Hey, you Darling Siestas! Just a really quick post this morning. I bet a ton of you are on Spring Break this week. What are you guys doing for it?
The Houston schools are all out this week and we were supposed to have a week off from Bible study but remember that Tuesday night when I told you the whole city shut down over 17 flakes? Well, tonight’s our make-up week so that we can end on schedule. That’s fine with me though. I trust that God is going to bring us a neat group tonight even if it’s a small group.
CJ and AJ and the kids are at a high school camp right now in East Texas where he’s teaching and she’s…well…trying to entertain two small children during the day and trying to get them both to sleep at night in the same small room as their parents. The first night was pretty challenging because Annabeth is old enough to stand up in the pack-n-play and scream bloody murder for her mommy – three feet away from her – to come rescue her. And, about the time she gets quiet, Jackson is big enough to blurt out with things like, “Did Annabeff finally go to sleep?” and rouse her up again. He’s a party animal like his Bibby and LOVES all of them sleeping in the same room.
But, the Jones are troopers and, after all, the week is filled with so many fun things. Amanda is with one of her very best buddies from the Dallas-Fort Worth area where they served for several years. I was so happy for the Jones to move back to Houston but so sad to see AJ leave some of the best friends she’d ever made. For moms, I don’t know if there’s any replacing the friends you had when you all started your families. Several of those friends are still in my life and we talk about those days all the time. I will hear many good Janelle and Ella stories when the Jones get home. Janelle is one of Amanda’s BFFs and her darling Ella was born within the same few days as Jackson and in the same hospital so she is really special to us. She also made us want a little girl the second time around in the worst way.
Melissa is working like a mad woman on her thesis and her other classes this semester so she can be finished with this second Masters in May. I don’t even have to tell you that she’s chasing her tail. She’s coming in town this weekend for a wedding and I have to work over part of it but I’ll still enjoy her like crazy when we get to be together.
Good grief! I’ve got to get off of here. My handout for tonight is not finished. I just wanted to say good morning to you guys and see who was doing something out of the ordinary for Spring Break. Finances are tight this year so many of our Siestas are probably trying to get pretty creative on Stay-cations. Give each other some great ideas!
PS. For those of you who followed the comments to the last post, did you see that the young mom who collapsed into the coma has awakened and talked some? Praise You, Lord! Raise her up a living, breathing, walking, talking MIRACLE!
Anonymous 
Not doing anything out of the ordinary, but, I did take time to read almost every post on this blog and OH MY how sweet and endearing every lady seems, I do not always have the time. I feel blessed just to know that I have something in common with so many sweet women. Sometimes life gets so busy that even with many people around me I feel isolated, reading these was a blessing! I pray a special blessing on you Beth and Amanda as you continue this blog and community of busy women who love the Lord. And Melissa, while I do not have the blessed opportunity to study formally as you do, I study ALL the time I can, it seems the older I get the more I realize what I do not know, there is more to know than we can ever know on this earth . Study hard for us who cannot for some day it will be your books we are studying. Shalom
We have no big plans for the week. Monday was rainy and cold so we stayed in jammies all day. Yesterday, we painted pottery and shopped at Ross (haha, the kids were not too thrilled about the shopping part, but painting pottery was their bribe for good behavior in the store!). Today…hmm, not sure what we are going to do. My sister may come over and hang out with her two boys. I think tomorrow we may drive over to Abilene and hit up the zoo, children's museum, and Chuck E. Cheese. That will be the highlight of our week!
We will be doing a staycation this spring break. I would love to get lots of spring cleaning done, but I'm not sure our two boys will consider that a break. I also hope to mix in a few adventures that we always say we should do and never have – like checking out a great indoor climbing wall and going to an indoor archery range (indoor is the best bet up here in MN!). My youngest son wants to go on rides at the Mall of America. It makes me dizzy just thinking about it; it's amazing what they can fit inside a building. If you have other ideas for us, we'd love to hear them! 🙂
Dear Beth,
Those around my friend Laurie Coldwell from Maine (who was in a coma and is now talking, sitting up for a bit, and even stood for a few short minutes, can I get a PRAISE JESUS??!!) asked me to share something here with you.
