Pictures of taking down lighting scallops

Pictures of the plaster cuts...HARD work!

June 5 Progress...

We worked hard today at the ministry center... THANKS to Dick Todd for spending 6-7 hours taking nails out of the hardwood floor boards from the stage and other boards. See previous post for the pile of boards.

Jim Replogle and I spent the day cutting plaster and metal lath to make provisions for the drop ceiling. What a dusty mess. I can still taste the plaster!

Then Tri and Walt Townsend and I spent the evening dismantling the lighting scallops and taking them down in sections.

Today the HVAC contractor arrives to put the new system in!

Some more history...

After posting about my years of doing carpentry work... several people indicated that they had no idea that I had that kind of experience... So, here are some pictures of two projects that I did...The red one is our t.v. cabinet and the other one is a dry sink that is made of floor boards that we took out of an old 1800's summer kitchen. The dry sink is a replica of one that our 95 year old neighbor Mid Mauery had in McVeytown, PA. She graciously allowed me to take dimensions and then I went to a friend's shop to make it. We used it first as a changing table for our children and now it is a game cabinet.

More Demoliton...

Yesterday was filled with demolition and more demolition... we took down the rest of the wall behind the stage in preparation for building a new one (flat to the ceiling), took all doors in sanctuary out and removed the trim, removed the fake wall in the front of the sanctuary by the organ and found the original organ alcove, removed the carpet and oak flooring from the stage. We also hauled a FULL load of debris to the dumpster and have another load to go soon! In addition, we met with our contractor and got the numbers to the place where they look much better and we are ready to go.

Today we expect some contractors to start working.

It's been lots of fun and progress is happening!

Our First Fellowship Meal in the New Building...

Today, we had our first fellowship meal in our new building! It was the first of MANY!

We have our first picnic on Sunday at 12 noon in the grass lot! Meat and beverage are provided... bring a side dish or two to share!

All Praise to GOD and GOD ALONE!

I just can't wait to tell you about what God is continuing to do at Community of Joy! In addition to the MAJOR Funds that have come in thus far, God is providing more in many ways... contract prices are coming in much more realistic, the HVAC contractor, Eastern Shore Refrigeration, is making an awesome gift of a furnace for upstairs, and now word is that a major contribution is coming in that will allow us to do almost all of the necessary remodeling and preparations.

We are still in need of final numbers from the contractors, but... we think we will be able now to put a ramp on the front, new hvac, new windows, paint the outside to seal it, drywall the entire sanctuary to cover all plaster and possible lead paint, drop the ceiling, do the electrical upgrades complete with new outlets and recessed lighting on dimmers, the downstairs plumbing, a new sign out front, a new way of projecting images so that we can hang a cross in the front, and still have some money toward decorating! It is really starting to shape up!!!

ALL PRAISE TO GOD AND GOD ALONE!

Leading Ladies...

My two girls are developing as really great leaders... they both have natural leadership gifts... wonder where they got that from?! And then they each had an amazing teacher at Wi-Middle, Ms. Reynolds... who has a way of calling leadership gifts out of kids! She is their Student Government Assoc. Advisor... and this picture is from June 2's Senior Prom at the Salisbury Nursing Center. Emma was one of the MC's and Caroline operated the sound system. Both did great jobs! My buttons are popping!

God's Kitchen...

Our congregation loves serving people and especially we love serving at God's kitchen! Yesterday, we grilled outside and did a picnic theme! It was lots of fun and the grilling sure got people coming to the line early! Thanks to Belinda Valliere, Sara Potvin, and Judy Urrasio... for all the work getting us ready and to all the others who show up with their serving hands... we truly want to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Better Prices...

Met with another contractor today to go over his prices and he is much more realistic... I have a feeling we will go with them. The only question is the move in date and we won't know for sure if July 1 is good for a few days... and even then it will be totally dependant on the contractors doing the work on time. So, for now we pulled the sign!

Today's progress and learnings....It's June 1

Today we worked on getting the rest of the plaster off the front wall. The picture shows Daryl taking it down. Salisbury Christian School graciously said we could throw our trash in their dumpster! That is a saving for us!

In addition to that, we are learning that the cost of renovation is out of this world!!!! Today we got a bid back on the ramp in the front, a sidewalk, and handicap parking pad. I knew we were in trouble when the contractor asked me if I was sitting down... nearly $25,000... $19,000 of it was for cement! Guess we are learning that plan B is a good option more often than not! And yesterday the one contractor told us that to do a drop ceiling in the sanctuary would be $14,000! NO WAY! That is way way too high! Good thing another contractor is about half that!

Oh well, it's God's ministry center and he will work it all out!

The second picture is of the sign in daylight!

Hutchisons, Hutchisons, Hutchisons

Went to a family reuinion over the weekend at Camp Mardela had LOTS of little Hutchison Kids running around... managed to get 5 of the 2nd cousins (my generation's children) to pose on a bunk bed in the cabin where they were sleeping with 11 other second cousins all about the same age and 3 of my first cousins (adults). The blonde on the end is my neice Christine!

We're moving forward....

Today Roger Jones of Jones Signs delivered our first official sign... He also put our church name over the door, under the address numbers. AND the organ left! We are glad to see it go and know it will be a blessing to the church that got it. Didn't get much for it, but know that it will be a blessing to them...we'll give the $40 to the decorating team! Actually the $40 will not even cover the cost of the ad, but that's how it goes!

Sorry for the night time photo of the sign... will try to get a better one today!

Yesterday's progress...

A group of folks... Jim and Carol, Judy U, and Dick Todd all worked hard at the Ministry Center yesterday!

Last evening the Building Improvement Team met to finalize work projects and schedule... only to have our efforts complicated due to not having all the numbers in yet from contractors. Hopefully today will be the day that happens! We then spent some time working .... taking nails out of boards we hope to reuse and Tri spent some time taking down plaster from the front wall. The pictures of him doing that are interesting. The first one is without flash and the second one is with flash. Notice how the flash and the high resolution camera pick up the dust particles! The last picture is of Jim and Daryl prying open some windows for ventilation!

Nice Birthday!

Had a nice 42nd birthday yesterday... started with some delicious chocolate cake and some strawberry pie, then opened a present, got a call from my mom inviting Sharon and I to go to lunch with them. Went to one of my favorite eating places in town... Megan's House of Noodles -- Mom and Dad's treat! Thanks! It was delicious! Then spent some time with Mom and Dad shopping. Got some work done in the office, ate supper and spent some time at the ministry center. A great day!