Thursday

Seth Whitehouse- Today was good again. We only have one more patch to fill in for the sub flooring. We also fixed the windows and insulated the ceilings. Hopefully tomorrow we can start tiling the floor and finish the roof. We haven’t finished the roof due to rain. I’m looking forward to the weekend, and I hope we can finish in time. Another thing I would have never guessed is how much the family’s dogs loved flaming hot cheetahs at lunch. Also at lunch, we had ice cream sandwiches because it was Matt’s birthday. Looking forward to Marshal tomorrow, and I hope everything is going good at home. Bye.

J.T. Mrozek- Oh that rain, I wish that the rain would just stop and go away for a day. But luckily today when it was raining one of my group leaders had a couple poncho type things. They were fun to wear till they started to make you itch. But today I got a couple walls filled with insulation and then after that I got some ply wood up over that. And then I got two windows put in, one I had to fix because we didn’t quite put it in good enough. And the other I had to fix the window frame and everything about it. I feel like I could have gotten a lot more done today but we have to wait till the rain stops to really do anything. But God has a plan for us and if he wants us to get more inside work done right now then that is what we will just have to do. Oh but no matter what happens tomorrow I get to tyvek a house tomorrow, which is putting that paper stuff up when you are building a house. It keeps it clean and it is weather proof. But I have put it up before so I will know how to do it. But I am doing laundry at the laundry place so I have got to go, bye!

James Spangler - Today we didn’t get to do much in the trenches. We finished one and widened another all the way. The septic tank pit is almost done for real.  I'm super tired. Peace out girl scout.

Nikki Spangler – I spent a lot of time today in the car and at the store.  Jeanette & I didn’t get to the work site until about noon because we had to get supplies on our way out this morning.  That made the work day seem really short.  Tonight was laundry night and we are all very excited to have clean fresh clothes.  Especially those of us who had garbage slime on our work clothes! I have been surprised this year that I have not felt nearly as tired as I have in previous years.  Perhaps that is because I am not doing as intense of physical labor as I have in the past working on septic sites digging.  Signing off in an effort to get to bed midnight.  Even though I am not as exhausted as in the past, I am still sleep deprived. Blessings to all!

Wednesday

Seth Whitehouse- Today we got a bit done. It also rained a lot today. I talked with the 18 year old Shilako while he and I were working on the flooring. Everybody’s great to work with, and hopefully tomorrow we will start tiling. I really don’t know what else to say, but I hope everything is going well.

J.T. Mrozek- Rain, rain go away, come back…. Some other day. Today we got a decent amount done, but yet again the rain ruined it! I mean I got the rest of the dry wall up on the walls. And I built a stair case with the help of a guy I like to call Alex. And the only really hard part is when you need to screw stuff in and all of the power tools run out of battery, and then the only other thing you have to use is this thing you call a screw driver. Now I don’t know about you but it is very hard to screw screws in with a screw driver. Especially when the wood is treated, but I also got some framing around an open window in and some ply wood put in its place. But that is all I got done today because right after the first 5 hours it started pouring rain. But tomorrow I think I have plumbing ahead of me. Now it is time to go drink some Mt. Dew and go to bed. Good night

Zach Foor- It rained. A LOT. It’s all good though because we got a lot done. My feet smell bad right now and that’s odd because I washed them… Anyways, I’ll write a better journal tomorrow. I’m having a blast here, just to let you know. Meeting new people, it’s good to try new things.  

James Spangler – Today we found out (thankfully) that the pipe obstructing our pit was no longer in commission.  Someone from the water department came up to the site and looked at it, tested  it by cutting it halfway, then after nothing came out, he cut it the rest of the way out. Because we dug half of the septic pit yesterday we were able to knock out almost the previous days work in only two minutes. Danielle is being mean to me cause I called her by her sisters name once accidentally. Anyway it started raining like carazayyyy later, luckily only about an hour before we left. The roads were practically flooded by the time we came back to the church. I wanted to go tubing behind the van. Woulda been bomb.

Nikki Spangler – I had an exciting day in the rain today.  Since we have a dumpster on site, we had the pleasure of emptying out a garbage ‘pen’ into the dumpster.  The pen was about 3.5’ high and full.  The top layers were not too bad, but the bottom layers have had plenty of time to start decomposing and were in the slime stage.  Add the day long drizzle and it was a pretty messy, smelly experience.  When I get pictures up, you will get to see the giant spider and giant slug that posed for me.  They are just a representation of all the creatures that we disturbed.  We had a knife throwing contest this afternoon and I stuck the knife in the tree the first throw.  (Don’t worry – we used archery range safety practices.)

