Caleb Starts Kindergarten!

It is incredibly hard to believe that it is that time...Caleb has started school! He has been so excited, and I am glad that he is...it is just so hard to believe that we are at that stage! We've had so much fun the past couple weeks preparing for Kindergarten! We started with some school shopping...new tennis shoes and school supplies.Then we went to a Diamond Jaxx game and Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate the day he went to meet his teacher.Aunt Michele took him on a "date" to Jackson to pick out a few new school outfits and to eat dinner...it was so sweet, he told me that he wanted to pick out a dressy outfit for his date ;)
And then the day came! Monday, August 10 was his first full day of school. We all got up, got ready and arrived at the school by 7:30 am...and yes, if you know the Cains very well, you know this was some accomplishment! We quickly said goodbye, snapped a picture with his teacher, Ms. Brooke, and left the room (before I started crying... he was fine!)He really enjoyed his first week of school...especially recess and PE! His favorite thing is the merry-go-round :) We have been praying for years about Caleb's teachers, friends, and classmates that he would have as he is in school. I am excited to see what this year holds for Caleb and all that God will teach him, and us, through this new adventure...school!

Week Five...The Final Week of Constructors

It was incredibly hard to believe that five weeks had gone by so quickly! Yet here we were saying goodbye to dear friends we had made and standing in a building that had totally transformed over the period of five weeks. I never ceased to be amazed over the course of these weeks at the servant spirit displayed by the volunteers as they lovingly served us and ultimately served God. From those who hammered, drilled, tiled to those who spent hours in the kitchen preparing 3 meals a day to feed such a hungry group, each one used the gifts and abilities God has blessed them with to serve. Each week, volunteer after volunteer would respond to our thanks by saying, "Oh, no! Thank you for letting us come! We're the ones who are receiving the blessing!" That kind of attitude and love only comes from a love for Christ and a desire to imitate His love for others. Thank you to each of the 371 volunteers who put in over 10,000 man hours...yes, not a misprint...10 thousand hours! We literally could not have been building our church this summer without you. We are humbled by your sacrifice and so grateful for you! You have become dear to us!

Week Five...

Week five left us with the education side of our building almost totally sheetrocked with the exception of the fellowship hall. We also had a gentleman who laid the ceramic tile in the children's bathrooms that are between each set of children's rooms and began the kitchen tile. The sanctuary framing really moved along as well! The hallways and ceilings began taking shape, and you can really see what everything is now, including the sound booth! Our baptistry arrived (but couldn't be put in place just yet), and the doors also arrived for the outside of the buildings. Deanna and I insulated the huge 32 foot wall in the sanctuary (see picture of us with the completed job below!) We were able to meet Mr. Al Davis who founded Constructors along with MaryAnna, Marlin and a group of others 34 years ago! Siding continued, and tears flowed as we said our goodbyes...here are the pics from week five. First pictures though are from the day before construction started...just to remind you how far we've come in 5 short weeks!

The Much Anticipated...Week Four!!!

The last several weeks have been so busy, and I really wanted to enjoy the last few weeks with Caleb before he began school. I hopefully am going to get all caught up on my blogging as our schedule finally calms down! My apologies for the delay...I've definitely heard about it from my family :) Here's for you Wave and Nanny! Hehe...

Week Four...
Sheetrock, Sheetrock and more Sheetrock! During week for we saw a lot of progress on this part of the building. The rooms really took shape and started to seem much larger as they were closed in! We also had lots of insulation to put in place in order for the Sheetrock to be hung. Many of the week four volunteers were already experienced in this; one of our youth, Deanna, and I began our education in this area (more to come on this in week five)! There was also framing in the sanctuary area that really allowed us to see more of what the layout was going to look like in that part of the building. And the men from our church began the siding! For those wondering...it will be painted and the two building will match! Hehe, I wonder what people think as they drive by! There were some precious friends we made, and one of the really neat parts for me was seeing another group of youth that led in worship and served faithfully throughout the week. With us formerly being in youth ministry, this always blesses my heart. I know how hard it can be for youth to take the step from just attending to being a leader and "setting an example for the believers..." It was also a special week because several of our youth, Deanna, Jessica, Taylor, Jason and Reid were on site working several of the days. I'm so proud that they have taken ownership of the process and are using their time and energy for the Lord! Here are the pictures from week four!

Jonathan's Birthday

Caleb and Bennett had a great time celebrating their friend Jonathan's birthday! Check out this crazy group of boys! OH MY! Thanks for letting us help celebrate! Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

At the party, Bennett jumped off the diving board without a lifejacket for the first time!!! YEAH, Bennett!!!