Let Me Show You

OK I am going to try to show the volunteer house where I live. First some of the inside of the house.

The outside porch for hanging out with the gang.

View from the porch.


The driveway up to the house.

Path to camp AJ.
Diane Beckmann is here!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!

Camp AJ

Liz, who runs the camp and Kathleen who runs the volunteer recruitment program. Love them!

Pumpkin carving to get ready for the party. Lotsa fun! It was another great week. Now that I know how to transfer my pictures I will try to do this more often.

Have a wonderful week!

God Bless

Jane

Retreat Weekend

Well it is Sunday and I couldn't get to church today. Having a small problem with my back. I think it is just a muscle thing but it is really bugging me. Friday and Saturday was a retreat at Camp AJ for all volunteers. We had people there who have been volunteering for 5 years and then others who have been here only a week. It is interesting to hear all the stories and hear how people have grown through their volunteering time with CAP. For all of us we agree that this has been a calling and a blessing that we are able to come to the Appalachians and serve our God and His people. At the end of the retreat we each were assigned a partner and then went on an Emmaus walk. This gave us time to not only reflect on what we had shared throughout the retreat but to discuss how God has been working in our lives and what we have experienced so far in the Appalachians. It was a wonderful 2 days.

There was a group here this past week from Notre Dame. It was mostly college age people and two older men who came along. They worked on some of the projects that the Wisconsin group was unable to finish. We had dinner with them one night and spent some time hanging out with them. Carlos, one of the older gentlemen, presented an hour of music and scripture. He was adorable! He read some stories and then played some older songs on his dulcimer. It was a very charming presentation and you could clearly see how much he loves his Lord and how important his faith is in his life. It was great to see.

The next night we all went into McKee to the Lord's Gym to be a part of Chad's Hope night of testimony and praise. Chad's Hope is a drug and alcohol recovery program. There were two men who sang songs and lead all of us in some singing. They were amazing! I could not believe the voice that one of them shared. Awesome! Then two gentlemen got up to give their testimonies. I was really glad that we went to show our support to the people who shared and also to the program. Chad's Hope has helped many, many people.

Well, Diane Beckmann is here!!!!!!!! We had the joy of sharing retreat time together and I was so happy to see her here. We just looked at each other in disbelief and said "We are here!" Diane is serving on the east side which is about 2 hours away but we will plan to get together on the weekendss when we can. I have to say, Wisconsin is making a good showing here in Kentucky.

Another part of that is the response I received when I sent out an e-mail for some help. I had a family come in that had been burned out of their home. All they had were the clothes on their backs. I did find some items to give them, but when I went through my donation room I realized how much of the clothes were stained and torn. One e-mail and I have people shipping items or sending checks. I love you all and am so thankful for all the support you have shown to me already. You are all so amazing!

Time to take a break and let the back relax. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying this beautiful Fall.

God Bless
Jane

It's a God Thing

Well, another week is done and I cannot believe how fast it all went. This was such an exciting week and I wanted to share with you a cool God thing that happened. I had a staff meeting on Tuesday and we were discussing the Christmas adoption program that CAP holds each year. Brenda, a CAP employee, reported that most of the families had been adopted but there were some remaining that we are still looking for sponsors. I asked her how many and that I would contact my church to see if perhaps some of those remaining might be adopted by people at my home congregation. Well, before I even e-mailed the office, I received an e-mail telling me that St. Pauls wanted to make CAP their mission this year for Christmas. I couldn't believe it! I love my church family! All the families will be covered and we will have extra for food vouchers for Christmas dinner and we will also be able to adopt some of the elderly that we sometimes do not have sponsors for. God is good and way awesome! I cannot thank my church enough for the generous contribution to make this a wonderful Christmas for so many. It is so appreciated by so many families!

This has been a week of learning for me also. I have had more time to read more about the different programs I will be assisting with and I am feeling more and more comfortable each week. That is a good feeling. Through the Family Advocacy program we provide the Christmas Adoption program which I talked about earlier. Then there is the School Readiness Program for families with children under the age of 19 attending school. We provide school supplies, a new outfit to start school and a new pair of shoes. This really helps those families that just cannot afford any of this and the children can start school on a somewhat more level playing field.

Another program is a Woman's Retreat where women of all ages come to Camp AJ for two nights and three days. There are speakers brought in and much time spent in worship and study. I have not been, but hear that it is a wonderful occasion. I am really looking forward to attending that.

My family was here last weekend and I was surprised how I felt on Monday morning. I went to the office and started thinking about being so far from my family and missing them and wondering if I really made the right choice. I was very surprised by how I was feeling. Then I got home on Monday night and had dinner with my house family here and knew I was back on track. It was weird. Not seeing my family I was OK, but then seeing them leave had me feeling a little blue. My experience here is so enhanced by the people I am living with. I consider them my "small group" and they really are the reason that this has been such an awesome experience thus far.

