Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. 

Colossians 3:23

Huge right!?

This could not have been more reinforced this week by the entire group of students and leaders who came. A grand total of about 140 people came to Blueprint this week to work on a total of 14 houses. Yes, we were at full capacity in the building. Luckily I never felt like we were climbing over each other. From the first night, I immediately clicked with this group. Not only did they bring middle school kids like the other church but also high school students as well. This created a real great balance among the group as the older and younger kids all got along and mixed. Also, our big group was led by DeeDee's son Chris along with a bunch of awesome adult and college age leaders.

My team posing on the roof.

My team in particular consisted of 8 high school students, mostly going into junior year, and their leader Wes, who used to be the church's middle school youth director. From our very first group meeting I knew it was going to be a great week, I had already gotten the nickname "Princess Diana." (Real original I know.) On top of that, they were open, outgoing, excited, and experienced. Could not have asked for a more perfect group to have on a roof in 100+ weather. Every now and then you would hear one of them shout "What's gonna work?" To which everyone else replied "TEAM WORK!" This was true. Team work really does make the dream work. They did a great job of encouraging and looking out for one another. The spirit of servitude shown through them all as they worked hard to finish a roof for our sweet homeowners, Mr. and Mrs. Huizar. 

Apart from construction, tools, supplies, and home depot this week, I gave my testimony one night during worship. Although I openly talk about my faith, I have never told my testimony at a given time for a large group of people. Although my testimony doesn't include any catastrophic event or major change in life style, I felt like I really connected to the group who was there. I was once in their shoes and went on mission trips, retreats, to youth group, bible study, church, made my best friends in youth group. Therefore, I felt like I easily related to them as the things that they participate in are the very things that helped my lay the foundation for my faith to grow from. I made sure to encourage them to not create their faith through others, but instead begin to also grow and search personally in order to genuinely own their faith. It took a while, and I am still working on it every day, but I have learned that Jesus died for me, and I am in control of my life and how I live for him.

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22

Work in Progress

It is still funny to me that I am in charge of people working on houses. When someone in my group has a question or doesn't know what to do next, they ask me. They are looking to me for instructions. Me? How am I qualified to do this? Do I even know what I am doing enough to tell others what to do? These are questions I ask myself on a daily basis. However, I am learning so much. Each day this week I learned more and more just by evaluating situations and finding the best way to go about it. My feeling of inadequacy is slowly dying away and I am becoming more confident in both my ability and leadership.

This week we sheet rocked a lot of ceiling. The only other time I have worked with sheet rock before this summer was my first mission trip to a Youth Works site in New Orleans. Then, I was merely just an assistant. Needless to say, my first day doing the sheet rock was a lot of contemplation about "What do I tell the kids to do next?" However, we finished the ceiling of a bedroom that had been started, completed a hallway and a bathroom ceiling, insulated all of those areas, and floated/mudded a large majority of what we put up. The pace of interior work is much different than the pace of doing a work. So, all week I felt like we weren't getting anywhere just because there is so much measuring, cutting, seeing if things fit, recutting, drilling, moving ladders, redrilling, repositioning, etc as opposed to a roof where to place and hammer, place and hammer.

My group this week ended up being such a blessing too. The last two nights I got to spend a lot of time off the worksite talking to them and really just investing time with them. One of the coolest parts of this week was homeowner night. Our homeowner who came is not a practicing Christian, but is beginning to show interest more and more into Christianity. Not only did he stay for worship after dinner (which he didn't stay his first week at the homeowner dinner), but he also began opening up about his faith to our team leaders. God really gave a push this week to this witnessing situation. Mr. Gilbert (the homeowner) was planning to take the bus home after, up until the bus didn't even stop at the bus stop. Therefore, the team leaders convinced him to let them take him home, which is when he really began to talk about his faith, or lack of faith. Comes to show, God works in funny ways, even by letting the bus skip the stop.

