Hey, Siestas! You are the biggest blast of a blog community EVER. Thank you for being so much fun about the Siesta Scripture Memory Spirals. You would have thought we were doing one of those big Oprah giveaways where everybody in the audience gets a really fabulous free gift and women scream for fifteen minutes. Oh, man, I wish these could have been free gifts! Would you believe that 1393 of you placed orders within the first 24 hours?? At this point, over 4000 of you have placed orders so it’s safe to say that we at LPM really did scream for fifteen minutes – and, yes, with absolute joy. Even laughter. I got a text when they hit a thousand spirals and it had about 20 exclamation marks at the end of it. I threw my head back laughing before the Lord and flat out slapped my leg. About a month ago when I shared this vision with Sabrina, I said, “I don’t know. I may be wrong but I think they’ll like them.” Well, you did. Which tells me it had to have come from God because some of my really good ideas have sunk deep into the abyss…but only after costing us an arm and one and a half legs. Anyway, back to the spirals. To say that my staff is busy is an understatement but we’ve got wonderful volunteers and everybody will still get the designated time off for the holidays. I go down stairs every little while and tell them I’m sorry (and they laugh and say you’re a privilege to serve) and we’re also trying to feed them a lot. Here are a few of them hard at work right now:
(There is lots of hugging at LPM. Nancy Mattingly heads up correspondence around here – oh, MAN! I am so thankful to God for her – and her daughter Sara just got home from college for the Christmas holidays and came to lend a hand. That’s one of us hugging her. We adore all the LPM offspring.)
We are getting them in the mail (the spirals, not the offspring) as fast as humanly possible but, as you can see, we are big in heart and small in numbers around here. Still, we are pressing on and you will have them at the earliest possible date. There’s no loitering around here. I hate to rub it in but I already have my set. I’m chomping at the bit to write the first verse in it but I’m waiting till January 1st on the dot. Remember me telling you that I can tend toward obsessive thoughts? Well, case in point: I’m fighting the mild urge to obsess over which verse to choose first (what if it sets the tone for the year?) and which pen I want to use. I’d also like to have better penmanship on this year’s set. Ordinarily by the time I get to April and I’m in the middle of this crisis or that, my verses look like they’ve been written in an ambulance – and maybe half the time they should have been. I know you’re thinking I should get out more but just think how much I get out already and remain this odd. Well, I hope the Lord is getting some amusement out of us being this excited about memorizing Scripture. And don’t tell Melissa and Amanda but I am making theirs stocking stuffers.
Speaking of getting out more, guess what I’ve been doing? I flew to Atlanta two days ago, jumped in the car with Melissa, and started a two-day trek home to the Lone Star State. Colin has a brand new job that is enabling them to come back to Texas! Wooooooooo-hooooooooooo! Or in the expression coined right here in Siestaville, “Yahoo-Jah!” (Hold the “Yah” for about five seconds then say the “hoo-Jah” really fast. It has a rodeo-type feel to it.) Colin is on his way right now with the moving van and Melissa and I got home with one of their two cars last night.
A couple of quick shots on the I-phone…
Walking to the car where we’d climb in, pay for parking, and head straight out of town. I am walking behind her thinking how I can’t believe this is really happening. Baby girl is heading back to Texas!
The first border we crossed out of Georgia. We literally drove through snow and sleet the first hour here. It was really exciting for me though. Snow is still a novelty around here!
The sky as we crossed the border into Mississippi:
A toast for miles behind us:
Day Two was really sunny and I wore my sunglasses for hours. Finally they were making deep dents and, let’s be honest, my nose doesn’t need any added distress. Melissa had this tiny little rag on her console for some reason and I made good use of it. Michelle said I looked like I was about to stage a hold-up at a Stop -N Go.
We had every plan to take our very best picture at the “Welcome to Texas!” Landmark in our own home state. Just as we were driving by it with my I-phone out the window, an eighteen wheeler sped by on our right side and gave us the evil eye. May God forgive him. We railed about it for a solid hour. No, there was no going back. It was freeway and would have taken too long to recreate. We consoled ourselves with sugar.
