Here is a fun link where kids can carve an online pumpkin.  Don’t forget to click DONE to see your pumpkin glow .

For Trick or Treaters :

1.  Carry a flashlight.

2.  Stay on sidewalks.

3.  Obey traffic signals.

4.  Wear a watch you can read in the dark.

5.  Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground.

6.  Shoes should fit.

7.  Avoid wearing masks that block sight.

8.  Wear clothing with reflective markings.

9.  Approach houses that are lit.

10.  Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.

For Parents :

1.  Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out.

2.  Ideally young children should be accompanied by an adult.

3.  If you buy a costume look for one that is flame retardant.

4.  You should know where older children will be going.

5. Be sure children bring candy home before eating to be sure that it is safe to eat.

 . . . . . . .  A letter to a child , from Jesus.

Dear Friend,

Oh! My ambitious apostles! They didn’t think I heard them arguing as we were walking along the road—but I did! I waited for a quiet moment and popped the question: “What were you arguing about along the way?” (Mark 9:33). No one answered…. I knew they had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest. They were competing for recognition—for being number one in the group. I told them that to be my follower meant that they must be willing to serve others. They didn’t seem to understand why I did things like curing the sick, preaching, and teaching about a new way of life. I wasn’t doing these things in order to become famous, or to have people say how great I was. Somehow, my apostles completely missed my example of service and love.

To be my follower means to be kind and thoughtful of others. It means to look out for others when we feel like looking out only for ourselves. If we make God our “Number One,” everything else will take care of itself. Remember—we are all God’s children. If we love God, then we will love each other.

Your friend,

Jesus

Photo taken at 10:30 p.m. GMT

We’re feeling romantic this night , viewing  a clear sky and a beautiful full moon.

Home and Garden

by JM,  9 yrs.

 God is always in control; even when things “appear” to be out of control!

Scriptural Application

“And we know that all things work together for good , to them that love God , to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

-  Romans 8:28

He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity–greedy, dishonest, adulterous–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

- Luke 18: 9-14

Hoya plant with heart shaped leaves grows in my garden. It is actually a vine and the leaves are thick and succulent. The photo above shows a young Hoya plant newly planted in a hanging basket.

This is how a Hoya flower looks like, it grows in clusters , the shape is like a half moon . My Hoya plant bears white flowers  as shown in the above photo.

Everything Around Me

by JM, 9 yrs.

JM, 9 yrs.,  photo taken at the Children’s Discovery Museum

You were three years old.
Balls were bouncing in the gym.
Children were running, shooting baskets.
Among all the chaos , I saw you grinning at me 
wanting me to watch you.
You waved at me - I waved at you.
You showed me how you could dribble.
The moment froze in my memory.

You were three years old.
I picked you up from day care.
You were excited about learning to swing high that day.
Driving home you told me all about it.
You were so excited
Then you got quiet and said,
“I love you - Daddy”
The moment froze in my memory.

You were three years old.
I was making supper.
You were watching TV.
As I walked by your room
I heard you singing by yourself
with the songs on Sesame Street.
I stopped and listened.
The moment froze in my memory.

As you continue to grow -
frozen moments continue to fill my heart.
While they may seem insignificant to you
they are golden to me.

Frozen moments are memories
that make the soul rich.
A rich soul
makes life complete.

- Tom Krause