I can’t remember who came up with this word, but somewhere along the way Travis Cottrell and any other (generally invisible) male blog readers acquired the name “miesta.” It is, of course, the male answer to “siesta.”
I want you all to know about a very special miesta who was used by God to bring Christian women all over this nation and even across the world together for Bible study. His name is Lee Sizemore and, to say it simply, he was the visionary and the video producer for the first 10 Bible study series my mom got to film. Had health concerns not necessitated early retirement, he would have also produced the three that followed. From A Woman’s Heart to The Patriarchs(ten years later, and dedicated to him), Lee worked tirelessly to produce discipleship materials for women like us. He also produced video-driven Bible studies for many other teachers, among them Anne Graham Lotz, Jennifer Rothschild, and Angela Thomas. I’m sure many of them felt about Lee as Mom did. She considered him one of the dearest friends she’d ever had and one of the most significant co-laborers God, in His measureless grace, had ever sent her way.
When I was sixteen, Lee hired me to be a production assistant for the To Live is Christ series. I enjoyed getting to work behind the scenes with his team so much. Lee was always there with something encouraging or amusing to say. Throughout the years it was such a joy when the LifeWay team would come to Houston or when I had the chance to be on another film set. They were a very special group of people with an exceptional, wonderful leader.
After an almost three-year battle with severe health problems, our brother Lee Sizemore went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, March 22, 2008. The next morning, as we all celebrated the Risen Christ in our man-made church sanctuaries, Lee got to see the resurrected Lamb of God with His own eyes and worship in His visible, glorious presence. Though tears fall from my eyes even now, it blesses me to know that our dear friend had this privilege.
Lee leaves behind an adoring, faithful bride of nearly 40 years named Myrna, two sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and a slew of friends and co-workers who all loved him very much. His absence will leave a tremendous void in their lives. Myrna’s birthday is this Wednesday and her precious husband’s funeral will be held on Thursday. I know many of you have watched the Bible study videos and will want to cover Myrna and her family in prayer during this difficult week. Thank you in advance. Myrna is a siesta, so if anyone wants to share a word of love, encouragement, or thanks, we will make sure she gets to see it.
*Lee is the one next to my mom in each of these pictures.
The Patriarchs
Living Beyond Yourself 
Breaking Free
thMy Chris and I praise God for Lee–we have been so very blessed to take many studies together because of his work. Myrna, we will be praying for you this week and will continue to pray for your family. Specifically, we will pray for Jesus to be so very close to you that you know He is near and taking care of you, sweet one.
with love,
holly smith
Dear Myrna,
Not long ago I watched a movie about Peter Marshall. One scene included a woman who had just lost her husband. Peter Marshall grabbed her hand and said, “You’ll see him again.” I cannot think of any more encouraging words than those to tell you in this difficult time. Because of Jesus’ great love, you’ll see your precious husband again in glory.
As I have read all the beautiful comments to this precious family, I am reminded of a story about an older woman who knew her time was short here and was planning her funeral with her pastor and said to him, “Make sure that when I am in my casket I am holding a fork in my hand.” He laughingly asked her, of course, “Why in the world a fork?” To which she replied, “I have always enjoyed eating any meal but knew that the small fork at the top of my plate was for the best that was coming after the meal – dessert! And that is what I will be experiencing in heaven with Jesus – dessert!! When anyone looks at me holding the fork and asks “Why?” I want you to tell them “Because she knew the best was yet to come!!” Life forever with Jesus – it doesn’t get any “sweeter”!! Amen?
Myrna,
Thank you so much for the ministry that your husband had. I can tell you even though you already have heard from others how much it has touch their lives I can speak for seven other ladies in my Monday night Bible study how much he has touched our lives over the past 3 years. I will be praying for you during this time of grief and will continue because I know from experience that the prayers are continually in need for you and your family after this week is over. My family is still sadden at the lose of my sister in law 2 months ago. But to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and I praise Him for that. We send you all our love and deepest thanks.
Becky
Attalla, AL
Dear Myrna,
You and your family will be in our prayers. What a tremendous testimony of his life here on this earth!
Thank you Amanda for sharing this wilh us.
