My family and I planted our first garden this year. We took some friends up on the offer to use part of their large garden plot to put in our own vegetables. Sort of a community garden kind of thing. Over the past few weeks, we made our plans. We went to the store to pick out the plants we wanted. We hoed each row. We planted the seeds. We covered them up and watered them. We have tried to be vigilant when the milkweeds and thistles threaten. And we are now beginning to see the fruits of our labors. The seeds have sprouted. The plants are poking through the earth. Peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers. And every time I go over to the garden with my children I am reminded, by their "oohs and ahhs", of the wonder of life.
This week I find myself in a similar place of wonder at the life that is starting to spring forth in Allelon. Friendships are continuing to grow. People are finding their place of service. Worship is touching us more deeply. Leaders are beginning to emerge. Surely these signs have been there all along but it has not always been as obvious or on the surface or perhaps I simply didn't have the eyes to see it.
Yesterday, a few of the families gathered for the community block party in Sun Prairie. It was awesome. We watched our children go from booth to booth for balloon animals, to see the fish, and to dunk the poor guy in the dunk tank. As they played, we caught up on life. We also got the chance to meet several new friends in our community. People who popped by to say "hi" and to find out how we are doing. It was very cool for all of us to see how connected we have become to our community in such a short period of time.
This morning, we met at our usual place and time for worship. We fellowshipped. We sang. We studied and discussed God's Word. We prayed for one another. God is clearly drawing us closer to himself each and every week through our worship together. I had the privilege of spending time with the children of our community and it is always amazing to witness their spiritual depth and growth.
This week, many of us will be participating in mission together. One of our folks organizes and directs a VBS camp for inner-city kids out on a country farm. Starting tomorrow we will be crafting, doing activities, reading Scripture, singing, and having a blast sharing our faith and our lives with these precious children. People from Allelon are volunteering at various times all week while others have been involved in the preparation it takes to pull off a camp of this size.
In another week, several of us will be meeting to pray and discuss what a leadership team might look like. If Allelon is to continue growing as a community, we will need godly leaders. People with gifts and passion and a calling from God. It is so exciting to think about what God is going to do in the coming months and years in and through us for the sake of His Kingdom!
Yep, more and more I feel like I am seeing the sprouts beginning to break through...and I find my soul "oohing and ahhing" with the wonder of it all.
I am glad to see you are back posting. It is even greater to hear you are gardening! It is such a great metaphor and such a great way for God to speak to you. Maybe it is even a discipline?! Great stories of the God life. I am excited for you and Sun Prairie.
Posted by: Joel Adams | June 30, 2009 at 01:59 PM