briangarrison's blog

I would like to explain first why I speak more about the people than the work. For me construction is second nature. I can design and build in my sleep and often do. I understand how pro athletes feel. When you recieve money for doing what you love it sometimes taints the joy it brings you. For me the best days in construction have been working with Habitat for humanity, Rebuilding together and on mission as a representative for the church through VIM. So for me, the greatest joy is in the relationships and the people I meet. I write about them because it is the part I enjoy the most.

So much went on today. The morning started with a fun surprise for me. The team awarded me with 5 minutes which were about me. Bill Croker acted as master of cermonies. First I was presented with a bob the builder hat. Then my own toolkit complete with nails and tools. He commented that he was not sure what I would do with the actual tools as I had loaned my bags to Bryan all week proving I just drive around from donut shop to coffee house and then on to lunch :-)

Our week is coming to a close. The teams are really starting to focus and worry about what they will really get accomplished. At this point we all want to get as far as possible. We were told that the camp seashore facility will be closing in two weeks. The families we are helping may not have other teams arriving to help. Big Bob and Karen will be leaving so no guarantees. We all are trying to tie up the loose ends on our jobs.

Last night Gary Bunas allowed us the opportunity to celebrate with him his seventh anniversary of being cancer free. He reflects on his life on this day each year and writes his surgeons a card letting them know that thanks to them he is still around to enjoy his family and life.

Nancy had found a dvd filmed by a local of the 90 freeway the day before, during and 5 days after the storm. It was eerie to see what was here prior to the storm and our arrival. It was amazingly clean on the coast as the wave swept most of the debris to the back bay.

Two jobs are nearly complete. Norm will need floor layers tomorrow (prego flooring according to big bob). Bill D is down to two tomorrow as he winds up his job.

That means the Long Family and the Foster Family can finally be home after two years.

Bill W had a serious power issue at his place yesterday but I went and solved it for him. I reset the GFCI and whala power. His job is all sheetrock mudded and looks great so for his team they will be joining Brian Gephardt and company out at the Craft House.

Several new people made it for this week. The Wieshendorfs, Chris, Madeleine, Alicia, Bryan Graves, Brian Willits, Larry King (yes we have him live), and Lauren, Jim and Jean Schulz took the place of the twins (yes I know your names I just cant tell you apart), Andrea, Karate girl (dojo master Pat),

I had the opportunity to spend some time Doug Albertson, Bryan Graves and Chris Major. We all knew one another but it was the first time I had the pleasure of really talking and getting to know them outside of church.

Every one on our teams has worked so hard this week. We will have 4 families moving into their homes this week before we leave. We will have another 4 families who will be able to move in before this camp closes in two weeks. We will have helped some 20 families in our two missions live in a place that without our help may never have been lived in again.

Many have traveled to New Orleans or gone site seeing. Our fishing trip today was canceled due to inclement weather. Sunny skies but the winds are kicking up again. It was not meant to be. Two of us overslept and one had canceled going.

The work teams all had an optional half day. Many went on the Swamp Tour. Four of us went fishing. Many jobsites worked with other crews or finished there own work.

Thursday was such an eventful day. It had drama, intrigue, mystery and injury.

First on the Bill Walker (fishing champ) project there was a minor injury. Bill himself was using one of those cheap aluminum ladders that he was using. He leaned back and took a little weight off the front then twisted or turned to do something else. The legs literally twisted up and down he came. Fortunately he had not hurt his good fishing arm and was okay to fish the next day. Close call there.