Hey, Siestas! How are my favorite bloggers on God’s green earth?
Keith and I just got home from our cactus ranch about six hours from Houston. I joined him there on Thursday because he’d been gone for several days and I missed him like crazy. He’s been putting in a bunch of new water lines and troughs for our wild game (that means animals in case you’re not familiar with the terminology) and was basically stuck until the job was finished. Hence, I headed West. You tend to get more attached to your mate when your kids are grown because you’re all you have left within your own four walls. It’s really important that you darling young wives and moms remember that one day, God and couple-willing, it will be just the two of you again. It will happen before you know it and, if you don’t have anything left, it’s hard to know where to start again. It’s one reason some folks just start all over but there’s no need. There are all sorts of adventures to have together. Just keep investing. Anyway, I didn’t mean to get off on that subject. Today I mean to just chat with you about nothing.
Needless to say, I took my laptop with me so that I could sit on the porch and work on the (overcoming insecurity) book. I’m all the way to chapter 11, praise You, Lord. I’m guessing I have about five more to go. I hope to have the creative part of the writing wrapped up in a month and then the editing madness begins. Writing is not for the fainthearted or those with a strong affinity for instant gratification. Or, come to think of it, for those who can’t take criticism. It is a hard profession that you only want to take up if you absolutely can’t keep from writing to save your life. That reminds me, I read the coolest book recently by Jerry Jenkins called Writing for the Soul and it’s penned specifically to writers OR to those who think there might be a writer deep inside somewhere. If that’s you, you ought to think about grabbing a copy. I think you’d be so blessed. I read constantly but I can’t say I’ve ever read anything specifically on writing before. I enjoyed it like crazy.
If you really want to write, you might think of tracking down some cactus and pulling up a lawn chair next to it. But not too close in case you doze off. A simple landscape is sometimes best of all. Our little piece of Texas is a great place to write because it’s out in the middle of absolutely nowhere and all you can hear are birds, crickets, cows (on the ranch next to us), sheep (mostly on the ranch next to us and a few on ours), dogs (definitely ours), rattlesnakes (unfortunately also ours) and Keith’s John Deere tractor.
When I’ve written about all my blond brain can handle, I go riding with Keith, Star (Border Collie, for you new ones), and Geli (Bird Dog, also for you new ones) in our broken down jeep with old fashioned air conditioning that comes from holes in the floorboard. We look for any animal or critter we can possibly find. This time we got to see a baby bobcat, 2 feral cats, 2 armadillos, and I have no idea how many deer. The sweetest thing of all is that we came upon a mom who’d just dropped a fawn. It was the most precious little thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Keith said it could only have been a few hours old. We scurried off quickly so we wouldn’t upset them but I went back later to make sure the mom hadn’t abandoned him. I reckon I’d have tried to feed him with a bottle and take him home with me. It would be so fun to have a pet deer in the back yard of the ministry. No, I’m not too serious. Maybe just a tad serious.
Oh, and Keith killed a rattlesnake in the barn. He was reaching right down toward it to move an old tire when he saw it. The ugly thing was rared up and ready to strike but didn’t make a sound because its rattler was missing. We think one of the feral cats probably bit it off in a fight when it was much smaller.
The temperature really skyrocketed there this weekend and I must have mildly complained because Keith piped up with, “Why don’t we go swim in the river?”
“We don’t have our swimsuits!”
“Baby, can’t you swim in shorts?”
“I don’t know if I can or not. I’ve never thought about it before.”
“I bet you can. Let’s go get in and see if you float.”
So we blew up a couple of tubes then Keith cut a pair of his Wranglers off at the knee (Big Mama, does this sound like your man? I think our men are twins separated at birth). I put on my gray running shorts and we headed to the San Saba river not far from our place. We splashed and talked and dreamed and planned two or three more grandkids and had the greatest time. My firstborn loves water so much. I pined for her the whole time. No, I didn’t get my hair wet. I twisted it up in a clip because he’d said he was taking me to dinner afterward. It was one thing to swim in my shorts. It was another thing entirely to go into town with river hair. Not on your life.
