Hey, Siestas! Boy, have we had some blog issues since I talked to you last! Remember that server transition I warned you about? Whoa. That thing has been a beast. If you find this posted, you know that it’s mostly cleared up. You’re kind of a big deal around here to us (grin) so you can know we’ve been chasing our tails trying to get everything fixed.
I have two really fun reasons to be on here today. First of all, we are beside ourselves to head to Fresno for our Living Proof Live this weekend! It’s time for our Siesta Scholarship Giveaway to any Siesta who wants to come but can’t afford the event ticket. We will fix up the first 20 of you who call 1-888-700-1999 and ask to talk to Kimberly or Susan. Remember that we are CST (2 hours later than West Coast) and our office hours are 8:30-4:30. Lunch is the usual 12:00-1:00.
Michelle and I will actually head out to California tomorrow afternoon so we can have an extra night to get adapted to the time change. This will be a sweet trip for Michelle (aka: Hawk) and me. It is our last official one together as LPM coworkers. Our two-year time period with Michelle comes to a close next week. We have always known our time together was this length so, although we will be so sad to say good-bye to one another, we are not taken by surprise. I have very little doubt that Michelle will always be in my life in one way or another. We were friends before she came and will be friends when she moves on to her next post. If we get a chance next week, I’ll ask her if she wants to get on here and say anything to you guys before she goes. She has loved Siestaville and has been the one to organize our group pictures at all our events for the last year. She’s a prize. I love every single person that walks through our LPM doors and look forward to what God is going to do next for her and for us but I have had a blast with Michelle. She’s quirky like I am and we have howled our heads off.
And now for the last reason I’m on here today! I have a friend I want you to meet. She’s a brand new published Bible study writer that I have known for a long time. I love to let you know what’s up out there in Bible study curriculum land. I will give you one heads-up before you watch our conversation. My bangs are going to drive you crazy. I cut them myself with a pair of paper scissors after I saw this. I was only three days from a hair cut but I couldn’t stand it anymore. Think of it as a blond eye patch and I think you’ll be able to handle it better. We’re trying to get better at our amateur video tapings. We have better sound this time because we actually have lapel microphones now but the light is so bright, we almost look like apparitions. I pray it’s the anointing you’re seeing shining on our faces but I think it’s just a bright, sweaty light.
Hey, while we’re at it, let us know of some young women Bible teachers you’ve really been blessed by! Let’s spread the word about what God is doing in women’s ministry in the Body of Christ. And, we who are older, let’s embrace these young teachers and let them teach us some things and let’s encourage them and give them lots of room! We need them and they need us! I want us to celebrate the generations around here and sow into one another actively. This is God’s way, Titus women.
I love you guys so much. I’ll talk to you again on the 1st for our Siesta Scripture Memory Post. Please pray for all of us in Fresno this weekend! Thank you, Sweet Things.
Jesus, come into our midst with power and authority and an affection so strong and evident that we’re healed by it.
Introducing… from LPV on Vimeo.
Margaret Feinberg! I love her! I met her at the Women’s Leadership Forum in Ashville this past November. Love her!!!
SO excited about Tammie’s study! Thanks, Beth, for urging ALL of us on…
So blessed to have you hair with me via vimeo! You are both just dolls!
(aarrgh! for the blonde eyepatch…how cute and funny!)
Can’t wait to get Tammie’s new study.
Thank you and love you! Prayers for your weekend in Fresno.
Congrats Tammie! Wow! I needed to hear what both of you had to say. It encouraged me …’twas a low day. I guess the impossible is possible…yet each year I get older…dunno. Am I only dreaming that I felt the calling of the Lord? Sometimes I wish…hmmm. I better stop. I’m obviously weary.
Once again so excited for you, Tammie!
Dad always said at the dinner table, “God will complete what He has begun.” I choose once again to believe. 🙂
WOW! GREAT Tammie and I can’t wait to purchase it! Congrats!
I would just like to thank you for taking the time to promote and encourage the up and coming generation of women leaders and Bible teachers!! “Passing the torch” so-to-speak is a tough thing to do for many people, but unless the older leaders build into those who will be coming up after them, who will be leading the generations to follow? So thank you! You are loved and appreciated!
