Building Committee

If you’ve ever read the story of Job from the Bible you’ve probably also heard comments admiring his incredible patience.  Today, we often will complement a person by saying he/she has “The Patience of Job.  Job’s patience… Ha!  What about the “The Patience of Immanuel”?  You people are incredible!  Can you believe that in June of 2007 we will have been working on this project for six years?  Of course let’s not forget that it took us five years just to get our building permit.  But, we are either incredibly stubborn or incredibly patient.  Today I’m not sure which. 

Upon receiving our building permit in late 2005, 2006 began with renewed enthusiasm for the project.  Kelly Jensen officially stepped in as our resident contractor to actually begin the much anticipated construction of the project.  We could almost imagine again the space of the new educational wing.  It had been so long we had almost forgotten what it was going to look like.  It was going to be great!  So, on a cold and blustery day in January we broke ground with all of the pomp and circumstance a Lutheran congregation could muster.  We had balloons and commemorative mugs, personalized hard hats, distinguished guests and Smur Cage from Solvang.  With golden shovels we turned some soil that day and asked God to bless the construction of our new educational building.  It sure is good that Immanuel has Job’s patience because it’s already 2007.     

Of course, to the Sunday observer it may seem that nothing much has happened in the last twelve months, but that really isn’t the case.  A few things have been accomplished even though we still don’t have any Sunday School rooms.  Since January of 2006 the west wing of the old Sunday School building and the storage shed were demolished.  A new septic system with all of the required “9” count ‘em “9” drain wells installed and tied into the existing Social hall and parsonage.  Load after load of fill dirt was hauled onto the building site and packed to give us a firm base for our foundation.  Soon all of the foundation footings had to be dug and the lower level plumbing completed.  Rebar has been installed to strengthen our cement foundation.  Now we wait for concrete to be poured so the framing can begin.  Be patient. 

As we begin 2007 let’s recommit ourselves to this project, financially, physically and spiritually.    Kelly Jensen is going to need all the help we can give him.  I hope you haven’t lost those hammers.  Remember, being patient is a good thing.  It’s what Jesus would do.  It’s who Job was.  It’s what we need to continue to be.  Looking back over six years though, I have learned a couple of things; 1. Patience really is a virtue 2. Never give up and 3. Never ever promise a date a building project will be completed.  Keep looking up, 2007 is going to be a great year for building!  Let’s get ‘er done! 

Building Immanuel Better

Mike Nielsen