The Reason We Participate

I have found that there are several things even within the body of believers that are "hot buttons" and would seem somewhat difficult to talk about. Politics, Denominations, Schooling, Parenting, just to name a few. Matt & I have diligently tried to seek what God would have for our family, not judge what others choose for their family and simply try to continue to be open to God's voice in each area.



Halloween is one of those crazy areas where there are multiple opinions. I am not writing this to debate, but to simply throw out the the main reason why we have decided to this point to participate.



The Opportunity to Meet People Where They Are!

It has been one of the goals for our family to share Christ. (click here to read our family purpose statement) Throughout the year, we often look for ways to bless our neighbors by inviting them to our family events, trying to meet needs they may have personally, etc. etc. Halloween would seem to be the one time during the year that neighbors openly seek out each other. We have not wanted to miss that opportunity by having our door shut to them.



In an age where neighbors do not really know each other or even look to each other for social networks, I find it hard to consider not capitalizing on the chance. Over the years, Matt & I have been amazed at the opportunities that have been handed to us by simply establishing our home as one that is inviting and open. We have watched God take our small acts of obedience and use them for His kingdom.



As our family is preparing to move overseas, we are studying different holidays and customs. Many, obviously, do not match up with what we believe and may even take us out of our comfort zone; however, we are open to God showing us how He wants us to participate in order to engage the culture. I am not surprised that as God is preparing us, we have been convicted that we should be doing the same thing with the current people we are living among.



Paul said in I Corinthians 9:22, "To the weak I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." So what does it mean to become all things to all men? I guess that is the challenge. I recognize that we are called to live holy, but I want to do so in a manner that still leaves me approachable and desirable as salt & light to those around me.



Again, Matt & I have heard both sides of the Halloween issue, and I am not trying to say that our choice is right or wrong for anyone else. I simply wanted to share our reason for participation. Perhaps it will encourage someone to consider using the day as an opportunity to meet people where they are.

AT

Click here for more pics.

A Silly Moment

A week ago today, we were putting Grace to bed and could not find Kitty. Kitty is a stuffed cat that was given to Grace her first Christmas. She has slept very few naps & nights without Kitty. Grace was a little sad going to bed without Kitty, but she knows that getting her bed ready is a part of her night time routine. (Grace has the bad habit of hauling her things all over the house!) So, to bed she went with no cat.

Well, we didn't think of Kitty on Sunday until it was time to go to bed again. Where was Kitty? Grace & William looked around a little, but to no avail. Kitty was not to be found. To bed again with no cat...

After that night, Grace never looked for Kitty or even asked about Kitty. I guess she just moved on... WHAT! How could she just move on?

I found myself thinking about it all week....

First, I was sad because what if we didn't find her? She was my baby's first stuffed animal....I have so many memories of Grace cuddled up with yellow blankie & Kitty. Then, I was sad because of Grace's lack of concern for the missing cat. My baby surly still wants to have Kitty...

This can't be happening!

Well, by the end of the week when I was cleaning house, I was determined to find that cat! I looked for it all day with no luck. Then at the end of the day, I just stood in Grace's room and looked around in wonder. We truly have gotten rid of most of our things. I know living in Grandma's house can be crowded at times, but we keep things neat & organized. Where could that silly cat be, and why is it bothering me so!

Then I pulled back Grace's drapes......

I put the drapes back & called Grace. Here is Grace finding Kitty.

Well, I am not sure there is anything more to say. Grace was excited to find Kitty, but I guess she is getting big too fast, and yes, I have to admit, I am getting old and sentimental.

AT

My Second Favorite Flower

My mom planted morning glory seeds in the Spring. Usually, the vines grow very thick, and we have beautiful flowers all Summer; however, this summer....nothing! Then this week...SURPRISE!...our one lone bud of the season bloomed. I think it is Beautiful! She planted a variety of colors, but the one that came up was blue.
God has so many amazing ways of encouraging our hearts. He has been trying to tell me to rest in Him; He is always in control. Blue morning glories were the flowers I used to decorate the sanctuary and reception hall for Matt & my wedding. Coincidence...I think not! He is the God who cares and thinks about us.

Resting in Him, AT

PS: Tulips any style or color are my #1 favorite!

New Travis Pictures & Blogs to Check Out

We have added several pictures to the blog that you might want to check out in our "Family Pictures" section of the blog. (state fair, Grace learning to ride a bike, pumpkin patch, etc.)