I can’t get internet there (or cell service) which is one reason it’s a great place to write but I invariably miss being out of touch with Siestaville. Melissa called me and told me about the blog she posted (the one right before this one) and gave me a run down of a number of your responses. I could hardly wait to get home and take a look for myself. She and I both marveled that God has given us such a tremendously diverse community here. What a rarity in this polarized world! How many communities of believers like this do any of us get to be part of? We are blessed indeed. It’s so incredibly boring just to hang with people exactly like ourselves.
One Lord. One Body. Five thousand people and one fabulous time.
Amanda, Melissa, and I love you so much.
PS. I nearly flipped over that Esther cake. Unbelievable!! Now, THAT took some talent!
Siesta Mama Beth;
A study about overcoming insecurities! Are you kidding me?!?!?
Ah, my soul, I love my God and all he has done for me. I rest secure in his love for me. People, on the other hand, make me crazy! If I hear one more sermon on how to be the Acts 2 church, I will scream (and I can scream loudly; I've had lots of practice;)
Life would be so easy if only people wouldn't reject me. "It's tough being a woman when you don't measure up!" Sometimes it feels like my insecurities will consume me.
Oh Siesta, bring it on!
Jillian
mama beth,
one of the things on my bucket list is to see a real armadillo. now, i've seen an armadillo before (actually my first one was on the way to the siesta fiesta in san antonio) but i want to see a LIVE one. not one that has become one with the pavement. and not one in the form of a cake that people eat (my former roommate knows every line to that movie), and not one at the zoo. just a real live armadillo looking like a bug on steroids that's ben covered in ducktape, and doing his thing with nature.
going to see georgia jan's pecan trees is also on my bucket list.
love you texas lady
Morning, My kids got home and Wes and Amy spoke at our church tonight and did such a great job. They are a blessing. The grandbabies have GROWN so much. James sang(he is 8) tonight a song in Arabic and English so beautifully. Great weekend. Wish you all could have been there. They are "home" to raise support to go back. I want to ask you Siestas to pray with me that the folks they come in contact with this summer will answer the call of God to give what He tells them to. They have many appointments with churches and God knows who in each place He wants to use to futher this ministry. Just pray with me this summer that people will be sensitive to His call. That would be great if you all would help me pray. Thanks and I love you. I took Amy for coffee after church tonight and now I cant sleep so I am hanging out on the blog reading!! Love you in AL, Vicki
I loved this post Beth! I so look forward to those day with this man I love. I'm hugging him a little tighter ths weekend….if you have a quick moment, stop by my blog. I posted about a friend of mine who just lost her husband unexpectantly. She and her four children are in so much pain and need all the prayers they can get. I would so appreciate your prayers for her. He was only 44 years old.
Thank you sweet mentor of mine.
His maidservant~Pamela
Beth, I am so glad you had a wonderful weekend with your man. I have 5 children and they all left home within 3 years. At first it was lonesome without the kids at home but I learned to get more involved with by husband and his interest. At first it was like starting all over finding things to do together. I am really enjoying this chapter of my life. We also have 9 grandbabies under the age of 5, so we are enjoying that too.
Shelya,
Lake Charles, LA
Thank you for the book suggestion! I have just finished writing my first book (a devotional) and it is at the editors now. Since I am a bit dyslexic, I am sure the editor's head is spinning at my spelling! LOL! I would never have written it, if the Lord would have let me out of it!
Since I have not been discovered (LOL) and the Lord has provided every step of the way, I am using a POD service. I figure this is His gift, idea and project. It has taken a lot of pressure off!
My biggest fear is that I have been sitting under your tutelage so long, I will wind up with a "Beth Quote" and not realize it! LOL!
You have taught me a lot more than you will ever know!
God Bless,
Maryellen
We, too, scurried off about 4 1/2 hours from our home to our mountain cabin/condo on Thursday. That evening, like you…oh how I can picture us with our "Men" riding along in those crazy jeeps that leak air like a sieve…anyway we are in our jeep going up the mountain to a couple of lakes and then up over a pass when I said, Babe, there is a bear! Sure enough, so we parked, cut the engine and just sat. We were so deeply rewarded….for here came another bear and two separate herds of elk and deer. Before we made it back to the house, we saw more elk and another bear! Oh my, thank You Lord for favor, for Your creation, and the time to sit with my Man.
Also, on my kindle, I'm reading a fabulous book by Charles Martin….."Maggie". As well as working through Believing God for the second time, but this go around the facilitator for a group of 14 women wanting to be in the Word this summer.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
MamaSiesta, you are so funny.
