This week we are busy getting things ready for our last big work day, first volunteer training, and family orientation and sign-up for our after-school program! I am so glad to be here doing this! When I got a facebook message back in June telling about the after-school programs BigHouse planned to start in August, I had a strong jealousy to be there doing it, not just watching from a distance. And here I am - working my proverbial tail off.
I am in charge of volunteer training which means I've written the volunteer handbook, gathered supplies, compiled the volunteer email list, organized the volunteer office, all while doing 100 other small things around the building. (And not so small things too.) We have 2 hour training sessions on Saturday and Sunday. We will have additional training sessions for new volunteers as needed one Sunday per month.
I've made another list of things to buy at Dollar Tree/Walmart/Sam's. I signed us up for a Sam's Club Membership on Monday - not as easy as you would think. We got a good amount of snack supplies there.
So now I'm headed out to run our errands!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Shopping Spree
So this morning I went shopping for all of our remaining supplies for the After-School Program. I went to WalMart, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General. Dollar Tree was by far my favorite because I bought lots of prizes for our BigHouse Bucks Prize Shop (BigHouse Bucks is the reinforcement system I came up with).
I've technically been working since 7am - I didn't even go home for lunch and nap time like usual - but several things have been thwarting my progress since I got back to BigHouse. First, one of the three staplers I bought at Walmart broke - the spring came apart. Now, it was only $3, but I thought I could fix it, so I tried and tried and tried and finally after a ridiculous 45 minutes, gave up. It's in the "to be returned" stack on my desk. Next came the mouse poop. We have a dresser type piece of furniture in the outer office for our volunteer computer and printer. In the bottom drawer I was going to put our first aid kit and flashlight. Well the drawer was dusty and dirty inside so I took it out to shake it outside, and -hello!-mouse poop all in the bottom of the dresser. Gross. First I tried to sweep it, but because there was a lip, I ended up having to get out the vacuum, which worked like a charm. So next I moved on to organizing the catch-all drawer in the kitchen, which was when I noticed a busted package of grape jam (not naming any names here, but his initials are MBM)...as you can see, there are no quick tasks at BigHouse! Oh and meanwhile my computer got a virus. "My Security Shield" is a virus that looks like Windows popping up with alerts about unwanted programs. Just so you know. And then it won't let you download anything to get rid of it, so that's how I ended up having to use a computer in the tutoring room to download the files on a jump drive and go back and forth between rooms to read the directions.
So, I'm exhausted. And starving. The good news is, Micah and Blake are home! And I'm going to eat with my Bible study girls tonight. But first I need a snack, and maybe a nap. Happy weekend to you!
I've technically been working since 7am - I didn't even go home for lunch and nap time like usual - but several things have been thwarting my progress since I got back to BigHouse. First, one of the three staplers I bought at Walmart broke - the spring came apart. Now, it was only $3, but I thought I could fix it, so I tried and tried and tried and finally after a ridiculous 45 minutes, gave up. It's in the "to be returned" stack on my desk. Next came the mouse poop. We have a dresser type piece of furniture in the outer office for our volunteer computer and printer. In the bottom drawer I was going to put our first aid kit and flashlight. Well the drawer was dusty and dirty inside so I took it out to shake it outside, and -hello!-mouse poop all in the bottom of the dresser. Gross. First I tried to sweep it, but because there was a lip, I ended up having to get out the vacuum, which worked like a charm. So next I moved on to organizing the catch-all drawer in the kitchen, which was when I noticed a busted package of grape jam (not naming any names here, but his initials are MBM)...as you can see, there are no quick tasks at BigHouse! Oh and meanwhile my computer got a virus. "My Security Shield" is a virus that looks like Windows popping up with alerts about unwanted programs. Just so you know. And then it won't let you download anything to get rid of it, so that's how I ended up having to use a computer in the tutoring room to download the files on a jump drive and go back and forth between rooms to read the directions.
So, I'm exhausted. And starving. The good news is, Micah and Blake are home! And I'm going to eat with my Bible study girls tonight. But first I need a snack, and maybe a nap. Happy weekend to you!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hello August
I was doing such a good job of updating my blog every day or so...then Micah and Blake and Anderson went to the beach and I've been running around like a crazy person trying to get things done at BigHouse. So here are the highlights:
Sunday - I went to Sunday School at 9:45. It was even more fun this week since I'd met several people when they came to help with the Clothes Closet last week. After church I went out to lunch with 7 others to Chili's. (Note for Cantonites - Chili's Chicken and Green Chile soup is very similiar to Tecali Grille's Caldo! A delicious surprise.) I had a really good time and took home a whole bag of tortilla chips with the salsa and a bowl of soup. Sunday evening I went to church and then we all went over to the Scoggins house for pancakes - very fun! We also played spoons, which was hilarious. I'm really enjoying the One2One Sunday School class!
