Hey, Sweet Things! I miss being on here with you! I’ll need extra patience from you for another four weeks. But, I’ll tell you what I told some of you who are on Twitter. When it seems like I’m really quiet, it’s because I’m talking my head off to you through writing. Believe you me, you are on my mind continually as I write straight to you in every segment of this curriculum. Melissa would say the same thing. Bless her heart. She worked all weekend because she needs to be finished with her excerpts a tad before I do. It’s best not to glamorize writing because it is a very demanding assignment but, if God calls you to it, receive it with joy and with the open-mindedness of a student rather than a teacher, with much self-discipline, and with relentless prayer.
Melissa said something to me yesterday that I’ve thought about a lot. She said, “You and Daddy and [insert Amanda’s nickname] are pretty much my social life right now outside of home because I can’t be a dependable friend.” Whoa. Have I ever been there. People ask often how I’ve “balanced” (me balanced???) ministry with family and I’ve said the same thing over and over: I dumped practically everything else. If you have the updated version of David: A Heart Like His, it’s dedicated to my friend, Johnnie Haines, because she stuck with this on-again-off-again friend for 30 years. I’d drop out of communication for weeks at a time. I’m not suggesting anybody out there dump their social life. It’s not healthy. It’s just what I had to do for long stretches of time in order to fulfill my responsibilities to family and calling. These days I have my fellow sojourners at LPM and YOU and I am inexpressibly grateful. Truly, it’s one reason why I love blogging so much. It’s the way I get outside without ever leaving my home or office.
Well, that was a rabbit trail. I meant to just get on here and tell you quickly what I’ve been doing for the last few days. Friday was my wildman’s birthday (I first wrote girthday! It just so happens that his girth is not a bit bigger than it was when I met him.) I asked him several days earlier where he wanted to go eat for his celebration and he said, “I just want to get to-go food so that we can have the babies, too. It wouldn’t be as fun without them.” I agreed but I stressed about him not having something special to eat for his birthday and then it hit me that I should do what most wives might do: bite the bullet and cook. That would have been a quicker decision if I’d been able to take the day off but I didn’t have the luxury. So, what to cook?? Then it hit me: Christmas dinner.
(Side bar: I tweeted that the first person who guessed what I was making for his birthday dinner would receive the book of her choice and I purely laughed out loud as it took several hours and several hundred responses for someone to guess it. FINALLY, after about 25 shots at it – ministerially speaking – our own long-time Siesta – on Twitter as @Micheledidasko – got it. What made it so hilarious and so GOD is that she hadn’t ever done Breaking Free. Well, she took her win as a sure sign and that’s what she requested. We love you, Michele! You’re a great sport! And I hope your care package makes it there soon!)
Good heavens, you guys. You’re the worst things on earth about getting me off on a tangent. Back to Christmas dinner. It’s my man’s favorite meal on earth and, six months after the holidays, it was sure to taste so good that we’d want to slap something. So, I went to the freezer section of Kroger for a turkey, made cornbread for traditional dressing, then broccoli and rice casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy and Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls. AND, drum roll please, WHITE WEDDING CAKE!!!! I know you were expecting Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake but I’d just baked one on the 4th of July. Keith’s mother always makes him a scratch German Chocolate Cake so I had to come up with something different. The 4-Moores LOVE white wedding-type cake. My cake portion was really good but you should have tasted my homemade cream cheese frosting. Honestly, I could have fluffed it up like a pillow that night and slept on it. Oh, for the sweet dreams!
We had the whole family over, stretching from Keith’s Dad, “Big Pops,” to Annabeth Ellen Jones, who, by the way, is the potty-trained princess. We had the best time even amid the chaos that is my cooking. (I made this whole gorgeous meal then threw Chinet and plastic forks at them. When someone arrived and saw the dining table barren of dishes and asked if I needed help setting the table, I may even ever-so-slightly-recall saying something like, “I worked all day long before slaving over this meal.” Servant-fail! Blast it all!)