4 trips into town again, but shorter & more spread out trips.  If you ever happen to be in Hot Springs, NC and need a hardware store, go to Gentry’s.  He is friendly and helpful and has reasonable prices.

Tuesday

James Spangler – Day two on worksite three. Whilst digging the septic we ran into a slight predicament. There was a pipe in the way of our beautiful hole. We don’t know what it’s for either but it doesn’t look like it is in commission anymore. It divides the whole hole for the septic in half almost perfectly. We have nearly two trenches completed and the pit for the septic is half complete. The daughter (Courtney, who has some disabilities) of the woman (Tammy) whose house we’re working for drew us a picture today, it was purty. Tomorrow we should be able to get almost all the digging done or at least relatively close to. Suspender Swag.

J.T. Mrozek- Well today was interesting. As I worked I felt like working more. Over all I got a lot done but it felt like I didn’t do enough like I should move faster tomorrow or something. But yes I got a lot done and I am happy that I was able to come down and do this work. But I think if we have to do any more installation I am going to sit on the side lines.

Seth Whitehouse- Today we got a lot done on the site. We got half of the sub flooring done and will tile that tomorrow while we patch the holes in on the other side of the house. The roof is also going well. The people’s kids helped us a lot more today, and they’re all our age. I got to talk to them for like the whole day, and it was great, I can’t really put in words. Hope everything’s good at home, bye.

Nikki Spangler –Today I learned my way around the town of Hot Springs on four trips into town.  I visited both hardware stores, Dollar General, the local outfitters (the Appalachian trail passes through Hot Springs), the gas station, and the post office.  Needless to say, I spent a lot of time driving and shopping today.  The home we are working on is only about five miles out of Hot Springs, but remember that these are mountain miles.  In the mountains the old ‘mile a minute’ time estimate does not work like back home in Michigan.  After lunch I did actually ot Springs, Hget to do some work.  I know (having been on the receiving end) that these trips into town for supplies (different nails, screws, ear plugs, gas - & can – for the generator, paint rollers for the roof, etc) are important, but it doesn’t feel like I am doing anything.  So I was glad to pitch in on the work in the afternoon.  There is a lot of general clean up to be done on the property and I helped with that.  I killed a snake that was uncovered in a trash pile.  I ferried supplies and filled water bottles.  I got to nail down some of the plywood flooring at the end of day.  Not quite digging trenches, but I made myself useful.  I did not get as much visiting with the family in as I did yesterday, although there was some.  The family continues to work with us and it is a blessing to see them invested in the project with us.  

Note: I had a problem posting pictures - my web album memory is full, despite having deleted a large album.  I will have to address this when I have more connection time available during daytime hours.

P.S. Feel free to drop the group an e-mail at OurSaviorASE@gmail.com . Morale improves when the youth knows they are being read.

Work Day 1

James Spangler – Day one of work. Day two of bacon in the breakfast. Day three of breakfast. Day four here. We had to get up around six a.m., breakfast was at 6:30. Once we got to the site we were told what we had to do n got started right away. We got two of the trenches started as well as the septic tank pit before it started to pour. We waited for a while but it got too muddy before the rain stopped so we were the first to the showers since we left early. Boom.

J.T. Mrozek- Alright so today we got up and ate food. Once we knew we had everything together we headed out to our sites with everyone. Today I think I got a new friend! And I am super happy about that. When we got there I was happy to have found out that the site I was on was a construction job pretty much. Considering I have had a lot of experience with construction, and that two of the guy leaders were fighting over who should get me, I think I was doing a great job. Then before we went back to the church we all went and took showers. Now we are back and eating dinner, which I have to say the cooks are great. Not that your food isn’t mom, but still. Then we are doing our group meeting later and then bed time. Let God show us our way and I will be back to tell you more tomorrow.

Seth Whitehouse- Today was a good day. I really enjoyed getting to work finally. I was put on the site where we have to replace the floor boards and roof. This site probably had the worst living conditions out of the years I’ve been here. The people at the site were really cool to get to know; they have a certain type of pride, which I admire. The kids were really nice. I have a ton of respect for these people. Also, this site has a lot of dogs and puppies who were awesome. Also, I accidentally fell through the roof, but I’m all good. I really like everybody at our site and it was a great day. Hopefully we get more supplies for the floor and roof tomorrow so we can fix all that we tore apart today. Bye, I’ll try for a better journal tomorrow.

