Hey, My Darling Siestas! How’s your weekend been? You guys that keep up pretty well know that I blogged last on Wednesday while we were on our way six hours northwest to our acreage in the middle of nowhere. We are now heading back to Houston so once again I’m writing you from Keith’s truck. My man of 31 years is driving next to me, singing to 60’s music and our two dogs are snoozing in the back seat. (He just stopped me and held my hand for a minute because the song was so sweet that he felt romantic.) We got to be away for four nights. The perfect amount of time! I wish I could say it was vacation but I had to take a ton of work with me. That’s ok. At least it was from a different venue and that can help a lot.
(I just got a text from Travis with a picture on it of his youngest son who just lost two teeth. Just living a little life here. Had to stop and text back and tell Levi how cool he looks.)
My heart is full where you are concerned and full with the last four days of life out in the country with Keith. And that’s why I’m going to share a little of it with you: because I love you and love how we can share so many parts of our lives with one another. This is going to be one of those posts when the girls (Amanda or Melissa) might say, “Are you sure you want to share that? You might get hit by somebody for that.” We, the girls and I, provide checks and balances for one another. If we’ve written anything at all besides your garden variety kind of post, we usually run it by one another. Sometimes we talk each other out of an entire post because we’re afraid someone will get offended or out of sorts or just take the opportunity to be ugly or critical. It happens in the blog world which many of you know from your own blogs.
Other times we just talk each other out of a few sentences or a paragraph or two. Most of you should wish you’d seen Melissa’s original Song of Songs Valentine post before I talked her out of a whole chunk. (Yes, we did have a few little words over it. Not a fuss. Just a good, healthy discussion. All four of us are strong willed and opinionated. We just speak our minds back and forth, work through our differences, and, a whole lot of the time, end up making a private family joke out of it.) Those who wouldn’t have wished to see Melissa’s original post are the reason none of you did. (Laughing and with much love.) There was nothing wrong with it. It was just extra colorful – kind of PG13 – because the Scripts happen to be extra colorful – kind of PG14 – in that particular book.
I’m not complaining one iota. To tell you the truth, we get so little ugliness from our commenters. You guys really are so loving and encouraging and patient and understanding and leave ample room for several generations to express themselves here in very different ways. We think we have the most amazing community in bloggerville but we’re not immune, of course. Sometimes we just flat out ask for it and don’t even realize it. Other times we expect somebody may take exception but we just decide it’s worth the risk.
This is one of those times. I’m about to show you guys some pictures – poor quality ones just off my i-phone – to give you a small taste of Moore life out at the acreage our family has. I know in advance that I’m setting myself up for someone to say sarcastically “Must be nice” but I’ll just sigh when I get it and, if it doesn’t get too ugly from there, post the comment anyway and wish she hadn’t misunderstood. The thing is, I love biographies. Glimpses of people’s real lives. Parts of their stories. For instance, every time I talk to Georgia Jan, I wish I could see her surroundings so I could picture her better. Know her in her own world. Every time Mom of Eleven (actually has 12 now, we learned at the SSMT celebration) comments I wish I could see a picture of all of them. It’s one way we, scattered all over the place, take a virtual stroll through a mile or two of one another’s worlds.
Actually, the world I’m about to share with you really isn’t my world. It’s my man’s. But once a couple has been married over 25 years, you really can’t know the one without knowing the other. You can no longer tell for sure where one stops and the other starts. This isn’t land I would have chosen in a thousand years but it’s what my man chose and I chose him. SO, when I talk about us heading to what I call our cactus land, this is the kind of place I’m talking about. I’ll describe it a tad first then I’ll stroll with you through some shots.
It’s a place where your cell phone won’t work and your land line is likely not to.
It’s the kind of place where Keith and I use (or misuse) English in a way we’d never do it at home. We don’t do it to make fun. We, for those few days, say it like we mean it. Like that’s who we are. Like, for instance, just this morning on an early ride with Keith in the old jeep, I heard myself say, “We ain’t seen deer one.”
It’s a place where men are not limited to inside facilities…but I’ll not elaborate on that.
It’s a place where our favorite show is “The Duck Commander.” We laugh our heads off…and, perhaps most worrisome to some of you, totally get it.
