Team Blues Clues

Leyden, Barton & gang arrived to find much of the drywall installed, but with some cleanup to be done yet. Drywalling in the kitchen, bed room and interior insulation began in earnest.

Bob, the home owner has a 3-generation family in his home. He is raising his 15 year old daughter, as well as caring for his elderly parents. The water was over 9 feet deep in the street. Luckily, the home was 2 feet above street level, so Bob took JUST 7 feet of water in the house.

The ceilings were mostly OK, but all the walls had to be gutted. Our job is try gutting the rest of the house, start hanging drywall & begin taping as much as we can.

This team has so much energy, it truly is amazing. 3 new persons, and 3 returning veterans to YSP. We are so blessed.

Team Puchi and the Aquatic Dream Team MONSTARS Go Team, Oh Great!

Otte, Otte and company - When we arrived on site, we came to a cute yellow house. The owner and his friend were outside on the porch smiling and waving. It was hard to believe this happy place was once flooded and destroyed by water. We later were told that there had been 4 feet of water filling in every room of the house. With all the destruction, it was amazing to see how optimistic and hopeful the owners were. They were so friendly and were open to us and told us their stories.

Later we worked on replacing the porch, installing a storm door, and putting in a handrail to the basement. The work is challenging, but it is all worth it when we get to pass God's blessing from us to the family.

Amazing work!

Team DOUBLE TROUBLE

Ruschman, Babcock & gang are working for an older couple named Henry and Cheryl. They had only lived in their home for 2 years when the flood filled their basement and went nearly to the top of the first floor. They have been relying on the generosity of volunteers to slowly gut, then refinish their home and make it livable once again. Even though Henry had flood insurance, the insurance company says it was a sewer back up that caused the damage to his home.

When we entered the home, the gutting was done and the drywalling was nearly complete. We spent our first day sanding and repairing patches and holes. High points in our day include getting together at lunch with a crew from the Presbyterian Relief Team from SD. We hope they'll be able to join us for swimming, dinner and devotions on the Family night.

A nice surprise is when the Salvation Army services stopped and distributed snacks, cold drinks and refreshments to work crews in the area.

Meeting new folks

A good portion of the challenge or fun of YSP is meeting new folks, the family members, as well as crews from other churches.

Team CROWS is having lunch right now with the drummer from The Lovin' Spoonful (rock & roll is not dead).

Team DOUBLE TROUBLE shares lunch and will bring 25 members from the Presbyterian Relief Team from Canistota, SD.

The team previously working at Team CORN left their facebook address on a piece of sheetrock at the house. They are from Naperville, IL - we'll be able to meet them when we get back to the Yellow Box (Community Christian Church) on Friday night.

We all work doing His work.

Team SCORCHERS

Shawn Harris, Bob Lee & company have been working on replacing first floor windows in a 100 year old home. We've been taking out all the old windows and putting in new ones. This is very time consuming, as we are really taking time & care to CAREFULLY remove & salvage the interior casing and beautiful mill work. By doing this, we are giving this family a new view on the world. We feel honored to be rebuilding this family's windows and giving them a fresh start. Even though Jean, the owner, had to deal with 8 inches of water (her first floor is almost 6 feet above the street level), she still keeps a sense of humor which is inspiring.

Our group has all come together to help this family, and in the process we are learning new skills with tools. But we aren't just learning new techniques, also we are learning new things about ourselves, such as we can take out a HUGE window and replace it with a brand new one. We look forward to the rest of our workdays and we are excited to see the finished project.

Team WAVES - Workers Accomplishing Values Every Day S

Turner, Petro & crew - Our job was to help our host family repair the downstairs of his house. They had received at least 11 feet of water during the floods. The entire electrical, water supply, sanitary sewer and heating/furnace systems have been ruined.

Several previous teams from other groups have been here putting in their hardwork trying to restore the house and now it's our turn. We came in to finish the drywalling and get it ready to paint or texture.

Hoon Work Group: Day 1

Greetings from Cedar Rapids! Larry, Rhonda, Aidan, Jamie, Holly, Kyle and Ted are hard at work at the Philips residence. The girls have finished laying down the backer board in the kitchen and have now started tiling. The boys are done playing around with the troublesome shower in the bathroom for now and have moved on to preparing for some tile work. The homeowners are great folks who are very grateful to have such energetic and willing workers help them try to return back to normal life! We are all looking forward to the rest of the week, as it looks like we should be able to finish up these projects!

