Hey, Siestas! Thank you so much for all those wonderful birthday greetings! I am blessed beyond words! You’ll never know a soul on the face of the earth God has graced more than me. Truly “God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost. Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite Your love, O God!” (Ps. 36:5-7 The Msg) Yep, that was one of my memory verses. They sure come in handy, don’t they?
I had such a fun day! Around here, we all say that there’s no birthday like a birthday at LPM but, actually, anywhere you have some best girlfriends that make you laugh your head off and love Jesus twice as much is a birthday just like the ones we have here. Girlfriends are one of the dearest gifts of God in all of life. Besides the great fellowship and intercession, I got the neatest gifts! Keith gave me a very delicate necklace and a leg press. (How do you like that combo? That says it right there.) My staff gave me all sorts of things for my battered back yard. It used to be so gorgeous B.P. (Before Puppies). BUT, it’s slowly bouncing back with all my beautiful new birthday accessories. I had so much fun arranging all of them when I got home from work. I bet I didn’t make it in the house for half an hour and it was HOT. For once, I was too happy to care.
In addition to all my yard and porch gifts, I got the cutest note cards from one of my beloved correspondence assistants. Isn’t that perfect? I also got three gorgeous frames because my dear friend, Nancy, knew that my family is growing so fast, I haven’t been able to keep up with the framing. I promised her that I would not put dog pictures in them but she said I could if I wanted to. Michelle got me a really fun pink flat-iron cover for traveling (she got tired of waiting for it to cool off before I could pack it, I think) and Joel Rosenberg’s new book signed by the author! I was so pumped! I’m a huge fan of his and got to meet him when we were in Washington D.C. I also got a pair of summer sandals that are unbearably cute. Jenn, I changed into an outfit that matched them when I got home and put them right on my feet.
So much stuff, y’all. So much stuff. It was a grace extravaganza and I am so grateful for these fellow sojourners that I’d have to bawl to describe how I feel about them to you. You and all your greetings were icing on the Living Proof cake.
Then, we had family birthday last night at our house. Keith asked where I wanted to go out to eat and I requested something entirely different this year: carry-out Italian so we could just eat here at home and let the babies play. What’s a birthday without Jackson and Annabeth? This year I let Houston keep its fancy restaurants. I’d rather have the kids. I had a first yesterday: Jackson sang “Happy Birthday” to me on the telephone. It’s on tape and I’ll try to keep it forever…along with the one from nine months ago where he told me, “Bibby, I poo-poo on da potty! Got a race cah!”
Melissa and Amanda conspired on my gift this year and it was supposed to arrive Monday but never made it. I would have been plenty happy to receive it today but Melissa was beside herself about it getting here right on time. The package finally arrived at the Joneses at 6:45 this evening and they headed straight over with it. Then I knew why they were so excited! IT WAS A KINDLE!! This book nerd’s joy knew no bounds! I cannot wait to get some great stuff on that bad boy. I’m almost in a frenzy. I’ve probably told you before that I feel like a whole cheerleading squad lives in my head most of the time and at moments like these they act up the worst. Each girl immediately wanted to read something different so I’m not sure where we’ll start.
OK, THAT’S ENTIRELY ENOUGH ABOUT BIRTHDAYS. I don’t want to hear another word about it! I promise you I’ll give it 12 months before I bring that subject up again.
Now, for the main reason I got on here today. I thought, since I went on and on about Sunny and Beanie here recently with the anniversary of their sweet passings, I better update you on our darling and mischievous one year-olds. They are a scream. Sometimes literally. (“GIRLS, GET YOUR TAILS OUT OF THAT…!!! Fill in the blank with absolutely ANYTHING: pot roast, plants, toilets, diapers, mail, watermelon, etc. They even chewed some holes in my Slanket. I don’t care. I just have more places to put my arms through. Or my feet if I’m getting a tad warm.)
