It has indeed been a great day! We enjoyed the play and went to Applebee's afterward.
Gabrielle has been a delight to be with and 'her' young man is really nice. I like how he interacts with us and Kevin seems to get along with him, too.
There is only one thing wrong. Please forgive me a moment of whining.
I miss My Michael!
It is really getting hard, you guys. Please lift us in prayer if and when God calls us to mind. We'll see each other Dec 21st, but that is A.LONG.TIME. from now.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I will encounter various trials that I will count ALL JOY. (grossly paraphrased)
Michael, just in case you still can't pull e-mail, but can read here:
I LOVE YOU!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
If...
... I lived close to my mom we'd have grand fun!
We'd go to church together.
we'd work in each others yards together.
we'd watch each others dogs for free,
we'd bake cookies together at holiday time
if I begged just right we'd make Christmas cards together
I'd be old enough to go to her breakfast club on Saturday's with her
on my day off she'd pop in for coffee
we'd go to my Aunt's house and help her with her many different projects.
we'd do grand silly things for the kids. (mine and my sisters)
we'd drive often together to my sister's house
we'd plan and prepare for all holidays to be held at her house
we'd fuss and fight. We're just too much alike not to. :)
The best part though is we'd live close so when that happened we could just pop in to hug and make up.
That just isn't where the Lord has us though. He knows the big picture that He has for us. For some reason that is me in California and her in Florida. We can't exactly just pop in for a cup of coffee and a hug. Sometimes I don't like His plan. But that's because I can't see the big picture. I have to just trust Him and count it ALL JOY.
We'd go to church together.
we'd work in each others yards together.
we'd watch each others dogs for free,
we'd bake cookies together at holiday time
if I begged just right we'd make Christmas cards together
I'd be old enough to go to her breakfast club on Saturday's with her
on my day off she'd pop in for coffee
we'd go to my Aunt's house and help her with her many different projects.
we'd do grand silly things for the kids. (mine and my sisters)
we'd drive often together to my sister's house
we'd plan and prepare for all holidays to be held at her house
we'd fuss and fight. We're just too much alike not to. :)
The best part though is we'd live close so when that happened we could just pop in to hug and make up.
That just isn't where the Lord has us though. He knows the big picture that He has for us. For some reason that is me in California and her in Florida. We can't exactly just pop in for a cup of coffee and a hug. Sometimes I don't like His plan. But that's because I can't see the big picture. I have to just trust Him and count it ALL JOY.
Happy Birthday...
... to me. How old? If my sister was still 3 she'd declare me "old as dirt!"
I have received several cards from the church. My sister, her children, my Aunt and my mom all signed one of those big fun cards and mailed it to me. There is still a gift at church from my secret pal waiting on me.
My husband called last night, because where he is it was already my birthday. Isn't that odd? We lost signal on the phone, so the call was cut short. I'm just clinging to the knowledge that he called and he will again as soon as he can.
My Gabby came home last night with Greg. They stayed the night. Ok, put the eyebrows down. Gab sleeps with me in my bed and Greg sleeps in her room. Today all three kids are going to the local theater to see 4 one act plays with me. Greg and Gab are more than willing. Kevin agreed but made sure all I wanted from him was his company. I think he's finally getting it. :) We plan to go eat somewhere after the show. I haven't decided where yet. A local place where I'll most likely be the only one to enjoy the meal or a place down the hill that we would all enjoy.
So far it has been a great day. I cooked breakfast for every one.
I hope you guys have a wonderful Sunday!
I have received several cards from the church. My sister, her children, my Aunt and my mom all signed one of those big fun cards and mailed it to me. There is still a gift at church from my secret pal waiting on me.
My husband called last night, because where he is it was already my birthday. Isn't that odd? We lost signal on the phone, so the call was cut short. I'm just clinging to the knowledge that he called and he will again as soon as he can.