This is NOT the first time you have prayed for Laurie. On October 14th (we believe that is the right date), 2008 you came to speak in New Hampshire and Laurie attended (we think at UNH). She was really struggling spiritually at that time.
You gave some sort of invitation for those who needed prayer and she came forward. All the counsellors were busy and no one came over to pray with her. She thought something to this effect, "Maybe God didn't call me forward. Maybe I am so spiritually undiscerned I don't even know when God calls me forward!" She tried to slink back to her chair so embarrassed she wanted to climb UNDER IT.
You saw her and darted over to her and asked to pray with her. :)God really used that moment as a turning point for Laurie spiritually. God not only showed he did call her forward but also sent Beth Moore herself over to pray with her… You have been extra special to her ever since.
I didn't know this either. I posted the prayer request because I thought of all the churches represented here that could be praying and because she and I are in this study. But when you commented on it, I shared it with my pastor's wife and she immediately knew that Laurie would be so touched to know you are praying for her because she knew you were extra special to her though even she didn't know the full story.
It is so amazing to me who each of us affect, often without even knowing. There's a whole story going on behind the scenes that often only God knows and can put together! So I wanted to share with you the effect you have had and are having with one dear wife and mom in Maine. We all love her so much and felt like our hearts were torn clean out of our chests Saturday night. And we so appreciate how God's people, many who have never met Laurie to know how awesome she is, have stepped up to the ministry of prayer on her behalf.
We love you,
Karen Twombly
Karen Twombly,
What a beautiful story about Laurie! I'll join with you in praising Jesus that she is improving! Yahoo!
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Yay!!! I just love spring break!! I have been spending time with my family and helping out at my church office. I'm going to spend the last half of the week out in the sun with a book and some tunes. I'm sure I will be able to squeeze some shopping in there somewhere too. This time of year makes me happy.
Insecurity is a big issue…did you watch "The View". They talked about addictions and issues women have. Although, it is a worldly view of things; we can relate and understand more how women fall into the traps, snares, or pits of life situations.
Good am Siestas,
I have no girls in school anymore but have invited my seven year old great niece to come stay the week with us for her spring break. She is six hours away and loves to come to the farm. I am inviting three little girls from the valley to come over to join us for a backyard bible party. I am ordering all the girls a horse bible. No they are not written in "neigh" version but NIV. They are small, brown leather and have a horses head on the front. It has real horse pictures throughout Gods word. They are so cute for little horse lovers. We will ride horses, roast hotdogs over the fire pit in the back yard and have hot cocoa as I teach them about the God breathed book I am giving them. I am so excited!! I wish some of you Siestas could join us here in the Land of Enchantment.
Happy spring break to each of you!
Love to all,
Sandy
Hey Siestas–
Our spring break is the week after Easter, so this week I've been busy with the usual, hauling kids to and from school as well as their other activities, plus putting the rest of our simulcast team together for next month's big day! I must give a huge "PRAISE JESUS" shout out b/c we finalized our team area leaders last night!!! I'm amazed at how much excitement is flowing through the ladies in our church about the simulcast. Putting the team together was a piece of cake! I would like to ask you all to pray for a friend who was going to head the pre-sale of tickets, she found out last night that her mother has an aneurism and is on her way to New Mexico to be with her. I've already had someone step up to fill her position so she doesn't have to worry about that, thank you all so much for praying. Well, gotta get moving. Have a blessed one! In His Agape! DB
Our spring break is not until April 3rd, but we have a trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida planned and I absolutely can't wait! I have not seen the sun shine since I was in Houston in January :-). It's 43 today and looking like rain. Come on Spring!!!
For spring break we will be fighting the flood in the red river valley of Fargo, ND
Bought my ticket today for the April 24th simulcast. soooo excited!!
Hi
Fabulous blog…!!
Should u b imterested, view:
http://restourasie.blogspot.com
Regards
Suzette
To Karen Twombly,
What an AMAZING testimony. We are continuing to pray for your friend and praising God that He is at work! He always is!