These are recent pictures of Geli (soft “g”, short for Angelina) and Star (real name, Queen Esther). They are so much fun. We would not trade them for anything on this earth. We just might not necessarily recommend getting two puppies at once but, then again, they are such BFF’s! Inseparable! They insist on eating and drinking out of the same bowl and often…how shall I say…potty at exactly the same time right beside one another. As in love with Beanie as we were and as special a place as she will always hold in our hearts, Geli just may be the most beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer we have ever seen in our lives. Well, Keith won’t admit that but, pressed for truth, I will. Star is absolutely adorable, too, and, honestly, so smart you can’t even believe it. She has an IQ higher than most humans. She is my constant shadow, just like her predecessor. I tell Star and Geli all the time that they have very big paws to fill. Just wanted you to know how in love with them we are and how you can picture them these days.
PS. Btw, watching Marley and Me was a big mistake. I put my face in a big red beach towel and wailed my head off. Didn’t sleep a single wink and that’s the shape I went to Pittsburgh in. Y’all tried to warn me but NO! I just had to do it! But, now that a few days have passed, I’m so glad I did. Not doing it again.
OK, I never heard of a Kindle….I just can't keep up. Now I am going to have to GO look it up on the NET and SEE if it is something I MUST have..
We are all a mess aren't we….
Your birthday sounded PERFECT.
Paula
Tulsa
Beth, all of your babies (grand and four legged) are just beautiful!
What a lovely birthday…can't think of a soul on earth who deserved it more.
You make me smile 🙂
Melana
Beth,
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Hope you enjoy your Kindle. My husband and I got ourselves one as part of our 25th anniversary to bring on our trip to England. (part anniversary trip, mostly sabbatical for him to write a book about Sunday School). I LOVE my Kindle. Hope you enjoy yours as well!!!!!
Yvonne
mama beth, we're gonna have to talk about this whole you-have-a-birthday-yet-continue-to-look-younger, thing. not cool. (except it's totally cool and you're beautiful.)
[i just love that spunky nancy. she is such a gem]
those sweet puppies are absolutely gorgeous too. and quite photogenic i must say-runs in your family. 😉
i bought marley and me right after it came out and sat (maybe the same night as you) with my roommate while she watched it for the first time. i could watch it over and over again (although i still cry every time) dogs are the best 🙂
love you lady!
(ps don't forget to eat more birthday cake. you are obligated to eat a piece every day for at least a week, ya know. i mean, you can at least eat one foreach of us since we couldn't be there with you. calories don't count for sacrificial birthday eating.) 😉
Hey Beth!
Glad to hear that you had a wonderful day! Thanks for sharing the details. I was also praying for you a lot yesterday. In honor of your birthday, I went with my neighbor and we both got our hair done last night.(Okay,okay, it wasn't really in honor of your birthday. Sorry.) Star and Geli are adorable! Love you to pieces!
Joan
P.S. Sorry about the randomness of this post. I feel sorry for the people around me who have to try and keep up with my ramblings.
Beth,
I just had to share the portion of your post the other day of when you got your iphone–my husband has been wanting one for so long, but we're just not in the position to sign that additional data package contract yet. So many friends who are in the ministry have them already, so when he read you do too, his response was, "See, even Beth Moore has an iphone!!" Who knows, maybe we can swing it for his birthday–he's been so patient!
It's so fun to journey with you!
love,
Audrey from Illinois
Thanks for the fun post Beth! But what is a "KINDLE"?? Up here in the northeast, it's wood to burn for the fire!
– Michelle in Maine
Our pup is 19 months! He's a whippet and we love him dearly! I call him my velcro dog – his is constantly by my side! I want to stick to Jesus like velcro! My dog even teaches me Jesus lessons!
Marley & Me… well, my hubby Jim and I both bawled our heads off! Like you, won't watch that again!
Missed your birthday post… Happy Birthday Mama Siesta! A party worthy of a Princess! 😉
Keep us posted about the Kindle- I am thinking of buying one, but want to know if it's worth it! Love the dog pictures.
What a great post! Birthdays are just about the best days…
I am so glad you got Marley and me out of the way. I actually thought of you that night, and wondered how you were doing. Isn't that funny?
