Nicknames given all around

Last week we had two high school groups here...and they were phenomenal! we were a little tired on their arrival...but their energy carried us. Although very out loud and a little crazy(in a good way) they knew how to work hard and when to listen and I think they got a lot out of the week. They gave me my first nickname from a group...and well it was pretty funny. The week was fun and it was one of those that did not seem like work. So thanks guys for being so open, so hard working, and accepting of the farm experience. It really is what you put in, you get out...we just help the week run. I also got to go to the nursing home this week...it was fun...one woman thought i was her deceased husband...but it was nice to see her smile...and i made some other new friends. It was a week of hard work, good weather, and good times...thanks for a good transition back to the farm!

Dad at the Farm and a quick visit home

After the last group left, I was excited to see my dad. He was visiting Kentucky and was coming to see me at the farm! This place is hard to explain completely if you have never been here. So, I was looking forward to sharing with him all the things I loved about being here but maybe could not put into words. Also, I really missed him and was excited to spend some quality time catching up. My dad got here in time for church on Sunday. He got to meet much of the community I so love here. Following church, I took him on a drive all around the county...he saw work sites...we got to go walking...and we even ate at Kenny's! Later that night we planned for our travel the next day and got to spend some time with Wild Woman. Overall, I think my dad enjoyed himself...I know I did!
The next day, we traveled up to Dayton so I could meet with some programs I am interested in for Grad school. I was so scared at first...but once I started talking and listening, I realised it was a great place...and I am excited for that next step in life when I reach it!
After Dayton...we flew home! woohoo! Its hard to remember all I did the days at home because I feel like I could have blinked and it would have been over. There was a lot to do for mom's fundraiser for PD. Everyone did have to work during the days so I kept busy trying to help out, visiting with Nana or at Marist.At night I did get to hang with the fam...and it was really so good to see them...I wish it was longer!
Overall it was a good, quick visit. I got to reconnect with many I miss and love in NY..and the fundraiser was a hit! Overall it reminded Me just how loved I am at home and how lucky I am! I am so thankful for the people in my life...I have been blessed

Week after Easter...opening the farm to New Yorkers

The week after Easter, we were tired from all the business f the season, but I was so excited for the next group to come because they were from New York! Although a different part of the state, I was still very excited to get to know them and connect with other New Yorkers. Also, their college was in the MAAC and raced Marist, so for once they were bound to have heard of my college. When they arrived, to my surprise, there was a fellow 09 Red Fox there. Although we had never met, we lived in similar circles at college, and it was nice to make a connection at the farm. Overall, the week had some challenges just like every other week. Overall, looking back I think I earned a lot about leadership and teamwork. I am so thankful to be working with Jamie and Alex who make me stronger and as a whole make the farm a better place. It was a good week in the end getting to know the students and learning about their lives. Also, we had a mid week visit from past farm friends...which was great and really brought our spirits up! So again, I am thankful for the lessons learned and the people I learned them with.

Easter

I have been fortunate in my life to never have missed a holiday with my family until this Easter. Each holiday at "home" has its own traditions...things that make another year past, and are filled with family time. Holy week for me, is a time where I usually get to be with my family. We go to church and hang out and prep for Easter. We dye eggs and the bunny comes...and on Easter itself we dress up, go to church and see pretty much all of our extended family....its basically awesome.

This year, at first I was sad to be away.. I was thinking of my family a lot...and I know they were thinking of me too. And, at the end of the day...although I missed them...I am glad I was able to spend time with the family I have made here. I started out the day by hiding surprises for my coworkers...the best friends I could ask for in this job...then, they humored me and wore the bunny ears I made for us as we hid over 200 eggs for the kids at church. The mass itself, well it was great. It was packed...everyone dressed up...many had their family visiting...and Father Larry was back...and healthy finally! Joy was just filling the place! After mass, the kids hunted eggs, and we shared tons of food..and many laughs. After mass I went with Jamie to bring communion..which is always fun..and then we spent a large part of the day enjoying the sunshine. We finished the day with dinner with Joe and Laura which is always fun...they even made us Easter baskets. Overall, it was a good day.
So, although I missed being home, I am glad I was here to be a part of the celebration
thankful for the people here..and this place

Holy Week

The last couple of weeks have been counting down...preparing our hearts for the biggest week in the Catholic church...Holy week. We, surprise surprise, had another college group on spring break to enjoy most of the week with us. They arrived in time to help with the Seder meal at church. Some members of another faith attended also, making the event a real community celebration. As the week went on, there are some circumstances that changed their plan... someone had to go home, and they all were pretty flexible about the change...even though it reworked some of their Easter plans. They did a lot of good work, and we shared many stories and many laughs. Again, a great group of people I am lucky to have met. So, thank you for your positive energy...you never complained and you kept us going when we were tired. The group was able to join us for Holy week, in a small service where we all got to wash each other's feet...something that is humbling and beautiful. Their change of plans allowed them to join in for pantry handout...which was a rousing success! The new system, drive through and all...actually works pretty well. We still get to chat with people when they come to the clothing side...which is my favorite! So many of the people we love came through last week...and well it was just fun! A friend even went out of his way to drill through the door and reattach the handle...woohooo...no more coat hanger as a handle...and what a nice gesture!
As the group left, we we settling into our rest time...when we got a phone call to help move some one's furniture. Alex's girlfriend was here so me and Jamie thought we could handle it..it didn't seem like a lot. Well, it was a lot...and I don't know where our strength came from...but as tired as we were the two of us lifted a couch, a bed, shelving, electric scooter, and other items up a large flight of stairs. Although we were tired, and it was 88 degrees...it was empowering and a good way to spend good Friday. After mass we fell asleep. For Saturday we shopped for the following group, and I attended the Easter vigil mass at the Glenmary church in the next county. It was cool how welcoming they were, and nest to see Glenmary function in another setting.
Overall, it was a great Holy Week

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>