Growing Up At the Pumpkin Farm ~ 2012 Edition

I update this post year by year as a chronicle of our family's growth and God's faithfulness. This was our 15th year to make our annual pumpkin farm trek, and truth be told, it was bittersweet.  Our oldest son---a senior---was unable to get off of work, and therefore he was not with us.  My initial tendency was to have a pity party and feel sorry for myself.  But as I brought my tears and my fragile heart to my Father God, He brought this particular post to mind, the images and memories emblazoned on my heart and mind.  Times are changing, it's true.  But just look at these pictures!  Through them, I'm able to look back with a heart full, knowing that God has graciously and abundantly allowed us to build and invest, make memories and nurture and celebrate.  Oh, He's so good!  And while everything seems to be changing, while people come and go, He is my unchangeable, ever-faithful God. I'm clinging to Him and smiling at the future.

***
No series on Autumn Bliss is complete without mention of the pumpkin farm. Afterall, autumn bliss is steeped in memories and traditions. This is the pumpkin farm where our boys grew up. This is the pumpkin farm we'll visit this weekend and remember the little guys who once excitedly fed the goats; the guys who eagerly pulled around little red wagons filled with a few mini pumpkins and gourds. Now these guys are not so little. Our visit isn't so much about the animals. Or the pumpkins. Or even the corn maze. It's about nostalgia. Security. Creating new memories. It's about looking back and seeing how God has been faithful through these years. And it's about giving thanks for all that He's doing in the here and now.

1998 ~ This was the day we announced that we were expecting again!

1999 ~ Our first visit as a family of five!

2000

2001 ~ This was only one month after 9/11. I welcomed the feelings of "normalcy" created by this visit.

2002

2003

2004 ~ Notice the cowboy theme that endured all these years?  :)

2005 ~ This was only days before my husband and I left for Papua New Guinea. I was filled with a lot of conflicting emotions.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011 ~ This is my idea of autumn bliss :)

2012 ~ While our son couldn't be there, we had the joy of being able to introduce our exchange student to the pumpkin farm.  [freezing cold, changing times, still safely in God's grip]

"I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone. O God, from my youth You have taught me,and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs,O God, do not forsake me,until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those who come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things,O God, who is like You?"  Psalm 71:14-19