2nd Annual Pumpkin Carve

We have the honor of being chosen each year by college students to be their "adoptive parents". What this really means is that we provide them with free food, fun, and company. This year we were chosen by 9 students (still not sure how this happened since there were only 6 sign up slots under our name.) This is a ministry of our church which is appropriatly named Generations. Last year, we started a pumpkin carving contest and they had a blast. So, we made it an annual thing. Last year, Noelle was the judge. As the night went on, we found out that was a bad idea. They began trying to persuade her with candy, favors, and I think a few even offered her money. So, this year, we got an outside judge. Once the college students figured out our neighbor was the judge they tried to work on her too. It worked out great though, and one of my newest students won with her self portrait in a pumpkin. As they carve their pumpkins I give a devotional to them about how pumpkin carving is just like becoming a Christian. When you cut the top off your pumpkin you see all the bad stuff, just like God sees in our sinful pasts. Then you scoop all the goop out just like the Lord forgives us for all our wrong doings. Then you carve a face just like God gives us a new face which is fresh and new because of the hope and grace he has shown us. Then you put a light in your pumpkin, just as the Lord has put his light into us so that we may shine in a world of darkness. If we are like the pumpkin shining in the darkness with faces full of hope and all our sins forgiven, then we can increase the Lord's earthly pumpkin patch of people by sharing the good news. How awesome is that!!!!!!!!!

This is Sarah's winning pumpkin, way to go Sarah!

Here are 8 of the 9 college students. We love you guys!