We will continue praying for the Sizemore family! What a legacy!
Also, I’m sure Beth will try to attend the funeral and then shoot over to Jacksonville and teach–she’s tries so hard to be like the Lord, I’ll bet she’ll try to be in two places (nearly) at once–we’ll be praying for her energy levels, her health, and her clarity of thought.
By the way, the pollen is flying over here along the GA/FL line (every car and house is covered in neon green dust), so if it makes her sniffle or cough or wheeze or head-achey, (it makes most folks around here do that), you may want to encourage her to bring her Zyrtec or Claritin along. 🙂 We’re so excited about this weekend! I pray that it’ll be the most personally refreshing LPL ever for Beth.
Most all of my group going is stay-at-home moms who aren’t used to even having our make-up on at 7:30 a.m., so we are a bit afraid to go to Starbucks on Friday night (the caffeine may keep us up even later and make us even later getting out the door)…but we may just do it anyway! I mean, what’s a weekend with Beth without Starbucks?
Myrna, Family, and Friends of Mr. Sizemore: My family will be in prayer for yours. God bless you.
What a legacy–Lee has joined with God’s Kingdom purposes to proclaim His Truth to millions! What a blessing that he said, “Yes, Lord…!”
So, in his memory, this song is dedicated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1B_kUxrgas
Myrna,
I would like to let you know that i’m part of the LifeWay family, and my prayers go out to you and your family…
Connievlufo
Just read this post – can you imagine being with the Father on Resurrection Sunday? Will be lifting this family up and especially his dear wife . . .
Siestas, we have had a tragedy here in Humble(TX) – one of our local pastors was killed this weekend in a motor vehicle accident in Atlanta while visiting her son for Easter. Her husband, who founded Metro Church here in Humble, was killed in a motor vehicle accident at least 18/19, if not several more years ago, outside the school where my children went to elementary school. Her children are all grown and she had grandchildren.
Tears are just streaming – can not imagine loosing both parents in accidents – please lift up a prayer for the Shanks family – Linda is her name and the church is Metro Church. Linda was one of God’s creative flowers . . . she loved the Lord – and she was so delicate and kind. Her youngest daughter is around 23 or 24 and her child is about 3 . . . the same age that she was when her father was killed.
Such a tragedy.
Peace to us all.
Myrna,
I cannot imagine what this must be like for you, but it is so precious that God does. I pray that His peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Thank you so much for supporting your husband in his ministry. Because of your support and faithfulness, his ministry is huge!
Holly
Praying for each of you in your time of mourning and celebrating this precious saint’s homegoing! May Jesus wrap tangible arms around Myrna this week as He walks her through this bittersweet time. PTL that those in christ never have to say a permanent goodbye!
Love to you all!
Myrna,
I can only marvel at the homecoming your husband has received. Whne I see all that he has invested in the advancement of God’s kingdom, I can’t help but imagine his mansion in heaven-wow-treasures in heaven.
My heart goes out to you as you feel the void of the lack of his physical presence. (((HUGS))))).
Sita
Amanda,
Thanks for letting us know and may God hold the Moore family extra tight during this time of grief.
Myrna,
I am so sorry for your loss and pray that you know you have many out here in blog land praying for you and your family. May you feel the comfort and peace that can only come from the Prince of Peace.
Blessings & Prayers to you all,
Nancy
Myrna and Family,
I rejoice Lee is with our Jesus, but at the same time, I pray for your peace as you grieve such a profound loss. Lean so heavily on Him and He will faithfully see you through.
In His Risen Name,
Marni
Myrna and family – I’m sorry for the loss of your dear husband and beloved father. I’m so appreciative of his ministry as I have been able to enjoy it in Beth’s video teaching. I pray each of you find strength in your Father’s arms and have the joy of knowing your beloved is finally Home! Cathy
Moore Family,
I join you in rejoicing Lee being with His King, but I pray for you in this time of loss. It hurts so bad when we have to say (temporarily) goodbye to someone we love so much, but God is SO faithful in our pain and grief.
I hope His peace surpasses all pain during this time.
Thank you Lord, for Your servant Lee and all He did for us in Your name.
