Maligayang Pasko!

Maligayang Pasko!Merry Christmas!

I hope this letter finds everyone still basking in the holiday glow :) Its been awhile since I wrote, and wanted to send out a short letter letting you all know how much I've enjoyed being home in the states the past few months.

I've gotten to visit with family, a reunion in Kansas City, and even my sister in Arizona!

I've been able to enjoy the change of seasons, although the cold hasn't been my favorite :)

I've gotten to participate in the national elections, something I've realized I'm so blessed to be able to do!

I've gotten to dress up and hand out candy to kids at my church's Halloween event (I was a Lego person).

I've gotten to work full time at WalMart in addition to speaking at churches and partnering with people to help raise support for my next trip to the Philippines.

I've gotten to enjoy American holidays like Thanksgiving with my family and share how glad I was to be there with them this year!

I've gotten to hang out with college friends and visit Olivet for Homecoming, where I was able to share with the missionaries who gathered about what home meant to me, and about how excited I am to be connected to the larger body of Christ, and what that means about my home!

I'm looking forward to spending this weekend connecting with family and friends for Christmas, and next week, starting the new year here in the states, although i will be missing the fireworks in the Philippines(possibly the best ever!).

There have been so many things I've been blessed to experience in my short time here, I wish I could go into detail more, but it wouldn't be a short email anymore!

I am thankful for my time here, but eagerly anticipating returning to the Philippines to continue my work in developing training materials to help prepare and equip other to share the good news in new and exciting ways! I am planning on returning to Manila sometime around January 19th-21^st and have raised almost 75% of my total living expense through generous donations by churches and individuals who are excited about what God is doing! If you want to help reach the 100% goal, you can visit http://web.nazarene.org/goto/liz.hollenberg and check it out!

Thank you All for the blessing you are to me, and know that I am so thankful to know you and to have been able to be in the states for this Holiday Season. God has been teaching me a lot about family, and about the concept of home during my stay here and am thankful that He continues to show me new things each day!

Merry Christmas once more, I hope you had lots of fond memories made, and that you took time to remember that "the hopes and fears of all the years were met in THEE tonight!" God truly is an awesome God!

Love Liz