Hey, you sweet things! It’s me! Your long lost Siesta Mama! Well, not too long lost but I feel like I’ve lived six months of life since the last I checked in with you. I so hope you’ve been in the throes of active relationship with Christ Jesus and that He’s giving you (and me, please, Lord) eyes to see Him at work. Ears to hear Him speak. Everything to me. Everything.
We are so busy in this city right now we can hardly think straight. Everybody’s on overtime one way or another. I so loved AJ’s post (just before this one) and nearly cried reading it because the Ike aftermath is just so with-us here. You can’t drive three blocks without seeing it. Trees have been cut up and wood stacked in yards awaiting removal who-knows-when. Same with fences. Tarps on tons of roofs. Many streets lights are still out. So eerie to drive at night in an area that’s less familiar because it’s so easy to drive right through intersections that are supposed to be treated like four-way stops. Great way to have a bad wreck. Tens of thousands of hot meals are still being served by emergency vehicles in especially hard-hit areas of Houston. Curfews still in effect. And we were the fortunate ones. Galveston is in profoundly worse shape. Just keep praying but that’s all I’ll say for now. We’ll try to keep our posts mixed with other things as we can well understand that it’s not the big thing on everybody’s radar. All of you have your own personal and regional crises but what a tremendous balm to be able to share those things here.
Here are a few other tidbits of information around here:
*I TOTALLY LOVED BILLINGS. I mean LOVED IT. LOVED THEM!!!! LOVED JESUS ON THEM! Thank you for praying for us. I will remember them for a long, long time.
*Melissa and I have had our second night of Bible-intro class (we missed one night over Ike) and we are getting to know our young women and love them. We’re working their tails. You know what I mean. Brains. We’re asking them to do homework and a fair amount of memory work. They’re proving up to the challenge. Melissa and I had a blast putting stickers on completed homework assignments last night. Don’t think for a moment we’re using stickers because we’re treating them like ten year-olds. Any time I have the size class I can interact with one-on-one, I use silly incentives for one very good reason. They WORK. I don’t care if it’s a sixty year-old or a sixteen year-old. She wants her sticker. And I want to give it to her. Makes me so happy. Here are four figures about the Bible all our class members can tell you off the top of their heads today: [written over roughly] 1500 years, 66 Books, over 40 writers, 3 languages. And they can tell you what those languages are, where they are found and how impossible they are to read. Grin. I’m so proud of them.
*Living Proof Ministries put our beloved Curtis Jones on an airplane to India today to minister there for the next week. He’s been on many mission trips so I’m thankful to be able to say we are not sending a novice that far from home nor are we sending him alone. His best friend, Jerrell Altic, one of the young ministers at our church who is neck-deep in missions is partnering with him. We have been involved with various organizations and efforts in India for 10 years since having the privilege to serve on that beautiful and tragic soil but I’ve been so preoccupied with Africa the last number of years, I haven’t had a chance to return. Missions are big to us so I was elated when the opportunity arose for Curtis. I also deeply appreciate and respect Amanda’s courageous and giving heart to bless her man to make this trip to the other side of the world. When you have a potty-training two-year old all-boy and a baby girl on the way, that’s an offering God highly esteems. I’m going to cut and paste a little synopsis about Curtis’s mission to India from an email he sent me so you can hear it in his own words. I think you’ll be moved to care and to pray. He writes…
-We are partnering with Charasia, a ministry based in southeast India. Charasia (www.charasia.org) rescues children who were born in the sex slave industry in India and gives them a home in their multiple orphanages. They also have excellent schools where the children learn about Christ through the Bible and English. In India if you do not know English you have very little chance to ever make it above the poverty line. We will be speaking and teaching these sweet children. The staff of these homes are women who were previously trapped in prostitution, but have been set free both physically and spiritually. We will be giving Living Proof’s resources to these sweet ladies. Charasia also sponsors many churches in their local area. Jerrell and I will be encouraging these pastors and giving them copies of my devotional journal. We will also have various opportunities to preach in the local churches. You can find information about sponsoring a child on their website and also a more detailed description of what they do.
Back to Beth: Can you imagine a more important reason to travel to the other side of the globe? I pray God astounds them with His power, Presence, and favor. Curtis promised me he’d come back with plenty of pictures and stories and we’ll be sure and share some of them with you.
