Time's running out to help

The dedication of The House God Built is quickly drawing near. This is the next to last weekend we have to finish construction! We are getting nearly finished with the house and will be turning our focus to outside projects as weather allows. Our biggest projects to finish are concrete and landscaping. We will need lots of volunteers for each of those as they are each very labor intensive. We are looking for a date to pour concrete so watch the blog for more information on this soon.

Inside we are finishing up! We will have plumbers setting fixtures this weekend and carpenters finishing the door and trim installation. We need experienced painters to help patch some damaged paint on the ceilings and to help with a touch-ups around the house once the remaining carpentry and plumbing work is finished. We also need to seal grout on all tile floors and remove all remaining tools and materials that are no longer needed at the house.

We would love to have your help. Please consider coming over to help this weekend if you can. We'll start working on Saturday at 8 am and will continue until at least 5 pm. We also plan on working Sunday after 1 pm. You can sign-up to help online or give us a call at 573-837-4047 with any questions.

Wednesday update

Tonight we were able to install crown molding on the kitchen cabinets. It made great looking cabinets look even better. We also purchased and installed interior door handles.

The doors and trim that were anticipated today were not available so that has been delayed. Hopefully they will be available no later than this weekend. Speaking of this weekend we still need to finish the remaining doors and trim, place rock on the fireplace, seal grout, and set plumbing fixtures.

If you would like to help out watch for more information here on the blog or sign-up online at our volunteer site. If you have any questions or would like to donate to The House God Built please give us a call at 573-837-4047.

Tuesday update and plans

Today has been a very busy day at The House God Built. The countertops have been installed and look great. The air conditioning is on and feels good. The trash has been dumped and is, well, gone.

Tonight we'll be working on some miscellaneous items inside the house. We can install the toe kick and crown molding on the cabinets, install door hardware, and do some clean-up. With all of the people working at the house today and the muddy conditions outside it is more than ready for a little TLC.

On Wednesday the remainder of the doors and trim will be ready for us to pick up and install. If this can be done during the day we can finish the installation tomorrow night. The blog will be updated once we know that we'll have materials ready.

One final thought for today - I've gotten lots of questions on why there have not been many pictures lately to show the progress. The answer is that we are keeping the interior of the house a suprise for Pastor Thomas and his wife. They will see the inside of the house for the first time at the dedication on June 14th.

Weekend progress and plans for the week

This weekend was a busy one at The House God Built. We were able to install all of the interior doors and trim that we received last week. The remainder may be available to pick up as early as today. We also ventilated the porch attic, cut up brush in the back yard near the alley, sculpted the backyard into it's final form, and leveled the driveway. The backyard retaining wall is built and all that remains is to purchase and place the capstones.

We also received word of donations of the remaining kitchen appliances and landscaping!

This week should be another big week for things to start pulling together. The countertops are scheduled to be delivered and installed today which will allow us to proceed with the plumbing trim out. We also are expecting the air conditioning units to be installed this week.

In other good news there is a complimentary editorial in today's Southeast Missourian. You may read it online.

We'll be deciding on evening work plans as soon as we know that the materials will be available. Check back soon for updated information about our progress and plans.

Saturday update

We were blessed with another great day of progress at The House God Built. The weather was nearly perfect with only a stray passing shower but nothing that kept us from continuing our work outside. We were able to build the backyard retaining wall and the backyard looks great after using a tractor to level the soil and break up the clods.

Inside we now have most of the interior doors on the first floor hung. Much of the trim was also installed on the first floor.

We'll meet at THGB on Sunday afternoon at 1 pm to work on the tasks listed below in yesterday's post that are still incomplete. If you have time to help we would love to see you at The House God Built.

Weekend plans

The House God Built continues to grow closer to completion. Tonight we finished grouting the tile and it will soon be ready to seal. We also finished building the attic access panels today and hung three interior doors this evening.

This weekend we have many things planned and would love to finish all of them and more if possible. With the extra day on Monday we are optimistic that these are all possible to complete with your help.