Blessings and Prayers to Ms. Michelle, who I know has served Beth and LPM and US these years so well!! Thanks to her and great hopes for whatever she moves on to.
Then there is that DEAR Tammie Head. How wonderful to *meet* her and to pray for the open-armed and open-hearted reception of her study. Thank you BOTH for speaking so candidly about the process of the Bible Study’s development–not only so that we can all appreciate the Labor of LOVE you Sisters endure for our benefit, but also because it was a testimony of, as Beth highlighted, PERSEVERANCE in the calling of the LORD. And don’t we (I sure do!) need that exhortation. I still struggle with the idea that if it from the Lord it should be “easy.” Yet over and over again He reveals the fruit of patient endurance as His way.
Bless y’all!!! (and that from a New England girl!)
I love God’s girls! Congrats Tammi, may the Lord change many hearts and lives through this study!
oh beth, since you are heading to california a day early, you must make a trip into yosemite n.p.. it is still winter up there, as we just got another 10ft. of snow this last week.
my Bible beauties just wrapped up the last video session of “a woman’s heart”. we were all in tears and so blessed tonite. we are sooooooo excited to see you this weekend and are praying for you and your team.
Yeah God ! May He bless you more and more, Tammie. Welcome to the “world” of Bible study ! What a great mentor you have in our “Miss Beth” !
Miss Beth, I’ve gotta talk to you about “cutting our own hair”, though . . . My beautician just happens to be my older, [biological] sister, Julie; and she just screamed at me for attempting to trim my own bangs last month ! She and I live in the same city, but we are both very busy ladies, so I chose not to “bother her” with it. Well, I messed my bangs up “pretty badly”. 🙂 Julie had to try to fix them so that I could be “seen in public”, if you know what I mean, sister . . .
Although I am a certified elementary school teacher, I am surely not a “Bible study teacher”. At the moment, in this “messed up economy”, I feel blessed just to be allowed by the good Lord to teach children at all. I have been teaching young children how to read, etc., at this unusual place called a “Christian Homeschooling Center” in northern Illinois. The only difficult thing about it, besides the “common things”, is that I have almost literally been working “for the Lord”, as the parents who bring their children to this Center have lost jobs recently, etc., and I have been paid just over what it costs for me to drive there and back over these past 2 school years. HOWEVER, God is good ! And, the best thing about this Center is that we are actually ENCOURAGED to talk about my Lord and Savior. Oh, Jesus, what a blessing it is ! ! ! He even gave me new words to an old song, in order to help teach these young children [4-7 year old darling’s] the days of the week. And, mind you, I am definitely NOT a song-writer. But, I’ve been told that this little “re-make” has blessed some of the parents whose children I teach; so I think He wants me to share it with all of Y’all . . . It goes to “Jesus Loves Me”. “Jesus Loves me on Sunday . . . Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday . . . Thursday, Friday, Saturday; Jesus Loves me every day !”
Whenever the Lord Jesus can “drag me away” from your Bible teaching, Miss Beth, I have enjoyed Sheila Walsh’s books and mini Bible studies [as well as her beautiful music!], especially in her “Life is Tough, but God is Faithful book/mini-study”; as well as Stormie Omartians’s and a couple others’ mini Bible studies. I call theirs “mini”, only because the Lord has caused your own Bible studies to be/come majorly “in-depth” studies for yours truly . . .
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Janesville, Wisconsin
Yay! A new Bible study author! How fun. God bless you, Tammy, and I look forward to doing your study! 🙂
Young or old, new or experienced – teachers who love the Lord with all their hearts are a great bunch. Know why? They understand that it isn’t all about them. I’ve been honored to learn under a few women who are all completely different from one another, and yet they’ve each impacted me in big ways. And now I am privileged to lead a little Wednesday night group. 🙂
I’m full of smilies. Isn’t Jesus just so cool?!
P.S. – Michelle (Hawk), I don’t know where you’re going next, but I know that you’re walking in the shadow of the Savior who goes before you. Can’t go wrong in that. May you be richly blessed.