Monday - Worked at BigHouse all day but felt like I had little to show for it. Some people from Valley High School's Band showed up with a trailer full of clothes for the clothes closet. Overwhelming! We put them in the reading room to be sorted. Monday night I ate supper with the Browns. Angie makes AWESOME mashed potatoes!
Tuesday - Lo and behold ANOTHER huge load of clothing donations showed up. Overwhelming x2! The morning was very frustrating because I started several things that either had to be redone, put on hold, or amounted to very little. When I came back after lunch I decided to take on the clothes sorting task since no one was coming to help (despite my facebook pleas). I called Angie because I found several things I thought her girls might be able to wear, so she came over and helped me for about an hour and a half I think. BLESS HER! I spent about 31/2 hours in there and only got through about half of the stuff, if that tells you anything. Tuesday night I went to Bible Study at Libby's. We had great discussion and next week we're doing a potluck dinner so I'm bringing the famous funeral Fudge Pie.
Today - I got very frustrated again at my computer, PeePaw (no offense to anyone's grandfather, but I'm convinced my computer has dementia). I had to leave the office and come to Jesus - I told Him I cannot do anything for BigHouse on my own, obviously, and I needed Him to just show me what to work on since everything I started was being thwarted. So I started prayer walking the building and felt much calmer when I returned to my desk. Miraculously PeePaw reacted much faster for the rest of the day. I ran some errands which were also very productive. And now, I've updated the blog! Hooray! I am hungry so I'm heading out. C-Ya! (that's for you, Jess, even though you're in wedding mode and probably won't read this - love you!)
Sunday - I went to Sunday School at 9:45. It was even more fun this week since I'd met several people when they came to help with the Clothes Closet last week. After church I went out to lunch with 7 others to Chili's. (Note for Cantonites - Chili's Chicken and Green Chile soup is very similiar to Tecali Grille's Caldo! A delicious surprise.) I had a really good time and took home a whole bag of tortilla chips with the salsa and a bowl of soup. Sunday evening I went to church and then we all went over to the Scoggins house for pancakes - very fun! We also played spoons, which was hilarious. I'm really enjoying the One2One Sunday School class!
Monday - Worked at BigHouse all day but felt like I had little to show for it. Some people from Valley High School's Band showed up with a trailer full of clothes for the clothes closet. Overwhelming! We put them in the reading room to be sorted. Monday night I ate supper with the Browns. Angie makes AWESOME mashed potatoes!
Tuesday - Lo and behold ANOTHER huge load of clothing donations showed up. Overwhelming x2! The morning was very frustrating because I started several things that either had to be redone, put on hold, or amounted to very little. When I came back after lunch I decided to take on the clothes sorting task since no one was coming to help (despite my facebook pleas). I called Angie because I found several things I thought her girls might be able to wear, so she came over and helped me for about an hour and a half I think. BLESS HER! I spent about 31/2 hours in there and only got through about half of the stuff, if that tells you anything. Tuesday night I went to Bible Study at Libby's. We had great discussion and next week we're doing a potluck dinner so I'm bringing the famous funeral Fudge Pie.
Today - I got very frustrated again at my computer, PeePaw (no offense to anyone's grandfather, but I'm convinced my computer has dementia). I had to leave the office and come to Jesus - I told Him I cannot do anything for BigHouse on my own, obviously, and I needed Him to just show me what to work on since everything I started was being thwarted. So I started prayer walking the building and felt much calmer when I returned to my desk. Miraculously PeePaw reacted much faster for the rest of the day. I ran some errands which were also very productive. And now, I've updated the blog! Hooray! I am hungry so I'm heading out. C-Ya! (that's for you, Jess, even though you're in wedding mode and probably won't read this - love you!)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Just for Jen
So obviously I started this blog just so J Puckett could stalk me in my new life in Opelika...
Now on to the real post: We found out this week that we received a Google grant - it's not $$ in the bank, but free GoogleAds! So I've taken on the project of creating our Ad account and making cool ads for BigHouse that will appear in the side bar of the search results pages. I'll let you know when they go live.
In other news, we are updating the website today! We've got cool online registration forms for our families and volunteers, and we want to put up all our new pictures and info. We've got a list of things to do in the next two weeks - several of which I'll be tackling on my own since the Melnicks are headed to the beach on Sunday and will stay for a week.
