March Maddness at the farm

Sorry for the lack of entries lately. The past three weeks have been great, but crazy...they consumed all I had. We served with over 80 college students for the past three weeks. It was a lot to coordinate, a lot of work to do, and lots of stories to hear and share...it was awesome...but tiring.
I know the whole point of the blog is to update you on my life and how I am doing and events at the farm...and well when things get busy that just gets hard. With the 80+ students the past three weeks there is so much to remember, I almost feel as if I should have taken notes or something...but it was just a lot, so sorry for the vagueness. Overall, it was a blur, it was a challenge and we got a lot done. I met so many amazing people and heard so many stories. We laughed and struggled...it was a challenge. There are so many things to process....
Two of the main things that stick out to me are first that there really are many many wonderful people out there, doing good...I was impressed by all of you..who you are and what you aim to be. Sometimes when you look around the world, you forget that.
Also, I realised how different my life is right now from that of a year ago...not only my location and what I am doing, but how I am doing. Last year at this time I was on a cruise with forty of my friends,still in school, still near to home,(supposed to have everything..on the top of the world) yet I may not have been completely there...you see, I was much more physically fit but emotionally and spiritually I was a bit lost. Here now, I am far from "home"( I have made many strong connections here but am still far from those who have been important in my life for years). I am physically unfit...the most out of shape in years..and yet I am happy...I am emotionally fit and at peace...feeling spiritually strong and closer to God... no matter what comes I feel ready...I am far from home and often miss home, but I am still happy...so its a trade off...but interesting to compare
Overall, these weeks were challenging emotionally-I had to learn to assert myself(I HATE confrontations)...in order to be a good leader. I also had to let go and trust God that I would have enough energy to make it through...trying to put others first. At times it was really hard to keep being open, and keep telling my story and sincerely listening when I was tired....but struggling through that..at times succeeding, and others not...well it was a lesson I am glad to have learned. If I am not healthy I can not be there for others.
phew...that was a lot...and the work..wow...the volunteers did sooooo much! They worked tirelessly at the pantry..and even helped clear out the clothing side...my dream! They visited with many of the community, cleaning houses and bringing cheer.. ears for listening, smiles for sharing, and hearts for caring. They worked with the construction crew..finishing up some rehabs and starting work on a pretty cool energy efficient house right in town. They handed food out at the pantry and at the senior center. They saw wild woman and scooped her cow's poo for our garden and even fixed her cow's fence...how awesome!! Around the farm...well so much was done. We now have blue picnic tables and a box for firewood. We have a revamped woodshed, shiny floors and painted bunk walls. Our garden is prepped for planting and our trails are clear...just in time for spring! We have chopped wood and sewed food bags and cleaned...etc etc etc....thank you thank you thank you!
For me, I was able to have some firsts also...I was given a grease trap shower, I went on my first run in a month, I learned how to make a barbed wire fence, and I even got to use a power washer...cool! Mags and sybil came to visit..which was awesome...just wish it was longer! Also, no vehicle accidents thanks to our new 3ft reflectors on the bridge. Overall, it was a blur, it was awesome...it was a blessing. I was pushed farther than I thought I could go...it was totally worth it. Thank you all who served with us...you were great!
Now, we are off and its time to rest.
peace and God bless,
Colleen

"off week" full of activity?

This past week is has been just me and Jamie at the Farm. Alex is off spreading the message of the farm and visiting one of his favorite places in the world and we are here holding down the fort. After the last group left, we were sad to see them go, but Happy for some rest. And...it came at the perfect time! For the first time in a while I felt pretty sick with a cold. So, I am thankful for this time for recovery. Just as soon as I kicked the cold, a strange bout of poison ivy-like wonderfulness has decided to remain on my eyelid...so its been interesting... But, really it has been a good week. With a few errands in town, and a few trips to help and to visit with people in town...it has been slow. We planned and shopped for the upcoming groups. We had a scare and visited a friend in the hospital...getting there was quite another adventure...and we went to church. Also, we participated in an interfaith reading group of Mitch Album's Have a little faith...and spent some time thinking about what I need from this Lent....Other than that we have had time to recover, rest, read and work on our crafts. So, feeling better and ready to take on March Madness...this overall was a good week. Here's some pics of the things I have been able to work on this week and in the past weeks...(hand sewn quilts, hand sewn outfits for bears, and cards etc etc...also starting a panel for the Parkinson's quilt)

So thanks for tuning in...wishing Peace, sending love <3>

Last week, I almost drove our truck of the bridge...

