**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!
Stephanie, Austin, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Erin Mauney, Evant, TX
(She) will have no fear of bad news; (her) heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (Her) heart is secure. Psalm 112:7-8 (NIV)
“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
II Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
“For we know in part, and we prophecy in part . . .” (1 Corinthians 13: 9, NASB).
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20
Darcy, Northern VA.
My child, do not lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them for they will fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. Provers 3:21-22 NLT
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” -Romans 8:38-39
Stephanie, Elkins: I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me. Psalms 13:5-6 NIV
Deb Weaver, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119:108 (NIV)
“Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.”
Sorry this is late. My precious Mom passed away a week ago Thursday, and I’ve not had access to internet while with my Dad.
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. My sympathy to you and your family. May God hold you tight.
I am very sorry for your loss. May God bring you all His comfort.
I’m so sorry, Deb. Praying for you & your family.
Susan, Holland, MI: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Rena, Tulsa. “When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you.” Isaiah 43:2 NET
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 119:130
Mary
West Memhis, AR
I hope I am not too late. Have been away on vacation.
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Ps. 66:19-20 NIV
God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Jane,
Cuba, MO
Wendy-Rome, GA
Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Autumn – Foster, KY
Psalm 119:89 (NIV)
Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Julie, Lexington,KY
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loosen the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 NIV
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. Psalm 119:2 NLT
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov 12:18 (NIV)
Laura
Clay Center, KS
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Central, LA.
Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Psalms 63:3.
Tiffany, Houston – Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2 NIV
Lori, Pelham, NH “My substance was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and intricately wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” Psalm 139:15 KJV
Mandy, Grove City, PA
“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalm 94.18-19
Carol, Grove City, PA
“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalm 94.18-19
Beth,Toronto: “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
Isaiah 30:18(NKJV)
Thanks for waiting for this late entry. We were on vacation at Darien Lake for Kingdom Bound, where the Lord graciously let us “run into” your own Kari Jobe! – A true Spirit-filled Power-house and Blessing. Kari, in true humilty was waiting at our restaurant for a plastic bag to wear during a raging rain storm… yep, she was a plastic bag princess – shining with grace and humility.
Robin, Scottsdale, AZ
Galatians 5:14 NLT- For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jane, Houston, TX
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.
Psalm 31:9 (NIV)
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
“Direct my footsteps according to Your word;
let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Melissa, California
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 NIV
Debbie, Houston-
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.
Ps. 91:5 NIV
Wendy, Rock Island
“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 The Message (MSG)
Marty – Mobile, AL
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
Psalms 119: 9 NIV
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
Claiming this verse for my grandson.
Jacksonville, Fl
… The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
~Galatians 5:6
Stacey, Shreveport “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
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Habakkuk 2:3 (The Living Bible)
Chesney, Knoxville. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar [Chesney], praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 4:37 (HCSB)
Cindy Ferndale
NIV
Psalms 10:22
The Blessing of the Lord makes on rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
missed lots of weeks, but back at it now!
Colossians 4:2..Devote yourself to prayer,being watchful and thankful.
Stephanie – Tampa, FL
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Rachael
South Riding
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Shelley, Dallas
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Sharon Modesto, CA
I’m Late!!!!
Ps 18:1 NIV
I love you, O LORD my strength!
need your strength today LORD!
Stillwater, Ok. NIV Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Stephanie Parker, Colo
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Psalm 86:12-13NASB “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. For your lovingkiness toward me is great, And you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”
Therefore, let us fear if while the promise remains of entering his rest, any one of you may seem to have fallen short of it.
Hebrews 4:1, NASB
Kathy Cupit
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 127:1
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it