But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. 2 Timothy 3:14
It is a beautiful day, in early fall, when my sister and I both go over to our parents’ house for our annual apple day. We get together to make apple pies, applesauce and apple turnovers. It is a day that I look forward to every year. This is the first year that my sister came as a wife. A newlywed! We gather together in the kitchen, around the counter and each take our positions. I am peeling and coring the apples, then handing them off to my sister. She cuts them and mixes in the other ingredients, before she hands that off to our mom. Our mom is making the crust, filling the tins and putting the pies together. We have quite a system figured out. It is a perfect process.
We are hard at work and concentrating on our tasks. The silence is broken when one of us has a story to share or when we burst out in laughter over something silly. The silence is broken when one of us has a question for my mom, who patiently makes sure to answer us. We listen intently… wanting to learn everything we can from her.
She has taught us so much over the years. She continues to teach us… through her words and through her actions. Of course we learn by listening, but I think we learn so much more by watching her. By witnessing her life. We learn about love. We learn about respect. We learn about compassion. We see love. We see joy. We see faith.
We are witness to her sincere faith. A faith that lives in her, which first lived in our grandmother, and in her mother and back through the generations. A faith that has been passed down. A gift. It is a sincere faith which now lives in us.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
These are truly precious moments. And at the end of the day, it is not about each of us taking home our share of apple pies, apple turnovers and applesauce. That is just a bonus. It is about so much more than that. We are taking home a priceless gift.
A gift of love and a gift of faith. One that we will keep and not turn from. One that we will continue to pass along.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
Do you have traditions like our apple day, filled with moments that end up being so much more than they seem? We would love to hear about those special moments!
By Jennifer, StudioJRU
Leave a Comment
jedidja says
What a beautiful post. I’m longing for my three older sisters. Doing things together would be very good.
Pinksmack.com says
I agree…it’s a blessing to have family/siblings to spend such precious time with. For everyone else close friends are also a good alternative.
Jennifer says
That is so true! You could have wonderful traditions with close friends!
Jennifer says
Thank you, Jedidja. That is true, you can start wonderful traditions with neighbors or friends. That time together would be just as precious!
sonika says
So true, that sometimes the deepest lessons are taught indirectly…so it is with Jesus, don’t you think? And I loved reading about this tradition of yours. (If you could, would you share your recipe for the turnovers, perhaps? I’m always looking for new recipes to try, but if it’s a “family thing”, don’t worry. I understand :D)
Hmm…okay, here’s one for you. It’s simpler than your apple day, but is somehow meaningful anyway. Some context: since my college is a reasonable few hours’ drive from home, I sometimes surprise my family with a weekend visit here and there. Now, I’m the type of gal who wakes up thinking about my morning coffee. Apart from my quiet time, it’s priority #1 at the start of the day. My coffee, if I don’t say so myself, is good coffee…and I’m always happy to make it myself. But my mama’s is the best in this world, hands-down. And we do a little dance whenever I’m home for the weekend:
1. I head for the kitchen, bleary-eyed and shuffling…find her favorite chipped mug, grab the necessary ingredients.
2. She finds me in the kitchen a few minutes later, watching me, knowing full well that I want her coffee, not mine…
3. She asks if she can take over, and I happily relinquish java duties to her.
4. We sit together awhile, in the hush of the morning…and it’s coffee, yes, but it’s also a quiet reminder of how good it is to be my mama’s daughter.
Jennifer says
That is just a precious tradition, Sonika! Those moments of overwhelming comfort to our heart. Moments of true love. It’s more than just coffee, isn’t it?! Thanks so much for sharing. I will shoot you an email about our turnovers. 😉
sonika says
Oh, indeed 🙂 Looking forward to it!
Southern Gal says
We don’t have that type of tradition with my mom. This year my daughter came over and we canned apple butter together. A first for both of us and hopefully, not the last.
