Spring Time In Pleasant Grove

I think spring was more exciting to see come this year than others, not knowing what all to expect and see come to life. The warm weather was a welcome, allowed for some energy filled boys to be outside and the neighbors to see that there are some new kids on the block. They spend hours outside riding bike, playing ball and picking any flower they see bloom to give to mom. One of the things we like about this place we have is the space to ride outside and a fenced back yard, not really to keep the boys in their boundaries but to keep the stray dogs out.

We have enjoyed seeing things bloom and something that is plentiful here more so than the north is the azaleas. As the grass started to grow we came to realize our backyard is a weed patch. So this landscaper is supposed to figure out a way to grow a nice yard. Well, I am still observing and trying to figure out how that's done. We are thankful for the space we have to grow a garden and the soil here is nice enough for it. With the help of my neighbor, Mr Horton, he came by with his equipment to help me out.

One day when i got home from the prison he was in the back yard cleaning up brush and getting an area ready for my garden.

This man is one of a kind and loves to be a help to anyone. He's been seen doing projects for the other neighbors as well, never wants any pay. In no time flat we had an area all ready to plant.

This was the last step in this whole process, what he is doing here is making the rows for me or what he called it
"laying it off ". So now we wait and see, hoping for some fresh vegetables that we won't be able to find along
roadside stands like in Lancaster Co.

You need to work for food around here. Dexter loves to help his dad with whatever the latest project is, in this case it is planting strawberries. He does a good job and its fun to have him by my side even though it slows up a project.

When I was landscaping there were times when I would take one of the boys with me to a job for part of a day. Dexter was the one that got that privilege most of the time and he loved going with me. That is one of the things I miss not being able to do with the job I have now.

The garden is planted and now we hope that all the labor will not be in vane. That makes me think of the work I am involved with in the prison, I have been talking to guys and hearing their stories or journeys they have been on. And they have built of thick walls of hatred and unforgiveness from things they have experienced. Talking to them feels at times like talking to a brick wall and I wonder what in the world am I doing here or I ask the question "is this really worth my time". These were some discouraging thoughts going through my head and I hope and pray that my labor will not be in vane. God is teaching me to be faithful to what He has called us to do and not faint even if at the time we see no results. He is the one doing a work of changing hearts made of stone. Thank God that it is Him and not me doing that.