Good Monday morning, my darling Siestas! I pray you had a weekend full of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ! I am sitting here in my sweaty work out clothes, not quite ready to jump in the shower and hit the pavement to work. I usually keep my adorable namesake on Monday mornings while AJ has some alone time with Jackson in an activity class they attend together. The class for today was canceled so I don’t have a single toddler in my den saying “Bibby? Bibby? Bibby?” every few seconds. Those words are music to my ears so it’s way too quiet around here this morning. I’m usually pretty lazy about getting into work mode on a Monday because I’m babysitting but this time I’m holding back a bit because my physical body feels like God has borrowed it for a quick marathon in Lexington.
There is not enough I can say about our Lexington group. They were just fantastic. We received some hard words from Jeremiah this weekend but those of us willing to open ourselves up to them also got to stick our heads in the fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2). I will not forget that gathering for a very long time.I got to Lexington a day early because the Friday flight landed too late to take the risk. My hotel room looked out over the very center where we’d meet the next day. This was the sunset Thursday evening over that place. I stood at the window and praised God for it and asked for it to be a sign of His goodness to us and a deposit on the full measure of what He wanted to accomplish the next two days.
If you got a chance to catch the previous post, Rich has outdone himself by adding some video to the LPL picture-recaps. I watched it a few minutes ago and nearly cried. By the way, Rich’s beautiful, smart wife Gretchen, and their six month-old Polly were there this weekend. Polly is the cutest little thing. I’m just crazy about that family. Rich’s two girls may or may not have been the final shot in the video. Don’t call him shameless.I got a little Polly time myself. Go right ahead and call me shameless.
Well, I guess I was being prideful because I can’t get this picture to turn the right way. Laughing so hard. It’s saving straight up but it won’t insert straight up. I don’t care. I’m leaving it. Trying to compose myself as I keep looking myself in the eye, sideways.
I got home around 8:00 PM or so Saturday then woke up the next morning to a wonderful Sunday. My son-in-law Curtis was preaching in all our services in Pastor Gregg’s absence and I do dearly love to sit under CJ’s great teaching. Our terrific Pastor will return from his one-month summer sabbatical next Sunday and CJ will start teaching the Wednesday “Mid-link” Bible study again with the new Fall semester. It was an especially great day because our whole section was back in our corner of the sanctuary, all worshiping together with such unspeakable joy. In a church the size of mine (the sanctuary holds 3300 people), you have to go out of your way to plug in and feel like a part of things. You’re not likely to feel a close connection with the whole group but you can get to know a significant, life-changing part of it in a Bible study (Sunday school) class or something similar.
A bunch of us have been worshiping in the same general section of the sanctuary for years and, as I’ve told you before, our ages range all the way from young children to great grandparents. It’s a pretty broad section so there are many whose names are unknown to me but their familiar presence is so precious to me. The summer means travel so it’s been several months since it was full to the brim with this close community of folks. We all hugged and hugged yesterday and much of the time during praise and worship, I could not get the songs out of my mouth for the lump in my throat. And then my son-in-law got up and brought us a great word while I sat beside my firstborn, a young wife and mother pursuing God in the glad and chaotic mix of toddlerhood and preschool. My church is so dear to me. A good, sound local body of believers is absolutely crucial as we take this pilgrimage of faith together. It is God’s way. We were meant to do this together.
Right before the service, my sweet sister in Christ, Allison, came up to me with a big hug and a gift. I love Allison. I love her for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that we’ve made it through some differences. She has been in my classes for years and not necessarily always liked them or agreed with them. For starters, she is a King James gal and I use a number of different translations. One of us is single and the other married with kids and grandkids, so our lives also just tend to play out on separate planets at times it seems. Satan would liked to have caused some really hard feelings between us a couple of times because neither of us is very shy about expressing opinions but he simply did not prevail. And each of us would give glory to Jesus Christ alone for that. Each of us is weak in our natural selves but we genuinely love each other. Yesterday she said, “I made something for you” and placed in my hands five of the most beautiful greeting cards you have ever seen in your life. What makes them so special is that she paints the designs herself. Allison is tremendously gifted. She painted a picture of my best dog buddy of 18 years, Sunny, and it will be on my wall till I’m old and…(did I nearly say gray???). Here are a couple of the cards:
Aren’t they gorgeous? Now, do you want to hear the best part? She said with a sheepish grin, “There is a verse inside each one.” I said, “Oh, Allison, I love them! Yes, I’m so glad to have them! I will use them judiciously and for very special occasions!” Then she said, “And they’re in King James.” And we both bent over laughing. I love that girl. She’s fought a lot of obstacles in the power of Christ’s Spirit to live in the light of freedom. So has her friend Beth.
