After expanding our Mobile Museum of Earth History at the end of last year, we realized the need for better work space and protection for it. In Lexington, OK our warehouse facility was long overdue for an update. So, the two projects became one and the same as we focused on improving our tools of ministry. Many of you gave extra during our Year-End Campaign to help us accomplish this need. This month we highlight the blessing of warehouse updates.

   First, the warehouse building was constructed many years ago with metal halide light fixtures. They have served us well over the years, yet have their own drawbacks. The lights are bright once they warm up, which takes several minutes. Once they achieve full brightness, they consume an immense amount of power. If any of you have ever used these type of lights you know that, once shut off, they are notorious for not coming back on until they cool extensively. This all makes them less than user friendly. Our first update was to install four new LED fixtures. They are better than we expected, with more light for almost half the power consumed. The most exciting part of this update is the instant-on that LED lights bring to our work environment.

   Second, the warehouse has only had one 10’x12’ roll-up garage door. It has been sufficient for years as we back in our trucks or trailers. The downside is, with just under a foot on either side of our trailers, it is always a tight squeeze. As we evaluated our space, a decision was made to add another door for another bay of use. So, we installed a new opening with a 12’x12’ door, and then expanded our original opening to a new 12’x12’ door to match the other. We also updated the door openers with new ones that actually open from our trucks - it is the little blessings that really excite us. Now with two bays and wider doors it is substantially easier to stow trucks and trailers for storage or work.

   Third, since we added and widened our garage bays, new concrete was needed to aid in the entry and exit of the warehouse. So, we had two new sections of concrete pad added. Again, those little blessings that aid our work we find so comforting.

   Many people may see these things as extra to what our mission is, yet to us they are allowing us to accomplish our mission more effectively. For the first time in ministry history, our trucks and trailers will be protected under a roof when home. The protection from the outside environment will lengthen the life of those resources. Our ability to work on fossils, trucks and trailers has increased with better lighting and more efficient use of space. So, all of this adds up to better use of ministry tools for the Kingdom.