Also: PLEASE PRAY for two families in Oologah OK that have suffered the losses of their precious children. One 7 year old and one 9 year old have died from a meningitis outbreak. These children were taken so swiftly, and their families are absolutely stunned and heartbroken.
Thank you Siestas and Moore family. You all are such a blessing. It's an honor to be able to pray and praise God on your behalf and to ask you to do the same!
I am visiting my best friend in Colorado this week. It was hard to put out the money to fly here, but so worth it. We're having a beautiful 68 degree day today! I'm so glad I came and thankful for a husband who doesn't mind watching the kids so I can get away. Love ya, Mama!
We are empty nesters and retired, so nothing special about spring break for us. But, we are looking forward to the end of April when we will be staying with our 4-year-old twin grandsons while their mommy is in the hospital having their baby sister. They are 5 hours from us so having them to ourselves for a few days will be so much fun.
Linda
Johnstown PA
no plans, just letting God direct..so far, a day trip to houston, 4 hour drive, for a 2 pm funeral, squeezed in very rare visit and morning trip to the zoo with daughter and 18 mo grandson,,thank you, Lord for the rain..we found parking and had no crowds. Now it looks like another trip to daughter's home hauling a horse has come up. 4 more hour drive, that will turn into a 2 night stay.Spring break went from ??? to a lot of !!! in a short amount of time.
I think I will spend the week refinishing our cabinets. Hubby is gone all week on Marine business getting ready to deploy, so I'll need to keep busy and try to keep my mind off things for a while. Home improvement is the perfect distraction 🙂
If any of you have a moment to pray for his safety as he's in Afghanistan the next 8 months I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much my dear Siestas!
Spring Break 2010 was awesome! We have passes on Delta so my college daughter and I flew to Madrid, Spain and then spent 3 days in Seville. My older daughter, who is living in Italy this year, met us in Spain. It was wonderful to be with both of them. I flew home early and they had the rest of the week together. "Beth Moore" went with me as I did my "Jesus-The One and Only" homework in the hotel rooms 🙂 !
We don't have spring break until April 12 (I am a teacher in the public schools system), but I get to have a taste of the "breaker traffic" on my way home from work every day! I saw at least 10 different state tags today, headed for the gulf! Y'all have fun on your break- I will enjoy mine just a little later!
Fran
Gulf Shores, AL
Karen, thanks for sharing, cool story!
Redeemed, praying for those families. btw – That is an interesting name Oologah, OK (and I like the puppy pic)
Befuddled, praying for hubby's safety and a blessed time for you and God.
We just returned from a stay-cation of sorts. Hubbies boss & family own a cabin on a near by lake. While they are away on a family mission trip,we enjoyed their cabin. It was great! The temperatures are less than Spring like to enjoy the water so we made the best of it. We took our own groceries, and spent three days watching all of the movies their family owns. We let the kids catch up on some classics from our childhood. We played board games, cards and visited a local historical site.We didn't even notice no cable, or internet until we tried to catch our favorite team playing basketball. We were even out of radio range. We survived! (two teens and two tweens) We are well rested and filled with some great memories!
Our spring break in Michigan is the week after Easter :-). Our family will get some well needed yard work done. Speaking of which, insecurity reared its ugly head again this week. You see the snow melted last weekend revealing an abundance of work that needs to take place in our back yard. Our rear neighbor adjacent to our back yard, well, let us say she is very hostile toward our family. We had several trees felled before Christmas and when one went a few feet on her yard she went right out and began reprimanding the Tree Service and then began throwing the sticks back in our yard without giving them the opportunity to clean it up as they promised to do. This week she has hawk-eyed my boys (AND my husband!!!) until a ball FINALLY went into her yard. When the neighbor boy innocently ran to retrieve it she harshly yelled, "Stay off my property, that is trespassing!" ……Logically, I KNOW I need to continue to pray for this very sad woman. Emotionally, I HATE having someone dislike me so much and I can't help myself but to obsess over "why" she is doesn't like my family. Did I tell you she slammed the door on my face after I took her an apology letter and flower after the tree incident??? She never read my note because she refused the flower!!! I asked through the closed door "Maam, can I ask why (you won't accept the flowers)?" She stood silently and determined behind the closed steel door. I know this is more her problem than mine, but Beth, I sure related to your accounts in the book. I keep slamming myself, "well, I should have…." "Why can't I….., everyone else has a nice yard…." "I can't even keep up the inside, let alone the outside…" "What is wrong with me?" "Perhaps I should quit my ministry roles and take care of business at home." Okay, I KNOW these are all illogical and that I will NOT give into the powers and the principalities of this world!!! To God be the glory, I believe He is using this situation to strengthen me. I KNOW that He uses All things for the good of those who love him. So I just need to get out into my back yard, do my best and continue to pray for my hostile neighbor. I do hope she has the blessing of Jesus' grace. I am overflowing with gratitude for His grace upon me! He has forgiven me, so I owe it to Him to forgive myself for the past and live in the present!!!
