I am not sure how a basically intelligent, sound-thinking un-isolated woman could miss a couple of thousand people she’s mostly never met face-to-face but, man, I wish we were having a Siesta-fest this afternoon. I’d pour the coffee and get Two Belles to send the pound cake. I have a yearning for you guys. Some of our most active and delightful Siestas were at the Laramie, Wyoming LPL this weekend but I didn’t get to talk to them one on one. I love that a number of you guys get to often meet up at the events but my hands are so full with the large group that I hardly ever get to connect. You’re always on my mind though and I surely do wish I could.
I’ve been hanging out with my man all day at church then here at home but, now that he’s caught up in the old classic “Bridge Over the River Kwai,” I thought I’d take the opportunity to catch up with my sisters. So, brace yourself. This will be random.
So, how did you like the men’s post on insecurity? Wasn’t it insightful? I loved it. It was just what I was looking for. There was only one that made me want to kick him in the shin with my pointy-toed cowboy boots on but, God-fearing woman that I am, I will refrain from identifying his anonymous, pompous self with an excerpt. And if you were in Laramie where I tanked him, shhhhhhhhhhh. Seriously, thank you so much for getting your guys on here. It was a huge help. I was raised in a home with two brothers and two sisters so I get as big a kick out of the guys as the girls, it’s just that girls are who I’m called to serve. Thank your guys for helping me serve you. I’ve got all their answers on one file and I’m going to print them out and put them in a notebook just like I catalogued all of yours. Then I’ll go through them carefully and see which ones I want to quote. When the book comes out, you’re going to see what a big part of it you are. Actually, what a big part of my ministry life you are.
I absolutely loved our group in Laramie! We met right there on the campus of the University of Wyoming. We were ecstatic to top off at over 2800 people. Our theme this weekend was pulled from Psalm 66 out of The Message: “He trained them first.” We talked about the priority of strict training to run our races effectively. Being willing to pay the price to be mighty in Christ. In the last session I knew we were going to bring up the Titus 2:4 concept of the older women training the younger women so God prompted me to have all the women and girls between 10 and 29 sit on the floor level for that session and everyone else sit in the upper level. It was such an incredible sight. Watching those young women worship before that last session built up my faith for what the church has ahead. I saw young women who truly have hearts and lives set apart to Christ. Later in the session after introducing the Titus concept, all of us 30 and over stood up and stretched out our hands to them as if to lay hands on them and told them that we pledged to be there for them. Don’t get freaky on me. We weren’t up to any hocus pocus or channeling. We were just doing something symbolic to represent a Biblical concept. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that sight. (P.S. to Laramie LPL girls: #8: He trains us to trust Him deeper. So sorry!! I taught it, just never said it! Ever a work in progress.)
I have loved these recent posts! I totally dug Melissa’s quote post. One of the things I like about working with Melissa is that she calls me on my cell phone to read me excerpts like the one she shared with you guys. I reminded her of Rabbi Heschel’s quote and that’s when we came up with the idea to ask for your favorites. I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed having that child home for the better part of last week. She is a huge part of the Moore family dynamic. We miss her so much. And speaking of recent posts, I also thought Curtis Jones ought to danged-well start an Ask-Curtis column! I loved his answers! He is really the most incredible young man. Keith and I have often said that Curtis honestly cannot know what all he knows as young as he is. It is a God-given gift. I love him like my own flesh and blood.
Speaking of Curtis, the Jones’s left right after church today to go to a lake house with several other families. Since I’d been out of town four days, I was about to split in-two to see my grandbabies. I did get to smooch all over them after church and help them get to the car. I cannot express to you the joy I have when a certain little 3 year-old boy sees me down the church corridor and yells at the top of his lungs, “Bibby!!!!!!” Oh, I’m so drunk on them. AJ said she’d bring them to me at the first opportunity after they get home tomorrow afternoon so I bet I get to have them Tuesday evening. And, anyway, I miss their mommy, too. I’m so proud of her. Amanda will often say that she was not one of those little girls that played dolls all the time (she preferred stuffed animals) and was obsessed with having children but, once she did it, (my words now, not hers) she took to it like a duck to water. She is a darling mother and she and CJ are doing their best to raise children that love Jesus and love His Church.
