Liz's Letters

Tonight at midnight, the year 2008 is gone and the new year begins. The world waits with anticipation. We wonder and hope. Some of us look back with gratitude at what the last year held for us, some with regret and maybe some Que Sera Sera for a year that might have been painful or difficult. New Years Resolutions will be made - and broken - by many. I am not included in that group as I gave up New Years Resolutions a long time ago when I realized they were more damaging to my personal growth than helpful. Regular and honest personal inventory is what I practice instead. I am a believer in change. My growth in my relationship with the God of the Universe and the One in charge of all change in my life is greatly important. Personal growth, spiritual growth, and a life of simplicity and joy are my goals...all year long. So, as I have spent time pondering the close of 2008, I have asked myself some questions. Questions like, "What have I done to honor God this year?" "How ...

These days are like being in a cocoon. I am with family and close friends. My cell phone has been off. I have checked email very irregularly. My days are filled with cooking, visiting, fragrances of candles and food. There is music in the air, laughter, humming, and fun. Today, I left this safe place, out into the world to buy more groceries. It was like another planet. Reality. Cars. Money. Strangers. I couldn't wait to get back to the warmth of home. Family. What is familiar. Safe. My mind wonders. Just a few more days, our son goes back to the east, with his girl friend. Work, school....life. I like my life, it is good. But this cocoon is so safe, so full of love. Gratefulness fills my heart for times like this when all I need is all I want.

The King has come! After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1 WORSHIP!

An excerpt from the Russell Christmas card story 2008... Russell family tradition is to have a family party on the day our tree is trimmed for holiday celebration. We select a night for the entire family to gather. Cookies are baked, eggnog is served, and Christmas songs fill the air. It is our official ushering in of this magical season. The tree ornaments are placed on a table so that we can select our special ornaments and hang them on the tree. Memories are mentioned, fun stories of how each ornament was adopted into our family are told year after year. In the past, I have deemed a few of the ornaments the "ugly ornaments". Previously, I hung them on the back of the tree, out of sight. Like the one below, I painted when I was in the 3rd or 4 th grade. My mom tells me that my dad tried and tried to talk me out of selecting the colors, but I insisted. The ornament was so ugly, I inherited when I left home, and it hangs on our tree, in all it's pitifulness , y...

Mary, did you know That your baby boy will one day walk on water? Did you know That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know That your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that youve delivered Will soon deliver you Mary, did you know That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Did you know That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know That your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little boy Youve kissed the face of god Mary, did you know? The blind will see The deaf will hear And the dead will live again The lame will leap The dumb will speak The praises of the lamb Mary, did you know That your baby boy is lord of all creation? Did you know That your baby boy will one day rules the nations? Did you know That your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb? This sleeping child youre holding Is the great I am

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, joy to the worlds, and Ho, Ho, Ho's, I am reminded that there are some people who find this time of year more difficult, more sad, and more painful than any other time. For myself, there is an amount of grief this Christmas season that is new to my repertoire of things to feel sad about. My father in law died just a month ago. He was very loved and respected by everyone in our family. I can hear his voice, and see his smile, and it makes me very sad to know that we will not be able to love on him this Christmas. And losing the friend that I loved more than any friend I have ever had has left a gaping, weeping hole in my heart. At this time of year, she and I shared much...music being one of the big things. We were best friends, she was my music minister, her family spent Christmas Eve with us, and we shopped...boy, did we shop. So many times, I just want to call her and tell her what song I just heard, what the band concert sounded like, and...