Hey, Sweet Things!
I feel like I’ve lived a month-full of events since the last I checked in with you but decided in retrospect that maybe God had kept me busy so I’d leave up that last post a little longer. I knew in my heart that many of your lives were touched by hidden disabilities just as mine has been. Some of yours, vastly more than I’ve experienced but I know some of the pain and bewilderment and fear. My prayer is that, at the very least, you know you are not alone and that God sees every struggle and is moved to compassion by every heartache. He is still our Healer and when healing doesn’t come the way we wished and prayed, He is still our Strength and Sustainer.
OK, let me think what has happened around the Moore world since I talked to you last. Thursday morning I had the great joy of heading to San Antonio for one of my closest and dearest spiritual daughter’s first baby’s birth. (Did you follow that??) I have known Amy since she was barely out of college and came to work at my home church years ago. We were not instantly close because of such a wide age gap between us but God wove our hearts together through the ups and downs and twists and turns of time. For years now we have been as thick as blood. She is big sister to both of my girls and I love Amanda and Melissa even more for always opening their arms to her. As tight as the four Moores have been, I have never for one second been able to tell that they felt the least bit threatened as Keith and I loved this young woman second only to them. I relish so many dimensions of life in Christ and one of my top five favorites is family that He brings together, not by natural means but by the bond of the Spirit. The riches are immeasurable.
Amy moved to the Texas Hill Country where her man works after they married two and a half years ago. Then eight months ago while Keith and I were at our cactus ranch, I got a text from her that said, “Hey, can you call me when you get a minute?” That was not unusual but I just had the weirdest feeling in my stomach. I dialed as fast as my fingers would move and when she answered, I blurted out, “Are you having a baby???” And we both screamed and then cried. Amy married just on the other side of her mid-thirties and God knew that the desire of her heart was to have a baby. I was all about rushing it but, since I had no control, I let Amy and Steven do what they thought was best. And, boy, did they ever do a good job of it.
Michelle drove me to San Antonio so I could still work on my laptop in the front seat of the car. When she offered, I reasoned that it was a tad above and beyond her job description but she countered that I am her job and, after all, it was a workday, and, furthermore, when I’m out of the office, she doesn’t have as much to do. The truth is, I think she caught a bad case of itchy feet from me and I’m just as glad. She is the easiest person in the world to travel with and a big help to boot. Her Dad works for Marriott so she got us two rooms close to the hospital for $40 each. Not bad at all.
I stayed in touch with Amy and Steven all the way from Houston to San Antonio and made it to the hospital in time to lend some support to my sweet girl while she labored from 6-9 centimeters. I was so proud of her. I’ve thought a lot about Amy and Steven and that baby coming in their later thirties rather than their early twenties. I know this is not always the case but, as for this young woman, she felt so blessed to be carrying that baby that she virtually never complained about being sick or, as most of us feel from seven months to nine, ample of stomach. She was nothing but grateful all the way from push to shove. As I stared at the two of them staring at her, I wondered if I’d ever known a baby that was more welcome or more apt to be savored every single second of her young life.
Ainsley Elizabeth was born to Amy and Steven at 6:12 PM as Steven’s parents, Amy’s mom, sister, and brother-in-law, and our dear friends, Steve and Bonita Seelig, and Kimberly McMahon and I waited nearby on pins and needles. Steven shot me a text about ten minutes later and we shouted till the dead could have been raised at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. In no time at all, we all got to go back and see as beautiful a newborn as any of us had ever laid our eyes upon (needless to say, alongside Jackson and Annabeth Jones). A little while later while I was hogging her, everybody but her parents (busy with the doctor) gathered around to gawk at the gorgeous reality of her. I said to that darling little thing, “Ainsley Elizabeth, the generations welcome you! Come into this family and be loved!” And she had an expression like she might do just exactly that.
Ainsley and her absolutely darling new Mommy. I normally would never post a picture of a woman who’d just walked through the Valley of the Shadow (what my mom called childbirth) but Amy looked so fantastic that she earned this. This baby wasn’t even an hour old in this picture.
Since I did that to her in her unadorned hour, I think it is only fair that I show you a regular picture of Amy with her man. This sits on an end table in our den:
Back to the hospital Thursday night. This is some of our very best lifetime friends, the Seeligs, with Ainsley and me. Steve is a minister at “the other” big Baptist church right down the road from us and has been on the LPM board of directors since its inception. He is a nut just like he appears to be in this picture and that’s why I’m posting it.
