See how neat and organized this is? Yeah. This is definitely not how things are done in my house.

Of course, this happened on the worst possible night (these things always do, don’t they?). Tim had several high school boys coming over later to save the universe by shooting zombies with Wii remotes (Call of Duty, perhaps?), and I had a couple of young ladies coming over to paint our toenails and make ourselves otherwise glamorous. The evening worked out fine, the only real hassle was digging snacks in and out of several ice-filled coolers for the bottomless pits otherwise known as 16-year-old boys.

Five borrowed oversized coolers, half a dozen soaked towels, and 12 hours later we determined that our refrigerator and freezer were ready to join the world of the living appliances. But first, we had a very humble young lady (thank you, Sis!) work out her penance by giving each section a good scrubbing. Once all the food was put back in, we celebrated the end of FreezerMania 2011.

Or so we thought.

We have an upright freezer in our garage that has been on its last legs all summer. The only food we keep in there are about 12 half-gallons of homemade apple cider and one frozen turkey. We thought that once the cooler weather arrived it would not have to work so hard to keep cool and it would quit rattling like an antique John Deere.

Well, the good news is that it did quit rattling. We didn’t really notice the absence of it for a while, unfortunately. Until the puddle. Tim first noticed in the morning before he left for school. He opened the freezer to see what was up and quickly shut it. Then he left for school, thinking he would deal with it when he got home.

I was getting ready to leave with Gabriel later that morning and could not figure out where this awful stench was coming from in our downstairs. The smell of putrid turkey and rotting cider had somehow crept in through the garage door and was permeating the living room and entryway. As soon as I opened the garage door I ran gagging to the van in order to hurriedly put Gabriel in and open the big door.

So here we go again: FreezerMania Round Two. This one involves getting rid of the actual appliance as well as clearing out the puddle and smell. Neither of which sound like an easy or fun job.

On an unrelated topic, would anyone like to buy any fermented apple cider? I hear it cures what ails ya!

1.  The color change. Okay, I know this one is obvious, but I love everything about it. I love how it seems to happen so gradually, but so quickly at the same time. I love driving down the highway and visually drinking in the colors of the trees. I love the contrast of the yellows and reds to the crisp evergreens. I love how the view outside my deck changes daily.

2.  Taking a long walk and enjoying it with all my senses. Gabe and I love to walk among the beauty of the forest. We delight in the sound of the crunch under our feet as we trample the fallen leaves. The cool breeze on our cheeks brings the unique fall aroma that only comes with the decaying leaves, and ripening apples. We reach as high as we can on our apple tree, for the reddest apples, and bite into tart flesh. The juice drips down our chins.

3.  Pumpkin spice everything. Candles, air fresheners, lotion, and most important: Lattes.

4.  Creative inspiration. Autumn brings out my creative side. It must be because of the beauty and creativity I see all around me–the result of our Creator. When I view the color changes every year I have always felt restless, as if I am being urged to do something. This fall I have responded to this urge by getting out my camera, my sketchbook, and my paints.

5.  School supplies. Okay, I may be a huge nerd, but I love the smell and feel of fresh pencils, notebooks, glue, crayons…

6.  Football games. Nothing says fall like spending a Friday night in the stands of a high school football game.

7.  My growing collection of scarves. This one speaks for itself, I think.

8.  Bonfires. I love a good campfire during the summer. But there is just something special about a fall bonfire. Sitting as close to the fire as possible to stay warm, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. I don’t even like marshmallows, but it’s all part of the experience, right? 

9.  Coffee. I think that anytime I make a list of anything, coffee is on there somewhere. I like my coffee hot so I don’t drink it much during the summer. Fall brings back the cooler mornings which are perfect for sipping a hot drink.

10. Fall wardrobe. Jeans. Sweaters. Boots. Warm socks. Scarves (wait, did I already mention that? Oh well). Fall is the season for dressing comfy and cozy.

What do you love about the autumn months?

Until today, that is. This is an actual conversation I had with my dad over the phone. (Words in italics are my internal dialogue.)

Dad: Did you know Mom got a ticket yesterday?

Me: Like, for speeding? Is this any of my business? Why is he telling me this?

Dad: No, for flying!

Me: For flying?? Okay, think quickly. Does he mean she was going super fast, or is she some sort of pilot now?

Dad: No! For flying. In a plane. To come see you?

Me: (pause) Ohhhh! A plane ticket! Gotcha.

Even worse, this was the reason I called home in the first place, to find out when my mom was coming up to stay with us.

The good news is, she is coming soon to help with Gabe and with the new baby. And maybe I will get caught up on my sleep with her here. Until then, I’m a little scared for myself and those around me. Watch out!

We noticed this year that our apples were not producing, or else something was taking them off the trees before they could ripen. We didn’t give this much thought until about a month ago when we had a big thunderstorm. The storm brought high winds which downed a few dozen apples around each of our trees. Gabriel spotted the apples all over the ground by the closest tree to our house, right outside our bedroom window. He wanted to go out and pick them up off the ground (he enjoys taking a bite out of them and then throwing them). I told him he could go out after breakfast the next morning and get them.

