Apple picking

This past weekend we were able to make our third annual trip to Carter Mountain Orchard to go apple picking. The boys had been looking forward with great anticipation to our trip and this year my brother, Eric, and his girlfriend, Mandie, were able to join us. It was a beautiful fall day and we enjoyed picnicking at the top of the mountain and taking in the scenic views before harvesting apples. There was a huge turnout at the orchard, but thankfully there were plenty of apples to go around!

Mommy and Claire.

In the above photo you may notice that Woody (from Toy Story) came with us to the orchard. What's funny is that this toy originally belonged to Uncle Eric when the first Toy Story movie came out. It's now been passed down four times and is still a much-loved toy.

Eric climbing to reach the apples at the top.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Eric and Mandie (we couldn't find one of the tools to reach the apples up high).

Apple picking 2010

Besides munching on fresh-picked apples, we have enjoyed homemade apple pie and spicy apple cake. Yum!

It is so neat to witness God working even in the little things. As the apple pie baked I did my Bible reading for the day (I am reading through a plan set out as follow-up to the Radical study--prearranged, mind you), I came across this verse: "Make a tree good and it's fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and it's fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by it's fruit." Matthew 12:33 Wow! I was so excited at this "coincidence" and shared it with the boys later that evening. We were able to discuss as a family what it means to bear good fruit as we ate our apple pie.

That's not all! The next day I literally grabbed a handful of books from our church library in between services. I was just trying to pick up some easy reading material for the older two boys. Later that afternoon I was astounded when I realized that one of the books I grabbed, titled 3 in 1 (a picture of God), describes the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) as being similar to the three parts of an apple (peel, flesh, core). Grant was able to read the book to me that afternoon!

Thank you God for beautiful mountains, delicious apples, family to enjoy good times with, and for being REAL in my life! May the "fruit" of my life be glorifying to you...