Tuesday, October 17, 2023

A Plentiful Harvest

 


He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  ~Luke 10:2


The biggest fund raiser our church holds is the annual pumpkin patch in October.  Since Shiloh is located on a busy street in our town of Kennesaw, the presence of the pumpkins is readily noticed by all who pass by.  Thank goodness our church laborers were many when the tractor trailer arrives with box upon box of pumpkins!  Unloading and displaying them on the adjacent grounds is no small task.  Danny and I help as much as we can on Sunday after service, but my continuing issues with balance on uneven ground keeps me from being handy with reaching for and lifting pumpkins from the massive boxes, although I was able to cart the empty boxes away and learn how our purchasing procedures work with the customers who will be parading by in the weeks before Halloween.  Needless to say, I will be doing plenty of volunteer work in the weeks to come.

Danny stops by the pumpkin patch this past Monday to snap some photos.  Enjoy!












Hopefully, those who visit us to buy their Halloween pumpkins and decorations won't leave empty-handed.  We don't want to have any leftovers!

And may we always strive to be God's tireless workers to the honor and glory of His name that others may reap the joy of His love and grace.

Amen!

54 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes, indeed, Jo-Anne. We hope to sell them all!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Thank you for all your good works, Martha. So many pumpkins ... and so wonderful.

    God bless you and yours always.

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  3. There's a Methodist church near us that has a pumpkin patch every year. It's always a cheerful sight to see so many pumpkins in one place, like I almost expect to hear them start singing.

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    1. I love the idea of the pumpkins singing, Glynn. Now, I'll see our pumpkin patch in a whole new light. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  4. thrcontemplativecat here Great photos! So many memories with our kids. I also have balance problems.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one with balance issues, Susan. I certainly have lots of good memories with my kids, too. They always looked forward to the Halloween pumpkins.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. These images fill my heart! I love how, despite your (understandable) physical limitations you made a difference.
    Now, inquiring minds want to know what happens to those pumpkins not chosen.

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    1. I'm not sure what happens to the pumpkins left behind, Myra, since this church is a new one for us. I'll try to remember to ask someone today and let you know.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. You reminded me that I need to drive by the First Methodist Church and see their pumpkin patch. It is always fun to see. I enjoyed your photos, Martha! I hope all the pumpkins sell quickly for you!! xo

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    1. I wonder if the pumpkin patches are exclusive to Methodist churches, Terri? Glynn mentioned the same above! I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos, and I am hoping we do sell them all.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. I think groups of pumpkins are incredibly beautiful and enjoyed seeing your photos. I hope your church fundraiser is a big success.

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    1. I hope it's a big success, too, Terra. The pumpkins are beautiful, for sure.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. That's a lot of pumpkins! I'm curious to know if everyone of them will be sold. Alas, I would not be one to buy. I don't care for pumpkin anything. :) Have fun and be safe!

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    1. I don't enjoy eating pumpkin, Bill, but I have great memories of carving jack-o-lanterns with my kids. I do hope these pumpkins will bring a lot of happiness to the families who buy them.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. No lack of pumpkins there. :) I hope they all find homes to be enjoyed. Nice welcome sign. Enjoy your day, Martha.

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    1. That's my hope, too, Bill. Pumpkins are just so cheerful in the Autumn.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. I hope so, too, Christine.
    Love and blessings!

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  11. Dearest Martha,
    That must have been quite a load of pumpkins!
    Good luck with the fund raiser.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  12. Our Methodist Church in West Palm Beach, FL held a pumpkin patch each year--maybe it IS a Methodist thing!

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    1. It's certainly seems to be trending that way, Nancy, according to the comments here. That's a surprise to me!
      Love and blessings!

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  13. This sounds like something I would love doing! WONDERFUL Photos!
    Blessings!

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    1. It is a fun activity in which to participate, Lulu. As I'm relatively new to this church, I'm really enjoying this opportunity to get to know other members better.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. That's a lot of pumpkins!! What fun! I am sure the kiddos love coming there to find the perfect pumpkin! I still haven't bought one this season. I wish I could come to your pumpkin patch to find one! LOL. Have fun!!