I am so encouraged by Tammie’s story! Well done Tammie.
Also Beth, just heard this week that you are coming to Australia next March for Hillsong Colour Conference in Sydney. Your Aussie friends are so excited! We’ve booked in 🙂
love Emma
I am sobbing. I really think y’all taped this segment just for me. I have been writing and reading everything I could get my hands on for my entire life. I signed with a very big name literary agent two years ago and we are STILL editing. It can be so easy to get discouraged. And I can’t count the number of times I’ve wanted to quit. (i am UGLY crying now.) God has given me a small but substantial platform in a small syndication of my humor column and freelance writing projects and the occasional hurtful letter cuts like a knife.
I lay in the bed several weeks ago and actually thought, “I don’t think I really want to be published anymore. More people to read, more people to criticize. More deadlines. More pressure. More feeling like I’m not good enough.”
Then God began speaking to me about how anything worth doing for Him requires sacrifice. And I thought specifically of you, Beth. I wondered how high a price you have paid to be away from your family, to travel, to speak out. And someone sent me a blog post which contained the quote, “Everybody wants to change the world, nobody wants to teach Sunday School.” I do not want to be that person. I want to be faithful where He has called me. I’m sorry to ramble here, I try to keep my posts brief here b/c there are SO many of us. But I had to let you know that even in simply introducing your dear friend to us, you were ministering to my heart.
Thank you so much. I’m going to get snot rags. Then I’m going to follow Tammie on Twitter. 🙂
xoxo
Loved learning about Tammie. I think meeting her on the video was such a great way to hear her heart and passion for Jesus.
Hawk, its been fun to get to know you through the blog. I hope you feel God’s rich blessings and guidance as you move on.
FRES-YES!!!! Has a great time!
Tammie, I look forward to your study. Thank you for the introduction, Beth. One other thing, Tammie’s lipstick is beautiful. What is it?
I was thinking the same thing about the lipstick!!!!
It’s the least I could do to help a sister out:
MAC “Soar” Lip Pencil — Line the lips and fill in as well.
Yves Saint Laurent or (YSL for short) Golden Gloss –add just a splash of gloss.
Thank you, Tammie
I will be there this weekend in Fresno!! Can’t wait!! 🙂
Hi Beth,
I can’t wait to see you in Fresno this weekend!! I am coming with my sister and some girlfriends!! The last time I saw you was in Stockton when I was newly pregnant with my second son Noah! Now I get to hang with you again in Fresno this weekend and it will be my VERY FIRST NIGHT AWAY from my now 13 month old son Noah!! Can you hear the excitement in my typing!!! 🙂 I have been praying for you this week knowing that you have been preparing for us!!
I am so looking forward to time in the Word with you and my fellow Siestas. God Bless your travels Beth!
In His Grip,
Sara Hazerow
Tammie, thank you for sharing about your struggle – I am working through the exact same thing right now as I finish up my MA (I dropped out of high school too) and feeling as though I am not smart enough to defend it. And I have a dream of what I want to do with my education and training, but I am still working through all the insecurity. It is far too big for me to do and maybe I am hearing God wrong. This has been a really hard week of lots of negative tapes. Your mentioning of your struggle is God’s water for me to keep going, keep believing in myself. You are so blessed to have a mentor, as I don’t have one. But this made me want to pray for one (which I crazily haven’t done, thought I had to go this alone). Blessings on you with your bible study and future, Sister. You are an incredible inspiration.
Beth, COME ON DOWN! Fresno is sooo excited to welcome you again! I can’t wait to see and hear you, and worship with Travis and the gang. I’ve been praying for you all week and can’t hardly stand the wait until Friday night. Thank you for the tickets you provided to Samaritan’s Women (a ministry of the Fresno Rescue Mission). We will try to be up front and close to all the action. We love you and are excited to hear the Word you will bring for us this weekend.
I will be sad to see Michele leave. She’s a siesta:)
Love seeing her at events:) my memorable with her
conversation was talking about the stick people:)
I’ve heard good things about Tammi,
and I will love to take one of her studies;)
And this is what I want to say to Tammi:
Listening to you share your story, mine is similar.
