Of Prayers and Apples

Growing up, I always knew my Mom was a woman of prayer. Even little things in our lives she would bring to the Lord and then rejoice to share with us His direct answers to her specific requests. As a child, her persistence in prayer strengthened my faith.

And as an adult, I continue to learn from her. This summer, Mom has been praying for apples. Our whole family simply loves applesauce, but our canning jars were sitting empty, silently pleading to be filled with yummy-ness. However, our search for apples in our local area turned up unsuccessful. The official season was past, but Mom kept praying.

We left on our fall tour, but answers to prayer are never late. Just before our final concert in Ohio, we discovered an orchard that was selling apples for a quarter the amount we'd previously priced. And, although we weren't planning to buy this amount, they loaded us up with 16 bushels of apples. Yes, over 700 lbs of apples! Applesauce, anyone?!

Bushels of summer goodness

Cutting apples for sauce

Tart sweetness!

Taking out the seeds

Straining out the sauce

Capping all the jars

Slicing the apple pie filling

Smiles!

Pie filling

And the final product -- 200 quarts of fresh applesauce and pie filling. Not bad for a days work?! We're so thankful for this specific answer to prayer! Have you been prompted to pray for a specific need lately?!

"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thess 5:16-18

Nathanael

Happy 10th Birthday Nathanael

Resourcefulness:
Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard.

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;
and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."
Luke 16:10

Fall Activities

Part-way through our recent ministry tour, we had a short 'lay-over' at our home. Just enough time to harvest like crazy as we discovered oodles of treasures in our garden! Isn't harvest a most wonderful time of the year?!

Morning smiles!

It was super wet and muddy, but that didn't dampen our spirits as we discovered the many treasures from our fall garden. Such fun!

Our quest to grow watermelons has never been successful. But somehow, this year was different -- we found over 50 large watermelon in our patch! Yummy!

Tomatoes were in plentiful supply, too, so canning took on a new urgency. There's nothing quite like seeing a whole shelf full of homegrown veggies, just waiting to be enjoyed during those cold winter months!

Pickles, anyone?!

Our canning crew

We have so much to be thankful for!

"While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat, Winter and summer,
And day and night Shall not cease."
Gen 8:22

Alaythia

Happy 12th Birthday Alaythia!

Creativity:
Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

Fieldtrip Day

We were recently able to spend a few days at Dan and Bethany's house. Which we really enjoyed! One of the highlights as spending a day touring an airplane museum in the DC area.

Getting ready for the tour!

Our family pilots (Dad and soon to be Stephen) and the pilot wanna-be (Nathanael) would name all the airplanes for us and patiently explain when we girls did not quite understand all the gizmos and gadgets that make up the airplane frame.

In the museum you could see the plane that droped the atomic bomb, the plane that was peddled across the English Channel, and the test space shuttle -- and believe me when I say, and MANY MORE!!! It was a great family experience!

"Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!"
Psalm 90:14

--Posted by Hannah