"Set in stone"

It's official, the church is now "Set in stone". Our new signage has been set into the side of the new building

                                                 for all of the world to see!!!! Yay!!!

The doors were locked and all of the workers gone home, so I could not get in yesterday to see the progress.
However, a lot of work is being done on the grounds. The forms for the concrete all the way around the building are being built. Tons of actual "dirt" is being brought in to cover the "sand". All of the materials for the irrigation/sprinkler system has been delivered.

Sooooooooooo, the date has been set for our first day of occupancy for Sacrament.................
"drum roll, please".............October 14, 2012. Mark that date and "BE THERE!"

It's getting closer................

Now this is really getting serious. We are almost there. The bricks are up. Looks like it is getting ready to put the name on the building. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the only part left.

                                           The lights in the chapel look A M A Z I N G!

                                            The class rooms are getting closer to being finished

The water fountains and the bathrooms are nearing completion..

So, are you excited yet?

This is the first week of September - time flies - October is almost here!

As soon as we get an actual opening date for the building so that we can hold our meetings there, I will update so that EVERYONE that can, will be there!

I know that we won't have the "Open House" until later until November or December, so the next few months will be BUSY, busy, busy.. So get ready to mark your calendars and make all travel arrangements.

We are excited!!!!!!

Another milestone

Today was a sad and joyous day. Our little group met another milestone. Our dearly beloved President Campbell and his counselors were released today and new ones called. It has been eight years for President Campbell in this little branch. Longer than normal for most. We will miss his leadership.
I knew right away when I walked into church that something was up when EVERY member of the Stake presidency was on hand.

So, for me, it was kind of sad, but heartwarming as well.
I just love President Campbell,( but he now says that his name is Brother Campbell...LOL...)
Isn't there something that says "Once a Bishop, always a Bishop? Same goes for President, I think!!!!
Anyway, he has a way about him and everyone that meets him knows that he loves the Saviour and he loves people. A very special man indeed and I am very grateful for all of the time and energy that he has spent on our behalf for the eight past years. Just let me say, Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I do know and believe that the Lord does truly know and call the right men to lead and guide us, thus, today, the new Presidency of our little branch was called, sustained and set apart. I know that all of them will do their utmost to carry out their duties and obligations to carry out little branch into the next few years.

So, now the reins of our little branch goes to....................Mike Morrow (in the middle) with his counselors, Jerry Stone (on the left) and Chris Wood(in the right). All very capable men who will follow the Lord's will and with His guidance, help our little branch to grow.

Now we have lots of things to get accomplished in the next few weeks. the building is coming right on along. (Got to get over there tomorrow and take more pictures) Stay tuned for more updates on the building this week....................................

Lookee, lookee, lookee!!!!!!

Whooee, it's coming together. The bricks are coming up and looking Gooooooooooooood. I can't even express how proud everyone here is of the progress that is being made on the building. Now it seems as if everything is going rapidly now. (Guess it has to...look, probably less than five -that's one, two, three, four, five!! weeks until scheduled completion.)
So, here we go...updates...

                                                                 Doesn't it look good?
Now, more updates on the concrete as well as the grounds. Lots of heavy machinery work going on.

Here is a picture of the site from the road coming into the site from the Bypass.

Till next week................................................

8th Birthday

Oh wow, it is the 8th birthday of the Rockport  Branch!!!! Hooray. The celebration took place @ the
park in Rockport just a few blocks from our new home to be. What exciting times it is. Next year, we should be able to have it on church grounds (probably depends on how the landscaping goes)
Anyway, back to the subject on hand. As usual, a great time was had by all. Plenty of hot dogs (cooked & grilled by Carl Hatton & Mike Martinez). Then we had wonderful side dishes brought by different members. We had potato salad, frog eye salad, fresh watermelon, chili, beans, more beans, a corn & bean pineapple & other ingredients relish kind of salad, a asian influence salad.....(wow, I'm getting tired AND full just talking about it). then we had corn chips, potato chips, cheetos, cheese puffs, strawberry cake, and did I mention homemade ICE CREAM?????? And of course, the wonderful Blue Bell ice cream. Really now...what more could one ask for? It was great as you will be able to see with everyone filling their plates and then enjoying the dishes. LOOK BELOW>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Remember to click on the picture to make it larger, then click off to the side to put it back to normal.

We sang our traditional birthday song which was written by our talented Niki Haley. I don't know where she comes up with these great words, but she does every time (birthdays, Christmas, etc). Thanks Niki for a job done well.

Finally visible PROGRESS!

Wow, went to the building site today and it's hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The hold up has been the white bricks that are kind of like a chair rail for the building. They are here and being put up AS WE SPEAK! So, while the inside has not been held up, the work progresses.
Here are pictures of the outside and the white brick.

Now on to the inside. More fantastic progress. going into the chapel one can actually see where the room will divided when it needs to be and how large of a room it is when completely open.
The cabinets have been added.

The tile work is being done. It covers the entry from all of the doors, around the water fountains, in the bathrooms, in the kitchen, in the fount and dressing area.

 The various classrooms have their wains coating done and any cabinets and chalk/dry marker boards put up.

We even have a library!!!!! Yea, we weren't too sure of this at first, so we are excited.

                                            And then that leaves us with the clerk's office

   And finally, the hallway, the water fountain area and a shot of the bathroom.

                                                                                               So, that's it for now. More later.

THE INSIDE UPDATE

I got inside to take pictures. WOW, they have been working. The rooms are clearly defined, wainscoating up (carpet) and drywall up. For the life of me though, I can't figure out why they would put the carpet up on the walls before they did the texturing (isn't that a lot of dust that can get in the carpet?) Of course, THEY know what they are doing and I'm sure that it will be just fine. Anyway, here are the pictures so you can see the updates.

Front main entrance

The clerk & bishops office

down the hallway
 

Chapel

Relief Society/Multi-purpose room

Font
Then we have the hallway and the wall for the fountains

Outside almost all of the parking lot is done, actually, the parking lot is done, the driveway is being finished.

So, there you have it.....for now....