Sorry I missed your birthday–glad it was great! (I was away from the blog for a couple days but I'm back!) Love the furry kid pictures–they are beautiful girls, though obviously they have nothing on the grandbabies. Thanks for sharing–and I LOVE that verse in Psalms from TM! 🙂
Bethie…Happy belated birthday, sounds like you had the best!!
Love your day to day life stories. Guess embracing our fears isn't always a wonderful experience. Hopefully…as time passes you'll feel a bit better about Marley and Me. Maybe not. Love ya!
I love, love, love, love, love my Kindle! You're going to have so much fun with yours, and if you need a good laugh after Marley and Me, check out Declaring Spinsterhood! Happy birthday!
my grown children still want me to see "Marley and Me" — I watched part on a recent plane flight, but stopped after about 45 minutes. Since I read the book, I knew what was coming, and just couldn't take it. I've lost 2 black labs to cancer and age (12 and 13 respectively) and didn't want to "lose" Marley, too.
Your babies are darling! We now have an 8-yr-old border collie mix, and a 3-yr-old black lab. Pets are such a joy!
Happy birthday, Beth.
I am so glad that your birthday was the best! Your friends are blessed to have you in their lives.
Precious puppies..
HI THERE So glad you had a great birthday it sounds like such fun.
The pictures of star and geli are so sweet I HAVE PICTURES OF MY DOG ALL OVER TOO SO THATS OKAY SHE IS MY BABY IS A MATTER A FACT SHE WILL BE IN THE PICTURE I AM SENDING IN FOR THE SUMMER BIBLE STUDY. She my dog is on my wallpaper for my phone .We are both going to study the word together. When you said about the cheerleaders in your head that was funny I think I HAVE THE CHEERLEADERS IN MY HEAD TOO. Thank you bibby for all you do for us I appreciate you. Can't wait to see you here in Albuquerque NM in July. I am the one that got my g.e.d last yr in June of 08 at 52yrs old what a mile stone for me
can't wait to see what God is going to do with it and me. Hope I get to hug your neck well you are here. Love you soooo soooo much
Thanks for all your encouragement you give me on a daily basis thank you . You and your daughters rock and are awesome ladies we love you all. Carol
So glad your birthday was great! They (the dogs) are adorable!!
And thanks for the heads up about Marley and Me. I know I can't handle it yet.
lol – I didn't know what kindle meant, and when I was looking it up, Wiktionary listed a definition of – "a group of kittens."
How crazy would your house be if they had given you a bunch of kittens?? ha ha
The Journey Continues ~
Loved the Birthday information!!!
Babies,Our Family,~ pets included,Friends are what Life is all about!!!
Wondered if you wouldn't mind answering the following questions for us!
1. Favorite all time gift
2. Favorite Cake
(frosting included)
3. Favorite Birthday meal
4 Favorite childhood
Birthday memory
5. Favorite adult Birthday memory
Your babies are all gorgeous!!!
furry and flesh 🙂
Be Blessed on this Wednesday in June!
With "Heaven Bound" blessings,
Kim Safina
did you get my birthday card? 🙂
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Dear Beth,
I just have to add my birthday wishes. We were celebrating my dear daughter's 14th birthday at Disneyland yesterday! I was so excited to learn last year that she shared your birthday!
Thanks for the pictures.
Love, Karen in OC, CA
I am so glad that you had a great day on your birthday! It sounds like you were able to spend the day doing just want you wanted! Love the fact that you ordered in so you could have the kids over! This past Mother's day, my Nanny wanted everybody to come to her house but she's not able to stand and cook a huge meal anymore, so she told us all to go and get whatever take out we wanted and to meet up at her and Nandday's after church…she wouldn't let us cook or take her out, just drive through and then show up! That way we could sit and visit with out having to cook. I thought it was hysterical!
Marley and Me…uh yeah…probably won't watch that anytime soon! Don't get me wrong,I loved it!! But it's now on the same shelf with Steel Magnolias for when I need a good cry…but a laugh every now and then is good too!! I actually called my mom, who is a huge dog lover, and told her to not go see it in the theater…I was walking out of the theater when I told her that!! Lol! I didn't want to rish her getting there and blubbering all over the place…she'd hate that!
