The Reformation of a Pumpkin



Sunday of course was Reformation Sunday, and at our church the last Sunday night of each month has a youth emphasis. This past Sunday evening, we began by singing "Little is Much when God is in It." and then we met "Christian."

 



Christian lived in the patch with his family and friends. Life was pretty good for Christian, but at times, he felt an emptiness way down deep inside--even though his life was very 'full', it felt like something was missing--or maybe someone. (Romans 3:23) He knew that he was helpless to leave the 'patch' on his own and that it was only "by grace that he could be saved" (Ephesians 2:8) so he prayed and Jesus--who is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (IJohn 1:9) came quickly to his row. He lovingly picked him up and washed away all the dirt and carried him to safety. 
Christian now looked pretty good. He was nice and clean on the outside, but something still wasn't quite right within (Matthew 23:27,) so he prayed again and asked God to take away all the yucky seeds inside that kept making him want to return to the dirty old patch of sin. God knew that Christian was sincere in his desire, so he began cutting. The cutting was painful, "for God's Word is sharp and powerful," (Hebrews 4:12) but the carver was so kind and assured Christian that it would be worth it all--for he was giving him "a new heart and taking away the old stoney one." (Ezekiel 36:26)
Inside, they found seeds of doubt, hate, greed, envy, dishonesty, pride and many other sins. Some things Christian didn't even know were in there. Christian was embarrased and humbled at all that God was doing for him. Of course, the scraping and probing hurt, but God said "not to be afraid and as he removed things, he replaced them with a peace and joy unlike anything the 'patch' could ever give." (John 14:27)
The carver gave him eyes to see himself first for the sinful man that he was an then to see with love his fellow-pumpkins lost estate.
The happiness inside was reflected in the cheery smile that Christian now wore. (Proverbs 28:14
It was not enough though, that Christian himself was happy. God told Christian that "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14) and he put the light of his love inside of Christian that it might shine out to others.
God then told Christian to "Go into all the world" (Matthew 16:15) and tell the good news of the Gospel. He did not just set Christian on a pew in an elegant church building, but sent him back into the patch that he might be "In the world but not of it." (John 17:15)

Not everyone Christian witnessed to accepted Jesus, but Christian refused to become discouraged for he believed the promise that if he "was not weary in well doing, he would reap..." (Galations 6:9) And he did reap in the end--in the great harvest of eternity--for his influence was more far reaching than he ever knew in his little lifetime. Because he simply was faithful.

 

At the end of the story and by the time our real pumpkin was carved and all lit up with light, even little Kaderick was moved to tears. We thought at first we was crying because, you know--four year olds sometimes cry when things don't go just so--but he told us he was just crying because he was so happy.

 

We closed with the littles singing "This Little Light of Mine."

 

 

Happy Reformation!

This post is mostly to update friends and family on our recent heath and adventures, but I just have to say how great it was to celebrate the Reformation this morning! Thank God for Martin Luther--thank God for the gift of grace through faith! Our pastor treated us to a handout of those 95 thesis in modern day English. It is both thrilling and convicting!

Friday was quite a day. I had an appointment with my oncologist and Kammy had an appointment at the orthopedic surgeon. Kayla and Kalli were both working part of the day and we woke up to a broken down Yukon. We somehow managed to make everything on time in Rick's little unreliable but evidently more reliable than the reliable vhehicle. Haha! It is a sight to behold! Well over 200,000 miles and very little paint left, but hey--they are both paid for so that's a blessing.
The results of my flow cytometry test didn't reveal any surprises, and that is a very good thing! My white counts have come up slightly, which is another piece of good news. It's a little disconcerting when my oncologist thinks I have an autoimmune disease causing all the crazy blood results and the rheumatologist thinks it is cancer....but hey, I think it's better that way than the other way around.  =) I wish I could say that the oncologist released me from his care, but he wants to keep tracking things. The next step would be a bone marrow biopsy if things don't stay on track, but we pray it doesn't come to that!
Kammy definitely has scoliosis just like her doctor thought, but it's only 13% and they don't brace until 20-30% and they don't do surgery until 50%. There is a chance she will need a brace during this growing period, but he was almost certain that surgery won't be needed. More good news!
Finally, some of you have asked about my mom. She did have to go in for a fistulagram on her fistula due to it failing, but everyone prayed and when they did the fistulagram, all looked well. She went back for dialysis the following day and the fistula worked! Her nurses and techs were happy and amazed; one of her favorites saying that he'd awakened at 4am to pray for her.

Rick and I went on a fun little date to "Flatbread" the other day (yummiest salad and healthy pizza ever) and we brought home little pumpkins for our artists to paint. It's a tradition in our home. I had grown some pumpkins this year, but they were the miniature variety...small is good, but these were too small. Anyway, turns out you are never too old to paint pumpkins. Even Kayla did one. Of course it was an anatomy lesson. lol! She's currently busy memorizing the 640 muscles and their origin, inversion and action for her next exam!

 

Kammy has been drawing lately, it's one of her very favorite things to do. She definitely has the Germain talent going on in those hands! I think she could easily be a painter like some of her great aunts! The way she's developing the shading and blending skills is pretty amazing for an 11 year old.

 

Kalli writes or stays busy in the kitchen in her spare time. She and Kaderick like to make things together. Last Sunday, these caramel apples graced our table and went home with our people after church. They are quite delicious!

 



I don't have a picture to back this up, but Kaite has become my best speller ever. I guess it's her specialty. It's so fun and wonderful being a mom and spending my days with these precious lives. I love seeing their unique talents and personalities develop.

 

October was pastor appreciation month and we were spoiled. Rick got a wheelbarrow among other things, and I got this beautiful chicken calendar. The children were all remembered as well, and of course we remembered to send special thanks to the leaders and heroes in our lives.

 

 

Five big trees = a lot of leaves to rake, but I guess the exercise is good for me. The kids are always so good to help, especially with the bagging which is the hardest on my knees.



 

 

This scripture was very special to me leading up to my appointment on Friday, especially as I started running a low grade temp and having bleeding gums--two symptoms you don't want when you're being checked for blood cancers! This is by my desk and I can't tell you how many times a day I look at it and that month of January 2018 as a reminder that God has a plan for our future!

 

It just wouldn't be right to leave you without a Kaderick funny, so I give you this. He got up the other morning and said, "I want something for breakfast that doesn't involve corn, wheat or grain." He ended up settling for blueberry muffins. He evidently isn't aware of the wheat flour in there, but what he doesn't know won't hurt, right?

 

Well, it's Sunday afternoon and I'm off to get ready for church. Wherever you are, may God be close and bless you good!