**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!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
-Galations 5:22-23
(NIV)
Kate, Arvada “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLT
verse 16 August 15,2011
Karen, Ocean Springs 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” NIV
“For the Lord is good, He has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.” Psalm 129:4 NLT
Ann Ft Lauderdale, fl
Vee, Howe, TX “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV
Denise
Deming, New Mexico
John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” KJV
Kathryn Stoker, Aurora CO
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me Psalm 31:3
Matthew 6:12
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matia, Fort Worth, “who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations-let not the rebellious exalt themselves.” Psalm 66:7 (ESV)
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.
Galations 6:1 NET
Jennifer
Loveland, Co
Ashley
San Angelo, TX
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is as work within us” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Atlanta, GA
“Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” -Phil. 4:6(NIV, 1984)
Kathy, Houston LATE, LATE, LATE!
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Pro 12:16, NIV
Maria from North Dakota
I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps. 121:1-2 (NIV)
Jeantelle, Lafayette, La
I am SUPER late!!!! 🙁
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 2:21 NIV
Jeantelle, Lafayette, La
Do everything in love.
I Corinthians 16:14 NIV
Dawn – Clever, MO
Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you. You need only to be still.”
Sorry I’m SO late posting this. Just wanted to make sure I got it on here.
Nightingale
Miami, FL
Romans 10:17 NIV
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Elizabeth, Gainesville GA
“(For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, rightiousness, and faith)”
Ephesians 5:9 NIV
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs 31: 28, 29 (NIV)
Kim from Springfield, IL
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe
Celeste Laguna Niguel, CA
But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NASB
Nancy, Bridgewater, NJ
Psalm 32:6 NIV
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Lauren, Stephenville, TX: “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.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Such good accountability!
From Temecula, CA
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV)
Hosea 2:14-15 niv
I am going to allure her. I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. Then I wll give her back her vineyards and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
Kristi Stewart Knoxville, TN
Cindy, Lake City, FL
Psalm 119:133 (NLT)
“Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.”
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
Psalm 121:1
Barbara, Avon Park: “I sought the Lord,and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Nicole
Keller
Prov 12:24 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work. MSG
Michelle, Russellville ~
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. James 3:17 NIV
Pam, Greensboro, NC
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24 NIV
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Continuing in Isaiah 40….
A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set upan idol that will not topple.
Isaiah 40:20 NIV
Melana Cummings
Sheridan Wyoming
Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed because his compassions fail not they are new every morning great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea.”
Psalms 36:7 NIV
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea.”
Psalms 46:1-2 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
~James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Hollie R.♫
Granbury, TX
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Psalm 1:4-5 KJV
Kristl, Hagerstown: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Debbie
Millen, GA
Romans 8:11 NLT
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Tricia, Wilson TX: Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Penny, Cincinnati. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8, NIV
Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.
I John 4:7-8
Oh Lordy I’m late!!
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”
I Tim 4:16 NLT
Robbie, Southaven, MS: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'” II Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV