Hey, you sweet things! It seems like forever since we’ve talked! Melissa and I had so hoped to be able to blog while we were in the Holy Land but the break-neck schedule and the slow internet made it the impossible dream. We and our group of 100 mighty women boarded two tour buses every morning at 7:30 and usually pulled back into one of three different hotels on our journey around 6:00 that evening. May I interject that it was HOT over there? And when I tell you we pulled into the hotel smelling more like sweaty camels than sacred pilgrims, I’m not kidding. Our consolation was that we all smelled the same. I took a travel size stick of deodorant in my purse and used it on the bus without shame. We’d clean up quickly then head to dinner at 7:00 then Melissa and I would head back to my room as fast as possible where I’d study for the next day and Melissa would down load pictures. We’d fall in our beds, rise early the next morning for more studying then load those buses again. It was a big fat busy BLAST. Not one single regret except that we didn’t have all of you there.
God gave us a fabulous group of women comprised mostly of LPM staff and volunteers (the trip was a thank you to all of them) and we were graced by the faithful presence of our God as we traced the steps of His Son from birth to childhood… to boyhood…to manhood… to His first miracle…to His ministry in Galilee…to the place where His sweat fell like drops of blood…to His cross…to His empty grave…then to the Mount of Olives where He ascended before their very eyes and will one day descend in all His glory…before every set of eyes on earth.
It was truly too much to absorb in one week’s time but many of us will ponder it for months to come. As you know, my darling firstborn was unable to go at the last minute. I am so proud of her for making that decision and, without hesitation, hopping in the car with her man to head for Missouri even before they knew what the outcome would be. I couldn’t quite get my head wrapped around not having her along on the trip because her company is so rich and impossible to replace, just like her sister’s. But I knew within a very short time that they’d done God’s will without question. They wanted so much to be able to see his grandmother before the Lord swept her home. As it happened, He simply could not wait another minute to have her in His presence.
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone…the season of singing has come…Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” (Song of Songs 2:10-13)
Curtis and Amanda were there shortly after Grandma Dixon’s homegoing and for the rest of the week. Amanda said that the testimony of a long, enduring, loving marriage between Curtis’s grandparents was so powerful that it would mark them forever.
We missed her so much and I was deeply grateful that I’d already had the chance to take her on that very trip when she was 16. Melissa and I spoke of her constantly. I was touched in many ways this week in the Holy Land but I will share with you one primary gift God gave me while I was there. A number of years ago when Melissa launched full-steam ahead into an academic study of theology and Scripture, I began to worry that the critical aspect of that kind of academic education might snuff the flame that had burned in her from late high school to mid-college. There are many casualties. My heart also dropped into my feet as I realized that she was going to inevitably get hit in my behalf. She is to be commended for the way she handled it but that’s another story. I’ll leave it at this: it’s very hard to see your children have to deal with criticism toward you and be forced to answer for you. I can take the heat but I wish so much they didn’t have to. Anyway, as I sought God with my concerns, He supplied a Scripture that I felt He was inviting me to pray over her and believe for her. My fears were calmed over the completion of her undergrad work followed by two additional degrees. I refused to worry again about it even through some rocky places for her where she had to grapple with what she believed. While we were in Israel, I saw a young woman who had survived with her faith in tact. She is her own person – different from her mother, thank God – but full of passion. I saw a young woman who loves Jesus Christ. In fact, if not for Colin Fitzpatrick, I don’t think I would’ve gotten that child on a plane. I nearly fainted when I heard her ask our guide, my dear friend Arie, about the universities in Jerusalem. Then all I could do was shake my head and laugh. It can be a dangerous thing to raise your children to follow hard after Jesus.
I have seen a fresh revelation of Christ in the last week but not only through tracing His steps in the Holy Land. I’ve beheld it on the faces of His people. Many on the trip and my own beloved daughters, as different as they are, and as imperfect as they’d want me to tell you they are. They have each outdone their parents. Lord have mercy, what messes we were at their ages. Thank You, Lord, for full redemption. For Your willingness to change an entire lineage. Your grace is unfathomable. Continue to use it to set families free.
So, that’s a little of my story today. Thanks for listening to interminable musings. It’s so good to be back in touch with you. I am dying to know what you’re up to! Where does this 3rd day of June find you, my dear Siestas? Help me picture it!
You are so loved here.
Great to hear from you, Mama Beth! I took my girls to Biggby(kinda like Starbucks, but different)before they went to school for exams this morning. Nothing earth shattering about today, need to catch up on laundry & clean the house. Driver’s ed and a high school graduation for my niece tonight. Not complaining, there is comfort in the “normal” stuff.
