So thankful for this season

Hello, Everyone!

I wanted to share a paragraph with you that Tish had emailed me regarding her home, so here it is:

"We are staying at the house on weekends and moving in a little at a time to keep the girls comfortable.  Dad is working everyday and Terry Stam has also been helping on Saturdays.  We are very excited and look forward to having everyone over after we are settled in the 1st of the year.  The house is looking great and I absolutely love it!"  ~~Tish Jackson

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving time with their family and friends. Also, I pray for everyone to have peace, love and joy during this Christmas time.

Blessings to all,
Melissa

Getting Closer to a Home!

Ceiling Boards Installed

     Today, Tish's helpers were Mike and Pam Reynolds, Eric Reynolds and Terry Stam.  They completed the ceiling in the Great Room. What an accomplishment!

Cutting Boards for Ceiling

As soon as the counter tops arrive, they will be installed so that Tish can move her family into their new home.  Estimated date of completion is sometime next month.

She still needs help finishing the back deck, as well as, building handrails and steps for the porches and deck.  If someone wants to take on this project, please email Mike Reynolds at scrubpad@comcast.net to let him know.

 

Tish, as well as, her family and Bob and I are all so very thankful to all the people who have continued working on the house. 

God is Good!

It's Fall, Ya'll !!! Progress Report

Hello, To All!

I hope you all are doing well and are excited to read the update on Tish's house.

Tish's father, Mike Reynolds and his friends, the Terry Stam family (12!), have been working diligently every chance they get, as well as, many others that I do not know about.  We thank you all for being faithful hands and feet for this project.

Tish, Cassidie and Ella hope to be in their house by the end of October!  How wonderful!!!

Looking at the kitchen area from the dining room

Currently, they are installing light fixtures and appliances.  There is still work to be done on the ceiling in the livingroom, the decks, the countertops, and the floors.  Above and below are pictures of the kitchen & dining room.

Same area, just a different angle

Cassidie and Tish have just returned from St. Jude's hospital for Cassidie's checkup for her leukemia recession.  The checkup went well!  All the major tests looked good with a few minor side effects to deal with.  They will go back every six months now for extra blood tests.  Tish and her family are very grateful and blessed to have such good results. 

They send out their thanks for all the help everyone has given and especially for your prayers during this season in their lives.  God bless them and keep them all healthy.

They still need help finishing up the house, as you have read above.  Please consider giving some of your time to help with this project.  If you can help, please email Mike Reynolds at scrubpad@comcast.net. 

God bless America ~~ Please remember all those who died ten years ago & their families they left behind on 9/11.

Tish's (Step) Father Has Passed

Our friend has lost his fight with cancer. Mike was a wonderful friend and will be missed by many.  He is at peace and in no more pain now.

Please keep the family in your prayers.

Follow this link to his obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricities/obituary.aspx?n=wilton-hilt&pid=152624136

Mike Reynolds, Tish's Dad, Is New Supervisor For The Project

Mike Reynolds has volunteered to oversee the completion of getting Tish's house completed.  He told me that he has been there working on the house anyway, so it's no problem for him...Thanks so much, Mike.

Mike will need help!  Central Presbyterian's Carpenters for Christ will be assisting him as they can.  They will be working there on Monday, July 18, on painting some boards and maybe working on building a deck.  Please let me know if you can help on Monday and I will let Hugh Wise, Supervisor for CCC, know.

Please be in prayer for Tish's step-father, who has Hospice with him now.  This family is very strong and close.  Their faith is getting them through all of this.

Since the Church In Abingdon has not received any donations for the past few months and we feel that most of the materials, etc. have been purchased, I wanted to post a statement to show the contributions and expenses for this project.

