A lot has happened since I said, “I do.” On my wedding anniversary, I pondered what thirty-five years of marriage has taught me.
On December 3, 1988, I took the plunge with a lady I had fallen for nearly two years earlier. We began as college classmates, learned to like each other (despite our very different music and fashion tastes), and fell in love, to the surprise of nearly everyone (including us).
Since that unseasonably warm December day, we’ve had a lot of adventures and misadventures. We’ve experienced career changes and loss. And we found ourselves in ministry. Boy! We didn’t see that coming!
Along the way, we raised two great kids, two cats, and a dog who hated children. Considering my wife was in children’s ministry, we didn’t consider that an asset.
Is everything a competition? Do we need monster squash? Maybe so, because it seems a giant pumpkin makes for a happy Halloween.
Halloween is almost upon us. When I think about this day, it reminds me of some art I did for a Trunk-n-Treat event at my church. Every year, I would fret about how to decorate my trunk for the event. One day, I thought how much easier it would be if I found a pumpkin large enough to fill the entire trunk.
I then considered the size of the candle and the potential fire hazard. I scrapped the idea. But what a sight that would have made!
Behold the Giant Pumpkin!
As Halloween approaches, many people are busy preparing for the holiday. Some may spend hours searching for the perfect costume, while others focus on decorating their homes and yards. For some, however, the real challenge comes in finding the most oversized and most impressive pumpkin.
Everything is a competition these days, and Halloween is no exception. People go to great lengths to grow and display giant pumpkins possible. These behemoth gourds can weigh hundreds of pounds and are often showcased at county fairs and other events. Some even compete in pumpkin-carving contests, showcasing their artistic skills alongside their massive creations.
But is all of this really necessary? Do we really need monster-sized squash to make Halloween enjoyable? Perhaps not, but there is something undeniably impressive about a giant pumpkin. It’s a symbol of the season, and it can make for a great photo op or conversation starter.
Safe Gourding
Of course, there are practical concerns to consider as well. A giant pumpkin might not be the best choice for a Trunk-n-Treat event due to the potential stress on your shock absorbers. Besides that, have you ever tried removing an oversized pumpkin from a car trunk? Oh, the horror!
However, for those who can display these massive gourds safely, they can be a fun and festive addition to any Halloween celebration. Practice safe carving, my friend! And check your local ordinances for transporting massive fruits in your locale.
Have a safe time with your family this evening. Watch out for an errant giant pumpkin. And by the way, Happy All Saints Day!
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
When we feel led to move onto a new adventure, it can feel exciting. The adrenaline flows as we negotiate all the tasks and plans. But there are complications. The problem with moving on is that there are always the great relationships we leave behind.
My wife and I have moved on to a new adventue. Ministry is taking us to someplace new. While we will be joining some family at our destination, we will be leaving a majority of them a bit in Indiana and Ohio.
In addition, we got reaquainted with old friends when we came back, and made new ones. Our lives were richer for it.
So another problem with moving on is the trunkload of mixed emotions. We know we are heading in the right direction. Yet, we can’t help glancing one more time in the rearview mirror as we set out on a new trek.
There will be challenges and uncertainty in our new assignment. Then again, we fool ourselves into believing if we stay put, there is certainty. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that there is much more that is out of our control than any of us would like to admit.
We are under no allusions that the next place will be perfect. We will face new challenges along with familiar ones. After all, we take our old selves to the new place.
There are problems with going and problems with staying. But if I could, I’d take all my friends and loved ones along with us.
In the early stages of parenting, a stinky diaper is the worst thing that can happen. As your kids get older, other stinky things occur. Yes, life can be as messy as a stinky diaper!
You’re not quite sure if the friend your child is hanging with is a good influence.
You’ve overcommitted and now you and your spouse are supposed to be at four different events at the same time.
You’ve stretched the checking account so far you could make a lethal slingshot out of it.
It doesn’t take much imagination to see the problems and distractions around us. The bigger challenge is to address the messy situations before they get out of control.
Parents endure a lot of pressure to measure up. Is it all too much? I’ve wondered that in the past. So I developed a humorous list of seven keys to tell if you’re pushing your kids too hard.
There’s plenty of pressure when it comes to being the perfect parent. Kids have to be involved in multiple sports, or they’re missing out, right? What about the science fair? And then you must be sure every minute is filled with meaningful activities, right? How do you know when you’ve pushed your child too far?
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