Hey, Darling Things! I just have the quickest moment to post an update. The Moores and Joneses are six hours from Houston in our Cactusland and far from cell/internet service. We came into a nearby town to worship today and right this moment we’re in a delightful little restaurant where we – and the entire community’s Lutherans, Methodists, and Baptists – are grabbing lunch. From what we hear, our properties and those of our staff members are either fine or have sustained minimal damage, may the Lord be praised!! Keith and I learned that our fence is down and we lost a couple of trees but our home is ok. The ministry building, which is surrounded by tall trees, is untouched. We were floored and so blessed. Many, many Houstonians – friends and loved ones included – took serious hits. The home of one of my dear friends was completely flattened. Several of our big churches also sustained considerable damage. We are among several million Houstonians who still don’t have power so we’re sitting tight until we get a green flag to head home. This is a great time for control freaks to exercise surrender. Needless to say, we are hoping for a green light soon. About half of our staff members stayed in town and trust me when I tell you that Houston/Galveston is NOT where you want to be this time of year with no electricity or fresh water. Please pray for them. For Heaven’s sake, pray for everybody in this part of the country. So many lost so much. We also thank God so much for not allowing Ike to have all the power he wanted.
We don’t know about Bible study Tuesday night. Doesn’t look promising at this point but we’ll keep you posted. Things could happen fast, God willing. I will DEFINITELY head to Billings, Montana, this weekend, so no threat there.
We love y’all like crazy, care about you so much, and thank you with all of our hearts for your prayers. We will ask God to spread them lavishly all over our region.
We hope to be back in touch very soon!!
Hi Miss Beth,
Please know that your friends in Virginia are praying for you and the great state of Texas right now!
We love you and are thankful that you and your family are safe.
~sherry
Dear Moores and Joneses –
Praise God that you are all OK.
Thanks for the quick update.
Love to all of you,
patti
sarasota
Dear Moores, Joneses and LPM,
You and all of Houston have been in my prayers as I watched transfixed as Ike roared in and destroyed all in its path. When you have lived through a natural disaster like a hurricane and its aftermath, watching anyone else suffer the same brings all of those feelings rushing back as if it happened yesterday. My family had over 5 feet of water in our home during Hurricane Hugo on Sept. 21,1989, no power for 28 days and no telephone until Thanksgiving week. We lost all wedding pictures, baby pictures, etc., as well as, furniture, etc. We had 6 inches of pluff mud in our house that we hosed out for 10 days, and on and on. We had NO flood insurance….. we had grandfathered into our mortgage that was really old. Scared doesn’t begin to describe how I felt. It took us 9 months to try to put our lives back together.
I weep for those who have lost so much and praise God for the people and property that were spared. Because Hugo was the worst hurricane in the history of the country at that time, a team of counselors came in to work with the churches and ministers to help people cope. The following advice given to us is what I wrote in my journal and these words are so very true:
It takes 15 days to get over the shock of the disaster.
It takes 15 months to begin to have something that resembles a normal life. (It will never be like it was before!)
It takes 1500 days (5 years) to begin to feel safe again.
Please pass this on to the ministers and counselors in Houston/ Galveston.
Please know that my heartfelt prayers are with all of you as you face the enormity of the aftermath and recovery period. It will be overwhelming and devastating to many. But this I can promise you: God is faithful to give you strength when you have nothing left to give; humility to stand in a FEMA line (never thought I would EVER do that!); and grace to endure all things (humiliations beyond your dreams). He will give you a compassion and love for strangers you never knew before and you will know genuine gratitude for the tiniest kindnesses (hot water to take a bath, ice and water). And finally, it will put your priorities in order… God and family first, all other things follow (they will never be what they were before this hurricane). Life will be “before” and “after” Ike. Even now, 19 years later, when I can’t find something that I treasured dearly, I will just think, “Oh, it got Hugoed!”
So I encourage all of you to look for the rainbow…. it is God’s covenant with you. And you will survive this, for you are being refined in the furnace of the aftermath and you will come forth as gold. God bless all of you! Love and Prayers to you!
GG, Charleston, SC
PTL! Praying for all of you!
Love
Amanda in SC
Glad to hear you all are okay and your homes suffered minimal damage! I’ve been thinking about/ praying for you guys! Thanks for the update!
Upstate NY is praying!
We took time BEFORE the service started officially to remember Texas!!!!
Praying for New Englad Nights as well- I have sent women to Vt.AND Conn. I’ll be in Conn “Woo Hoo”ing our amazing Lord with you.
Andrea T.
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us an update and let us know you and your family are alright. We were praying for Houston.
God bless you!
Marilyn
I have been in prayer for everyone in the “Ike” area. I thought about you all as I watched the Weather Channel and other news. I am so glad the Living Proof “home” was not damaged, and I pray for everyone who was affected. As bad as this storm was, I praise God that it wasn’t any worst!!
Thanks so much for the update!!
God Bless You!!
Thanks for the update Beth. I knew you and the Jones’ had left for safer ground but it is great to know that you all are safe and well. I have been praying for you all as well as everyone effected by this hurricane.
