I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.     Rabindranath Tagore

Serving is joy and today PVs once again served throughout the county. Volunteers continued and completed the flooring site outside of Pineville. Besides the flooring the PVs were able to do a little electrical work and fix the air conditioner that was in the house to maker it cooler for working and for the family.

We started a new home repair site on the road between Pineville and Mullens. This too was a flooring site. The floors had been damaged from a flood caused by mine above the house. Last summer we had replaced the kitchen and hallway floors, so this year we decided to tackled the bedroom.

Volunteers also worked with two agencies in the country that have been integral to the PV experience, the Itmann Food Bank and St. Vincent DePaul. At the Food Bank volunteers helped paint the kitchen and sort through boxes of food that had been donated for distribution. The volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul helped to organize and clean the warehouse in preparation for distribution and to make space for a truck to drop off more donated items.

We had yet another wonderful dinner. Tonight was definitely a comfort food night with macaroni and cheese with bacon and macaroni and cheese with veggies and a hearty salad. I think after dinner we were all relaxed, full and ready for a nap!

Tonight’s reflection was led by of our younger PVs, but dealt with the idea of overcoming difficulties. We were asked to share a time while in WV when we faced something challenging, whatever that may be. Another great night in PVland.

I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.     Rabindranath Tagore

Serving is joy and today PVs once again served throughout the county. Volunteers continued and completed the flooring site outside of Pineville. Besides the flooring the PVs were able to do a little electrical work and fix the air conditioner that was in the house to maker it cooler for working and for the family.

We started a new home repair site on the road between Pineville and Mullens. This too was a flooring site. The floors had been damaged from a flood caused by mine above the house. Last summer we had replaced the kitchen and hallway floors, so this year we decided to tackled the bedroom.

Volunteers also worked with two agencies in the country that have been integral to the PV experience, the Itmann Food Bank and St. Vincent DePaul. At the Food Bank volunteers helped paint the kitchen and sort through boxes of food that had been donated for distribution. The volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul helped to organize and clean the warehouse in preparation for distribution and to make space for a truck to drop off more donated items.

We had yet another wonderful dinner. Tonight was definitely a comfort food night with macaroni and cheese with bacon and macaroni and cheese with veggies and a hearty salad. I think after dinner we were all relaxed, full and ready for a nap!

Tonight’s reflection was led by of our younger PVs, but dealt with the idea of overcoming difficulties. We were asked to share a time while in WV when we faced something challenging, whatever that may be. Another great night in PVland.

Let individuals make the most of what God has given them, have their neighbors do the same, and then do all they can to serve each other. There is no use in one man, or one nation, to try to do or be everything. It is a good thing to be dependent on each other for something, it makes us civil and peaceable.     Sojourner Truth

What a day today was…there was a little bit of everything to keep it interesting. We continued at the three sites we have been working on, but it was anything but a typical day. The dry walling site got a lot accomplished painting the ceiling and beginning to put up the trim. The flooring site continued with more and more flooring replaced. And finally, the site in Maben wrapped up all but one project, but as they were getting ready to pull away, the home owner fell and broke her leg. Even in great pain while waiting for the ambulance she continued to be looking after everyone else, offering water to those that looked hot and making sure everyone is ok. We just talked to her finance and he said she broke both bones and is in a cast but is doing well considering. Please keep her your thoughts and prayers.

After the sites today, volunteers gathered in the community area to watch the US-Belgium World Cup game. With the game going into overtime, it went right into dinner. Dinner was scrumptious though, with chicken fajitas, Spanish rice and leftovers. It helped soften the blow of the US loss.

Reflection tonight took the phrase from the commissioning about “least, the lost and the left out” and had us focus on people we have met who may have fallen into one of these categories, but also someone who has taught us a lot.

Let individuals make the most of what God has given them, have their neighbors do the same, and then do all they can to serve each other. There is no use in one man, or one nation, to try to do or be everything. It is a good thing to be dependent on each other for something, it makes us civil and peaceable.     Sojourner Truth

What a day today was…there was a little bit of everything to keep it interesting. We continued at the three sites we have been working on, but it was anything but a typical day. The dry walling site got a lot accomplished painting the ceiling and beginning to put up the trim. The flooring site continued with more and more flooring replaced. And finally, the site in Maben wrapped up all but one project, but as they were getting ready to pull away, the home owner fell and broke her leg. Even in great pain while waiting for the ambulance she continued to be looking after everyone else, offering water to those that looked hot and making sure everyone is ok. We just talked to her finance and he said she broke both bones and is in a cast but is doing well considering. Please keep her your thoughts and prayers.

After the sites today, volunteers gathered in the community area to watch the US-Belgium World Cup game. With the game going into overtime, it went right into dinner. Dinner was scrumptious though, with chicken fajitas, Spanish rice and leftovers. It helped soften the blow of the US loss.

Reflection tonight took the phrase from the commissioning about “least, the lost and the left out” and had us focus on people we have met who may have fallen into one of these categories, but also someone who has taught us a lot.

As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.


Paul Shane Spear

With all the problems around the world, it is important to not get overwhelmed and to do something and that something will make a difference. Today the PVs were able to make life a little easier for three different ladies.

We returned to the site in Maben to continue with the projects that were started last week. Great progress was made and we are that much closer to finishing the work we set out to do.

We also returned to the site in Allyn Junction to put the finishing touches on the drywall. The group sanded, mudded in a few places and put primer on the ceiling. Now we are all set to paint and to put the molding up.

A new site was started today near Pineville. The crew’s task was to pull up floors that had many holes and replace it with new plywood. The woman who lives in the house told us that the damage done to her house was from the flood of 2001 when water ran underneath her house. She and her husband had been patching holes to make the house livable, but since his passing this last year she hasn’t been able to keep up with the floor.

Dinner tonight was a green feast! Pecan Chicken, spinach quiche, broccoli and peppers and a nice green salad. With a topper of ice cream for dessert, how could you go wrong?

Listening…such an important skill to have and one that is so underrated. Reflection tonight focused on the importance of listening and what an important part it plays in being a PV. After reflecting on listening, we shared a “new and a good” from our day.

As a parting shot, thought we would share a picture we received today from twp PVs who left this past Saturday. Proves the old adage, you may be gone but not forgotten…

Sundays are PV Community Day and today we decided to go on a hike at Twin Falls State Park. Unfortunately, right when we set out on the trail we started hearing thunder and not too much later the rain came. Being the hearty PVs that we are, we continued our walk to see the falls. The rain ended up being kind of refreshing, even though we got a little wet.

After a reorientation and dinner, we gathered to start the week like we start each week with a commissioning prayer service and job sites for the week. The group has gelled very quickly and we are looking forward to a great week.

Sundays are PV Community Day and today we decided to go on a hike at Twin Falls State Park. Unfortunately, right when we set out on the trail we started hearing thunder and not too much later the rain came. Being the hearty PVs that we are, we continued our walk to see the falls. The rain ended up being kind of refreshing, even though we got a little wet.

After a reorientation and dinner, we gathered to start the week like we start each week with a commissioning prayer service and job sites for the week. The group has gelled very quickly and we are looking forward to a great week.