**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Sweet Things!
Finally, August 1st! I’m always so glad to see it come so that it can GO. But it’s not just the end of a long, hot summer for everybody. It’s also the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. Those of you with school-age children will soon find yourself back in carpool lines and going over spelling words. In just a couple of weeks, Jackson will start kindergarten and will catch our whole family by surprise even though we’ve known it was coming for five and a half years. We just cannot fathom it. We have a picture framed in our bedroom that I see everyday with Keith and I cuddling him between us when he was just a few hours old, and we brand-spanking-new grandparents are kissing over his head. Something was reborn in that couple of 25+ years that day. Our interests have always tended to be different and were getting increasingly so, but, that cold February afternoon in Dallas, Texas, we somersaulted right back into one another and tumbled into a well of love with a seven pound man-child.
Keith and I got to have Jackson and Annabeth Friday night while Curtis and Amanda went to dinner and a movie. They’d been gone for 10 days to Wyoming and, even though we’d seen them at a Mexican food restaurant the day they got home, we’d not had them to ourselves yet. We made a date right away. They delight us to no end and cause us to laugh until our sides split. Don’t get the idea there’s no work involved but investments don’t get better than this one. We have real, live conversation over dinner these days and, when you’re grandparents, not a single word gets wasted on you. All of it’s solid gold. Jackson told us at the dinner table Friday night while stuffing a piece of warm French bread into his mouth that butter is his “temptutation.” And, sure enough, it was dripping off of his chin and looked so good that we all shared that same temptutation and gave right on in to it.
We have an empty room in our house right now because we wanted Melissa and Colin to have her bedroom furniture and it’s turned into the perfect playroom. Nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination. Jackson and I built an obstacle course Friday night that ended with a dizzying spin in my swiveling desk chair. It was so much fun. Amanda and Curtis walked through the door at 10:15 and we were all four still up in the kitchen, Paw Paw popping popcorn on the stove. It’s so good to have the Jones’s home. Melissa and Colin have been out of town for a week, too, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on them. They’re flying home from California this very moment. Most of the time they were out of cell phone range so we’ll have plenty to catch up on.
On to the business at hand! Our year is flying by! It’s time to check in with our fifteenth verses for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team. For some reason I’ve seen the word “gentleness” turn up a number of times in my Scripture reading lately so I’ve decided to choose a memory verse that makes especially important use of it. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Restoration is one of the most powerful, intentional works of the Cross of Christ. Let’s never refuse anyone his or her right to be restored. Here’s to a little gentleness in a harsh world. Everyone could use some.
Stay in the Word, Siestas! You are so loved here!
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”(Matthew 5:16, NIV).
Rhonda, Trenton, Tx
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 NIV
Eph 3:20-21
Not to Him is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever
God’s Word translation
Melissa, Granbury TX (NKJV)
Colossians 1:23
if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Kelly, St. Paul, MN
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16 NIV
Doris, Whiteville, NC
Proverbs 3:1-2 ESV
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your hearts keep my commandments,
for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
Jennifer – Otisville, MI
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Prov 12:16 NIV
Diane, Gig Harbor, WA
Opening his mouth, Peter said, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to him.”
Acts 10:34-35, NASB
Katherine The Colony, TX
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 ESV
Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
Proverbs 12:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Liz Gladstone Or
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
1 Peter 1:3 NIV 1984
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Kristi, OKC
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT
i think i forgot to post my verse this time!
Galatians 5:15
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Jamie, Phoenix: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
The Lord has done great things for us and our hearts are filled with joy! Ps126:3 NIV
James 1:12 [NIV]
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
Amy, Colorado Springs:
“For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
– Psalm 84:10, ESV
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Ashley, Tampa, Fl. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)
“There are three things that amaze me-
no, four things that I don’t understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman.” Proverbs 30:18-19 NLT
Jan: Troy, Alabama
My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Ps 46:10 NIV
Jerri Princeton, TX
Psalm 33:11 NIV
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil 2:13 NIV
Lauren, New Braunfels, TX
Cindy Alton NH Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 KJV
Monique, Elizabethtown, KY Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come. 1 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Sorry for the last posting…I’ve been working on the verse but just now posted it on the blog. 🙂
Jacksonville,FL “Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9 NIV
Suni – Roanoke, VA
Philippians 2:14-15 – Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe! -NIV
Qwh Hebrew word pronounced kaw-VAW
This was in one of Beth Moore’s wonderful books. Isaiah 64 was one passage that it is in. it means: Wait, expect, look for patiently, hope, to be confident, trust, to be enduring.
Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)
To all who mourn in Israel,he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair.In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Amy ~ Junction City, OH
Carol, Roswell GA
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 (NIV)
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
Cindy
Columbia, MO
“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
Prov. 17:28 ESV
Sorry I’m late!
Teri Smith, Gadsden, AL
“The LORD your God…turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.” Duet. 23:5 NIV
Janelle, Dallas, TX
For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon You, for You answer me.
Psalm 86:5-7 ESV
Barbara, Prospect, KY (sorry I’m late!!) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 NIV
Tracy, Hobe Sound, FL~ “Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.” Isaiah 26:4 The Message
I’m jumping into this a little late for the 1st of the month, but I wanted to join in. Heck I’m even joining in kind of late for the year. So, hi everyone!
Here’s my verse for this 1st-ish of the month:
Psalm 145:17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
Beth, I so enjoyed reading up on your precious family. I so understand the joys as I’m a wife of 21 years…Mommy to two daughters (25 and 18) and Grandma to my oldest daughters two girls 4 and 3) and mother in love to a great SIL. And let me not forget my two fur babies…Goodness and Merci. They are Maltese brothers. I often call them the sons I never had.
Love the Scripture you shared. Convicting and encouraging in the same breath. Ahh, that’s the Word!!!
Blessings and love to you and your family. I so hope and pray to be a part of the Siesta Memory Verse for 2012 and get to come to see all of you dear siestas in 2013.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Julie – Ozone, AR
“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8(HCSB)
Allison, Eau Claire, WI
Psalm 27:8 NLT
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Kaiva in Glen Ellyn, IL
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:24 NLT
Beth, Marion NC
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (RSV)
Deborah J., Clearwater, FL
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19, NIV)
“When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
Prov 31:21
NIV
Nicole, Prairieville, LA
Rene, Overland Park, KS
(have been away at my 80 yr. old mom’s house w/no computer service)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.”For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB
Louisville, ky hab. 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.