How is my favorite blog community? I’ve been keeping a close eye on all of you for the last week but I intentionally left our blog wide open to Amanda as she went on mission to Guatemala with Compassion International. I am so proud of her. She went way out – I do mean W-A-Y O-U-T – of her comfort zone to take that kind of mission trip and see those horrible conditions with her tender heart. Don’t get me wrong. Amanda’s always been courageous but she has as sensitive a heart and conscience as anyone I’ve ever known. It’s part of what makes her the wonderful person she is. She can’t look intently at something without taking it on. The only thing further outside her comfort zone than going to those projects and that vulture-infested dump was then asking if anybody wanted to help. That’s the thing about taking a trip like that. Your comfort zone is forever changed. I think God means to get each one of us to a place where we’re more comfortable asking for help than we are with closing our eyes, turning our heads, and letting things stay the same.That applies to any dimension of life, really.
We are convinced that God wants us to take time out of our regular routine around here at least once a year to highlight specific world needs and offer opportunities to help. You are never under compulsion. These are just opportunities for those in search of some. A platform of this kind comes with serious responsibility and stewardship and is meant for more than a social outlet for an isolated sanguine. It’s a frightening prospect apart from the grace and mercy of God. About four or five years ago, Travis and I also heard distinctly (and separately) from the Lord about giving to the poor at our Living Proof Live events. There are so many great opportunities for giving that we’ve chosen to spread it out a little bit through the various arms of this ministry. At Living Proof Live, we partner with Samaritan’s Purse. Here on the blog, we partner with Compassion International and, through the Wednesday broadcast, we partner, of course, with Life Outreach and Mission Feeding. Our efforts are pathetic if God doesn’t add the increase through the power of His Spirit but we trust Him to do so. After all, it was His idea. He is the one who said,
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Praise His faithful Name.
We’ll move now from the sacred to the virtually meaningless and then hopefully back to the sacred. Since I talked to you last…
*I’ve had a weekend off. Got to sleep in. Read, read, read, and go on a walk and, afterward, drive over to see my dear sister, Gay, where she serves Jesus. I am so honored to pursue Him with my very own blood kin. She was the dearest thing in the world to me growing up. We shared not only a room but a double bed. That’s what you do in big families with small bank accounts. The word “mine” wasn’t in our vocabulary much in those days and we were the better for it. We shared the same dolls and were dressed in matching home-sown outfits a good bit of the time. We were inseparable till life took its grievous toll. Believe me when I tell you that we both earned the right to self-destruct. We never quit loving each other even through periods of hurt and silence. We just quit doing life together for a while. God is restoring to us the years the locusts have eaten. That’s another story for another time but one of the biggest things going on in my personal life. I love Jesus so much for what He’s doing. (OK, so that one didn’t turn out meaningless at all. Often when I write, I mean to head one direction and end up in another.)
*I’ve had a fancy dinner with my man. Colin and Melissa gave us a gift card for Keith’s birthday to a steakhouse in Houston that we really love and we shared a crab cake, each got a wedge salad with crumbled blue cheese, steaks (mine 6 oz filet, his, a honking – or shall I say mooing – rib eye), cheese grit souffle, green beans, and croissant bread pudding for dessert. It was incredible and so much fun. My man was so handsome sitting on the other side of that candle-lit table.
*Keith shot in two sporting clays’ tournaments over the weekend and won first place. The man can shoot. I love it when nothing perishes.
*Curtis and the kids flew back from his parents Saturday night and I got to see them Sunday at church. I so enjoyed just sitting with my son-in-law in the worship service. It’s rarely ever just the two of us and I am such a fan of his. We are blessed beyond measure to have the two sons-in-law our girls brought us. I got to have Jackson all afternoon until Curtis grabbed him to head to the airport to get his mama. I would love to have had Annabeth, too, but she’s pretty tanked after Sunday school and church and is most blessed by a nice, long afternoon nap. I’m the same way most weeks. I get to spend many Monday mornings with her anyway so that’s my consolation.
*Jackson had his very first soccer practice last night! Yes, Amanda and Curtis have entered the wild world of children’s sports. He was so proud of his shin guards that he slept in them the first night.I love the little dude so much.
