Day 7 - Work Day Four

Is it really already the end of the week?! 

Today was our last work day and our last full day in Montgomery. It was all hands on deck as we entered the day in full "completion mode" - Set to finish our various tasks and complete our desired goals from the beginning of the week.

A member of our squad, Josh Gillespie, had to leave us this morning. A special thank you for all of your hard work this week! We miss you!

Completed front porch!

Completed back porch!

A new ceiling, hole free!

The new and improved attic!  - Insulated, dry walled, and mudded, it is all set to be used as a room!

Another view of the attic, complete with a newly installed door!

One final day of sack lunches!

Ever wonder how much grease a group of 18 creates in a week?!

Well, this is always the bittersweet part. It is time to celebrate all of the great work we have done. It is time to reflect on friendships, both old and new. It is time to leave Montgomery and head back to Indianapolis. With so many laughs shared and so many memories created, we head home with full and grateful hearts.

We praise God for Ms. Ruby. For WVMAW. For Montgomery Presbyterian Church. For Tim Stewart. 

Thanks be to God.

SQUAD OUT!

Day 6 - Work Day Three

Our third day of work is in the books! After a day of rejuvenation we were eager to get back to work. We had a lot to get done before the day was over. 

We quickly got back into our normal routine, unloading Tim's truck and hopping into action!

There was much to be done. Porches to be painted, drywall to be hung, and ceiling tiles to be laid out and stapled.

Tim brought us a lot of drywall today! First step, unload!

As you can tell, all hands were on deck today in the attic!

We did get a little rain today, so in the middle of their painting the paint crew had to make a plastic fort!

Huddled under their plastic tent! Luckily, the painters were needed in the attic for a new job. The painters became mudders!

Carefully prepping ceiling tiles.

It is hard to believe that this was once a large hole in the kitchen!

We had some curious neighborhood visitors today!

Yet another visitor!

Many hands make for little work!

Drywall, drywall, and more drywall! Measure, cut, and hang!

The entire squad with Ruby and her son, LeRoy!

Our day ended with a surprise field trip to Dairy Queen, courtesy of Grandma Weetman! Thanks, Barb!

After a day off it can be tempting to coast through the next day of work, reminiscing about the fun pool day and simply going through the motions. That was simply not the case today! Everyone played a vital role in the immense progress that was made today. We are getting closer and closer to completing our projects!

As we close out another fantastic day, we were reminded tonight by our devotional group (Claire Estabrook, Hannah Estabrook, Courtney Merrill, Jen Merrill, and Josh Stiles) of what it means to be thankful and how to best share that thankfulness. 

Thanks be to God for this incredible group.

SQUAD OUT!

Day 5 - Free Day!

It is hard to believe that it is already Wednesday! Today was our break from all of the hard work we have been doing over the past couple of days!

We took FULL advantage of our free day today, making stops at two different places! First, we stopped at the New River Gorge Bridge and second, we made our way to the New River Park Pool. 

However, before we could make our way to either place, we had to be sure we ate a good and hearty breakfast. The solution? Amy Stiles' Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, of course!

With stomachs full of this deliciousness, we headed out for a day of rest and relaxation!

Our first stop, New River Gorge, to check out the New River Gorge Bridge. It is the longest steel span bridge in the Western Hemisphere and the third highest in the United States.

The whole squad in front of the bridge!

Our next stop, the New River Park Pool!

Complete with an AWESOME water slide!

Discussing their next move, slide or diving board?!

Pool shenanigans were in full effect!

The day at the pool ended with a wonderful cookout, complete with hot dogs and burgers. Thanks to Frank for taking the lead on the grill!

Well, after a relaxing yet eventful day we are back to work tomorrow! We will return to Miss Ruby's house renewed and restored, ready to tackle the tasks that lay ahead!

Our devotional group for the night, Joshua Gillespie, Erin Mansell, Kelsey Merrill, and Spencer Wells, did a great job tonight of reminding us of how important it is that we take our joyful hearts to the work site tomorrow.

With full hearts we head to bed ready to embrace our work tomorrow.

SQUAD OUT!

Day 4 - Work Day Two

Today we completed our second work day with WVMAW, working again at Miss Ruby's house.

Our day began with a 6:30AM wake up call and a quick breakfast. We made our lunches, packed them in the coolers, and headed off to our site. Upon arrival, we, once again, began dispersing to our various job locations. The painters began preparing and prepping for the day. The kitchen crew started to plot a plan for the kitchen ceiling. The attic group dove back into their various responsibilities. 

Similar to our first work day, today was a HUGE success.

Our morning started with a "greeting" from the neighbor's dog!

And look! Another "greeting!"

 The painting crew got off to a fast start!

The painting crew having a bit of fun while they wait for the paint to dry before they put on a second coat.

While the insulation crew continued (and finished!) insulating the attic, a drywall crew began hanging drywall.

The circular saw "saw" a lot of action today!

Tim explaining his thoughts about how to best finish the kitchen ceiling.

Clearly, Zach did not agree with Tim's plans. In a rather weird act of protest he sat on the refrigerator. 

Once again, the circular saw!

The attic: Full insulated, ceiling baseboards installed, and much of the drywall hung.

The kitchen: Boards screwed in place for tile to be set in place.

The porch: A fresh coat of paint and a newly painted walkway.

These pictures hardly tell the story of how amazing today was! As you can see, everyone worked extremely hard today and, as a result, we were able to far exceed our goals for the day! 

We also had our first youth led devotional of the week this evening. Mariah Judy, Ben McKinnon-Duggins, Zach Merrill, and Zach Stiles led us tonight. They did a fantastic job taking the lead as the first devotional group of the week! 

After two days of intense and focused work, tomorrow is our free day! We will be exploring New River Gorge as well as making up our missed opportunity to swim at New River Park! I am certain there will be a lot of great pictures to share! 

SQUAD OUT!

Day 3 - Work Day One

Today was our first work day here in Montgomery with WVMAW! Luckily, we all spent the day at the same site, working at the home of Miss Ruby!

Ruby has been living in her house for over 50 years and as you might imagine, after 50 years her home needed a few repairs. 

JKPC Youth to the rescue!

Tim Stewart, our site supervisor for the week, laid out the plan of attack for us. We started on three specific projects. We were to rehab and repair the porch and cinder block siding, fix a hole in the kitchen ceiling due to water damage, and update an unfinished attic.

Our group split up into smaller teams and began our work on the various projects.

And so the work begins! Groups are dispersing to their various responsibilities. 

Scarping up paint off of the porch.

Wire brushing the cinder block.

The hole in which water damage had occurred. 

The covering over the hole was removed and old insulation was cleared out.

Measurements being made for a new covering.

The attic work started with preliminary prep work: remove old nails and organize storage items.

The more intensive work came after: measuring, cutting, and screwing in place a new wall foundation while also installing new insulation. This is all in preparation for laying drywall.

Once the cinder block was properly cleaned, painting began.

The work continues! 

 But don't worry, we found some time to enjoy our delicious hand packed lunches. 

And...

Enjoy some relaxing time together!

Tomorrow we will return to Miss Ruby's to continue our work as we ask, search, and knock for God's presence.

SQUAD OUT!