Author: Joyce

Missionary conference through 4 year old eyes

This week is the missionary conference at church. We had a commissioning service that was the best I have ever seen. After service, Mark got Adrian. When I first saw him, he was running toward me in a bright red and yellow hat.  Strangely, none of the other kids had one. When I asked Adrian about it, he said ” My teacher said, ‘We worship’ and I said ‘when we say Wow!’ and she gave me it.” According to Adrian, that is their “verse” for the week.

I asked him about his class and what he did today. Here is what the four year olds learned in class today.

“The bear Bible story. They were going fishing and their boat got out of gas and then when they got on land, there was a bear! The black and white colorful movie there is a race car. There are two friends. Church preschool is the best! The end.”

I do know the “bear Bible story” is a story some missionaries in Russia told. Mark learned that their boat can go in 3 inches of water.  But no one told me what happened after they saw the bear and their boat was out of gas. The movie is a video that all the kids are watching around a racing theme this year.

Raking Leaves

Today was another beautiful day! After quiet time, the kids went outside to play and were outside all afternoon.

We needed to clean the yard before the rain comes, so we raked a bunch of leaves and put things away for the winter.  The kids carried the leaves to the woods and made a HUGE leaf pile to play in.

Trick or Treat Winona Lake

Josh and Angie invited us to their house to go trick or treating and then have supper. Sam and Angelique were able to come too, so we had a family Halloween party! We ended up with one pirate, a princess pirate, a Tigger Pirate, two crayons, a princess, baby Tigger and a moose (Olive was in costume also).

We did not know what to expect for trick or treating.  The kids did their normal of bringing some of their candy to share with other kids before they went out “begging” for more. As we left, we could see a few children out. Angie had two places to try and we decided to try the island. Most houses had their lights out, but the houses that were giving out candy were very generous.  The kids brought home lots of candy, most of it chocolate. One place was making fresh popcorn to share along with a big piece of candy.

Sam took Megan and was teaching her how to go trick or treating. He was able to fill her little bag with good treats. (Megan said that she did not want any candy and let Uncle Sam have her candy 🙂 !)

When we got back to Josh’s house, we enjoyed warm cider and a wonderful chili dinner. We made caramel apples. Audrey really wanted one, but discovered she could not eat it on the stick because of her teeth.

What a wonderful evening with family!

Trick or Treat Main Street

The kids and I have gone trick or treating down Main Street in Goshen most every Halloween for the last five or so years.

Today we met Lilly and Beth with David and Rachel there.  It was fun talking to them and letting the kids have time together.

Megan went “begging for candy” for the first time this year too.  It was the kid’s idea to give her a bag and see who would fill it.  Surprise! People did give a newborn baby candy! Lilly was carrying her when someone gave her some Starbursts and Lilly said that “she prefers Skittles.”  The candy was changed to Skittles! 🙂 My favorite treat for her was when one man saw her and commented “muy bonita”.  I agree, she is very pretty.

We had a lot of fun!

Hayride and Bonfire

We decided to try the Oxbow Halloween Hayride and bonfire this year.  We were told it was a non scary, family, evening of fall fun.  Most of it was. We enjoyed the hayride, especially Adrian.  The bonfire was crowded, but the caramel apples were very good! It was a nice evening with family.