Much love and prayers,
Marni
May his name always be for a blessing Lee Sizemore. Shalom
May God bless Lee’s family, during this time of loss.
However, my family is going through this same kind of a loss right this very moment; as my dear Dad, Duane, passed away just yesterday…
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
Please let Myrna and their family know that they are being lifted in prayer. Myrna I am so grateful that your family was used in such an incredible way – Lee’s impact in these Bible studies and others have had a monumental impact on hundreds of thousands of us. I praise God for you and your husband’s obedience and life of giving.
I am also praying for the extended family, friends and all who will miss Lee – Praise God we will see him in heaven! Thank you Jesus.
Thanks for letting us know Amanda and giving us the priviledge of praying – you are such a sweetheart 🙂
Dear Myrna,
I am so sorry for your loss, and I pray God’s peace for you as you grieve.
I am very thankful for you and your husband, although we have never met. My relationship with God has been changed forever because of the bible studies he produced.
Trinna
Myrna and all of your precious family,
Thank you for sharing your sweet husband and dad and grandfather with me through the Bible Studies.
Your husband’s reward is great right now in the presence of his Father.
What those Bible studies he labored on has meant to me alone, I cannot begin to say.
As Beth has said about others is so true about your dear loved one, “Don’t you just want to see his face when he looked into the face of his Savior. I hope there is a holy video in heaven ’cause there are just some folks you want to see – see HIM.”
That would be your Lee.
Praying GOD’S mighty comfort, blessings and glorious peace on your special lives,
Teri
How blessed we are because of him and didn’t even know it. Myrna, our prayers are with you as you now Learn to live without your beloved. My Gram lost her husband after 67 years last year and it has been wonderful to see the Lord take such good care of her. I know He will do the same for you!!!
Blessings,
Charlotte
Georgia
Myrna,
I am so sorry for your loss. God used the Patriarchs study almost three years ago to save my life and for that I am so eternally grateful. I am so thankful that Lee surrendered his life to Christ so that women like me could find the freedom that Christ intended for us. Thank you for sharing your sweet husband.
I am praying for you and your family.
Myrna,
I knew Lee’s name from his work from Joni to Henry Blackaby to Gary Smalley—oh, what he did with the talents he was given by God! He stood by and carried the baggage with his heart and soul for a whole lot of people in this battle of life I Sam. 14:7. Lee created such a platform for many feet to bring Truth. What he did had the thumbprint of God all over it. Sacrificial.
The old adage speaks so true:
Lee lived well.
Lee loved well.
Lee suffered well.
Praying for you
that the eyes of your heart will see life from His Perspective in your loss of your precious one, Eph 1:17,
as you grieve and grow closer to the One who carries you right now close to His Heart- Isaiah 40:11.
May you generously feed on manna untouched by human hands. Our heartfelt prayers for you!
Bev Brandon
May you be comforted in the love of our Savior.
It always helps me to think of the wonderful reunion my loved ones are having with those that have gone ahead. And.. of course the dancing,singing, and praising they are doing before our sweet Lord.
Thank you Myrna for offerring strength to your husband so we may have a closer walk with Thee.
Amanda,
Thank you for this post. Mr. Sizemore’s son and his daughter-in-law are friends of mine (as well as my husband). Thank you for this beautiful tribute to him. I did not know him but I feel I know him a little better after your sweet words.
We will pray for his family during this time.
Isn’t that just like Jesus…that at just the right moment, take Lee’s hand as he stood up and steped into his own prepared mansion…and all on Easter morning…wow…
and Myrna, Jesus is standing right there with you too…believe it.
Lana
My prayers are with the Sizemore family amd with all the folks he worked so closely with at Lifeway. To know he has had a glimpse of glory is almost more than I can stand right now. To look upon the One he has worked so diligently over the years to draw us to. He is singing the old Truth song, “If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold. If you could see me now, I’m standing tall and whole. If you could see me now, you’d know I’d seen His face. If you could see me now you’d know the pain’s erased.” Well all I can say is thank you Mr. Sizemore. And to your sweet wife Myrna-thanks for sharing him and encouraging him in his ministry. Lives will forever be touched.
