Now, from AJ.
Where do you enjoy going on vacation and what you like to do?
Our whole family loves to be in the mountains. Believe it or not, I didn’t see a real mountain until we took an unforgettable summer trip to Colorado when Melissa and I were teenagers. Most of our vacations up to that point had been to beach towns on the Texas Gulf Coast. (That’s what happens when your dad loves to fish. No complaints here though!) So there’s a very big part of me that needs to spend quality time at the beach every summer. I am not one to lay out for hours in the sand. I like to swim in the waves and catch hermit crabs. In the mountains, my mom and sister really enjoy hiking but I would prefer to be on a horse going through those trails with my dad. In the winter, Curt is the only one in the family who skiis but we all like to snowmobile.
What is your favorite place to eat out in Jackson Hole?
My favorites are The Virginian for breakfast, Billy’s Hamburgers for lunch, and The Mangy Moose restaurant for dinner. Sweetwater is another good place if you want to eat girly food. It depends on when you go because some of these restaurants close during the “off season.”
What Bible study software does Beth use that has “talking Strong’s”?
Beth constantly uses WORDsearch 7 (there is now a version 8). Another Bible study software tool with talking Strong’s is Bible Explorer Premium 4.0. If you are only looking for talking Strong’s, which will teach you how to pronounce the Greek and Hebrew words, Bible Explorer’s lower price might make it the best choice. Both of these can be found at www.wordsearchbible.com.
How do I leave a comment on the blog?
See if this helps.
Is Beth almost done writing the Esther study?
Beth’s deadline for this study is in June. She is currently finishing Week 5. This brings me to another question, which is “How can we best pray for Beth?” She covets your prayers for this project!
When Beth has her quiet time by the fire, is it a wood burning fireplace or gas logs?
It was a wood burning fireplace up until two years ago when my parents remodeled their house. Now they have gas logs. This is very good for me because my son has a deep longing to play in ashes.
Can Living Proof develop an online community for the Siestas?
This is a very good question that I have received through email a number of times. LifeWay hosted a Believing God community for us five years ago when that Bible study was published online. It was a great experience for that season and we absolutely loved having that kind of interaction with women around the world. However, it required a lot of work, training of staff and volunteers, and constant observation. LifeWay even carried the larger load for us since they took care of the technical side of things. At this point, I think it would take at least one full time worker to oversee an online community and to take care of the technical aspects. Even with a full time employee taking care of this, it would generate another handful of work for Beth. And there are only two hands! I’m not sure we could sustain a blog and an online community and still have her writing Bible studies and teaching at conferences.
Has Beth read the Mitford series by Jan Karon?
My mom was obsessed with the Mitford books. She even had an audio version of one that she lent me for a road trip.
By the way, Beth, that is one gorgeous little Tod you have! How will you EVER say “no” to those beautiful big eyes?
Recently I saw a little boy in a Spiderman suit out in public with a woman who I assumed was his grandmother. Immediately I realized that one day my son would go out in public, under the supervision of his grandmother, dressed in anything he wanted to wear. Because she could not say no to the big blue eyes. The only difference is, my mom will be dressed up with him.
In what order should the Bible studies be taken?
There really isn’t a suggested order. I think for someone in the very beginning of their walk with God, Jesus the One and Only and Living Beyond Yourself are great places to start. Believing God is an excellent follow-up to Breaking Free. Other than that, I think someone should start with whichever study seems to interest them most or however the Spirit seems to be leading at that time. If you really, really need some direction, it wouldn’t hurt to do them in the order they were written.
What does Keith do? We know about all his caveman adventures, but what was/is his job?
Keith ran the family plumbing company from the mid-1980’s until just a few years ago when he sold his share of the company to his partner. Since then he has been extremely blessed with lots of freedom to live out his caveman adventures, manage the Moore household, and take very good care of his woman. My parents are especially grateful that my dad can be an active part of her ministry through the TV program, Life Today with James and Betty Robison. (She can be seen on the program every Wednesday teaching Bible study.) He is present for every filming and has accompanied her on both mission trips to Angola. I think it’s fair to say that their lives have had an extra measure of peace since my dad sold the company.
