(Please note: this is NOT the Scripture memory post. That will be tomorrow!)
Any of you Siestas just hanging out by yourself tonight like I am? Any good ideas? I got my spiral index cards about an hour ago at the Walgreens and I’m going to write my Scripture in it but that will take about five minutes. (I got me a really good pen, too. I love good pens.) I’m also on Week Four/Day Five of Priscilla’s “Discerning the Voice of God” study so I’ll probably wrap up that week. Any ideas for the rest of the evening? One thing for danged sure. We are NOT going to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. Every single one of us could have found all sorts of things to do tonight. For most of us, we probably just decided to stay in. We just might wish we were popping corn with somebody, huh? Anyway, God has been so faithful to us, hasn’t He? Let’s rejoice in that as we close out this important year in each of our lives.
I started 2008 with Deuteronomy 11:11,12. It’s written in the front of my prayer journal. Listen to it describe the land of promise: “the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy is one of hills and valleys (sure was that for me), a land that drinks water from the rains (thank You, Lord), a land the Lord your God looks after.” The next part is my favorite: “He is constantly attentive to it from the beginning to the end of the year.” We’re not the Old Testament Israelites with literal territory to occupy. Our earthly equivalent to a Land of Promise is a place we’ve crossed the river of fear to arrive in obedience to the will and joy of God. A place where lives rather than lands bear healthy fruit and where we bring Him glory to the best of our frail understanding, showing ourselves to be His disciples. I love the thought that God is attentive to us, no matter where we are, from the very first day of the year to the last. Wherever you are right now, no matter how you’re feeling (I keep thinking about our siesta that told us recently her husband of 26 years was asking for a divorce), your God is right there with you. He is ATTENTIVE to you. TENDING to you. I pray you sense that tonight. That you might even pop a little corn with Him. He won’t hog the bag. And maybe the occasion calls for a little melted butter.
So, what are we going to do to finish out 2008, young ladies? Throw out a few ideas and we’ll keep each other company for a little while tonight.
PS. It’s now 11:00 PM and I’m closing the post. What a blast tonight, Siestas! Thanks for climbing on! God’s richest blessings to you in 2009.
Thanks, Beth! I love this idea. I am solo…choosing to stay in rather than go out with the “singles”. I have been single again for 10 years, and this has been just an awesome period of time to grow closer to the Lord! Beth, your Bible studies have been a source of that growth, fostering a well-being that “passes all understanding”! So, I will probably write a verse, do a day of my current Bible study (Jesus the One and Only), and just BE, basking in the love of Jesus!
Love you!
Fran
Beth,
It is absolutely a joy for you to have reached out to our single Siesta’s! I love that about you, such a deep genuine caring heart.
While I’m not single, my hubs and I enjoyed spaghetti with a fire going and the KU/MNN game one.
I’ve got a heavy heart tonight for friends…one a fellow Siesta that is in the midst of her little nephew being born with many health complications; and then a friend in my home town that her little boy of 4 was hit by a semi at 6:00 last night while riding his bicycle.
I don’t know why these tragedies are going on, but I know that God’s best is always what He is after, and I offer to both of them, CLING….CLING like never before. Cling to Him, cling to your memories and CLING TO THOSE THAT LOVE AND CARE ABOUT YOU!
So Siesta’s; while you are enjoying that popped corn with Him, offer up a prayer.
Thanks! I am going to EMBRACE 2009! Embrace my Savior, Embrace my family/friends, and EMBRACE those that God brings across my path.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Kansas
My hubby is working late tonight (I know!!). So me and the 3 year old are watching Shrek 2 which is currently on ABC. Not normally a movie I would let him watch, but since he’s never seen it before, it’s definitely keeping him entertained (and his mind off the fact that he hasn’t seen Daddy for a couple of days due to working long hours lately.) I’m almost 4 months pregnant so I don’t have much energy to get up and do anything. Sorry I don’t have any wonderful ideas, but I’ll look forward to reading what everyone else is doing!
Thanks, Beth, for all that you do! I will be starting your Esther study next week! Can’t wait!!
