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.
I am so glad that you all had such a great time there and are back safe and sound. I so appreciated your remark about God’s faithfulness to redeem the linage! My husband and I sat at a Family camp on the beautiful Oregon coast, and with tears expressed the same amazement and thankfulness. (I loved your wording of it!)
This day finds me trying to catch up on energy nursing my littlest with a flare up of her asthma from camp. Also waiting for a washer machine part to come so I can begin to tackle what we used at camp!! What a time for the washer to break! 🙂 But the camp was wonderful and God met us there with abundance! Now we are trying to live out the dailiness of life knowing God is the God of the valley as well as the mountain top – or beach retreat! 🙂
So, so happy for your good trip. Your daughters are such an encouragement to me. I have three (13,10,9). Today the Moms of our homeschool group had a meeting about planning high school. We talked about a renewal of strength. (Isaiah 40) We talked about a renewal of purpose. (Colossians 2:2) What better purpose for our children ” . . . that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I want this for my girls so much. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.
Wow – what an incredible story!! I’m so glad you guys had a grand time. It’s amazing with the Lord shows up, isn’t it? He just rocks our worlds and finds the simplest pictures to paint for us to find so extraordinary.
This day found me traveling from little bitty Perry, GA to Atlanta. My cousin came in on the morning train from New York City (yes, he rode the train all the way down!). We met up with two of my dearly loved college pals and visited the Coke Museum – I haven’t been since fifth grade and it was totally different!! We had a blast. I just now made t home and I’m definitely ready for a little digging in the Word, some letter writing, and maybe even a little guitar. =)
Thanks for sharing your journey. I am in awe of His love!
June 3rd today held washing clothes and hanging them on the line with fresh country air. It also involved planting alongside my helpful, handsome husband and beautiful daughter some green beans, cucumbers, watermelon, cantelope, and a pepper in our garden. Best of all watching the children play in the yard and around the farm while milking the cows. So many blessing from the Lord above! (Yup, you guessed it….you got a farmgirl/farmwife/mother that reads and enjoys your blog!!! :))
Welcome home. Life here is crazy busy. We are getting ready for our middle daughter’s graduation. You know baking, finding pictures to make a power point, making hambuger patties just to name a few of the tasks before me. I also have family coming into town so I need to clean house and do laundry. Oh yeah, I need to go grocery shopping being that I have nothing to feed them. Other than that I am just a women of leisure, or at least I am in my dreams. I am still eating way more salad than I ever thought possible and exercising . The up side is that I have lost a good bit of weight since I asked for prayer a couple of weeks ago. And I feel way better physically than I have in a long time. So I guess it is worth it. I have got to tell you not eating carbs much ever again is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I can do low fat easy, and no sugar fairly so. But low carbs, wow, I love them. Ok enough about that and me. I hope you have blessed weekend.
Dear Beth,
I’m new to LPM & have never posted a comment before. I’m following one of your archived online studies, Wising Up, & something interesting happened this morning that I thought you’d appreciate. Since you asked what we’re up to… I just finished ‘How Wisdom Looks on a Wife #2’ & was intrigued by the military references you made in describing some of the characteristics of the Prov. 31 woman. I’ve always been a coupon-clipper (part of my inheritance from my mom!) & submitted several this morning at the store. At the check-out, the cashier commented on what a good shopper I was — because of all the coupon $avings. No cashier has ever said that to me (interesting that someone would say it now), but I just smiled to myself as I walked to the car with my PLUNDER, thinking, “No, I’m a good WARRIOR!” I drove home thanking you, Beth, for helping me think of what I do for my family’s finances in those terms! It made me feel really good!
So thank you and God bless you, Beth, for all you do & for all you share. Your ministry has been such a blessing to me already. And welcome home! (I’m sorry if this is too long & has nothing to do with your visit to the Holy Land! I just had to share.)