When are you going to have another baby?
Right now we’re only planning to have one more child, so we want to be good and ready before we expand our family. I was sick for the first trimester with Jackson, so I want to really want it before I go through that again. Aside from the morning sickness, I want to savor everything about being pregnant and having a newborn again. I look forward to being more confident the second time around and hopefully being able to enjoy it more, knowing that it goes by so quickly. Of course, God is sovereign and only He knows how the expansion of our family will go.
Do you get bombarded 100 times a day with “Can your Mom come speak to…”?
I used to get asked that a lot but not as much anymore, for which I’m thankful. It’s hard to say no to a friend, so I usually let Susan do that for me! Susan is my mom’s assistant and she has the very tough job of being the protector of Beth’s time. Every “no” she says to an extra opportunity is a “yes” to our family. “Yes, you can come down this weekend for a visit. I’m dying to see my grandson.” “Yes, Dad and I can come up this weekend and hear Curtis preach.” “Honey, there’s an opening in my schedule and Dad and I are heading to the mountains for a week.” We do not take no’s and yeses for granted.
Melissa and I used to function as Mom’s assistants when we were younger. The Lord knows how many messages we took on scraps of paper (with markers) in the kitchen for speaking engagements here and there. If any of you had to deal with our seven and ten-year-old selves on the phone, I’m so sorry! There’s no telling what we said!
As a Mom, are you able to get your quiet time in EVERY day? What is your way of doing quiet time, journaling, reading a study or just reading the Bible?
It took me a long time after Jackson was born to get back on track with my quiet times. I finally found a routine that works well for us. When we wake up, I give Jackson a cup of milk to drink while I make breakfast. Then I pull his high chair into the living room where he can eat and watch Noggin. I sit right next to him on the couch, eat my breakfast, and have my quiet time. That gives me about 20-30 minutes before he is ready to get down and run around the house. I like to journal my prayers because it helps my mind to stay focused. The last two devotional books I used were David: 90 Days With a Heart Like His and Jesus: 90 Days With the One and Only. Both of those have built-in prayer journals. I am biased because my mom wrote both of them, but I thought they were excellent. Right now Curtis and I are using Devotions for a Sacred Marriage: A Year of Devotionals for Couples by Gary Thomas and we are loving it. You’re only supposed to do one a week, but we are cheating and doing one every day. I would highly recommend it. I definitely have days when I miss my quiet time, especially if we are traveling. I struggle when I’m out of my morning routine.
How does one get on the Deeper Still blog?
The Deeper Still blog is temporarily suspended due to the gap of time
between events. LifeWay is currently looking at the possibility of restarting
it for the 2008 locations.
Can you recommend a child-raising book or author who you believe gives Biblical advice?
Someone mentioned this in a comment, but I read James Dobson’s Bringing Up Boys and I learned a lot from it. I haven’t read many parenting books yet, but I will say that I love to listen to radio programs like Family Life Today and Focus on the Family. I always learn something and feel encouraged when I get to tune in.
Why does God wait so long to let some of us ladies get married?
I do not know the answer to this question and I wish there was a good explanation. Sometimes I think we would all benefit from going back to arranged marriages and getting married around the time that teenage hormones kick in. Call me crazy, but I have a whole argument for this in my head.
How do you live a normal life? Can you go to the mall without being swarmed?
I don’t think there’s ever been a “swarm” at the mall. Usually we get to meet a couple of Bible study sisters and that’s fun. I was sorry I missed getting to meet Jen the Newlywed a couple weeks ago when she ran into my mom and sister at Willowbrook Mall.
Any thoughts on a study on Job? I’ve been reading and re-reading Job lately, and it really just moves me. God says SO much there….
Check out Yet I Will Trust Him in our online store. It was recorded at a Living Proof Live conference in New Orleans in, I believe, 2002.