On a different note, I watched you on Life Today yesterday & had a thought about Star’s “ball” at work. Maybe the people who were in the building before you have something that is missing a wooden blue eyeball? Just a thought! Love you to pieces! Joan
Beth,
Thank you for your words today… especially the part of redemption and changing lineage. It’s what I needed this morning. I have a marriage that’s very unstable at the moment. I know only God can change it and redeem it from the place it is. So, if anyone reads this and feels compelled to pray for an anonymous person, please lift my marriage up to God and for Satan to be bound in my home. Thanks!
prayed for you, pray for me, too!
Dear Beth, Wow, what wonderful musings. Welcome back!
This 3rd of June sees my firstborn son, David, graduating from high school tonight, summa cum laude. He has worked so very hard during his whole school career, and we are so very proud of him! And my precious daughter Amy finishes up her last day as a high school freshman, working hard to follow in her big brother’s footsteps.
Thanks for asking. Please know you all were missed on the blog, but we know life intervenes, and you can’t always be blogging it instead of living it 🙂
I’m at home praising God that my car started this morning (even though the kids left the sliding door open all night!). I’m cleaning up grass in the bathroom because of the awesome evening the kids had at youth group last night. The wonderful youth pastor cut the grass before playing water games. They were decorated with grass but they had oh so much fun!
Well, unfortunately my day finds me trying to help/support my son. He got married on April 10th and on May 15th, his brand new wife’s mother was tragically killed. We are reeling, but hopeful. Crushed, but not defeated.
I’m so glad you guys are back- we missed you! It is so good to hear the testimony of your daughter. I, too, have children that know and love Christ at a far younger age than I ever did. And I give God all the glory. My daughter is doing her first BM bible study this summer (the new Breaking Free) and I can’t wait to see the fruit of that. I also can’t wait to take her to a LPL event. She’s seen me go for years, and now I know she’ll want to go too.
Jesus, how grateful I am!!
(Thanks for letting me ramble-guess I needed it)
Praying for your family right now, Nancy ~
Don’t know how to repsond – lifting you up to Jesus!
So glad you’re home safe with rich experiences of Jesus to share!
The 3rd of June finds me and my family deep in prayer over an opportunity to serve the Lord in the Ukraine. Personally, I’m scared to death. (just being honest)
Pray for us, please?
Love you!!!!!
Well, this June 3rd leaves me in different directions. It is so hard for me to believe that the year is half over already!! If it were not for our savior Jesus Christ and our wonderful God I think I would be a mess right about now. My son of 21, JP with Downsyndrome and Autism finishes school for good in the next couple of weeks. No caregiver in site. I dont know what the future holds for us. What I do know is that God loves that young man more than I could ever possibly imagine it. I also know He loves me and knows I cant do this alone. He will send someone to my rescue. I am working on the bible study from last summer Me, Myself, and Lies as I was visiting family last summer when you all did it and was unable to complete it. It has spoke volumes to my heart and I believe it to be perfect timing for me to do this after I have completed your SlI book. As for my ministry work. Dont know where God will lead me next. He is keeping quiet for now which speaks of rest for me. I so need to learn to slow down a bit and not kill myself over it all. All of this is difficult. I am a planner and God has so shown me that people who are OCD planners dont rely on Him. So here I am, trusting, Him, believing Him, Loving Him. I know and believe it all to work out. My emotions are finally coming into line with that.
So glad your trip was so awesome. Missed hearing from you but understand. I hope that someday if it is Gods will I will also be able to go on such a trip.
All my love to you Beth and all the rest of the Siestas out there.
All my love,
walking by faith today,
April S.
Port Orchard, WA
OOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhh to have been there!!!!!!!!!!! But I am so glad that ya’ll were. That God gifted you all the wonder to enjoy it, to bask in Him, and to learn (and become more awed) of our Savior! A blast I am sure… and then, so much more! For who can put into words such intimacy with our Jesus?!
I am too proud of your two daughters and the way God has raised them through you. I am having the privilege of watching my own two girls (as well as my son) owning God as their own opposed to the God of their parents. Oh, the deLight to see Jesus in the face of your children. And to see glimpses of how He is molding and making them!
Thank God for bringing you all back safely. And now to hear snippets of things that He shared with you there!!! We’ll eat the crumps from your table as we all feast on our God-given meals from the manna of His Word that He sets on every one of our willing tables!
Dear Mama Beth,
I am SO thankful that you all had a glorious journey and returned home safely! I am enjoying my summer vacation, after teaching my 2nd graders, at home in sunny Florida–where it is also hot! You are loved here as well! Blessings to you always! 🙂 Stacy
Mornin, Beth! It’s so good to hear from you. There is no journey, except that final one into His arms, that I would rather take than the one you just took. It’s one that I’ve dreamed of for a very long time. What a blessing this must have been to all your loving women!