This is one we keep looking at and laughing. I mean this in good humor and with nothing but respect (and our dear Sister Lynn knows that’s the truth) but doesn’t Ainsley look a little like Mother Teresa as an infant here?
This is Ainsley and the uncontested man in her life: Daddy.
And this is Miss Pris all by herself. This is her first outfit and I was given the dubious honor of putting it on her:
I got back Friday night and threw a roast in the oven and sliced potatoes in a pan and prepared a heaping helping of birthday dinner for one of my favorite men in the whole wide world. Curtis Jones turned thirty and our entire family unit was there to celebrate. It was one of those nights you can’t really plan when everybody laughs like there’s no tomorrow and makes big over everything. Colin and Melissa gave Curtis a great set of speakers for his I-pod and we turned up the music and danced our legs off on the kitchen tile. Well, at least Amanda, Melissa, Annabeth and I did. Keith wanted to. I could tell. He just wouldn’t bring himself to do it since the other men were sitting back laughing while we were carrying on. Believe it or not, Keith Moore was a disco king back in our college days and could twirl a girl on the dance floor with impressive flair. After we were entirely out of breath, we crowded around the Cotton Bowl until Amanda, our resident Aggie, just couldn’t take it anymore. All of us texted each other the next day and said what a blast it was.
Such a great welcome to the weekend then yesterday came.I spent the first part of it in near euphoria with both my daughters at lunch at a great little tea room by the ministry. Melissa had a decked-out veggie sandwich and my favorite pasta salad in the world. AJ had chicken enchilada crepes and a green salad and I had chicken and spinach quiche with tortilla soup. Man, my mouth is watering thinking about it. We then dropped Lis off at the ministry to do some catch-up work then I took AJ home and grabbed the boy. He, Buzz Lightyear, and I headed to the park where we played for about the next hour and a half. If I loved this boy one iota more, I’d break into pieces.
Then I got a text. A horrific thing happened in Arizona, sending shock waves all over the United States. A gunman unloaded a semiautomatic weapon at a public gathering for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He wounded thirteen people and stole six precious lives right out from under their families. One was a nine year-old little girl. A nine year-old little girl. It’s the kind of thing that makes you throw your hand over your mouth. A bloody rampage. What on earth makes a person do a thing like that, we wonder. What kind of world is this we live in??
These are strange days. Terrifying days. Sometimes I just sit and shake my head and wonder what on earth is ahead. During those times, my mind often turns to the divinely intended irony of the exact same phrase found in Acts 2:17 and 2 Timothy 3:1 –
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Acts 2:17
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1
A few days ago an older man I respect so much told me that he was scared to death for our world and that he believed we were facing history’s most perilous days. I hadn’t even unpacked my suitcase yet from a conference where I saw 22,000 college-age men and women wildly proclaim the Name of Jesus, pore over His Word, and support His cause with over a million dollars for missions. I thought of the irony. I thought of the truth. I thought of the prophesy of the worst of times and the best of times. The same days that will give rise to such peril will also see the rising of a refined church. Darkness will come but light will shine in the darkness. The shroud of death may threaten to cover the earth but the tender cries of newborns still remind us that beauty can rise from the ashes.
Somebody new might read this post and think how idealistic and out of touch I seem and that’s okay. Enough of the rest of you know that I didn’t even make it out of toddlerhood as a budding Pollyanna. Though many of you suffer in ways I can’t imagine, I have ongoing hardships and some personal challenges that seem overwhelming at times. Even in the midst of escalating horrors, Scripture commissions us in the final words of Romans 12, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Some verses skim easily off the surfaces of our lives. Others make it deep into the echoing chambers of our hearts. Psalm 27 is one of those for me. I memorized it years ago out of the KJV at a time when I thought I’d be swallowed up whole by my enemy. To this day, I call its closing words back to my conscious mind every single time I feel overcome by evil.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV)
The goodness of the Lord. Here. RIGHT HERE. In the land of the living. May He strengthen your heart. And may He crowd around the suffering with such force and affection that His healing presence is palpable.
We are praying for you, Arizona. And we are so, so sorry for your suffering.
Dear Mama Beth,
I loved the “little Mother Teresa” picture. Even the receiving blanket with the stripes contributed to the visual…and whoever stops to think of saints as children, (makes me wonder if St. Francis had a puppy).
Congratulations to Amy and Steve, and Ainsley!
