Off to the Pumpkin Patch

  

I love fall...the crisp autumn smell, cooler weather, and the color change of the leaves. All these things remind me how richly God has blessed us!! So to enjoy all of these blessings we headed to a quaint little pumpkin patch. The first patch we visited had bumpy pumpkins.

 

(This pumpkin just has a few bumps, but some were covered )



Perfect eating sized pumpkin.



 We looked for a while and finally settled on two perfectly sized pumpkins for Miss M. and a medium sized one as festive decoration. But then we spotted another patch. And from what we could see all the pumpkins were smooth and "perfect". Yes, we ditched our bumpy imperfect pumpkin for a more perfect one.



My man with 2 pumpkins, one a little cuter than the other.

Nothing like riding in a wagon after a long trip to the patch

We were also able to enjoy the straw fort and some dress up before heading home for family naps!!

    

 As we enjoyed the beautiful day God gave us I could not help reflecting a little on the day. Bright orange pumpkins, Wonderful weather, Enjoying time with family, most people are willing to admit that these blessing can only come from God. But if knowledge is as far as we go we are lost. Knowing that a seed can produce fruit does not make it grow. The seed will not grow until we plant it in the soil. It is like that with Jesus, God's son. Knowing "of" Jesus will not guarantee anything. We must proceed farther by admitting we fall short of His standard (perfection), believing, and accepting (or "planting") Him into the "soil" of our hearts. Only then will we grow and receive the inheritance promised to all who believe, eternal life in heaven! (1 John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.")

I will leave you with this final thought. Just like the bumpy pumpkins we saw at the patch, we are all imperfect. But Jesus is the "Perfect Gardener" who has paid the price, and can overlook our flaws and choose us from "the patch". How special it is to know that despite my continual struggle with sin, I have been chosen by Him and He loves me just as I am imperfections and all. But that is not the end of the story. Day by day He works within my heart changing me more and more into Him image. And one day when he returns our struggles will be no more. Instead, we will taste Heaven and worship forever at His throne. 



Exploring Missions with your Senses: Smell/Taste

Many moons ago on the last Missions Monday post I shared some ways we can learn about missionaries using the sense of sight God has given us. Today I will explore missions using the senses of smell and taste. It may stretch your children (or you) to explore missions in this way but it will certainly take the experience to a new level.

When missionaries first enter a new culture the must adjust to more than their visual surroundings. On top of new sights comes new smells and tastes. To learn about missions in this way kids need just that, exposure to new smells and tastes. I'll start with the easy/simple and build up.

~Visit a local farmer's market. Many times farmer's markets have ethnic stands selling foods from other cultures. If you want to use your sense of smell, all you need to do is stand nearby. But to take the experience a little deeper ask for a sample or buy a new dish to share.

~Try a new fruit of veggie. This is another simple and practical way to expose your family to new things. It will give you a small "taste" of what missionaries experience in the field. If you family likes this begin trying a new fruit or veggie each week, but be careful, you may find some new favorite foods.

To extend this farther....

             -Research online how to choose and prepare the fruit or veggie.
             -Learn where the fruit or veggie is grown or eaten
             -Are there any special dishes made with the fruit/veggie?
             -Discuss the taste is it similar to anything else you have eaten?

Here are some suggestions to start with: Papaya, Plantain, Okra, Star Fruit, Sea Bean, Kumquat, 

                                                             Pummelo, Gai Lan

Now if you really want a challenge, plan to prepare a new and ethnically different food than you normally would. This could be a whole meal or just an afternoon snack. Generally desserts are fun to make and have a predictable taste (sweet). Below are a few links to international recipies.

Turkish Recipes:   http://www.kidsandcultures.com/uploads/6/0/9/2/6092250/turkish-recipes.pdf

Categorized by country:  http://www.world-recipes.info/

Variety of countries: http://www.kulturekids.org/fun/recipes/index.html
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the recipes:  http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/international-gourmet-recipes.html

Very Cool Site!!! Recipes written and illustrated by people around the world (just be careful some of the measurements are metric rather than U.S. customary) http://www.theydrawandcook.com/

Here are some kid friendly international cookbooks:

(You can find all of these on Amazon by clicking on the image or search your local library for additional resources.)

This book (above) is just one in the series. They also have easy desserts, lunches, vegetarian, and breakfasts.

   

I always love to hear from my readers, so please let me know what you try. Looking forward to sharing some yummy international recipes!

John Piper's book "Think"-- Free

I have not read this particular book, but my husband and I have read several books by John Piper and have enjoyed and been challenged by every one. From the brief video trailer that I watched "Think" is about transforming our thinking to glorify God in everything. John Piper stated that his goal was to challenge readers to "...love God through thinking well about the world and about the Bible that He has given us".

Perhaps the best summary of the book that I was able to find was this, again from John Piper himself, "Not to make us thinkers, but to use thinking biblically to make us lovers."

Get your free audio copy of Think.
Every month Christianaudio.com has a free download of the month. This month they are featuring Think.
I downloaded it to my MP3 player and will listen to it in the car.

If you haven't already, set up an account. (E-mail address, first and last name) Then go to the free download tab and put the item in your cart. (Make sure you put the download in your cart not the CD) From there check out and you will be able to download the book. Make sure you get all the parts. If you are not ready to download it now that is okay. You can still "buy" it now and will be able to download it from your account page for up to a year. What a great free form of entertainment! Remember you have until October 31 to download the book. I can't wait to see what next month's free download will be!!

Happy Listening!!