We spent last week in Colorado with our 3 month old grandbaby, Kennedy! We held her as often as we could, loved on her, sang with her, loved some more. Nothing will ever melt my heart like the precious little smile she would give us when we first picked her up in the morning! We played ‘dress-up’ every day with all her new clothes–lots of headbands and bows, too!! I wish I could share her pictures–she’s just YUMMY! Reminds me of Annabeth’s early pictures 🙂 We arrived in So. Calif yesterday–1st stop–IN and OUT!! (only b/c our kids were at work & school!!) I had to smile when I tho’t of you & Michelle in front of one!! Now, we’re loving on our 16 & 12 yr old granddaughters, no longer babies! These are fun too and we had dinner with the 16 year olds boyfriend! He’s a God-loving young man so that calmed her HeyHey’s fears a little!! Wait til Annabeth and Jackson reach this age, it, too is a blast. They really are young women. We’re going to enjoy the CA. life for another 5 days and return with a full heart from loving on our kiddos!!
Can’t wait to hear more from the blessings you ALL received in the Holy Land!
Hi Bobbie! So fun to hear about your day. And so glad you had a good visit to CO.
Hey Joanne, We LOVE Colorado and have spent a lot of time there lately! I love how y’all have adapted to AZ and are enjoying it. When was Tobin in Greeley? Our DIL and her brother went to school there, too.
So glad to hear the trip was fabulous! I loved your quick description of it in the second paragraph. Gave me chills just imagining it! What a loving expression of your gratitude, and ours, for the faithful staff and volunteers at LPM! You know, Melissa may just find Colin a job as one of the tour guides just so she can go to the University over there!!
I graduated last week, left the East Coast, and today am happily ensconced on my parents’ sofa in Houston eating breakfast tacos and drinking Dr. Pepper and hoping it won’t rain because I want to swim! I am full of the peace of the Lord. And of breakfast tacos.
Today you find me with a heavy heart over the suicide of my cousin. The troubling thought is that he knew the Lord. It is making me think of my relationship with the Lord. I know without a doubt that I (we as believers) miss out so much in our life because we get so distracted by the “attractiveness” the world presents. Although, that “attractiveness” is fading as I get older. God is so real and I know He will help me during this time and I ask for prayers for his brother and sister he left behind. Thank you so much.
It was a blessing to read your blog this morning and I am looking forward to listening to your study on the internet as soon as I finish this note.
God Bless you.
Great Summary Beth! Glad to hear you all had a fun and deep time with the Lord. I started to cry reading your blog and thinking of the intimacy that could rise by walking where he walked. WOW!!!!!
I understand wanting to protect your children. When that Mama Bear rises in me I almost feel like I am having an out of body experience. There are a few times I have wanted to shrink away afterwards because of the tarnished witness that I just displayed. My oldest son wrestles, much to my dismay, and that brings out a vestage of flesh that I am learning to battle. Over the years I am learning to trust God with every experience they have and I take Him to the bank on His scripture to use it for His purposes and glory. Melissa and Amanda are beautiful examples of that promise.
Love you!
Jina
Good morning Beth! It is good to have you back in Siestaville. We have missed you. This morning finds me in the school library checking out books for Summer School kids. I love working summer school because it is only during the mornings, so it forces me to get up and around early, giving me the rest of the day to do whatever. I am also trying my hand at growing tomatoes. I killed air fern so this is a real challenge! So far, (I’ve kept them alive for 2 weeks; I think that is a personal record!)the heat hasn’t even bothered me too much. Of course, it is only going to be 85 with practically no humidity today. The other thing I am doing this summer besides the Siesta Bible study, is the new Breaking Free Bible study. Couldn’t find anyone who wanted to do it with me, so I am going solo. Really good study! Gotta go out for recess.
Jan
Welcome Home to All !!! I have to say, I also was looking forward to the journaling and pics from the Holy Land, but I so understand. Amanda, I’m sorry to hear of your’s and Curtis’ loss. My prayers were with you. I’m excited about hearing all about the trip, so when everyone gets rested…..bring it on !! I went to Lifeway on my way home from work yesterday and got our summer bible study “Ruth”. My son had given me a gift card a while back and I guess I was just waiting for the perfect purchase. I also was able to get Travis’ CD with “2000 years” on it. I love that song. And I had enough left on the card to donate a bible to the marines. Lifeway has the bibles for $4.99 and each are listed with a particular branch of service. You can even write a message on the inside. Thank you Travis (my son’s name) for blessing me with the gift card. Thank you Lord for allowing us both to be a blessing to someone who is away from their home sacrificing themselves for our freedom.
Have a great day. Welcome back to TEXAS, girls !!!
Beth – I love to read your posts! I have the exact same thought about my son and his family – he is so much better off than I was at his age. I was lost, promiscuous and in the middle of a nasty custody battle, but he is saved, married to a beautiful Christian and has a sweet baby. Praise God for breaking generational sin and family bondage!!