My Gabby came home last night with Greg. They stayed the night. Ok, put the eyebrows down. Gab sleeps with me in my bed and Greg sleeps in her room. Today all three kids are going to the local theater to see 4 one act plays with me. Greg and Gab are more than willing. Kevin agreed but made sure all I wanted from him was his company. I think he's finally getting it. :) We plan to go eat somewhere after the show. I haven't decided where yet. A local place where I'll most likely be the only one to enjoy the meal or a place down the hill that we would all enjoy.
So far it has been a great day. I cooked breakfast for every one.
I hope you guys have a wonderful Sunday!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Retreat
This year on impulse and invitation I went on a Ladies retreat with a church that is not my own. We went to Big Bear and I had a wonderful time. I have to be honest; the facilities that my church ladies were retreating to were much nicer. However, the speaker at this retreat was 'spot on'. Her energy and love for Jesus was wonderful and encouraging. I heard that the speaker at the retreat I missed was also awesome. I look forward to tracking down some audios from that retreat and hearing them as well.
The speaker at the Big Bear Retreat made a statement that sort of stuck in my caw. When she said it the first time it hung around in my brain.
You can have as much of God as you want.
Think about that. She followed it with so many other statements that I needed to hear that, that one kind of folded its way to the back of my brain.
Then at one of the meals she stopped at our table and spoke. We thanked her from coming and all that good stuff. Then I said to her, knowing that I was probably revealing more of me than I wanted to, "I so envy your obvious joy and delight in the Lord" She smiled leaned in and said to me, "You can have as much of God as you want."
WOW!! Rather than be embarrassed I was awe struck. Is that not so the truth?! He is right there just waiting to meet me and fill me with as much joy and delight as I can hold or possibly need.
There were many things that she spoke of that I have always heard that for some reason just stuck with me.
Like, how many times have I heard the word picture of how we are being refined as silver. The silver smith holds the silver over the heat until all the impurities are burned out and he can see his reflection in the silver.
God holds us over the heat in the way of trials in an effort to get rid of the impurities, and cause our roots to grow down deep so that He can see His reflection is us.
The things, large and small, that I see as a trial, I am to count it as joy. How many times have I heard this?! Then I went to the book store and picked up a book by Elisabeth George that gave me a visual on just how to do this. I can't wait to sit down and list all the 'trials' that I struggle with from with in and with out, and then check them off in JOY column, not the sorrow column.
Then the very last thing that was reinforced for me was this: We as women tend to set a million little goals for ourselves. I want to be a better mom, better wife, better employee, and any thing else you can think of when what our goal really needs to be is to spend more time in the Word, more time delighting in the LORD. Because when we do, all the other stuff will fall in to place.
So, I can't wait to have supper, visit with my son and then sit down to delight in the LORD. I'm going to read my book, make my list and count it all JOY and then read my Bible. Maybe not in that order. Please fell free to hold me accountable to my commitment.
We all know that it's easy the first day or two home from a week end of pure focus on the LORD. It's when all the responsibilities and habits show up that it gets 'hard'.
Thanks for letting me share. Remember:
We can have as much of God as we want. I just *love* that.
The speaker at the Big Bear Retreat made a statement that sort of stuck in my caw. When she said it the first time it hung around in my brain.
You can have as much of God as you want.
Think about that. She followed it with so many other statements that I needed to hear that, that one kind of folded its way to the back of my brain.
Then at one of the meals she stopped at our table and spoke. We thanked her from coming and all that good stuff. Then I said to her, knowing that I was probably revealing more of me than I wanted to, "I so envy your obvious joy and delight in the Lord" She smiled leaned in and said to me, "You can have as much of God as you want."
WOW!! Rather than be embarrassed I was awe struck. Is that not so the truth?! He is right there just waiting to meet me and fill me with as much joy and delight as I can hold or possibly need.
There were many things that she spoke of that I have always heard that for some reason just stuck with me.