It’s the kind of place with a VERY small town nearby that I have fallen head over heels in love with. It has one real grocery story, a “Super S,” and just yesterday while I was picking up a few items, as I live and breathe and without one hint of exaggeration, the woman at check-out got on the microphone for the store and said over the loud speaker, “Mr. Brown, your wife called and wants you to pick up a bag of potatoes.” Ain’t no doubt in my mind he got some. I was so happy I nearly got some, too.
It’s a place with a LOT of these, hence the name:
It’s a place where a woman (even a non-hunter like yours truly) sometimes dresses like this on an early morning ice-cold jeep ride (with no windows in it) with no make-up on:
It’s a place where, if the temperature’s right, a woman would be wise to wear snake boots like mine:
It’s a place where your man’s taller than usual and where manliness can sometimes be gaged by how old and beat up your vehicle is: (For those of you who can’t fathom it, that’s a corn feeder on the front of the jeep for feeding wild life. You guys just have no idea what my life is like at times. Or his, because of mine.)
It’s a place where your man’s favorite hot rod looks like this:
It’s a place where the gate might latch with a horse shoe:
It’s a place where that tiny one hundred year-old German farm house that I told you about in So Long Insecurity resides. My man went to great pains to restore this thing back to its original look. Every window and door in it is a century old.
It’s a place where the sunrise this morning from my little porch looked like this and this one’s not even an especially good one:
It’s a place with, I reckon, my favorite place of all tucked right in it. I swing here and think about all sorts of things and sing hymns and pet Star:
It’s a place where a woman can take her spirals and practice them loud without a single soul hearing or caring:
It’s a place I wish all of you who wish you had one, did. Maybe one day, when you’re older like Keith and me, you will. It’s a place others of you might be bored out of your mind. Maybe your wish list would be a tiny little bay house instead. It’s just all a matter of taste. Sometimes not your own.
It’s a place where my man seems to love me a lot.
So it’s a place I love to go.
Anonymous 
So happy that you and Keith have a place to get away from it all! My man and I wanted to get one, but never did and he got cancer. We'd take every opportunity we could to go to a cabin in Arkansas or Oklahoma with the dog and just enjoy nature. He passed away in August and I don't know if going to a place like that will ever be the same for me. So, enjoy every minute and keep sharing with us.
Awwwww…TY Beth for sharing with us your little "home away from home". By the pics you included…you can feel the peace and serenity it must bring to you. Thank you for letting us glimpse into your life. I think I could like a place like that…MINUS the SNAKES!!
What a fun glimpse into your spot! I know you must cherish the quiet. You serve us with such heart. I'm just thrilled the Lord has given you an escape for rest with your man!
Loved, LOVED the pictures!!
My husband and I have an RV motorhome that serves as our retreat center on wheels. It's one of those bus like looking vehicles.
We are about the last people you would expect to own an RV and my husband's brother laughs at him when he thinks of his scientist type big brother hurtling down the road in a gas guzzling boat on wheels. But we don't care because God has brought us some healing in our RV excursions and Miss Beth I mean some soul deep HEALING!
So amen to RV motor homes and cactus ranches and all the other cockeyed ways God uses to refresh the saints.
Thank you for sharing your special place with us. I think many of us probably have special places. I think it is so wonderful that are God gives us these special places in His beautiful world.
We have a special place too, our popup camper. There is a beautiful state park in Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls, that is truly the most beautiful place in the world I think. We used to take the kids camping there. We are teachers so we could go a lot in the summers. Now my children are grown and my husband and I have come to love going there together, just the two of us. When you come to Tennessee you should get Travis to take you there, stay in Campground E.
Looking forward to spring break in 2 weeks at my special place in Campground E.
Oh Beth thanks so much for sharing. I have always tried to picture what your ranch looked like in my mind. It looks so beautiful and peaceful.(smile)
The detail in your post is what I call not just a "slice of life," but one slice too big for a pie. I loved getting a glimpse of your world! That would be heaven for me, snakes and all. You are good news, Beth Moore and Keith…Hats off to you for holding on to that special place and time with your wife.
Oh sweet Siesta Momma,
How I love you and your ability to unabashedly allow thousands of eyes a glimpse into the "Moore reality". I myself am just taking a break from my work at home weekend….but praise the Lord I have work in this downturn the country is facing!
I seriously cannot tell you how you touched my heart with this post. The pictures brought tears to my eyes…maybe because I have a Keith-kinda man and I know how much those wide open spaces do for their souls. Or maybe because we had a sermon on God's awesome glory and to appreciate the beauty of ALL HE created around us. We are doing small groups and a sermon series on the book Crazy Love….can you believe it…I am doing Crazy Love and So Long Insecurity at the same time! God is doing so much work in me!
