"If the earth does grow inhospitable toward human presence, it is primarily because we have lost our sense of courtesy toward the earth and its inhabitants." Thomas Berry
Reflection last night focused on our theme of fellowship and we shared our day's "news and goods."
Today was a scorcher, with highs officially hitting 96 degrees although the bank in Pineville read 100 degrees. We continued our work out in Hanover. Midday volunteers took a break and had a little gospel sing with the other group working and the residents. We also started work at our friends in Lilydale. It was hot grueling work moving rocks, mowing, weed eating and building steps. Volunteers were in the direct sun in a valley with little escape from the heat. Unfortunately, tomorrows weather doesn't look any better, if anything a little hotter.
The day was made a little more tolerable knowing that we would be feasting on a scrumptious Italian meal tonight.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." Anne Frank
Today we continued work on the flood damaged house up in Hanover. Great progress continues to be made each and every day. Groups drywalled, mudded, sanded, painted, built steps and underpinned. There still remains work to be done, but it is amazing to look back and see where the house was just two weeks ago.
We also asked a group to stay back at the school and begin to label all of our tools and equipment so we can keep better track of everything. They were so speedy with that task, that they also were able to reorganize and refill the first aid kits.
Tonight for dinner we are having ham and macaroni and cheese. Yummy!!!
Today we continued work on the flood damaged house up in Hanover. Great progress continues to be made each and every day. Groups drywalled, mudded, sanded, painted, built steps and underpinned. There still remains work to be done, but it is amazing to look back and see where the house was just two weeks ago.
We also asked a group to stay back at the school and begin to label all of our tools and equipment so we can keep better track of everything. They were so speedy with that task, that they also were able to reorganize and refill the first aid kits.
Tonight for dinner we are having ham and macaroni and cheese. Yummy!!!
Sunday, July 4th 2010
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!
This weekend was a big change over weekend with 20 people leaving and 23 people arriving. We are sad to see those go that have been with us the first two weeks and at the same time excited for the new arrivals. It always amazes us how seamlessly the community transitions from week to week. A key part of this is our wonderful summer longs who provided a consistent presence for us throughout these transitions.
Even though it was the 4th, it was still community day for the PVs. After going to Mass in Pineville, we gathered for community day activities. We began with pairing off and interviewing each other and then presenting our fellow volunteer to the rest of the group. It was surprising how much we learned about each other, even people we have known for a long time. After the interviews we moved to the gym for a game of kickball.
After orientation and reorientation, we were treated to our now traditional meal of hamburgers and veggie burgers. Yum yum.... After a quick clean up we moved into the commissioning service to anoint the newly arrived volunteers for their service. Commissioning is always a nice way to connect every volunteer that serves during the summer and to prepare each person for the next day.
We wrapped up the day with a community trip to the Oceana Fireworks. (see pictures below) It was a beautiful and quite impressive display. We were joined in Oceana by one of our friends from Lillydale. After a bit of a traffic jam leaving Oceana we returned to the school and devoured a yummy "flag cake" made with blueberries and strawberries. It was a great day!
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This weekend was a big change over weekend with 20 people leaving and 23 people arriving. We are sad to see those go that have been with us the first two weeks and at the same time excited for the new arrivals. It always amazes us how seamlessly the community transitions from week to week. A key part of this is our wonderful summer longs who provided a consistent presence for us throughout these transitions.
Even though it was the 4th, it was still community day for the PVs. After going to Mass in Pineville, we gathered for community day activities. We began with pairing off and interviewing each other and then presenting our fellow volunteer to the rest of the group. It was surprising how much we learned about each other, even people we have known for a long time. After the interviews we moved to the gym for a game of kickball.
After orientation and reorientation, we were treated to our now traditional meal of hamburgers and veggie burgers. Yum yum.... After a quick clean up we moved into the commissioning service to anoint the newly arrived volunteers for their service. Commissioning is always a nice way to connect every volunteer that serves during the summer and to prepare each person for the next day.
We wrapped up the day with a community trip to the Oceana Fireworks. (see pictures below) It was a beautiful and quite impressive display. We were joined in Oceana by one of our friends from Lillydale. After a bit of a traffic jam leaving Oceana we returned to the school and devoured a yummy "flag cake" made with blueberries and strawberries. It was a great day!
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Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
"The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all." Leo Rosten
The theme for last night's reflection was focused on the effect of coal on the region and particular the women in the region. We were asked to share with the group women whom we thought exemplified the strong, resilient woman of the area.
