“Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.”
Kak Sri

Today marked the end of the 2012 PV Summer Program. The day was spent moving all our stuff to the St. Vincent DePaul building in Pineville for storage. SVdP, as always, was very generous giving us a few spaces to put everything. Volunteers worked very hard with the moving and the cleaning of the school.

After all the cleaning was done we treated the volunteers to pizza. We had already packed our plates, bowls, and the like, so pizza was perfect!

For our final closing service of the summer we played the Garth Brooks song “The River,” and talked about how our experience is much like a river with rapids, tide, bends, smooth sailing, etc. Volunteers shared a moment when their ride was exhilarating.

As a special treat after reflection we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics together. A nice way to end the summer.

Pictures for the week won’t be up right away due to travel, but look for them soon!

“I many not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
Douglas Adams

Today was another hot and humid day in Wyoming County. The crew that went to finish the roof tried to get there as soon as possible and to work to get it done before the heat became unbearable. Just as they were putting the last screws in the heat started to get to them.

We sent a group to continue drywalling at The Way and another group to the Itmann School House to continue with all the projects there. We knew going into both of these projects that they would not be completed this summer, but the work the volunteers did was tremendous and much appreciated by the local agencies that we worked with.

Another group went to St. Vincent DePaul to help clean out the warehouse a bit and make it easier for the big move tomorrow.

The final group stayed back at the school to run the camps. The morning sports camp was WhiffleBall (baseball being way too dangerous inside). Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In the afternoon the group did two crafts, played a game and read a story.

Dinner this evening was a repeat of the dinners from the week trying to finish up the leftovers. In addition, to try and use up the eggs there was an egg, cheese and potato casserole. Everything was delicious, yet again.

Reflection tonight focused on the tools we use each and every day as PVs. We were given a “tool,” everything from a hammer to soccer ball to represent the tools we as PVs use. We were asked to share a tool we used and its significance. The reflection closed with the group singing “If I Had a Hammer.”

“I many not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
Douglas Adams

Today was another hot and humid day in Wyoming County. The crew that went to finish the roof tried to get there as soon as possible and to work to get it done before the heat became unbearable. Just as they were putting the last screws in the heat started to get to them.

We sent a group to continue drywalling at The Way and another group to the Itmann School House to continue with all the projects there. We knew going into both of these projects that they would not be completed this summer, but the work the volunteers did was tremendous and much appreciated by the local agencies that we worked with.

Another group went to St. Vincent DePaul to help clean out the warehouse a bit and make it easier for the big move tomorrow.

The final group stayed back at the school to run the camps. The morning sports camp was WhiffleBall (baseball being way too dangerous inside). Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In the afternoon the group did two crafts, played a game and read a story.

Dinner this evening was a repeat of the dinners from the week trying to finish up the leftovers. In addition, to try and use up the eggs there was an egg, cheese and potato casserole. Everything was delicious, yet again.

Reflection tonight focused on the tools we use each and every day as PVs. We were given a “tool,” everything from a hammer to soccer ball to represent the tools we as PVs use. We were asked to share a tool we used and its significance. The reflection closed with the group singing “If I Had a Hammer.”

“I many not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
Douglas Adams

Today was another hot and humid day in Wyoming County. The crew that went to finish the roof tried to get there as soon as possible and to work to get it done before the heat became unbearable. Just as they were putting the last screws in the heat started to get to them.

We sent a group to continue drywalling at The Way and another group to the Itmann School House to continue with all the projects there. We knew going into both of these projects that they would not be completed this summer, but the work the volunteers did was tremendous and much appreciated by the local agencies that we worked with.

Another group went to St. Vincent DePaul to help clean out the warehouse a bit and make it easier for the big move tomorrow.

The final group stayed back at the school to run the camps. The morning sports camp was WhiffleBall (baseball being way too dangerous inside). Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In the afternoon the group did two crafts, played a game and read a story.

Dinner this evening was a repeat of the dinners from the week trying to finish up the leftovers. In addition, to try and use up the eggs there was an egg, cheese and potato casserole. Everything was delicious, yet again.

Reflection tonight focused on the tools we use each and every day as PVs. We were given a “tool,” everything from a hammer to soccer ball to represent the tools we as PVs use. We were asked to share a tool we used and its significance. The reflection closed with the group singing “If I Had a Hammer.”

