As for me and my house...(some Halloween truth)

I just want to start out by saying that I am NOT writing for any one specific person. 

I know a lot of people that take their kids out on Halloween to trick or treat, but do not have one specific person in mind when writing this.  

This is just a subject that I feel passionate about and wanted to share my thoughts.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord...and teach our children all truths about this world, including halloween.  This should be a no-brainer for Christians.   But unfortunately it is not.

- Celebrate: to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities

                     to make known publicly; proclaim

                     to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.

                     to perform a religious ceremony

I know a lot of people who say that they don't "celebrate" Halloween.  They dress their kids up in cute costumes and take them around a safe neighborhood to collect some candy.  They are not participating in anything evil and their intentions are good, so it's okay, right?  

Anton Lavey was the founder of the Church of Satan and the author of  'The Satanic Bible'.  Here is a quote of his out of 'The Satanic Bible'...

"After one's own Birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (6 months before Halloween) and Halloween."  

A quote from Tom Sanguinet, a former high priest in Wicca...

"The modern holiday that we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to Nov. 1st, the witches new year.  It is a time when the spirits (demons) are supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting planet Earth.  Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there's nothing we ever have, or will do, to make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus."

Halloween was originally a deeply occultic pagan holiday and it remains so today.  It is a holiday that celebrates death and contacting the dead.  Nearly all of the "Halloween traditions" that are observed today have their roots in ancient pagan practices. 

In the Middle Ages, the Catholics tried to "Christianize" these practices, but the truth is that when you put a pig in a dress it is still a pig.

On Halloween night, once again this year there will be Satanic rituals held all over the world, there will be animal sacrifices to various "gods" and there will even be human sacrifices.

Halloween has always been one of the biggest days of the year for those involved in Wicca, witchcraft and Satanism.

Where in the Bible does it say that Christians should regard that day as special?

Origins of 'Treat or Treat':

To obtain sacrifices offered to spirits and the god of the dead, druid priests would go from house to house asking for fatted calves, black sheep, and human beings.  Those who gave were promised prosperity, and those who refused to give were threatened and cursed.  

Every time your child chants 'Trick of Treat', he/she is repeating an age old pagan festival.  He/she is partaking in an age old pagan festival of death.

Origins of 'Jack-o-Lantern':

They served as a signal to mark those farms and homes that supported the druids' religion and thus were seeking the "treat" when the terror of Halloween began.  

The World Book Encyclopedia says:

"The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of the Jack-o-lantern is an ancient symbol of a damned soul."

Dance of Death:

While people and animals were screaming in agony, being burnt to death, the druids and their followers would dress in costumes made of animal skins and heads.  They would dance and jump in the hopes of warding off the 'evil' spirits that were coming.  This is where wearing of costumes was originated. 

A woman by the name of Carol Kornacki practiced witchcraft for over 6 years.  She is now an Evangelical Christian.  Here is an excerpt from her blog:

"Halloween.  A nice innocent holiday celebrated by the masses?  I don't think so!  Everything about the holiday is death and darkness.

I practiced witchcraft for six years.  I can personally tell you that the night of October 31st was one of the highest celebrated of the year.  It is the night of "Samhein the god of the dead."  It is believed that on this night, Diana the goddess of fertility goes to sleep and the grim reaper, Samhein would awake.  He would summon the spirits of the nether world to come up and torment the farmers and the peasants that lived in Britain at the time. 

The Druids, a blood drinking priesthood would dress up in ghoulish costumes and roan the countryside threatening the villagers that, if they did not produce a virgin by midnight of the 31st they would cause havoc, the cows would not give their milk and the fields would not produce their crops.  (Hence, the costumes and the mantra "trick or treat" that our children utter as the collect their candies)  That night a carved squash would be placed on the front porch of the victim's home with a piece of human fat burning inside.  That's where we get our carved pumpkins.  A hexagram would be placed on the front door in blood.  During the night there would be fear in the hearts of the farmers. 

It is believed by those who practice witchcraft that, on Halloween night the veil between the living and the dead is thinner so spirit travel and necromancy, (communication with the dead) is practiced hardily.  Bone fires, (what we refer to as bonfires) were also big.  Humans would be burnt alive in wicker baskets offered to the god of the dead.  Apple dunking was considered divination.  Skeletons, black spiders, bats, ghosts, spirits, death, and horror are all part of the celebration of the "Night of Death"!