Like, how many times have I heard the word picture of how we are being refined as silver. The silver smith holds the silver over the heat until all the impurities are burned out and he can see his reflection in the silver.
God holds us over the heat in the way of trials in an effort to get rid of the impurities, and cause our roots to grow down deep so that He can see His reflection is us.
The things, large and small, that I see as a trial, I am to count it as joy. How many times have I heard this?! Then I went to the book store and picked up a book by Elisabeth George that gave me a visual on just how to do this. I can't wait to sit down and list all the 'trials' that I struggle with from with in and with out, and then check them off in JOY column, not the sorrow column.
Then the very last thing that was reinforced for me was this: We as women tend to set a million little goals for ourselves. I want to be a better mom, better wife, better employee, and any thing else you can think of when what our goal really needs to be is to spend more time in the Word, more time delighting in the LORD. Because when we do, all the other stuff will fall in to place.
So, I can't wait to have supper, visit with my son and then sit down to delight in the LORD. I'm going to read my book, make my list and count it all JOY and then read my Bible. Maybe not in that order. Please fell free to hold me accountable to my commitment.
We all know that it's easy the first day or two home from a week end of pure focus on the LORD. It's when all the responsibilities and habits show up that it gets 'hard'.
Thanks for letting me share. Remember:
We can have as much of God as we want. I just *love* that.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Happy Ending
On July 10th my Marine moved to a place where the Corps felt he needed to be with out his family. :( He is not in the sandy spot.
On July 15th his check directly deposited into our account. It was double his normal pay. I did expect the check to be more than usual because he would get separation pay. However, I knew this was not right. I called him and he checked into it.
For some reason, when he moved it affected our housing pay. We live on base in military housing so we get a certain amount of housing pay on paper. On said paper it shows that the housing pay is taken right back, never to be seen by us. The benefit is never having to write a check for 'rent'. He was told that I had to handle it on this end through the housing office. No problem. Yea right!!! What I didn't know!
I talked to many people in person and on the phone. Got many conflicting answers. Wrote an e-mail explaining my frustrations, situation and purposed solution so that this didn't happen to another family. Never received a response to my e-mail.
Went to housing to write a check for housing. I was not happy about it, in fact I was livid. But Michael had a good point. They could turn me into a credit agency and ruin our hard earned credit. So I wrote the check.
Went to write another check and was told by the secretary that she couldn't take any more money from me. Interesting. I knew from this, though no one had bothered to communicate with me, that something was being done.
Oct 15th I checked to see that Micheal's pay had been deposited, no pay. Two phone calls confirmed my suspicions. The military was once again deducting our housing pay directly from our check. Yea! That's what I wanted. Course, they are back tracking all the way to July, which took the whole check and will take all of the next. The good news is this Marine Corps wife has been around the block a few times and I set all that money aside.
Today I went to the housing office to have a talk. While I was happy about the change there were a few things that still needed to be straightened out. I was well received and two people spent a good bit of time with me going over the situation. He was able to pull information that I don't have access to and see what was going on. She was able to reassure me that I would be receiving a refund check and the check I wrote, that they held, would be returned to me. They were very nice and prepared for my visit. It was a very pleasant change and experience from the way it all started.
As I started to leave I asked if there was any thing I could do to help keep this from happening again. Something that would be a positive help. The man immediately told me to make sure I tell all the young Marine wives that when they get extra pay in their checks, the Marine Corps is not giving them a gift.
That was actually good advise. If I had been new to the Corps I can see how I would have thought that pay was ours. When Michael left he told me that we would be getting extra pay because we were separated. I could see some young, newly married wife believing that that was the extra pay he mentioned. Let me tell you, it may take a while for the Corps to catch the mistake but when they do they take it all back at once.
I know of only one young lady that reads my blog, that is married to a Marine. She is a very intelligent, creative young lady, and I'm sure she would recognize right away if there was something amiss in her pay. I thought of you immediately. When your Marine goes to that sandy spot, be prepared for your pay to be all jacked up. You may have no problems, but expect it. Keep your power of attorney on your person at all times and don't let any one brush you off.