Our Clothes Closet Back-to-School event was a huge success - we had 64 children get clothes. A total of 540 items! We also gave out school supplies donated by Cornerstone church.
Keep praying for our after-school program - that we will get as many families involved as possible and have the right amount of volunteers to minister to them.
Reading the Bible: yesterday I read about the throne room in Isaiah 6 and Rev. 4. Today I read Zechariah 1-5.
Prayer: Thailand! For Jess and David who love it so much.
Now on to the real post: We found out this week that we received a Google grant - it's not $$ in the bank, but free GoogleAds! So I've taken on the project of creating our Ad account and making cool ads for BigHouse that will appear in the side bar of the search results pages. I'll let you know when they go live.
In other news, we are updating the website today! We've got cool online registration forms for our families and volunteers, and we want to put up all our new pictures and info. We've got a list of things to do in the next two weeks - several of which I'll be tackling on my own since the Melnicks are headed to the beach on Sunday and will stay for a week.
Our Clothes Closet Back-to-School event was a huge success - we had 64 children get clothes. A total of 540 items! We also gave out school supplies donated by Cornerstone church.
Keep praying for our after-school program - that we will get as many families involved as possible and have the right amount of volunteers to minister to them.
Reading the Bible: yesterday I read about the throne room in Isaiah 6 and Rev. 4. Today I read Zechariah 1-5.
Prayer: Thailand! For Jess and David who love it so much.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friends
Last night I went to Bible study at Libby's house - it was wonderful! There were only four of us, since some people had other engagements, but I enjoyed getting to know the other three and start discussing the book. Since I just got my copy yesterday, I hadn't done the homework but we had plenty to talk about anyway. It reminded me alot of the Bible study I went to in Cleveland at Sharon's house. Probably because Libby and Sharon are both sweet spirited, quiet girls who love the Lord and are so hospitable to guests. I left thanking God for my new friends and aching for quiet time with him. So I went home listening to Charles Stanley's radio broadcast (with serveral "Amens" from me), and got started reading Crazy Love!
Today my dear friend and college roommate, Jennifer, and her husband Adam are coming to visit! They live in Denver, and are nearing the end of their southeast tour - they've been visiting friends and family in Alabama and Georgia for the past month. I can't wait to see them, show them BigHouse, and go out for lunch.
God is so good to me - letting me spend time with old friends and make so many new ones so quickly!
Bible reading: I read Genesis 1 and 2 this morning and wrote down all the verbs - What God did, What God told Man to do, What Man did. Fascinating!
Pray for the world: Today I'm praying for India where a missionary friend is spreading the Gospel to Muslims.
Sacrificing my money: I'm planning to set aside money I would normally use on soft drinks to buy a share of a well through World Vision. The problem is I don't carry cash with me so I think I'll keep a tally in my little book in my purse (thanks Mom!).
Multiplying community: Getting to know my Sunday School class and church, building our BigHouse community by meeting families and volunteers.
Living outside of my context: Planning service projects in the community with our Bible study, praying about taking a mission trip overseas.
Today my dear friend and college roommate, Jennifer, and her husband Adam are coming to visit! They live in Denver, and are nearing the end of their southeast tour - they've been visiting friends and family in Alabama and Georgia for the past month. I can't wait to see them, show them BigHouse, and go out for lunch.
God is so good to me - letting me spend time with old friends and make so many new ones so quickly!
Bible reading: I read Genesis 1 and 2 this morning and wrote down all the verbs - What God did, What God told Man to do, What Man did. Fascinating!
Pray for the world: Today I'm praying for India where a missionary friend is spreading the Gospel to Muslims.
Sacrificing my money: I'm planning to set aside money I would normally use on soft drinks to buy a share of a well through World Vision. The problem is I don't carry cash with me so I think I'll keep a tally in my little book in my purse (thanks Mom!).
Multiplying community: Getting to know my Sunday School class and church, building our BigHouse community by meeting families and volunteers.
Living outside of my context: Planning service projects in the community with our Bible study, praying about taking a mission trip overseas.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Already sweating
I should stop making to-do lists...yesterday I had six things on my list, and only 2 got accomplished. Not that I didn't try to fulfill most of them, like get a PO Box - I spent a long time at the post office to check that off the list, but apparently I need something showing my residency in Opelika to get a box. (I thought that's what having an address was for...)
Things I did accomplish yesterday: organize the music room, find my Bible (in the backseat of my car - "Jesus is my backseat driver!"), make a WalMart run, help organize school supplies, get the Clothes Closet volunteers set-up, and run other various errands.