Right now I’m getting ramped up to start my day of work. Every morning I share a cup of tea/coffee with the guys I work with, we do an “Are you smarter than a 5th grader” question (most days we are not!) and figure out our day. The three of them don’t know Christ, but I feel it’s a privilege to work with them. We’ve had many discussions about religion and I’ve been able to explain to them the difference between religion and a relationship with Christ (two of them are non-practicing Catholics). One of them believes he’s destined for hell with no hope. Some days its frustratingly sad and I wonder if they notice the Light that shines so bright in me that’s reaching out to them. I’m very fortunate that they are respectful and kind and great guys to work with, but how I long for their lives to be changed and enriched through our Savior.
Glad you all are back. I prayed fervently for you all. I am a church secretary at FBC Clarksville, TN and am talking with the minister I serve about what classes to do for Wednesday evenings in the summer. We are looking for a shorter study – four or five weeks as we will be finishing “Here and Now…” the last week of June. New fall classes begin second week of August. If you have suggestions on a four- or five-week study, that would be great! Also, am praying that my children (23 and 15) will love the LORD their God with all their heart. Am in month 8 of separation after 23 years of marriage and praise God for the strength and courage He has given me.
Have a wonderful day!
June 3rd finds me missing my little dog Tilly, but thankful for the gift that she was. I sent this message out to my friends when she died and thought that some of the dog lovers in Siestaville would be able to relate to the gift that God gives us in our little canine friends. In Tilly’s honor, I won’t publicly post any recognition of the feline friends. That will have to be a private conversation. 🙂
“Leave it to God to use an odd-looking idiosyncratic rescue dog to be an ongoing object lesson of His love for me. Tilly came to me having been abused and she was very skittish and on her guard. As I grew to love her and she grew to trust me, it became a picture of my relationship with God. I loved Tilly, provided for her, disciplined her, protected her, and took unspeakable pleasure in her quirky personality. I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:11: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him?” In light of the imperfect love I had for my dog, it made me marvel at how much God must love me, and just as Tilly let her guard down and learned to rest in my love for her, I too, found myself letting my guard down and learning to rest in God’s love for me as I grew to trust Him more. I know I didn’t always make sense to Tilly but I always loved her, so I knew that even when God doesn’t make sense to me, He still loves me – abundantly beyond all I could ask for or imagine. Only unlike me – being psycho at times – God is steady and dependable. 🙂
“Next to the amazing friends and family I have, Tilly was God’s best and most surprising gift to me. It is so strange to think about how this weird little dog came into our world and enriched so many lives. I know God will have more fun surprises ahead and I’m eternally grateful for the love Tilly brought into our lives and for the great joy she gave me. Please pray that my sense of gratitude for having her will overwhelm my sense of grief over losing her. Thank you for loving her and for loving me, too, even though I freely admit that I did indeed become one of those “psycho childless pet owners” when I vowed I wouldn’t. Thank you for graciously allowing me to enjoy her to the fullest these past 8+ years.”
This June 3rd finds me overjoyed to hear from you! I am so glad that you all had a wonderful time and returned home safely. All three of you are such a blessing. Each one of you writes in your own distictive style. It is a true joy to read.
Well, in my Church Lady life I am working the job that I love to do. The kids are out of school and enjoying the summer. I am so blessed to get to bring my children to church with me when they are out of school. They hang out in our Youth Room and have alot of fun. Our Timothy Intern is a big kid himself. He enjoys going and spending time with them.
If you could please pray for our Pastor Search Committee I would greatly appreciate it. They are narrowing down their search and meeting the two candidates this week. I not only ask this for our church but also because whoever they choose will be my next BOSS!!! Pray that God’s will be done and that I will find favor with whoever He sends.
Thanks and God Bless,
Jeanie
Oh, how wonderful. You are such an encourager! I love hearing about every bit of that trip! Your daughters are wonderful women of God who “call you blessed.” How cool is that? I watched the last episode of Esther last night. I do the oddest thing with your Bible studies. I buy them or download them for private study because I teach and am a caretaker (love giver) for my Mom, who is on a walker. I do the studies alone after midnight! But the oddest thing! I can never make myself watch the last one for months on end because Iam too sad that the study is over! I still have the last 30 minutes of The Perfect Storm download and the last session of The Patriarchs. I feel bad because NOBODY ends a seminar like you do, Beth! But anyway, I love you AND your girls, and thank you for missing us siestas! (P.s. I can just SEE you with that roll-on!)
Hey, ladies! I’m so glad you had a great time and that you’re home safely. I know you’re tickled to see your men and homes. I love to travel, but I sure do love to see home when I’m through! Amanda, I know this is the second time a trip has been delayed for you…but, it makes me think God’s got something up his sleeve, just for you. I have no doubt it’s something wonderful and specific…with Amanda written all over it!
