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.
I love reading this blog. Beth you are so REAL. I love it, always brings a smile to my face. I do follow you on twitter so if I can’t get my Beth Moore fix on the blog, I just check twitter.
Praying for you as you work and can’t wait to do the James Bible Study.
That was the sweetest thing. Tears. I’m crying all over my To Do list. LOL Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Miss Beth thanks for sharing with us and making me laugh. I needed that. This week our church is doing VBS. Today was a great day, but yesterday that is a whole different story. The VBS went well, I just had a terrible morning yesterday. Oh and did I tell I am the director. Yep I am by choice. It is mostly been fun, but yesterday I was seriously questioning my sanity. I made one major mistake which got fixed but still huge. The neat thing is I think the other person involved and I have a little closer friendship than we did before. God is so awesome. So add to the one big mess up several small one, and well I sure you get the point. I hate days like that, but they sure do make me all the more grateful for new beginnings, forgiveness, grace and mercy. Hope your writing goes way smoother than you thought it would.
Hi Kim B.,
I have directed my church’s VBS for the past 5 years –so I know where you are coming from! God always shows up even with all my “forgets” and “ooops”. It is a huge task but with wonderful blessings!
Bless you girl!
From another Kim B. in NC
I love the team thing! Our team, “Team Jones, will have been a team for 20 years come March!! :)) I am doing the Esther study this summer with a small group of fine ladies at our church. It has been an answered prayer.
And you didn’t even mention the multiple DVD players? 🙂 I know ya’ll have such fun together as a family. Ours does too. 🙂
Tangent, you? Naw. Love the story!
It’s weird that I would come here today and find this post, as I’ve been thinking all day today how I have no friends since I’ve started blogging and reviewing books. It’s consuming me, but I love it!
Howdy from Colorado! Loved the post and the pics and the “Girthday!” We’re down here from Alaska to celebrate my dad’s 70th Girthday next week! Love, and pass me the sunscreen!
Warm in Alaska.
Love you too Beth – just when I needed a smile I read your blog!
It would be great if you could put your tweets as a sidebar on your blog like John Piper and Matt Chandler.
Yes, I agree! That would be great!
Beth~ You and Keith are a wonderful team! Love you!
That definitely looks like two different shades of purple to me! And I’m so impressed that you cooked that whole meal, with a homemade cake!, after working all day. Thanks for checking in with us. Sure will keep you and Melissa in my prayers.
Beth you absolutely make me laugh out loud! And with living in a house of “all boys” – you gave me some sweet girl time this morning that I desperately needed. I feel like we just enjoyed a visit and laughs over a tub of cappuccino. I have to let you know something so very, very cool. Earlier this summer I ran across a promo for The Inheritance study and thought it looked like a great one to try this summer. What started out as a group of three is now eleven ladies strong!! It makes my heart leap for joy to open my home to some Jesus-lovin’ sisters who want to take time to study. We’re just gearing up on our second lesson but we are laughing, crying and learning together. I see tiaras in our future! 🙂 Thank you Beth! We’ll be praying for your James deadline.
That post just cracked me up! Thanks so much I really needed it today. You all are the cutest things ever!
Love ya!
Melissa and Beth…just wanted to share a moment with you. I hope it encourages you in your writing. It is worth the sacrifice.
I met and became friends with a lady within the last two days through a workshop I attended. She was the speaker/trainer…very successful in my professional area. Over lunch, when I mentioned that I was pursuing writing, she began to tell me about her love to read. We ended up talking about “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. This powerful woman melted as she talked about how the story changed her perspective in her life. It even caught the another woman’s (the other speaker/presenter) attention when I said that “Redeeming Love” was a book that you want to hug for a while after you finish it. She probably bought the book before she went home. 🙂
Significance? Both of these women are rough with their language, they do not freely talk about Jesus, God or church, and they are just hard by the world’s standards yet…they will read a love story. Amazing outreach!
I love the power of story-telling. It stilled my heart and crumpled me to my knees later this afternoon when I realized what the Lord God was trying to show me. The power of an individual having a book in their hands. God’s unique yet quiet way of speaking to each of our souls through the solitude of reading. Powerful!
Be encouraged! Be thankful for those deadlines!;) Know that what you are accomplishing even now is worth reaching one person…whether now or year from now.
Redeeming Love certainly is still in my top 5 best reads! What you’ve said about its impact on two temporarily non-Christians, Gina, just is a treat to my soul (and I never even wrote it haha).
I love the same team thing! Me and my husband call our wedding rings our team jerseys!
Miss Beth, you sure have a way with words!
We love you too,
Heather M.
Team Moore is too cute!
<3 love it!!
except "servant-fail!"…….I can unfortunately relate.
