Preparing to be Missional

It's starting.

The excitement about Missional Halloween.  Much different than years ago where dread would creep over me about how we deal with avoiding the holiday, answering questions about why we don't participate. Sweet little waitresses saying "why aren't you dressed up and trick-or-treating?" ugh.

If you are wondering how I got here: CHECK THIS POST OUT
Or this one: HERE

While I don't regret that season of life, it taught me a lot about being set apart.
I am thankful for this new season of IN not OF.

I still agree that Halloween is rooted and still associated with evils. It's foundations are pagan. My research tells me so is Easter and Christmas and I am not stopping those holidays (though we celebrate them a little different.)
On Halloween; we serve our neighbors.  We spend our evening taking pictures, delivering them, chatting with passers by and then awarding a lucky family a basket of treats.   
Last year I didn't post so here are a few pics

D 2012

Son & Baby Grand 2012

People lined up at the pumpkins. 
I needed them LIT-so enter the Jack-o-lantern
a little more halloweeny than I like
It served it's purpose

New this year, I used a tripod.
When it is dark outside it is impossible to see in the view finder

What it looks like from the road

Here is what I LOVE!  Seeing our neighborhood kids through the years! (blocked faces for privacy)

2009 baby sister was too little to be in the pic

2010 with a little sister now

2011 Getting bigger

2012 So big!

Look how our backgrounds changed.  LOL

We are officially known as "Aren't you guys the ones that take pictures on Halloween?" Yep, that's us. Man, I hope to be known for more than that. I hope they know us by our love.

Mission 2011

Getting ready!

I need to remember:
Put CD on repeat because you will be too busy to mess with it. Have bug spray.

The Giveway Basket
though at some point someone swiped the Crunch bar haha!

The neighbors that won this were so appreciative.  It was funny because earlier in the evening the wife was sharing how at work people were talking about their neighborhood's traditions and she was sharing that we had them beat with our setup every year.  {smile}


I need to remember:
Shop for the Pumpkin Gospel online because it's cheaper! Be on the look out for things to put in the basket when they are on clearance the year before.

I used business cards this year and liked it.  Do that again. 

Figure out something else GREAT to do for my neighbors other times during the year! 

My workstation

I got a new fancy photo printer that made things go a lot easier! I had my son on a skateboard to deliver pictures once printed.  Also, another neighbor stepped up to help us with this when we got backed up. 

I need to remember:
Change form to include direction of travel and how many photos to print.  Have more volunteers.  Have labels on the back of photos already. I printed about 50 pictures this year.
Have an email sign-up for those that want their image emailed to them. (Trent's idea)

Photo Booth

So thankful to have hay this year! Even get to give it to a neighbor that needs it!  I think it looks awesome! Especially compared to years previous. 

I need to remember:
Ask for hay again! We need more light. Maybe cones to line people up. A volunteer to help group people and stage them would be helpful.
Don't just draw a line to stand behind-draw a box to stand in-because when it gets dark you can't see anything in the viewing window till you take the pic..and when there is a line...you don't have time to take multiples.
Maybe you want to have a prize for best costume...and if I did this year--it would be the Smurf family! (trying to get permission to use their photo)

Scooby Doo

To read how we went from NOT participating to participating in 2009 click HERE

This year's post: It's Missional

It's Missional

It's that time of year again...

Image borrowed from HERE

The time of year that has me evaluating my beliefs and questioning my thoughts because of the strong opinions on either side regarding "Christians and Halloween."

I am happy to report that I still feel called to LOVE MY NEIGHBORS MORE THAN MYSELF. 

When I read blogs, and comments, and facebook posts, and notes it gets me all a flutter worrying if I am EVIL by "participating" in this evil day...and I have decided no more evil than I am when I put up that Christmas Tree. 

Oh, I am NOT here to debate...I am sure I am evil. AND
        *correction click to see commenter's blog for details about why I am not evil ;)

I think Jesus will be disappointed in many of the choices that I make. The fact that I am rich by the worlds standards and do little to help those in need will probably be higher on the list of his concerns than the fact that I did not turn off my light and shut out my neighbors. [sarcasm intended]

Here's the deal though "I'm redeemed" Everyday is the Lords day! I choose to define myself by Whose I am than what I "do".

“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”
― Brennan Manning, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging 

It benefits my community for my family to have our photo booth and gift basket.  It benefits me to GET OUT and do SOMETHING for my neighbors. 

I don't need anyone to think what we do is awesome...because truly...it's small awesome compared to the HUGE sucky individuals we are.  I don't care if people think our participation is wrong...because in my heart of hearts I am serving the ONE TRUE GOD!  It's not for "you" to judge. 

It's nice. It's costly. It's a small something we do to show LOVE to our neighbors. 

I was afraid my health would interfere this year...but I am happy to report that MISSIONAL HALLOWEEN is in full swing! I have so much to do to get ready!


I am not 100% but for the last 2 days I have felt human again.  I am still numb, slight headache. That's it.  Just dealing and ready to SERVE!

Here are a few posts about the issue:
This is the original post that got me thinking--(this one is reposted for 2011):
Jesus With His Light Out On Halloween

Another blog that encouraged me:
Sent Into the Harvest Halloween on Mission

My original post:
Missional Halloween

Follow-up post:
Follow-up Missional Halloween 2009

To be fair---
Some of the information that lead us to NOT participate years ago:
Tricked by Treats

I don't celebrate Halloween-I celebrate the chance to get to love on His beloved!

And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. -Matthew 18:5

Memorial Box Monday: Picture of My Neighbors

Well, I must say my adventure in Missional Halloweening was a tremendous success! 