I got home today from a 3-day women’s Bible study retreat; in the last few months we have studied the Book of Revelations with Anne Graham Lotz’ inductive study, The Vision of His Glory, followed by Attending the Bride of Christ by Martha Lawley. At our retreat we had a lovely catered “betrothal dinner,” and we told our betrothal stories–how Jesus wooed each of us. We investigated several Jewish wedding customs and foods and ended the retreat with a commissioning service–a la Beth Moore!!
Since you went to Israel, are you revising your Jesus, The One and Only Bible Study? It would be nice to know since our 2010 Fall Bible study group is looking to do that study this year but we would like to wait if it’s being revised and save it for 2011. Thank you for all you do to inspire, teach and encourage us in our walk with Christ.
Praying to be melted and moved to love Jesus more, Linda
Hello Beth! We have missed you. Thankful all returned home safely. You were prayed for daily and so was Amanda. God bless her.
June 3rd- a tiring day but thankful for it. Worked in my hair salon. I was going to have to close it due to my health problems, but in the last moment, God provided a new stylist to help me and Praise His Name, I get to stay open! So after I work, I come home, eat and head for bed trying to rest and heal. I check out your blog always, then work on my family history research. I am looking forward to the study of Ruth.
I pray you all get some rest. Love you, Cory in NC
I will do something I have never done… in this venue… I am asking the Lord to continue to confirm a decision I made… i have peace but i ache with missing someone I asked to “leave me behind” when he offered me love and a desire to be with me… yet I felt it was not time… or simply God saying, “not yet honey”…
I did not feel the same towards him… yes, I am speaking of a man, i am single… 36… and want to be married; a wonderful man has been pursuing me over the last six months, surprising me to pieces… i found i had some feelings for him and explored the possibility with much prayer… in the end, he was very set and ready to go; I was not… so, all i could do was the right thing.. and say, please move on and leave me behind. I miss the friendship – as for now, boundaries are placed for love and respect of tender hearts and healing… i am still standing alone… trusting I did the right thing, and that God will heal… and grow me… and him… with a faint hope that love will come around… God is the one who knits hearts together, He is close to the brokenhearted… and the aching heart who doesn’t always understand… when God continues to say, “nope, not this one…” or “nope, not this time…” I rejoice over the peace… weep over a loss, and wait with hope…
So, my summer starts… my goal is to be still, grow deeper… and Trust higher.
😉 Thanks for asking.
I believing for a fellowship @Yeshiva U in Jerusalem…
Wishing my eldest nephew a happy 37th birthday! Driving around Chattanooga, to my endless dismay, to retrieve a lost purse but to my blessed surprise finding myself exacting where I needed to be to meet a patients need to the exact intersection!! U-turns allowed!
Thrilled to hear that you all are home. Excited to hear what is to come with your words and testimony from the trip, pictures too!
My day has been basically cleaning and laundry so it is all done before the weekend. Today, I did so many emails about summer basketball league with the evaluations on Sat. and on Sun. meeting to put the final touches for VBS in 2 weeks.
My youngest took his last SOL test(5 tests total)at school today and now my middle schooler will start his testing tomorrow. So, more study sessions tonight, just different material.
Today found me recouping from a minor procedure done at the dr’s office yesterday and learning once again to bow my knee to my Master’s will for my life.
Battling between the joys of preparing for some ministry ventures and the great anticipation of watching our 4-month old grandson this weekend (YES!) and listening to our adult son tell us of his moving out plans. Sometimes there are just too many emotions all at once.
But so thankful that you and all of the staff and volunteers are back. I missed you.
It’s almost 7 PM here. My day has been long, hectic, at times boring, at others rushed. I’ve gotten a happy challenge at work…but not related to my usual job. My usual job is ramping up into another cycle of testing — which means MUCHO busy.
And in the back of my mind all day is my friend Melissa and her husband Joe. Their first baby is due the 3rd week of July, and Melissa’s currently in the hospital after going into labor twice already. She’s going to be there at least another week. Lift her up, ladies!
