Every day at the farmers' market a few coins and the occasional bill or two were added to the can. It seemed like slow going at times, but with each new giver a surge of joy rushed through me as I gave an extra smile and heartfelt "Thank you!" At the end of each day I lifted the can. Yes, it was getting heavier.

By September I was beginning to see dollar bills peaking their thin edges out the slot in top of the can. The day I would empty, count, and send the money to the ministry was coming soon.

A month or so ago I opened the can and counted carefully. $57.97 - the sum total collected all summer long. How excited I was to send this money off to the ministry. I knew that soon many hungry and pinched stomachs were going to be filled with nutrition packed food. More than that I rejoiced to know that when the $57.97 worth of food was all digested, the hope of the truth of Christ's salvation would continue to be in the hearts of the people. For those who accepted salvation along with their free gift of food, they now have the greatest free gift of all, one that will never be used up or go away.

Coins and a few bills - considered so little and useless to us. Yet to some hungry stomach and lost, yearning soul these small pieces of metal and paper are the source of a few more days of life and carry the message of eternal life.

www.gainusa.org

October 3rd, 2009 -- Saturday

Duluth! This beautiful old town perched on the hills along Minnesota's north shore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places in all the world. From my earliest memories Duluth and the gorgeous state parks that surround it have been the destination of many a family vacation. Somehow these later years have slipped by with not a sight of this area of my home state. It was high time we visited again!

Highest on our list of vacation must-does was rest. Yet there were a few things we wanted to see and do. Drive to our old haunts in the state parks, explore and find something new, watch the famous bridge lift to let massive iron ore ships pass underneath, and visit a farmers' market.

When Saturday rolled around excitement was high. The farmers' market Mom and I had found on the internet was scheduled for every Saturday morning. Soon we would see how they did things at the northern markets. Plus we would get a little taste of what it is like to be on the other side of the tables.


No tents were needed here! A barn roof covered the heads of all the vendors. Here Mom found the house plant for which she has been searching - Baby Tears.


What fun to visit with the vendors! There is so much creativity among this hard working group.

While sales went on indoors, this man made fresh apple juice. That tangy drink goes hand in hand with crisp, autumn days.

Though glad for a break from the hectic schedule and uncooperative weather of farmers' marketing, this visit put fresh zeal in me for sales next year. Farmers' markets run deep within my blood!

Oh, where have you been?

My blog activity has been sluggish these last weeks, to say the least. In some ways I am like "Billy Boy," as you are doubtlessly asking "Oh, where have you been?" But in other ways I am far from being in Billy's shoes. I haven't been doing any spouse seeking. ;)

My baking hat has often been set aside these last weeks to be replaced by that of a wood finisher. New windows seem to have an endless amount of wood needing to be varnished, and so hour after hour my mom, sister, and I plug away. The end of this job is coming slowly but surely.

While most of the time my eyes are fixed on the wood that with each coat becomes richer in color, I do sneak glances through the new panes. A variety of scenes have met my eyes - clouds, rain, blowing autumn leaves, snow, sun, dripping roofs. Who would have thought that so many different weather patterns could be crammed into a few short weeks... unless you are from Minnesota.



PS - I haven't given up baking all together! The paint brush has given way to flour at times while I baked up orders and experimented with a few new concoctions.