In modern times the holiday has changed little.  Let's look at it realistically.  First of all it is a known fact that animal shelters will do an early and complete lockdown because animals are stolen, usually found sacrificed.  The candy that our precious children collect will have to be closely investigated due to the tampering that goes on.  Razors, poison, and other evil goodies have been reported every year.  How pitiful!!  In some wooded area's blood will be found from some unfortunate victim.  It is a fact that it is a night of orgies.  You would be surprised how seriously those who practice Satanism view this night.  Come on folks let's be real.  Isn't there enough death and darkness in the world today?  

Aren't our precious children seeing enough?  Should those who are Christians be more protective of their loved one?  Shouldn't we find an alternative?  I HAVE SAID IT MORE THEN ONCE, I WILL GLADLY SAY IT AGAIN, YOU DON'T SEE WITCHES SHOWING UP ON CHRISTMAS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR WONDERFUL SAVIOR, SO WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE NIGHT OF DEATH FOR THE GOD OF DEATH?"

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

3 John 1:11

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

As Christians we should be living our lives with God on our minds at all times.  In everything we do, we should be asking ourselves if it is pleasing to Christ.  

*Can you actually with a clear mind after reading these things say that God doesn't mind???*

I know that a lot of Christians think it's okay because they don't participate in any of the evil aspects of this holiday, but the fact remains that the soul purpose in which this 'holiday' was created is to glorify Satan.  This day is the highest holiday to many Wiccans and Satanists still today and they still perform those same ancient satanic rituals.  So why as Christians, who follow and love Jesus Christ, want ANYTHING to do with this day?  

You can not redeem Halloween.  It is a day of celebration that comes from darkness and evil 4,000 years old.

I think a lot of people choose to take their kids trick or treating or participate in Halloween to some level, simply because they want to.  We need to start putting Christ first and thinking about what is pleasing to Him and not what is pleasing to us. 

Life is good and only getting better...

Life is becoming pretty busy for us here in Gainesville.  But we can finally say, with all the craziness, we definitely feel like we are HOME! 


The kids are busy at school and church.  They love their school and have homework due every night instead of once a week like they did at their old school.  They are involved at church every Wednesday for the children's Christmas musical.  They are really excited about that.  They also have a lot of fun activities and get togethers coming up with their small groups in Children's church.  

Mikayla has a play that the 3rd grade class is going to be putting on at school.  She is a sheep in 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' and has a small speaking part.  She is also getting a pen pal from South Korea and is super excited about that. 
Brayden is doing sooo good in school and is looking forward to t-ball starting in the Spring.  He wants to join football and basketball too, but we don't want to put too much on his/our plates at once. 
Aslyn is enjoying Mommy time (for now) while the kids are at school.  We are trying to get her to try out the Toddler class at church, but so far she has not wanted to stay.  So she sits in with us, for now.  

Ben is doing really well at work and is starting to see positive changes at his branch. 
He just recently started playing bass full time on the worship team at our church on Sundays.  God really opened the doors for him to get involved right away.  The opportunity really just fell in his lap!  It is a huge answer to prayer because Ben was really worried that he wouldn't have the opportunity to be involved in music at a bigger church.  He is really loving it and enjoys being able to learn and be pushed to grow.  His playing has already improved so much in such a short amount of time. 

Ben and I are involved in a class every Wednesday that is for newcomers of the church.  It is basically a class that they offer for anyone who wants to learn more about the church and what they are all about.  Helps people to get more plugged into the church and everything they have to offer.  After we are done with that, then we will be joining a microchurch (small group) that meets once a week.  We are really excited about getting involved and seeing what God has in store for us.

I am currently working on a healthier me and through that, I have developed a new fondness for food and cooking.  Occasionally I will be posting some new yummy recipes that I try out.
My life also will become very busy in the next few months.  After a lot of prayer, discussion, research, prayer, thinking, and more prayer, we decided that I will be starting school in January.  I will be a full time student at Santa Fe College studying to get my Associates of Science degree in Health Services Management.  I'm super excited and one of the best parts is around the time I graduate, Aslyn will be starting kindergarten.  So I will be ready to either get out there and start a career or continue on to get my Bachelor's degree.  
I am still praying and searching for God to reveal to me that special way that I can serve Him better.