Father God, speak through Your servant's writing, via rabbit trails and tangents n all. And Bless Beth and her family abundantly for their obedience to You. Her Bible studies are always such a blessing to others. Be her accomplice, her company and her strength, Lord. In Jesus' mighty Name.
Amen
Beth…the tangent about friends and ministry was just for me. I am a Pastor’s wife of a very small church. A lot of stuff falls on my shoulders…I am not complaining, just stating the facts. I also have 2 young children, one of whom I homeschool, and life is insanely busy. Right now, 2 of my oldest friends are mad at me primarily due to my inability to drop everything and plan/take a trip with them. I have been tossing and turning all night and woke up to God speaking through both you and Oswald Chambers (“over and over again God has to remove our friends in order to bring Himself in their place”–excerpt from July 13th Utmost for His Highest)regarding friendships and ministry. I have watched God slowly move me in the last 5 years (as long as my husband has pastored) to the place of intimacy and deep friendship with only Himself and my amazing husband. It has been a very painful process for this very sanguine girl. I have many friends, but my dependence on them has had to change. All of this to say, your sweet rabbit trails ministered and spoke God’s purpose during a very sad time for someone. Thank you for listening to Him, again. It was truly redemptive in my life.
Good morning, Beth! I am so glad you stopped by for a chat. I do love hearing all about your life, for I am a mother of boys, who are now all young men, and sometimes we are short on chit chat around my house. A cool drink on these hot summer days is what it is. My boys are still active in sports in college and, just to let you know, a lot of us parents dress alike. I do admit that it can be funny at times! May the Lord strengthen and encourage your whole family each and everyday! Love ya!
Totally random comment but I am reading your book on insecurity again. This is the second time. I just want you to know that when you tell the story about the blue paper shorts I laugh until I literally have tears streaming down my face. I did the first time I read the book and again this time. That is the best laugh I think I can ever remember. Thanks for being you and for being hilarious!!!
Oh Beth … I just love you! Thanks for sharing!
Nah. Two shades of purple. 🙂
Y’all are so precious! I get such a kick out of reading your blog!!! Thank you:)
Glad that you had some great family time amid your writing schedule! Praying for you and Melissa as your write. What is the recipe for the “cake portion” of your white wedding cake?
Oh Beth!! You bring so many grins to this gal’s face 🙂 By the way I am leading my first bible study which happens to be breaking free. The neat thing is that my daughter as well as another mother and daughter are doing it together!!! It has been so healing to do as Mother and daughter. God’s timing is sooo amazing.
Blessings to you.
Fun!
Yall are too precious! I just love your every day life posts!
I love you, too, Beth! Can’t wait to do James! 🙂 How you have blessed my life, you’ll never know… thank you!
Love the post, praying for you, Melissa, Curtis and Amanda, as you continue in your faithful walks. Love the “team moore” thought. My husband and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary w/ a trip to Florida. So I have now dubbed us Team Strother.
As always Beth, you are the best encourager, teacher, blogger, I hope you are encouraged by the comments.
love
Jill
Fun reading – as always! I have to agree with you; the shirts are two distinct shade of purple! 🙂
“Team Moore” Love it. When we still had three teens in the house my husband said that it was for times such as these that God made parenting a team sport. Translation? About the time one of us was ready to throw in the towel…or at least throw that towel at a teenager, the other parent could bring fresh strength, courage and mercy to bear.
Our youngest will start his last year in HS next month, and at last count, everyone was still speaking. I call that a win. For the team that is 🙂
Thanks for the rambles, Beth. I’ve missed your hilarious handling of hermanuetics. Okay, I just wanted a theological term that started with “H”. I digress. Better go. Love to Beth a Siestaville!
“We ARE on the same team.” Your man’s got it! :0)
giggle…
i love you, beth and melissa!! thanks for taking time out to talk to us and to let us know you are thinking about us during this “crunch time”! just know that i, along with all of siestaville is praying for you all as you finish the James study. can’t wait for it to come out!!!
I sure do love you, Beth Moore!
I watched Life Today (actually I watched yesterday too, thinking it was Wed. and was mad that you weren’t on there ~ Ha!)and loved your lesson. I was actually at the taping for this lesson and loved every minute of it. You are such a blessing and your teaching continues to enrich my life in ways you can’t imagine. God be with you and Melissa as you complete the study of James. Hugs from Oklahoma!
Hey Val!!