• Install toilets and tub fixtures. Countertops have been delayed until Tuesday so sinks will have to wait until next week.
• Cut up some brush that remains on the back of the property near the alley and haul it off next week.
• Ventilate the attic over the porch into the second floor attic.
• Install remaining doors and trim on first floor.
• Set stones on fireplace.
• Level driveway.
• Finish framing driveway.
• Start sculpting the soil to it's final condition prior to seeding.
• Finish back retaining wall.
• Repair driveway retaining wall.

We appreciate all of the help we've had so far with this amazing project and with a little more help we can see this through to completion soon. Besides physically helping with construction we can still use your prayers and donations. If you would like to help out please give us a call at 837-4047 or stop in to see us this weekend.

We'll be working on Saturday from 8 am until we're too tired to continue any longer. Lunch will be provided at noon. On Sunday we'll start working at about 1 pm and again work until we can't go any longer. We'll decide Monday's schedule based on how much we get accomplished on Saturday and Sunday. Hope to see you this weekend!

Doors and trim are going in.

Today volunteers picked up a load of doors and trim and have begun installation. Tonight we'll continue with grout in the bathrooms and a few other tasks. We'll have our weekend plans posted later this evening.

Grouting begins

Thursday much progress was made on the tile. A special thanks goes to a volunteer who spent much of today chiseling excess thinset from between tiles in the kitchen, dining room, and laundry room. This made it possible for us to grout these areas tonight.

Friday should be an exciting day as our countertops are scheduled to arrive. We are also expecting some of the interior doors and trim on Friday. Our plans are to meet at 6 pm and continue grouting both bathrooms.

Plans for this weekend are still developing but it is looking unlikely that it will include pouring concrete. Look for detailed weekend plans on the blog soon.

Tuesday/Wednesday updates and Thursday work sessions

Tuesday a ladies group touched up paint on the ceiling during the day while the evening crew chipped out excess thinset between the tile in the kitchen. Wednesday a concrete pad for the air conditioning units was formed and poured. The remainder of the shutters were also hung.

We will be working Thursday at 10 am and again at about 6 pm. The morning session will be spent cleaning excess thinset from between tile in the bathrooms and laundry room. There may be some work on the retaining wall out back as well. The evening work session will be spent grouting tile. We would appreciate your help if you can find the time.

Tuesday work session

We will have a group touching up paint on the ceilings at The House God Built this morning from 9 - 11. If you would like to help today please come on over. The following work session is planned for Wednesday night when we'll be grouting tile. Watch the blog and our volunteer site for updated information on this and other opportunities to serve at The House God Built.

Article in the Southeast Missourian

Thanks to Lindy Bavolek, Kit Doyle, and the Southeast Missourian for a very nice article printed in today's newspaper. We're so glad that others can hear about the exciting things that are happening with this project.

You can't miss the article as it is on the front page (above the fold!) or you can view it on the seMissourian.com website.

As always, if you would like to be involved with The House God Built you can sign-up to help online or by calling our info line at 573-837-4047. Immediate needs are for people experienced (or willing to become experienced) with pouring concrete, installing doors and trim, grouting tile, and building a retaining wall.

We also are still seeking donations of new or gently used appliances (black or stainless would match the range hood/microwave combo and dishwasher that we already have been given), furniture, and household items. If you feel led to provide one or more of these items please contact us on the info line number above or by email at info@thehouseGodbuilt.com.

Sunday update and plans for the week

The House God Built was blessed with beautiful weather this weekend and we made the best of it by spending most of our time on outside projects. The sidewalks are framed and the driveway is nearly framed. We'll be scheduling our concrete pour soon and will post those plans here as soon as possible. Today we also were able to finish placing the gutter drains. These were connected with the perimeter drains to the basement and provide a means for rain to be quickly carried away from the house.

In addition to the concrete pour we have plenty of other items planned soon at The House God Built. On Monday evening we will likely do a bit more work on the backyard with the backhoe and we would also like to grout tile. That would allow us to seal the grout on Wednesday and then install doors and trim soon afterwards.