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    1. I wish you could, too, Pamela! It's so much fun to watch the little ones selecting their pumpkin for Halloween - such delight in their faces!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Looks like y'all put the "FUN" in "fundraiser" there Ms. Martha Jane. I can sure appreciate one's inability to do things that require balance and strength. That's why God makes us in all shapes, sizes, and abilities; there's always a need for our particular talent. We just have to sometimes search for where we fit best. I used to tell my co-workers at Lions Club Bingo, "If we each do a little, then no one has to do a lot." I'm convinced that God smiles when He sees His children working together and happy in their work. Here's hoping the pumpkin patch sets sales records this year. God's blessings friends.

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  16. Yes, J. D., this is a great opportunity for all of us to discover where our current talents fit into the equation of working together. That's so true what you told your Lions Club group, too. Many hands do make light work. We sure are having fun putting the "fun" in fundraiser, too. It's a pleasure for all involved.
    Love and blessings!

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  17. the photos are a delight for the eyes and inner senses, Hope they do well!!

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    1. Yes, I agree, Jean. Danny takes the best pictures! I hope our church does well, too.
      Love and blessings!

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    2. That's a lot of pumpkins to unload. Hope your church sells them all. The pictures are so pretty.

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    3. I certainly hope we can, too, Henny.
      Love and blessings!

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  18. oh i'm spying a few pumpkins that i would have loved to cart home. what fun! nothing like a great big crate of these beauties to make us know that fall is HERE!

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    1. Since I've seen your photos of many of the pumpkins in the past, I thought of you when I saw similar ones here at our pumpkin patch, Linda. Quite a few have been sold, and that's good!
      Yes, pumpkins are a sure sign that fall is here in full swing!
      Love and blessings!

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  19. Oh wow - so many pumpkins!! What a labor of love...and pumpkin patch photos just make the best pictures!!:)

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    Replies
    1. They do make an excellent background for photos, Jennifer, I agree. We've had several couples come by to do just that. Can you blame them?
      Love and blessings!

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  20. What a great fundraiser. I love the photos Danny took. Martha, as you were describing the labor you could and couldn't do, it reminded me how God uses all of us for the various tasks in His harvest. Wonderful post. God bless. Karen Friday

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    1. Absolutely, Karen! God has given each of us particular talent and intends us to use those to His honor and glory. When we recognize those gifts and use them together, we can make such a positive impact for God's kingdom.
      I'll make sure to tell Danny that you liked his photos!
      Love and blessings!

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  21. Sounds like a nice event. I sure hope your balance is improved and you feel wonderful friend. God bless you

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your encouraging words, Cloudia. I'd love to be more sure on my feet, but we'll see how God chooses to heal me.
      Love and blessings!

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  22. Bom dia, Martha
    É uma bênção trabalhar para Deus, o Senhor é Maravilhoso, um forte abraço.

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    1. Nothing better than working for God, is there, Lucinalva? I pray we all will do that.
      Love and blessings!

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  23. Such a beautiful panoply of photos with all those pumpkins! We went to a small pumpkin patch on Friday with our little grandson. It was so fun seeing all the many different colors and shapes of pumpkins and quite a few unusual scarecrows too! :)

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    1. Sounds like you all had a marvelous time, Lisa! I sure wish my grands lived closer so they could enjoy these pumpkins, too. I can dream, can't I?
      Love and blessings!

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  24. Ohhhhhhhhhh how I love a pumpkin patch, smiles. Wishing you beautiful week.

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    1. I wonder if there are any folks out there who don't love a good pumpkin patch, Linda. Hope you have a great week, too!
      Love and blessings!

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  25. Congratulations on your successful pumpkin event!

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    1. Thanks, Crane! We have sold quite a lot since these photos were taken, and we have high hopes.
      Love and blessings!

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  26. Oh, my! I was just looking at the sign that shows what hours the patch is open and imagining having to take them all back inside each day. Or maybe you leave them out. Hopefully, people wouldn't steal them, but in this crazy world, I wouldn't put it past them to do that. It sounds like great fun volunteering for such an event, and I hope you enjoy it to the full! I'm so sorry to hear that you are having balance issues. God bless and heal you, sweet friend.

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    1. The balance issues are ongoing, Cheryl, and I'm learning how to cope while increasing my PT exercises. I'm convinced that God will heal all in His good time. I do know that this "handicap" is keeping me humble!
      The signs stay up, and even if there are some losses due to stealing, our town has more honest folks than devious ones. I thank the Lord for that!
      Love and blessings!

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