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman

Another great day in PVland. Volunteers were spread out throughout the county at three different home repair sites and camps. The volunteers headed back to Ravencliffe to work on the roof and finishing up inside. The roof made for hot afternoon, but all the rubber was laid down and now the metal trimming is all that it is left to do.

A group of volunteers returned to the Itmann School House to continue with the dry-walling.  They also moved the stage to other room that will eventually be a museum and visitors center and begun work on a ramp coming in from the back door.

Another group went to work at The Way youth center in Mullens. The building has made a great strides since last summer. They have opened to work with kids, but they still need some help with some finishing touches.

The final site for the day were the camps. The morning sports camp was soccer. None of the kids had played soccer before, but by the end of the two hours you would have never known it, they were great! In the afternoon camp the kids read a couple of stories and did some group dances.

Dinner tonight was a delicious lasagne, salad and garlic bread. Everything was fabulous! For dessert after reflection, we had chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. Yummy!

This evenings reflection was all around the idea that many things and many people have rough edges, but once you get to know them they are a gem. We were asked to talk about someone we have met that fits that description.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman

Another great day in PVland. Volunteers were spread out throughout the county at three different home repair sites and camps. The volunteers headed back to Ravencliffe to work on the roof and finishing up inside. The roof made for hot afternoon, but all the rubber was laid down and now the metal trimming is all that it is left to do.

A group of volunteers returned to the Itmann School House to continue with the dry-walling.  They also moved the stage to other room that will eventually be a museum and visitors center and begun work on a ramp coming in from the back door.

Another group went to work at The Way youth center in Mullens. The building has made a great strides since last summer. They have opened to work with kids, but they still need some help with some finishing touches.

The final site for the day were the camps. The morning sports camp was soccer. None of the kids had played soccer before, but by the end of the two hours you would have never known it, they were great! In the afternoon camp the kids read a couple of stories and did some group dances.

Dinner tonight was a delicious lasagne, salad and garlic bread. Everything was fabulous! For dessert after reflection, we had chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. Yummy!

This evenings reflection was all around the idea that many things and many people have rough edges, but once you get to know them they are a gem. We were asked to talk about someone we have met that fits that description.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman

Another great day in PVland. Volunteers were spread out throughout the county at three different home repair sites and camps. The volunteers headed back to Ravencliffe to work on the roof and finishing up inside. The roof made for hot afternoon, but all the rubber was laid down and now the metal trimming is all that it is left to do.

A group of volunteers returned to the Itmann School House to continue with the dry-walling.  They also moved the stage to other room that will eventually be a museum and visitors center and begun work on a ramp coming in from the back door.

Another group went to work at The Way youth center in Mullens. The building has made a great strides since last summer. They have opened to work with kids, but they still need some help with some finishing touches.

The final site for the day were the camps. The morning sports camp was soccer. None of the kids had played soccer before, but by the end of the two hours you would have never known it, they were great! In the afternoon camp the kids read a couple of stories and did some group dances.

Dinner tonight was a delicious lasagne, salad and garlic bread. Everything was fabulous! For dessert after reflection, we had chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. Yummy!

This evenings reflection was all around the idea that many things and many people have rough edges, but once you get to know them they are a gem. We were asked to talk about someone we have met that fits that description.

“To love. To be love. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget.”
Arundhati Roy

Today’s big challenge was rain, rain and more rain. Even though there was only a 30% chance of rain today, it pretty much rained on and off (mostly on) all day throughout the county, at all the sites.

Volunteers went back to the site in Pineville and finished up with the stairs and the window. They pretty much to dodge rain all day, but were able to complete the project. The homeowner was very pleased with all the work that had been done.

We also finished the site on top of the mountain that we started last week. The rest of the kitchen tile was laid and the last bit of guttering was finished. The kitchen looks gorgeous and the owner was very pleased with all the work the volunteers did over the days.

Work also continued at the site in Ravencliffe where volunteers were doing flooring and roofing. Because of the rain not much was done on the roof, but the flooring is pretty much completed. Tomorrow we will continue with laying in the rubber roof and start to put up the metal stripping around the outside of the trailer.

A group went back to the Itmann School House to continue work there. A lot of drywall was hung and some framing was done. After the rain slowed a bit volunteers went outside to pull up the knot-weed that was growing back in the front.

