Happy Halloween!

Jeanette and I carving pumpkins.

Now I feel the holidays approaching! Just love the cold crisp air, the leaves blowing in wind and the smell of fresh pumpkin. It took searching in two stores but we found pumpkins to carve, mine came to about $6.00 (USD)! But it was worth it. It's one of those activities that brings you back, you get a little messy pulling out all the "pumpkin guts,"  get to be creative designing a face and get practice your knife carving skills! All good. It was such a fun afternoon :)

Mine & Jeanette/Byron's pumpkins.

Although Norway doesn't celebrate Halloween, a few Americans here keep  some of the traditional activities alive. For example, they had a pumpkin carving contest at the YWAM base. That reminds me, canned pumpkin like we get in the states isn't sold here, only canned pickled pumpkin (yuck!) It is a common item on the wish lists for the missionaries here, lets just say Barry's luggage was pretty heavy coming into Norway :)

Jeanette with face paint from church.

There can be lots of discussion on Halloween from a Christian stand point and such, one of those things where knowledge can change a holiday for you. I like to keep things simple and sweet to where it all comes down to where your heart is. It's funny too because only God knows our hearts. The past two Halloweens I've been a believer, I've volunteer at a Church Halloween Carnival, a "safe zone" with games, crafts and of course candy.  The church down the street, Philadelphia Church, coincidentally enough is doing the same thing, calling it Hallo Venn (Hello Friend). I might have to go and check it out, love to see all the kiddy costumes! Pumpkins from the base (below).

               Happy & safe Halloween to all! 

God Bless,