I headed up to VA Sat, and arrived mid afternoon. I got to spend some time with Kellen's aunt and uncle who live in Fredericksburg, only about 20mins from the base. Around 7:30 Kellen called and told me to meet him at the McDonald's on base. I drove as fast as I reasonably could and made excellent time! It was SO great to see him and hug him, etc.
He was very lively and told me tons of stories, etc. He had an infection in his knee (cellulitis) which had him in the sick bay and in quarters for 2 days. When he originally went to sick bay he thought this was it for him, because for most candidates cellulitis is not a quick fix and they get sent home, but God pulled him through again and he's still there hanging on. But- because of this he was put on "light duty" for his platoon's duty, which basically meant he didn't do anything, but show up for the platoon guard switch. So, the cellulitis was a blessing in disguise since it gave him a couple days to relax, and then for liberty he had more freedom to spend time with me. We spent Sat pm eating. How typically Kellen :) He'd already eaten 2 sandwiches and a sundae at McD's when I got there. I'd made cookies and banana bread, which he ate half of before we headed to Domino's (also on base!) and devoured most of a large pizza. We then did some shopping for some supplies he needed and hung out and studied in the car, as everything seems to shut down at 10pm.
He headed back to his barracks at midnight, and I headed to Tony & Melody's. I got to the gate I entered base through only to find it closes at 9:30pm!!! I knew there was another gate somewhere. Based on some lodging info I'd heard about earlier, and seen a sign for, I managed to find my way to it after some earnest prayers concerning sleeping in the car...
I picked Kellen up on Sun at 8:15am and he was free to leave base! We headed to Tony & Melody's where I fixed him a feast of a breakfast, did some laundry, helped quiz him for tests he's studying for, etc. It was SO wonderful to be able to spend so much time with him off base, even if we were studying and preparing him for the week ahead. It was a real blessing to both of us, a refresher, and makes us all the more anxious for the next weekend!
When it came time to leave we went out to the car only to find the battery dead. I'd left the lights on (my warning bell wasn't working, and I was distracted getting out of the car, etc!!). Luckily, Tony had some jumper cables, so in a matter of minutes he jumped us off and we were on our way. We still had time to do a bit more shopping at the PX and made it to the drop off with time to spare.
It wasn't easy saying goodbye again, but we both rest in knowing God will take care of each of us until we get to see one another THIS weekend. It's our anniversary on Sunday, so we're really hoping and praying that it works out for him to be able to stay off base. He has some buddies who are willing to work with him and make it so he won't have the night shift so he can stay at Tony & Melody's. What a blessing that is! Hopefully it all works out- I almost feel bad asking God for that because he provided us with so much time together this past weekend, a full week or more before we'd even hoped to see each other. But I'm asking largely, that my "joy may be full!"
Kellen seemed to be in fairly good spirits for someone going through this process. He's tired and hungry most days, and is always stressed about having things in their place and remembering the proper ways to do this and that, as well as all the tests academically. Keep him in your prayers; he really values them, and so do I!
Pre-Libo letters:
He headed back to his barracks at midnight, and I headed to Tony & Melody's. I got to the gate I entered base through only to find it closes at 9:30pm!!! I knew there was another gate somewhere. Based on some lodging info I'd heard about earlier, and seen a sign for, I managed to find my way to it after some earnest prayers concerning sleeping in the car...
I picked Kellen up on Sun at 8:15am and he was free to leave base! We headed to Tony & Melody's where I fixed him a feast of a breakfast, did some laundry, helped quiz him for tests he's studying for, etc. It was SO wonderful to be able to spend so much time with him off base, even if we were studying and preparing him for the week ahead. It was a real blessing to both of us, a refresher, and makes us all the more anxious for the next weekend!
When it came time to leave we went out to the car only to find the battery dead. I'd left the lights on (my warning bell wasn't working, and I was distracted getting out of the car, etc!!). Luckily, Tony had some jumper cables, so in a matter of minutes he jumped us off and we were on our way. We still had time to do a bit more shopping at the PX and made it to the drop off with time to spare.
It wasn't easy saying goodbye again, but we both rest in knowing God will take care of each of us until we get to see one another THIS weekend. It's our anniversary on Sunday, so we're really hoping and praying that it works out for him to be able to stay off base. He has some buddies who are willing to work with him and make it so he won't have the night shift so he can stay at Tony & Melody's. What a blessing that is! Hopefully it all works out- I almost feel bad asking God for that because he provided us with so much time together this past weekend, a full week or more before we'd even hoped to see each other. But I'm asking largely, that my "joy may be full!"
Kellen seemed to be in fairly good spirits for someone going through this process. He's tired and hungry most days, and is always stressed about having things in their place and remembering the proper ways to do this and that, as well as all the tests academically. Keep him in your prayers; he really values them, and so do I!
Pre-Libo letters:
Letter 1: Wednesday, Jan 28
"A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. I am currently writing this in a hospital bed with an IV in my arm. I have an infection in my knee. So I am sleeping, writing essays and hanging out. I hope I don't get kicked out, but God's will be done. Sunday was by far the worst day of OCS. They had us do tons of games. We cleaned the "house" like 50 times. I was missing you so much. It was all I could do to stay motivated.
