I can't even think about the fact that this summer is all over and that in just a few short days I'll be thinking about real life... The summer ended quite nicely- we finished up all of our projects and only had a few spindles left that our helpers put on. Saying goodbye to all of our families was such a bittersweet feeling. We have spent the whole summer together and now we won't be seeing them each week. They were all so different and so unique. I'll miss all of the silliness at slip n slide, with the kids, and the sweet feelings at Van Gogh.
After all our volunteers left we closed out our center and said goodbye to knoxville college! It was weird thinking that I would no longer be sweating all the time, we had to stay up super late packing and getting everything ready to be unloaded. Unload day was one of my favorites, it was so fun seeing everyone again and hearing all of their stories form the summer. Then it was off to chavies to help them finish everything. Since we have been here I have done a lot of sleeping and also ran dump, organized etc. It is so weird not having any responsibilities to worry about. We also have been enjoying our fair share of Ale 8 and we went to a rope swing today, it was super fun until I slipped and belly flopped into the water....hello bruises!
Anyway just a few more days here and then its time for wrapup and to see everyone again. Hopefully by then I'll have found a ride home and be getting ready to go back to Michigan! I'm gonna miss the overalls, but I'm excited to see what god has in store for me this year! Pictures to come soon!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Unconditional love
Holy Cow, I can’t believe that this is already week 6 and that it’s almost over with…that means only one more week of volunteers and one more week to finish up our projects. These past few weeks have had so many happies and of course a few crappies along the way. It’s so hard to find time to tell all of you about everything even though I wish that all of you could be here to experience everything.
Ok completely random interjection to all of my thoughts…right now I should be paying attention to the beginning of our meeting and one of the youth just walked in and prayed for us, and it was incredible. He just said how God had chosen each of us to be here and it was one of the coolest things. It’s these little moments that make me want to stay here forever.
Week 5 was wonderful, the churches who came not only interacted incredibly with each other, but also with us as a staff. They cared for us so much and really went above and beyond to make sure that we had one of the easiest and best weeks possible. One of our GLs Mike, was a floater and literally the best thing ever. Every morning he would get up to go to hardware with us, aka wake up at 5:30 to get in the car with a semi awake staffer to drive to home depot and load/find an entire van full of goodies…maybe this sounds fun to you…but I struggle doing it once a week, but everyday that’s dedication. Each night he would come to our office and just impart his wisdom upon us, seeing him go was the beginning of a lot of tough goodbyes.
I also think that this was one of the most challenging weeks in terms of motivation and passion for me. We are pouring out everything we have and it is so easy not to refuel on God in the midst of everything which leads straight to the struggle bus.
We have had two really awesome weekends…
1. We went to a minor league baseball game, although I couldn’t tell you anything about the game, I could impart many things about the pictures we took, the gift store, the laughs, and the awesome ice cream that we at out of cute little plastic baseball caps. Our evening was finished out by a midnight parking lot dance party- crucial part of every staffs existence.
2. SPOOM…or the society for the preservation of old mills. Marv…another really awesome dude who is on the board for ASP owns a mill just about 35 min from our center, so we went there took a tour, rode all around his property on gators, watched the sunset from swings, enjoyed a delicious dinner on real plates and with placemats, and had a campfire. Then we had the pick of 8 different real beds… something I haven’t seen for about 2 months. We enjoyed a relaxing morning on the porch and came back refreshed to work.
This week I also got to take a day off, I met up with Kristen and Jolean in Anderson County….it was wonderful. We not only had some awesome conversations about God’s unconditional love for us and how we can share that with others, but we had a picnic and went geocaching. If you’ve never been before, you must go…I will take you. It’s like treasure hunting for big kids!
Anyway things are going swell, thanks for all the mail J and for your prayers. One more week left- it’s crazy. Pictures to come soon :)
Friday, July 1, 2011
It's not about me.
I can't believe that week three is already coming to an end. One of the first days here one of our volunteers was wearing a shirt that said It's not about me, and I think thats been a theme of this week.
