My Dear Siestas, it has been way too long! I’m sitting here in my gown in my very own bed with pillows behind my back and Star lying across my feet. (She has no intention of taking her eyes off me today. The last time she looked away, I disappeared for 5 days.) I’ve already had prayer time and two cups of coffee. About to start on my 3rd.
So much has happened this week that has deeply impacted me but nothing, you might imagine, more than Melissa’s post. I sat in an exhausted heap at a long layover at an airport yesterday and read and read and read the blog and your comments. It was everything I could do not to roll in the floor. It was so much more than I deserved but a spring to a weary soul. I love my girls so much. I don’t just love them. I respect them. Like so many of you, they are such fine and gifted young women. God has given Keith and me no greater proof of His grace and redemption on our sinful, former pit-dwelling lives than our two daughters. Both of them are a little undone that they won’t be home for Mother’s Day this year (btw, look for a Mother’s Day post tomorrow – I think God has given me kind of a neat idea) but I have told them over and over (and meant it) that I am among the most blessed moms on earth who hear every single day from their children that they are loved. We are a very close family and they are my favorite people – wise and impossibly witty – on earth. Thank you for allowing us a little room to be family on this blog.
Many years ago I heard someone say (don’t even remember who anymore) that “no amount of success in ministry can make up for failure at home.” And I wrote that in the very front of my Bible and have it engraved upon my brain. Family life is tough. It’s never all clean and tidy because it is lived wholly without cover. We Moores, Jones’s and Fitzpatricks are not without bruises and scars from all-things-family but to know each other intimately and still respect each other is a profound gift of God we do not take lightly. I say again and again to you in hopes that you will be encouraged to hang in there, our family is a miracle and He can perform that same miracle in your home.
And now, for just a few other highlights – written in long hand, of course – from a very exciting week in Washington, DC. Because you’re my dear Siestas, I’m giving you the personal goods:
*Being told by a darling young woman that I mentor that, in her intercession for me, she’d never prayed so many patriotic prayers in her life and, at the end of a very intense time of prayer (by herself) for our national leaders, NDP, and those of us serving in the observance, she didn’t know any other way to close it. So she put her hand over her heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance. I laughed so hard I cried. I thought of it so many times during the week. But then when we said the Pledge together in the Cannon House at the actual observance, surrounded by these difficult days in our country and mounting persecution against the belief system upon which it was founded, my lip quivered so hard I could hardly get the words out of my mouth.
*Spending the week with Travis and Angela Cottrell. I’ve told you before how much we love these ministry partners of ours. These two unlikely couples have been on a wild ride with Jesus together for eleven solid years. We can almost read each other’s minds at this point. We pray for one another, serve together, and laugh until we cry together. Honestly, we laugh so hard sometimes we throw ourselves into muscle spasms. And Keith and Travis tease each other unmercifully and wrestle and punch each other, for crying out loud, like they are nine year-olds. If I snapped my fingers and said, “Stop it!” one time to the two of them this week, I said it a hundred times. Lord, have mercy. Then Travis gets up there and sings and I think, honestly, that he is the most gifted man I may know. Mystifying.
*Touring Mount Vernon. I’m not kidding. It was THE most interesting thing!! I’ve been to D.C. many times but I’ve never been able to take the time to go on the tour of George and Martha’s homestead spread. It is the coolest thing ever. The grounds are gorgeous and the house so entirely telling of what their lives were like. (Did you know he had step-children and no natural heirs? Did you know he and Martha raised their young grandchildren after the deaths of their own children? And did you know they had overnight guests several hundred days a year??) Michelle Parrozzo, my new assistant (Amanda’s age and a long time friend of Amanda’s), worked in D.C. for 6 years (in the Whitehouse, Pentagon, etc.) and, through her long list of connections, she was able to get the Cottrells and us (and her and her good friend, Lauren) a private tour. Mr. John Marshall was our Mt Vernon expert-guide and I learned later that he had the opportunity to personally tour actor David Morse as he prepared for the role of George Washington in the superior HBO miniseries, John Adams.) We history nuts were completely bug-eyed. I learned later that evening that they used to display George Washington’s Bible in the exhibit but it has been removed in light of all the secularization of recent years. (It’s a privately owned park so it’s not a government thing.) I found that flabbergasting.
