Newsletter for Friday, September 13th

It’s Fall, and My Calendar is Busy!

Happy Fall! This week has been full of activity—attending Alpha, starting my first Bible study, and preparing for my son Henry and his fiancée Alyssa’s visit this weekend. Life is so good!

Reflecting back to when my children were young, I remember how we were always rushing from one place to another. In hindsight, it wasn’t the recipe for happiness—it was a recipe for chaos, filled with deadlines and stress.

If I could go back—though I know I can’t—I would have prioritized sitting around the dinner table more. I would have made time for real conversations, listening to each other’s experiences, sharing what was bothering us, and simply being together.

What brought this reflection on? My experiences with Alpha and Bible study.

“The Alpha Course outlines the core principles of the Christian faith that all denominations agree on. It’s designed to emphasize that what unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us. Alpha opens doors for meaningful discussions and the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

On Mondays, we meet at church, share a family-style dinner, and then watch a 20-minute video about the Gospel. What follows is a group discussion where people from different walks of life—various careers, ages, and faiths—share openly about how the video resonates with them. It’s been such a powerful experience, teaching me more about myself and those around me.

The Bible study I’m attending, Walking with Purpose, is a “Catholic” Bible study, but the message is relatable for any Christian, as it’s rooted in Scripture. Our group is a mix of women of different ages and faith backgrounds, and their stories have been deeply inspiring. Hearing about their journeys and life experiences has been both fascinating and enriching.

Where I am in life now has changed. I’ve slowed down and am trying to appreciate the things I missed when I was constantly busy. Today, I’m figuring out who I am, what drives me, and what truly matters. This shift began when I said “yes” to going to Medjugorje. If I had said no, I would have missed the chance to grow closer to God, explore the Bible, and understand its stories in a deeper way. That simple yes also expanded my community—I’ve gained new friends and acquaintances in just the past week.

Life is amazing when we say yes. No fear—it’s time to learn, love, and grow.

Henry and Alyssa are coming home to a mom and stepdad who are a little more evolved than the last time they saw us. I like to keep my kids on their toes—LOL! It’s such a blessing to be not only a mom but also a friend to my grown children.

If your kids are still young, my personal advice is to slow down and smell the roses. Constantly running from one activity to the next isn’t sustainable and robs us of our peace and serenity. It’s okay to miss a game. If I could do it all over, I would have spent more time just being with my kids instead of driving everyone crazy with schedules. By the end of the day, we were all anxious and tired, and the last thing anyone wanted to do was sit down for family time.

Make the time now—you won’t regret it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sending love and hugs,
XO,
Elizabeth aka Bizzy