Building for Tomorrow

Fire Doors

2008-07-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

One of the special jobs in the existing school building is placing fire doors in both the downstairs and upstairs hallways. These special doors will be held open by magnetic devices and will then release and close in case of a fire. The doors have been difficult because the door frames wouldn't fit into the jams because of the concrete tilt wall. Everything has been custom cut to fit the openings. This means that Cruz (this is Wyatt's right-hand man, pictured here) has had extra work installing the hardware.

Upstairs Remodel

2008-07-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

This afternoon they have been working on the flooring in the upstairs remodel. They have completed the tile installation in the back portion of the classrooms and are now preparing to lay carpet this afternoon. Once the classrooms are complete they will lay the tile in the hallway.

A Beautiful Wall!

2008-07-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

The handmade tiles (remember the tile painting party several months ago) are being installed on the outside of the classroom wing of the new building. We always knew that they would look good but they look so good that pictures don't do them justice. The bright and vibrant colors bring the building to life. Thanks to everyone who spent time painting tiles.

Streams of Living Water!

2008-07-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

The final touches have been made in the installation of the new drinking fountains in the main school hallway. You may recall (a previous post) that for the past several years the school has used water coolers inside the classrooms (K-4). The new hallway fountains (one on each floor) will allow us stop the delivery of bottled water and the expense of renting coolers.

Remodel Nearly Complete

2008-07-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

The classroom remodel is nearly complete. Today they began painting the walls (the last of the work to be done). If everything stays on schedule the remodel (along with the new building) will be complete this Friday (July 11) and will be ready for move in on Friday, July 18.

Teachers will be reporting back to their classrooms on August 4 which will give us plenty of time to get settled in our new spaces before the start of school on September 2. The Lord has been tremendously generous and our enrollment looks to increase over 25 students in the new year.

Welcome to MLS

2008-07-07T15:38:00.001-07:00

The new front entrance to the school gymnasium and school office is nearly complete. The brick column work was completed last week and the roof gutters were installed today. You will also notice a new brick utility wall that hides the ugly parts of the building (air conditioning units, gas pipe and telephone connections). All that remains is a new sign welcoming everyone to Memorial Lutheran School.

Bathroom Dividers

2008-07-07T15:37:00.001-07:00

The bathrooms are now complete. The final work was done on the bathroom dividers (praise the Lord, if you rememeber the earlier post) this past week.

Signing Out!

2008-06-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

I will be leaving town with the high school youth today for the Higher Things Conference in St. Louis, MO. Unfortunately this means that I won't be able to do any posting this week. I am certain that when I get back into town (Saturday, July 5) many things will have changed (change is happening quickly these days).

The scheduled date for the punch list is July 11 with a completion date of July 19. The remodel might carry on one more week. Wyatt said this morning that the cleaning crew will start work in the building early next week to get ready for July 11.

Can you believe that we broke ground on Sunday, November 11? How the Lord has blessed us these past months.

Awesome

2008-06-30T03:53:00.003-07:00

It only took a few hours on Saturday to lay the carpet in the fellowship hall. It looks awesome. The colors along with the pattern is wonderful. What a great new space for the congregation.

Fellowship Hall Floor

2008-06-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

The carpet installation is now underway in the fellowship hall. This morning I caught the installer laying the very first tiles. Although the room is large they will make quick work of laying the carpet. The fellowship hall has a very nice cross pattern in the floor which is repeated in the wall patterns and windows.

Landscaping Begins

2008-06-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Today also brings the start of the landscape work. Marty Thomas has done the design and Lamar Kennedy (Kennedy Cuts) is doing the work. It is a wonderful plan that will really bring the buildings to life. The crew has been blessed by the rain over the last days. Working the soil is a bit easier and the landscape should be complete in the next two weeks (along with sprinkler installation).

Post Framing

2008-06-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

This morning (Saturday) they began framing up the load-bearing posts in the remodeled classroom. The MDF will be painted to match the accent color of the room. Another nice detail.