*It’s still 100 degrees in Houston.Do NOT send me any pictures of autumn leaves. Melissa tried that yesterday and I called her mean names.
*There is a rat in my garage.
So, what are you guys up to this Fall? I’d love to hear about your plan for victory over the next several months! What Bible studies are you in this semester? Are you engaged in a small group or are you going solo? Do tell!
Sorry I’m all over the place. I think I’ve had too much coffee.
Hi Beth,
I love hearing all your updates, “meaningless” or otherwise! And I love to hear from your girls since they are my age and in similar seasons. This is my first year in a little while not to be in a Beth Moore study!!! Yikes!!! (I love hearing from the Lord through you, so I’m going to go get my Beth fix at a simulcast coming up).
I felt led to facilitate a study this year at my church here in Nashville with a smallish group of women in mainly our early thirties and it’s a wee bit experimental. We are camping out on John 17 for eleven weeks and each week we worship together and then ask the Spirit to show up and help us disect one verse a week. Then throughout the following week we meditate on the next verse and share what the Lord shows us at the next meeting. I really entered into this with “fear and trembling” because without the traditional structure of bible study I really felt out of control, if we’re going to get fed it’s only going to happen by our tuning into the Spirit and His graciousness to teach us. I cherish any prayers that any who read this feel compelled to pray for a random sister in Nashville! In turn, I ask the Holy Spirit to anoint all the groups of women gathering together in this season throughout the world. Father teach us more of You, glorify Yourself in our lives that the world may know Your Son through us and the veil of the multitudes will be lifted to know and see the LOVE OF GOD!!!! Father, bless Beth and all teachers of Your Word that they would be given fresh revelation of your ancient Truth as they prepare and teach to those You send them. In Your Name Jesus, Amen and Amen!!!!!
Hi Katie
I certainly will pray for a fellow Nashville Bible study girl. We started our first night of
Esther at my church in Bellevue. I had done the study a couple years ago but know I will see Esther and God in a new light. Even though I am in an older group, not really by choice it just worked out that way, we can still pray for each other. Be blessed in your study, God will take you where He wants you to go!!
Hi Jo Ann,
Thank you so much for your prayers, I’ll pray for you all as well! I haven’t done the Esther study yet, I look forward to one of these days. What church in Bellevue do you go to?
Blessings,
Katie
ok—I will not tell you about the autumn leaves that i will be seing on our NCL Canadian cruise next week! I have been looking at the projected weather & It looks like it is gonna be in the 60’s. goodbye Texas weather
Hi Beth! What am I doing this fall? Starting next week I am “back in the Saddle”, speaking at various women’s events, after a 2 month summer break! I keep grounded in the word by having morning devotion coupled with ongoing bible study. I have been following “Wednesdays with Beth”, on the internet. After each one I then “dive” in even deeper into what you have been inspired to teach. I hope that does’nt offend you (the diving in deeper). The word is so powerful, that as the teaching is unfolding, my mind is on overdrive…I get so pumped…I just want more…of HIM! Praise His Holy Name!
Ohhhh…rats! How awful! When we lived in California, we discovered a rat and I called an exterminator right away…over the phone he explain that rats are extremely quiet and shy, and by the time you see one, you probably have a whole family of them…Yikes! I didn’t sleep a wink that night!
I just finished Believing God, and did that right on the heels of Breaking Free–my oh my is God at work in my life right now. I will be doing Esther this Fall, and can’t wait. I am sad to say I am doing it solo. The women’s studies at church and others in the area do not work well with my work, school (in last term of my doctorate program), and travel schedule. I am actually quite sad about not having a group of girlfriends to study scripture with. I have lived in this city for 5 years (Jacksonville, FL) and still feel somewhat isolated. However, in either Believing God or in So Long Insecurity you mentioned Ps. 146:5-9 where it says “The Lord watches over the alien” and I have reminded myself of that repeatedly when I feel lonely. He is watching over me, He will not forget me, I am engraved on the palms of his hands (Is 49:15-16). I am also so thankful for this blog…it makes me feel a little less isolated! 🙂
I love this blog gettin to be a part of this is a blessing. Amanda’s post has brougt back memories of a Missionary trip me and a litlle friend took 6 yrs ago. I am going to do a Bible Study in my home there is fourteen ladies that will be attending the study. Our study is Here and Now…There and Then. I am having all the ladies over Saturday 25th for a lucheon to kick off our Bible Study. I will be serving homemade chicken salad sandwiches…homemade pimento cheese and crackers…cranberry congealed salad..Quiche…and mixed fruit with a fruit dip on top. I will let them know what book to purchase for our Study I also have some gifts to hand out to these ladies can’t wait. We will do our stuty on Thursday’s starting October 7th..I am ready to gobble up all God has to give us. Please pray that we will all learn and grow in this study.
