Saturday, November 16, 2013

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Hello everyone!
As you probably know, we have our own Christmas traditions here at the Farm and our annual Christmas party is coming up.  Each December we take a break from home repair and focus on sharing the joy of the holiday season with our Doddridge county community.  We visit all of the families that we have worked with over the course of the year and bring them gifts and cookies.  Also, we send a thank you cookie package to all the wonderful businesses the work with us.  It all culminates with a big party for the children of the area.  We have music, games, face painting, crafts, and Santa has a toy and at least one book for every child.
            The only way that we can do this is through the help and generosity of others. For those of you who came here this year, maybe you want to sponsor a family that you worked with.  Here are some things to think about.  Maybe your family wants to sponsor a family.  Maybe your church or youth group wants to sponsor a family.  Maybe you want to pool some money with your work crew.  If you do decide to sponsor someone you could set aside time to pray for them throughout the holiday season.  If you haven’t been to the farm in a while you can donate to the general Christmas fund.   
Anything that you all are able to do is appreciated. We generally spend around $15/person. If you do wish to sponsor a family let us know before Thanksgiving so we can plan accordingly. You can let us know by calling or emailing the Farm. Lastly, if you want to send or email any Christmas cards or messages we would love to pass them on. Merry Christmas!

                        

Monday, October 21, 2013

July, July

July came in hot, and it hasn't let up. Fortunately our volunteers remained unfazed by the heat (though all our staff members can't say the same!) We had wonderful groups from Kentucky, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, California, Ohio, New Jersey, and Maryland. Volunteers embraced the cornerstones for the week, and wanted to make some concrete changes back at home.
We were able to complete some beautiful projects for ever better homeowners. Many lunches, hugs, stories, and jokes were shared during the group weeks.

Almost Finished Roofover!

Mike and Donna's New Stairs
Kim's New Ramp
Friederike's Newly Painted House!


Rosa's New Porch Roof

Betty and Toni's New Porch


Candis' New Siding



Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A Small Look into a High School Group Week

Hi, my name is Annie, and I was lucky enough to go on the trip to Nazareth Farm last week.  
Simplicity, Community, Service and Prayer are the 4 corner stones of Nazareth Farm.  Throughout the week we lived these cornerstones and came together as one big, happy family with God. The first day as we piled out of big van that would soon be named “Otto,” we were embraced by all the staff members with a hug and welcome home.  With confused faces, we hugged these new people without knowing that in the next week we wouldn’t want to let go of them. 
We were introduced to the cornerstone of simplicity on the first day when we had to put all electronics away. Also, they ask you to not wear any makeup because the real you is the most beautiful you.  As the first day progressed, we toured to see the outhouse (which I did clean one day), the compost pile, and the bucket showers.  Another piece of simplicity is only taking 2-bucket showers and one real shower in the 6 days we were there. The simplicity cornerstone is taken very seriously at Nazareth Farm; we are not allowed to know the time. It is always 10:10, God’s time, because when Jesus was crucified his hands stayed at 10 and 2, 10 minutes after the hour. 
  The cornerstone of community is my favorite cornerstone. One person in particular stood out to me, and if anyone in church today was on the trip they know whom I’m going to say, Bernadette.  I was lucky enough to meet a new best friend on the trip; if we weren’t together, we were screaming each others name trying to find each other. People couldn’t believe we had just met. On the last day I kept my tears inside until we had to hug and say goodbye, it was one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had to say.  After our 6th hug and more tears than you could imagine we finally went our separate ways into our vans. Although we only knew each other for 6 days we had a bond that no one else could understand.  I have 2 families now, it’s unbelievable how you can live with people for only 6 days and feel like a family. 
The next cornerstone is service; this is the biggest cornerstone at Nazareth Farm. Every morning we would wake up and do chores around the farm before breakfast. Then we would pile into our vans and go to our worksites. The first night there had been a terrible storm. We were flooded into the Farm and had to stay home, luckily I was on home crew that day. We stayed inside to make meals, clean the house, and welcome everyone else home.  Tuesday was probably the toughest workday of the week. We took a half hour drive to George and Debra’s house to put up vinyl siding, which is the most difficult thing to cut and nail onto a house.  George is one of the nicest and funniest people I have ever met; he kept us entertained all day with his stories about all of his crazy adventures with his friends - but all 8 of us on our work crew got a different version of the same story.  The next day we went to Joel and Mary’s house. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Alyssa and 4 dogs.  We put trim onto their porch and stained the porch floor. When lunch-time rolled around Alyssa insisted on eating with us. When our work was day was done, you could see a few tears rolling down her face. It’s seeing the happiness and gratitude of all of the families we worked with that made the week more enjoyable and rewarding.
Prayer is the final cornerstone of Nazareth Farm and while on the farm your whole life is devoted to God.  Before doing anything in the morning we had Morning Prayer; every group would plan prayer however they liked it. The first prayer the staff planned, we got into small groups and discussed the 4 cornerstones.  I met a boy named Jon in this group. He was so passionate and happy, but then he shared how he lost his father at a young age, and how he has tried to live his life in a way his father would have wanted. At the end of the week Jon told the full story of his father during evening prayer. I saw God in Jon and I believe I met Jon to show me that even through the toughest times in your life God walks with you.  We celebrated Mass twice at Nazareth Farm. Father Joe from Long Island led mass and being in the small, intimate setting made me feel fully surrounded by God.  My favorite prayer was the one everyday before we left for the worksites. We all gathered into one big circle in the parking lot, joined hands, and someone said prayer - Bernadette and I always insisted on standing on either side of Father Joe for prayer.  One day we were standing around waiting for everyone to come to the parking lot and someone suggested we “pass the squeeze” so everyone closed their eyes and waited for their hand to be squeezed so they could pass it to the next person.  I don’t know what it was about that experience, but it sticks out in my mind, such a small thing, but it meant so much to me. 

