Hey, Sweet Things!
I’m writing this to you the afternoon before Thanksgiving. I will be too covered in family to have much time for written reflections on the actual day. I’m here by myself at my house of so many years. From where I’m sitting at our big round dinner table (my favorite piece of furniture in my house), I can see the top of the stairs. It seems like only yesterday, two little blond girls stood at the top of those stairs with their nightgowns on, their blankets clutched tightly in their arms, and adorable little bedheads, looking down at me in the kitchen, saying, “Is it morning yet, Mommy?”
It usually wasn’t what any decent sleeper could ever call morning but who can resist warm, snuggly preschoolers fresh out from under the covers? Especially if they hadn’t wet the bed? And, thank God, I was spared a pair of bedwetters. It really was yesterday that I saw two other children those same ages apart at the top of those same stairs, both with an uncanny resemblance to the first two. “Bibby, can I have a treat? And milk? Or juice? And can it be chocolate?”
“The juice or the treat, Buddy?”
Thinks for a moment.
“The TREAT!”
Good choice.
Well, that’s what the oldest one said anyway. The younger one just echoed, “Treat, Bibby! Treat!” I was standing within three feet of that one. She only gets to be arm’s distance from Bibby most of the time.Her smile melts my heart. Her little short pony tail slays me. And her miniature track suit is more than I can bear. I can’t stop laughing over the mysterious fact that, when you ask her what her (hard-to-pronounce) name is, she emphatically says, “Paw Paw.” You can imagine that Keith isn’t about to be the voice of reason. He likes things just like they are.
I feel so thankful today. And not because it’s been a sparklingly spotless year for the extended Moore/Jones/Fitzpatrick family because it hasn’t. Is any whole year like that?? Any whole month?? It’s certainly not for this flawed crew. I feel gratitude because God has been gracious to us and right there with us through every up and down. I don’t know about your house but life can be a roller coaster here at this address. He’s kept His word to us even when we didn’t keep ours to Him. He is always better than He has to be.
Sometimes we just need the quiet to reflect on His goodness. I’m getting that today. Keith’s running errands. The dogs are outside. Sweet potatoes are cooling off on the kitchen counter and I just pulled a large iron skillet of cornbread (yes, drenched in bacon grease) out of the oven.
It’s everything I can do not to tear off a piece of that hot cornbread and butter it and shut my eyes and be back for just a moment in my mama’s kitchen with her and my grandmother. They’d crumble theirs up in “sweet milk” and eat it with a spoon but I wouldn’t. I’d just laugh at their wonderful countryside and eat mine like I was mostly city side, except for licking my fingers and maybe my hand. And they’d say in unison, “Well, you’re snubbin’ your betters.” I miss them so much today but I’ll try to do them right with my turkey and dressing. Thoughts like these make me grin really big and feel like I could cry if I’d let myself.
But I won’t. Because I’m too busy.
Georgia Jan (who I became friends with through Siestaville) and I have already compared notes today on our dressing recipes. The holidays make us want to reach out and connect with people who have touched us through the year. Or through a lifetime. Thanksgiving is about so much more than cooking and traveling. We all know that. It’s about being audaciously deliberate in celebrating the goodness of God with at least a few people you really love. Or maybe just really like. Even for one day. People as quirky as you are. And probably because they’re kin to you.
Here are a few things I feel especially thankful for today:
For a belief system where we can have absolute certainty of our salvation.We know this isn’t it. We know where we’re going and it’s good. We know that this turns out very well.
For a belief system where nothing – not even your worst disaster or failure – gets wasted.
For a belief system where every day is a new day and every act of repentance is a brand new beginning.Who has that but us???
For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the entirety of my belief system.
For His indwelling Spirit who enables me to be so different than the old me. And different tomorrow from today’s me.
For the sacred holy Scriptures. Oh, thank You, Lord. My food and my drink.
For my man. Every year we defy the odds. He just walked in the door and kissed me on the forehead. I’m thankful we’re at it again.
