Halloween again

Halloween was a no-brainer before we had children. to do: buy a bunch of candy, toss it out to the cuties that came to your front door, eat the rest, and carve a happy face in a pumpkin. 

but now that our children are involved, i found myself wondering "what are we doing?" "why are we doing this?" and mostly "where is Jesus in it all?"

Halloween is an especially fun time of year for dressing up because everyone is doing it. however, there is a lot of other junk that everyone else is doing this time of year that we don't do. we keep the focus on dressing up, pretend play, painting pumpkins, and good, clean fun. we don't go to strangers houses asking for candy. i actually don't even use the word Halloween, except when referring to "that holiday" the world is celebrating and we are not. 

the only ghost we speak of is the Holy Ghost. there is no such thing as witches or goblins. pumpkins are friendly, skeletons are human bones, bats are nocturnal, and spiders eat mosquitos. Halloween, in our home, is a time for dressing up and eating candy with friends. no evil connotations. no spooky stories. no haunted houses. for God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a peaceful mind. (2 Tim 1:7) and believe me, there is nothing peaceful about some of the costumes and decorations out there. 

there is one thing i do every year at Halloween time: i pray that my children will not be confused or scared by the worldly traditions. i pray they know what is true, what is noble, what is right, in the sight of the Lord. (Phil 4:8)    

Halloween at our home has been different year to year. there was one year when we passed out candy that had scriptures printed on the wrappers. last year we turned off our lights, drew our curtains closed, and hid in the living room pretending nothing was going on on our neighborhood streets. this year we opened our door to strangers and gave out candy with little invitations to our church taped to the back.

i'm a "make the most of it" kind of mama. hiding behind closed curtains and a dark front porch last year just felt wrong. i know my neighbors are diverse in culture and customs, and probably a lot of them don't know Jesus. the more i thought about this missed opportunity, the more it hurt my heart. there were probably children dressed as adorable little devils walking along my sidewalk who have never heard the name Jesus. it could have been me who told them. this post from Joy in this Journey really helped me decide what to do this year.

i can't pretend the world isn't celebrating Halloween. but i can make the most of it. we are called to be the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13) and we are called to shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:15). when potential non-believers come a-knockin' on my door this year, a simple invitation to our church will be placed in candy buckets, and i'll say a little prayer asking Jesus to knock on the doors of their hearts.  

and when i get to heaven, i look forward to meeting the souls who met Jesus in my neighborhood on Halloween night.

what is Halloween like at your home?

------------------------

high altitude praise

The Lord protects all those who love him, 
but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord, 

and may everyone on earth bless his holy name 

forever and ever. 

Psalm 145:20-21 NLT 

800. watching the sun rise from 32,000 feet above
801. watching the sun set from 32,000 feet above
802. Pam at the Cleveland airport Continental desk
803. a God-sent aunt mentor assigned to the seat next to me
804. fears faced with God's comfort
805. waking up in my own bed, the warmth of my "homeland"
806. a time and place to call out to God, and His instant response
807. books and more books, authored by women i know and love
808. worshiping in an intimate setting with 250 women led by Aaron Shust and Shaun Groves
809. hearing David Nevue on the piano outside my computer screen, the soundtrack to my prayer over this space
810. women broken and running to the One who heals
811. pen and paper; words pouring out of my heart faster than my hand can move across the page
812. fresh coffee
813. chicken quesadillas at the Dog & Pony
814. real conversations about real life with real friends: confidence in what matters
815. laughter, prayer, and conversation with strangers on airplanes
816. falling asleep talking about dreams and fears and journeys
817. a simple little prayer cube, a gift from Anna, turned and rolled in my hands the entire way home
818. all of the emotions that came with the snow- big puffy blankets of it- glimmering in the morning sun
819. finding myself tucked away in a corner and in heart-healing conversation with two amazing real life friends
820. eating a Hershey's chocolate bar in Hershey, PA
821. enough cell phone battery life to call home
822. a roommate who has what i need
823. having what my roommate needs
824. a real life friend for a roommate
825. my comfortable, easy Toms
826. dear sweet friends who help me carry a heavy load, and give me hugs to lift the burden of guilt
827. text messages from home: "i'm praying for your trip."
828. protection promised
829. The Seed Company Prayer Room at Relevant; pages of handwritten love... for me?
830. safe traveling, friendly pilots, and praying flight attendants
831. The Mercy House
832. The Homeschool Village and The Homeschool Post come to life to support homeschoolers at Relevant
833. an unexpected (but much needed) hug from unlikely arms
834. hard questions and the answers bubbling up
835. no headaches
836. four days of no television
837. a Kleenex pyramid for a room of tear-stained faces
838. going home with full bags, but an even fuller heart
839. sharing this online space with such wise, encouraging, and God-loving women
840. dedicating this space to God and choosing the ladder that takes me lower
841. the option to turn off comments
842. stepping off a plane into Dallas air
843. my husband's wide and warm smile welcoming me home
844. my little ones' arms tangled in a big group hug, our faces pressed together
845. goodnight kisses and home sweet home
846. the "Relevant hangover" and quiet anticipation of what God will reveal