Oh, I forgot to say that we are keeping Beckham, the Jones’s Golden Retriever, while they’re away. He is the sweetest guy. Huge and sweet. He does just fine with Geli, our birddog, but Star drives him to distraction. You know how OCD border collies are. Every time he sits down, she sits in front of him and dead-locks him in a stare. It makes him so nervous. She’s so in love with him, she can’t stand it. He’s a British blond and I think Star thinks he’s a sheep. She wants to herd him in the worst way.
We had the BEST EVER Memorial Day Service at our church today! Pastor Gregg invited Houston’s Mayor Bill White to address our congregation and I was amazed by his openness about Christ. I’d never had the pleasure to meet him. Pastor also issued a special invitation to every family on record in the Houston area that had lost a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan. I could not believe how many responded to his invitation and, at one point, he had them stand so that we could honor them. In all my years at HFBC, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a longer standing ovation. It was tremendously moving. Pastor asked one of our ministers (Arthur Craig, head of our HFBC campus for the hearing impaired) to share the story of the loss of his son 7 years ago in Afghanistan. It was incredibly powerful. As God alone would have it, his son wrote him a letter only 7 days before he was killed and it arrived about 12 days after. In it, he shared how he was growing in Christ and he told his dad and mom how much he loved them and what good parents they were. Can you imagine having a treasure like that? We do not understand why such suffering comes but God goes out of His way to show those who are willing to see how much He cares for them. Pastor Gregg finished off the service with a wonderful sermon on the most appropriate Scripture: no greater love has a man than this: than that he lay down his life for his friends. It was a great day for this Army brat and for every single person in our congregation. I deeply appreciate Pastor Gregg for never one time coming before our church body without utmost preparation. I’ve come to love him and his wife, Kelly, so much. I’ve never had a pastor younger than me before and, in this case, substantially younger! It’s a new experience. And, as it turns out, a wonderful one.
I’ve got a new assistant! Don’t worry, my dear Susan that I’ve talked so much about and worked alongside for ten solid years is still with me at Living Proof. Are you kidding me? No one is loved more at this ministry than Susan Kirby. She does a wide variety of things but none more important than providing timely counsel to her own staff. She is my very trusted com padre and the only person on staff I’d have to have kidnapped and gagged if she turned on me. For a while she’s understandably wanted to go to a four-day work week. Once we moved to the new building, her drive lengthened to nearly an hour each way. We were able to arrange a shorter work-week for her here recently but with some alterations to her responsibilities, leaving the hyper administrative slot open. (Apparently I am a full-time job) About a month ago we welcomed a 29-year old young woman to LPM that I’ve loved and admired for several years. Her name is Michelle Parrozzo and she’s a good friend of Amanda’s from their days at Texas A&M. If you are familiar with Get Out of That Pit and remember anything about the story I told about the Kennedy Center symphony, perhaps you’d be amused to know that Michelle is the one that took AJ and me. I was in D.C. to speak and Michelle worked at the White House (yes, really, and for much of that administration) and, at her invitation and escort, we actually got to sit in the President’s box. It was one of the most exciting and ultimately most hilarious moments AJ and I have had together. Michelle is not only among the best executive assistants you could ever imagine. She is also hysterical. I have already gotten a huge kick out of her.
And perhaps, on occasion, she me. But not in the best way, since I seem to have no end to a knack for blunders. Hence, one final random story. Yesterday she and I were flying home from Denver where Rich (driver, photographer, and all-around LPL extraordinaire) and Ron (security – please hear that in proper Bon Qui Qui) had driven us after the Laramie event ended. The plane was packed and we were in seats 8D and 8E, aisle and middle. The dude behind us put his pillow in between our two seats the last hour where we could hardly see each other. It was so annoying. Then, when we began to make our final descent into the Houston area, we were told to bring our seat backs and tray tables into their upright and locked positions which I promptly began to obey since I’m a rule keeper. But my seat wouldn’t pop up because the pillow was stuck between our two chairs. So, instead of moving the pillow and risking the offense of a fellow passenger, I decided to do what I’ve seen flight attendants do a trillion times. I’d just push the button with my right hand while reaching behind the seat and pulling it forward with my left. So, I reached behind me and got a good, firm grip and jerked forward. Then something twitched.