OK, I better get off of here! AJ and the Mister are on their way over here to eat dinner with us and I have NO IDEA – I do mean N-O I-D-E-A – what we’re going to eat. I’ll cast my eyes to the clouds and squint with all my might until I see my favorite super hero: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, IT’S SUPPERMAN!!!!!
Love y’all so much. Stay in the Word!
Tags: Curtis
Hey! Good to hear from you! Just thought I’d let you know we held our “kick off” meeting for Stepping Up last night and WOW! I went on my face to ask God to bring the women that needed to be there and He delivered! Big time! A diverse crowd – all ages, races, stages of life! So cool. Your introductory message struck a mighty chord! We have women struggling with REAL issues and pain and others who are struggling with complacency and comfort. We are hungry! We all want to GO UP! This is our ninth in-depth study with you (10 if you count Wising Up) and we deeply appreciate your ministry. You guys also inspired me to start a blog (eek!) which I hope will be a conversation about what we’re learning as we go on this pilgrimage together! Blessings to you and yours!
Oh Beth, I love you so…. What a wonderful post! Blessings to Curtis as he ministers to those in India.
Great to hear from you. I’ll be praying about all these things. Beth, I want you to know I have recently been “set free” from so much and I thank you for your part in that. I’ll be praying also for your little Pink grand-bun in the oven.
Many blessings.
You are just darlin..
I was touched when you said you would mix info about the storm area because its not on everybody’s radar. Girl, I think the reason so many don’t have it on our radar and have a luke warm concern, is because we have no idea what that would involve. Those images you give us (Amanda too) are what give someone like me a visual to pray for. It’s important info – besides it takes the focus off my concerns which are just feared-based, Heaven help me.
Also I wish so badly I could be part of you bible study class, they sound like such fun, and you better tell those girls that they better work their tails off, because there are PLENTY of women in the USA that would jump at the chance to have such an opportunity to learn alongside a fun and knowledgable group such as yourselves.
I just so enjoy your family and ministry and want to let you know that the LORD and I are becoming closer and closer through my healing and I am knowing my healer so very well. I don’t think I will ever fel alone, he is my best friend.
Love you Siesta Mama –
My husband and I are so excited about the LIT study and about being in Curtis’ class…we are HUNGRY-we got up together and did our homework at 5:30, it was such a gift!! Curtis was great last night, we will be praying for him as he heads to India, and for Amanda, Jackson and baby siesta.
Thanks for the update, Miss Beth. We will be praying for Curtis and for your precious Amanda. Many times have we sent my husband, and my girls’ daddy back to Africa while we stay behind, and it is no easy task.
One of those trips I was very pregnant with our second daughter and had began to grow a bitter hard toward the end of his trip, exhausted and wanting my husband back again. In the midst of my huff, God sent a stranger to me to speak these words: “I don’t know you, but God has told me to tell you, ‘I have seen your sacrifice, and I am honored by it.'”
Whoa! My heart was humbled and my perspective was change, forever.
We loved y’all in Vegas, Miss Beth! Thanks for the update!
So good to hear from you Siesta Mama!
Wow…lots going on and I can totally understand how it must feel like months and months of “life” with the crisis of Ike and your busyness. I know that you are continuing to stay grounded in the Word and in relationship with Jesus. You are such an inspriation and I just love that you are so very REAL with us!
I am praying for Curtis as we speak…that he would shine the light of the Lord in that place. And for Amanda and the Mister while daddy/hubby is away.
God is so good…I just have to say that right now…my life is chaotic and hard right now (the hardest season of testing that I’ve been through) but I am learning to trust Him in all of it! I still battle fear (of my value in God’s agenda)but I am trying to fight that with the word…thank you for teaching me that!
Sorry post is so long….just lots on my mind this evening!
Love you guys! (And all my siesta sisters too!!!)
SUPPERMAN!!!!!!!?????? How fun is that!!! Glad to hear from you Siesta Mama!! Sounds like God is a movin!! I love that!! I love HIM!! Will continue to pray for you and yours as well as the people affected by Ike. Will especially pray for Curtis in India. May God pour His grace and mercy all over them and give them special favor.