God is so good and our lives just seem to be falling nicely into place here in Gainesville!  Our Pastor told us in one of our Wednesday classes that they really just want people to feel like they belong there. 
That is exactly how Ben and I are starting to feel.  It's exciting for me because for so long I haven't felt like "I belong", and now, in such a short period of time that is changing.
Life is good and only getting better.
 

Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4

So much has changed for us this year, but the biggest change has been our walk with Christ.  Our faith has grown tremendously, our focus has changed, our priorities.  We have grown so much.  God has done and is still doing a work in this family and it's amazing what happens when we allow Him to. 
I have said it before and I will continue to say it, because I think there are so many people that need to grasp it...
It is so incredible what happens when we pray for God's will to be done in our lives, but actually truly mean it. 

Those dang kids...

Kids:

Always wanting SOMETHING

Always complaining

Always doubting

Always in need of correction

Always stumbling

Always trying to justify their actions

Always asking tons of questions

Always in need of a lesson

Always forgetting what they've been told

Always angry or upset when they don't get their way

Always disobeying

Always in need of me, even when they think they aren't.


Always talking-
Never listening

Never happy with, "because I said so"


Never careful of how they act or what they say in front of other people

Never wanting to put in the work to get the reward

Never thinking of others first

Never thinking of me first.


I wonder if this is how God sees His children (us) some times.  I know that my kids drive me nuts at times, but they are still just kids!  I wonder how disappointed God is with us when we are grown adults acting the way we act.  We are still just kids in the eyes of God.  I know that if God didn't have perfect patience then He would be so frustrated all the time with us.  He'd probably want to knock us right up side the head and yell, "what's the matter with you?!?"  Maybe He does in His own way...

Just something I was thinking about.  I strive to be more of an adult in the eyes of God.  I know that we are not perfect and we will probably always be "just kids", but the point is that we should always be trying. 

Loving God, loving life...

I just wanted to start this blog by saying how absolutely amazing my God is! 

We are pretty much all settled in.  We love the town, our home, and the kids love their school.

We started going to a church that we are really enjoying.  There is so many things that we can become involved with and we are so excited to see what God has in store for us.  We are already seeing Him move with opportunities that are starting to come open, that we didn't think would be possible especially so soon!  So much is falling into place for us already.  I have felt for a long time that God has so much planned for my little family and I finally feel like we are on the right track. 

It is so amazing what happens when you begin to pray for God's will in every aspect of your life.  I mean, when you pray it and REALLY want it, and allow Him to move.  It's like a complete change in thought process.  It's incredible to see the changes and growth that is happening in this family.  I am so thankful and happy!  And to know that this is just the beginning is so unbelievably exciting! 

 "When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in the light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly, many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears." - Rick Warren

That is exactly how I feel.  I have just come to a point in my life where I don't want anything that isn't what God has laid out for me.  I find myself CONSTANTLY asking for God's will to be done.  I only want what He wants for me and my family...everything else is pointless.  You know it's one thing to say that you want His will, but when you really truly mean it and give everything over to Him...everything changes.
Jeremiah 29:13 has a whole new meaning to me now...
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I've known that Bible verse ever since I was a little girl, but only now am I really beginning to understand what it really means.

I am just very thankful and excited right now for everything that God is doing.
I ask that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.  This is only the beginning of this chapter in our lives.  Please pray that we continue to stay in God's perfect will.
I am at a point right now where my goal is that in the very near future God will begin to use me in a special way to minister to others.  I am praying and seeking revelation in what He has planned for me personally.  Please pray that God's purpose will be revealed to me and that I will know exactly the best way to begin to serve Him better.

With all that being said, I've added a few new family photos that we recently shot...enjoy!

Adjusting...

We have been at our new home in Gainesville for a little over a week now and have been so busy!
School started on Monday, so I have been running around trying to get the kids ready for that.  We have had a painter painting in our house for a week, not to mention other issues that have needed attention.  I haven't really had a minute to sit down and write.
So far we are really enjoying our new home.  We haven't really had the time yet to go out and explore the city too much.  But we are in a very nice area (away from the hustle and bustle of the college life) and the kids LOVE their new school...which has been one of my biggest fears!  Mikayla has been so nervous about starting a new school and that has made me nervous for her.  But both her and Brayden love their teachers and the school.  Thank you Lord!

We are going to be trying out a church this Sunday morning that we have heard a lot of great things about.  I am super excited!  But I have had a bit of a fear when it comes to finding a new church.  The church that we are coming from is so blessed with a lot of very gifted musicians...the worship there is awesome.  Worship is so very important to me and I know with Ben being a musician, it is very important to him too.  I have been worried that we won't find a church that has as good of worship that we have been so used to.

