobs...
For annual floods...
For fishing poles...
For a BB gun...
...ice skates, icy creek, two candy stores...
For driving at 9 years old...
For Saturday morning cartoons...
For the Donny and Marie Show, Emergency 51 and even Lawrence Welk (now that I am old enough to appreciate it)...
I AM BLESSED!

...2AM Church Camp memories, Generations of Sound, recess, fights I won and those I didn't have to win...
I AM BLESSED!

...a paper route, dating, school assignments on an average grade, life changing days and wonderful memories at Marion College (now at Indiana Wesleyan University), pranks that worked, grand parents, station wagon trip to Florida...
I AM BLESSED!

For being married to a wonderful person...
For having three wonderful children...
For the many homes I have lived in and the one I own...
For evenings to just sit on the swing...
I AM BLESSED!

For Cindi, caring enough and encouraging...
The many miles we have traveled...
Making a house a great home...
Stuffed Green Pepper... ;-)
The wonderful memories...
The incredible challenges and beating the odds...
...Your love, laughs and likes...
I AM VERY BLESSED!

...pastoring four great churches...
...great lessons from Great Pastors...
...three careers, kinda...
...experiences with foster kids, CASA, juvenile probation work, youth ministry, jail ministry, walking in on drug deals, even a death threat and having guns pulled on me...
I AM BLESSED!

Great In-Laws...they are like parents to me!
The many times I complained, they listened...
The gifts they freely gave...
The times we laughed and prayed...
The trips you made to see us and the ones we've made...
For great meals and introducing me to cheese cake...
I AM BLESSED!

What wonderful memories and many more opportunities ahead! For the memories that volumes of books can't contain...
I AM BLESSED!

I am grateful for God's Grace and hope for Salvation.
My life is enriched by the life changing experience of The Holy Spirit.
I AM BLESSED!

The lessons I've learned and the ones I didn't have to learn...
I AM BLESSED!

I have been given many gifts in tangible ways and the intangibles.

I AM BLESSED!

-written by Rick Carder, June 15.