Thanks for the post Siesta Mama. Great insights about the last days in those two verses. That’s a great and terrible parallel, but we are the ones with hope. I too love Ps. 27, memorized it in college and have also clung to those last two verses many times…wanting to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I am thankful He shows it. I don’t think He has to, but He does and we press on.
right now our church is studying revelation on sunday mornings. yesterday after church my husband and i got to talking about how scary it all seems – especially since we have a 2 year old daughter and another little girl on the way (i’m due in 3 weeks!) i admit i told him i’m scared for them sometimes. i mean, i feel like i’d be able to handle (with the Lord’s help, of course) whatever we’ve got coming. but as a mom, i don’t want them to have to go through it… my husband said the coolest thing back to me. he said it is our job to raise up the next generation. it is part of our fight back. it is part of our fight against the enemy. i never thought of having children that way. plus, no one knows the way i feel (as a protective mother) more than our Heavenly Father – who allowed His own precious Son to suffer and die for my sins. my girls are my Father’s first and foremost. and i know He is faithful and good – whatever the future holds <3 i just pray that i can do my part to raise them up to know and love Him with all they've got!
Beautifully said–by both you and your husband! When we get scared about what this world holds, we should all remember that we are raising the next generation to love the Lord, fight against the enemy, and bring others to know Him too!
Glory to god .Thank you Beth for your committmant to teaching the word of god. I love your post and love your love for life and other people especially women.
Psalms 27:14 was MY verse during the years my husband and I were trying to have a baby. As I lie here snuggled up to my perfectly imperfect 2 year old lil boy, listening to the sweet sounds of his slumber, I am reminded of how I am so glad of God’s perfect timing!!! It is so worth the WAIT!!
Thank you Mrs Beth for sharing pieces of your life and most importantly God’s word with woman like myself! Love and blessings to you and yours!!
Beth,
I don’t usually comment (I read every post though!), but I had to on this one. I nearly cried at the end. I memorized Psalm 27:13-14 last year during some hard times when I nearly felt overcome by evil. It spoke life straight to my heart. He is good. Always. Thanks for all you do and for all your reminders. You don’t know how your example has influenced my life for the good. Thanks for being willing to share with us all.
What timely words and a timely Word! This message speaks to general life and a personal heart at one and the same time. Thank you for your post, Beth and congratulations to the new parents.
Beth, I just wanted to let you know, my mom ended up doing the SSMT with me this year -first for both of us. And my mom (a young 70) who went to College for the first time ever this last semester (and got a B in Psy 1 – so proud) has picked both her first and fifteenth verse already. I asked her last night upon seeing her spiral, “Do you know your verses?”
“Ok, yes,” And off she went, and altho there were times she had to look down, I realized that my mom and I were memorizing scripture together. Thrilled to see us thrilled in HIS WORD!
Blessings in HIM
Hi Siesta OC, Kudos (sp?) to your mom, for going back to school and memorizing Scripture! You will both be blessed so much by the Scripture memory!
Take care,
Karene in Yorba Linda, OC
Thank you girl!
Amen, amen, and amen! On Mother Teresa look-a-like, on the Arizona tragedy, and on your Scriptures!!! Thank you, Lord for ALWAYS being with us!!!
What an emotional post. Highs and lows in close proximity to one another are always emotional. I saw that picture of little Ainsley on your twitter and I’m so glad you posted it again. So precious.
We are living in strange days indeed – where over 3,000 birds drop dead from the sky in Arkansas to shooting at the corner grocery store. And yet, I have hope. I love life and will fight every day to not let my fear trump my faith.
Thank u Beth for your post!! Sometimes Satan tries to stumble me by me seeing your family and especially you and your girl’s relationships as perfect. Then u always humble yourself and open yourself up to being not so perfect and that is where God reminds me that He and I are the only relationships that are nonconditional. You speak to me through your study of our Lord’s word as well as your every day life! I can’t imagine the sacrifice that it has been for u but thank you because God has used your wisdom and knowledge of His word in a mighty way in my life. I feel if we were to ever meet there would not be one awkard moment and we would know each other inside and out in no time. Praise the Lord for the birth of that precious little girl. I will continue to pray for them as they raise her in fear and admonition of our Lord. God bless you, Beth!
Thank you.
Thank You mystery Siesta for the SSMT spiral! I Love to see and interact with so many Christian women! God bless you all! Siesta’s Nancy Minor
Beth, Oh sweet Beth:
I read every. single.word. of this text three straight times to let it sink in. I have always been so ashamed when I acknowledge that something awful and beyond my ability to accept happens. I felt that I could never give God the
Glory if I did not give him the blame. Then the guilt made it too hard to bear! Those verses seemed to make the whole picture be acceptable. Thank you! I love you so much and you don’t even know me!
