To Katherine, Love Liz

Dear Katherine,

For as long as I have known you I have seen many talents and passions you have. One that often sticks out for me is your love for your siblings. I love to see you with your sisters. What a wonderful family you come from.

Ever since I received your name this year, I knew I wanted to do something for one of your sisters. You live so far away from them and I know you miss them terribly. I didn't know what I would do or which one I would choose, but I had all summer to think about it.

By September I had decided to do something for your sister Anne. She and I are close in age and I knew she had recently been through a divorce and would probably appreciate some help. I don't live near her, so I knew I couldn't do anything to serve her directly. Finally I decided on sending her spiritually uplifting messages in the mail and (hopefully) help her see how much her Heavenly Father loves her.

I was leary at first because I didn't know enough about what was going on in her personal life to feel like I knew what approach to take. But, I let the Holy Ghost guide me in finding what she needed. It took me awhile to find her address (I tried asking my brother but he proved to be very preoccupied with work and family responsibilities -- too busy to help me!) But I finally got it - thanks to Deborah’s help. I told her what I was planning on doing and she encouraged me to go forward with the plan.

So I started sending Anne some talks I found online at LDS.org and hoped for the best. I would send her one a week at first. Then after a few weeks I decided I wanted to incorporate General Conference somehow, so I made some cards with my favorite conference messages. Before I knew it, I had done quite a bit. I decided to make it complete by doing a card for each of the 12 Apostles and the 1st Presidency. In the end, I think I made 20 cards (I’ll be sending you a set in the mail but I didn't get it done in time to send to Hawaii before Christmas).

Throughout the last few months of the year, I made sure to include Anne and her family in my personal prayers, I put her name on the temple rolls each month, and fasted for her regularly. Each time I did these things, I also thought of you and wanted you to be blessed in the same ways.

I hope you  are happy for my choice of service. In closing, I want to give Anne one last message. . .

Dear Anne,

It is my Christmas wish this year to help deliver a message from our loving Heavenly Father who wants you to know how much He loves you. He knows you and has angels working near you to bring you blessings. As you move forward in your life and teach your children the doctrines of the Gospel, you will find peace and joy. My own testimony of this fact has strengthened for myself through this opportunity to serve you and Katherine in this endeavor and I am so thankful for that!

Please enjoy these music videos as my final message to you - they are some of my favorites.

Merry Christmas to Anne and to Katherine! I love you both!

Love, Liz