Week 31/32 - Cadence

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to fly back to the East Coast and celebrate our good friend Zach Maghsoud at his bachelor weekend. It was such a joy to be surrounded by so many friendly and familiar faces for a few days. It was also a treat to be back in the Southeast for a moment, and we made sure to embrace the amazing southern cuisine of local fish shacks, Zaxby's, and Bojangles. On our flight back west, we were joined by our friend from Clemson, and Josh's four year college roommate, Tripp Schenck. Thanks to very cheap flights from Frontier Airlines, we had a full-day layover in Denver and were able to leave the airport and, throughout the day, see every member of the Haddad family, including Josh's nieces, Poppy and Eva! After a few customary Frontier delays, a light rail train ride that also got delayed, and a mile-long walk back to the bus, we crawled into bed worn out from a full 24-hour day of traveling.

Tripp is a bus boy for the week

There is no rest for the weary, though. We got up early and drove to Greg and Heidi Carlson's house in Bremerton, Washington, about an hour west of Seattle. Greg and Heidi work for Cadence, a nonprofit organization that ministers, encourages, and equips military personnel to share the Gospel and their lives at home and during deployment. Greg and Heidi's home is part of their ministry, functioning as a "home away from home" for soldiers on the nearby naval base. We were also beneficiaries of this "Home away from home," spoiled by Heidi with a spot at their amazing outdoor table for every meal and truly feeling welcomed right from the start. At the end of the week, Josh asked Tripp if his week on the bus was what he had expected. Tripp answered, "For the most part, yes, but I didn't expect to be so welcomed and included by Greg and Heidi. That was special." 

Greg and Heidi

Heidi and a JUMBO Shepherds Pie she made special for Davis

The outdoor table

When we arrived, we got right to work with our project of installing a chain-link fence in the backyard. With no experience in installing a chain-link fence, we were both eager to learn something new and grateful to have Beau, Greg's friend who used to install chain fences for a living, around for the first hour to give us a crash course on the do's and don'ts of fencing. We spent the next three days putting Beau's teachings into practice (remembering some of his advice the hard way), and despite the occasional hiccups, we finished with a product that I think even Beau will admire. Having a fenced-in backyard is great for Greg and Heidi and their ministry with Cadence so that any dog or young child brought over by a guest can be set loose in the backyard, and the guest can have peace of mind knowing their dependent (two legs or four) isn't going anywhere. Greg was jubilant about his new fence, but in his own words, the biggest blessing of the week was not the fence but our presence around a few of the Sailors that we met during our stay. 

Beau Instructing

Tripp putting in the work

The first two Sailors we met were Kyrsten and Christine. Both of these incredible women serve as officers on the same nuclear submarine. I don't really know what they do beyond that, and keeping it that way is part of their job. They happened to be off the sub for a few days and were soaking in the sunshine and enjoying shared meals at Greg and Heidi's - their home away from home. Kyrsten and Christine were eager to make the most of their few days on solid land, and getting to share some of that precious time with them was a highlight of my week. They were grateful, excitable, and present for everything, and it made me remember not to take for granted the things I have grown accustomed to. Things like tossing a frisbee around, watching a magnificent Washington sunset, or watching Davis LARP (Live Action Role Play) at the annual Viking festival. Kyrsten and Christine will head back underway in the coming days - this time they hope it will be a relatively short trip of 2 months.

Kyrsten and Christine (in there back)

A spectacular PNW Sunset

Lets take another look at that!

Davis preparing for war (LARPing)

The next Sailor we spent time with is a Marine who introduced himself by his last name, Freed. Freed is in the process of being medically retired from the military, which I learned is no speedy task. Because of his injuries, he cannot be deployed, but until his medical retirement is fully processed, he still has a contract to fulfill. So, he has found himself stuck on base with a host of other "Marine misfits" who are either physically or mentally deemed unfit for deployment. Many of them are in a similar holding pattern as Freed as they wait for medical retirement. In the meantime, the Marines keep busy with a lot of "Yes, Sir" ing to what seems like Marine busywork from my perspective. Things like cleaning buildings on base together or being "voluntold" to show up for a service project - which is exactly how we got to meet Freed and a dozen other Marines.

On Friday, a local church put together a volunteer day on their grounds where they had a host of projects, including cutting firewood, wood chipping, cutting down blackberry brambles, and erecting a gazebo. Greg knew Marines would be there, and even though we were not quite finished with his fence, he was eager to have us put his fence project on hold with the hopes of getting to know some Marines. Greg explained he has not had much luck getting to know the Marines in the area, so he jumps on any chance to try to break into the network of that branch. As we worked alongside the Marines, we learned about them, and they learned about us. Greg introduced himself to all of the Marines and made sure they knew they were always welcomed in his home. By the end of the day, Freed knew we were heading back to Greg's to finish the fence, and when we half-jokingly asked if he wanted to join us and keep working, he replied, "I got nothing better to do" and met us there.

Marines Gearing up

Marines Chipping

Davis and Freed working as a team

With Freed's help, we triumphantly finished the fence in time for a lovely supper that Heidi prepared: BBQ sliders, baked beans, a homemade salad, and brownies with ice cream for dessert. As Heidi detailed the meal to the group, Freed looked on with a watering mouth and said, "This is the first home-cooked meal I have had in three and a half years." I'm surprised his eyes were not watering too (the joyful kind). Freed is the first Marine Greg and Heidi have had over for a meal at their home, but he certainly won't be the last. He stayed after the meal, enjoying time around the fire well into the evening. The next day at the Viking festival, he told me, "yesterday ended up being the best day I have had all year."

Freed signing the bus