Haunted Halloween?

I remember several of my costumes as a kid for Halloween. My mom was amazing at coming up with some really creative solutions. We always had great costumes made of pretty much everyday things. I was a scarecrow, a cowboy, an astronaut. The knowledge that creativity can get you quite far has always stayed with me and served well for youth activities and more. 

I also remember the year that we all had to dump our candy out together on the table at home after trick-or-treating because some wacko was putting razor blades in candied apples. That was pretty much the end of homemade candy. It was the beginning, for me, of realizing how nasty the world could be. 

When I gave my life to Christ, my view on a lot of things changed. One of them was Halloween. I like dressing up in costumes, but it seems all of the holidays that do that are a bit deranged. Halloween in the US and Carnaval here in Belgium are examples. But 1989 changed my whole outlook on Halloween. That was the year we received a very special gift. 

Shirley had struggled all day and was tired. In the end, forceps had to be used, but our son, Stephan, was safely welcomed into the world. I remember standing in a room in the maternity section with windows on two sides so that family could see the newborns. My attention, however, was fully on this wonderful new life that God had given us. Even the surprise of seeing all sorts of masked individuals tapping on the glass (another father was with me in the room and his family was greeting him) could not throw me off. But it did remind me that this was still Halloween. 

Not long after that we moved to Belgium, where there was no Halloween. For years we did not even have to think of any of it (although we of course did have to deal with Carnaval - in February or March). It was only later when the boys were older that they realized they might be able to get something from neighbors by going trick-or-treating. They didn’t dress up, just went door to door. People didn’t know what to do, so they gave them money (a practice done here on January 6 at the celebration of Three Kings). Their friends were impressed. 

Not too many years later, stores started figuring out that money could be made off of this new American holiday. Costumes could now be sold in October as well as in February (for Carnaval). Candy could be sold. Presents could be given. Okay - presents aren’t part of Halloween, but who knows? 

So Halloween made its entrance into Belgian and Dutch culture with an economic vengeance. Kids still don’t go door to door to get candy (people would not know what to do), but haunted houses and the scary bits have definitely entered the calendar if not the culture as yet. 

This day for us still means that little boy cradled in the palm of my hand and the man he has become. We are so thankful for Stephan, for his wife, Natalie and for the life they have together. 

(The picture is of Stephan with neighborhood friends on his birthday in our backyard)

I made it!

I made it!
Originally uploaded by sraabs.

After 12 years and lots of hard work, tonight was Stephan's night. Students here have to wait until the day before the graduation to find out if they have passed or not. so yesterday was a little tense, but this evening was all fun.

It was amazing to feel how proud we are of Stephan and what he has done. To see him walking down the aisle, knowing that this is just the next step - but a big one! It was great to be able to talk to some of his teachers afterwards who said they would miss him.

And now on to the next step - quite a scary one, according to Stephan. He leaves for Harding on August 18 - to a place where he really doesn't know anyone (except for Shareya, who will also be attending there). He has met his roommate and is looking forward to that new life - but it is a new life. Making daily decisions without the push or help from parents. Scary, exciting, challenging!

On his way

We recently received our official notice that Stephan has been accepted to Harding University. This is exciting. There have been lots of times as Stephan was growing up that we thought about whether he would go off to school in the States or stay here. Our furlough last summer, being able to visit several schools, helped to put some things in perspective.

Now Stephan will be heading off to Searcy, Arkansas. Shirley is an alum, so we know what the school used to look like. Stephan endures stories of times past (but secretly listens closely, knowing that there are still elements that might be helpful). All he has to do now is pass this last year in high school. He is ready to go and excited about the possibilities.

So if all goes right and we can find the finances we need, Stephan will be gone in the Fall. All we have to do is get used to the idea that Stephan is leaving! We have known it was coming, but it is still kind of hard to get used to. I don’t think we will believe it until Scott gets back from Arkansas without Stephan.

Until then we will try to enjoy all the moments we have together, which is something we need to be doing anyway. And we are doing the same thing with Sean – he may have another four years, but he is already making plans!

18!

Two weeks ago Stephan turned 18. I still remember the evening that he was born - it isn't difficult to remember, it was Halloween. But he was the most beautiful thing we had ever seen in our lives. Along the way we have seen him in braces for his feet and braces for his teeth. He has always been someone who climbs - either in trees, up walls and rocks, or in his life as he strives to know God. And all along the way his smile has lit the way, bringing joy in our lives.

Amazing to us to think that he is already at this point in his life. This is his last year in school here. Next year he will probably be in the States, making new friends. But it is also so exciting to see how he is growing. He still has so much fun and can be a real goof-off, but he is also a serious young man who takes his responsibilities seriously. He is a good friend to those around him and a good example as well. We are so thankful that God gave us this responsibility and blessing!

Home alone

What do you do when your parents leave you alone for a week?

While we were off with Listen Up! in Switzerland, Stephan and Sean were home alone. Of course this has its benefits: eat what you want when you want, no worries about cleaning up your room, the possibility (if you disobey your parents) to have as many friends over as you might want, doing what you want when you want. We wondered how things might go (and trusted of course that they would be just fine).

We were only able to call twice while we were gone. The first telephone call was on Monday after we had left on Saturday. One of the biggest complaints was "I'm bored!" So maybe they don't mind us around after all! Everything else seemed to be going well. Shirley had left a list of which foods could be cooked. When asked what they were planning to eat Sean replied, "Macaroni and cheese of course. It's on the list!" Why come up with something when the work has already been done for you?

The next time we were able to call was Friday, at the end of the week. We found out that Stephan had taken the basketball team jerseys home to be washed but wasn't sure how he was going to get them back on game day since he could only take the bike. Sean had also had to go to his soccer game on the bike (a trip of a good 40 minutes). How would this all work out?

When we arrived early Sunday evening Sean met us outside and warned us that we could not yet enter. "You guys weren't going to be home until 8!" He wanted to make sure that things were cleaned up. Stephan had figured out a way to get to the ball game with the jerseys, and both boys (young men) looked quite healthy. There may have been some things happening that we don't know about (and some of you might know more - don't tell us), but all were healthy (even the dog), the house was still standing and we were glad to be back home.

We have been sharing big hugs the last week - we really did miss each other. It is good to be back together again

Stephan - the champ!

Stephan - the champ!
Originally uploaded by sraabs.

Stephan came home yesterday looking a bit different. This season his basketball team had decided that if they won the championship they would shave their heads.

As the end of the season came into view this promise became a bit more serious - they hadn't lost a single game. The next to last game they lost (their only loss!) to the second-place team. This meant they had to wait for one more game before knowing if they were champs or not.

Well, last night they were crowned (can you say that with a head like that?) champions. Click on the picture to see a few more pictures of Stephan's new style.