Dear Colin and Rose,

All Hallows Eve, or “Halloween,” is a special day, once a year on October 31, when Christians remember and celebrate those who have gone before us in the life of faith; those who have already died and are now with our Lord in the place that Jesus called “paradise” (Luke 23:43). These people include our friends and family members who have died in the faith, and many others we have never known, all of whom believed in Christ, and all of whom are now with Christ in paradise waiting for the great and final day of the Lord’s judgement and the resurrection. They are “resting,” or “asleep” as the Scriptures say, until the Day of the Lord (Revelation 6:9-11).

In this photo album, we are gathering pictures and short stories about the members of our family who have already made this journey, men and women, maybe sometimes boys and girls, who lived with faith in Christ and His Spirit, who grew in that faith for the time allotted to them, and who then died and now wait (even as we wait) for the renewal of life-in-the-body that will come with the resurrection from the dead  (1 Cor. 15:12-26).

The people in this album were not perfect. They had their own flaws and failures. They struggled with temptations and difficulties. But because they believed in Christ and His Spirit, they did not face those troubles alone. They faced them with His help and guidance. And so, they became what the Scriptures call “saints,” that is, people who, despite their flaws, are being made holy by Christ and His Spirit. The stories we tell about them will include some of their struggles and how God helped them.

Our goal, each Halloween, will be to add to this album so that you, our grandchildren, can remember these examples of faith and holiness in your own family as you face your own struggles and temptations. This is the “communion of the saints,” saints above with saints below, and it is what “all hallows eve” is all about. 

Of course, there are other customs at Halloween, like “trick or treat” and dressing up in costumes, that are fun. And there are some old traditions in other religions, like Samhain, that sometimes are not like Christ at all. But we want you to know how to celebrate Halloween in Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 – “Take every thought captive for Christ.” 

_______________________________________________________________

Ira Leon Gallaway,  1924 – 2015

Your Great Grandfather on your father’s side

Granddad Ira grew up and went to school at Glen Cove, Texas. When he was still little, there was a bully at school that used to pick on him. Every day he came home crying and complaining about this bully; until one day his older brother, Presley, said, “If you come home one more day complaining about that bully, I’m gonna whip you too.” Press knew that Granddad needed to learn to stand up for himself. And Granddad was more afraid of Press than of the bully. So, the next day, Granddad beat up the bully; and that put a stop to that.

Later in life, Granddad became a very brave and courageous man. He would often stand up for what was right when other people were afraid. Maybe that’s why his parents gave him the middle name, Leon, which means “lion.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

________________________________________________________________

Marylouise Wellensgard Luder, 1913-2004

Your Great Grandmother on Your Father’s Side

Great-Grandma Luder lived most of her life in Santa Barbara, California. Your Grandma Gallaway is her daughter. When your dad and his brothers Ben and Zach were little boys, they would go to Santa Barbara to visit Grandma Luder. She loved having her grandchildren come to visit. She would fix their favorite foods. She made delicious pies.

Great-Grandma Luder also loved animals—very much! The Luder household always had several furry occupants. But the thing people remember most about your Great-Grandma Luder is that she was a very, very good friend. She was a true friend to people who needed a friend—the sick, the sad, and the lonely. She loved Jesus, and she wanted very much to be just like Him.

John 15:13 – “There is no greater love than this, to lay down your life for your friends.”

___________________________________________________________

Well, Colin and Rose, we may send one or two more hallows stories to you this year, before October 31, if we can get to it; but we will certainly send more next year, providing neither of us have made the journey to paradise ourselves. In any event, we want you to know that we love you and, with all the saints, we will always rejoice with you in the goodness of our Creator and Redeemer.

On this road of New Creation,

Grandpa and Grandma Gallaway