BLessings,
Bible Bunny in No MI
Houston and Galveston are in my prayers, as you all are too. May
God bless you all with His love through His people serving with their hearts, hands and feet! God is good. Love ya all!
Oh blessings upon blessings. My ethnic heritage is Indian. Both my parents were born and raised there. It is a beautiful and majestic land – may the True King bring them liberty.
I will be praying for Curtis, Jerrell, and all those serving with them.
Peace,
Sister Lynn
tears- yes. Reminds me of Amy Carmichael.
There just is something about the way you write that is awesome, real and very humorous!!! I will pray for Curtis to have a safe trip on this important mission. God Bless – DQ Nana
Thanks for the newsy update, Beth.
Billings loved you too! And Billings, or rather all of us who were in Billings REALLY LOVE JESUS!!! Thank-you for coming to my neck of the woods. It was so special to me, to take women from my church who had never seen you. Did you see Miesta Moose? He was there in the thick of it too! Had his little antlers up, praisin’ Jesus!
I will add Curtis and his trip to my prayer journal.
Texas is still in my prayer journal too. I can’t even imagine what it’s like.
Beth, I’m staying in the Word!! You encourage me. Love you too!
Melana in Wyoming
So good to hear from you siesta mama! Please continue to share with us updates about the effects of the hurricane in Houston. I know the Lord is in the middle of some major reconstruction-and not just physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Praying for the Tuesday night groups. So glad things are going well! Sending up special prayers for Melissa as she prepares!
My husband has been to India to work with Alpha ministries. He always comes back a changed man!
I will be praying for Curtis and his partner for health and safety, but most importantly for those precious children, mothers and pastors they will be ministering to, I ask that you show yourself mighty Lord!
Amanda, I know the Lord will give you His perfect peace while Curtis is away.
Thanks for praying for my supperman. He had a great experience in Asia! However we think he may have brought back an unwanted friend. (we think he may have some sort of parasite-yuck!) If you get a chance could you please remember him in your prayers?
I just praise you and thank you Lord for your precious servants and the opportunity we have to minister to them!
Much love!
Kristi B.
Thank you for so obviously living and believing what you teach. It makes me want to really do this thing. Our Wising Up group will pray for Curtis this week.
I'll keep Curtis and his travels in my prayers-for his gift to teach these precious children and their caregivers about our awesome God and for safe travel from beginning to end! What a special time for him. I'm happy that Amanda & Jackson have you and Keith so close now so they won't be totally alone.
I'm sure "supperman" came through with flying colors for his girls & the little mister!! What I would give for a home cooked meal–we're in our 5th week of living in a hotel while waiting for our home to be finished! We were actually in your area today buying furniture and enjoying our first Pappasitos since returning to Texas!
Love & Blessings,
Bobbie
SUPPERMAN… Ha ha I LOVE IT! Good one, Beth!
Thanks for the update!! I wonder if your “Supperman” looks anything like our “Pizzaman”!! God bless them!
As a fellow Houstonian, I am loving how this community is pulling together to help those in need. My boys had football tonight and there is one football mom who’s church is a Red Cross Shelter. It took one email to all the football moms to have a SUV FULL of food, clothes, and other essentials.
I’ve been getting emails like that all day! It’s the way God’s glory shines through something that was intended for evil. Love it!
Beth,
Glad to hear from you–been praying for you and all the siestas in Houston! I’m also adding Curtis and his trip to my prayer list.
I SOOOOO wish I could take your class! I’ve been a Christian for 36 years, raised in a Godly home, and went to church under a powerful preacher (Adrian Rogers!), yet there is still so much to learn! I’m going to pray that the Lord will lead you to publish this study! If so, will you please include stickers?!
Since Curtis is out of the country…any ideas when we’ll start our bible study? We haven’t received any email notification about this week or the next.
THANKS!
[email protected]
Mama Siesta….I just love you to pieces. I truly do. My Bible study group is in the middle of Stepping Up. And, let me just tell you….we are changing because of this study! I thank Him every single day for the work being done in our lives and hearts.
He is simply amazing to me. Not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of His works these days.
Bless you Beth Moore for hanging in there with Jesus. May we all perse-dang-vere this thing with Him. He is life to me.