A few weeks ago we visited Ben's parent's church for the first time.  It is a small church...a work in progress.  There isn't a "worship team" there yet.  Instead they worship to music from a CD with one woman that sings on stage.  I have to admit, I had a very hard time getting into it.  I didn't even sing at first, even though I knew the songs.  Then I looked down at my 8 year old daughter.  She was singing her little heart out.  She looked up at me and gave me the biggest smile.  I immediately felt convicted.  My little girl was singing and worshiping our Lord, while her mother just stood there.  I then started singing right away and soon found that it wasn't that difficult for me after all.

After the service when we were in the car driving, Ben and I began talking about the service.  Ben said that he felt the same way that I did about having a hard time getting into the worship at first.  He felt convicted as well.  He said that he felt like he was putting conditions on his worship.  He told me that we should never have conditions on our worship.  We should be able to worship Christ anytime and in any situation!  How true.  We both agreed that we really need to remember that when we are looking for our new church.  It's amazing how God works and uses situations to teach us things.

 "Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to
discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our
richest and most wholesome experience in life." - Graham Kendrick

On a side note...
I have to say that I got pretty emotional on our last Sunday at Bushnell Assembly of God.  I wasn't expecting to at all!  Our Pastor said some really nice things about us and our move.  But it wasn't until after church was over and we were driving home when it hit me.  I was posting a little thank you to Pastor Crane and Merit on facebook and just started crying.  I realized just how important these amazing people are to me and my family.  Pastor and Merit have been there for us since we were dating.  They did our marriage counseling.  Pastor C. married us and Merit was my stand in wedding coordinator.  They were there for all 3 of our baby's births.  Pastor went to Tampa to see my Dad when he had open heart surgery and prayed with him, even though my parents didn't go to our church.  We have always been able to call or email them for advice or encouragement.  We could not have asked for a better Pastor, mentor, counselor, and friend.  They have really been a part of our family and that is what made me get so emotional last Sunday.  We have been so blessed to have them in our lives.  But the best thing about them is that we know, even though we won't be going to their church anymore...we can still call or email if we ever need anything and they will be there for us!  Thank you Pastor Crane and Merit, we love you!

Okay, so now that I'm done with all the mushy stuff.  I hope to be writing again soon about our new town and adding some pictures!  Until then, please continue to keep us in your prayers as we still have a lot of adjustments and of course our search for our new church.  Thanks!

PS.  To get an email notification whenever I post a new blog, just click on the 'Join this Site' button to the right. 

A Reminder...

I don't have a whole lot to talk about this week.  We have been really busy looking for a house and getting everything in order for our move.  But I was thinking about this song that I really like and how powerful it spoke to me the first time I heard it several months ago.  I looked it up online and watched a video on the story that led to Phil Wickham writing this song.  The link to that video is here...
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9JBFBJNU

I believe that if we all get to that place and realize just how much we need God and really put all of our faith in Him...we would really see just how faithful He is.  I feel like that's what I have been through recently.


I have always loved Matthew 28:16-20, especially the very last part, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  It's one of the last promises that Jesus made while on this Earth.  (Hence, why I got my tattoo.)  This scripture always reminds me that no matter what, He is with me.  Even though we can't see Him or touch Him, He is with us...always.  Some times it's hard to remember that.  When we are going through trying times we start to doubt, but I have learned recently that if we remain faithful and truly give everything to God, then He will show up and in a big way.  Here is a better quality version of the song...hope you enjoy!  I should have much more to share next week after we are moved and getting settled. 

Let go and let God...

What a crazy year this has been!!  After moving (twice in two weeks) from our beloved small town to save money and be closer to Ben's job in Leesburg, we are once again going to be moving!  We have known for a few weeks that moving was a possibility, but we didn't know if or where, let alone in 2 months...until this morning when Ben was offered a Branch Manager position in Gainesville. 