Cindy in Weaverville
Hallelujah! Praise God that you are ok, and I am praying for those affected by Ike.
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
So very good to hear good news from you after so many daunting reports.
Continuing to pray…
I know you guys have a lot on your minds. I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for posting on the blog and telling us you are okay. That was a relief to see the posting. CINDY in HIGH POINT, NC
So glad to hear you are doing well, no major damages, and you have been out of harms way! What a storm. God is good to calm it some.
Thinking of you in NC.
Dear Beth, Thank you for giving us an update. Have been praying for you and all those in Ike’s path. It helps to know how to pray for you and everyone affected.
Will continue to pray for Houston and Galveston and all points in between! I’m glad your family is together and safe. And praise God the ministry building is unharmed!
Love, Karen in OC, CA
glad to hear everyone is safe!
Sweet Beth,
Cannot tell you how blessed I am to see that you and your family are safe and sound. I have prayed for you often this week and am so thankful to our WONDERFUL GOD for keeping ya’ll safe!
I came home from the Deeper Still Event in Las Vegas last weekend (which was absolutely INCREDIBLE by the way)and stumbled across this blog… I cannot tell you how sweet it is that you would take time to write and connect with the many of us out there that have been so blessed by your ministry. I actually feel like I get to be a little part of your world this way and I am SO VERY BLESSED! Thank you for all that you do!
Felicity La Rue
a new siesta! 🙂 YAY!
I stayed in the Beaumont area because of work. There is not much damage here but they say it will be four weeks until we have electricity. Major electrical grids were knocked out. And with Galveston, Houston, Sabine Pass and Orange being hit so hard Entergy has their workforce really spread out thin. Hurricane Rita did a lot more damage, three years ago, to all of our homes. My motto: “a cold shower and clean underware does a siesta good”.
I went to the blog hoping there was an update, and yes-sir-eee there was. I have been praying for all of you at LPM along with some precious family members who live in Houston. It was good to hear a good report…I will continue to keep you and all those who experienced Ike in my prayers.
Been praying for all of you at LPM and the folks from your area. Will continue to pray. Thanks for the update.
Forever His,
Lawan Rivera
Phil4:8
Oh Beth, glad to hear you all are well and that the damage is minimal. Definitely thought long and hard for you all today when some in the north here found their basements or first floors flooded and needed assistance. Prayers and blessings, Beckie
Glad that you are okay! We’ve been praying here in NC for the Houston area, your family, the LPM ministry, and everyone else too!
Glad to know you are all safe “)
marina
Oh my goodness. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers so much over the last few days. I live in Alabama, so I understand the destruction and feelings of helplessness that a hurricane can bring.
Thanks for checking in and letting us know you are all ok!
Dear Mama Beth and the gang,
I am so happy to hear that you all are ok, and for the most part your homes are untouched and your ministry was unharmed. I guess you could say my spirit was antsy to hear from you, as I have been praying and sometimes you need to know how those prayers were answered. So thank you for the quick check in…I’ll still keep praying!
Sometimes you might need some rest, and God uses different ways to get us to rest. I hope you all have had a restful time, even though I know your thoughts and prayers were constant for all those back at home.
Love you so much – I am so thankful for the calling God has on your lives – you are AWSOME blessings!
Kate in Charlottesville
Thanks so much for letting us all know how our dear friend and her family and loved ones are doing. You’ve all been in my thoughts and prayers.
Love to you all and much gratitude for all you have done to lead me closer to HIM!
glad to hear…have been waiting on updates!
So glad to hear from you and all is well. I got an e-mail from one of our siesta’s in Houston and she said they are about an hour from the coast, no power, phone, water etc…she has sporadic cell phone so that’s how she e-mailed me. They have a modular home and said no damage, praise the Lord.
In Arkansas we had winds and rain over night and many were without power this morning. I had power and our church had power but many did not. All from Ike, he gets around doesn’t he?
Thank you for taking time to update us. I’m so thankful to hear the report.
I’ve thought so much about you all and have definitely kept you in my prayers.
Love,
Valerie
Oh so glad to hear from you! Praising God for answered prayers! And, I will continue to pray for the whole “really big” area!
Also, selfishly praising because you said you would DEFINITELY be coming to Billings. We wondered this morning at church if you would be able to make it. Me, Veronica, Miesta Moose and 10 of our peeps will be there! Look for us…we like to sit on the aisle about 7-10 rows back on your left. We’ll wave!
Love you all, so much.
Melana and Miesta Moose in Wyoming
My prayer is that the aftermath of the storm doesn’t give Satan a footing for the folks that signed up for your Tuesday night Bible study. And for quick return of power and water. And for everyone to treat each other like the First Century church in Acts 2.
Peace,
Kim in Apex, NC
So glad all is well with you and your loved ones.
So glad you will be in Billings- can’t wait to see you- I am flying from Florida just so I can be there.
See you Friday
So glad to hear from you. Thank you for knowing we are like worried mother hens… Praying for everyone in the path of this mess. And also for the people running the shelters who also have no power. That they will have the patience and love required for such an undertaking. Let Jesus be your strength. Love to you all,
Judy
Dear Father – thanks for the strike to Ike. Please get the power back up again, soon.