And I realized that I had not grabbed the seat. I’d grabbed the dude’s knee. Right on the back fold of his knee, as a matter of fact, where I got a firm grip on his upper shin and pulled briskly forward. And with the force of a woman half my age. Is it my fault that the seats are so close together that his knee was practically impaled in my chair-back? Huh? Huh? Is it my fault that his pants felt like the same polyester as the airplane seat?? Huh? Huh? Is it my fault that the maneuver was even necessary since he’d stuck his pillow between our seats? Huh? Huh?
I was mortified. I was so undone that all I could do was slap Michelle on the knee like thirty times. Then, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t get out of my mouth what I had done. She got tickled before she even knew what had happened. Suffice it to say, I told Michelle that she’d have to get my brief case out of the overhead compartment (but to be careful when unloading it as bags may have a tendency to shift during flight) after we reached the gate because I was bolting off that plane without looking back. And that’s exactly what I did.
As Melissa sometimes says, “Mom, it’s hard to be you.” Heck yes, it is.
PS. Did one of you make the mistake of saying that it had been too long since you’ve seen a picture of the grandbabies? Alrighty then!
Oh Beth,
I love you for so many reasons. How could I say that to someone I have only sat next to as she brushed by while teaching? Because…. God just doesn’t wast a moment using you in my life. Whether it is just catching up, or speaking a Word, He just keeps bringing laughter, hope, encouragement and vision into my life through you and those connected with LPM.
Thanks for being you. Thanks for not letting the business aspect of this overwhelm you and keep you from connecting. Thanks for continuing to be an example of walking the line of having God, family and whatever else He calls you to be priorities in your life.
Please tell Melissa we had a gentleman who is a business consultant from India over tonight. We have temporarily been relocated for my husband’s work and I have been a fish out of water for the last 3 weeks. This week my second son brought me to tears when he shared a word he felt like God was laying on his heart. “Bloom where you are planted” Can that really come from a normal 11 year old who loves to tease, play sports, get dirty and read like no one I have ever seen? Anyway, I have taken the charge and when my husband shared he felt called to have this guy for dinner, I happily agreed. This gentleman is from Calcutta. We had great conversation about his family, cultural habits, holidays and the like. We let him in to our quirky lives and I really think he enjoyed it. I wanted to ask him if he had heard of Compassion International. I didn’t feel free to go there yet. What was that scripture? A father was saved and then the whole household? This is my prayer for this family.
Love you and all the others I have had the privilege of being encouraged by through this blog.
Blessings…
Jina
Beth,
Even though you can’t sit down with us one on one, thank you for making us feel as though you have time after time as you share things with us!
I had to laugh when you talked about Keith and the movie because my hubby wears that one out!! The kids and I give him a hard time about it all the time!
The Bridge and Moon pies…gotta love those men of ours!! 🙂
Love you and praying for you always!
Wendy in Georgia
Wish we could sit down with you too and have some pound cake. (my mother-in-law makes the best) Your random posts are my favorites! Maybe it is because I am so random. Wish I could have been in Laramie with everyone. I know Holly and Patty met in Colorado and then drove to Wyoming. (I wish I could have been in that vehicle) My dad’s final resting place is at the top of a beautiful mountain near Aurora, CO. My dad was in the airforce and I have been thinking about him a lot today. I’ll never forget his funeral with the 21 gun salute and the fly over. I hope to return to Colorado someday so I can go back to the mountain.
I guess I better go for now after being completely random. I am so glad things went well. (except for the seat thing lol) I love being a prayer partner and getting the chance to go to the Throne for you and the whole team! Can’t wait for the end of July and Deeper Still in Greensboro, NC. Hope to meet up with lots of siestas!
Much love!
P.S. Facilitating Esther starting June 3rd! My ladies are so excited! I am too!
thank you dear sister in Christ!!! You are such a blessing to me!!!!!
I am so glad that LPL Wyoming went well we prayed for all of you!
and I just scared my dad with my outburst of laughter!! – Bon Qui Qui – too much!
