**UPDATE**
Congratulations to the winners of the birthday drawing! Your names are posted below. Watch your inbox for an email from Living Proof later today so that we can get you your gift!
BONUS: The wonderful people at AMG Publishers have extended a 50% discount to any of you who would like to order a Key Word Study Bible! Click here to get more information, or to order your Bible. AMG Publishers
Winners:
#523 – Carole Germain #4348 – Karen Quinn
#2282 – Merissa G. #4399 – Anna Bunch
#2321 – Marilyn Riley #4430 – Nancy Beeey
#2756 – Merissa Ury #4813 – Myrlene Darnell
#2876 – Beth Longar #5648 – Nan Smith
#3937 – Dani Turner #5798 – Rachel C.
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A few nights ago I walked my buck wild new puppy around my neighborhood, watched the sun sink deep down into the horizon, and then settled in back at home. I flipped on my favorite season of the West Wing and I ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and ¾ a jar of my favorite salsa for dinner. What is it they say again? The apple does not fall far from the tree. Or something like that?
You see when we were growing up Mom would throw us kids in the back of Brontosaurus the station wagon and haul us halfway across the city to her old favorite Tex-Mex joint. She ordered a pint of salsa and a gigantic grease-stained brown paper bag of tortilla chips for take-out and she would eat all of this and only this for her dinner. Her own dinner. I can’t remember what we kids even ate, or if she fed us at all. I’m only kidding about that last part.
My mom was born at high noon in a fierce thunderstorm, my grandfather said. Her presence still shifts the atmosphere. A few weeks ago Mom left for a week in the hill country for a time of writing and solitude. The second she got back home, I loaded up my stuff and headed out to spend a night with she and my Dad. You see, for me, going to hang out with my parents isn’t really like going to hang out with the parents. Far from duty, it’s one of my favorite things to do. We caught up on all the life stuff that night. And then in the morning we drank our coffee in our pajamas and by 8:30 a.m. at the latest we had already covered topics such as the theology in Ephesians, the New Testament canon, the Holy Spirit’s role in the interpretation of Scripture, and the Festal Letter of Athanasius.
I have to say, this woman utterly dazzles me. She is the sweetest in the land. She is gracious and sanguine and loving and kind, no doubt, but she is serious and intense and focused and courageous. She has opinions and perspective and boldness and wisdom from the ground like no other. For all her awesomeness she is not self-righteous or squeamish, and God knows I have pushed her limits.
Mom is deeply committed to our family and I’ve always known that full well but I’ve also seen that she’s preoccupied with something a whole lot bigger than us. Probably the most important thing I have learned from her is that being caught up in Jesus and what He is doing in the world is everything. It is the ultimate priority and a family committed to His work in the world will get the privilege of making sacrifices together.
Over the past few years in my own journey I found myself in an unknown place, a place where a heart could break deeper and wider and in more directions than I could have imagined possible. Mom has walked alongside me on this road further than any human could be expected to walk with another. She would have had good reasons to just sit out a while and catch her breath. But she never left my side. The road has been bumpy but also tedious and repetitive. When the landscape didn’t seem to change for a long, long time, she kept plodding along with me, carrying my burdens and helping me shoulder the grief that felt too much to bear.
Mom is tender and she is strong and she is not afraid to look pain and grief and loss dead in the eye. Even more, she is daring enough to hope against hope. To see in others, even me, the beginnings of life and growth and health and wholeness where others might only see brokenness and death. She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count.
She can fry a chicken and whip up mashed potatoes and gravy with the best of the Southern cooks. Her pleasures are simple: the reading of books, sitting on the front porch, walking her dogs in the woods, eating dinner with my Dad, playing games on the floor with her grandkids, and drinking tea with Amanda and me. But make no mistake she is wicked smart and complex and multifaceted. She is so much more than even the best caricature of her could ever hope to be.
I love her.
Yes, I love her. If one photo could capture the light and color she brings to my world, this is it:
It is my joy and honor to be her daughter and also to work for her at Living Proof. This blog giveaway is just one of many ways I celebrate her beautiful life today. The first three gifts are from Living Proof and the last two gifts are personal gifts from me.
First and foremost, we are giving away eight Key Word Study Bibles. My mom gave me one of these Bibles many years ago. It was one of the first Bibles I ever really remember being excited about. It helped me become familiar with various Greek and Hebrew words before I ever took a Greek or Hebrew reading class. Every time I read it I was reminded that the Scriptures we hold in our hands in English are a translation. Remembering this often is a good thing and will take a person a long way in the study of the Bible, I think.
![IMG_2993[4]](https://blog.lproof.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_29934.jpg)
Second, we are giving away an assortment of several pounds of favorite Houston coffee beans. My mom is a serious coffee drinker, so this is just an obvious addition. This package will include but not be limited to one of my current favorites:
Third, we are giving away an arrangement of fresh flowers Mom loves. And, really, who wouldn’t like these?
Fourth, we are giving away a crossbody saddlebag. Mom and I both carry versions of this crossbody bag over and over again until one breaks and we have to buy another one.
