Time is a precious gift. We are only given so many days in this world, and no one likes to “waste” time. We can get impatient when we get caught in traffic jams or long lines at the store. We can be frustrated when we have an appointment and the other party is not on time.
Thursday (this Chronicle is being written on Wednesday) is the beginning of Volunteer Week. More than 30 generous volunteers have committed over 700 hours in the next several days to help us. We know their time is precious, and we are so grateful they have chosen to share some of it with us.
We have a very looooong to-do list for the volunteers. We are grateful for their assistance in helping us catch up on everything that gets missed in the busy times, and to get a leg up before we get busy again. There are tasks inside to deep clean the Center before retreat season starts in September, tasks like dusting, vacuuming, cleaning windows and window sills, shampooing carpets, cleaning and organizing kitchen cabinets, moving furniture, clearing cob webs and cleaning light fixtures. Outside chores include clean-up of last fall’s logging debris and last winter’s storm damage in the woods, weeding, weed-whacking, hedge trimming, spreading gravel, picking up sticks and roots on trails, dragging trails, and cutting, splitting and stacking firewood.
Although those who live and work here are immensely grateful for their service, we are not the ones who ultimately benefit from the gift of time offered this week. It is all our guests who will pass through these doors in the coming months who will feel welcome and at home here because the building is so clean and well kept, and the guests who will find peace and healing wandering these beautiful grounds.
For the generosity of all of our volunteers, who share their precious gift of time with us, and for a great week of hard work, prayer and community-building, we say Deo Gratias!
P.S. Follow all of the Volunteer Week activity on our Facebook page.