And I have to tell you a bunch of us Siestas met Friday night and we have all come to love one another so much
Many of us have been around “since the beginning” and I consider them some of my best friends!
We laugh until our sides split!
Wish you could hang out with us b/c these ladies are some of the BEST women out there
They have the most honest love for the Lord
They make can make you laugh until you cry!
And God has used this all for His glory – isn’t it wonderful!!
Many blessings!
Kim
Hey Beth,
I would TOTALLY love to sit on the back porch with you. What a blessing that would be.
It warms my heart when you tell all of “us” how much you love and miss us. It makes me feel special.
Thanks for making me laugh!
I love you,
Susan
What a blessing to have shared your back porch with us. Thank you so much. I needed that.
And the laugh you shared… I could totally see you bolting off that plane! I hope I don’t do the same thing heading for the P31 conference in July! Yikes! First time in a long time that I will be flying by myself! 🙂 No one to recover my carry-on for me!
I have to tell you, because there is just no where else to put it really, I am so grateful and thankful for the scripture memory that you are doing with us. God has planted such truth in my mind. Each time I pray, asking Him to show me what to work on, and this last time, though it took me longer than normal, I am so glad I waited on Him. It was just what I needed… the reminder to find rest in him alone, my hope comes from Him. Each time, God has used the scripture I am memorizing directly for situations I find myself in, during the next days. It’s been very powerful!
I would love to sit down on your porch sometime and pick your brain about things… I just love when you share on your blog, because it gives me insight to the ways God works, in your life, the life of your family, and by extension, in the lives of all of us. Praise God, He gave me a wise friend, Cindy Beecher, who pointed me to your blog, and I have been reading ever since.
I thank God for you and your ministry to women. You have inspired me to keep sharing my story… one on one, and in other ways as God calls me to it. I wouldn’t have this story unless He had written it, and redeemed it. Thank you for showing that God gets all the glory for anything in your life. I pray that I can do the same, no matter what… because I know from where I have come… where God has brought me from.
Sorry this is so long, but my heart just had to pour out…
God bless you, and may He bless your family and your ministry, Beth.
Heather
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for the sweet laughs!
I enjoyed this post so much!
I would love to share some Pound cake with you sometime…someday we will!
I was cleaning out a closet today packing for our move and came across my notes from LPM Boone NC 2007! I reread them and it was wonderful! It was a very ASHER moment!
Love you,
Laura Beth
Mama Beth, honestly…I thought I couldn’t love you more, and then bon qui qui makes an appearance. You.Floor.Me.(You should have turned around and asked him if he was aware that you have been to ninja school…just because its funny.:)) My bible lady is the bomb.com (yes I am trying to bring this back)
And if I only had the means, I’d so be on your backporch, like yesterday. This back-porch community has given me the deepest friendships with people who most of the time are not even 3-D except in my mind. We laugh together, cry and hurt when each other hurt, and nodd in joyful praise every time our sweet Jesus teaches us something new at the same time…and I love how He tends to speak to this group with common themes for many as we journey and grow together.
And I love that I think of you every time I see a moonpie. 🙂 (or hear the word moon, or pie for that matter.)
Love you lady
Hi Beth,
WOWOWOWOW! Pretty much all I can say after this weekend. Laramie was the most intense, powerful, worshipful (is that a word?) LPL I have been too! My no’s are: No More Excuses and No More Distractions!
Travis and the team were AMAZING! The praise music was THE BEST EVER!! Brought us to the throne every time! I never tire of hearing him sing “Forevermore”…whoa! What was so special about this event; there were 4 younger than 30 women in our group and one was my daughter in law…precious young woman with a tender heart for Jesus. She was impacted in so many ways; I can’t even begin to mention. What’s even cooler is she’s the mom to my precious 3 year old granddaughter…so in awe of how God is growing her to love Jesus and raise Ashley to love Jesus. HE IS SO GOOD!!
THEN, this morning our church service was all on worship…what timing! It was my daughter in law that mentioned God’s timing with the weekend with all the praise and worhsip music and then how God brought a Word this morning about what worship really means (as we were playing a par 3 golf course and loving every minute of it).
I love #8…it’s the foundation of all of the rest! I can’t wait to spend more time on my notes and doing more study.