Whew! That was way more advise than I intended.
In all seriousness. If you know any one in the military that may be deploying, warn the wife that any extra money is most likely a mistake. Also, have some extra put aside, it isn't unusual for the pay to be shorted at first.
Thanks for your eyes and time. :)
On July 15th his check directly deposited into our account. It was double his normal pay. I did expect the check to be more than usual because he would get separation pay. However, I knew this was not right. I called him and he checked into it.
For some reason, when he moved it affected our housing pay. We live on base in military housing so we get a certain amount of housing pay on paper. On said paper it shows that the housing pay is taken right back, never to be seen by us. The benefit is never having to write a check for 'rent'. He was told that I had to handle it on this end through the housing office. No problem. Yea right!!! What I didn't know!
I talked to many people in person and on the phone. Got many conflicting answers. Wrote an e-mail explaining my frustrations, situation and purposed solution so that this didn't happen to another family. Never received a response to my e-mail.
Went to housing to write a check for housing. I was not happy about it, in fact I was livid. But Michael had a good point. They could turn me into a credit agency and ruin our hard earned credit. So I wrote the check.
Went to write another check and was told by the secretary that she couldn't take any more money from me. Interesting. I knew from this, though no one had bothered to communicate with me, that something was being done.
Oct 15th I checked to see that Micheal's pay had been deposited, no pay. Two phone calls confirmed my suspicions. The military was once again deducting our housing pay directly from our check. Yea! That's what I wanted. Course, they are back tracking all the way to July, which took the whole check and will take all of the next. The good news is this Marine Corps wife has been around the block a few times and I set all that money aside.
Today I went to the housing office to have a talk. While I was happy about the change there were a few things that still needed to be straightened out. I was well received and two people spent a good bit of time with me going over the situation. He was able to pull information that I don't have access to and see what was going on. She was able to reassure me that I would be receiving a refund check and the check I wrote, that they held, would be returned to me. They were very nice and prepared for my visit. It was a very pleasant change and experience from the way it all started.
As I started to leave I asked if there was any thing I could do to help keep this from happening again. Something that would be a positive help. The man immediately told me to make sure I tell all the young Marine wives that when they get extra pay in their checks, the Marine Corps is not giving them a gift.
That was actually good advise. If I had been new to the Corps I can see how I would have thought that pay was ours. When Michael left he told me that we would be getting extra pay because we were separated. I could see some young, newly married wife believing that that was the extra pay he mentioned. Let me tell you, it may take a while for the Corps to catch the mistake but when they do they take it all back at once.
I know of only one young lady that reads my blog, that is married to a Marine. She is a very intelligent, creative young lady, and I'm sure she would recognize right away if there was something amiss in her pay. I thought of you immediately. When your Marine goes to that sandy spot, be prepared for your pay to be all jacked up. You may have no problems, but expect it. Keep your power of attorney on your person at all times and don't let any one brush you off.
Whew! That was way more advise than I intended.
In all seriousness. If you know any one in the military that may be deploying, warn the wife that any extra money is most likely a mistake. Also, have some extra put aside, it isn't unusual for the pay to be shorted at first.
Thanks for your eyes and time. :)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Dissapointment, Relief and Anticipation!
In most post this would be about three different items. In mine, those words describe my emotions surrounding one event.
When Michael left in July we had the understanding that we would see each other again at Christmas time; in some exotic part of the world. First it was Australia then it was Guam and Palau. I spent hours on the computer exploring the possibilities and the cost. However, I never nailed down any specific plans. For some reason I was dragging my feet. While truth be told I would become so over whelmed with it all that I had to just walk away for a while. Once I realized I couldn't make the plans with out help and time was running short, I called a travel agency. Yes, they do still exist but they are a dying commodity. Guess what?! All the nice places to stay in Palau were sold out and the plane fares had doubled! Ouch! Thus, the disappointment. The trip will have to be planned for another time.
