Hello Friends,

I recently had the pleasure of reading an article that I felt was especially appropriate to share at this time as we begin the holy season of Advent. It was written by Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the New York Times Bestselling Memoir CARRY ON, -WARRIOR, and it is entitled:

                                                       A Time of Waiting

It seems that as the world becomes supposedly less complicated through
technological advances, we still find ourselves waiting. Waiting for that
package to arrive that we ordered online in record speed. Waiting in line at
the self-checkout station at the supermarket, designed to eliminate waiting.
Waiting for the phone to ring, or the text to come. It never ends. Researchers
tell us that the average person will spend 5 years of his or her life waiting
in line, 2 years playing telephone tag, and six months sitting at red
lights. That is over 7 and a half years of waiting, at best doing nothing, or at
worst experiencing great aggravation! The bottom line is that even in our
fast-paced world, with postmodern conveniences, we are all waiting for
something.

In the month of December we spend time preparing children for concerts,
decorating classrooms and hallways, making preparations for Christmas at
home, shopping, baking, attending parties and sharing joy. As you know,
Advent is the time for waiting, praying, and preparing ourselves for the
birth of Christ. By taking a step away from the hustle and bustle, asking
kids to slow down and reflect on what the birth of Christ means to them, the
world and our faith, such a richness will be added to this time of waiting.

God Bless You All,
Scott