Anyway. On to the good stuff.
Dwell Christian Church's annual Harvest Carnival!! The event of the season. Our little church is inundated with over 1000 adults and children in costumes coming through, winning candy, taking photos, munching popcorn, bouncing, pony-riding and generally having fun.
Two years ago at Harvest Carnival, I had just found out I was pregnant. I think I knew for like a day before I donned my sailor girl outfit and tried not to blurt out the news to everyone that I was five whole weeks along!
Last year at Harvest Carnival, it was a baby extravaganza, as apparently I wasn't the only one trying not to blurt out news at the previous years' carnival.
Good times.
And then there is this year, where I return to my sailor girl costume (laziness) and my son yet again wears a tiger costume (gift from a friend). Having a toddler who can walk around and actually do stuff is really, really fun.
There has been a lot of debate about whether or not we should even DO the Harvest Carnival every year. It costs a lot of money and takes a lot of planning and time. It is a great thing for our community and it really makes us feel like we are part of what is going on in Willow Glen. However, there's not a lot of Gospel involved and there's really rarely been a person who has come to our church later and announced, "I came here to find out more about Jesus because I really had fun at the Harvest Carnival!" Okay, make that most likely never has there been an instance like that. But is it all about conversions or is there something to be said for simply serving those around us? As you see, the arguments and reasonings go on and on.
Halloween, in my opinion, is a part of our culture that can be redeemed and sanctified. I don't claim to have the answer. But I do think the Harvest Carnival is fun and it is a nice safe place for kids to play games and get candy! Candy that I am now about to eat...heh heh heh...