The final group of PVs stayed back at the school for camp. The morning sports camp spotlight was on basketball today. The kids learned a lot of new skills and had a lot of fun in the process of learning. After sharing lunch together, the volunteers and the kids had their afternoon day camp. Today the kids made tube people puppets, played kickball and had a puppet show. By all accounts it was a fun, but tiring day.

By the time dinner rolled around everyone was hungry and ready for a good meal. Tonight’s menu was a pasta bake, rolls and a salad. For dessert we had no bake cookies and homemade ice cream. We certainly never go hungry here….

Tonight’s reflection focused on the idea of an earthen vessel and brokenness. How when we are broken and cracked it allows things to flow through us and from us. The reflection tied very nicely into the PV Vision statement and the lie about “embracing our brokenness and the brokenness of others.”

“To love. To be love. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget.”
Arundhati Roy

Today’s big challenge was rain, rain and more rain. Even though there was only a 30% chance of rain today, it pretty much rained on and off (mostly on) all day throughout the county, at all the sites.

Volunteers went back to the site in Pineville and finished up with the stairs and the window. They pretty much to dodge rain all day, but were able to complete the project. The homeowner was very pleased with all the work that had been done.

We also finished the site on top of the mountain that we started last week. The rest of the kitchen tile was laid and the last bit of guttering was finished. The kitchen looks gorgeous and the owner was very pleased with all the work the volunteers did over the days.

Work also continued at the site in Ravencliffe where volunteers were doing flooring and roofing. Because of the rain not much was done on the roof, but the flooring is pretty much completed. Tomorrow we will continue with laying in the rubber roof and start to put up the metal stripping around the outside of the trailer.

A group went back to the Itmann School House to continue work there. A lot of drywall was hung and some framing was done. After the rain slowed a bit volunteers went outside to pull up the knot-weed that was growing back in the front.

The final group of PVs stayed back at the school for camp. The morning sports camp spotlight was on basketball today. The kids learned a lot of new skills and had a lot of fun in the process of learning. After sharing lunch together, the volunteers and the kids had their afternoon day camp. Today the kids made tube people puppets, played kickball and had a puppet show. By all accounts it was a fun, but tiring day.

By the time dinner rolled around everyone was hungry and ready for a good meal. Tonight’s menu was a pasta bake, rolls and a salad. For dessert we had no bake cookies and homemade ice cream. We certainly never go hungry here….

Tonight’s reflection focused on the idea of an earthen vessel and brokenness. How when we are broken and cracked it allows things to flow through us and from us. The reflection tied very nicely into the PV Vision statement and the lie about “embracing our brokenness and the brokenness of others.”

“To love. To be love. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget.”
Arundhati Roy

Today’s big challenge was rain, rain and more rain. Even though there was only a 30% chance of rain today, it pretty much rained on and off (mostly on) all day throughout the county, at all the sites.

Volunteers went back to the site in Pineville and finished up with the stairs and the window. They pretty much to dodge rain all day, but were able to complete the project. The homeowner was very pleased with all the work that had been done.

We also finished the site on top of the mountain that we started last week. The rest of the kitchen tile was laid and the last bit of guttering was finished. The kitchen looks gorgeous and the owner was very pleased with all the work the volunteers did over the days.

Work also continued at the site in Ravencliffe where volunteers were doing flooring and roofing. Because of the rain not much was done on the roof, but the flooring is pretty much completed. Tomorrow we will continue with laying in the rubber roof and start to put up the metal stripping around the outside of the trailer.

A group went back to the Itmann School House to continue work there. A lot of drywall was hung and some framing was done. After the rain slowed a bit volunteers went outside to pull up the knot-weed that was growing back in the front.

The final group of PVs stayed back at the school for camp. The morning sports camp spotlight was on basketball today. The kids learned a lot of new skills and had a lot of fun in the process of learning. After sharing lunch together, the volunteers and the kids had their afternoon day camp. Today the kids made tube people puppets, played kickball and had a puppet show. By all accounts it was a fun, but tiring day.

By the time dinner rolled around everyone was hungry and ready for a good meal. Tonight’s menu was a pasta bake, rolls and a salad. For dessert we had no bake cookies and homemade ice cream. We certainly never go hungry here….

Tonight’s reflection focused on the idea of an earthen vessel and brokenness. How when we are broken and cracked it allows things to flow through us and from us. The reflection tied very nicely into the PV Vision statement and the lie about “embracing our brokenness and the brokenness of others.”