I will start with a bubble bath, then comfy pj’s with my journal, Bible, and a cup of tea…I hope to watch the ball drop but my eyes are already hurting from a long day….I love New Fresh Beginnings, I love reflecting over the past year to see what God did…victories, lessons, struggles – whatever highlights of the past year, but the to look ahead with Hope and a clean slate is so so wonderful.
Well I am home alone and well its been my normal all my life! I do feel lonely tonight but I decided to watch a movie. I am going to watch the old Pride and Prejustice movie!!
But then some of my friends called me and we have been chatting. God is so good and so thankful! God is so good and I am so excited about of all the things that he is going to do! Excited about doing the accountability with the scripture in 2009!
I am not a solo siesta, but it’s funny you mentioned the popcorn! We are watching a movie later with popcorn! But I mostly wanted to take this opportunity to tell you, Beth, how much you have impacted my life! I am SO grateful for you and how God has used you and spoken to me through you. It has been amazing! I have to tell you, if there was one person I could meet, it would be you! I would love to sit down with you for a day and hear more of your testimony, laugh with you and even cry with you. Thank you for all you have done in touching my life, and so many other’s lives. Thank you for being such a faithful and obedient servant.
I am staying in, as it is bitterly clod. I’m planning to play my harp and do some Bible reading. I’ve been doing “Jesus The One and Only” on my own. I haven’t gotten very far, but it’s such healing words to my heart. On this last day of 2008, I’m feeling “quiet before the Lord” like King David.
My mother woke up on Dec. 2 to the Lord telling her to fast and pray until the end of the year for the bondage of family members. She has fasted the rest of December. And she didn’t shy away from being in the kitchen. In fact, she held several Christmas parties, weekend guests, and still continued to feed our family a dinner each night. To watch her do this, especially this time of the year, has been such a testimony to me. Every time she was just too hungry, she’d say to the Lord aloud, “I want freedom for my family more than food.” The Lord sustained her, but I am desiring that same level of intimacy with Him.
It is below zero where I live, so I’m staying in too. My husband and I care for four women with disabilities, so our lives have gotten pretty small – we are home a lot, and will probably be in bed before the new year comes. Your comments on the blog are always an encouragement, Beth, and always make me cry. I always feel like the Lord takes hold of my face and adjusts my view and perspective after I read your words. You help me look up, and to hope. Thank you. What you do on this blog really matters. God bless your 2009 – may it really be a Jesus year for all of us.
Miss Beth (hope you don’t mind me calling you that – I’m a little too close to your age to call you Mama Beth!) tonight I am desperately trying to “right” my ship from listing toward a pity party just because I am so dang tired. So at the moment I am holed up by myself doing some web surfing while I give myself an attitude adjustment (as my momma would say). I actually have all kinds of folks around me and sorta wish – at least a teensy bit – that everyone would go away and give me about a week alone in my own house! 🙂 Anywho, once I finish my attitude adjustment, I will go back out and face the music to prepare for a short visit by my teenage daughter’s friend (from grade school) who lives 135 miles away from us now. After that I plan to lay in bed and do some reading and prepare a plan for my next Bible study – Breaking Free (perhaps you have heard of it?!?!) Looking forward to a new beginning tomorrow!
I am married to a wonderful man but we will be at home tonight. My BIG plans are an online chat with Siestas for Him ,our online group from NOGS. There is a core group of us who have remained together doing Bible Study but mostly encouraging each other , praying with each other, growing in our faith walk together. Although we don’t know each other in real life we have an incredible bond and we are SURE that this was God’s plan. Thank you so much Beth for being His instrument in leading us to meet each other this summer through NOGS. We love you, each other, and most importantly our amazing Lord and Savior. I just KNOW GOD is going to be glorified in a GREAT way in 2009.
Linda
Happy New Year Beth! Must be hunting season again…huh? I'm not alone, but just spending a quiet evening in with the family! We too are going to pop some corn, but I must share that we've recently discovered that M&M's are divine with popcorn!
