Saturday, November 8, 2014

Haints and Saints

Last weekend was full of excitement and wonder. First of all Tim and I have been excited about sharing Halloween with Gabe for weeks. The build up was excruciating, and we taught and reinforced "trick or treat" early and often. 

When Gabe came home from daycare we practically couldn't stand ourselves we were so giddy. We fed the small child so he would have plenty of energy. I don't think it's ever taken so long for a kid to eat a hot dog and easy mac. 

When it was time to put on the Jedi costume however,  we were met with stiff resistance. Gabe had no reference point for this seemingly random assortment of clothes he was stuffed into. Finally we broke through and spoke his language... Do this and get a whopping big sucker shaped like a monster. That was a game-changer. 

Semi-Jedi clad we marched next door to the neighbors, determined to trick or treat. It was a slog, but eventually Gabe understood that when we walked to a door, if he said "trick or treat," candy would be deposited into his bucket. It was like a miracle. Daddy carried Gabe and the light saber; mommy carried the candy bucket (oh if he knew how risky this was!) and we went much further through the neighborhood than we planned. Gabe said "thank you" after each candy deposit. As we walked away, he told us "more candy?" When we passed a house with no lights on and did not stop, he pointed and emphatically told us "house!" Eventually we trekked back home and enjoyed the parade of kids large and small who rang our doorbell. It was fun. 



Sunday was yet another long-awaited day- Gabe's baptism. He was made to wear yet another new costume, and his parents were again more excited than he was. Lots of family and friends surrounded us in church to watch us profess that we would raise Gabriel to know God's lavish love for him, until he is of an age that he can accept it for himself. It was a morning and a memory that I will always treasure. A big shout out to our friend from southern IN, Connie Hotmer, "Gramma Sugar" who traveled to China with us in May as a part of our travel group. She made the too sweet baptism outfit (and she takes orders!). It's hard to see in the pictures, but it had his initials embroidered in white. 

We selected November 2 for his baptism because at the time it was far in the future, and convenient for family. In an "odd or God" turn of events, November 2 was All Saints Sunday, and also Orphan Sunday in the church. As we celebrated one less orphan, we also celebrated my Gramma's homecoming in heaven.  

Gabe was kind of ok with the minister holding him at first but he was not impressed with the water on his forehead. It's traditional for the child to be carried up the center aisle by the minister so the church can get a look at the little cutie being baptized. After the water incident, Gabe wasn't trusting of Pastor Todd, so daddy carried him up the aisle to be admired by the congregation. 








And one from today, even though they lost, GO BIG BLUE!