Personally, I'm beginning to start to see why God brought me here and learning how to talk about what I am feeling inside and be vulnerable to emotions. Things I'm not actually very good at. It may take a little prying and a good root beer float from some random diner, and a lot of car rides, but it's getting there! I know that each day brings new challenges and new memories and lessons.
Also, our boss Steve came to visit this week, and it was my turn to go on runs( when we visit all of the houses) with him and I was super nervous. But it ended up being an awesome day with lots of learning and good chats! And we got our vehicle points!
This week I had two awesome contact homes and all of our projects are coming along so beautifully. I got to see the first piece of vinyl siding up and the first piece of tin go up on the roof. Seeing the beginnings of projects is really cool and then still being able to see them be completed! I am continuing to learn more about construction and how to problem solve on site everyday.
Some exciting things since last time I posted...
1. The Breaks, last weekend we went to the breaks which is an inner-state park between KY and VA. An ASP tradition for all of the staffs to get together after week two, we went swimming in a river and jumped off of cliffs and did the rope swing! So much fun. Then we went to dinner, had a campfire, and slept in the back of our vans.
2. Our families have been awesome! Every time I get to see them, they give me the energy to keep going and to know how much we are impacting them. One of our families grilled today for us and they are always out helping us work on their homes. I love seeing each crew and all of the work they finish everyday. They are changing lives and having their lives changed.
3. My new friend Cameron, he is one of our homeowners grandsons and has autism, at the picnic on Thursday we walked to the playground together and I saw his face light up with pure joy as we approached the slide. I saw God in him and he gave me a love that I'll never forget, for him the world is so simple and their is joy in the simplest things, I wish I could live life like him.
4. To my GL Dave, who gave up a mission trip in Puerto Rico with his sons so that he could be an adult for this group who wouldn't be able to come without him. We grilled together and learned about being tin rockstars, I want to have a heart like his.
5. For mom and dads of the week...this is the best thing ever, each day we have a mom and a dad and they do things like get us ice cream or give us hugs or just tell us how awesome we are. It's so wonderful to have that little extra something in each day!
Here are some pictures to enjoy :)
Personally, I'm beginning to start to see why God brought me here and learning how to talk about what I am feeling inside and be vulnerable to emotions. Things I'm not actually very good at. It may take a little prying and a good root beer float from some random diner, and a lot of car rides, but it's getting there! I know that each day brings new challenges and new memories and lessons.
Also, our boss Steve came to visit this week, and it was my turn to go on runs( when we visit all of the houses) with him and I was super nervous. But it ended up being an awesome day with lots of learning and good chats! And we got our vehicle points!
This week I had two awesome contact homes and all of our projects are coming along so beautifully. I got to see the first piece of vinyl siding up and the first piece of tin go up on the roof. Seeing the beginnings of projects is really cool and then still being able to see them be completed! I am continuing to learn more about construction and how to problem solve on site everyday.
Some exciting things since last time I posted...
1. The Breaks, last weekend we went to the breaks which is an inner-state park between KY and VA. An ASP tradition for all of the staffs to get together after week two, we went swimming in a river and jumped off of cliffs and did the rope swing! So much fun. Then we went to dinner, had a campfire, and slept in the back of our vans.
2. Our families have been awesome! Every time I get to see them, they give me the energy to keep going and to know how much we are impacting them. One of our families grilled today for us and they are always out helping us work on their homes. I love seeing each crew and all of the work they finish everyday. They are changing lives and having their lives changed.
3. My new friend Cameron, he is one of our homeowners grandsons and has autism, at the picnic on Thursday we walked to the playground together and I saw his face light up with pure joy as we approached the slide. I saw God in him and he gave me a love that I'll never forget, for him the world is so simple and their is joy in the simplest things, I wish I could live life like him.
4. To my GL Dave, who gave up a mission trip in Puerto Rico with his sons so that he could be an adult for this group who wouldn't be able to come without him. We grilled together and learned about being tin rockstars, I want to have a heart like his.