*Having dinner with Caroline and Karen. The evening of the tour, we had an NDP dinner right there at the Mt Vernon facilities. Keith and I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with several courageous (and fun, by the way) God-seeking congressmen and their wives. Needless to say, I soon migrated to more personal conversations with the women. They were both absolutely delightful. Karen Pence told me something that I’ve replayed in my mind over and over. She said that a while back she checked with her husband’s office staff about what they’d need to expect schedule-wise regarding this year’s National Day of Prayer. One of the staff members wrote her back with details and told her that a woman named (well, you know…that’s so awkward) would be speaking and that she’s some Bible lady. Karen said her response was, “That’s my Bible lady!” Turns out she’s done many studies with us. It was one of the most wonderful things anybody has ever said to me. I was so tired on the plane ride home that tears stung in my eyes every time I thought about it. I have loved serving you women so much. I’d be honored to be your Bible Lady any time and would marvel over the grace of God to this needy life.
Caroline was equally delightful. She was from Alabama so her accent drew me in immediately like a bee to a honeycomb. I discovered in our conversation that she and her good friend, Sharon, had developed a reputation for their pound cakes and been encouraged to go into business. Pound cakes?? Did someone say pound cakes? Outside the Word of God and a great time of worship, can anything on earth minister like a pound cake? I sat straight up in my chair. These were words worth listening to. Worth salivating over. I learned that Caroline and her buddy have developed a small business right there in their own kitchens in D.C. and, since they’re both proper Southern women, they named it “Two Belles.” I assured her I would place an order the moment I got home and it was all I could think about that night. The very next night at the next NPD gathering, lo and behold, Congressman Aderholt delivered me two pound cakes, compliments of his beautiful wife. One was called “The Annemarie” (cream cheese!) and the other “The Miss Becca” (chocolate!). (They offer seven flavors and each is named for a woman who inspired the recipe.) Keith and I tore into those things with violence the moment we got to our rooms. Girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend. THE POUND CAKES OF MY LIFE. Honestly, we brought those babies home on the plane and I ate pound cake for breakfast just a few minute ago.
*Meeting honest-to-goodness present-day Esthers like Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen and Congresswoman Michelle Bachman from Minnesota. They LOVE Jesus and serve Him and the people He’s entrusted to them with utmost integrity and with a strong swim against the current. And don’t forget that God used Vonette Bright and Shirley Dobson to found and direct the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer and each has served several presidents of the United States. It really is awe-inspiring. (Y’all know me better than to think I’m on a feminist binge here. Woman to woman, I’m just telling you about some hard-working Esthers on our planet right this minute.)
*The Thursday observance itself at the Cannon Building. Profound. Surreal. Everything about it but here are a few things that especially moved me: the Joint Armed Services Color Guard marching in with the “Presentation of Colors” at the very beginning. My heart was pounding like a drum; the Ambassador of Zambia praying for our country in her wonderful thick African accent. I thought my soul would jump out of my skin; the official and personal message of General James F. Amos, USMC to us. He was so impressive. Everything you’d want a General to be. And he loves Jesus. His testimony took us straight to the battlefield and exploded our appreciation for our troops like fireworks on the fourth of July. Keith and I have talked about it many times since Thursday.
*Our NDP chapel at the Pentagon. Keith and I got to go alongside Dr. Ravi Zacharias and his wife, Margie, when they served in this position last year and we were both greatly moved by the people at the Pentagon observance. To be there this year was beyond what we could have imagined. Whatever you may be picturing, they were the furthest thing from stiff and formal. Very, very warm gathering. Sweet time of praise and worship. Many in uniform. Others right beside them who labor in administrative and support roles every day of the week. I share this with you to boast in Christ alone – goodness knows it was only grace – and because I know you won’t take it any other way than a sister sharing a highlight: they presented me and Lillie Knauls (who sang in the observance) American flags that had hung over the Pentagon. It was baffling. I would have given anything on earth for my dad, retired Army Major Albert B. Green, to have been there with me. Keith and I remarked later that he would have been right there beside us…and insistent on wearing his uniform, no less, whether or not we thought that was the best idea. Incidentally, he was buried in it. And rightly so. He bore a scar on his cheek where he took a bullet right in the face protecting democracy.
*Immediately flying out of D.C. in a bouncing prop plane in cloudy weather with the Cottrells and our good friends, Herb and Dona Fisher, to one of the largest NDP observances in the nation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We would be on the platform there in only a few hours. I cannot tell you what it was like to go from the very (appropriately) intense atmosphere of our nation’s Capitol into an open air, outdoor praise and prayer celebration for NDP in Pennsylvania. Both were so memorable and so distinct. Approximately 18,000 people gathered on those green grounds on the most beautiful afternoon and evening you could possibly imagine on the tail winds of an Eastern storm. Dona is the chairperson for that NDP event that she began under God’s leadership eleven years ago with 350 people. Oh, what God can do through a willing soul with vision! Through the years it grew into 10,000+. The gathering of diverse people (a number of Mennonites) from every conceivable background and denomination for corporate prayer on behalf of our nation was simply amazing. Dona chose children and high school students to lead the prayers this year and it was the sweetest, most convicting thing ever.
