Erin
Morgenstern

Today was moving day! As a community we packed up and moved all the PV tools, kitchen items, beds, etc to St. Vincent DePaul for safe storage. With the help of a U-Haul and many eager helpful hands everything went very smooth and quick. In the afternoon, there was even time for a group to go spend time with the residents at Glen Rogers Manor playing banana bingo and visiting.

The final closing reflection is always a bittersweet occasion. It is a wonderful time to look back at all that was accomplished during the summer, but also there is the reality that is all over until next summer. Thank you to all who came this summer and to all who followed along. A big thank you also to The Way for opening your doors to us and to the people of Wyoming County for opening your lives to us. Many wonderful memories were made that will be cherished during the year.

*** Come back to check on pictures that will be forth coming in the next week ***

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Buddha

Today was our final day of going on home repair sites for the 2015 West Virginia summer program. Since it was the last day, we had a lot of little projects to finish up, but we did start (and finish) two sites today. One site was simply putting up two light fixtures for a lady who lives out side of Pineville that we have worked with in the past. Today we were finishing up a project started by the NIU students during their spring break. For the most part the installation went without a hitch. The crew that worked on this then headed back to The Way to put the finishing touches on the handicap bathroom that is now completely installed, other than the shower.

The other new site from the day was a painting and flashing site in Bud. Another group had built two new porch roofs for her, but they were leaking at the end. We were able to put new flashing on and adhere it in a different way that should stop the leaking. While were there we painted her porch railings and roofs while to freshen up the whole place. It looked fantastic when the volunteers left.

We also had a crew go up to Glen Rogers and put the finishing touches on the roof that was installed yesterday and go up the hill and add a little WD40 to the newly installed door. All is working well now. When this group arrived back at The Way the diligently went to work reinstalling the flooring on the stage that had come up over the winter when the accumulated snow on the roof started melting and leaking into the building.

The final group started the day finishing the painting at The Way (all of which looks fantastic!) and spent the afternoon doing the all important end of the summer dump run. I have to say they were all very excited to go to the dump and check out that road. I was glad when they returned they weren’t disappointed.

We had another wonderful dinner tonight, pork, green beans, pasta, salad, rolls, etc. It made sound familiar, we had a similar meal earlier in the week, but they were both wonderful. The cook of these meals had brought so much food that he need to cook twice! Bet you all wish you were here…

We had a wonderfully creative reflection tonight led by the crew from the midwest. They used the idea of cooking and ingredients, and what ingredients it takes to make up a PV volunteer. We each shared an ingredient we thought was important, they were put in a bowl, mixed up and “baked” in the easy bake oven that was stored in one of the rooms. Love seeing the young folk and creativity!

You have to care about your work, but not about the result. You have to care about how good you are and how good you feel, but not about how good people think you are or how good people think you look.  

Amy Poehler

What a productive day! As we are winding down we are trying to finish up projects we started at different points in the summer and complete all the ones we are committed. We, for the most part, finished up at the site in Glen Rogers. All that is left is a quick adjustment to the door. That same crew also went back to the two sites in Clear Fork that we worked on at the beginning of the summer to put some flashing on one roof and straighten the underpinning at the other. Kudo’s to the crew for a long day, but very rewarding day!

We also started a rubber roofing job in Glen Rogers for a family that we started working with many years ago. It was great to see the family again. The site, which I thought  would last two days, is almost finished!

The third and final site of the day was camp. Today was the last day that we are going to be able to open The Way to the kids in the area since Friday we will be in the process of moving and packing. From what I heard there was a mean game of dodgeball that took place and several great games of hide and seek. Thanks to all the kids that came and played with us!

For dinner tonight we had a couple of visitors, old friends from the Itmann Food Bank, Rose and Linda. They were asking after everyone and told us to tell everyone hello. It was great to see and spend time them both. The meal itself was fantastic as always. Lots of veggies and lots of stuff cleaned out of the refrigerator!

At reflection tonight we talked about change, the good and bad if it all. Change is inevitable and the more we embrace it the better.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo Buscaglia

Even though today was a drizzly day, we were able to get a lot done. We are in finishing mode as we are down to the last stretch. We finished up two sites that were started last week. The site in Mullens only had a sink repair to be done and it was done by lunch. The home owner was very appreciative and even gave the PVs a sweet thank you note. The site in Ravencliff was also completed today with the final tiling completed and all of the finishing touches. The home owner was very pleased with the work done by all the volunteers over the last several days. (Also for those wondering, the youngest girl finally lost her front tooth last night.)

We also continued and got very close to finishing up at the site in Glen Rogers that we started last week. Today the kitchen tile was finished, the back door sealed and the front door deadbolt installed. All that is left for tomorrow is some molding and transition strips.

The final site of the day was Council on Aging and projects at The Way. The group went over and did crafts with the elderly at Council on Aging and then came back to The Way to sand and mud newly drywalled areas and paint where needed. We also had a crew continue with putting the stage floor back together. Their progress was slowed a little when the bits that the last volunteers used went missing, but after a quick trip to the lumber store they were all set.

After our hard day’s work we were treated to Taco Tuesday. Not only were they delicious, but they used up a lot items that have been collecting all summer in the kitchen. An important part as we are winding down.

Reflection tonight was focused on listening and the importance of listening in our lives. We were asked to share either a listening moment from the day, or a new and good from our day. An oldie, but a goody!

