Hey, my dear, dear Sisters! I had the biggest blast with the Siestas who made the trek to San Antonio and missed the rest of you so much. I’m back from a real, live vacation and pecking away at my computer in my office. Star’s right here at my feet. It’s Labor Day so my beloved staff members are with their families just as they should be. Since I really did take the week off (I usually cheat and still throw work into it somehow but refrained this time), I really needed the day to get a jump on the load I knew would be waiting tomorrow.
I’d have lots of silly things to tell you but my frame of mind is seriously tempered by Gustav. Having lived in Houston for 35 years, I, like anybody half-awake on the Gulf Coast, am highly alert to the constant wave of threats written across the sky from August through October. We find ourselves in a terrible quandary, asking God to cause the storms to bypass our areas but sick at heart to imagine them hitting another. None of us want to lose our homes but none of us want to see others lose theirs either. Of all people on the planet we want spared, surely its the population of New Orleans. Oh, Jesus, especially the poor. And, Lord, our dear Franklin Avenue Baptist and other faithful fellowships like it that have only recently reopened their doors. Have mercy! My heart has been in my throat for the areas devastated by Katrina, many of which have yet to be rebuilt. Let’s give highest praise to God that He sucked some of the air and water right out of Gustav’s angry lungs. This morning in my quiet time I reminded our gracious Father of His powerful words to us in James 5:16b-18. “The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” Elijah, a man with “like passions as we” prayed a change over the weather. THE WEATHER. And God heard him and said yes. That ought to give us some courage to pray like the same thing could happen today.
Keith and I have been in the wonderful middle of nowhere for a solid week on our cactus land at the edge of the Texas hillcountry. No cell phones. No internet. Just him and me and our two new baby girls, Star and Geli. The most exciting things we had going were watching God paint sunrises and sunsets, cooking on the Old Smokey, dodging rattle snakes, and taking rides on our rigged-for-dirt-roads golf cart with the dogs to admire the wildlife. I read the new Jan Karon novel (I think the name is “Home to Holly Springs”) from cover to cover and LOVED IT. Yes, I’ve read all the Mitford books and am so sad when one ends and another is not out yet. She is one of my favorite all time fiction authors. I want to be her BFF.
On the way home Saturday afternoon, however, we saw the eeriest sight. Keith was asleep at the time and yours truly was driving his big ole blue Ford truck. I even went the speed limit. (Believe it or not, I’m a slow driver. The leading cause of road rage in America, you might recall.) We were going east on Interstate 10 and right around the Luling exit I came over a hill and saw 200+ yellow school buses from Dallas, empty except for the drivers, in the left hand lane traveling lickety-split in a caravan our same direction. A police car led the pack and another had its back. We’d seen several Red Cross emergency vehicles already on our way home but this sight beat all. We knew those school buses were heading either to Houston or New Orleans (it was still up in the air – no pun intended – at that time) for emergency evacuations. I told Keith to wake his hind up and look at a sight he might live the rest of his life and never see again. It was so freaky. And to be one of very few vehicles heading their direction while traffic packed the west-bound lanes was sobering. There was no turning back, though, because Curtis, Amanda, Jackson, and our little Avocado were in Houston and I was going to be where they were or bust. Turned out our fair but hot city would be just to the west of Gustav’s fiercest breath. Far better than that, it appeared that New Orleans might not be hit as hard as they were three years ago. Oh, Lord, be her levee.
Anyway, I’ve looked so forward to saying hello but feel like it’s just not the day to be silly. And, oh, could I have been silly. After all, I’ve been perched on a porch for a week watching my man move the earth all over heck’s half acre on his green tractor. About the time I decided to venture out on my own and go for a walk, he popped the clutch and hollered, “Lizabeth, did you bring your snake boots?” Where am I? But I’ll just have to save that for another time.
I love you. Gulf Coast girls in particular, let us know how you’re fairing through the weather. We are on our knees for you.
So glad you had a chance to sit back and relax a while. Goodness knows you’ve earned it. And something tells me you’re not much of a sit-back-and-do-nothing kinda gal.