This weekend we will be doing landsculpting. I'm not sure if that's a word but it describes our plans pretty well as we need to sculpt the terrain to it's final shape, finish installing a retaining wall in the backyard, and generally get the property ready for more traditional landscaping plans the following week. You can help by coming on Saturday anytime between 8 am and 8 pm or Sunday from 1 pm until 8 pm. You can sign-up to help online or by calling our info line at 837-4047. Watch the blog for more specific plans for days and times.

Saturday progress and Sunday plans

Given the outstanding weather this weekend we concentrated our efforts on the outside of The House God Built on Saturday by grading and framing the sidewalks and placing gutter drains. Inside we painted and installed cement board on the fireplace in preparation for masonry work.

Today we'll continue working outside on framing the remainder of the sidewalks and driveway. We also need to form and pour the curbs and a pad for the air conditioning units today. We'll also install the last bit of the gutter drains and back fill trenches. Our hope is to pour the driveway, sidewalks and new basement floor this week.

We would love to have your help with these plans. Stop by today or check back on the blog for updated information on when we'll be working this week at The House God Built.

Weekend plans

Another busy weekend is approaching for The House God Built. We have plans to work on finishing lots of things. These include:

Installing doors and trim
Grouting tile
Finish building the fireplace
Touch-up paint on walls and ceilings
Complete the porch railing
Build retaining wall in the backyard
Prepare the driveway and sidewalks for pouring concrete

As you can see, there is still lots to do for people of pretty much any skill level. We would love to have your help this weekend. If possible, sign-up online or call our info line to let us know how many people to expect.

Siding is FINISHED!!

Things are really starting to happen fast at The House God Built. Last night the siding was finished and a layer of cap stones was placed onto the retaining wall along the driveway. We also unloaded two pallets of retaining wall blocks that will soon be used to build a retaining wall in the backyard. Inside the electricians were finishing up the installation of the electrical fixtures, switches, and receptacles while last night a crew of volunteers did a lot of cleaning.

We're working on our plans for the weekend and would love you to be a part of them. You can sign-up to volunteer online or by calling us at 837-4047. There will be more information about our weekend plans posted here by tomorrow.

We have power!

Yesterday our crew of electricians set up the service panel and installed fixtures while AmerenUE set the pole out front. Today AmerenUE returned after the electrical inspector gave the go ahead to turn on the power. We also purchased more blocks for a retaining wall near the basement wall and will start laying these later tonight. We will also be putting caps on the retaining wall beside the driveway. We would love to have your help. We'll start working at 6 pm.

One retaining wall in, one to go

Progress continues at The House God Built. Yesterday we finished installing the retaining wall along the driveway. Once we pick up another load of blocks we'll start working on the retaining wall in the backyard. Also, siding is nearly finished!

Inside THGB the wood flooring is nearly complete and electricians were busy wiring up the service panel and installing fixtures and receptacles. We are hoping for AmerenUE to establish our service any day now.

This morning there will be a group in the house doing final paint touch-ups. Also we would like to have the concrete pad formed and poured for the air conditioning units done today. If you would like to help please stop by this morning.

Sunday update and Monday plans

Yesterday we spent the day bringing the driveway to the proper grade and the half the night taking the retaining wall blocks off the trailer. Our hope is to set these today so we can level out the driveway and return the bobcat. If you have time to come by and set even one block we would appreciate your help!

Also, the wood floors should be completed later today. The installers arrived this morning with the remainder of the flooring and were getting set to start.

Check back on the blog later to find out how you can help out this week at The House God Built.

Siding's nearly finished

Today we were able to finish siding the front of the house and make great progress on the last remaining wall - a difficult section on the back of the second floor. With any luck we should be able to be completely finished with siding after another day's work.

We also were able to level the ground for pouring both sidewalks, moved the dumpster and the portapotty, and cleaned off the front of the property. Tomorrow we'll prep the driveway for concrete and begin laying the retaining wall.

If you're able to help we'll start working at about 1 pm on Sunday. We plan on working most evenings this week and will have times posted soon.

Timing is everything...

