After 3+ months of waiting, we finally have water again! No, we did not hook up to city water but were able to get someone to come out and replace the well pump. The man who did the work did confirm that we need to hook up to city water sooner rather than later- but God willing we should be set for the winter. Thank you for all the prayers you’ve offered during our water crisis!

One of the more frustrating outcomes of this summer's water situation is that it ruined my garden. I had looked forward to getting a vegetable garden up and running this year. I spent a good deal of time this winter researching and preparing. I was pleased when I successfully got my seeds started using a winter sowing method I had been anxious to try. I prepared a new plot for my garden, carefully prepared the soil and weeded it diligently. Then the well pump broke and we weren’t able to water it. On top of that, the drought meant that it wasn’t getting any rain water either. Through most of the summer I avoided that part of the yard- seeing it just made me sad. All the time and effort and careful planning to waste. About a month ago, one of the girls was convinced that some of our crops had survived so I went over to see. Indeed, the carrots and the radishes appeared to be thriving! So with great anticipation, knees in the soil, hearts alive with hope, we carefully harvested a carrot… which was about a centimeter in size. We harvested a few more of equal size. Scarlett and Isla were disappointed to say the least, but I insisted that we take pride in our crop- so we took our minuscule carrots inside, peeled them and we each ate one in a single bite and had a good laugh about it! I harvested the rest of our carrots and radishes this week- they had grown but not by much! (Picture included)

This all reminded me, that we can’t expect growth if we’re not going to water our crops. Same as with our faith. Perhaps we were sown with great care- many of being raised in the church. Perhaps our carrot tops are looking healthy- being that we know how to look like we’re walking with Christ. But unless we are diligently watering and providing steadfast care we can’t be surprised when nothing of worth is growing. Colossians 1:9-12 talks about bearing fruit saying,

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

It seems that bearing fruit goes along with the awareness of the knowledge of God’s will, wisdom and understanding. I think in order to gain this knowledge you usually have to put in some effort- read the Bible, engage in Christian fellowship, ask questions and seek answers from people who are bearing fruit. So this weekend I’d like you to take a moment to answer this question- have you been in the midst of a spiritual drought? If so, maybe it’s time to turn the water back on!