Halloween 2010

We had a blast this year dressing up and getting candy.  This year Liberty was a Barbie Musketeer.  If you are unaware of what is going on in the world of Barbie, she recently starred in a movie call Barbie and the Three musketeers.  This is where Liberty got the idea .  She looked unbelievably cute and no one had a costume like hers.  I didn’t put a ton of effort into Emory’s costume because she still wasn’t walking and would just be riding in the stroller.  Obviously  she was the cutest Minnie Mouse ever!  She cracked me up with those ears on.  She rarely tried to take them off.  They made her feel fancy .

We started Halloween off by going to Storybook Forest on Thursday.  I am so thankful that we went early because it was packed!  Scott didn’t get to go with us this year, but we still had a great time.  The girls got candy and Liberty made smores by the the fire.

On Friday, Guthrie had its annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat.  All the downtown business participate.  Store owners and employees dress up and pass out candy.  It’s just one of the charming things about living in Guthrie.  Its great for the little ones and virtually eliminates the need to go door-to-door (which we never do anyway).

On Saturday morning we headed to Texas to celebrate my nieces birthday.  We didn’t want to miss any opportunities to dress up though.  We took all three girls to a Fall Festival in a nearby town.  I think Emory had just as much fun as Liberty.  She hung out with her Papa while I chased Liberty.

On Sunday we had Hannah’s birthday party.  After the party, we took the kids to the trunck-or-treat at the Methodist Church and around the square downtown.  I think its safe to say that we made the most of Halloween this year. 

Liberty’s favorite thing about Halloween this year was her costume.  She absolutely loved it.  She also loved that she got to spend part of Halloween with our family in Texas, which she has never gotten to do before.  Emory’s favorite was that she got to have a sucker.  No one loves a sucker like Emory!

The culprit is sin...the solution is our SAVIOR

Last night at church a man was telling a group of us about a friend of his whose daughter has epilepsy.  In a recent conversation this mother asked her friend, a Believer, "If God is so good, why is my daughter sick?"  The question, while not surprising, broke my heart.  So many suffering people find themselves asking this very same question and fail to realize that they are pointing the blame in the wrong direction.  Her daughter is sick, my daugthter was sick, because of SIN!  Sin has polluted the world and corrupted our hearts.  Sin detroyed God's perfect creation and filled the world with death, disease, and every other known evil. 

The follow up question to the, "If God is good..." is usually, "Why doesn't God do something about it or why doesn't he heal my child?"  Hear me sweet friends, HE DID!  He sent is Son, Jesus the Christ, who conquered death and the evil one!  The victory celebration has been delayed so more people can be added to his kingdom.  In the meantime, we get to play a role in his kingdom plan.  "But, my child is still sick."  Yes, that's true.  Until Christ comes to claim his church and once and for all do away with sin, we have to live the reprecussions of The Fall.  BUT, a perfect, healthy, undefiled body is waiting for any who call on His name and repent.  (I personally believe this Grace is given to children, but that is more theology than I can discuss here).

Does this information make it easier when this mother watches her daughter fall to the floor, unconscientious.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Does it make it easier when I sit at my child's graveside?  Sometimes.  Knowing God has already healed my daughter doesn't make me miss her less.  Knowing God has already set into motion a plan that will heal this world doesn't always make me feel better. BUT, most of the time it does!  The Holy Spirit never lets me forget, for too long, what Jesus did for me.

A person who is suffering will never find healing and peace by pointing the finger at God.  The culprit is sin.  Let's point the finger there.  Let's HATE sin.  Thankfully God and his Amazing Grace has already conquered evil!  How glorious the victory celebration will be when Jesus gathers together his saints.  Lilly and I will be among them. I am honored to have been called to the purpose for which God has called me--to play a role in the advancement of his kingdom.  It is full of pain and suffering, but it is also full of joy and grace.