Hugs and blessings,
Fran
Mrs. Beth,
I just LOVE your Love for Jesus!!! It inspires me so much, because I get so excited with Him all the time and say little silly phrases a lot too, and it is just nice to see that I am not the only one that is crazy silly in love with the Lord. Ha!
I just love ya ma’am! Blessings!
Beth:
Thank you so much for all that you said. It really put things into perspective today. I mean between your post and Amanda’s (which I thought was wonderful) makes all that has been on my mind this week really seem so small. The things I have had on mind really are rather insignificant and really are just a bunch of little pesky things. I will definitely be praying for you guys and Curtis’ trip and impact on those he is able to minister to.
I am glad that the bible study class is going well and the ladies are up to the challenge. Kim B. in AZ Sorry if this got sent twice.
I just want to add that our area, Western NC, needs your prayers also. We’re without gasoline. Some gas stations have closed. Others are only open at certain times. Most have one or all of the pumps covered. If you do find a station that has gas available then you have to wait in long lines and maybe get 10 gallons of gas for your car. Ike affected a lot of people and I’m not trying to say that our area is in worse shape than Texas.
I did like what Amanda said in her previous post about the silly things we worry about in our lives when so many other people are hurting. Thank you, Amanda, for reminding me of that.
God bless you all.
I hope you hear me clapping all the way over here in Georgia! I applaud you for the class ya’ll are teaching…Lit!
It is sure to be a blessing to all of them, and, if you’re like me, it is blessing all of you teachers, too! I have found that when I teach, I learn so much :). May God totally RULE over this class and I give you all the biggest STAR stickers for your Super Job.
Father in Heaven, please be HUGE in Curtis’ mission trip. Surround him with angels guarding him and may Your Spirit guide him. I pray for his hands to be busy about Your business. I pray for his heart to be on fire to touch someone for Jesus. I pray for his eyes to be on mission. I pray for his words to be Your Word. Oh Lord, prepare him before and beyond. Reap a harvest, Lord! In Jesus Name. Amen.
It is so awesome that y’all are ministering to those who have suffered at the hands of sex trafficking. If it weren’t for a friend of mine who is active in the fight against this vileness, I would know very little about it. It’s not talked about enough. It’s such a huge global problem, and I’m so glad LPM is involved.
wow, alot going on
So happy to hear from you.
Now I gotta go look at that web site
Love ya
That just breaks my heart for those children. Father in Jesus name I ask you to please Bless those children and to use Curtis to do your will and to keep Him safe. Also give Amanda stregnth to deal with Jackson while He’s gone and to bless Her for having such a giving heart. Also Bless Sister Beth for Having a heart for those children and also for the recovery of Houston. In Jesus Name Amen.
Have a Blest week Ya’ll are in my prayers.
I can’t think of a single better, more Godly, Biblical reason to make a missions trip. I will pray for Curtis and those he is working with. BTW, I am LOVING my Precept study of Joshua. God just floats my boat. Just finished a blog about His amazing Self just a minute before reading this. I never tire of His stories. Thanks for the encouragement to stay in the Word. Your passion for Him and His word has challenged me again and again. Many blessings to you and yours.
Glad to hear that all is well with y’all. I will be praying a hedge of protection over Curtis and Jerrell. I am still praying over your classes.
One thing that was mentioned tonight at our Bible Study is that over 1000 churches in our region are banding together to pray every day (at our own churches) for the elections beginning 30 days prior (Oct. 4). Not only that, but praying also for our country in general; the economy; that the people would turn back to Jesus; God would not remove His protective hand over the United States; and peace over Israel.
With all of the events happening even just this week… it sure does seem that prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. The Kingdom calendar is becoming shorter and shorter.
Just said a prayer for Curtis’ mission in India. What a wonderful thing he is doing.
I really hope that you guys make a video of the LIT series! As a 26 year old, I could have REALLY used it in my early 20’s. I pray for you guys and those girls.
And stickers – that is just golden!
My daughter went to India this summer with hr Masters Commission Class. She loved the people there and now wants to get her LVN and be a missionary in Kenya. Ike and everything else going on in the world just brings it a little closer to home the scripture talking about the birth pains…
I’m doing When Godly People do UnGodly things… Beth, it is rocking my world! God is soooo Big! I love Him sooo much, and I love you too!
