1 day until we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

8 days until the New Year begins, and we praise God for our 8 years of wedded bliss.

22 days until we depart for Cameroon.

193 days, give or take, until Baby Harris makes an entrance.

The time is nearing for Brian and I to make our way across the Atlantic Ocean and share the gospel. At times it felt so far out of reach and too far down the road. As I write, my brain is flooded with all the tasks to be accomplished before we go in just a few short weeks! One thing to check off the list is personal trainer certifications. We received our certificates in the mail this past week with letters stating we had passed the written and practical exams. We also obtained our visas in the mail last week-CHECK! Today we are traveling to Pennsylvania to be with my family, The Longs, to celebrate Christmas and say farewell until our return in April. We will also spend time with Laurel Highlands Church of Christ for a special Christmas Eve service. On the 28^th Brian will be preaching at Stoneybrook Christian Church, on Matthew 2, the gift giving of the Magi. That evening will be spent with Brian’s mother and extended family for an Italian Christmas dinner. The first weekend in January we will be fellowshipping, and sent off in prayer, with our church family in Carbondale, IL, Grand Avenue Christian Church. Our last weekend in the states, Stoneybrook Christian Church will be sending us off with prayer. We have many places to be in the next 3 weeks along with packing and spending time with friends and family. It is an exciting time for us. With all the countdowns this time of year, and in our own lives, things can get a little overwhelming. Stress can take over if you are not careful. Remember what this time of year is really about. It is not about gifts, and new years resolutions, it is not about spending as much money as possible without going bankrupt just to have the “perfect Christmas,” and most of all it is not about you. Remember what this time of year is really about. Its about our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, and giving him all the glory!