Numbers

15 - The number of days until I see my nieces and nephew (and the rest of my family!)
21 - The number of Christmas concerts that Josh and I are doing between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day
26 - The number of days that we get to spend at my parent's house! 
55 -  The number of days until we are back at our new home!

But who's counting?! ;)

Ok, I know these numbers mean little, if anything to you, but they mean a lot to me!

This fall tour has been so blessed!  We have enjoyed ministering at several "repeat" churches as well as connecting with several new churches.  God is expanding the reach of One Hope, One Truth Ministries in California and it is a privilege to be a part of what He is doing here in the Central Valley!

That being said... I am not a Cali girl!  I am ready for cooler temperatures and even the rain.  I am super excited to spend the holidays in the Pacific Northwest and I can't wait to spend a snowy January snuggled up by the fireplace in our new home!

I mean, seriously?!  Who wouldn't look forward to this? :)
(This is a picture Mrs. S sent me from winter last year at the ranch where our house is!)

Now, I know some of you are super against even saying the word "Christmas" before Thanksgiving...but I can't help it!!!

First of all, I'm like a little kid when it comes to Christmas!  I LOVE this holiday!  I love the trees and decorations, the tin soldiers and sugar plum fairies! I love the lights, the colors, the baking, and let's face it...the presents!

BUT I also LOVE talking about, thinking about, and singing about the precious truth that the God of the universe, the Creator of all things came to this crummy, dirty, broken earth as a baby with the express purpose of SAVING US!!! 
"Thank you Jesus!"

So with this awesome, impending celebration and considering that second number in the list above, Josh and I have begun diligently preparing for our upcoming Christmas concerts!

Josh has been practicing his instrumental Christmas music and working on his Christmas message for a while and we are working together this week on clarifying which songs we'll do and the order of our program.  If you're interested in attending one of our Christmas concerts there are plenty to choose from.  We'll be in Oregon, Western and Eastern Washington, and even in the Coeur d'Alene, ID area.  You can see our complete schedule HERE.

I just thought of one more number.  6  That's the number of kids that will be in the annual cousin Christmas picture this year!  The number is growing quickly!  We went from four to five last year, adding my sister's youngest..and let me tell you trying to wrangle 5 kiddos and have them look half way decent is no easy feat!  I think Anna and I were both about to have a nervous breakdown by the time we left the portrait studio!  This year we add my brother's sweet baby girl!  Hmmm, I wonder which of my boys can be trusted to hold such precious cargo?...a problem for another day I suppose! :)