I also need to share with you how God worked in me this weekend. I received a text from my husband's ex-wife this weekend and she just wanted a fight….I kept my calm and just responded in love…apologized for the way I wounded her heart unintentionally and told her what I wanted for both her and the kids. I walked away thinking….I really need to be more tender towards her heart and careful of wounding her….last year I would have been venting to you about how WRONG she was and how she DESERVED every bit of pain I caused her. God is changing me so much…that it brings me to tears yet again. I have been so hateful and spiteful to her over the last five years…and he is creating a love for her in my heart….a tenderness I never would have dreamed of.
Thank you for sharing your "hiding place" with us. I so appreciate it! I am so happy (not cynical or spiteful or envious) that you and Keith have such an amazing place to go for "away" time.
Loving you,
Andrea
Thank you so much, Mrs. Beth, for sharing a piece of your life which is indeed a piece of your heart, with me! I am honored and grateful to worship God alongside of you. Stay the course and do not lose heart in your calling – your efforts with His power are achieving much!
What a match you and Keith are!! A match made in heaven. I am so impressed how God can bring two such different (or so it seems) people together and make it work…and beautifully!! And what I love is how you both respect the other's differences, and embrace them.
just when i think i couldn't love you more, you wear THAT. amazing. smiling all over. excited to see who my m.a.n. will be one day. not in a hurry, willing to settle, or at all worried about it, but doing my best to (modestly) stay findable 😉
thank you all for being examples of who us younger girls CAN be in Christ so we don't feel like we HAVE to be in the world. this is my favorite safe place.
until me and the future man have a place, my place is my parent's house in NC. big dogs, big yard, mama's home cookin', and a small, quiet town. 🙂
Beth, thanks for sharing!! I've always loved stuff like that…photos of Beatrix Potter's home & garden, Laura Ingalls Wilder's kitchen, etc. I'm especially impressed with the restored German house.
Tariq & I, if we were to ever get a little getaway spot, would probably like something on the beach. (I'd have trouble relaxing around snakes.) How great for y'all to have a place like that, that you can drive to!
Just wanted to share this with you ….This morning at church was my turn to help in one of the nursery rooms; I volunteer once every 6 weeks and they put me wherever needed. So I get to my assigned room and ask if I could take some of the little ones, who looked to be around 10-13 months old, on a baby-buggy ride (those red 4-seater strollers we have at our church). I absolutely love driving the buggy-loads of adorable children around the church! People are always smiling and waving and saying hi to them. Today, as we headed out to where the tots could hear the live worship music (and even see the people worshiping inside the auditorium for the first couple of songs), I asked God if His Spirit would sit on these precious ones, just sit on their heads. We watched this morning's baptisms on the video screen in the main lobby, we continued to listen to the worship music there, too. It wasn't long before one of the little ones nodded off to sleep. Pretty soon, three of the four babies were asleep — it was so cute that I wanted to take a picture to show their parents. But I didn't know who any of their parents were, so I didn't. The only one who didn't nod off was the only one who was just a little bit fussy when I buckled her in; but once she heard the music, she was in a great mood, clapping and twirling her hands for the rest of the ride.
We get back to the classroom and soon the parents come pick up their babies. Only when Amanda came to the door to pick up Annabeth did I realize that the Annabeth on the buggy-ride was Amanda's Annabeth, y'all's Annabeth! She had had a little 15-20 minute nap on the buggy…so sweet!
Hope y'all have a safe trip back!
Blessings,
Karen K.
Looks like heaven to me Beth!! I always say "my place" would be a place near the beach, but you know what? I just dream of a place where we are both so very happy.
Have a wonderful week. Glad you have a place to go and simply get away and be with your man.
Big hugs,
Fran
I'm glad you shared this, because even though I actually did think to myself, "Must be nice", I actually believe with all my heart that God rewards those that He loves (and who love Him). I was thinking that phrase as more of how you would hear 5-year-old little girls at a bday party say, "Luuuuckkky!!!" when the bday girl opens a present they're all jealous about! 🙂 I'm glad you're a blessed woman. Because, honestly, none of us have room to complain about our lack of ranch property. We all have blessings surrounding us in the form of MANY things! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing! I'm sooo happy you did! I've ALWAYS imagined what your ranch looks like and that sure ain't what I had in mind! Also, we have pictures too, so if you EVER have time in your busy schedule, stop by our blog and check them out 🙂 Love you so much
O.K. Miss Beth, as one 52 year old nana named Elizabeth to another, where did you get those fabulous "snake boots" cuz here in the city they'd go right well with my skinny jeans!