Even so, we had a great party and I ate Christmas dinner again the next day all by myself. Then Amanda and Melissa came over yesterday late afternoon and we four original Moores heated up the leftovers and ate it AGAIN, cranberry sauce and all. Then I threw the rest away…because, by then, we were on our way to celebrating our girthday.
Yesterday both girls looked shocked when they walked in the door and saw their Daddy and me dressed alike. It was an accident. I guess I got the subliminal idea for purple in my head when I saw him dressed and ready to take me to breakfast at the BBQ place. (Yes, you read that right. You can get ribs right alongside your flapjacks.) When we were on our way in the car, he looked over at me and said, “We’re dressed alike.” (Kinda horrified. Then I was, too.) So I said, “No, we’re not! These are clearly two distinct shades of purple!” Then I kind of made that “puh” sound, like “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that.” Then we got to the BBQ restaurant where you slide your tray all the way down a cafeteria-style line and the young woman at the cash register had the gall to say, “You are dressed alike.” I said, “Well, it was an accident…” to which she said, “Oh. I thought maybe y’all were on a team of some kind.”
To which Keith said (in that slightly irritable way that Keith says things when he’s exasperated), “Well, we ARE on the same team. We’ve been married over 30 years!”
That’s the story of our lives. We never do anything simple.
After both girls made ample fun of us, Melissa clicked this picture with her cell phone. So, here we are. Team Moore.
I love you guys.
Your posts make me laugh! Thank you!!
Our church started your “Beautiful Mind” study tonight. I was originally offering it as a home study (expecting up to 30) but after 115 registrations, we moved it to the church! 🙂 I ordered it this winter when I was in the midst of a fear/anxiety struggle. What Satan meant for harm, Our Savior used for His glory! God is ALL over this! Thank you again for your transparency and love for Jesus and women. I am praying John 16:24 over this study for all our women. Oh that we would get how much God would love to make our minds beautiful!
I will continue praying for your ministry. Your obedience to His calling has helped my walk with God – someday in Heaven I’ll tell you over a strong cup of Starbucks!
Michelle in Indiana
You know what I love…the journey God has us on. There was a time when I would have read about your relationship with your husband and been jealous and ached…BUT GOD…is working and turning and changing…me first, but has saved my sweet husband and he is growing and I’ve finally…well, I’m learning…to love him right where he’s at! Blessed Savior who loves me right where I’m at!! Praise Him for the way we all fit together and can all testify to the goodness and greatness of our God!
Panora, IA
Beth, you are such a joy to read!! Love your adventures and your insight. Thank you for being such a blessing to this girl! 🙂 Love you!
I loved this! Happy Girthday, Keith from
one white wedding cake lover to another…although,
I prefer buttercream frosting on mine 🙂 but cream
cheese will do in a pinch! LOL
Love from Michigan!
I just love your family! So fun..thanks for sharing your life with all of us 🙂
Chinet & plastic silverware; works for me with a crowd that size, who wants to end up in the kitchen the rest of the night doing dishes and not getting to visit with everyone. Good choice! Happy B’day to your hubby. Love hearing all the real life stories. So encouraging.
that post made my face smile. keep up the great work that you do. can’t wait for the new study! as i type this the little tiny baby inside me (20 weeks pregnant) is squirming around to say ‘hi and remind me that he/she is here. God is so wonderful!
Congratulations! I can’t imagine what that feels like. Blessings to you and your child!
It’s one of the coolest and weirdest feelings in all the world!
So fun to catch up with you! Praying that these last four weeks of writing will go smoothly.
I am currently on week 7 of Esther!!! Working on my note cards for It’s Tough being a Woman Scenario 6 and 7.
Learning to turn it around!!!
Thanks,
Mary
It seems that my husband and I never notice we wearing the same thing until we are driving off in the car – too late to do anything about it. Most of the time we got dressed at the same time in the same place and still didn’t notice. Just makes us laugh. I’m going to remember that we are on the same team in those moments. Happy Birthday, Mr. Moore!
