Grand Finale

Well, sadly, summer is coming to an end. It's week 8, the final week of volunteers. I'm calling this my week of lasts, because it's hard to believe, that after 8 weeks of doing the same thing over and over, that its all ending soon.

Our last group of volunteers are fantastic! They're getting a ton of work done for us and we'll have all of our construction projects good to go. Still, I wish there was more we could do for ALL of our families. 8 weeks still doesn't seem like enough time. But more importantly than the construction, the bonds we've created will last long. That's what truly matters.

"ASP is a Relationship Ministry with some construction on the side."

Above is the view from our parking lot in the morning. I'll miss these foggy mountains, but I definitely will not miss the 5:45am wake up to drive to the hardware store.

Above here is some fun happening in the Wyco Holler. Love those two boys so so so much. Tearful goodbyes are looming ahead. It's so much fun to hang out here and bond with this family. Our goodbye will be more of a "see you later", because I fully plan on seeing them again sometime during the year. And in the meantime, I have plenty of new penpals.

My staff. Love them. I wish everyone in the world back home could have the same mentality we have. Work hard, play hard. Life's too short to not have fun with everything you do. We embrace that.

Faith has been a huge part of my summer. I've grown in my relationship with Jesus Christ and faith that He has a plan for me. This coming year, I'm remembering that. Who knows where life will take me, but no matter what, I'll always know that my life is in good hands.

More pictures to come as closeout approaches. Please keep my staff, our volunteers, and most importantly, our families, in your prayers.

The Little Things

This weekend, my staff, the Summers County staff, and our new staff liaison (JENNY!) all went to a waterfall in Mercer County. Below is a picture of me jumping off it. I kinda look like a dying monkey/whimp. Sorry.

This weekend was very relaxing. While at the falls, I took some time to myself and just relaxed - first time in awhile! I'm starting to get super stressed as the end of the summer approaches. I want to finish all our projects, stay under budget, clean up our center well, and just thinking of saying goodbye to some of our families soon is stressful. I've already had a few tears with one home owner, Cricket, who lives in Wyco. But during my relax time, I had to think about the small things. The falls were BEAUTIFUL - something I never see at home. I've been missing all the little things lately: the stars out at night while I'm doing supply inventory, the goofy face little Trevor makes when I mess around with him on site, and things like the waterfall. It's not just something to jump off of for a thrill. It's nature. And it's really cool :) I'm hoping to make sure I take in these small details before I leave. I know I'll miss West Virginia when I'm home, and remembering the little things will help me better look back on my amazing time here.

I get to see my church this week! Westwood UMC is volunteering in Martin County, KY this week! I wish them the best and I CANNOT wait to see them at their picnic on Thursday. I'll be staying with them Thursday night - Saturday morning. It'll be a good time to catch up with my dad, sister, and other church members. Super excited!

Did I mention that Saturday night I'm going to Bob Evans in a limo?

Well, I am. Waddup?!

Weeeeeeeeekend

Weekend has arrived! Time for a relaxing adventure with some other ASP Staffer friends to a waterfall in Mercer County. Here's a few photos for you, more updates to come! Have a fantastic weekend :)

Continuing to Live the Love

Week 6 is progressing! I seriously feel like it's flown by super fast. Only two weeks left of volunteers? Wow. As much as I'm loving my time here, I cannot wait to see my family and friends back home.

My mom was here early this week! She arrived Sunday night and was able to go with me on my Sunday Night Home Visits with my group leaders for the week. Monday we spent the entire day together going on runs! I showed her 8 of the 10 homes we are currently working on, so she got good feel for what I'm up to this summer! I'm glad she got the chance to see me in my true element here, interacting with my fellow Staffers and our volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers, they're GREAT this week. I seriously am so impressed with how much they are getting done and more importantly, how they get along with us as the staff. It's hard to feel burned out (which is common around week 6) when you're surrounded each day with amazing people!

