Dear friends - To say our world has been turned upside down would be a huge understatement. As some know, my sweet husband, Jon, passed away suddenly late last summer from necrotizing pancreatitis due to gallstones that blocked his pancreatic duct. Some days it still does not feel real.

Right before Thanksgiving we also lost our nephew Samuel (age 23) when a tree fell on his car as he was driving home for the holidays. He was an amazing Christian, was in med school, and was engaged to be married this spring to Caitlin.

Losing my love of 30 years and the father of my children has been the hardest thing I've ever endured. I'm so thankful for our wonderful family, friends, grief counselors, GriefShare, our church, and most of all God. It really does take a village.

Every day is different, and being a single parent is unexpected. Juliet started high school in the fall, Jayce is living at home while finishing up community college, and Jon Luke moved back from NYC so we could all be together to help each other through this tragedy. We are finding our way and learning how to live without Jon, which is hard. He was an amazing husband and father. We appreciate any prayers you want to send our way.

SOME HAPPY NEWS. We have two additions to our family - Thea and Finn. Thea is our black tuxedo female kitty, and Finn is our gray male tabby cat. We adopted them as kittens and they've grown fast. Their cuddles are comforting, and their shenanigans keep us constantly entertained.

AS FOR MINISTRY, I’ve continued sending orders for Spiritual Circle Journals and Prayer Cards, and I'm slowly easing my way back into speaking and coaching. I have also been rebooking events from last fall that I had to cancel. I’m thrilled to unveil a vibrant new retreat flyer design I will offer groups, crafted by my talented niece Faith.

This flyer is a fall women's event that will be in Iowa. My passion lies in helping women and teen girls deepen their faith, grow closer to God, and live out Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

If your church/organization is looking for a speaker for a women’s retreat, a conference, or a leadership training OR if you're interested in hosting a Saturday morning mini-retreat in your clubhouse, local retreat center, or church, I’m here to help. I genuinely pray for the chance to support your community on their faith journey. Let’s connect and explore possibilities together. Just drop me an email at the email link below (liz@lizlassa.com) or forward this email to that fun friend who loves gathering the ladies for a get together.

A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT NOW AND LATER. If you have not opened your Spiritual Circle Journal in a while, here is that gentle nudge to pull it out and give God ten minutes in the circles. God can do sooo much with so little (think loaves and fishes). That clarity you have been praying for won't be so elusive when you start seeing things on paper and begin connecting dots!

If you need either size of the journal please use the button below. Bulk rates are available and they make great additions to summer Bible Studies, leadership teams/trainings, and retreats/events. To stay in touch, please move this email to your primary folder and save my name and this new email address in your contacts (liz@lizlassa.com).

Thanks for being here. I am praying for you and sending my love.

In Him,

Liz Lassa

www.LizLassa.com