The planned dedication date of May 17th is fast approaching – too fast actually. We have learned that some of the supplies needed to finish the house will not be available until after that date. Rather than dedicate a house that is not finished we have chosen to move the dedication date forward. A new date is in the works and should be available very soon. We regret this delay but want to finish the house with the excellence that has been the hallmark of The House God Built.

Our plan is to continue our pace of construction on the items unaffected by material delays. We still need your help though. Sign-up to help online or by calling our info line at info@thehouseGodbuilt.com. New workdays will be posted soon.

Weekend plans

This weekend we have big projects to finish. Outside we would like to finish with siding, frame and pour the pads for the heat pumps, and frame the driveway and sidewalks for pouring concrete next week. Inside we would like to finish setting cabinetry, grout tile, apply the cement board to the fireplace, continue with the electrical trim-out, and begin the plumbing trim-out.

It's a lot to accomplish in two days but with a great volunteer turn out it's possible. Come be a part of what God's doing in south Cape. We'll start working at 8 am on Saturday and again on Sunday at 1 pm.

Thursday update and Friday plans

As of Thursday night siding on the front of the house is nearly complete! All that remains is the gable end of the porch and the back of the house. Work also continued on setting cabinets and electrical fixtures are starting to go in. AmerenUE was out today to mark the location for our new pole so we're hoping to see progress on getting our electrical service established very soon.

Work will continue on Friday night at 6 pm. We hope to haul off broken concrete from the old driveway. We also plan on leveling the rock in the driveway, placing a retaining wall along the south side of the driveway and building forms to pour concrete for the driveway and sidewalks soon.

We would love to continue working on the siding and other projects around the house as well. If you're available to come out to help Friday night we would love to see you. If you have questions or need more information on how you can help please call our info line at 837-4047 or you can email us at info@thehouseGodbuilt.com.

Wednesday update and Thursday plans

Wednesday we had a great crew of volunteers who came out in the rain to help see The House God Built move towards completion. Today we made some progress on siding despite the rain. We also saw major progress on the wood floors and look forward to seeing more progress tomorrow. Another coat of paint was applied to the master bathroom and touch-up painting happened in several other areas. Cabinets arrived today and were set in the upstairs bathroom and much of the kitchen. In addition, our electrical service panel was placed today so Ameren UE can now set the pole and establish permanent power very soon!

Our plans for Thursday include working on setting the remainder of the cabinetry and installing electrical fixtures, switches, and receptacles. Weather permitting we would love to finish siding the front of the house and move on to the back wall of the upper floor. We would love to have your help. We'll start working at 6 pm and work until 9 or 10 pm. If you have any questions please give us a call at 837-4047 or you can email our info line at info@thehouseGodbuilt.com.

Tuesday update and Wednesday plans

The House God Built continues to be that - the house God built. Today the hardwood floor was installed in the master bedroom, study, and part of the living room. All tile is now down as well. Grouting will be postponed until later this week.

There are plans for lots of work on Wednesday. The hardwood flooring will continue to be installed, doors and trim should be delivered and begin to be installed, painting touch-ups will continue, the electrical service panel will be placed, and the installation of electrical outlets, switches, and fixtures will start. Wednesday evening the cabinets will be delivered and their installation will begin. If weather permits there may be some progress on the siding.

We are continuing to move forward towards our dedication date of May 17th. Please consider coming out to be a part of this work. If you have any questions you can email us at info@thehouseGodbuilt.com or call our info line at 837-4047.

Monday update and Tuesday plans

Monday night we hauled several loads of dirt out of the backyard and have it nearly at the final grade. This weekend we'll complete the grading after installing the gutter drains. We also loaded the brush, limbs, and stumps from the trees that were taken down in the process of installing the sewer line.

The wood flooring arrived and was quickly brought into THGB by a large group of volunteers after the materials and tools were removed from the first and second floors. We also installed cement board and tile in front of the fireplace and finished laying the remaining tile on the first floor.

On Tuesday the first level gets wood flooring during the day and the tile gets grout that evening. We also may have an opportunity to do siding and some carpentry work on the steps during the day.

It's an exciting time to see the progress at The House God Built. Come be a part of it! We will definitely be working at 6 pm and may add a daytime work session as well. The blog will be updated if a daytime work session happens.