I will end by saying thank you to everyone who helped us make this trip possible, whether it was getting your car washed, buying a baked good or just praying for us while we were gone.  I will never forget this experience because it has truly changed my life. “Expect A Miracle”.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

May Update!

Warm weather (and some rain) and enthusiastic college students from all over rolled into the Farm this May. We completed a few large projects to the delight of our homeowners.

Our 3rd roof-over went up quickly, and provided tons of fun with games of Whack-a-Mole, climbing, and feats of strength.
Loretta's leaky roof was reconfigured and re-shingled. All the groups loved eating inside, playing with her dog, and the cold tea. It's not often we get to use green shingles!
David worked alongside us each day as we sided his family's house. We learned a few tricks from him, and each day it was a surprise to see how much he completed the night before!
Our friend in Center Point hosted us for a few days as we re-shingled her roof. She always provides lots of laughter, history, and knowledge. I think her dog Sammie enjoyed the company as much as her!

Loretta's Roof!

David and Anna's new siding!
The middle of Rose's roof over

Friday, June 7, 2013

Fun in February

February brought a group of high school volunteers to the Farm. They were kept busy re-doing a porch, starting to enclose another porch, and putting up underpinning. We also spent an evening at our parish's fish fry!
Pete's new porch
Shannon's Completed Room (finished in March)

Before the group week, our friends at Jerusalem Farm came in for a few days. We helped our friend at his worm farm and CSA in Shinnston. As usual, we headed up to State College, PA for PASA's Farming for the Future Conference (with the Jerusalem Farmers and most of the Bethlehem Farmers.) If you're interested in organic and/or sustainable farming, you should check out the conference and PASA's website. There are a ton of resources and ways to get connected.

The Nazareth and Jerusalem Farmers!

Most of the Farmers from Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem Farm at PASA!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Finding Our Call to be Caretakers
By Brent Smith, Dominican University

My hopes of a weekend retreat enlivened by service and prayer were fulfilled by the simplistic,
community setting of Nazareth Farm. Taking a bucket shower was so freeing! Hearing a staff
member's voice echo through the wooded hills as he gave a scriptural reflection was empowering! I volunteered to spend a week in retreat while also participating in home construction work. Our time in reflection did not stop there- the Naz Farm community impressed me with its awareness of local history.