Praying for you all,
Judy
I absolutely think it is wonderful that you get a chance to work with a smaller class for your Bible Study, and that you can encourage them to dive deep into God’s Word 🙂
Thanks for the update, and love you much 🙂
And we are absolutely LOVING bible study, sweet Beth! This is by far my favorite bible study so far, and we’ve only gone two weeks. 🙂
I told my mom the other night that I’ll probably never get to have this opportunity again so I am soaking it all up. I started my homework last night, and almost read too far and had to make myself stop. To say I am loving it is an understatement!
I’ll say it again and again, but thank you so much for y’all pouring your wisdom out on us young things. I am truly eternally grateful!
Hope y’all had a great night and found something to eat!
Lindsee (with two e’s!) 😉
P.S. Praying for Curtis as he pours out his love on those sweet people!
A lady spoke to our youth tonight about her recent cruise that left on Sept. 7 from Galeveston. What a mess….but she bragged and bragged on our great God and how He took such great care of them.
Please pray for this couple. They were leaving after church because they finally got word they can get into Galveston to check on their car that was left there before the cruise.
We have church members who had a vacation home in Galveston and they lost everything and have no insurance.
I can relate just a little because of the terrible ice storm that hit Oklahoma this past January. We were without electricity for 7 days and trees had fallen all over the place.
You are all in my prayers and I will certainly lift up Curtis and the mission team.
The Bible study sounds like it’s going great. And of course, stickers are awesome for all ages.
And…..Yay for Supperman! You know he’ll come through. He’s got a pretty good reputation.
It’s great to hear from you. Take care.
Love to all!
Valerie
Oh Beth, I am so jealous (is that a sin?) of the ladies in that Bible class. I so wish I was doing that homework and getting stickers. I love the places you take us and the depth of the knowledge we get from your studies. Thanks so much for this blog place. I don’t have many girlfriends but it makes me feel like I have lots! I look forward to reading how the Lord is working in your minisitry and in you families life! Thanks again.
Praying for Curtis and Jerrell, as they travel and minister. I remember so clearly you describing, Beth, your encounter with these beautiful women. I have never forgotten the picture of them all around you–got a lump in my throat just thinking about it. So yes, we will pray. We love them so!
Praying also for your area still. My brother’s fiance’s family lost everything they had in Seabrook. They said it’s like their home and business was never there. Can you imagine? They are staying with my parents. None of them are Christians…so please pray for this encounter and this time.
Love you all so much!
Holly
Just wanted you to know what an inspiration you have been in my life. I love that you are completely “real” and love the Lord. SO many times that is a combination that isn’t seen, especially in our little “church circles”. Thank you for following Gods call on your life to teach and to share the goodness of Christ Jesus. I was watching James Robison today and you were teaching about forgiveness. It really hit home in a big way.
Just wanted to thank you and to let you know that there is a Georgia chick-a dee praying for you, your family, your ministry, for the city of Houston, and the entire area hit by Ike.
Be blessed as you continue to walk in His way.
Thanks!!!
I have been praying for Texas.
I love the updates. It’s so important. The class sounds like a blast; so much knowledge! Awesome!
I will also pray for Amanda as she is solo…and about the missionary trip.
And by the way, I could have used Supperman at my house tonight, too. I ended up making eggs with salsa and pancakes…Yeah.
Love the update
1.Still praying for those devastated by the hurricane – may God grab their weary souls and pour out His love upon them – may they embrace Him as well
2.So excited for Curtis and the mission in India – what a fantastic way to reach out and touch multiple generations and share God’s mercy and love
3.Supperman – that totally cracks me up! My supperman rescued me and the boys tonight as well – he whipped up an amazing combination that included chicken, rice, fresh cilantro, carrots and peas and it was so yummy! Definitely not my gift 🙂
So good to hear from you
God bless
Kim
Good to hear from you Beth. And thanks for filling us in on Houston and Curtis in India. Amanda is brave. It certainly helps that she has you and Keith nearby. I’m sure that eases his mind. I’ll be praying for all three situations.
And your Tuesday night group sounds great. Yea for stickers!!
Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts today. I was thinking on you and how you are. I just love your family.
My heart melts as Curt is in Asia! I’m thrilled to know what is going on with their team, yet it breaks my heart at the thought of why its needed.