Can anyone tell me why people were protesting at the 9year olds funeral in Arizona. I heard about the protesting on KLOVE on the way home today but could not figure out why anyone would do that!
Thanks Siestas.
They haven’t held the funeral for her yet. It will be on Thursday. As far as I know… there have been no protests.
Why would they protest at the funeral of a person that died to give them the freedom to protest? It makes no sense. But what gets me is they do it in God’s name. God judges the heart, He will make all wrongs right!
You have the whole gamut of emotions in your post today. I remember the births of my children and my grandchildren. There are no words for the roller coaster your heart rides. We, too, have been watching the news about the Senator. I am so thankful that we have the one and only God who holds our hearts and emotions so very precious, and who is such a Rock that we can count on Him to be strong and steadfast when the whole world is spinning off its axis with craziness. Thank you, Beth.
Arizona is in our prayers. May the Lord continue to brood over this state – even our nation! We need to continue to pray for our leaders!
Life has so much to give and so much also to endure. I thank God for both, knowing he is growing me and those who follow him. Thank you Lord for refining me. Amen
I love coming to the blog. It always stenghtens and gives hope. Your post was beautiful, so full of new life and precious promises that gives up hope when the world looks so horrible. It brings every emotion together in a balanced way. The pixs were great my favorite was Ainsley’s by herself. So perfect and so beautiful!
As always, I end up smiling after reading your post. Nothing is more powerful then God, that just makes me hopeful and giddy all over. In Christ-
From Arizona, thank you. May our precious families affected here be surrounded by the ONLY peace that can help in these dark days.
I am so grateful that no matter how bad things seem around me I can trust that God will shine His light through the darkness. This is my prayer for all of us. “When we walk into the thick of trouble, keep us alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike our foes, with Your other hand save us. Finish what You started in us, God. Your love is eternal – don’t quit on us now. Ps 138:7-8 The Message
Thank you so much for sharing such an incredible blessing; seriously that baby girl is precious! You worded perfectly how I have been feeling. When I look around and at times see such insanity in the world, I pray that the Almighty will look down upon His children, forgive us, and pour His grace upon us.
I’m starting “Breaking Free” tomorrow night- can’t wait. Love to all you in Siesta land.
I love, I love, I love newborn babies. Thanks for the picture. Dad looked so proud!! He is smitten!
We shall not live in fear of this world..we are just passing throug.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Thank you Lord for the little blessings in the storm.
Shannon
Kissimmee, Florida
What a great post! What exciting times we live in, both scary and exciting all rolled up into one! Thanks Beth for all you and your staff do! I hope this year I will have a grandbaby in my arms! Our daughter and son-in-law want children so badly, with one in the arms of Jesus already! Pray for them! I keep praying for our nation, that God will heal the land!
Love you mama siesta!
Congratulations to the happy new parents!! Ainsley is gorgeous! As a recent new mom myself, it is wonderful, you will love it!
Sending prayers to Arizona and all the surroundings there. May God’s love and mercy be over our nation and world.
Coincidence that right before I just needed to read this blog, I would have finished Jesus the One and Only Week 8 Day 5 “Signs of His Coming”? Absolutely no coincidence there!
Senseless violence continues to increase, wickedness of a in a myraid of varieties is exploding all around us, and then God presents us with His goodness in the land of the living in the form of a tiny little wrapped gift who can do an amazing impression of Mother Theresa. Something tells me that she may be a tiny votive candle holder at the moment, but she is going to be a gorgeous lamp stand shining bright and ever brighter one day.
How I pray that Father God and Jesus will continually remind us of their goodness that abounds in the land of the living – even in this day and age. As awful as the world becomes, here is what amazes me and totally boggles my mind. The presence of the Holy Spirit will be poured out among us greater than ever before the closer to the Second Coming. Think about that! The more evil the world becomes, the more the Holy Spirit will be ripening the fields for harvest. I don’t know about you, but that gives me reason to beam with joy!
