Tuesday II

J.T. Mrozek-  This is my last day here and I have been regretting this part of the trip forever now. I have most definitely have loved the time I have had to get to know all of these people and what they have done. I also have loved working for Mr. Goldsmith he is a great and kind guy that I was fixing his house for him because he cannot do the work that was needed to be done. Tonight we are allowed to stay up all night so we can be with all the people we met, so we can have the last part of fun that we want to have. I knew this guy Dylan this week. And I thought he was such a strange person, but I now realize how much of a cool guy he is. I have to say he has lifted my cheer about 100%. My faith has grown so much during this trip, and I most definitely want to come back next year. It wont even be a question. This time when Mrs. Spangler comes up to me next year and says… “J.T. would you by chance want to”…. Then right there I say…”STOP, the answer is yes and always yes. And that is how it is to go. Oh and today I built a cellar door and painted it.

Monday II

J.T. Mrozek- Today I didn’t do much. But we are ending our time here so we are finishing up and have a little to do. A lot of our group is staying at the church tomorrow so they can do some work around here. And then another part of my group is going back to the house so we can finish up just the little bit we have left. But this time here has been a great time to get to know people and help the people in need. But probably the best part here is seeing the entire beautiful faces smile, and how happy everyone is here. I came in knowing two people and leaving knowing so many more. And I don’t want to leave because I will miss all of this fun time we have all had together. And I just can’t wait till next year. Because next year I most definitely want to go and have fun knowing that I will be able to see all these people next year. Especially my friend Katelyn who is sitting right next to me and is smiling from me putting this on here.

Seth Whitehouse- Today we almost finished our work site, but we’ll have to come back tomorrow to finish up. Also, tomorrow our family will be taking us to this pond to swim after we’re done working. I’m excited and sad for tomorrow, mixed emotions. This year has gone by so much faster. I am really excited for tomorrow surprisingly, but the goodbyes will hit me like a brick wall probably. Hope all is well in Michigan, bye.

James Spangler-Today was awesome, we got our septic tank and tubes delivered, put in, and buried. And although it felt great being able to see the holes being filled and work getting done, we also realize that our time here is ending. Today was the last full normal day. People are already crying downstairs right now (it’s about 10:30 p.m.), I can’t imagine what tomorrow night/Wednesday morning will be like. Tharp the magical Donkeycorn, and her sidekick Tug the giant Gerbil.

Nikki Spangler – I agree with Seth that this year seems to have gone by faster.  This is the first time I have been on (or even know of) a site that has kids who are the same age as our youth.  It is going to be really hard to tell our family goodbye tomorrow.  They have worked and played right along with us the past seven days.  The 14 year old wants to come to servant event next year.  Today on our way back to the church we needed to stop in town at Hot Springs, so we told the kids they could have about fifteen minutes to look around or get ice cream.  Our family has been staying in a motel while we have been working on the house, since all of their furniture had to be out.  They left shortly after us and when they got into town (there is one main street) they saw our van parked in front of the hardware store and the boys came looking for us.  The 14 year old stopped to visit with those who stayed at the van and the 18 year found the rest of us at the coffee shop/ice cream parlor.  As hard as it will be for all of us to go home on Wednesday, I think it will be even harder for them to be left behind.  They have really bonded with our youth, exchanging phone numbers and facebooks to keep in touch.  I pray that this time will have a lasting impact on their lives, not just in the work we have completed on their home, but in the fellowship that we have shared.  These last days are always bitter sweet.  May we live in moment and enjoy them to the fullest.

Worship & Fun in the Sun

J.T. Mrozek- Okay so writing these is fun and all but it is getting to be a long process for writing these, hahaha. So today I went to three church services, which was very eye opening. Because we had seven people talk to the whole congregation today. And wow, were they eye opening. And I have to give credit to my friend Zach because he was the only one that broke down in tears before he could finish his speech.  I was impressed on how good everyone did on showing the congregation here the thankfulness we have for them letting us use their church to stay at. And everything they have done for us. There are such great people here; the only bad part is their lives have been horrific. But they realize that God has been here for them and so they make everything out of what they have. And I want to thank all the people that have been reading the blogs Mrs. Spangler has been posting for us. And I want to thank the congregation back at home for everything they have done for us as well. But today I also went white water rafting and compared to the water skiing and tubing I did before I came… this was a breeze.

