Appleina

Appleina, as I have nicknamed her, is part of our church.  She is new to Jesus and is passionate about coming to know Him better.  We invited her out to our home a few months ago to get to know her better, and she has returned again and again--and we expect more visits to come. 

We love this girl.  As I told her a few weeks ago, "You're easy for me."  She said, "What do you mean?" I said, "I mean, you're just easy for me--to get along with, to be with.  I like you.  You make me laugh and smile.  You're easy."  She thanked me and smiled.  Appleina.

I gave her her cheery nickname because we have a grove of apple trees, and during each of her visits she has climbed the trees, with joy, and has gathered apples, apples and more apples.  Then she methodically cuts them into small pieces, simmers them in water and cinnamon, and fills the house with a wondrous smell as she makes apple sauce.  The climbing and gathering, cutting and creating--she says it's like therapy for her.   

Since Appleina is new to Jesus, she's full of questions, and we always have good, deep conversation.  When she's here with us, we read a chapter of the Bible together each day and share our thoughts.  She is intelligent and has taken her commitment to Him seriously.  She has counted the cost and has thrown herself at His feet, and it's such a privilege to be part of her life right now--to be able to watch it all happen before our eyes.  She is struggling with everything in her to leave the habits of her old lifestyle behind--and is trusting that the ways of Jesus are far better than any high of this world.  But it's not easy. 

During her last visit, she asked me if I could help her find some Bible verses that mention how God sees her--who He says she is--as she wants to fill herself with such truth.  I was immediately reminded of a Bible verse that had come to my mind earlier that day to share with her, and so I did:

God's Word says that you are...

The Apple of His Eye

...which means that you are at the very center of His affection.  Like the pupil is at the center of the eye, you are at the very center of His love, and His desire is for you. 

Please pray for Appleina, and for her to continue to follow hard after her new Savior.  Her old life that was destructive to others and to herself is fighting hard to keep her...but we know that He who has called her by name is full of love, and is faithful.

"Show the wonder of Your great love,
   You who save by Your right hand
   those who take refuge in You from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; 

  hide me in the shadow of Your wings
  from the wicked who assail me,
  from my mortal enemies who surround me." 

                                --Psalm 17: 7-9

***And yes, the apples above were handpicked
       by you know who :)