Thank you for your post Beth…we live in Tucson and many of us are still in shock, not believing that this horrific thing has happened. I hadn’t heard the news on Saturday as I was driving my daughter to an appointment which was two blocks south of where the shooting occured. It was around noon and we got caught up in the traffic jam just as my husband called to tell me what had happened. When we arrived at our destination, the television was on and people in the office just stared at the images in disbelief. A very sad time here as we try to explain this to our children and teens. The shooter attended the same high school where my daughter goes and his family home is just minutes away from ours. Our church held three special services on Sunday in an effort to reach out to our community. I could go on and on but you’ve all seen the images, the parents who lost their beautiful daughter, a targeted public servant, the senseless loss of good people. I had a really hard time getting up and moving today which is my day off. I didn’t want to get out of bed but I finally did. I had to stop watching the tv. I reflected on what one of our music ministers challenged us to do yesterday…she said, “I challenge you all to allow yourselves to cry about this if you haven’t already because this is a really sad time.” That’s what I finally did…I cried. Tucson feels the love from all around the world. Thank you.
Beth, this comment has nothing to do with this post, even though that baby is darling. Tonight i’ve been struggling over some hard issues in my life and I decided to find the post where we commented with our first memory verse. As I read various posts of the 9,000 plus, I cried and cried and cried. I needed to see the verses that my sisters posted tonight. The Lord has used you so much in my life.
It’s like a washing with the Word reading all of them, isn’t it?
Nicole,
I was privileged to be part of the SMT last year and join the celebration in Houston. As blessed as the whole weekend was (and it was!), the part that touched me the most was hearing the quiet murmer of voices all over the room as siestas recited their verses to each other. And I’m not sure if others did the same thing, but the 3 in my group many times would preface their verse by saying “And this verse is the one the Lord gave me when….. ” and describe an important time when they experienced a trial or blessing and God spoke something special to them through their particular verse. It was just an overwhelming blessing to the point that I could hardly speak.
Not sure if I’ll be able to make the trip this time but I’ll definitely be learning the verses – it’s so worth it!
Beth, I need to be reminded daily of the urgency of our times! I fall so easily into routine that I forget my mission here — to spread the Good News. Thank you, again, for the reminder. I am so anxious for January 15 to roll around so that I can write on page 2 of my scripture book! I CANNOT WAIT to see how He is going to bless us this year!
What a sweet post!! I LOVED little Ainlesy, how precious.
How is it that something so horrid can happen in Arizona, yet something so precious and sweet can happen in Texas all in the same week?…Ladies and gentlemen that’s Planet Earth for ya.
big grin 🙂
Dear Beth,
This post touched my heart in so many ways. Today I had my first OB appointment this pregnancy and it was so emotional. My husband and I have been incredible blessed with 2 wonderful living sons. We have also experienced some very sad times as parents. I lost a baby boy 5 months into my pregnancy in October 2009 and then we had a surprise pregnancy immediately following that that also ended in a loss at 8 weeks. So today when I walked into the room for my first ultrasound, with my husband by my side, and many weeks spend in prayer for this new child inside me, I couldn’t help but cry ~in memory of the ones I lost and though I trust God with all my heart, sometimes these human emotions can get the best of me and I was just plain nervous! I am happy to report that there was a healthy little one in there with a strong heart beat! Praise God! And I quote “I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” And we did see the living today, Thank You Jesus! Thank you Beth for posting this. Never have words so appropriately decribed the feeling of my heart in one moment. And as for the rest of my pregnancy, well I hope to also say of mine what you said of Amy’s, that she didn’t complain but was always grateful and of the child, “never I have known a baby that was more welcome or more apt to be savored every single second of it’s young life.”. So I will ‘Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen my heart. Wait, I will, on the Lord!’ Thank you again, so much, for this scripture that will someday find itself in a baby book and will forever be a precious reminder to me of this time in my life.
With Gratitude and Love,
~Shanna
Loved your post! It’s a beautiful mixture of the highs and lows of life. God is sovereign – no matter what.
What a true slice of life this post is! Great joy and great tragedy living side by side until the day we are called home.
Thank you Beth for remembering the tragedy in Arizona, I can’t stop thinking about the families, and part of me wants to try not to think about it, but I owe them my prayers and sorrow because we are One Nation under God and will always stick together. Thank you my friend for everything you do. May God continue to richly bless you, your family, and staff.
Beth,
This was a wonderful and timely post, I loved how you laid those two verses out side by side. Thank you! And WHAT a gorgeous BABY!! 🙂
Jen, OH
Amen sister!
Hi. I loved hearing about the Siesta Scripture Memory Team and the way you encourage Scripture memory. I want to let you and your friends know about my favorite website, http://www.memverse.com which is especially good for encouraging and inspiring groups that are memorizing Scripture. It also stores, organizes, and maximizes individual Scripture memory.
In Christ, Phil Walker [email protected]
I originally came into this blog to ask for prayer for myself as I’m undergoing some significant pain due to a pinched sciatic nerve. I would ask for healing….