Again, Happy Birthday week!! I vote for Celebrating all week long!!
Love you Mamma Beth!
Nikki
Star and Geli are just precious! I love the pic of Geli (did you take that?)
Well…my copy of Marley and Me is in the mail today and I am ready with a box of tissue on hand! My Lhasa, Savannah, has been gone for 2 years now so I hope that I'll be able to handle it. I really want to get a new dog but am in the process of possibly moving and don't know about moving with a dog and 2 high strung cats!
Glad your birthday was so wonderful! Sounds like you got lots of fun things:)and had a great time with the family…Jackson singing Happy Birthday sounds so sweet!
See you next weekend in Stockton,Ca!!
Hey Everyone,
I just had to share a quick message about our bible study last night. I lead a small group at our church and we meet every other Tuesday night. We are almost finished with Jesus the One and Only. A great study by the way!! Well about 45 minutes before we were to meet a huge storm swept through and most of the area lost power. But did that stop us from feasting on God's word? Nope! We got together anyway and talked about our homework by candlelight! We will catch up on the video next time!
Staying in his word–no matter what!
Siestas in Corbin Kentucky
Belated Happy Birthday Mrs. Beth !!!
I too sobbed like a baby at the movie, and my poor Weim thought i must have lost it!! who had actually sat on the couch w me til i started sobbing 🙂 she moved to the chair to watch from afar. Glad to have pics of the "pups" !
What a fun day!! I love your puppy stories. We have two dogs-one is literally on her last legs. She's 15 and a shepherd collie mix-she is the smartest dog ever and has been a wonderful pet. My husband keeps giving me warning looks and comments on how hard it is getting for her to get around. How do you know when it is time to say goodbye to a faithful pet?? Our other dog is a lab/hound mix (the kids call her a lahoundrador) She is just six months old and full of herself. She has been such a joy and our younger boys (10 and 12) are having fun actually playing with a dog. Our old dog was the puppy for our 18 and 20 year old.
Anyway I enjoy the puppy stories, so keep telling them and posting pictures.
Nancy
Columbus IN
PS-My parents got a German short-haired pointer the week after I went to college. She was a wonderful dog and beautiful. She lived almost 17 years.
PPS-I'm glad Geli's nails are at least as long as our dogs'. We don't seem to be able to teach them to sit still to trim them.
I watched Marli and Me with the kids…and I had to keep it together. We have a golden lab who is not doing very well…ack! I could not go there!
Glad it was a great b-day!
Mair
Happy Belated Birthday!
I missed it. Just too busy getting ready to lead Daniel Session 7 tonight. My little brain feels like a stuffed sausage because of course I want to grasp all of end times prophecy at once.
But I want you to know just how blessed I am to have been taught, and yes, mentored by you. Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord and to your calling. It is such a privilege to have this blog and know how better to pray for you and yours.
Terri
Happy Belated Birthday Siesta Mama! Glad it was wonderful! The pups are adorable! Glad God blessed you with them. Glad you got to spend time with the babies! Sounds like a perfect day to me! Love you, Dana in Clarksville, TN
I would google what a kindle is, but I fear I would miss the chance for some firecracker of a siesta explaination of it. I'm thinking it HAS to with books or hairspray!