I was just thinking about you this morning because I can not seem to escape this pit of depression and I wondered if i should go back through "Get Out of That Pit". Even though I've taught classes on depression (My pastor reminds we it's not a "how to" class), it has been such an overwhelming problem lately, possibly because God is doing a lot of work with me this season.
It is bittersweet to hear stories of you and Keith, so happy for you, yet sad that I don't have anyone to talk to. I am alone a lot, and the isolation is hard.
How do you protect your dogs from threats such as rattlesnakes?
Thanks so much for sharing glimpses of your lives.
Hello Beth!
This is the first time I've ever posted, but I just had to tell you how grateful I am for the LPM blog page. It's wonderful to hear about a fellow country girl, and a weekend full of love. Thank you so much again for taking time to write on here. I've done several of your studies, and it's truly amazing how God has used you to touch so many people for His kingdom.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
-Hannah
You had me cracking up over not going into town with river hair!!! 🙂 🙂 LOVED IT! hahaha
I'm so glad that you and Keith have such a wonderful relationship where you actually ENJOY spending time together. I know things haven't always been rosy between you two, but your love and willingness (and lots of God's grace and mercy I'm sure!) to work through it brings joy to my heart. I'm so glad you share things like that on this blog!!! My husband and I have been married for just over three years–and we have a WONDERFUL relationship. God has given us a unique ability to be able to communicate with one another on every level–and that communication keeps all walls down and all fights at bay. People tend to get sick of hearing that we've never had a fight or that we love spending time together, but I tell you what…we have both put God first and that makes our relationship what it is. Thanks again for sharing your heart in these posts!! You are such an encourager! (I'm an encourager too, but I've found that even encouragers need lots of encouraging!! And boy do you ever supply me with encouragement!)
Love to you!
Rebecca
Hi Sweet Beth sure have missed you on the blog. Glad you had a good time at the ranch and got to write cannot wait to read it all. You are one talented lady I have Travis new cd and a bonus dvd the cd is just awesome espically when you spoke what happens in worship does not stay in worship I have been pondering that since I heard it.Thank you os much for being an encourager and a mentor cannot wait to see you here in Albuq NM in July. Just wanted to tell you I had the best coconut cream cake last night from our little resturant here oh and it just melted in your mouth. If I can maybe I can get you a slice and bring it to you at the conference. Anyway Love and Hugs to you glad you are back in seistaville missed you to. Love Carol Albuq. NM
Beth, I used to live in San Angelo … if you travel anywhere near Kerrville on your way out to the ranch, you have got to stop in at Ingram, Texas. There is the sweetest and most precious outdoor theatre there called, I believe, The Point Theatre. You can check it out on-line and plan to go to one of their shows. It's right on the Guadalupe River, the shows are at night, and you'll see more lightning bugs than you've ever seen in your life! We take our girls a few times a year … we've seen Charlotte's Web, Narnia plays, Cinderella, just to name a few. We are in Fort Worth now, so we won't get to go as often. You'll love it!
God bless, Shelli L. in Fort Worth
I love, love, love getting a new post from you! Glad you and Keith had a good time…that river sounds wonderful. You are right about the years of marriage after the kids are grown. We will celebrate 35 years in August and the last chick left the nest 5 years ago. Thank God we not only still love each other, we like each other! Have a great week Beth!! And once again, thank you for sharing your life with us and being real!!
lots of love,
Martha in MS
I was just at B&N this past week looking for a book on writing. I'm certainly no writer, but I've all but abandoned my blog for lack of creative juices, and I can't say my single life is anywhere near exciting. I found a book that provides daily challenges…so you think I would be blogging these daily things…um, nope…lol. Guess I just wanted to spend money. I will though, I will. Thanks for the book suggestion, I will have to check it out.
Also, I think the whole raising a deer would be GREAT 'cause then your hubby wouldn't have to go far for hunting season. Kidding of course!
You all are so much fun! I just love our siesta blog world!
Beth, it's Shelli again … the outdoor theatre in Kerrville/Ingram, Texas is hcaf.com (hill country arts foundation)…click on the picture of the outdoor theatre … they are showing Treasure Island in June and Beauty and the Beast in July! You'd love it! My husband loves it, and he's an outdoor kind of guy, too … so I know Keith would, too.
