Today the kids and I worked on a Habitat for Humanity house. House #15 to be exact. Or at least that’s what we were told when we signed in this morning. But we soon discovered that we weren’t working on a number. We were building a home. The Ali home.
House #15 is where this beautiful woman is going to raise her five-year old daughter — who wants nothing more than to have a slumber party when she turns six in December. House #15 has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and is as energy efficient/green as a structure can be — platinum level.
We had a great time and my boys worked so hard. They sacrificed their Saturday without complaint — and have asked to do it again.
We were blessed with a long walk through an interesting neighborhood to get from our car to the work site. The disrepair was both sad and strangely beautiful all at once. The most fascinating place was a Baptist church built in 1928 that had been gutted by fire. These boards covered the front doors.
The church’s cornerstone read: “Jesus Christ Himself Being the Chief Cornerstone, Eph. 2:20.” The irony of it made my heart hurt… and raised a question or two. Not the least of these being why. Why would such a lovely place built on the purest of foundations be allowed to be destroyed? How cruel. But as I looked through the charred windows at the destruction, something caught my eye.
Can you see the little plant growing in the boards? This is at least the second floor of the building. And check out the butterfly bush growing in the middle of the rubble.
For whatever reason, I felt God look at me in this patient, knowing way that made my breath catch. Like a soft, quiet smile. I don’t have to understand the why. I just have to know that everything will be okay.
After a long day of painting, landscaping, cleaning, climbing and scraping, I was able to introduce the boys to Crown Candy on the way home. It’s a city institution. And on a beautiful day like this, it was appropriately packed. Ice cream cones and malteds? Yes, please. Thank you.
And so a perfect day is coming to a close. My kids don’t typically read my blog, but just in case they see this entry … thank you, boys. Thanks for sharing your hearts and souls so freely and making the (my) world a better place.
hey there, friends 
Beautiful pictures, Laura! And I am so proud of you and your boys. I worked on a habitat house several years ago in CoMo and was so greatful to have that experience.
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Thanks, Amy! It makes you feel good, doesn't it? Knowing you made a difference for someone. And we had such a great time.
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