We finished our July and August projects at SBA and are headed to Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Alabama for our next project. We stopped at the farm for a few days to catch our breath and do a few chores on the way.
This is what this field looked like after we burned it in April.
This is how it looks now. God has provided a new fresh cover of prairie grass.
After removal of all of the debris---
---laying out the new footings---
---construction began in earnest on the new entry way.
As the walls went up---
---we were more excited about what was happening.
Finally it looked like a real addition---
---With a contoured tie to the existing building--
---steel siding and a steel roof. The door used is the door that came out of the old primary school which had to be removed to build the new Event Center.
The inside of the entry is fully insulated---
---and sheet-rocked. The ceiling was a challenge---
But soon it was done and the walls were started.
Meanwhile Billie was busy painting the scullery and kitchen to get them ready for students.
At the end of the project we had the blessing of celebrating our 50th anniversary.
The registration table was set---
The room (the school wrestling room) was set---
---and of course corsages were suitable pinned on---
---to both of us.
The school superintendent and his family (plus one) were there to get us started.
The staff who was on campus came to support our celebration.
The maintenance men volunteered to do the barbecuing---
---and the head cook served for us.
We had to cut the cake---
---and a number of friends from our church in Watertown made the trip to celebrate with us.
There were also a number of friends from the St. Lawrence church where we attend while at SBA who came out to honor our special day.
Billie even had a special song, "I'd choose you again" played for us as we danced for those in attendance.
Great friends and good food made for a memorable day.
We received a beautiful selection of cards which we have displayed in our motor home.
On an afternoon drive we came across some very beautiful sunflowers. There are actually many acres here planted in sunflowers.
August is now here and we have a new group of Sowers who have joined us for the month. Bill and Luciene Eickelberg are on their second project with Sowers and Gorlyn and Ruthie Hagerbaumer have joined us for a second year.
The ladies had a number of new text books to cover---
---and the desks need to be cleaned and sanitized before students arrive.
The steps to the chapel needed to be painted to finish the refurbishing so Billie completed the job before it got too hot to be out.
The ladies also cleaned all of the rooms in the event center, including the music room.
Bill began the job of finishing---
---while Gorlyn finished driving screws in the walls.
Some of the cuts were complex but they were up top the task.
Meanwhile, I took a stab at laying brick again this year. I wanted the brick to resemble the pattern of the brick on the Event Center.
During the first week of the project we surprised Billie with a birthday party---
---and were joined by many of the staff.
The entry to the office was looking a little shabby and the ladies scraped paint---
---and I had to do some concrete repair---
---so Billie could put on a fresh coat of paint.
Another task that needed to be done before school started was to repair the football jerseys. My lovely 50 year partner took on the task.
After the walls were finished we hung a new light---
---and all-in-all the place is looking pretty spiffy.
