How to improve your foxhole

There’s nothing surprising to me about this but I HATE transition periods of my life. I like comfort. I like knowing where my home is. I like knowing people. I like knowing what to expect. I like not having to get used to a new bathroom. Well, right now God has us in a transition period of life. He is streeettching my family – and probably me most of all. When Ned first started at RLSC one of the other cadets told him that he needed to be constantly improving his foxhole. In other words, he needed to make the best of his situation and make it as cozy as possible while he was there. I decided to glean from that advice. I also found an issue of Army Talk circa 1945 that should help. You can read the full version here: http://www.90thidpg.us/Reference/Army%20Talks/foxhole.pdf

Here’s some ideas I have for making the best of my foxhole.

The article begins: To date no way has been found to turn a foxhole into a cozy suite at the Waldorf.

What I’ve learned: Don’t have high expectations that things are going to be perfectly cozy over the next few months.

Dig First…Improve Later -- Three rules to remember…1. Dig deep. 2. Tunnel under. 3. Build a strong roof.

In other words, even if this is temporary, it doesn’t mean that we should do things halfway. This is not a useless time of growth in our lives, and we shouldn’t respond to it weakly.

Snow Trails Must be Hidden – When there is snow on the ground, it’s necessary to pay particular attention to tracks. Brush them over carefully so a trail leading to your hideout won’t be visible from the air.

We must be careful to be vigilant. People are watching our actions even now, when we are feeling most vulnerable. The most important of these people are under three feet tall. We should still take the time to be kind and patient and be an example.

No soldier is going to worry much about his appearance while he is at the front. But just because you can’t be bothered with haircuts and shaves and shoe shines doesn’t mean you should live like an animal. A man’s morale gets a real lift when he occasionally sponges the dirt off his hands and face.

For goodness’ sakes, Hannah. Please don’t stop showering.

Baby Your Feet – At this stage in the game it shouldn’t be necessary to remind a soldier that he can’t get far in battle if he neglects his feet.

I think this is clear. I need to go to a spa.

Three Squares A Day – There’s not much variety to foxhole meals…You get pretty tired of the same thing diet day after day…The Army’s rations are planned by experts to give you well-balanced nourishment. All the vitamins and other food essentials you need to keep fit and healthy are there…Pet peeve of many soldiers is the lemonade powder. Actually this is one of the most important foods in the package…[it gives] you the vitamin C that every man needs every day.

Don’t grow weary in well doing. We still may have to continue our mundane tasks in the midst of selling our house, moving our things, and buying a new house, but even these things are beneficial to our growth. (No matter how much that toddler bed feels like lemonade powder to me right now.)

That’s the story. That’s the round-up of tips from foxhole veterans at the front. Some of these hints may not apply to you just now. Some of them may help make your life at the front a little less dangerous, a little less miserable.