Before Our Very Eyes!

Amazing!  Awe Inspiring! Amazing! 

Today we spent a few hours working in the garden.  All was so beautiful - the sunshine, the birds singing, the dogs playing.  Steve built a beautiful structure for the tomatoes soon to be transplanted.  It was just a lovely day.

AND THEN....  Jen and I found a few bean sprouts that were not above ground when we first arrived in the morning.  We were jumping up and down (ok, not really, but in our hearts!) and could hardly believe what was happening!  Then a squash plant poked its head up through the earth.  Back to the beans - and yes - there were more.  We were watching the miracle of growth right before our very eyes! 

Sometimes we walk through the day and, at least in my experience, don't see much going on - growth, change, healing, newness, etc.  And then when we least expect it - Ta Da!  We see the evidence of things not before seen!  How amazing our God is to continuously work in us to grow, create and birth newness of life in to our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. 

History of the Friendship Garden

Steve & Jen purchased property and built a beautiful raised bed garden and began an orchard about three years ago.

 

Here they are with a beautiful little apple tree that 

looks to be very fruitful.

I came along in the summer last year and just sat soaking up the sunshine, Jen's irreplaceable love and friendship and began sharing little bits of knowledge I'd picked up from a Master Gardener I had worked for years ago.

After discovering we worked together so well, Jen and I talked over tea one wintry afternoon.  

We had come to the table with the same proposal - Could we share the work and harvest of the garden for 2010?  We laughed as once again, we found something we had in common.  Our minds continue to think alike. 

So we agreed and began planning.

 Steve has expanded the orchard to include so many wonderful and new things like this pomegranate.  Apple, nectarine, pear and cherry trees are looking very healthy and happy. Also introduced this year are blueberries, raspberries, Marion berries and blackberries.

It's kind of a mystery how people who cross our paths walk with us on roads we could never imagine taking beforehand.  Sometimes they are short brief strolls - and others they are hikes which take us to new heights as we discover new things about our strengths, weaknesses and the love of friendships.

As you sow, so shall you reap...

Sowing - it sounds so easy and so fun. But the reality is it is plain hard work! Already we have worked amendments into the soil - Farmer Steve was great! He got a tiller and tilled all the beds so we didn't have to do it by hand - like Jen is doing in this picture. We're too old for that!



But oh, how amazing it is once the tiny seeds are planted and show up! It brings a personal satisfaction that not much else can match. (Ok - well there are all those things you are thinking of right now - but just go with me on this one :)




Of course then there is the satisfaction of the harvest. Bella found this as she plucked her first radish out of the ground with pride.



We work to be faithful in what we have been given - that does not mean perfection. It means trial and error and doing the best we can at the moment. Seems like a great way to learn those life lessons every one needs. I think that is why I love gardening so much. Nothing is ever wasted. At the very least I learn something new. It's ok to try something and fail. And succeed. There are always surprises. It's ok to get dirty and have fun and laugh. It's a precious gift.