On Sun-Mon night we had to pack for a camping trip and 3-4mile hike with a 70 lb pack on our backs. On top of that we had a test on Monday. So, I spent 2.5 hours packing in the dark, another 1 hr on fire watch and final 2 hours studying. I failed the test, but hey my bag was packed. (Lesson learned on that one). From now on tests come first for this guy.
On Monday I failed the test and we all walked around with those packs on for hours. Around 3 we all got together and went for a hike to our camping site. The sire was about a mile out. Once we arrived, the games began. We had to make our tent and take it down 3 times. It sucked! After that we got to eat MRE's. It was dark so I didn't even know how to eat them. But, I figured it out. Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten a hot meal since Sunday evening! I am SOOO hungry!
On Tuesday we got to sleep in til 5:30. It was awesome!Then we took down our tents and had another MRE. I got Tuna mmm... but it had peanut M&M's so I was happy! Plus I didn't have to open anything to heat it, that's a pain. After that we went on our 4 mile march. It was ok, quite long and cold. It was the day that it snowed about 4". All the while we were walking though it. After that we had practice fire team scenario we got to play out. Basically you give commands and attack a yellow box (in the snow). After that we had a MRE. Then went to the leadership course. Remember those videos with candidates doing things with ammo cans? Problem solving. I had a really tough one but I passed it. I also passed the compass test! That stupid written test is what killed me!
The Corpsmen (nurses) are AWESOME! They've been very kind and helpful, gone way out of their way to help me. I have been in sick bay since 5:30. I am going to get another IV which will last another 4-5 hours, so I'll be bored and hanging out. Prayer requests are pretty straight forward. I'll be up on my feet, best case, 3 days. I miss you and can't wait to see you!
Letter 2: Thursday, Jan 29
"I'm still in sick bay. I have cellulitus, which is basically an infection. They say my knee is full of puss (Gross.). It's pretty painful, but at least I' not missing any test of events today. I'm a little worried about libo, but I'm sure we'll be able to see each other at some point. It sounds like you'll be able to come pick me up where I dropped me off. So that's cool. My knee is so swollen and sore. I am having mixed emotions. Does this mean God wants me to do something else, or does it men He wants me to stay? My only thing that bugs me is the amount of time away from loved ones, like you.
I received your letters What a blessing it is to hear from you. It always makes me feel much better. I've lost more weight. I'm down to 222 lbs. Only another 14 to go! I was up til 12:00+ last night taking notes from my "knowledge" book. You're not allowed to study unless everyone else can. So, I took a lot of notes so I can review them now in the hospital bed. Once we meet up I'm going to have some errands for you to do. I'll have you make copies of a 5 paragraph order, shrink them and laminate them. I know, a lot of work, but I need it. This is assuming everything goes through and I don't get DQed. I have a real peace about it though. God is in control; whatever happens we'll always be happy together. Maybe God wants me to open a gym once you make me rich from the book. HAHA! Wouldn't that be the life? ou writing books, me a physical trainer (I don't want to own a gym, too much work), and babies. I believe I can miss 5 straight days before I get DQed, so this is day 2.
Your letters are so busy. I'm glad to hear it. Once the weekend is here we can see each other once a week then it's all down hill from there. I only have one more essay to write this week. I finished my 1st one in this bed. I came prepared today.
I love you! See you soon!
Letter 3: Thursday, Jan 29
It's still Thursday. I'm back from sick bay. My status is SIQ (sick in quarters). I have to lay in bed and do nothing. I can't even study because that would be an integrity violation. It looks like my leg will get better and I'll be able to push through. I shouldn't be writing you. I should sleep, but I have the time. Once libo hits, it's ON! Since we're duty plt, we each have 3 hr shifts. I don't know when mine will be on Saturday. I hope it's either really early or late, that way we can be together longer. On Sunday, we only have fire watch, so we'll see how that goes. But the week after that it'll only be fire watch! So, we'll be able to hang out at Tony and Melody's.
I'm soooo hungry all the time. When you report to sick bay all you get is an MRE. Then you have to wait and hope the chain of command knows you're in sick bay and sends food. I didn't get fed until 14:30, breakfast was at 5:30. That's a long stinking time.
Tomorrow morning is inspection. I hope and pray I'm in sick bay when that goes down, that way I'll miss it. I can't get out of bed, so my locker is crap. My Corpsman (Amaya)said he'd keep me as long as he could, so that's pretty cool of him. I'm craving a pizzahut meatlovers with that monster crust or whatever it's called. That sounds sooo good. Oh, I keep getting off topic. An inspection is when you have to have everything put away in a certain place and size. ex: 3 boot socks, bi-fold, toes facing inboard (PUKE). Then, you have to put all you 782 gear on your bunk in a special little magical order. Then you stand at attention and get yelled at. ex: "Your breath stinks... you need to find the cat that crapped down your throat and KILL IT!" Fun, huh?
I got a chit yesterday. Chits are pieces of paper that say "favorable" (I don't know why, that one is never checked), "marginal" and "unfavorable". I received "unfavorable" because I failed to place my locker on zero... zero! zero! (They think they're funny). I can't wait to mess with them once I'm a Lt. I have so many questions, like, "What do you think..? How much can you bench press?...I need a 300 word essay on why you're ugly..."
The time is so near to being together. I can't wait to laugh, cry and be with you. Well, I need sleep so I can work through the night. Love you with all my heart. Tell everyone hi and thanks for the prayers.
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