More WyCo

If you're still wondering what I do most days, here's this from my daily drive:

Also these:

Wyoming County is finally starting to see some leaves changing and it is already so beautiful. I'll continue to post pictures as fall comes into full swing. Our projects are also coming along really well (with the exception of our roofing jobs, which were open during the rainstorms this week..typical) and we finally got plumbing in our apartment! I'm a little sad because we finished work on my favorite house this week. It belongs to an adorable old couple. Neither of them have teeth or can hear what you say the first time--they'll both respond to you (at the same time) with a very southern "heh?" when you ask them anything. I spent most of my time at their house sitting with them on their front porch getting teased by the husband who regularly asks me if I'm actually going to do any work that day. Whenever I would ask the wife if what we were doing was okay with her (new tile in the shower, paint colors, etc.) she always just told me that I was at home, so I could do whatever I wanted. She also frequently told me that she was "tickled to death" by our bathroom remodel. I've heard endless stories about their huge family (their 60th anniversary is next month!) and about their life together in this house that has been passed down through the generations. They're the sweetest people and I'm bummed that we ran out of projects there and won't be introducing new volunteers to them, but they promised me chicken and dumplins anytime I want to come by, so I'll hold onto that.


"Then Jesus said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of posessions.'" Luke 12:15

Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Weekend

This weekend was amazing and full of travel, incredible mountain views, and lots of great friends.

First off, it started with a pretty great phone conversation:

A group leader from one of this week's churches called wanting information about the projects that we had assigned to her two crews. I explained that we had placed their whole church on one trailer, one crew inside working on a bedroom floor (which is currently pretty much non-existant) and the other crew working on a wheelchair ramp outside. I then explained that although the projects were standard ASP work, the family would be a different and difficult situation and this was why we had chosen their experienced group. I was really nervous that she would be upset when I described the undiagnosed but obviously present mental disabilities in the home as well as the severe health disabilities of the mother and daughter (hip replacements and scoliosis, respectively) because of the daunting nature that this family situation presents to volunteers. Immediately though, she had the exact opposite reaction than I was expecting. She went on to explain that there was an older woman coming with them (their pastor's wife) who had recently had much anxiety about what her role could possibly be as she doesn't know much construction and worried she would just be in the way. The "God Moment" came then when I was told that this woman has a son with severe scoliosis and has been working with mentally disabled patients for the better part of 25 years. We shared that sweet moment together on the phone where we could both appreciate how awesome God really is, and how He will always find a way to use us in service, even if we don't know how quite yet. It all reminded me of the quote: "God does not always call the equipped, but He will always equip the called." I'm really excited to meet this woman and share in her experience of blindly answering this call to serve.

Returning to the story of my weekend! Mary and I drove from Brenton, WV to Jonesville, VA to pick up my car. Then we headed out to Johnson City/ Kingsport, TN with the Jonesville staff to hang out with the Tri-Cities staff for the night. It was so great to relax with all the people who understand best how badly we really needed to just be and share our stories. Along our drive we definitely took the scenic route, stopping at every lookout for pictures and in Pikeville, KY to see the gravesites of some of the Hatfields and McCoys (where I had some delicious fried green tomatoes for lunch!)

The next morning I woke up fairly early and drove to Bluefield, WV where I was on summer staff in 2010. Since my weekends are all screwed up I never actually seem to know what day it is and I totally forgot that it would be Sunday so the hardware store would be closed and I couldn't visit with people there. I went to lunch with two of my favorite people of all the families we worked for that summer, and then spent the whole day with one of them just driving around and finding the best view of Bluefield. (Note: It's from the top of a new private subdivision that we snuck into. Worth it.) Our picnic in 2010 was in Bluefield State Park and the whole summer they had been building a train (for kids, but obviously awesome for everyone) but we never had gotten to ride it. Apparently it was finished recently and I finally got to experience the magic! It even went through a tunnel!! Mary met up with me later in Bluefield and after running a few errands while we were still in "civilization" (in WV any town with a Walmart = civilized) we started our drive back to Brenton. On the way, just outside of Bluefield, we stopped at Pinnacle Rock to watch the sunset over the mountains. We got some incredible pictures and met a few unique people-- an Appalachian documentary photographer, and a motorcyclist who was spending a few days off of work riding around Appalachia with no particular destination in mind. Once we got back on the road, it got dark fast and we spent the next couple hours driving through a bunch of sleepy mining towns set back into the hills.