Because I know you’re going to ask to see it:
That makes me want to cry. I said good bye to that faithful friend two years ago and then I got my new little buddy, Star, a month later. To brighten the mood again, I’ll show you another gift I got recently. It’s sitting right by my kitchen sink this very moment. THIS, my dear Siestas, is one reason why you’ve gotta love women’s ministry:
The Scripture written on it is the main verse from “So Long Insecurity.” It’s Proverbs 31:25 in case you need to remember today that Christ has clothed you in strength and dignity.
Well, that’s my Monday morning hello! Good grief! You’ve made me late for work! I’ll leave you with this verse…from Allison…in the King James.
I love all of you dearly.
PS. Melissa, that was a fabulous post on Friday. Absolutely fabulous.
Wah??? I’m online while you’re online??? *giggles excitedly* My Monday just got better.
Happy Monday, Ms. Beth. 🙂
This made me smile today. Thank you, Beth!!!! 🙂
I’d bet your hair still looks great, even after the workout. 🙂
So happy Lexington went well, it was our privilege to pray y’all through it.
Beautiful portrait of Sunny, nice work Allison!
Hey, wait a sec, aren’t we getting a little off topic? What does this have to do with Vangie?
AAV/AAM hahaha 😉
Thank you Michele, you are kind to say!
Love it. Happy Blessed Monday to you all!!!!
Thanks for the post, Beth. You are soooo precious.
Funny, I’m sitting here in MY sweaty work-out clothes reading your post! Just not feeling ready to move on to the next phase of my morning yet (a shower, obviously).
Thank you so much for your testimony of your friendship with Allison. This is an area I’m so dreadful at. When a friend crosses me or causes continuous frustration or irriataion, it’s just too easy for me to write them off and move on to other things…and cause further hurt and confusion and bitterness in the end. Y’alls friendship is a challenge and beautiful example to me to press on through hard times with my friends, through forgiveness and difficult discussions, to reap precious benefits on the other side.
Have a great week!
It’s so worth it! May God be glorified!
Beth, that was a marvelous post by Melissa…….you have competition. I am from Alabama and have felt the HEAT!! I am excited about u Beth coming to Birmingham…I think it is with Kay and Priscilla. I need to check it out more and find out all the details. I think that is your closest for me for a while….I havent seen u since Knoxville, TN a few years ago. Thanks for your post!
Isn’t she gifted? So happy that we Moore girls are on the same team and cheer each other on continually.
Good Morning Beth!
Nothing terribly exciting ot share today – except our Awesome God – and He’s enough excitement for me!
Love you dearly! Blessings, Lynn
PS. Melissa’s post made me laugh because her monotony is my life!
Haha! I get that!
Good morning Beth!!!!! Hard weekend but God is working and He is so good. Starting the beginning of our third year homeschooling with my son in the 2nd grade this week. Praying for your ministry. Loving the book of James. Isn’t it amazing how God prepares our hearts before trying times and also to protect us from utter calamity! Love ya!
Oh my, those paintings are GORGEOUS!!! Allison is indeed a very talented lady. Just beautiful.
Glad to hear that Lexington blessed your socks off! And I’m sure God had a mighty word for those attending. He is so faithful to pour out the living water…
Polly is so cute!
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Thank you so much, Adrienne, you are so kind to say!
Good Morning Mrs Beth!
Wow! I’m still processing everything from this past weekend. It was completely a last minute get away and couldn’t have been more needed. I got there late on Friday night because I drove from Franklin, Tn and forgot about the time change! lol! I made in time for the last little bit of the last song and then all of your teaching.