For the inestimable, ongoing gift of my blood daughters, Amanda Moore Jones and Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick. My best friends. I really don’t know what a soul mate is exactly but, as best I can tell, they’re both mine. I never have a thought they’re not some part of, in this way or that.
For my three beloved sons, each “my true son” in the spirit of the Apostle Paul’s words to Titus: Curtis Jones, Colin Fitzpatrick, and Travis Cottrell. They are that to me. Trav and me on a speed walk in Rapid City, South Dakota, last Friday morning:
Oh, mercy, for my darlings, Jackson and Annabeth. If life is a meal, they are my constant dessert. From the backseat of the car just a few days ago:
(At the age where he makes goofy faces but there still ain’t no denying he’s one handsome boy.)
For my co-laborers in the great Gospel of Jesus Christ at LPM. “The Village.” I love them so much.
For my extended family on both sides. Blood brothers and sisters and the same in-laws for decades. For the inexpressible privilege of having my older sister, Gay, back in my everyday life. Not a day goes by that I take that for granted.
For Keith’s parents and, gracious me, at this point my own: John and Sue Moore. We want them next to us for the rest of their years.
For the unspeakable gift of spiritual daughters. I did not see that one coming. DELIGHT.
For my dear friends. The kind that have had my personal cell number since my first phone. And don’t mind carrying on a whole lot of relationship by text.
For my pastor, Gregg Matte, and his wife, Kelly, and their two children. For the church family they shepherd. I’ve never seen one exactly like it.
For my neighbors who love me even though they think I’m a tad whacked.
For renewed physical strength and health. I was one sick girl this time last year.
For YOU.
Yep, you, Siestaville. I thank God for you. You’ve made my life richer in Jesus. And at the end of the day, that’s what I care most about.
For just this moment, I picture all of you on this list right here at my small table and I smile.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. Psalm 28:6-9
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your sweet family! 🙂
You are a blessing!
This had me feeling very nostalgic right from the start. I live in Canada so we had our Thanksgiving in October but I want to wish a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in Siestaville. We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
We LOVE our Canadian Siestas, Lynn!
Happy Thanksgiving Siesta Mama! The verses you shared at the close really blessed me today. Love you!
OH it is wonderful to hear from you and your family! I can’t even tell you how much I love reading this blog and feeling like you are my family too! I wish I could come sit at that table with you. I know it would be a blast! I am Amanda’s age and have a little boy and soon a little girl too! My mom and I are the best of friends. We often talk about how we wish we could just spend a day with you and your girls! We would probably ache from laughter! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
You, Mama Siesta, are one amazing women of God. You melt my heart with each blog post, and I am so thankful the Lord had me stumble across Siestaville about 7 months ago.
I just wanted to let you know that among the many marvelous things I have to be thankful for this year, I am humbly thankful for two…my God and Siestaville. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving, Beth. Love sharing life with you through blogland!
Happy Thanksgiving Beth! I am thankful for GOD’S ways more than I can express. I give thanks for JESUS – and ALL that HE has blessed. And we all know the hebrew word for all is ALL!
Amen!
I love you MamaBeth
I must not be busy enough because I AM crying. You have such a gift with words Beth. Thank you for allowing Jesus to shine through you ALL the time, regardless of your circumstances. And thank you for loving Siestaville so much. I am saving my vacation days for HOUSTON next January. Can we please have SSMT CELEBRATION 2? Blessing to you and all my SIESTAS.
Love, Linda
Lexington, KY
Absolutely we’re having SSMT Celebration 2!
WOO HOO !!!
awesome! hey there linda! we will make ssmt2 a reunion!!
jackie
Yes we will Jackie !
I cannott wait for this celebration!!!!
I don’t know how you and Amanda stand Jackson’s gorgeous eyes. He and his sweet sister remind me so much of when my son and first daughter were younger. Thank you all for sharing your family with us. LOVE you, Mrs. Beth.
Amy,
Like, what you said …Amanda and Jackson are so sweet!