Spring break??? We are anxiously awaiting Spring here in Atlanta! We are so spoiled…winter has been way too long for us:)
Definitely heading further south for Easter where we'll enjoy Spring break with grandparents and hopefully a ride over to Hilton Head for the day.
Myself, husband and 2 girls are driving for 13 hours to stay with my BFF and her family for the week.
I still remember being in a hotel with a little one Annabeth's age. We played cards in the bathroom while our little one fell asleep (so she wouldn't see us)! We perched on the edge of the tub and put the cards on the toilet seat!!!
Redeemed, I am praying for these two families. What a sad tragedy. I pray the Lord will be ever close to them give them His peace that passes understanding!
Dear Siesta Mama & Siesta's,
Could you please pray for a family here in MN. They just had to say good-bye to their 10 yr old son Zach from luekemia. He fought so hard and his family is amazing.
Thank You.
I have been twirling lately, so I've barely had time to read the blog but no comment reading (very sad sigh)…But it's spring break!!
Most of our time will be at home, but for my daughter's 13th birthday, Monday morning we left our small town and headed to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex with three of her friends in tow for an overnight trip. We shopped most of the day, then checked into the hotel – indoor pool, and VERY reasonable rate – I've got some serious negotiating skills, girls. After swimming and ordering pizza, I was sort of scrambling for "What next?" Used the laptop to find a $1.50 movie theater, and guess what? It was only 75 cents on Mondays!! Took those sweet girls to see The Blind Side. The next morning – breakfast at the hotel, a little more swimming, another mall, lunch and then back home. Total cost of the little adventure – meals and all – about $175! Not too bad for memories my baby girl will cherish forever!
My spring break's still a couple weeks away, but I will be going to southern California with my youth group on our O.C. Surf and Serve trip. We'll be serving for a couple of days and then spend a day at the beach and a day at Disneyland. I can't wait for it!
God bless!
Apparently, NC and TX have something in common. We had snow in early February and that has taken some of our Spring Break. We don't start it for another week. We are on such a tight budget, but yesterday, for the first time in my life, I won something on the radio! Tickets for 4 to something called ROBOT RUMBLE at a local museum that normally charges a fairly steep admission. Needless to say my 9 y/o boy is over-the-top excited. So is my DH! And that makes me excited.
When we do get those few days of Spring Break left, I plan on reading Get Outta That Pit. I feel like the last woman on the North American continent that hasn't read it yet. Can't wait.
And yard work. And windows. And playing in the yard with my son. And exercising. And riding bikes. And fixing really good dinners.
It's the simple things in slowing down that make me so happy.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
My husband is on a sort of spring break, so we went down to the Dead Sea for a night (we live in Amman, Jordan). We also rented a car for a few days and did some sight seeing outside of the city. Blessings on you all!
Alright, I was praying for Tues. night too:) I'm feeling for Amanda with the two kiddles in the same room, yikes!, but funny:)
…It's always a blessing to see old friends:) I didn't realize that, 2nd masters. Cool, and you get to see her again!:) Staycation ideas:
go to a local bed and breakfast and have gramma watch the kids
or…go downtown and visit all the cool tourist places
Most famous Dollywood and Pigeon Forge are the staycations of choice around here. The Ripley's aquarium is fun, fun:):) Oh, and Cade's Cove is beautiful year round:):)
I didn't read that about the young mom, praying for her…
((HUGS)), blessings, love in HIM to you all
katiegfromtennessee
We really did have Spring BREAK…my 8 year old broke her arm on Sunday…not a tear. She's a trooper. Got a a purple cast and is doing so great. Washing the hair is quite a chore but we did it! Heading to Atlanta with all five kids on Saturday for my husband to run a marathon on Sunday. We are all looking forward to the trip. Oh yeah, 16 year old getting his license tomorrow. Busy break for us…Love you much!