I evacuated from Mandeville, LA with my kids and the dog (a yellow lab named Beau), and we’re now at my parents’ house in FL. Please pray for my husband who had to stay behind. He’s a Navy man and had to stay with his ship which is tied to the pier along the MS river in New Orleans. I heard from him this morning and he said it was a little scary, but they were doing fine. I just want to hear his voice again to reassure me he’s ok. I’m praying he’ll call soon. I’ve been praying God’s hand of protection over him all weekend.
Thanks so much for your prayers. I’m anxious to get home to check on my house and see my sweet husband again.
You are so good to remind us to pray ABOUT EVERYTHING–even weather– and w/out ceasing. I love being reminded about times when God responded to His peoples’ prayers. What a sight you saw w/ the school bus caravan…wow! You got the precious opportunity to pray for each passenger before they boarded the buses. Glad you had a great vacation and are home in Houston as you should be!
Praying for all on the coast, Jill
“Snake boots”–you are a braver woman than I.
Beth,
So glad you had a restful vacation filled with many memories… looking forward to the posts that will follow! 🙂
Prayers for all who are in Gustav’s path. I am so thankful that he lost some of his punch as he moved ashore. Here in Indiana it’s the tornados we have to worry about. I have seen too much devastation from the powerful winds a twister brings. However in the aftermath we are reminded that God is with us and keeps His promises. It also reminds me just how powerful He is. More powerful than a hurricane, a tornado or any other storm of nature. He is our Almighty!
I too love Jan Karon… don’t you just wish you visit Mitford?!?!
WHAT a week you have had, missy!
Sounds like a good time with your sweetie, for sure!
I know that San Antonio was such a blessing….I have read all the comments and looked at the photos.Wish I could have been there because SA is where I found the Lord many years ago! So it is sacred ground to me!
God Bless you Beth and thank you for the wonderful work you do to further His kingdom!
In Joy,
Mimi Lee <><
Beth, have you read any of Jamie Langston Turner’s books? They were a great find when I had exhausted Jan Karon’s Mitford books. :o)
I am in Webster, which is south of Houston. I have been praying for all us Gulf Coast girls and families. It looks like we will get some rain tomorrow. We have some wind now. But I know it will all be ok. Thank you Jesus for taking most of the huff and puff out of this storm.
Jeani
star…:)
It’s good to have you back! I’m so glad God gave you the rest you needed and time with the hubby and dogs. 🙂
Thank you for the word about Elijah. Sometimes it’s hard to realize that God wants you to come before Him for everything, whether it be a huge, devestating hurricane or a little bitty everday problem. I think we often forget just how much prayer matters to Him and how He answers them.
The people in the path of Gustav definitely have my prayers! And pray that the 2 others heading this way (GA) will provide much needed rain and little more!
In His Love,
~Sarah
Hi everyone…
We are praying for all our gulf coast girls!! My heart is really tendered to everyone on this one.
Welcome back Mama Siesta!! I had a fabulous time in SA. The memories and friendships were straight from God Himself. It was so beautiful, fun, funny, and special.
Have a blessed week!
Fran
The worst we will see of Gustav is going through Lake Charles right now….we are 4 of 10 people left here; everyone is still freaked out after Rita passed through 3 years ago. We chose not to evacuate after monitoring the forecast path closely. This is the least of the storms’s fury which verifies that any closer to the eye of the storm would be a very bad place to be. We still have power but school is out until Friday….oh, can we use prayer about that!:) We are all a bit stir crazy. We had an awesome church service yesterday (before mandatory evac) about rejoicing in the Lord at ALL times which I have done all day. I sure couldn’t ask the Lord for the thing to land on any one else; I love Him sooo much and am grateful for the cyber fellowship, especially on a day like today!
I’m a first grade teacher in Katy and for this Labor Day weekend, I went to visit my folks just south of San Antonio. We watched the weather constantly to see what was going on. As I came back today, I got a taste of what you saw outside of Luling. From Seguin to Brookeshire, I saw 33 evacuee buses and 201 ambulances. Half way back, I realized that there were 15 passenger vans coming up the interstate too. And that’s AFTER everyone else stopped in Houston. Talk about a three hour lesson in humility and prayer! Everytime a caravan of ambulances came our way, all I could think about was the individual in that vehicle. They were sick or hurt, leaving their home, and they have no clue when or if they will they will go home. On top of that, there was no one with them but the EMTs in the vehicle. I don’t think my throat has ever held a lump that long! I take so much for granted!
