Teaching the Gospel through pumpkin carving

 For the past few years we have read the Pumpkin Parable at pumpkin carving time. It is a wonderful way to teach the Gospel to the kids through a fun and rare activity.  Now before you read, I must warn you that the theological analogies do break down in a few places.  I realize that.  But keep in mind that we are teaching little children and any way we can get them to begin to understand about Christ is good! So here we go:


God chose us for salvation just like we chose our pumpkin.  (Here are the ones that the Osterbergs picked!) Ephesians 1:4 - "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him."

 The pumpkins are filled with icky, slimy insides.  The slime and the seeds would have to come out so that we could use the pumpkin in a new way.  Just like God has to clean out the sin and slime that is in our hearts. Our hearts are full of sin just like the pumpkin is full of the pulp.  Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

 Christ died for our sins on the cross.  He took our sin completely away and now we are happy and have a big wide SMILE!  Just like our pumpkin now has a new face that is happy all the time, so we have Christ's happiness in our hearts.  2 Cor. 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  And Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  What a thing to smile about!!

And now we shine with the light of the Holy Spirit.  We shine the light of His gospel for all to see and tell other people about His love. Matt. 5:16 - "So let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."  

Pumpkin Week

So this week was pumpkin week.  I love pumpkins...but I think I have already mentioned that.  :)  We started by painting pumpkins and reading the Pumpkin Parable.  (I will post more about that later)  

 A favorite past time of ours is to swing and sing.  We go out in the backyard, usually as we wait for Daddy to get home, and swing on the swing set in the back yard.  I feel like a jukebox most of the time as the kids make their favorite requests.  One of the popular ones is the song "Five Little Pumpkins".  So we made a picture of the Five Little Pumpkins.  Yes, that is glitter. Yes, we did it at the dinning room table.  No, I did not remember to put down newspaper.  Yes, it was a spectacular mess!  :)

 The end of our pumpkin week culminated in a trip to the Flower Mound pumpkin patch.  We go every year and have a blast!  This time was no exception.

 We love Backyardigans!

 It is so great that Peter can take pictures now!  He loves it when I call him over and give him the special job of taking a picture for me.

 Surf's up!

Little Justin....or should I say, Little Brent. He looks so much like his daddy here!

 Jane thought it was HILARIOUS that I was letting her sit in the dirt.  :)

 ...and the tongue.  Always with that tongue!

 Ride 'em, cowboy!  Or it may have been Star Wars speeder bike, I don't remember.  Probably both.

 They have bounce houses, which was where we spent a large chunk of our time.  Peter kept asking me to take pictures of his tricks.  :)

We had a picnic lunch and about that time the storm clouds were rolling in.   So we called it a day and went to Sonic for happy hour.  Being in the cool air, watching my children run and seeing the lovely little pumpkins just made me realize how very blessed I am.  I thank the Lord for the opportunity to grow closer to Him as I teach my children about His creation.  Funny how the flame of your own passion flares as you seek to fuel it in others.

Life's little surprises

On our way past the parking lot of a near-by shopping center on Saturday, we saw a Corvette show.  Upon inspection we found that it was not only extremely nice weather outside but the car show was free.  Sa-weeeet!  So we parked our van and hopped out to participate in some cool-car gawking.  :)  

 As you know, at car shows they open the hoods and doors so you can see the engines and fine leather interior.  The boys ate it up.....

 ...okay, okay...so did I.  :)

 And just look at Nana's latest masterpiece!  Wow. What talent God has given to Nancy.  And I must say, she picked an adorable subject!  Peter is so proud of his picture and we have found a great place to hang it in our house.  I reminds us not only of our sweet Nana, but also how she was made in the image of the Almighty Artist who deserves the true worship.

 And speaking of masterpieces....Peter drew his portrait of "Momma".  I had no idea I was so tall!  :)

Here is another picture that he drew of me...quite a fair likeness, I'd say!  Thank you Peter, I love it!

Pumpkins and hotels

Well it's that season!  Yep, PUMPKINS!  These little beauties have to be my favorite object in all of Creation.  I usually go crazy buying them and decorating with them.  This year we went with Laura and her kiddos to the patch that is across from our mall.  What a fabulous time of picking and admiring the harvest.

 This year Jane was able to be more alert and see the pumpkins.  She loved them!  She kept pointing and patting them....then throwing them.  Silly girl.

 Haha!  I had to post this pic.  Peter took it with my phone, so that is why it is a little crooked....but all in all not bad.  So fun to have friends to share the afternoon with.  It was actually Cooper's 4th birthday!

 The Great Pumpkin!  I can't believe they get so big!

 The Lord gave us a wonderful opportunity to lend out our house to some out-of-state visitors for Pastor Dan's son's wedding this weekend.  We let them stay in our house and we relocated to a hotel.  The kids had a blast on our little adventure.  :)  We bounced on the beds...

 ....walked across the street to the gas station for snacks....

 ...and waved to all the people!

The kids are all about "glow-up" things.  We buy one every time we go to Target.  This time it was actually dark on the ride home and it was the perfect occasion for a little glow-sword fighting.  :)  Peter on the left and Justin on the right.

 These loaded onto the blog late...sorry.  But they were too cute to leave off, even if they were out of order. Best buds : Jaxon, Copper, Peter and Justin.

This week...

The weather up here has been beautiful!  So we took the opportunity to do one of our favorite things - the zoo!  I don't think I will ever get tired of taking the kids, packing a lunch, and seeing all of the creativity that God has put into Creation.  

 Silly boy.  Peter has suddenly become interested in the interactive menus that tell about the different animals.  He wants me to read them to him and to discuss the facts on the screen.

 We love this guy, the Komodo Dragon.  He was really close to the glass this time.

 The lion was actually roaring! (see him in the background?) We have heard him before, but it still sends chills down your back.  I am so glad I have never heard that in the wild!  Justin and his cheesy grin....love it.

 We still go down to our park frequently.  This pic is a little blurry but I thought it was sweet enough to post.

 Chilly baby!  This past Saturday it was so chilly we all needed jackets.  Isn't she CUTE?!  This is how she wants to ride in the cart....twirling in the seat and looking out from all angles.  :)

 One of our sensory centers is pipe cleaners...the boys put them in the holes of my colanders....and made....

 ...space hats!!

..well, Justin tried his as a hat but decided it looked more like a cake in the end.  :)