Stay-cation. I love it! We recently moved our family from Houston to New Orleans (April 2009) and miss a good old fashioned Spring Break. New Orleans kids get a small Mardi Gras break and a small Easter Break. Being a Pastor's family we can't leave for Easter… so a stay-cation sounds great! I'll get creative! Thanks for the motivation!
I'll be praying for your neighbor too, Kim.
Sounds like she is a very miserable person.
You've tried! Just keep praying for her. God only knows the history of why she's so unhappy.
Bless you and your family!
{{{Hugs}}} all the way from Oklahoma!
Our family's creative vacation sounds a lot like Amanda's… Daddy speaking at a youth retreat and Mana and the boys (3 years and 15 months) trying to entertain each other during Bible study sessions/ nap creatively/ get any sleep at night in the same room! Good thing it only lasted a few days:)
Yes, it is my spring break – it is being FILLED with unexpected twists and turns – but GOD is doing the turning and I am enjoying the ride. He blessed me w/ the opportunity to earn some extra money, visit dear friends, in unexpected ways, and I can't even begin to marvel at His Goodness to me!!!
Not doing too much for Spring Break, working out, getting ready to teach my first Zumba class, babysitting babies for friends, but hopefully I can take my daughters to the beach one day. We did it last year and I would like to make it a yearly mom/daughter/granddaughter event. My granddaughter is 4 1/2 and just a kick. I took her to the bank the other day and went through the drive through as I just had a deposit. The whole time the teller was talking to me I heard Gabby's little voice in the back " I want cheesebooger, frensh friesh and suda" she was still hollering her order as we drove away! I did what every good grandma would do, drove her to the right place and let her holler her order.
So, do we have new homework this week?
Have a good spring break everyone and rejoice, spring begins on Saturday!!
~Lonna
We spent the first weekend and Monday of spring break in Jackson, MS with our son, daughter-in-law and the most precious granddaughter! Enjoyed our visit so much. Even got to worship with them at First Baptist Jackson Sunday morning.
After being at work Tues. and Wed., I'm off today and reordering upstairs bedrooms. (Which means I need to finish up here quickly and get on to it!) My younger son will be helping, and tomorrow we celebrate his 15th birthday!!!
Looking forward to also studying Breaking Free and reading more in Insecurity!
Happy Spring Break to all who have it this week!
Karen P.
Hartselle, AL
We have family coming into town for my hubby's sister's wedding this Saturday! Family staying at our house are arriving today so we're excited to see them! It'll be fun to have a baby in the house, too! I cleaned for 4 hours straight last night! :/ My motherly instint kicked in when I noticed I naturally had a strategic plan to keep the kitchen floor clean and give our Beagle a bath/not let him play in the kitchen!
Today I need to find a way to help out with the wedding preparations. They are doing mostly everything themselves but that means it has to be done at the last minute – so I'm just waiting for my little part to help out any way I can. 🙂 I think it'll get busier as it gets closer! Then all us girls are going to get our nails done tomorrow morning! I work part time at my church and we get 1 day off during Spring Break so today's my last day. Also – I'm a dance teacher so since it's Spring break I've been off all week from teaching! (But I already miss it…) =o)
Happy Spring Break!
Meg
OKC
KIM! My insecurites flared up because of my backyard too! Hubby and I own a house out in the country that was previously owned by his parents. His mom loves to garden, and I think it sounds fun too but I don't garden because I'm afraid of wasps :/ Lame, I know…
Well, his mom lives in the city now, so from time to time she just needs to get out and enjoy having so much space and seeing nature! So she came by and we took a look at the backyard, and it is a MESS! I felt so bad that I have not kept up her lovely plants and flowers. She said, "Oh…every winter I usually come down by the pond and pull out all these weeds. They're much easier to pull out this time of year…" I thought, "Ok I need to come out here and do that so it'll look better!" Then she says, "But it's too far gone now…It's a lot of work!" Had I only known… 🙁
But we are going to be doing some work on the pond with big equipment this Spring anyway, so that'll be my excuse for not doing it… Right, right…??