Beth, you are truly blessed with a wonderful family.
You make holidays feel less lonely, Mama Beth. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving Beth to you and your family.
You have said it all thank you for Jesus Christ for family, friends, and all that God provides. I thank Him for putting you in my path along my journey. You don’t even know me and you have taught me so much, so I would like to say Thank you Beth!!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving and every moment with your family. I am going to love mine.
Blessings to all!
And I’m thankful for you. I’m working my way through your Esther study and it is giving me courage. I’m a shy mouse-y kind of girl that just agreed to speak at a ladies Christmas event. I know God wants me to get over this fear of public speaking so I’m going for it… even if the anxiety of it all makes me throw up!
Happy Thanksgiving,Beth! Much love to you and your family!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all Mrs. Moore;)
What a beautiful post, Siesta Mama. I’m thankful for you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂
and a Happy Thanksgiving to you, Miss Beth… thank you, thank you, thank you. May the presence of our God richly fill your heart and home tomorrow. Love you!
Beth,
Thank you for the precious post! I am imagining myself sitting right there with you at that table. Thank you for reminding us to be thankful. I remember how sick you were last year. I was at the December Deeper Still in Oklahoma City right before you had your surgery. And I met you in June in St. Louis. I am sitting at home this pre-Thanksgiving evening after just preparing some of my Thanksgiving dishes for tomorrow. I had a health scare yesterday and went to the emergency room with heart attack symptoms. All the tests they did in the ER came back fine, but the doctor said I should still follow through with a stress test. I’m doing that next week. From time to time, I’m still having the symptoms, so I am trying to not let my mind go there and concentrate on the things that I know are true. Health issues can be scary. I am trying to rest in Him. Thank you for loving us. I hope you and your sweet family, who feels like family to me in a way, I hope you have a blessed, blessed day.
Love,
Susan
. O God, You are our joy. You are with us in time of fear, in times of doubt, in time of illnes,in time of loneiness or in time of trouble.
You hear our prayers in time of forgiveness, in time of giving thanks, and in times when we need You in the midst of all we are doing.
We praise you. We marvel at all your wonderful works. The beauty of the world we live from the mountains, to the roarings seas and to the sunset at night and to the sunrise in the morning.
We remember O Lord, your thoughts toward us, for You are merciful and compassionate. You have loved us with your lovingkindness. You are our help and our deliverer. You strengthen us and establish our steps.
Your way is perfect. You are the light that leads the way in the darkness. Your Word is wise and enduring. It is true and reveals how to live a life that is pleasing to you. We delight in reading your Word.
We know there are times you have resecued us from our distress and kept us from the enemy. We have seen how your hand has kept us safe in times that we may have been trampled on.
Your power is like no other and our lives belong to You. We declare your goodness and we praise you. No one cares for us as You do. You care for the little sparrow and you take care of us. You clothe us, you feed us and you shelter us. You have mercy on us. You do not leave us, but look after us and carry us in your arms.
Thank you that we can come to you, and give thanks to a Holy, Awesome God!
We love, Lord. For you are good. You are our trust. You are our Salvation and our Hope.
You are our way and our truth. You are our delight and our Thanksgiving! Praise you, O Lord!
in Christ, ~joyce~
I miss so much being at my Grandmother’s house and all my family getting together__alot of memories. My mother has passed away as well and now I have to start my own family memories. When I get to Heaven I hope the Lord will let me sit on the side where there is alot of love, music and family hugs.
Please pray for my sister’s little girl, Hannah. She may have to have surgery and the doctors are not sure what is wrong with her yet.
Thank you for sharing and inviting us into your home, Beth. Happy Thanksgiving and May God bless your family!
As I sit in front of a cozy fire with the delicious scent of a fresh baked Pumpkin Roll, I too am overwhelmed with the goodness of God. AmAzInG is HE.
Beth, you are a walking, talking, blogging, bible teaching blessing ! Thank you for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family !
