Day 5 in Towanda

Wow! The week is done. It seems to have gone by very quickly. So today would be Day 5.

For some reason, 4-5 people had great difficulties getting to the work site on time each and every day! Fortunately, Jim understood this and accepted it as he put it, “you’re volunteers. I’m glad to have you.” We made up for it by staying later. Anyway, we arrived to find a sign that said, “everyone over to the Campbell’s.” We found him and Jim2 hard at work patching the bathroom wall “imperfections” with mud. Today, he was hoping to get the bathroom painted. In addition, there were counter tops to be put on. At Travis and Cindy’s the hope was to prime the closet and bathroom on the second floor. So, to accomplish these things, Sarah and Robin went back to T & C’s house and, Diana and Heidi stayed with Jim.

Bathroom in Jim2′s house

As most of us hadn’t done work at Jim2’s, it was nice for Heidi to be able to spend some time there. Diana had been working with Jim at Jim2’s with an occasional trip to T & C’s over the course of the week. She got to see the kitchen come together that they had worked on, and much of the bathroom completed at Jim2’s. Sarah and Robin had been working all week on the upstairs so they were able to see their project through to completion.

trying to figure out how to position the long piece of counter in order to not scratch the walls while installing it

Jim Crawford, our PDA leader, is extremely knowledgeable and, not afraid to “think outside of the box.” For many of you who have done rehab work you know that there really isn’t anything truly square. Once again this proved true. We of course discovered this the hard way when trying to connect the kitchen counters. Heidi glued two sides together and, learned that there were 4 screws underneath that also tightened the connection of the 2 pieces. In order for these to fit Jim had to disconnect the stove and move it completely out of the kitchen. As the gas wasn’t on it was pretty painless, just an added step or 2. The real trial came when trying to connect the 3rd piece with the first 2 already in place. Jim ended up cutting out a hole of drywall from the basement stairwell so that he could reach through and connect 3 screws. Heidi had done the gluing already. The last screw had to be worked on “blindly” and with very little space to hold it in place. This only took about 45 minutes and eventually all 3 of us!!! UGH. But we got it and the counters look terrific.

Jim under counter is when we were trying to screw the last tightening screw into place–blindly

At lunchtime today we had a special meal. Corliss and Jim bought us lunch and we broke bread together in their living room. It was a special time to get to know these two people and their story. They really wanted to do something special for us as a token of thanksgiving. Through a few stories it was evident that they now understand better than before, that there are times when everyone needs others to help pick them up. And, that while this is an extremely difficult time, they can see many blessings throughout the recovery!

having lunch with Corliss and Jim2 in their living room

Corliss is a 4th grade teacher. She and Jim have 3 adult kids and some grandkids. Oh, and some cats: LT, Pepper and Frappachino. Pepper was always in Jim2’s lap. Jim 2 is a disabled man who maneuvers really well in his wheelchair. At one point, Pepper had gotten himself on Jim2’s right side and managed to push Jim2 over as if he was just allowing Jim2 to sit with him!!! Diana and Heidi loved interacting with the cats!

Jim2 and Pepper the cat

After lunch, Diana finished her painting in the bathroom and Heidi measured, cut, and mounted new drywall where Jim had made the cut in the basement stairwell. Little things were done to clean up and put away. So, the goal for the day was met! At T & C’s house Sarah and Robin worked relentlessly wanting to finish what they had started 4 days earlier. They succeeded, and even primed part of the stairwell to the first floor! Jim’s goals and, our hopes were met. Praise be to God!

We decided since Towanda celebrates First Friday that we would eat out. So we found a nice restaurant, found a table on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful evening with some live music. On our stroll home we found a spot with spider webs. Sarah loves spiders so she was explaining about them.

