ASB Day 5: DHGH & good-byes

 On the last day of alternative spring break, my group went back to the house we painted Tuesday.

We didn't get to see the final project, but the man in charge assured us it would be completed.

 The family had some beautiful flowers in their front yard.

Of course I needed to snatch a few pictures.

 More sweets after lunch...go figure.

Our last afternoon was spent working with the kiddos at Frazee.

This is Jeremiah.

Isn't he adorable in those glasses?

It was hard for me to say good-bye to my buddy Avias.

He couldn't exactly grasp the concept that I wouldn't be returning to help him with his homework.

Nor could he grasp the concept that I was in college, about to graduate and get a job.

He told me to come get a job at Frazee so I could help him do his homework.

I got choked up then.

Although good-bye was hard, I knew that he was left in good hands with the other volunteers. 

Our whole group.

All 28 girls.

(male volunteers needed, please)

A lot of times people ask why I participate in alternative spring break.

To me, drinking on a beach for hours on hours doesn't seem that intriguing.

I'm sure the warm weather and state of relaxation is awesome.

However, I couldn't imagine myself spending spring break any other way.

I have learned an immense amount about others and myself.

After my freshman year ASB trip to New Orleans we were reflecting and talking about cultural differences (Midwest v. south)

It dawned on me then, that even though people are vastly different, we are all still the same.

Everyone wants to love and be loved.

I found the same reoccurring theme all four years. 

ASB Day 4: Project Host

On the fourth day of spring break, my group volunteered at Project Host.

Project Host is a soup kitchen.

Kasha and I shredded a huge turkey for the soup and greeted guests at the door.

All of the guests came in or left with huge smiles.

I love that smiles are contagious. It was a happy place inside.

Such an incredible feeling to know that you helped make someones day better.

After serving lunch, we went to The Frazee Dream Center.

Frazee is an old church/gym/office space.

The church is used for various gatherings in the community and of course to worship the Lord.

 Here is my buddy again.

He loved wearing Natalie's big sunglasses.

My heart strings were pulled everyday when he would look up at me with his big eyes and say, "will you help me with homework today?"

Ahh man. I get chills just thinking about it.

Avias is doing well in school, but still struggles.  He is seven years old and in kindergarten.

He loves to ask how to spell things. 

He is great at coloring.

He is a bit wild.

He made such an impact on my life.

 Here is Natalie working with Xavier on sign language.

Natalie is graduating in a year and will be a special education teacher.

She is incredible.

 This is a look inside Frazee.

Story hour was always interesting.

I forgot how hard it is for small children to sit still and follow 'criss cross applesauce.'

 Here the kids are playing 'steal the bacon.'

Fun game.

If you ever want to play, holla at me.

 For dinner we had brick oven pizza. (and sweet tea of course...!)

Num num num.

So Delicious.

 We also found a bakery with cake pops.

Red Velvet?

Yes, please!

That evening we wandered around downtown.

Met an artist and listened to a young lad play his guitar.

Finding a cab back to the hotel was a story in itself.

A funny one though, ask me about it in person if you're interested.

ASB Day 3: Diligent Hands Gracious Hearts

On the third day of alternative spring break, my small group worked with Diligent Hands Gracious Hearts, a non-profit dedicated to helping eldery/low-income families with house maintaince.

We put on paint clothes, grabbed our paint brushes and got to work!

The sun was a shining and we were a singin'! 

After  volunteering in the morning, we went downtown to enjoy a picnic lunch followed by yummy homemade ice cream. 

 

Following ice cream we went to Frazee Dream Center and worked with our adorable kiddos.

This is my buddy for the week, Avias.

He stole my heart when we made up a secret handshake.

Seriously love this little guy so much. 

After Frazee, we went back to the hotel, cleaned up and went out for sushi.

 

 

Such a fun night filled with beautiful people.

ASB Day 2: Harvest Hope Food Bank

 On the second day of spring break, we volunteered at harvest hope food bank,

a distribution center for the food banks in south carolina.

We sorted 11 pallets of food for the hungry.

Someone else shared my love for colored kicks.

 Despite the cold temperatures (we literally worked inside of a huge refrigerator) we had a blast.

It was incredible to see all the food boxed up ready to be shipped out.

 After working at the food bank all morning, we had lunch.

In the afternoons we worked at Frazee Dream Center.

Frazee is an incredible non-profit that I will give you the low down on in the next post.

After working at Frazee we headed back to the hotel to clean up for a night on the town.

 Before dinner we went to see the waterfalls.

We witnessed a man proposing to his girlfriend while we were there (everyone say: awww!)

 Smoke on the Water, a southern style restaurant, was our dinner choice.

We bought a bottle of wine and sipped it while we waited for our food to be served.

 I ordered the 'greens monster'

Hands down, the best salad.

Ever.

Greenville's downtown is so so adorable.

lots of lights.

shops.

restaurants.

We loved that city.

ASB Day 1: Nashville

 on the first day of spring break, our group had a free/fun day.

we walked downtown amidst the cowboy boots & hats.

(giggled at the country twang here and thur)

 

 many beautiful buildings and trees in bloom.

 the country music hall of fame was one of our stops.

all of the gold & platinum records were mesmerizing.

taylor swift's dress was my fav.

 

for lunch we ate at the wild horse saloon.

yummy food plus a big dance floor that wasn't being used.

(they teach square dance lessons in the evenings)

kasha, natalie, and i split this huge margarita.

dangerously good.

 

  

 

later in the afternoon we walked around this gorgeous park and hit up a farmers market.

by 4:00 p.m. we were on the road again headed for our destination: greenville, sc!

i'm back

from a wonderful week of spring break.

we enjoyed a fun day in nashville, tn. and four days of service work in greenville, sc.

many many pictures to come.