Relief came when Michael readily agreed to this decision and was not upset with me. I felt just horrible that I had let this happen. He was very understanding and ok with the whole thing. The pressure of planning the trip was gone as well.
The anticipation of planning the trip and going at another time is fun. Now, I just have to remember my mistake and not repeat it. :) Which means that about mid January I need to start planning for this trip to happen in August some time.
The real anticipation though is in preparing for my husband to be home for Christmas. SHHH!
Let's keep it our secret because quite honestly I have no plans or intentions of sharing him when he's here. ;)
I'm so excited about decorating for Christmas and having the home all cozy and warm for him. Maybe I can even plan a quick get a way while he's here. Some place close to home that we can all go to as a family. I do plan on sharing him with my kids. They need to see their Dad even if they are 'bout grown. I just can't wait.
When Michael left in July we had the understanding that we would see each other again at Christmas time; in some exotic part of the world. First it was Australia then it was Guam and Palau. I spent hours on the computer exploring the possibilities and the cost. However, I never nailed down any specific plans. For some reason I was dragging my feet. While truth be told I would become so over whelmed with it all that I had to just walk away for a while. Once I realized I couldn't make the plans with out help and time was running short, I called a travel agency. Yes, they do still exist but they are a dying commodity. Guess what?! All the nice places to stay in Palau were sold out and the plane fares had doubled! Ouch! Thus, the disappointment. The trip will have to be planned for another time.
Relief came when Michael readily agreed to this decision and was not upset with me. I felt just horrible that I had let this happen. He was very understanding and ok with the whole thing. The pressure of planning the trip was gone as well.
The anticipation of planning the trip and going at another time is fun. Now, I just have to remember my mistake and not repeat it. :) Which means that about mid January I need to start planning for this trip to happen in August some time.
The real anticipation though is in preparing for my husband to be home for Christmas. SHHH!
Let's keep it our secret because quite honestly I have no plans or intentions of sharing him when he's here. ;)
I'm so excited about decorating for Christmas and having the home all cozy and warm for him. Maybe I can even plan a quick get a way while he's here. Some place close to home that we can all go to as a family. I do plan on sharing him with my kids. They need to see their Dad even if they are 'bout grown. I just can't wait.
Houses
As I was in blog land a few days ago I came across a blog with 3 young ladies making a doll house out of a shoe box. I thought that was just the neatest thing. It sent me down memory lane for a bit.
My sister and I used to play Barbie dolls. We would set up in her room. The entire bedroom floor would be covered with our houses. We used any thing and every thing we could get our hands on. It was grand fun. Then we'd leave it up for days.
I can also remember us playing nurse and doctor. This has nothing to do with houses. But thinking of Barbie dolls reminds me of how we used to take our baby dolls and pretend they were sick. I had a Tender Loving Care doll. Remember those; they had the soft 'skin'. I would stick a safety pin in the doll's arm, tie a string to it and then tape the string to the wall. It was her IV. Where I got this from I'll never remember. The really ironic part to me is my sister and I both grew up to be nurses.
Back to the houses. I used to sit for hours and draw these elaborate floor plans of what my house was going to be like when I grew up. What color the carpets would be and the whole nine yards.
Some where along the line I decided that I wanted a doll house. It must have been after I got married. Again, I don't know what started the whole idea. I wanted one of those ones that had all the miniature furnishings. In fact my dad pulled one out of the dumpster and stored it in the rafters of his shop for years. He just knew he could fix it up for me. He never did; maybe I didn't show enough enthusiasm. If I had lived close it would have been an awesome project for us to have done together.
I was looking at a catalog just the other day that had miniature furniture in it. I'm amazed at how expensive the stuff is. Oh but it would be such FUN. I would never be able to decide on what I wanted and once I did I'd be constantly rearranging it.