Ok, I really am going to stop now. Except I do want to tell you we met up with women we stood in line with last year in Colorado Springs…so cool to re-connect with them and share what God has done over the last year!
No really, I’m going to finish. Just know we truly appreciate your love for coffee and feel very affirmed. A BIG, TEXAS size thank you for all you gave in Laramie…It won’t be forgotten.
It’s all true…Joni Leahy, Littleton, CO
Oh Beth, how I would love to be on the porch with you, enjoying coffee, pound cake and God’s Word. Is there a better way to enjoy friends? I totally enjoy reading your posts…especially when you have the time to “sit a spell” and write what is on your mind…just love it. Your airplane story is a total hoot!! Our Bible study group is doing Daniel again (1st time in 2006) and it is just exciting as it was the first time. I teach an adult S.S. class in which we use the Masterwork literature. I also lead the Bible studies. Do you know how hard it is to do TWO (count them..TWO) Beth Moore Bible studies at the same time and keep them straight? (the S.S. one is The Patriarchs, which we did last year as Bible study) Keep up the good work, sweet one. We love you dearly here in Eldorado, Tx.
Beth,
I just love you!
Anne in MO
Dearest Beth, Satan has been attacking hard this week. I am so grateful to you for the laughter you bring into this house! My husband often hears me laughing hysterically from the office and comes to see what I am reading. You and your family are truly a blessing!
Your Sister in Christ,
Julie in Idaho
Beth,
I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed I was to be able to be in Wyoming this weekend! It was a miracle I was there and ALL God. It’s all true!
When you walked over to me Saturday morning and looked right into my eyes, what you said was sooo true, God spoke something to me through you that was separate from your specific message(the message applied to me but the extra things you said spoke to me and my family right now. I have never been in the place we are in right now and it is a scary place to be but I am thrilled that you added #8 because that is where we are right now. Trusting Him Deeper. Thank you for everything!!!
It was a HUGE blessing to be with my fellow siestas and we laughed so much that I cried and that was therapy to my soul. I love the Siestas!!
If you think of it, we could use your prayers this week. Especially Tuesday. I think we are going on another wild ride with God and I cannot wait to write you and share what God did and how he showed off!
By the way, my answer to your question Saturday would have been this: Start praising Him more instead of talking about the circumstances. Bring attention to His Excellence not our problems!
Much love,
Patty
OH MY WORD! that was not just an LOL like I’d post in a chat across the room in our office…but at true LAUGH OUT LOUD story! That guy on the plane ought to be happy he was touched by Beth Moore! (if he only knew who was messing with him-haha)!
I was touched by your teaching in Laramie. Loved the weekend with my girls, you and God! You taught on everything I needed to hear about- grief, focus, training others…so good! Thank you for coming to Texas in the mountains. Can’t wait to visit Wyoming by the ocean in January!
Ok, I just need to add one more thing…the Leadership Training on Thursday night and Friday morning by Martha, Margaret and Karen from Lifeway was PHENOMENAL! Thank you all so much for giving your wisdom and time; it was so encouraging and very helpful. I don’t know if they will get to see this…however, I can’t wait to try the hair product Karen recommended…Chi, I’ve already tried “Big Sexy Hair” that Martha and Margaret use and it works great on short hair, too. Anywho, those 3 gals are a hoot; I would love to get to hear more about their “race”.
This time I really am done…Thanks for letting me spill on the blog. You, your precious girls and your team are a huge blessing; thank you for all that you do! I also am enjoying getting to know Curtis…can’t forget him!
It’s all true,
Joni Leahy
Beth, between hearing Bon Qui Qui and picturing you grabbing the guy’s leg instead of the seat, I am in tears laughing here!
Blessings
Michelle
As soon as I saw the title, “I wish we were on my back porch together.”, it made me get teary eyed. I would love to be on your back porch with you! Thank you for the post and for all you and your wonderful girls do!
I am looking forward to Deeper Still in December!
Sandy
Durant, OK
I am loving the fact that you just mentioned Bon Qui Qui!!!That is one of the 1,00,000,000,000 reasons I love you!
Oh sweet Beth,
I can just picture that incident, and the man behind you!! LOVE IT!!! you are such a hoot..no wonder people love you so much!