Being Friday, today volunteers spent the day doing "non home repair" activities. The tutoring continues to be a successful program with the children enjoying themselves immensely. We also sent a group to help with UGWA (Upper Guyandotte Watershed Association) and their water monitoring project. After finishing up there, the group went to Twin Falls for a late lunch and a hike to the falls. We also had our second installment of the home repair class at St. Vincent DePaul. Today the students were taught how to drywall and to fix small holes. Volunteers also took the time to go out and visit people they have met previous summers. By the sounds of it everyone had a great day.
Tonight for dinner we will be treated with fish and chips, and curry. Yummy, yummy in the tummy.
The theme for last night's reflection was focused on the effect of coal on the region and particular the women in the region. We were asked to share with the group women whom we thought exemplified the strong, resilient woman of the area.
Being Friday, today volunteers spent the day doing "non home repair" activities. The tutoring continues to be a successful program with the children enjoying themselves immensely. We also sent a group to help with UGWA (Upper Guyandotte Watershed Association) and their water monitoring project. After finishing up there, the group went to Twin Falls for a late lunch and a hike to the falls. We also had our second installment of the home repair class at St. Vincent DePaul. Today the students were taught how to drywall and to fix small holes. Volunteers also took the time to go out and visit people they have met previous summers. By the sounds of it everyone had a great day.
Tonight for dinner we will be treated with fish and chips, and curry. Yummy, yummy in the tummy.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
"No one has ever become poor by giving." Anne Frank
Last night as a community we were asked to reflect on modern day saints in our lives. It was inspiring to think about all the amazing people we know who continue to try to do good to those in their community. We wrapped up the reflection when volunteers we asked to share the traditional PV new and goods.
Today was a first in modern day PV history. The entire group of PVs, all 28 of us, went to the same jobsite. It was wonderful to see everyone working together and fellowshipping together. Everyone worked hard, shoulder to shoulder and then wrapped up the work day with a late lunch at a local eatery, the Justonian. Thanks to the the staff there for putting up with the whole group!
Even though we had a late lunch, and true PV fashion, everyone was ready to eat again for dinner. We were treated with scrumptious beef and vegetarian tacos. Yummy!
Last night as a community we were asked to reflect on modern day saints in our lives. It was inspiring to think about all the amazing people we know who continue to try to do good to those in their community. We wrapped up the reflection when volunteers we asked to share the traditional PV new and goods.
Today was a first in modern day PV history. The entire group of PVs, all 28 of us, went to the same jobsite. It was wonderful to see everyone working together and fellowshipping together. Everyone worked hard, shoulder to shoulder and then wrapped up the work day with a late lunch at a local eatery, the Justonian. Thanks to the the staff there for putting up with the whole group!
Even though we had a late lunch, and true PV fashion, everyone was ready to eat again for dinner. We were treated with scrumptious beef and vegetarian tacos. Yummy!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
"Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege." John D. Rockefeller
Thanks to a former pig farmer and his wife, last night we were asked to reflect on control using the symbol of a nose ring that they used to use on pigs to stop them from digging and therefore control them. It was a very poignant symbol and lead to a wonderful reflection on when we or someone we've met has no control and how that feels.
Today for job sites, most of the group went back and continued to work on the two flood houses. It is really amazing how much progress has been made on both houses. They are starting to look great. One of the home owners was also able to show a FEMA representative the damage that was done to her house in hopes of receiving some assistance.
Another group of volunteers stayed back at the school this morning to tutor some local children. It seems like the kids, and the volunteers for that matter, are really enjoying themselves. The kids are getting some one on one attention and making great strides in academics.
Tonight for dinner we are being treated with homemade lasagna and fresh baked bread. Sometimes we feel pretty spoiled....
Thanks to a former pig farmer and his wife, last night we were asked to reflect on control using the symbol of a nose ring that they used to use on pigs to stop them from digging and therefore control them. It was a very poignant symbol and lead to a wonderful reflection on when we or someone we've met has no control and how that feels.
Today for job sites, most of the group went back and continued to work on the two flood houses. It is really amazing how much progress has been made on both houses. They are starting to look great. One of the home owners was also able to show a FEMA representative the damage that was done to her house in hopes of receiving some assistance.
Another group of volunteers stayed back at the school this morning to tutor some local children. It seems like the kids, and the volunteers for that matter, are really enjoying themselves. The kids are getting some one on one attention and making great strides in academics.
Tonight for dinner we are being treated with homemade lasagna and fresh baked bread. Sometimes we feel pretty spoiled....
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