🧁🐾 From the Porch Swing - A Note from Tralyn - Week Two

Some weeks in Maple Gap, you don’t need a headline to know God’s been busy - you can see it in frosting, fur, and laughter drifting down Main Street.

Between the Golden Whisk Bake-Off and the Fall Festival Pet Parade, it seems half the town turned out wearing either an apron or a costume. Cupcakes were mislabeled, dogs were dressed like sunflowers, and Pastor Miller’s golden retriever, Blessing, managed to outshine half the choir with her angel wings..

But here’s the thing - somewhere between the chili powder cupcakes and the tutu-clad goat, I saw something beautiful.

No one got it “just right.” The cakes weren’t perfect, the pets didn’t all walk in line, and the judges may have needed divine intervention to keep a straight face. Yet laughter filled the air anyway. Neighbors clapped, kids squealed, and everyone went home a little lighter than they arrived.

It made me think — maybe faith is a lot like our fall festival. We show up, try our best, sometimes mix things up or spill a little along the way… and God still turns it all into joy.

So whether you’re baking, parading, or just showing up with your heart open — remember: life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Sometimes grace looks like a cupcake gone wrong and a dog in wings. 🧁🐾💛