Doing Autumn

Before the snow flies, we take a few trips to the apple farm. It's not too far from our place so driving over on a whim is easy. We pick our own apples and a pumpkin, and maybe, just maybe, a caramel apple or pumpkin cookie. I stroll slowly past the eclectic assortment of jams and jellies in the shop, slide my hand across the freezer of uncooked pies. I settle on cheddar and jalapeno scones to add to the squash soup I've already made at home. My children race the wagons, climb on the rocks and swat the bees that buzz around the apple taste-testers. Then, as we pile back into the truck, we feel a little more like we've done autumn. 

 

Gratitude:

1674. for wagons and how they never outgrow them

1675. apples, a blessed variety!

1676. finding Uncle Warren working in the poly-houses and sharing our apples with him

1677. big "brothers" who pull really fast!

1678. little arms trying so hard to do what the big people do

1679. how these little things like finding the perfect pumpkin are still important to her :)

1680. the way he knows that getting her to help will make her happy

1681. enjoying another little one coming on all our adventures

1682. how she's grown so much we can laugh our hearts out at the same things till we cry

1683. the way he cares for her even without prompting

1684. his belly laugh that explodes from the simple joy of climbing on pumpkins :)

1685. how this "big" adores this "little"

 

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22

 

It's Apple Time!

A small and local Escape bids us each September to come and reach to her branches, crunch her sweet fruit and romp in her playground. It's here we feel a little closer to Autumn and all it's gifts. As bitter as the farewell to summer can be for us, we welcome a new season of apple pies, zucchini bread, thick, rich soups, and warmer clothing (yes, my children wear uniforms--it cuts down on the laundry and lessens the morning clothing battle :)

 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:22

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!



Preparing For The Harvest

It all begins with fertile soil.

Hearts must be ready.

We assess the right time, obediently plant the seeds of His truth, and the Holy Spirit does the rest.

We have prepared our hearts to be witnesses of the Master Gardener but we continue to grow in His garden ourselves so we can know how to share how He cares for His seedlings.

Sometimes we're there to cultivate and other times, that's someone else's place.

Being grafted into the Vine and having our branches pruned are steps along the path of the ultimate gardening endeavour.

We must dust ourselves off and plant again when the Word falls on rocky or thorny soil.

There's joy in the planting, and fellow gardeners share the load.

The more seeds we plant, the greater the harvest.

May 2010 be a revival in the garden and the reaping of an overwhelmingly abundant harvest!

(most photos by Meghan)