Greetings from Atlanta

I hope this December has been a good month for you all. I have meant to get back to the Blog for a few weeks, but honestly, like most of you, I have been busy with company, decorating, cooking, shopping, and all that we do to make our Christmas celebrations special and memorable. This Christmas has been just that for me and my family. This was our first Atlanta Christmas, so that alone was worth the memory making category. For me, it was the first Christmas in many, that I was whole in Christ, redeemed from brokenness to a new place to experience an intimate relationship with the Savior of the World. Celebrating His birth this year took on a new meaning for my life. So, as I shopped for gifts and prepared for our celebrations, I had one goal in mind and one purpose in my heart....to show my kids and my family God's amazing love and grace that he has given so freely to me.

One of the highlights of the month was having all my family here in ATL at one time. Mom, Dad, Lane, Lauren, and Luke (Lauren's boyfriend) drove from Arkansas to Atlanta. This was the first time my parents have been to this great city. I was so excited to finally have them here and show them where Lawson and I landed. There was so much to see and so little time. I think the highlight of the trip for Dad was seeing the Alpharetta High School Christmas Band concert. Lawson's percussion ensemble played several cool opening numbers, but for Dad, the finale was the best. It was a John Phillip Sousa March with a little Christmas flair. On Saturday, we took a family trip to the Georgia Aquarium and had a great Italian dinner together at Maggiano's in Buckhead.

I think Mom and Dad were overwhelmed with Atlanta's size and all the traffic. There is no comparison to little Pittsburg, Texas (population 4500) to Atlanta, Georgia(population 5.6 million). I tried not to scare my poor Daddy with my driving, but I'm sure at one point, there were doubts in his mind that I really new my way around this huge city. Mom just sat in the backseat oblivious!

As everyone left and I hugged and kissed my parents good bye, my heart broke for a bit as I always hope it is not our last goodbye. Usually I'm leaving their house and cry as I drive down the road. Mom never knows I'm crying. This time, I was crying before they left the driveway. I don't think my Mom knew how to handle it. She wisely said, "this is part of life". Still doesn't make it easy. I say all this because in the pain of saying goodbye, I also have complete assurance that no matter what happens, I will spend eternity with both my Heavenly Father and my earthly parents. I am so blessed to have that peace of mind and faith in life eternal.

That's the meaning of Christmas in my life. Through the birth of a sinless babe that would become a sinless man, born as the Son of God, to live and die for all mankind, who without Him have no hope. This Christmas, I have hope and know the God who gives hope. I pray for peace in our world, healing for our nation, and hope for those I love, to know God and walk with Him closer in 2009.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!

Liz

My Thanksgiving List

This Thanksgiving Day is almost over. I helped Mom cook the big Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, making sure I took mental notes of how she made the dressing. Then we had the chance to sit down with Dad and my niece, Emily and have a cozy meal. Before our meal, Dad blessed the food, in his usual way, not failing to give praise and thanksgiving to our Lord for the abundance in our lives. At 83 years, Dad has lived through so much in our country, in our family, in his marriage, and in his own life. He has remained faithful to God and leads our family, even as spread out as we are, to do the same. To pray with my Dad is the greatest privilege and joy in my life.

So, now that the kitchen is cleaned, I've had a nap with the Cowboy football game in the background, and with my favorite coffee in hand, I want to share with you my Thanksgiving Blessings (in no particular order) and pray your life is blessed and full of joy today!

Mom and Dad

Vicky

Lauren, Lane, Lawson

Georgia

Texas

Arkansas

Beautiful Seasons

God's redemption

Grace

Eve, Judith, Sally, Ginny, Lienne

Freedom

My Baby Grand Piano

Emory

Church

Eternal Life

Good Health

Buddy the dog

Music

Work and Rest

Georgia's Autumn is Stunning

I wish I could capture the absolutely beautiful colors that I get to experience as I drive around Atlanta! This Fall has proven to be as colorful as any I have ever lived through. The angle of the sunlight enhances the colors and I can't even begin to take the picture of God's handiwork with my little digital cam. Last week the reds and oranges were in full peak. This week, the transition to their yellows and golds make everything seem even brighter. The days reach 70 and the nigths cool down with the sunset. I've tried to share with a few pics what I get to see when I walk around my neighborhood. Of course, Buddy gets to take a run when I get out and he is totally uninterested in any of the changing colors.

In the midst of this beauty God reminds me of his creativity, his provisions, and his presence during the ever changing seasons of my life. The God who created all things, is the God who loves me in the most intimate way and has become my constant companion during my journey to Atlanta. I am at such peace with being content and settled. What a change from 12 short months ago!

2008 Atlanta Heart Walk

It was a perfect day for the 2008 American Heart

Association annual HeartWalk in Atlanta. I was the proud team captain of a team reaching high goals. Emory Healthcare was the top company in Atlanta raising $257,000 for research, education, and public awareness of cardiovascular disease.

An estimated 22,000 walkers participated today. For me it was great to get out and exercise but it was also a chance to walk through parts of Atlanta I've yet to visit since arriving in April. So, like any excited tourist, I had my camera ready. My pictures can't do justice to the fabulous fall colors that have painted the Atlanta landscape in the past week. But I've attempted to capture some of this beautiful fall for you.

Outstanding Altos from Mt. Pisgah

High Tea was Saturday for all the altos from Mt. Pisgah. Hats and gloves were in order, as was the finest of china and a wide selection of English Teas. (Sorry Jud for having coffee during High Tea). What a fun afternoon to learn Emily Post's rules for High Tea etiquette and practice with only the classiest women. After tea we rehearsed our parts for the North Atlanta Christmas Festival. We are recording our CD this week and must be completely on pitch. If anyone wants to come to Atlanta for some Christmas Shopping extraordinaire and take in a professionally produced Christmas Concert featuring (not only me in the alto section) the Georgia Tech Drum Corp, let me know. I'm really excited about the production and the ministry that God has put me in.

Theresa and Me

AHSMB Alpha & Lassiter 10-11-2008_8385
Originally uploaded by bsnyder95

After months of prayer and asking God to meet my needs for friends, I am so happy to introduce my new friend, Theresa. We met through band. Her son, Hunter, and Lawson are on the drumline and look like brothers. T and I are accused of being sisters. We are getting to know each other so well, Like me, she is a survivor. She has a tremendous testimony of God's healing her body of terminal cancer. Through T, I found a church, sing in the choir, and have the encouragement of a friend.
I so miss my friends in Arkansas and know that good friends are a gift from God. I treasure each and every friend.

Raider Marching Band

AHSMB 2008-08-29-Alpha&SForsyth_4313
Originally uploaded by bsnyder95

Lawson is having a great time in the Alpharetta High School Marching Band. This band is 5 years young and already marching Class 6A. Their show this year is awesome. When I watch Lawson march, I feel like the proudest parent ever. He has fit right into this band and loves the drum line. His band director and percussion teacher are awesome. We are both so blessed with our move to Atlanta.

Work is going well and my clinics are very close to being JACHO prepared. I am excited about being at Emory and the opportunity to share in the culture of learning at this academic and research hospital and university. I hope to work on campus in the future, but until then, I have a huge job that allows me to share a vision for patient care and help bring order to chaos!