Friday - New Adventures

 Nikki

We are all a live and well.  Nobody had written a journal yet at lights out time yesterday and I decided that I just needed to go bed.  We all had successful days at the worksites yesterday, largely escaping the rain that had threatened in the morning.  It was overcast most of the day and that was nice for working outdoors.

Today we made a lot of progress at my site.  We finished the exit stairs, which was also nice for us as we had two close quarters projects in adjoining rooms and had been going in and out through the house generally getting in each others way,  Having two entrance/exits made it a lot more convenient.  If one direction was blocked, you could go the other way.

We got all of the FSB panels at least tacked up in the bathroom.  Linoleum flooring is installed in the laundry room.  The hot water heater and dryer were reinstalled.  The laundry room ceiling was painted and 3/4 of the wall.  We ran out of paint, so will finish on Monday.  The ladies noticed that we would not have enough for the whole room soon enough that we were to able to focus our efforts and finish the painting in all of the areas something was going to be installed. Great Stuff spray foam was used to fill in some of the gaps between the original home and the addition.

After dinner we went out to Waynesville for a street dance.  There was professional clogging, several different musical performers/groups and public dancing.  Some of the nearby shops stay open late for evening.  It was a fun and relaxing evening after our busy work week.  I found some candied bacon and kombucha at one of the shops - yum!  

Raymond

Today we woke up had an amazing breakfast as always. I went to my work site almost finished the concrete steps, did some weeding,and some isolation. Today was actually fun, there were alot of fun  conversations and wise and learning moments.

Wednesday - Adventures Abound

 

Nikki

Our day at the work site started by running one of our vehicles off the edge of the driveway into a drainage narrow drainage ditch.  We were backing down and just slipped right off the side.  Fortunately we were most of the way down the driveway, so we emptied out the tools & lunch that were in the back of the car, left the car there for the time being and started our work day.  Once everyone was busy working, Dave went back up and slowly worked the car up and out of the ditch.

I went in the crawl space today to add some supports under the floor for a new door frame.  We are replacing the door at an exit that previously had an interior door.  Since there had been an interior door, there had been some water damage to the floor right at the door.  We removed the damaged section, which did not have any supports directly under it - this is a small 14" x 3' area - so we needed to put in supports for the new door frame.  

The work day ended with a thunderstorm.  Fortunately we could hear it coming long before it reached us.  We were able to get everything that wasn't being actively used packed up and in the vehicles so that we were ready to make a run for it if/when the storm got to us.  Sometimes in the mountains you can hear a storm on the other side of the ridge and it never comes over. This storm did come.  At that point, the door we were replacing had been carried into the house and was in the process of being placed temporarily for the night so that the house was not left open.  Everyone not helping with the door had finished up and made it to the cars before the deluge.  

Nathaniel

Today we had some encouraging progress with Diane, the owner of our hose that we have been working on.  We finished building the deck on her house, and we almost got stuck in the road 'cause it started raining so much.  We broke closer to God by helping his children in need and helping the faithful.

Tuesday - Making Progress

 Nikki

We made a materials stop on our way out to the worksite that s today.  We were hoping to order a delivery. Turns out same day deliveries seem to be a thing of the past for construction supplies.  We bought materials for one of our site projects - a small porch & stairs - that we could fit in our vehicles AND still fit all the youth. You know, because it's a youth event. Once we got out to the work site, emptied the van and got everyone started on something, the seats were taken out of the van and back it went to Lowes to get the rest of our supplies.  

We had a late lunch today, partly to get to a good breaking point and partly trying to wait for the materials crew to return.  Just as we were cleaning up lunch, it started to sprinkle.  We could hear heavier rain on it's way so we quickly packed up lunch and covered the van seats that were still out of the van.  Then it down poured for a about 10 minutes.  Since we had not actively started working yet when the rain came and we could tell it would be a short one we waited it out.  

Today's worksite accomplishments: Removed washer & dryer (temporarily) from laundry area for work to be done tomorrow, finished removing the vine that had grown up into the space between the original house and addition, built 5'x5' porch, cleaned up the bathroom for tomorrow's adventures, swept fallen branches & debris off the roof.  

I must be off to sleep now.