Delilah
Oh gosh, Beth, how I love it when you write “random” things. It is always so fun and so down to earth…just as real friends would talk or write. You are such a special person and I hope that someday I will have the privilege of meeting you…or at least to see you teach in person. Honestly, that is such a hope and dream of mine. Thank you for being so real. This is one life that God has touched, through you, more than a few times!
Beth
My 14 year old daughter and I had the wonderful experience of seeing you in Laramie. You are so awesome. We cried together at the end. I just hope I can be somebody she can look up to and give guidance to, because she deserves only the very best life has to offer.
Thank you so much for coming to little old Wyoming and blessing us all. Please come back again soon.
God Bless You.
Beth:
I would love to be sitting on your porch visiting with you. I am glad that LPL went well this weekend. I sure wish I could have been there. I loved the story about your plane ride. Have a wonderful week. Thanks for the good laugh. I really need this today. Life is a little busy, and stressful. All good but busy and stressful all the same. Kim B. in AZ
Dear Beth, I wish I was on your back porch with you too. You sure did make me laugh and I need that lately. I don’t mind all the Siestas knowing that I am having big problems and need lots of prayers. I have a long standing issue with Opiate addiction and lately it has been kicking my backside. I am entering rehab this coming week and I am crazy over having to leave my 2 yr old and 4 yr old for this amount of time. Siestas, please pray for me to get it this time and for this to be easy for my kids. God has been so good to me over the years and I want to overcome this for his glory. Please pray that it happens. Thank you all.
It may be hard being you, but I sure do love reading about you. You so make me smile! 🙂
ok so sometimes I think I have gone so deep into cyber-space that I feel a phobia that I would like to call cyber-rejection. So, when I posted the Bon Qui Qui skit on your girls facebook accounts I thought they would forever think I was crazy but with y’alls sense of humor I could not resist. Before anyone takes me seriously I am kidding.
I LOVE IT!!!
“security – please hear that in proper Bon Qui Qui”
sa-ku-r-i-ty, sa-ku-r-i-ty!!
Whenever Morgan sees Burger King she says, “Welcome to King Burger where we can do it your way…but don’t get crazy.” And, “I will CUT You.” I know I am a bad mom. =)
Hmmmm… great post Beth – the perfect blend of family, Christ, and laughter…
And your airline story reminded me of the time that my father used his thumb to open one of those small creamer containers while on a flight. The cream shot straight out of the cup and up over his head, disappearing over the seat. He was mortified – but didn’t know what to do. It was about a minute later when he heard a husband and wife bickering in the seat behind him. Wife, “Look what you’ve done now, you’ve gone and spilled your milk all over yourself..” Husband, “That’s funny, I’m not even drinking milk…”
: ) Dad couldn’t pull it together to apologize, but there is hardly a time that we see those creamers in a restaurant that we don’t think of that flight and laugh…
ok…first time posting. I first heard of you last Fall I believe, when a church in town hosted the Esther study. I enjoyed it, and have been a blog reader ever since. I have had trouble putting my life into the Esther mold, because I’m single and a college student in grad school. I’m 32. Here lately God has been impressing on my the “for such a time as this,” but I don’t really know why. Then my pastor got up and said that God wants me to know how to possess my body, like Esther. I still don’t quite get it, but I’m reading the study book again, hoping to glean something for my current life circumstances. You are a real hoot and I enjoy all the posts. I have really liked the men’s input as to their insecurities, especially the 60+ ones. It makes me want to be the better woman that God has called me to be, and hope that I can instill a sense of security in my future husband’s prowess in all areas of life! God bless you Beth!
Beth – It was so good to catch up. Can you please pass me another piece of pound cake? Gone? It’s all gone? Beth, next time you invite us all over let’s make sure we don’t run out of the DESSERT! Oh well, no worries. I’ll just take another cup of coffee.
Laughing about your plane escapade – and escape. And in answer to your six “huh’s?” – of course it wasn’t your fault. Men trying to get comfortable on a plane can be a predicament for siestas on occasion. You were just having yourself an occasion.
Enjoy the holiday,
Warm in Alaska.