Melinda @ 3:27 Thank you so much for sharing that verse from Jeremiah!It was the exact WORD I needed to hear today.
This 3rd of June finds me sitting in a classroom waiting for several students to finish up their final projects of the quarter, (I teach at a local community college)while trying to come to terms with the news that my husband has six months to find a new job. Two years ago we moved across the country from his current job, were promised it would be a long term assignment, believed it was God’s will and God’s way of rescuing him from a very difficult work experience in our previous state, only to be told he doesn’t “fit” the leadership style here. To say our world has been rocked would be an understatement BUT I refuse to let the enemy win. I am believing every word of scripture over our lives and over this situation. God is God – period! He is more than able to meet this need and I am believing Him for the miracle my family needs. And asking for prayer from Siestaville…
I spent this morning with a number of Bible study Siestas viewing the intro session to your Revelation study! It was great! One of the blessings of my life is to study God’s Word with others who love searching out His treasures! Thank you, Beth, for sharing your gifts with us.
Dear Beth, Today is my 38th wedding anniversary!! We started out very rough. And I must say my life has been so different since I started doing the Bible Studies God entrusted you with. Thank you for teaching me to be a better daughter to the Lord, wife, mother, mother-in-law and finally grandmother to 10 amazing grandchildren. For so many years I wanted to do it right and tried with all my might but, never understood the power of the Holy Spirit and the past generational sins. With God and your teachings I am moving forward and hoping that we will have things turn around in this generation.Just like you I have loved the Lord since I was 4 years old. So much love and blessings for you, Julie
Without a doubt your trip is my “dream” trip. But after Israel I want to follow the steps of Paul. My inlaws are actually on this very trip right now as I write. They were in Israel the exact time you and your group were there and then they headed off to Athens. Can I tell you how hard it is to not be super, duper, amazingly jealous?!!!! I am so very, very jealous, but happy for them. Mostly. Haha!! I have a friend who did the same trip two years ago and in Greece had one of the few born again Christian tour guides . . . to have a Greek go through those beloved places in the New Testament with you!!!!! How cool is that????
It’s awesome that Melissa is her OWN person. She has, of course, grown her OWN faith. Something that those of us with strong Christian parents all likely need to do. I personally had to veer far off the path into a deep, deep pit and then try to claw my way out only to realize I could NOT claw my way out – I had to be LIFTED out. Thanks be to Jesus for all those 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th . .100th chances. Now, I have my own, unique relationship with Jesus and I am able share it with my parents in their own, unique relationship with Jesus. I hope my kids find their own faith without following my path but if they do, I trust that God won’t ever let them go.
Blessings and welcome back!
Laura in Pleasant Hill, CA
The 3rd day of June finds me counting down until my last day of teaching special needs students for this school year. We have 3 more days to go until summer break! I have bonded with this sweet group of children and will miss them, but I am so looking forward to every second of summer play time with my own three children at home. I am so fortunate to not only be a teacher, but to also have a house full of children and the summer free to soak them in completely.
My Precious Siesta Beth,
“THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT”
WELCOME BACK TO AMERICA!!!!
America ~ Where many choices & sticks of deodorant are waiting on the shelves for women! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
THANK YOU for giving “others” LPM and volunteers the opportunity to share your journey in Israel.
SIESTAVILLE missed you very much~
WE WERE ALL HERE KEEPING YOU IN DAILY PRAYER throughout your HOT bus rides, long days and smells!!!!
speaking of smells ~~~~~~
I wondered what that interesting whiff of air was while sitting on my deck overlooking the ocean the other day~ 🙂 laughing ~~~
Beth, It is with such joy that I give honor & congratulations to Melissa in her endevours and witness as a theologian. Melissa carries honesty,clarity, and a heart for Jesus!!! YOU GO MELISSA!!!