Also, my group surprised me with a whole bunch of goodies the last night. How neat it was to see the thought they put into the gifts they gave me. They kept joking this week I was a redneck, being from Tennessee. So they gave me a bunch of camp stuff. But, now that I am loving Texas and San Antonio, they also gave me many small Texas related items, as well as Spurs gear. (Go Spurs Go!) Then, the best part, is a plastic toy tool set, complete with plastic screws, nails, hammer, drill that can even be put into reverse, a drill bit and a screw bit, as well as a box to carry it all in. Needless to say, I will bringing that to the worksite with me Monday. Hopefully my group of high schoolers next week find it funny. If not, I will still find it funny.

Overall, a much needed week. I feel much more confident in my ability to do interior work. Even though, I am praising Jesus to be back working on a roof next week, even though the temperatures will be over 100 all next week.
Prayers needed.

Days Go By

Keith Urban puts it best when he says "Its all we've been given, so you better start livin' right now!"

This past week we didn't have a group of campers here so we worked normal work hours (9-5) and stayed at our host homes at night. We really just got to enjoy each other this week after work. We did everything from have a cook out, swim, play Telestrations (awesome game), see Reed get stung by a scorpion, eat Mexican (Karen's favorite--joke), watch movies, read a lot, go for walks, and other miscellaneous activities. Overall, just a fun, relaxing week. Just like Keith suggests, we lived.

One of the best parts about being home this week was spending time with our host mom Mrs. Jana. What an amazing woman. Karen and I had the pleasure of spending father's day with them as two of their children joined, their son-in-law and his parents, their granddaughter, and son's girlfriend. Clearly, we had a full house. We had a beautiful lunch and really enjoyed each other's company before and during lunch. 

Unfortunaley, I couldn't be home with my own Dad this Father's Day. I have to admit: I have the best Dad ever! And no, I do not say that because I am biased. I say it because it is because it is true. =)  I really am so grateful to have such an amazing dad who has always supported me in everything I have done growing up. I cannot think of a time that he ever shot down any of my dreams to say "No, you can't do that." He helped me in countless endeavors to reach my goals and aspirations whether that be through helping me study for a big test or by spending his Saturdays on the track watching and correcting allison and me with high jump. Numerous times, I was blessed with being chosen for homecoming court in high school. The best part of it was Friday night at either the basketball or football game (whichever season it was) and being escorted by him across the crowd. I proudly stood holding the arm of the man who taught me everything: how to ride a bike, sew the holes in my socks, how you should put soap on a screw before trying to screw it in, how to drive, and overall how to live a life through motivation. I could go on for years and years about how amazing my smart, talented, kind, loving, gracious, giving, selfless father is. (Love you, Dad)

This week we have a much smaller group than our last group. Two churches came and between the two we have a total of around 30 people, kids and adults combined. It is a totally different atmosphere having a fourth of the size of our last group. Not only do we take up less than 3 rows in the chapel, but we barely use 4 tables for meals. The last group used over 15 tables! So far, this group of campers has proven to be a tremendous group! My team for the week consists of 3 kids, 2 adults, and me. Yes, there is only 6 of us. An 8th grade girl, her brother who will be a senior, a 10th grade boy, their youth director, and volunteer assistant youth director. They are from Edinburg, TX, near the border. 

Today we completed a roof that the last group had almost finished. Tomorrow we will be working on a different house with the interior sheet rock and ceiling..yuck. So, this should be interesting. Sheet rock, mudding, floating, cutting, screwing, maybe insulating. We shall see. Let's all be in prayer tomorrow that I am knowledgable about the tasks we have to accomplish. 