When we ventured out the next morning, all the apples were gone. I was amazed that they were eaten that quickly by what I assumed were deer. I lifted Gabriel up to pick some off the tree instead and as I set him down I grabbed him quick before he stepped in a pile of animal poop.  Whatever had eaten our apples had also left its mark. I didn’t recognize this particular kind of dropping, however. It definitely wasn’t deer or moose. I considered bear, but thought that was strange so close to our house.

After Tim got home from school I told him about it and we all went on a family outing to scout out the poop. We were perplexed. We even Googled every kind of poo we could think of but could not find a match. Finally we turned to Gabriel and asked what he thought.

“Oh, a kangaroo left that there this morning,” he matter-of-factly stated.

We had a good laugh at that, and from then on kept our eyes open for the apple-eating kangaroo lurking in our backyard. Our “kangaroo” continued to eat our fruit, but very cleverly stayed out of sight.

My son loves flowers. Also weeds. He can’t tell the difference, and sometimes I can’t either. He is so curious and fascinated by the world, so the fact that there are so many different colors and shapes of flowers just amazes him. When we explore in our garden, or in the woods, we have to stop and touch them all.

Tim prompted him a couple times during the summer to pick some flowers and bring them to me. I absolutely love this. He now does this by himself. I know nothing about flowers but who can resist a little boy running up on stubby legs holding out a sweaty fist clenched around some wilting weeds? “Here Mama!”

Okay, so maybe he could work on his presentation a little. The other day he ran up with a handful and demanded, “Take the flowers, Mommy! Take the flowers!” Okay, maybe a lot.

The first page shows Jesus holding his arms out to the children around him. I asked Gabe what was going on and suggested that maybe Jesus was hugging the children. In his typical toddler fashion, he said no, Jesus was chasing the children. I almost laughed out loud. But when I thought about it, I recalled my son’s giggle as his daddy chases him around the living room. Playing tag is one of his favorite games and so it only seems natural that Jesus would chase the children too, doesn’t it? Can’t you just picture him running after them, laughing along with them? When he catches them maybe he showers them with kisses or tickles them. What a fun picture of our Savior.

The next page talked about Jesus feeding over 5,000 people by the seashore. It shows Jesus sitting around a table with a basket of some kind of lumpy food about to pass it out to some children. Gabriel informed me that Jesus was feeding them scrambled eggs. I didn’t bother correcting him. Scrambled eggs with cheese are one of his favorite foods, so of course that’s what Jesus would feed the children.

On the last page it shows Jesus in the middle of a circle of children. I asked Gabriel what was going on in this picture and he told me that Jesus was dancing with the children. Of course! Can’t you imagine them giggling together, maybe reciting some silly rhyme as they all dance together?

I pray that my son never loses his childlike view of Jesus. This Jesus who cares enough about his children to take the time to play silly games with them. He is affectionate. He is silly at times. And he only wants the best for them. I hope that I can have that kind of faith. Faith that believes that Jesus cares about even the smallest elements of my life. Who desires my fun side. Who, if he were in my kitchen, would scramble eggs for me. With cheese! I think this is the most accurate picture of Jesus I have heard in awhile. And it came from a two-year old boy. I like to think that I am teaching my son, but the reality is, he is always teaching me.

2. Hot coffee. I love nothing more on a cold winter afternoon than to sit in my chair (see above) with a steaming cup of joe while Gabriel naps. The bitter drink brings feeling back to my cold fingers and toes while the caffeine renergizes me in order to face the rest of the day. If I take my hot coffee outside, it is no longer hot. This is gross. Therefore, I will stay inside.

3. Hot tea. (See above. Insert “morning” for “afternoon,” and subtract the caffeine.) Same rule applies. Hot tea is better consumed within the warmth of my home.

4. Good conversations. I love having a deep conversation with a dear friend. Gabriel is too distracted for this. Any attempts with him usually end up on the subject of trucks or dogs, and that’s just my end of the conversation. Therefore, I try to make time to get together with people who might be a little better at conversing. This is usually done over coffee or tea (see above). I meet regularly with a group of high school girls in order to discuss life, the Bible, and spiritual matters. Sometimes this takes me out of my house. This is unfortunate. I am subjected to about 8-10 seconds of freezing wind when I get out of my car. I’m trying to develop a tunnel system to avoid this. My college had one. I only need to figure out how to convince every place I ever visit to install an underground tunnel for me to walk through. Hmm…

5. My garage. This is the first home that we’ve lived in that has had a garage. I am loving it. I can get Gabe strapped in and get myself in the car all without having to be outside. This avoids the wind whipping around my body and blowing precipitation into the van as I try to strap in a squirmy toddler. Unfortunately it is only a few degrees warmer in the garage than outside. I think this could easily be fixed. We need some sort of heat source. Perhaps a fireplace. I’m trying to convince Tim that it would be worth it to heat the garage…apparently that sort of thing is just not done. He won’t do it. I think the garage concept is a great idea. I think garages should be everywhere, at the grocery store, the gas pump, the park. Imagine the entire WalMart parking lot covered by a heated garage dome. That would be amazing. And warm.

