Finale.

Week 8 is now rolling. Our last group of volunteers have arrived and tonight will be my last set of Sunday night home visits. We have 10 crews here this week, and despite the fact that none of the groups have much experience, it looks like we're going to get our projects DONE so we'll have NO construction to do during closeout. Instead we can finish some paperwork, enjoy the time we have left in Harlan, and even spend a night at the Carnegie (a super nice hotel) in Johnson City, TN.

Our biggest project to finish is our room addition. It's been our biggest project all summer, and by the end of the week, it'll probably be quadruple-crewed as other projects finish up.

So. Although I am tired beyond belief, haven't slept on a real bed in over two months, miss my family and friends back home, have BLUE hair, and I'm really craving Starbucks...I am going to miss this so much. Harlan County has beena great home for me this summer, moving back into the real world is going to be a shock. And I literally move right into it! I'll get home in the evening on the 14th, say hi to the fam, and leave immediately for East Lansing with Dre for work training which starts early the next morning. It'll be good to get moving right away so I'm not too bored at home, and it'll make me miss ASP less for sure.

Well, the week of "Lasts" begins. Wish us luck! God bless.

Purpose.

I feel purpose being here in Kentucky. I know I am meant to serve others and work with people. I finally feel God's presence more than ever and I know I'm being guided in the right direction. Where am I going? We'll see. I've got some ideas about what I want to do with my life, but for now, I've accepted the fact that I don't HAVE to know. I enjoy science and studying marine biology as I am currently doing, so that will continue. NO more changed to my major, now that I've come this far! But I am not currently looking into options such as the peace corps or studying abroad for grad school. I'm not meant to be cooped up in Michigan for the rest of my life, in fact, that sounds rough. It's been a great place to grow up, but I can't stay there the rest of my life. Two more years of school and I'll be ready to be free. My goal is to make a difference and that's what I am going to do.

I'm not homesick at all. I'm "family sick" a lot though. I just miss them (not necessarily home). Love you guys and can't wait to see you soon.

Week 7 Arrives

Welcome to week 7! I officially am on my second to last week of volunteers. That also means at this point, I only have one more set of Sunday night home visits left! I honestly hate thinking about it. I'll admit I get stressed out a little bit at times, but thinking about NOT being here is super hard for me. This weekend was a ton of fun. We went to Scott County, TN for the night, and went in to Cumberland Falls to see the moonbow. It was beautiful! (Above is a pic). It was a fun time hanging out with a few other staffs. We did a little rock climbing at night around the state park. It was risky and fun at the same time! We found this awesome rock for all of us to sit on and view the falls far away from the rest of the tourists. We had a great time.

This week is going to be great! We have 10 crews from 4 different states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota (ey). Our group leaders seem like a lot of fun and they plan to get a lot done on our projects. Having them come in with lots of energy was fantastic, since I was feeling slightly burned out this morning. One more week after this. Can't believe it.

I feel safe here. I don't feel like I have to be anyone else but myself here. I know it sounds bad, but at home I live like a chameleon, fitting in with wherever I happen to be or whoever I'm with. For years, it's been great because I feel like I can mold into any group of people, but living here in Appalachia has given me the opportunity to become more comfortable with who I am and I feel I have the confidence to be strong in my beliefs. Doesn't mean I've changed too much! Just means I feel a lot more confident in myself, which is great since I've been extremely too self-conscious for way too long.

Three weeks from this time, I'll be in East Lansing with Dre for work training! Crazy to think about, but I am super excited to see my loves again :) Erika will be home from Spain then as well. So we'll all have a week to have a "typical" summer before marching band starts for me. Lake Michigan beach time? Ikea shopping trip? FINALLY having time to run. Sounds good to me.

Thinking of everyone at home! For those I haven't skyped in awhile, hit me up!

Day Off in Campbell with Westwood!

So I remember why I fell in love with ASP in the first place. I was reminded yesterday by getting the chance to spend all day on the worksite with one of our work crews (or should I say amazing double crew!?) from Westwood in Campbell Co, TN. Loved it. I was able to work with my dad as the Group Leader once again, and hang out with some of the coolest people all on one fun, double crewed site. I've been spoiled by them - as a staffer I expect all the volunteer groups to be just as amazing. Every group has been great, but nobody has quite made it the to bar Westwood has set. I give most of the credit as to why I am a staffer today to them. But I sure miss going to ASP with them! It was hard to leave yesterday! I wish I would've been able to finish out the week with them for old times' sake. Party theme songs, singing Mulan on the worksite, PP&J's with peanut butter on both sides, best hug breaks in the world, positive workers and GLs ALL the time, what a fun group :) Above are pictures from my day in Campbell.