5. For mom and dads of the week...this is the best thing ever, each day we have a mom and a dad and they do things like get us ice cream or give us hugs or just tell us how awesome we are. It's so wonderful to have that little extra something in each day!
Here are some pictures to enjoy :)
Wacky Wednesday!
I visited Lotts Creek where I volunteered in 2006, brought back a lot of memories.
My prayer partner and I went to this rope swing!
Week 2 Volunteers!
Love these girls!
I went to the dump!!
Ben was gone... I was in charge of grilling for the picnic.
We sometimes do work, other times we take fun pictures with our volunteers.
This roof is going to be beautiful, the level and jesus are best friends!
Anyway, it's been fun, miss and love all of you and thanks for all of the mail :)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wacky Wednesday
Today was wacky wednesday...aka we wear funny clothing and make our volunteers take ridiculous pictures with us when we go to visit us at the worksite...its great!
So I haven't posted in like a bazillion years because I fail at finding free time, but so much has happened!! So we had our first week of volunteers and are well into our second week of them. Having volunteers is so much fun, I can see God in each one of them. It does make things more stressful, but its worth it. We are currently working on 9 homes right now.
So lets back up to week one and hit up some exciting things from then...
1. groups are awesome and care so much for the staff, bringing ice cream to our meetings, and being flexible when we mess up or don't quite know the answer.
2. Sometimes things don't go as you plan, at my contact home we pulled up the floor and it somehow was being held up by 1 joist ( usually there should be one every 16") so when such things like this happen, you roll with it and learn in an hour how to construct a new floor so you can teach your GL.
3. having visitors is awesome...shoutouts to new friends who came to visit us in week one, and for seeing how willing they are to literally do anything for you if you need help, and they like to get Gelato with you too!!
4. Sometimes GLs will surprise you with their talents, who would have thought removing a tree with a chainsaw would be so much fun.
5. The families that we have met are changing my life, just as I am changing theirs. They are already such an important part of my life.
6. Getting mail is so wonderful...it makes me happy :)
OK onto this week, this week has been a little more challenging...we have 9 houses instead of 4, and all of the projects are getting more complicated and need more discussion. But we are going to build a 90' ramp...so cool, and having 70 volunteers is always exciting.
Also exciting is when your volunteers build a huge slip n side, ( to my CLW peeps...it was quite similar to the one we built) and even better is when you go down it, and are all sudsy and muddy and then as you are taking a shower the power decides to go out. It's exciting!
Today I am in Knott County visiting my prayer partner for my day off, even though I'll end up spending more of this trip sleeping and driving it has been worth it. I spent the three hour drive catching up with friends from home and just taking some time for me ( which doesn't happen in the world of staff). Then we went out to Mexican ( the food came in literally one minute after we ordered it). We stopped at walmart on the way home and got ice cream and a movie. Then we enjoyed movie watching and just relaxing. It's been nice to relax and not think about work! Also her center is in Lotts Creek, which is where i first volunteered. It brings back so many memories to be here and what it was like to be a volunteer. So great!
Overall even though some days are tough, I'm learning a lot and growing. Love and hugs from KY :)
p.s. photos coming soon!!!
So I haven't posted in like a bazillion years because I fail at finding free time, but so much has happened!! So we had our first week of volunteers and are well into our second week of them. Having volunteers is so much fun, I can see God in each one of them. It does make things more stressful, but its worth it. We are currently working on 9 homes right now.
So lets back up to week one and hit up some exciting things from then...
1. groups are awesome and care so much for the staff, bringing ice cream to our meetings, and being flexible when we mess up or don't quite know the answer.
2. Sometimes things don't go as you plan, at my contact home we pulled up the floor and it somehow was being held up by 1 joist ( usually there should be one every 16") so when such things like this happen, you roll with it and learn in an hour how to construct a new floor so you can teach your GL.