Welcome back to our side of town, sweet Beth. Glad you had a peaceful, refreshing vacation.
There is no doubt God took the top off the storm in the Gulf. I praise Him for the many times He takes the top off my storms too!
Praise the Lord the storm has been downgraded to a category one. God is so good. Beth , im so glad you had a good restful vacation. Can’t wait to hear your funny stories. I think your absolutely hilarious. My husband has heard me talk about you and your shananiguns(is that even spelled right?) and he even thinks your funny. My daughter came with me to the Louisville conference and she, age 21 thinks your funny too. God surely used you to grab her attention. She is 21 and a senior in college. Drifted a bit. You kept her attention. Several times i looked at her out of the corner of my eye, she was so engaged in what you were saying her jaw was dropped and she had this intense look in her eye. I know your thinking, how did you see all of that from the corner of my eye. Well you know the saying, we mothers have eyes all over our heads. Sometimes I would stop singing just to hear her sing. God Bless you for your ministry. I simply CANNOT wait for the Esther study to come out. It is indeed one of my favoite old testament bibe stories, for such a time as this.
I have no doubts that God hears those prayers about the weather. It was in early April about 15 yrs ago. We were living in Wichita Ks. We were at our childrens school for a school carnival. There was about 500 children and parents in the building,when the tornado sirens went off. We headed into the hallways for safty and of course the men headed outside for a look. Almost immediatly my husband came back into the building with a pale look on his face. He Said it is a hugh tornado and it is heading right towards the school. We grabbed our boys, and sat in the hallway and just started to pray. Within about 10 minutes the sirens stopped and the sun came out. We then found out that it had hit the neighborhood just to the south of the school. We were told later that as the tornado was approaching the school it dipped south for a short time then proceeded back on its origianl path. It went around the school! It was an F4 tornado. It destoyed most of the neighborhood surrounding the school. but thankfully few lives were lost because most of the people werent at home but were in the school!
wow but you said the simplest yet all-encompassing prayer, “Lord, be their levee.” Standing in agreement with you for them!
Oh, I can’t wait for Gustav to be gone. One of my dearest friends on the planet lives on the Alabama coast where they have dealt with terrible wind and tornadoes all day long.
So good to hear from you after your vacation. We all had such a fabulous time at the Siesta Fiesta!
Love you too…
we were praying for them sooo, too, and my little girl was really having a hard time last night not being afraid that “that world” was going to be in trouble. one of her friends from greensboro, nc (where we are) just moved back down to new orleans this summer. i told her about being able to pray for her and whether or not it was too much info, she did. and today we praised God for answering our prayers and keeping their city safe. it’s pretty amazing that it truly did slow down! prayers of a righteous man (and woman, and CHILD if i do say so myself!) availeth much!
My husband and I were in the Hill Country this weekend for our first official “empty-nest” trip and we were going in to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Kerrville. When we walked in to be seated the whole restaurant was filled, except for us and about 3 families with Orange County,CA firefighters and FEMA teams. All in their blue fatigues. What an impressive sight. They had been on the bus since Friday at 3 and very heading straight thru to Houston to the command center. As of Sunday morning they weren’t sure where they would be going. One of the K-9 handlers stopped and talked to us for just a moment. Brave men and women!!! We stopped right then and prayed not just for the thousands of people who would be affected, but the courageous people heading straight in to the storm to offer safety, protection and assistance. God Bless them!
Beverly in Odessa
p.s. glad you and Keith made it back home safely.
I am so glad you had a restful time with your man! I am one of your “Raleigh Girls!” and was blessed to be in San Antonio for the weekend with my sister and our family. What a blessing we received at the conference and at Siesta Fiesta! I just ordered ESTHER for the group I lead and I can’t wait!!
Thanks for checking in with us, Beth. 🙂 I’m SO glad you and Keith got some time away to relax and just be with each other, your puppies, and God’s beautiful creation. New Orleans has been heavy on my heart and mind today, as well. Praying along with y’all that God will have mercy!