As for where today finds me? Well, I’ve got large limas in the crock pot for tonight (don’t worry, Beth…we’re probably gonna have fried squash to offset the non-fried beans and homemade cornbread! LOL) and four yummy kids running around waiting to get in the pool since momma took the day off (I’m not playin’ hooky…I own my real estate company!). It’s SC, and the humidity makes your clothes stick to you before you can even get from the house to the car! I’ve got a “I don’t have to think to read this” book that I’m gonna read while my kids scream, splash and dive…and frankly, I feel like one of the most blessed women I know! (that candy bar pie I’m making doesn’t hurt, either!) 🙂
We missed you guys and can’t wait to see pics, and hear the things God lead you to in Israel. So glad you’re back!
So glad to have y’all back safe and sound! June 3rd finds me back to work at the fire hall. Haven’t been too busy so far today– which is good for everyone b/c when I have a busy day at work, it usually means someone else is having a bad day with life!
Your blog is the sisterly oasis of my 24 hr shift in the wilderness of masculinity! Thanks for dropping some estrogen my direction! 🙂
You make my heart smile!
June 3rd, 2010 – I got up early to be with my God. My heart has been bleeding and breaking and bleeding and breaking over and over the past few days/weeks/months/years… this past weekend was especially hard.
Right off the bat I was led to Psalms 69, which starts out with “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.” Yep, that exactly how I felt. Then, “I am weary with my crying out” – yep. And, “What I did not steal, must I now restore?” – I think I said that to myself last night! (I didn’t break this – why do I have to fix it??!! Why do I have to suffer it?!!)
But THEN – “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”
“…let your salvation, O God, set me on high! … you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”
I love the phrase “saving faithfulness”. And I love that while I was complaining to God of being trapped, He tells me He hears me and doesn’t despise me or my “prison”.
THEN, I did the next day of our Breaking Free study, which was on hearts being broken by betrayal, and that was exactly what I needed to hear TODAY, June 3, 2010.
My heart hurts a lot less today than it did yesterday, that is for sure. Thank you, my God, for binding up my broken heart.
Amd thank you, our God, for Beth, and for Siestaville, where we are so loved.
Amen. 🙂
Amen!
Dear Hilary,
Reading your post touched my heart! I am sorry that you’ve been in such pain! I can personally relate to parts of your story. I’ve felt the “bleeding/breaking heart”; “the waters up to my neck”; “been weary with crying out”; and needed “God to bind up my broken heart.” I purchased and led the “Breaking Free” study at my church–a study more than close to my heart, and I am also thankful for all of Mama Beth’s books, studies, simulcasts, conferences, blog posts and ministry. It is through her teaching that I have come to know the Lord. So, although I don’t know exactly what you’re dealing with, I just wanted to say, “I understand that you’re hurting, and I will pray for you.” Remember that you are not alone…and you are loved! Hang in there! 🙂 Stacy
Stacy – you are a blessing! 🙂
Thanks for sharing about your trip. It sounds amazing! Now maybe you guys can get some much needed rest. This 3rd day in June finds us in the “summer mode.” I LOVE summer because I enjoy having the kids home and the hetic schedule slows down. The youngest had swim team practice already early this morning. Now, my sweet niece is over to play and my oldest is playing puzzle with her. I love seeing my teenage daughters get down in the floor and play with the younger ones in our family.
Today is the first birthday of our firstborn. One year ago today, we witnessed God’s miracle as I gave birth to a child we yearned for in our hearts for three years before God answered the prayer of many. Never had we experienced God the way we did in that waiting period and never had we been so overwhelmed by His love as one year ago today when we held our sweet baby girl for the first time. Praise Him that we should have the privilege of catching glimpses of His glory.
So glad you all made it home safely. Sounds like a wonderful trip!!! I can’t even imagine the emotions that are felt while touring all of that. WOW!
Today, June 3rd, finds me recovering from the madness and emotional rollercoaster of my babygirl’s high school graduation this past weekend. It’s still hard for me to believe that I am a momma to a 20 year old and 18 year old. I mean, I’m still in my 20’s right?? LOL! (nope, 41 actually)
But I am also in anticipation of my trip (in rougly a week and a half) to the North Carolina mountains to celebrate the blessed day that I married my man. I still haven’t figured out why God gave him to me, because I surely don’t deserve him. 🙂
Praying for a wonderful day for you all!
Glad you are home safe and sound – Oh, I wish I could have been on that trip! I have always dreamed of going to the Holy Land and now would love to take my 9 year old son. I don’t know if the Lord has that in His plans for us – but if He says go – I’m going!!
