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We have some very exciting news...The Mustard Seed has received three national recognitions in the past month!

The first to arrive was our selection as one of the top 12 finalists for Total Landscape Care's "Landscaper of the Year" Award. Part of our award includes a free cruise in the Bahamas in November where the winner will be revealed. Just being a finalist is amazing, and we praise God for His favor!!! Even more amazing is that this is the second time we have been in the top 12 finalists, so we are counting our blessings and thanking God daily because there is nothing good in us that He didn't put there!

The second and third awards came from Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) which is the national trade association that represents more than 100,000 landscape industry professionals, who create and maintain healthy, green living spaces for communities across America. These awards won't go public until we receive them in late October, so you'll have to wait for our full announcement then.

As you might imagine, hearing this great news was a real boost for our morale after experiencing such a difficult season this year with the weather issues, the new store expansion, and some growing pains with our personnel.

As is often the case, however, shortly after a victory comes a fall! For us, this crisis came just one day after our visit from one of the editors of Total Landscape Care Magazine when our well pump suddenly stopped working at 10:30 at night. The sound of the water rushing backwards out of the pipes is unmistakable and I immediately knew we had a major issue on our hands. The feeling reminded me of a quote I recently read from Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest":

"After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God- that is where our faithfulness is revealed."  - Oswald Chambers

The good news is that living without water has really caused us to reflect upon the "Living Water" offered through accepting Jesus as our Savior. Doing so has given us the strength to praise His name on both the good days and the bad days, knowing that no matter how hard this life can be, we have eternal bliss awaiting us.

As for me, each time I take a sip of water, I reflect upon all God has done for me and how he has changed me from the inside out...He really does deserve the credit for anything good we do, and, though we are honored to be recognized through our recent awards, we want all the glory to go to Him because He deserves it; we are nothing without Him!

Sincerely,   

 Mark D. Halla

Steward