It was so what I needed to hear, and hear again! There were several things that you said that were almost direct quotes from something my counselor said on Wednesday. I’m in a time of deep soul searching and dealing with long standing issues that I didn’t even realize had created such a strong hold in my life. It’s a time of excitement because I’m seeing God move and work in my life like I have never seen before. It’s also a scary and difficult time because it means dealing with feelings and becoming completely real and vulnerable about things in my life. And I don’t do that…I’m the one taking care of others and helping them go through their problems. I’m a comforter and not a good comfortee.
All that said, this weekend was exactly what I needed and I’m so grateful that I was able to go. It was great to meet up with some new Siestas and a couple of familiar faces. A huge shout out to Brittney aka LopsidedHalos for letting me crash at her apartment for the night…she’s a huge lifesaver and kept me from spending the night at the IHOP! lol!
Have a great Monday dear Beth!
Nikki
haha! I LOVED having you over! Sorry you had to sleep on the floor….but I have to say that staying up talking to you until the wee hours of the morning was one of the highlights of the weekend! Love ya, girl 🙂
Hi Nikki,
I just had to reply to your comment, just so you’d know that there is another siesta out here who is seeing God work and move in my life as never before. The journey to get real, as I’m finding out, and it appears you are too, is riddled with potholes and obstacles, but Ive discovered it is so worth it. I’m writing your name in my journal right now so I’ll remember to pray for you and hope you’ll pray for me too. Blessings on your Monday,
Patti Hayes
The cards take my breath away. Is there a place they can be purchased? And thank you Beth for being faithful to Jesus.
I just LOVE women’s ministry too! I teach a Sunday school class full of 7th and 8th grade girls…and I just LOVE them to pieces!!
PS….I have a scrubbing brush similar to that in my kitchen too…it makes me more motivated to wash the dishes when I have a “cute” scrubbing brush!
I’m rushing around like a crazy woman this morning but still made time to vacuum…something that really, really needed to be done! (Eased my guilt over feeling like I haven’t been a very good “domestic engineer” lately because I’ve been so busy.) But I LOVED what you shared in Lexington and it was worth the time away in the midst of a very busy season of life.
God meant for us to have abundant fruit to eat, but we have to EAT it…otherwise it just sits and rots…that reminds me; I better do something with those bananas that my husband didn’t eat over the weekend…I’m not even sure what color they are now…long past green, then yellow and then black!
Thanks for the “siesta” photo!!!! What a special treat that was!
Becky in Indy (from Houston via New Mexico then Kiev, Ukraine though 🙂
So, siestas….
How do you get a photo next your your name?
Becky
I had to do this twice to get it to work…I’m not as techy as I’d like to be! Go to gravatar.com and find the box that says create a gravatar. If you click on that it will ask you for your e-mail address. Type that in and you’ll get an e-mail telling you how to set it up. Good luck!
It’s pretty easy, Becky:
If you’d like your own pic by your comment, go to Gravatar.com. Click the first button “Get your gravatar today ->”, and it will walk you through a simple process to select a picture.
Becky,
Go to the top of the comment page. Just under Beth’s post. You have to create a Gravator. If I remember correctly the process is fairly painless. OK?
Kels
Hello Beth! I love you soo much! You gave me the biggest smile when I saw your sideways picture! When I saw it, I said, now why are they laying down? Then, I realized your situation. Cute and funny at the same time.
My own service was filled with the anointing of the Lord. Worship is my thing. I love to worship the Lord all day long. A song is usually not far from my lips. I had been absent from church for about the last month or so due to not feeling very well and an intense need to just rest-I mean fall asleep at any and all times. I told my daughter Ashlin that I had been gone so long that I’d have to fill out a visitor’s card!
Before the service began, I filled out the prayer request card. This is what I wrote:”I am ready to rise above my physical limitations and do what the Lord has called me to do.”
I set it aside and got ready to sing and praise the Lord. I could tell from that first song that it was gonna be a good one. It was one that I hadn’t heard before but my spirit bore witness with it.
Here are the words: “Jesus Lord of all. Jesus mighty King.
Jesus, Lion of Judah. Vs. I decided I’m gonna take a stand. I decided I’m taking back my land. I decided I’m picking up my Sword and I’ll fight til’ the day of the Lord.”
