Harvest Time
Autumn - pumpkins, apples, and thoughts of harvest. One night this fall our family gathered together and read "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" by Liz Curtis Higgs. It captures the long process a farmer goes through from planting pumpkin seeds in early summer to finally harvesting and transforming his favorite pumpkin into a happy-faced, bright jack-o-lantern light on his front porch. The farmer was steadfast in the development of the pumpkin, and labored carefully at each different stage. In the end he had a beautiful reminder of God's light and love with which to bless his neighbors.
This experience has been the same for our family and neighbors. After many years - actually a decade - of planning, labor, and patience, we have finally broken ground on the Elmhurst Street Children's Park! We are so overjoyed to see this "neighborhood backyard" dream come true. In addition, we celebrate the purchase of The Boston Project's garage - another project that took nine years.
Our daughters have been steadfast as well and have seen some of their own young hopes come to pass. Cady has finally lost two teeth, and has a third on the way out. Megan, after over a year of pleading, has a pet of her own. Welcome Tilly the Turtle (who brings an added "scent" to their bedroom). And Grace continues to be proud that she is now a student at school like her big sisters. As for Paul and I, we recently celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary (hold us accountable - our lunch date is still to come) and we have been experiencing greater peace in our lives.
You want to know the best harvest we're witnessing? The growing number of young people who are giving their lives to Christ! Just last Sunday, friends Katie Rice and Catrina LaBrie were influential in leading two of our young people towards a personal and life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. How can you top that?
Thank you...Thank you...for your prayers and support. They empower and encourage us to stand firm, not give up, and know someday, there will be a harvest. We appreciate your investment in us and our long-term ministry in Boston, recognizing that some of the work God wants to do in the city will often taking decades to come to fruition. Nothing we do is ever in vain. It's just pretty terrific that we get to see some of the results right now!