"I lift mine eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

Mary and me at the RD Bailey Overlook near our center

Sunset from Pinnacle Rock State Park near Bluefield, WV

More of Wyoming County

A bridge to one of our future projects. We're planning to have this rebuilt so we can work on their home as well

Can you tell this was taken nice and early in the morning?

Horse ranch near one of our projects

RD Bailey Lake

"Blaze," one of our homeowner's dogs

RD Bailey Lake

Seeking Wisdom

I'm hoping that this post will help to bring some understanding to those who were concerned about my last "ominous" writing.

Essentially, I was on an initial home visit (IHV) and the family of a new project told us some things that made us believe that another of our new projects may be an unsafe place to send volunteers, and also that our organization was being taken advantage of. Since then, I've struggled a lot with this issue. Wyoming county has a huge drug problem and it's quite possible that many of the families we are working for, and already have come to love, have some of those stories in their lives. Certainly this is sad, but I came to terms with the idea that poverty and drugs seem to go hand in hand a long time ago during my young life. What actually bothered me about these situations was how my organization is being seen in the community, and how we should make decisions about projects. As Christians, do we try to help everyone, even if that means we might get played by a few folks? Or, do we try to seek out those who have been doing the best they can in their lives and therefore, by normal human standards, "deserve" our help? This then caused me to ponder the same question about God's salvation and how I felt about the idea that serial killers can end up in heaven if their hearts change in time, and they can have the same eternal life as someone who has humbled himself and served his neighbors all his life. ("For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16) I'm sure that there's a whole course in seminary schools that talk about this, but I don't know...to me it all feels pretty unfair. And that's how I would feel as a homeowner applying for ASP's help who finds out that we're already helping their neighbor who is, say, a criminal...

Just something to think about.

In other news, we have IHV'd some really amazing projects for some incredible families and we are completely ready for the month of October to begin when we will have up to 12 crews each week. For our codenames this year, we decided to use "All Things West Virginia" So, for example, the state bird: Cardinal, state flower: Rhododendron, state reptile: Timbler Rattler, etc. So in the future I'll be using these names as a way to talk about our projects without using family names. Once things get rolling I'll write all about the work we're doing.

And, in even more wonderful and consistently true news, Wyoming county is probably one of the most beautiful places. Ever. I am loving these mountain roads and all the trees that are subtly starting to hint that it's almost autumn.

View from the roof of one of our new projects, "Mountaineer"

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

Thumbs Down Tuesday

Today was pretty rough and discouraging. Also complicated.


"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

The Day of Rest

Today was our first day off since arriving at the center last week. Volunteers left early this morning and we got to sleep in!!!!!! Once I woke up I felt a little antsy so I decided to finish my bed. Three of our awesome crews this weekend built the rest of our bed frames, but I wanted to build my shelves and closet space underneath. Now I am done and everything can be put away! I also used my extra window curtains to make it into a hidden closet. I love my room and I'm glad I'm starting to feel comfortable and "nested" again :)

Later in the afternoon Mary, Nicki and I went to Twin Falls State Park to do some hiking. It was beautiful and the fresh mountain air felt like just what my soul needed. We also ran into the park ranger and he offered to take us on some guided hikes anytime we wanted! Check out these pictures from the park:

And finally, for all my dog lover friends out there, here are some of the sweet faces in my life right now:

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10

It's All Comin' Back, It's All Comin' Back To Me Now

A few things I remembered today from previous staff experiences:

The sun visor in a truck is completely useless on Appalachian roads as the light is never in the same spot for more than 30 seconds.