I've picked out my verse and all day I've thought about tomorrow being the "1st"…enjoy your Jesus and your popcorn!
Love,
Laura Beth
PS I got a great new pen to write my verses down with too!
Well, I’m guessing your man is doing the same thing my man is tonight…hunting. It’s hard to compete with an invite to hunt at the King Ranch.
I’m watching VH-1’s Greatest Songs of the 80’s and about to make myself a big ol batch of chocolate chip cookie dough, which I will eat with no shame.
I am looking for a scripture about ordering your house and life under God’s Word. I know the jist of the verse, but can’t find it.
I so want to order my life after Him this new year!
Other than that – I’m staying quiet and just hanging out.
Julie
Gainesville, GA
I bought a fabulous new pen with my index cards, too!!!
I am going to watch a highly recommended movie (The Ulimate Gift) with the hubster. I think popcorn sounds perfect!
Happy New Year Friends!
Hello Beth and Siestas!
My husband and I are having a few couples over later for games and food. I just wrote Psalm 65:11 on the blackboard in my kitchen for the family to memorize:
You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance.
Dearest Ann, I would so love to meet you, too.
And our sister in the hotel room, all your sisters here are with you in Spirit, bringing in the New Year right by your side. A hotel room can be a mighty lonely place depending upon a person’s frame of mind at the time. Keep your head on straight. Your God delights in you and wants so much to tend to you.
I have my index cards and I am getting ready to decide on my verses. I am by my self tonight for a while which is a rare thing in my house. I enjoy the quiet and peace after a long day. Stephanie KY
I’m by myself tonight, sitting on my sofa, in my pjs, watching “Elf” with Gambit, the sweetest German Shepherd puppy ever. Although alone, I am not lonely, very much submerged in the comfort and peace of SWEET JESUS!
Hanging out by myself, too, Beth. More or less. Hubby is technically here, but his body clock is on farmer time – which means he is already asleep, and my caboose kiddo (her last year as a “kiddo” before her 18th birthday) is out with her best friends who are home from college. I’ll be staying up to see the new year in (an hour ahead of you), packing up the Christmas decorations and downloading podcasts for my iPod (possibly listening to one or two), til “all are safely gathered in”. May God bless you in abundance BIGGIE bunches, Beth Moore.
Was reading my paper this morning and it reviewed the top events or stories in the paper for this past year. Got to thinking about the time line we did for Believing God bible study and thought maybe should add the significant events that happened this year. The blessings, the hard things, the funniest thing maybe etc. Make it a tradition to sit back with God and review the gifts he has blessed me with and his help in the hard times,his faithfullness, laugh alittle over the silly stuff with him and just ask for his guidance and care in the new year. Just do alittle remembering what God has done and whatit has meant to me this year and just let him know I noticed his hand in my life and how much I love and appreciate him. Maybe do alittle repenting for the places I just missed the mark..sinned. Just start this new year anew. Full of anticipation of what God has in store for 2009. Heart clean, mind alert, hands ready to serve and face down before my King. Just spend alittle time adoring him and thanking him for who he is. I will thank him for you and your ministry too. Happy New Year.
I was at Walgreens about an hour myself! I picked up my super cool, spiraled, ruled index cards. I didn’t grab a great pen, however, I am known for my pen affliction. I picked up my Bible and cozied up on the couch and was jumping on th epage to send th link to a friend whom I know would enjoy this little endeavor.
PLANS: Sitting at home with a variey of munchies and a brand new prayer journal. We had invites to peoples houses, but honestly wanted to be here at home. It has been in exciting year and am curious to see what 2009 will bring.
Beth,
I'm in the middle of wk 7 in Believing God, and also in the midst of a painful trial that blindsided me last wk. I just need you to know that if I had not been doing your study. God would not have radically changed my thinkin. This trial would have consumed me…but PRAISE GOD! I'M BELEIVING GOD & HE'S GONNA BE GLORIFIED! I'm on my way forward to my promised land…& satan's gonna be backsteppin & tuckin his slimey tail. THANK YOU SWEET BETH! THANK YOU!!