Well, OK. Enough is enough. But you prayed so hard for us, I could not even consider pitching you a few dry leftover bones. You mean more to me than that. I wanted you to taste the event like a piece of Southern fried chicken. Or maybe like a pound cake. You can have cream cheese or chocolate. I’m going to go cut us both a piece and pour me another cup of coffee. I wish so much I didn’t have to eat your part.
Siestas, I love you like crazy. Thank you for welcoming my family and me into your lives. Our deepest desire is to serve Jesus Christ. He is IT.
It is a privilege to say that you are MY bible lady too! You bless me with every single post. I can just about lick my fingers from the pound cake.
Honestly, you could have written 10 more paragraphs and it wouldn’t have been enough to feed my hungry soul today. I treasure each and every post. Don’t know if you realize it, but you minister more on this blog than some people get on any given week from the people they see. Thank you.
May your weekend be blessed. Happy Mother’s Day Mama Beth.
With much love,
Kim . . . who is
Graftedbygrace
You are so much like my morning cups of coffee…you exude warmth and sweetness, and you perk me right up. 🙂
You have this amazing way of making everyone feel like you really are writing right to them (not just on your blog, but in your Bible studies and your books, too)…so personal, so loving. 🙂 And with your precious personality, you point us straight to the Father. 🙂 You were my first “Bible lady”, and truly, you spoiled me a little. I was hesitant to try any others. But, alas, God did show me I can indeed learn from other sweet ladies. (But don’t tell them…you are still my absolute favorite.) 😉
So glad you had such a wonderful week! Thanks for letting us all get a peak at your life.
Beth-THANK YOU for allowing us to be a part of your lives…thanks for sharing your adventure this week. Pound cake-yum but this evening I’ll be munching on some made from scratch mandarin orange/cranberry muffins-now that is some yum-all made by my hubby.
Love you -thanks for ministering to us. You were prayed for this week.
Jennifer
Oh Beth, You are “my Bible Lady too”!! My kids think we are friends, because when you talk on DVD or something, I reply to you out loud like you are here with me. One day, my daughter saw you on TV or something and said “MOM, Your friend Beth is on TV”!!
I just LOVE you!!
My heart sings and my eyes leak tears to hear about the NDP!! Praise God!! I am so thankful for you and the others that were able to represent Christ so openly and glorify Him this week!!
Thank you for loving us so much too!! You make me laugh out loud.
Side note, I know you pray, we are adopting 3 siblings from Africa, will you lift us all up. We will have 9 (that is not a typo) 4 biological, 5 adopted!!! God is so…good, we are trusting He will provide ALL we need to bring them home.
Enjoy, your PJ day, and Happy Mothers Day!!
Thank you so much for sharing! I thought of you several times that day/evening and am so glad it went well.
Much love!
How awesome to hear about some christian brother and sisters in our nations capital that seek God.
That pound cake sounded wonderful.
I am glad you and Keith could be there together
Thank you for filling my soul with a deep, desperate desire to pray for our nation in a new way (I might even have to end it with the “Pledge of Allegiance”)! Happy Mother’s Day to you, Siesta Mama, and THANK YOU for sharing your family with us on this blog!
Dear, sweet Beth,
You are my Bible Lady, too! I love you! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with NDP.
Thank you for being such a wonderful role model to all of us. My thirst for Jesus is taken to knew heights through your teaching. Words cannot even begin to express the magnificent way in which He uses you.
I’ll be seeing you in Stockton, CA this summer and I can hardly stand it!!! I can’t wait to savor every moment of the experience.
Happy Mother’s Day, Beth! God bless you.
Michelle in CA
Go ahead and eat my pound cake (cream cheese!). I’m still trying to figure out how to look ‘svelte’ in a mother-of-the-bride dress in a month! (Honestly, I haven’t seen svelte in a while – ok, well, never. But a girl can dream!) I SO enjoyed Melissa’s post – cried all through it. Preparing to marry my sweet daughter off to a wonderful man bound for ministry has me a bit on the emotional side these days. And I enjoyed this update from you. Love you to pieces, girl!
Yes He is! He is it! Thanks so much for sharing. You are do generous and southern like that…love it!
Hey there! I don’t get to check this blog often, but I don’t think it was by chance that I looked at it today. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I was feeling somewhat defeated since I’m having some persistent relational issues with our 15 year old daughter and here it is Mother’s Day tomorrow and I’m not feeling like a very good Mom. Now I should know better, we have 6 children and this particular child is the 3rd oldest and our two oldest are truly trophies of God’s grace, to use two sinful parents….the Lord has definitely “restored the years the locust have eaten.”
