7-30-12 Update

Friday morning Ron & Dustin first tore out all the temporary boards of the east wall, then they build it back up, leaving openings for windows.

See the board to the left of the windows? It’s called a rake (I think)(I hear all these construction terms all the time and I probably know enough to be dangerous.). At any rate, we’re having a debate here as to whether or not to put it up (what you see here is temporary. The real thing will actually look like an eave; it will stick out twelve inches like the right side of the windows). See later picture of post for view without the rake, and please cast your ballot soon: with rake or without rake.

Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful and found all kids above the age of Sarah on the roof with Dad. Tensions were high as everyone was tired of shingling, but we got ‘er done anyway and everyone still likes each other too! Aah the character-building opportunities we have been given through this project!!

And then some massive cleanup before choretime.

Roofing is done (except for some tricky parts that Dustin from CIT is going to finish up today).

7-28-12 The Promised Rest

God’s people yet shall take possession Of that sweet land of rest so bright;
Rejoice! From bondage and oppression, From service in this earthly night,
Soon Christ will come and will relieve you; Your tears will cease, and joy He’ll give you.
Your pains and burdens He’ll remove, Will ease you of distress and sorrow,
And on that bright and better morrow Will bring you to that rest above.

But only if we have been faithful, Have shunned no cross nor yet contempt,
So shall we to that sweet and grateful Repose and rest in heav’n be sent.
Then let us watch and pray sincerely And realize our duty clearly,
As each and ev’ry one should do. So do not waste your time in sleeping,
And finally come short of reaping This rest in heav’n prepared for you.

Ye who are not God’s chosen people, Look back to Israel of old!
From their example take a teaching And cling to God with heart and soul!
Without complaint and lamentation Bear ye distress and earth’s privation;
Rely upon your Saviour’s hand. Your tears will change to joyful singing;
From desert wild your God is bringing You to that fair and promised land.
Zion’s Harp # 211
We sang this song this morning, and it’s a difficult song to sing. It has very meaningful words, but it’s hard to think on the words when the music is difficult. So while we were singing it, I was thinking about the title alone – The Promised Rest. After the last two weeks of breakneck pace, it was a blessing to sit and rest.  I appreciated when our minister spoke more about the words of the song which actually are about the eternal rest of heaven. He then turned to Hebrews 4, and we read more about entering into God’s rest. What a loving call to the unsaved – a call to this rest which is only possible through salvation through the blood of Jesus. With three baptisms after regular services, it was a special day - - - made more so by another convert, another soul who turned his back on sin and is seeking Victory In Jesus!
Oh yes we’re thankful for every one who seeks the Lord in true repentance - - but then again we’re always wanting more - - God is always wanting more - - He is Seeking The Lost right now - - -
To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 4:7

7-27-12 Progress

by Tori

This week the new part has really taken shape, but I’d better start at the beginning.

The living room with all its furniture.

Monday and Tuesday we moved most of the stuff out into other rooms, so when they’re ready to tear out the wall and ceiling, we’re ready.

Cutting off the overhang Wednesday morning.

Nothing beats a chainsaw on the roof.

Jake sharpened the chainsaw blades, as they dulled quickly.

We were glad for help from Marty, Mark, and Dustin.

Hauling away chunks of the roof to the burn pile.

First truss going up!

More junk hauling – this time with some more passengers.

Sweeping up at the end of the day.

End of Wednesday.

Except for the tarp which covered it overnight – and a good thing, too, because of all times to get rain, we got .25 inch of rain in about 15 minutes early Thursday morning!! Good for the farmers, but not good for us – especially Dad whose pillow got soaked where rain came in! Evidently the tarp wasn’t covering what it was supposed to! THANKFULLY the rain didn’t last long, or we could have had some real issues.

Thursday morning Mark didn’t come, but Jeff was here along with Dustin and Marty.

U. Jerry gave instructions on how to join the old and the new.

Day crew had left, and Dustin from CIT was helping us shingle the south side in the evening when a storm blew up. Everything was already covered, so when it started pouring down rain we all climbed off the roof and ate supper till it stopped, which wasn’t very long (like 20 minutes).

The little kids got to do something they haven’t done in a long time – splash in the puddles.

Rain’s over, so let’s finish the roof.

Cleaning up.

End of Thursday – the south side is done!!!

Right after it rained, Jacob went down and started the burn-pile. It made a massive fire. The boys said that from Allentown Road it looked like half the south grove was burning. Several people stopped to check on it, and others drove by really slowly until they saw the boys watching over it. Jacob and I went and looked at it before bed and it was burned down a lot, but still a big fire.

So that’s the latest on house progress.  Now today Ron and Dustin are already working on the east wall and there’s no rain in the forecast, so hopefully we’ll see a lot of progress again today too.

Have a great Friday!