Small Acts & Big Impacts

Going on this trip to West Virginia really opened my eyes in ways I wasn’t expecting. I learned that you can’t always tell when someone needs help; even if something looks fine on the outside, it doesn’t mean there’s no struggle on the inside. I also didn’t realize how glued I was to my phone until these 10 days away. This trip honestly came at a perfect time for me. I didn’t know how much I needed it until I was there. It gave me the space to focus on what was in front of me and not dwell on the past.

One of the moments that hit me the hardest was seeing our homeowner, Kim, struggle to move around her house. When she came home one day while we were working, she walked up her new stairs we had just finished and had such a big smile when she could go up them with ease. She was so grateful. Thinking back to that moment just gets me every time. It wasn’t just building something for physical needs, it was so she can have more comfort in her own home and give her more independence to get around every day. I realized from this that small acts have a big impact on others. 

On a personal level, this trip taught me patience, the kind you need when things don’t go to plan. I think it brought our group closer together too. We had moments where we laughed, got frustrated, and even almost gave up on a project, but those are the best memories that I will always remember about the orange team.

Going on this trip was the best thing that could’ve happened to me this summer. I didn’t just come back with memories, I came back with better friendships, better listening skills, and a better outlook on life than when I left.

-Written by Kourtney MacLean