So I just wanted to thank you for your words. They encouraged me and reminded me once again who is ultimately in control….so thanks so much! Consider yourself hugged! 🙂
“not without bruises and scars from all-things-family but to know each other intimately and still respect each other is a profound gift of God we do not take lightly. I say again and again to you in hopes that you will be encouraged to hang in there, our family is a miracle and He can perform that same miracle in your home.”
Renee, I am so tickled that you were there in Lancaster on Thursday night and heard our wonderful host (I loved him, by the way!) refer to my one and only granddaughter and namesake as Annamae instead of Annabeth. I had no idea it was a good Pennsylvania Dutch name. That makes so much sense! I had to grin up at God because I figured He thought it was funny.
You’re so much fun. And, man, I would have wanted some of that good cooking of yours!
I’m claiming you as my Bible Lady too. (It’s WAY better than being called someone’s Church Lady. Isn’t that special?)
My love for God’s Word started in a bible study with you, and, praise God, will one day end with Him!
Just a suggestion, but you might like it – try the pound cake toasted. I think it’s delicious.
Thanks for sharing the personal side of these events. Thanks for all you have meant to me and have encouraged me through this blog and your bible studies. I am so thankful for the things I know and remember because of your studies and that I have used with my own Sunday School class. Our class is a group of seekers/new believers from our local community (our church for years was a membership that had grown out of the surrounding neighborhood but no longer lived there). So my class members are like sponges, ready to soak up anything new, knowledge or insight, because they grew up outside of the church. It is a daunting and awesome responsibiity and I ask God all the time why he would entrust it to me (along with my husband, who is my partner in leadership in the class). It is because of your studies and the way they have thoroughly taught me to use the Bible as a resource and guide for life, not as just a book that is hard to understand.
I also have to thank you for the scripture memorization challenge. This has been an area that I have always felt lacking in my life and I have truly enjoyed learning the verses. I use them constantly in my Sunday School class and, as a member of our Worship Team, I recite them during the instrumental parts of our songs as an addition to the worship time. It has been great! Sorry to go on so long, but this just came out of me in response to the post.
Thanks for your leadership, Beth, and for your continual encouragement. More than anything, thank you for being real on this blog. It helps to see that all of us share in the same struggles and victories as we walk with Christ.
Love,
Tammy Elrod
[email protected]
Thank you for sharing the highlights. It’s always fun to get a small glimpse of the behind the scenes. We love and appreciate and pray for you, sweet Beth.
“i wish so much i didn’t have to eat your part” …mama beth, once again, you have shown us such sacrificial love 😉 hahaha…on my 3rd cup today as well 🙂
i know you would consider the statement “it was an honor” for you to be there an understatement…but just know it makes us so proud to see our Bible lady doing her thang 🙂 you do it well 😉
love you lady
Your blog was a breath of fresh air…
Good hearing from you again sister and I am so glad your family feels comfortable enough to be family in front of such a wide audience!
Blessings and a happy mother’s day to you!
In Christ,
Amber
Yes, I agree that pound cake is straight from Heaven!! I’m from Alabama, and I have to say, a little bit biased that our pound cakes our “the best!”
Thank you for serving us and God in such a great capacity! Your are a wonderful role model for all of us women.
My Siesta Bible Lady
what a great recap of your great week.
I loved Candi’s blog about delivering the moon pies – what a riot!
Jean
Thank you for writing to us! I love, love the Bible lady part! I’m not sure if this is the right place or not, but I have to share this story. Frequently my Bible Study ladies and I do Beth studies, and when we heard about the “hairbrush experience” we would read it over and over. One precious, dear sister always has stories to tell about strangers walking up to her in Wal-Mart, the grocery store, etc, always wanting to talk with her. She is so kind and always ministers to them. Well, she had an experience last night that is really interesting. (I should also note this dear sister is a breast cancer survivor). Beth, God uses you and works through us. I hope you enjoy this story:
I had another encounter with my “shopping ministry” people. I had not been shopping for a long time – trying to pay bills and not go out to the stores. The Stein Mart 12-hour sale was calling my name though! Mainly, I wanted to run in and use the bathroom and buy a Mother’s Day present. But God sent me another one of His people!
