Unpopular Choice (or Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween)

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I have had a burden on my heart for a couple of years now to write this post but haven't found the right words. Also, being unpopular and not following crowd publicly is tough, especially knowing that it may cost you. This may not be popular, or politically correct or even go with what your church may say, but it's worth saying. 

My heart is saddened by all that I see during this time of year and clearly I want to make a) my opinion well established b) persuade someone else to take the road less traveled.

On the eve of the most evil and dark holiday, I want to talk to Christians who know better. If you aren't a Christian, this article isn't for you.

Every time I see a professing Christian talk about their Halloween celebration, I cringe. It makes me sad knowing that those who will be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, glorifying God in their hearts just few weeks ahead, take the time to celebrate evil and darkness. In no way shape or form am I an expert, or theologically experienced in any kinds of debates. I'm just a mother who wants to make sure that her child will grow up knowing the truth and not be blinded by the 'feel good' mantra of this holiday.

As Christians our family does not celebrate Halloween .

We do not get dressed up (even in 'good' characters), we do not carve pumpkins (even with smiley faces), decorate our house (even with Disney characters), we do not give out candy (even to the Christian kids in church) and we do not celebrate Harvest instead. We choose to not participate in any part of it.

To many of you, this may seem harsh and stone-age like but let me explain why this holiday should have no place in our homes, hearts and especially children's activities.

- Halloween is a celebration of darkness, evil, death and lies. It takes something that's evil (like trickery and mischief) and puts a fun spin on it. Only because there is candy and super hero (or even Bible hero) costumes involved doesn't mean it's wholesome or good.

- Witchcraft, zombies, death and evil spirits are definitely have nothing to do with God. They glorify evil, they associate with darkness, viciousness and wickedness (which are part of demonic forces).

- The most important part of this holiday is children. They dress up (seems like fun), get together with friends (more fun) and go trick-or-treating ( promising to do mischief if not received candy). It's all done under the false pretense of innocent entertainment but is it really? If the holiday itself is evil why would we as Christians would want our children to have any part of it? Parents are the ones who know better.

- The origins of Halloween are of pagan religion, dressed up with Catholic church's celebration of all saints. None of these are found in God's word and both celebrate dead. God is life and full of goodness and everything that's opposite of that has nothing to do with the Lord. Therefore we should have nothing to do with it either. 

- There are many references and clear verses in the Bible (look here) where God clearly speaks about evil of witches, charmers, talking to the dead and sorceress. Many times when God's people went in the ways of Pagan religions (exactly where Halloween originated) and celebrated their holidays, they lost His blessing. 

- As Christians, we are supposed to be different. The people in this world know that, but for some reason Christians don't. Associating with such holiday and its practices we are condoning and giving place to the evil that clearly marks this day. If this day has even a hint of horror, corruption and immorality we should not take part in it.

Researching the origins of Halloween, studying Bible and what it says about such practices, and looking at this from the Christian point of view makes it very clear. No amount of persuasion or guilt-tripping will make you change your mind but praying and asking God to show you what's right and good may just give a whole different perspective on this day. 

More articles about this are here 1 , 2 , 3

*Disclaimer*

This is not meant as an attack at anyone I know or those who don't agree with me.

 All profane and degrading comments will be deleted.

Statement

sweater: Gap
vest: Land's End
skirt: thrifted
boots: from Belarus
necklace: ILY Couture

Every outfit is just an outfit until you add accessories. A statement necklace and few bangles, a scarf and a designer handbag can really spice up a boring get up. 

There were times when I went overboard and piled on everything I could find; and then there were times when an outfit was just blah. But really knowing when to add and when not to add the right kind of  accessories is a skill.

Sometimes it's easy getting dressed and look stylish but others, not so much.

There is a reason why some bloggers are very successful and others are not; why some women look stylish and others look trashy. It takes some common sense and an eye for balance. Also it takes planning of the outfits and maybe tiny bit of pinning. 

In all seriousness, nobody has so much imagination and creative stride to put together a 'blog-worthy' outfit every time, but with planning and correct amount of accessories it really can happen. Probably not every time but often enough to make you feel like a fashionista. 

Hope you have a great day!

For Better and For Worse

When I go through perfectly edited blog posts and see nicely done family photos, I start to think that some couples have it all together. Their kids look great on Christmas cards and their Instagram accounts are just a mile-high pile of perfect corners of their house. How do they seem to have it all and I have a snotty infant and a messy kitchen? 