Beth,
Welcome back to the Blog. I’ve missed you terribly. Tonight was the highlight of my day as I sat on your back porch and laughed at your funny stories. I think it’s just possible you could write a whole book on airplane humor and the things that have happened to you in airports and in airplanes. Looking forward to seeing you and Kay and Priscilla at DS in Greensboro NC in July and experiencing the simulcast in August at a church in Southern Calif. I love you like crazy.
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
A-MAZING!
I was so excited that you came to my little Laramie!
As an Operation Christmas Child Coordinator for Laramie, I was asked to represent SP at their table. I really struggled with the decision, only because it meant not being in the arena hearing you. I poured my heart out to God, and felt it was my call to serve Him, rather than myself. Wouldn’t you know, I still was able to attend! I represented SP before and after, and sat in the arena during, to hear you! It was the best of both worlds!!!
Beth, the Lord spoke so specifically to me through you!
My soul and spirit are so refreshed! And there is something annointed about hearing it all LIVE!
And THEN, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I walked into Jeffrey’s Bistro after the conference, and there was this loud, crazy group of NINE (not 10, Melana) women waiting for a big table in a little restaurant. They were Fiesta Siestas, and my new best friends! Not only do I LOVE your teaching, you draw the most amazing women into your sphere of influence. There we were, chatting like we’d known each other forever, and they’re offering me bites of their desserts. Can you say “Ghirardellii Chocolate Cherry Truffle Torte”?
They have me thinking of Houston in January…
I LOVE YOU ALL, SIESTAS!!!
3:00 in the morning. Can’t sleep…but now laughing hysterically at the airplane incident! Oh, how I needed that laugh!
Hugs.
Hi Beth,
It’s always good to hear your random “catchups” I love it!
It just cracks me up when I get to hear your stories. I love Gods sense of humor.
When I was in the 8th grade, I took a choir class. The class was held at the High School I would be attending the following year.
One day when we were walking back to the bus at the High School, A boy in a classroom caught my eye. I was so busy looking at him, and he at me, when I turned my head back around, I RAN INTO A TREE!
He saw me and was laughing… I was so embarrassed. I laughed my way to the bus with my friends. The next year, we did meet and we became good friends. Too funny!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Beth,
It’s always good to hear your random “catchups” I love it!
It just cracks me up when I get to hear your stories. I love Gods sense of humor.
When I was in the 8th grade, I took a choir class. The class was held at the High School I would be attending the following year.
One day when we were walking back to the bus at the High School, A boy in a classroom caught my eye. I was so busy looking at him, and he at me, when I turned my head back around, I RAN INTO A TREE!
He saw me and was laughing… I was so embarrassed. I laughed my way to the bus with my friends. The next year, we did meet and we became good friends. Too funny!
Thanks for sharing!
Love the “Pillow Talk” story! But, the Kennedy Center description is a favorite, being a violinist and having been to the Center several times. I even thought of it again tonight, watching the televised Memorial Day concert with the National Symphony Orchestra on the Mall.
If you need to get away, come sit on my back porch. I’ll have the coffee ready by the time you arrive from Houston.
I LOVED reading this post, Beth! it *T*R*U*L*Y* felt as if I was listening to you chatting away in your back porch! oh, and to see Star and Beckham’s “interacting”… Beth, I love you and I can’t wait to get to my very own first LPL when I’m finally back in the US to stay!!!
**Texatheart, I am lifting you and your sons up in prayer !
Dear Beth, Thank you for loving us. It is felt! As I prepare to go to work this Memorial Day I want to remember my Dad who served in the Korean War. Because of his eye-sight he was not allowed to be involved in the battles but he served as a Medic. He wanted to serve his country. He passed away over 20 years ago but I wanted to honor him today. Thank you for letting me. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
Dear Beth, I am currently in the Step Up Bible Study and as always God is using your teachings to deepen my walk with him. Thanks for your faithfulness in writing all your wonderful bible studies! I am struggling with insomnia which I am so mad at myself for having! I know God is in control, yet I am worrying about my young adult children. I am really not a smother mother but I know part of it is separation anxiety- one lives in DC and one is in the army about to go to Iraq. It is so hard to not know when I will see them again!! Do you have any specific scriptures and advise for how you deal with the worry of not seeing your girls and those precious grand babies you now have? Thanks
So absolutely wonderful to hear from you!
