Just one week after our fire,  we set aside a Fire Clean-up Day. 

The night before the event, our daughter and son-in-law helped us clear our garden.  Some of the wood had to be transported to the basement woodroom on the tractor loader which meant that the tractor had to cross over the garden.  Some beets, carrots and potatoes had to be dug.  Other crops and flowers had to be pulled, as well.  They handily cleared the way for the morrow’s activity.

That next day, friends came over to help move the pile of old charred wood to a new woodpile closer to the house.  One  brought his skid loader over to help move wood and ashes and to level out the soil where the fire had been.  Another brought his trailer over so we could place trash items in it. A total of eight men labored together day.  They worked joyfully from 10:30 AM till about 2:PM.  They accomplished much.

Ladies supplied us with a nice variety of foods to feed the workers a filling and refreshing lunch on our picnic tables.   They served beverages, sandwiches, weiners, fried chicken, melon, cabbage salad, cupcakes, soup, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and chocolate cake and many other yummies.

Several generous individuals have donated wood to replace the firewood we lost.

We are grateful that folks such as these had it in their hearts to be generous to us with their time and possessions.

II Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Thank you, dear friends.

Question:  If it pleases God for people to give with cheer in their hearts, then do you suppose that God gives to us with a cheerful heart, too?

I think so.  Thank you, Lord.

photo credit: ripplestone garden via photopin cc
Photo credit: Crystal Burmeister
photo credit: Ken’s Oven via photopin cc