At the right time, do let us know some fun things about your vacation. Glad y’all got back home safely. 🙂
Love,
Missy in SC
My heart has been heavy with a lot of things this week…from the hurricanes…to Caylee Anthony…to some personal stuff…so I KNOW what you mean Beth!
But since we try to be ” women after God’s own heart.” my guess would be that His heart must be heavy too…
Love you!
Praying for you Gulf Coasters tonight.
I know this is just a tiny detail in your story, but I had to squeal when I read of the exit to LULING! My dad grew up in Luling and I spent many a road trip there as a child and can picture just where you are talking about. If you actually drive into Luling it has a very particular smell – oil they say.
Oh, I miss my grandparents just thinking about it.
Thank you for that! I bet that was a sight to see.
Hope you enjoyed your unplugged vacation.
welcome home! 🙂
Since I can’t say it’s good to ‘see’ you again, I’ll say it’s good to ‘read’ you again!
As a gulf coast Fl girl for 37 years (who last year was transplanted to Ga away from all my family) I can tell you, I’ve been glued to Fox News and The Weather Channel since Fay was here a week ago.
That storm ruined my mom’s backyard — $8K to fix her pool so she’s decided to just fill it in rather than repair it..
But that’s nothing compared to, during Fay’s 28 inch downpour last week, a little boy from home, who had just turned 13, slipped and fell near his home into a drainage ditch, sucking him into it. Even though he was on the local swim team, the suction was too much for him and he drowned. PlEASE siestas, be praying for his mom, dad, and little sister (his name was Mac). They are friends of a friend, and I’ve heard they are very angry with God right now (I can only know I would be too, I’m sure). I tear up at even the thought of losing my precious babies. I hurt for them.
I’m standing with you all and Mama Beth, for this current storm and the ones behind it to spare those precious people in their paths.
I love you all,
Lavonda
Oh yes, How we are praying for all of them. I have just arrived home from a getaway on the Gulf Coast, closer to Destin, FL. All we saw was an ocean surge, absolutely fasicinating to watch those strong waves crash. And I thought to myself, if it is this bad here, think of all the others in harm’s way. I am so thankful to hear that Gustav has not been as bad as Katrina. As I was driving home north, I passed countless fuel trucks, power trucks, and relief vehicles headed south. Thank you to all of the brave people headed there now to help out. We are praying for all of you.
wendy
Oh I know your Joy must be tempered! You all have been on my heart! I have been praying… and I will continue too!
So thankful you had a much needed vacation! We had a blast in San Antonio! Thank you for being so gracious to us! You all were just precious! So much fun!
My Mom just adores Jan too! She really is my Mom’s friend!
Love you all!
Emmy : )
Dear Beth,
Thanks for checking in with your Siestas. I was so sad I wasn’t in San Antonio but I am so happy you all had a great time. We,too, are praying for those threatened by Gustav. One of our sisters parents had to evacuate and they are here with us now.
Anyway – just wanted to let you know you are loved – serious or silly – you are loved!
Sister Lynn
If you are Jan’s BFF, then you have to be my BFF, too! My Granny got me hooked on Father Tim when I was in junior high! I just love a good series where you can fall in love with the characters!
We’ve got some evacuees here in Austin and we are praying for those levees to keep holding!
It is the same in my heart as I watched with much anticipation how this storm was going to turn out. Knowing that our Heavenly Father is absolutely good and trustworthy, yet praying for His mercy in this situation. My heart just breaks for those who have had to evacuate and try to save their most important things….I’m thinking they probably have a much better idea of what is truly important…don’t you think? Glad you had a great vacation! Glad you made it home. Fondly, Jackie Sue
Hey my sweet sister Beth,
I am a Gulf Coast Girl, from Daphne, AL. —on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. We were very blessed and protected today. I spent the day watching the weather channel, recovering from the preparation “just in case” Gustav made a funny little hop like those hurricanes sometimes do.
I can imagine all those school buses and emergency vehicles were quite an amazing sight and would certainly remind you to start praying if you weren’t already.
I am SO VERY GLAD you had some time away and so very glad you made it safely home.
