Counting Down

WOW-- it's almost the fourth Sunday of Advent and we're 39 weeks along.  Talk about a season of waiting and anticipation!  

This past Monday was the last day of the semester for the students at Belmont Abbey College and for our team.  So each of our team members has traveled back to their hometowns and Tom and I are staying planted here in Belmont.  It certainly is quiet around here without the students around, but we're welcoming a little bit of downtime to prepare for the arrival of our little one.  The Christmas tree has been decorated (pictured above), the baby's clothes have been washed and put away and the hospital bags are waiting in the car.  What else is there to do?

One of the most exciting parts of decorating for the Advent and Christmas seasons was putting out our manger scene.  Last fall Tom and I had been eyeing this beautiful manger scene without knowing that we already had it...  

In August 2007 (when we made the move from FL to CO) I stayed with some good family friends in Texas.  Before I left their house, Melinda handed me two boxes wrapped with Christmas paper and said, "Just put these in a closet somewhere, but don't forget about them when Christmas comes."  I thought nothing of it until I received a phone call in late November from Melinda: "Go ahead and open those gifts we gave you!"  Lo and behold... Our beautiful manger scene!  We were so excited!

In other exciting news, Tom received his Christmas gift this week.  We went to the Behold the Lamb tour, which features Andrew Peterson "and friends" (Bebo Norman, Jill Phillips, Andy Osenga, a couple members of Caedmon's Call and a few other Nashville singer-songwriters).  It was truly a beautiful night filled with a great deal of talent and a reminder for what the true meaning of this season is.  We HIGHLY suggest you check out the Behold the Lamb CD (Behold the Lamb by Andrew Peterson).  At the opening of the show, Andrew explained why he started the album and the tour and summed it up by saying, "I wanted to go to a Christmas show where Santa was NOT invited."  We couldn't agree more!

It is time to wrap up this post as we just received a phone call from our dear friend Kaitrin informing us that she's stopping in for a visit tonight on her way from DC to FL.  Please know that we are praying for everyone this season, especially those who will be traveling and those who will be without family or loved ones.  Advent blessings!