Do you see it?! Do you see it?! Thank you Jesus for the hope and courage that only you can bring. I believe that the Lord was letting me know that He heard my request and is meeting me in the midst of my need! Amen!
Just had to share with you!
Bless you dear Siesta Mama and all you dear Siestas!
One of the most comforting things on this earth is to have a church family. Every Sunday, I sit next to someone that I have known all of my 50 years. It truly enhances one’s experience.
Please Please Please ask your secretary or who ever was answering the phone this morning about the phone called she received. I had to share w/ someone there (hopefully before your devotion time) what or shall I say who our group encounter on our way home from Lexington. I bow, stand & sit in awe of our great Heavenly Father who I call “Daddy”. He moved me & blew me away Saturday afternoon. I wish I could send you a picture of this. So if by chance you would love a picture, (I hope my email shows up) You could contact me or just comment on here & I can mail you one. But I just wish you could have it right now. LOL. Keep up your work in the Lord. He is so good.
Thank you so much for coming to Lexington! You spoke some words to me that I think God has been trying to tell me for the last 2 years and I haven’t been listening! As I prepare to do something this fall that I feel I’ve been called to but I’m not too excited about doing I am absolutely clinging to our Eat 1 verse….I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit! And Jeremiah 32:17 is also calling my name…nothing is too hard for You. I am the miracle He’s looking to perform and the task He has prepared for me is one of the many miracles He is going to perform for me! Thanks SO much for all you do, Beth, for God is truly performing miracles in your life and through your obedience!
I love this! My sweet Nana has some passionate opinions about the King James version of the Bible. Personally, I am a reader of several versions. But, last year I got my favorite Bible EVER! Nana gave me her Bible – it is really old and held together by contact paper. I am telling you if my house catches on fire, I will get the kids out and that Bible. There’s something about reading the WORD from the exact Bible that has purposed her to walk so closely with the Lord. And, when she goes to be with the Lord, her will actually dictates that I am to have her “new” Bible too (the perk of my being a lawyer – I got the one heirloom I wanted). I think it is her way of making me a King James girl after all and you know what, I wouldn’t want it any other way!
So glad Kentucky was wonderful! Can’t wait to welcome you to Virginia in 2 weeks!
Dearest Beth and all of you siestas at Lexington,
I had the most blessed time hanging out with all of you, and am still pouring over Jeremiah (a book I rarely turned to). Beth, I want you to know how much you mean to me. I had so much fun getting my picture taken with all the siestas there, and your sweet words to us meant the world!
This online community is precious to me too, and needless to say, to so many others as well. I pray for you often, and thank God that he has blessed us with a woman of God with a passion for teaching us his word.
From the message at Lexington, the lesson I learned in my Sunday School class just yesterday, and Melissa’s post, God is teaching me to have an eternal perspective. We have all been appointed by God. We must stop living our lives as if they are mundane, and living them as children of the utmost! It’s tough, but seeking to glorify God in everything from job searching to singing praises is what we are called to do.
Thanks for being our siesta mama!
Rachael
Sometimes you just need a “th” on the end! Amen!
I love the sideways picture! Glad to know someone else has as much trouble with the blog details as I do! LOVE LOVE LOVE the cards from Allison- she is so gifted! I’m sad the greeting cards seem to be a dying breed- they’ve gotten lost in the world of email- I’m glad she’s helping keep them going!
Kelli, Thank you! That is so sweet of you!!
Kelli, Here is a link to see where my art is. Thanks!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/allicata
Dear Beth,
I didn’t know how to get a hold of you so I’ll try this way. I am doing a bible study(A woman’s heart) the tabernacle, at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. The first time I have ever been in a bible study with so many different denominations. There is a Catholic, and an episcopalian, a couple of others I do not know. But it has been very enriching, especially the part about the priests and being sanctified and holy. We got into some big discussions about women preachers and censures and etc. But that is not what I was going to mention. I just finished crying for an hour. Was so blessed by finding out that God buried His precious Moses.
I wanted to address the story that you told at the beginning of the book about your dad. Is he still living? The story about his war days and what his platoon found when they went into Dachau. It was the same story I was told by my husband, Bill Gray. (He was 30 yrs. older than me)I was totally shocked when I read it! Do you think they were in the same platoon? Bill told me another tidbit that you might be interested in, or maybe your father if he is still alive. Bill died in 1996. But he showed me the verse that the head of their platoon used to name their platoon.
