Today was a great day for apple picking. It was a cool, crisp 50 something degrees and lots of people were off because of Columbus Day. We headed out east, on the North Fork, which took almost an hour. It feels like another world out there in the country. There is a one lane road into town and the traffic is always backed up. We started by visiting an apple orchard. The trees are low enough for the kids to pick the apples. We found Rome, Red Delicious and some yellow ones which I am not sure what variety they are. The kids had a ball and enjoyed climbing the trees and looking for unblemished apples. It is amazing how many apples are just laying on the ground under the trees, bruised or imperfect in some way. As you walk, you have to step over all of the apples and kick them aside. I can't help but think of how we are like those apples; imperfect, blemished, and even tossed aside. I don't know what they do with all of those apples. Some say they use them to make apple cider. I don't know if that is so or not. I am filled with gratitude though that as imperfect as we are, God loves us anyway. Unconditionally, just as we are, sin and all. God sent His Son to die for us, not because we are all perfect on the outside and inside. He loved us before the foundations of the world. He loves us and doesn't kick us aside, as imperfect as we are. He takes our hearts of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. Praise God that He takes us just like those bruised, broken apples and makes us whole. 
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Great Day for Apple Picking
Today was a great day for apple picking. It was a cool, crisp 50 something degrees and lots of people were off because of Columbus Day. We headed out east, on the North Fork, which took almost an hour. It feels like another world out there in the country. There is a one lane road into town and the traffic is always backed up. We started by visiting an apple orchard. The trees are low enough for the kids to pick the apples. We found Rome, Red Delicious and some yellow ones which I am not sure what variety they are. The kids had a ball and enjoyed climbing the trees and looking for unblemished apples. It is amazing how many apples are just laying on the ground under the trees, bruised or imperfect in some way. As you walk, you have to step over all of the apples and kick them aside. I can't help but think of how we are like those apples; imperfect, blemished, and even tossed aside. I don't know what they do with all of those apples. Some say they use them to make apple cider. I don't know if that is so or not. I am filled with gratitude though that as imperfect as we are, God loves us anyway. Unconditionally, just as we are, sin and all. God sent His Son to die for us, not because we are all perfect on the outside and inside. He loved us before the foundations of the world. He loves us and doesn't kick us aside, as imperfect as we are. He takes our hearts of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. Praise God that He takes us just like those bruised, broken apples and makes us whole. 
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Hint of Fall
I love fall. It is my favorite season. I know people are saying it is fall, but really fall does not begin until September 23rd, which happens to be my hubby's birthday. We were enjoying cooler days this past week, and then over the weekend the temperature went up to 80. Tonight, it is a beautiful night. The windows are open and there is a cool breeze. It is getting darker earlier and I love the sounds of the, well not sure what it is, but I think it is an insect. I have not put away the summer clothes yet, we are known to have hot days into October. As soon as you think it has cooled off the temperatures soar again.
Fall is a time of change. Back to school for the kids, or shall I say back to routine for us homeschoolers? A time to start new habits. For me that means trying to exercise regularly again. The leaves will be changing here soon to beautiful reds, golds and oranges. There will be decorations of pumpkins, gourds and haystacks. Apple picking and buying Mums at the farm stands, hay rides for the kids and the smell of fireplaces burning. It is a season of giving thanks. My favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is a couple of months away, which means it will be our anniversary soon too. We were married the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2001. Did I mention fall is my favorite season?!
What about you? What do you love most about Fall. I'd love to hear.
Fall is a time of change. Back to school for the kids, or shall I say back to routine for us homeschoolers? A time to start new habits. For me that means trying to exercise regularly again. The leaves will be changing here soon to beautiful reds, golds and oranges. There will be decorations of pumpkins, gourds and haystacks. Apple picking and buying Mums at the farm stands, hay rides for the kids and the smell of fireplaces burning. It is a season of giving thanks. My favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is a couple of months away, which means it will be our anniversary soon too. We were married the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2001. Did I mention fall is my favorite season?!
What about you? What do you love most about Fall. I'd love to hear.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)