i scribble thanksgiving on a scrap notepad, bouncing in turbulence. my heart races with fear and gratitude at the same time. and i know the Lord is close...He grants me peace as i call on Him in truth... (Psalm 145:18-19)

---------------------------------------- 

photo source 

photo source

while I'm at Relevant {a giveaway}

----------------- this giveaway is now closed. -----------------

 

while i'm at Relevant, i want to give away some Master Books books! 

if you are at The Relevant Conference, look for me and my little friends Flat Charlie and Trike.

aren't they adorable?! take your picture with Flat Charlie and Trike, tweet "I'm at #Relevant11 with @mamahall and Charlie and Trike! http://tinyurl.com/3eltmd9 #teachthetruth" to be entered to win a copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure.

and! meet me at the Master Books Lounge in the hotel on Friday from 4-5PM and Saturday from 9-10PM where i'll be giving away books for you to take home and review! follow me @mamahall for more details.

if you are not at The Relevant Conference, you, too, can win a copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure! but not only that - you'll also win a copy of Charlie and Trike's Green Notebook! a fun and interactive accessory to accompany the book. 

and! i'm also giving away the Big Book of History with the Teacher's Guide and Panels! this is a fantastic resource for teaching and learning the history of the world, from creation to current times. enter to win both of these giveaways by leaving a comment. you can tweet about it and post it on Facebook for extra entries. make sure you leave a comment for each entry, and your e-mail address. this giveaway is open to US residents only. two winners will be selected at random and announced here on Tuesday 11/1.

BIG THANKS to Master Books for sending me to #Relevant11! 

enter to win now! you will LOVE these books!

 -----------------------

readying

source

the other day, i was driving around running errands, deep in thought about the upcoming week. there is a lot to do before The Relevant Conference. i was making mental lists: groceries to get, meals to prepare, clothes to pack, and more. i was thinking about last year's conference, how it shook me up emotionally and spiritually, and how i want that again this year. i was thinking about the distractions that the enemy has tried to put in my way leading up to this year's conference: fear, illness, nerves, guilt, stress. 

all of a sudden, this song came on the radio, and it was as if God shut everything else out of my mind, cranked the volume up to crystal clear, and put my complete focus on the words coming through my car's speakers.

i've heard it before, and you probably have, too. but the way God had me hear it was different this time. i heard it as spiritual armor and a prayer for my purpose in going to the conference. i heard it for me, for us, as we get ready for Relevant.  "ready yourselves..." 

Lord, I want to feel your heart and see the world through your eyes.
I want to be your hands and feet. I want to live a life that leads.

Ready yourselves (ready yourselves)
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night.
Ready yourselves (ready yourselves)
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise!

Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out!
Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound!
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out!
As the day draws near we'll sing until the whole world hears...