Both my sons are intellectuals (unlike their “blonder than I pay to be” mom)and have had to deal with MANY moments of questions, answers,professors,etc… to share their learnings!! understand??? AM I making any sense??? laughing ~ what I am trying to say is
“THANK OUR PRECIOUS LORD FOR THE GENERATION OF TODAY AND THEIR WITNESS TO OTHERS” AMEN!!!!
I love your family so very, very much!!
before I end this comment ~ I need to say this to Amanda.
Amanda, You are such a blessed woman and I thank you for listening to your heart and knowing where you were supposed to be!!!
(((( HUGS )))))) from California!!!
Kim Safina
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Memorizing Psalm 103
Praying / Seeking God’s will concerning job change/status promotion…..going bk through SLI and Daniel study reviewing hearing the Father’s nudge….continuing to pray
Reading Crazy Love with my 15 year old praying for God to grow us together in HIM !
Luvs 2 ya and always prayers !
Beth,
Where am I on this June 3rd? Well, my kids have just left for the night to spend the night with their Father. I am sitting here ignoring the dirty dishes as I think about the ‘homework’ I have to complete. I am in counseling with a Christian Counselor trying to overcome my past. My upbringing with my mother. Oh the hatred that fills me when I think of her and the counseling is because I cant talk about it/her due to fear. Fear that was instilled in me from her, I had no voice, I had no opinion. I do not want to repeat her ‘teaching’ with my children! I want to be whole and healthy. I want to get past the overwhelming sadness that has consumed me since my recent divorce. That I have no family left, my own mother and father disowned me years ago. So I am trying to muster up the energy to work on my homework for tonight now that I have time alone. So say a prayer for me because I want to beat this thing. I want to get rid of the anger inside of me that is taking up way to much space that can be used for much better things. I want to feel God’s love, not just say I know its there, I want to feel it.
Lisa
Sitting here embracing the unmerited favor of God. I have just be drafted as the new women’s bible study leader at my church. It has been 14 years of study to get to this point with just this last year having the opportunity to fill the call to teach. It has been a long road of study (much credit to your teaching I will add) that has finally brought me here. I am so thrilled that you asked today what is up. Very relevant?!
I am so glad God blessed y’all during the “travel” time- It was so great to hear how Amanda took her time of “good-bye” as such a celebration of life, and how God just continued to bless her family during the hardest time.
I shared in that sort of thing that same week,when my best friend since highschool passed away and God is truly a God of joy, He wants to see us smile. He made me smile knowing my friend left a legacy.
I know this may seem silly maybe, but I have to share that for me SLI and meeting my siestas…it was an “Isreal” trip for me. But I confess I don’t think I took it in as much as I think God wanted me to…I think I should have realized that when during SLI and meetup I forgot to put my SD card back in camera. It was like God was saying, ” Would you hold still a second, JUST BE STILL.”
I am so glad you listened to Him Beth:)
Bethie!! Welcome back to you and AJ! You both were missed terribly! Sounds like you all had such a wonderful time, and we can’t wait to hear more about it. I can’t wait for that study to hit the bookshelves, too! So glad all of you got home safely. So.. what’s going on in my world did you ask?? Well.. I go on vacation in 8 days and I am sooooooooo excited and ready!!!!! I’ll be off work for 11 glorious days! I’m flying to CT to see my very best friend and we are going to the beach for a few days and have all kinds of fun things planned, and then we’re going to NYC for a few days! Woohoo!! And I finally get to see Wicked! I’ve been wanting to see that broadway show for 2 years! Mainly looking forward to spending the week with my best friend. 🙂 Thanks for asking! 😉
This June 3rd finds me awaiting the impending birth of my 6th grandchild! Yes, #6! My oldest daughter has 3 children and her 4th (a little boy) will be here in 18 days or less.
So exciting! I love being a young (47) Nana. Grandyoungin’s are the biggest blessing and such a great joy!