Church In Abingdon – Mission Fund

						Apr 1 - Jul 15, 11
		Designated Donations
			Jackson Build Donations			12,630.00
		Expenses
			Mission Projects
				Jackson Build
					Dry Wall Finishers	800.00
					Electrical	406.15
					Materials	11,878.66
					Meals for Workers	237.62
				Total Jackson Build		13,322.43
			Total Mission Projects			13,322.43
		Total Expense				13,322.43
	Net Donations for Jackson Build*					-692.43
						*Church In Abingdon is using reserve funds to offset for the $692.43 shortage.

For those wanting to know about Bob Turner's condition:  On Wednesday, the doctor removed 29cc of fluid from his left knee and gave him a shot of cortisone in his right knee.  He has a torn meniscus in his right knee.  He will go back to the doctor on August 3 to see how he has improved.  It will be determined then if he will need out-patient surgery to repair the meniscus on his right knee.  He has been feeling much better since he received the cortisone.  Thank you for your prayers.

I'm Asking for Help!

Hello, Everyone!

I hope this finds all of you well and having a wonderful summer.

I am asking for someone to please take over finishing this project.  If you can oversee the project, please email me at ItsMelissaT@aol.com or call me at 276.356.5092.

My husband, Bob, is not going to be able to oversee it any longer.  He has hurt himself, evidently on May 10, when he fell off our office's roof while replacing it from the Glade Spring tornado of April 28.  He suffers now with knee pain and some back pain, along with no rest from the pain.  Progress on his healing has been very slow.  Please pray for Bob's healing.  Thank you in advance for your prayers. 

Regarding progress on Tish's house:  Central Presbyterian Church's mission group, Central Carpenters for Christ, has been working on Tish's house when time permits.  They have laid & grouted all the tile for the house (two baths, a mud room & the kitchen), assembled & hung all the kitchen cabinets, done some painting and probably more things that haven't been told to me. 

They, also, have been working diligently in Glade Spring with the tornado victims' houses and getting ready to build two Habitat for Humanity houses in Bristol this fall!  Wow!  Thank you, Central Presbyterian! 

Carpenters for Christ is a small group that needs more workers...If anyone would like to sign up to help CPC with the Glade Spring recovery efforts and/or with the Habitat for Humanity houses, please go to http://www.cpcbristol.org/ to get information about volunteering.  Their main focus now is to work on these two areas.

Bless all that are reading this for caring and wanting to help someone!

Small Group, But Large Work

L to R is Bob, Ted, Hugh, Bill & Terry

We had Central Presbyterian Church's Carpenters for Christ (the people pictured above in the red t-shirts) working on tiling the floors of the two bathrooms today.  Not pictured, were Dr. Sean Mullins and his son, Carter, also from Central, who assembled some of the cabinetry.  Bob and Ted built a small porch off the Great Room.  I had lunch detail and go-fer duties.

There is much to do!  The assembly of the cabinets is something that probably most everyone has done before if you've ever bought some type of furniture not assembled.  The ceiling boards need to be stained, which is much like painting.  There is usually a need for an assistant to one of the skilled volunteers.  So, anyway, if you have some time come on out and give a hand on a Saturday!

Bob and I will not be there next Saturday, but someone will be there to be in charge.

I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.  I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to you name, O Most High.  ~~Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT)

June 4th Work Day: Ready, Set, Go!

Central Presbyterian's Carpenters for Christ setting tile in the kitchen

This is just a reminder to everyone that we are getting back to work on the Jackson Build this Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. until we get tired—and we need volunteers.

Here’s our ‘To Do’ list:

·         Unassembled cabinets to be put together and hung

·         Wood laminate flooring to be put down

·         Tile to be put down in the bathroom & laundry room

·         Ceiling boards to be sanded, stained & put up

·         Back deck & side porch to build & other porches to finish

·         Hearth to build

·         Storm doors need to be installed

·         Some painting left to do

Tish has been working hard making decisions, shopping around and picking up the materials this past month.  She’s got all the materials there and ready for us to attack these projects. 

(Remember, we are only working on Saturdays from now on.)