Sarah teaching Robin about spiders

It seemed like a wonderful way to end a good day, but also a good week’s worth of work and fellowship. STOP THE PRESSES!!! As it would turn out, it was until Heidi and Diana got back to the church. AHHHHHHH, the bat returned! As soon as we walked into the big room in the basement this thing came flying. Diana was brave! Heidi, not so much. When the others arrived a new plan went into effect because we still had to do cleaning.

the kitchen completed; everything on top of the counters is there to push down as the glue and all firmly sets

All in all there was much accomplished and we all worked well together. We met some nice people and discovered a beautiful piece of Pennsylvania. God is good!

Thanks for all of the prayers, support, cards and thoughts. We felt them all. Please continue to pray for our neighbors in Bradford County as many of them have an extremely uphill battle to regain “normalcy” and their homes.

Susquehanna River from the vantage point called Marie Antoinette

Disaster in our own backyard

Today is the last day of the Old Pine Street Church mission trip. This is the house we’ve been working on all week in Athens, PA. After hurricane Lee in Sept. 2011, water was up to the roof that’s over the porch. Imagine that – the entire first floor under water. The damage Lee caused to homes in this part of PA and elsewhere in the NE was every bit as devastating as the damage left in the wake of Katrina, but we’re generally not aware of this disaster in our own back yard. Many people are still living in FEMA trailers going on a year after the storm. Many houses are still boarded up – some of these will never be repaired. People displaced. Lives up-ended.

-Sarah

Water up to the ceiling

Day 4 Photos

Robin and Diana

Sarah

Heidi

Robin and Diana

Robin mixing paint with power tool

Towanda Photos

First Presbyterian Church of Towanda

Robin

Our Own Fab Five: Heidi, Robin, Diana, Jeanne, Sarah

Days 2 and 3 in Towanda

Greetings from Towanda, PA!

This is actually day 3. Sorry for no report last night. I had some technical difficulties. UGH!!!

So, I need to catch ya’ll up on the wild goings on here, with us! You might have seen the picture of Sarah and the bat I posted last night. Of course there is a story. We first met the bat on Sunday evening. After driving us a bit “batty” for 48 hrs. (very seriously!!) the bat basically gave itself up. As Jeanne started walking down the hall on Tuesday morning she found the bat “resting” on the floor. Quickly, Sarah jumped into action and got the bat into a shoebox. HIP HIP HUZZAH!!!! Sarah was able to release the bat, which had been playing possum. So alls well that ends well.

On Tuesday we got to work on mudding and sanding in Travis and Cindy’s house. Robin and Sarah worked diligently upstairs in Destiny’s room, while Heidi and Jeanne plugged away downstairs. We wanted to get the upstairs ready for Jim to inspect last night so that we could start the primer today. Meanwhile, downstairs we were hoping to have all of the living room and kitchen mudded. There was a spot where the ceiling goes up at least 12 feet. There were some “seams or joints” that needed to be papered and mudded for the first time whereas the rest of the living room and kitchen had had at least 2 coats of mud and of course, sanding in-between. Trying to conquer her fear of heights, Heidi got up on the scaffolding and was able to mud all of the seams that had been done once, a second time. She tried to paper and mud the ceiling/wall joints, but had the steps mixed up. Sarah took a shot at it as well and found it difficult. About this time, Jim came in from the other site. He hopped up there and within 20 minutes had all of those seams finished. It was like watching an artist in action!

Jim and Diana, while all of the mudding and sanding were going on, were at Jim 2’s home. They were tiling the bathroom. Diana got to learn how to use a new saw, the tile saw. She had a blast cutting and fitting all the pieces together for the shower stall. The day ended, back at Travis and Cindy’s. It was a rather long day, but we had a treat waiting for us back at the “ranch.” Lynn, one of the women of the Church made us a delicious chicken and potato dinner with a special dessert. When you see or talk to one of us ask about it! You’ll see each of us light up!!! The night before we were treated to a crock pot dinner of BBQ ribs from Jean, also a woman of the Church. Oh, my goodness! We have been eating well!

