September Update!

The work here in Omaha has been trying to say the least. They have encountered problem after problem, but God is still blessing and the work is progressing.
We went home for our church's 10th Anniversary and Revival and we had a great time! The preaching was wonderful and God really spoke to hearts. Caleb's brother Josh took a Pastorate in Bellingham, WA so that week we also said goodbye to their family. Our church hired the Skinner family to work with the youth, Bro. Skinner is in his 3rd year at Heartland Baptist Bible College and they will fit in nicely with our church.
One of the problems with the project here at WOBC was that the city required them to use metal studs for their walls instead of the wood walls they already had up. The new studs are up, most of the drywall is up, and the walls are textured and painted. Some flooring has been put in also.
Caleb was able to get all of the rough-in plumbing in and the sewer inspection passed but because of some miscommunication about code regulations on copper pipe size, the water lines did not pass.
Please pray that the rest of the work can get done, they have to be out of their building on Sept. 30th and their dedication service in their new building is Oct. 2nd.

July Update

July has been a slow but fast month for us. We arrived at my (Laura's) parent's farm on June 25th and our plan was to stay there for a week or so to rest and then go to Omaha to start working at West Omaha Baptist Church's new location. Unfortunately they are having problems getting plans approved to be able to pull permits to start work, so we ended up staying in Iowa for 3 weeks. It was very nice to be able to rest, relax, and enjoy the country air! The kids had a blast swimming, playing outside, and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.
Eventually though, Caleb got antsy and he wanted to start some work. So on July 22nd we packed up our trailer and we moved out to Omaha. We're in West Omaha (Millard) which is a nice neighborhood, but it's still in the middle of a huge city so it's a lot different than small town Kansas! Please pray for our safety. We are parked behind the shopping center where WOBC has their new rental property.
We're having fun seeing my sister Sarah and her boys and spending time with them. We've also gotten to see some friends we don't get to see very often, people I knew growing up. We were able to visit a few churches and give ministry updates. We wanted to go further up North but because of the flood, most of the highways to go that way are shut down. It would take sometimes 3x as long to go one way. Maybe before we leave the flood will rescind and we can make our way up to Sioux City or Sioux Falls.
It looks like we will be here in Omaha up to September. Our Pastor wants us to come home for our church's revival which is the second week of September so we will probably stay until then.

Jubilee and Open House!

On Friday the 24th Central Baptist Church will be having a Jubilee starting at 6:30, with guest singers and singing groups. Afterward there will be snacks and lemonades served with a chance to view the new building.
The next day, Saturday the 25th, there will be an Open House which is open to the community as well and there will be jumping houses and a petting zoo for the children, and the adults will be able to view the building, ask questions, and meet the church family.
If you are in the area, please consider coming and celebrating the opening of the new building! It's an exciting time to see the Lord work and build His house!

Well, there went May! Not sure how that happened. We went home to Mustang, OK for a week for a few doctors appointments, and then stayed for a Sunday. We didn't take our trailer, we were able to stay with Caleb's parents for the week. The kids had a lot of fun being with Nana and Papa and we enjoyed the much larger space to spread out!
We also got to meet some of our new neices and nephews. Caleb's sister Andrea and her husband Matt are adopting five siblings. The two boys have been living with a foster mom who goes to our church, so we've known them for a few years, but we got to meet two of the girls and we really enjoyed it! Unfortunately we didn't get to meet the youngest girl yet, but we're hoping to next time we're home. It's so exciting to finally see this adopting going through and finalizing. It's been a long, hard process but the Lord has been good to them through it all.
As far as the building goes, it is so close! There are just a few things to button up and get finished. They are hoping to have their first Sunday in the building this Sunday. I think it depends on an inspection and occupancy approval. It was supposed to be done Wednesday.
We are leaving here on the 11th for good. We're going to Omaha, NE to work at West Omaha Baptist Church. Caleb will be helping remodel a rental facility. They're making bathrooms larger and changing some walls to accomodate an auditorium and classrooms. We will be there about a month.
We still have CDs to order! They are ready and available. Just email me at carterntcp@yahoo.com if you're interested in ordering some.

Wow! May is flying by! I can't believe it. The church is really getting close to being finished. Of course, everytime you get something finished you see 5 more things that need done. But they're definitely on the home stretch. Caleb got the bathrooms almost completely done, he's just working on the sink skirting. He got the EXIT signs up in the auditorium (which should make it useable legally now), the tile is going down in the kitchen as I type, and the doors have been painted and rehung. Trim is put down on most of the windows. The modesty panels for the platform have been built and mostly painted. The chandeliers are hung in the auditorium and the foyer. Everything is looking really nice and we can't wait to see it finished!

The CD's have arrived!

Yes, we got the word today that the CD's have arrived in Mustang at our home church.
We are going to now figure out a smooth system for getting them ordered, paid for, and shipped so everyone gets what they ordered.
Because I (Laura) am so OCD and have to have a plan and a system, I really just want to do it all myself. I'm sure some of you will completely understand!
The CD's will be a donation of $10/CD. There are 12 songs; 7 sung by Caleb and 5 sung by The Lighthouse Quartet.
If you just have to get your order(s) in, please email me at carterntcp@yahoo.com, letting me know how many you want. Then I will email you back with info on how to pay for them and I'll work on getting them shipped.
Thank you all for waiting so patiently! This has been a learning experience, for sure.

Things are progressing here in Anthony! The pews are in, lights are being put in, the carpet is being laid, trim is put down, and lot of various other things are being done. But it seems like no matter how much gets done, there's still a lot to do!
The goal right now is to have the first Sunday service in the front half of the building on May 15th, which is the church's Missions Sunday. An Open House will be planned for the middle of June sometime, which is when the entire town will be invited to view the building.
Caleb has been busy bouncing around on a lot of projects. He has gotten the partitions done in the bathrooms, and the toilets have been installed. He's been the main trim guy, in getting that put in. He's also been working on the electricity and making sure everything is connected to the right place.
The Mcculloughs have returned from Arizona and it's nice to have them back! The church has also been doing a lot of work and are really pitching in to get finished in time.
Some news on our family: we are preparing to be semi-done with school for the year when we leave here at the end of May. We will still do a few days here and there over the Summer. Noah and Kayla are both done with Science and Handwriting and they are getting to the end of their other subjects as well. Kayla's reading has been going really well! I'm so proud of her and all she has learned this year.