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<DIV><FONT color=#008000 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#008000 face=Arial>To my friends and many teachers/mentors in
the ICA community - I continue learn so much from you!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#008000 face=Arial>Profound gratitude and wishes for a
splendid, radiant season.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#008000 face=Arial>Janice Ulangca</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#0000ff>Advent:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A coming into
being <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#0000ff>3<SUP>rd</SUP> definition, Merriam Webster Collegiate
Dictionary<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT
color=#0000ff> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#0000ff size=3
face="Comic Sans MS">A Conversation with Advent</FONT></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#0000ff> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>O
Advent<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>I think you are my
favorite<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>Of all the seasons in
the church year<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>Because you ask that I
wake up, be vigilant,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>And open to some
startling surprise, some wonder<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>That never has existed
‘til today.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT
color=#0000ff> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>Advent,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>beyond the rush, the noisy fun,
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the customary
words,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>There is a vast and
tender silence<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>And I will meet you
there.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>At first it may seem
boring to be still <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>But slowly in the
quietness there will be<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>A radiance, a peace, a
profound care.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT
color=#0000ff> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>Advent, I will dare to
bring you this year’s pain<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>The darkness, failures
and the broken plans.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>Perhaps in the
stillness<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>With patience and
expectancy<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>They may gently be
exchanged <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For healing and for hope<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>. . .<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT color=#0000ff>And it will not be
fake<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">To welcome Joy.<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
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style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">JU
2012</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>