**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Sweet Things!
Finally, August 1st! I’m always so glad to see it come so that it can GO. But it’s not just the end of a long, hot summer for everybody. It’s also the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. Those of you with school-age children will soon find yourself back in carpool lines and going over spelling words. In just a couple of weeks, Jackson will start kindergarten and will catch our whole family by surprise even though we’ve known it was coming for five and a half years. We just cannot fathom it. We have a picture framed in our bedroom that I see everyday with Keith and I cuddling him between us when he was just a few hours old, and we brand-spanking-new grandparents are kissing over his head. Something was reborn in that couple of 25+ years that day. Our interests have always tended to be different and were getting increasingly so, but, that cold February afternoon in Dallas, Texas, we somersaulted right back into one another and tumbled into a well of love with a seven pound man-child.
Keith and I got to have Jackson and Annabeth Friday night while Curtis and Amanda went to dinner and a movie. They’d been gone for 10 days to Wyoming and, even though we’d seen them at a Mexican food restaurant the day they got home, we’d not had them to ourselves yet. We made a date right away. They delight us to no end and cause us to laugh until our sides split. Don’t get the idea there’s no work involved but investments don’t get better than this one. We have real, live conversation over dinner these days and, when you’re grandparents, not a single word gets wasted on you. All of it’s solid gold. Jackson told us at the dinner table Friday night while stuffing a piece of warm French bread into his mouth that butter is his “temptutation.” And, sure enough, it was dripping off of his chin and looked so good that we all shared that same temptutation and gave right on in to it.
We have an empty room in our house right now because we wanted Melissa and Colin to have her bedroom furniture and it’s turned into the perfect playroom. Nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination. Jackson and I built an obstacle course Friday night that ended with a dizzying spin in my swiveling desk chair. It was so much fun. Amanda and Curtis walked through the door at 10:15 and we were all four still up in the kitchen, Paw Paw popping popcorn on the stove. It’s so good to have the Jones’s home. Melissa and Colin have been out of town for a week, too, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on them. They’re flying home from California this very moment. Most of the time they were out of cell phone range so we’ll have plenty to catch up on.
On to the business at hand! Our year is flying by! It’s time to check in with our fifteenth verses for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team. For some reason I’ve seen the word “gentleness” turn up a number of times in my Scripture reading lately so I’ve decided to choose a memory verse that makes especially important use of it. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Restoration is one of the most powerful, intentional works of the Cross of Christ. Let’s never refuse anyone his or her right to be restored. Here’s to a little gentleness in a harsh world. Everyone could use some.
Stay in the Word, Siestas! You are so loved here!
Grace, Silver City NM,
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14
NIV
Melissa, Greer, SC:
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.
Psalm 31:14,15 NKJV
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31, NIV
Tinley Park, IL
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
Jennifer, Knoxville, TN:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:24-25.
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding” ~ Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
Rebekah from Marion, IN. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. – 2 Samuel 22:31
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands
Psalm 63:3-5 NLT
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
Janet from St. Louis
“Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” Prov. 10:19 (NLT)
Carrie, Piqua, OH This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Amanda, Calgary,
Alberta
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us-
yes, establish the work of our hands
Psalm 90:17 NIV
Robin, Indialantic, Fl.
Jude 1:20 (NIV)
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Heather, Florence, SC: “I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:30 (The Message)
DeeDee, Houston
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Col 3:2. NIV
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1John 2:27 NLT
Wendy, Vero Beach
From one man he made every nation of men,
that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he determined the times set for them
and the exact places where they should live.
~Acts 17:26 (NIV)
Brandy, Kingwood,TX
“A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.”
Proverbs 25:28
The Message
Cassie; Fulshear, TX:
“Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7 (HCSB)
Karla, Maumee OH
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20-21
Lindsay, Centerton, AR “Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIRV
Pamela, Canada
Psalm 19:8 NIV
“The precepts of the LORD are right giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant giving light to the eyes.”
Makaela, Lynchburg, Va
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 NIV
Maplewood, MN
Psalm 103:1 NIV
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together”. Colossians 1:15-17 Jana (Kalispell, MT)
Judy, Spokane, WA
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Elizabeth, Charlottesville
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Joshua 1:5, ESV
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ
Is 54:13 “All your children will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be their peace.” TNIV
Gloria in Houstpn says:
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me; [Iam self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
Tara N., Stevensville, MD
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16 NLT
Amanda W. Kelowna, BC, Canada:
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:29-31 NIV
Tina, Cincinnati, OH – Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)
Brenda, Jordan, MN
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.” Philippians 4:5 NIV
Jerri, Cookeville,TN
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV
Sarah, Wichita Falls, TX
Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. Job 6:24 NIV
Marlene, Chicago, IL. “For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” Proverbs 2:7 nlt
Kerry, Sheridan, Wy
Is. 55:3 niv
“Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.”
Pauline, Kearney, NE
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NKJV
Nancy, Springdale, AR
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5, NIV
Erin, Lolo, MT “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NIV
Anita, Purcellville, VA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Elizabeth, Grove City, PA:
Isaiah 26:3, NIV:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Chris Floyd
Kokomo, IN
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Lindsay, Albion, IL ” I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.” Jeremiah 32:39 NIV
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise– the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV