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12.25.2010

christmas in ethiopia.

i'm leaving today on a buckner trip to ethiopia with a team of about 20 people. pray for us as we love on the sweet children there. pray for health and safety for the team. pray that we experience god in a new way and gain a freshunderstanding of who he is and how he is at work in this world.

three reasons why i'm really excited about this trip:

1. traveling with my entire family. mom's been dreaming of this for years, so we're pretty pumped that it's finally happening. unfortunately, teri's sta
ying home, but it's because she's PREGNANT! i hate that she can't come, but i love that she's carrying the newest little baby crowson. i couldn't love these people more:


2. 10 days in a row with chris! we've been dating long distance for 10 months, and the longest we've ever been together is about 4-5 days, so i can't even fathom getting to see him 10 days in a row! his mom, sister, and brother-in-law are going on the trip too--how fun is that?--so
hopefully they can survive 10 days with my family and the fbc longview crew.

3. getting to see this sweet face. her name is tigist and she's in the school at bantu where we're working all week. she's the cutest and i can't wait to see her again.

lots more reasons, but those are the top 3...

merry christmas!!! thanks for your prayers!

12.24.2010

guest post.

my friend and fellow india traveler, kristen nielsen, did a guest series on her blog for advent. she had all different people in her life write about their understanding of advent, and it's been super interesting to read everyone's thoughts. needless to say, i was honored when she asked me to participate.

i'd love for you to read my post, but i also recommend reading her blog in general. the way she thinks never fails to fascinate me, and lucky for us, she's incredible at articulating her thoughts into words. enjoy! and merry christmas!

12.08.2010

advent.

in the last couple of years, i've become a huge fan of the advent season. honestly, one of the reasons i've grown to appreciate it is because it makes this time more about christ and less about traditions and family and gifts and all those things that can make christmas a tough season for people missing someone they love. even aside from that aspect of it, i'm realizing that it's a really important time for all believers, and i wish we gave it more attention.

if you haven't already, i suggest you read rob bell's article on advent. i found it super encouraging, and i think you will too. it's a good word on hope and expectation, claiming, "the not yet will be worth it."

if you're looking for an advent guide, a daily reading to keep you focused during this season, buckner has created a really great one this year. check it out here.

finally, the hymn, "come thou long expected jesus," is one of my favorites during the advent season. if you need a good version of it, i'm a big fan of christy nockels' acappella version--duh--on chris tomlin's christmas album. i posted the lyrics last year, but i think they're worth posting again:


come thou long-expected jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king.
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
by thy own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.