Today finds me on the day after my second born son graduated from High School…grateful for his walk with the Lord and the quality of character that has and is continuing to develope in him…
I am sad for the disjointed feeling I have with my extended family…my mother especially…
and I am trying to come to terms with the lonliness that is mine as a pastors wife…whose children are leaving home sooner than later, and I am left wondering what our lives as a married couple will be like when it is just the two of us….
The Joy of the Lord is MY STRENGTH…help me Father to navigate these days with you.
I am also planning to check back here often…expecting lots of pics from your trip…We all (here in siestaville ) missed you guys too!
Love and hugs to you all.
Hello Siesta Mama!! So glad you are all home safe and sound, and had a wonderful trip!! Can’t wait to hear more about it, and see some more pics! June 3rd finds me here at home with my beautiful 22 week old daughter, and just finished the dishes….but now the utility room needs cleaned. (smile) Its off to the races for me, God Bless, can’t wait to hear more about the Holy Lands!
Dear Beth and all Siestas,
I don’t comment often and I feel a bit selfish coming to ask for prayer but today’s post… well anyway
In July I will be speaking at a bible camp for 9 to 12 year olds. The theme for the week is Back to Basics; Jesus Only. My desire is to walk the campers through the life of Jesus in such a way that not only will they LOVE Him but that they will get to KNOW Him. Hearing of this journey through the Holy land only makes my desire stronger. For that week I so want to be invisible, I only want those beautiful faces to see Jesus in me.
I have been amazed these past months as I study Jesus life through new eyes. the story AMAZES me. the way Jesus loved, the way he lived, the way he died and rose again. Please pray that I can share HIS story full of fresh amazement and such joy.
May the eyes of those children be opened to see Jesus Only…
Thanks
FINALLY on Summer Break (6th grade teacher–love the kids, love my job, love the break!) …reading my Bible in DAYLIGHT (not at 4:50 a.m.), drinking tea, working on the garden, doing Bible study, cleaning my home and getting to be a *homemaker* for a few glorious weeks. 🙂 Welcome back, Miss Beth…a trip that I’ve yet to take…but plan to do so with my sister in the next three years. 🙂
I have never commented before although I read this blog constantly and feel like a part of this precious group of ladies. The question of where does June 3rd find me….missing my 19 year old son who left in January for mission work (now sailing to Africa aboard a mission ship), concerned about my beloved Daddy whose health is declining each day, but confident in knowing my security is in Jesus and nothing or nobody else (thanks, Beth, for changing my life with your recent book). Love you all, friends, even though we’ve never met. Now, I know I can comment and I feel so proud!!
Welcome home, Beth! Thank you for your musings, for sharing what God puts in your heart because it is such an encouragement and anchor to our dear Lord! My adult granddaughter is dealing with the fall-out from un-dealt with stuff of her mom and step dad – his alcoholism, divorce from her mom, remarriage to another woman, the hope from his month in recovery, the disappointment of knowing clandestinely that he’s drinking again, snide insinuations from the new wife – well, disfunction junction. As a young wife with a year old darling child – my great-granddaughter – my prayers are ever before the throne of grace for my darling first granddaughter and the whole family, for her full embracing of the relationship she has with Jesus, including the delight of involvement with other Believers in her church, that He will guide her as her help and shield, her very great reward. Your sharing today and Bible studies over the years make me so thankful for the Body of Christ and the encouragement to live lives “worthy of the calling”. Yes, I’ve been reviewing the notes from the Simulcast! Bless you, Beth, and your whole team. Keep on keeping on, as if you could stop! We love you and are privileged to travel this journey together in Christ. In His holy, saving, sustaining Name above all names, I pray. Hugs to you!
Ah, the third day of June found me dropping my baby girl off for her last day of elementary school. I’m also wondering when 4th grade became the end of said school as that seems a little young. 🙂
So happy you had a wonderful time on your pilgrimage and that AJ and fam are back home as well. Love to all the Moore girls!
Welcome home Miss Beth!! I was very touched by your writing today. I was given advice early on as a mom to “hold your children loosely”. Isn’t that the truth. In their absence and our broken heart, God’s will is done in their lives. Just as we have prayed for!
I know you truly missed Amanda but she did do the right thing. How proud you must be of her. She did exactly as you loving taught her and without hesitation. Praise Him!
It is a busy time of the year for the Thomas household as we prepare a 5th grader to exit elementary school and enter junior high. I am doing this with much fear and trembling!
Our summer bible study or I should say book study (with scripture of course) will begin next Tuesday. I am leading a group of women through the same discussion of your book “So Long, Insecurity” that you lead us through earlier this year.
The pool is open and we are planning vacations and mission trips and of course summer camp. I will begin preparations in a couple of weeks to travel to Kenya (Busia) in December with a group of about 18 men and women. I am doing this with much fear and trembling also as I will leave my children for 12 days. They are an 11 year old boy and a 10 year old girl. They will be left in good hands with their dad and our nanny but…there is nothing like your momma! LOL!!!
