***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
Can’t wait to start! Already know what I am memorizing 🙂
I just read this, and would love to join in with all the siestas!
So excited to do this!!!
I am in. My first year to do this.
Count me in too. It was such a blessing in 2015. And we were so blessed coming to TX.
I’m looking forward to it.
Many blessing ahead.
Love
Jackie siple. Rockledge FL
This is the third time for me!!! I pray God’s plan is also to make it to Houston again!!
So ready for another great year of learning God’s Word!
Alethea Crossman from Frisco TX. First time. So excited!
Thank you Beth! I’m so excited about another SSMT challenge ! What a great way to grow in the Lord !
Kathi Griffin in Macon, GA: I am so excited to participate again this year! So blessed by this activity!
Will there be an SSMT app to enter verses?
Ready to rock SSMT with God’s word again in 2017!
Looking forward to this.
I’ll be joining you
I’m not sure if we are supposed to sign up or not. I will just say “I am so ready for memory verses again!” I just ordered my spiral! I have never gone to the celebration in Texas since I live in Florida, and I can’t travel alone due to health issues. My husband would have to come with me, and I don’t know what he would do while I was celebrating with y’all. So wish there was some other way we could celebrate from home. Facebook Live maybe? Please! Either way, I love you, Beth! Merry Christmas!
I am in and so excited!
Ecstatic to begin another year with SSMT! Blessings to each and everyone of you who participate!!
I am looking forward to participating in SSMT for my second time.
Can’t wait to do this again!
This is my first time joining the SSMT. I am very excited to see what God is going to show me through this process.
I’m very excited to join you for 2017!! I loved being memorizing the word of God!
Looking forward to memorizing the word for this time and place… I also challenged my friends on Facebook to join me in this learning experience so we can cheer each other on and meet next January…what fun
I am very excited!! Ordered my sprial..
Looking forward to enriching my life with the word of God.
I am ready! God’s word is life to me.
Just finished Breaking Free and am looking forward to building my notebook with my freedom verses!! I love God’s perfect timing!!!
Maureen Chabot, St. Clair Shores, MI.
I’m excited to be starting a new learn of His amazing Word in 2017…so, here’s what I did: The spiral I purchased in 2015 had at least double the amount of pages needed for the verses. So, I printed a copy of the new LPM cover and taped it in the middle. Now it’s all ready for my first verse on New Year’s Day!! Thanks Beth and LPM staff!!!
I am in! Have my memory spiral ready and also encouraged other ladies to participate. Thank you, Lord, for Your Word. Use it to sanctify us. What a blessing!
Is there an official sign up for this?
Hi Audrey! No, no official sign up. Just select your verse to memorize and leave your comment (with your name, where you are from, and your personal verse) on either the blog post or Facebook post on January 1st. Please let us know if you have further questions!
I can hardly wait!!!!!
It’s been awhile since I’ve read the blogs and comments so I’m seeing lots of new names. As for SSMT…I’m In! The last few times SSMT has happened, I was going through some hard times and tried but wasn’t able or really excited to keeping trying till the end. Many things have improved and I’m going to do my best to truly commit to it this year. Can’t wait!
4 Spirals already ordered! I can’t wait to begin.
Ready to get started!
I am ready!
Excited to join in with the SSMT and other siestas on this journey of scripture memory in 2017!
Wow! Another affirmation that God wants me to choose FOCUS as my word for 2017. What better way to focus on Him than by memorizing scripture. I am excited and will do my best. I know Jesus will help me. How I even “stumbled” across this post, I cannot remember. But really, I know why I am here. God bless you.
Looking forward to sharing with SIESTAS the challenge of memorizing Gid’s word. Also will be inviting my seven year old granddaughter to do the challenge.
I really hope I can pull this off and make the time! Considering The fact I deactivated all social media this week the CHANCES ARE GOOD.
I loved what Beth said here:
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!
1828 N 128th Ave.
Looking so forward to doing this again with you all!!
Missed this so much last year ready to get back to it!
i dont know if I can do this. Memorizing scripture after my stroke is very difficult.
Bring on the verses!!
I’m in first year to do this .been able to quote scripture but not where it’s from.
Hello,
How do i join pls
Hi there! There is no official sign up for SSMT. To join, just choose your first verse you want to memorize and leave your comment on our blog post or Facebook post on January 1st. Please let us know if you have further questions. Blessings!
Looking forward tomit
I believe I can grow closer to God by doing this. Looking forward.
Looking forward to being a part of this.
Just bought my spiral and can’t wait to get started!!
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
Looking forward to doing this again.
Blessings!
Love learning & sharing Scripture with my SSMT!
Looking forward to 2017. God has revealed the word “trust” to be my focus this year.
I just finished Priscilla Shirer’s “Armor of God”. Think I will memorize Ephesians 6 while it is fresh on my mind.
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
Looking forward to digging in scripture and writing it on my heart permanently. This is the first year I’ve done this, but love Beth Moore Living Proof live and onnTBZm weekly.