Day Eight!

Day Eight: Monday, November 30th -

It's not quite noon and we already have a lot going on with the house.

*First off - please pray - we failed the plumbing inspection this morning. I'm not quite sure of the specifics, but it looks like we'll need to start over. Since our plumber came from Gainsville, he's not available to fix anything. So, we have one company coming out to look this afternoon to see if they will get involved and help us knock it out.

* Please also pray - rain is headed our way. Three days of it - including a 'coastal flooding' warning. We've already seen how God has miraculously held that rain off - so we're going to Him once again, praying for no rain at the HMO house. (i'm ok if it rains elsewhere)

* The electrical inspection is also today - thankfully Mac from McGuire Electrical will be here to meet with the inspector so if there's anything that needs to be fixed, he'll be able to do it right then.

* Since the plumbing is on hold - that also means our dry wall is on hold. I'm not sure the dry wallers from Four Star can maybe work on the rooms with no plumbing or if they're going to want to do it all at once. We still have to wait for the mud to dry before we can paint.

* We're still waiting on some of those other big donations to come in...so continue to pray.

As always - if you can help us out in any way - please send us an email or give Melissa a call at 232-1295.

Thanks - will update as we get info!

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Well, day eight is officially over. Pictures will be posted tomorrow - but here's the run down of where we are:

* Hooray for Air Design. They came over to look at the project and agreed to help us out. They'll be back at the house tomorrow morning and hopefully down in 4 hours! They've already lined up the inspector so as soon as that's done we can finally get the sheetrock up.

We're excited about having a crew to do the sheetrock this year. We need to get the sheetrock up tomorrow afternoon, because the kitchen cabinets have to be delivered and installed no later than Wednesday afternoon. Pinnacle Cabinets is going out of town, and we're one of the last things on his list.

Our baseboards, doors, trim, and crown molding fell through so now we're starting from scratch there too. The crown molding would have been an extra - but the others we need.

We did get siding donated today! Hooray! And, thanks to Guthrie's for coming through for us at the last minute for dinner tonight.

With the weather and failed plumbing inspection, we didn't have a regular work night. In fact - we canceled it. But then we discovered we needed to put up more deadwood (for sheetrocking) & get all the walls prepped. We really want the dry wallers to walk in and just get to work without having to stop and fix something we did or didn't do.

Some of our guys were all set-up to go watch the big, Monday night football game and instead, they came out to the house. I do believe we let them go early enough that they were able to see the end of the game. They took care of the deadwood, old nails, cleaning, put all the extra stuff in a trailor, etc. Thanks, guys, we really appreciate your sacrifice tonight.

We desperately need the rain to hold off tomorrow, and we need as many volunteers as possible when we can get there. There's still so much to get done, but I'm looking forward to seeing everything come together. As always keep checking back!

Sunday - One Week Out - A Day of Rest

Sunday, November 29th -

So thankful for a day of rest. Everyone has been working so hard on the project - THANK YOU! Thankfully the electricians were able to finish yesterday - now we just have to pass inspection on Monday morning. After inspection, the dry wallers can start! This year we are so blessed to have a team of dry-wallers from Four Star Dry Wall. They should be able to 'rock' it out pretty quickly! Then we just have to be patient and wait for the mud to dry...that's not always the easiest thing for our group - patience - especially when we are looking at a week!

Woohoo! We have a new coffee table and some of the items for the hall bathroom - shower curtain, hooks, etc. And we have brick pavers for the backyard. (Did you see the pictures of the back yard? I can't believe the transformation!)

We meet with the folks from Mathes Lighting and Lamp today to go through and choose the specific items to put up in the house. A huge thank you to them - they've really been wonderful to work with and have great suggestions for what would work best. Make sure that you use them when you need lighting solutions.

There are still some big items that we're waiting and praying about...we need a little bit of vinyl siding, we're not a 100% guaranteed the baseboards and crownmolding and we definitely still need appliances - gas stove, dishwasher, microwave, etc. The weather is also predicting rain and we don't have time for rain. But we're praying and trusting in the Lord for all of it!

All the pictures we have had, have been of people physically working at the house. What we don't have are those that are working behind the scenes, volunteers are taking pictures, going out to businesses and sharing the story to get donations, picking up food, contacting media, keeping records, making phone calls, doing research, etc.