James Spangler-Today was crazy busy brah. First of all I woke up late, not cool, but I still got breakfast….and seconds. After breakfast we went to the first service, Cole and Patrick did testimonies and we sang a hymn. Once the first service was over we sang at the contemporary service and Margaret and Zach did testimonies, Zach’s got emotional, there was a big group hug. Then we sang a hymn at the late service and Kara, Seth, and Steven gave testimonies at that one. White water rafting after that, it was pretty legit, br00tal basketball, ask a pastor. It was a long day. Broncheasaurus….close enough.

Seth Whitehouse- Today was a great day. I gave a testimony and it went well even though I was nervous. Rafting was a blast. It was probably the best rafting trip yet. The family we helped went with us. Yesterday I also square danced at the shindig. I also got to see Phil and Ryan from past years at dinner today. Hope all is good at home, bye.

Nikki Spangler – Today we rafted.  The water is up higher than I have ever seen it, thanks to all the rain we have had this week.  That meant it was a much faster ride.  It also meant no duckies this year, but I had a lot of fun in my raft with several of the other ladies and Marc, an adult from MD.  I remembered from last time I attempted a raft that I should sit in the back so that I can’t look ahead.  I am so used to canoes & kayaks that my instinct is to want to steer the boat in the same way. Last time I was in a raft I had a hard time waiting for the guide to tell us what to do when I could see it coming.  So I sat in the back this time.  Problem solved! Also, I think the good company helped. You pay less attention to the river when you are busy goofing off.

After rafting I had a Lowe’s adventure with Mike from PA.  I am sure that those days Jeanette & I didn’t get to the work site until 11 or 12 when we were on supply runs, the guys thought we were out getting coffee.  (OK – I admit that we thought about it – but it never happened!) Well, now Mike knows better.  We sat around in flooring at Lowe’s for about 45 minutes tonight while the flooring guy looked for tiles that were supposed to be in stock.  We get a 10% discount at the Lowe’s in Weaverville (where we were) because we work with the Community Housing Coalition, but it is only good at that Lowe’s.  I explained this to the flooring man and asked if it was possible to somehow get the tile from another store and still get our discount.  He had to check with his manager, then call flooring at another store to confirm that they had the tile in stock, then talk to their manager who agreed to honor our discount.  By this time we had half an hour to get across town to East Asheville Lowe’s to get our tile that we need for tomorrow morning before the store closed. We did make it and got the tile.  Ended up missing dinner (Thanks for feeding us anyway Anna!) and community life though.  But we are ready to roll in the morning.  Blessings all!

A Little R & R

James Spangler-Today was awesome. We got to sleep in till ten, which was when hot breakfast was served. We didn’t do much all day; we played volleyball almost all day and cranked some tunes over the pa system in the gym. It was AWESOME. After we had a late lunch we went into Asheville at about four. We got to walk around and the group that I was with went to a diner called the mellow mushroom, which had great food and reaaaaallllly big servings. After we walked around for a lil bit we met back up with everybody for the local “Shindig on the Green” where they had lots of live bluegrass and country music, it was really fun. There was square dancing and stuff, it was pretty legit. We ended the day with a service and got our servant event shirts. Tomorrow is rafting! :D

J.T. Mrozek- so today was a great day, we got to sleep in yet I didn’t really sleep in because sleeping in for me is like till three in the afternoon. We also played volleyball for a super long period of time. And I was the best of course… not really. But anyways I am also happy that I was able to take a nice shower today without having to be in a rushed. And then we went to the “Shindig on the Green” and that was a lot of fun. But I decided today that I would dance, but it’s aloud to be with my best friend Amber here. And at the moment she is sitting right next to me watch me type this very long thingy mo-ji-gg-y. Now I am about to head to bed. So I will talk to y’all later. Good Night.