Want to be your hands and feet, want to be a life that leads, to see you set the captive free,
until the whole world hears!
And I pray that they will see more of you and less of me.
Lord I want my life to be the song You sing!

Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out!
Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound!
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out!
As the day draws near we'll sing until the whole world hears...

hear the Casting Crowns song and see the video by clicking here

let's go. let's persevere in bringing hope to the world through our social media medium. let's go beyond the surface into intentional blogging and real life living, all to the glory of God. 

are you ready?

-------------------------------

Our Favorite Christmas Books

Cold winter days are perfect for curling up with a good book. With the holiday season fast approaching, I am preparing to change out the books in our nooks and bring out our favorite Christmastime stories. 

Reading the Christmas story is part of our Christmastime tradition, and I'm not referring to The Night Before Christmas. The Christmas story that we read, believe, know, and love, is the Christmas story: the story of Jesus' birth. (Luke 2)

And Santa wasn't there. A jolly ole' soul, yes, but Santa is only as real as Thomas the Train. Jesus, on the other hand, is the reason for the season. Jesus is why we celebrate. My children, ages 3 and 6, know this because I am intentional about providing books for them that teach the truth about the meaning of Christmas.

There are many wonderful children's Christmas books about the Nativity and Jesus' birth, but these are some of our favorites, recommended for babies, toddlers, and young children.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck is a sweet little board book that tells the story of Christmas and features the star, the animals in the manger, the shepherds and Wise Men, Mary and Joseph, and newborn baby Jesus "the reason for Christmas Day." 

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a mommy bear explaining Christmas and God to her baby bear. "Is God more important than Santa?" Little Cub asks. "Oh yes, much more important!" says Mama Bear. Oh yes, much more important. 

On This Special Night by Claire Freedman tells the story of the nativity from the perspective of a curious kitten and friends that follow the brightest star to discover the newborn baby in the manger. The illustrations are soft and cast a heavenly glow on a very special occasion. This book doesn't specifically mention Christmas or Jesus, but it is a precious accompaniment to other Christmas story books that do.  

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado may not look like a Christmas book on the cover, but believe me, it is one of the sweetest Christmas stories ever. The little lamb, Joshua, is lonely and feels left out because he is different than the other lambs. But when a very special baby is born in the cold manger, Joshua the lamb is called to keep the baby warm. The message is that God has a special plan for everyone, and that? is timeless.

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg gives a new meaning to a favorite Christmastime treat. In the midst of the holiday season, when everyone else is busy buying, a little girl anxiously awaits the grand opening of a new shop in town. When the candy store opens, the owner explains how candy canes are a symbol of Jesus' birth, death, and eternal love. This story makes me teary eyed every time I read it, and we will never see a candy cane the same way again.

I want to encourage you to add some of these books to your Christmas storytime collection. On a cold winter day, pour some hot cocoa, read a good Christmas book with your children, and give thanks to God for sending His Son that one special night. What are some of your favorite Christmas books?

If the holiday season seems more stressful than joyous, if your budget seems too small to be generous, or if you are simply in search of inspiration, the 12 Ways of Christmas is written just for you! Click on each of the buttons below and join all 12 of us as we share crafts, decor, traditions, and more!

--------------------------------- 

heed these things

Let the one who is wise heed these things 

and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.

Psalm 107:43

771. completely surprised, surrounded by friends on my birthday
772. at a local (completely) vegan restaurant
773. a bouquet of jewel-tone balloons just for me
774. looking back on another year of blessings
775. discussing with friends the foundations of our faith
776. over whipped cream-topped slices of pumpkin cheesecake
777. learning about owls and watching one in our backyard
778. sprouting pumpkin seeds
779. in pots handpainted by my littles
780. my handsome men and their fresh buzzcuts
781. coughs and sneezes forcing a day of rest
782. spiced up homemade lentil soup
783. my first batch of homemade Belgian waffles
784. our home filled with scents of the season
785. a community of like-minded, encouraging, online friends
786. my husband checking the storm radar for me at 2am
787. and helping me carry our sleeping babies downstairs to our bedroom, because he knows i'll only sleep during a storm if they are within arms reach
788. sitting amongst and praising God with addicts, homeless, downcast, and abused at church
789. walls thin enough to hear my kiddos singing karaoke 
790. dress-up outfits in their sizes and on sale
791. my kids wanting to wear their costumes every day
792. asking for prayer and immediately feeling peace
793. a basket full of organic apples
794. the opportunity to travel and meet other Christian women bloggers... again
795. a free movie code for at-home date night
796. siblings getting along- their belly laughs
797. the opportunity to help a friend's nonprofit
798. a hospitable home
799. dozens of children absorbed in a puppet show teaching the truth about Halloween