Beth Herring
The 3rd of June found me taking one child to day camp at church while hanging with my little man, and then helping a friend out with her 2 girls. So I was up to my eyeballs in children today, but strangely it was the right place. I exercised for the first time in a long time(freedom!!). Cooked a new recipe for my family, read, sang, and played games with the kids and even through some swimming in. Got caught up in the nail polish isle at Target and found myself buying some loud and fun summer colors. I even cleaned my car out today. June 3rd has been a day of freedom!
WELCOME HOME 🙂 I’m so glad your trip went well, and I prayed for your group, and the Jones.
This June 3rd finds me preparing for VBS! So excited to start on Monday. The Lord knows how I love music and worship….but have no real talent, so HE graciously made away for me to worship Him exuberantly during the week that talent is not a requirement. Just fun and foolishness~! I can’t wait….my costume came today, and my (older) children are embarassed (hehe). We’re doing the Answers in Genesis VBS this year with an Egyptian theme, and I’ve been singing and dancing all day!
We are also in the midst of a sleep over, basketball camp, and swimming every day 🙂 funtimes
ps. I am on week 9 of The Inheritance, I LOVE IT! My girls and I are doing a Kay Arthur, Daniel study for kids too….it is CHALLENGING!! 🙂
I am days away from seeing my second daughter, in as many years, graduate from high school. While she is different from her momma in every sense of the word I love her like crazy, both my girls, dontcha know. What is unique to this graduation is she hasn’t been well for the past couple of weeks. Frankly, she has had a crazy year of weird health issues, including 2 unexpected, very different surgeries. For my kid who has been the picture of health forever, and has been a varsity swimmer for 4 years, this would almost be funny in a wacky way, if it were not her present reality.
So I find myself facing the truth that the boy team will now trump the girl team 2-1 in the not to distant future. And I am trusting the Lord to restore her to perfect health once again for not only graduation/summer, but the upcoming school year when she will be out of state and although not out of reach, a reach that will just take a bit longer.
Ugh. Typo.
Sounds like a fun trip! To visit Israel is definitely on my to-do list.
I’m home from college working as a summer camp counselor. To say today was chaotic is an understatement, but I wouldn’t trade this job for anything! Prove: One of the little boys (he’s five) in my group said “Mawa, (my name is Mara)your hair is weally pwetty today. He’s pretty much the best little kid ever. =)
Welcome Home Siesta Mama,
Thank you for sharing about your trip. I have to laugh about the deodorant. I live in Florida so I am always reapplying. Remember, “Women don’t sweat, we glow!”. It sounds sweeter. ha ha.
This June 3rd finds me on the sofa, Alone with my thoughts. My daughter is at her fathers house, (joint custody stinks at times). My husband is working. I have full reign of the remote and decided to turn of the T.V.
Ohh my, I just realized in 1994 on this day I graduated High School.. ha
Many Blessings to you!
Your siesta in Christ,
Shannon
I spent the day in the sweltering heat of my in-laws’ house while the air conditioning men installed a new unit. So I can say that I literally sweat my way through Day 3 of my last week of Breaking Free homework!!! I can’t blame the heat for the tears, though. At the end of the day, since I was sweaty anyway, I took my son to my mom and took myself to the health club for BodyFlow class. All in all, a victorious day!
So glad to hear that you guys had a wonderful Jesus-filled trip to the Holy land.
God bless you.
Also, congeatulations to Melissa on her graduation.
June 3 sees my whole family recovering from our two-week trip to Abilene, TX, a case of the flu, last minute school assignments, and getting ready for my youngest son’s 12th birthday party. Where have the years gone?!!!
Reminiscing that my husband and I moved into our first house 4 years ago today! We were very newly pregnant with our first child… Four years later, we have two sweet children, (both pregnancies started this month, two years apart), it leaves me pondering a third 🙂
AND I am about to register for Living Proof Live to hear sweet Beth at my alma mater, Saint Louis University! I’m so excited because I’ve come to treasure you Moore girls and this blog, even though I rarely comment! You ladies are such blessings!
p.s. not sure if i got this gravatar thing right or how to rotate the picture!