Dear Father,
We ask that you surround the Sizemore family with your love as they walk this road of separation from Lee. We praise you that he is safely on the other side and ask that you bring sweet memories of times spent together to comfort them during these difficult days.
Especially, Lord, we lift Myrna to you. I pray a special anointing on her birthday tomorrow. Let her be carried through the day with the love of family and friends.
For the Thursday services, Lord, I pray it would be a mighty celebration of love and that any who don’t have a relationship with you would make that wonderful choice to serve you.
Lord we bless you and ask all these things in your name as our Risen Lord and Savior,
Amen!
To Myrna and her family and to all who were touched by Lee’s life and service to Jesus, I am so sorry for your loss and you are in my prayers. May you fell His comforting arms around you all. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
Dear Myrna, I do appriciate the work your husband did. I pray for you that you will literally feel the saviors arms around you. He loves you so much!
cheryl
Ms. Sizemore and Family – thank you thank you for your work with the Bible studies over the past ten years. I grew up in a small podunk town with one traffic light. I remember my mom popping in a Breaking Free video in one of the sunday school rooms. We sat in little chairs huddled around the VCR so with a few other women laughing right along and “amen-ing” when appropriate :). It was so cool to see so many more sisters in Christ through the screen and realize how big and gorgeous the body of Christ is.
Had it not been for your husband’s insight, artistry, and vision, I wouldn’t have been able to interact with those studies the way I did. Doing them on my own has enhanced my walk with God, but being able to see the teaching, and see some of the awesome locations, and interact with other women afterward is what made those lessons stick to my heart. I was in high school and college when I started doing Living Proof Bible studies and now, when I pull them off my shelf and read them, I feel like I’m reading old diaries. They’re all ratty looking with different colored ink and prayer requests and notes from the videos. When I look at them now, I’m overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness. Thank you SO MUCH for investing in my life during that whole season – for helping me learn to dig into the Word for myself, and for reminding me I wasn’t alone. I am so very sorry for your loss and I will gladly lift your family in prayer this week. God bless you, your family, and your kind husband, for your beautiful service.
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”.
In the sight of the Lord…..Yes, He sees. He sees every need you may have during the coming days. You are in our thoughts and prayers, even though you don’t know us. But because of your husband’s work, many of us have come to know our Savior so much more!
Dear Myrna,
I’m so sorry for your loss. My father died a few weeks ago, and it is a very tender place for me. I have tears just writing this. The photo of Lee from The Patriarchs could have been my Dad. A big, handsome man, with smiling eyes, in a wheelchair. My heart aches for you.
On Easter, I took comfort that, as Amanda said so well about Lee, my Dad was celebrating in the physical presence of our Lord. I couldn’t get through a single song or prayer that day thinking about my Dad next to Jesus, but it’s true and it’s wonderful. It is the same with your precious Lee. You are not alone; just think of our precious Father wrapping his arms around you with His great love and comfort, and your darling husband watching over you, always.
I will pray for you, Myrna.
Chris
Amanda,
Your words are a lovely tribute. Prayers go to out to the Sizemore family.
Myrna and family, Know that you are all being lifted to the throne in prayer this week and in the weeks to come. Your beloved husband and father was truly an instrument of the Lord. His work touched so many lives…including mine. I am grateful. May the Lord comfort you in the days to come and may you feel His presence evermore.
Love In Christ,
Julie
“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
Psalm 37:37
Amanda
http://iammommy.typepad.com/
Dearest Siesta Myrna, Family & Friends.
My deepest sympathy & heartfelt prayers over the loss of your beloved hubby Lee.
Thank you for sharing him with us over the years. His legacy has made an eternal difference in the lives of countless bible study participants.
May the God of all Comfort be with you during this difficult season.
Blessings.
Mady
Oh, my heart hurts that we are the ones left here on earth. I just lost a good friend to cancer this past weekend as well. she was so precious in her last days and was a testimony for so many people. During the last month she began to see beautiful 7ft tall “birds”. I have to smile just thinking that maybe, just maybe God was allowing her to see into the heavenly realms. I guess I won’t know until I am there myself.