Plumbing projects always require at least 3 trips to the hardware store.

It's generally a swell idea to close the tailgate of your truck when you have material in the bed.

Leading morning devotions is rough stuff for people who don't drink coffee.

Daily showers are desired, certainly, but no longer necessary.

If there is at least 100 yards of straight road, there'll more than likely be a police car at the end of it. (*No worries Mom and Dad, this one does not directly apply to me.)

Having contractors as group leaders who surprise you by finishing your plans for the next 3 days in 1 day...eh, good and bad.

This job is frustrating and stressful and pleasing everyone all the time is really, painstakingly hard.

The best kind of dinner is one that just appears in front of you at the end of a long day.

Hugs are great.

Mostly though, I remembered how much I love being a part of this relationship ministry. I already feel connected to our families and to the community and I think it's incredible how quickly friendships will grow when you're open to it.

"Seek justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly." Micah 6:8

SUPER Quick Update

Volunteers arrived today to work this weekend.

I love our families and projects and am feeling back in the ASP groove.

I am already exhausted.

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

A Bit of Wyoming County

Coal processing plant near our center

Country Roads

A church sign in the holler near one of our projects--it's true! :)

The view from the porch of one of our projects, "Honeybee"

Lessons From Tex Evans

Glenn "Tex" Evans is considered the founder of ASP--back in 1969 he led church groups from all over into various places (at the time not limited to "Appalachia" as ASP defines it today...they even worked in Wisconsin). Eventually he had the crazy idea to trust a bunch of 20 year olds to run centers and guide volunteers through their week of service. As the organization grew, in numbers and in resources, things became more organized and Tex left the leadership to others, but continued to serve with ASP. When he passed away, there was one quote that really stuck with everyone and has since become the motto for ASP: "We accept people right where they are, just the way they are." To me, this has always been an incredible challenge. Sure, it's obvious that this applies to families that we serve--we don't impose judgments on the way they live or approach projects with condescension, but this is because we  go into these relationships with this in mind. It makes me wonder how often I have kept this in mind within my everyday encounters and even my strongest friendships and relationships. It doesn't take a lot of wondering before I come to the conclusion that I probably forget about this idea more often than I should. I guess some parts of self-discovery really sting.

I recently discovered a box full of the book "Life Is Like That," written by Tex Evans that I began flipping through, looking for some easy, quick, "just add water" inspiration. In one story, Tex talks about a friend whose favorite saying is, "What is to be will be, and what ain't to be is liable to happen and you might as well get ready fer it!" Now, this is an awesome lesson at anytime--in construction, relationships, life; basically all that is ASP. I'm ready to be open and flexible to the things that "ain't to be" but are "liable to happen" and it seems to me that life can be unpredictable and exciting that way. I feel ready for everything that this year, and my life, might throw at me.

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7

Guyan Valley center

Moving In

My room!

Our 4 hour drive from training to our center in Brenton was rainy and FULL of really sharp curves, but we all made it safely. After unloading our bed frames (from the truck bed where they were, of course, soaked) we got the tour from our center directors, Stan and Jennie, and started moving into our apartment. This apartment is NOT the ASP that I am used to--air mattresses, sharing space, and only the basic necessities. ASP was able to remodel our apartment completely and now we have our own rooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen. And, since our fourth staffer is still in Mexico, we've turned her room into a yoga studio! Some of the materials in our apartment were given to ASP by the TV show Extreme Home Makeover since ASP helped with some of the episodes. (One is airing this Christmas!) Anyways, because of that we have flooring in our living room that looks like actual grass which is pretty bomb, and our kitchen has designer metallic splashguard around the walls, which also looks awesome. We are supposed to loft our beds and build closets underneath them, but we haven't gotten to that yet so we don't have a lot of clothes storage space. We put in all of our own doorknobs today and will be setting up all of our plumbing tomorrow--just some more on-the-job training!