So, the last two weeks, Lewis County has been hit with record amounts of snow and cold weather...Phew...I thought I was moving to warmer weather coming to the farm...but the days seem remarkably similar to those of New York winters. Luckily we have had groups with good spirits...and creativity...prepared with warm clothing...and ready to face the elements.
The only real bummer about snow in Lewis County is that with the beautiful hilly terrain, snow makes the roads very difficult to drive...shutting down a lot in the county. A few days we were stuck on the farm, which although potentially boring for the groups...gives the farm a chance for catch up...working on projects that make the farm run better. We had the boys this week building shelves for our tshirt sale room, sorting our new shipment and even sewing tshirt bags for the pantry. I know...some had never sewed before, but they did great! After a few days we were able to get off the farm, still we had to drive carefully. It was a pantry week, so we had work to do at the clothing side, and packing the boxes. After a long day of work, we were excited that we just about made it back to the farm. I was driving the truck and Jamie the van behind me...well I had a bad feeling...and stopped the truck to move a tarp laying over the bridge. I couldn't really see the edge of the small bridge on the farm because it was covered with snow... I thought I was fine but stopped just as a student stated... "umm...you missed". I put the truck in park and notice The front left wheel was hanging off the bridge. Great....I didn't know what to do...the truck is our vehicle to pull other vehicle's out... Just as I am starting to panic...help comes from all directions...literally. Jamie and the chaperone's and Alex and the other boys on the farm. After a very long time of reversing and shoveling and pulling with the van and pushing....finally...we got it out....as it happened I literally had tears in my eyes...so thankful for every one's help...and greatful for the best coworkers ever! Later in reflection I realised that sometimes our weaknesses/ failures bring out the best in others. Well, the truck incident...brought out the best in all at the farm that day...thank you guys!

From there, the rest of the week went so well! The group was great! -So fun and full of positive energy....they were great to be around...and they did a lot of great work! SO thanks guys for the memories the laughs and everything you did at the farm! It was another great one for the books!

Wake Up...its pitch dark outside...I know the power is out

Last Tuesday, I woke up with a start...looked out my usually bright window(we have safety lights outside) and saw darkness...saw my clock was off...and realised the power was out. I, was on breakfast crew which meant...I was in charge of waking the troops...getting breakfast and the day started. Not knowing what time it was...not having a phone to call about work sites...and not having power to cook meals...I started to panic a little inside. I felt around for a candle and a match and found my way to my trusty farm manager handbook...in the book it says "flip breakers or call electric company"...so I flip the breakers...knowing most likely that wont work b/c the outage was probably from the snow storm...so I wake up Alex...and eventually Jamie. We light some more candles...decide to wait until daylight to wake the group and start the meal. (we figured out it was about 6am so we only had to wait about an hour for sunlight. We make plans...and wait for the light. Just as I am about to wake the group....the power turns on...HOORAY! so, we had a lovely pancake breakfast...and although we were snowed in on the farm...we couldn't leave b/c the hill was too icy...we made the most of the day. We could tell some of the students were disappointed...they wanted to work..and meet people in the area...and they felt it a waste to stay on the farm....we tried to explain the importance of any work...and some understood...if I was in high school(or even my first two years in college)I know I would not see the bigger picture so easily...so that's impressive that some of them got it so soon.

