Hearts With Hands

My dad's home was filled with several generations of family memories and mementos. Our task was to move his household items from western North Carolina that he and my mom collected from over 50 years of marriage, within one weekend. It was a daunting task. But with my brother Jon and his family, my wife Brenda, our children and their spouses there to lend a hand, we worked until every box was packed, taped and marked. All-in-all, it took an accumulation of several months just to get everything to where we could load the two trucks on Saturday: one going to Birmingham with Jon, and the other heading to Nashville with Brenda, dad and me. That's where Hearts With Hands came in and saved the day.

Hearts With Hands crew, Tom Harvill's move, March 3, 2012

Hearts With Hands is a ministry of Cornerstone Fellowship, based in my dad's community of Forest City. Cornerstone has been my dad's church home ever since we helped charter it back in December, 1997. It's a lay-led ministry, with outreach to the needy, elderly and others--extending the love of Christ in Rutherford County and beyond. Their designated project in March was to help move my dad out of his home.

With approximately 15 volunteers, the house was cleared and swept in under 2 hours. They even pulled up a trailer with a gas grill on the back to prepare hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. If it were not for their help, we would probably still be here working at Easter! Their love for my dad was so evident. He has sown much over the years in the lives of so many, and it was a natural expression of the church to help him in this great time of need.

I am so thankful to Cornerstone Fellowship, Hearts With Hands, and all of the volunteers who lifted, cleaned, packed, cooked, fed and, most importantly, served the Lord on behalf of my dad this weekend. It was truly an out-pouring of Christ's love through service, and has greatly touched the hearts of my family. Bless you all!