Also, we have added several families to our "Blogs By Family and Friends". You may see someone that you haven't had contact with in a while. Matt & I have truly enjoyed getting re-connected with people via Facebook.


Please let me know if you have a personal or family blog and/or a favorite blog that you are reading right now. We would love to check them out.

Thanks!
MT & AT

We went to the State Fair on $3 Tuesday. We LOVED seeing the shows. Matt & Amy's favorite was the bird show. William's favorite was the BMX bike show, and Grace's favorite was the dog show. We decided to spend money to ride one ride, and thought that it needed to be the iconic Texas Star. The kids had fun, but were quite disappointed that they only send you around TWICE!!! (and one of those times they were stopping and starting loading people...UGGGH!) Oh, well...the day was great family fun!

Bare Feet

The older I get the more I realize that my life is full of quirks. One of those quirks is in the area of shoes. Shoes are so much fun. I wish I could have a crazy trendy pair of shoes to match every outfit. Shoes in my opinion are like fun jewelry. They do not have to be comfortable, sensible or versatile because I do not plan to have them on that long! I live most of my life barefooted with a closest full of shoes.

Two weeks ago we left the house in the afternoon ran errands, ate dinner out and went to the LD Bell Homecoming game. By the time we left the game it was a little after 10 PM. Shortly after shutting the car doors for our ride home, William asked from the backseat, “Can I take my shoes off? How long have I had these shoes on anyway?” At that point I realized, wow, we have all had shoes on about 6 hours. That is extremely long for this homeschool family! I, of course, also realized the shear silliness of the situation. My kids should be able to wear shoes for more than 6 hours….or should they?

A friend of mine was sharing with me how she went to the mall the other day with friends of hers on furlough from Mozambique, Africa. The kids were all barefooted….at the mall! It seems a little strange to my germ a-phobic mind to go out in public without shoes, but for this family they were simply being true to their own levels of comfort and upbringing. I was also teasing another friend of mine last week about family members of hers that are true “free spirits”. They enjoy a more “natural” life style and are very open with their self expression of body art. The interesting thing about both of these situations is that these families are ones that are making a difference for the gospel in the areas that God has called them.

This has me thinking about my own level of transparency and my ability to be true to the person God has made me to be. I know I have a lot of conventional ideas about socially acceptable behavior, and I am ashamed to say that I sometimes struggle to let go of stereotypes and judgmental attitudes. Shoes are just as I described them…fun accessories. They themselves are an expression of style and personality. Feet…feet are an expression of the creator….and my willingness to live openly before man and boldly for God is an expression of my love for the Creator.

This morning I was once again amazed at how God is speaking to my children and teaching me through the process. I had just finished my “quiet time” with the Father when Grace joined me to journal. I asked her how her time had been going with God. She openly confessed that she was at a place where she wanted to hear from God again. She said, “God has been speaking to me again because I have been not thinking about myself, and I have been listening. I think it is going to happen in the morning because I am not dressed yet and I am talking to God with just the plain me.” You see, we have been working with Grace on not being so self-focused. She is starting to place too high a value on outward beauty and vanity. Her statement is stemming from that, but it has also challenged me to evaluate where I am in my own ability to go to God bare.

Who has God created me to be, and what am I doing with the gifts that He has given me? Am I trying to put shoes on feet that are meant to be free? Am I not able to minister to everyone in my path because I am too focused on outward convention and beauty, or am I trying to make people wear the shoes that I think they should wear?

Moses was an amazing man of God, and I am truly enjoying studying his life through Bible Study Fellowship. It is interesting to see his example of giving up all of the wealth and status of Egypt and refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (Heb. 11) Am I willing to give up my "shoes"...my American mindset and amenities? I say that I am, but where will my attitude be 6 months down the road? I am also in awe of Moses' example of obedience to remove his shoes upon entering the presence of a Holy God. How reverant am I in my time spent with the Father? I confess many times I am slouching in my bed half asleep....I am also doing a lot more talking than listening!

So, today I am challenged to ask myself, what other areas am I living barefooted with a closest full of shoes? Meaning: I know in my head & heart the right thing to do, but I have not fully committed to total obedience, or in what areas am I living one way for the world and one way at home...

What am I going to do today to live a true and transparent life? What shoes need to be thrown out so that I can be ready hear from a holy God?

Not quite to the point where I can dance naked before the Lord, but going through my closet of shoes today!
AT

“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’” Romans 10:15