Thanks for sharing!! While you were out fighting off rattlesnakes, my grandmother and I went to Lifeway to pick up your new book. There we stood in the "Beth Moore" section, me(27), my grandmother (67), and a precious "sranger" 18 year old, Ashley. We were discussing which bible studies we had completed. Within a few moments we were no longer "strangers." I couldn't help thinking of you and how regardless of our age, you are able to reach us with HIS word! You are awesome!!
so amazing!!! Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful place that means so much to you and your family!
Welcome to my world, Beth……This is almost what our everyday life looks like …. cactus and all … peaceful….sometimes boring..have to drive 35 miles to work…but I love the homeplace !
Beth… I love how you, Amanda and Melissa do life with us.Often when I read one of your posts I think they just would be the best "next door neighbors."
Our place would be a place on the beach…watching the waves crash on the sandy beach…but you are right it doesnt matter where as long as you are with the one you love.
Thanks for giving us a glimpse…
Oh ladybug! Thanks so much for sharing. I have a man much like yours. He is a hunter for sure and we live in Central Texas where it is just a way of life!I need to learn how to enjoy his love for the woods and be a part of it…even if I just read a book or study some Word while I'm hanging out. We have been together for 30 years so I guess it's about time! So good to know God made more than one of this special breed. Thank you again for sharing your life…it is such a blessing.
Thanks for sharing! I love looking at other peoples places, especially when you hear so much about it, it is nice to have pictures to see what it really looks like. How wonderful for you two to have such a special place to share together
What fun to see photos of your wild place! Love it! Especially the swing, and the snake boots. And that is so hilarious about Mrs. Brown wanting a bag of potatoes! Precious….
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
i love this..transparent and authentic! and i must say you look absolutely darling in your camo/insulated/jumper =D
i have a place too that i like to go to, well its not mine, but i think it is LOL you can see some pics of it here
http://4evrhis.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/my-garden-of-sanctification/
it would be real fun if everyone posted pics of where they like to go to just "BE" its so refreshing to just let the hair down, and let the dog bark if he wants too..
thanks for sharing..and i love the Deere how fast does it go, always wanted to drive one fast..hahaha
One more thing, the picture of your spiral made me think of it. I found this cool free app for my iphone called FlashCards. I have made a set for my last year's verses and my this year's verses. You can even add a picture that you take with your phone. You can create them on your computer and use syncdocs to sync them if you don't like tapping on the iPhone. There is also a FlashCard exchange site where you can share your cards. Wouldn't that be neat for us to share our verses with each other and the world. Maybe that would be the way to do the memory challenge when we do it again.
What a joy to see Rattlesnake Ranch. LOVE IT!! Now it helps me picture you there tote'n your shotgun. GRIN
Listened to your interview of WAFR that was broadcast via the land line that actually worked that morning. You're SO PRECIOUS, sweet sister! Thank you for sharing yourself so openly. Thanks Keith for letting her!
Absolutely loved this post. The Duck Commander lives in my city/town. And I don't think I will ever think of Beth Moore and The Duck Commander the same way again! LOL!!
I grew up on a tractor, girlfriend! Your pics made me miss it!
My sisters and I would bushhog in the hayfields and SING SING SING to the tops of our lungs. We'd meet each other on our own tractors with tears pouring down our cheeks from the feeling we'd worked up in ourselves from singing sad ones. Wasn't anything like it. I wouldn't change it for the world!
I love it. I love old things. old quilts and gates and buttons Ha Old barn wood. Something about it fasinates me, I just got home from seeing the Titanic exhibit in Louisville . Old !! HA I don't have a place to go to that is old but have some old stuff from old places 🙂 Wonder what it is about the old things. Maybe your right the history etc. I am tickled pink you and Keith have such a fun place, snakes and all 🙂
thanks for sharing
From the first picture to the last I loved it. The cactus ranch is great! Thank you for sharing your time with all of us Beth.