Mariah Miklusak- so pretty much today was a good day. I’m at the same site I was at last year, which is Pearl McIntosh’s house; we put in a double septic tank for the bathroom we built. However there were some difficulties that we endured and we were blessed to have a few people return to her site this year. One of them was myself, and the other one is my soon to be husband, Stephen McGhee. We put up part of the wall in the bathroom and I nailed all the nails into the wood; I didn’t hammer myself! Yay me. I must say we made a lot of improvement, more than was anticipated. Pearl is such a wonderful host to us, always telling us stories about her childhood. She has a brother, who lives next door to her, and he is the absolute sweetest thing I have ever seen. He told me today about his late wife, Willy Lou. They used to make sausage gravy and biscuits, an interest we have in common. But yes, also, Mrs. Spangler is my mom and James is my twin. A lot of people believed that… I don’t look that much like James do I? There’s no way I’m that ugly. ;D  okay well I’m going to bed, I am exhausted. Write more tomorrow.

Zach Foor- I realize that I have not been writing every day in this journal, so bare with me. Today, I arrived on my work site (septic) for the first day; we were not able to see the work site yesterday. When we arrived, I was so surprised with the condition of the home; it was in such good shape! The only problem with the entire home was that it was lacking a plumbing system. So, the people that lived at the home we worked on, Tammy and her daughter Courtney, were very nice people. They were forced to move down the hill to a trailer by the state because of the plumbing. We got a lot of work done today and I have to say I’m VERY happy to be back here for the fourth year in a row now. I miss this place, it always puts my mind in the right spot. 

Nikki Spangler – We have four work groups this year.  Seth & I are both on the same site – the Ensley family.  There are four children, boys 18 & 14 and girls 15 & 10.  The mom & 15 year old daughter took the week off of work this week so the family was at the site with us all day.  Everyone joined in with the work we doing wherever they could.  Our supplies did not all arrive until the end of the work day today, so we did what we could without them.  A good portion of the flooring has been pulled up to be replaced and we completely filled a dumpster cleaning up the property immediately surrounding the home.  We also spent a lot of time getting to know the family, which is also an important part of what we do here in Appalachia.  Usually we do not take pictures on the work site the first day, but one of the other adults asked and was told to take all we want, so I will try to also get pictures up regularly.  I need to find some picture takers from the other sites to get me pictures too!

Sunday

James Spangler – Today Seth was kind enough to wake me up in time for breakfast, so since I got some delicious warm food I had a good start to the day. After church it was time for lunch again which was amazing, but I didn’t quite have enough to eat, which was disappointing. After lunch we went out to look at the worksites and get an idea of what we would be doing in the days to come, we only ended up visiting two of the five sites. The sites that we saw were the construction sites; there are two others that need minor work and a dig site. We start work tomorrow!

Seth Whitehouse - We visited the work sites today which will be tough. One site has a lot of dogs. We did not get to see the third which is a septic site. I’m ready for work tomorrow and to start doing things. I’m sorry for being short, but I want to go to bed. I’ll write a better one tomorrow.

 
J.T. Mrozek - today was very interesting, we did a lot but at the same time we didn’t do a lot. I had a very good breakfast and then we did our church service. Now the church service here is the same as back at home. But it was nice to see the different ways they go about it here. Not that is bad or anything but it is nice to see a change once in a while. But after that we went and saw two of the places we are going to work on. And now we will figure out the group we will be in when I get back to the room. But then we had a very nice dinner. And today just seemed like a calm time, and I am happy that I am here and able to experience this wonderful adventure. Tomorrow we start working and I can’t wait till we actually start to do stuff. It will not just be nice to help out everyone around, but it will be an experience that helps my heart grows in God and everything he has to offer me. So I can’t wait for tomorrow and what God has in store for me to do to help- him and the world he created.

Nikki Spangler - As you can tell everyone is anxious to begin working tomorrow.  We definitely have our work cut out for this year with two challenging construction sites.  Both need roof repair, new sub-floor, and a few new windows.  There are plenty of other things to work on at both of these sites as well if we get finished with that and have time to spare.  One site has a Marshall address, but is up a windy mountain road that goes from two lane, to unmarked pavement, to a one-lane rutted dirt road.  The other site is just north of Hot Springs right on Hwy 25/70.  Both are approximately an hour from the church.  We did not see the septic site yet, so those of us who are on it will have share more details later.  It is the closest site at about 20 minutes out from church.  If I close out now, I can post before midnight.  I'll try to write earlier tomorrow.  Blessings!