Mrs. Beth,
I call you Mrs in a respectful way. I want to tell you how much I am so blessed at how God is using you in not only my life but in the life of so many. I don't know you personally but I do know your personality enough to know how humble and how you give ALL the credit to HIM and HIM alone and that's what makes you such a beautiful person. I want to share something and then will follow up with later. I have been watching Lifetoday for sometime now and met you when I was doing "A woman's heart..God's dwelling place" ( I say met you not physically but through the study and LifeToday) Today i have seen 2 episodes in a row and a wednesdays with Beth where you are speaking of your dogs dying of cancer (episode aired here in TN 6-17-09) You are doing "A Beautiful Mind" series which is sounding awesome! I am the middle child. I have a almost 30 yr old sister, I am 28 and my brother is almost 25. I am planning something unique and special for my sister. You see she has always been very down on herself. She has been through 2 divorces, is raising a 10yr old daughter by herself and not to mention she didnt think she was beautiful enough so she goes to get surgery with money she didnt have. She is now paying for these and I love this series and CAN NOT wait till her birthday (July 28th) to let her hear this episode. I know I chased a rabbit telling you our whole life story but wanted to fill you in on how you said HE can use us ALL. Thank you for being such a Godly example of what HE looks like…Many of us didnt have the greatest role model growing up. Now as I am a stay at home wife who absolutely loves her husband and 4yr old daughter and almost 3yr old son. I am most thankful that God would rise someone up such as yourself to work and speak to our hearts..:)
In HIS Love,
April Lyon
http://www.lyonsden4.blogspot.com
I never been much of a "dog person" but seeing those two pictures just made me one!!! I wanta a dog now! Glad you had such a good birthday! Yes, girlfriends are a great gift and blessing from God.
To Nancy (with the older border collie),
Saying goodbye is never easy. My mom and I inherited my brothers Golden lab – 100lbs of love and devotion with the most handsome face – Sampson was an angel! We too at the end could tell he was having a really hard time getting around and we would pray that God would take him in his sleep if he was meant to go then. A few months would pass and truly he was getting worse and our vet told my mom that really, "he's just waiting for you to let go," We knew it was true – and not surprisingly, because I know dogs know who there Master is – he changed in the last days and he just wasn't sampson anymore.
I remember him looking in my face the night before we decided to end his pain – he just looked at me with eyes of exhaustion, like, "I'm tired, I want to go home."
Sister in Christ – my thoughts are with now in this decision. Dogs, well, pets are angels. Be encouraged in the knowledge that God Himself, the Creator will hold you close during this time.
Blessings
Siesta OC
Beth,
I know you said no more about birthdays for 12 months, but I just had to say "Happy Birthday" a day late…it comes with love and prayers just the same! You must know that yesterday I kept thinking someone's birthday is today…I kept thinking who is it?…Now I know!
The pics of the puppies are just precious and you can never go wrong with Italian on your birthday!
Love you!
Laura Beth
They are absolutely gorgeous! I have to tell you that when I first saw the picture of Star I thought she was in a giant litter box! (and immediately thought, "get out of there baby. Litter's not good to eat." Too many similar experiences with our dogs. sigh.) Anyway, I'm glad that your birthday was wonderful (as happy as I am about the kindle, I want to hear about dessert! Surely you had some wonderful cake or pie…)
blessings,
karen
So glad you had a GREAT birthday Beth and those pups are sooo stinkin precious 🙂
Will no one answer the Siestas who are wondering what a Kindle is? (Now that I'm answering, it will probably appear with 50 other answers to the same question. Sigh.)
A Kindle is an electronic device that allows you to buy books from Amazon and download them directly to your little device where you can read them instantly and without having to make room on a shelf for it. I don't own one, and I have no idea exactly how much memory is built in, but my understanding is that you can get mucho books and newspapers in one handheld device thus cutting down on the number of volumes on your shelf or the number of books you have to pack in your suitcase since you can just stick the jolly little Kindle in your carry-on and read to Kingdom Come.
Siestas seeking more information (and a picture) can find it on amazon.com. Siestas, like me, who read lots of books by dead people (i.e. classics) should know that many of these are already in the public domain and can be downloaded onto your laptop from a website like project gutenberg for free. Just saying.
I hope you enjoy your Kindle, Beth. I'm going to have get one eventually!
Oh Beth! I watched Marley and Me last night for the first time. It was the saddest thing ever. My hubby and I just sat on the couching bawling!…
And Happy Birthday!
Wailed your head off…OF COURSE you did! I cried for a day after watching Marley. Your doggies are adorable!
Elizabeth
Hey Sweet Beth,
I am so glad you had a happy birthday.
I am curious to know more about the Kindle. I saw it on Amazon.com and was wondering about it. After you have had yours a while will you tell us more about it?
The photos of your pups were so cute. I know you love those two. Our pets become part of the family.