Where did ya get that cute picture?! I will never forget meeting you and Pam at a Life Today taping! Who but God could have orchestrated such a sweet surprise like that with such an awesome friendship!!!! We need to have another impromptu Women’s Retreat and see what the Lord has in store for us!!! Mi Casa Su Casa so come on down!!! Love you soooooo much!!!! Hugs to your sister and your family!!!
xoxoxoxo
Love the idea of “Team Moore” I wonder if my hubby would think I was off my rocker if I started referring to us as “Team Wilson” a most beautiful picture of a couple making marriage work… and last!! 🙂
Hi, Beth.
A group of women at my church are going through your Believing God study together. We just completed week 6. I just wanted to say thank you for all you do and allowing God to use you in such an incredible way. I have a son with special needs (2 years) so life gets pretty challenging some days. He has a great older brother(5 years)to help him along,though, and this study is inspiring me in so many ways to combat the discouragement I sometimes feel and to believe God that He has a plan for my son and a reason for making him the way he is. He is not able to speak except through grunts and other sounds and using sign language but he is beginning to find his “voice.” I hear so many opinions from therapists and other medical professionals that are exhausting and sometimes leave me in tears so I really appreciate the encouragement that I get from your books and studies. I live in Greeley, Colorado, and all of my friends and sisters in the Lord who doing the study with me are being tremendously blessed as well. God Bless!!
Oh this was such JOY for my soul.
It has been a rough couple of days but this made me smile
Thanks for being such a wonderful, funny, and sincere siesta mama
And I LOVE the Moore Team – absolutley adorable!!!
GO TEAM (shades of) PURPLE!!!!!!!!!!!
This post made me smile. Taking the day too seriously. A smile and laugh is just what I needed. 🙂
LOL! Beth, I just love you, you’re so real… I mean, I relate! You’re so down to Earth! Lord bless you and hugs to your entire family as you keep on keeping on!
Cute…. 🙂
Dear Miss Beth,
You never know who you are blessing when you get on here to touch base, scamper down rabbit holes, ramble off on tangents. THANK YOU for all of it. It was so good to “hear” your voice, and you were generous to take the time, being in the writing convent, as we used to call it (I’m an editor and am well acquainted with the mode you and Melissa are in!)
I have been immersed in the season of my earthly father’s dying for the past 2 months–he has now gone Home to the Lord–and rarely able to get online; so to come on here and catch up with Moore-ville in Moore-speak has been a balm to my very soul. I am smiling from ear to ear.
Continuing to pray for you and Melissa and your loved ones!
betty from Austin, Texas
Please pray for me. My back suddenly started hurting so I am going to have an MRI today and I am scared about the MRI procedure. I pray that I can be still 30 minutes and no claustrophobia. He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, he will have no fear. In the end he will look with triumph on his foes. Psalm 112 7 & *
Loved this post! Thank you for sharing with us. I am keeping you and Melissa in my prayers as you finish your writing for James. I am so thankful to our Father for your wonderful ministry.
On another note, I am asking for prayer for a local young couple who just lost their 2-year old daughter in a tragic car accident. I won’t go into details, but I can see where they may experience a huge amount of guilt over what happened. Please pray that God will grant them much strength and grace to cope with this loss.
Love to the Moore Family
Beth, Too funny! Nice to know that in so many ways we are all the same. Makes the journey a little easier. Have a great day. Love ya, Lynda
Beth – I can relate about dropping the social life. I have 4 kids – and the oldest is 7. I see a lot of my friends doing a lot of social activities, but I have never participated much in them, because I feel my time is meant to be with my family right now. I also know that the season will come when I have time for social things – and then I’ll miss my kids at home when I didn’t even have time the for social things!! 🙂 I do think it is SO important however, to get together with other woman, with our fauts and all, so your thoughts can be talked out with another woman who can relate.
too much social life can take you away from your responsibilities – “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
and not enough social life can leave you facing trials alone instead of finding comfort in others who have faced the same – “Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
I guess it really is all about balance! 🙂
Have a wonderful day!!
I love the picture. The expressions on those faces are priceless. You guys look amazing. I love you too! Miss you terribly.
That was the longest “quick Hello” on record! LOL! You two are the bomb…and to think you two haven’t gained any “girth” in all these years! Talk about blessed…I’d say so!
I’ve been breathing up “bullett prayers” for you and Melissa for James. I can’t wait. Back in 1970 I read “Will the Read Phoney Please Stand Up?” A book written about the book of James. It was me alright. 40 years later some things have changed. Like crossing over the Jordan!
Hugs,
Pam H.
How about sharing that white wedding cake recipe? And more words on committing to our own calling… believing beyond the doubts… seeing ourselves as He does… living on this side of salvation. Losing fear or finding a way through. Are subject requests out of the question?
By the way… my husband and I accidentally dress alike all the time. I think its kind of like people who start to resemble their dogs after some years… its just happens without our even realizing it. 😀