Friday - Voorheesville, NY

What we do when we are not building and repairing

The Hammer Heads - Work Day 4

Very late and very tired. The team worked till almost 6:30 getting the job done. We were ready to skip dinner so we could finish. We ran into several obstacles today, but with God's help we overcame them and were able to leave Calvin and Barbara a secure insulated modular home ready for the winter. Cal was especially helpful to the team in suggestions on how w to solve some of these problems, and considering most of us knew little to nothing about trailer skirting before we began, the team felt like we really did a professional job. What is best of all is that we did it and all are fine and have their twelve toes fingers and toes. OK, so we grew some extra thumbs. Just kidding. Looking forward to getting a good night sleep and getting to Vhorreesville, NY tomorrow and home on Saturday. Pictures will be posted tomorrow on what we accomplished, so be looking for them here. In Christ name,

The Maddest Blogger

Load 'em up - heading home (of sorts)

8 crews - 8 residents complete

Awesome work

Awesome connections

Load out Friday morning - heading to Voorheesville, NY (outside Albany)

Thank you all for your wonderful support.

The youths, young adults & adults all appreciate it!

Will you get involved next year? Of Course ....!

Mooseberries Day 4 Work Day

Today was an awesome day. We finished up everything we had wanted to do and left Joan with a house that was secure where every window and door and latch locked. Dan and Holly worked on the basement door, Sabrina and AJ worked on the window stops and then we all painted the deck and fixed the garage door. For lunch we went to Beal's Island for lunch for some Very Local lobster rolls. $120 later, we continued on to the Wild Blueberry Land to take a group picture with the muffin man.
Well, it has been a very long day and its going to be even an even earlier one tomorrow. Goodnight my friends and family and see you soon.

Dirigo Again - Fourth and Final Day

Here you see Sarah Nystrom and Dana Petro demonstrating the tall and short painting techniques they developed this week.

With the help of artist and longtime YSP supporter Lisa Ruschman, Alex Young made this beautiful garden stone for our homeowner, Eva. Steve Silvestro helped present it to her during lunch today. Eva immediately declared that it was much too nice to keep outside.

Before we painted the last section of the house, we all signed our names. We even had those who were visiting the site add their signatures - Rob Lewis, Rob Pauley and Nicole Silvestro. Even though no one will ever see those names again, they will forever be a part of Eva's house - just as she will forever be a part of our hearts.

Today was a bittersweet day for us as we were thrilled to complete the task that had been given to us this week, but we had to say "Good-Bye" to our new and dear friend Eva. If you look closely at the picture of Eva with the youth, you can see her cat and constant companion PeeWee. May God Bless Eva, PeeWee and all those we've met this week in beautiful "down east" Maine.

Words from Flat Tammy

Well the day did not start out too well as I got wrapped up in something early. And I have no idea what a Mooseberry is, though by the sound of it it’s likely something to do with the hindquarters of a moose. Anyway, after what seemed like hours but was likely minutes my gallant knight in shining armor saved me with his Exacto knife, which I used later that day to cut some foam board insulation. And was I ever surprised that you needed a knife to cut foam. I was sure all the bubbles would just pop. But Rob showed me this foam was solid and was used to insulate the bottom of trailers. And I thought foam was only good for bubble baths! So all day long Rob took me too many of the sites where the young people were working. I am so proud to be with them. They may be 3D people but they have 4 D hearts that hold the love of God, the love of Jesus, the love of family and especially the love of their neighbor. It makes me just want to shout for joy. But then I can only make rustling paper noises so I need you to shout for me. Nighty night and looking forward to seeing you soon.

Mooseberries Day 3 Work Day

The team pulled off a "1st strike" attack on the Neil Nystrom and Laurie Babcock's van by shrink-wrapping the entire van. (We expect a retaliation...soon) On our way to the job site we were asked to help the local Historical Society to move some display items that were VERY heavy. We also got a real good lesson in local history from the son of the curator. At the job site we built a rail around the front porch including a rail down the steps. The team installed smoke detectors, re-hung the newly painted shutters, and re-hung a cellar door. We are looking forward to finishing the jobs tomorrow!!