Be careful of rattlesnakes, Beth. They turn up in the most unexpected places. Last Wednesday evening I was outside throwing the frisbees for the girls (Chica and Rubi – yellow labs). I had walked around the house 2 or 3 times to see if the torential rain from the night before had done any damage except to lay over my daisies. and I decided to pull out the leaf blower and clean up the debris from the night before. (btw – Hubby was off killing small defenseless clay birds!) I reached to move one of our rocking chairs and there he was – all coiled up. He never did rattle…and he had 6 buttons. I told my youngest daughter later, he caused me to say a word that I really thought w/God's help I had banished from my thoughts. But it is difficult to shout, "Bless the Lord!" at the sight of a rattlesnake! Any way, called a man-friend who dispatched the snake quickly with a hoe. (I don't do hoe dispatching – only pistol w/rat shot…but couldn't find it!) At any rate, I had been all over that patio and did not see him until I walked within 2 feet of him. Serpents…..YUCK!!! Oh, and btw, have Star and Geli had their rattlesnake vacines? Well worth the effort!
Judie – West Texas Girl
Trying to picture you tubing in the river and it's just making me laugh. Sorry!:) Glad you had some sweet time with your man.
Please be in prayer for a family in our community who lost their 7-yr-old son in a drowning accident last week while he was at a day camp at a local private school. Thanks!
Ok, Miss Beth. One question.
Were you not a little bit concerned that there might be snakes in the river??? I'm not so much a country girl but that would be my first thought! Sounds like ya'll had a great time.
Beth, You are SO RIGHT about the empty-nest thing and how much more you count on your spouse for company! I loved him to pieces before and love him even more after our nest is empty and 29 years have passed! These are the FUN years…when we actually have enough money to do the things we dreamed of doing when we were young but broke! Thanks for the reminder of how precious marriage is!
Beth, I just love you! I feel like you are my best girlfriend sharing your weekend adventures with me. Thank you for sharing your life with others through your blog, your ministry and your writing. I want to write so badly and have started my own blog site. I hope someday to have my blog printed into a book. (scrapbook style) to share with my family after I'm gone. My Mom is a writer too and I think I'll buy that book you mentioned, for her. Love you to pieces!
Oh honey, I love the stories and cannot believe the swimming part!! But I really latched onto that first paragraph. There's nothing left now. I have Scriptures (just for me) that I cling to, but they're all I've got besides my beloved Yeshua My Hope. I keep praying, but knowing that Mama & Siestas pray generically over me, is all that keeps me going some days.
Beth, I love you, the girls and my siestas in such an amazing way – for someone I've never met. Blessings upon you as you write for us!
Boy, did I need to hear your words today. I have had a growing longing, an ache really, to write for the last six months. It is hard to really even explain it. Sometimes I find myself wanting it so badly that I begin to question whether it is even a God-given desire. I spent some time trying to work on my writing this weekend, and found myself once again battling frustration, discouragement and despair. Yet, this morning, as I was reading Breaking Free (Chapter 30), God impressed upon me His right to authority over that area of my life as well. Then you bless me with this post today, reminding me that it will, at times, be painstaking. I am going to pick up a copy of the book you recommended. Thanks for allowing God to use you in the lives of your siestas. You are a blessing!
Your siesta in Christ,
Chrystie
Beth, you are so right about the kids being gone and just the 2 of you left! My husband and I just celebrated our 30th anniversary and we consider that no small feat since we were all of 16 & 17 when we got married!
He has traveled for most of our married life for work and it was no big deal. I would miss him and he would miss me and the kids but we always had the kids so we made it through. Now we miss each other crazy when he's gone. The kids laugh at us because we talk 4 or 5 times a day even if one of us is just with one of the kids for a day or weekend!
We sit around and plan all of our grandkids too. Two just isn't enough for us! For all you young mama's….remember what Beth told you…it will be just the two of you again one day and it's so much better when you don't have to "reconnect from scratch" but just keep going and finding new things to do together (and of course with those grandkids)!
What a blessing God gives us when we get through the hard lean times with the young 'uns and make it to adulthood (sometimes us growing up with them)with those same young 'uns! He seems to shine on us more now than ever and we feel His closeness when we're together more (or maybe we're just old enough to realize it now). I know He was there before but we tended to get caught up in every day life with work, the kids etc and didn't see it like we should have. Thankfully we see It and Him now!
