Coffee Time

Good Mornin' I've had my coffee, two cups, and am ready for the day. The weather is questionable so I have a list of house chores again for today. Right now it looks OK but I am not sure about later. The storm may have missed us, or it is on a day late schedule like the others.

First of all, an update on our new housemate Bridget. Love her! We were all a little leery as to how a new volunteer will change the dynamics of the house, and it has all been for the better. First of all, she snorts. Not a cute little snort, but a good husky, solid one. And then, if we can keep her laughing, we'll hear a whole line popping; one right after the other. It is awesome! So Lucas and I have a goal at dinner to get her going and see how long it will last. OK, we are not being mean, just curious. Honestly though, she is great and has added another golden thread to the plaid of the house. Bridget is heading over to the east side for orientation and then the commissioning service. Some of us from the house are planning on going over on Thursday for the service, God willing and the creeks don't rise. I hope they all have as wonderful an experience as I did at my orientation.

This week I spent more time working in preparation for Workfest. I took my manager Robyn and a gentleman from the home office to visit three of the families. It was pretty cool. There is a big difference watching an interaction between fellow Kentuckians, rather than a volunteer from out of state. There is a kinship there that just flows in the conversation. The first home we went to was an elderly lady just outside of Manchester in Clay County. She showed us all the pictures of her family and told all the stories that go with them. Her brother was killed in the mine explosion that occurred in 1970. It was the Finley Coal Company and the mine was in Hyden, in Leslie County. I believe there were about 38 people who died in that accident. You should look it up and read more about it. Then we walked the house to look at the work that will be done during Workfest. As we left one of the bedrooms, she picked up her harmonica and started playing for us! How cool is that. It was a great visit and we spent quite a bit of time there.

There were two other families that we stopped at during the course of the day. Those visits were very nice also, but no more harmonica playing.

Thursday night was our house meeting with Kiara, the Volunteer Manager. We got a little more info about Workfest, due to our house being located next to Camp AJ. As current volunteers we are called upon to be there at night for dinner and the night's activities. We have quite a few housing volunteers here at Jackson House so we will be deeply involved in the whole month. I believe most of them will be crew leaders. There will be local musicians that come to entertain, and I am really looking forward to that.

Each week Thursday night is designated as "Family Night". We will all gather at the Oneida Baptist Institute and share in a meal and fellowship. It is an opportunity for all the crews to be together with all the families that received work on their homes. This also offers an opportunity for all the families to meet. I hear it is a very special night. Should be great!

Well, I think I will start my list of chores. I pray you are all doing well. Til we meet again.
Jane