Rutledge Builders: Extreme Makeover Home Edition

The kids and I returned to New Orleans after a 57 hour LEAP test hiatus. I cannot believe how much things have progressed. I guess I knew they were moving along, but seeing it first hand is amazing.

By 9:00 Tuesday evening, the crews were laying sod, putting up fascia board, and continuing work on the interior. We even got to see them raise and fasten the cross above the front door. By the way, the front door is beautiful!!

The rain did not come to New Orleans as promised Monday night/Tuesday morning. They had postponed the pouring of the parking lot in anticipation of the rain. A group of volunteers told John they had prayed it would not rain, and it worked!! But, since the pour had been rescheduled, the parking lot did not get in until Tuesday afternoon.

Playground equipment has been installed in the backyard, and stairs to the front and side doors have been built.

John took me inside the church this evening. It is certainly a beehive of activity. Sorry, though, we can't give any details on the interior.

John got a few hours sleep overnight in the hotel room. His cell phone battery ran out, so he asked me to call the room to wake him up at 4:00 a.m. Well, being quite tired and a sound sleeper, John did not hear the phone. But, thanks to hotel security and a not too happy hotel operator, he was up by 4:15 a.m. I guess I can be persistent at times.

John's parents and Jill arrived around noon and spent a good part of the afternoon observing the work. They even got to catch some of the taping. John was interviewed on camera. Hopefully it won't be left on the cutting room floor!!

Lunch at the catering tent included true Louisiana fare - crawfish and gumbo. John was able to enjoy a few crawfish, enough to really want a crawfish boil when we return home.

The kids and I arrived in town around 9:00 p.m. We spent about a half an hour at the site to check on the progress and give Daddy some hugs. John is quite tired, you can tell just by looking at him. He thinks he'll be able to come back to the hotel and catch some sleep before the big day tomorrow. We will "Move that bus!" at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon!!

So, tune in tomorrow!!

John's friend, Michael Farley

The front entrance

The cross is in place