Raymond

Today we woke up and had a good breakfast and our body's were nourished. I went to my job site and took out some concrete stairs because they weren't straight and then realigned them. We came back to the church and ate dinner, it was amazing.

Nathaniel

Today, we woke up early for the worksite. In my particular case we had a great worksite. We went on a roof and help out the site. My faith has lifted 

Monday - Slow and Steady

Nikki

We have decided to do journals on a rotating basis.  I intend to write each day.  There are three worksites this year so we have a youth on each site.  The first Monday is always a little slow as we get the work sites organized and assess the project.  This year is even more as our project director is not able to be with us.  Many are pitching in to fill this void, but it is not the same as having one person focused specifically on that task.  We miss you Steve and wish you speedy healing!

I am on a worksite that has several projects that need two to four people.  The group accomplished a lot today.  One thing that is always a challenge is that because this is a YOUTH event, my primary role on the work site is to demonstrate and direct work and allow the youth to DO the work.  On a septic site, there is always enough to do that I get to work with them.  This particular site, I have no specific expertise on and work space is tight.  I am doing a lot of figuring out, facilitating and fetching.  While I know this is all important and part of making the magic work, it feels a little like I am not doing anything.  

I did get to spend some time visiting with our homeowner today.  I learned that while her family has owned this home for over 50 years, it was a rental property for a time.  The original home was built in the late 1800's.  There are two additions, one of which is the focus of our work.  It houses the bathroom and laundry.  Being in the mountains, the addition has settled over the years and is pulling away from the main house, causing significant drafting.  We are working on improving insulation and sealing up the gaps.  Some flooring needs to be replaced in the laundry room.  We are also replacing an exterior door and building a landing and new steps so that her second exit is viable.  

As a whole, ASE is settling into work rhythm now.  I look forward to seeing everything God has planned for us over the next 9 days.

Caleb

DAY 3 

Today was our first day of actual work and we had to dig a waterline for water to run past the house so it doesn't destroy it and we almost got it finished. I ended up pulling out a rock that looked like Texas and I plan to bring it home if I am allowed. It’s actually a lot of fun to work because you know you are making a person's life so much better 

NS: This is a french drain project to divert water that currently goes under the home

New Beginnings - ASE 2022 Sunday night - July 17

 Nikki Spangler

Appalachian Servant Event is finally back after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19.  It’s amazing how some things are still the same and some are different.  While my last year at ASE was 2019, the last time there was a group of youth from Our Savior was 2016.  So there have been no journals for a long time.  I confess that journaling, and coercing others to journal, is not my favorite thing.  However, I have often looked back at journals for details of projects and the memories of how various years played out.  I appreciate HAVING the journals.  So here we are.

This year I have a group of three 14-16 year old young men.  A group of all boys is a different sort of thing than a mixed group.  My own sons are now 23 & 26, so it has been about 10 years since I’ve spent significant time with a group of all boys this age.  It can be a lot of fun.  I am out of practice though and it is a different kind of energy level.  We are enjoying the ride and I am getting back in practice!

Tonight everyone learned what work sites they will be on and we are looking forward to digging into our work tomorrow.  Speaking of digging, this is the firs year that we do not have septic site.  This is a little sad for us.  But do not worry – we have at least one French drain to do and possibly some other digging. It is way past lights out, so I must be off to be.  Please keep us (Our Savior ASE) as well as the entire event and our homeowners in your prayers as we embark on this year’s adventure being salt and light in the world.

Nathaniel Hardy

This servant event has been really enlightening to be able to help people.  Today was fun cause we got to hang out and had fun.  Tomorrow we start work sites.

 

Caleb Mrozek

DAY 1 

So today we played games to introduce each other and get to know people and I thought it was pretty fun. We went over the rules so now I understand them more. Last but not least we had a little church service to get us ready for the Sunday service 

 

DAY 2 

Today we went to church and had a full church service. It was pretty different from church where I am but that’s alright I like trying new things. And then we visited all the worksites we will be working over the days.

 

 

Raymond Schleif

Today we went to the church service and it was a little different but it was nice. At 1:00 went went to see the job sites we were going to be at this week. We came back and I played basketball it was very fun.