Hi everyone,

I love this picture of John Bloss in our window.  It captures an Advent heart.  When anyone speaks of going somewhere, wether it is on our weekend away, on vacation, on our day off, or to take out the garbage, John's question is the same; "When you back?"

This is not just a question of wanting to know someone else's business, but rather a sense of relationship.  The core members constantly live on the edge of saying goodbye to assistants, friends and fellow core members.  This can be due to death, departures or the short periods away.

John constantly looks at his watch, wether he can tell time I am not sure.  He knows when the calendar changes and the number needs to change on his watch.  He asks when you are coming to pick him up at work.  By times he just stares out the window as if there is someone coming.

John has an Advent heart, that reminds me we are in a time of constant waiting.  It is the time of the not yet but of the yet to come.  He loves when someone comes to visit for a meal and is usually the first one out the door to welcome the person. At night he is our sentinel who closes the curtains, turns off the lights, checks on various things in his own very important routine.  And once everything is quiet, himself goes to bed. 

So this time of Advent is one of waiting for the ultimate visitor, the ultimate story.  It is about being ready and watchful and open.  So Advent calls us to the window of time, of our lives to be watchful, patient yet ever ready.  Ah I love this time of year!!!!!  Until next time.

Jeff