Enough rambling from me. Thanks for sharing with all of us. It is a pleasure to read your post.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Royana
Beth, Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I began my summer celebrating my mother’s 89th birthday. She came for a visit with my sister, her daughter, and her granddaughter – 4 generations. She loves a good road trip. They kept asking me to take their picture. 🙂 “What about me?” I whined. It was a beautiful weekend; I was sad when it ended. Then I saw this quote on facebook: “Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, Smile Because It Happened” – I’ve been grinning ever since. What a blessing that my mom continues to be for all her children, in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren· I’m grinning even as I write. I also teared up on reading your comment, “It can be a dangerous thing to raise your children to follow hard after Jesus.” We have 3 sons. The oldest has taken a path similar to your Melissa. He got his undergraduate in Biblical Text. He and his amazing wife are in Atlanta where he is getting his Masters at Emory. He will pursue a doctorate and plans to teach at the university level. Second son also got his undergraduate in Biblical Text. He and his fabulous wife live in Abilene where he is getting his Masters at Abilene Christian. They are concurrently training to leave in 3 years for Tabora, Tanzania to pursue a life as missionaries. Son #3 is 17, will enter his senior year of H.S. in the fall, and is planning to become a preacher. He has been given the opportunity to preach 3 Sundays over the last year for our local congregation. My husband and I are not in careers of ministry – although as believers we are members of the priesthood. My husband and I have backgrounds that would rival yours (not that anyone wants to win THAT competition). Our goal was to raise faithful believers and we clung to God’s Word to accomplish that. “…it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which and sent it.” God has blessed us beyond what we could ask or imagine. I tell friends that I am greedy in prayer, always asking for more of Him, for myself and my loved ones, both family and friends. He is faithful.
Welcome home to all our LPM siestas! We missed you all. So glad your trip was wonderful. Reading your post brought back memories of my trip in December. It was fabulous.
I am in San Diego, CA today. I have been enjoying time with family members as we prepare to bury my beloved grandmother tomorrow. She was, most certainly, the rock in our family. She never let a day go by without praying for us and telling someone about her Jesus. I am so thankful to have had her for 53 years of my life! She was 94.
Your sweet first born was a source of comfort to me even while she was gone and I will forever appreciate her.
Again, welcome home! So glad you are back.
Lawan
Phil 4:8
Well I am just in constant conference with the Lord regarding my prodigal 17 year old daughter. You are blessed to have such delightful daughters. I am happy for you.
sitting at my dining room table, distracting myself with the computer, because my sweet 10 year old doesn’t want me to watch her embarking on her first Bible study. she’s studying the book of John.
also, staying out of my 8 year old son’s room, because he’s listening to tobymac’s new cd, with headphones, singing at the top of his lungs and is embarrassed for me to see him that way.
they both want privacy. and tears almost come to my eyes, because, like your precious children, mine are miles beyond where their mom and dad were. even at 8 and 10.
praising God for that right now.
thanks, Beth, for that little sentence about your children right smack in the middle of your post.
it made me stop and think of how blessed i am. and how wonderfully full of mercy our God is to make the lives of our children so much closer to Him than our very own were….way back then.
and thanks for asking us to tell you what we’re up to. it warms my heart to know that God has given you a heart that really cares for your siestas!
This day finds me hoping to be an encouragement to someone.
My youngest son has had some twists and turns since graduating from the University of Arkansas. The economy took a tumble soon after his graduation. The doors Nathan hoped would open did not. God has been faithful to lead him in the way he should go. He has worked at Walgreens for a couple of years and at some point decided he would like to substitute teach. One of the teachers at the school had to leave before finishing the year. Nathan was given her kindergarten class for the last 2 1/2 months. God used this opportunity to show Nathan he has a calling in education. We praise Him for this revelation and for the open door. The principal at the school wants him to be the teacher’s aid next year. This will allow Nathan to have a 5-day work week enabling him to take the 2 courses he needs to obtain a teaching liscense. God is so good and His timing is perfect.
Glad you ladies are back home. I have missed you. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip and see the photos.
Hugs
The Lord never ceases to bless me through the postings on this blog. Thank you for this incredible aspect of your ministry.
This day finds me joyfully enjoying the snuggles of my two-week old (to the day) son, Micah, and the laughter coming from my 21-month old daughter’s (Ivory) room as she begs her wonderful daddy to build a fort with her. His mercy, grace, blessings–overwhelming. My husband says he’ll never make it to work at this rate with her begging for him to play with her, he just can’t turn her down. He’s such a sweet sucker.
I’m at my desk in our church office watching hoards of kids going between Music/Recreation/Snack at our VBS! They’re roundin’ up questions and drivin’ home answers this week! YeeHaw! Thank you, Jesus, for revealing yourself to these kids!