I watched ABC's Extreme Home Make Over tonight and of course cried in the first 5 minutes. How amazing that they can do that in 1 week - but really, they do start out a good 6 months earlier. So much ground work has been laid and without those people going out over the last month or two, we wouldn't have been able to be at this stage in the project. A big thank you to all of those who have been working nonstop behind the scenes.

We'll be working pretty much non stop this coming week. If you have any time that you can donate, trust that we can use you. =) We'd love to get you plugged in. Any questions please give us a call 850.232.1295 and ask for Melissa - or send us an email at info@seven22.org.

Come out and work - you'll be amazed at how your life changes.

Day Seven!

Day Seven: Saturday, November 28th -

What a fantastic day! So much was accomplished today, unfortunately our pictures are having a hard time being uploaded. I promise as soon as I can get them up, I will, so keep checking back.

Just a little recap of today - our wonderful electricians from McGuire Electrical came back and finished up the job! They have put so many hours into this project and the entire time, they've been so fun to be around. A great group of guys - and can we say, perfectionists? =) That house is going to be amazing!

We had about 25 volunteers come out to work on the backyard. Redoing the landscape, getting the playground area ready for the sand that has been donated, trimming vines, working in the garden, trying to chop out stumps, etc. Our volunteers were great! They showed up early and stayed until after dark.

Special thank you to Whataburger, Pizza Hut and Sonney's for donating food for us throughout the day. It makes it so much easier to keep everyone going and getting a lot more done in the process. The yard looks great, we still have some things to do, but it really is looking fantastic - can't wait to post some pictures from today so you can see the progress and the fun volunteers we had. And in case you were wondering, we do have some fun volunteers.

We're updating our vendor list all the time - so please make sure you're checking out that list and that you visit these businesses. They have been very giving and encouraging and they are making it possible for us to get closer to the goal bringing the family home to live in their newly renovated home!

Also pray - with the reveal a week from tomorrow - we still have so much to do and most of it is contingent on everything else being done. If you'd like to help, in any way at all, please let me know. Lots to do, still need some donations of items, food, and mostly time. =)

Day Six!

Day Six: Friday, November 27th -

Wow - let me just tell you - it is amazing.

Our electrician, Mac McGuire with McGuire Electrical doesn't even know how he heard about Seven22 & Home Make Over...but he has been wonderful! He decided that he would completely replace ALL of the electrical in the home. Yes, you read that correctly. He estimated it would be about a 3 hour project - except he kept finding problems that need to be addressed. He spent all of Friday, and has had a crew there most of Saturday. There are still a few things that they are working on.

But can you imagine how great the Bitzer's will sleep - knowing that all of their electrical is new, and safe?

Mac was quick to tell me how wonderful Mathes Lighting & Lamp has been. Anything he's needed for the project - they have provided and quickly. Yesterday afternoon, the owners had just gotten home - about an hour away. Mac needed something and they dropped what they were doing, drove back to their shop here in town and took care of us.

How wonderful that these two companies have been able to drop other things and come help us out. We had a couple of people out doing yard work - but the majority of the day was dedicated to our amazing electricians. All of the guys were in a great mood - ready and willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. You don't always find that when working with a vendor.

Seriously - if you ever have electrical needs - McGuire is who you should call first.

Since the guys were here much longer than they expected, we decided to go out and get some food for them. A BIG, HUGE, THANK YOU to Honeybaked Ham, Fazoli's and Bagel's Del Sol for coming through for us at the last minute. We really wanted to be able to feed these guys well - and these companies took care of them.

Having a few issues with uploading pics - but promise they'll be up soon!

Please, please, please pray for us. Right now I can think of about 4 different situations where we just need to see God work in a mighty way. As Christians, we know that when we are really living and walking out our faith, satan works against us - tries to get us distracted. God is bigger than any situation thrown our way and we are trusting Him to take care of us and this project.

Monday the sheetrock goes up. We still have to do flooring installation, painting, cabinet installation, tubs, toilets, sinks, crown molding needs to be painted, measured, cut and installed, we still need new windows, furniture, appliances, etc...there's still so much that needs to be done. Right now it's so big - and there's soooo much - and it seems like it would be impossible, but I'm trusting, knowing that God has that under control too.

He's such a BIG God. All of this stuff going on around us is easy for Him. But when all is said and done...and we can look back and see how far He has brought us, it will encourage us to keep going forward.

Keep checking back for pictures, updates, wishlists, etc. :)

THANKS!