What is your very favorite worship song?
Curtis and I are currently obsessed with Savior King by Hillsong United. It really takes off halfway through, so be sure to listen to the whole thing.
How did your mom pass on her passion for Christ to you girls?
More than anything, I think we saw her abundant life and knew that it was because of her commitment to and love for Christ. We also spent lots of time talking about the Lord and worshipping Him together through contemporary Christian music. (Much of this happened while we were driving in the car. That’s one reason I can be thankful for Houston traffic.) I always had lots of spiritual questions and we had some awesome conversations about the Lord through those. One of the main things she taught me was to submit myself to Christ every single day so that I could be dead to my flesh and alive in the Spirit. In other words, have my quiet time! (See Galatians 5:16-18.)
Melissa and I both went through a time when we had to make our faith “our own” and choose for ourselves whether we would continue to follow Christ when our parents weren’t there to direct our steps. I think we both got a taste of the world and learned the hard way that abundant life was only found in Christ.
What is the best advice your mom ever gave you?
Choose joy.
“This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 188:24)
What Bible studies or books do you recommend?
Someone asked how you define ministry. I learned from C. Gene Wilkes’ book Jesus On Leadership that ministry is simply service. “Minister” is just a fancy word for servant. This is definitely a study I would recommend to anyone. Another book I absolutely love to recommend is The Prisoner in the Third Cell by Gene Edwards. If you have felt disappointed by God recently, get this book!
Has your family been attacked by the enemy because of your ministry?
Without a doubt. And so have the Gates, Hamm, Harris, Kirby, McClure, Mattingly, McMahon, Meyer, S. Moore, and Riley families. When we get to hear testimonies from women whose lives and whose families’ lives have been changed by power of God’s Word, we get a glimpse of what is at stake in the heavenly realms. Whatever we are allowed to go through for the sake of the Bride of Christ being prepared for her Groom, it will be more than worth it when we see His face. We consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)
Hey Amanda, sorry this is TOTALLY unrelated but I’m beginning a Bible study tonight with the ladies in our music ministry at our church and I wanted to ask my Siesta to be praying! There’s a lot of women out of touch in our big church and I’m hoping the Lord can use me to encourage them and build relationships both with Him and each other!
Thanks for letting me ask this!!
Val
NC
Amanda:
Bless you for being transparent with us siestas! My husband and I are also in fulltime ministry. At times it really feels like living in a glass house doesn’t it? I would not trade places with anyone because this is where God has placed me.
Blessings to you and your family. You are a sweetheart!
Amanda,
Thank you for your comments regarding making your faith “your own”. It is encouraging to know that the example and I am sure the prayers of your mother sustained you. I have a child away at college and I am watching them (joyously) as they are making their own choices and realizing that the world is not what they want. There could be no greater joy as a parent than to know your child has a heart for the Lord. God bless you Amanda as you pass your Godly heritage to your son, Jackson. We all need the prayers and encouragement of others. In the end we all want to be together glorifying God in Heaven!
The Journey Continues ~
Precious AJ, I sincerely appreciate you being so open and real with us blog of Siesta’s! Please tell your mother and father THANK YOU for their commitment to you, the TOD, Melissa, and eachother. My HAT GOES OFF to SUSAN ( assist) for having a discerning spirit and watching over your precious family with love and GOD’S GUIDANCE.
I want to let you all know that we have homes in the mountains * tell your husband we are near a ski resort in California 🙂 and beach with walking trails & pvt. park. and you are welcome to enjoy them anytime. I send you all of BIG HUG and to all my Siesta’s thanks for leaving comments on my blog and sending me emails too. I am blessed! I love reading all the blogs. So many joys and so many pains in this Siesta World.
BETH, AJ, MELISSA ~ Blessings to all of you for leading the pack!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim Safina ~ central coast calif.
For talking Strongs – http://www.crosswalk.com has bible look up tool for FREE. You just choose KJV or NAS Strongs as the translation, the blue linked words are Strongs words – when you click on them, it shows you the word, definition and has a sound button to push, and it says the word for you. I like FREE!