Beth, that was precious. I can just feel the love in your heart bursting over from your wonderful time there. I wrote a blog once about having some land and and house like that called "A Cottage of my own" but I don't have a link to that blog for you. 🙂 Mine was mostly about getting away by myself with God. But how much better to bring your man along! Actually, it sounds like he brought you along on his trip a little. he he. I love you so, Laurie
Someday I'm gonna get me one of those! Darn tootin' 🙂
Thank you for sharing! It is such an honor to see you beyond the fuss and get up and where you are real and live. It makes you – one of us – not that untouchable teacher from afar.
Ignore those that will give you business that isn't their business.
Jodi, Plymouth, MN
Growing up we had a modest lake house that had NO A/C, no phone, and barely a black and white TV channel (If you held the antenna just right out of the window).
My daddy loved that place because he was a fisherman to his very core. He loved to sit on the pier at night and go out in the early morning and catch us dinner for the night.
My Mom and Dad seemed most in love there. It held my favorite childhood memories despite it's sparse decor and "roughing it" mentality. I wish they had not have sold it. I love that you have that with Keith, and that one day I will, too… I just know it!
Thanks for sharing pictures! I've wondered many times what it's like. And by the way, only you could make camo look adorable with your fashionable scarf! 🙂
Beth,
You know what I really like about this blog? It gives us a chance to see and know you (and your girls) for who you really are – just our sisters in Jesus… one of us. If I only viewed you through the conferences with 7000+ women, or your bestselling books, or seeing you on TV or up on stages… that would be a liitle too intimidating. But in this blog you really are simply our dear, sweet sisters. I – and I'm sure the rest of the siestas – feel very loved by you and the LPM staff.
So thanks for sharing this "down to earth" piece of your life with us, Siesta Beth.
– Michelle in Maine
Awww…Beth. I'm so glad you shared this with us and so sad that you guys have to censor yourselves due our human ugliness. Bless your heart. 🙂
Hugs and lotsa love,
Lisa
love, love & love it!
I feel so much closer to you now! 🙂 I loved seeing your 'cactus land' we've heard mention of so many times before! You are an amazing wife, I'm not sure I'd be as good about it except for that last part of your post…it's a place your man loves you a lot…so it's a place you love to go! Pretty much sums it up! Totally worth it! You are blessed!!!
I loved this post for so many reasons. I have to admit my favorite part was seeing you in the full camo. You really are a diva and I love to see how put together you are in your video studies, right now it happens to be Revelation, but it was nice to see you in hunting gear!
How beautiful! You … the blog … the place. Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Georgia Jan is speaking this coming Saturday morning for me at my women's Coffee Connection. Wish you could be there to hear her. (I'll take a picture and send it to you!) 🙂
Oh my! Am I the only one who just can't get over the rattlesnakes??! I was thinking how sweet the swing was – then pictured the snakes and got the shivers all over again! I am truly happy you have a lovely place to go… and also that you have a shotgun to protect you during your walks!
🙂
Kelly in Tomball
Dear dear Beth,
I love these kinds of posts where we just get to "be" with each other. Thanks for the glimpse of your little sanctuary.
Glad you had a respite of sorts!
Blessings in abundance!
Sister Lynn
Thanks for this glimpse into your life. How special for you to share it with us. I loved the pictures.
Your German farm house reminded me of Anne of Green Gables in a Texas sort of way…smiling 🙂
Hugs & Love,
Michelle
San Antonio
loved it
thanks for sharing
sharon in Wisconsin
Mrs. Beth,
It looks like such a fun place. So unpretentious, just like a piece of heaven. Fun, relaxed, laid back, and your own!
You were so sweet to mention our precious family. . I would love for all you to "see" us! Somehow I will get a photo to you as well, so when I post, you can imagine our brood in your mind. "Real" life is tough, crazy, and our world is a dose of reality like none other. Currently kiddos are running free in their pjs, baby is fussing, one is unloading the dishwasher (they all have chores), several are taking in the last minutes of the olympics, and here I am blogging. Better get back to my world!
Thanks for letting us see a "piece" of yours!
Wendy
I loved this post! What a wonderful example you are of a wife who invests in her husband's world–and reaps the benefits!
FYI Girlfriend… i have that same outfit, without the ear muffs!
I hope your man's place smells a bit better than the one I get to visit every now and again!
Thanks for letting us visit this simple, but somehow normal part of your life.
This was so fun to read and see the pictures, can we show them to our husbands? Especially the ones that are true Texans?
I am glad you have this special place, enjoy!
Dear Beth,
Thanks so much for sharing this little glimpse into your world…I wish you and Keith many more happy years on the ranch. 🙂
Blessings,
Susan