Fifth and finally, we are giving away a small bottle of Flowerbomb. Mom wears lots of different perfumes, but she most often travels with this one.
So, if you’re interested in our giveaway please do pop on and say “Happy Birthday” and show Mom some love. Your comment becomes your entry into our random drawing. Comments will officially close 24 hours after the post is published, and please only one comment per person. The names of our winners will be posted at the top of this post at some point on Thursday.
I hope you all are happy and well.
And, Mom, I love you!
The best is yet to come,
Melissa
Beth, you don’t know me but we have been friends for years. We have done many Bible studies together, laughed, cried and shared many personal moments. We don’t get together often but when you are in my area I come to see you. It’s always a blessing for me…God always reveals something special when we are together. As you celebrate your birthday I am thankful we found each other. Or I should say I am thankful God has used you to help me grow in my Christian walk and deepen my relationship with Jesus. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon, I’ll be waiting for you in South Carolina!! Happy Birthday to someone who has helped me experience the joy of the Lord!
happy Birthday! Thank you for everything. You are so loved!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all the long hours of hard work that you do to help us grow in our study of the Word of God. May you be blessed!
Happy Birthday, Siesta Mama! I pray you have an amazing day and that it’s filled with all the things you love most in life. May our Lord bless you abundantly. Xoxo
Happy Bday, beautiful lady! You have truly inspired and brought comfort to so many. My faith is even stronger today given this gift from you. May you have many more happy birthdays with family and friends.
Happy Birthday Beth!!
That’s singing! Hope you have a wonderful
birthday!!
HAPPIEST of Birthdays, Beth! May God continue to bless you, your family and ministry.
Happy Birthday, Beth! What an impact you have made in this world already! You are ANOINTED and I am so thankful for you and your ministry!
Happy birthday Beth! May God’s blessings be on you as you continue to be a blessing to others. I am very thankful for your obedience to serve the body of Christ.
Happy Birthday, dear sweet Beth!! I am so glad you were born!!! You shine the light of Jesus brightly and I am so thankful for you!!! I pray God’s biggest blessings on you this year!! Much love! Shannon❤️
A very happy birthday to the woman who helped open my eyes and my heart to the word of God!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope that you have had a most blessed day!
Happy Birthday Beth. Thank.you for sharing your love for Jesus with so many. Love, love, love your s5udies.
Wishing you the happiest of days!
Happy happy birthday! May you have a lovely day with your family, and a God-blessed year ahead! Thank you for all you do but most importantly for saying ‘yes’ when God called you to Girl World Ministry.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for investing so much into others!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Your Bible studies have kept me in the Word and I am grateful for all you do. I pray that one day my beautiful teenage daughter Will look at me the same way yours looks at you. May you have a day full of blessings!!!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth. And thank you for your words, Melissa. An encouragement in running towards Jesus — for His glory and for my freedom, certainly, but also for my future daughters, that they may see a mom who is preoccupied with something much bigger.
Dear Beth,
Your humor and insight have made your studies enjoyable and thought provoking. Thank you for all of your hard work in making Jesus known to the world. Have a very blessed Birthday, may God richly bless you as you have blessed others.
In Christ, Juanita
Happy birthday Miss Beth! I am sure you here this all the time, but Breaking Free changed my life! Thank you for your obedience to the Lord!
Happy birthday, dear Beth! I’ve never met you but I love you dearly and hope that your birthday was simply fabulous!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope your day was fabulous as other reflect on the great blessing you are in the name of Jesus!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have a very Blessed Day1:)
Your Bible study fruits of the spirit was my first exposure to what it really means to be in Christ. I have grown incredibly since that day. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you a very very happy birthday!
You have taught me how to grow and how to sow.
I am proud to be a woman of Christ and to call you my friend in Christ!!!
Enjoy your special day!
Blessing, Erin
Happy Birthday, Miss Beth! Thank you for being my spiritual mentor. I count you among my best friends. My God continue to lavish His blessings on you and your ministry. Love you, sister!!
Happy Birthday and may God continue to bless you as you follow Him!
Birthday Blessings to you Beth!!! The coffee and Holy Spirit must be where all your energy this weekend camp from. The Lord in you is a force to be reconded with! Hope you get a salt bar for your birthday. They work great, so you don’t have to hug with your arms to your sides. :?) Melissa your blog seems like you are follwing in your momma’s footsteps. What a loving and honoring blog. I bet it’s one of your momma’s sweetest birthday gifts.
Happy Birthday to my Sister in Christ, Beth!! I was introduced to your Bible Studies a few years ago after going through a very traumatic time in my life. I want you to know that God spoke to me through you and He said I love you! I’m not finished with you yet! I couldn’t imagine at the time that I would ever feel okay again, but I’m here to tell you God Is Good!! He has provided for all my needs from car repairs to new grandbabies! Life with My Heavenly Father has proven bigger and better than I ever imagined! I could go on and on, but Beth! I just want to say I love you and have a fantastic birthday! Celebrate you along with your family, the angels, and your extended family out here! I thank God for you every time I remember you!! Happy Birthday! Michelle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Thank you for years of encouraging words. You’ve taught me so much about Jesus and cause me to long to know Him better.
