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