Being married to the military we constantly move. It is very expensive for us because I have always bought new things for each new place. I try to incorporate what I already have, but new bathroom rugs and towels are so much fun. When I think of the money I have poured into bath rooms and kitchens I could just croak. I always justified the expense because it was for the home.
I have always wanted to own my own home so I could paint the walls and work the yard. Course the brief time that we did own our on home I was too busy to do all that. I did paint two rooms and Michael loved to work in the yard. He had it looking really nice. Then we sold it.
I'll close with this house story. When we lived in South Carolina I was wanting a home really bad. I was very selfish about it. Then we got orders to leave. I can remember thinking; every time I get used to a place and just starting to feel settled, we get orders. Shortly after we got orders I went to church Sunday night. That night the Pastor was allowing a 'kid' that wanted to go into the ministry to preach. I left humbled and in tears. I only remember one sentence from the whole sermon. It was repeated over and over through out his sermon.
I HAVE PREPARED A MANSION FOR YOU IN HEAVEN
OK, LORD. I get it. I may never have a house here on this side of heaven; but by golly I'll have a mansion in heaven. One that my heavenly Father has prepared for me. What more could I ask for.
I have since matured enough to realize it isn't the house; It is the home that is important.
The Lord has allowed my husband to provide for me in every way a house and a home. I am grateful for what has been provided. I am looking forward to that heavenly mansion.
My sister and I used to play Barbie dolls. We would set up in her room. The entire bedroom floor would be covered with our houses. We used any thing and every thing we could get our hands on. It was grand fun. Then we'd leave it up for days.
I can also remember us playing nurse and doctor. This has nothing to do with houses. But thinking of Barbie dolls reminds me of how we used to take our baby dolls and pretend they were sick. I had a Tender Loving Care doll. Remember those; they had the soft 'skin'. I would stick a safety pin in the doll's arm, tie a string to it and then tape the string to the wall. It was her IV. Where I got this from I'll never remember. The really ironic part to me is my sister and I both grew up to be nurses.
Back to the houses. I used to sit for hours and draw these elaborate floor plans of what my house was going to be like when I grew up. What color the carpets would be and the whole nine yards.
Some where along the line I decided that I wanted a doll house. It must have been after I got married. Again, I don't know what started the whole idea. I wanted one of those ones that had all the miniature furnishings. In fact my dad pulled one out of the dumpster and stored it in the rafters of his shop for years. He just knew he could fix it up for me. He never did; maybe I didn't show enough enthusiasm. If I had lived close it would have been an awesome project for us to have done together.
I was looking at a catalog just the other day that had miniature furniture in it. I'm amazed at how expensive the stuff is. Oh but it would be such FUN. I would never be able to decide on what I wanted and once I did I'd be constantly rearranging it.
Being married to the military we constantly move. It is very expensive for us because I have always bought new things for each new place. I try to incorporate what I already have, but new bathroom rugs and towels are so much fun. When I think of the money I have poured into bath rooms and kitchens I could just croak. I always justified the expense because it was for the home.
I have always wanted to own my own home so I could paint the walls and work the yard. Course the brief time that we did own our on home I was too busy to do all that. I did paint two rooms and Michael loved to work in the yard. He had it looking really nice. Then we sold it.
I'll close with this house story. When we lived in South Carolina I was wanting a home really bad. I was very selfish about it. Then we got orders to leave. I can remember thinking; every time I get used to a place and just starting to feel settled, we get orders. Shortly after we got orders I went to church Sunday night. That night the Pastor was allowing a 'kid' that wanted to go into the ministry to preach. I left humbled and in tears. I only remember one sentence from the whole sermon. It was repeated over and over through out his sermon.
I HAVE PREPARED A MANSION FOR YOU IN HEAVEN
OK, LORD. I get it. I may never have a house here on this side of heaven; but by golly I'll have a mansion in heaven. One that my heavenly Father has prepared for me. What more could I ask for.
I have since matured enough to realize it isn't the house; It is the home that is important.
