Liz's Letters

Change. It happens, whether we want it to or not. Faster than we think or sometimes not fast enough. Change has been on my mind a lot the last few weeks. My habits are changing. I exercise more often. I eat different foods. I have changed from 3 or 4 cups of coffee every morning to one or two cups of herbal tea. I can hardly believe that myself! How I spend my time is changing. Family time is a priority. I always thought it was before, but my eyes have been opened to my own deceit. My daughter is turning 16 in two weeks, and I don't like to leave her alone at home. Not because I don't trust her because I do, but because I want to be with her if she is available. This is a change because not that long ago, I didn't mind leaving her at home to self entertain. Now I can hardly stand it. Change. I pray differently these days. My time with God is sweeter and my requests are more about loving Him more, seeing Him work in the lives of those around me, and asking Him to...

1. You have a chance _to start your day over anytime you want to_. 2. The time to_ enjoy life is right now_! 3. There is a _light at the end of the tunnel_. 4. _I only buy now and _pay later to earn points. 5. It's time to _really let things go and move on_. 6.There is always _some aspect of my life that is up in the air but I will choose to enjoy it - whatever circumstance_. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _a date with my hubby_, tomorrow my plans include _cycle class, a little cleaning, some relaxing, and maybe a movie_, and Sunday, I want to _worship at the Village Church (which I LOVE) and have the VERY FIRST MEETING of the Home Group that I am leading! I am so, so excited_! Have a wonderful weekend!

It was a good week over all. But the photos don't reflect the blessings I experienced. And I wonder.... "where was my camera when.....?" Funny how after 34 weeks go by, and I remember to take pictures, then this past week - nada. I forgot. Let me explain. Monday, January 11 I went to work and then went to the gym. (this is an old photo, but the cycle room looks the same) Tuesday, January 11 My family and I are eating vegan only for a couple of weeks. This is what I prepared for dinner. Ratatouille. It's not just a movie! Wednesday, January 13 While getting ready for work, I hear about the tragic earthquake in Haiti. My heart is breaking for those who are there. And then I hear that some of the physicians that work in my building are also in Haiti, working with Doctors without Walls. When I arrive at work, I photograph their names on the directory while adding them to my prayers. They have returned home safely. Thursday, January 14 I went to work and then I went to th...

Thinking about Martin Luther King, Jr., today and the impact that he made in our nation. Good stuff and I am glad that he was bold and courageous enough to step out and make a difference. As thoughts about equality, human rights, and prejudice have tossed around in my mind, there is one verse in the Bible that continues to pop into my head. Love your neighbor as yourself. Romans 13:9 Isn't that what we call, "The Golden Rule"? As a follower of Christ, the Bible is the standard that I use in how I live my life, or it should be. In every situation and every circumstance, God's word is to determine how I behave. This means that my feelings don't get to determine my actions and reactions. And if scripture is my standard, then love has to be the law. God is love. Love is the reason that we have a savior. And it is because of love, God's love, that we should love others...all others. Love is not a feeling, it is not a mushy emotion that gives us warm fuzzi...

Some of you have asked how my pastor is doing. He just finished his third week of radiation and has three more. He also is about to finish his third week of chemotherapy, and has three more. He is doing good, he is upbeat, and relying on God. God uses this in the lives of all of us at The Village Church, and even in the lives of people all over the world. I am learning my own lessons from God as I ask Him to reveal the work He wants to do in me in this circumstance. One of the things I am in awe over is that Matt and his family have decided to suffer this trial and battle this battle publicly. This decision of Matt's has helped me learn a great deal about honesty, about trust in God and others, and heal from some past hurts that involved dishonesty and secrets in church leadership. What a refreshing change. And I have determined where I fall in the question, "Is God so sovereign that He won't change His mind?" He is absolutely sovereign, yes, and He does chang...

I LOVE FRIDAYS! Here is my Friday fill-in-the-blank posting! 1. The lesson I learned yesterday was _that it is important to always be honest with myself_. 2. _I love it when my home is_ where friends and family meet. 3. All these years _, almost 30 of them now, I have been in love with the same man._ 4. _There were flowers on my desk_ when I arrived. 5. The truth is _I really just want to "retire"._ 6. _The pained look in her eyes_ is what I remember most from that day. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _dinner and shopping with Tricia_, tomorrow my plans include _cycle class, a massage, shopping with my daughter, and an evening at home watching a movie_ and Sunday, I want to _go to worship services and then watch the Dallas Cowboys play AND WIN the game against the Vikings_! GO COWBOYS! Somewhere in there, I should grocery shop! :) Have a great weekend!