Love,
Leisl
Beth,
I am glad you took a real vacation without work! SA was a blessing I will never forget! Your daughters are amazing young women! And I am still digesting our inheritance lesson!
I have been in prayer for those on the Gulf Coast as well as all those who packed up and evacuated. I am thankful that Gustav weakened before it hit and I pray the residents can return home soon!
Blessings
Michelle
Well, here in East Texas, we are gratefully aware that most of the predicted winds and rain have passed us by. We’ve been praying for those in our area who were hit so badly by Rita (our farm included). The Lord graciously spared us from Gustav. Our church is open again as a Red Cross shelter and will remain open until Thursday with Louisiana residents. I am so thankful for our church family who have given so much loving care to total strangers. Thank you LPM gang and Sweet Siestas for praying. Truly, our God is an awesome God.
Dry and Delighted,
Paulette
I hope y’all had time to stop in at or were you coming out of Buc-ee’s when you saw the buses?
Anyway, thanks for the “Lone Star” LPL!
To all of you who have prayed and are praying for the “Gulf Coast Girls” and our families – thank you!!! Our family is in Arkansas until we are allowed to go back home. (We’ve had a great time here.) It feels SO awesome to know that people are praying everywhere. What an incredible group you are, Siestas!!!
Welcome back. Glad you actually took a well deserved vacation. Had a blast in San Antonio and loved the Siesta Fiesta. Thank you for a wonderful time full of His blessings.
Forever His,
Lawan Rivera
Phil 4:8
Beth, I love how you said “let the Lord be her levy.” Isn’t it amazing that God is EVERYTHING to us!!?
To those of you in the storms wake, my prayers are for you. May God’s mercy pour on you in abundance. Hide in the shadow of His wings. He alone is our refuge and our strong tower.
And Beth, I am a Mitford nut too. I LOVED “Home to Holly Springs.” Definitely my favorite fiction author of all time!
Love, Jillian (PS my old screen name was JILLIAN – do you call that a screen name – it’s changed now but I’m the same person 🙂
You sweet thing…I wanna hear about the boots when this is all over. As for Gustav, my husband is down there right outside Baton Rouge where the winds were whipping around trees and powerlines at 75 mph this morning. He’s reported in several times that he is ok in his company doublewide on company property…though a tree split in two and one part landed on the roof he still thinks there’s no leaks…yet. He did say if you saw someone being rescued on tv from their roof with their speedos on and with the sign “surf’s up” it would be him! (He’s still has a sense of humor.)I’ve watched Fox news all day and haven’t seen him. I thought he’d be in his superman garb in spandex no less since he’s the one and only lonely employee who stayed back and is watching the company. He refused to leave so there you have it. He did say BR has suffered more damage this time than Katrina because of high winds. Thank you to all for their prayers!
I by the way live in NC with our son while he travels (commutes) back and forth.
Wished I could be at the first annual Siesta Fiesta but know you had a blast from the cute pics Rich took!
BFF!
I face that same struggle any time I’m praying about the weather. We’re far enough inland that hurricanes aren’t much of a threat, but man the tornadoes sure are. Sometimes I’m stuck on what exactly I should pray in times like that. I was excited to see that the storm lessened before it hit shore.
Praying still for the Gulf coast. Thank God He hears our prayers.
I’m glad you’re back and had plenty of rest.
Engrafted by His Grace-
Shonda
Beth,
Wondering if you have read “The Shack” and what your take is on this book. Do you recommend it?
I live just outside of Baton Rouge. There is a major problem with loss of electricity due to the hours and hours of strong winds we endured. We learned a valuable lesson from Katrina and had our home wired up to a generator for times such as these. I’m blessed to be able to have electrical power right now! Many others are unable to communicate even by phone, much less computer!
Here’s what I know, or what I’m hearing from local news:
Every parish around here is under curfew…city officials say it is not safe to be on the roads due to the large amounts of trees down and power lines on the roads. Anyone out on the roads without a really good reason is going to jail!
I haven’t seen this first hand, but what they are saying on the local news is that the devastation in Baton Rouge is worse than it has ever been since they have been recording these things. They say there isn’t a road left unaffected by trees or limbs. I believe that almost everyone is without power.