I was one who got my GED, because I was too frustrated
with how not smart I felt with math. I attempted the exit exam
a total of 6 times. Enough was enough.
I come from background of abuse too, and not
feeling good enough.
I think you are brave to go after your calling, but I think
I’m learning once we say YES to it, that God kinda picks us up
and we are in for a whirlwind of s journey.
I know after years of not feeling I could really
have something worth teaching that it has nothing to do
with me. He has gone before, and He knows every part
of the journey.
His plan is much more exciting then any we could
ever choose for ourselves:)
Angie
I can not wait for you to Come to Fresno! We only live an hour away…but we ladies will pack into my van the minute my daughter leaves for school Friday morning…then will check into our hotel in Fresno……go get our starbucks…..and will enjoy some sweet fellowship as I know The Lord will prepare our hearts to hear what He has to say through your words BETH! I have been struggling with something I am having to live with in life that is harder than anything I’ve ever dealt with before till now. I don’t like it at all. But I am believing that God will encourage me and give me a hope this weekend as well as countless other women in that arena. I am praying for you that as you bless all of us….you will be soooo blessed. I can’t wait for God to do a mighty powerful work this Friday and Saturday! Though I’ve never met you…..I love you like a sister!
praise You, LORD! this was such a beautiful and inspiring video to watch! thank you both so much for doing it. GOD, You are faithful to the generations! One generation will commend Your kingdom to another; they will speak of You and of Your wonders! Thank YOU, GOD, for being faithful to give us servant teachers in every generation! oh, i am so humbled by this message tonight.
Hi Beth,
I am still new and I was wondering why Michelle is leaving?
Thank you for the video. I have asked God for a mentor for over 10 years so the video made me cry.I asked someone who is a Christian and she turned me down.Maybe I have too many problems.:) Some people are sooo blessed.
Beth, I found it… I found it. Did you get my message that the Dollar Store now carries Sally Hansen Lip Plumper? It also comes in Extreme. I remember a blog several ones back that people put their favourites on and I “think” you were looking for this.
Anyway, just love hearing you this morning. Love Rebecca
God is so amazing. He has been calling me to write a bible study as well and is only giving me snippets of information (I think because He knows that I’ll take it and run with it instead of relying on Him). I know nothing about publishing or the process, but this little video was so specific to what God has been telling me to do that it can only be from Him!
Thank you, Tammie and Beth for sharing about this process. I just know that God will touch many lives through your partnership.
Praying for Fresno and for this study.
Be Blessed!
-N
Could this be our summer Bible study?
WOW! Thank you, Beth for the amazing introduction and the great reminder of perseverance in each of our Christian walks. So needed that today. Can’t wait to do the study…have loved all the Siesta summer studies as well and the different writers you have introduced me to. Blessings in Fresno!
This is a little rabbit trail but…I am so thankful for Bible studies of all kinds. I have enjoyed them, grown through them and blessed through them. Ten years ago I saw my teenage daughter as someone unreachable, uncrackable. I knew her life wasn’t going in the right direction. All along God had her in his hands. Proving to me once again, He had a plan. Now at 26, she can’t get enough Bible study. She is in 2 groups because neither group meets as often as she would like. She sends me texts asking me, “what does indwelt mean?” Blesses my heart! She is seeking mission opportunities right and left. She and her husband research and pray for a different country every night. Once again, I am awed by an awesome God!
So, to all the women who have and will write a Bible study, a big fat thank you for your work. Thank you for your faithfulness and mostly, thank you for your obedience to God. You never know how many unreachables and uncrackables out there you are reaching and cracking!
Thanks Beth for introducing us to Tammie. I’m am so thrilled for you Tammie! Be sure that we will be checking out your study for our Bible study group here in Metro Atlanta. Tammie your story was so encouraging to me. I’ve been on a self-publishing journey for the past 15 months. My study, Every Day Faith, released this week. As I anxiously await the delivery, every ounce of me wants to hide it in my house and just be in more awe. I know that’s not God’s will, but I feel so ill equipped, scared, and intimidated by this whole thing. Frankly my hands are shaking and my eyes are leaking even writing this note. So thank you for the encouragement…I’m believing God with you. My power verse is Romans 8:37!!
