We do work, really!

So we realized that our posts and pictures so far have only shown us at play! And even though our jobs don't always feel like "work," that is what it technically is. We work with some amazing people who have taught us a lot in our jobs, about the area and about ourselves. Maybe we can get the girls to share a something specific about their experiences so far :)

Here are some pictures at work:

Christina works at Heart & Hand, a ministry that operates two thrift stores, a garden market, provides food boxes to people in need, financial emergency assistance, among other things. Christina typically works in the Philippi thrift store sorting and stocking racks, in the office making up food boxes and keeping the food storage room stocked and organized. And one day a week she goes with Mike to do "pick-up's," which is usually furniture and other household items that people are unable to bring to the store themselves. Mike drives the truck and together they do the heavy-lifting!

Ranita works at The Myers Clinic. The clinic is a mainstay community, providing health care to the community since 1933. At the clinic, Ranita gets to do a variety of jobs with hands-on experience of how a health center runs. She has checked in patients (collect information, take temperature, weight, height, blood pressure), performed basic laboratory tests, answered patient calls, and contacted pharmacies. She has also worked in registration, filing and scanning. Plus, there is usually lot's of food brought in!

Tara currently works a couple of jobs, with another one soon to begin! She works a couple of days at the World Vision Storehouse. The Storehouse operates much like a Lowes or Home Depot with items for construction and around the house, donated from large companies like those mentioned. There is also a Gifts in Kind section that is specifically for churches and other charitable organizations to go through and pick up things like clothing, self-care items and other random things for them to give away. Tara does sorting, stocking, cleaning and whatever else they need done.

Tara also works a couple of days at Heart & Hand, also sorting donated items and food in the pantry. Hopefully beginning in the next week, she will start work at Philippi Elementary as a teacher's aide. She will help the first grade teachers specifically, grading papers, making copies, and working one-on-one with students. The plan is also that she will get to use her art interests and do some special projects with kids during their library time.

Tara and Christina enjoy a snack at World Vision. Heart & Hand was closed for Veteran's Day so Christina joined Tara at work.

We leaders are also very busy with our various jobs. Mike is currently working one day a week at World Vision doing various jobs like laying carpet (as pictured), sorting, stocking and recently installing tv's. He also works one day driving truck for Heart & Hand doing pick-up's with Christina. This is all in addition to his work for Goshen College here at the ITS Media "east coast satellite office." As well as all of our SA Leader duties, of course!

I (Heidi) am working for Heart & Hand a couple of days a week in the office doing some bookkeeping work, as well as marketing. I wrote an article that was published in the county paper and have been working on getting the Fall newsletter out, writing articles and laying it out. At some point I will also redesign their brochure. Alas, there are no pictures of me sitting at my desk!