Northwest Florida Daily News |
Students leave marks on history through messages in house's walls Wednesday, May 26, 1999 By Casey Logan A Rocky Bayou Christian class writes messages of faith on a new home being built. Seminole–Someday, the house that's being built at 1456 Cypress St. will be torn down. And when it is, the wrecking crew will be in for a surprise. That's because 18 second-graders turned the house into a time capsule of sorts Tuesday. And chances are it's the most blessed abode on the block. The Rocky Bayou Christian School students used magic markers to write blessings and other sentiments on the vapor barrier separating the inside walls from where the brick exterior will soon be laid. The house is being built by Crestview-based Gamble Construction “They're glad to write on the wall and not have anybody yell at 'em,” Dennis Gamble said. “You can write anything you want on the house. The writing's on the wall. This paper stays with this house as long as it is here.” “He just wants everybody to write all over the walls,” Jelaine Luke said. “He wants it to be blessed with Jesus.” Messages like “God Bless This House,” “Be a Good Servant to the Lord,” “God is Love” and “Jesus Lives!” were scrawled throughout the front of the house. Many wrote their names and the date alongside the messages and artwork, some of which consisted of suns and a guardian angel. “I think that it's wonderful,” said teacher Beth Chisum. “We're having a blast. They're able to express themselves and show a little bit about what we believe in. Leaving something for the future.” Some of those messages were creative. For example, Matthew Boswell is a big fan of the cartoon movies, “A Bug's Life” and “Antz.” “See...here are my favorite bugs...ants, grasshoppers, caterpillars, moths, honeybees, mosquitoes, lady bugs. ...The reason I like bugs is they're cool,” he said. After almost 30 minutes of doodling, thinking and writing, the children gathered together before boarding the bus to return to school. Christy Wilson, who handles marketing for Gamble Construction, posed a question to the class. “I've got a test for you,” she said. “Who built this house?” A silence overcame the students. An instant later, Zac Pruett had the answer. “God did,” he said. |