Myrna,
What a gift to have someone by your side for almost 40 years. You don’t know me but your husbands help in Women’s Bible Studies has been used to change my life and the lives of my family and friends for many years. I’ve done most of Beth’s studies, Jennifer’s and Anne Graham Lotz (sp?). I know that God has an abundance of comfort, peace, patience, and love to surround you and lift you until the two of you meet again. God Bless You and thank you for your support of what he did through Christ here on earth.
Myrna,
Your husband’s ministry has been a profound blessing in my life. I can say with certainty that I love Jesus more because of these Bible studies. I pray that God will give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
In Him,
Susan
Myrna,The Moore Family, and Lifeway Ministry Family,
May the God that created the universe and the heavens bring you all comfort and peace during this time. I’m sure the joy that he is in the heavenly kingdom with other saints. Yet the sorrow of missing a dear beloved family member and friend. My heart goes out to you, and me and the ladies in our study will be praying for all of you.
Love in Christ
Judy
Beloved Myrna, God has not left us comfortless. He has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our need. I pray that the Holy Spirit will surround you and your loved ones as you walk this valley. Know that you are not in darkness. Christ goes before you, covers you, is your Rear Guard and is Your Path. He has blessed us through Lee with the ability to know Christ with A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place. He has blessed us with the gift of A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David. By the beauty of God’s Word, Lee has given us the blessing of To Live is Christ. And He has allowed Lee to encourage us with Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. Challenged by Lee’s part in Breaking Free…we have been able to make liberty in Christ a reality in our lives. And through Lee’s gifted abilities, he has allowed a revelation to come to our hearts of Jesus, The One and Only. I have fallen in love with Beloved Disciple because of Lee’s faithfulness to allow God’s Spirit to disciple him. My faith was deepened and made more foundational through Lee’s part in showing me the Truth of Believing God. And as I remember my own musical chairs in the sanctuary in Baltimore as Beth taught us a week of Bible studies on The Patriarchs…I remember Lee…and his Caravan has finally come…it has come to bring him Home. It has rescued him from all tears, pain and suffering. He has been made whole. You share in the ministry of this great man of God. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. I can honestly say these Bible studies have been my best friends. May God comfort you and give you peace. Shalom, dear Siesta.
Thank you Mrs. Sizemore, for supporting your husband in his calling and allowing him to do so much work that has impacted my life so deeply. I pray that you will FEEL the comfort OF dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty.
Barb
Praying for you all, that God’s exceedingly abundant comfort, joy, and peace will surround you as He walks with you through this difficult time. So very thankful for the blessings and legacy that flowed through Lee’s life on this planet, which will continue to flow through generations to come, in the Sizemore family as well as many, many others. God bless each of you.
karen
To Myrna and all of your family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you walk through these hours of grief for your beloved husband, a man who touched literally thousands of women’s lives. May you know the comfort of God’s healing love, the power of His merciful strength and the grace of His perfect peace today and in the days to come. God bless always!
Dear Myrna, Our Sweet Siesta!
I have had you on my heart since I first read Amanda’s post! I have been and will continue to pray for you and your precious family! I am so sorry! I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through… 40 years…
I want to let you know how much your husbands work has meant to me! God has used these video driven Bible studies in amazing ways my life! Words cannot even describe how much God has used them! I am so thankful! (now when I lead a group I buy them so I can keep them and watch them over and over!… and of course share them : ) )
Myrna… even though we may never meet- you will always have a special place in my heart! You are not alone!
Happy Birthday and I praise God for your husbands life! Thank you for sharing him with us!
May you all feel God’s presence in ways like you never have before!
He is Risen!
With Much Love-
Emmy (GA)
I am so sorry for your loss. All of you who were close to him. I remember Beth mentioning him in the past and had wondered about him many times since I knew he had health problems. I know we all appreciate all that he did to make the bible studies we all love so much even possible. I don’t know what else to say. I love you all.
I am so sorry and I am praying that God brings you and your family sweet memories of the time you spent here on earth with Lee. You and I know that it will only be a short while until we will be reunited with our loved ones who are in Christ. May your precious Lord bring you rest.