Tomorrow is our last day of Drop-In at The Way. If you are in the area come and play with us!!!

While our group has gotten smaller, we are still doing a of work. Today a group went out to work at the site in Ravencliff. They got really close to finishing but will have to wait until tomorrow for that. It just means one more day of fun! We also had camp today, or I should say we were open for kids to come, but had no takers. The volunteers were very productive though and started to begin to pack stuff up for the big move on Friday.

We had a great dinner tonight with pork tenderloin, green beans, salad and pasta. It was topped off with a yummy peach and pound cake dinner.

Reflection tonight focused on thanksgiving and things from today that we were thankful for. It is always good to remember what we are thankful for each day.

I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap.

Ani DiFranco

Today was a busy day in PVland. We started off the morning with our weekly mass cleaning effort of The Way. It is amazing what a transformation occurs when the community works together. Once the cleaning efforts were complete it was time to start our work day. Today was distribution day at the Itmann Food Bank so a group of PVs headed over there to help with the process of distributing much needed food, clothing and housewares to members of the community.
Today was also camp day and we had a fantastic turnout of kids for the day. They did amazing work with our resident artist that helped them refine their techniques and paint on a canvas. If smiles and laughter are any sign of a good time, today was a great time.

We were also spread pretty thin across four different home repair sites. We were able to come close to finishing the three sites we have been working on this week, but will have to leave the last little touch ups to the crew next week. We did however go back to a site that we started back in the first week of the program and finally finish it up. This roofing site has been a struggle with all the rain, so it is a good feeling to have it all finished.

The final site of the day was Glen Rogers Manor. A group of PVs headed out to Glen Rogers to play Banana Bingo with the residents and spend time chatting, painting nails and playing pool. The volunteers always seem to have a great time when we go.

The dinner that wrapped up the week was a “breakfast for dinner” dinner. (How many times can I put dinner in a sentence?!) French toast, omelets, pork roll, fruit salad…. so good.
The week was wrapped up with a closing service giving us all time to reflect on our week and our experience. This last gathering is always such a wonderful experience after all the hard work is done and we can look back back at all we have accomplished and relax in a good tired.

We continued to work at the two home repair sites in the Glen Rogers area and the one in Mullens. The two Glen Rogers sites are looking great. The one is freshly painted, has a new counter and cabinet and new tile in the kitchen and one bathroom. Tomorrow the finishing touches will be done and the last of the tiling will be done. At the other site, all of the subfloor has been replaced and the doors have been installed. Again tile and a few touch-ups and that site will be done. The site in Mullens is in a similar position, with most things done expect to finishing the tiling. Do you sense a trend here? It’s all about the tile…

The other two sites of the days were the recreation program at Council on Aging next door and helping get the Itmann Food Bank ready for distribution. By all reports a good day!

We were treated to a very satisfying spaghetti dinner for dinner. Spaghetti, beans, salad and biscuits. Lots of trips up for seconds, always a good sign.

For the evening’s reflection we focused on moments where we felt or saw God during our time in West Virginia. All the times gathered in the circle was definitely many of those times.

Another day, another day of lots of flooring. We continued along at our three home repair sites from yesterday. A lot of progress was made everywhere. New floor was laid, tile was glued in place, walls and ceilings were painted, doors were put in and so much more.  We also finished up at our Mullens site, putting the finishing touches on framing the door.

Today was also another day of Drop-Inn at The Way. The local kids and the PV kids (and kids at heart) had a great time. There were art projects, card playing, basketball knockout games, piggy back rides, etc. As I passed through I heard a lot of laughter, which is always a good sign.

As we gathered to eat, we were all excited for taco night. Taco’s and all the fixings, Spanish rice and everything else yummy. It is always a sign of a good meal when the room gets quiet, and the room got quiet.

Tonight during reflection we listened to a reading and a song and reflected how we are rich and how we are poor in our own lives. As usual the young PV minds amazed us…

We are visitors to this time and place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love and go home.

Aboriginal Proverb

After a stormy, stormy night we were fortunate to have a nice day to work. While driving out to the sites you could see how swollen the creeks are from the heavy rains, in many places right up to the top. I’m sure many folks are worried about potential flooding as there are more storms predicted tonight.  All our home repair projects moved along nicely. The word of the day was flooring…we continued at the site in Ravencliff with floor and tile, as well as some paint. The site in Mullens progressed on its flooring as well. The new flooring site started was up in Glen Rogers. We are replacing a kitchen floor, as well as two doors. With all this flooring comes tile, so there was a special run up to Beckley to get tile for all the the sites.

The non-home repair site of the day was a combo site, Council on Aging in the morning and St. Vincent DePaul in the afternoon. At Council on Aging, the group helped the seniors with a craft as well as spent a lot of time just talking to the residents. The PV kids were a big hit! In the afternoon, the group headed into Pineville to help sort through the bags and bags of clothes that have been donated.

As the work day wound down it was very quiet around The Way, as there were many tired bodies. Everyone was up and ready though when the “dinner bell” rang. Tonight we were treated to potato soup with all the fixings and salad. It was fantastic and nurturing. For dessert we had quite a spread including apple crisp made with apples dropped off from a locals tree. Thanks Donna!

We reflected tonight on home and how the PV family creates a home. After listening to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s “Home,” we were asked to share a moment when we felt at home with the PVs.