**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!
Erin, Chippewa Falls, WI
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Michelle, Bossier City
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
” Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”
Jill in Palm Coast, FL
The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust Him.
Nahum 1:7 NLT
No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
Holman Christian Bible
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual,restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Galatians 6:1 [NASB]
Cyndi, Friendswood, TX
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4: 25-27 NIV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Lisa, Jacksonville FL
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Lisa, Little Elm, TX:
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
Stacia T. Keizer, OR
“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will.”
John 9:31 NIV
Diane – Spring, TX
“So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13) NLT
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. (ESV)
You are wonderful, Lord, and You deserve all praise, because You are so much greater than anyone can understand. (CEV)
Psalm 145:3
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Sandy, Houston
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17 NLT
Amy Hopper, Ardmore OK
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
Katie
Frisco, Texas
“Rise up; This matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it!” Ezra 10:4 NIV
Rachel- Memphis, TN
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deut. 6:6-7 NIV
Susan, Andover, KS:
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
Hebrews 10:39 (NIV)
Becky in Norfolk, VA
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Leah Hayes, Taylors SC But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2: 10-13 NET
Jana, San Angelo, TX
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18 NIV
Sue – Pasadena, TX – Romans 8:18 NASB – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Bobbie/College Station, TX
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114(NIV)
Jane, Irvine, CA
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”
Proverbs 11:2, NLT
Patti, Phoenix AZ Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
Laura, Jefferson, ME
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” NIV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Hebrews 3:12 (NKJV)
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NLT
Shelly, Lakeville, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12, NIV
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17
Janice; Arcanum, OH
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; I will even make a roadway in the wildnerness, rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.
Rev. 5:12
Barbie, Yankton, SD
Isaiah 53:4 (NIV) Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him and afflicted.
Donna, Spring, TX: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:34 (NIV)
Kristen, Largo, FL:
“Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord.” Ps 139:4 NIV
Port Huron, MI
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
Luke 6:37-39 NLT
Judy, Tehachapi. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Suzy – Atlanta (usually) – this time from Bolivia, S.A.
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen!
I Timothy 1:17
Joelle, Abilene, TX
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:4 (NIV)
Marilyn, Seattle
Isaiah 26:7
“The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.”
(NIV)
Deidra – Waynesboro
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 KJV
Jill Z., Gulfport, MS – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
Wendy Glendora, CA
Psalm 91:2 NIV
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Kathy S., Hudsonville, MI
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:3 (NIV)
Megan, Grants Pass
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
Marla, Lame Deer
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. NIV