As I was preparing a devotion for the Advent booklet, I read the words of Jeremiah (33:14), "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made…" These words struck me, and I was tempted to write about my own situation as I approach Advent this year.  That didn't seem appropriate at the time.  But…I keep thinking about God's promises.
   "The days are surely coming, says the Lord…" As Shannon and I prepare to begin a new church in Durango, Colorado, we keep thinking about the days that are surely coming.  This is a time for us to prepare for this new journey, this new ministry, this new life.  We are making plans, packing up our possessions, and getting rid of some possessions (to lighten our load a bit).  There's so much to do to get ready.
   Some days get a bit overwhelming as we think about all that needs to be done.  And that's without thinking about all that will need to be done once we get there.  But, the day will surely come when the movers will come and we'll have to be ready.  This Advent will surely be a time of preparation for us.
   I can get so caught up in the preparations at times that I forget that we're not alone in this.  We already have promises for prayers from many at Central, and a growing prayer team from all over the country.  We already have two families waiting for us to arrive, and they keep offering to help in any way that they can.  And when I stop and think about the new church, I realize that God is