I am so glad to hear about your trip./Can’t wait to hear more. Our church is planning a tour to Israel next spring. I am hoping for a miracle to be able to go along. As of this moment I am grappling with a marriage that is failing. It is sad but I have peace – the Lord is holding my hand as I walk through this season. I am so glad he holds the future and that he allowed me to work through and see how my insecurity added pressure to the relationship. I am completely dependent on him for each and every thing I do, say, or not do and not say. I am so grateful that HE is the true source of my security.
I don’t have it all figured out – i just need to share what i know to be true so I can continue to stand on the truth because it is truly a very sad time.
Oh how faithful He is! Thank you so much for the “recap” but especially for the acknowledgement of our amazing Savior and how personal and relevant He continues to be in our personal lives regardless of who He chooses to “take” the adventure!
But praise Him also for the gift of technology…Today, I am meeting with you from La Paz, Bolivia! It is breathtaking here and I am so fortunate that for some reason the Lord would use me. I will be leading a mission trip here in July with 20 teenagers. You can start praying for me now! 😉 So planning has begun as we believe that God will use this adventure to change His Kingdom forever through the lives of these students. Gives me chills just thinking about Praising Him when I send them all back to their homes! Did I mention these kids have never met one another… it is a giant step for them as well as their parents. 🙂
But through my time here in Bolivia, My Jesus keeps reminding me of His desire to redeem my lineage as well. It is a huge responsibility and being obedient is harder some days than others. But oh how I can trust Him to lead the way.
Thank you Beth for your words, because through “your” journey, He has again shown how personal HE is to me.
Blessings from Bolivia!
hello.. I am glad your group is back. This morning is my first day after a wave of friends, family and school being out.I am an art teacher in an elementary school. I am the one that gave you the monster book in Dallas. I picked up So Long Insecurity this morning and will finish it finally. I am praising God for the visit of my son and the rest of my family to celebrate my husband’s mother’s 80th birthday. My son is in his last year in seminary in Boston. I remember when he sported a huge Jesus decal in his back window of his car and also want to see that burning endure seminary. Thanks for your transparency. Thanks for moving forward with God. Thanks for your ministry to women. I am thankful that today I am Lovely. I am His dwelling place.
Hey Seistas,
This day I am finishing up the school year driving my bus. As I told the kids on my bus they are absolutely fabulous, awesome, incredible kids and they have so touched my heart this year. Some will return, some will move on to junior high, and some I will see next year. Since it was my birthday on Sunday, we are having Root Beer Floats at our bus barn. Not only celebrating but a great way to end this school year. The care free days of summerand I so can’t wait to be able to sleep in tomorrow. Then summer school starts and the routine starts again.
Dear Beth, Missed you on the blog the last few weeks! Just wanted to share a praise that has happened with the scripture memory we did in 2009. My first verse of ’09 was Psalm 90:14-17 “Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love so I may sing for joy to the end of my days. Give me gladness in proportion to my former misery. Replace the evil years with good. Let me see your miracles again; let my children see your glory at work.” I prayed this all through ’09. I needed to feel God’s love and have him transform some very dark times. What has happened is now instead of praying it in supplication I am praying it in thanks because he has been answering this specific prayer: “Thank you Lord for satisfying me this morning with your unfailing love, thank you for helping me sing for joy till the end of my days…..etc.” All my verses for ’09 are being transformed into prayers of thanksgiving, and I am starting a new spiral today!
Robin in Snohomish, WA
Welcome home Mama Beth,
I have so been praying for all of yall and it is so good to see you sharing here with us. We missed ya too. I began your Esther study yesterday and let me tell you Mama God has got a destiny for me…I am not sure what he is up to…but let me tell you he was doing some serious talking to me and that was just the intro for goodness sake. I can’t imagine what the next nine weeks are bring me in my adventure with HIm…I call it an adventure cause I so love Him and not one moment is ever just a journey…God makes it so much more. I just absolutely love Him for that. So today I am having some tea and enjoying a beautiful day and getting started on my homework. Every time I read I hear your sweet voice in my head. I don’t think I will ever get it out and I so love that too. I hope you have a wonderful day.
love to you all
Tammy
New client meeting today for a long term contract. Since I am a self employed writer, it is a big(ish) deal.
Got huge news last night from Hubby and my darling 3 y/o boy. The first thing my little one did while visiting his Grandma’s farm yesterday was trip while stepping into the greenhouse and drive his front tooth into his jaw. He was a trooper through the emergency dental surgery which I found out about after the fact. Lord take care of my Man and my boy, they’ll be home in three days after recovery.
(PS Hubby was confident in Docs, knew I had an insane work day, and Grandma’s farm is an eight hour drive away, so I couldn’t do anything but worry. So Hubs made the decision to tell me after so my day wouldn’t suffer… totally not sure how to handle that)