Our living room

Our kitchen

For anyone who wants to send some snail mail letters or care packages or mix cds for all my long drives yet to come, I'll love you forever! My mailing address is:

ASP Guyan Valley
P.O. Box 455
Brenton, WV
24818


Tonight we drove around Brenton--this took all of 5 minutes--and found an auction that happens every Saturday night. We had high expectations to see some items with country character, but most of the stuff they sold were tacky flashlights or welcome mats. The auction was also great because they start high and then finally get it down to $2 or $3 when someone in the crowd feels awkward enough and they bid on whatever hand cleaner or sword-inside-a-cane is up for sale. We decided we'll go back often and try to fill our apartment with awesome $1 stuff.

Our center is right down the road from a huge coal mine--this industry is HUGE in this part of West Virginia--and we've already heard several radio ads promoting their governor's lawsuit against the EPA trying to avoid the new regulations on their coal production that have cut jobs. This is an issue that people are all over the place about because of all the different concerns--safety, environment, money, etc. I personally don't have a strong opinion either way but I think I would like to take some time this year to figure out my thoughts.

Right now I am content and happy and feeling at home. :)

A West Virginia sunset

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live." Ecclesiastes 3:12

Quick Update

First full day of real training was today.

It was really, really, realllyyy boring.

Listening to lectures about things you already know is rough stuff.

The basic script: "This is a hammer and this is a wrench."

On the bright side we built the beds that my staff will be sleeping on, so we did do some work.

Enough complaining-- I LOVE my staff.

There should be 4 of us, but one, Laura, is from Mexico and ASP is struggling to get her work visa. For now it is just me, Nicki and Mary and we are all incredibly in sync about our expectations for this next year living in an "intentional community" as ASP has been calling it. All of a sudden tonight I have that familiar tingly feeling I get when I'm around ASP where that voice in my head starts saying "you belong here." I can't really describe it, but it's definitely a fulfilling feeling.

I am ready, willing and anxious to get to Guyan Valley and begin growing in my faith with these new friends. Though we have all consciously made a decision to create a home that is centered on openness, support and laughter, I think that our personalities would have created this atmosphere anyways. I'm feeling really excited about having a year to focus on myself, but not in the way that I feel I have been at school, with grades and tests. Instead, I'll get to focus on myself through service to others, which is a pretty rare experience and, I think, the best way to really figure out what I want from life and hopefully help my staff to do the same.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Phillippians 2:3-4

Driving and Arriving

After narrowly avoiding a speeding ticket in Indiana, choosing to bypass the ever-intriguing History of Kentucky Fried Chicken Museum, and listening to every Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons song multiple times, I finally arrived on "The Porch" in Jonesville for training. For all of training I'll be surrounded by 14 other Lily Fellows who are just as excited and passionate about this mission work as I am. (sidebar: there should be 15 others, but more on that in another post..)

It's been exciting to see old friends from summer staff and to meet new ones and begin to share with them why the rest of us are all so crazy obsessed with ASP.  My staff seems great and I really think we will get along well. I think I have a better idea of what I'll actually be doing for the whole year, but I'm pretty sure we're ALL still confused about what the "vocational discernment" part of our jobs is going to look like; still not certain if that's even a real thing.

I've been pretty nervous about this whole experience lately, but as I was driving and watching the Smokies fulfill their namesake as the fog settled around them, I became entirely more calm. This is an effect that these mountains often have on me--just the simple feeling that there are things bigger than my life, literally and spiritually.

I feel so blessed to be adding a year long adventure with ASP to my life, but mostly thrilled to NOT be going back to school tomorrow like lots of people I know. There will be a time for books and lectures again in my life, but I am so grateful for an opportunity to grow away from the university atmosphere.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10