You are so normal!! Such a picture of Jesus! Happy birthday!!
Happy, Happy Birthday to an amazing mom, woman, Christian and person! I loved reading this. What a sweet, heartfelt post from you, Melissa. I would love to win any of the prizes–they are all so special. Thanks for posting this and I’m especially thankful for the inspiration that I get from this blog. God bless you and your family:)
Such a sweet blog post!! Happy birthday to you!!!
Happy Birthday blessings dear Mama Beth. You are loved by so many and I give thanks to our God for you.
After 22 years of growing up in the church but living in a household preaching perfectionism and performance as the ultimate values I stumbled, no crawled, beaten and bruised by a 6 year bout with an eating disorder into your Sunday school class in the fall of 2000 grasping for a grain of hope that I might find love, find hope. And there you were with your hairsprayed hair, bright pink lips, and a beauty that transcended looks or clothes. You were my angel, my messenger of hope. The Jesus you spoke of was the Jesus I longed for. You spoke of strongholds, battling the enemy, surrendering to the spirit….and my walls that I had used so fiercely to protect myself came crumbling down and my savior held me….just held me. A fire was lit within my bones and week by week I felt like I was coming back to life, or perhaps being born for the first time. I fell in love with my God as I filled out those fill in the blanks on your handouts and I hung on your every word. I had binged and starved myself on earthly food but this was the first time my soul tasted…and was satisfied. God bless you Beth and your work for the Lord. I stand here today a healed, vibrant, growing believer and thank you for the lifeline you threw to me. Happy birthday to you and may the Lord bless you with more of him today. Though we aren’t earthly friends you are my spiritual sister forever. I love you.
Happy Birthday. Thank you so much for your ministry.
Happy Birthday to a most beautiful, spirit-filled humble and amazing woman! You have touched my life for many years and taught me so much about the love of Jesus and for Him! Have a blessed day and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for being an amazing teacher of God’s Word! God has used your studies to teach, guide, and speak to me numerous times. I am looking so forward to attending LP in Cincinnati, OH at the end of the month.
May God continue to bless you in all you do!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth! I pray your day overflows with joy and blessings!
You are such encouragement to me – and to the women of our church here at Lake Tahoe. We just finished Children of the Day – and we are doing our very best to keep up with our memorizing of our SSMT verses! What an awesome way to keep on track in studying the Word!
Of course we think it would be a perfect birthday gift to give yourself to plan a Tahoe visit. There is no better place to relax and enjoy God’s majesty!!! (You are welcome any time!!!)
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Beth. Thanks for your beautiful words, Melissa!
Happy Belated Birthday,Mrs. Beth Moore!…From one June baby to another! Thank you for being a Light for Jesus in this dark world.I pray that you have many more birthdays,and many more blessings to come!
Dear Beth,
We met many,many years ago at a conference you did at First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale,Fl. O.S. and Susie Hawkins were there at that time. I just want to thank you for the impact you’ve had on my life. You are the first person that truly inspired me to KNOW who this God was that I served and truly seek His face. Your Bible studies taught me how to study the Word and gave me a desire to spend time with The Lord. I count you as a mentor. Thank you for The Jesus I see and hear in you, for allowing The Lord to use you to encourage and bless women the way you do and just for being you. May The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you. Happy Happy Happy Birthday to a precious and beautiful woman of God. You are Loved. Lisa Santino
Happiest of Birthdays Beth! You are an inspiration and a blessing to so many!
Dear Beth,
You have been a big part of my life, and we have yet to meet. I wish I could do something over the moon special for your birthday.
All I can do is to hope you are having a very blessed birthday with family and loved ones. I praise God for bringing such a sincere and lovely person into my life through your studies and writing. May you be blessed as deeply as you have blessed me.
May God grant you many years with your family.
Sincerely,
Linn Fredrick-Greensboro,NC
Happy birthday, Beth! Thank you for helping me draw nearer to our Precious Lord. May you receive an abundance of blessings today!
Happy belated birthday! I’m a June birthday girl too – 11th. Same birth year as you too – so I guess I’m 4 days older! Hee Hee !
Happy Birthday Beth!! So thankful God created you and you share the gifts He has given to you with all of us.
Much Love!
Beth, you have radically altered my walk with Jesus and I will always love you for that. Melissa, that was an absolutely lovely, honoring testament to your Mom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
May blessings abound on your birthday Miss Beth. Your studies, and teachings have inspired me to dig deeper, search harder, to memorize scripture, pray with great passion, serve my family and my church and to love Jesus more and more. I hope you have a knock your cowboy boots off fun birthday!
Happy Birthday !
I want to wish you a happy birthday even if I am late in doing it! You have been such an encouragement and blessing in my life and I thank you and wish you the best birthday year ever! : D