P.S. I have been having the time of my life ;)

Nikki Spangler – Today was our rest & relaxation day.  It was nice to sleep in until 9.  Due to a comedy of circumstances, I ended up not getting dressed until about 1:30pm. (On the weekend we don’t go to the YWCA to shower, instead showering here at church.  There are only two showers each for the guys and girls and normal size water heater, so it is not practical to shower here during the week, but it is available on the weekend when there is more time available to spread showers out.)

We went to Shindig on the Green in downtown Asheville for the first time.  I like it better than Marshall for a couple of reasons.  There is a bigger variety of acts – bluegrass, clogging, bagpipes, and square dancing ‘street dance’ for the audience to participate in.  It is outside, so there is more room and a little more freedom to spread out or roam around.  It is a more diverse crowd for crowd watching, yet it is a mountain music experience.  I think that everyone enjoyed themselves.  Now off to bed – we attend all three services tomorrow morning for singing to the congregation and testimonies.

Friday

J.T. Mrozek- Today I got a lot done, but at the same time I didn’t get much done. I got all of the tyvak put in place all around the house. But that is all I got done, nothing more. So by the time I got that done we were ready to head back for showers. And I do have to say after a full day of work the showers are just amazing and nothing else. But we only have about four days left I think. And I am ready to just lay around at home and do nothing. But the indoor workers finally got the floor in place and started to paint walls. And the roof person’s we have finally got a break from the rain and were able to finish the roof as well.  But today we also get to go to a dancing thingy-maggie, too bad I am not good at dancing but oh well. Time to go, I will write back tomorrow.

Nikki Spangler – I got to do a project at the work site today! Jeanette & I laid ceramic tile where the wood burning stove will sit.  It was good to accomplish something that will stay with the family.  I have mostly been working outside this week, hauling trash and making store runs.  Even though I know those things are worthwhile accomplishments too, the sense of accomplishment is not the same as when you complete something that will remain.  The tile is not totally done, since it has to sit for 18-24 hours.  Monday we will grout it.  If I don’t get to work on anything else on the house, I will feel that I have done something to contribute.

When we were preparing to do the tile, we had to sweep the cement board at least five times, as it sticks out in the middle of an area that people had been working and walking through all week.  I finally threatened to whoop anyone who on walked on the board, so the 14 year boy who lives there came and laid on it (while being careful NOT to get his feet on it!).  I of course had to keep my word and whoop him (in good fun).  After the tile was completed, I was outside and the mom came out with the 10 year old daughter and said the daughter had something to tell me. The big girls had told her she could help paint and in her excitement she had accidentally stepped on the ceramic tile. She was near tears and I am sure thought she was going to be in terrible trouble.  I gave her a squeeze, told her it was going to be ok because the mortar was still wet, and said “Come on, you can help me fix it.”  We fixed it together and all was well.

We are now closing in on the end of Servant Event.  There are two more work days, and our family has invited us to a cookout and swimming at Paint Creek, a local swimming hole that is supposed to be really nice.  That means we really only have a day and a half.  In trying to plan the remaining work efficiently and in a way to keep everyone busy, it was decided that a small group should stay behind today for about an hour to finish cutting and putting down plywood in the bathroom, and lay vinyl tile (peel and stick) in the back bedroom so that room is complete and all the furniture can be moved into there over the weekend.  Four boys had to guess numbers to see which one didn’t get to stay and work more!  Seth, who is the floor captain (although he vehemently denies it), volunteered to stay behind and finish getting the bathroom floor down. I am so proud of the work all of the youth are doing at our site.  Who would ever imagine that we would have to tell teenagers "No, you can't stay and work." This is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit here at Appalachian Servant Event, both in and through each participant here.