When the pressure is on and the plan changes panic sets in. God sent us a whole group of angels last week that completed work that would have taken us days to do instead of hours. The fire department from Lathrop came and finished putting in insulation Thursday evening. A job that would have kept us up most of the night was finished in 3 hours. Definately younger, in better shape and no fear of heights was a prayer answered for us that evening. Thank you all for coming and staying to finish that part of the construction.
96 lb retaining wall bricks- Need I say more! Thanks the the crew at Homestead (64th Street and I29) the retaining wall is finished and more beautiful than I could have imagined. The bricks came from Dr. Jones at Amity Woods and are deeply apprecited. This wall is the wall between Mackies garden and the church. A very important part of the construction because of the water shed from the upper side. The large bricks will stand the test of time and hold our little garden in place for many years even after I lay in rest with Mackie. Thank you Warren and Barb-Most employers don't ensure care through eternity but you have provided the wall that will protect my family forever.
Homestead also delivered the second stone carved by Greg Wheeler that sits at the creek bed. Greg carved Mackintyres headstone that stands at the foot of the cross. Greg also was my inspiration to carve the little stones in the childrens gardens. I asked him how he carved the stones when we origionally spoke. It interested me and those who know me know I will try anything artistic once just to see if I can do it. I did it and enjoyed it. Thanks Greg.
This is an improvement from 7:00 am Friday morning!
Steve works on putting the benches together that were donated by Fred and Judy Wood.
Paul uses elbow grease to clean the windows.
Kendra and Scott Femster work on setting the arbor that was hand made by Scott. (Yes, he has more for sale) It is beautiful. Thank you Scott.
Sheri and Lauren work on the flower bed at the back of the church. Sheri and Lauren have a special place in my heart and we have come together in an unusual way. Lauren is an anuerysm survivor. Our paths crossed but did not connect before Mackie died. It was only a passing introduction and not in person at that time, but our paths crossed again last fall thanks to Lauren. Sheri and Lauren are now part of our family. Sheri knows what you need before you do and is standing there waiting when you look up to say "Here you go, this is what you need."
Where do you find the best friends who stick by you in thick and thin? On the first day of kindergarten on the school bus and when you arrive at school that first day. They are the ones you meet when you graduate high school and begin your adult life. They are the ones you got into trouble and got you into trouble as kids. Their mothers were your extra mothers and you were treated like their mothers own kids. They are the ones you turn to in times of trouble. Those are the friends that are still here years later taking your ups and downs with you. They are the first ones who walk in your door during your worst nighmare and the last ones to leave. They break their backs planting, digging, moving bricks and crying with you. They call you and check on you, they try to get you to stop long enough to go have lunch and they show up on a moments notice. I appreciate you, I have many times been too busy to be the friend I should have and I'm sorry. I love you all and appreciate you more than you know. Kendra, Christy, Sarah....What a journey we have had. Karlan, as Kendras older sister, I am quite certian we were painfully annoying at times when we were little, thanks for not holding a grudge and coming to help us Friday!!
Leonard and Nelson smoothing out the edges - We are sure closer than we were at 10:00am.
Scott, Glen and my dad set the 2000lb stone at the creek bed.
Scott's mom Dorothy kept the floral containers picked up and kept the line moving to plant all the flowers. Thank you Dorothy.
Marie and Marti-Taking a 2 second break. They didn't stop all day either..
The finished arbor.