TRAVEL
We drove from Boise, ID to Bend, OR and Dakota drove from Eugene, OR to Bend, OR. All arrived safe. I got my first speeding ticket. I was doing 19 over and had no clue! I benched myself as I was clearly not qualified to drive. I am usually very conscious of my speed and surroundings so it bothered me that I had no clue I was so far over the limit. It was 74 in a 55 and while some might say “No big deal,” I had no explanation for it to the officer. Kadin and Karen did the rest of the driving – Kadin doing the bulk of it. Kadin is a great driver! And he’s great at packing too, I learned yesterday. We fit a lot of stuff into the car that I didn’t think would fit!
FOR PETE’S SAKE
My friend Lisa Babb (college, cross country, track, ACSC, ministry, etc.) secured a special treat for the Coddington Tribe from this trip. It’s a staycation in a box, designed for families struggling with cancer! For Pete’s Sake is a cool organization and this box they sent us is amazing! There are games, family treasure crafts, bath salts, heirloom/legacy projects, the world’s softest blanket and so much more. Seventeen pounds of love and goodness packed in a box filled to the brim! We can’t wait to do some of the activities! Kasey has been asking for a defuser for her bedroom for essential oils and guess what? There was a beautiful wooden one with soft lights in the box! She was delighted and we set it up right away for her use last night. Thank you For Pete’s Sake and thank you Lisa for the love and friendship over the years.
CAJON
One of my best friends in the world is Steve Occhino. He has been an incredibly positive influence in my life since I was in 6th or 7th grade. He taught me so much about life and values and using humor properly (I’m still trying to do that right!). When I was in Junior High, he and I would pass hand-written letters, wax-sealed and scribed in Old English, back and forth through Jennifer, his “peasant sister” with whom I went to school and church. So many good times.
Well God has given Steve many talents but one of them is his ability to make world-class percussion instruments. Check out some of his handiwork! Anyway, I asked/commissioned him to make a cajon for the Coddington Tribe. He made such a marvelous cajon for us! We spent an hour reading his notes on the process of how it was made and how much it’s like God’s handiwork in our own lives. There were lots of tears and tissues. We ended up singing a few praise songs as a family while Kadin broke in the new worship tool for us. Here’s a picture of it sitting in front of an old shed made from similar reclaimed wood. It has Redwood from the Western states and Hemlock from the Eastern US. It’s the perfect metaphoric constitution for our family who has lived and adventured in every US time zone over the years.
Awesome update letter. I believe everyone should get a speeding ticket once in their life, so good job on checking that box! When you said Kadin was good at pa king also, I thought for sure you were talking about carrying a concealed handgun. Haha. Us up here in Alaska, that’s how our mind works. But I’m glad to hear he can pack a mean carload. That’s a sweet looking Cajon. You are in my prayers everyday Wes, and also your family. Love you.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad you could make the trip and have a wonderful gift waiting for you to explore. I agree with your friend in Alaska everyone has to get a speeding ticket atleast once !!! I got out of one because i sweet talked the local cop in the neighborhood but not another one. Had to pay!! John got one I think It was Sharon springs coming down the hill. We were on out way to meet grandma /grandpa for mothers day brunch in Cooperstown. Poor Jim was little and his eyes were still huge when we got there. we had to tell the story because they knew something was up! Enjoy your time! Love ya Aunt Cilla
I apparently have some of the same issues of not knowing how fast I’m traveling when I’m driving, and I typically don’t have an excuse for the officer either. Glad to hear you’re finally part of the “I got a speeding ticket club”! It took you long enough. Thanks for sharing the special gifts God has been giving to you and your family through friends. It is such a blessing to see God’s hand in all this. Have a great week!
Praying 4 You brother. I a friend of Linds’s I now live in Canada.
Glad to hear you’re out and about nd having a good time. Getting a tiicket!? Not a good example for Kasey, who gets her permit soon. Then World! watch out!!! I am sure she’ll be a wonderful driver. Can’t believe she will be 15 and racing towards womenhood. She and I are penpals and having a wonderful time emailing each other. Love the Coddington Tribe…. all of ya. Diane
“Old lead-foot Coddington” sounds like a good moniker for future stories though. Kind of disappointed this is the first ticket. 😉
It’s so great to hear that you’re together and having special family time! We love you all! Betsy & John
So glad you were able to go. Have a wonderful time!!
Loved the speeding ticket story but I’m not surprised, it’s like being on a road bike “flying down a Vermont mt. “ , just enjoying the ride, never realizing just how fast you are going. Remember those YFC bike trips? Wes , you and Steve kept us all mindful of the greatness of our God while giving us so many great laughs. Thank you for those memories. Speaking of God’s greatness… you are on a spring trip with your family , how awesome is that!!!. God has certainly been answering our prayers, surrounding you with His love and care, and creating real life moments ( speeding ticket) , Enjoy God and His pleasures for I’m sure there will be many in the months ahead. Praying continually ( especially during the early hrs of the day, I wake up a lot at night), for God to surround you and your family with strength, peace and love.
What colorful, heartwarming details and a joy-infused story despite your great trial. Such a blessing to read! (And Lisa has a giant heart, especially understanding firsthand!) Praying you will be blessed with rich memories together… it sounds like you’ve had a great start, especially with the worship time, which is just a small window to what we will enjoy together with you for all eternity!
Love every detail of your story! God is good! So thankful for the many blessings in all of this for you and your family. Thank you for the speeding ticket and the Cajon story – 😂😢 It’s so beautiful. And so applicable for your travels and life. Love you guys! Have a fabulous time!
I am so glad that you were put in touch with FPS. I love them! Back in 2011, after I went through the bulk of my treatment for my first breast cancer diagnosis, they sent my kids and I, along with Rhonda Wilkinson (my caregiver), to Disney World. It was amazing. Back then, they were not known as “For Pete’s Sake”. They were called “Crossing The Finish Line”. They actually changed their name, the week we were on our trip. They have been a great support to us through the years. And we have done things with them every year, ever since. We also have done lots of volunteering for them, throughout the years. Unfortunately the pandemic has put a temporary halt on them sending people on actual vacations. But thank God, they are still able to bless families with a “Staycation”, and the many online meetings/activities that they offer.