Elder Rod Hunt (my husband) and I (Sister Patrice Hunt) met Terry Bonner for the first time after having spoken on the phone a couple of days earlier. We met at the WCL - Tyler Community Garden, located at 3601 W. Jackson in Tyler, Texas. Terry had begun initially working on the garden over a year ago, dreaming of it becoming a place where the community could come to learn and grow, connect and be inspired. But there were too many hurdles and not enough hope and help.
Fast forward to the miracles. A man by the name of Dustin Howard had originally met up with Terry and started to help. A year later, we met Dustin and mentioned about looking for a community garden. He put two and two together, and now the miracles have begun!
Meeting at the garden site yesterday was the beginning. Terry, and his two sons, Dakota and Peyton, was enjoyable. We talked about vision and dreams; hope and healing; trust and triumph. We marked off a 50' x 50' growing area that we would start off with. We also flagged trees and bushes that would need removed. There is a lot of work to be done, but we made a beginning plan.
Yesterday afternoon, I called several tree services to see if anyone would be willing to donate their time and resources to help remove some of the trees. When I mentioned it would be a "donation" many said they were too busy. And it was very discouraging.
Waking up this morning realizing HOW much work needed to be done, and that we didn't even have any tools was a bit discouraging. Rod and I went to the East Texas Food Bank to give a couple hours of service, and then we left. I felt like crying, overwhelmed with everything!
However, the Tractor Supply Co. was RIGHT THERE as we were driving down Robertson and approaching the 323 Loop, so we turned right, instead of left, and walked into the store, to "just look around." We looked at yard tools, and weed killer, then walked to the other side of the store. A man by the name of Scott was at a counter mid-store, so I timidly asked if he was the store manager. He was. He asked what he could help us with. So, I pulled out the garden plan I had drawn up the night before, showing what we wanted to make happen. Then Scott gently asked, "What do you need from me...?" I wasn't even sure where to begin!! However, I had a list of what it would take for us to just get started!!
Scott took us over to the tools and said, "What about these...and these...and these..." and by the time he was done we had EVERYTHING we would need to get the work project going on Friday!! It was a miracle! And our praise and thanks to our Heavenly Father for His generosity in guiding us to Scott and Tractor Supply Co.
But it gets even better. As we were talking with Scott, I mentioned my trouble with finding a tree cutter who would be willing to at least cut the one tree out of the garden area that needed to come out. He said, "I actually know someone who might do it." and then gave me the name of a man. (I called him when we got home, and it looks like he will be able to do the tree removal!! I'll publish his name and business when that happens!!)
After Scott rang up everything his store donated to us, I was amazed. It came to $375!! I was trying to fight back the tears of gratitude as I asked if I could give him a hug! I hugged him with tears coming down my face.
This is just the beginning of something wonderful and grand that will bless the lives of so many people who will become involved with the Tyler Community Garden!!