Last day of week 6 today, so we're getting prepared for the final couple weeks here. We have 10 crews both weeks 7 and 8, so hopefully we'll get our projects knocked off so we don't have to do any construction during close-out, and instead just enjoy our final days in Appalachia. Weird to think that I'll be back in East Lansing doing SMB colorguard this time in a month. I know I'll be happy once I get back into the swing of things back at MSU, but I know I'll be suffering from a slight post-ASP staff depression. Good thing I have some amazing friends back home I can't wait to see in a few weeks!

Please be praying for my staff and I (as well as all other staffs in ASPland) as we all begin to finish out our summers. Hopefully we'll get everything done and not be too overwhelmed and stressed out!

Week 6 Approaching

Thinking of Westwood's ASP team as they head to Corbin, KY for the night, then to Campbell County, TN for their ASP week! It's a weird feeling not being with them, and I'll miss all the fun times on the trip down! Campbell is lucky to have you guys coming down :) I can't wait to take my day off on Thursday to see them, including Dad and Annie!

Week 5 is officially over now. I can't believe how fast this summer is just flying by. Only 3 more weeks of volunteers before close-out! I'll be home this time in a month! I hate thinking about it. We're starting to do close-out related stuff here (signing off on some homes, end of summer paper work, etc), so it's really starting to hit me that I actually have to leave soon.

I think we're planning to go camping as a staff tonight! Should be a fun time, just to relax and enjoy each other's company. Looking forward to next week's volunteers already! Another large group from MI with college-age youth will be here, so hopefully there'll be some Spartans in the crew! Hope everyone's week was safe, and flea-free (unlike ours, but that's another super long story...). Love you!

Day Off, Take 3.

I get to have a relaxing day off day :) Planning to go to Martin's Fork lake to get some beach time!

So Harlan County's center is sorta in a mini crisis. Flea infestation. 3/4 of our sleeping quarters, as well as the staff quarters, has fleas. We have to evacuate all of these rooms, set off flea bombs, deep clean, vacuum, etc. Also wash all of our volunteer's stuff in our ONE washing machine. Not to mention the fact that I know have tiny, itchy little flea bites all over my body. Our volunteers are being really great sports about the whole situation, we're lucky that they seem to really like us as a staff this week! We're handling the situation as best as possible, but it's still frustrating.

Lot's of new ideas brewing. Looking into becoming active with MSU's chapter of Habitat for Humanity next spring, looking at getting involved with MSU's Campus Crusade for Christ, and despite my parents' best efforts, my tattoo idea might become a reality. Hint - I want it on my foot, only visible in flip flops!

On an end note - keep sending me mail! It makes my day to receive something, no matter what it is! God bless :)

Welcome to Week 5!

I love being done with staff meetings by 11pm on Sunday nights! Well anyway, week 5 has officially begun! New volunteers are here from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan! My group leaders are great this week, I can already tell. My life is tons easier when the group leaders I'm working with like to cooperate.

Week 5 means that my summer with volunteers is halfway over. Overall, I am WAY over halfway done, if you include training and set-up week in the beginning. I can't believe how fast this summer has flown by. I don't like to think about it. It's going to be such a weird feeling leaving these mountains and being back to completely flat land. I've just gotten so used to the beautiful views, but I know that I'll miss them dearly when I have to drive back home.

I've been thinking about home a lot lately. Not in the sense that I miss it (I miss the people), but in the sense that I want to have something to look forward to coming home to so I won't be so sad leaving Kentucky. I can't wait for Spartan Marching Band preseason. I haven't picked up my flag in so long! Can't wait to see the lovely ladies of the SMB colorguard and get involved in being a Squad Leader this year! Also, I can't WAIT to move into my apartment with the lovely Jessica Brown and go apartment shopping and host dinner parties and such. We're going to have such a great time living together this year! I also can't wait to see the roomsicle, as always. Dre, Emily, and Brigid are greatly missed, but I know they're having a fabulous summer in Michigan! Kris and Erika, can't wait to see you either. Erika, hope Spain is SUPERB and Kris, hope the big girl job is treating you well and you're making bank. And last but not least, miss my fam! Can't wait to see Dad and Annie and the rest of Westwood UMC in Campbell County, TN next week! Wishing you guys safe travels and eat lots of Waffle House for me (ham and cheese omelet of course)!

God is great and doing great things in my life. I see my path more and more everyday and I know that this experience has taught and is continuing to teach me so much about life and what's truly important. I am more than fortunate for my life back home, but that's not all I'm learning. I'm learning about myself and that I need to challenge myself more instead of just settling for what's comfortable. ASP as taught me so much about responsibility and leadership. I want to apply this more into my life (maybe still trying to figure out exactly how). But I know my purpose in life is to enlighten others and give back as much as I possibly can. For now, I'll just do the best I can to continue doing just that with the time I have left here. Love you all!