Garden-Share

Step Two: Determine the Function of the Garden

That is easy. I love my little retreat and love sitting alone in my garden swing communing with God and the land. My desire is to share it with others. Sharing it will require more seating, perhaps a table and or places to rest a drink or snack. I will need a comfortable and safe way for visitors to access the top of the property and paths to stroll the envisioned gardens. Evenings will require lighting and a way to repel the mosquitoes that visit everyday as the sun begins to set behind the Oregon Hills.

Whether sitting and relaxing or strolling slowly down the paths I imagine a sense of tranquility yet anticipation for what lies behind the bend.

The temporary function of this area was a viewing point to watch while the land was being readied for our house. Now, it gives me a place to dig in the dirt, create, exercise my body and stay out of the way of the work that is being done below. Grading, terracing and installing drainage systems for the landscape around the house are projects for my husband that I can’t help with. Staying busy and out of his way works for both of us. And, when he is ready for a break he hikes up the hill, sits in the swing beside me and we share our dreams for our home and gardens. LIFE IS SO GOOD!

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Comment by Patti Sherwood on March 11, 2010 at 10:15am: You guys are the best! Melanie CHOCOLATE! The main stay of the gardeners diet! My remedy for sore muscles is A soak in the tub, 2 advil and a dove dark chocolate bar. On a really hard day Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

Sally, I'm glad for your new perspective. You are so right about our gardens being our gift. The Bible is full of lessons for us. One of my favorites is in Corth. I want to have this put on a sign for my new gardens. "I can tend the garden, water, weed and plant. . .But only God can make it grow."

It sounds like you have a full plate being the caregiver for your husband. I am happy that your husband has you as His provision for your husband in this time of his life. . . . you are your husbands gift from God and the gardens are your gift from God, your place of healing and comfort for this time in your life. No guilt allowed!

Comment by Sally Smith z4 on March 10, 2010 at 11:12pm: I often pray while working in the garden, but honestly have never thought of it as something God could use. I sometime even felt a little selfish spending time on something that gave me pleasure.

I have a lot of wooded, tangled, thorny brush that's needs to become something serene and a disabled husband who loves our yard.

I have a new perspective, thank you. God did give us the gift of these gardens to be used to glorify Him.
I wonder what He has in mind for mine?

Comment by Patti Sherwood on March 10, 2010 at 10:49pm: Melanie. I just knew you were a woman of faith. Prov. 29 is one of my favorites. Thank you for the encouragement. We believe God has a plan for this property. I don't know the scope of what it is but I just try to be obedient and prepare. One thing we want to do is to build a little prayer chapel in the woods. We have chosen a spot for it down by the creek. My brother in law bought us two mahogany pews from a church that took them out and replaced them with more "modern" ones. My husband is an electrician and he worked on a church that was built in Portland Oregon in 1909. They gave him a beautiful crystal chandelier that hung in the foyer which they replaced with a more "modern" one.

I am so glad I opened this and read it tonight. I am tired after a day caring for four of my grandchildren and my son in law who just had knee surgery. I was going to wait till morning but instead decided to check my emails. Now I will have sweet dreams remembering that my vision comes from God and that even though from my eyes it seems like too big a task, He will see us through.

Comment by Sally Smith z4 on March 10, 2010 at 10:48pm: Wow this is beautiful. What an amazing setting for a woodland garden. I am going to love this journey as you plan and plant and share it with us.