I was heading back to the bathroom (hurriedly) when a woman in the petite department stopped me to ask what I thought of the jacket she was trying on. It looks nice I said continuing on my way. Do you have a minute? she asked. I’m thinking No, I don’t, I am on a mission, but of course I said “Sure”. Uh-oh, big mistake. What followed was one of the strangest series of questions, comments I have heard. She had two jackets and wanted me to compare which size was best. Then it was: Do you like it a little, medium or a lot. Is it too busy? Is it too long? Do you think I should get it? What’s your name? Can you try it on so I can see how it looks (while she was standing in front of the mirror). She showed me her back fat and a scar on her neck. (Does this remind you of the Walmart man?)
By this time I was looking around for the candid cameras. Seriously. She asked how tall I was. Would I buy it? She didn’t know why she was buying clothes. Her husband told her she had too many already and lots hanging in the closet with tags. Her family doesn’t understand her. She has to lose 15 pounds because she has cancer and needs chemo and the weight was too much of a strain on her heart. (She was not big at all.)
Ok, God, was this why you stopped me? I talked with her about cancer for a while. I started thinking, Could somebody get me a hairbrush? I need to brush this woman’s hair!!! Can I get a brush?? Meanwhile I had to PEE!!! I was dancing around! I had been in the store for quite some time. The store announcer came on to say the store is getting ready to close. Oh,no, will they close the bathrooms too? Will I get my mother a present? Should this lady buy the jacket?? Too much for a Friday night!
I said Buy the jacket! Tell your husband I said you deserve it. And here, this scarf is nice – buy this too! I really have to go to the bathroom! As I walked away (quickly I might add) I said a prayer for her. But I still kept thinking about that hairbrush…
Thank you my dear sweet bible lady
it has been a privledge to have you as a dear sweet seista and to be able to be on this blog. I am so glad I got to pray for you this week you are a very awesome lady I am just awe struck every time you speak. You are an encouragement in my life, you are a mentor to me I am in tears writing you this post because I have so much going on in my life right now and sometimes i feel like I am going to crack under the pressure. When I read your blog today about how much you love your sweet girls and how much they love you that is an awesome thing. I am praying one day my family will be close. I love you so much can’t wait to see you in Albuquerque NM hopefully I will get to meet you and give you a hug.
Hope you get to stay at home and rest today with your sweet little puppys have AN AWESOME MOTHERS DAY DEAR SWEET MAMA SIESTA thank you for sharing your life with us seista’s very honor to walk beside you and to share Jesus with you.
THANKS AGAIN MY BIBLE LADY LOVE AND HUGS TO YOU. CAROL ALBUQ.NM
OH P.S. IS THERE A VIDEO OR SOMETHING OF YOU SPEAKING BECAUSE I HAD TO WORK THAT DAY AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT OR A LINK ON THE INTERNET TO WATCH IT?
I am torn between the chocolate and cream cheese. I guess you could give me half of each. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your week with us. I prayed for you often and you were in my thoughts throughout the entire day on Thursday!
It is an honor to pray for you and your family and ministry team.
Enjoy your Saturday and I think you deserve to stay in your jammies all day!
Again, I have to say that Holly and I are so excited about being in Wyoming in a few weeks for your conference. It has been since the Siesta Fiesta since I have been to an LPL conference. I am SO ready to praise God and feast on His Word with you and all the attendees! Until then, I pray for much rest and relaxation for you!
I’ll be back tomorrow to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! 😉
Love you,
Patty
WOW! Thank you so much for this posting. Wouldn’t it be cool if we had an update like this on the nightly network news? How powerful and inspiring it would be to hear of our government leaders and military seeking the face of Father God for our country! I’m so glad you wrote what you did! AND you got the pound cake. Way to go Beth!
Shame on you, for mentioning pound cakes to a very pregnant girl! I’m immediately – almost subconsciously thinking, “Do I have enought butter to make a pound cake right now?” You almost sent me sprinting to my kitchen!
glad you made it home safely…
we’ve missed you.
thank you for representing us at NDP in Washington…I loved Mt. Vernon when I visited there back in 1983. I wanted to sit in the rocking chair on the back porch all afternoon but it was July–and the heat got to me.
Kiss Miss Annabeth for us next time you’re holding her!
Hi Beth – and welcome home! What a fun post and now I’m going to have to go online and find a recipe for pound cake ’cause you got me salivating for a chunk of it – not just a piece; and I’d gladly place an order for Two Belles to send me some but it would probably take a month of Sundays for it to reach Alaska and I don’t want to daydream about it that long.
Thanks so much for sharing about your week. I so love D.C. and am so proud and honored that so, so many of the men and women who gave their lives to found the nation we all enjoy today were God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Spirit-led brothers and sisters — who just also happened to be Americans.
I know the NDP blesses God’s heart – but I’m pretty darn sure it blesses the hearts of a lot of those in the “great cloud of witnesses” as well. There may have been 18,000 in Lancaster but I’m just wondering how many were in the unseen cloud above you, singing along…
Here’s an early Happy Mother’s Day shout out to all moms in Siestaville. We got the best job in the world. Yay!
