So, what else happened in the past two weeks, that is new and exciting? Well, besides learning three weeks ago we needed to move our church offices into the new space, and getting that done, we were finally ready to order the drywall, after the building crew finished their AMAZING job framing out the 17,000 square feet. :)
Not quite two weeks ago, after just getting our offices moved, and starting work on painting and carpeting them for the unpacking, we were able to order and have all the drywall delivered! :) And then? The money was GONE! :) True. The Lord has been amazing in this entire process with His covering, provision and timing, and praise God, so far, we had not had to take out a loan. But week before last, about Tuesday, Steve came home with the news that we were shutting down production. Completely. All of the workers would be done on Friday, the lifts and equipment sent back, and all work, shut down, including the crew hired to put up drywall, because the money was spent. No one really freaked out, or worried. It was more of a question of, 'Okay Lord? What do You want? And what is Your will and timing here?' We were praying and waiting on the Lord, knowing He has been showing up at every step of this process, with what we need. (Never more.)
Within 24 hours, and folks praying, we learned that money had come in by donations, toward the process of drywall for our new building! :) EXACTLY the amount we needed to begin the insulation and drywall process- and to pay the crews for the jobs. WOW. God is truly in control, and truly knows every detail. So, as we all watched yet again, in awe, at how God does things in His way and timing, the hanging crews were called back, and started work, THIS WEEK!!! Praise God!
So? What has happened recently? The ceilings and giant venting systems in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary were painted black, and the pendant lights hung. In just this week? Well, we got the offices taped, textured, painted and carpeted, with operational heat and potties to be in that part of the building. :) (There was LOTS of painting going on last week!) Our secretary Nancy, and Lisa, her daughter who runs our Sunday School, share an office, and are now in and running! (They picked lovely shades of paint and carpet by the way... Pictures coming. ; ) Ryan, (and Becky) who runs our Youth group and where many hats at Harvest, painted and are moved into that office. Steve's office, although not yet painted, is now operational! ; ) Lisa, Sherry and I painted our reception office, Lisa's craft and supply room for Sunday School, and both the ladies and men's bathrooms this week. I don't think any of us can move our hands and fingers yet... ; )
Ken put in the new counters for the bathrooms, and the new faucets, and this week Keith will be in to start tiling both. The tile is picked and ready. Meanwhile, the crews for insulation and drywall began this week- and FINISHED insulation yesterday, (Friday) and the drywall in the classrooms, Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary are on line to be FINISHED by tonight! WOW! 17,000 square feet- in ONE week! We were all in shock and amazed at the transformation occuring before our eyes... Truly we are humbled beyond words, brought to tears and awe, at every, single thing God is doing. We knew things would really pick up and start happening at once, and BOY have they!
Oh! And another awesome thing! LIGHTS! LET THERE BE LIGHT! Finally! We have lights! :) For the past months, the men have been working, bless their hearts, by the window lights and focused work lights, because we didn't have any lighting in yet. But this week, as well as the drywall, we got the lighting up and operational in the Fellowhip Hall and Sanctuary! Boy! Does that make a difference! Some folks had requested a blog update, but none of my pictures showed anything new, and were barely visible in the dimness. But as of this week- there are going to be lots of new pictures of the progress, and it is even light enough to see them! ; )
As well, we had awesome young men working to pull wiring for all of the systems, before the drywall. For the phones, internet, alarm system and electrical. Thank you Bryce and crew for working endless hours to get that job done! Just in time too! :)
Because SO much has happened so quickly- from having to shut down the process completely last week- to so much being done this week, and drywall finished, that we are having an Open House tomorrow after church so our body can walk through the building and see God's amazing progress for themselves! They will NOT recognize it! :)
So what's next? Lord willing, the tape and texturing will be done in around three weeks. Ish. ; ) As that occurs, we will probably begin painting the areas and rooms as they finish. LOTS- of painting to be done. Our ceilings are pretty high- and the walls, seeming endless, so it seems a bit overwhelming. But the Lord has been so gracious so far, in giving us, literally, one step- at a time, that we will just continue in that very wise vein. One step at a time... Praying, rejoicing, fellowshipping and worshipping the Lord, each and every step of this way and process. Last night, after so much work was done, and many of us were exhaused and the bathrooms painted to be done for the walk through tomorrow... Some of us just sat on the stage, speechless...
Unable to believe what we were seeing... As the Sanctuary walls, soaring around us, were almost finished and taking shape with the drywall, we looked around marveling at what the Lord has done... Three years ago, we were in a tiny living room... And very soon, Lord willing, we will be holding services, teaching God's Word, and worshipping the Lord in the unbelievable facility the Lord has provided. It was truly one of the most humbling and affective moments of our lives. What God has done. All He has done. It is very much as if we are just holding on, clinging to this 'ride' as the Lord moves and works and takes us wherever He wants. Each day, we wait to see what He is going to do. It is almost a bit overwhelming, if not for the fact that EVERY step of this process has been in God's complete control... and He has shown us over and over again, as we all should do, to just relax in Him, and trust. Stay in His Word. Teach His Word. Worship and fellowship and share the Gospel, and He will drive this amazing process- as He does also personally in the lives of those who truly surrender everything to Him. God's Word is TRUE. He is in control. And His will, and timing, are perfect.... Thank you Lord. No words... Truly no words, for Your graciousness, mercy and covering.
Please continue praying for the Lord's provision, as we have so much to do before we can get our C of O. Taping and texturing supplies, paint, fixtures, lighting systems and sound, carpet, LOTS of carpet... A kitchen. Tables... Etc... So far we have not had to take out a loan, and our prayer is that we won't have to. :) We pray we get the C of O as soon as possible, so as to start holding services and using this amazing facility! :) I will post more pictures soon, Lord willing... (I have two hours of paint brushes and rollers to wash) And I will also try to post some from tomorrow's Open House. All this weekend or early week. It really looks amazing. Thank you so much for your prayers. :) I will add pictures and or a link to pictures, to this blog and the updates in this blog, by tonight, Lord willing! :)
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