Hello from Springfield, Missouri! I’m sitting at the table with my mother-in-law, who is writing thank you notes to all the folks who have sent flowers, and with my father-in-law who is watching Jackson try to draw a back hoe on a sheet of paper. This morning he took Jackson for a ride on his back hoe and they moved some dirt around. Jackson loves life in the country. I have to confess that going back to the city does not sound like much fun to me either. I’ve loved watching the fireflies glow all over the fields at night. We don’t see much of that in Houston.
Melissa and I had had high hopes of blogging from Israel every day. Since I had been before, I was going to take on most of the burden of doing that. When I had to stay behind, I believe Melissa made the right choice to savor her pilgrimage rather than do all the work of blogging it. I know she will have some neat things to share with us when she gets home. I did talk to my mom this morning and she sounded great. They’d just been to the Church of the Nativity and were doing some shopping.
Thank you so much for your sweet words and prayers for Curtis’ family. Grandma Dixon was an amazing lady and I would love to sit down and write about how much she meant to me and especially to my husband. She was a treasure to this family.
I hope all of you enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with your friends and loved ones!
Blessings,
Amanda
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Your are in my thoughts and prayers. Also praying for the travelers. May God’s love and grace be on you all. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
Our Christian sympathy to you and Curtis & family in the loss of his grandmother. What a special family!
When I was growing up we always called fireflies “lightning bugs.” Besides catching them in a jar, I’m sad to say, we used to tear off their “light” and wear it on our finger like a ring – how cruel we were!
Glad you are enjoying your time in the country! Our prayers are with you and also with those in Israel.
Saying prayers for your family…and I was reading the other comments, and I think I might know some of his family. While in college, I went to church in Springfield, MO, and met a lady named Cozy…don’t think there’s too many people with that name running around Springfield…guess it really is a small world!
My best friend and sister is also in Springfield, so I’m jealous you’re there! I’m thankful for the time you’re getting to spend with family and for the strong testimony of Curtis’s line…I’m sure there have been sweet and bitter times for all.
hey aj – please don’t ever feel burdened to keep up with the blog – your family always comes first. i’m glad to know the group in israel is doing well, and i am sure they will blog when they get back! please know you and yours are in my prayers and thoughts.
Amanda,
I’ve been thinking of you and your family this week. I know you were really disappointed to not be able to make the trip to Israel with Beth and Melissa but I want you to know that I am so proud of you for being willing to stand with your husband and his family in this time of losing a precious loved one. You’ll never regret it I don’t think. I pray that you will receive untold blessings for being a vessel of compassion this week.
God bless!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Amanda,
I have never written on this blog before, but felt I must today. When I read of Curtis losing his Grandma Dixon, my heart went out to him and all of his family. I lost my precious grandmother on May 16. She was 94 years old and healthy, but suddenly got sick and did not recover. She was such a Godly woman. I will never forget the words she prayed over and over again as she was suffering–“Not my will, Father, but thine be done.” That was how she lived her life and I am so proud to have been a part of it. I miss her so very much but know that she is in Heaven and happier than she has ever been. Maybe she and Grandma Dixon have met! I’d like to think so. Please know that you are in my prayers. As I hurt, I will remember your pain, too.
Love,
Sherrie
please let us have an up-date on trip to Israel, we heard the fighting was really bad over there. Keeping in prayer for Beth and others.
My 55 year old sister and I (53 yrs) had our own spiritual retreat and it was amazing. The basis of this get together was to pray and meditate on the 7 prayers of Beth’s latest book, So long Insecurity. My sister buys self help books all the time, but when she said here read this I already read it, I called her and said, this was one book we would read and work on together. It has changed our lives! It was inspired of the Holy Spirit because it was as if Beth was talking directly to us. So Long Insecurity you were a bad friend to us too! May God Bless you and your family for your faithfullness and obedience in writing this wonderful, liberating instruction manual for those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired of Insecurity….
Continuing to pray for you and your family.
Patti Hayes
springfield…such a great place! God called me to join the staff at a church here back in September and it has been a big change from living in a city, but I’m loving it too. My deepest condolences are with you and your family, but I’m glad you are enjoying your time here. My prayers are with you all!
I am with the other “worry wort,” haven’t heard from Beth and very relieved all is well. My heart goes out to you and your entire family-may our God shine upon your face today. Will keep all of you in my prayers.
I’m so glad to hear from ya’ll… I have been thinking of you and praying for you.
In Him,
Hilary
Dear Beth,
Your latest book So Long Insecurity, has had such an impact on my and my families insecurities. Recently, my sister and I took your book in hand and headed to the quiet place of Porter Texas in the woods, where my sister and husband has a modest small resting place to spend the night. We felt as know we were reviewing for a test we were preparing to take the 7 Prayers and commit our insecurities to the Lord. It felt as know the Lord was the Mighty Counselor, that he is, he was sitting there listening to our brokenness of our dysfunctional up bringing and was walking us through all the painful experience in order to bring his healing touch once and for all. It happened just as he planned for it to accomplish his work in us. This book further confirmed our friendship as sisters and has brought us much closer and continues too. . Beth our insecurity kept us from a meaningful relationship for nearly 50 years. After my mom’s death six years ago, God started to work it all for our good from was meant for evil. Praise His Holy Name! I a fellow layman counselor will use this book as my main reference for helping teen girls, and women to bring them to the same conclusion, “So long Insecurities you have been a bad friend to us”.