Wow! If not for the glory of God, for full redemption.
Today I am celebrating my toddler being 26 months old and so thankful for him. Mommy loves you Jeshua Raymond, may you follow hard after Jesus. (gulp.)
PS-I purchased Wising Up back in January at the SMT celebration and am watching the Godly Wife session this week. P-R-E-A-C-H IT Mama, Preach it!
I’m glad y’all are safely home too. What a wonderful experience for all of you.
I, too, marvel at my grown children Beth. I look at them and think, “His grace.”
Thursday is the day my husband and I go to help my elderly parents (90 year old Dad on dialysis and 86 year old Mom recovering from a broken hip.) I do a bit of housework and my sweet husband does their grocery shopping and a thousand other little things that need doing.
I talked about you with my Mom as we sat going through some of her quilting books. We’re both looking forward to the Revelation Bible Study.
So…that’s what we’re doing sweet Beth.
I was so excited for you and your daughter to be blessed with such a wonderful trip!! I so hope oneday I could be blessed to visit the Holy Land….I have been on somewhat of a pilgrimage myself this week…I have been teaching 9-12 year olds in V.B.S. and let me just say it has brought me to a new place in my relationship with the Lord! They are several in my class who hasn’t been saved yet and the Lord is dealing with one of the boys for sure I also have several that has backgrounds like mine(not good)that are struggling please keep them in your prayers…..
Preparing myself for our firstborn, a corporal in the US Marine Corps, to leave for his first deployment to Afghanistan. He spent the first part of his commitment as part of the presidential support team in DC, now he will be a gunner with an infantry unit. Had to say goodbye to him last Sunday and he departs the country in about a week.
Determined to do this thing with confidence in and glory to our God. His His strength.
Welcome home Bethie!
I must just say that I love to write that name because it is the nickname that my grandma called me from the time that I was a little girl until her death when I was 16. No one calls me Bethie anymore, so I just love that I can call you that!
Welcome back!!!! I loved reading your recap on your Holy Land trip (at least a start: know that you girls will write more). I will go there someday. ONe of the other siestas said that it would be great to go as a group (siestaville). That would be a dream!
As for me and what I’m doing on June 3rd, 2010….I am sitting in a really hot room in my friends house. I had to move in with a new friend and her husband because my house foreclosed. It is a stuggle in change (been 10 years since I lived with roommates) but GOD IS FAITHFUL! He will bring me through this and I will grow in faith and maturity. This day has been one of great stress, we had preschool graduation at the school that I will no longer be teaching at. Tonight is the eve of my last day as a teacher for preschool autism at Schelby School and I’ve worked there for 7 years. To say that my heart is in turmoil and breaking is an understatement. It is grief that I will have to walk through, no getting around this one. Trying to trust God completely but honestly, I’m overcome by the sadness, loss, grief, and confussion of it all.
You asked!!!!!
Love you like crazy and all my siesta sisters here!
Well girlfriends…as I sit here and type this… I can’t get the grin off of my face. My second granddaughter was born just 4 hours ago…here in Wisconsin at the same hospital where her daddy (my second son) was born 26 years ago. My first granddaughter was born yesterday in Santa Monica, California to my firstborn son. Two precious baby girls in two days!! My heart is full of praise to the Lord! There really are no words to describe such joy.
And since I’ve been “laboring” and praying and waiting since 6pm on Tuesday… and my head is starting to act like a bobble head doll thingy… I’m going to put this weary siesta body into a hot bubblebath and then slide in between some crisp clean sheets!!!
Mmmm…Mmmm…Mmmm… What a day! Thanks for asking Beth!
Glory!
Sandi
Already finding that my kids are bored…ugh!!! But looking forward with my friends to see you on our annual “girls trip for the summer” this time in St. Louis and we are all looking forward to it. Were from Oklahoma and we love you. Praying for the Spirit to fall fresh and heavy that weekend!!!!!!