Happy Thanksgiving Beth, and to all the Moore’s
It’s hard to put into words the joy this blog and your studies and of course LPL has brought to my life. How through your testimonies and your example of living life in Christ my relationship with Christ has grown. I remember what you said about one of your mentors Buddy, how everything that was good in your ministry was his legacy, well guess what, we can say that about you. Beth we sit under your teachings and experience your love for the Savior and His Word and say “Lord, I want that”
Praying consistently for you and yours
The absolute brokenness I’ve been through this year – and still going through – has been totally unbearable at times, but God has proven Himself faithful, even when I haven’t. In this season of brokenness, I’ve learned that He is truly the only One who can wipe the tears away and bottle them up. In this brokenness, I’ve learned just how mighty a God He is! Never would I have experienced Him and His love the way I have without this season – and I know it is for a season. He is the only One who truly knows and cares. He IS my Strong Tower, my Healer, my Redeemer, my ALL!
He is truly the Magnificent One who has given me everything through His Son. There is absolutely no one and nothing that compares to our loving God!
I love what you reminded me of – my worst failure is not wasted.
I thank God for being THE God who is for us…not against us.
What a beautiful Thanksgiving Tribute! You deserve every precious thing that has made you smile and brought joy to your soul this past year!!! You have brought such joy and smiles to my days this past year which was wrought with some very difficult days.
I am “Thankful” for “Siestaville” and for our fearless leader, who follows closely and mirrors BEAUTIFULLY the image of “The One and Only”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are my INSPIRATION and I LOVE YOU DEARLY BETH!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to the Moore Family and Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all these gifts!!!
Me too,Angela, I love Siestaville. It is a sisterhood of rest!
In the Beloved,
~A~
LOVE that…A sisterhood of rest!
I am so thankful for you Beth. You are one of my spiritual mentors, miles apart. Your writing is so very rich and I feel like I am right there with you at your small table. Thank you for including me.
Thank you for the sweet thankful message. I teared as I read and inserted my own gratitudes into each of your sentences. We are so different, yet so alike in what matters…love for Jesus, and in awe of His mercy. The overwhelming joy of my family. Husband, 3 sweet daughters and a son, my children-in law, and the 6 grands that make my little world twirl! May God make His face shine so brightly on you this year that you can forget the self-tanner!! You bless my heart!
This thanksgiving is harder than I think I can handle. I am praying that it will be my last one. I can’t do this anymore. I wish that I had a portion of your faith. I think that mine is just about gone. How do you find it?
DEAR JO,
I read your comment and my heart just broke. No easy answers here, but please know I am praying for you tonight that our precious saviour would rescue you from this place of pain and despair. To fill you with a heart to offer Him your thanksgiving in spite of your pain and heartache. I pray you feel HIS love wrapped around you and tenderly holding you as you cry out to Him, The One and Only! He is the Healer of the Brokenhearted!!
Hang on sweet siesta……Jesus is coming!!!!!!!!!
Jo, how are you doing?
Jo….I’m praying right now that you will see God’s hand in your life in a mighty way this Thanksgiving. He knows how much you hurt. But He wants to hold you tight in His arms and give you the faith you need!
May God bless you !!!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Jo –
wondering if your name is short for Josephine or Joanne? MaryJo? All I know is I saw “JO” and read “The Lord Added” right into your name. Lie: you are alone. TRUTH: I know that I know that I know He is with you. It’s true. He’s no liar and His word promises it. Maybe He had me read your post just before logging off so He’d ‘add’ me to those praying for you. You get your face in His word, Jo. It doesn’t matter if you don’t ‘feel’ the truth yet. READ IT. The Lord won’t let His word return void. I just prayed from Ephesians 3:14-21 for this blogfamily. I’m gonna do it again with your name in every verse.