It was Job 39:25. The name was haha. I just had to share that with you. Yes, that time at the concentration camp was a memory never to be erased from their minds.
Love you so much even though I don’t know you personally.
Sandi Massa
Hi, Sandi! They may have been in the very same platoon! My Dad did pass away two years ago. I love you, too, Sandi. May God continue to bless your very diverse group with the bonding joy of Jesus!
Siesta Mama
Your Monday morning post blessed my day and the beginning of my week. I read the re-cap notes from Brittney (lopsided Halo)and watched Rich’s video. What an awesome,timely message from Jeremiah. Wish I could have heard it all in person. I hope the full message will be on CD or DVD sometime in the future. You Rock as you bring the very words of Jesus to our eager hearts and minds. Have a blessed restful week.
Love you
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Thanks Beth for a great weekend in the Word in my hometown. I live only a few minutes from the arena and I saw that beautiful sunset, and heard thunder the day of the event repeatedly. I told my husband, I believed that it was The LORD descending to meet with His girls.
The worship time was especially powerful for me. My soul had been aching for some “Victory in Jesus” and “In Christ Alone”. My soul found rest in the worship and in Jeremiah. This has been a season of weeping for me of trying to til hard soil in the unplowed ground. I loved being reminded that a harvest would come from this desert. I really need that fresh word.
Thanks for giving us everything you had. I’m praising God for your sister’s healing. How awesome that fruit was harvested from her story this weekend. God is awesome!
Love and prayers,
Julie
What beautiful cards and the best thing is the scripture on the inside of them. Love it!
I so envy you (but in a good way). When you share about your church, etc. I have been downloading Pastor Gregg’s sermons on my IPod…love it!!! Sorry I missed CJ preaching by webcast on Sunday, hope to pick that up for the “pod” next.
We are currently attending an ultra-conservative Mennonite Church – girl, it has been a learning experience, but we truly feel God has set us down here for a while. It’s unlike any fellowship ever we have known. (My daughter prayed this for us) “Mother, I just wish you and dad could find a place where you could “just be”. No leadership role for either of you”
I have dug into the word deeper in this last year than the past 40+ years I have been a Christian. I know how to praise Him by myself, singing His praise and not worrying if I’m on key. God has been soooo good and I know I’ve only “scratched” the surface.
Isn’t He interesting?
Oh, I just love it when we get to hear from you a lot! I went on a, um, date last night and I swear to you that, when I was driving home, I thought “Oh, I really need to text Beth about this!” I realize that’s a little weird, but on the bright side, you appeal to all age groups!
(He had coffee and I had an apple juice box.)
(But he said we should get together again, so I think the apple juice box thing wasn’t too bad of a decision on my part.)
(I wore my hair really big.)
AMY BETH!!!!!!!!!! I NEED TO BE KEPT UP ON THIS!!!!!! I am so proud of your hair.
Loved this whole post!!
Since “So Long Insecurity” came up, I wanted to share a recent story. My twelve year old daughter received a phone for texting and she and my husband were in a restaurant texting each other while I went to the ladies’ room. When I returned to our table, I asked if they were texting about me. She texted to my phone, “insecurity strikes again.” I love that she is learning to not be insecure at such a young age.
Thanks Beth for your ministry to us women.
What a sweet post that was today, just what I needed to sit down and read. I was feeling irritated and grouchy and entered into siestaville and now feel just blissful. Thank you 🙂
Oh Dear Beth,
I so wish I lived closer to where ever you are going to be. I will live through all the sisters here. Did you see the outline of a head in the beatiful picture outside your window? Kinda like you are meshed together for the weekend.
Your story of Allison brought a few people to mind and how both of you ladies were strong enough to see the enemy working on your friendship. I am at a point I wish I had friends that close no matter what.
Speaking about bibles,(as in your story) I am looking for one that I can write and mark in. But with all kinds out there it is bothering my sleep as to which one to get. Help!!
My KJV from childhood looks in new condition even though I have many bookmarkers that I have placed in all the wonderful places. Back then you would never, and I mean NEVER write in your bible.