3. having visitors is awesome...shoutouts to new friends who came to visit us in week one, and for seeing how willing they are to literally do anything for you if you need help, and they like to get Gelato with you too!!
4. Sometimes GLs will surprise you with their talents, who would have thought removing a tree with a chainsaw would be so much fun.
5. The families that we have met are changing my life, just as I am changing theirs. They are already such an important part of my life.
6. Getting mail is so wonderful...it makes me happy :)
OK onto this week, this week has been a little more challenging...we have 9 houses instead of 4, and all of the projects are getting more complicated and need more discussion. But we are going to build a 90' ramp...so cool, and having 70 volunteers is always exciting.
Also exciting is when your volunteers build a huge slip n side, ( to my CLW peeps...it was quite similar to the one we built) and even better is when you go down it, and are all sudsy and muddy and then as you are taking a shower the power decides to go out. It's exciting!
Today I am in Knott County visiting my prayer partner for my day off, even though I'll end up spending more of this trip sleeping and driving it has been worth it. I spent the three hour drive catching up with friends from home and just taking some time for me ( which doesn't happen in the world of staff). Then we went out to Mexican ( the food came in literally one minute after we ordered it). We stopped at walmart on the way home and got ice cream and a movie. Then we enjoyed movie watching and just relaxing. It's been nice to relax and not think about work! Also her center is in Lotts Creek, which is where i first volunteered. It brings back so many memories to be here and what it was like to be a volunteer. So great!
Overall even though some days are tough, I'm learning a lot and growing. Love and hugs from KY :)
p.s. photos coming soon!!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Speed Bumps
The first days here were really busy but also fun, the staff from Anderson CO was staying with us in our center because they still had school in session at their center. We loved having them here, and grilling with them and singing songs! We played a game of watermelon rugby (most sticky and ridiculous game ever!) Each staff was really busy doing IHVs ( Initial Home Visits) trying to find projects in the community for our volunteers to work on when they get here next week.
Days here are busy and sometimes stressful, since this is our first year in this county, people don't know who we are and we have to make a lot of calls and work to find projects. Since we are working in a more urban area, there are a lot more permits to pull and inspections to have, so we have to take that into consideration.
Even though there have been some speed bumps (literally and figuratively) in our first few days here, I know that God is not going to let us down, and somehow on Sunday night when the first set of volunteers show up we will be ready to go! You can pray for all of the families whose homes we will work on this summer, and those whos we can't get to.
If you want to send me mail :)
Knoxville College
Attn: Appalachia Service Project
901 Knoxville College Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37921
Love and Hugs!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Rocking chairs, lightning bugs, and squre dancing
So much has been happenig here at the porch and I am so thankful for all of the fun stuff! So a few of my favorite memories are sitting in the rocking hairs on the porch and just talking with all of the different people who are here.
Another favorite are the stars and the lightning bugs and that I can sit outside at midnight in shorts and a t shirt so different then last summer in Wyoming where snowsuits were a necessity. We often sit outside and share stories and memories that somehow all connect our lives. Most days it feels like I have known the people here for my whole life when in reality its only been ten days.
Although things are good it wouldn't be life without some challenges. We have been learning a bazillion things they say it's like having a fire hose sprayed at you and trying to take a drink, somewhat impossible. I have learned a little bit about everything- from how to do underpinning to how to deal with bats in your center.
One of he most exciting days was finding out our staffs and where were going to be living at for the rest of he summer. I am really excited about my staff, were going to be serving in Knox co tn which is close to Knoxville and in a more urban area. This is the first year that ASP has been at his center! I also have the Posistion of volunteer coordinator woohoo- more to come on this later.
Tomorrow were off to Johnson city for sOme training and load up day and ben were almost done, Saturday evening I'll be in my county and have way more to tell you about! Love from the porch!
Another favorite are the stars and the lightning bugs and that I can sit outside at midnight in shorts and a t shirt so different then last summer in Wyoming where snowsuits were a necessity. We often sit outside and share stories and memories that somehow all connect our lives. Most days it feels like I have known the people here for my whole life when in reality its only been ten days.
