***NOTE: If you are looking to register your verse 1, go ahead and comment with your selected Scripture on the “SSMT 2017: Verse 1!” post.***
Hey Everybody!
We are revving up around here for SSMT 2017! The Scripture memory team we host and support every other year is the most extensive thing we do around here on the LPM blog, so you can know that you are the size of an Airbus on our ministry radar right now. 
We are elated about the year we have ahead and believe with all our hearts that God finds tremendous delight in this group of diverse women banding together to memorize His Word. Here is everything you need to know about how to participate in the 2017 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Please be sure you make it all the way to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the information about our matching spirals.
First, a few things up front since many people joining us have no previous interaction here:
*For you new-comers, an explanation of the name is in order. “Siesta” is just an endearment for “Sister.” There’s no club to join and no person you need to become. If you’ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, you’re a sister in Christ. If you don’t know Him, we’d love for you to stick around and get to know us and see if anything around here draws you. Everyone is welcome. Here’s a bit of our back-story on the weird name: When we first began the blog, it never occurred to any of us how much we’d come to love each other. As the community grew closer and closer and the participants more and more familiar with one another, one of you asked what name we should call each another. I tried to say, “I’ll tell you what we are: We’re sistahs!” but spell-check switched it to “siestas.” It stuck and that’s been us ever since. We even liked the thought that its actual meaning is to take a nap. We’ll know we’ve been a place of divine intervention if we’re a respite from the female competition and clatter out there. Only Jesus can give us that kind of relief in this exhausting culture.
*We call this a Scripture memory “team” because that’s exactly what we are. We cheer each other on, hold each other accountable, and urge one another to make it to the goal – 24 verses systematically memorized in 12 months – through a process that requires significant practice.
*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so nobody’s confused from the start, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know that we don’t limit the entire blog to our Scripture memory participants. It has a big presence on here because it’s twice a month but we still do lots of other things. Please don’t feel left out or forgotten.
*Why 24 verses? In previous years, we’ve found this to be a very doable pace: 1 verse every 2 weeks. If you do much more, you’ll tend to fall behind and not retain. If you do much less, the impact is negligible. You really can do this. So many of you will surprise yourselves with what you’re capable of doing in the power of the Spirit. Yes, it takes work but it’s tremendously fulfilling and the results are nearly immeasurable. Look at it this way: we’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Let’s choose Scripture instead! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Beloved. Never – NOT ONCE – have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn’t make any real difference. Not a single time.
OK, NOW FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS. You can cut and paste these somewhere if necessary. Here’s how it will go:
2 Options for you!
1. Print your SSMT 2017 cover from home.
(I took this picture with my phone standing on the shore of Galveston Bay, mesmerized by that sky. You can find a lot prettier beaches but I’m not sure our wide-open Texas sunsets can easily be surpassed.)
There are two sizes to choose between for your spirals. Click on the size cover you would like to print for yourself then adhere it using any of the methods we suggested. You can certainly use regular printer paper but cardstock works perfectly:
2. Or, Order the spiral from LPM.
Our Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2017 Celebration will be in January 2018. I’m telling you about it now so that you can have it for a little extra incentive. Our main incentive is the will and good pleasure of God, of course, but He Himself authored great celebrations in His Name so feel free to be excited at the thought. Also, I want you to have plenty of time to start saving your money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. More information still to come.
Whew! Have I exhausted you?? I’ve worn myself out. We just want to answer as many of your questions up front as possible.
I want to say something to you before I wrap up this diatribe: this community means something to me. I love it because I love you. I think about you on an ongoing basis. So does my staff. You are a huge part of this ministry. Thank you for the privilege to serve you and to embark on another wild journey with you. May Christ find such delight here that He astonishes us with His presence, favor, and power.
So, welcome to Siestaville: women walking alongside women on our way Home, stirring up excitement toward that great day. SSMT is one way we do that. AND IT’S A WHOPPER. Let’s do it, Sisters, starting this coming January 1st! I’ll talk to you again about other things before then but I don’t want the New Year to take you by surprise.
I love you.
Beth
E Tennessee; sign me up…so excited!