Larry Petersek painting the laundry room

Let’s get ‘er done!

Thanks for your help—we’ll see you there!

Calling on volunteers--MARK THE DATE! SATURDAY, JUNE 4th

Ella and Cassidie helped paint their rooms last month.

Let's get ready to continue work on Tish's house!  We will start back with our first work day, beginning at 9 a.m. and working until 4 or 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4th. 

As it stands for now, we will be working on Saturdays, only.  This reduction in days is because of so many other commitments people have (including us!) and it seems that Saturday is the day that most people can give some time.  We are excited to get back on the project, and we look forward to serving with you.

It would be a great thing for me and our volunteer lunch organizers if you could send me (Melissa) an email to ItsMelissaT@aol.com or call me at 276-356-5092 to let me know how many in your group will be helping (even if your group is just you)!  That helps us know whether to fix two lunches or twenty!

Jesus said, "I am among you as one who serves."  ~~Luke 22:27

Work on the Jackson's house is still on hold

Hello to All,

Bob and I apologize for the delay on working on Tish's house.  If there is anyone out there who will be the supervisor for the project through the remaining days of May, please email us.  Bob's time is consumed by working on our business' tornado damage, but we hope to be able to resume work at Tish's house by the end of May. 

Thanks for all the prayers and helping hands that people have given to the community of Glade Spring.  Please continue to pray for those families who lost loved ones and for the ones whose homes or businesses have been completely destroyed by the tornado.

We thank the Lord that Debbie Jackson is providing Tish, Cassidie and Ella with a loving home until theirs is completed.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ~~Psalm 46:1

No Work At Tish's For A Couple of Weeks

Today, volunteers came out to paint inside the house and lay tile in the kitchen.  The lunch was provided by Mary Bordwine & the Washington County Technical School.  Thanks so much for helping!  I will have some pictures to share by Monday that Dianne Mason took today.

Bob and I were unable to be there today because we are so involved in helping get Turner Leasing Company (Storage To Go) back up and running after the tornado slammed into Glade Spring on Thursday morning.  (The business is located adjacent to the Petro truck stop.)  Please continue to pray for God's mercy & grace for the people whose homes and lives have been torn apart from this disaster. 

Bob, Tish and I have agreed that we need to hold off from working on her house for a couple of weeks.  Bob and I have to devote all our time and energy in the rebuilding of Turner Leasing Company.  Tish still needs time to grieve and be with her two girls more, as well as, help her mom and (step) dad with damages to their home.  Therefore,

No work on The Jackson Build until further notice!~~probably a couple of weeks~~

  If someone wants to oversee the project while Bob is away from it, please let us know. 

If you have some time, please help Tish's parents, Karen & Mike Hilt, at their home.  The tornado took down two of their barns and ripped the roof of their house up.  I have not been out there, but Tish says it is very bad.  Mike is unable to do much repair on their farm or house since he is going through chemotherapy now for his cancer.  Their farm is just before you get to Tish's house--it's called Big Horn Acres.  Look for the directions to the Jackson Build in this blog and see the reference for Big Horn Acres location.

If you cannot help there, then come to Glade Spring!  There are SO MANY families that need helping hands to help clear out debris.  You will need to go to Emory & Henry College's King Center to get a vehicle pass.  Also, you can get a free tetanus shot at the Glade Spring Middle School as a preventive measure.

Let the peace of God rule in your heart and refuse to worry about anything.  (Read Colossians 3:15)

Back on Track for Saturday

We will be back on the jobsite tomorrow at 9 a.m. for Tish's house.  So come on out and let's get some things done.  There's painting to be done, Hardie board and tile need to be laid, and cleanup is always on the list!  Praise the Lord!  Tish's house was not touched by the storms :-)

Many of you know that our business in Glade Spring was hit by a tornado early Thursday morning. Turner Leasing Company & Storage To Go staff is working hard to get things cleaned up so rebuilding can get started. Thanks for your calls, visits & prayers.