I am hanging out by myself while my hubby is at work (until 1 am) and my precious baby girl is in bed. I’m just doing some cleaning and surfing the net…and perfectly content with that. Looking forward to this new year and excited about what God is going to do in my family’s life this year. And I’m definitely looking forward to being challenged to memorize some of the Word…I need it!
Beth, I am so glad you posted this! I am spending New Years with God. I like to ring in the New Year by spending time praising Him and reading His word. I am also going to pick out my scripture for tomorrow. Happy New Year 2009 everyone! Praise God!
As I was about to start feeling sorry for myself, I read your post. Thank you so much. I just got home from the drug store with some Oreos, milk, and some new volumizing hair gel. I am good to go! I plan on making some banana bread, watching some of Dick Clark’s NYE special, and praying the new year in. I want God to be all over 2009. Can’t wait to start memorizing scripture with all the siestas!
That has to be the coolest thing, spending a little time with you and the Siestas! I was starting to feel a little like I was missing out on something exciting…..Acutally, I heard someone say a couple days ago that we can look back at the blessings and be thankful, which I usually agree but I haven’t in a while felt awed by the blessing. This year, however, we was SO overwhelmed by His presense it takes my breath away. My husband was not feeling very well this time last year and by mid year found out he had severe heart problems. At one point he as told that was nothing they could do for it. But God started blessing us and reassuring us and right now tonight I am sitting beside him happily computing away. He had a very sucessful bypass surguery and is having a full recovery. The scriputure you shared was speakiing right to me. God most certaily was with us for the beginning of the year to the very last! I am looking so forward to what He has for us this coming year. By the way, we celebrate our 6th anniversay tomorrow also! AND I start the Esther study next Tuesday. The more I talk the more excited I get. I can never tell you Beth, how much you mean to me and how deep into the Lord you have helped me go! You will just never know. Blessings to you….Now I am afraid I have rambled….sorry but I am just so excited…..
Alone…yes, and trying so very hard to keep far away from the edge.
Although I had every intention of having a pity party because my husband likes to be alone whereas I love being with people, I’ve decided that sitting here watching him paint my favorite room (to my surprise) is A-OK with me! He always seem to redeem himself somehow! Happy New Year Beth!
I just made spinach dip for our son, who loves spinach, of all things. And I made Texas gold bars from the cookbook (I think). I know it’s on my cooking blog. Anyhow, the kids and their Daddy (also a kid) are playing the Wii (that my parents got for the kids for Christmas). And then we are settling into watching the first of the Lord of the Rings.
Thank you, Beth. Thank you for loving like you do and loving Him like you do–praying for you to love Him more and more (me, too!).
We have a hard journey to walk right now financially. We may lose everything. But we have a financial fellow from church helping us get things in order and we are trusting our Advocate, Jesus. A good year for memorizing His Word. I’m feeling like the book of Philippians is where I will stay.
OK, I have gone on now. Wish you were here. We could stick our feet in the tub and have us a good talk.
Love you!
Not solo…I’m staying home with the fam and having our neighbor over for dinner. The kids (9,8 and 6) are determined to stay up until midnight. (We used to let them watch the ball drop on the east coast–three hours early to us–but they are on to our trick now.) Anyway…we have cheesy musicals and a new Wii to fill the time.
Do pray for our time with our neighbor, though, if you see this. She needs Jesus.
And I completely appreciate the importance of good pens.
Happy New Year!
Amy
Happy New Year, Beth. I lift you up to the Father tonight (and often). I,too, would like to take a minute and tell you how absolutely precious you are to me, what a difference you have made in my own walk with Christ. May God bless you abundantly above all I could ask for you or even imagine.
I must be losing my mind…I can’t find the verse about “God is a God of order”…that’s not verbatim but isn’t there a verse in the Bible about that – or am I making that up?
