Liz's Letters

Adam and Thien The View from Adam's apartment window and balcony. The Apartment They fed us lunch...yes...Cajun Craw fish - fresh, steamed Chillin' out after that big lunch The famous Chesapeake Blue Crab - can't get this in Texas! A fish market, rarity in Texas. Adam, hanging out in his room. Thien in the kitchen, preparing a Mango for lunch. Adam's workplace. Having fun at the Seafood buffet to die for. It's called Todai The whole family. We met Thien's sweet parents. Mai and Thuc Me and my son! Adam and Thien Fred, myself, and Adam So happy. These bears have a story. They came all the way from Vietnam. A great time and a great lunch at the Truong's. More... Being silly. Adam and I trying to see what's going on! Thien's first flight! As fate would have it, our best friend was in the area with his brother-in-law and we got to take Thien up in the Piper Cub. This is a family tradition! Okay, she passes the test! See the smile on her face? She loved i...

Tomorrow is the first day of December and today I am putting away all the Fall Decorations, carefully replacing pumpkins and turkeys with snowmen and Santa's. I brought out the Nativity a couple of weeks ago as we prepare for the season of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Bringing it out early helps me focus on the real reason that we celebrate with all this red, green, and glitter. As I thought about the passing of this season, and gave thought to writing a note - to you - and to myself, I realize that November was full of pain and full of joy. Sometimes the same week, the same day, and even the same moment brought feelings that did not go together in my mind but I could not separate them in my heart. Bob, my husband's father, and my father-in-law of almost 30 years, passed away after a difficult battle with cancer. Joy and pain. He was hurting and tired. He left and we were left hurting and tired. Being with family helped with the pain, the fullness that I felt being embraced ...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, How do you expect to get into heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, "For Heaven's sake, Dylan, come in or stay out!"

All week, along with most of America, I have been thinking about what I am thankful for. As I acknowledge the many blessings that God has given, it has not felt like "good enough" to just acknowledge them. It also has not felt "good enough" to simply thank God for them, and it has not seemed "good enough" to tell of the gratitude I feel for these people and things. I am not totally sure what has caused this attitude. The Holy Spirit? The loss of people close to me this year? Simple growing up? And even though I cannot point to the direct cause of my need to make more than a list of things I am grateful for, I know that "giving" thanks is not sufficient for me. Maybe because I am feeling that it is not sufficient for my God. As I have spent time with Him, getting to know Him through His word, and allowing His spirit to convict, to lead, and to teach, He has caused my heart to realize that I must act in thanksgiving. Rather than simply acknowledgin...

Celebrating my 300th Post! Wow how time flies.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 God has given me plenty of opportunity to put this word of His into action. Sometimes, sadly, I have fallen short. Recently, I have understood this verse with deeper meaning. After failing here, I found the consequences of disobedience to be more painful than the discomfort of going. And I have felt the sting of refused reconciliation by a fellow sister in Christ. I pray that this verse will remain engraved on my heart, so that when the opportunity arrives again, I will be quick to go and be reconciled. God is the God of reconciliation. He is the God of relationship. He is the God of righteousness. And He is the God of rejoicing. For more ABC's of the Word visit Grey Like Snuffie

I am so far behind on my Behind Those Eyes post that I was tempted not to do it. Funny, though because I have enjoyed this study so much that it just seems as if I should post nothing else until this one is written. This is the final chapter in what has been a wonderful, thought provoking, friend making, attitude changing and freeing study. When I first decided to participate, it was healing that I was hoping for. So, I love the chapter title, The Truth Heals. I saw that title when I first flipped through the pages of the book, before reading it. I have to admit, I was a little nervous. It was a truth - but a false truth - that had my feelings in the pit, and my authenticity in hiding. I was afraid of the truth because in my mind, "the truth hurts." Recent hurting truths in my life: the broken relationship with the one who I called "best" friend, the death of my father in law, the death of a dear friend day before yesterday, unexpectedly. She was only 51 and had com...

We are off....... To the beautiful state of Virginia To celebrate my birthday To love on our kids To see the trees And to eat We will meet son's Beloved's parents. And wonder about futures... Traveling Mercies for us. Blessings, ~Liz

Today is the letter A Quiet Spirit On my heart With God's help I'll do my part to let his spirit work through me and a quiet spirit my beauty be ~Liz For more ABC's of the word, visit Grey Like Snuffie

Random thoughts on my mind and I cannot seem to bring any of them together. So much happening, but I feel like life is moving in slow motion. It is good. My family feels connected. We are grieving, but it is well. My family is about to scatter for a few days as my husband and I travel to Virginia. We will be meeting our son's girlfriends parents. We have waited a long time for this. And we will get to see his apartment, his new life since graduating from Virginia Tech. Of course, we will see him...and his lovely girlfriend. While we are gone, our daughter will be staying with her best friend who is also her boyfriend. I know...that sounds crazy, but she is really staying with his little sister. I have spoken at length with Robert's mom, with Robert, and Rebecca. It is all worked out, a trustworthy plan is in place. Plus, Rebecca flashes her purity ring in my face whenever I look at her with even the slightest hint of question. Next week, I will attend the Coldplay con...

WE ARE COMPLETELY FLAWED YET FORGIVEN COMPLETELY Chapter 9 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Romans 4:7 NLT I cannot describe in words exactly how wonderful I feel when I read that scripture. I have been a believer for over 20 years. I did not come to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior until I was 24 years old. And it was not a decision that was easy for me. If you were able to ask the ones who knew me during this time, especially my Christian girlfriends who were praying for me, they would assure you that I was a tough nut. It took me nearly 5 years to make that decision. But when I did, I knew I was flawed and forgiven. Time moved forward. I played all the parts that we have looked at in the earlier chapters, Ms. Perfection, Ms. Confidence, Ms. Happiness, and Ms. Spirituality. And then I rebelled. When life was more pretend than it was real, I decided I didn't like it anymore. I had seen things that I didn't want to see....

The Beauty of Virginia and Lifelong Friends Many years ago, when our oldest son was in High School, getting ready to venture off to Virginia Tech for college, I began praying for his friends. I don't know why I didn't pray this prayer earlier in his life, but as he prepared to go off to school, away from home, I prayed that he would make life long friends while he was there. You see, our Adam has always been a little on the quiet side. He even describes himself as shy. So, I always worried a little bit about him being lonely. Then when we left Virginia and moved to Texas, leaving him there, it seemed even more important that he have people around who he would feel comfortable to call on in times of need, in times when he just wanted to hang out, and in times of just simply needing a friend. When the shootings occurred in April 2006, one friend, - one who he had met at work during a summer job turned longer - went to pick him up in Blacksburg and bring him back "home...

How very sweet of my new blog friend, Carol, to leave me this award and tag! Now, it seems I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy and tag six more people. Here I go.... TEN THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY 1. My husband when he smiles at me. 2. Spending time with my daughter, talking, doing make-up, talking about hair, boys, love, God... 3. My son, Aaron, and the funny way he loves me. 4. Thinking about seeing our oldest son in Virginia this next week. 5. Watching my mom walk without a cane, walker, or crutch, after over three years of waiting- (even though her doctor MIGHT be a little upset) to see her on her feet brings lots of happy! 6. The beauty of the earth...the wind, the trees, the clouds, the air, the beach, flowers, snow, sun, the mountains...all that God created on the earth makes me happy. 7. My friends...to see their phone numbers on my caller ID, to see email from them in my inbox, and knowing that God has blessed me with people to live my life alongside with...