Jennifer says
Oh that sounds like so much fun! That would be a wonderful tradition… and delicious too! 🙂
apple pie. says
[…] join me at (in)courage today for my more than apple pie […]
Lisa says
Traditions are so important in building lasting memories. When we can sit back and reflect on those memories we can feel loved. Not just by those we share the memories with but love from our Savior, as well.
Jennifer says
Beautifully said, Lisa. We can experience that love because He loved us first!
Jennifer says
Train a child in the way he should go…..I was a child trained in the way she should go and for years I distanced myself from the Lord but….now that I am old – I have now come back and will forever be turned back toward Him. Thank you family and friends for your years of prayer, love and support and praise God for loving me and welcoming me.
Jennifer says
Train a child in the way he should go…..I was a child trained in the way she should go and for years I distanced myself from the Lord but….now that I am old – I have now come back and will forever be turned back toward Him. Thank you family and friends for your years of prayer, love and support and praise God for loving me and welcoming me.
My mom is with her heavenly Father now but she’s left me with many such memories….listing to her bangle bracelet hit the counter as she kneaded home-made bread early in the morning so all would be ready for early lunch with home-soup! MMMMM. As an adult, driving in the yard on the farm; buns coming out of the oven and my favourite dinner being cooked just because she loved me. I smile and know how blessed I am
Jennifer says
Sounds like you have wonderful family and friends, Jennifer, to love and support you like that! A gift. And your precious memories of your mom… I can see the love she had for you through your words. Beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing!
Aja says
My mom and I bake Christmas candies every year together and I love it. Now that I have a baby of my own, this got me thinking of what little traditions I can start with him.:)
Jennifer says
That is such a fun tradition, Aja! I’m sure your little guy would love to be part of that as he gets a bit older!!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
I felt like I was in that apple filled kitchen with you when I read this, and immediately thought of the joy I have each year as my grown daughters insist we continue our getting together to bake cookies each Christmas season.
Jennifer says
Oh, Kathy, that sounds wonderful! I can imagine the joy as you gather to make cookies. A fantastic tradition… we do that too! 🙂
Robyn @ a bird in the Father's hand says
I just heard of a some college girls who get together to have “Art Parties.” Which is such a fabulous idea, but then I realized that I do art parties sometimes too! My girlfriends and I gather at my house and bring our papers and paints and carvings and whatever other medium we like. But more than the product or the results, I treasure the love and encouragement. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. We all need to keep doing life together!
Jennifer says
Robyn, that sounds wonderful! I wish I could join you! It is so much more than what you make, isn’t it? Love and encouragement like that is such a gift to be treasured. Thanks for sharing!
Stacey says
This reminds me of growing up and “snippin” green beans around the table with my mom, grandma and aunts. Oh, how I miss those days!
Jennifer says
That reminds me of my grandma, Stacey. I can almost hear that ‘snippin’ now! 🙂
Trisha says
Such lovely memories. I hope to be that kind of mother to my child and this is a great example to share with mothers. I hope that my children have this kind of relationship with me.
You are so blessed that you already have this type of relationship. Thank you for sharing! It blessed my heart that maybe I can change the cycle in my family.
(((hugs)))
Jennifer says
I am so happy to hear that, Trisha! I just know that you can grow this kind of relationship in your family. Sounds like you are already that kind of mother… with hope for it in your life. Praying for that to happen for you!
Kimberly says
I miss these moments with family. We live overseas, far from family and friends. Even as a child, I never lived near extended family, so I envy families with a strong sense of connection and tradition. Thanks for sharing this special time with us:)
Jennifer says
Kimberly, what a wonderful opportunity to get creative with traditions! Maybe there is something your family could still do, even if you aren’t physically together. The love can surpass all those miles!
Debbie says
Awesome reminder of God’s simple blessings. Every year on my birthday (7 days befor Christmas) I make holiday cookies and treats with my children (27,25,14 and 9), two years ago I began including my grand children (now 4 and 9). Every year we look forward to it. It is such a blessing, I sometimes just stand back and just watch and my heart is over flowing with joy. God is good.