As the Florida vs. Georgia (Go Gators!) game came to an end, our family (and friends) transitioned to be at the ready for "our neighbors".  It was a tiny bit chaotic at first but we quickly got the kinks worked out. 

We had a backdrop set up with props, a table with the printer ready to go. We all came out and loved on our neighbors!  

I'd say, generally, families were surprised, then delighted at the gift of a free picture.  Then the entry for the drawing was icing on the cake.  It was great calling out to those parents standing and observing from the roadside and saying look we are taking pictures of families and we have a gift basket that you can enter to win.  It brought most (and I mean most) up the drive to talk to us.  It was great!

The Family Gift Basket (regretfully I did not get a pic) was the best!  I loved parent's faces when they realized we were doing something just for THEM.  It was great to watch parents that were standing at the street edge be lured up to my house with the prospect of something great for them :)  

For next year, and there WILL be a next year, I need to get two cameras working maybe two printers and a larger back drop for groups.   Bigger and better for sure! The thoughts are a plenty!  Probably going to try to get more neighbors involved.  

Here is some fruit of our labor:

 

Look at this family! Some great neighbors of mine! 

Picture used with permission. 

This precious neighbor encouraged me so much when I called to request to use her pic.  She had been sharing with every one how kind that was and what a great idea.  I confessed to her that I used to be a Halloween avoider (to put it lightly) and she said  "You know sometimes we are the only Jesus they see. ...this made an impression"  (many other nice things, thanks!)  That call was amazingly neighborly.  It was a call of conversation past... "how are you?" It was two ladies and connection, brainstorming, problem solving and being Friends!  It didn't start because of Halloween, because we started talking before their house was even finished being built; but it was "furthered" because of Halloween. 

Further reaching relationships is what I am looking for! 

I do have to admit I had one regretful moment. A moment where a teenager wanted to enter her mom in the drawing (the mom was at home) and I "nicely" didn't let her. I handled it kindly, I kept to the mission or serving parents that were out with their kids, I could excuse it as doing the right thing; but that is a tiny moment, with lasting impact, I regret; but will learn from it. I was not Jesus to her. 

I think... ahem...know- this idea will grow and become something HUGE for next year. I can't wait! 

Now, I have slips of papers to pray over (from the drawing).  Note cards to send out.  And a whole new bunch of neighbors to LOVE!


I  had to post one more pic, of the baby grand:

Zeke

The Rottenest Little Dalmatian Ever! 

Note-his mom "made" his costume. She is turning into quite the little home-maker, who'd 'uv thunk it :)

I am going to place the first picture (of my neighbors) in my Memorial Box to remember the mission God placed in my heart 2009!

Another note:
Re: My original post  Missional Halloween-  had some great comments!  One comment in particular I want to follow-up and post about what my kids have thought about us not participating in years past, but time is escaping me and that will come another day :)

Missional Halloween

It started last year after my stroke. I got out of the hospital on October 31; there was to be no getting out to avoid the trick-o-treaters.  I had to go home.  I could not imagine turning the lights off and being locked inside while "people" were outside wanting to greet me and receive candy.  I surprised my husband as I said please just stop by and pick up some candy on the way home.

We oohed at awwed over the spider man costumes, angels, princesses, football players and ghosts.  We shouted hello to parents on the street pushing younger siblings in the stroller.  We participated and it made me happy to see people.

As Halloween approached this year I was a bit confused about what we should do.  Having spent the "prime" of my children's childhood not participating in Halloween, how now could I participate?  It is an evil holiday with MUCH that eeks me out. I hate that my niece and nephew can't walk to my house because of skeletons in the trees, and graves, and ghosts!  Scrare!

Then I read this: http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2009/10/missional-and-participating-in.html  Z shares a clip from a post about Halloween, I click over and read the whole thing, and the comments (not a fan of the ugliness) but the thought began:


"When else are my neighbors going to come knocking on my door?"

Our Family is going to get out in our yard; the grown married kids are coming to help too.  We are going to serve our neighborhood by setting up a photo center and take pictures for families.  We made stickers for the backs of the photos that say:

October 31, 2009
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and,
Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Your neighbors, The Polk Family
Trent, Jen & Hunter
*and our address*

Then the thoughts snowballed and we wanted something for the parents.  Well, we decided to do a Family Gift Basket. We put a Veggie Tale Video, a few gift parenting books, a "Pumpkin Gospel" children's book, a few other gifts, popcorn and gift certificate to a date night at Olive Garden.  It is quite a nice basket if I do say so myself. Each family can enter and we will deliver the basket at the end of the evening.

Guess what, we will have their names and addresses and we can pray over them, send them Christmas Cards, and generally set on mission to "know" them.

There will be nothing "Halloweeney" about my house.  No jack-o-laterns, skeletons, ANYTHING evil.

Unless you count Zeke in a dalmatian costume as evil.

That's what I thought.

So, this is the idea that I feel the Lord is having us step out and do. It started with how we could "serve" our neighbors and we'll see how it ends.

It's a stretch... not the serving in the way we have been called.  Not the LOVING on, or  talking to my neighbors; Lord knows my family will say I can start up a conversation with a wall.  ...Just the dealing with the thoughts about "what will my friends think."  Then... I know, those that know me will totally get this.  and my new motto beats all fear: Obedience trumps worse case scenario.

We are not celebrating Halloween, we are participating with others as they celebrate Halloween. Just a point of semantics for some. But it is an issue of HEART for me.

See,  we are simply trying to "LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS MORE THAN OURSELVES."