Four airports and three flights later this Nana has arrived at her daughter’s in the mountains of Arizona. Granddaddy will follow soon. Our daughter and her husband are expecting their third child any day now. They have two little boys (almost 5 and 3). The next a girl. We all are excited and can’t wait to meet the newest member of the family. Just before beginning my trek to AZ I kicked off Faithful, Abundant and True. I will be back for the last two weeks of it and then leading Ruth by Kelly Minter. I know those in class will be greatly blessed by the study they are in now. I attended the Deeper Still event last September in Orlando. Such a blessing. On my own I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
Beth, thank you for sharing your life and for your servant-heart. This sister in Christ truly appreciates all you do to reach out and teach and love.
Oo,oo,oo – just have to say that my summer siesta bible study group is getting ready to do one of your DVD studies (we are voting on which one right now). I attended your live session last week – thank you, Beth, for doing these. Travis was awesome and so were you!
Of course, we are into the thick of football season in my house – we have 3 college boys at various Texas schools and attend some of those games, have season tix to Texas A&M and our youngest is a senior in high school and plays on Varsity.
I do have a question on the mission opportunities. With so much proverty in our own country, is there an organization that you recommend that focuses on the work that is needed here in our own backyard, so to speak?
Thanks, Beth!
Saturday 4 of us are getting in the car and driving 2 hours to Spearman, TX for Beth’s simulcast.
I am facilitating the Revelation study with 28 ladies in our small town. One group meets in the afternoon and the other at night. It is exciting to have 7 ladies who have never come to our Bible Studies. We have ladies from several churches in town.
In October and November I will be helping promote and collect shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Hey Beth~ I share your seasonal pain down here in Corpus Christi!… I’m so DONE with this weather and am ready for temps lower than the 90’s. (I’m the Siesta that made the little vintage chenille jacket for Anna Beth’s 1st birthday- gave it to Amanda at the SSMTC- Hopefully we’ll get cold enough weather for her to wear it before it’s too small for her!)
We had rodent trouble in our garage until be got our two barn cats a couple months ago- should I say “garage cats”. Thankfully we live on 2 acres and they have “room ro roam”. We’re hoping they keep the rattle snakes away as well (we’ve had 7 so far this year)… I claim Jesus’ words in Luke 10:19 (NIV) over our house and property (we have scorpions, too)…
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
As far as my plan for victory~ I’m not sure about any Bible study’s yet; I’m waiting to see what my church is going to offer this fall (will find out in a couple weeks). I must confess, I have felt a bit spiritually dry these past months over the summer as I’ve fallen into the “captivity of activity” and have not been in God’s Word as much as I’d like. For the past year the Lord has laid on my heart to start a women’s small group with “Wednesday’s with Beth” as the ongoing teaching topics. I love how God allows the teachings to be filled with power and life application, yet not overwhelming that would discourage someone who might not have time to do homework that a regular Bible Study would entail. We’d actually meet on Wednesdays, watch a pre-recorded topic, have discussion about the topic/teaching, time in God’s Word together, prayer, and fellowship. To start off with, this group would not be through my church, but instead an outreach to people God lays on my heart to invite. I’ve been praying about it and will give you and update once we get started.
Thank you, Beth, for all you do to serve the Lord by serving us! You all at LPM are such treasures!
Celebrating Jesus~
Teri
hahaha! Beth, you just make me laugh!
I am starting a small group with some college girls on campus in the next few weeks. I’m watching God be highly esteemed at my church here by old and young alike. I can’t tell you how it lights the fire inside my heart to see college-aged kids run, literally RUN, after God. I’m a college kid and I know the statistics. I’m pumped to see God defy those.