pondering His loving deeds in the every day...

---------------------------------------- 

Autumn Goodness: Keepsake Kid's Craft

this is one of my favorite Fall-time art projects to do with the kids. it has become a tradition to make these hand- and finger- print trees every year; keepsakes that i will cherish forever. 


to see how we made this adorable Autumn Keepsake Craft, visit www.DeniseInBloom.com where i contributed to her 31 Days of Autumn Goodness Series today!

------------------------

thanks in advance

i want to simply encourage you today to thank God in advance. 

a few nights ago, i was in a situation that made me worry, panicked, and afraid. the only thing i could do was pray and wait for the outcome. instead of praying with a needy, fearful, worried spirit, instead of begging God to rescue me, i thanked Him. because He is peace. He has already rescued us. i trust Him in all situations. He already knows the outcome, and He is a good God. so i thanked Him for pulling me through that situation, and for His perfect comfort in the midst.

it might seem awkward, because you wouldn't normally thank someone before they prove they can do something.

thanking God in advance is a test of my faith. when i give thanks to God for something i don't see yet, or something i don't have yet, i truly have to believe in my heart that He will do it or provide it. He doesn't have to prove anything to me. it's already in his Word that He loves me, He wants to protect me, and He has plans to give me a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) 

start by thanking God first thing in the morning for a perfect day. sure, it's early and things could happen to make your day not so perfect, but why not thank God with trust that He can and will give you a perfect day! expect God to move on your behalf and thank Him. He is for you! (Psalm 37:4 and Matt 7:7)

-------------------------------------

We thank God for the power Christ has given us. 

He leads us and makes us win in everything. 

He speaks through us wherever we go. 

The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.

2 Corinthians 2:14 NLV

works for me: date stamp

i picked up this fairly inexpensive date stamp and a miniature ink pad at an office supply store a few years ago and it has proven to be one of the best homeschooling investments i have yet to make. 

while we aren't required by our state to keep many records of our homeschooling progress, i like to keep track of my children's development. so i put the date on every tangible piece of school work they do.

i'm not spraining my wrist writing the date by hand or anything, but this little stamp has made date-tracking a lot easier and more fun. the process of turning the inky dial and stamping the numbers on the page makes it all feel very official. and the kids love to do it, too.

even when i require my daughter to write the date out formally on her paper, i still mark it with the date stamp for OCD uniformity purposes.  

date stamping homeschool work works for me!

lovingly linking up @:

------------------------------------------

today

is my birthday.

i think i'll go dancing at gym class, drive with my windows down, meet my friend for lunch at a vegan restaurant, paint my fingernails, play outside with my kids, sing praises to Jesus at the top of my lungs, put my feet up, let my hair down, read my favorite blogs, eat cake, and not do any laundry.  

how do you celebrate on your birthdays?