So, Precious Jesus, I’m entering your throne room of grace with Siesta Jo’s hand in mine. You know she is barely crawling here, Lord. Your love for her is overpowering! Here she is – here she is…
Jo–You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. I don’t know what you may be going through but I do know you have a Savior that loves you–You are a King’s kid-a child of God–and there isn’t anything you can’t get through if you lean on Him. Faith–as small as a mustard seed–that’s all you need. Just say the name….Jesus…he will NEVER leave you NOR forsake you. Often times I just continue to say His name with all my heart, over and over and over–He has never failed me. Reach out to Him–He hears your cry. I will be praying for you. Trust in Him–He loves you
Dear Jo: Your words break my heart. I have suffered from clinical depression and there was a time when I wrote similar words in my prayer journal to God. Life was crushing me and I felt my only hope was that one day in heaven it would all be better. But my pastor said to me, “It doesn’t have to be this way, Karen.” That little message cracked the door of hope open just enough to let a tiny ray of light into the darkness which was all I could see at that time.
I gently say to you, Jo, “It doesn’t have to be this way. There is hope for you. The Lord Jesus will make a way for you. Don’t give up, He is there and sees you and knows every tear you have shed, and the heartache that they come from. He understands you completely and really loves you, though you may not be able to feel it now. Look up and ask Him to show you the way. Ask Him to show you where His help for you is. For me, it was in going for quality Christian counseling and then being placed on an antidepressant, so that I could follow Him in the healing journey He had for me.
I will pray from my heart for you, Jo, that the Lord Jesus will let you know that you are not forgotten, but loved and that He will open a way for you. His death on the Cross was for you. Open your heart’s door to Him and let Him come in to be your Savior. To cleanse you from your sins by His blood, and to be Your loving Shepherd, who will lead you to a Life worth living.
Please go towards Jesus. Read of Him in the Gospel of John, and ask Him to speak who He is, to your heart. He will.
I send my love to you and will go now to pray for you.
In Christ’s love to you, dear Jo,
Karen
Father God, we lift Jo up to you right now. Let her feel your Divine arms around her. Comfort her as only the God Of All Comfort can. Protect her from the evil one and his thoughts. Let the heads of those who surround her be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. May the blood of Jesus cleanse, purify, and protect her. Remind Jo of your Sovereignty and promises. Let her hear your Truth today in many ways. Let her hear your Word spoken. Let her hear worship songs that engage her spirit in looking up to you through this pain. Put people in her day today that will hug her, support her, and love her. Pour your love and peace all over her, saturate her soul with your presence. He that is in her is greater than he that is in the world. Show her that her faith is greater than she knows. Hold her tight, Lord. We know You are there with her right now. Thank you, Father. Praise you, Lord. In the Mighty name of JESUS, amen.
Dearest Jo,
Satan is a liar and is trying to convince you that your pain will only get worse, never better. JESUS is your Healer and sustainer and this place is full of “sisters” who want to lift you up and walk along side you in your pain. Lord Show yourself in a mighty way to Jo. Let her feel your love and grace and the friendship and support of us in Siestaville. Amen.
Linda
praying for you Jo
Jo, I am praying for you, Cry Out Jo! He will Hear you. Go Face Down before Him and He Will lift you up. Proclaim His Truth by finding Scipture that fits your need and speak it out loud. It will Heal! Here is a good one:
Psalm 86
A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life– men without regard for you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalms 86:1-17 (NIV)
Jo,
Hang on to our awesome God! There are many Siestas today that are praying for you, please let Him love you and comfort you through these prayers and His Word.
“He’s your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6
Jesus is with you, Jo!
Still thinking about you, Jo, let us know how you are
Thank you…for this blog. Thank you for the time you spend sharing. Thank you for sharing God’s amazing love with me (us).
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Blessing from North Alabama!
There’s nothing quite like a sister is there?!! I have five of them!!!!! I’m so happy you have yours back in your life again!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you Gay, I have prayed for you often! Isn’t our God Gooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Beth!
I’m thankful that Amanda talked you into this whole blog thing those few years back. How richly we have all been blessed because of it!