If you came out to Tish's house yesterday, I am sorry that you weren't notified in time.  The cellular tower in Glade Spring was damaged, so phone service was limited.

Please pray for God's peace for the Glade Spring residents and their extended families who have been affected by this disaster, especially the ones with family members who were killed or hurt.

Work Day Canceled Today, Thursday, April 28

Hello, All,

We pray everyone is okay after the devastating storms last night.

All roads out from where we live are blocked by downed trees & power lines.

We will not be working on Tish’s house today, Thursday, April 28.

Please pray for all the families that were hit by these storms. 

Bob & Melissa

The Drywall's Finished - Ready for Painting!



Marty finishing the drywall

 Thanks to Marty & Tom for all their hard work this past week!
If you are interested in helping this week, we will be working on Tuesday, April 26; Thursday, April 28; and Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. until around 5 p.m.  Hope to see you at Tish's on the Garden Path.  Our next projects will be putting up the hardy boards, trimming the windows and doors, and start painting walls.

Tom finishing the drywall

The Master Bedroom

The Great Room

Where & What To Send As A Donation

Donations can be made to: The Church In Abingdon—Mission Fund; c/o Melissa Turner; P O Box 1108; Glade Spring, VA  24340.  Please write ‘Jackson Family’ in the memo.  The Church In Abingdon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, Federal Tax ID#30-0179378.

Other forms of help:  Gas Card for Tish, just cash for her family's living expenses (Brandon was the only one with income.), Wal-Mart gift card for food, etc., or Lowe's Gift Cards for Tish to purchase building materials, etc.  These can be mailed to me at the above address or to Tish Jackson at:
21100 Garden Path Drive, Abingdon, VA  24210

WORK DAY TODAY IS CANCELED!

Hello, Everyone,

Although right now the sun is half-way peeking out in Glade Spring, it has rained mostly all night from Bristol to Glade Spring.

The ground will be a muddy mess at Tish’s house;  therefore,

WORK DAY TODAY IS CANCELED!

Thank you to each and everyone for your serving hearts.  Please do not let this discourage you from planning to come out again to help.  We will be back on the Garden Path at Tish’s  on Tuesday, April 26^th.

Have a wonderful week and glorious Easter!

Melissa & Bob

Special Notice Regarding Tomorrow's Work Day!!!!!!

Greetings,

We are posting this extra announcement to let everyone know that if it’s raining tomorrow morning by 8 a.m. (Saturday, April 16^th),  the work day for The Jackson Build will be canceled.

Also, the upcoming work-week (April 19, 21 & 23), is canceled.  The drywall finishers are working inside for the next week and we need to be out of their way.  (April the 23^rd is on Easter weekend and we don’t need to be working then, anyway.)

We hope everyone will not be upset with this decision.  Thank you for understanding J

Blessings,

Bob & Melissa

PS Have a wonderful Easter celebration!

God's Blessings At Tish's Home Today

We had about the same number of volunteers today as we had yesterday...maybe a few more people came...it's hard to count heads when everyone is 'busy as a bee' going here & there and in & out of the house.  All the sheet rock has been hung now; the taping and mudding began yesterday afternoon and continued this afternoon.  By Tuesday or Thursday the walls may be ready for painting. God has blessed Tish with hard workers, safe work and good spirits from all the volunteers. 

 

Bob Turner with the lift-jax folded up.



We want to thank Bristol Rent-All, Inc. for the use of their lift-jax to hang the sheet rock on the ceiling:  It saved many backs from hurting and made work easier.  Here's their info: 140 Commerce Court, Bristol, VA 24202, Phone:  (276) 669-3401.  They are located right off Exit 7 of I-81. 

Everyone's spirits have just been so great since the very first day.  It's hard to believe that in just six work-days that all the sheet rock has been hung & two porches have almost been built.  God has been there always, giving everyone stamina, love and encouragement.