Blake's mom cooked supper for us which was awesome (Jenna - I ate butter beans. Victory!). I still feel like I'm on a mission trip - I work, get hot and sweaty, eat, take a nap, do more hot work, eat a meal that someone else has cooked, take a shower, fall asleep. Actually I wouldn't mind repeating this for a long time...especially the eating and napping. Showers also feel so much better on a mission trip.
Tonight I'm going to Bible study at Libby's house - we're going to be reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I'm excited to get to know people from my Sunday School class! Several of them came to volunteer at the clothes closet yesterday - awesome!
Things I did accomplish yesterday: organize the music room, find my Bible (in the backseat of my car - "Jesus is my backseat driver!"), make a WalMart run, help organize school supplies, get the Clothes Closet volunteers set-up, and run other various errands.
Blake's mom cooked supper for us which was awesome (Jenna - I ate butter beans. Victory!). I still feel like I'm on a mission trip - I work, get hot and sweaty, eat, take a nap, do more hot work, eat a meal that someone else has cooked, take a shower, fall asleep. Actually I wouldn't mind repeating this for a long time...especially the eating and napping. Showers also feel so much better on a mission trip.
Tonight I'm going to Bible study at Libby's house - we're going to be reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I'm excited to get to know people from my Sunday School class! Several of them came to volunteer at the clothes closet yesterday - awesome!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Moving Day/Getting Settled
Yesterday Katie, Chase, Jessica, and Kevin helped move the rest of my stuff out of Mema's house in Cumming, GA to Micah and Blake's house in Opelika, AL. After three stops, we finally made it and ate lunch. We went over to BigHouse to drop of all my music and office stuff and give Katie, Chase, Jess, and Kevin a tour. I think I was the most impressed! Micah and Blake and the summer interns did SO MUCH in the past week: cleaning, painting, decorating, moving furniture, hanging curtains, organizing supplies...it was like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! I'll put pictures up when I get the music room and our office situated (they're the most important, obviously).
Last night, Blake's Jeep broke down (maybe for the last time) on the interstate while he was running BigHouse errands. Luckily, even though his phone got laundered last week, I still had my tie-dye phone and we'd already put his sim card in my phone, so at least he had a phone to call for help! I'm using the tie-dye phone now so he can use the blue one - I forgot how much I love that phone!
This morning I went to church at First Baptist Opelika, all by myself since Micah and Blake were getting everything ready for today's board meeting. I went to the One 2 One Sunday School class, taught by the preacher's wife - she is wonderful! I felt so lucky because it was basically like getting another sermon (I'm still sermon-deprived from children's worship). I went to the 11:00 service with three girls from the class. I'm going to the women's Bible study that one of the girls, Libby, is hosting. It starts on Tuesday night (good timing!).
We had a BH board meeting this afternoon and they voted to hire me as a contract worker. I'm glad they voted yes so I didn't have to call Kevin, Jess, Katie, and Chase to come move all my stuff back to GA (although I'm sure they would have and I'm pretty sure I could have my job back at Therabeat too.)
Blake just moved the air conditioners and fans upstairs to the Clothes Closet since we're having Back-to-School week starting tomorrow for the families to come by and get clothes. So it is very hot here and we should leave soon.
Last night, Blake's Jeep broke down (maybe for the last time) on the interstate while he was running BigHouse errands. Luckily, even though his phone got laundered last week, I still had my tie-dye phone and we'd already put his sim card in my phone, so at least he had a phone to call for help! I'm using the tie-dye phone now so he can use the blue one - I forgot how much I love that phone!
This morning I went to church at First Baptist Opelika, all by myself since Micah and Blake were getting everything ready for today's board meeting. I went to the One 2 One Sunday School class, taught by the preacher's wife - she is wonderful! I felt so lucky because it was basically like getting another sermon (I'm still sermon-deprived from children's worship). I went to the 11:00 service with three girls from the class. I'm going to the women's Bible study that one of the girls, Libby, is hosting. It starts on Tuesday night (good timing!).
We had a BH board meeting this afternoon and they voted to hire me as a contract worker. I'm glad they voted yes so I didn't have to call Kevin, Jess, Katie, and Chase to come move all my stuff back to GA (although I'm sure they would have and I'm pretty sure I could have my job back at Therabeat too.)
Blake just moved the air conditioners and fans upstairs to the Clothes Closet since we're having Back-to-School week starting tomorrow for the families to come by and get clothes. So it is very hot here and we should leave soon.
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