I love Texas with all the vast land. I would love to have land to go to on weekends. I grew up as a girl scout and miss camping but my husbands idea of camping is a hotel room. I don't mind it because it means I get to get out of town.
My husand and I are about to be empty nesters. Our youngest just graduated from high school and is headed to Texas Tech (3 hrs away). Our middle child is still in the home going to school here and our oldest is living in Austin. I always have visions now of going to Austin and hanging with my son but that is not a cool thing to do (for him). Sitting here just thinking what will happen in a couple of months brings tears to my eyes. How I will miss having children in the local schools but also look forward to what God has planned for me.
I love when you write us your random posts! They’re so much fun and give us a peak at a day in the life of our favorite Siesta Mama! We swam in the river this weekend, too, but it was the lazy river at Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate my little man’s 6th birthday. Glad you had a great weekend with your man.
Thank you for a blog about "nothing!" I love it! Makes me feel like i popped in your back door or met you on the sidewalk as i walk my wild dog…I am sure Star and Geli would love to romp with my farm dog wanna be. 🙂 She can hardly stand the squirrels and nearly rips our the leash when she sees one! What a hoot!
Oh, Beth, thank you once again for a delightful post. I just love when you just write about what's going on with you. You always make me laugh which may be one of the reasons that I like you so much as laughing is one of my favorite things to do. If I couldn't laugh at life, I would not make it. I taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades for 18 years so you can just imagine how much I laughed. Kids are just the funniest people in the world. So, thanks again.
Love you,
Esabelle
Of course I love love love hearing about the trips to the ranch. LOVE IT. Laughed out loud in the silence of my still sleeping house over the "not getting the hair wet" thing.
Love you Beth. Thank you for ministering to us. You are a beautiful gift. And, I can't wait for Melissa to write us back!
Blessings~
Fran
Oh, how I love hearing from you! 🙂
Beth, I am sitting here at Panera Bread AWWHH! after spending 8 days with my niece and her 7 children. Her baby is 3 weeks old and she had to have emergency gallbladder surgery which kept her in the hospital for 5 days and then her husband was gone for the weekend on a fishing trip with his buddies. Wow! I had forgotten how it was to be with little ones all day long with no adult interaction. Her oldest is 13 and right down to newborn. I was glad that the 4 oldest did go to school. But at night it was off to concerts and end of the school year stuff. I had such a great time. Being from a family of 7 boys it was nice to have some girl time. I feel so blessed that I am capable of helping my family out when they need me and that my husband and boys are so ok with that. I miss them dearly and can't wait to see them when I get home this evening.
We have such a great God!
I wish that I could write but my husband is the writer in our family. I do like to read though. I am so looking forward to our summer study together with all the blog family and I can't wait to see you and them all in January. I am so loving the memorizing that we are doing. Never thought I could do it but I can! It is changing my life. Praise God for His Living Word!
Love you all in blog world and you Beth, Amanda, and Melissa and oh yes Curtis too!
well since you were writing about 'nothing' this seems like a good time to tell you again how much I value this blog. You and your girls encourage me so often. The things God leads you to share while seeming like little to you can mean so much to me. I sure can't wait to meet you someday whether it be here or in heaven!
You know today is a day I'm thinking of heaven. My dearest freind's dad went home to the Lord almost a year ago… today would have been his birthday (and it IS my dad's birthday!) I wonder… does God make special birthday cakes for those first birthdays in heaven?? Much love to you all today from a very rainy and chilly canadian province (I want my hot summer now please! we do get those honest!)
I'll be looking for that book too, Beth. I've been writing for sooo long, but never really tried to get published. The Lord's been speaking to me about it alot lately, and I can use all of the advise I can get!
Love you so much,
Lynn Langford, God's Gal
It is so hard not to laugh as I read your day with your man! It sounds like a day with my man! Seriously, I could just hear my husband say get in the river with shorts and me freak out and the hair thing, I'm so with you! I live in Texas and do the things you do while at the ranch. Sometimes I think how wonderful it is to have a husband that shares his love for nature with you. We have a deer lease and it is just nice to be out with the blessings God has given us! I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Love ya!