Warm (and now starving for pound cake) in Alaska.
Beth, ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that you are definitely my Bible Lady. Many, many times I have said when I grow up I want to be just like you … and Girl chronologically I am several years older than you now.
Thank you so much for sharing your week with us. Keeping you in my prayers and loving you so much.
Thanks for your encouragement, Beth, to “hang in there with God for our miracle family.”
We began our journey with the Lord 29 years ago. My oldest child was then 4 years old. We did everything we could to train our children up in the ways of the Lord, and one of them is a carnal Christian — saved, but living the mediocre life; and the other one has turned away from Him, causing much grief and conflict in the family. And being a prayer warrior is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
You and Keith are absolutely blessed to have your precious girls living passionately for the Lord.
And, I KNOW His favor is upon you when I hear of the food you eat (poundcake for breakfast!) and it never shows an ounce.
Hugs,
I’m so glad that you shared such vivid details with us, and am praising the Lord for how He worked through you all of those called by His name. I prayed for you daily, and now that you’re home, I pray sweet rest and refreshment for you as you prepare to start a new week.
I hope you’re still in your pjs! 🙂
Beth,
How rewarding your week must have been for you! Thank you so much for letting us in on it all. You really made us feel like we were there!
Funny that you mention the Menonnonites because I have to tell you in attending LPL events (been to just a few) that at each one something strikes my soul and leaves a tender and profound impression like only the Holy Spirit can do. Fro example when Travis stops the praise band for a moment and all that can be heard is the beauty of women’s voices in corporal worship, it is nothing less than awe-inspiring and deeply moving. But I can’t help but marvel at all the different women that have crossed the barriers of denomination to come together for a
common purpose: to worship, to hear the Word, and be to be well-taught in it.
It was at the OKC event while walking out I noticed just ahead of me were a group of Mennonite women. Precious they were in their appearence and watching them just blessed me all over! Still does when I think about it. I found my self admiring their perfectly taylored dresses and their delicately placed hair holders, but it was their countenance and more than obvious contentment that struck me as they very happily discussed with each other the events of the weekend. The encounter was so tender that I teared up, and at that moment I realized we are all part of a much bigger plan and the body of Christ all of a sudden had become very, very tangible. I was then fully aware of something I only thought I knew but had not yet actually embraced–we ALL were daughters of the Most High God. Moreover, the beautiful blessing was we ALL were experiencing it. We were sensitive to Him and could not help but get caught up and filled up with what He wanted to make evident.
All I could do was thank Him for the moment and thank Him for His grace in revealing it to us.
I have always wanted to tell you that…funny you mentioned those lovely menonite women.
So glad you are home safe and thank you, thank you Melissa for you amazing insights from India!
Please accept a deeply felt appreciation to all your family for your willingness to serve our God by serving us. We are better because of it.
Happy Mother’s Day Beth and Amanda!
Because of Him,
JoAnne
Well, there are so many things I want to write that I hardly know where to begin. I too, find my four daughters witty, fascinating, and wise. Two of them are Moms and are such wise and good teachers to their children. One of them is out of college two years, working as a nanny in Austin for families with twins, investing her life in young lives while she builds a body of art work to someday have her own show. With a degree in Fine Art, she is so gifted, but economic times are hard, and we’re proud of her choices and position.
Third born daughter is married, and both of them work in DC, as they have for the past six years. It is hard. The average tenure for a job on Capitol Hill is only 18 months, offers relatively low pay and most people are over qualified for the positions. She and her husband live inside the District and feel the incomprehensible pressure and stress of their work almost around the clock, 24/7. Not even pound cake or chocolate can relieve this kind of stress!
Over the past six years we have visited there many times and feel that it is one of the most difficult of environments in which to pray. We have made trips to deliberately pray there, kneeling on the ground and asking the Holy Spirit to come and change the atmosphere, to lift the hood and veil of denial, stupidity, blindness and deafness–spiritually speaking. We have walked many miles, gone to high places in buildings to pray, and asked the Lord to grant for His Kingdom every place our feet touched. We have worshipped in churches, prayed in them, sat in parks and prayed, prayed over all the memorials, asked forgiveness for atrocities against people groups, begged the Father to pour out His wisdom on the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. We walked through the Smithsonians, Art Galleries, restaurants, Kennedy Center, many hotels, Congressional office buildings, and private museums and have asked the Holy Spirit to consume the culture.
