“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”  M. Scott Peck

A new day, a new week… Today we sent a crew out to the Itmann Food Bank to finish organizing all the stuff that came in last week, as well as unloading a truck of food and additional van brought down by a volunteer.  The Food Bank is look wonderful and ready for distribution.

We also sent two crews out to Hanover to continue work on houses damaged in the flood.  We continued on the one we primarily worked on last week and continued to work on the house next door that a fellow volunteer group had been working on.  We will be working on both they housed for quite awhile.

The big excitement of day was that we had a three hour power outage due to a fire at a transformer on Bolt Mountain.  It was a bit of an incovenience, but everyone got out their flashlights and kept on like troopers.  Luckily the dinner that was planned was going to be cooked on the grill, so no changes in dinner needed to be done. The lights came back on right as we were about to start dinner, a hot dog feast with all the fixings, corn on the cob and other yummy goodies.

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”  M. Scott Peck

A new day, a new week… Today we sent a crew out to the Itmann Food Bank to finish organizing all the stuff that came in last week, as well as unloading a truck of food and additional van brought down by a volunteer.  The Food Bank is look wonderful and ready for distribution.

We also sent two crews out to Hanover to continue work on houses damaged in the flood.  We continued on the one we primarily worked on last week and continued to work on the house next door that a fellow volunteer group had been working on.  We will be working on both they housed for quite awhile.

The big excitement of day was that we had a three hour power outage due to a fire at a transformer on Bolt Mountain.  It was a bit of an incovenience, but everyone got out their flashlights and kept on like troopers.  Luckily the dinner that was planned was going to be cooked on the grill, so no changes in dinner needed to be done. The lights came back on right as we were about to start dinner, a hot dog feast with all the fixings, corn on the cob and other yummy goodies.

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”  M. Scott Peck

A new day, a new week… Today we sent a crew out to the Itmann Food Bank to finish organizing all the stuff that came in last week, as well as unloading a truck of food and additional van brought down by a volunteer.  The Food Bank is look wonderful and ready for distribution.

We also sent two crews out to Hanover to continue work on houses damaged in the flood.  We continued on the one we primarily worked on last week and continued to work on the house next door that a fellow volunteer group had been working on.  We will be working on both they housed for quite awhile.

The big excitement of day was that we had a three hour power outage due to a fire at a transformer on Bolt Mountain.  It was a bit of an incovenience, but everyone got out their flashlights and kept on like troopers.  Luckily the dinner that was planned was going to be cooked on the grill, so no changes in dinner needed to be done. The lights came back on right as we were about to start dinner, a hot dog feast with all the fixings, corn on the cob and other yummy goodies.

Another beautiful, yet hot day in Wyoming County.  As with PV tradition, Sunday is reserved for community building and bonding.  After attending a nice Mass at Holy Cross Church in Pineville, volunteers gathered back at the school to spend some time together as a group.  We have asked our summer long PVs to plan each Sundays activities and they have yet to disappoint.  Today we went around and shared our name, where we are from and one fact about us.  The next person shared their information, but then had to share everyone before them as well.  By the end of the circle it was quite a memory test I must say!  After learning a bit about each other we moved to the gym for a competitve game of whiffle ball. OK it wasn’t so competitive, but was certainly entertaining to watch.
The relaxing day ended with a cookout and a short reflection and commisioning welcoming the newly arrived PVs.

Another beautiful, yet hot day in Wyoming County.  As with PV tradition, Sunday is reserved for community building and bonding.  After attending a nice Mass at Holy Cross Church in Pineville, volunteers gathered back at the school to spend some time together as a group.  We have asked our summer long PVs to plan each Sundays activities and they have yet to disappoint.  Today we went around and shared our name, where we are from and one fact about us.  The next person shared their information, but then had to share everyone before them as well.  By the end of the circle it was quite a memory test I must say!  After learning a bit about each other we moved to the gym for a competitve game of whiffle ball. OK it wasn’t so competitive, but was certainly entertaining to watch.
The relaxing day ended with a cookout and a short reflection and commisioning welcoming the newly arrived PVs.

Another beautiful, yet hot day in Wyoming County.  As with PV tradition, Sunday is reserved for community building and bonding.  After attending a nice Mass at Holy Cross Church in Pineville, volunteers gathered back at the school to spend some time together as a group.  We have asked our summer long PVs to plan each Sundays activities and they have yet to disappoint.  Today we went around and shared our name, where we are from and one fact about us.  The next person shared their information, but then had to share everyone before them as well.  By the end of the circle it was quite a memory test I must say!  After learning a bit about each other we moved to the gym for a competitve game of whiffle ball. OK it wasn’t so competitive, but was certainly entertaining to watch.
The relaxing day ended with a cookout and a short reflection and commisioning welcoming the newly arrived PVs.

“One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.”  Chinese Proverb

Last night for reflection we were presented with the idea of God’s calling, service and our presence in West Virginia.  For sharing we were asked to share how we started volunteering with the PVs and why we keep coming back.  It was a wonderful way for us to remember why we do what we do and and ground us in who we are as PVs.

Fridays in PVland are a day to focus on all the activities other than home repair.  It is a great way to connect with social service agencies in the area, connect one on with with individuals and try a great variety of activities.  But before everyone headed out for the day, we all did our part to make the school sparkle and shine with our weekly cleaning.  Although not the most fun thing to do, I am always amazed at how beautiful the school looks after the cleaning is done.

As for service activities, the second day of tutoring was another great success, all five kids from Wednesday returned and a fun time was had by all.  We also wrapped up with the Mullens Soccer Camp with another fun, HOT day on the pitch.  A special thank you to Zach for giving up his time and running the camp for the week for the seventh year.  Volunteers also continued to help organize at the Itmann Food Bank all the items that came in on the trucks during the week.  Volunteers also spent time visiting with folks they have met through the years.

One new and exciting project that began today was a new PV Home Repair class at St. Vincent DePaul.  Out of a suggestion at the Midwest Reunion, we decided to try and provide of service to the people of the county by having volunteers share some of the home repair skills that they have learned throughout the time as PVs.  Today’s class was the first and focused on the parts of a toilet and how to make minor repairs.  We were very pleased that we had three local people show up for the class.  We are hoping it will gain momentum as the summer goes on.

We are getting ready to feast on a wonderful Mexican feast!  Ole!

It has really been a tremendous first week.  We were able to get a lot accomplished, but more importantly we have met some wonderful people.  What a great way to start the summer program!  We will try and post some pictures tomorrow…