First I got jealous but then I got real. We only show what we want on this little space and paint the image we want others to see. It goes with everything from clothes to children to bedtime stands. Yes, great images and perfect posts help build following and people may PINterest the heck out of your images but that's not real you they see. They see a version of you, and usually it's the best version. 

I, for one, don't have it all together. There are times when I feel discouraged by the smallest following ever, feel angry at my husband for not being a bit more sensitive and run out of patience with my son. We are far from perfect and that's something I want to share

We started as any couple - full of dreams, hopes and aspirations. I really thought that we were different than everybody else, that our story was special and the love we had would keep the fire burning forever.          But I was naive, young and very wrong. 

Fire will not keep burning unless you keep putting firewood into it. If you keep burning on the first love logs, soon the fire will die and you will be left with nothing but cold coils. 

Behind every outfit, lovely smile, and baby picture there is always a story.

The cute pictures of Jonathan at the park have a less then perfect behind the scenes story. 

We started the day off with nice family breakfast and as I was cleaning up, hubby went outside to rake leaves. The weather was gorgeous and I thought we could go for a nice walk. I asked him, and he said, later. Fine. Later it is. (I probably had a little bit of attitude there)

I thought we would go the park near by, take some pictures of Jonathan, enjoy the warmth of the autumn sun and just hang out as a family. My husband on the other hand, thought that I meant walk around the neighborhood. So we were bickering and getting impatient about who said what, and in the process, I forgot to grab diapers and a bottle for Jonathan

Then, of course, I had to do my make-up and hair and was taking a little longer than he thought was appropriate amount of time to get ready to go to the park. 

(We have very different ideas about time limits, apparently)

As we got into the car and drove off, I realized that the stroller was still in the garage, as I took Jonathan for a walk the day before. We had to turn around and go back for the stroller, as husband reminded me about my absentmindedness yet again.

Needless to say, by the time we got to the park, we were in less than pleasant mood. 

But those are the times when it takes some work. 

It takes a calm and gentle voice of one person to bring the other one back into the good place. To remind yourselves, that everything is OK and the most important part is that you are together. 

I have to admit, it's not easy. Sometimes, I fail at being gentle and calm and blow up like a hot air balloon. Other times, I'm full of love and good intentions and nothing seems to bother me. 

Life is full of those moments. But it's the ability to learn, to moved passed it, to enjoy life in every way, to laugh at the weird parts and to forgive each other for the mistakes. I'm still working on that.

After all, we sighed up for better and for worse.

Currently

button-down, crossbody: TJMaxx
sweater: H&M
jeans: Target
booties: Old Navy

Currently I am ...

-  focusing more on my marriage. Let's face it once the baby is here, daddy takes the back burner and really that isn't right

- reading Russian books to my baby

- planning the holiday parties and dinner menues

- doing lots of shoes shopping looking for a perfect pair of riding boots. Any suggestions?

- realizing that at the quarter century mark in my life (next week. eeek!) I have so much to be thankful for

- making an effort to be friendly and make friends, putting extra thought and time to revive old friendships

- enjoying a Bible study class 

- praying for wisdom

- loving the perfect fall weather

- looking on the positive side and counting my blessings

- eating an entire box of candy. not even sorry

[Not] Copycat

top: H&M
cardi; Gap
skirt: J.Crew
shoes: Guess
bag: Nine West

First thing first, I did not copy color combo of this outfit. The above was my Sunday outfit and I was not anywhere close Kendi to even remotely think of stealing her idea. But I do love the mustard and plum-ish wine color together. It was not even that cold on Sunday but I pulled out all of my winter wool stuff (skirt and cardigan are pure wool). It's hard to to imagine what I'm going to be dressed like in winter now that I don't have the extra baby weight to keep me warm. 

Yesterday I started a link up party over here and haven't received many (well like none) submissions for the Inspiration Monday. Talk about discouraging. 

Ladies, link up your inspiration outfits, thoughts, pictures, DIYs and any other ideas you have so we all can be inspired by the creativity and words of wisdom. 

On the other hand, I've been working on so many different 'words of wisdom' posts lately that I'm running out of ideas. For a person who's not good horrible at creative writing and majored in mathematics in college, I sure picked a weird hobby. Ha!

 A fresh-off-the-boat immigrant is writing life advice and words of wisdom in a foreign language while taking outfit photos of church outfits. Are you still following?

Hope you are having a great week making leaf angels 

(like the snow angels but in the beautiful foliage. get it?)