I have talked about Ben losing his job 2 days after Christmas last year.  We knew that our lives were going to be changing, we just didn't know exactly how much change was in store for us.  We experienced a huge shift in us and our walk with God when Ben was out of work for almost 4 months.  It wasn't chaotic or a desperate time for us.  It was actually the opposite.  We had peace.  We gave it to God and just enjoyed our time together as a family.  We 'let go and let God'.  Of course Ben put in TONS of applications everywhere, but we didn't stress over it because we knew that God had a plan.  Finally after almost 4 months and about 50 applications, Ben got a job offer with Sunbelt Credit.  The pay was definitely less than what he was making before, but the hours are what we were really looking at.  We knew the moment that Ben was let go from RAC that we did NOT want to be back to him working 60+ hours a week!  So when offered the job with 42 hours a week, off no later than 6pm!  Yes, we'll take it!  Not only were the hours ideal, but they offered great benefits and great opportunity for advancement.  We prayed about it of course and since it was a little too coincidental that out of the many many job applications that he put in for, this was the one and ONLY call that he received.  We took that as a sign from God that this is where He wanted Ben.
 
Ben has been working with Sunbelt Credit for just shy of 5 months.  His boss wanted to hire him as a Manager in Waiting but since he was 'fired' from RAC they could only hire him in as an Assistant.
Ben's boss was very impressed with him and told him that if he proved himself to be what his past experience showed him to be, then he would move up very quickly.  So we knew when we moved to Leesburg, that it would only be temporary.  We knew that it wouldn't be long until Ben would move up in the company and become a manager.  We also knew that would mean a move for us.  Because when a branch comes open in the company, it is usually not close by.  But a positive to us having to move is that the company pays for EVERYTHING.  So, we figured it wouldn't be a big deal to go ahead and move to Leesburg.  We didn't know how long we would be here and we might as well save money while we can. 

About a month and a half ago, he was promoted to a 'Floater' position.  Which is just a position where he travels to different branches that need the help.  We say that's a "promotion" because he makes more money and he is learning more through working at the different locations. 
The company's policy is that you must be a Floater for 3 months before you can become a 'Manager in Waiting'.  A Manager in Waiting is also a 3 months position, where by the end of the 3 months you are ready to run your own branch.  But God is bigger than company policy.  Within 5 months of being hired, he has bypassed the 3 months Floater and MIW positions, and is about to be running his own branch. 
Ben has read previous manager job postings that have come open through his work email and he said that in the posting it always says that you have to be in your current job position for at least 6 months to apply.  But when a Manager position came open in Lake City, Fl (which is the branch that Ben has been helping out for the past month) it didn't say that you have to have been in your position for at least 6 months.  It said to leave a brief explanation as to why you feel like you're qualified for this position.  Ben said that he has NEVER seen that before.  But he didn't think too much into it.  That day his boss showed him the manager's bonus for that branch and said to Ben, "just saying".  Ben didn't know what he was getting at and we still didn't think too much into it.  Well a few days later, Ben's boss sent him an email and asked if he was going to be putting in for that Lake City manager position.  So of course we talked about it and we figured if he was going to go around company policy and go out on a limb for Ben, then we might as well see what happens.  So he applied for the position and we began to pray pray pray.  We both agreed that we didn't care what happens...whether we stay here in Leesburg or move to Lake City...it didn't matter.  We really just want to be in God's will and go where He wants us.  So that is what we prayed.  We prayed that if this wasn't the path that He has laid out for our family, that He would close the doors.  But if this is what He wanted, then to open the right doors and close the wrong ones.  Ben had his interview yesterday and his boss asked how he felt about living in Gainesville.  Ben told him that he didn't really have a preference of either Gainesville or Lake City.  When he called me and talked to me about it, we both said that we would probably prefer Gainesville over Lake City, but whatever God wants is what we want.  We continued to pay for God's will. 
Well this morning Ben was offerend the Gainesville branch.  The manager that ran that branch lives in Lake City and wanted to be closer to home, so that freed up the Gainesville branch. 

We know without a doubt that this is what God wants for us.  We have prayed and prayed about this.  We haven't even told our family or friends about the possibility because we didn't want other's opinions to influence ours.  We just wanted to be sure to stay in God's will. 
So yes, this is a huge change for our family!  We have to find a place to live, a new school for our kids, a new church for our family...but I know that it is all going to fall into place wonderfully. 
We will of course miss our church family and friends in Bushnell, we love you all so much!  It's times like these where facebook and blogs are a huge blessing...great way to keep in touch! 

Please keep our family in your prayers.  If you know me at all, you will know that I have a very nervous stomach...I have had butterflies all day!  Mostly because we want to be moved in time for the kids to start school on time in 3 weeks!  So we have a lot of work and changes ahead of us.  But I know it will be worth it!