Thank you for enduring this long, unimportant-to-anyone-else family narrative. It’s not over yet. I’m just thanking you now so you can continue hanging on by a thread. We are beside ourselves to welcome the Fitzpatricks back. We’ll have them in Houston for at least several months and will soak up every minute. I think you can anticipate hearing much more about them and from them as we have her back at the Living Proof office. We are so happy and praise God with all of our hearts. Except for small amounts of time over summers or holidays, Melissa has been away from home for ten years and from Texas for eight. She’s got itchy feet like her mom so don’t look for permanence out of them in Houston but we’re at least hoping that, wherever they ultimately land, they’ll stay within half day’s driving distance. That’s all up to the Lord. When you raise your kids with the hope that they’ll follow hard after Jesus and live their lives as a divine adventure, there is literally no telling where they’ll end up. We’re so happy for seasons we get to spend together.
Amanda made last night one of our all-time best 4-Moore memories. When Melissa and I drove up last night, Amanda was standing in the driveway holding big welcome home balloons and blowing a party horn. (I snapped a picture but the flash caught their eyes funny and they look a little possessed so I’ll spare you. And myself. It was my worst nightmare when they were growing up.) At that very second, Keith drove up from out of town, too, and the four of us had this spontaneous moment together. The timing was so perfect that we couldn’t have planned it. We got in a group hug and blew our party horns as loud as we could then laughed our heads off. Then we did what Texans do when they get back from being out of State: we headed to a Mexican restaurant and rekindled our family affections over hot sauce and tortilla chips. We topped off the evening by driving around our subdivision of 26 years and looking at Christmas lights. The whole evening was a family gift with a big red ribbon God alone could have wrapped around it. Our little family has been through a lot and grace is the air we breathe. We don’t take moments like these lightly.
Right now I am praying in Jesus’ lavish Name that He will appoint some spontaneous moments like these for you and your family or friends. I am well aware that life is hard and all of us could use some reminders that God has not forsaken us – and never will – and that He is only good and never malicious or unfeeling toward us. My next memory verse is James 1:17 “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.” (James 1:17 HCS)
Oh, thank You, Lord. You never change. You never turn Your back on us.
We are blessed to be His daughters, Siestas.
OK, I’ve got a ton of work to do so I’ll sign off right after one last thing. For you Houston-area girls, we are having a book signing tomorrow (Saturday) at the LifeWay Christian Store in Willowbrook Court from 12:00 noon to 1:30. (17776 Tomball Parkway) This location is really special to us because it’s the closest one to my home. I have no idea how many times I’ve been in that store and perused those shelves for something new to read. It is also the location many years ago where Keith took me as a surprise to see the first Bible study on the shelf. (The original A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place) He’d called the store in advance to find out when it would hit the shelf (I was too green to even know to ask) and took me out to dinner that night without saying a word about it. When we drove away from the restaurant, he said, “I need to make one stop on the way home.” I was perplexed when he drove up to the Christian bookstore because it really wasn’t his thing but what wife would pass up an opportunity like that? He grabbed me by the hand and made a bee-line straight to the aisle where they’d told him in advance he’d find the new copies. I was so shocked I couldn’t believe my eyes. There wasn’t much to that original Bible study cover (a big purple flower, I recall) but it was a beautiful sight to us. We neither one said a word. We just stood in the aisle and cried. It was priceless.
All that to say, this Willowbrook location is “home” to us because it was simply the most convenient location and became such an active partner in Bible study ministry. I’ve shopped in there a jillion times. I’ve sat cross legged in the resource/commentary corner and pulled books off shelves more times than I can count and also bought innumerable music CD’s. A couple of years ago, my good buddy, Johnnie, and I dropped by there after having lunch next door at Sweet Tomatoes and had Jackson with us in the stroller. He was almost three at the time and there was a stack of Get Out of That Pit hardback books near where we were perusing. We got so tickled as he kept pointing at the cover and yelling, “Bibby! Bibby!” Silly stuff but fun family memories.
It’s a great store and I, for one, loathe the thought that on-line book orders (as many as I’ve placed!) would ever replace the kind of store you actually get out of your car and visit. I don’t know about you but, half the time, I don’t even know what I want to read until I see it.
Anyway, that’s where Michelle (AKA: “The Hawk”) and I will be tomorrow. Melissa and/or Amanda may drop in but Michelle will be there for sure to help me. If you want to drop by and grab something off the shelf to have signed for somebody for Christmas, we’ll be blessed to serve you. These days the really abbreviated versions of certain written messages mean that the price range starts lower. We never, ever want to talk the women we are privileged to serve into overspending. No pressure here whatsoever. We just want you to know that we’ll be there to serve you…if you want to be served. Grin.