Anyways....when we got snowed in a second day....it was hard to keep spirits up...but everyone made an effort. Over the two days snowed in we got soooo much done...we sewed many bags for the pantry...we had a sewing circle and shared stories which was really fun! We made Valentines for the Nursing home, and a crate for our athletic equipment. One group tore up the tile in the staff house and another ripped the rotten walls off the woodshed. The group cleaned and reorganised the pantry and the tools shed and the kitchen and the bunks and even repaired our couches...whew...what a list!! Anyways...the group really helped the farm...all the things we don't necessarily have time to do other weeks...were done and done well! Later in the week we did get off the farm...some people cleaned the church, others got to meet Wild Woman and others organised food and shelves at the food pantry...and...and...completely sorted the remaining clothes in the clothing pantry...I know amazing!

Anyways...as a whole it was a week that kept us on our toes...a week that challenged us all...and a week that helped us see things differently. The chaperone's were great which helped a lot! Some highlights include the night out at a local church...the group was awesome...and it was an experience I will always remember...going up for another song...how great!

Overall I feel I was challenged by this week...a lot personally...but I think it was good for me. I was brought back and reminded what it was to be a girl in high school...and I gained a lot of perspective....so thanks for a great week...and thanks for the snowy weather...

Pantry Handout a sucess...now onto a new work week

This past pantry handout was a success...without George and Sue...things were a little confusing at first but everyone stepped up and it went smoothly. Numbers were a little slower than recently...most likely because of the weather...which actually was nice because it gave us more time to talk and spend time with people coming through. Since it was just me and Alex this week, we both stayed for the handout and then did deliveries. It was Nice to chat with those we deliver after because I usually am not on that job.

After the handout we had a quiet weekend. We got ready for the group...did some shopping and went to church.

Our group came in last night and they are great. I can tell already! Today I spent a day with a group at the clothing pantry all day. A job that can often be tedious...and not my favorite and yet, I had fun today. We got so much done!! A clean pantry here we come!!
So here's to a good start of the week...hoping the weather holds out for us!!
Colleen

A Busy Off Week

This week, we do not have a group here, but it is the first week of the month which means...we have some stuff to do. We also are one member down for a few days...another test to see if we can survive when not all three are together. So far, we have been busy planning for the next week, packing commodities, and getting ready for pantry day this week. Actually in the end, we really are not that busy...just some things we have to be responsible for. So far so good...

Also, I have started exercising again...and I feel better even though I am really really out of shape...but the beginning is always the hardest....so here's to a productive spring

Besides that....we lost another cat...Moses got hit by a car....not sure if I mentioned that or not...other than that...the farm is holding up...things are good so far

thanks for tuning in
peace and love,
Colleen

A Week of firsts

So, once again...every week at the farm is different. The weather this week has been back to cold, cold and more cold...
We just got done with a high school group. They were smaller than expected, and a group of all guys, but I think they got a lot out of the farm. They reminded me that if one person is effected by their time here, then it makes it all worth it. Just because the farm is not so new to me, doesn't mean that it can not change the way others see things, it is good to be reminded sometimes. Living here, I think at times I am beginning to take it for granted...the farm and the program...it becomes life and you forget how special it really is....so this week even though short...was good for me

This week I spent a lot of time at the pantry...cleaning and sorting the clothing side and packing the food boxes. I also got to visit with wild woman...it had been over a week since our last visit and we missed her. This week also had a couple first...I had to accompany a student to the doctors for x-rays after he got hurt playing basketball...my first time with a mini crisis...also we had some local visitors come and join for a game of bball...pretty fun...they beat us(even though I did not play lol) anddd...today as I went to check on the bunks....I saw the dogs grabbing the remains of some animals body...yes the same dogs that would not scare off a dog following me on our property had enough energy to rip apart another animal...I still love them anyway...but come on!

Also...i had not been sleeping great lately and I noticed mybed was caving in....so today I moved my bed around...I found that the planks holding my box spring were out...ahha....no wonder it was a little uncomfortable...anyways...its fixed and wonderful now

other than that...its an off week...and it will be a cold one...
until next time
wishing peace and sending all mylove,
Colleen <3