Back to the study – I think we’re going to do Kelly Minter’s other study on “Modern Day Idols,” which I am terribly excited about. It’s not terribly time consuming, but still makes you THINK, and Lord knows we don’t have much time with all the homework our professors give us!
I’ve been napping outside my dorm on some rocking chairs lately. The breeze has cooled things off. My dorm is right next to a field so I get to watch the deer run around or just be lazy like me. They own this place…the deer I mean. (P.s. I go to Berry College in Georgia, if that clears the deer thing up)
Classes are great and God has blessed me with the most incredible “life” group up here. My friends are angels.
OH…Today I stepped on the first crunchy leaf of this semester and it was a GOOD one! hahaha
praying for you and all my Siestas and sending you all so much love!
Beth
p.s. So interesting that you quoted Isaiah. Yom Kippur Is this Friday night/Saturday and someone quoted that passage to me earlier concerning the fast.
Maybe you will see my dear friend, Ashley West, at Berry. Who knows, maybe you will connect in Bible study there. 🙂
I will definitely listen out for her name!! I would love to find another Siesta here!! =)
Tell her to email me ([email protected]) if she wants to be part of my small group, or even just to have coffee! Like I said, we’ll probably be doing one of Kelly Minter’s study and I’d absolutely LOVE to have her! We’re a mix of people and ages, so she should definitely NOT feel uncomfortable or out of place.
HI Beth,
I just have to tell you that this fall I am going on my first ever mission trip!!!!!! I leave, in three days!!!!!! there are 9 ladies going and we are going to Cambodia !!!!! OH MY GOSH, I can not even believe it . It seems we have been planning this for such a long time and it is finally here. I am a bit anxious BUT I know without a doubt that GOD is in this all the way and HE has prepared the way.
we are going to work with girls that have been rescued from the sex traffic trade !!!!!!!! Please pray for us. I don’t know if you read all these but anyone out there that does read this please pray not just for our safety but that the girls we talk and work with will see Jesus through us!!!
Thanks so much for all you do. My group of about 18 ladies will be doing your study, Jesus the one and only.
thanks again and GOD BLESS !!!!
Ginny
Oh Ginny!! Cambodia will bless you and break your heart. I went three years ago and spent a week teaching English in Siem Riep. I will always have a special place in my heart for the people of Cambodia. God’s blessings on your trip.
Please bless and protect Ginny, Lord. May the girls they minister to see Jesus and His great love for them. Please rescue them from sin’s bondage. Only You can.
I am doing the new study of Isaih with BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and Ester at my church! I am so excited to be doing Ester finally! I have been waiting for it! We are also with our girls 10 & 12 and school and soccer…I love the Fall. I hope Jackson enjoys his soccer. I love that he slept in his shin guards. I’m telling my girls that story. They will love it.
Much Love,
Amy
This fall I’m doing John Bevere’s study “The Bait of Satan”. I have to say when my church women’s Bible study first advertised for that one I was ready to run as fast as I could the other way. It’s a bit of a scray name. But, once I actually looked into what it was about I knew it would be a good one. Last night was the first night and I think it will be good.
There’s also a group of women doing the updated Breaking Free on the same night in the next room over. It’s exciting to see all these women come together who really want to dig deep into God’s Word together.
I’m doing a Bible study on prayer with my sister and mother. I’m more excited about seeing them then doing the Bible study (i’m sure the Lord understands)
This fall (which hasn’t made it’s way to south Alabama yet…I’m so ready for some cooler weather), my life basically consists of school. With my classes and clinicals, I’m not going to be able to go to my usual BSF classes. But they are starting up a night class next year (I’m so excited I hate to miss out on anything!!). This semester, I think I am going to go solo . I’m still not sure which study I am going to do, but if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.
This fall through next spring it’s Bible Study Fellowship for me. We are embarking on the brand new Isaiah study. I am SO excited about it for myself as well as for the 12 3rd and 4th graders I am teaching also.
Hey Janet-
I’m a BSFer too and am really excited to jump into Isaiah. I teach in the 1st and 2nd grade class and we have over 20 little ones registered! I just love that God lets me share His word with a fresh group of wide-eyed, curious, smart and energetic kids!
I am so excited and honored to have the privilege of leading small group women’s Bible study of your “Believing God” study! We have such a blast getting together, listening to you teach, laughing with you and each other, and sharing girl-time!!! Thank you (in advance!) for blessing us!!!