I sure love you guys. You are such a bright spot in my ministry life. I think of you every day. And right about now, my whole staff is thinking about you every minute. Pray your spirals home!
I’ll be back on here soon, Sweet Things. This mama loves you.
Had to post this little story because it goes back to SLI when Siestaville did the blog ‘So Long Insecurity’ book study. No need to go into a long explanation, but I recieved a very hateful letter from an old friend that was just down right MEAN. It really upset me and tears were shed by me and I had so much self doubt. Then God led me back to my SLI journal. I just kept thinking about one woman’s story about having to meet her ex-husband’s new girlfriend and how scared she was, but she just kept saying to herself over and over, “I am clothed in strength and dignity.” and it got her through the whole ordeal. I started saying that to myself and it helped me so much. I remembered after re-reading pg.257 that she may have rattled me, but she can NEVER take away my strength and dignity in Jesus’ almighty name. Praise the Lord! My refuge, my strong tower, my redeemer. Thanks Ms. Beth and thanks to the Siesta that shared her story.
Andrea Porter-40’s-blissfully married-now living in Pennsylvania close to my lovin’ family.) I think my mom is as happy as you Miss Beth because she has all her kids back in the same state and all 7 of her grandkids to boot.
Oh Beth! What a beautiful post! God made my heart tender and you brought tears to my eyes a few times! What a beautiful picture of God’s fingerprints on your life!!! You are such a blessing, I only wish I lived closer to Houston so I could have attended the book signing! I love you & your family so much! By the way I LOVE the spirals! They’re just fabulous & I cannot wait to get mine! Praying God’s blessings on you, your family, and your ministry team this Christmas season.
Love,
Christy in Summit, MS
Got my spiral yesterday–SO CUTE!!! It’s already in my purse and last night I had to fight the temptation to start early when I found a great verse in 1 Peter! Hehehe–can’t wait!
Warmest Greetings Siesta Mama! I just learned what greetings means in the Bible (in some spots anyway) and it means rejoice! How cool is that? Warmest rejoicing to you Siesta Mama:) Looks like the Lord has placed that in your heart already. I’m so excited for you all, with Melissa moving back, for now anyway:) I miss my sis in TX while I’m in TN, so I understand the distance is killer. Ahh! and I got my spiral yesterday:) Loved it, good job on sending it out ladies:) Very cool looking too. I love your first memorization verse. I finally memorized that verse that I told you I accidently picked twice to memorize this year. Here’s my stab at it from memory: “May God Himself, the God of Peace, SANCTIFY YOU through and through. May your WHOLE spirit, soul, and body be preserved BLAMELESS at the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. FAITHFUL IS HE Who calls you, and He will also do it. Brethren, PRAY FOR US.” Don’t you love it??:) Hopefully, I didn’t leave out anything!
Blessings much to you Beth and LPM,((HUGS)), Love in HIM,
katiegfromtennessee
BETH!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family! Thank you for blessing my life by being so faithful and obedient to the Lord’s call on your life! Love you!
Thank you for the FAST work on the spiral! It is here and I am looking forward to filling it up!
I need God’s word. I need it every minute of every day because I realize I can’t be trusted. Even when we think we’re good; we’re not! I had a flood in my kitchen yesterday and a bad attitude to go along with it. I am praying for the grace to be graceful about it. Count it all joy….
Blessings to the Christmas elves who worked so incredibly hard! I got my spirals yesterday. A very Merry Christmas to all the workers and volunteers at LPM. You are loved, prayed for and much appreciated!
I am so excited I can barely stand myself….the mailman just delivered my scripture memory notebook…..I smiled the biggest grin as I opened it and imagined the sweet hands that packaged it for me. Can’t wait to start! Merry Christmas!!!
Received my spiral yesterday and I live in southern Indiana-I think those girls deserve a raise for all their hard work!! The spiral was even “cuter” than I thought-hopefully even more inspiration to get those verses memorized! Merry Christmas to all your family, Beth, and to all the “siestas” wherever you are. God bless you all!