A big thank you to all the people who have been keeping in touch. I love getting the cards and e-mails from ya'll. It truly makes my day when I hear from people back home.

May God keep you all safe and in His care
Jane

Family Here and Gone

Well, my family is headed back home after having a great time together. Steve, Beth and Mom arrived on Friday evening after driving all day in rain! I think it was pretty stressful when surrounded by all the trucks and their spray; so a big thank you to Steve for getting them all here safely. We spent Friday night over at Camp AJ for a bit to enjoy dinner with the volunteers from Wisconsin and other CAP employees and volunteers that were able to join the festivities. I was happy that my fam could meet other people from the organization and get a feel for what a family we truly are.

On Saturday we headed on down to Berea and walked the area. Tried to have lunch at the Boone Tavern but there was a wedding there that day. No problem, we went to a local diner and had some of the best pizza I have ever eaten, really. Stopped in to see Marilyn and the others at the Rockcastle House and then on to Renfro Valley to see Miss Loretta Lynn perform at the Big Barn. I was amazed at what all is in Renfro Valley. There were people singing on porches of the buildings, kids and adults dancing in the streets and more shops than I had realized. It was a great time just walking around and then the concert was awesome! Miss Loretta's son and two daughters started the show and then a granddaughter also came out to sing. Just a little girl about 8 or 9 and she was really very good. I am sure we will be seeing more of her as she grows. All in all it was a great day and ended on a high note for us all. If anyone out there is a country music fan, you definitely need to come to a show in Renfro Valley. There are hotels in the area and you can also park an RV for the weekend right there in the parking lot. It is worth the drive.

I am happy that my family can now be my ambassadors to the rest of you, They really enjoyed the people in the house and absolutely loved the beauty of the area. We did a little driving but not too much being that they had the long drive down. I pray that there is not rain today for the journey home.

Beth brought along a bulletin from my church that showed how Bill and Karri Brandt are working on gathering donations for the families here. Thank you so much for your efforts and I know it will be a success.

I had the opportunity to make my first home "holler" visit. I was with a co-worker and we drove down a dirt road and then turned down another road and then started winding up a "road" to the house. I was extremely pleased that I was not driving! It was beautiful but I was amazed that anything was built in that small out of the way area. The gal that was driving said this is nothing and has promised to take me to an even more out of the way home. I will be looking forward to that.

I pray all is well with everyone in Wisconsin. May God bless your day richly.
Jane

First Weekof Work is Done

Well, I have completed my first week of work here in the Appalachians. On Monday, Robyn came to pick me up here at the volunteer house and then I drove her truck the hour to my office in Clay County. I limb fell from a tree and bounced up in the road and smashed into the windshield. Nothing shattered and I think because I didn't scream and drive us off the road, I was approved as a valid driver. Go figure! Our first stop before we arrived at the office was the Mennonite bakery in Manchester. I am very happy to see that my supervisor has her priorities straight. All my housemates have made it very clear to me that I will pass that bakery twice each day and their expectations are high. I did bring home a pan of pecan sticky buns. I am now listed as the housemate of the week. :)

The first day was all forms and reading. I think I have a much better understanding of what I will be doing with my time. At least, I think I have a better understanding. On Tuesday I was fortunate to attend a meeting with some other non-profit organizations and we discussed forming a team to make sure people don't fall through the cracks when a disaster happens. If the disaster is wide spread and involves a large amount of homes, then you can expect FEMA or another organization to come in and help. But, when a disaster is small, there isn't anything that comes in to help restore what was lost. The team is designed to work together to make sure that there is a long term recovery plan in place so that there is a longer period of follow-up with families to ensure they truly do get back on their feet. It was great for me to meet other people in the area and learn more of what they offer in services.

My other days consisted of shadowing another family advocate in another county and seeing what her day looks like. Then at my office I did have the opportunity to spend time with a few participants and learn just how much paperwork is involved when assisting a family. I really think I am going to enjoy my job. Many times I will be delivering items to the home and also making follow up visits with the families. There will be variety to my day, which is way good.

Today is absolutely beautiful here. The sun has been shining all day and the sky is an amazing blue. Very warm and wonderful! I spent the day cleaning the livingroom and moving the furniture around. I was feeling a little hemmed in, so myself and two others just took hold and moved everything around. We like it alot, but will get the vote of the house when everyone returns from their day. I think it will be fine.

This week Camp AJ is hosting a group of builders from the Fox valley area in Wisconsin. Every night my house is invited to Camp AJ, where they are doing the work, to have dinner and fellowship with the group. I am really looking forward to that. My mom, sister Beth and brother Steve are coming next weekend. I am very excited about that. On Friday evening we will join the other Wisconsinites for dinner in a thank you gathering. I think that will be nice for my family to see how we all get together and what an awesome place Camp AJ is.

I am so blessed to be able to take this time and be here in the Appalachia area. Thank you to all who have been sending cards and notes. It is wonderful to get mail from back home.

May God Bless you all and keep you safe. Til we meet again.
Jane