Stephenville, TX
Beth, I cannot WAIT for your book to come out. This is my biggest struggle. I am a married mom of three and I ache over this more than I can tell you! And then I feel incredible guilt over feeling so insecure when I have a God who loves me just as I am. I believe I am a new creation, but it doesn't go to my core as it should. I want to BELIEVE GOD, oh, I want to believe God! Why is it such a struggle?
Whenever you talk about your insecurity in videos I listen up, because it helps me to know I'm not alone in mine! Thank you for dedicating so much time to writing about it. I hope it's been a very healing time for you, as well!
Thanks Beth! Love you, siesta!
The Journey Continues ~
Welcome back!!!
Loved your story of your ranch journey!!!
Dave and I are remodeling a home we purchased on top of a mountain overlooking the ocean. I was there this past week and
Guess what was on my side yard?? Baby fawns!
There were 2 and a mommy eating. Precious!! I had never noticed how deer wiggle waggle their tails continuously!
Blonde Brain Story change ~
I enjoyed reading the comments from Melissa's blog questions. I didn't have time to respond but will probably do so today! I love those kinds of questions!I learn so much from others viewpoints, opinions and feelings! TELL MELISSA TO ASK MORE!! 🙂
Regarding your book you shared and read! Jerry Jenkins, Writing for the soul ~ I will purchase and read it a long with the new Me,Myself & Lies study book. I got mine in the mail this past week!!!!
THANK YOU for your dedicated service in penning great studies all these years for your Siesta's and women who are striving to Walk in Faith!!
WE TRULY APPRECIATE AND LOVE YOU!
BLONDE IDEA!!!!!!! ALERT!!!!
Hey, I think you should wear your cut-off's in one of the summer video studies!!! hint,hint!
With "Heaven bound" blessings,
Kim Safina
facebook.com
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Thanks for reminding us that the Lord luvs to show off for us. I ask Him to reveal Himself to me in a special way every day. On my way to church yesterday, I saw two baby deers by the road and I had to slow down and soak it all in. He know how much I luv animals. I said a prayer that they're mama was close by.
Thanks so much for being "real" and letting the Lord's love show through you.
Blessings to you, my sweet Siesta Momma!
Barbara in North Carolina
I just wanted to say I LOVE YOU BETH!!! You made my Monday morning. You and your family are so sweet and down-to-earth. I love it when I can relate to people. God Bless!!!!! Kim
Thank you for sharing. I would like to hear more of your thoughts on "just the two of us" after your children are gone. My husband and I or maybe I should just say "I" are going throught the "just the two of us". We have weather the 1st year of college of our last. It has been more than difficult.
I would love to read your insight into "just the two of us" era.
Love Wins!
My Dear Siesta, Marla Taviano, you do not DARE get to put that book down because I'm writing on that same topic. WOMEN ARE DESPERATE FOR THIS MATERIAL! Get busy! Our takes on it will be unique. You writers out there will find that, as Solomon said, there's really nothing new under the sun and the world is full of books. Someone else will always write on something similar. You must not let that stop you for penning what God is saying to you.
Also, Sweet Things, let me say something to all of you who blog: I often tell AJ and Lis that blogging is one of the best things that ever happened to surface budding writers. It gives you a format to exercise the gift without stressing so much over every word. However, it also gives you a chance to write without an editor and someone to second guess whether or not you want to put something out there that can't be taken back. SO, enjoy the creativity! And also exercise some caution and self-editing!
Don't think for a moment that publishers aren't looking at blogs that are drawing significant readership. This is a whole new day. But at the end of it, write because you feel compelled by God and He has given you something to say. Don't just write to publish. Write to bless then give out as many copies as you can and see if the Body of Christ is edified.
You go, Girls! I'm so proud of you guys.
What fun to read about your adventures on the ranch. I have only been to Texas once while driving from Vermont to Las Vegas to see my sister. I will never forget the landscape or the sky…truly it was breath taking. Just for miles to see nothing and yet everything….you know what I mean.
I drive a jeep wrangler, a little newer model than the one you have…but I love my jeep! I never have to worry about getting up my driveway in the winter.
Anyway, thanks so much for this blog! It is really a blessing.
Blessings,
Michelle in VT
Thank you for this fun post. My husband and I have been married for 2 years and are expecting our first child in October. I love my husband so stinkin much! I just can't imagine the Lord blessing me with a more perfect, godly husband. It is so easy to get discouraged by the world-view of marriage. It is a refreshment to my soul to hear that you feel the same way for Keith in such a seasoned marriage!
