Reformation Celebration!

Every year at our church, on October 31st, we do things a little different. It all began with figuring out what the costumes would be. Andrew, after much deliberation, decided on "As Cool As A Moose". Awesome!!! Yep, he had a moose hat on and sunglasses, with a shirt to match.

On Friday night, Alora had fever and congestion and so we were a little bit reserved about her participation at the carnival this year but, alas, she got all dolled up and was ready for whatever the night would hold. Andrew and Joey headed off for the carnival while Alora and I planned a fabulous evening at home.

The night started with brownies!
Topped with purple icing to match her outfit, of course! We bought Barbie Three Musketeers and were just settling in when Joey called and needed me to bring some last minute supplies. We headed off to the carnival.

Our neighborhood is a hot spot on the 31st and it was already crawling with Trick-or-Treaters! We passed our favorite treaters and had to take a picture. How cute are they!

We were off to the Reformation Day Carnival to take the supplies. Many people were not there yet so Alora and I decided to play the games and then head home early. Our carnival is centered around a main theme and all the games connect into one big game. The theme-The Reformation and the Spreading of the Gospel. We have a lot to celebrate on the 31st and as a church, we just can't pass up the opportunity to do so. Martin Luther hung the 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenburg launching the Protestant Reformation. Resulting in the Word of God being spread and read! What a cause to celebrate!

The kids are given a card but it is written in Greek and they are to travel to each of the games learning about the Reformation and receiving a translation code to translate part of their card. Ms. Cindy and Ms. Teashea provided the kids with a craft made out of jolly ranchers. Yum!

Cuties!

Of course, we have to have refreshments! Cathy, Tammie and Dana provided popcorn and drinks to all the kiddies. What a good looking bunch!

There is a maze right in the center of all the games. The kids learned from Pastor Justin about King Josiah and the Word being lost in the temple. Mission: walk thru the maze and find the missing law and come out the other side delivering it to the people! Another translation code will be given if the pieces are delivered.

Jason, shared with Alora about the five solas before she tried to throw a ball through the cut outs.

The five solas!

Andrew tossed coins in the coffers as he learned more about the Reformation from Rodney.

In all, there were about 10 stations (I didn't take pics of every station). The next to the last stop is the translation station. Ms Traci and Emily helped the kids translate their cards with the pieces they received from the games. It was the gospel. The kids must then trade their card in on a new card in English, the language of the people! That is the point, cool huh? This is not the last station, though.

At the last station, the kids must share the gospel with Ms. Leah, from their card. Alora was then able to fish at the fishing booth. What is she fishing for, MEN, of course.

Apparently, this is what you can catch if you are a fisher of MEN. It's a BRAD fish!
Actually she caught more candy, but Leah told her that with the gospel, you are fishers of men. Love it.

True Auburn fans, Jonah and Noah, were dressed out! War Eagle!

After we translated the gospel, we headed to the hay ride where Ms. Beverly, Aaron, Andrew and Mr. Ralph took us on a ride while we heard more about the Reformation. So fun! Our carnival is so different from any carnival that I have ever been to. It is the brain child of my husband in an effort to redeem the night and call us back to what it was really all about. We have a lot to celebrate! The fact that about 20 copies of God's Word are in my house right now proves the fact! How many copies are in your home?

You have a lot to celebrate, so Celebrate! Happy Reformation Day!


Alora and I headed home, just as the crowd was really rolling in. We stopped by Burger King and then headed home for some Barbie and Brownies. We had a fabulous evening.