Wishlist

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We hope you are all enjoying celebrating with friends and family today. Whatever our political beliefs, we really do have a great country and as you can see from the previous posts, an amazing community. We are blessed to have the freedoms and oppotunities that would never have been possible if not for those who braved the journey to the New World.

If you look to the right, below our list of vendors, we also have a list of items that we would love to be able to place in the home. We are looking for new items to help give the house a new, 'fresh' look. Please take a look and if you would like to help out, please email or call us. We really appreciate it and having spent a good amount of time with members of this family, we know they will be very thankful.

VISIT OUR TARGET WISH LIST:

http://www.target.com/lists/GAWM52LIL3OK

Day Five!

Day Five: Wednesday, November 25th -

WooHoo!!! We have SOD, a shower, a tub, crown molding, toilets, sinks, faucets, wood, doors, flooring, window trim, paint, a new loveseat, a dumpster, insulation, kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops, bathroom fixtures, all of our lighting needs, all of our plumbing needs, pressure washing, tree trimming and the list keeps growing!

Did I mention that we all of this with having spent a hefty $175.00. Yes..you read that right! Please continue to check out the list of businesses and people who have donated to this project. Without them - we honestly would have no hope of finishing this project. It's really amazing when everyone works together and gives with no real expectations. I myself am a changed person.

The guys have continued to work on building up the floors in the master bathroom & the laundry room. The plumbers were here all day - and have to head back home to Gainsville tomorrow. We're praying and trusting that they will be finished. They're fitting the entire house with brand new plumbing! I can't even begin to tell you how thankful we are to them for making the long drive, just to donate their time.

Tomorrow everyone has off. It's Thanksgiving afterall! We have so much to be thankful for - this year especially. Please remember us and this project. The reveal is on December 6th! That's only 11 days away, but yet, I KNOW it will all be done!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Our next HMO meeting will be Friday morning at 8:00am. This will not be a work day - but instead, bring a breakfast item to share and we'll have a bible study with our electrician and his crew. Please make sure you're praying for everyone involved...God knows who 'everyone' is and especially at this juncture they can all use some extra prayer. It's amazing how much your life changes when you know people are praying for you.

Keep checking back for updates. We promise to be faithful in sharing how this project is coming along.

Day Four!

Day Four: Tuesday, November 24th -

I am speechless - and that's pretty difficult to do!

Amazing things are happening -

Some new walls have been framed out, donations are continuing to roll in (in a BIG way) and we are just looking forward to the finished product. We didn't take many pictures today, but I promise, there is a lot going on!

The great thing about this project is not everyone has to be able to swing a hammer (although, we generally like those people too!) People are going out to our community and asking for donations of time, labor, supplies, food and most importantly, prayer. If you would like to get involved, please let us know. Maybe you CAN swing a hammer, or paint, or wire some electrical outlets, lay flooring, unpack boxes, move furniture, or help feed these hungry workers. Whatever it is, you are definitely appreciated.

We hope that you will also pray for the team working on the Home Make Over. This includes everyone involved. We know that when God calls us to do something, distractions and speed bumps are bound to come our way. But because it's God that has called us to do this, we are trusting Him to work all things out. And in the past week, we have seen just that! Mostly, pray for peace and rest. There is so much going on for everyone. We all have other jobs, responsibilities, families with a major holiday thrown in.

Day Three!

Day Three: Monday, November 23rd -

Melissa (our project manager) gave everyone Sunday off so that we can rest - and I am so thankful! Today the demo really got underway! After talking with the electrician and some of our vendors and donors - we decided we would be able to tear out most of the inside of the house. By early afternoon a lot of the sheetrock had been torn down. You really should check out the pictures.

Donations continued to roll in - plumbers, electricians, dry wallers, insulation, etc. Check out our list of those who are donating to this project. Without their help, we would not be able to accomplish what God has set out for us! We will continue to add to this list as the project continues. We are SO VERY thankful for their kind hearts and generosity!

Everytime I walk into the house I am amazed at what has been accomplished since the last time I was there. Between the early afternoon adn 6:00pm - the wall between the hall bathroom and the small bedroom was taken down to the studs. I didn't realize it until I looked in the bedroom window from outside. WOW!

By the end of the night they had taken out the iron bathtub (& cut it in half once it was outside) and the floor was missing in the hall bathroom. More paneling and demo throughout the house occurred - getting ready for our contractors and vendors to get down to business.

