ADVENT- the season of waiting

For Christians, the season of Advent is spent reflecting on and anticipating our Savior's birth. Well, it's supposed to be. I've grown up in the church and have 27 years of Advent seasons under my belt and I  have never fully understood  what we were waiting for.  Jesus had already come, why were we 'waiting' for it? I understood waiting for Christmas. As a kid I understood that real well- Christmas, are you ever going to get here??? And as an adult- Christmas, why are you coming so fast!?!?!?!?! But Jesus had already come. We could just skip the waiting and rejoice in it. (If you couldn't tell I'm not a fan of waiting.) Until this year. My season of advent started in July (Christmas in July!), on a picnic table at New Life Children's Home in Port Au Prince, Haiti. I was in Haiti for my second time and I did not want to go home. Marissa and I were trying to figure out if we could stay just a couple of more days. Lizzie was already talking about next summer and Angie and Maria where figuring out how to coordinate their work schedules and finances - and we hadn't even left yet. That's what Haiti does to you, it grabs a hold of your soul and doesn't let go until it's changed your heart forever. Then an idea was born. Christmas in Haiti. All but Angie were on a school schedule and had at least 2 weeks off. We could do this. We were going to do this. And so the season of waiting began.

The season of Advent isn't just about waiting. It's about preparing. Preparing our hearts to be ready for when Jesus would come. I changed a lot that week in Haiti. One major change was I knew I had to make more of a commitment or just walk away for good. I'm an all or nothing kind of a girl. I had made up my mind that for this next season of my life Haiti was going to get my all. Those changes you feel while you are in Haiti are exciting and inspiring, until you get home. At home you have to actually put those ideas into actions and deal with the consequences of those actions. For me, that meant not moving out of my mom's house. It meant taking on another responsibility of putting together the trip. It meant giving up my nephew's first Christmas and time I usually spend with friends.  It also meant stalking American Airlines for the cheapest flights and a million emails trying to figure out who, what, when, and how we were going to pull this off. I like plans, check lists and things color coded. Haiti does not cooperate with any of those. Our plans have changed a million times and will change a million more. And as I think about it, Mary had a trip to prepare for that first Christmas, while being pregnant with God's son. Planning a trip to Haiti now seems like a walk in the park.

Anticipation. My students know this well. They have been asking and dreaming about Christmas since the first day of school. No joke.  This year I am right there with them. Not for the presents, but for the fact that I can't wait to see Cherley's face or hear Chinaido's laugh or have to change Caleb's diaper. For the first time I think I finally understand what Advent is all about. The waiting, the preparing and the anticipation to see the hand of God at work.  The Jews were waiting to see God's face through the Messiah. My heart is waiting to see God's face through the eyes of the children of Haiti. I'm yearning to experience God's peace and joy through His presence -and maybe get a tan :)

There is still lots to be done, like stuff 100 goody bags for kids, try and fit a car load (literally) of supplies into 5 -50lbs or less bags, get everyone to the airport at 5:00 a.m., get money processed, have an early Christmas with my family and friends, oh and finish up 2 weeks of school with 1st graders who are as antsy as  bugs under a magnify glass. But all of that just brings me one step closer to Haiti, and for that I am truly blessed.

As we wait in anticipation, please pray for  Maria, Marissa, Cindy (my mom!), Jim, and I and our trip to Haiti. Pray that God prepares our hearts to do His will, for safety, and that we make the most of every opportunity to impact others  for Jesus.

Two weeks from today is Christmas, I can't wait!

-Hannah