Advent . . . it comes from the Latin. It means "coming."

Advent . . . to me, it means waiting . . .

So much of my life has been a time of waiting.

As silly as it sounds, I waited and waited for my body to develop like other girls in my class, praise God it did.
I waited and wanted my period to start, praise God, it too happened.
I waited for the guy I wanted to date since 5th grade (he finally asked my out our Senior year) and, praise God! we are still together.
I waited until out of college & had a first job for Ryan to ask me to marry him - praise God, he did on a carriage ride with a bowed knee!
I waited to experience intimacy for the one God had for me; praise God, He sent him.
I waited for 5 years for babies to come . . . now, praise God! I have 3 wonderful babies growing up (ages 12, 10, 9 in 2 days).
I waited for God to give me a true, sincere friendship . . . a kindred spirit . . . He has, praise God.
I have waited and wanted for big things in my life . . . how we praise You, LORD, that we never have to wait for You.

You are always near; always present; always by my side. Thank You for your patience and Your waiting on me!

In my quiet time this morning, I was so encouraged by the devotional (Ann Voskamp). She writes the following:

"There's a storming mess this side of heaven...
What was intended to tear you apart, God intends it to set you apart.

You can stand around a Christmas tree with a family tree like Joseph's, with cheaters and beaters and deceivers, with a family tree like Jacob's, who ran away and ran around and ran folks down. But out of a family line that looks like a mess, God brings the Messiah. What was intended to harm, God intended all of it for good, and no matter what intends to harm you, God's arms have you. You can never be undone.
No matter what intends to harm you . . .
God is never absent,
never impotent,
never distant.
You can never be undone.
In the middle of all our collective mess stands the most monstrous evil...The cries of the innocent Babe under the stars of Bethelhem twist into the agonized cries of the innocent Victim atop the injustice of Calvary. The holy dark over the manger gives way to the heinous dark of over the Messiah and the slamming hammer and the tearing vein and the piercing thorn--the created murdering the Creator.
The Cross stands as the epitome of evil.
And God takes the greatest evil ever known to humanity and turns it into the greatest Gift you have ever known..."

Praise You Jesus!!! Praise You!

Advent . . . You coming, You came, You coming again. We cannot wait!!!