Strengthening the Soul

Today was another gorgeous Sunday morning in Pittsburgh, and while I was tempted to spend all day in my air conditioned apartment watching the Olympics, I decided to head over to Frick Park for a much needed breath of fresh air.

The Braddock Trail in Frick Park

I've come to realize that it is not just my body that I get in shape when I go out for a walk/jog along the trials but I revitalize my spirit as well; a strengthening of my soul. As I walk among the trees and flowers I listen to a mix of worship songs and take in the beauty of God's creation around me. When I am feeling frustrated, sad, or overwhelmed and don't know what to say to God, a song will come on through my mix of music that will directly express what I am trying to say.

A bench along the creek; a place to sit and relax in God's glory

Recently I have been feeling restless and impatient; tired of waiting for God to fulfill the desires of my heart. As I was walking among the gorgeous trees and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face the song "You'll Come" by Hillsong United came on that completely nailed what I was feeling and gave me the re-assurance that God will come and meet my needs and desires. The chorus goes.

 You'll come let you glory fall

As you respond to us

Spirit Rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again

You'll come

I need to be patient and try not to look at the big things I don't have yet or I will miss out on all the wonderful small things around me right now. If I try to rush and just get to the end of the trail then I'll miss the wildflowers growing along the path, and try as I might I can't help but smile at the sight of wildflowers.

So as I go about my week I need to remember that while I am waiting for God to answer some big questions, and He will come and  answer them, I need to praise and rejoice in the small blessings that He gives me everyday, even something as small as a yellow flower I see along the side of a path.

Garfield Farms

 Living in my apartment I am unable to have my own garden, so when I heard about the opportunity to help with a local community garden I jumped at the chance. For the past month my church has been advertising about a work day at Garfield Community Farm which I attended yesterday. Garfield Community Farm along with Open Hands Ministry focus on serving the community and sharing God's love through the farm. What was once a block of abandoned lots is now a farm from which the produce is sold to the community at a weekly farmers market.

Lots of tomatoes under here

For most of morning I worked in the cauliflower and broccoli beds; taking down finished pee plants and pulling up weeds. Since the weather was dangerously hot we only worked until 12 and had to take lots of water breaks, but we were able to get a lot accomplished.  

The beds all cleaned up!

Along with fruits and vegetables the garden also has some bunnies that one of members in raising. Everyone enjoyed being able to visit the bunnies (who are housed in a shady part of the garden) and I even got to hold one!

This little guy was the runt of the litter but he sure was jumpy!

Little white bunny:)

Work days happen the first Saturday of every month and every Thursday evening, which I will definitely be participating with in the future. Don't worry if you don't know anyone else going, I didn't and I still had lots of fun meeting new people and working among God's creation.

Click here for more information about Garfield Farm.
Click here for more information about Open Hand Ministries