It goes without saying, Ricky and Amy Riley are thankful.

When Thanksgiving Day arrives, they will have many blessings to count.

Family, friends, their children, each other, Ricky's job … the list goes on.

But imagine what it must feel like to drive past 907 16th Ave. NE.

It's an empty lot. There's nothing there and everything there at the same time.

The sign says it all.

This is a Habitat For Humanity Freeborn-Mower affiliate home-building site, the sign announces.

The new homeowners walked the property line after the ground-breaking ceremonies, praying every step of the way.

The husband and wife and their five children where there to witness the ground being broken, according to Habitat president Tom Egan, by "the Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

Once again, the hearty Habitat volunteers will construct a home for the homeless in Austin.

It will be the 19th such home the local Habitat affiliate has built.

Squinting into the bright sunshine of the autumn morning, Egan said, "This is the beginning of something great for this family."

Ground-breaking for the new Habitat house took place in the Crane Addition.

The Riley's five children are Phillip, 11, Elijah, 9, Devin, 7, Montana, 3, and Quinton, 2.

The family has lived in Austin for only a year. Ricky works for Hormel Foods Corporation's HealthLabs in Austin.

They lived in Amy's parents home, occupying the basement at David and Donna DeFor's home. Just recently, they finally acquired a rental home to tide them over until their new house is ready for occupancy.

It has been a struggle, but now they see light at the end of the tunnel. A new home, they will themselves help construct, is about to take shape in Austin.

They're very own "sweat equity" will be needed.

That and a zero interest mortgage payment will make the Riley's home dream come true just as it has done for others.

Lori Schwanke, the owner of a Habitat house at 603 9th St. NW, said she remembered when she moved into her new home. "I remember the excitement," she said. "Waking up that first day in your very own new home and saying to yourself 'It's my home!' is very exciting."

Schwanke, who drives for Mower County Transit, and her husband, Mark, have three children: two daughters 16 and 13 and a son, 14.

The experience of becoming a new homeowner, thanks to Habitat For Humanity, taught Schwanke new skills. "I learned to hang drywall," said the woman, "and this family is going to learn a lot, too."

Keith Barnes will be the construction site supervisor for the 19th Habitat house project, when construction begins next spring.

The Rev. Dave DeFor, pastor at Northwest Church of Christ in Austin and Amy's father, said, "Twenty-five volunteers from Northwest Church of Christ want to help and there are volunteers from Oakland Baptist Church, who want to help, also."

According to construction site supervisor Barnes and Louis Anthonisen, another hard-working Habitat volunteer, the lot in Crane Addition is a former tax-forfeited property.

The pair said the Riley family's new home could inspire other homeowners in the neighborhood to make improvements to their residences. "Something like this can help a neighborhood and the entire town," said Anthonisen.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com