Although things are good it wouldn't be life without some challenges. We have been learning a bazillion things they say it's like having a fire hose sprayed at you and trying to take a drink, somewhat impossible. I have learned a little bit about everything- from how to do underpinning to how to deal with bats in your center.
One of he most exciting days was finding out our staffs and where were going to be living at for the rest of he summer. I am really excited about my staff, were going to be serving in Knox co tn which is close to Knoxville and in a more urban area. This is the first year that ASP has been at his center! I also have the Posistion of volunteer coordinator woohoo- more to come on this later.
Tomorrow were off to Johnson city for sOme training and load up day and ben were almost done, Saturday evening I'll be in my county and have way more to tell you about! Love from the porch!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
New friends on the porch
Training has begun,just a quick post before bed. Everything is so new and exciting I am meeting lots of new people and doing so many fun new things. More stories to come with more time and not so much sleepiness! All i can say is that I'm thankful god called me to the porch for an incredible summer :) love from jonesville
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Taking Flight
I can't believe that tomorrow is the big day, I'll be taking off super early...my plane leaves at 6:15AM, so that means I'll be leaving home before 4am. Not looking forward to that at all, however I am so exited to start training, meeting new people, and having some fun! I'll be flying into tri-cities and then I'm meeting some other staffers to ride to Jonesville, VA where we will be staying for the duration of training.
Surprisingly I'm pretty much done packing and it's not even midnight. I probably overpacked, but hopefully not too much! I've got to get a few more things and then tonight it's Cherry Village and games with the fam! I'm sure their will be much more excitement to come!! Here's to a new adventure!
Surprisingly I'm pretty much done packing and it's not even midnight. I probably overpacked, but hopefully not too much! I've got to get a few more things and then tonight it's Cherry Village and games with the fam! I'm sure their will be much more excitement to come!! Here's to a new adventure!
Monday, May 16, 2011
First Steps
So, I've never really written a blog before, but considering I love following people on all of their adventures I suppose it's only fair that I share mine. This summer I'll we working for the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), its a home repair ministry in central appalachia which hosts short term mission trips for high school students. Want to know more? Visit www.asphome.org! When I was in high school I had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky with my youth group and the experience I had with ASP was incredible.
I am looking forward to all of the different experiences that this summer will hold. I figure that their will be some quality adventures to share with all of you...from sleep deprived staff bonding, to life changing moments- I'll try to give you a glimpse at it all. It all begins May 25th- I'll be flying from Denver to Tennessee and then its off to training in Jonesville, VA.
Until then, I'm going to enjoy spending time with the fam jam, watching my little bro graduate, and cramming in visits with as many friends as possible. I'd love your prayers for safe travels and smooth transition into the summer... and you can send me mail ( I love mail!!!) From May 25th to June 3rd my address will be:
ASP
Caitlin Closs
P.O. Box 250
Jonesville, VA 24263
after that I'll be moving to my center where I'll be staying for the rest of the summer ( possibly in KY, TN, VA, or WV) so I'll get back to you with a different address!
Love from CO!
I am looking forward to all of the different experiences that this summer will hold. I figure that their will be some quality adventures to share with all of you...from sleep deprived staff bonding, to life changing moments- I'll try to give you a glimpse at it all. It all begins May 25th- I'll be flying from Denver to Tennessee and then its off to training in Jonesville, VA.
Until then, I'm going to enjoy spending time with the fam jam, watching my little bro graduate, and cramming in visits with as many friends as possible. I'd love your prayers for safe travels and smooth transition into the summer... and you can send me mail ( I love mail!!!) From May 25th to June 3rd my address will be:
ASP
Caitlin Closs
P.O. Box 250
Jonesville, VA 24263
after that I'll be moving to my center where I'll be staying for the rest of the summer ( possibly in KY, TN, VA, or WV) so I'll get back to you with a different address!
Love from CO!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)