Love your Sister in Christ
Prayed for all of you this am on the way to work – glad to read that things are going as well as can be expected for you and your family – what a tough time and I’m sure slightly disappointing. But what an amazing example you are to women in honoring their husbands…..so anxious to hear about the Living Proof “field trip” as well. Continued thoughts and prayers to you….
Leslie Olson
I have only been to Israel once, but it was such a profound and special experience, I do not blame Melissa for her choice, take it all in girl, and may you return changed forever.
Hey Amanda,
Thankyou for the update:) Am still praying:) Blessings to you too:)
katiegfromtennessee
I am so very sorry for the loss of Curtis’s Grandmother. Grandmothers are just special, and their loss is so keenly felt.
I am also sorry that you did not get to go on the trip. That is one of the bittersweet things of life. The disappointment of not getting to go on your trip mixed with the duty and love of tending to your husband’s family. That is just life in a nutshell. It is such a wild ride we are on,one that twists and turns and is never the same.
As someone who has been married for 26 years, we have had some wonderful things come our way. We have also had our share of tragedy. I look back and think, my word we have been through so much. Of course we can always count on God. But to be able to count on your spouse, that one person in your corner, that one person who is always there. That is a real marriage.
I too send you my Christian sympathy in the loss of one of the family spiritual matriach, what a blessing she must of been and the memories she has left you and your family must be so gratifying in that their are people in this world who really can make a difference for the next generation. With deepest sympathy Sandy
I think all three of you ladies made the right decision. Sometimes it is better to just live your way through something first, and worry about blogging it later.
loving you from Atlanta,
Deirdre
First, let me extend my sympathy to the Jones family for your loss. Grandmothers are special.
I just wanted to tell you that in our part of central Missouri we refer to fireflies as “lightning bugs”. A favorite pasttime as a young child was just as it was getting dark we would catch them in a canning jar, put a lid on it (with holes punched in it), and then enjoy the glow as many lit up at the same time. Since Jackson seems to be a high energy child, I tho’t he might enjoy the name “lightning bug”. It has a certain pazazz!
I miss you guys. 🙂
AJ!
We had a lightening bug smash into our windshield comin’ down I-64 in Kentucky last night and his “glow light” STAYED ON even after that little bugger went splat.
Love comin’ home to the fireflies!!
Kim B.
Orlando, FL (via trip to KY!)
I agree with Georgia Jan – you are such a thoughtful selfless person Amanda. May the Lord bless you doubly for that and the sacrifices you make. Perhaps He can arrange it where Jackson and AB take long naps at exactly the same time all summer:) That would qualify for a double blessing in my book :).
Just a little hug again for you and to let you know I am praying for a smooth trip. The news is a bit upsetting about the Holy Land. When do they come back?
AJ- Thanks for the update. Are you doing ok?
Love hearing from you guys but never worry about how often you get to us.
I hope you have a great summer, if it gets to hot come and see me at our tiny resort in MN. http://www.jacobscove.com
It is weary the weary find rest.
I would never want to take away what Memorial Day is suspose to due which is honor our fallen soilders, but this year my troop made up shirts for a girl scout leader who passed away this March to wear to the Memorial Day parade. She was a neat lady who “Served God and Country”. I know Memorial Day will have special meaning to you every year since a loved one died so close to the day.
I hear you about the life in the country. I think most people would tend to agree with you, about how wonderful it is! So sorry about your loss.
Blessings,
Sasha
I, too, want to know when our loved ones at Living Proof are expected back from troubled Israel?! Can we have an update? Praying hard for their safety.
Oh I forgot to say that I’m dying to see fireflies. I have never EVER seen them… that just sounds like “country” to me!
Again, TOTALLY UNRELATED, this came across my screen and I thought of the Moores. A quick share: Annie Oakley – “Any woman who does not thoroughly enjoy tramping across the country on a clear frosty morning with a good gun and a pair of dogs does not know how to enjoy life.”
Thanks for the updates Amanda. Prayers that God’s favor and blessing is upon all of you!… & May Grandma Dixon’s address change to heaven be a time of celebration of the amazing woman she is.
Everday with Jesus~
Teri (in CC,TX)
What wonderful memories and such a special time for your children also- I am most fortunate to have special friends who have shared our family life for about 40 years- we are now sharing the birth and joy of grandchildren. None for me yet, God has not sent his designated women for my handsome grown sons- I do pray he will hand pick them for my sons.
Thank you for sharing your precious photos and glad to know all your loved ones have returned from Missouri and the Holy Lands. God Bless, Kathy, Austin
I’m a country girl trapped in a city girl’s life, myself. Fireflies dancing in the dusk are like icing on a cake, to me.
Can’t wait to see a tribute to Grandma Dixon. I know it is bittersweet, when someone very close to us goes ahead to meet our Lord.