I think many women go through friend-less times in their lives. As a working mom, I know that when I am at home, my focus is family so it’s hard to maintain the friend relationships. Three mom friends and I get together a few times a year to celebrate our birthdays. I treasure those lunches with those ladies because all of us are so busy.
We have white wedding cake for our Christmas dinner too!!
Just came home from Bible Study and got your post!! I am at my 2nd church leading your study, Believing God! I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing you have been to my faith walk. I feel a part of Team Moore, leading your studies and watching God do amazing things in the lives of women all over Pennsylvania. Thank you for stepping out in fear and Believing God to work in you and encouraging us to be what He called us to be!! Truly love you girlfriend!!
CUTE picture!
Happy Birthday Keith! The photo made me long to be right smack in the middle and be what my little ones use to say “a love sandwich”, ya’ll look like grape jelly high on sugar!
I saw that picture on twitter and my first thought was, oh my, how they love each other. You two are absolutely precious!
Thank you for the fun little recap of your 4 Moore celebrations.
This was a great way to steal away a few minutes from my crazy day and smile. I love the Texas hair right off of you girl!!!!
Too many matching stories, but I have one too. It goes back 44 years when we were dating. My, now husband came to pick me up and he had nearly the exact sweater on that I did. I was way too cool to match and was horrified. Did I go in my bedroom and change? Heaven’s no, I had my big hair curled and sprayed and I couldn’t take that sweater over my head. I made him drive back to his house and change before we went out. It should have been his first clue I was trouble with a capital T. We’ve both learned much in our 43 years of marriage. Thanks for reminding me of funny memories.
Loved reading the stories of your regular life amist all the hard work.
Real friends are the ones you can come and go with because they roll along aside and don’t get all clingy and paranoid. I have at least two of those and it’s great to talk every day or so or every week or 10 days or so when we are really crazy busy. We pick right back up like it was the last time and that is how it should be. Thank God for family and friends that are also family!
Awesome dinner…especially the wedding cake and what an adorable photo!
P.S. My husband Bob and I (married 30 years) end up dressing alike too!
Thank you Beth!
Love, Hilly
I just love you too Beth Moore!I’m thinking of the little guy you shared about in one of your studies who heard from God in his bunk bed that God was going to bring him a friend. I’m so thankful that God has brought you to be my friend – you enrich my life and bring me such joy – along with a healthy does of conviction when needed! You’re the best friend I’ve ever had that I’ve never met face to face!
Goodness! Why do we only serve Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner once a year? It is the best meal. I think I’ll make one next week! Thanks for the update, missed ya!
So much fun. I guessed ribs on Twitter. I had the BBQ right but didn’t realize it would be for breakfast!
Wanted to tell you something so cool that my man did for me. We just celebrated 35 years of our first kiss. Yes, he remembers that and buys me something every year. Wish I could say I was as romantic but I am not. This year he made me a hard cover picture books of tulips that he took pictures of at a show in Dallas. But the cool part was that he stole my spiral with my memory verses on it and incorporated the ones I have so far into the book. It is beautiful. I am planning to bring it to the celebration in January so I can share it with my siestas.
Thanks for saying hello. It is always nice to hear from you. Happy Birthday to Keith!
Lawan
Phil 4:8
How did I not know about your blog before this? I’m so glad I found it. 🙂 Happy Birthday to your husband. Christmas dinner sounds amazing!
I love you Beth!!! You just make me laugh. I have been remembering to lift you and the family in prayer. I hear your voice saying, “you wouldn’t waste a prayer on us”. Keep going sister, you are blessing God’s people!! 😀
I just love this.
Sweet Beth,
I have a confession to make: my darling husband of almost 29 years, who doesn’t give a HOOT about fashion, clothing, etc., ALWAYS tries to match what I wear to church each Sunday. If I’m not dressed before he is, he’ll ask, “What are you wearing today?” and then pick out a shirt the same color. I’m not kidding! He does this EVERY Sunday! I actually think it’s kinda cute and sweet, so I just play along. I guess it’s his way of identifying us as a “team” — there are certainly worse habits for husbands to have!