Beth and sweet Siestas:
I have started and then faded away with the SSMT twice before. Painful seasons have fallen in between. This year will be different, because I am different. I am making a commitment to My Heavenly Father and to myself to see this through in 2017. I will not just lurk in the background either, but dip into the pool of love and support in this blog by being an active participant in the comments. I know we will all feel the stirring of the waters!
Love you, Another Beth
consider me in.
Beth,
I am so excited! I have been waiting for this since the last one. I can’t tell you How much memorizing verses has helped me grow. I am horrible at remembering anything. So I got serious and talked with God. The conversation went like this, ” ok Lord, if you want me to participate in this memorizing scripture, You have to help my brain do it. You know I can’t remember where I put things half of the time, so I know I can’t do this with out your help.” Well, He helped me learn scripture. I was so overwhelmed that I could do this. I know I shouldn’t be, but.. thank you Beth for following the Lords leading. Through Him you re making a difference in women’s lives. I can’t wait to see you January 2018.God bless you and your ministry.
I am soooo happy!! I can’t wait!
Thank you for inviting me…I am looking forward to being part of he team.
Woo-hoo!
I cannot wait for this to start! This will be my 3rd time doing SSMT and it’s such an amazing time to really connect with everyone and also to implant verses deep inside. Thank you so much for doing this Mama Beth!
I’m all in! This will be my second time!
I am looking forward to this and letting Gods Word work in my heart
Dutchess of NC: I am soooo looking forward to this. I’ve started with SSMT several times but never saw it through but 2017 will be different and God willing, I’ll get to meet some of my “Siestas” in 2018. Thank you Mrs. Moore and team for your hard work.
Thankful you’re joining us for SSMT 2017!
I do not do any of the social media (to save time) except e-mail. Do you mail the scriptures out on e-mail still? If yes, I would like to join for next year. Thank you.
Hi Lorraine! We don’t email the verses, but we will share a post on this blog the 1st and 15th of each month. You can follow along with the memory challenge that way, so you don’t need to have any social media accounts to participate. You can also sign up to receive emails any time a blog post goes up (sign up through this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/LPMBlog). Blessings!
I’m in!
Where do I sign up?
Hi Cathy! There’s no official sign up, just follow along with us on the blog or on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LPM-SSMT-2017-1645349229098202/?notif_t=page_fan¬if_id=1481240166773579. We will share a post on the 1st and the 15th of each month and you will comment with your personally selected memory verse. So glad you will be joining us for SSMT 2017!
I am going to try this this year. I have been having a burden (good burden) to commit Scripture to memory. What better way to do this with those who will encourage and support. Not sure I can make it to the event but I won’t say no just yet. God is making major changes in my life and I am not sure what is coming next (except to memorize Scripture) and some type of ministry work.
Thank you for doing this.
Many Blessings
Donna (Bloomfield, NJ)
We’re thrilled to have you on this journey, Donna!
I can’t wait. The Lord helped me, one on one, this past year and I was able to do, by His help, even more than 24 verses. Each spiral is now a diary of what God was teaching me and life markers of pivotal seasons with Him. If you aren’t sure…do it anyway. I promise that the Lord will help you.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!
tHANK you SO MUCH
yes i will memorize 24 bible verses
and yes im not techy.. so sorrie!
Sue Caldwell
Looking forward to doing this again. I did it in 2015, greatly looking forward to the celebration. However, family illness kept me from attending. For a few days I was depressed, then I realized at 56 years old, I had memorized God’s word and His word was life to me! Win! I hope I can attend the celebration this time, but if not, it’s still totally worth it! Let’s go SSMTs!!!
So glad you’re joining us for SSMT 2017, Sheryl!
I’m committing!
The scripture memory has been such a blessing to me! Even though 2016 was not an official SSMT year, I’ve continued to memorize a new verse twice per month. Thank you for encouraging us to hide God’s Word in our hearts! The Holy Spirit often brings these verses to mind, to encourage and convict me. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
I’m ready to get started! This will be my 3rd year to participate. I’m so hoping to make it to the Celebration one day…maybe 2018 will be the year!
Count me in! Missed this year and hope to learn more scripture.
