Liz's Letters

Oh, yeah..... See you next week!

Ahhh. It's Sunday night, all the boxes and wrap are back in the attic, the gifts all carried away to new homes, the feast is dwindling and able to fit nicely into plastic containers, and another Christmas celebration has come and gone in the Russell home. Our middle son's girlfriend had her first "American" Christmas. It was so much fun to give her gifts (from Santa) and from us and to watch her amazement at all the crazy chaos involved in our holiday traditions. Our oldest son and his fiance' actually spent the night (even though they only live 15 minutes away) so they could be here when we all woke in the morning. In fact, they woke first (MIRACLE!) and made us yummy Vietnamese coffee with biscotti for us to enjoy while the stockings were unpacked. And my mom was here too. It is just not the same when she is not able to be here for our holiday celebrations. Hubby, Daughter, and I, all relished in having a "full house" for Christmas. I love the s...

He looked so serious, so still as he sat there Clothed in black robe, square cap balanced just right "He looks more like you than I realized", I whispered to his father "He looks more like my dad", he whispers back Wetness gathers in the bottom of my eyelids Time has gone so fast A second college graduate in our family The children God created through our love so many years ago, I couldn't imagine this day "The Middle Child" this one loved with a great big love but always in between and sometimes feeling left out Yesterday would not have happened without his dedication, his hard work, and his perseverance. Thinking back to the little boy with the big blue eyes, the big round glasses and the hair sticking up. Thinking ahead to the young man who will carry a weapon in law enforcement, community service. My heart fills with pride, with joy, with fear and I know that he is in the hands of God. Congratulations to our wonderful son! UNT Graduate from the Col...

Family Day at Galleria Mall. Still no time for words. Merry Christmas!

I love, love, LOVE my new job but I am so busy! Miss blogging, but will be back soon! There is a photo of my new workplace for Wordless Wednesday!

Reflecting as the month of November comes to a close, it is easy this month to list the multitude of ways that God tells me He loves me. He whispers at times, but this month, He bellowed it from the heavens, in loud, undeniable ways. "I love you, my daughter, Liz! Let me show you!" This week I heard Him. 71. Celebrating. I love holidays and this time of year is like the peak of wonderful for me! It starts with my birthday and doesn't end until New Years. I always feel like it's one big party. 72. Perfect timing. God's timing is so perfect. He brings the right people at just the right time, and as odd as it sounds, He removes people at just the right time. I saw that going both ways this week. Amazing. 73. Silly as it sounds, the fact the the Thanksgiving meal went off without a hitch. I only had a one minute or less panic attack, but otherwise, all the food timed out perfectly, tasted wonderful, and we even tried new recipes! 74. Antibiotics. Both ...

Young pastor turns struggle with cancer into year of teachable moments | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News I am blessed and grateful to be under the spiritual leadership of this man as my pastor. God answers prayer. He is faithful.

Stuffed. That is how I feel - and it has been 2 days since Thanksgiving. I am still stuffed. Stuffed full of food, yes. Also stuffed full of love. My day before Thanksgiving post was a little grouchy. I don't take well to things being changed, especially at the last minute and especially on holidays. But, I did decide to start my day over. And our Thanksgiving holiday was great! Feeling very blessed, and thankful...and stuffed.

I want to start the day over today. Thankfully, it is almost over, so if I just hang on, I will be asleep soon and tomorrow is another day. Today is a day I am grateful to not be living by the Jewish calendar and starting my day at sundown. Well, scratch that! If it is sundown as I type, than technically, I can call it a new day. Whatever! It has just been one of those days. You know, where you wake up not feeling good, go to work anyway, feel terrible and wish you weren't there, and then get home and wish you were back at work? Yeah, I am having one of those days! It is at times like these that I know that I really can start my day over whenever I want. This is a program tool that I love, even though I sometimes have a hard time using it - like today. I am trying to "finish" up some things at work as I prepare to vacate my position. The girl I am supposed to train is on vacation this week. And I really am not feeling well. I feel like I am drowning in mundane ...

Especially since I entered my 40's, I have noticed that the pounds keep pounding upon my body! Two years ago, I started taking exercise much more seriously and eating healthier choices, generally speaking, and by making these two changes, managed to drop 25 of the extra pounds that were weighing me down. But that was a year and a half ago, and I have another 20 that I just keep holding on to! I have evaluated it, prayed about it, found accountability partners, tried diets, pills, etc., but this last 20 pounds seems to be permanantly fixed to my body! AGH! It seems there is more involved than just my love of food, eating, and cooking, but that there is a spiritual problem going on here. Could I have allowed food to become an idol? A "friend" that I turn to when I want comfort? I love the title of Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Made to Crave. It releases soon and I cannot wait to read it! Check out this little video! You might want to read it too. (just sayin...

Thanksgiving is this week and gratitude is the hot topic. People are taking time to think about and be thankful for their blessings at work, in worship services, in thier families, and in the media. Let us remember all that we have to be thankful for all year round! Gifts this week - 61. My birthday. I am grateful for having celebrated turning age 49! 62. My husband who knows exactly how to pamper me! 63. Thai Yellow Curry - prepared for me by my son, Aaron, and his girlfriend, Sofi. This was part of thier gift to me and it was fantastic! 64. God's word. It never grows old, it always changes, and it teaches me and challenges me at exactly the right time in exactly the right way. 65. Flowers. I love fresh flowers. They make the most mundane day seem special and the special days even more perfect. A friend who knows me well left a fresh bouquet on my porch on my birthday and they are still filling my home with frangrance and beauty! 66. Spending Saturday morning at th...

Today is a special day. It is the first day of my last year in my forty's. I am a little anxious about this, but overall, excited. There is something about knowing that 50 is one year away that causes me to experience a deeper motivation to live life to the fullest. Yesterday, I resigned from my current position. Fifteen months ago I accepted a position with a group of cardiologists in Dallas, thinking that it would be a good move to bring more satisfaction in my work life. Long story short, it did not turn out that way. (I don't think that was even a short story, but bear with me.) Although I met some people that I really liked, and enjoyed working with the doctors in that practice, it just really did not satisfy my desire to learn, to lead, and to make a difference. I have tried hard not to complain, and only a few close friends know how I really felt about my job there and I have prayed fervently (and with others) that God would open the door to an opportunity more su...

The Guests The food The Gifts Happy Birthday to Thien!