I am SOOOOO excited about your class with the LIT series. My heart is with you there more than you’ll know this side of heaven. I was in Waco for ministry last night, I have the privilage to minister to a group on college girls at Baylor and I am utterly floored at the privilage. The Word the Word the WORD!!! The Word made flesh! Does it get any better?
change of thought!!! I’ve got a secret, ok not that secret, a couple of us siestas are having a very small get together to come to your taping in OCT! WE are so excited! I’ve been praying for you and the Word the Lord will bring. God is up to some neat things I’m going crazy(in the good sense)with excitement as I serve Him. What a privilage it is to study and serve along side you! I hope to squeeze your neck, but I may not make myself known if your overwhelmed with people, but know that I am praying for the mighty work that God is doing in you come through you with His power. Yay God!!!
Bless you!
We absolutely loved you too in Billings! We were willing in Billings! (Three of us actually drove from northern Idaho…and the beautiful drive was only the beginning of the great worship and glimpse of our great Saviour!) May we all stand nobly together! Thank you for coming, Beth and team!
Dear Siesta Beth—thanks for the update about the situation in Houston. Please know that the devastation and recovery process the Houston area is going through is still “on the radar” and very much in the hearts and prayers of those of us a great distance away. In His unfailing love, the Lord is prompting our hearts daily, sometimes hourly for you and your family, the LPM staff, and the entire Houston/ Galveston area—as many remember the concerns of all those in great need.
Incredibly, even here in Ohio we experienced Category 1 force winds from the “remnants†of Ike, with more than 2 million losing power and widespread damage that shut things down for over a week! So we cannot even imagine the magnitude of damage many are experiencing there. As a result, an outpouring of compassion continues to rise as people turn their hearts to those of you in Texas, realizing the need there is so much greater.
God’s richest blessings to you all! I pray that in the aftermath of this storm, each one affected will come to know Jesus as the true source of hope and strength in time of need, and tangibly experience the abundant love our Heavenly Father has lavished upon them!
Also, may the LPM outreach to the precious people of India open all hearts to receive the love and truth of Jesus Christ and the enduring hope found only through Him!
In His Love, Cindy Heflin
Proclaim His Glory Ministries
I will definitely be praying for those Curtis is ministering to in India. Amanda is a brave woman. I don’t think I could handle that. I have a hard time when my man leaves our little town for the weekend. Especially when I was pregnant. Not so much now. I don’t like it when he leaves at all.
Greetings in the Lord! 🙂
Beth, as I was reading your post, I was praising the Lord for His pulling all of you at LPM through IKE safely. We certainly have a faithful and awesome God! We thank Him for answered prayers!
I understand you are going to be a grandmama, twice over! Wee hoo! 🙂 Congratulations! This young lady is going to be loved-spoiled out of her precious little mind. There will be soooo much PINK, we will think a bottle of Peptobismal (sp?) exploded! How fun!
Well, carry on you sweet thangs, and feel our love and prayers from Kentucky.
In Him completely,
His servant & His love,
jean dean <><
Is. 62:6
Beth,
Thanks for the update. I will certainly pray for that ministry in India. I understand Amanda’s situation as I am married to a military man myself. He was gone when our baby girl was 5 months and our boy, Timmy was 2 and a half. He spent 7 months in Africa. You guys in Houston have also been on my mind and in my heart. I watched the video from Billings and it made me want to have been there. I am sure it was a blessing to you and everyone who was there. Thank God for you, Beth. Some day I am going to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you and tell you how much your love for our Father and devotion to his word changed my life.
Hugs,
Lisa Covill
God’s blessings and protection to all of you. Looking forward to seeing the pictures and hopefully some of the many stories he will have.
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee
Beth and family.
Still keeping all y’all in Houston in my prayers.
The time will go by quickly for Amanda since she’ll be keeping up with the boy and day dreaming about the new girl!
Staying in the Word…studying A Woman After God’s Own Heart. It has encouraged me and reminded me to pray about every single thing and OH MY…how it has made a huge difference in me! There is a calm, joy and peace in me (okay…and our household, lol) that I have rarely experienced before. And I have fallen so deeply in love with my God…well, I am just so stinkin’ blessed I can hardly form the words!
Have missed your posting, but know you are focusing on ministering to those hurting in Houston.
Much love…
Susan