Jennifer says
I can see you all gathered now… making cookies! What a wonderful tradition. One that sounds like it will carry through the generations. That is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing, Debbie!
Kerry @ Made For Real says
LOVE THIS, Jennifer! Simply precious. I wish I could get together with my sisters and mom and do fun things like this often.
Jennifer says
Thank you, Kerry. It is something I look forward to each year. I know you are fun, I am sure you could start a fun tradition!
Becky Jones says
My Mother passed away when I was 21 and the older girls barel out of college but we had moments like you are talking about. We went blackberry picking and then made jam and jelly. Mom and Dad planted a huge garden and we had the privilege to help her put the vegetables up for the fall and winter. My Mom was a blessed person. She was so good to us and gave everything that was important to teach her daughters. We were raised up to believe in Jesus and go to church anytime the doors were open and her and my Dad’s presence in our lives have never gone away. This Janurary my Mom will be gone for 50 years but I can still see her going to church and other things that I think as good.
Becky Jones
Jennifer says
Becky, sounds like your mother left you with some precious gifts. Gifts to last a lifetime. She taught you well. I am so grateful you shared those beautiful memories with us. Thank you.
Kari says
So beautiful. I wish there was a tradition like this in my family. I am humbled to think that I could be like your mom to my daughter. What an amazing honor God gives us.
Jennifer says
That is such a beautiful perspective, Kari. “An amazing honor God gives.” Yes. Thank you so much for sharing that!
Beth Williams says
My hubby and I have a tradition on halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas we watch the Charlie Brown specials, we own all three.
Other than that we/I don’t have any real good traditions. perhaps we should start some. It is hard with working & caring for aging parents.
You are truly blessed to have such a loving & close family!
Jennifer says
I think that is such a sweet and wonderful tradition, Beth!! I love that idea! 🙂
Leilani says
I didn’t have traditions like that growing up. But now that I am a mother, I’m starting my own traditions with my girls. We do lots of arts & crafts projects during the holidays. It’s something that we all enjoy and something I hope turns into fond childhood memories for them.
Jennifer says
Sounds wonderful, Leilani! So much fun! I am sure they will be fond memories for your girls.
Nikki says
I’m still soaking the warmth of this post in, Jennifer! just lovely.
We’re at the point in our lives where we’re deciding which traditions we want to cling to while we raise our kids and which traditions we want to start fresh. Thank you for reminding me the importance of it…
Jennifer says
Thank you, Nikki. Beautiful to hear how important you see traditions in your family to really think them through. Wonderful!!
Sharon says
Like u my mom was a baker, many lessons were in the kitchen but so much more than that love was there. Like u my mother, grandmother and great grandmother were faith filled woman. How sad today’s broken homes are but God is the repairer of breaches. Praise His name forever
Jennifer says
You are exactly right, Sharon, it is about the love. A blessing to have so many faith filled women in your life!
Betty Draper says
Did not bring a lot of traditions into my relationship with my daughter so through the years we did create some of our own. Even though we live in two different countries I know she always watches, “A Wonderful Life” during Christmas, something we always did together so I will watch it where I am too. We just love to be together for the holidays…feasting on each other…Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2013 that will happen when they come home for furlough. Good post, brings up such warm memories.
Jennifer says
I love that she carried that tradition into her adult life… watching that movie. So happy to hear you will be together for the holidays next year. I can imagine how wonderful it will be!!
Lynda says
What a lovely post, Jennifer, such a gift the three of you share. But now I’m missing my Momma and her banana bread. 🙂
Nancy Ruegg says
Thank you, Jennifer, for this reminder: As we demonstrate love, show respect, respond with compassion, radiate joy, and exercise faith (like your mother), we are witnesses of the abundant life in Jesus . Family, friends, even strangers may be watching. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to leave a legacy of love and faith!
Jen says
Love how you have it down to such a smooth apple pie making process. What a beautiful tradition to look forward to every year.