AHOSKIE – Back by popular demand.

Based upon the positive feedback this newspaper received last year, the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald is proud once again to feature “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Beginning today (Tuesday) and running through Saturday, Dec. 30, the News-Herald will publish this collection of articles and photos detailing the reason why we celebrate this special holiday n the birth of Jesus.

Through the words of Colerain author Sharon Johnson Pond and the photos captured by Tammy Elizabeth Jarrell of Merry Hill, readers will be taken on a journey of the events leading up to birth of Jesus and the days following this Biblical event from where the news was spread far and wide. Pond will also share a few memories of her missionary work in Africa.

Pond, a native of Chesapeake, Va., has written several articles for Christian publications. Her first book, “Getting To The Other Side,” is a collection of stories about her work in Africa, often during times of war. Her second book, “Tales From The Beach Cottage,” is a secular work drawn from the stories passed down by her grandmother.

She is a member of the American Christian Writers Association, Baptist Pastors’ Wives of both the West Chowan Baptist Association and the NC Baptist Association and the OtherSide Partners.

As a preschool teacher for 30 years, Pond wrote and implemented a multicultural classroom curriculum. In the roles of Education Manager and Mentor-Coach for Head Start programs in Virginia and North Carolina, she has presented workshops on the state and national levels. She presented an international conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya, Africa, where she and her family lived for eight years, Pond taught English in high school, college and seminary levels as well as working with pastors’ wives and helped translate Christian materials into Kirundi, the language of Burundi.

Sharon and her husband, John, the Director of Missions for the West Chowan Baptist Association, have been married for 34 years. Their son, Marcus, is a senior at Chowan University, majoring in Religion.

Jarrell, a native of Durham, currently resides in Merry Hill where her husband, the Rev. Al Jarrell, serves as pastor at Riverside Baptist Church.

The Jarrells have been married for 23 years and have a daughter, April, a 2005 Chowan University graduate who is married to Eric Taylor.

In addition to the duties of being a pastor’s wife, Tammy teaches a Sunday School class for grades 1-3. She also serves as the instructor for “Grace Place,” a children’s program of study, memorization and Bible drills.

Mrs. Jarrell enjoys writing, art, interior design, gardening and her pet dogs, Daisy and Prince. Her interest in photography began when April was a child. April would play dress-up and Tammy would snap off countless photos. Her passion for photography continued into April’s teenage years and when it came time to choose a wedding portrait photographer, there was none better than “mom.”

Jarrell’s work can be seen on her website n www.portraitsbymom.com.

Tammy also enjoys photographing nature because, according to her, “it is God’s creation and constantly changes every day.”

Her greatest passion is Bible study and Christian growth. She received her certificate in Pastoral Care from Southeastern Seminary Extension in May of 2005.

Mrs. Jarrell is a member of the North Carolina and West Chowan Association Baptist Pastors’ Wives group. She is the statewide 2007 Retreat Chairman for that organization.