***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
This is my first time and I can’t wait! Such perfect timing. Thank you Mandisa for posting about this.
Very excited to try this for the first time.
I am so excited to start this!! The best way to start 2017 is memorizing Gods Word!
I am excited at the possibilities! Cannot wait to try this! I want to thank Mandisa for posting about this on Facebook!
I am a first timer and really looking forward to growing in God’s word!
SO excited to join this and look forward to memorize Gods word… Thanks you so much for coming up with this. God Bless you all!
Will you be sharing tips on how to memorize these verses?
Hi Francis,
There was a memorization tutorial video Beth created a few years ago, that sadly, has disappeared from our archives. However, thanks to one of our Siestas, Nitsa, she kept this short acronym from Beth’s video and shared it with us. Here it is!
R – read it (out loud and often)
E – examine it (look for things to help you remember it)
N – need it (be sure it’s something you personally need)
E – echo it (read & echo it back. Don’t aim for perfect)
W – wield it (learn to use it against the powers of darkness)
This will be my first year and I’m super excited!
This is my first time. I would like to give it a try.
Answer to prayer.
Let’s roll ladies!!!
First timer! So excited!
Thank you SSMT 2017, Love to participate. Blessings to all
God has put scripture memory on my heart for 2017, then I see this . . . . Sometimes he whispers, sometimes yells.
I have a hard time with Scripture memorization so I am really going to try me best to learn with you all!
This will be my first time.
Barbara in PA
I have never participated, but would love to join you on this journey.
Hope
I have chosen one word to be my focus this year and am going to focus my scripture memorization around that word! I am going to use God’s WORD to not fear change
First time, looking forward to SSMT! Thanks for the support!
I did this 2 years ago. It was awesome! I’m in!
I am excited to join you all for the first time!!
Looking forward to doing this… And praying I can
Cannot wait to get started.
This will be challenging, but I am ready to be stretched!! Encouraging some friends to join me. Thank you. I am a first timer
It’s my first time to participate, so excited …
Excited about this inspirational opportunity with my fellow sisters!
This will be my first year. I can’t wait!
I’ve done this every year. God makes a way when there seems to be no way. He wants us in His word, so just say “yes” and experience God’s grace, love and mercy in surprising ways for 2017.
Thanks for this. Love scripture so much and memorizing it to hide it in my heart.
I’m looking forward to being part of the SSMT!
I am so excited to be part of this group and you see what the Lord will be doing in 2017.
Looking forward to participating. My first time. I find it had to memorize things but am going to try.
First time! And how have I not known about this all my years of participating in the Houston studies? Sooo excited for this challenge.
Thank you for offering this great opportunity for God’s word to be built up in my heart, I have always struggled with the memorization of scripture, praying 2017 it sticks!
I am so in. This will be my first time! So excietes
Perfect timing!
Looking forward to this challenge!!
Looking forward to this challenge and especially sharing it with so many wonderful “Siestas” throughout 2017.
2015 was my first year and I felt that this community added to my Christian walk. I prayerful believe God will move mightily this year as well.
Blessings to all!
I’m in!
Excited!
Where is the 2018 celebration located?
Hi Chris! The celebration will be in Houston, Texas. When we have more details on date and location, we will be sure to announce it. Blessings!
Hi. I’m from Ramsgate, South Africa. I tried this two years ago and failed halfway. I’m going to try harder this time! I might try to set my Scriptures to music – easier to remember
Excited to actively memorize scripture and celebrate the journey with fellow Siestas.
I am ready for this challenge. I’m not great at memorization, but I am up for the task.
I am in! Absolutely thrilled to start growing in God’s word again.
new to this whole thing, but I love the Lord…looking forward to it.
I’d like to join!
Carole from Kingwood… Here we go again!!!
Excited to do this!!! Looking forward to being part of this team and encouraging each other with scripture!
I am in.
So excited for this!! Have been trying to incorporate memorization into my devotions, but like the post said… too much, and I just got behind and discouraged. This seems,doable and in a group is even better!!