Well, I’ve left my very own comfort zone of Stay-at-Home-Mommyness in sunny California for a 4 month full-time missions training program in Canada! We’ve completely uprooted our family of 5 (me, hubby and 3 kids under 10!) and are in the throws of adjustment to this new place and life. It’s going to be life-transforming, no doubt… Wondering as I read Amanda’s posts what kind of ministry He’s preparing us for and what He’s going to do through us that at the moment seems impossible to me… Trusting Him to draw me ever closer to Him through it all.
You won’t mind Canada. Really it is lovely here except we don’t get Beth Moore. I hope you enjoy your stay.
And no the sidewalks don’t roll up at night.
Niagara falls doesn’t stop..
And it is very easy to walk on snow. It actually is alot of fun!!
All in good fun. :^)
Blessings
We are all sad at our house today. Friends of ours are missionaries in Africa. They stayed with us for 3 months while they were on furlough. They went home yesterday and we are missing them a lot.
I’ll be leading the Ruth study by Kelly Minter at my church this fall. Looking forward to that.
You will love the study of Ruth. It is AWESOME>
You had a rat, and I had a roach…which I pulled out of a box attached to one of my unmentionable female products, which I quickly threw across the bathroom then ran to get my can of Raid. A necessity in Florida.
Anyway, I just started Priscilla’s new study “Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted” as part of the women’s ministry at church. First night of homework tonight-can’t wait!Also can’t wait for the simulcast this weekend!
YAY SOCCER!!! Jackson is going to have SO much fun, and AnnaBeth will have a blast running around too. I think I’ve noticed younger siblings having as much if not MORE fun than the older siblings… they have the option to go play with sticks under trees and such when it suits their fancy 🙂
I unfortunately don’t get the “Mother of the Year” award.
(whine warning).
We missed soccer sign-ups and didn’t even know it until 2 weeks after the fact… my 4 year old played last fall and spring. (She wore her shin-guards virtually all day on game days 🙂 She is a super girly girl, save her immense adoration for soccer, and Star Wars the animated series.
One morning when it was cooler out she mentioned that cooler weather means fall, and “Fall meeeeans…. SOCCER!!!!” To say that she was crestfallen when it sunk in that she wouldn’t get to play on a team this season would be an understatement. Needless to say whenever 4 year old soccer is mentioned, I feel like a horrible mother.
Although come several weeks from now when the weather gets quite a bit colder on game mornings, I may not mind so much 🙂
Bible study: currently digging into godly and ungodly “judging”… working to understand Matthew 7 rightly.
Beth,
We just are all so honored that you share the wonderful and not so wonderful details of your life and your family’s lives with us in Siesta world. Even when they are not so wonderful like “Rats” it just makes us feel like you could be my neighbor or Bible Study sister!
I am semi-leading/facilitating a Bible study right now for the next 10 weeks of a neat book called – Feminine Appeal: 7 Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney. We are in chapter 1 so far and I am already relating and reaping some good wisdom from her words. Our group is in the Allen-Mckinney, TX area and we are 12 very blessed, prayerful, thankful and mission oriented friends who have grown closer through studying Gods Word together as well as participating in a couple of your studies together – Esther and When Godly People…
God Bless all you do Beth you make such an important impact on young and getting older Womens lives!
So good to hear from you I didn’t comment to much on the compassion blogs but I did read them with tears in my eyes thanked Amanda for pointing us to the Lord to see those pictures of those sweet kids were almost more than I could bare, to know I have a warm bed to crawl into at night and food on my table and a roof over my head even though it is not easy at times but Thank you Jesus for providing for me.
Thanks to all you do, glad you had a weekend off and that you got to eat a candle light dinner with your man.
Love the story about the chin guards on Jackson to cute.
I am currently still doing breaking free awesome study it is really dealing with me I mean the Lord is working on me thru this Bible study I hate to put it down I hope to do a heart like His the new revised one this fall or the Revlation study.
Love you seista mama good to hear from you.
Carol
Beth,
God is also restoring the years the locust stole in my life. For the past year I have been serving on staff at a great church in Missouri in their missions office. Three years ago I was told I would never be able to go to the Mission field again…but God had different plans! This fall is full of getting to lead a team of women to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in October, and preparing to lead teams to Senegal, West Africa over Christmas, and India in January! God is SO incredibly good! Thank you for using your influence to reach the World with God’s story!