And the beach at Destin, FL is amazing, too!!
Thanks for being so transparent!
Thanks, Amanda, for all of those fun answers. I really like the simple but profound advice to choose joy. I am so trying to do this but sometimes it is hard when the hormones are whacky 😎
I will keep everyone in my prayers as the big day approaches for Melissa.
Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you so much for answering quetions and administrating this blog!
I love this siesta community! I come here every day and am always blessed in one way or another.
Praying for everyone during the big doins!
Love ya
Kristi B.
Amanda:
You have no idea how it tickled me that you dug my question out and answered about your dad’s profession. I NEVER would have guessed. I really would have thought waiting on the three Moore Princesses hand and foot was a full-time job.
What I really need now, though, is a cameo blog appearance from Siesta Melissa because -SHE- is the one with some questions to answer! I WANT WEDDING DETAILS.
I just started the Psalms of Ascent bible study and I really must comment. Beth, I love your hair! I must have it. Please, put it in the blog how you got it to do that. Is there a picture I can have to take to my hair stylist on Tuesday!!???
Living Beyond Yourself was the first BS I did. It was a great first one! I absolutely LOVED it. I too, would recommend that as a first to anyone who asks. Normally I actually do recommed that one first!
The Q&A was so fun.
And, I actually just called Jen (The Newlywed) because I figured she hadn’t read this post yet! She was sad to miss you too! She just had her wisdom teeth taken out yesterday, so she’s layin’ low! If you think of her pray for her quick recovery, siestas! Thanks so much!
Thank you Amanda. You gave me lots to think about. And I want to follow up on a few books/studies/songs that you mentioned. It is so encouraging to listen to you talk about your walk with God. And Melissa’s. What more could your Moore parents ask for?!! And it encourages the rest of us for our own adult children.
Amanda I had to laugh but looked it up I didn’t know what a Jackson Hole was LOL! I thought it was where you lived at.
I love the answers you gave us back we are so blessed to have you as a sister!
Oo Oo, Joy (Waving my hand at you)
I’ve never been to that area and (Lord willing) my family and I are going to be vacationing at Yellowstone this year. I’ve been waiting YEARS to go there.
We’ve been all over the United States but the Upper Northwest is an area I’ve never gotten to visit. I’m so excited. (Clapping my hands gleefully.)
Someday I hope to see the Tetons & take a trip up the West Coast on hwy 1. :o)
Anyway… just wanted to shout out to ya.
Anna
Thank you, Amanda! You are so sweet to be open and honest with all of us. I’m off to check out Savior King…I can’t place it in my mind!
Beth & Amanda,
I’m surprised someone did not ask you about your favorite Mexican food restaurant. I live in Dallas, and love to eat at Cozumel’s. It’s in Plano, but worth the drive! Also Mi Cocina is good. From one Mexican food lover to another, check it out if you ever have the time.
Hillsong’s Savior King, Wow what a way to start the day….thank you!!
To the person who asked about parenting resources: I have a very active 4-year-old boy and a very laid-back almost 1-year-old boy (Praise the LORD, I don’t think I could have handled another crazily-active one!). I have read several different Christian-based parenting books. We really relied on the Babywise-toddlerwise-preschool-wise when our 4-yr-old was younger because they offered some great pro-active parenting tips and techniques. Now that he is older and can understand more, we think “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp is right on. It offers lots of encouragement to raise your child and discipline him/her with love and scripture. I also really appreciate Lisa Whelchel’s “Creative Correction”. It gives GREAT examples of things you can do with your child to teach Biblical leasons. I can’t get my husband to read it, though,:), yet! I think he’s scared that he might learn something from Blair. 🙂
Being the mother of very young ones, I appreciated hearing about how you fit in quiet time. I had tried to get back into it several times and failed after a few days. I tried your ‘method’ this morning. I hope I can make it stick this time around. We have a built-in desk in our kitchen so that’s our spot, because our living room would be a total mess 🙂
“…my mom will be dressed up with him.” -Hilarious yet precious!