Also, in sad news for this week, sweet, sweet Mark Gregory passed away. He is Christen's, my sister-in-law, grandfather who has played a grandfather role in my life the past couple years as we have gotten very close to Christen's family. He was a truly inspirational man in that he always followed his dreams. Nothing was ever too big for him. I love him and will miss him. My heart goes out to Andy and Christen and her family. Heaven gained a great addition this week.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Officially 3 Weeks in SA

After 3 weeks in San Antonio, I have to say that I absolutely love it. As you can guess, my week wound up much better last week. A group of 8 crazy middle school kids, 3 adults and I finished a roof for a wonderful woman in 4 days. It is so true. With God, all things are possible. (Phil 4:13--I think this will be my verse for the summer.) It was such an inspiration to see the group of kids really come together and say "yes, we will finish this roof!" Their determination, even though they sure loved their water breaks, was truly something that I will remember throughout the summer when I have other groups. Another awesome thing we do at Blueprint is give the homeowners a scrapbook made by the youth of pictures taken during the week. So the last day the group gives the homeowner the book so that they can remember the people who worked on their house. Our group was so excited to give Ms. Delia her book!

Throughout the week, I was noticing one of my tires acting funny. Finally, after driving back to the Galt's on the interstate, I stopped at HEB and sure enough when I came out my car was tilted. Flat tire. At least it was expected. A very nice man came and helped me change it to my goofy looking spare donut tire. He was a father of three children, one of which had the same thing happen a week before. Flat tire central.

To finish off the week (once I made it home on my goofy looking tire), after we laid out and napped by the pool, Karen and I went to a local coffee shop called Local Coffee (original right?). We relaxed and really had good bonding time away from all the craziness with the group this week. What a relief it was each day to come back to the building and have Karen there. One of her best qualities: listening. Even to my dumb stories.

Saturday we went with the other interns, Sarah, and Doug to get breakfast tacos from Ruthie's. Yes, I did it. Breakfast tacos. And I have to admit..YUM! After that lovely meal, Karen, Sarah, and I have a High School Musical Marathon (which we still need to finish). In the middle of our marathon, I had to go get my tire changed. Adult status. Really, I did feel pretty grown up.

 Later that night, Karen and I went downtown to the Mexican Market Square and the River Walk. I FINALLY saw the Alamo. Didn't realize how tiny it was until then. Still amazing though. We had a bunch of fun just playing downtown and hanging out. We even got ice cream at a little shop along the River Walk. Fun fact about Karen and I: we love dessert. After, we met up with Reed and he took us to Gruene, Texas, a little town about 45 minutes away. 

Sunday we went to The Park, the church that most of the Blueprint staff attends as well as the Galt's and other people we have become connected with, such as our worship leader and summer speaker for our Blueprint camps. What an amazing community of people. It is so personal as it is only about 250 people who attend. We meet in an elementary school cafeteria, nothing fancy, and I love it!

This week we are back to work hours because we don't have a group this week. So we are doing miscellaneous stuff around the building and at some of our homeowners' houses. I am crossing my fingers that I get to go see Ms. Nannie May this week and paint the bars on her windows. Also, I want to go to visit with her. Love our homeowners!

#RoofOnRoofOnRoof Day 2

Tuesday:

I can honestly say that today was about 110% better than yesterday. After Doug came out yesterday, he definitely boosted my confidence. However, driving to the worksite today, I couldn't help but feel dread towards feeling inefficient and unskilled (two feelings I greatly dislike). Anyways, within 10 minutes on the site, my group's teamwork excelled more than I had expected. The awesome group leaders decided that they kids will be able to receive Jolly Ranchers when they do something good. Incentive: always a plus. I even got one for putting on sun screen!

By lunch time, we had a solid system going. Each kid knew their position and were doing it well. Of course we had a few issues at first, but they were easily fixed. One awesome thing was how the kids did not like that their work wasn't right (of course, who wants to be told they are doing something wrong). What made it awesome was that they wanted to learn how to make it better to fix their mistake. Lunch ended up being an hour and a half. Usually this would have bothered me so much because that is a lot of wasted time. However, it was so long because of our long devotional. Now that the devotional was actually long, but because the group really wanted to discuss our topic about how to live each day as a living sacrifice. So neat to see kids that age so interested and having to much input. Thank God for children.

These two awesome girls probably put up half the shingles that we finished on the roof today. So blessed to have these two in my group!