This fall I am also leading a small group of single 20-somethings. We are going to be studying Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I am actually sitting, waiting for the ladies to show up right now. It’s going to be a great time learning how to love the world crazily! I’m excited!
I’m heading into Wising Up study in another week at our church. This summer was pretty tough and I need some of God’s Word with women!
Ever feel like the enemy has beat the daylights out of you and then left you for dead? That’s how I feel right now. God is ever so faithful…
Julie, FYI Wising Up is online in an audio format. Praise the Lord. Our LBC just did this study and many who were unable to attend were so grateful they could still participate by listening to Beth’s lessons online. I was one of them. 🙂
Hi Beth,
There is a woman’s group at our church doing a bible study on one of Anne Graham Lotz books. Should be a good one. The last time I went to have my oil changed the mechanic found I had a mouse building a nest in my air filter. He told me they hate dryer sheets..Have you tried that? Blessings, Marylee
I am starting your Breaking Free in a couple weeks! A dear friend-an AWESOME Bible teacher-will be leading the study. I am so excited and scared all at once. I know God will use that study to get all up in my business! I’ll be all the better for it!
Oh sweet sister in Christ, don’t be afraid. Let him get all up in your business…. it’s truly an amazing bible study and let God show you how much he can do through you the more free you are.
You will love it! Stick it out…it is really worth it!
I love the “plan for victory” thought it brought a few tears to my eyes. My victory has been coming for sooo long- the LORD is beyond gracious. In two months, I’ll be debt free, other than a little student loan and my car. This has been over ten years in the making. Ignoring the problem, wishing it would just go away, realizing it won’t…then being to scared to say anything…then saying something but still not fully surrendering and seeing that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ, God’s conviction is not meant to crush us. But, then still realizing I have to sacrifice and half obedience is just disobedience. In July I told a friend, I have to be free- she has to hold me to it. I could see victory from this stronghold then- now, two months from the last payment- I can “taste” it!
The LORD IS GOOD.
On top of that joy, I’m doing Breaking Free- a few more weeks there. And, I have the privilege of working with some girls in their senior year of high school. I’m working on adapting Kelly Minter’s No Other Gods study for them and really looking at what it means to obey the first of the 10 Commandments “to have not other gods before me” and “do not make for yourself an idol” I’m excited to see the LORD move in our midst.
Beth- Can’t wait for Saturday! Here in Chicago, we are ready!! Praying the LORD blesses you and your preparation!
🙂 the Lord IS good!
Lots and lots of soccer going on in our neck of the woods with 4 boys on 3 different teams. Great fun!
Starting a fresh fall study with the women of our church next week. Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby. This will be my second time through and I cannot wait as it was hugely impactful the first 🙂
CC
CC, I’ve done Experiencing God twice, too! I pray the Lord will show you new and wonderful things this fall!
Beth, I just had to tell you this: We just started one of your Bible studies at church last night… To Live is Christ. We also started watching the videos, and we just all got a good chuckle over your neon green dress and long, tall hair. 🙂 It was great!!! You are wonderful and I am so excited to start this new study.
My husband and I have finally found a small group to be part of together. We’re so excited about sharing life with other young married couples! I’m still planning to meet weekly with a group of ladies at work for Bible study. Right now we’re studying Kay Arthur’s Lord, I Want to Know You. Phenomenal! And I love that older women are willing to invest in me. A few of us are praying about setting up some time for accountability and sharing for any of the ladies who are interested as well. Being in ministry, we just feel drained so much of the time. We’ve been feeling led to really spend a season encouraging each other. Pray for us as we figure out how that looks! Then the hubs and I are going to India on a mission trip. Excited about the opportunities. Nervous about the leadership responsibilities that I have! That’s kind of a lot in just a few months, but that’s what’s going on!
I need to hear more about the rat in your garage. 🙂
We are doing bible study once a week with our neighbors. It is awesome being right next door to someone. We do tons of life together and don’t have to go anywhere! Right now we are going through ” The five love languages” together. We will see what is next.
