Advent

       Advent for Us    12/7/23

We are rolling towards winter in a three wheeled cart. In Amarillo, we are warm, cold, blustery, dry, and somewhat wet in alternating moments.  There seems to be so much to be done every day.  In education, we have been in the chaotic time of re-testing students who were not successful on their previous tries on these tests.  These re-tests have joined my world as much as the season of Advent has. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/light-of-the-world/1560658894?i=1560658895

Much like the realm of secondary education, this is a time of testing in a multiple of ways.  We are testing the students, and we are testing our faith.  We are testing our teachers, and we are testing our patience.  We are testing our curriculum, and we are testing our ability to prepare for new growth.  Advent for me is a call to grow my testimony of what comes next.  Advent is a chance to join the respite of waiting for the blessings to come.  Advent calls us to be busy in spirit and physically resting.  Advent is a chance to breathe deeply collectively as we extol the opportunity to embrace the newness gifted to us all.  This time of year is my chance to breathe new opportunities and growth. I know some tests are out of our hands, but this one is within our reach.  We need to believe that above all, we are each loved infinitely just as the tests in education seem to keep coming: infinitely. 

 And why not? Next month I will celebrate Liberty’s Earthly birthday on January 9th.  Then on January 30th, I will remember Liberty’s beautiful home-going and the imprint she left in our lives.    Because of our waiting and faith, we get the chance to believe that immense love will come to us.  We are born to be loved.  

Blessed  Advent to all.  

Great Podcast about Advent. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class/id283605519?i=1000637435248

Grateful for our opportunity in Adult Formation and Susan WIllis at St. Andrew’s and their lovely information and history on Advent.  We learned about the Advent wreath, the candles, and the Jesse Tree. Thank you all for the opportunity to learn more about this season.