The familiar sights and sounds of summer’s finale are upon us. Our apple tree, well-laden with abundance, has dropped delicious green apples that I have distributed to the hens; they get so excited for something special. I’m not sure what it meant, but when I dumped a pile of these apples into their coup the other day, one of them crouched down and started stamping her feet… perhaps in excitement or perhaps in frustration that I hadn’t brought them earlier! It is also fly season here. My youngest loads up his nerf gun and goes hunting. I am finding fly guts in random spots on my windows and walls these days. Tis the season of harvesting fruit!
Pencils, notebooks, and calculators have been stocked. The renovations at our church & school building have been artfully and intentionally designed by dear friends. Hand-crafted with beauty and meaning, the Lord works masterpieces from the loveliness of His mind, His guidance in every detail and the work of so many, many hands. We rejoice in all the Lord has done. Gardens of grace are being planted in places of despair, and the life of the Kingdom is bearing fruit with truth and beauty. As I look around our city, some leaves are beginning their faithful farewell, their one last act in their seasonal drama, as if taking a blushed bow before stepping off the stage.
Just a couple weeks ago, a precious baby was born in our church community and this weekend, I prepared a deliciously fun meal of homemade tortillas, smoked pork (thanks to my husband), rice, and all the mouth-watering garnishes for a scrumptious meal of tacos. We frequently bake our own tortillas - our kids won’t have it any other way. We live in a city that is over 50% hispanic, one of our favorite cultures to live in, so we have adapted to cooking Mexican food weekly! On a trip to Papalote ten years ago, we received a cookbook from the women of the church we were visiting, and now Maria’s Tortillas are our go-to recipe forever! I’ve attached it here if you’d like to try your hand at home made tortillas… but get ready to be committed. Once your children try it, they won’t ask for any other kind. I’m very thankful for a kind neighbor who taught me how to make authentic tortillas from scratch many years ago with a tortilla press! The Hermanas of Papalote use a one inch PVC pipe to roll out the dough, but they say a rolling pin would work too!
It is the beginning of a new school year for my precious ones. One is in her Freshman year, two are in the Middle School years and one is starting 4th grade! I’ve been goal-setting and making plans of all kinds including what to listen to on my many drives this Fall to and from our little classical school, to violin lessons, piano lessons, and football practice. I have audiobooks aplenty. I plan to share a list here soon of what I’m listening to and learning these days.
We enjoyed a special “back to school” Tea Time on the Patio last week. Each one of them got a personal tea party with me as we shared espresso, Scottish breakfast tea, and donuts. We chatted and laughed, and had meaningful heart to heart moments. I shared with each of them a scripture passage, Jesus’ words calling his disciples to abide in Him, the true vine. I prayed for each one. It was our little summer finale, a way to be thankful for this season God has given us with sweet treats and tea, and make way for Autumn joys to arrive.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
-John 15:1-17 ESV
Grapes from my father’s backyard vineyard