So day 3 started off much more calm and uneventful than day 2. Thanks be to God! Jim had a meeting so we started without him. All of us worked on getting Travis and Cindy’s house mudded and sanded so that it is ready for priming. Diana joined Sarah and Robin in Destiny’s room. The stairwell got some work as well. And, Jeanne and Heidi continued their push to get the ceiling sanded and finish some other spots downstairs. Jeanne worked until lunchtime and then had to leave. We are so thankful that she joined us, especially since she leaves for Alaska on Friday. (Thanks, Jeanne for all of your hard work, for your friendship and some good laughs! Hope your finger is ok!!!)

Jim got to us around 10:30ish. He brought us a surprise coffee and muffin break!! He is such a good man and teacher! We’re really thankful for his teaching and patience! He gave the upstairs a good look over and we were going to start priming. only he left the paint at Jim 2’s house. So, plan B. Robin joined Diana and Jim at Jim2’s house and they primed the bathroom.

Sarah, left to her own devices, looked around and began “fixing” spots that stood out to her. She might still be there if we hadn’t called it quits. Heidi, now alone downstairs, continued to work on the sanding of the ceiling. At about 3:30 she had to call it quits as she “ran out of gas!” Hopefully, her neck will not be too stiff tomorrow from looking up for so long!

Each day we have been able to have a picnic lunch under some nice shady trees. It’s a beautiful spot and quiet. Maybe too quiet as 2 houses on the street are vacant as they try and rehab them from the flood. We’ve walked up to the river and been amazed by its beauty and also, of how low it is. But lunchtime has been a nice break and Jim fills us in on what’s going on around the county.

Tonight, we didn’t come home to a prepared meal. But we feasted just the same! For some reason appetites are increased on these trips. So we used the church’s brand new gas grill. We feasted on hamburgers, veggie burger, corn on the cob, potatoes and salad. And, a little watermelon for dessert. This night we took our meal to the river. The church is located on the riverfront. The city has created a nice bike/walking path with benches and occasionally a picnic table. So plates in hand we crossed the street to the covered picnic table and enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation.

We have played some games. A new one called “Song Burst” really tested our self-confidence, as we had to sing the answers! Tonight is our first early night. It is now 11:30pm. Good night, all and sweet dreams!

2012 Mission Trip to Towanda PA

We are now one day into our mission trip. We’ve spent most of the day dry walling–mostly mudding. The home we’re working on is that of a couple who have a 10 year old daughter. The water got to the ceiling level of their home. It is amazing to think the Susquehanna River, as low as it is today, could have been such a raging river to cause such havoc.

For those of you reading this who pray, I ask you to pray for the people and communities that have had their lives upended by flooding along this river from Hurricane Lee. They are not in the news, they are not a big city, but they have and continue to struggle with the devastation and trying to rebuild.

WV 2011: Reflections

Jay and his friend Fred

A once in a lifetime experience. . That is what I would call the mission trip. If there is one thing I will always remember it would be the smiles we got from Glen and his son and granddaughters. I found it so amazing how just one week has just changed me. The new people I worked with everyday weren’t just my “church friends” anymore. They became my real friends and a family to me. Although at times it was too many moms, they all meant well. And the girls we met weren’t just the neighbor’s granddaughters. The girls became my escape to a world I thought I had lost with my youth. A world of fun and imagination. They saw the work we did as fun and always would join me on my ‘top secret missions’ after Fred( the rooster). They gave me time to find a younger side of me that didn’t have to be this pretending side of maturity.That my natural age and maturity was what I had at this time.

Jay and Lilly....friends forever...

My highlights of the week were definitely riding with Jeff through the roller coaster of hills there(at the speed he was going!). I would also say the time I had singing “We Are the Champions” with a certain group I never thought I would ever sing with. Or maybe I liked the name Jeff and I were deemed as: Biscuit Boys. And i will surely never forget working with power tools and the Men’s Disney land.The biggest accomplishment for me will always be the catching of Fred just because I caught him 100 percent me and he was not a joke to catch.
The mission trip was an adventure of a lifetime that I will never forget. I was glad to be able to receive a chance like this at my age. Thank you Old Pine.

-Jay