Julie
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Our family is staying home tonight and playing with our new Wii, our son gave us for Christmas. Also,we’re going to have some stuffed grape leaves,crackers with cheese and Sparkling Peach Juice. I went to Trader Joe’s today and they had a great deal on a kit to make a Gingerbread house, my girls will have fun with that tonight. I also want to work on my movie script that I’ve been procrastinating on, God keeps telling me to get it done so I better do it! I think all those things should get us till midnight, I’ll need some coffee too!
We had such a great 2008 and I pray we all have a blessed 2009!!! Have a great night!
tvgrace
So glad to know I’m not the only one staying at home tonight!
It can be hard, as a single woman, staying home by myself on New Year’s Eve.
But I am grateful – grateful for another year, grateful for a quiet evening, grateful for my family, grateful that I was able to study and love God’s Word even more this year.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing your passion with us. This year, I completed the studies on Daniel and Psalms of Ascent; and facilitating Living Beyond Yourself. I’m halfway through Esther now. I love God’s Word.
🙂
I am so looking forward to prioritizing Scripture memory this year. I have my verse picked out and my note cards ready. I’m equipped for the year!
Happy New Year!
I got to admit there was no way I was staying in tonight! I love holidays. Any excuse to party. I’m going and hanging out with some friends at Bridge Bible Fellowship where I go to Celebrate Recovery. It is some friends from CR that are doing this. We’re all going to bring some food. Josh and I are bringing our Nintendo Wii and going to hook it up and play it on the screen that usually has the worship songs and what-not. Last year some people brought their guitars and praise music and we entered the new year singing praises to the Lord. It was awesome. I mean we were literally singing praises when the clock struck midnight. It was awesome! I can’t think of a better way to enter the new year! Anyway, others will bring board games and what-not and we’ll play games together. Mostly I just chat with everyone. I’m like that. And, yes, my children come with us and see in the new year with us. I’m grateful for flexible children who don’t have to have a set bedtime all the time. Keep them active and you could almost keep them up all night if you had to. They all take after me a bit, I guess. I haven’t decided if that’s a good thing or not.
I just finished a prayer vigil with the sisters in the convent. It was peaceful and quiet and prayerful. The rest of the evening is free – some will watch the ball drop in Times Square. I will probably just curl up with a good book or better The GOOD Book.
Happy New Year to each and all of my dear Siestas!
I am winding down a day of preparation for our annual “Beans ‘N Greens” luncheon. Tomorrow I will feed 50+ people the danged best collard greens you ever put in your mouth (recipe in Siesta Fiesta cookbook), blackeyed peas, soup beans, cornbread and a delectable array of desserts, plus all the usual trimmings. We have done this for 8 years and it is so much fun. Friends, food, and welcoming a new year!!
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
Leah
My babies are in bed, sweet hubby is watching football and I’m reflecting on “making it” through this year. It has been a tough one but God has been faithful and I’m rejoicing in that. HE loves me, comforts me, speaks to me and HE has given me the most incredible blessings. What more could a girl want?
I'm here by myself too…except Snoop (dog) and Mary & Martha (cats)!
My husband left early this a.m. for Brady to hunt! I'm actually doing my hair at the moment! But plan on taking a very long bubble bath soon! I got my index card book and plan on decorating it tonight (and eating a bag of kettle corn)! I can't wait to get started! We also begin Esther on Sunday night! Can't wait for that either! May God find us all faithful to His word…and His work! Thank you so much, Beth, for being so faithful and blessing us soooooooooooooo much!!! I love you!
Hi Beth! So glad you decided to check in with us tonight.
I am in my comfy clothes, got my house shoes on and propped up by my favorite lounge pillow. I just ate some delicious ribs that my hubby cooked and they were finger licking good! My belly is full and so is my heart with thankfulness to my God for His faithfulness to me this year. HE IS SO GOOD, ISN’T HE!?!
Love you Beth, Happy New Year!!
I am playing Rockband 2 on my wii tonight. So much fun playing the guitar and singing as loud as you want too!
Hang in there, Lyric. I think God impressed upon my heart to tell you to go read Isaiah 43:1-21. He loves you so much.He’s got something new to do with you and it’s going to be GOOD.
