Weekend Wonders

Saturday and Sunday blended together to form a really good weekend. Saturday we went to Apple Hill, east of Placerville, with some folks from church, and we had a really good time. Apparently in the 50s the area was known for pears, but a pear blight destroyed most of the pear orchards, so some of the growers decided to expand their apple orchards, and things took off. Some time in the 60s they formed the Apple Hill Growers Association, and the rest, as they say, is history (actually the first part is history also, eh!?!).

Of course, there are lots of apples of various varieties and other fruit. There are also all kinds of crafts at the various orchards... and food... and rides and games for the kids. One even has a big fishing pond. We stopped at 3 of the larger places, but there dozens of growers... many of them small operations, and some of them are even organic growers. I think we'll go back.

Sunday was great as well. Worship was deep and meaningful, and Jarrod really challenged us with the story of the rich man from Mark. He raised a lot of questions... for himself and us... and didn't let us off the hook... challenging us to wrestle with what that story means in our lives.

After lunch many of the ladies went to a baby shower, so four of the men from our Family Circle did some visiting. We went to see Estelle McClelland at Diamond Ridge Care Center. She wasn't totally lucid, but her sweet spirit and smile were worth the trip. I don't know if she'll remember we were there, but she wants us to come back. She even tried to get out of her wheel chair to "walk us to the door" when we left.

We also went to see Betty Welch and her husband, Carl, at the "Welch compound." Betty, even in her deteriorated condition, is a sweet blessing from God to all around her. I have yet to go see them when I did not come away feeling I had received much more than I had given. And Bruce and Sandy are just overflowing with God's grace in their lives.

Youth group capped Sunday. We're on hold looking for a youth minister, so Virginia and I are continuing our involvement with the youth ministry for now. Brian and Laura do such a great job, but it's nice to have several shoulders to pull together. We taught the group one of the new ZOE songs, "Magnificat" by Randy Gill. It has four distinct parts that build, and the kids picked it up well.

Thank you, God, for so many tangible blessings this weekend.