A Three Year Old's Fairy Tale

Begins with a princess...

..."Daddy, you be the king and Joel be a pumpkin..."

...with a friend as a knight!

Penetrating the Darkness

When I was younger, I remember our family doing a variety of things on Halloween night.  I remember my Dad driving us from acreage to acreage when we lived in the North as it was already too cold and trudging through a few snow banks in our Clown-Around Family costumes would be difficult.  I also remember going to our Baptist Church in Hay River, dressed up as a Biblical character to have fun together with other like minded friends and families.  As we got older and we were often traveling, I remember my Mom and Dad taking us to the local convenience store in the town we were in, giving us a loonie, and then letting us choose the treat we'd like to enjoy.  Halloween night was also a time for our family to go and enjoy a movie together at a theatre so that we weren't at home.

As I remembered this morning what I had done as a child, it was very timely that my Mom sent me some links to my inbox to ponder:

In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says, "Why allow Halloween to be a pagan holiday in commemoration of the powers of darkness? Fill the house or church with light; sing and celebrate the victory of Christ over darkness."

John Piper's thoughts were also well spoken:

As we embark on this parenting journey, Marco and I ask ourselves how our family will be salt and light.  How about you?  What "traditions" or family boundaries do you have for this day?  In what ways are you filling your house with Light?

How to carve a pumpkin...

 1. Start taking out the goop and seeds from inside.

 2. Ask Daddy, "Did we get it all?"

 3. Maybe have Daddy check while you use your fingers.

 4. Use a spoon as it's really goopy.

 5. Don't forget to reach to the very back.

 6. Stick out your tongue for extra measure.

 7. Watch Daddy do the cutting with a knife and a stencil.

8. Light a candle and smile!

Happy Thanksgiving

Last weekend was beautiful and sunny (much like today). So after church Marco and I went for a walk and took some pictures. It was so relaxing and wonderful to spend time together! We wanted to share a few of the shots we took. I also wanted to take this time to say "Happy Thanksgiving". I hope the time that you spend with family and friends around the table will be a wonderful time! I know I am blessed and I need to turn back and praise Him for all the things He has done in my life!