🙂
P.S. I did tell her upfront when we moved in that I wouldn't be doing gardening – She is totally okay with that. It was just sad/made me insecure in myself (not because of her) that I let it get out of hand/don't know HOW to fix it or prevent it.
Just thought I would tell you I can relate, girl!
My husband's a pastor, no spring break in our house. The week after Easter is usually a little down time for us, but this year our son is getting married the Saturday after Easter. That will be thrilling! Resurrection followed by a wedding-good times!
I think it's precious that you sometimes just get on to say hello. It blesses us so much. So, hello back, and please know that I pray for you often. Thanks so much for all you do.
Susie, Marietta, GA
(New to this – justa few posts so far!) I have the BEST spring break planned ever! My 15 year old granddaughter is coming from NC to spend a week with me!! I'm loving it!!
We are all reeeeally enjoying our first little grandson/nephew who is here visiting with my daughter. He's a joy just like his mom.
Whew! I personally think Spring Break is for all the teachers & educators that managed to "get broken" between January & now (my mom's an educator, and so am I)! Seriously, I am enjoying some much-needed time off from school, so I can work my OTHER job (I have two)! I adore my students, and it's good to have time to plan things for them for when we return while I'm not with them. I am especially taking some time to "get before God" with some decisions coming up in my life. One suggestion for "doing things" during Spring Break is to go online & watch "Life Today" esp. on Wednesdays w/Ms. Beth and watch several in a row while doing things around the home, or on the computer at work (if you are allowed) – that has been timely for me. If you REALLY WANT inspiration to get some serious Spring Cleaning done, watch "Hoarders" online on TLC! Blessings to all!
Oh my goodness! I knew it was Spring Break in Houston before I read your post, Mama Beth, but for an unusual reason! We live in California & my man is on the job hunt right now. He just returned this past week from an interview in HOUSTON and now we wait………..while the town is on Spring Break! It's killing me. I'm leaning on the Lord & trusting He has something important to teach me in this. So during your Houston Spring Break I'm praying like crazy for the Lord to help me wait & prepare me for His best plan for us.
With that said, here in my California town my four boys have the entire month of March off! We are on year-round schools & with no income we're doing our best to stay busy & enjoy each other. (Not always a small task, myself included.) Yesterday we decided to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the beach & it was one of our best family "stay-cations" we've ever had. The boys were covered in sand from the moment we arrived & were giddy the entire time.
So fun to read what you are all up to for Spring Break!
Two of my good friends from physical therapy school and I used our spring break to wear ourselves out with a road trip from South Carolina to New Mexico. Complete with a LONG haul across the country of Texas. A first for 2/3 of the car. Wow. Y'all do NOT PLAY about your state. Geeze Louise. Our sweet guy friend surprised us girls by swinging us by Houston First Baptist, where we crept around and took pictures like we belonged there. 🙂 Sweet guy. We made him listen to 4 audio cd's of one of Beth's studies on the way. Ha!
Kate – Columbia, SC
I live in WV and our spring break isn't until April 4 week. I am doing something special this year. I had always said that I wanted to make it to NYC before I was 40yrs and I will be 40 on April 23…so 4 of my closest friends and I are going to NYC!! We are so excited! Thanks be to our Lord for providing a way! He grants the desires of our hearts.
Our family is in Phoenix visiting my parents…we live in Chicago.
We took a few days to visit the Grand Canyon…we have never been there and oh, was it beautiful…I was brought to tears the first time I saw it…our Father God is so creative!
I'm writing a 5 – 10 page paper (I'm now on page 15 – yikes!) about librarianship for my Masters in Library and Information Science. I'm trying to enjoy my kids home from college on my "page breaks". Loving that God has finally allowed Spring to come upon us!