Things

Okay, this is gonna be a long one. I'm just now reaching a point where I think I can talk about what's been going on with us and not have an overwhelming flood of emotions: denial, anger, sadness, depression, anger, bitterness, faith, trust, love, etc. etc. etc.

Rob washed out of the F-15 B-course.

Our timeline around May 1:

Thursday - boxes packed, living in a sea of cardboard. Sold my Miata.

Friday - our household goods are loaded into crates and drive away from the house on a big truck. Rob fails for a TR item which earns him a progress check for Monday.

Monday - our final checkout of base housing. We frantically clean the last remaining things out of the house. I am sick with stress. Rob fails his progress check.

Tuesday - we learn he is washed out of the program. We are both devastated.

Wednesday - Rob's class graduated.

Things that are ridiculous:
The fail on Friday was the instructor's subjective opinion (don't worry, God has taken away any bitterness).
The fail on Monday is because Rob did not flip one switch.
The fail on Monday is in instruments, at which Rob is usually very skilled.
We considered fighting the decision because his two failed rides had incorrect items on his gradesheet that may have affected the decision.
We had moved out of our house.
Our stuff was on its way to Japan.
I sold my car (which I never would have sold unless I had to).
We sold our washer and dryer.
We sold the treadmill.
We had plane tickets.
We were (and still are) living in TLF - like a hotel on base.
The flying schedule was packed - they were so behind and flying every day - every day Rob flew was another day we could visit family and friends. Otherwise, Rob would have taken another day before his progress check to focus.

Things that are nice:
The squadron has been very nice and done a lot to try and look out for us.
They really did not want to fail Rob. They like us both and that made it harder for them... and kinda makes me feel better.
They worked really hard to give Rob a waiver to skip the FEB (flight evaluation board).
At first, I thought this was a shuffle out of here, but learned later that it is a huge favor because they like us.
We really wanted to fight the decision, but have learned that if it was going to be reversed, they would have already done so. Also, God helped us gain wisdom through many means.
The possible outcomes of fighting it at an FEB would be a very small chance of getting reinstated in the F-15, a 90% chance of going to another airframe, and a small chance of Rob's losing his wings altogether.
The other airframes offered by an FEB decision are according to the needs of the Air Force (which are going in the UAV direction).
Taking the waiver puts people who know Rob and his very good tactical skills in charge of placing Rob in another airframe - preferably a tactical plane.
The DO's wife is letting me borrow her Volvo convertible - sweet!

Things that make us better:
Rob and I certainly got closer amid these events.
God alternated our breakdowns so we could more easily support each other. :-)
Depression is super tiring! And annoying. We're done with that. It's too annoying.
We learned what it is like to grieve and how better to support others when they grieve.
We have had our trust in God tested and emerged faithful. We KNOW He is good.

We knew God had brought us here; we just thought we would stay.

The reasons Rob failed even give us faith that God is orchestrating things.

It has certainly been tough, but we know God has a plan and look forward to maybe one day learning what it is.

Things that answer your questions:
As usual in our military lives, we DO NOT KNOW... so stop asking.
We don't know how long we'll be here in Florida.
We don't know where we'll go next.
We don't know what airframe is in our future.
We don't know when we're going to visit you.

The best thing you can do for us is to continue to pray for peace for us and wisdom for Rob and those making decisions. Rejoice that He's given us strength, maturity, wisdom, growing love for each other, and continued faith in His sovereignty.

Thanks again for your support! And thanks to my parents for the biggest basket of loving, comforting Godiva chocolates I've ever seen! I love you!