Thanks for all the support,

Ted

Sunday's Travels & randon thoughts

This morning dawns clear, humid and breezy.

A heartfelt Thank You to the "Yellow Box" Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. You've hosted us on our first leg of the journey, and will be our respite in the return. Thank You for your openness and warmth.

About a 4 hour drive (plus potty stops) from Naperville to Cedar Rapids. Time for us to refocus on the purpose of the mission trip.

As we'll get closer in, the youth will begin to see the signs from the floods from last June. Of the 8,300 homes that were damaged and destroy last year, more than 5,300 have not been touched and repaired. The needs are so great.

Most of the repair effort is coming from faith based groups like us. Tnat's not to say that the government isn't, or hasn't helped - it has. The City of Cedar Rapids has created a position of Assistant City Manager for Disaster Recovery. The need is so great, the challenge so real.

Can we make a difference?
We've already touched at least one family's life. The young man Pucci from the Community Christian Church (here in Naperville) was impressed with MUMC's zeal and drive, and asked if he could join with us.

Back in the day, when YSP was known as ASP (Appalachia Service Project), before Shawn, and Heather, and Kathy, and Judge Swain and . . . . . . the founder of Appalachia Service Project was Glenn "Tex" Evans. A minister who saw the power of high-school age youth, youth like our youth. His basic premise was, and still is, helping one family at a time. As they are, where they are.

That's why ASP, YSP is so powerful. Youth reaching out. Helping families.

As they are, where they are.

Thank yo to all the friends, family and folks back in the Mentor area for all the support and faith in the youth to allow us to begin this year's YSP work.

Saturday in Chi Town

We're just settling down for our evening devotions - had a wonderful service at the Yellow Box, full of energy and thought.

Dinner was Chicago Style Pizza from Shawn's favoirte place. Deep dish has some serious merit. One of Shawn's former students - Pucci - will be joining us all week in Cedar Rapids. A most welcome new member to the extended MUMC group!

The group at the Pier enjoyed the amusement park activities, and the entertainment of several REAL Pirates (Ted says so). Our Dance Team girls were a hit. A Jet Boat tour of Burnham Harbor gave everyone a chance to see and experience the Chicago skyline from the waterside (not quite the Goodtime II but is was GREAT!)

Shed Aquarium - COOL in the Polar Play Zone with Beluga Whales, California Sea lions, HOT in the Amazonian rain forest (the biggest python I EVER saw). Had a chance to see part of the BMX and Vert competition at the AST Dew Tour and Taste of Chicago food & concerts at Centenial Park.

Right now it's starting to rain with a loud & active light show courtesy to serious thunder-boomers.

On the road by 8:00 a.m tomorrow for the final leg to Cedar Rapids - forecast is mid 80's and sunshine all week.

Lord, we may not always know what pleases you, but Lord, we hope that our trying to please You, pleases You.

Keep us in your prayers, your support and strength enable us to extend MUMC's caring and love across the midwest. (photos tomorrow)

Saturday's doings

One of the best sunrises around!!!!! (yep everybody was up by 6:15)

Today includes touring the downtown Chicago area. One group is doing the Navy Pier, a boat tour of Chicago on the Chicago River and the Millenium Amusement PArk.
The other roup is touring the Shedd Aquarium (one of the finest in north america), an IMAX film and Dearborn Avenue.

62 degrees, blue sky and sunshine.

Some days, you are truly blessed to be in His glory and able to stewards of his word.
Today is one of those extraordinary days!!

(photos to follow)

We're In Naperville!

We've made it on the first leg of the Journey.

Some minor challenges (beside the construction and traffic in & around the Chicago Metro area)

Note for next year - have the drivers check their gas in the rental vans BEFORE they get on the turnpike :) Those I-Pass lanes are merely a suggestion - when you realize it's not CASH, it's toooooo late to switch. I'll mail the 80 cents to Illinois Tollroad Commission, honestly I will.

Dinner was at BD's Mongolian Grill - you just had to love it when the manager called "Otte - table for 56, Otte - table for 56 please"

Everyone had a chance to tour the Riverwalk section of downtown Naperville. The Carillon at Centennial Park was ringing it's bells. Ted even cooled off in the fountain at DuPage River Pool (yes Tes, the lifeguards were blowing their whistles 'cuz they liked you!).

The Christian Community Curch (aka Big Yellow Box) is a gorgeous, huge facility. Serving as central hub for 11 campuses around the Naperville/Chicago metro area. We are so blessed to be staying here.