Churches represented today were Central Presbyterian of Bristol, Highlands Fellowship of Abingdon and The Church in Abingdon of Abingdon--of course!  You don't have to be a member of a church to help us; you just need a servant's heart to want to help.



Habitat for Humanity t-shirt day!  2008, 2009 & 2010





 



Pastor David of Central Presbyterian is one hard

worker at sheet rock hanging in the master bath.



Tish works on waterproofing the foundation.

 
 

Marty of Providence Community
is doing prep work before he
begins taping.  How about
those stilts!



The two Ralph's
Ralph Rose (Left) and Ralph Whisenhut (Right)
Ralph Whisenhut wore his Habitat for Humanity t-shirt, too!



Terry of Central Presbyterian hands off
a piece of sheet rock.



Tish with a long-time friend, Ginger (my daughter).

The older you get, the more you realize that kindness is synonymous with happiness.  ~~Lionel Barrymore

 

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in Your providence watched over my spirit.  ~~Job 10:12 NIV

 

The Lord is Good All the Time!



Saturday, April 16, is the next work day.  Most work will have to be done outside since the sheet rock finishers will still be 'doing their thing.'  It'll be a great day to finish the insulation underneath the house and for building a deck with a view.   Thanks for serving!

Home, Home on the Range!

Blue skies, green pastures, frolicking horses, and a long-horn cow are some of the sights that were at 21100 Garden Path today.

Tish's House

(I was unable to be at the job site Tuesday, so there are no pictures of the work done.)  Yesterday, there was a group from Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon that started building the front porch but were stopped by the weather.  www.highlandsfellowship.com  Also, a group of people from Central Presbyterian Church in Bristol came to help hang sheet rock--even the pastor was there to help.  (Central builds at least one Habitat for Humanity house a year; this year they will be doing two.)  http://www.cpcbristol.org/   The lunch was provided by my very good friend, Vicki Sprouse of Wytheville.  I was told that the meal was absolutely wonderful, and I am sorry that I missed it!  Thanks, Vicki!

Since we normally aren't working on Wednesdays, today was an extra day of work so the sheet rock finishers could get started.  Central Presbyterian was back, as well as, some Highlanders, all working on hanging sheet rock.  Also, Providence Community Church in Abingdon had two sheet rock finishers come out this afternoon.  Here's Providence's address & phone number for your information:

19175 Woodland Hills Road
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 628-4280

And as always, we have Church In Abingdon's Associate Pastor, George Pope, on the scene, usually assisting Bob (the Builder) Turner.

Bill Lamie of Central worked on hanging the sheet rock.

 

Hugh Wise of Central measuring for a piece of sheet rock.





Tom Hayden of Providence with Ted Summitt of Highlands Fellowship



George Pope, Ted Summitt & Bob Turner hanging sheet rock. 

It was a very productive day today.  Most of the sheet rock has been hung.  The sheet rock finishers hope to be finished by Tuesday or Thursday.  Painting can begin, hopefully, by next Saturday, April 23rd.  If you are a painter and want to help paint, please email me at ItsMelissaT@aol.com or call me at 276-356-5092.  Other jobs are open for volunteers, such as, daily cleanup of the area and preparing Tuesday or Thursday lunches.  There are porches & decks left to build.  So, if you've got a day or a couple of hours come on out and help us help someone in need.  The directions to the house are posted in a separate post all by itself!

 

Also, if you are wanting to help fund this project by another form of donation other than to The Church In Abingdon's Mission Fund, a gift card from Lowe's can be sent to Tish through me.  My address:  Melissa Turner, PO Box 1108, Glade Spring, VA  24340.  I will make sure that only she receives it, and you can be assured that she will only use it for the building of the house.

 

As always, your prayers are gratefully appreciated.  Thanks for your interest.  Hope to see you on the Garden Path at Tish's.