Just had to pop in at something-like-the-thousandth commenter to say I LOVE “Savior King!” One of my favorites to be sure! I also love “Lead Me to the Cross” on that same CD.
*Amanda…i had more than this that I tried to send three times, but I don’t think it sent. Let me try this again…Here is a shortened version…
If a child is fortunate enough to have parents who have their child’s heart protected in the center of their own, then arranged marriages…just might work.
But if coming from a home where your parent’s heart has only enough room for themselves, and their child is simply an extension for them to have their needs meet…well,…not so much.
Thank you so much, Amanda. I appreciated your answers so much, and will read your recommendations. I so appreciate you!
Thank you so much for answering my question about the Enemy’s attack. I cling daily to the scripture you cited in response to this question. My husband is a Baptist minister and my 18 year old son is suffering Spiritually, physically and emotionally right now because of the battle going on in the Heavenlies. My knees are calloused, but God is my all in all and He is so worth it! Love to all of you!
AJ: I am always amazed with your wisdom, which is well beyond your years! God has truly blessed you with many gifts and I thank you for communicating those with us. This blog took me back to my 10th anniversary that we spent in Jackson Hole. We rode horses to a peak that gave us a view of the Tetons, valleys and God’s splendid beauty. This has reminded me that 12 years later, while in a treatment facility for alcohol and drug abuse, we were asked to take ourselves to a safe place for quiet meditation. Meditation being listening to God. We then expressed the picture in our mind through art work. I remember the picture vividly to this day… it was Jesus holding His arms wide open and calling me to the top of that very peak in the Teton’s. I have been clean and sober since March 31, 2005 and for that I am truly grateful. That is my favorite spot in Jackson Hole to feed my hunger… and I go there in my daily meditations. My husband and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary the end of May and that is through the grace of God.
You really have a gift for fueling the fire within me. God bless you and your sharing ministry!
I LOVE WordSearch, I have used 5-7- for years, and now 8. Most of my friends wonder why I swoon over my bible software rather than the KitchenAide, but frankly wouldnt have a clue how to use it. But to click on the Complete Word Study Dictionary, or the TDOT, or play with the verticle display of all bible translations … now that is FUN! Yes, study on !
This was really in depth; thank you for sharing and for posting links to some of the resources yu have found helpful 🙂
Thank you so much for leaving the answer on how to post a comment on the blog! I read the postings all the time and am moved to tears because here is where I feel true sistership and that I’m accepted as a sister (siesta). Instead of being looked at as: “someone who is oversaved.” Our passion for Jesus is real in the midst of real (sometimes hard) life. Thank you for this blog where I can be a part of the Beloved!
Wow! I could not imagine not seeing mountains for all those years. I have lived my whole life surrounded by mountains. I don’t think I want to live any other way. When I was looking at colleges in high school I applied to some in Missouri. I actually could’ve gone to some of those a lot cheaper than the college I chose. I chose it for 2 reasons: It was closer to home and I was scared (I would never had admitted that but I was) and it wasn’t flat. I still Live near the mountains. What can I say I am attached to trees. I driven through the desert and I just can’t see the beauty. My husband and I always said God must have ran out of colors when he got there. I’m sorry. I just don’t like it. I feel the same way about the desert as your mom does hippos. And I agree with her. I saw some at the Portland Zoo last year and those have got to be the ugliest creatures on the planet. And I thought my sister’s miniature Schnauzer was ugly. He seemed adorable after seeing those things!
Thanks so much for answering these questions and sharing your lives with us in this way! I love your attitude and personality, and the way Jesus shines uniquely through each of you.
Amanda,
I ordered the Job study from New Orleans LPL and I have absolutely loved it. It answers so many questions and there are so many possible applications. I’m listening to it again. It really makes me look forward to being in the car. The only bad thing is I can’t take notes! Anyway thank you for the suggestion.