Early Fall

Fall is my favorite season and here in KY is lasts a good two months.  Here is the view from my kitchen window.  Since we have had rain before a freeze, we should get good color this year. 

 This is early in the morning before the fog lifted. 

The early birds of color change.

Fundraiser

This past Sunday we were blessed to have some friends put together a fundraiser meal for us after church.  We had around one hundred people show up and we had a great time sharing more about what God is calling us to do.  Unfortunately we were too busy talking to take any pictures, (that is code for "we forgot"), But the room was decorated beautifully in red, yellow, and green.  On the right you will notice that our monthly support has been bumped up to 17%.  Praise God for continuing to provide!

Camping

Last weekend we camped in the mountains of West Virginia.  It was quite beautiful and we thought the campsite was really secluded.  It was a little chilly and rainy so there was only one other spot taken in the campground and those people never came out of their camper.  We realized after a very short time in the campground that there was a train track on the other side of the river and trains went through about once an hour.  Yes,   all     night    long.

More work

After several years in the house, we are finally getting around to finishing up the trim.  We commented that the house should be finally done just in time to sell it.  That is more depressing than it sounds.

Apple Picking

Sunshine fills the sky as lazy clouds float along in the breeze, casting moving shadows on the grassy hills.   The air is clear and cool, refreshing our energy after the hot, humid days of summer.    The tree branches sag under the weight of mouth watering apples just waiting to be picked and enjoyed.  Smiles shine on our faces as we eagerly reach for the perfect pick, and our deep breaths are filled with fresh orchard air.  This is apple picking day.  Glorious apple picking day.  

U-Pick farms are one of my favorite places to visit.  I've picked strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pears, peaches, and  blueberries, but apples are my favorite.   There is nothing quite like  being in the orchard during the cool, fall days of apple season. 

"The fruit of the righteousness is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."

Prov. 11:30

"By their fruit you will recognize them...A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good gruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."  

Matthew 7:16-20

 "The fruit of the Spirit is joy."

Galatians 5:22

We picked 40 pounds of apples.  Mutsu, the biggest apples I have ever seen, and Jonagold were our favorites. 

Thank-you Mother-in-law for going with us on these wonderful days.  

They are treasured memories.

Early Pumpkins

You tell me:  pumpkin pie,blueberry pumpkin muffins, whole-wheat pumpkin pancakes, or chocolate pumpkin biscotti?  So many possible goodies.

Separation Anxiety

For those who don't think they are all that connected to their stuff, there is one way for you to really find out.  Start selling it.  Over the past couple of months we have had our eyes opened to how much stuff we are really holding onto, and don't want to let go.  This hit home yesterday when the bidding on my motorcycle closed on ebay and I had the buyer contact me about transferring it.  Wow, I didn't know my stuff was that important to me!  We are not looking forward to the day when we hand over the keys to our house.  We have so much blood, sweat, and tears (literally all three) invested in this house.

The Parable of the Bridge

It was a warm summer day as we were cruising through the Midwest on our way to the long anticipated vacation.  We had been working hard all year and we were excited about the long days at the lake swimming, fishing, and just generally relaxing.  It was midday and traffic was heavy as we headed down the interstate, but that was to be expected for this time of year.

We were approaching the new bridge which had been built several years ago.  The old bridge was still in good shape, but to use it one would have to get off of the interstate and take a longer winding road to get to it.  The new bridge was much wider and more convenient, so that is the route most people took.

As we approached the exit to the old bridge, I noticed a van stopped by the side of the road.  On the side it said “First Bapwesodist Church.”  Half of the people were still sitting in the van and the rest were outside waving at cars as they went past.  I thought it was odd that they were smiling and waving if they were broken down, so we pulled over to the side to see if we could help.

I walked up to the group and asked them if they needed any assistance.  They were all very friendly and replied that they had not broken down.  I instantly became very curious and asked why in the world they were stopped on the side of the road.  A well-dressed older gentleman answered, “We just stopped here to tell people that they should take the road to the old bridge today.”  My inquisitive side began to take over and I asked, “Why would I want to go that way?  It takes much longer and the road isn’t nearly as nice.”  

I could see the gentleman become visibly uncomfortable.  “Well…” he stammered, “You see, the bridge collapsed this morning.  You can’t really see it until it’s too late.  Most of the people are just driving off the edge into the river.”

“What!”  I could feel my jaw drop to the ground.  “Why are you just standing here waving and smiling at people?”

“Oh, we are hoping people will stop and ask us why we are being so nice and then we can tell them to take the other bridge.”

“But when I stopped, you didn’t even tell me the bridge was out!” I exclaimed.

“Of course not” he said.  “Many of the people around here are so proud of this bridge and several have spent years advocating for a new bridge, we don't want anyone to be offended by letting them know that it was poorly built and it has failed.”

Another young lady chimed in, “Yeah, and I’m a little scared that people won’t believe me anyway.  I mean, that bridge is pretty new and it is hard to believe it could be that weak.”

“But people are driving off the bridge and into the river while half of the people are just sitting in the van!”

The older man looked a little indignant at this.  “They aren’t just sitting there!  Those people are praying that the God will send out the state road crew to put up one of those signs letting people know the bridge is out.”

I couldn’t believe it!  How could they just stand there while these families were driving down the road and off the bridge?  I turned to look at the road and watched as the cars continued streaming past.  One after another after another.  What could I possibly do?  My heart was broken, but who was I to be able to do anything?

Slowly I raised my hand and began to wave…