Genesis 8:5

And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

1. The flood waters continued to drop.
2. On the first day of the tenth month (7 1/2 month after the flood began) the tops of the mountains came into view.
3. When the ark first settled on the Ararat mountains the tops of the mountains were still under water. It took another 2 1/2 months for the water level to drop so Noah and his family could see the ground upon which they were resting (and perhaps some lower mountain tops as well).
4. Life's trials may test and help increase our patience.