**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!
Fran, Jackson TN
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV
Leah – Charlotte, NC
Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of God. Romans 10:17
Norman, OK
Nahum 1:7 NLT
The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.
Barb, Hermitage, Pa
Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Melissa; Nashville, TN
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Selina, Barbourville, Ky.
2 Timothy 2:24 KJV
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.
Tracy Carden Whitesburg, TN
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 NIV
Valerie, Altoona, IA
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Patty
searcy ar
col 3:23
Niv
Whatever you do ,work at it with all your heart, asworking for the Lord not for man .
Teresa, Mississippi
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
See to it that no takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rater than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 NIV
Roni – Demopolis, Alabama
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Micah 7:7 NASV
But as for me,I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Midland, TX
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Ps. 138:8 (NIV)
The Lord will accomplish his purpose for us. Your love, Oh Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the work of your hands.
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
Romans 12:9 NLT
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Jill , Bozeman MT
He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Proverbs 2:7-8
Jill, League City, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
Exodus 14:14
Margo, Laramie, WY
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:6-7 (NIV (memorizing the whole psalm)
Beth, Troy
“…The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28(NIV)
Philippians 4:6 The Living Bible
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.
April, Boerne,TX
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
James 1:22 NASB
Psalms 91:5-6 NIV
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
odessa, tx
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! Philippians 4:4 ESV
Shelli, Glen Allen,”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough worry of it’s own. (Matthew 6:34) NIV
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will susain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Gretchen, Kearney, Missouri, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
Hannah, Austin, TX- Gal. 5:13 NASB
“For you are called to freedom, brothers”
Laura Beth, Frisco
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1, NIV)
Diane – Roswell, GA
“I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Allyson, Winnsboro, SC:
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him”
Psalm 37:7a (NIV)
Margot, Round Rock, TX
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Beth, Thurmont, MD
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas. Proverbs 2:7 “He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” NLT
Nancy, Sanger. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth but only such which is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Laura from Canton MI:
2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands,
having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,”
and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[c] depart from iniquity.”
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col. 3:12 NIV
Teri in Corpus Christi, TX
Matthew 5:11 (NIV) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Marian
Blackshear, GA
Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go, because I long for You. Psalm 143:8 (HCSB)
Leverett, MA
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
Romans 6:15 NIV
Cathy ~ Idaho
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trust in her and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Prov. 31:10-12 NAS
Sue in Grand Rapids
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV
Trinna, Mandeville, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Kathie. Satsuma. Isaiah 61:3 NASB
To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He my be glorified.
Karen Stark
Tallahassee, FL
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1 NIV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL
James 3:17
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (NIV)
Nichole C, Nashville, TN
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Just watched your video message from July 28th … boy did I need to hear that today!! The only power that I have is to change MY ATTITUDE! Please pray for me … Thanks, Beth!
Philippians 2:14-16 ESV
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Barbara, North Olmsted
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 NASB
Lisa, Fredericktown
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6, ESV