Progress at THGB and help needed tonight

It was a productive weekend at The House God Built. Most of the tile is down and much of the siding on the front of the house is up. The finish line is in sight. We still need help though. Tonight we'll be moving materials stored in the house out and bringing hardwood floooring in that will be installed later this week. We also need to gather up brush from the trees that were taken down over the weekend and do some touch-up painting. If you can help with any of these projects please come over tonight at 6 pm.

Saturday progress and Sunday and Monday plans

The House God Built continues to move towards it's completion date of May 17th and we have plenty of progress to report from Saturday. Most of the work happened outside on Saturday with major excavation in the backyard. The sewer line is now functional and the backyard is nearly at it's final grade. Now that this is complete we can prepare to pour concrete for the basement floor, driveway, and sidewalks.

Also outside on Satuday we continued with siding and got about half of the front of the house done. This part of the house is challanging due to the bay window and porch but it would seem that the hardest parts were done yesterday and today should go a bit more smoothly. Once the front is complete we have to hang siding on the back of the second floor to finish all siding work.

Inside THGB we did lots of cleanup in preparation for the hardwood flooring to go in later this week by scraping splattered drywall mud off the floors and revising the treads on the stairs. We also have much of the tile laid in the kitchen, dining room, and master bathroom. Today we'll try to finish those rooms and see how far we can get on the laundry room and upstairs bathroom.

On Monday we will be receiving our hardwood flooring and need help bringing it inside. We also need to do some touch-up painting around windows and a few spots on the ceilings. Check back on the blog later today to see how you can help at The House God Built this week.

Next to last weekend to work at THGB

Only two more weeks until the dedication of The House God Built. We have accomplished so much work in this project but need your help to see it through to completion.

To do list for Saturday and Sunday:

Finish siding front of house and start siding on the back of the second floor.

Finish sewer connection and improve grade of backyard.

Install hurricane clips on the rafters under the porch.

Touch-up interior paint.

Scrape splattered drywall mud off all subfloors.

Tile laundry room, dining room, kitchen, and upstairs bathroom.

It's a lot of work but we have jobs for every skill level this weekend. Please consider coming over to help. Lunch is provided on Saturday at noon.

Weekend plans

We have a BIG weekend planned at The House God Built and hope YOU can be a part of it. Time is running short and we need lots of help to get the house finished in time for the dedication scheduled on May 17th.

We plan on working again Friday night, all day Saturday, and part of Sunday morning/early afternoon. We need to finish all painting and tile work soon so we will be ready to lay hardwood flooring next week. (Speaking of hardwood floors we need help to move it into the house on Monday evening.) We also will continue hanging siding this weekend and would like to finish that soon as well.


On Saturday we will plan to have heavy equipment working in the backyard to finish the sewer line. This will require taking down at least one tree. If anyone is available to help cut up the tree once it is on the ground that would be very helpful. We will also be grading the yard so that we can begin landscaping soon after the concrete has been poured in the basement floor and the driveway.


Please come help at any time that you can. Click here for times and days we will be working and please sign-up online or by calling us at 837-4047 so we can have a plan for the number of people that are wanting to help. An awesome lunch is being planned for Saturday so come prepared to work hard, have fun, and enjoy a good meal with old and new friends.



URGENT REQUEST: We need a dump truck driver to pick up a load of rock on Friday afternoon! We have a truck available to use. If you can help with this please call 986-3154. Thanks!

Thursday work session planned

Thursday night our plan is to continue laying tile and work on interior painting. We may also try to do some siding if possible. There will be a work crew on Friday night as well to continue with the same tasks as tonight.

Weekend plans:

This weekend we will continue to hang siding and lay tile. Interior painting should also be complete by the end of the weekend. We also have plans to have heavy equipment working in the backyard on Saturday to put in the remainder of the sewer line and to improve the grade of the backyard. On Monday night we need volunteers who can help carry in boxes of hardwood flooring that will be installed later that week. There will also be other work happening around THGB most nights next week so check the blog frequently for updated information.

If you can help out please sign-up online or give us a call at 837-4047.