Thanks for being so faithful! We all love you!
Your trip sounds like it was a lot of fun. I am not an empty nester, my husband and I are unable to have children, but I understand what you mean about keeping your relationship as man and wife up. My husband is my best friend in this world. We love to joke and laugh and spend time together. It is truly a gift from God. Can't wait to read your new book when it's finished. Sounds like it will be good. Love to you all and have a great day!
Oh Beth, you have a way with words and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for listening to the Lord and sharing your life with us.
Your words of wisdom about sharing time with your man hit home this morning. My husband and I are empty nesters, but we both seem to be struggling with the right words and tone of voice with each other. I have been praying for a restored relationship in the way of joy without irritation and I believe that the Lord has spoken to me through you. Thank you for obeying him. Now it is time for me to do the same.
My husband is not saved (Yet) but I know that it is just a matter of time, the Lord has told me to trust him and put him first and he would take care of the rest and that I need to sit back and enjoy the ride when my man is saved. Oh what a glorious God we have.
I plan on going home tonight after work and making sure that my man knows that he is the joy of my life and that the Lord chose just for me, we may only be watching our oldest granddaughter play softball, but we can do it together with joy.
We too, may go for a ride in our open air jeep soon and enjoy the company of each other! (God will be there riding with us and my man will feel his presence).
God Bless you and may God be with you as you write!
Geneva
Loyalton, CA
Thank you, Warm in Alaska, I too thought for a moment that the "no bathing suit" part of the story was going in a completely different direction. I just didn't want to be the first to mention it. ;-). You rock!
As for the rattler, am I the only one who considers Gen. 3:15 to be biblical license for the destruction of serpents? I don't care if they do eat rodents – buy a mousetrap!
My man killed a rattlesnake this weekend too…but we live in Waco and though on the edge of town, NOT in the country! Very thankful to God the kids weren't the ones who found it.
Sweet Beth,
Thank you for continuing to write about how much you love your man. It is inspiring to this mom of 3 young ones and it helps me to be a better wife.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BOOK ON INSECURITY!
Love you,
Jenny from VA
P.S. Marla PLEASE keep writing! I need more than one book on the subject! I would love to buy yours too!!
Gald your home Beth, and on the blog. I love your chit-chat blogs along with your other blog fun.
I know what you mean about the book editing madness, I'm in the middle of that now. I try to be paitnet. Writing the story is the easy part. so, while I'm waiting for editing, I am writing the final book to that series.
I can also relate to not gonna have river hair. no-no that's not a good thing. floating on a tube, now thats fun.
Now about those snakes….eeeewwww
SHOOT EM'! SHOOT EM'!
I'm glad your man was there to protect you.
Gald your home, I missed ya.
RS Nashville
Thank you for sharing your a little piece of your life with us. LOL! at swimming in the creek. We have a pool membership but it was too cold to go swimming and we had two kids with the flu.
The blessing was my MIL stayed overnight on her way to a conference in Wisconsin. We had some unexpected "girl time." You see, we were going to celebrate my daughter's birthday with family yesterday and of course, we couldn't do that with the flu in the house. My son and hubby went to the movies in the afternoon. We had some "girl time" to discuss things in our lives.
Very precious to me. Still cloudy and cool today, but kids are better. Praise the Lord! We are off for shopping this afternoon.
Blessings,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
Missed you at church. I'm not sure anyone wants to write–it's more like being compelled, for most. I'm glad you answer that call for many to benefit.
Sounds like you had a terrific weekend, floating the river and all. And–what are we going to do about these Texas men and their Wranglers? Love ya, Annette
Thank you for sharing your life with all us out here in Siestaville, we are all blessed for our "Siesta Mama" to share so much with us, and helping us to get ahold of His Grip in order to experience changed lives. I could just see you two having a blast in that river, cut-offs, running shorts and all!
I'm going on to Amazon.com to get that Jerry Jenkins book, thanks to another siesta's "heads-up"! My Word! His book for a penny?
Incredible.
Thank you so much for "paying the price" to be able to push through and get so much published for God's glory. No one but the Master would know the price you've had to pay…worth far more than rubies.
Blessings,
Pam H.
So. Cal Siesta