Evidently, I am not inspired to be creative. Days come and go and this is the conversation that I hear: Love Writing Liz, "I want to post something on my blog." Me, "But what are you going to write about?" Love Writing Liz, "I am not sure, but I know something will is there (in my heart) that is ready to be expressed." Me, "I am not sure about that. The brain seems have taken over for the heart and your words are a little....well, direct- aka dull." Love Writing Liz, "That's okay...write anyway." My mind has been busy. For this I am thankful. For one thing, it means I can think! And it also means I am learning, which is fun and makes me feel just a little more alive. There are a lot of changes happening in my world. Some of them are initiated by me, some of them have been introduced by others but I agreed to, and some of them? Well, some of them are just happening whether I like it or not. One evening, recently, I was with t...

We ek 34 has come and gone and I was a little lax about taking my photos. It was so cold in Texas (ranging from 14 to 28 degrees) for so many days that I found myself lacking motivation. Go figure. Tuesday, January 5 The group of friends - we call each other Warrior Chicks - came over for meeting 2 of Beth Moore's Bible Study on Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman. This group of friends all met at a summer Bible Study nearly 3 years ago. The Bible Study is long over and we represent 3 different church homes, but we still meet monthly for fellowship. We recently decided that we wanted to do this study together. Somehow I was elected to lead. hmmmmm.... Anyway, we had a great time.... Wednesday, January 6 On my way out the door, BEFORE I put my coat on. I don't ever need to dress like this in Texas.... but it has been so, so cold! YUCK! Friday, January 8 My hubby received a gift certificate for this old time saloon and steak house as a Christmas gift. He and I drove the 1 1/2 ...

Feeling so sad my dog is ill his teeth are hurtin' he won't take his pill We waited a time then returned to the vet so he's having surgery a quite risky bet His body is old his kidneys are weak the whole family's nervous we feel rather bleak We hope Rusty's strong and fights a good fight so he can come home after staying one night. Get well, Rusty!! ** UPDATE! Rusty is home and recouperating well! **

that this is gonna be a good, good year!!!!!! I have great expectations! And I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I do like goals. And prayers. I know God will answer prayers, and there are a few that I look forward to seeing the answer to, hopefully in 2010. It would be great if love and peace and forgiveness would win out in a few broken relationships. I am still praying. And I am look forward to how my marriage will become more wonderful, as it does every year! My health should improve since I am training for a triathlon. I lost 23 pounds in 2009. I look forward to losing about 15 to 20 more. Completing the Caveman triathlon with a couple of my very good friends is a goal that I am excited to achieve! It is going to be fun to see what God is going to do because I said "yes" to Him and stepped up into Home Group leadership with my church. And my church.... I have to say I am amazed and thrilled to love my church! What a blessing after so many years of being a s...

It seems like a lifetime since last week's Project 365 posting. Monday, December 28, It was the last day that Adam and Thien were here all day. They left on December 29, early in the morning. This is what some of Monday looked like at my house - memories that I want to etch into my heart.... Below is a photo of Adam, Aaron, and Rebecca...the Russell kids. Tuesday, December 29 I was sad... so I kept looking at the painting that Thien painted and gave Fred and I for Christmas! Isn't it beautiful? Wednesday, December 30 I was driving to work and saw the most wonderful sunrise! God of wonders! Thursday, December 31 New Years Eve 2009 Fred and I hosted a party to ring in the new year. Here is a photo early in the night...a handful of some of the very best friends in the world! I look at the faces in this photo and know the blessings that God has poured over me this year with these ladies! Each of them has a different place in my heart and each of them are my BFF's!!! And of c...

So, I should be sleeping in ( I was up until 2 a.m.), but since my entire family knows I don't (normally) sleep in, I have received 3 phone calls before 9:30 a.m. I love my family! But I was sleeping in! ha ha! Instead of sleeping, I sit here having coffee and completing these Friday Fill-In's! Here are my latest fill in the blank answers. 1. Last night _ Fred and I hosted a New Years Eve party that was wonderfully fun, thanks to our very lovely guests!_ 2. _I am really looking forward to the great things happening_ this year. 3. The funniest thing _we did last night was play charades_ . 4. _I have made a list of all my 2010 goals_ ...so where do we go from here? 5. He said _"Let's stay home"_ ; she said _"I want to go"_ . (they went) 6. _Joy is available to us each and every moment_ and it's up to us to find it. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _movie viewing_ , tomorrow my plans include _CYCLE CLASS!, ma...