Liz's Letters

Lies. Dishonesty. Eliminating information. Lack of Integrity. They all fall in the "untruth" category in my opinion. But some people seem to believe that leaving important information out of communication is not exactly a lie. Is it? I don't feel that I have to tell everyone everything, but there are some relationships that require the whole truth. For example, my husband. If I went shopping and to lunch with a friend but told him that I only went to lunch - eliminating the shopping - I would consider that a lie. He probably would too. I find myself thinking about this "idea" quite a bit the past few weeks. My son recently had to fill out paperwork for security clearance to get an internship with a federal law enforcement agency. I found myself asking him if he left anything off. Had he given all the information? If anything had been left out, I was concerned it would look like he was trying to cover up. But isn't that why we leave out information, generall...

Here it is, Friday! I never get tired of Fridays! It feels like a party almost every week, even if I do nothing out of the ordinary. In celebration of Friday, I am playing my favorite Friday meme - Friday Fill-Ins! 1. Holding a newborn baby never fails to make me smile. 2. I'm looking forward to SUMMER ! 3. Journey on Pandora is what I'm listening to right now. 4. Potato salad must have pickles in it! 5. Asparagus was the best thing I ate today. 6. Today was casual day at work . 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with our best friends , tomorrow my plans include a jog early in the morning, the annual Texas Flute Society Flute Festival with my daughter at UNT, and watching Lovely Bones (the movie) with my daughter, future daughter-in-law, and (maybe) husband , and Sunday, I want to enjoy worship services at The Village Church , spend a little time at home (unless I change my mind and go to a gathering at the small airport where we hanger o...

Here are a few photos from the past couple of weeks. Some were taken with my iPhone, so they are not the best...but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Thien was hungry for cajun crawfish soon after she got here. (to Texas). I happen to know the place to take her and she was thrilled! My son, Aaron, and myself...well, we decided to order the stuffed flounder. It was quite tasty as well. The peonies have been in full bloom! This is the last bouquet. :( I REALLY love Sushi. I really love having Thien here because she knows how to make Sushi. Actually, I know how too, but I don't take the time to do it. She does. And she did here! YUMMY! This is one of my favorite places in the whole world...my friend, Shirley's house. I have a group of friends and we get together regularly. I love it when we go to Shirley's house. It is so inviting! But I think it is really Shirley...I love her. She is my mentor and I wish I were more like her. Maybe if I keep hanging o...

My pastor, Matt Chandler, had an MRI today. It was a follow up to the one he had after his radiation which showed some "matter" that was concerning. Great news is! Listen to his latest video update and thank God with me!

A few years after the birth of my second son, I decided it would be a great idea to try for a daughter. It took almost four years- after I convinced my husband that trying for a girl was a good idea - to get her here. That journey is a post on it's own, and not the topic of today's thoughts, but today I am thinking, "I had no idea!" I had no idea how it would feel to have a daughter. When she was born, I cried. And I would look at her and cry again. I simply couldn't believe that she was really mine. And I was certain she was a princess. By the time she was 3 years old, she was convinced of it too. My husband and I had a little " unspoiling " to do. I found this difficult, because after all , she really was a princess. Shhh . Well, she is 16 now, and even though "Fairytale" is not really the name of where we live, it felt that way last weekend as our daughter (aka Princess) went to her first prom. I really had no idea how it would feel. She i...

Two weeks ago, I participated in a triathlon. It was not something that I have always wanted to do, especially at 48 years old. It just happened. Let me explain. I have a friend who went for a check up and her blood work came back with all sorts of warning signals. Thyroid, cholesterol, borderline diabetes...you know, the sort of things you don't want to hear when you have recently turned 40. This friend is one of a group of friends who meet regularly for prayer, encouragement, and just plain friendship. At the announcement of our friend's health concerns, another in the group spoke up, saying, "We should do that triathlon in April! That will encourage ALL of us to get healthy!" Well, there are 8 of us in that group of friends. Five of them had the wisdom to say, "That's not for me, you guys go ahead!" I was not one of those five! So, I got online and registered along with two of my cohorts! That was in November 2009! The triathlon was scheduled fo...

Recently, I have been face to face with a couple of different situations where I had to exhort. All at once. And I want to ask God "WHY?" "Why? and why all at the same time?" Certainly, there is something for me to learn and I will continue to wait for His reply. Or .... He could decide my question is self seeking and choose not to answer my selfish request to explain Himself. Either way, I don't like to exhort. period. To exhort according to Merriam Webster - "to make an urgent appeal" . Urgent appeal. Tough stuff sometimes. Most difficult...in my relationship with my husband. But I know I must in order to grow - together . I don't like it though, and neither does he. Matters not which end we are on; giver of exhortation or receiver. (there are times for both, no doubt) Neither of us like either. But in the end - God is honored, our marriage is honored. Oh, Lord, give me grace and humility. It is the only way. My daughter. Who likes...