In my last blog post, the footers were poured. A few days after that post, it rained. It rained and rained. We had to do some redesigning of drainage for the driveway. And we waited for the ground to dry.
It was another month, the end of November before they could start building the block wall. Our building will sit on 28 inches of concrete block. It was exciting to see the footprint beginning to take shape. Our block layer, Bert, and his sweet wife worked so hard and did a fantastic job.
Two weeks later in mid-December several more loads of gravel were delivered to fill in the footprint in preparation for the concrete slab. We had a nice break from the rain so that some work could once again be accomplished. Our GC Robbie Walker worked to lay the plumbing pipe for sinks, toilet, and shower. Another inspection was conducted and passed.
December 17 was an exciting day as the building was delivered to the property. They unloaded the pallets in our front field. It is hard to believe that the contents of those few pallets will one day be the form for our new house. Then the pallets sat for a month...waiting.
The next step before pouring the slab was to install the pex pipe for the in floor heating system. It started with sheets of rigid foam insulation on the gravel. Then the pipe was stapled to the insulation. It will be nice to have toasty toes in mid-winter. I have heard from several people with in floor heat that they don't use as much fuel heating the house in the winter since the warm floors help regulate the heat in the house. It is our hope that the warm floors and our big fireplace will reduce the amount of electricity needed for heat.
A couple of days after laying the pipe, the concrete trucks arrived again. It was in the 40s that day, so the concrete guys, led once again by Bert, were still here working long after we went to bed. In the interest of full disclosure, we are "early to bed and early to rise" folks, so that means after 9pm. I think David told me it was after 11pm before they finally finished for the day. It took a few extra days to cure because of the cold weather. Bert had to come back to finish a bit more after a few days. So more waiting. However, it looks so pretty!
Once the house is finished, Bert will be coming back to polish and seal the floors. I am so excited about the finished product.
Then came some more waiting...three weeks. During that time we had a lovely Christmas holiday. Our precious oldest daughter came in from Oregon. Since we are living in a very tiny RV and she was headed to Indiana to spend Christmas day with her girlfriend's family, we had an early celebration with dinner at a favorite restaurant and stockings and presents at our son and daughter-in-law's. It was a wonderful day. It went by way too fast.
The new year arrived, and on January 4 we decided to venture into Nashville to a home show. It was not what we expected as most of the vendors were geared to home improvement and not new construction. However, all was not lost. David fell in love with a hot tub, something he has been wanting for a long time. So we took the plunge and bought a portable tub that we have made great use of already. When the house is built and the rest of the concrete is poured, we will move it to the back side of the house. For now, it sits behind our RV and gets used nearly every day.
Cabin fever started raging. I am thankful, however, for friends who offered prayers and words of encouragement. I know it will be worth it all in the end. It is not about the destination, but the journey. And oh, what a journey!
It has been both a blessing and a curse to be living on the property with the building site right outside our RV door. It is a blessing to be able to keep an eye on things, but it has been a curse when weeks go by with nothing being done. Needless to say, between mid-December and mid-January, I struggled with the waiting.
On January 14, just three days ago, my heart began to sing again. The building was moved from the front field back to the job site. It was a very happy day. Just a small baby step was all I needed.
The next day they started to sort through all of the pieces in preparation to begin construction. More joy!
Yesterday and today they laid the 4" solid capstone along the block wall. The building will bolt to this stone. They have also started constructing the pieces, including the trusses to support the roof. They even had a little toast to the fact that the building is square!
It's looking as if we will have a structure going up next week.
I titled this post "Take Courage" since it is the title of a worship song by Bethel Music that I sing often to myself and very loudly in the car. It's all about waiting on God and His perfect timing. Here are the lyrics:
Slow down, take time
"Breathe in," He said
He'd reveal what's to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He'll reveal all to come
So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He'll finish all He's begun
So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory
And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory!
Good things are happening. Find joy. It's in the waiting. He's never failing.
Lizabeth
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