"If you build it..."

So, we have been given a unique opporunity for the summer within our ward. We were notified this past week that our church building would be shut down for a minimum of 7 weeks, due to remodeling and additions (which are both such a blessing!) In lue of that, each ward had to find another place to hold their church meetings. Obviously, the schools were looked at first, but that wouldn't work because they are all also under construction for remodeling and additions. Fortunately, our Bishop lives an a 340 acre ranch set against the mountains and off of the highway, at a good mid-way point within our ward boundaries. He had started building a barn for his horses, and he felt it was the perfect place for our ward to meet. How fantastic! What great revelation and opportunity! How many times in a lifetime, in this generation, can we say that we have attended church in a barn? But... this news was announced on Sunday, June 15th (Father's Day) and by the next Sunday, we had to meet somewhere else. So, the 4,000 sq. ft. barn had to be built in a week. On Monday, this is what the barn looked like...

These next few pictures were all taken on Saturday. This was the crunch day. There was still a lot of work to be done. The forecast called for possible rain showers for Saturday and Sunday. So, many of us were praying for good weather, so that at least the roof could be finished, just in case we had inclement weather. So, Saturday, the crew worked. And they busted their buns! As you can see from the next picture - half of the roof was framed and dry-sheeted, but there was still much to do to be ready for Sunday.

The men still hard at work. Notice the open roof still... and blue skies. Thanks to Heavenly Father for allowing a great day to build.

Still working hard. They are reinforcing the big beams and rafters inside.

At mid-day, this is how the barn looked. The second half of the roof was almost framed, but there was still a lot of work left to finish it.

Bro. Dan Jones worked the tractor, bringing in dirt to level out the ground floor.

Joe used his bob cat for many purposes - one of which to help Dan with the ground inside and also to deliver dry sheeting to the framing/roofing crew.

It's crunch time. This is about 7:30 in the evening. The sun is starting to reach the mountain tops and daylight is fading. But, even more so, the sky is turning from blue to grey and there is still plenty to get done before Sunday.

The roofing crew waits for more black paper. Notice the change in the sky.

This is the last shot of the night. This is about 9:00. The rain had started to spit on the guys as they laid down the final few rows of black paper on the roof. My pictures did not turn out of the barn once it was finally completed, because it was dark by then, just after 10:00. But, they finished. What a miraculous event! And... then it started to rain more.

By the time we were done, upon our drive home, it was pouring. My mom had called me earlier that day to find out if it had been raining here because she had seen it on the forecast. I told her that the skies were blue and there wasn't a rain cloud to be seen. And I didn't think there would be any chance it would rain. And... fortunately we were able to finish the barn before the rain set in. This was an incredible task and what a great army that helped throughout the entire week to accomplish this task. What great service! We are so excited for what lies ahead... for this fun and exciting, once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of a great historical event!