Just this week I read in a book on intercessory prayer about asking the Lord to come and brood over a person or situation as He brooded over the waters before the earth was created. It is a word for protection, hovering, covering, and birthing. I think this is what our cities need–a complete brooding until new birth takes place. Please join us as we pray this for DC and for Austin.
We love you and your Bible studies, Bible Lady! Our group is doing Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed now. It’s super.
Oh, and with your pound cake, get thee a Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffeemaker , which makes coffee just like Starbucks. Maybe even better!
Bless you.
What an amazing time you all had! It is a privilege to pray for you, your family, and your ministry. Thanks for sharing your life with us and giving God all the glory.
You are my Bible lady too:)
Thanks for the wonderful update! My heart is full of patriotic love for this country and THE country that we call HOME in HEAVEN.
one more thing… 8)
two of my children have given their lives to the LORD, and one made a confession of faith, but has made her own rules as she goes (my oldest-23 years old) love her with my life! she decided to come hear you on NDP at the last minute due to me being there, and thought it would be nice to do. But she was too late, the gates were closed and she could not get it. She did hear the worship from the road before she had to move along..she mentioned to me that it reminded her of Noahs Ark, and that she had been locked out, it scared her so much, she has returned to the LORD.
I am so amazed at the goodness of GOD, to me…and the power of prayer.
I read an anynomous here on this thread, and just want to encourage them, to keep praying, and keep showing them Jesus every chance you can, HE will do the rest.
Thank you for the vivid updates! God has surely chosen you because of your sweet and compassionate heart! You are truly loved more than you will know! I am doing Ester Bible study by myself and I can hardly put it down!
I have one daughter that is the same age as Amanda and I am so crazy about her. I want to give her a Mother’s Day gift…if not for her I wouldn’t be a mother!
Wishing you a blessed and wonderful day tomorrow and always!
jan
What a wonderful picture you paint with your words. Inspiring, because my sons wish to serve their country in public service in Washington DC someday to know that believers in Christ are alive and well, and hopefuly sharper than two-edged swords, serving in posts of prominence right now. And the women: wives and servants in their own right on the front lines and livingrooms, baking poundcakes, whatever…living for the Lord. It is indeed a mission field!
Happy Mothers Day!
Vera
Tremont, Illinois
Wow!!! I so enjoyed reading your post about NDP. It brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for your ministry!
Hi, Beth. Im new to the blog, but have been reading it alot lately. I have 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys in that order. My three oldest children live in Pearland. I hope to join your fall Bible Study. My last 2 boys are U.S. Marines. I couldn’t help get teary-eyed when I read the part about the color guard. Nothing touches a mother’s heart more than when these young men graduate from boot camp in those beautiful dress blues. The older has been to Iraq once and the younger twice. The younger just re-enlisted for four more years and just promoted to Sergeant. Thanks for sharing with us and I love you. Shelya
I love you, Beth. Would you say a prayer for me? I am speaking at our church Monday night about overcoming guilt and shame.. and I’ve had lots of practice through the years!! And your bible studies have been so instrumental in my healing, along with many other things, but I want you to know how sweet your ministry has been in my life.
THANK YOU for always pointing to HIM. You’re absolutely right.. from the bottom of my heart and the deepest part of my soul, I couldn’t agree more that HE IS IT!!!!
Linda
I wouldn’t share my pound cake with just anyone….I’m glad to give you my piece.
You’re my Bible Lady too! And I can’t hardly wait to see you in Laramie in 2 weeks! Of course Miesta Moose will be there as well.
Bless you for sharing your life and family with us, Beth. It was an honor to pray for you this week, and Melissa in India and that Amanda girl in Disney World. Y’all are so precious to us.
Melana in Wyoming
Ah, I’ve been wondering about you all week and wishing I could have seen you speak on the web or something. I was remembering your “Ellie Mae” story from a few years ago with Amanda at The Met and wondered if you and Keith felt like that at all this week.
I am just a few years younger than you, 37 1/2, so I say this with so much respect and humility, I am so proud of you: to call you a sister in Christ blesses my soul and I’m so thankful for this blog. Thank you and your family for sharing your lives with us, for being real, and for being The Real Deal in Christ; showing us that it’s possible in live a life of integrity and not go back to pit-dwelling.
Heather G.
Charlotte, NC
Hummmm, cream cheese or chocolate???
I’ll take a piece of each. 🙂
I’m glad you’re being blessed to sit in bed in your gown with a third cup of coffee. You deserve that kind of morning.
Thank you so much for the recap of the week.
I sat here reading it with tears in my eyes.
I’m so thankful for each and every event you mentioned. I felt like I was right there with you.
How good to hear that the Lord blessed every part of your trip with such favor. He’s so good!