Arrivals & Anticipation

James Spangler-Today was an interesting day. Since we were the only group here this morning we got to greet all the returning, and new groups. It was great to see all the friends I made last year that came back, and I look forward to getting to know all the new people as well. I learned how to play this card game called “blink” today. Most. Intense. Card game. Ever. I had to do tie breakers with one of the people I played because half of time we would finish at the same time. Tomorrow we get to see our sites, I’m excited to see what all there is to do.

J.T. Mrozek- today is the second day, so far we haven’t started to work yet but I am hoping soon enough we will. Every other group that wasn’t here yesterday showed up today… and I never realized how many youth in mission people were coming. I am happy to see that there are so many people that want to help out like me. Everyone is super friendly, and I am happy that it is easy to talk to everyone. I am so far having a great time. Can’t wait for tomorrow and what it has in store for me.

Seth Whitehouse – Today I woke up and went for a run with Zach. We had lunch over at sonic, I got a foot long coney, man that thing ran right through me. I was anticipating the arrival of all the other groups most of the day, the first group arrived at around two in the afternoon. It was awesome seeing all my old friends again, I guess it was cool seeing all the new people too. I don't know why Mrs. Spangler is making me write this, I'm too tired, I'll write a good one tomorrow, goodnight.

Nikki – Victory!  I have found the tape measure I spent a week looking for!  Bernard brought the Servant Event tool bins this morning.  I was looking for tape to hang our schedule and kitchen duty chart with.  When I opened an unlabeled bin, sitting right there on top was my tape measure, with my name on it and everything!  No wonder I couldn’t find it at home.

Everyone arrived safely today by about 4:30.  Thank you for all your prayers for everyone's safe travels. This year is half first timers and half returning.  My first impression is that it will be a really great group.  I am looking forward to a great event.

Getting There

The past several years there have been three Michigan groups at ASE.  This year they are all small groups, totaling 11 people, so we decided to travel together.  We drove straight through today so that we can prep Emmanuel, Asheville facilities for the Servant Event take over before everyone gets here tomorrow.  (THANK YOU Emmanuel for letting us take over hearth & home and feeding us all for 12 days!)  It was a LONG drive coming right after 4th of July this year.

We arrived safely.  We are especially grateful for this today, as we passed a very bad accident on I-75 KY mile 16 (or so) that involved two medi-vac helicopters and a coroner's van.  It is hard to be upset at being delayed when you know someone's life is in peril.  We don't know the details of this accident, but God does.  Please pray for those involved and their families, as well as for the safe arrival of the other six Servant Event groups arriving tomorrow.

Our guys have decided to be creative with their blogs this year (or at least for today) so enjoy!  Also, since we are traveling and rooming with the other Michigan groups, we hope to have some occasional guest blogs for you this year.

Nikki

Seth Whitehouse- Today I drove in a van for about 14 hours, slept a bit, ate a lot, and listened to music a lot. I was walking down the hall, then I punched the wall, right through into the bathroom stalls, under which I crawled, the person in it was rather appalled, and it was the cops he called, he was very tall and bald, and I was very small, so to avoid a brawl, much butt I hauled, to create a quick loll, so I could jump into a u-haul, which was heading to DePaul, then the engine stalled, and things started getting dull, so I got out and walked to the mall, where I bought a basketball, with which I dribbled like Chris Paul, and made my opponents fall into a knoll, where they were attacked by Darth Maul and all his thralls, who turned them into ragdolls, then took them all to give to his friend Saul whose daughter wanted some small dolls.

James Spangler-My day. Oh what a day, I must say. It started at night, the dead of night, for I did not sleep, thus when the hour struck five and we departed for the first leg of our journey, I would be able to retire to the back seat of the 15 passenger horseless carriage, where I could sleep. The plan did not go as I had intended, however I did log many hours of sleep time during our voyage. The rest was spent listening to music and talking mostly with the ones who are called J.T. and Mariah. Once the carriage needed a refueling we stopped to refuel ourselves. We ate at a place named Cracker Barrel, which is where I learned that we were much farther south than we had originally started, due to the accent the workers had. The meal was one of delight and I filled myself with wonderful food; bacon, eggs, and French toast. Then we drove the rest of the way to the church here and are the first group to get here.

J.T. Mrozek- well, today is the first time I have been this far away from home. Considering this is the first time I am making this trip. I am excited to see how this all works out. So far I have met some very nice considerate people, and have eaten at this place called Crackle Barrel, which just so happens to be a great place to endure yummy foods. I have been told that we have a couple work sites, and as I look forward to the rest of this week and how much fun and work I get to do. I wait to see how the rest of this week goes. Although the ride down here seemed pretty long I am sure after working in this heat for almost two weeks that the ride home will be even longer.