If you want to read more about the study, you can at http://www.winepressbooks.com God is good.
Dear Tammie and Beth,
Thank you for that video….it was so encouraging and made me laugh too! (Hair today to serve you!)
I so appreciate the transparency in what was shared and the encouragement that we all have specific callings. Thank you for the ever present reminder to stay in the Word.
You are both too cute !
Ann
Dear Beth,
This is my first time commenting aside from the Scripture Memory posts, but I need you to know how God used this video clip. I am preparing to teach my very first class to a women’s group at church. It is a subject that has and continues to transform my life.It has been coming on for some time and as the date approaches, I have been so overcome with doubt, fear, feelings of inadequacy, etc., etc! Last night I had nightmares all night about all the things that could go wrong and all the ways I could mess it up… then low and behold I checked your blog this morning and watched the video. I felt that God was speaking directly to me. Thank you so much! Even though we have never met, you are such a mentor to me.
With much love!
Allison
This is such a RICH video… I love it! Thanks for all the insight, encouragement and challenge! I will look forward to checking out Tammie’s study!
Beth, we are praying for you as you head to Fresno! Hopefully you got those bangs taken care of. LOL You are too funny!
Hawk, thank you for serving Beth so well. You have enabled her to serve us well, and so you have blessed all of us.
Heather in Lewiston 🙂
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phil. 4:13 KJV
Michelle, I will MISS YOU!! the Lord’s greatest blessings on the next thing.
Tammie! Very excited to pick up that study soon. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Siesta Mama, Oh, I need the Word at the end…I am still trying to find out if I have a calling beyond wife and mother (and I *KNOW* those are high callings and I am so grateful!) I feel like there’s more in me. And want to be faithful to execute it.
My heart is so sad that I have not lived in a place more than 4.5 years and I do not know if a Church body would be able to call out my gift. Please pray that the LORD himself would provide mentorship and great insight into women’s lives like mine. Though I am not a military wife, I know they feel similar things.
Welcome to California! I pray the Women recieve the mighty Word God has appointed for them to hear this weekened.
Much love!
rachel
Thank you so much for this ladies! What an encouragement!
In 2010, I felt God asking me to help write a book with a friend. It was such a hard process, and I’m not just talking about the writing! Doing things God asks of you first requires so much work on yourself. My friend and I kept saying, even if God chose never to do anything with this book, he’s done a mighty work in us in the writing of it. He’s so good, bless His name and we can’t even begin to imagine what He has in store to accomplish for His glory!
So blessed to hear the video content and how God raises His daughters up through mentors along the way offering words of encouragement. I started a blog back in August and is only because I have felt Him calling me to. He told me, “If you write it, they will read!” I hardly ever get comments on my posts and often get discouraged. I have learned so much, however, as I always go back to what He told me. He said they would read, not comment,ha! I have persevered and now I cannot wait til time for my next post just to see what He is doing to ME through it. If someone else is blessed by it, it all because of Him and NEVER anything I have written on it of my own ability. I am trusting Him in so many other areas of my life just through this trust I have developed by being obedient to His calling on this blog! Awesome God. YOU, Beth Moore, are my mentor…more than anyone else I have ever known(I do feel like I know you like a BFF even though we have never met face to face.) In fact, your Siesta SM challenge as well as the blog itself are two huge influences on mine! I love you tons!
Oh Beth – How could you do that to me!! That is SO not fair to those of us who are totally IT-clueless, IT-resourceless and have no means to watch that video. And you didn’t even tell me her name or the name of her Bible-study….pout.
(I know, I know – I ought to try to keep up with technology in this world – but I just can’t run like I used to! That’s why I LOVE my Siesta scripture-memory pad – it is so old-fashioned!)
How exciting! Thank you so much for sharing. Tammie seems like a sweetheart! My thoughts and prayers are with you for LPL this weekend. God bless you, and may He show up in a mighty way! Thank You, Jesus!
