Week 11 - Hot, hotter, hottest

For the second time this summer, we've been hit with a heat index over 100 degrees and it doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.  So, you can probably guess how the volunteers and myself were working this past week.  Even though we may have been moving slow and easy, I'm happy with the progress we made on the houses.


The Catholic Circle of Faith house moved right along with the framing process.  The walls were stood, the trusses were set, and blue board was put on.  Next on the agenda...roofing.

The other house continued to have awesome leadership from our AmeriCorps staff working on the interior finishes.  I was able to help out the first part of the week installing the laminate flooring but then they took over the rest of the week and worked on installing cabinets, trim, blinds, more painting, etc.  And the house looks great!  I even noticed that we have power running directly to the house now.  Let's hope the electricians and the heating/cooling trades can get there soon.  

  

I, on the other hand, didn't get to work on the front of the women's build house like I had hoped.  So, depending on the other tasks on the schedule, let's hope I can squeeze in some time this week to try and work on it.


I'm over halfway with my volunteer time with Habitat for Humanity and I've started thinking a lot about what I've learned these past eleven weeks.  The one thing that stands out the most is learning to take my tool belt off.  For those of you that really know me, I'm a do'er and being single all these years, I've learned to do a lot of things on my own.  And I mean a lot.  So, as a do-er and an independent person, being tossed into a leadership role has definitely thrown me some curve balls.  


I've really had to learn to take the tool belt off and show someone else how to do things and not do it for them.  Along with leadership, comes patience, something else that I struggle with.  I've had to learn to be patient with people because they don't all learn at the same rate of speed as the next person.  It's hard for me to show someone something and then walk away to have them do the task without constant supervision.  However, I'm always surprised by coming back a little later and seeing the great work they are doing without me watching them all the time.  I don't know if that is leadership or something else, but I think I'm getting better at leaving the tool belt off. 

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Highlight of the week...

Seeing progress on both houses.

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Scripture...

Brothers and Sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought... 

Romans 8:26

Week 10 - Starting over...

This last week, I was put on lead responsibilities on a second house.  This house is being funded by the Catholic Circle of Faith group which is comprised of four parishes in the Des Moines area working together to build a home for another deserving family.  I'm involved with the Habitat for Humanity ministry group at my parish, St. Francis of Assisi, that is taking part in this build.  And I'm very happy being able to serve on this build in a couple of different aspects.

We worked on getting the foundation capped, and even though you can't see them, building the supporting walls in the basement.  The volunteers with the Catholic Circle of Faith are very hard working that we were able to get a big jump on the caulking in the basement (phew!), cut the door/window openings out of the exterior walls, and sheeted the end trusses before they will be put up.  Hopefully, with some cooperation with the weather, you will see some big changes in next weeks photos.


Oh, and this house is going up next to the house that we built at the Des Moines Arts Festival a few weeks ago.  It is still in the finishing stages but it is on its foundation ready for the next steps in becoming a home for another deserving family.

You might be wondering about the women's build house I was working on???  I'm still working on that one too!  On our non-volunteer days, I'll be working on the Hammers & Heals house and then leading at the new Catholic Circle of Faith house when the volunteers are on site.


This past week, the women's build house was all about painting.  And thanks to some great Habitat staff members leading the volunteers last week, we were able to move in some of the flooring and cabinets in preparation for installation this week.


So, I'm starting the process all over again...framing, roofing, siding, etc.  And I couldn't be happier.  I'm loving this and can't believe that I'm over halfway done with my time at Habitat for Humanity this summer.  I'm trying my best not to think about it ending but know that it will be here before I know it.


On another note...my youngest niece turned 12 years old on Sunday.  And this aunt doesn't like seeing them grow up so quickly.  I wanted the birthday girl to sit on my lap, but she said she was too old...so, like any good auntie would do...I sat on hers.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of that!  Happy Birthday, Kiddo!!  Love you!!

Happy 12th Birthday!!

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Highlight of the week...

1.  Getting to lead the Catholic Circle of Faith house.

2.  Celebrating my niece's birthday with her.

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Scripture...

You are a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in distress;
Shelter from the rain, shade from the heat. 

Isaiah 25:4

Week 9 - Turn up the heat!

Well, we turned up the heat this week...or Mother Nature did anyway.  We had a couple of scorchers on Thursday and Friday.  The beginning of the week started out ok, but by the time we got to the end of the week, we were taking frequent breaks and standing in the shade whenever possible.


The drywall was finishing up this week, and since we couldn't get inside, we were outside working in the sun, humidity, and heat.  Thankfully, we are far enough along on the outside of the house that we were able to get started on some painting and get the window wells dug and installed.  And I was able to get in on the action but boy, was it hot!  Mid- to upper-90s, a lot of humidity, and no clouds made for some very toasty construction work.  I tried to stay strategic by having the volunteers move with the shade, but there were times when we just couldn't escape it.  Especially on the south and west side after the noon hour.  Woo-doggy!

Getting in on the painting...

Can you see the farmer's tan?

Thursday we had to get the scaffolding up to paint the back of the house again.  If you didn't have gloves on, you'd burn your hands on the aluminum.  After we got the framing set and the first plank put on, I went up to finish assembling the planking as it was handed up.  It was hard to get the volunteers out from under the shade tree so when I finished getting the scaffolding set...sweat dripping and soaking through my gloves...I moved everyone to the front and east side of the house to tackle some other tasks that would be in the shade.  That didn't seem to help, the heat really drained the volunteers and we were all moving at a snails pace.


The Friday group cranked out some painting on the house.  We got a lot further than I thought we would but the volunteers were willing and able to work in the sun or the shade.  With frequent hydration breaks, the group was always looking for something to do, so painting we did.  Tan with white trim and eventually we'll add the accent color...but you'll have to wait until I get pictures to see what that color will be.  

 

Oh...and we now officially have walls with texture.  So, let the painting continue.  

I hope you all had a fun holiday weekend!  Thanks to our military and the freedoms we have. 

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Highlight of the week...

1.  Getting started on the exterior painting and installing the window wells.  

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Scripture...

Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. 

1 Peter 2:16