Love you dearly…
I will never tire of reading these posts. They minister to me every single time! You might call them random, but God knows just who needs to hear stories about your staff and airplane seats at any given moment.
With much love and appreciation
Kim
I can’t stop laughing, thanks for sharing your adventures with us. i love it
you are gut wrenching hilarious! Oh I nevevr laughed so hard, my coffee nearly came up through my nose! Thanks for starting my morning off “with good cheer”! lol….Love you….Heather
Beth,
Thanks for taking time to write “us” such a long letter! We miss you when you’re long absent with your busy schedule. I will probably never meet you in person until we get to heaven but it seems like I know you now.
I know exactly what you mean about the grandkids! Our two (3-year -old and 5-month-old)went to FL on vacation with their parents a couple of weeks ago. After they got home and we had gone down to hug and kiss them after missing them for 8 days our DIL told me something sweet. I had called to check on them while they were in FL and when my son got off the phone our 3-yr-old granddaughter asked if that was “GanMamma” calling. He said Yes and she said, “Did she say she wants us back?” That was precious to me! This past weekend she went with hubby and me to visit our church’s bus route and wore her princess tiarra the whole time. Let me tell you, she provoked many a smiles….especially from senior citizens!
My husband had me searching all over the internet trying to find “Bridge On the River Kwai” for him last year. Not to be found at that time. Then one day I was in a thrift shop and just happened to find the video for $1. He loves that movie.
Well, again….thanks so much for the long letter! It’s so appreciated!
Your friend,
Marilyn…..in Mississippi
You are so hilarious. I just love reading your posts!! Thanks for being SO real with us!
You are hysterical. I had to show my mom Bon Qui Qui so that she would get “security, security.”
Would y’all mind posting a tid-bit about summer study? My group in Lafayette, LA has our books and we are ready to dig in. We meet on Monday nights at 6:00, and we begin June 1. We are not sure if we need to meet at someone’s home to watch a DVD, as we typically do in the school year, or if we can meet at a coffee shop, which is what we do in the summer. Many thanks, prayers and Blessings, Christi
Oh, I so needed to sit in my bath robe on a holiday and laugh that hard! Thank you for that. Can’t wait to see what Rich posts for the video (absolutely no pressure though, Rick, we’re just all watching you).
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Beth,
I have the extraordinary opportunity to “mentor” not only my 21 year old daughter but her 19 year old almost living with us friend as well. It is an amazing experience to watch the Lord work in them and through them.
My 12 year old daughter and I went to a new church yesterday and were blessed beyond words. I can sense the Lord breathing new life into my heart and my spirit in the way that only He can. She and I will hopefully be attending your Stockton LPL in June. Looking forward to it for sure.
Your mishap on the plane was hilarious! I could visualize it and could raise my hand and say, “That is something I would do!” Some day I will tell you my story about the hot dog and the deaf guy.
Thank you Beth for being you. I am incredibly blessed to have found your blog and to be getting a peek into your family and your journey with Jesus. And to your family, Thank you so very much for sharing your lives, your wife, mom, mom in law, and last but not least, Bibby with us.
Love,
Kels
Hey Beth,
Your stories always bless my heart and make me laugh. I love your randomness. It seems to me that you think about everything going on in your life and then you draw us in by sharing with us. I am blessed to be a Siesta.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day today. I know you will be glad to see those grand babies.
I love you so much, dear Beth.
Hugs,
Mary
P.S. Beth, I will bring my porch swing so we can drink our coffee, eat pound cake and swing all at the same time. OK? I think that is what heaven will be like…
Kels
What a way to start the day! Beth, you make me laugh out loud. Did you really say Bon Qui Bon Qui? 🙂 The only reason I know of her is because I have two fun 29 year old girls that live with my family right now. I think it is the COOLEST and most powerful thing ever that you prayed over the young women in Laramie. I wish I could have been there! They so need it. When I first got saved, I had a few women come along side of me and I am forever grateful.
Love you, love your precious family, love that you all are so genuine! Have a wonderful Memorial Day!