I remember doing that Bible Study as a new Christian at 17 way back in 1997. Most of it went over my head, but I enjoyed the fellowship with other Godly women from our church.
Great news about Melissa! What a wonderful Christmas gift for all of you! 🙂 MERRY CHRISTMAS, sweet Beth!
BTW, the spirals are on BACK ORDER and I can’t order one for myself and my best friend. Hope to see more soon! I guess I’ll have to use a regular old spiral for the time being. I can’t wait to do the Siesta Scripture Memory Team! 🙂
Sorry, Jen! Yes, try to order online again after New Years…
Merry Christmas!
I’m so happy for you Beth that you will have both of your girls close by and in your home state.
Enjoy sweetie.
Big Thank You to LPM staff for working so hard to get the spirals out! God bless you abundantly for your faithful service!
My spiral arrived yesterday and I ordered one for my BFF for Christmas! We are going to do SSMT together in 2011!! We are SO excited we can hardly contain ourselves!! Merry Christmas Everyone!
My spiral just arrived…can’t wait to start filling up the pages!!!
Robin
Pennsylvania
Excellent what you are doing again, Beth. Love to you, Allison
Got my spirals today (for me and my DAUGHTER), they are super cute! Can’t wait to start using it!
Got my spiral in the mail today! I am so excited, too!
I totally love the spiral!!! It is so beyond what I anticipated!!! Such great quality, perfect size, great design!! Now I can’t wait for Jan 1. It gives me a little over a week to decide on the first verse!
Merry Christmas!!
Kimberly in Northern Michigan
Got my spiral and wanted to say it looks even better in person, great job!!
May God grant you and yours a wonderful Christmas!!
Oh my gosh….it’s been two weeks since I signed on and read the blog….can’t wait that long, to much time passes……
to much happens!!! Congrat’s on having your youngest back home! Especially at this time of the year!! Will look forward to hearing from Melissa. I miss her “thought provoking” blogs.
Merry Christmas to all you you!! Not only your family, but the LPM girls!! May the Lord bless all of you in a very special way during this season of hope and joy!!
Bible Bunny in NO MI
P.S. We have plenty of snow up here we would be happy to share with you!!
Beth,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I received my spirals yesterday (5 total = me, my 3 sisters, my mother). They will make the perfect surprise! Thank you for following God and being a blessing to us! I’m so grateful. God bless you.
Amen to the sitting in the book store for hours just pursuing! There is nothing like it!
My spiral came today and I’m so excited! I can barely stand to wait to fill it with new verses for memorization. Thanks for getting these out LPM staff. Have a very blessed Christmas!!!
You and your family have so much fun. How does that happen? You blessed woman you!
Dearest Beth, I have decided on my 1st Scripture memory for the year and have been asking the Lord, “How do I do what your Word is telling me?” Well, I just finished watching you on Life Today (only caught the last 2 minutes – but God met me there – with you – again!) You were talking about the paralytic man – and your last words were “Get up and walk”. My 1st memory verse..Galatians 5:16 – “I say then: WALK in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” God is at work!
Walking in the Spirit,
Joyce
So glad to hear Melissa is returning home! Would love to see a top 10 things she will miss from Atlanta!
I just finished So Long Insecurity, I truly loved this book, I can relate in so many ways. I was abused as a child, raped at the age of 14,my life was turned upside down, I have ran from God for so many years, but He took me back. I lost my job, 25 months ago, and unable to find another. A friend at church gave me your book, and it has answered sp many of my questions, mainly that all my insecurities comes from fear, you see I am a runner, I run away for problems,I do not what to be rejected, or a disappointment to anyone. I am struggling now, with trying to save my marriage, becuase of my insecurites, please pray, I have hit bottom and I can not see the light.Thank you so much for your book,thank you for being a true servant to God.
Sincerly,
Penny Duncan
Granite Falls, NC
I am new around here and need a little direction.
I read about memory verses, and I want to get in on this!
How do I get a spiral…??
I am so excited to be a part of this!!!
Please direct me.
🙂
I will email you directly some information, Kathie. Welcome!
I just finished the Esther study & am new to the blog! This looks exciting and a great way to hide God’s Word with a community of women! Can I get a spiral too & some directions? Thank you! I’ve picked my first verse!
Hey Joanna, Welcome to SSMT! I will send you some more information via email.
Are there any good-looking goods in the shop today?