Carpet Tile

2008-06-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

This afternoon they started laying the carpet tiles in the commons and main hallway. This work started because all of the broadloom carpet has been laid (in all the office and classroom spaces). The carpet is going in at an unbelievable speed. I talked with the head installer this afternoon and he says they plan to be finished with the carpet installation on Saturday.

The carpet tiles are beautiful (three different colors on the 1/4 turn with a very nice pattern). This is one of those moments when the building really starts to pull together (light fixtures, paint colors, trim, and door finishes). The color committee (along with the architect) have really done a wonderful job (yes, my wife was on the committee; no, she didn't pay me to say it, nor will it earn me any brownie points at home).

As I watched them I started to think about all the things that will take place in this new space: wedding receptions, anniversary dinners, school concerts, funeral luncheons, etc. The Lord has certainly blessed us these past years. Our decision to stay has kindled in us a deep desire to share the gospel from this place to the very ends of the earth. May the improvements to our earthly home reflect our work in the kingdom that will reap rewards in our heavenly mansion.

MLS Remodel

2008-06-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

The classroom remodel is continuing at high speed. The HVAC was turned on today, the walls are being primed, the lights and cabinets installed. The ceiling tiles will be installed on Friday and the painters are scheduled to begin on Monday along with the floor tile installation. They are certainly making quick work of the remodel.

School Entrance

2008-06-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

The new MLS entrance had the main concrete sidewalk poured early this morning. The new sidewalk, along with the metal roof and covered walk really help the old building look new and improved. On Monday the four columns will be bricked and a sign will be installed. "Let the little children come to Me."

Kitchen FRP

2008-06-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

The kitchen walls have now been covered in FRP which will keep things clean and bright. The appliances are scheduled to arrive for installation early next week.

Carpet Installation

2008-06-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Wednesday) the carpet installation began. They started in the school office. Early this morning they began in the church office complex and will be finished this afternoon. They are planning to begin the installation of the carpet tiles in the main hallway spaces later this afternoon. The finish line is now in plain sight.

New Ceiling

2008-06-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Today they are working to install the new drop ceiling in the remodeled classrooms. The new ceilings will brighten the space and will also allow for new duct work and lighting.

Kitchen Floor

2008-06-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

On Sunday (if you were around) you smelled the strong odor from the sealing of the kitchen floor. The floor is a special epoxy-resin floor that will wear like iron. It will be safe, clean, and long lasting. Today the FRP is going on the walls and the appliances will be soon to come.

It will be wonderful to have a nice place to gather for food and fellowship. So many groups will be able to make use of the new kitchen. And remember what Pat Hatteberg used to always say: Clean up your mess, your mother doesn't work here!

A-Frame Windows

2008-06-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

The finishing touches have been done around the large A-Frame windows in the music room. It is very nice to have this image of the original sanctuary still on the new campus. It is a reminder of the past as we move into the future.

The proclaiming of the Gospel in Word and Sacraments is the heart and life of all generations. Buildings will come and go but the Word of the Lord remains forever.

Commons Counter

2008-06-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

The counter was installed in the commons early this morning. This will be the counter for coffee, donuts, and other such things on a Sunday morning. As you can see the counter is very long and will give us plenty of space for spreading out (or perhaps collecting more stuff).

Painting the Doors

2008-06-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

The sanctuary doors got a little assistance today with a new paint job. The doors have been worn and weathered for several years and the new paint will certainly help brighten them up again. The old doors facing Westheimer are soon to be replaced which will also help our curb appeal.

Fellowship Hall

2008-06-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the wood framing was placed around front recess in the fellowship hall. This little detail really formalizes the space and make for a nice accent in the front of the room.

Early Childhood Play Room

2008-06-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

The indoor play area in the new early childhood space is nearing completion. Yesterday they installed the wall for the space. The curved wall will help divide the play space from the entry area. Having an indoor play space for the small children will be wonderful.

MLS New Front

2008-06-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday saw a lot of work on the new covered walk across the front of the gymnasium. The face-lift to the front of the school building is a much needed improvement.