We use natural gas on a regular basis for many of our household needs. So much good has come from this resource, from preparing food to warming homes. How could we ever forget though that the process of extracting and sourcing natural gas might pollute waterways and cause other unforeseen environmental problems? As caretakers of this Earth, are we able to say we are properly informed? 

Coal-mining is an inseparable aspect of Appalachian history. As my fellow volunteers and I were driven to our work-sites, we passed through various towns that once were coal camps. Mining  generated many jobs while it also cost the lives of many people. One of the Naz Farm staff members read to us a prayerful poem from a miner who lost 29 fellow workers in a mining accident. When I saw the state's seal - featuring among other things, a miner holding a pickax - and held a large piece of coal, I felt I had gained a better understanding of this two-edged sword.
I love the Appalachian terrain with its many hills and valleys. Walking along the mountainside trails filled me with joy for our Earth. I have a hard time believing the destruction caused by land-stripping or mountain-top-removal, when workers use construction vehicles and explosives to collect a mere six percent of localized coal deposits. The beauty of Appalachia is 'plowed' and 'blown away' for the sake of this resource.

There is still hope, fellow stewards of Creation! Increasing our dependence on electricity may seem like the answer, but the coal burned to produce this energy source is another environmental problem. We are called as stewards to make an impact in government legislation by writing, calling, and expressing our informed opinions. We need to have a say in how Earth is cared for. In the words of Isaiah, reiterated by John the Baptist, we must be voices crying out in the wilderness (John 1:23). Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, the founder of the Sinsinawa Dominicans and the precursor of Dominican University, with profound courage spoke out against the mistreatment of Native Americans. This mistreatment indirectly included the abuse of Earth's resources. Fr. Samuel and the people of Appalachia alike call us to keep their lives in our prayers. We are also called to simplicity in every aspect of our lives.


Just a few pictures from the week:
Simple, musical fun on the first night!

The highest point on the Farm, the Rock!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013


How My Eyes Were Opened
By
Cassie Brakers,
University of Dayton ‘15

My week at Nazareth Farm challenged and engaged my head, hands, and heart and was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Nazareth Farm proved to me how we should never settle in complacency; everything about this service breakout was out of my comfort zone. I was scared and spent way too much time worrying about what was to come on the trip, and even asked myself, “Why did I sign up for this?” Well, now I can say I am so glad I did because it turned out to be a truly rewarding experience. Going into the breakout, I didn’t know anyone on the trip, I barely knew the eight other volunteers from UD. I ended up leaving the Farm with meaningful friendships with the other volunteers and staff. I wish I could be back on the Farm sharing meals and prayer together. 
Before the trip, I typically avoided any outdoor work, especially anything involving power tools. However, I successfully learned how to use different sorts of saws and drills that I was able to use at the work sites to better the living conditions of others. I discovered I really enjoy hammering! Who would have thought? I also found great satisfaction in working on chores in the morning before breakfast, because it made me feel like I actually deserved the breakfast I was about to eat. Before the trip I would wear makeup every day, spend way too many hours on Facebook, and not enough time with the people right in front of me.  I wondered how I would survive without social media at my fingertips and how comfortable I would be in showing my natural self to everyone at the Farm. However, I discovered how much better off I was without both of these things! The time spent with the amazing people at Nazareth Farm was so real and genuine. Praying, eating, holding hands, and giving innumerable hugs were constant reminders to me of God’s presence on the Farm.