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Mary
haha – I'm a young one and I had to look up what a Kindle was…am I pathetic? lol.
I love dogs too…I decided that one day (now this is original – look out!) I'm going to have a boxer and name him Joe. (get it? Joe Boxer?…well…I think its cute.)
Also, Siesta Beth, I wrote a letter to you and haven't had time to send it to LPM – so I posted it on my blog. I'll probably still send it in because, what are the odds you'd have time to read every blog suggested to you? lol.
Anyway – Love you!!
~Manda
aka ~BelovedLily~
aka bluepanda14
love your puppy stories- I just experienced my first "dog healing" by the grace of God. Rig(named for a truck)a beautiful wild man of a yellow lab, became deathly ill while his owners were in New Zealand last week -He could not hold his eyes open and had been ill for a week before the sitter decided to take him to the vet.- Rig has a strong connection to our family(too long a story to tell)- anyway, I was called in and it looked grim- I placed my hands on his sweet head and prayed that the Kingdom of God would come into Rig and any wound or wounds that were associated with his illness. They could not figure out what was wrong after many many tests and believed he was close to death. The next day when I returned I expected to hear we had lost him during the night or that it was leukemia- the tests came back otherwise and he greeted me and his half sister(my lab) with a wagging tail and standing up- he ate a hearty breakfast for the first time in days and appears to be recovering. Thank you, Jesus- thanks for letting me share my happy story- I hope we can all throw balls together with Jesus and our beloved pets one day. Happy Birthday again dear Sister in Christ
Oh Beth I am so glad you had such a blessing filled day (or week sounds more like)
I don't have anything clever to say, just love you so very much and looking forward to meeting you in heaven, or in Houston in January. Which ever comes first!
Told ya you shouldn't watch Marley & Me. SAD SAD SAD.
And Geli is awesome. She should meet my friend's German Shorthair named Mortimer. He's awesome, too. They would get along so nicely.
Not to leave Star out, but she is mighty precious, too. Beanie and Sunny would be proud of these two pups who are taking such good care of their mama & daddy.
I had to explain to my mother what a Kindle is.
It is probably great with all the traveling that you do-not having to carry or locate reading material.
I am supposed to get Marley and Me in the mail this week. I have pleny of tissues ready.
Ok, this was possibly one of the best posts….So glad you birthday was so special!!! You deserve every minute of the spoiling!! The pictures of Geli and Star are absolutely adorable…..I must say I am partial to Star….but Geli is right up there. She, Geli, looks like she is looking for trouble. What can I dig up next???
Now, what is a kindle?????
Enjoy those birthday gifts!!!
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in NO MI
It was so much fun to read about your many birthday blessings Beth. You have been a blessing to so many. I just found your blog recently and am going to share it with the girls at study tonight. We are going through The Beloved Disciple. In the video last week you said no one should have 3 dogs. I won't tell you how many we have but I will tell you it is more than three and we love each one and enjoy them. I think your puppies are adorable.
I know, I never should have watched it alone!
So glad that you had such a wonderful and special birthday, Beth! I'm with you….if given the choice, I would choose an evening at home with grandchildren rather than eating out! (sadly, mine live in CO) Star and Geli are beautiful dogs! I can't even imagine how spoiled they must be! 🙂 I still haven't watched "Marley and Me"…and after your comments it may be a long while! Our little dog just died 2 months ago and I don't think I'm ready…or could handle it. BTW…I watched your series today on Life Today and it was amazing!!! (about having a sound mind) God has blessed so many of us with your compassion and honesty. Thank you, Beth, for serving us and our God….and serving well!
Haven't had a chance to say "Happy Birthday" yet. I'm so glad it was great!!!
I know just how you feel about preferring to have the grandbabies around. I feel the exact same way. If I have a choice of things to do or gifts to receive, I'll take them here at my house with their giggles and hugs every time!!
Love you to pieces!
Glad you had such a great b-day! I have to admit I am jealous of the Kindle.
Your puppies are just gorgeous! My 10 year old cocker spaniel thinks he is still a puppy.
Can't wait for Deeper Still in Greensboro next month!
Much love!