We’re doing mother/daughter Esther study on Tuesday nights. My 13 year old Moriah is the designated tech person running the video and sound 🙂 So glad our church was good enough to encourage the teens to do this with their mommas!!
Hi Beth –
I just had to drop by and leave you a comment, which I am certain may appear to be stating the obvious, but needs to be said nonetheless.
Your daughter – Amanda – is one of the most wonderful, compassionate, beautiful, soul-full people I have ever had the joy of meeting!
From the moment we met at DFW I could just tell she was the real deal. I mean, it’s my kind of girl who nearly cries over the fact that the fast food place tried to stick her with a salad when what she really wanted was some meat! 🙂
She is genuine and funny and has excellent taste in pizza toppings. She can do the River Dance and on at least one occasion was heard to bless her own heart! Girl also packs candy, gum and dramamine – all travel essentials.
Thank you for sharing her with us; she could not have done her mama or her Heavenly Father any prouder.
I am honored to be able to call her my friend.
With the warmest of wishes,
Lisa-Jo
(Amanda’s South African blogging buddy to Guatemala)
PS And I sincerely and most humbly apologize for any references to sheep’s brains on toast that I may or may not have made. 🙂
This fall I am in doing ‘Breaking Free’!!! 🙂 I have been wanting to do the Bible study for over a year now and it just never worked out. I am now into 10 months of a seperation from my husband (he left, his choice, not mine; he needs lots of prayer the enemy is deceiving him in a terribly way). A lot has been going on in my emotional world; so now I know why it didn’t work out for me to do this study until now. Very timely for me. Other than that I am going to love Jesus more than anything and lean on Him to help me take care of myself and my 3 girls. Thank you for this blog and your ministry. Thank you for your Bible studies.
Love ya!
I am flying solo this Fall. All of my children are in school for the first time in 15 years. I am spending my time alone, study, write, clean, nap, clean, study…repeat as needed. I miss the kids like crazy, but I get so much done here! xoxoxo
Beth, urgent fall news: Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer available October 1st. I am counting days! It does help the leaves start turning. They need to smell the pumpkin pie and they’ll know. I have much more to talk to you about. I’m writing it all down, don’t worry. Hugs.
If you find that urgent, then I believe you’ll be especially blessed to know that Starbucks (@ least the on in the Charlotte, NC airport) is already serving Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Made my day!
I am studying on being a servant. Solo but will be teaching a lesson on it soon. Would love to read something of yours on it. Any tips as to where I might find that? If so you can e mail it to me. [email protected] God Bless!
Love the fall in West Virginia, when it starts changing it is fun to watch God’s paint brush change everything. Ready for hoodies, crunching leafs, the firepit and friends. Our fall small group started studying “Beloved Disciple” this week. Amazing! I am truly looking forward to what is ahead in the study!
I am doing the Siesta Summer study this fall. I got a group of women together and we are starting next week Kelly Minter’s Ruth study.
I am super excited about it.
Just started Faithful, Abundant and True THIS MORNING!!! Very excited. Meeting with a group of ladies at church.
Hey Beth! So good to have a newsy post from you – I sure enjoyed following the Guatemala Compassion Team and all their blog posts. I know you are so proud of your girls for ministering in this way. I’m blessed to sponsor a little boy in Colombia through Compassion – so blessed.
I am doing well – finally feeling like I am getting back to my usual energy level after surgery in July! I didn’t know how bad I felt until I started really feeling good – you know?
I am in week four of “The Inheritance” and loving it, learning so much. I have about 48 ladies in my class and they are all ages – young single women to retired grandmas, all my favorites.
Blessings to you, so glad you had a good weekend with Keith.
Much Love,
Georgia Jan, Gran Jan, GJ 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hey Beth!
I am doing something pretty crazy but so incredibly exciting at the same time. I am on an artistic adventure on which I will paint 80 paintings in 80 days. Having made this investment in my discovering my artistic self, I have really stretched my mind, heart, body and spirit. People have asked me, “How do you have time?” Well, I don’t really. But I set the goal for myself and am thrilled that I am almost half way through in # of paintings and days left. Y’all are welcome to check out the latest! Thanks! xoxo
Just soaking in His grace, Beth. And loving life and Him so much! I am thankful to be His own.