The Lord has allowed my husband to provide for me in every way a house and a home. I am grateful for what has been provided. I am looking forward to that heavenly mansion.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Halloween
It is beginning already. :) The holiday debate season. I thought I'd get in on the act, but not to preach or set forth right and wrongs from my soap box. Just share my experiences.
My birthday is Oct. 28th. Some of my fondest memories are from Halloween nights. My mom celebrated my birthday on Halloween. All my friends would come over in costumes, eat cake and ice cream, watch me open gifts and then we'd set off around the block for Trick or Treating. My dad really got into it for us. He would dress up and act the fool. (If some one would teach me I'd cross out that horrible word and replace it with part.) It was all grand fun.
Then I grew up and had my own kids. What we all considered normal Halloween fun became distorted and dangerous. Then being in church I began to learn more about Halloween and all the things that were said about it and what it represented.
So through the years we've done different things. Some of the churches we attended had Fall Festivals with the games and candy and dressing up as Bible characters. Some times we stayed in and passed out the candy. My kids actually really enjoyed handing out the candy as much as dressing up and walking the neighborhood.
One Halloween, I remember my husband being at work and an older boy trick or treating at my door. It actually frightened me.
Now that my kids are older we just ignore it. We either find something to do away from home or leave all the lights off.
Every now and then my kids will say something that indicates a desire to participate in the Halloween events. Which means I didn't do a very good job of teaching my beliefs. I raised my kids trying to figure out what I really believed about the holiday.
So, based on that I would advise this: take the time to search it out between you and God, before you make any decisions and BEFORE you try to teach it to your kids.
Then, have an alternative plan. Don't try to take away something that the rest of the world sees as normal with out a clear concise reason as to why. I believe having something in place to pull their attention away from what 'every one' else is doing is a must.
I don't think that any of you that read my blog needed to 'hear' any of what I just wrote. ;)
However, I had a need to say it. We are all in different walks of life and in different walks with our Savior. I *love* the sharing of different ideas and approaches. But as Grafted Branch puts it; it is ourselves as individuals that will stand accountable before our God for the decisions that we make.
My birthday is Oct. 28th. Some of my fondest memories are from Halloween nights. My mom celebrated my birthday on Halloween. All my friends would come over in costumes, eat cake and ice cream, watch me open gifts and then we'd set off around the block for Trick or Treating. My dad really got into it for us. He would dress up and act the fool. (If some one would teach me I'd cross out that horrible word and replace it with part.) It was all grand fun.
Then I grew up and had my own kids. What we all considered normal Halloween fun became distorted and dangerous. Then being in church I began to learn more about Halloween and all the things that were said about it and what it represented.
So through the years we've done different things. Some of the churches we attended had Fall Festivals with the games and candy and dressing up as Bible characters. Some times we stayed in and passed out the candy. My kids actually really enjoyed handing out the candy as much as dressing up and walking the neighborhood.
One Halloween, I remember my husband being at work and an older boy trick or treating at my door. It actually frightened me.
Now that my kids are older we just ignore it. We either find something to do away from home or leave all the lights off.
Every now and then my kids will say something that indicates a desire to participate in the Halloween events. Which means I didn't do a very good job of teaching my beliefs. I raised my kids trying to figure out what I really believed about the holiday.
So, based on that I would advise this: take the time to search it out between you and God, before you make any decisions and BEFORE you try to teach it to your kids.
Then, have an alternative plan. Don't try to take away something that the rest of the world sees as normal with out a clear concise reason as to why. I believe having something in place to pull their attention away from what 'every one' else is doing is a must.
I don't think that any of you that read my blog needed to 'hear' any of what I just wrote. ;)
However, I had a need to say it. We are all in different walks of life and in different walks with our Savior. I *love* the sharing of different ideas and approaches. But as Grafted Branch puts it; it is ourselves as individuals that will stand accountable before our God for the decisions that we make.
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