Much love,
Jennifer
OKC
Thank you so much for posting this beautiful recap of your trip and of mothers and daughters and life and faith that is ever growing. Thank you.
I don’t really know where June 3rd finds me. It’s kinda a hard day today but thankfully tomorrow is almost here!
I am so looking forward to the summer bible study. It can’t start soon enough!
Much love and blessings to all,
Michelle in VT
Was in Israel a few years ago with “Turning Point” and David Jeremiah…..awesome trip!! can’t wait to hear about yours. I’m still praying for our tour guide, that he would know the God of the land that he give’s tours about. Today finds me in Knitting class…..yes, I did say knitting LOL, and this evening we started “Here and Now…There and Then” awesome!!! Thank you Beth! May the Lord bless you as you recoup. from jet lag etc. 🙂
I am sitting at my patient’s bedside in the CICU where I work as an RN, trying to imagine the places you described in your blog. What a wonderful mental break during a stressful day!
Now Beth,
Listen… I wasn’t going to comment then I read…”Make me picture it!” So, on my way to my second attempt in the past three months to get a new hairdo, (former East Texas girl desperately tryin’ to get Houstonized) this last sentence screamed….”Writing challenge!” Today, I actually started a 100 day journey to become a better writer.
So…I pondered about what to write the entire way to my appointment while being terrified that once again, I chose the wrong hairdresser. By the way, the first attempt was so horrible that nearly fasted and prayed this past weekend asking the Lord God where to go in this huge city…who to trust! Very overwhelming when it comes to doctors and beauty stuff. Where I came from, there was only one of each so we trusted our only medical care and cut our own hair.
Anyway…I did survive and I walked out of my appointment finally feeling like a big city girl. I even stopped and bought at least four hair products that will keep my “big” hair looking like I have control of it. Since hairspray is the only thing in my past, (well, maybe a little mousse now and then)I have a lot of experimentin’ to do. I also bought some new shades of eyeshadow, stopped by a tanning salon to ask questions, (another scary decision in the big city) and proudly strutted my adorable new hairdo to the people that I talked to along the way. They graciously acted like they really cared about my hair. Houston people can be so friendly at times!
So… how am did I doing? Are you picturing it?
Big Hair comment to the lady that did my hair:
While she was sweeping up the five pounds of my hair (I can really relate to Absalom), I commented that BP should use my hair to stop up the oil gusher because there was so much of it, it would probably work better than golf balls. She was so busy trying to find her feet from underneath “all that hair” that she didn’t get it. Lost laughter…what a shame. I just laughed at my own joke. She was very intent on her task at hand. I don’t even know how to begin to describe the dance she did while trying to get my hair off of her shoes. It was hilarious! Oh well… time moved on. It took her an entire hour just to straighten my “big” hair. When she got to the last little bit, she said (actually she sighed) in her Iranian accent, “Well, we finally only have the last little bit to go.” She was tired but did a fantastic job!
I do love the simple things in the Lord as well as the deeper things. Sometimes I almost think I hear Him giggle.
Thanks for the challenge…it made my day!
I sooooo want to go to the Holy Land! I can only imagine what it would feel like to walk along a path that Jesus has walked on. Gives me goosebumps…..you lucky girls you! Glad you enjoyed the trip : )
My sons last day of Kindergarten is tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year already. He’s so excited with his accomplishments this year. He keeps looking at his report card and his data folder over and over again admiring his progress. He reads me books now! I just can’t believe it. I’m so proud of my little guy. Feeling like I want to keep him this way just a little longer. Five year olds are fun. You’re still their world but they go potty on their own and can pour their own juice. Today is bittersweet for me, bittersweet. My boy is growing up right before my eyes…
Hi Beth,
I am so glad you made it home safely. I hope you will teach us in pictures about the places you visited. I just got back from 3 days of football camp with my boy. It was sooo hot, but good mother and son time.