Beth, thank you for this site so that at least I can come here and be directed by wonderful people about the Word.
Love ya all,
Rebecca
PS Did you really sleep on the floor??
Beeeeeautiful Beth,
There is nothing like a painting or photo to bring back the blessed memories of yesteryear with our precious furry friends!!
Touched by the gift from Allison!!
My Monday is filled with heavy emotion.
One of my dear friends is in a California hospital fighting for her life & in such pain. The cancer she has been battling for 2 years is rampant and in the natural there is little hope. Her doctors told her that August would be her last month. So, She traveled over to see me a couple of weeks ago to have lunch overlooking the ocean. Before she left, she gave me a hug and said
“I want to come back and walk on the beach with you and see your completed home remodel.”
Oh Beth, My heart is so heavy!
I know we serve a God that is a God of the impossible.
At 8:55 AM
My oldest son called me moments before entering his first class of law school. He wanted to hear my voice and encourage him with a song that I used to sing him every first day of school. TEARS ~ OKAY SOBBING TEARS!
I am so HUMBLED to be part of this loving blog site.
I am blessed to hear that the prayers I sent were answered in Lexington!
MY PRAYERS WERE ~~~~~ “DO IT LORD”
Glad the ladies heard
THE WORD OF THE LORD COMING TO THEM AS THEY
ATE (Jer.2:7),PRAYED (Jer.29:12)& LOVED (Jer.31:3)
I need a hug today!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim Safina
Oh Kim. Please feel a huge hug coming from Houston. We love you here. Jesus is so ON ALL OF THIS with you, Darling Sister. We care so much.
Hugs {{{}}} for you Kim.
I really feel for you.
It is so great to come here and be cherished.
Too bad we can’t have coffee and exchange stories?
Although my english needs checking, looking at my last post?LOL
Hugs and prayers,
Rebecca
I love ya Kim. I’m hugging you from hot and sweaty TN but its a hug that loves you!!! 🙂
Hugs, love and prayers from Alaska, Kim…
Kim, I’m hugging you with a Kansas prairie heart, Sister! Love you so much, Yolanda
The cards are stunning! Wow. Great boost on a home from work with chest congestion and coughing and it is hot Monday. Is it fall yet?
More stories on the RV trip Beth!
Allison is a Siesta! I’m dying for her to see this post and chime in. I’m hoping she’ll tell where people can see her artwork.
Oh Beth,
I am so overwhelmed, excited, and grateful about the weekend I just spent in Lexington with you. My mom and I both went as a result of your birthday gift to your daughter. I was one of the 60 bloggers that were lucky enough to win 2 tix to an event. I am soo grateful to you for doing celebrating your daughters bday like that! What a blessing! I read Amanda’s blog as well and you both are just such an encouragement to me and I’m so glad that you share your lives with us.
The words God spoke through you this weekend were EXACTLY what I have been needing to hear! I think I’m in a desert land (spiritually) and really didn’t know how to get out of it. ANd when you said (and showed us in the Word) that all it is is unplowed land and we can ask God to plow it up for us-it was HELLO!!! Why on earth don’t I do that for starters?? 🙂
I just want you to know that your ministry is so important to me and the worship was awesome and so renewing of the fact that I do love God more than anything. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU-for the gift of attending this weekend, for sharing your gift of teaching with us and letting God shine through you!Your fire for the Lord is sooo contagious!!
Love in Christ,
Kristy
I am so thankful for LPL came to Lexington. This is our (me & my daughter) very first live event ever and it was WOW!! It is amazing how the same God’s word you teach that day speak so many different ways to each individual. I know my daughter hear something totally different than I.
Am I allowed to ask here how to get the Siestas group photo? I am sorry if I wasn’t supposed to.
Oh Beth, I am sure we are best friends. I love reading your posts and I am so thankful for you!!
p.s. I definitely almost bought one of those scrub brushes. What a neat idea for the verse!
love you, dear one, and praying for you!
So so good to hear your voice, Beth. Which I do when I read your work. I want to hang on every word. For the first time in years, I’m not participating in a fall Bible study with a bunch of women. I could weep. We have changed churches (a long story. a long time coming. a long road to helaing, apparently.) My new church doesn’t have the women’s time to which I have grown accustomed. Not sure if I’m supposed to rest from leading or start something new. While I wait, in the spacious place in which He has so graciously place me, I will read and pray and listen. Thank you for writing in this place.