6. It’s freezing outside! Really, do I need a reason beyond this? We have a small pile of snow right inside our back patio door. How did it get there? It blew in through the cracks I guess. It’s not melting. This is wrong. I will stay inside, away from doors and windows.

7. My Wii Fit. I may look like a fool attempting intricate yoga poses, but I can get a full workout in without ever leaving my living room.

8. Too many clothes. In order to leave the house, I have to put boots, jacket, mittens, and a hat on Gabe. Then I have to bundle myself up with many bulky layers as well. By the time I am ready, Gabe has taken off several articles of clothing. Then I have to put his back on after I chase him down and recover the items he stashed away. By the time I get him dressed again I am sweating. This fools me into thinking it’s really not that cold outside. So I take off a couple articles of warmth. We finally get outside and I mentally kick myself for taking off that second pair of socks, or leaving my scarf behind. Is it worth this hassle every time?

What are your reasons to stay inside this winter?

We are preparing to open a coffeehouse as part of the ministry we are involved in. The wood flooring has recently been installed and the place is looking more and more beautiful and hopeful. It has been a process many years in the making. Before that layer of flooring was put down we invited the youth to write on the plywood underneath. We wrote Bible verses all around the floor. We encouraged them to not pick things randomly, but rather imagine where things will be set (tables, counter, chairs, etc.) in the future and think about what verses will be best for each space.

The floor was soon covered with the Word of God. It was an amazing experience to walk around the room and read what they had written. Right by the back door was a verse encouraging us to go out in love and serve one another. This was right next to the beatitudes. Snippets of God’s promises to His people lay spread around the room, where soon easy-chairs, coffee tables, and book shelves will be. Written on the doorpost is Deuteronomy 6:5, beseeching us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength as we go out into the world.

For as long as that building stands, God’s Word will literally be part of it. We will be walking on it, sitting on it. It think it is more than just words, I think it has power. It is my prayer that we will not forget what’s written underneath the floor. But remember and receive the blessing that awaits us. This building will be a place filled with His presence. His Words are powerful.

The book of Ruth tells the story of a young girl, Ruth, who after the death of her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law, decided to leave her family and remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and go back to Israel after a famine. Two widows living on their own would have no way of making a living outside of the kindness of others. This is where the biblical principle of gleaning comes in. Everyday Ruth would go to the field of a man named Boaz and go behind the harvesters and pick up whatever wheat was left over. She would then bring it home to Naomi and they would make their bread from it. This actually turns out to be a great love story as Naomi hatches a plan to get Boaz to marry Ruth and “redeem” them. That’s in the Bible? Yeah it is, check it out for yourself!

There are quite a few potato fields around our neighborhood. When they began to harvest the potatoes we were told that anyone could go and pick up the extra potatoes that the machines left behind. My husband and son were drawn to the field because of their excitement to see the harvesting tractors in action, I was excited to pick up enough fresh potatoes to last all year round. We grabbed plastic bags and trudged through the dirt selecting ripe potatoes of every shape and size. Gabriel even helped (although he seemed to prefer the green, unripe ones. We had to throw them out of the bag when he wasn’t looking.). As we filled bag after bag of potatoes I couldn’t help comparing myself to Ruth. Thousands of years after Ruth lived, here I was in a field following the harvesters picking up the gleanings. In that moment, her story became that much more real to me. She became not just a name but a real person who lived and loved the same God that I do. And that’s worth digging in the dirt for potatoes.

We recently spent a morning on the shore of Lake Superior. It was windy and became more so as we got closer to the lake. When we pulled into a lakeside park we saw a crowd of people standing on the shore. We got out of the van and could hear the crash of the water before we could see it. We came to the water’s edge and soon saw what everyone was watching. The waves were crashing into the breaker with such force that the water would shoot straight into the air at least twenty feet. We stood and stared, as wave upon wave roared, awestruck at the force of it. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

Revelation 21 speaks of the new heaven and the new earth that one day awaits us. Interestingly, verse one declares that the sea will be no more. The first time I read this, I remember feeling disappointment. I have fond memories of playing in the ocean as a child. The sand and the surf will always be irresistible to me. However, the more I thought about and studied this, the more I realized how much the Bible had to say about the sea. The ocean, or sea, is mentioned several times throughout the Bible and not much of it is in a positive sense. The sea is almost always mentioned as a great force that demands respect or even fear. For example,

“God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” (Psalm 89:8-9)

In Luke 21 Jesus talks about the signs that will signal the end times, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” (Luke 21:25)

The sea has been a source of trial and sorrow for humanity even as it provides a livelihood for many. The sea takes loved ones, by death or by distance. It cannot be tamed.

I have a healthy respect for the waves. I do not live in fear of them, but rather I rejoice in the powerful show of God’s majesty and might. The wind and the sea obey Him, and I delight in His handiwork. I look forward to the day when I can see my Savior face to face and will no longer need to look to the ocean, the wind, or the storm in order to see evidences of His power.