"Spook"tacular evening

Since I can remember, I have always celebrated Halloween by going to a haunted house. I don't know why I go every year because I really do get incredibly scared. I am usually the one whose voice carries out into the parking lot, the one who gets followed by the monsters/villians for extra scare practice, and the one who gets put to the front of the line so my friends can get a good laugh at my screaming. But, every year I can't wait to go back. So, this year I decided to bring the boys along. We went to a town near Bloomington where they have a haunted house, an optical illusion ride, a hay rack ride, and all-you-can-eat hotdogs all for a $2 a person. Yep, for $10 ( we bought some glow in the dark bracelets for the kids) our family laughed, cried, screamed, and ate to hearts content!! The boys were scared out of their minds, but couldn't stop talking about the experience the rest of the night! It's like I always say...the family that screams together, stays together!! :) I think the Manahans have yet another family tradition!

Here are our pictures from this family bonding time:

The Journey

I am amazed daily at the journey God has taken me. Sometimes I review the map of my life looking at all the places I have traveled. I see all the routes, highways, interstates, and even the back roads. There are times when the roads are straight and it is very clear where I am headed. Other times the road twists and turns back and forth and it is uncertain the destination. Even the driving conditions have effected the journey. There were sunny days, when I drove with the top down allowing my hair to whip in the wind enjoying the freedom of the road. Other days were windy and rainy and I drove gripping the steering wheel until my knuckels turned white; it took all my strength to stay on the road. I can picture the rest stops where I've stopped along the way trying to make sense of the journey, too tired and disapponted to go any further. I also remember the roadside attractions that were so unexpected, but inspired me to keep driving.
I thought I had the journey all figured out, I was almost sure I knew the destination. But lately God has taken a hold of the steering wheel and has me riding on a crazy ride that keeps me guessing all along the way. I want to hurry up and race to the next bend in the road to see if I recognize anything. Yet, I find myself perfectly content looking out my window at the scenery enjoying the ride and fellowship of my Driver. It has been awhile since I have enjoyed such a journey, but how thankful I am that God loves me enough to take me on such an incredible roadtrip.

Changes

Change...it's scary, but sometimes necessary. For some time, I felt God was calling me to make a change. I wasn't sure where or what, but I knew something had to change. I had feelings of uneasiness and unhappiness. It wasn't anyone's fault, but I felt stagnant in my current position at school and church. I allowed myself to become a little too comfortable, a little too safe, and a little too secluded. I knew there was more to this world than what I was allowing myself to discover. And so the need for change became a necessity for my life. As hard as it was, I left the comforts of my job and church and let God make the necessary changes in my life. Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done, but through it God has shown me so much of who He is. By empowering me to leave, God has given me new boldness and confidence in my strengths and abilities. And so, I have a new start before me. I have been hired as a program assistant at a public school working with special needs students, a career I almost pursued. I have been involved in local theatre, a passion and a dream of mine since childhood.I have been going to a wonderful church, a blessing for my family!I will miss seeing so many people on a daily basis-my students, my friends, my coworkers-they will not be forgotten because they were instrumental in my life. But, a whole world awaits me.And, yes, change is difficult. But without change, there is no growth. Without this change in my life I would never have seen the possibilities I am now experiencing.