February Aerial View!

Here is the picture that was taken just early this week. If you look at the previous post you cannot help but be amazed at how quickly working is moving.

January Aerial View!

On Wednesday, January 30 this aerial picture was taken of the work site. When you think about the old buildings and the trees what an amazing transformation in a very short amount of time.

In Just a Week!

It is amazing how much work can be accomplished in a single week. Since my last post it seems that every day brings new workers and new jobs being done on site.

The roof has arrived and work has begun to get things covered up. The exterior steels walls (covered with the exterior wall board) are almost completed. We are now seeing interior walls being framed too.

The exterior brick. manufactured in Mexico, has now arrived in Houston and is ready for installation. Before that work can begin the exterior wall work must be completed. Also, tomorrow, they will make final measurements for all of the windows which will be manufactured here in Houston. Once the windows are installed the brick work will begin.

Interior spaces are also getting all of the MPE's installed. It seems that the last one to the party is the sprinkler system folks who have yet to arrive. Electric, water, heat/AC are all coming along at rapid speed.

Detail on other parts of the project are also now coming together: the color committee will finalize their work on Saturday, the long list of "soft-costs" are being narrowed and defined. It is certainly exciting to see all of the work and a bit daunting to know all that is yet to come. The Lord is good. He never gives us more than we can handle and our congregation has been richly blessed with so many dedicated and talented individuals that the work continues in a speedy and joyful manner. Thanks be to God. He does all things well.

Chiller Finds a Home

Today the very large chiller unit arrived and was lifted into place by crane. Along with the unit were two generators that I assume will be used to help "pump" the water through the system. The pipe work was laid in the ground even before the foundation and slab work was completed.

Certainly the chiller will be an added bonus to the new building. Over the long haul it will be a significant money saver over the older traditional units. I also hope that it will significanlty diminish our maintenance as well.

A Messy Lot!

This morning the large trucks came to lime the new front parking lot. It is hard to imagine how a lot of wet lime can dry out the ground (this is why I didn't do well in chemistry). The plan is to rock the lot in the coming days making it ready for use. Although the lot will not be finished until the end of the project (paved, curbs, sidewalks, etc.) the additional parking is certainly needed now.

Cold and Wet

The last few days have been cold and wet at the work site. Of course, cold is a relative term but the wet does tend to slow down the work. The last two days have seen slow progress with the final site work as well as the plumbing work inside the building. The new parking lot (Westheimer side) is nearly prepared and will be limed the end of the week. The plan is for rock to be put down next week so that the lot can be used. Remember that the lot will not be finished until the end of the project (paved, curbs, sidewalks, etc.). However, we will be able to use the gravel lot for parking (at least those who are willing to brave the conditions).

The big news is that the metal roof is scheduled to arrive early next week with installation beginning immediately thereafter. Also the metal studs (interior and exterior) are scheduled to arrive early next week with work starting on the exterior framing of the building.

A Picture is worth . . .

You have to love the picture.

Just in case you wonder if our on-site building committee guru (Ed Jutzi) is keeping an eye on things! Trust me, nothing (and I mean nothing) is happening without Ed knowing about it!

Slab Party Huge Success

On Saturday around 150 people gathered on the slab to get a close up look at the work. It was a beautiful day and a great time was had by all. We began with a dedicaion rite and were then treated to a building preview by architect Paul Lodholz. Later we broke out the markers and everyone had opportunity to write special messages and bible passages on the steel and on the slab. At the end of the afternoon we enjoyed a wonderful potluck dinner.

Today (February 11) marks the three-month anniversary of groundbreaking. It is amazing how much work has been done in such a short amount of time. It sounds like many things will now begin to happen in short order. This week more MPE work will be done inside the building. The exterior walls will also start taking shape as we prepare for the brick to arrive by the end of the month. It also seems that the roof may arrive for installation as early as next week. Parking lot and site work continue but seem to be coming to completion.

The Lord has blessed us with great weather and faithful workers. Thanks be to God for the unique vocations He gives to each of us. So many people working together to accomplish a common goal: the proclamation of the gospel in our midst.

Interiors Committee

Along with all of the visible work on the site there have been others whose work also continues to move forward although not yet seen. The interior color committee has been meeting for the last several weeks trying to finish off all of the final details for the building. They are considering all the interior spaces: flooring, wall colors and coverings, lights, glass, counter tops, etc.

This has been a huge undertaking and we appreciate the work of the ladies who are giving their time and talents: Vicki Harvey, Betsy Wittenmyer, and Julie Day.

Under the Steel

Today they appear to be finishing the last of the steel erection for the new building. Amazing how quickly they can put these huge pieces together. When we gather on Saturday there will be plenty to see and talk about.

The storm drainage continues on its last leg (east/west) between the old and new buildings. Once this is completed nearly all of the drainage work will be completed.

This week has also seen significant progress on the new south side parking lot (in front of the sanctuary). The lot has now been cut to grade and they are compacting the soil. The plan calls for lime and base rock early next week so that the lot will be ready for use in the coming days. Again, the lot will not be finished and paved until the end of the project but the gravel lot will be open and available for use very soon.

Finally, the laying out of the interior spaces (on the slab) is nearly complete. On Saturday people will really be able to get a feel for the size of the spaces. On Saturday architect Paul Lodholz will lead us on a tour of the new building. His words will help to bring the building to life.

The life of the building . . . that is becoming more and more a reality. This new space has the potential for great good in the life of our church and school. As we begin this new chapter in our life we ask our Lord to grant us ever blessing. May these walls resound in the proclamation of the gospel.

Super Supervisor

I wanted to say a few kind words about our supervisor (Fretz). He has done a tremendous job running the work site. He is always around and always on top of whatever work is being done. I have come to deeply appreciate his efforts on our behalf. Every once in a while you find someone who truely loves their work and is always willing to go the extra mile . . . I have added Wyatt to my list.

Come Let Us Worship Him!

Today more and more steel has been erected. They have finished the south/east corner of the new building and are now turning down the long west stretch (kitchen and fellowship hall). In the picutre you can see the steel work which will surround the very large elevated windows which will face toward the sanctuary. This architectural feature was included so that as we move from the bible class and fellowship space we will begin to see (and feel) the open elevation into the sanctuary. I am sure that once the building is completed this will be one of our favorite parts of the new space.

So Far . . . So Fast!

It is hard to believe that it has only been a couple of months and the new building is already starting to take shape. If you look back at old posts there was a time (not long ago) when this same space looked like a hurricane had made landfall at our address.

What an exciting time. The Lord is not only raising a new building but He is enlivening us for the spreading of the gospel to the very ends of the earth. I pray that He will continue to bless us as we look to the future; a future made bright because of His word of promise.