BUT then I read on in your post and saw the reference to AZ and my thought was my “suffering” isn’t of significance compared to what those families now are enduring!! It’s unimaginable!! Yes Beth…I believe we’re in the *last days* since so many things seem to be escalating—weather, wars, evil deeds of man and more. I just finished a few weeks ago, your study of The Patriarchs (excellant I might add) and soon will be joining up for the Esther study. I cannot wait!! Thank you dear God for Beth Moore and your gifts to her!!
Congratulations to the new parents of Ainsley!!! Sweet baby!!
praying for you, Elizabeth
You couldn’t have said that any more beautifully. We saw the movie, Tron, recently. I am working on a missions article, and I am amazed where the Lord tends to speak to me and through what source! My favorite line in the movie, having nothing to do with Jesus, was, “I guess you could say I’m a ‘rescue.'” Everything I hear is applied to my Savior. I wrote it down on my napkin as quickly as I could … and praised Jesus that yes, I am a “rescue.” He has rescued us and will continue … incredible. I love you!
Beth,
As I read this post I look at the way God has used you and us for that matter. Our worlds can be turned upside down in just a matter of seconds. From the great joy of the birth of a newborn to the greatest grief a mother will ever have, the loss of a child. As I look not only @ your words , but the post of so many others, who lead us in the direction of trusting God in all things, it amazes me. We must not forget that our lord is all merciful and He has overcome the world. Our hearts need to continue to feel the joy even through the grief, can almost be unbearable at times, for our Lord will fold us up in His arms and hold us and keep us safe.
What a sweet photo of the new Mommy and little one! The two of you are blessed with the friendship that has grown between the two of you.
On the events in Arizona…i really have no words, just sadness in my heart. Sadness for the little nine year old that was killed, sadness for the woman whose husband was killed by saving her, sadness for the judge’s family, and sadness for Mrs. Giffords…and sadness for all involved. Your scripture is perfect….
Thank you for the love and balance you show! You are a precious gift to all of us, thanks for sharing your life.
joy~
Beth,
Have you done any “praise dancing” with those sweet grandchildren of yours? Just had to ask.
Amazing how the joys and sadness of life intertwine. Still so saddened by the tragedy in Arizona, and the hurting people and grieving survivors. My prayers will continually go out to you there.
And then the joyous pictures of that precious baby, Ainsley! I have never seen a more perfect newborn picture. Most newborns look a little red and swollen (even my own kids 🙂 ). But not Ainsley. You could just eat her up!
And finally, my Scripture Spiral arrived yesterday! How cute! I love it. Thank you, Beth and LPM, for providing them for us at such an affordable price. And the size is great for slipping in my purse!
Hello Beth!
Thank you for this post.
That sweet baby! So precious. First born. Nothing like the first time. I LOL when I saw the ‘Mother Teresa’ picture.
Do you think we’ll be able to rewind those sweet precious moments of our lives and re-watch them when we’re in Heaven? I wonder!
The tragedy in AZ has brought so many emotions. You touched on the subject wonderfully. I’m praying for everyone involved in the shooting on Saturday. I’m praying our Country can get through it with calm and compassionate dialogue … and learn from the experience what God will have us learn.
Siesta Mama, THANK YOU for posting this today. I so, SO needed to hear every bit of this post today. Everything you wrote about, are things that have been running through my mind. And dwelling on all that this weekend made it a pretty rough time, but every bit you shared today brought such encouragement…straight to my heart! I think I will have to put those verses from Psalm 27 in my little spiral (and maybe even “BIG” on the fridge).
Even sharing about the little new one that was born, spoke straight to me, it would be too hard to explain, but believe me, it did. Thank you for sharing every bit of what you did on this post. Straight from God ~ to you and your keyboard ~ to my computer ~ and in my heart! Love Ya!
Beth, I am filled with so many emotions as I read this. One minute I’m crying and rejoicing over new life; a longing fulfilled for your dear friend, Amy. And then I’m frozen in grief over the tragedy in Tuscon and the sweet little girl being robbed of her life. And now it’s all I can do not to stand and beat the air with a joyful fist in my wee office at the work the Lord did at Passion and is continuing to do as His Spirit moves through our streets!
I’m getting all excited and completely undone over here!
Lynsie, Jackson MS
Beth,
Thanks for just being real and teaching me how to do the same. I look up to you and the faith you have, knowing that we are not all perfect. Thanks for your ministry.