**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!
Cacey from Livonia, MI
” ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.'” Mark 9:23 NIV
Stacey, Houston, TX: But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:13 NIV
Jan – Clarkston, MI
“The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love. ”
Psalm 147:11
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it may give grace to those who hear it. Eph. 4:29
Brook, Santa Monica
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1.9
Pray continually. 1 Thess. 5:17
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”. Ps 19:14 NIV
Carolyn, Union CIty, GA
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your nck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Lynnette, Houston, Texas
1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 118.1 NIV
Robin Pollitte
Morehead, Ky
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Matt. 5:8 NIV
my verse is Psalm 100:2
Posting late but have been memorizing Ephesians 1:16-20 (as I go through Believing God study)
Ephesians 1:17 ESV
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father if glory, may give you a spirit if wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him
Caroline Auburn, AL
…They shall be called oaks of Righteousness a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Georgine East
Austin, TX
Tami in DS La
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5:44 NASB
You wil seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Liz, Washington D.C. (can’t believe I forgot to put all these online!)
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
jamieb
corbin,ky
Deuteronomy 33:27 ESV
The Eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Heather – Richland, WA
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
I still do the motions to this one! 🙂
Mandy
China Spring, TX
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
Sandy, Galveston
You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5
Isaiah 41:17- The afflicted and needy are seekig water but there is none and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will anwer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. NAS
-Michayila, Magnolia TX
Marissa, Oklahoma
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me
John 15:4 KJV
Jamie, Phoenix: 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2-3 NIV
Ruth – Bloxom, VA
Psalm 65:5 “You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth!” Psalm 65:5 NLT
“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Lisa, Ider, AL
“For I long to see you, that I amy impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith – both yours and mine.” Romans 1:11-12 ESV
Lovettsville VA
Is 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Phelemon 1:6
Oops, I forgot – Moyock, NC and NIV version
Jillian, Louisville, KY
You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Charlie, Mississippi
(forgive me if I’m posting again, but I couldn’t remember if I posted my August verses.)
Isaiah 40:11 NIV
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those who have young.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb.11:1 KJV
Beth. Rome, GA
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13 HCSB
The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deut. 31:8 (NIV)
Lindsay, Albuquerque, NM
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NASB
Kelsie (14), Albuquerque, NM
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV
Alysa (11), Albuquerque, NM
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NIV
The only temptation that has come to me is that which everyone has. But I trust God who will not permit me to be tempted more than I can stand. But when I’m tempted, He will also give me a way to escape so that I will be abe to stand it. 1Corinthians 10:13
Judy, Tyler. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
But above all these things put on love which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Coll #:14=15 nkjv
Rebecca – Boise, Idaho
John 1:11 NIV
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Angela – Natchitoches, LA
Let us hold UNSWERVINGLY to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Hannah, LaGrange Tx “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” Isaiah 32:17 ESV
“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Anita
Austin, TX
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (NIV)
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations . . ” Romans 4:18a NIV
Brandy, San Antonio
Vicki from Loveland, CO Heb 12:1 NIV 1984
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
“Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.l Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1