I hope to make it to one of your meetings some day. We live in Iowa. That God would lead so many women in such a wonderful thing is just amazing. We all need each other and how wonderful that He uses you to bring us together. Have a great week Beth!!
Oh Beth!! This is awesome! I love the pictures, the stories, the realness of it all. Thanks for inspiring me to just be me…in Him…in all things.
Love you dearly!!
Hugs,
Fran
My group of bible study gals are so near and dear to my heart. There is just something about the close few that share ups and downs while studying God’s word. I am about to leave those gals and move 1,000 miles away to Whitehouse, TX. It’s my husbands fault; about 2 years ago he prayed that God would close doors and open doors and make them obvious. We have been on a rollercoaster ever since. Let me tell you God had to close a LOT of doors before they started to open! But with every closed door we knew God was answering prayer.
Love the pics! I’m not in sweaty work out clothes, rather sweaty casual clothes as I prepare our “new” home for our household goods to arrive in the a.m. This morning my youngest precious daughter Hope came upstairs and exclaimed, “this house is AWESOME”. Talk about a great way to start a Monday!
I too would LOVE to know about the cards, as my father is a DEVOUT KJV reader–would make a wonderful gift for him and my mom!
So glad this weekend in Lexington went well. I pray that all those whose lives were touched will spread the love to all those around.
I’m excited to say that we are already getting involved in a local church here in Tuscaloosa. I can feel the Holy Spirit there in a powerful way.
In Christ’s Love,
Donna B.
I am so sorry I did not make it to Lexington KY. Maybe next year sounds as if you had a wonderful time. Great post Beth, and lovely cards. I know how much you miss your Baby. I am doing the BIG UGLY CRY, right now. Lost two babies three months apart. One cocker… CocoAnne 12 yrs. in April, and MacBeth….Poodle 14 yrs. in June. Had a big old ugly cry than. We still have the younger poodle…Onyxmarie, and a shelter dog….. BrandiLynn. Thanks for all you do. Hope to see you soon. Excuse the typing please… I went and broke a finger.LOL
Is it possible to feel like an outsider with all these happy events happening? Right now I guess I feel joyless and I am working hard to avoid it. Beth thank you for letting me sob.
I was wondering if Dawn aka. Little ladybug is around? She was going through a hard time and I am thinking of you Dawn.
Rebecca
So just read through the comments that you may be coming to Birmingham. If so, when is that scheduled? I have a Bible study group that would be beyond tickled to attend. We are about to start your study on Esther and we are all so excited. Last year was our first study together (A Woman’s Heart) and it was such a wonderful bonding experience, that we needed dearly! We laughed, cried, and broke down so many walls together that we just can’t contain ourselves on starting this year’s study! Have a great Monday and thanks for ALL that you do! With Love!
From Lexington I want to say “thanks”. What a great conference. Yes, God is getting to that one part that I didn’t want Him to mess with. But……I’m letting Him. It’s time. Plow it up……time to replant. Eat, Pray, Love. I spent Sat night reading through all of my notes and reviewing all the scripture just so I could fill in the “holes” and make sure it gets down in my bones. Even though I didn’t feel like it……nasty sinus infection. Will keep at it. Bound and determined. OH! Our group walked to a restaurant across from Rupp Arena right after the conference for lunch. We almost stuck our heads in the fountains so we could send you a picture :). But with my nasty crud going on……..decided against it. HA! Love you!
I was there. It was incredible. COuldn’t sleep last night waiting for time to get up and start studying my Bible.
Oh, I do dearly love a Monday morning post – full of life and God’s goodness. So glad Lexington was fantastical! Got a full day ahead – so will make this (oh gracious! Can it be?) a mere four sentence post!
Warm in Alaska.
I am still on a high from Lexington..getting ready to rewrite my notes and put my scriptures verses on index cards. I don’t want to forget one thing I learned this past weekend!
Yippee! I love sitting down to rewrite notes – it can almost feel like you’re getting the teaching fresh! Bless you while you memorize!