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Although there was so much good “meat” to this discussion, I have to comment on the one hilarious thing I found. While I was scrolling down and reading, I saw about half of the picture with you and Travis speed walking. At first glance, I thought it was Keith showing you how to shoot a gun! The bridge in the background looked like a gun. A gun for goodness gracious! hahaha Then I read about the speed walking and took a good look at the picture–and the only ammo I saw then was coffee! 🙂 But then again, that is ammo enough!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca
That’s funny – for a brief second thought the same – I thought it was because I was up to late reading LOL.
Rebecca that’s too funny! I thought the same thing and wondered what is Beth shooting at when I first read the blog. I just thought I need to make an eye doctor appt first thing Monday, whew glad I’m not going to have to see the doctor after all.
Besides who power walks with coffee anyway? Now that is a gift only God could bestow on someone, and I know why He blessed Beth with that talent. No time for a leisurely cup of her favorite…I bet Trav has a time keeping up with her all that God given energy and caffeine!! ha ha ha Women can walk so fast and you know Beth was talking a mile a minute and sipping that caffine between breaths and Trav was taking little running steps to keep up. Where’s Rich with the camera when we need him?
So thankful for the teaching I got from you this morning on Life Today. I love me some James and Betty and get up at 4:30 to watch them. Wednesdays are my FAVORITE days to watch. I have “Coffee with Beth” time on Wednesdays. Yes, I too have felt the touch and have seen Him every where my eyes could look. It’s those memories that are getting me through this time in my life that is so scary and uncertain. I know God will bring me through this and I will come out on the other side changed. I know God is with me and He intends for me to thrive. I am PRESSIN’ on. I got Jesus! It’s ALL good! I’m looking forward to seeing you in Birmingham next month! Happy Thanksgiving Mama Beth!
I just booked tix for Deeper Still!
Beth – What a sweet post from a beautiful and gracious woman. Your thankful heart is a gift to each of us here in Siestaville. I love that you and I are in the same season of life. Your list just made my heart swell up and your grandbabie are beautiful! And one more thing, your dining room table is really pretty. Enjoy your family tomorrow – I know they are in for a feast of your good cooking.
I love you friend,
Jan
P.S. You were exactly right about the sage for the cornbread dressing. You have to taste it as you go…
Dearest Siesta Mama,
Thank you for a wonderful Thanksgiving post! I love that you never forget about us – it shows just how sincere your love for this community is…I pray your family celebration is a blessed one! By the way I think you should make 2 of those cornbread dishes – one for Thanksgiving and one you can eat all by yourself with your fingers…I’m sure everyone in Siestaville would agree with me!
Love, Marylee
Great post, MamaBeth – thank YOU! What a sweet and sweeping picture of God’s faithfulness to you and yours. Keith’s greeting put me over the edge. Simplest stuff does it to me. Makes me thankful for my family, God-ordained friendships and for this fun group of Siestas.
So, for you Beth, your beautiful family, and for all of Siestaville, I have just prayed Ephesians 3:14-21.
Happy Thanksgiving! (I’m off to make -titled by me since she left it nameless in her recipe post- “Siesta Lavonda’s Crazy for Jesus Dip” while I wonder if my littles will in fact leave their sheets dry tonight.)
Beth – What a sweet post from a beautiful and gracious woman. Your thankful heart is a gift to each of us here in Siestaville. I love that you and I are in the same season of life. Your list just made my heart swell up and your grandbabie are beautiful! And one more thing, your dining room table is beautiful!!! Enjoy your family tomorrow – I know they are in for a feast of your good cooking.
I love you friend,
Jan
P.S. You were exactly right about the sage for the cornbread dressing. You have to taste it as you go…
need the cornbread recipe for a Cali Christmas.
Happy Thanksgiving sweet Beth!
We all have so much to be thankful for!
We are blessed!