This is the day the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

--------------------------------

let the children serve

Pin It

"can i help you?" my 3 year old asked his big sister.

she was carrying boxes from the house, two at a time, loading them into the back of our car. her arms were full. i was busy carrying boxes, too, but i heard his kind offer from across the driveway and it stopped me in my tracks. i choked back happy tears, gave my little guy a high-five, and thanked him for being such a good helper. i continued loading boxes and held on tight to this Proud Mommy Moment.

my son wasn't offering to help his sister just so he would get a high-five. he didn't even know i was listening. he simply saw her arms were full and did the most natural thing. the more i thought about this, the more i understood:

children naturally want to help and serve.

even as a little tot, my daughter wanted to comfort other people's crying babies. and while sharing might not be the easiest thing for a toddler to do, if they know someone is in need, they will likely share their most prized possession. when all chaos breaks out in our house- the doorbell ringing, dogs barking, phone beeping, baby crying, water boiling over - my children step into action, doing what they can to help.

this instinct needs to be nurtured. because let's face it: we are raising up the next generation to grow the kingdom of God.

here are some simple but meaningful ways children can serve others every day, with scriptures that i found supportive:

1. give to children and people in need. encourage your child to sort through their clothes, toys, and books on a regular basis to give to children who might have nothing. bag up the gently used goods, find a local mission organization, and let your child give. (Matthew 19:21)

2. prepare a meal for someone in need. maybe one of your family friends who has a new baby, a new neighbor, or someone you know recovering from illness or surgery. involve the kids in planning the meal, preparing the meal, and delivering the meal. even young ones can help bake cookies. (Matthew 25:35)  

3. help your neighbors. take a walk with your children in your neighborhood and have them be on the look out for needs. toss your neighbor's newspaper up closer to their front door. pick up trash in the yard. move their basketball to a place where it won't roll.  (Mark 12:31)

4. put the cart back. when shopping and running errands, children can help by pushing shopping carts back to the "corral" or the area where they belong. kids love to push the cart! explain how this is helpful to the store employees, to people who need a cart, to shopper foot traffic, and to keep the carts from banging into vehicles in the parking lot. (Luke 6:31)

5. use their talents to bless someone. my daughter is a talented artist and loves to draw. my Grandma is in an assisted living apartment where the walls are blank and the days are long. by using her own talent, my daughter can bless Grandma by mailing her drawings on a regular basis. maybe your child plays an instrument, dances, writes, or makes beautiful pasta jewelry. whatever it is, her talent can bless someone in need. (1 Peter 4:10)

6. hold the door open for others. this is something i have taught my children as soon as they were physically strong enough. at the store, at church, at preschool, at the gym, and even at home, encourage your child to open the door and hold it open for the next person coming in. (Romans 12:13)

7. pray for the needs of others. at mealtime and bedtime and anytime you pray with your children, ask if there is anyone else that needs prayer. last night, my daughter said, "yes. pray for my brother... that he will feel better." let younger children hear you praying for others, like the little girl that fell at the playground, or the boy at preschool that is sad at drop-off. praying for others helps kids see beyond their own needs and wants, and helps them learn that God is a great BIG God that loves everyone. (James 5:13)

8. pay for someone else's anonymously. just a few dollars can go a long way for someone in need, and giving in this way is a two-way blessing. do your kids earn allowance? tooth fairy money? next time you take your children out to lunch, to the coffee shop, or the arcade, have your child give the cashier a dollar or two "for the next customer." watch the joy your child experiences knowing the next person is getting a secret surprise. we are blessed to be a blessing! (Psalm 21:6)      

9. volunteer in the community. even young children can serve in your community by helping the librarian stack books, helping clean up after Sunday school, or helping a teacher pass out papers at preschool. encourage your child to ask "how can i help?" (1 Cor 15:58)

10. speak the truth about Jesus' love. teach your child what the Bible says, sing songs about Jesus, and help your children memorize scripture. then, when your child meets someone in need, he will have the word of God in his heart to share with the person in need. i overheard my daughter, who was about 4 at the time, and her friend talking about something scary they saw on a TV cartoon. they recounted the frightening image together, and then my daughter started singing to her friend, "God hasn't given us a spirit of fear...but of power, love, and a peaceful mind!" and they both broke into giggles. memorizing scripture verses and singing songs about Jesus is planting seeds of faith in children's hearts, and those seeds grow into "fruit" they can apply to daily circumstances. (Deut 11:18)

now... go! nurture your child's sweet natural desire to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus! 