There were two people killed in Baton Rouge due to a tree falling on the home they were in (taking refuge with a friend). Two others in that home were not injured.
One person died in a car accident.
Personally, my home was unaffected, but we lost a tree and a fence. I’m thankful the Lord protected us. It got pretty scary for a while.
What a blessing to see so many posts of ladies praying for us! Thank you so much!
Please continue to pray, as there will be many days of cleanup and many days without power for thousands, if not millions, of people.
Blessings,
Tami in LA
I agree with “Preachers Wife”, much of us are in the same spirit. I too thought about how to pray for the weather and for the people affected by it. I had the news on non-stop about the hurricanes(yes, plural!) I have been praying for everyone including my dear Siesta family and my dear LPM family. I also thought about Joshua asking the sun to “stand still” with none of the aftermath that would have followed something that catastrophic happening. He is the God of miracles, The Weather Man.
Very glad you and the girls are home safe and sound. Love you all very much, don’t work so hard so fast. Starbucks will be open in the morning, will it not?
Love you sweet girl-
Lisa in Kirkland,WA
Welcome home Beth, and thanks for the reminder from James 5. I know many prayers were heard during this storm.
Need to go visit friends on the Karon Bulletin Board and mention that you gave good reviews on the newest book.
Emma who is still on Mitford volume 1.
Oh I read that Jan Karon book right after Christmas and while I LOVED it to death (I, too, live int he false reality that the Mitford dolks are my real life friends and hate when a book ends, I MISS them!) I thought it was terribly hard to read-again, since I think they are my friends/family. I cried a lot while I read it-she is such a wonderful writer. If you get to be BFF’s, please introduce me!! 🙂 Glad Gustav seems to have a change of heart-we are all holding our breath for Hannah out here on the East Coast!
As it rained here, all day, (and it hasn’t rained here in months) I prayed often and kept checking the news stations to check on the weather in the south.
Father, protect those in the paths of the hurricanes and tropical storms in the south. Indeed Lord, be their levee.
p.s. Welcome home sweet Beth. Veronica and I (and Miesta Moose) will be seeing you in Billings in 18 days!)
Melana in Wyoming
Just wanted to see if there were any needs out there resulting from the storm. I know those who live in the area the storm hit and those who live in areas where people evacuated to might be in need of some things. Let us Siesta’s know so we can help. Praying for you all. Much love!
Oh Dear Beth, I also hold to how Gods word is so powerful, may we pray like Elijah. Lets pray together as we remember those involved in Gustav, believing in God.
Its such a blessing that you and your man got away, I am impressed that you had no cell phones or internet what a neat way to truely enjoy each other and God’s goodness and country.
I was one of the Siesta Fiesta girls and joined you in San Antonio, I feel like your message was designed just for me. Thank you for the wonderful giftedness God has blessed you with. It was a super confirmation, affirmation from God that I am an hieress of GOD!!!! On a side note you and your girls are so beautiful.
I pray you are rested and refreshed for the next round.
God Bless you as you serve HIM humbly.
Love ya,
Alexia
Beth,
Glad to hear you got a vacation-y vacation! Sounds like y’all had a great time (though I must admit, I’m not exactly thrilled that the place requires rattlesnake boots).
We’ve been praying for the folks along the Louisiana coast, too, and were relieved to hear that Gustav was downgraded to a category 2 earlier today.
I’m a slow reader (with lots of work-related reading to do), so the only Jan Karon book I’ve read is a children’s book, Miss Fannie’s Hat. It was one of my daugther’s favorite read-aloud stories when she was about 2 years old. I need branch out and read some of her other books!
Ittybittyloie (Lois):
I’ll be praying for you to be comforted by the Lord and for Sadie, too.
Blessings,
Karen K.
Houston siesta
Beth and Siestas… I am in Houston so you know we are all well, but I ask specifically for prayer for our sisters and brothers in Cuba. Since first traveling there with HFBC 2 years ago (and 4 times since), a huge chunk of my heart resides there. I have heard only that my friends in Havana are safe and were going to attempt to check the west side of the island today. I and they would greatly appreciate your prayers!