One of my homes for the week included a brand new roofing project. Frank lives with his wife and two kids in this home that they recently moved in to. It's hard to completely move in when your roof leaks every time it rains! We stripped all the old shingles off this week, and some of the new decking has been replaced in the areas where its rotted. Since tin is more durable and lasts longer than shingles, I ordered tin to give them a brand new, sustainable roof! By the end of next week, it will be completely done! I'm so glad we found this project this late in the summer, and we'll be able to get it done in plenty of time!

Listen to the song "Flight of the Crow" by Passenger

Also, "Swept Away, Sentimental Version" by Avett Brothers

Welcome to Week 6!

Volunteers are due in to Mullens in just a bit! I can't wait to start this week off well. It's going to be a good one. My mom arrives tonight, so we get to hang out and go on run together tomorrow to all my favorite sites! Can't wait to show her our projects and impress her with some construction knowledge. After mom leaves on Tuesday, I get to go on my day off! It's due time for one! I'm headed to Charleston, WV for some quality relaxation. The week will go by quickly and then I'll only have two weeks left of volunteers! Crazy to think about.

Saw Harry Potter last night! It was good, glad I got a chance to do something the rest of the "real world" has been doing. Just Danielle and I from my staff went, but we met up with a bunch of other staffers. We had a great time!

Hope everyone else has a fantastic week. I miss everyone! If you haven't written me a letter or sent a care package yet (hint hint), you probably should. Here's my address again in case you lost it!

Attn: Margie White

ASP General Delivery

Mullens, WV 25882

I'll leave you guys with another song today. It's an ASP classic, so enjoy!

"Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1bcnn_old-crow-medicine-show-wagon-wheel_fun

Love All Around

Week 5 has come to an end. I felt the most drained this week compared to all of the others, but I definitely don't have a single complaint about my summer. I cannot believe that we only have 3 weeks left of volunteers...time has flown by! I'll be home in about a month!

Above is family member, Ricky. He's a local community favorite. He lives right in Mullens with his mother, who is struggling with liver problems. He's one of the most faithful people I've ever met in my life. Whenever he sees me, he always asks me to pray with him for his mother. At our Thursday picnics, he always says grace for us and tells the entire group a little about his life. He's disabled, but luckily, he can walk now. There was once a time when we could not walk and he probably wasn't going to live. But his "mother" found him, started taking him to church and praying for him. During that time, he slowly became able to walk again, and now he's healthy and energetic. His still cannot grow and he walks with a limp, but he's inspiring and fun to talk to. So glad we can help out his family by re-doing their bathroom and giving him a safe set of stairs to help him get in and out of his house.
Girls at Barnanaza! Danielle and I along with a youth volunteer and family member, little Lexi. Lexi's father, Herman, lives here along with a few other relatives. Lexi's mother left her when she was a baby and has no part of her nor Herman's life. Herman raises Lexi by himself with the help of neighbors and friends in the Barkers Ridge Holler. Lucky for him, Herman just got a job driving a coal truck! We're thrilled that he now has a more steady form of income to support his family, but we miss seeing him around the worksite all day!
Victoria taking a nap on the roof...our favorite chill spot! We have a window in our office that leads to the roof, which is were we like to relax and get some staff time. We tell our volunteers that they cannot get to the roof - basically so we can have it to ourselves to do things like nap!
Kids of the Wyco Holler! Also the cutest kids ever. I love playing with them. The one on the far right, Raven, has a crush on me. His mom says he always goes for the blondes! Danielle is jealous :)

The families of Appalachia teach me more and more each day. Their ties with their loved ones are so strong. They support one another so much is incredible. Back home I feel as though everyone could learn a lesson from this. Being there for others is important, because you never know when you'll be in a time of need and you'll be looking for someone to turn to. Family ties are amazing, and I love witnessing how much everyone cares about each other here in West Virginia!

MY MOM IS COMING TOMORROW. I cannot WAIT to show her around Wyoming County :)

Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds
http://vimeo.com/9208176