SATURDAY ---After months of planning and exciting anticipation, we have made it to West Virginia!!!!

We are sitting and relaxing in Pineville after a wonderful, safe trip.   The weather is beautiful, perfect for sitting on the porch swing and staring at the full moon.  Everyone was a trooper with the long time in the car, but I think everyone is happy to finally have arrived.  I know I am.  I am looking forward to our hike tomorrow.

SUNDAY --- After going to Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Cross in Pineville, we decided to brave the rain and head up to Twin Falls State Park for a hike down to the falls.  Because of the rain the falls were beautiful, lots and lots of water.  Our New Yorkers were brave in their pursuit of the the wilderness, exploring the rocks and streams.  After the hike we rewarded ourselves with a trip to the local Diary Queen.  Next on the schedule was a trip to Mullens to meet up with Rose O'Neil a wonderful women we met 10 years ago when we came into the county.  She gave us the history of the Itmann Food Bank and talked about the devasting flood of 2001.  It is always a treat to be in Rose's presence.   The night wound down with a yummy meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, and a commissioning prayer service to officially welcome the girls to West Virginia.  After our adventures of today, we should all sleep well.

MONDAY --- This morning we began the official service activities with one crew going to a local Head Start and another to the Food Bank.  After lunch we all met up in Mullens so we go on a couple of visits.  After a quick stop at the local St. Vincent DePaul for paint, we headed up to Glen Rogers an area near and dear to the PVs, as it was our first home in Wyoming County 10 years ago.  We were able to catch up with Helen and her daughter Ruthie for a while and check our Helen's latest puzzle.  When the girls asked what Helen did after she finished the puzzle, she matter-of-factly said "I take it a part, put it back in the box and start another."  Helen loves her puzzles.  After we left Helens we stopped by to visit with April and her kids and drop off the paint.

Again, I was very impressed with the girls abililty to NOT get car sick on the long and windy roads.  The trip to Glen Rogers was truely a test.  When we were getting close to Glen Rogers I glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure everyone was doing OK and found 6 sleeping passengers...After we returned home the girls, Patti and Bruce headed to the local park for a little fun and games with some of the neighborhood kids.  It sounds like they had a great time, I myself took advantage of the time for a short nap and began dinner. 

In true PV fashion, after dinner we gathered together for reflection.  Rocco played a song and then we all took turns sharing about someone we have met in WV who has touched us in some way.  The sharing was very inciteful and inspiring.  After the reflection we topped the night off right with Marilyns birthday celebration.   Dairy Queen ice cream cake and all!

TUESDAY ---Our final full day in WV...The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the coffee was brewing and it was once again time to get up head out for the the day.  Today was our designated home repair day with the girls.  Over spring break with the NIU students we met Billy Roy, a man living in Clear Fork, and today we went back to finish the job.  Tiling was the job of the day, but oh was there so much more...a hole in the floor was patched and insulated, a leak in the roof was fixed, a cabinet that was falling apart was put back together, and perhaps most importantly Booger the dog made lots of friends.  The day ended up being longer than planned, but the floor looked beautiful when we left.  Well I should say when I left.  I headed out a little earlier to stop by the grocery store to pick up a few last minute items for a cookout that we had.

The cookout...thanks to Bruce's networking in the community, several local folks came and joined us for our final dinner.  There is something so special about being able to share a meal with friends.  After everyone left (and a viewing of American Idol-a first for a few of us) we had a closing reflection, drawing upon the tradional PV sharing of the new and the good.  At the end everyone was given a piece of coal (from Billy Roys) to take home and remind them of this time.  We wrapped up the service with John Denver and Country Roads, I'm sure a new for all our Brooklyn friends.

Tomorrow we head out and back to New York.  These last several days have been very special for me and I will treasure them for all time to come.  Each and everyone of the young women have been such an inspiration to me with their willingness to risk, trust and try new things.  I look forward to all the new adventures that are ahead.