CAN’T WAIT for James!! I already know it’s gonna bless my socks off!
Love you, dear sister!
How encouraging your words are always as you enter the “Cafe Siesta” without ever leaving home. So refreshing to hear you enjoy your family and “team up”!! Hahaha!! Love you, here, and look forward to meeting up in the air, if not sooner. I believe that God is calling me back to reading “Breaking Free” and “Praying God’s Word”…they’ve been on the shelf for a while, staring at me. I’m working with the Lord on gaining victory in one area of my life that has held me captive since childhood – and “the buck stops here”!! So, pray for me and all others who need Jesus more than life and breath! Keep preaching His Word, never straying. Rock solid on the Solid Rock!!
Beth I love you too! And I love a guy who wears purple, Keith -REAL men wear pink and purple:) My husband, Steve, and I often “coordinate” on Sunday’s. Most notable when we are on praise team together. Everyone asks us if we plan our wardrobe, NO- Steve just watches me get ready and then picks out his clothes.
And one of my favorite teams ever! I can hear the chanting now…We Want Moore! It is obvious I’m swiftly approaching 40 w/ jokes like that. What would my children say?
you made me smile very early this morning Beth:) Don’t you just LOVE celebrating this wonderful life the Lord has given us.. it makes time together so fun…
Oh Beth! The same colors were absolutely funny….especially where the lady said y’all were on the same team!!
You will be in Charlotte this month…I had so hoped to be able to go since it’s only 20 miles from my home…but unfortunately, I had to decide between buying a ticket to attend your event or going on a much needed camping outing with my hubby over the 4th of July weekend…he won out….
Blessings!
~Beth
Bahahahahhaha… you crack me up!!! How can we best be praying for you this week?
Cynthia (AKA Cindy Beth-as some of my BS girls call me)
I love it, just love it! How do you do it all? There is nothing like having a big family around when you are celebrating.
I tweeted Fried Green tomatoes, and then went and made some for us, with remoulade sauce. Yummmyyy.
And about the wear the same clothing; Great minds think alike! You are a treasure to me and all of the siestas.
Beth, you made my day. I LOVE reading your blogs. You take us down rabbit trails but I love every hop of the way!
The birthday dinner makes my mouth water. And you and Keith are a stunning couple – even 30 years later!
How in the world you keep up with everything you do is beyond, me, girl.
So thankful this community blesses you – it certainly blesses me during this time far away from family and friends!
Now that every Siesta is perfectly starving for Christmas dinner, there’s not a frozen turkey to be found in the commissary. I’m about to substitute a rotisserie chicken and make really tiny side dishes so it all looks “to scale” on the table.
The girth is a terrible thing.
You are adorable, Beth – even if I am young enough to be your daughter (you don’t want to hear the way I FIRST worded that! lol) 😉 I LOVE YOU!! Thank you for your always-on candor… 🙂
xoxo
Go Team Moore!
This cracked me up so much because this summer I created a chore list for all three of our children. I tried to make it age appropriate for each child. I am trying to teach responsibility and working together. Some of my little speech that I gave the kids was that our family is a team and we have to work together to get everything done. I ended with “Go Team Hoffman!”
I love that you and Keith are so normal. Like here is this dynamic woman of God using chinet paper plates at her husband’s birthday dinner…..something I have done and plan to do again!!!!
Love you Siesta Mama!!!
I check for new blogs nearly every morning. I enjoy the conversational way you write, Beth. It feels as though we are sitting down at a table with a cup of coffee. That is truly a gift from our Father. But after reading your post and crying over the sweet precious gift of marriage. I have a prayer request. I can’t tell it on here but please be in prayer for friends/family. (not only are they are friends and we like them but they are family as well!) Something terrible has happened…please we need prayers.
Praying now, Tanya
Sweet Tanya,
He hears every desperate plea and preserves every precious tear. God is close to the brokenhearted and He alone binds up the wounds.
God can mend broken hearts, shattered dreams, and put things together better than the way they were before. He resurrects marriages and he can resurrect families. I am waiting for Him to put my family back together again. His delay is not denial. His timing is perfect. Praying for you and your family, Sweet Siesta!
