Settling In

Its hard to believe that we have already been in LVC for two and a half weeks and at our placements for a week and a half. August is ending (in fact, it will probably be over before I am done writing this post), and soon we at Winona House will start our first full month of living as a community in LVC. But at the same time its hard to believe that its only been that long. Its been an intense few weeks!

First was orientation, also known as information overload. While the vast majority was good and necessary, it was TIRING. Then we spent the last weeks moving in and starting to figure out the logistics of six people living together-- cleaning schedules, cooking, budgeting, house rules, getting a six person joint bank account... For example, our guest policy for non-LVC guests: "You can stay, but must bring either chocolate, baked goods and/or adult beverages to share." My personal battle over the last few weeks has been figuring out how to get the best, fastest internet for under the subsidized 36 dollars a month- definitely a challenge! But as of Sunday, I can claim success (knock on wood!), although not without considerable help and advice from my Dad. Thanks, Dad!

Then of course there are our placements. We all have such different jobs but I think I can safely say that we are all stepping into roles that are a bit of a stretch for us in one way or another. That's good in the long run because we will explore new areas, learn new skills and grow as people and all that, but right now it translates to a lot of adjustment and training. Below are the list of everyone's placements to save everyone from asking (we have been asked A LOT)
Allie- Program Assistant at English Learning Center
Michelle- Refugee Services at Lutheran Social Services
Lindsay- Volunteer Coordinator at Kaleidoscope after school program
Reuben- Coordinator for LGBT issues at Brethren Mennonite Council
Margarite- Case Manager at Our Savior's Housing
Sarah- Events Assistant at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Aside from all the complicated and brain crunching, headache-inducing stuff, we've also managed to have some good times. We have biked down the Midtown Greenway and run/biked around Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. We went to one of Lindsay's orchestra concerts and a potluck at Wellstone house last weekend and the State Fair as a house on Saturday (although the experience was a bit overwhelming to the newbies). We attended several picnics and potlucks and have received copious amounts of food as gifts. We have bonded over Boggle and spontaneous interpretive dance sessions. And we're starting to plan lots of other cool things to do in the Twin Cities, so we shouldn't ever be bored. Overall, I think its been a pretty good start to our LVC year together. Here's hoping we keep it up!

Peace, Sarah

Greetings!!!

Welcome to The Winona House Blog!

We have started this blog so that our family and friends and other LVCers can know whats going on within the greatest house of LVC.

The Winona House is located in Minneapolis Minnesota and currently has 6 housemates: Allie, Lindsay, Michelle, Margarite, Reuben, and Sarah! (Just so that there is no confusion each housemate will be writing on the blog..not just one person..<this is Margarite>)

What is the LVC? (Glad you asked) LVC is the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. We have each agreed to a one year commitment of service at various locations and are living together in an intentional community in one house (Winona)

It is our hope to start a new tradition within The Winona House so that volunteers will always be able to continue to post their stories and experiences!

Today is the first day in our placements and well....The person that is supposed to be getting me started and organized..is late so I figured what a great time to start the blog. For the year we have a bucket list so lets hope that we can accomplish all the things that we set!!

• May Day Parade
• Walk on the top of the falls
• Camping Trip with a sauna shower
• Cross Country Skiing
• Broom ball (we are hoping to get into a league)
• Improv (go see and do)
• Kick ball League
• Ice skating on Lake of the isles
• Polar Bear Club..Yes we plan to take full advantage of this good cold Minnesota weather and jump into the lake... in the dead of winter!!! Doesn't that sound exciting?

The list will more than likely continue to grow as the year goes on.. but hopefully we can accomplish everything we set out to do.

I think the person that is supposed to begin my orientation is here now.. soo again Welcome to the Winona House!!