"what does the LORD your God ask of you 

but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, 

to love him, to serve the LORD your God with 

all your heart and with all your soul, 

and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees..." 

Deuteronomy 10:12-16 NIV



linked up @ OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday
-----------------------

it gets me every time...

Pin It

...the reality of how much God loves me. every time i hear it, read about it, see it, or sing of it, i am taken aback. every time. this agape love- self-sacrificing, divine, unending, and unconditional- is incredibly overwhelming to me. He loves me more, and in ways that i can't fully comprehend. 

and the love gifts. they remind me of my prayers, how He answers in His perfect timing and perfect ways. the gifts keep coming. His love manifests in the days and moments. oh, how He loves us so.

i live a loved life and i breathe thank You Lord.

742. being with my Mom at the State Fair
743. my niece, a sweetheart, a helper, a playmate
744. watching Papa and my kids giggle, tickle, snuggle, holding hands
745. walking 3 miles with 25,000 others, a sea of pink for one cause
746. praying to the cadence of determined footsteps
747. beautiful, old, tree-lined neighborhoods in North Dallas
748. discovering a toy store worth spending time in
749. my Mom learning about creationism as she reads to my children their favorite book
750. that "wake up" nudge in the morning from my husband, gentle and warm
751. my family and friends filling my living room singing Happy Birthday cha-cha-cha
752. a dream of my house as a cup overflowing with joy bubbles
753. the sweetest night's rest with both kids within arms reach
754. protection over family and friends between our home and theirs
755. relief from headaches
756. surprise gifts on my front porch
757. homemade apple bars
758. crispy salted pumpkin seeds
759. morning playdate and quality time with a friend
760. staying home and opening windows on a rainy day
761. BigGirl's first babysitting "job"
762. patient waitresses who know about 3 year olds
763. second hand furniture that fits perfectly
764. a hay ride with friends, pumpkin patch memories
765. peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
766. friendly strangers who save us 6 chairs at Starbucks
767. singing and dancing corn dog vendors
768. our freshly mowed green-again lawn
769. hanging out with my brothers
770. turning 30-something but feeling 20-something

i will give You thanks in the great assembly; 

among the throngs I will praise You. 

(Psalm 35:18)

counting all the ways He loves me and filling this space with my thanks...

    

 ---------------------------------------- 

Around Here Lately 10.14.11

this week...we learned all about pumpkins, kicking off the study with a fun field trip to a local farm and pumpkin patch. both kids milked a mama-to-be cow, cuddled baby goats, and picked out perfect little pumpkins. we also studied fire fighters and the State Fair of Texas, and Big Girl completed her first of two math books for the school year. our week culminated with a pumpkin dissection, seed planting, and a trip to the - yep you guessed it - State Fair of Texas with Granny and Papa. 

helpful homeschooling tip...i met a fellow homeschooling mama at the library this week. she was in the children's area with her 4th grader son. his school work was all set up right there on a table in the library, and she was standing at one end of the table teaching him! she even had her laptop set up on the table using a Power Point slideshow in the lesson. after a while, she came over and introduced herself and we got to chatting. she told me that she realized her son needed to get out of the house sometimes so that he could focus on his studies, so they come to the library twice a week for a few hours. she realized what her son needed to learn and she adapted. schooling doesn't have to happen in your home, or at a desk for that matter. get outside! use the free library space. school in the car, at the park, at Starbucks, or wherever! you can adapt to your little learners. i love this about homeschooling.  

what's working for us... The Big Book of History from Master Books. even though it is designed for ages 7-12, my 3 and 6 year old are fascinated with the historical facts and tidbits of information on the pages. and the fact that it stretches out to a 15 foot timeline is way cool, too. read my review and make sure to attend the Twitter Party on 10/25.  

something to share...this big sign was in the middle of the farm, and it warmed my heart so. "every child..." yes.

and that's what is going on around here lately! thanks for visiting and check out The Homeschool Chick and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers for more weekly homeschoolers' updates. have a great weekend, yall!