I have really been taken by the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp re: grace leading to thankfulness leading to joy (and full salvation, saying YES to God, not NO in negativism, worry, bitterness and still calling ourselves Christians…..very very moving, especially when you HEAR the author on audio!
Dear Beth,
Thank you for sharing the news of this new study and the story of how it came to be. Tammie, thank you for perservering! [I can’t believe you have a high school aged child!] I will add this study to my list!
Wow, Michelle, I’m sure it’s hard to say this good-bye. Godspeed as you move on.
I have been reading a book “Misplacing God (and finding HIM again)” by Joanne Heim. It’s a great book. Bringing me back to foundations of truth and discipline. I first learned of her right here on this blog when Melissa posted about her stroke. http://www.thesimplewife.com
Oh, I am so doing this study this summer with a couple of my girlfriends!
As for other studies that have blessed me, I loved “Ruth” by Kelly Minter…so good!!!
Ladies, your joy fills me up. I’m so excited to begin a new study! I have been craving Jesus lately and I’m thrilled at yet another new avenue to fill up on Him.
I also wanted to tell you… This past weekend, our church hosted a weekend with different wonderful speakers and it was such a blessing to sit through them each night. The last night of the event was this past Tuesday evening and we had the pleasure of listening to Michael Catt (he is the Pastor of Sherwood Baptist, the do the movies like Fireproof & so on….anyways) He spoke so clearly on stepping out in courage for God. A line in my notes, as he spoke on Caleb, was to pray for a vision so BIG that when accomplished, the ONLY explaination is God.
I say all of that to say that you ladies have reemphasized that for me. I SO long to discover my spiritual gift and use it to the best of God’s ability. What an encouragement you have been for me this morning. Thank you both! God bless!
Great testimony-but what is the study about?? The suspense is killing me…
That video was super precious! The two of you remind me of my mentor and I. She has truly become a spiritual mama to me and it is so fun to see how God could bring someone into my life that understands where I’m coming from to guide me in faith. Our paths are very much overlapping in training up a new generation for speaking and Bible study teaching. As my mentor is in the midst of writing a book, I have begun my call to write a Bible study. She is writing for the whole of God’s women as I gear towards college age women. I totally understand the same insecurities of being even in the shadow of someone so filled with the Spirit, but I know God is calling me for a specific calling and I just have to trust Him. He is making me to be my own and not to be a clone of my precious mentor. It is so fun to see another spiritual mother/daughter pair that is just so similar with my very own. 🙂
Being one of the fresh new generation rising up to serve the Lord, I am blessed by the overlapping by the faithful already serving the Lord in their own ways. God had it right when He allowed disciplship and for the older women to train up the younger.
Have you done the Beth Moore Esther Bible Study? Here’s a funny “synopsis” of the story! A Pageant in Persia–or How Esther Became Queen and Saved Her People from Perishing! http://pamelastephens.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/a-pageant-in-persia-or-how-esther-became-queen/
just saw this link re: the above mentioned book One Thousand Gifts…a review by a man, and some comments…thot I’d pass it along, in case any are intrigued by the book title and want to look into it. It is definitely one of my top three “reads” this past 12 months, and probably in the #1 slot. Last I checked it was 11 on NYT bestseller’s list also.
here is the link…..
http://www.heartoftheartist.org/2011/03/one-thousand-gifts/
Sharon, Houston Col 3:15 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Dear Beth,
Thank you for introducing us to Tammie. May God continue to pour His blessings out on both of you as His anointed teachers.
A fond farewell to Hawk as she moves on. I’ll never forget her tender yet strong presence at the SSMT celebration and other events. I’m praying that God will appoint another just as gifted as Michelle to take over the “mother hen” duties. God speed, Michelle.
Prayers are going up for our LORD to meet you, the team and all of the attendees in Fresno and bless you exceedingly more than you can ask for or imagine.
Margie
What a blessing this video was for me this morning.
Thank you, ladies, for taking time out of your busy schedules to tape that for us.
Love the suggestion that we do Tammie’s new study for the Siestaville Summer study. Summer is right around the corner!
God bless your weekend in Fresno!