This past week we had a great group of volunteers from Direct TV come to work on Habitat is/Tuscaloosa's third home. A group of about 50 employees came out Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Different people both days, so we had a bit of learning curve-itis the second day. Direct TV is the major sponsor of the future home of the Savage family. The mom is with child and is due at the end of October. Good and reasonable goal for completion and move-in. On Tuesday, even with the unbearable heat and no shade whatsoever, they managed to install the floor system framing. The following day, glued and nailed the 27' x 44' plywood over the framing and actually nailed together and stood up the front and back walls, the components of which had been prepared last week at the warehouse by the group from Akron, Ohio (it was BYOW- bring your own wood). Meanwhile, the exterior of the first home for the Dowling family is coming along well- exterior is nearly complete- the driveway and brick stairs were poured and laid yesterday. De-Wayne is busy field fabricating and installing the kitchen cabinets (I'm over it already- don't worry). and the tongue and groove prefinished oak flooring is mostly done- Just set some doors, run some base , little touchup here and there, subs trim out the plumbing and electrical fixtures and we will be ready for the dedication Thursday this week.
      On Friday this week I went over to Americus, Ga. to attend a memeorial service for Glen Barton of the Fuller Center at the office and later to a beautiful burial ceremony at Anersonville National cemetery with full military honors, passing of the flag and taps. Glens son Brian gave a moving eulogy for his dad. Held it together very well. He spoke about the last time he had seen his dad was when he sold a car and forgot to take off the license plates and he and Glen drove 3 hours up and 3 back and had a chance for a long conversation. At the end of that day, Brian said he had thought what a waste of a day, but then realized maybe God knew that Glen would be leaving this earth shortly and arranged that time together with father and son. He suggested to us all there that we should go home and tell our loved ones that we love them, since none of us know when our last day on this earth will be. Among the participants of the memorial service were Brenda Barton, their two grown children and grandson David, David Snell, Kirk, Ryan and other staff of the headquarters of the Fuller Center, Charlie Park, AJ, and a number of homeowners from Shreveport, whose tearful testimony told of Glen's immense contribuition to their lives. Linda Fuller with new husband Paul were there as well as daughter Faith and her husband.
      After the service, since I was in the neighborhood, stopped by and spent the night at Koinonia Farms to visit Craig (just back from the (Congo), Sara and Brendan and daughters Ida and Kellan (sp?), Sara Beth, and Barry. Helped Craig re-set a steel colyum for the reconcilitation house- a joint venture of Habitat and Fuller Center being built at the farm. Helped bottle up some blueberry wine (I dont drink but I had to have a taste just to make sure it was good- mmmmmm- it twas)   Dropped by for a quick visit at the home of George and Anne Peagler, friends from long ago. In 1993, my wife and I and our five little boys at that time decided to make a family vacation to work on the Easter Morning Build in Americus. We had done a similar trip the previous year and had drove (driven?) up to Toronto and camped out at a beautiful resort with swimming pools, go carts, mini golf and shade trees, all sorts of fun activities for wife and kids to do while dad was building houses during the day. so we decided to do the same thing the next year and we booked a spot at the Plains, Ga. campground., about ten miles away from the build site. After the first day of watching the corn grow in unbearable heat and nasty gnats, my wife Lois rounded up the five little boys, aged 8 through little and did a forced march down highway 49 to come register a complaint with dad at the worksite. I think a pickup truck gave them a ride most of the way. Anyway, that Wednesday evening at a church gathering and dinner at Calvary Episcoplal Church, George Peagler, who had heard of our plight, pulled me aside and told me to go down to such and such motel in Americus and just tell them our name- He had booked us two big rooms- AC and TV and pool- and basically saved our vacation. George at that time was an attorney and long time volunteer with Habitat and had led the Sumter County initiative to end poverty housing in and around Americus and has since become Judge Peagler. It was great to see old friends again.
      Welp, that's all for this week- Have a great week- Love to all-   Peter