Goodbye PITS

Well this will be my final send off to the PITs' (peacing it together) contribution to the blogosphere.

I moved out of the house Friday, the new house members: Andy and Benedikt moved in the same day. As the house transitions from one group to the next I can't help but look back over the past year to analyze the effect that the house has had on my life.

Over the past year, I've really enjoyed having the community as a place to grow, learn, enjoy life, have accountability, and share. My year in the house has left me with a great sense of appreciation of the wholeness of everyone. We are all imperfect creatures; in realizing this, it's perfect. We are all broken, we all have sadness, we all strive to accept ourselves and in so doing have others accept us to. I'm grateful for the true vulnerability we've had.

Community can be hard, but most of the time the rewards are worth it.

 I’ve often talked about my frequent travels to the East,  so I think it’s only appropriate to talk about Marie Benner-Rhoades– who has, throughout this year, been my hostess, housemate, roommate, travel buddy, retreat co-facilitator, co-worker, boss, friend, teacher, cook instructor and much more.  Her and her husband Eric have often generously hosted me at their organic vegetable farm on more than one occasion – which of course includes great vegetable meals and carrot cakes!!  For living across the country from each other – we have definitely seen a lot of each one another :) (which is of course a great thing) - we have been on a lot of road trips together-including travels to Ohio, Michigan, California, and Portland, have lead a good number of retreat together, and have definitely had a lot of good laughs! Marie and I met when I was a part of the Youth Peace Travel Team in 2009, and I'm so glad that we got to further work together this year! To share some of our year's adventures – here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. 
                                       ~ Chels

Picking peas in the greenhouse 

Rocking the Nerd and Grandma glasses!

Detour to Niagara Falls!

Planking Grandma G! lol