Last minute things

Details, details, details

If nothing, YSP has taught us to be flexible, there are times like we feel that we're juggling the balls and jumping thru hoops at the same time

New coordinating agency means new forms, means last minute signatures and notary seals

Our intent, drive and desire remain the same no matter where, who or when.

Over the course of the years, one of the consistant little things I do, is sign the peak of the roof, or the corner post in a home we've worked on. The names of the youth, the year we've been there and a little scripture "Phil 4:13"

How did you sign your efforts?

Impact and Recovery

Just incase we forgot the impact of the flooding (it was June 13,2008).

For more info on the recovery efforts, check the coordinating link on the right.

Weather Report

Just a few days and we're on the road again.

Accuweather has the daily highs in the mid-90's

Chance of rain on Monday, mostly sunny the rest of the week.

Bring the sunscream and waterbottles!

Don't forget lunch for the drive on Friday!

Tools & Plans

Almost there - - -

Youth tool list:

hammer, tape measure, FLAT carpenter pencil, nail apron

tool box / bucket to keep your gear together

putty knife / scraper, work gloves

safety glasses, dust mask

water bottle

sunscream, bug repellent

long sleeve shirt, bandana/dew rag

Waht to do in Chicago?

Stand under the Giant Bean at the Navy Pier

Sit on Bob Newhart's couch (& get your life together)

See you Thursday evening for the commissioning!

New places, new people

Half the challenge of YSP is going to new places, and that includes new churches.

First leg of the trip is from Mentor United Methodist Church to Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. (TomTom says 416 miles, 6:59 minutes non-stop)

Better known as "The Big Yellow Box", Shawn Harris hails from there and is coordinating the hosting in his former church, as well as the day trip to Chicago on Saturday.

Can we order New York style Pizza in the Windy City?

Let's extend our circle of family and friends.

Short stretch

Yep

It's getting close - single digit midget

Time to sort out the short term overnight stuff

Time to pack the longterm (all week) duffle

Hint: keep your overnight/short term stuff & sleeping bag with you in your travel van. Longterm stuff (don't need it 'til Sunday at Cedar Rapids) goes in the cargo van with your tools.

What about my hair dryer? don't need it

What about my ____(fill in the blank)___ Do you really need it?

Just for today, I'll choose to understand how much is enough.

Focus & planning

As it gets closer to leaving for YSP, I begin the mental checklist for all sorts of things.

- tools
- hot sauce :)
- crew pairings & assignments
- matching skills with jobs
- directions to nearest ER
- duct tape 1 roll or 2?

Busy, busy, busy - but is that really the important thing

Today I'll make a very conscious effort to slow down, and uncomplicate the workplace of which I'm a part.


YSP helps me focus, year after year - being a part of His plan, with His help.


How 'bout you?

Getting Close . . .

Sometimes when we think about YSP, and going on a service mission, we thank the the spotlight is (or should be) on us.

In reality, doing the ordinary things, and just being of service in His name, we do your best to be in the back ground of life.
Always in His eyes, we are on the limelight. His focus.

We don't do YSP, or service & stewardship to others to be in the focus. We do it to praise His name, and be faithful stewards of His name.

Praising His Name is what we should be doing in the quiet moments of our life, deeds and actions.

Right?

Just for the moment, I will stop complaining about my work load & how "it" should be "me".
If is is "impossible" to deal with, then I need to remove myself and find a place that respects balanced people who can contribute to it.

"I" will become the "i" in service.

Struggle for happiness

Being happy is high on my list of "do's."

I find that happiness is essential to good health and contentment.

I struggle, every day, to find this happiness.

Some days it manifests itself in quiet, subtle ways.

On others, I simply smile, loudly.

I call that having a YSP moment.

Moments & Challenges

7 of 9 - MaGhee, Arkansas

Dr. Dan crabbin' - Kenner, LA

Road Trip! - every YSP

I'm On The Roof! - Grand Rapids, MI

All in perspective

Sometimes (well, really most times) things need to be put in perspective.

Very often there is no one right answer. There are many. Today, and in future days, I will try to be flexible in my approach and my expectations.

YSP has a tendency to allow you to take advantage of perspective. Enjoy the hard work, appreciate the time with the families that welcome us, and allow us to be of service to them.

YSP will challenge each of us, and He will enable us to grow in strength with Him when we have strenght in our belief; as well as belief in our strength.