And Jenilee, aren’t we glad we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves? What a blasted waste of time. Oreos, milk and volumizing hair gel are right up my alley, Child!
Happy New Year to you Beth! I continue to praise God for your obedience to Him. You are such a blessing to so many Siestas…
My husband is working late so the kids and I enjoyed some spaghetti and a little Blokus and Blink and Wii…
Have my verse all picked out and written in my new book! Forgot to get a new pen, though. That will be the plan for tomorrow…such an exciting life!
Praying for God to bless you exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine for 2009!
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Our family is staying home tonight and playing with our new Wii, our son gave us for Christmas. Also,we’re going to have some stuffed grape leaves,crackers with cheese and Sparkling Peach Juice. I went to Trader Joe’s today and they had a great deal on a kit to make a Gingerbread house, my girls will have fun with that tonight. I also want to work on my movie script that I’ve been procrastinating on, God keeps telling me to get it done so I better do it! I think all those things should get us till midnight, I’ll need some coffee too!
We had such a great 2008 and I pray we all have a blessed 2009!!! Have a great night!
tvgrace
I wonder if your man is hunting like mine??? The rut is about to kick in he says. 😉 I know the Lord wanted me to marry this man so I could never have a false Christ in a husband…after all his name is rod and there is a nimrod in the bible that was a mighty hunter before the Lord.
So for tonight I say you eat some chocolate!! Also, the Lord gave me Jeremiah 29:11-14 8 times in two days and I guess I am going to go focus on that!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
I just finished reading the whole Bible! Well not in one day, but I finished my read the Bible in a year guide! Yeah! Tomorrow starts all over again! I’m not gonna be alone, but you know what I like to do when I am? I like to go on You Tube and type in some of my favorite songs and watch the videos people have submitted for them! Some of them are really inspiring, some are funny! It’s sort of fun! And then I like to look up different videos on Sermon Spice (a site that offers videos to go with various sermon’s)… I don’t know, it’s not very holy, but it’s not bad either! Love you all so much! See ya tomorrow for our Scripture day!
Judy
ps. I love a good pen too!
Home alone this evening. Husband hunting. Called me from the tree stand at dark. Said it was eerily quiet with weird noises in the woods! I think he was scared! lol
I’m so glad you posted Beth. I kinda went out to the pub and met a few people, stayed an hr and then walked home. It is hard to be solo sometimes…single. I mean you try to live for God, but its so easy to fall, it really is. These girls that have had these long distance relationships, and these girls that just happen to find the man of their dreams…it just seems too good to be true,and at times, plain depressing…I don’t mean to bring anyone down, its just how I feel. Nothing is easy, that is one question I will ask God when I get to heaven, ” Why couldn’t you have made any of that life easier?”
And…I wonder if I would actually get an answer…anywho, Happy 2009…I am glad 2008 is OVER!!! Over it…yes, yes!
I think I am going to read my book tonight. I’m excited bc it was supposed to be out on the 6th, but I found it on the shelf! Yay! I would love to read it while taking a bath, but I don’t want to fall asleep in the tub like I did on Christmas Eve. Sometimes work just makes me so tired. I wish I was going out in a shiny purple dress, but I don’t think those parties are worth my money… no need for an open bar. But I bet one day I’ll be dancing with my virgin drink. Besides I’ve had fun times staying in before, hope everyone else has a fun time too. Happy New Year!
Oh and Beth- you are so much fun! I asked Santa (he still comes)for the Measureless Love dvds and he delivered! :)!!!
New here but read the blog posts often! My sweet family is all under one roof tonight. Hubs, 2 yo and 5 month old. Anyone else feeling like God has done so much for them in the past year and they (meaning I) have been a little bratty in not thanking Him enough? I’m having trouble even thinking of asking of Him anything else… two beautiful boys and a Savior who loves me. I too want to CLING to him like never before in the new year.
And to the solo siestas…my sister is one too so I love you all! Choosing to Believe Him minute by minute. Happy New Year!