I was slightly and briefly disappointed when I saw the “quick” hello title to the entry yesterday, but delighted that you digress… So nice to have a good visit complete with the sights and smells of Christmas dinner!
Well, as strange as it may seem I dress us in similar colors all the time, don’t know why, just do, we have been married for thirty + years and we should start to like the same things by now don’t you think? I also have a favorite menu that I seem to make on various company occasions so one time when I varied my new son-in-law said he was looking forward to the southern stuff I usually make, he could get this stuff at his mother’s house, lol. Really looking forward to your new study, I think most of us don’t think of the time involved in the writing you do. Thanks for sharing Keith’s birthday with us you are making me hungry for Christmas dinner!
Wow…you really must love him to make Christmas dinner in July! (:>) What a huge effort after working all day! But you and the girls got to enjoy it for a couple of days…so it was worth it!
That is fun that you both wore purple! I love purple…it is my fav…and it is such a happy color! How fun that everyone noticed “Team Moore”! My husband sometimes takes a peek at what I am wearing to church, and then he coordinates his outfit so that we sort of match! But not always…sometimes I look at him and say, “oh no!…we clash! You can’t sit by me!”. Tee hee!
I played The Hair Brush video for my husband the other day and he got tears in his eyes. It is so moving! I love it when God’s Holy Spirit just over takes us and we lose all of our self in Him. It is so beautiful. I posted it on Facebook so others could be blessed too.
I am in a Thursday group of ladies who do your studies. We love you Beth. I played it for them too and they all loved it. You are so funny in it…and yet it is such a blessing.
Well, I will close. I know you have better things to do than read comments all day!
God Bless You Beth!
Love, Linda
Beth – that is absolutely the BEST picture of Coach Moore and Cheerleader Bethie. I love Team Moore! Melissa did a great job capturing you both.
I know you are really quite the cook and that big dinner is not an easy meal to prepare. Thanks for stopping in – praying you & Melissa through this time of intense writing. It’s so hard for Sanguines to be isolated!!! 🙂
Much love,
G.J.
Your blog post almost always make me lol. You are such a blessing Beth Moore. Happy belated to your man. I love reading your stories. I bet you had no idea you’d be bringing such joy to women all over the world. I thank God for you Beth More. May all the siesta’s who stop by here this week have a great week. God bless eacha and everyone of you and your family. I love this community.
Just have to say that was the sweetest post! I love how you are so real and share life with us. Happy birthday Mr. Keith!
Hey Beth! Happy Birthday Keith!
I love your celebration in the midst of chaos! Those are the best!
Sue
Ya’ll are the sweetest things!!!!We love Mr. Keith as much as we love you! Have a great day!
Crissy, Nashville
Who doesn’t enjoy a good Christmas meal more than once a year?! It sounds like it was delicious. :). We are having Christmas in July at our Christian campground. We are having a children’s christmas pageant, Christmas lights campsite competition and more. The best thing about it is that for once, we get to enjoy all the festivities without snow. 🙂 Merry Christmas in July everyone!
I absolutely LOVE Sister Shubert’s yeast rolls! Haven’t made mine from scratch since my sister told me about them!
HaaHaa!! Love this post! Gave me a smile!! There have been many times that my hubby & I dress alike…so unintentional…. I barely have time to figure out what I am going to wear much less PLAN dressing alike!! Most of the time I don’t even notice until my daughter tell us. I giggled to myself because I have a friend that makes her husband go change if they happen to dress alike!! Too funny! Maybe I can remember to take a picture the next time our team dresses alike!
Great post!! You really crack me up! Thanks for sharing.
Lol, you’re so funny:) Your family sounds like my family!
I really needed to read this today. I am a writer too. My social life is through email, skype and blogs now. My biggest supporters (besides mom and husband) are people I’ve never met personally.
It’s all worth it though. Your Bible studies transform so many lives. Thanks for letting God keep you busy writing for Him:)