Overall, we finished about half the roof with tar paper and shingles. Tomorrow, we plan to tar paper the back side and finish all the shingles on the front. We can do it! My day was a lot better than yesterday!

#RoofOnRoofOnRoof

(I'm writing this week's blog as each day happens.)

Monday: 

Let's begin with the fact that our group this week is extremely high energy. Since they got here last night, I have heard a constant running and jumping coming above me in the building. To quiet the kids down at dinner last night, Sarah walks out of the kitchen with a big pan and spoon to hit, since her screaming into the microphone wasn't enough. Although they are a big rambunctious, they are fun and full of energy, which will be key to surviving this week on the roofs in this heat. 

Today, my group (about 8 kids & 3 adults) met at Ms. Delia's house. (I have been told by many of the Blueprint staff that I am so blessed to be at her house with her). We began to pull off shingles and cover the roof with tar paper. For all of you who have never done a roof, you're not missing out. To begin with, neither I nor none of the leaders in my group are truly experienced with roofing so it was a somewhat shot in the dark. By the end of the day, the group had left and I was exhausted but hesitant if we did the tar paper correctly. Therefore, Doug came. Needless to say, it was a very humbling experience. He first told me "You have about a tenth of the nails you should have holding the tar paper down." Well great.. On the plus side, Doug and his friend Josh, who is helping out at a house this week, came to my rescue and we put in basically all the nails I should have had my team do on the worksite today. Doug, full of mercy, told me that it was okay, it is his job, and it is a learning experience for me. WHEW. Wiping the sweat off my brow..but really..I was wiping the sweat off my brow, arms, legs, neck, and every other body part that perspires. 

Day #1=a struggle, but yet a success because I am learning. 

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

Group 1

So, we have officially had our first group come through. Wow. Let me tell you about middle school kids..they are awesome!! Unfortunately, our first group only served with us two days, Friday and Saturday. I wish they could have stayed longer. However, this group of 60 students from St. Lukes in Houston painted 6 houses in 2 work days (9-3:30 with a lunch break). Each group was about 10 including students and adult leaders. I have the pleasure of working with two groups! 

My first group worked on Ms. Nannie May's house. (You can see her sitting in a chair outside her house). She is the definition of sweet woman. Not only did she interact with us all day by watching us outside, talking to us, and giving us pecans, she also participated by painting some of her garden decorations. The group of kids on the last day left after we finished while I stayed behind just to finish cleaning up and spending time with Ms. Nannie may. Low and behold, here comes the work teams van and out pops one of the sweet boys with two sonic drinks, a sweet tea for Ms. Nannie May and a cherry limeade for me. Such a blessing working with such hardworking kids who had some of the best team work I have ever seen.

My other house, which I shared with Bryan, consisted of a group of extremely hardworking middle school boys. They were all working every time I stopped over, except for taking water breaks, which are oh so necessary in this Texas heat! (I will try to get a picture of this house from Karen). They painted the house of Ms. Irene Hayes, who I was able to go visit the week before to tell her that we would be painting her house. As Doug described what we do at Blueprint, we watched her eyes light up. She was very concerned that she would be charged for the work which is a common concern among our homeowners. I just learned this really. It is not uncommon for people to say they will do a job, do it half way or not even at all even though the homeowner paid. Clearly, you can see the reasons for the prominent lack of trust. 

One of the highlights of the weekend was us waking up the kids to the Circle of Life from The Lion King. If you want to see a dining hall full of adults jump, turn that song on the surround sound loudly.

Sunday morning the group left and we were expecting a group to come in around 3, even though they got here more at 5. Regardless, our neighbors, the Zia's clean the building between groups for us. Instead of having the weekend to do it, they powered it out in just a morning. We have a big building might I remind. More power to them. Side note: the Zia's are an amazing family! Not only do they parents help us, but all their children as well. I cannot imagine us keeping up with the building without them.

I will keep you updated on the group from this week! We are roofing this week. Sneak peek into my next blog post: roofing is not my favorite thing ever. I repeat. It is not my most favorite thing ever.