I could never replace you, I could never forget what it's like

Welcome back into the hectic swing of things. I am left daydreaming that the books in my hand were replaced with a paint brush or tape measure, and the pen in my hand was one of those Home Depot pencils that always were so hard to sharpen. Every time some asks me how the trip I was find myself fumbling around for the right words to describe the experience. Being able to put into words the feeling I had walking on the Habitat Site that soon began to feel like a second home, is so complex. I feel happy and sad, and proud at what we had accomplished yet left with a thirst for so much more. Getting ready to leave for the trip I remember wondering how I would feel upon returning. I was not prepared for this. I left D.C. with 19 close friends, a lifetime of memories, and my heart feels light and full at the same time. I fell so in love with the new experience, and care so deeply about all the people that went.

Being a part of building a house is something that is so indescribable. It makes you appreciate the small details that go into the job. It made me think of lucky I was to have a roof over my head, to have a family that could support me. It broke my heart that not everyone had the same thing. For the first two days, I did some painting outside. I was in my element with the sun shining down and a paint brush in my hand. The third day I took on the job of dry walling. I had a headache within moments from all the measurements and angles. I stared at Lauren baffled, and we began to laugh. By the end of the day we were close to experts! We had both entered something so far out of a comfort level and been able to accomplish and conquer the task at hand. I feel like that was the most important part of the trip was being able to roll with the punches. Entering into a realm of something unfamiliar became the norm for the trip: attempting to be a tourist in a place I knew next to nothing about, traveling on the Metro, living in a room full of boys that kept me up all hours of the night with sleep talking of world peace and snoring like a donkey, and being constantly surrounded with 19 other people.

Thinking back on the trip I can't help but focus on the small things. The smile on everyone’s faces once we reached the work site, the uncontrollable laughs from exhaustion, a comforting hug or massage from a friend, and the desire I think we all have to do it all over again. In the face of it all not one of us said stop. There was an overall strength and craving of all involved to keep going, to work a little harder for a little bit longer. I loved how well everyone got along and how we all came to rely on each other for support weather it was a shoulder to nap on, or someone to listen to the aggravation of the day. We went from being awkward acquaintances to having honest and heartfelt friendships within the matter of days. One night on the way to the grocery store Steve, someone that without this trip I would have never had the pleasure of calling a friend, had said to me, "I feel like such a grown up. Leaving work and going to buy dinner for everyone." I smiled as I thought of how right he was. We had become a family caring for one another in every way possible.

This trip has had an intense impact on me, and changed me for the better. Despite the simple frustrations, the lack of sleep, the showers that were so cold it was close to painful, and the fact I was almost crushed by the doors on the Metro I would never change a thing. It all happened to help us learn and grow and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Thanks to all of our sponsors, your donations made it all possible. Thanks to Adam and Angel for taking care of us all and ensuring everything went according to plan (for the most part haha). Julie Giebler, thanks for being my left arm! Thank you so much to all my new friends! It wouldn’t have been the same without you!!!! You have all taught me so much, and I could never thank you enough!

<3 always Kendra