I am really looking forward to participating in the scripture memory this year. I have made attempts in the past but get lost in so much stuff. This year I want to make this commitment to joint hands with other sisters and doing this! My life has been such trial for the past 2 1/2 years, I really need the accountability in scripture memory. I love the word of God and I desire for it to be rooted so deeply within me that no other weeds have the space to take root. Thank you for this wonderful blog community!
So glad you’ll be joining us, Amie!
I’m soooooo looking forward to this memorization journey with all of you siestas.
I am so excited. This is my first time.
this is fabulous what an incentive!!! glad your doing it
Thank you
I’m in!
I’m so excited to link up again! And although I’m not going to try to convince you to start an instagram account, I will say you take some mighty fine picturesLove you!
~Audrey
I am excited to get back in the Word and try to expand my memory capabilities. Thanks Beth
❤️Looking forward to being a part of of the team.
I love learning verses with the kids we teach each week and with my boys at home. I have not done my own for a long time though, and this will be great for me. I’m lookig forward to going all in with you all this year.
Oh my gosh, I’m so so excited! Can’t wait to get started.
So looking forward to participating again! Thank you to Beth and all at LPM for all you do for those you serve. Merry Christmas!
Can’t wait! Looking forward to this!
I’m so excited 🙂
I am kind of excited to do this. I have a question: do you give us the verses? When will the spiral book be on your website for purchase?
Thank you for everything that you do. You have become an inspiration to me in more ways then you will every know. 🙂
God is Amazing!!
I’m so excited about this. I started it in 2015, but got overwhelmed and dropped out half way through the year. But I can do this. I want to do this. This time, I’m going to find an accountability partner and group and I will make it.
I can’t wait it keeps me in the word daily since I work hard on my memory verses. Looking forward to it.
Can’t ever know too much scripture. I’m in!
I am so excited to get started again! This will be my third time participating. I have never been able to attend the celebration, but maybe this will be the year! Even so, I have loved getting in the Word and meditating on it. God is good!!
Can’t wait
I am so happy to do this again this year. God bless you all. Please pray for our son who just lost his job that was given to India. His name is Darren. God is so faithful and hears our prayers.
Looking forward to the discipline and challenge of hiding God’s Word in my heart
I’m in!
It was a game-changer for me 2 years ago and have been waiting for this since the end of 2014!!
I am excited to get started again with all of you.
I will try to memorize 24 scriptures in 2016. I like that I can pick the ones I need! Usually I do them in Sue’s paraphrase translation
I’m so excited to join the group! The only other spiral I have is one I created when Beth suggested it in a study years ago! I got so much from that effort and I look forward to this.
One housekeeping question – Do you send an email letting us know there is a new Blog Post on the 1st and the 15th?
Can’t wait to see what God has in store for me and this group of Siestas!
Peace,
Nancy
Hi Nancy, we’re so glad you are joining us! You can sign up to be notified when we have a new post through this link: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=LPMblog&loc=en_US. Blessings!
Dear LPM Gals!
Just got out my SSMT spiral from 2013 it has my verses from 13 and 15 and I am gona see if I can eck out 24 more and put 17’s in it too!
Forty eight verses! Was so much fun seeing you KaMac and others of you at the SSMT celebration a yr ago. I am hoping to be there again sitting in the front row with a big smile on my chubby face with the mop of salt and pepper, now more graying hair a year from now if the Lord wills.
Coming to Houston alone was scary but I wouldn’t miss it. Am thinking maybe next yr I will bring hubby and we will stop off there for the SSMT then spend a week on South Padre goodness knows we need a break from winter! Wish it were this year we are suffering through a toughie here.
Blessings to you all there! Love Ya and have a most blessed Christmas!
Betty M
Betty, that is mighty impressive!! You squeeze those verses in all cozy together. Loved sitting with you last January – will look forward to admiring the new ‘salt’ that’s been added, Lord willing, in January 2018. Merry Christmas!
Ya got it girl!!!! Love to ya!
I am sooooo excited to start back up! Oh, how I miss my Siestas
during our “off” years. There’s just something so special about
our unity in memorizing; like preparing for battle together – knowing
the victory is already ours! See ya’ll January 1!
Hi Janet, so glad you are joining us again for SSMT!
Yes I will joint the 2017 Scripture Team!