Well, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is with mixed emotions that I begin what will more than likely be the last post on this IVBC Construction Mission 2009 Blog. It's not the Blog that I'll miss as much as it is the fact that our ministry together will be taking some time off. Yes, I'll miss writing about our activities; I hope this has been helpful at allowing you to vicariously minister with us!
You will notice in today's photos that all the major work has been completed. Today we finished up around the front door and installed all the trim at the top and bottom of the whole house and around all the windows. It was a FULL, busy day but our spirits were high (as they usually are) as we wound up around 6:15 p.m. There were the typical shenanigans again and you'll notice in one of the photos that Superintendent Ed was keeping us all in line today (right, Russell?!) while making some errors of his own (are you SURE that's the correct bevel on that trim piece, Ed?).
Carol's Catering, Deli, Grille, Farmers' Market, and Pub & Diner brought us "The Last Lunch" today. Carol, a humongous Thank You for so consistently providing us our lunches.
Of course thanks go out to EVERYONE who has helped directly at the site: Ed, Frank, Russell, Byron, Ron, Mary Alyce, Mark, Joan, Kelvin, Greg, Pastor Richard, Pete, Erin, and Patrick. Thanks to those of you who brought and/or provided food for us: Carol, Cherryl, Karen, Nancy, Pam and Kathy of Wednesday Night Supper fame. And Thank You, too, to EVERYONE who participated through their financial contributions, support, and prayers for this Ministry.
Ken and Marie have been wonderful, graciously accepting our gift of ministry and putting up with all the early morning pounding, tripping of circuit breakers, our frequently allowing the Prodigal Dog to escape, and our knocking things off the walls with our hammering. Sorry about the hot sauce breaking :( Marie.
Ken was given the 'privilege' of putting in the final nails! Our commemorative photo of the "topping out" moment where he affixed the final piece of trim over the window is included in today's photos.
There are a 'frillion' memories to be carried with us as we end this project. From the fancy oscillating saw tool, to my insistence at using my framing hammer to do delicate finish hammering, to Ed always barking at us to "put that mask on!" when we were cutting the Hardi board, to Frank sand-bagging us regarding his cutting skills. (And Russell, no, you can't wash the chalk line because it's dusty!!!) The memory of Superintendent Ed in those boots and hat, doing his best imitation of either a member of the Foreign Legion or Puss In Boots; a visual memory I probably will wish I could forget!
May our greatest memory, however, be of how we as a church family came together to Minister, and Serve, and be 'God with skin on'. I pray that all those who have seen the work see the Savior that is the motive for the work. And while this may this be the end of a project may it be the beginning of a Ministry!
