HUMP DAY
In the business world, I often hear people referring to Wednesday as hump day. The work week is over half done and we are now on the downhill side of the week. I have had the privilege to participate and lead many of these trips...actually, I am finding that I have lost count, which is a good thing. What I have found is that the second day on the work site is typically the hump day for these trips. The first day is usually filled with spending time getting to know each other, especially when they come from different areas of the country and different age ranges (we have a 50-year spread between the youngest and the oldest). The second day, which is the first day on the work site, is filled with the excitement of being part of a new adventure, getting to know each other, and being asked to do new things. It is today, that second day on the work site, that hump day often kicks in. The day seems to be hotter. The tasks seem to be more challenging or mundane. The team seems to be more tired. This is usually the perception, but the light at the end of the tunnel is what comes tomorrow, the day that the team starts to click and become a unified community. This trip has proven to be no different.
Today, however, we did start off with a new process that set us all on the right path for the day. The priest of our host church invited us to a short special service for us and the work that we are doing. We had prayers, sang responses to his blessings, and end the service by being anointed with myrrh from a streaming icon in Hawaii. What a special way to start our day.
Our plan for today was to divide into two groups. One group would stay at the home that we were at yesterday and focus on putting in crown molding and do finish work (spackling, caulking, and painting) to try to finish the job. The other team was going to go to another home and install insulation under the home in a 24" crawl space. Well, the second home did not work out. Our VOAD host felt that the work site was a little too precarious for a team of volunteers. So, we ended up with all of us working on the finish work. A lot got accomplished today.
When we got back to our temporary home we all pitched in and pull together our "Taco Tuesday" dinner. Rich brought some fresh vegetables from his garden, so that was added to the meal...including some fresh grilled, super hot, jalapeños. Just what the taco needed.
After dinner was completed we walked a little further down town and met up with Fr. Matthew, the priest for the local Greek parish, and his wife and three daughters for an ice cream treat. What a great way to end a hot day.
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow is a new day, a new home, and a new adventure. Glory be to God!
In the business world, I often hear people referring to Wednesday as hump day. The work week is over half done and we are now on the downhill side of the week. I have had the privilege to participate and lead many of these trips...actually, I am finding that I have lost count, which is a good thing. What I have found is that the second day on the work site is typically the hump day for these trips. The first day is usually filled with spending time getting to know each other, especially when they come from different areas of the country and different age ranges (we have a 50-year spread between the youngest and the oldest). The second day, which is the first day on the work site, is filled with the excitement of being part of a new adventure, getting to know each other, and being asked to do new things. It is today, that second day on the work site, that hump day often kicks in. The day seems to be hotter. The tasks seem to be more challenging or mundane. The team seems to be more tired. This is usually the perception, but the light at the end of the tunnel is what comes tomorrow, the day that the team starts to click and become a unified community. This trip has proven to be no different.
Today, however, we did start off with a new process that set us all on the right path for the day. The priest of our host church invited us to a short special service for us and the work that we are doing. We had prayers, sang responses to his blessings, and end the service by being anointed with myrrh from a streaming icon in Hawaii. What a special way to start our day.
Sanctuary of St. George's Orthodox Church
Our plan for today was to divide into two groups. One group would stay at the home that we were at yesterday and focus on putting in crown molding and do finish work (spackling, caulking, and painting) to try to finish the job. The other team was going to go to another home and install insulation under the home in a 24" crawl space. Well, the second home did not work out. Our VOAD host felt that the work site was a little too precarious for a team of volunteers. So, we ended up with all of us working on the finish work. A lot got accomplished today.
Cranking Away on the Detail Work
Sometimes You Just Need to Sit it Out for a Little While
When we got back to our temporary home we all pitched in and pull together our "Taco Tuesday" dinner. Rich brought some fresh vegetables from his garden, so that was added to the meal...including some fresh grilled, super hot, jalapeños. Just what the taco needed.
Fresh Vegetable Chef at Work
Hamburger and Fajita Chicken Team at Work
After dinner was completed we walked a little further down town and met up with Fr. Matthew, the priest for the local Greek parish, and his wife and three daughters for an ice cream treat. What a great way to end a hot day.
Ice Cream at Ellen's
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow is a new day, a new home, and a new adventure. Glory be to God!
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