Loving you girls in South Texas and your families,
Warm in Alaska.
Dear ones,
So good to hear from you. You've been in my thoughts & prayers all weekend. I, too, rejoice that Most High God restrained Ike, and that all of you are present and accounted for. My husband & I lost our home in 1998 when wildfires swept thru our Florida community, so our hearts really go out to those who have experienced loss. Interestingly, my husband (also my pastor) preached today from James 1:2-4 on "Facing Life's Testing Times." Always a timely word, but it seems even more so just now. We continue to keep you in our prayers.
Love you all,
Donna
Glad to hear you are all right. Im glad to hear you left town. Having lived through Katrina, its no fun at all to be without electricity, gas, food and water.
I’m praying for y’all!!
Love,
Missy
Beth, Amanda & Family,
Thank you, Father! Another family spared Ike's wrath. We've heard from all our family in Houston and all are okay. We've heard that my brother-in-law in League City already has his power back on!
I've been praying for all our family, the Moores and Jones, included since we heard about Ike.
Love,
Mary Ann
Woodbury, MN
Thank You, Jesus for your protection around our friends and their friends and families! You calm the storm(s) of our life to allow us to (once again) rely totally on you. Your grace is sufficient!! Now, Lord, PLEASE bring our Beth and family Home safely and continue to bless this ministry that means so much to us all!!! May your NAME continue to be praised!!!
Beth,
Thanks so much for touching base with us! You know we’ve all been sitting tight waiting to hear a word from one of you, so it’s good to hear that y’all are safe and that your home, ministry building, and your staff’s homes have minimal damage. Praise God indeed!
I am continuing to pray for Houston, Galveston, and all those affected by Ike. We were hit by Hugo back in 1989 (I believe that was the year) and I can remember sitting in the hallway with my parents, my sister, our elderly neighbor, and my precious 2 yr old niece who thought we were having a party! Haha. Oh..and my Bible against my chest as I quoted Scripture over and over in my mind! That was the longest night of my life! The sounds we heard, the many many pine trees falling all over our yard, cars, etc.., but NOT ONE fell on our home. Praise God! We were without power and water for two weeks. It destroyed part of our church. I’ll never forget that time. So I’m understanding how you all are feeling and know how to pray specifically.
Say hey to everyone and hope to hear from you again soon! 🙂
Much love to all of you,
Missy in SC
Beth:
I am glad to hear that you guys got a favorable report concerning your homes and the LPM office, plus all the people you love and care about. Reading all the news about Ike has been simple amazing. I mean the power that it held and to think that our God holds so much more. To think that the one true God is on our side. Why do I ever worry? If one could just remember that one truth just think what a difference it would make in our lives. And the warnings that some received and did not heed, makes me think of the many times God give me a heads up and I don’t heed it. Not sure all this makes sense. Anyway, I am definitely praying for those in the Ike struck areas. I know that all are in great need right now.
Love Kim B. in AZ
I am so glad to hear you and your home and ministry building are OK. I have been wondering. Do you know about Amanda’s home?
I am praying for all in Texas and Louisiana. I am from FL so we are very familiar with the way hurricanes affect your life.
May God be glorified in this disaster!
Couldn’t stop thinking about you all!! I prayed and prayed. So wonderful to hear that the Lpm house being untouched. We will continue to lift up your friends who were touched by Ike.
Thanks for letting us know, so glad to hear you are safe and praying for all those affected by Ike.
Thanks for keeping us updated. We’ve thought about and prayed for you all often here in Atlanta. My girls kept watching the weather channel and saying “Oh Mom, I’m so glad Siesta Fiesta was WAY before this weekend!”
Praying for your safety as you return home and begin to the clean up! If we were there we would lend a hand…
blessings,
stephanie
Thanks for the update. We have thinking and praying for you and your family all weekend…
I was thinking about when Amanda shared once about being there and you cooked chicken and dumplings (her favorite) and she was pregnant and she got a really BIG cupful even after you told her guests were coming..LOL So I was hoping you made Amanda a BIG pot of dumplings!
love ya!
Teresa
uzqmBeth,
Thank you for the update. It was good to hear from you. Many many prayers have been offered on your behalf and for all in the line of Ike’s wave of destruction. Let each of us continue to pray for those less fortunate who lost so much.
As Beth said, Lord, we do thank you for not allowing the storm to be as bad as it could have been.
Love you guys!
Mary
God be praised!
Thank you for updating, as I’ve been thinking about you all!
Praise the Lord for His protection! I will be praying for everyone! I remember what it was like to be without power or water in the heat of summer after hurricane Fran hit here in Raleigh a few years ago.
Stay safe and know lots of prayers and love are being sent your way!
Kristi B.
So glad to hear things for you were great. I just left my aunts house by I-10 and Beltway 8 and every other house is destroyed. Some houses were hit by 1 huge pine tree.
And lets not mention the stench of sewer.
This control freak is learning alot about surrender :0) Especially since I have no power still.
I better get off I am sitting in a parking lot using the Hampton inn’s internet. Stay safe and enjoy your family time.
Much Love.