Tomorrow we'll be framing out some walls and working on raising some of the floors. Our contractors and vendors will also be getting to work.

We WILL have Worship on Tuesday @ 7:22 at Marcus Pointe. We hope you are able to join us as it will be a really special night. Keep checking back here for updates - there will be another work day soon, so please get your rest!

Day Two!

Day Two: Saturday, November 20th -

We started pretty early in the morning and really transformed the front yard. We moved the coy pong, trimmed all the vines, pressure washed the house, tilled the yard to get ready for sod (that we don't have yet...) replanted the plants and met with the electrician for a 'once-over'.

It was a long, hard day - but I am sooo impressed with the amount of hard work that everyone put into the day. The yard looks amazing and I just can't wait until we get the sod down.

The paneling on the smallest bedroom came down as well. We have already filled dumpster #1 from Bubba Box. We can't say how thankful we are to them for working with us.

Can I just tell you what God did today?

It was 90% chance of rain...90% - that pretty much means you shouldn't go out of the house without an umbrella, especially here in Pensacola. It did not rain one single drop the entire time we were working. Can you believe that? I can! :)

Please be praying for ys - and if you would like to help, please let us know! Next work day will be Monday morning!

Day One!

Day One: Wednesday, November 18th -

The family has spent the time since we told them that they had won the Cat Country Home Make Over packing up all of their belongings. With 10 people (that's right...10!) living in a 3 bedroom home, they have a lot of things to pack. Today, the family has moved out and when they come home, it'll be an amazing transformation. Our mission is to bless them since they have helped and encouraged and blessed so many other people in our community.

We began by taking everything out of the house and loading it onto a moving truck. We also began the inital demolition on the kitchen, living room, dining room and bathrooms. The paneling, shelving and wall items were all take down.

In 2 1/2 hours the entire house was emptied and as much demo as we could was done. Next is to meet with the contractor and any of our vendors who have already volunteered their services. Their advice, time and labor will determine what our next steps are.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help tonight! We would never have been able to get as much done without your willingness to work...and work hard!

Work is underway!

Work is officially underway - please keep checking back for updates, pictures and of course ways that you can help!

PRESS RELEASE 11/13/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2009

SEVEN22 and Cat Country announce the 2009 Christmas Wish Home Make Over Recipients

Pensacola, Fl., November 13, 2009 – SEVEN22 and Cat Country are teaming up for the third consecutive year to grant a Home Make Over Christmas Wish to a deserving family in the Pensacola area. Nominations were submitted through both the Cat Country and SEVEN22 websites sharing the stories of many different individuals and families throughout the area. This year, SEVEN22 and Cat Country hope to make a difference in the lives of Jimmy and Violet Bitzer. Nominations were submitted describing the Bitzer’s willingness to help not only their family in times of need, but also friends and neighbors.

SEVEN22 stepped out on a leap of faith two years ago. They had a desire to make an impact in their community, and the Home Make Over was born. Members of SEVEN22 canvassed area businesses looking for donations of product and expertise. At the end of the first two years, over $125,000 in supplies had been donated and two families’ lives had been changed. When asked how she felt about this year’s chosen family, Melissa Vaughn, SEVEN22’s project coordinator for the Home Make Over Christmas Wish replied, “The Bitzer family has been generous with their home and their love. SEVEN22 is looking forward to giving back to this wonderful family!” Now that the Bitzers have been chosen and their needs assessed, members of SEVEN22 have once again begun asking businesses for donations. Many companies that have previously donated are once again giving what they can. It goes to show what a little faith can do, even in an economic crisis.

Cat Country and SEVEN22 will reveal the Bitzer’s newly renovated home on Sunday, December 6, 2009. As in previous years, the entire community is invited to help welcome the Bitzers back home. For those who would like to follow the progress of the Home Make Over or for information on how to help, please visit www.seven22.org. The website will be updated throughout the project with pictures of the progress, areas of need and a list of companies who have donated supplies or labor to this project. The members of SEVEN22 want to encourage the community to visit these businesses who have given so generously.

SEVEN22 is a group of people from all over the panhandle. They attend various churches, but on Tuesdays, they come together for a relevant worship service every week. Their reason for living is to show the love of Christ to the world. SEVEN22 meets every Tuesday at 7:22pm at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fl.


Contact Information:
Jennifer Johnson
Email - info@seven22.org
www.seven22.org
850.529.2613
Facebook – Seventwentytwo Pensacola