I love you and your family very much.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Love,
Valerie
Beth,
Chocolate pound cake! I can’t even imagine! You will definitely have to have my slice tonight after your supper. My precious husband of 40 years is taking me to supper at one of our favorite Tex-Mex restaurants tonight here in Fort Worth; Joe T’s. Yummy, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it so I know I won’t have any room tonight for chocolate pound cake.
I thank God for His anointing on you and for the incredible blessing you have been in my life the last four years as I have done one after another of your Bible studies. You are most definitely my “Bible Lady”. I am in the middle of Believing God (and I truly am) and I know now (literally, just this past week) that even though the storm my family has been in for several years continues, I have finally walked across the Jordan and KNOW that He cut the path for me! Your instruction on praying scriptures over those I love so dearly has made such a difference; the storm is still raging but the peace I feel is a peace that I know can only come from my dearest Heavenly Father! Beth, I finally got it! I understand! I won’t be stopped, I will praise Him continually! I am MOVING ON, because I am tired of going back and I won’t stand still another minute!I know He loves my family even more than I ever could and I know He wants for them even more that I could ever imagine. I know that with Him all things are possible. I am so blessed. Scriptures are just pouring out of my Bible for me to use to pray over those I love!!! Please pray that as I carry my Ezekiel stone that I will make it through one minute, one hour, one day at a time and that I will always remember why I was able to cross to the other side. Thank you!
Our Bible study group began praying for you several weeks before your NDP events. I was so blessed to have some quiet time on Thursday and was able to watch the live event. What a blessing and an ecouragement to see people from all walks of life taking a very public stand and honoring our Savior in a city where so many want His name erased (as if they think they could ever really accomplish that!). I will continue to pray for you, the Dobsons and so many others that tirelessly and unselfishly serve our Lord. I truly believe that our nation has come to a major crossroad and our prayers are vital to her survival and we must have a revival in our nation. We are so enormously blessed that we can pray for our nation when so many around the world are martyred for doing that very thing in their homelands.
P.S. I TIVOed the NDP event and will watch it again. For those Siestas that didn’t get that opportunity they can see a rebroadcast on Directv Channel 365 on Sunday, May 10 at 8:30 p.m, Monday, May 11 at 1:30 a.m. and again at 10:30 a.m.
Blessings to you dearest Beth and enjoy a much deserved rest as you celebrate Mother’s Day.
Nila
Glory to God in the highest!
Thanks for sharing about your week.
So glad you & Keith are home.
Love you so dearly…. xo
P.S. – I stayed in my gown all morning too putting the finishing touches on my SS lesson for tomorrow – it's week 7 of 'Patriarchs'. 🙂
Dearest Beth,
Thank you, Sister, thank you–for pouring it out and emptying yourself, for loving Jesus like you do and loving your family like you do.
If I could wash your feet in Jesus’ Name this Mother’s Day, I would certainly be doing it. You are so precious to my heart.
And although you’re more like a sister than a mother to me, I thank God for using you to teach ME how to be a better mom. I really do.
Love you tons!
Holly
PS See you in Laramie! I’ll be the one with my PRAISE ON!!!
Happy Mother’s Day.
Needless to say, your enthusiasm for the Word is contagious, and that is why you are THE Bible Lady!
And I can’t see a moon pie without thinking of Supper Man. It seems like they are everywhere! (Except Houston, I guess.)
We love you, Beth. Thank you for representing us and our hearts on Thursday. We sat here and prayed with ya’ll (at 6 AM on the west coast) via internet…it moved us to tears many times. We loved the speakers, and ‘our Bible lady’! :o) What a privilege to stand together before the throne of grace and mercy on behalf of our beleagured nation in this day. Lord, have mercy upon us…
Have a blessed rest, and enjoy our slice of pound cake!
I have to tell you what a blessing you are to me. I have been somewhat discouraged of late with the state of the nation weighing so heavily on my heart. While I know that God is never surprised and He is there with us, sometimes the surrounding circus is too much to bear. Prayers are offered up and yet there seems to be so little light in our nation’s capitol. What a breath of fresh air to hear tangible proof that people love Jesus and aren’t ashamed to let others know it.
blessings,
karen
Thank you so much for sharing the precious moments of your trip. I am patriotic to the core and loved reading about your time in Washington DC! What an amazing experience!
The pound cake sounds delicious!
🙂
Beth, you said thanks for letting you share family life with us…. THANK YOU for sharing your family with us. The relationship you have with your girls inspires me to work towards that kind of a relationship with my children. They are now only 11, 8, and 5 but someday I want what you have already. I really appreciate the example that you present through this blog! It is precious and teaching me much!!