The Flying Bulldozer

 One of the biggest logistic challenges facing our work crew is the location of our to-be-constructed novitiate dormitory inside our cloister courtyard.  The doors allowing access to the construction site were only designed for pedestrian traffic, and the men did not relish the idea of demolishing concrete by jackhammer then carting out the 1,000 pound pieces by wheelbarrow!  Even should they be intrepid enough to attempt this task, the ordinary access was ill suited to future deliveries of bricks, steel beams and other building necessities, not to mention digging foundations, etc. 

The solution?  A crane!

This steel monster arrived the week before last with the job of lifting 2 concrete cutting machines into the courtyard.  It had some trouble when its big balancing feet sank in our rain soaked yard, but the attendant operators were able to solve that problem.  

We missed seeing the actual lift, being engaged elsewhere, but we made sure we were there to see the mini-bulldozer “fly”!  So far, this has been the most dramatic moment in our destruction/construction project.  The concrete demo men were all there recording the event on their smart phones while we stationed ourselves at strategic window look-outs.  With the care and precision of a space launch, the red bulldozer was duly hooked up then redone with stronger chains.  We heartily approved!  Such an object crashing through our roof would not be fun for anyone.  None of us were looking out of that side of the building (just in case!) 

 Finally we had take off! 

Here the photos tell the rest of the story.

A perfect landing amid applause!

Mini-bulldozer set to work immediately digging up the concrete blocks cut by the previous machines which were themselves lifted back out of the courtyard.

Here they are at their work the last week.

Meanwhile progress was made indoors with our kitchen renovations.  Here is our new BIG veggie preparation room!

And yes, in case you were wondering, Sister Chiara Marie was able to move back into her restored cell and we are all ready for Marianna who enters tomorrow on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.  Pray for her as she also enters into the chaos of destruction/construction.  Things are confusing enough for an Aspirant without all that going on!  But God has His plan for her as for each of us.  We are grateful to Him for the gift of a new member and for the example of our good work men who are faithful to their duty.  May we be as faithful to ours.