Much love
dear beth,
i love what you wrote about your daughters being your soul mates, whatever that is! i don’t have children, but i have sisters like this. my best friends & soul mates, so much so that it’s hard sometimes to tell where one of us ends and the next begins.
i thought i would share with you our definition of soul mates… we refer to soul mates as anyone who “completes” us in deep, spiritual, silly, & abiding ways. they usually have completely opposite personalities from you, but that’s why you click so well. you also challenge each other in unique ways to grow. we each have more than one soul mate, but we still don’t have very many. i have my sister, my best friend [and honorary sister], and my husband. they are my soul mates.
in contrast, there are also kindred spirits [in the words of anne of green gables]. these are people who are identical to you. you love them because you “get” them & they “get” you in ways no one else can. but because your personalities are so similar, you might clash & drive each other batty just a bit! but they also challenge you to grow because you see in them your own strengths & your weaknesses. again, you can have more than one, but still very few.
we think way too much about this kind of stuff, & have great laughs over it all. hope ya’ll derive enjoyment out of it, too! happy thanksgiving!
love, danae<
Oh I so agree on being thankful for our mighty belief system He has so graciously given us through Jesus Christ… so much to be thankful for!!
Wishing you and your family and all of Siestaville a wonderful Thanksgiving.
In His love,
michelle in VT
Thanks for sharing Christ with us here and letting him shine through you. This blog has been a real encouragement to me this year. It is and continues to be a so very difficult time(this year) but thank you for your words of wisdom. I so needed to hear today that I have God’s resurrection power!! THANK YOU for the reminder on “Life Today”. I press on in HIS strength.
Happy happy thanksgiving, dearest Beth.
How grateful I am for this place we call Siestaville. It has been a place for support, an outlet for creative expression, a safe place for finding friendship in Christ.
Thank you for leading us to one another.
love to you – Sister Lynn and all the sisters in Tucson AND Clyde
Sister Lynn, Happy Thanksgiving-a day late! I did think of you yesterday while we were with our family in Houston. I’m sure you had a wonderful meal and time spent with those around you.
I Thank God for you Beth! Your love for Jesus is so contagious! Because of you one little church-ful of women in PA have a deeper love for Jesus!
I too have much to be thankful for, but this year I have 2 people I am concerned about. My mom had breast cancer last summer and had a mastectomy, now she has to have a biopsy on her other breast, and my daughter, who is also a cancer survivor since the age of 9 (praise Jesus), well her fiance, who we love, has become anorexic…just crept up on us…he truly looks like death. I am so concerned for both right now. Even so, I have many many things to be thankful for like 2 grandsons and one grandaughter and of course my own 3 beautiful daughters. Most of all I can be thankful for Jesus Christ my Redeemer. Praise you Jesus!
I love the bacon grease comment! What’s cornbread without that very important ingredient?!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the pictures. Those grandchildren are dolls!
I have one of my own this year that I am thanking God for. 🙂
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I love you Valerie!! Love your grandbaby photos that you shared with me!! Precious! I look forward to that day!!! First, I need me some WEDDINGS!!!!
Beth….
and thank YOU for your words and the wisdom you share with us….
happy thanksgiving to you and your family!!!!
This just warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing all the gratitude with us, and a Huge Happy Thanksgiving to all my neighbours south of the border. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving! May it be a blessed one for you and your family.
On cornbread and milk: My dad (now 70)is the youngest of 9 children raised in Alabama. He always eats his cornbread in a glass with milk poured into it. As a child, I used to think that was so gross, but now that we live far away, I’d give anything to hear that plunking and “mmm” again!
He also taught me ice cream with milk poured on top, fresh raspberries with milk and sugar… love those memories with my dad sitting on the porch eating that with him!
That was beautiful, Mama!
But tell me, why, oh why(!) do your sweet potatoes look like 3 fried rats!!!????
Tails and all!!!
I may not be able to eat mine tomorrow!
Gobble, gobble- Happy Thanksgiving!
Such perfectly written thoughts! I can just insert my names and it fits my thoughts tonight too! But I can’t hold back the tears as you have. God is so very good!
Blessings on this Thanksgiving eve.
PS I am so excited that I will be volunteering at the Passioon 2011 conference this year! Hope I can sneak away from my post long enough to hear you!