Apple Pie Anyone?

We went apple picking yesterday! Simmons Farm, in the south hills of Pittsburgh, has it all: apple & pumpkin picking, a store, a petting zoo, hay rides, etc. We got ourselves a couple pecks of apples, so each of the kids could have their own bag to carry. The varieties of choice: empire and jonagold. Both are crisp and delicious!

Later in the afternoon, Elizabeth and I prepared and baked our first pie together. (We've done pumpkin in the past, but I don't feel like it counts because I've always purchased the crust. This one was from scratch, start to finish!)

Some wonderful person has put together this site to walk you through making an apple pie. It's more elaborate than necessary for me, but the pictures and lists of necessary ingredients and tools are great for baking with a kid. We put a laptop on the table and went to work!

I'll say it again: Happy fall!

A Serious Trip to the Art Museum

We took our end-of-September field trip to the Carnegie Museum of Art. The day was wet and dreary, ideal for such a visit. We had a lovely time. Brian was exceptionally well behaved as we strolled through the galleries, taking in the variety of pieces on display.

We're so high culture, aren't we?

As proof, here's the final activity we enjoyed on our way to the parking garage:

High culture indeed!

Little Punkins Pickin' Pumpkins

It's fall!

I don't have a favorite season; I love the change that comes with each one. Here I write to you in a sweatshirt and jeans; this time last week I sweating in shorts and a t-shirt. It's rainy and grey outside and I can't really get enough of it. (I know, it's messed up - feel free to comment.)

We attempted to apple pick a couple of weekends ago, but I'd misunderstood the website. There were apples galore, but in large containers in a sweet, little farm store. I was disappointed. Fortunately the pumpkins were ripe for the pickin'!

Yes folks, what you see below is a painted television with a Steelers game "on." Pittsburgh, how I love thee! Red Sox fans, you ain't got nothin' on Steelers fans.

Appointments with God

My time with God is not just studying His word, it is every moment I am alive, opening the eyes of my heart, seeing Him, living in His grace, asking for His strength, resting in my limitations and His adequacy.

So whether tending to a sick child in the middle of the night with sleep deprivation, or nursing a sweet baby with a toddler pulling at your leg or praying and talking late into the night with a confused lonely teen, or just washing dishes and cooking one more time, it is an appointment with God, a time of worship, a place to celebrate His presence, because He is there, close to your heart and so longing for your companionship--you spending time with Him in the midst of it all!

-Sally Clarkson

You can read Sally's full post here.

I was so encouraged by this post this morning I wanted to pass along the final paragraphs. We do need to spend time with the Lord, getting to know Him through His word. But what a blessed reminder that He's also with us when we're not "doing quiet time."

He's present with us in our work and play, our waking and sleeping, our rising and sitting - Psalm 139. Praise God for His omnipresence!

Walk with Him today. In the words of Francis Shaeffer, He is the God who is there.

A Week "Away"

We spent last week house and dogsitting for my parents who enjoyed a trip to Brazil (so jealous!) Throughout the week, we passed the time doing school, hanging out with siblings' families, enjoying my parent's (enormous) yard, and visiting local attractions.

Meet Barney, Brian's best friend

Tree climbing!

Sliding with Aunt Michelle

(that's my elem school in the background)

playing with trucks, paper clips, & magnets

(Brian and cousin Isaac)

exploring the creek at Penn Hills Park

Oakmont Bakery and Riverview Park

minigolfing for my sister's birthday:

cousins!

sister Michelle and bro-in-law, Adam, at the back

I had an extraordinarily good time being back where I grew up (now only 40 min away!) Mom said we can do it again for a few days at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to it!

Where would you hang out in your hometown if you had a week to "vacation" there?

On Being a Christian

The essence of Christian theology is grace,

and the essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.

-a professor of RC Sproul's

I've been chewing on this quote a little over the last few days. I'm nearing the end of Sproul's commentary on John and I still recommend it! His wise teaching on the book and depth of knowledge of the Scriptures & God's redemptive plan are spurring me on to love God more.

Two things the above quote makes me think about:

1. Christian theology is all about grace. In fact, there is no Christian theology without grace.

Our pastor in Cambridge, MA liked to mention that Jesus loves me, this I know is deep Christian theology; it's more than a cute song we sing to our kids. Yes, there are rules in the Bible about how we should live, but before you can get to those, you have to start at the cross where Jesus died and bore the penalty for all sin of all time - yours and mine - reconciling us to God.

Because there was no hope otherwise.

Adhering to Christian principles is nice, but it won't bridge the gap. Only the grace of God, poured out through His Son's life, death, and resurrection brings us back into right relationship with our creator.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Sometimes I wonder why. Really God, a brat like me?! Grace flies in the face of normal, human thinking. But it's God's way of drawing us back to Himself. He went to the greatest lengths possible.

Once we grasp it, we can do nothing but be thankful - the second part of the quote.

2. The reason a Christian lives in obedience to God's commands is thankfulness for all he has received from His hand - that amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.

In the Word we find commandments, precepts, statues, etc. Knowing we have been called by God to be His people, we desire to obey these, loving God and our neighbor, because we are so. very. thankful!!!!

It's not always easy, but God gives us His Spirit, He reminds us our sins are forgiven, and He changes us as we walk with Him. We can live in peace with thankful hearts, because we enjoy the most secure relationship available to man.

Here's the wrap up:

I believe because God started a work in me that only He could begin; I did nothing to earn this place in God's family, as His adopted daughter.

That's grace.

I obey in His power for the same reason: I did nothing to earn this place in God's family, as His adopted daughter.

That's gratitude.

And the gratitude only grows as I walk with the Lord, as He ever so gently shows me just how desperate my situation is with out him. The more He opens my eyes to my sin, the more precious Jesus' death on the cross becomes.

Truly, the essence of Christian theology is grace,

and the essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.

Thanks for this quote, Dr. Sproul.

Music Suggestion #3

Genre change, here!

JOHN REUBEN

This fellow is a hip-hop, rapper type of singer-songwriter. His lyrics are thought provoking and offer interesting social commentary; the music is up-beat and fun. I've not gotten his last two albums, mostly because I'm really good at getting behind in the music scene! This post has got me motivated to pick up those albums asap.

I like running to his music, keeps my mind busy and my heart pumping. And, by the way, if you click on the name of the artist in my "Music Suggestion" posts, you'll be directed to their sites.