And so when reflecting on my experience of Nazareth Farm, I knew I was changed for the better, but I could not pinpoint how I was changed. This Thursday morning though, I woke up realizing what exactly was different. As the sun rays woke me, causing me to open my eyes to the new morning, I realized that was how I was changed; Nazareth Farm had opened my eyes. I did not realize how closed my eyes were before, but my eyes and my heart have now been opened to everything joyous and beautiful about this life. More specifically, I realized that I was opened to the beauty of myself, others, service, and nature. A surreal moment for me occurred on Wednesday during my week at the Farm when I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror; staring back at me was a girl who felt pretty for the first time in her life without makeup on her face. I believe it was the inner happiness experienced at Naz Farm that extended from my interior to exterior that made me see this change. I have never felt more confident in myself as a human being made in God’s image. My eyes were also opened to the beauty of the other volunteers that shared this experience with me. It was incredible after the first day of awkward introductions and small talk how quickly friendships formed and laughter was shared between the three college groups and staff. I credit the welcoming and loving community lifestyle void of distractions such as technology and the incessant worries brought on by daily life outside the Farm. The intrinsic human dignity and value of each person I encountered shined brightly through their smiles and their stories. I didn’t mind getting fewer hours of sleep if it meant staying up late playing ninja, dragon slayer, or just talking with each other.  I was also opened to the beauty of service and using my hands to extend God’s love by repairing the houses. Being physically present with the homeowners and seeing their living conditions reinforced the realization of how thankful I should be for the life I have. There are many problems I do not have to deal with that some families in Appalachia have to deal with daily and so it only makes sense that I use the skills God has given me to help. I invested myself in the work I completed at the housing sites and understood that I was not doing this service to “feel good” or to put on a resume, but because this is what God calls us all to do, to help and love our neighbors. My eyes were also opened to the beauty of nature that was prevalent everywhere I looked. I have never more clearly experienced God in the presence of nature. When we hiked to the tallest point of the property on Monday and sat on the giant rock, I was amazed by the view. The sound of rain hitting the endless number of trees, the sun peering through the clouds, all while listening to the story of Elijah. Matt’s voice rang through the silent woods when shouting “LORD ARE YOU THERE?” I could feel God with us as we sat in contemplation on the rock.
My time at Nazareth Farm was filled with incredible life lessons and memories that I will never forget. I feel that my soul is on fire with the love I received on the Farm, and I want to give it all back. I am determined to continue this life of simplicity, community, service, and prayer. I had always heard the saying, “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met,” but it wasn’t until after the Farm that I truly believed it. I am thankful for the experience and the great friends of faith that I made, and I hope to one day be back at Nazareth Farm, where I experienced a miracle every day in such a loving and faith-filled community.



Monday, April 1, 2013

Taking Time for Others

Time for Spring Break!

Large groups of college students decided to spend their time at the Farm this March instead of sunny beaches. Spring Break at the Farm includes starlit bucket showers, review of the day serenades, games of frisbee or Flip 'Ems, late night games of Dragon Slayer (or Ninja), and amazing fellowship.
Along with all the fun at the Farm, the students spent part of the week out in the community. They worked on siding, insulation, a ramp, new linoleum, porches, underpinning, painting, and a little garden work.

 Some new volunteers from University of Illinois-Chicago came for a prayer-filled week leading up to Easter. A few of those students from earlier in the month couldn't get enough of the Farm and came back for Holy Week at the end of the month as well. Of course a bunch of amazing past staff members came in throughout the week.
We washed each other's feet on Holy Thursday before delivering Easter Baskets and sharing a Seder Meal. On Good Friday we prayed the Stations of the Cross during a beautiful 10-mile hike in the mountains and venerated the cross at the Farm. Those who were left on Sunday morning hiked up to the rock before sunrise to greet the new day with shouts of joy and song.


Tracy and Bill's new flooring

Dottie's New Siding!

The Other Side of Dottie and Daryl's House

Pauletta's New Porch!

New Siding for Johnnie

Judy's Ramp
Annual Holy Week Hike Pit Stop at Granny's 

Starting Off the New Year Right

A small but mighty group of college students and faculty from Iona College and SUNY Oswego came out for a great January week along with our good friend Farmer John! We worked hard completing a few drywall sites, a new kitchen floor, and a little bit of insulation. What a way to kick off the new year!
After the volunteers left, the staff enjoyed the snow while working on other projects. We worked with a lot of old friends and made a few new ones.The staff also flew through projects including windows, painting, a few flooring projects, and more.
 I hope you enjoy the pictures! Sorry some are sideways, they are refusing to change.

Drywall at Charlene's 
Karen's New, Level Floor!
 

Kayla and Judd replacing a window in Clarksburg

Gaye's New Closet


Clarence's New Ceiling