Two things:
1) My Uncle Johnny here in Colorado has stage 4 liver cancer and does not know/want to know the Lord. Help him, he’s just too analytical for his own good. Pray Siestas! Please pray with me for him. May the Holy Spirit draw Johnny to Jesus.
2) Even during bankruptcy a year and a half ago, we have been faithful to support our two Compassion children for 5 years now. We love them. We pray for them. Someday we’d like to fly to Ghana and Rwanda to see them! So I encourage everyone to sponsor a child–even if you cannot afford it. We certainly couldn’t, but God made a way! Just be sure not to sponsor more than you can write letters to and have relationship with!
Fall towards victory: Living/walking in faith and hope that His promises are true… in many areas for my children and myself by…
*trusting the Lord God to guide my son and his wife in their big decisions in life.
*blindly trusting the Lord God to provide finances for my daughter to finish college. We stand back amazed at His provision….and always at the last moment.
*trusting the Lord God to take care of some serious concerns. I am beyond words at this point. I often just say, “Lord, You see.” I’m living in a peace that definitely passes all understanding.
Bible study: Slowly working my way through Watchman Nee’s “The Spiritual Man”.
Fellowship: Slowly getting to know people in Houston. I know that eventually I will look back at this time of transition in my life and smile. The Lord God will restore the years that the worms have eaten…restore beyond my imagination or hope.
PS Thrilled about God restoring the years the locusts stole from you, Beth. That encourages me so and gives me hope!
Beth- how fun to read your blogs! So happy about your sister. I have 2 sisters and I treasure those relationships like mad. Also have 3 daughters and ask God often to keep them close to each other and Him.
*Does everyone in my age bracket (47) lose total and complete thoughts in like 3 seconds? I cannot remember a thing!
*My husband is traveling for 3 days so my girls and I “snuck” and painted one of the bedrooms. He is such a perfectionist, he drives us crazy! We do adore him, tho…most days
*My 2 dear friends and I are going to do a book study “Respectable Sin” by Jerry Bridges. This is so timely and pertinent to our lives at this season.
*300 couples at our church are doing the Dave Ramsey FPU thing. We are all now budget-minded! Its actually been kinda’ fun!
Dryer just beeped… off to catch it before I have to iron!!!
Love ya Beth~
Beth it is HOT in Louisiana too. Labor day weekend teased us with some fabulous weather but back to sweltering and swollen hair. My bible study peeps and I are doing your Breaking Free!!! I am so jazzed about it. I did it many years ago but am looking forward to the updated version. My friend and I take turns leading study and she gave me this one. Please pray for our little group and for the Lord to move tremendously amongst us as we see what He has for us. Thank you for writing and following God’s call on your life. You are a blessing!
Michelle
In August we moved to a new city. While the house that we moved into is wonderful, the inside is all white. So…this fall I have to paint my house. Luckily I have a wonderful friend who came down to help me decide on colors and to figure out how to arrange funiture. She’s really good at it…me, not so much. But…it should be fun trying.
Our bunny is shedding like crazy. So every day I have to clean up all the fur. He’s having some adjustment issues and bit Grace for the first time, drawing blood. Hopefully he’ll get use to his new surroundings and settle down a bit this fall.
We just started attending our new church and I found out that they were doing Breaking Free (updated version) this fall. I jumped in with both feet, super excited to do the study, and got asked to lead a small group. There are about 45 women doing the Bible study. Since I’ve done it before I agreed to lead and although it’s kinda strange being new and leading a group I’m getting to know people quickly! Plus…I’m pretty sure I saw Jennyhope on the video. Were any other siestas there? :o)
Well, kind of up your alley – we (MeadowView Church in Missoula, MT) are hosting a women’s conference the third weekend of October and SHAUN GROVES is our featured worship singer and speaker! That is also a long story for another time but also a big thing God is doing in my personal life since I’ll be speaking at one of the sessions too. CRAZY. But I’m excited because I’ve been praying for what the Lord would have me to say and He’s brought one theme continually to mind: SANCTIFICATION. That we would love the things He loves and hates the things He hates, and that what we DO would be different because who we ARE is different. Yeah?
And then after that, we’re going to see YOU in Spokane! Yippity-skippity! It’ll be a great refresher girls’ weekend away (and my first time away from our son..eek!).
Thanks for the update!