***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
Excited to do this!!! Looking forward to being part of this team and encouraging each other with scripture!!
I am excited to try this!!
First timer. Need a little push to feel myself working to KNOW God’s word
Me too, Nancy!
Looking forward to it
Yes, I’m in! I haven’t memorized scripture in quite awhile and I need it! Thank you for this.
Looking forward to the challenge of this and hiding more of His Word in my heart!!
First Time SSMT – it’s been a long time since I’ve memorized scripture! #RenewMyMind
First timer!! I’m loving the thought of what God wants to show me.
1st time trying this. Looking forward to joining this group.
I am excited about this. Just what I need to help keep my focus in the right place.
I’m in! I had already decided to memorize Gods word this year and now I have a plan! So excited!
I’m in! Think I’ll choose a theme for the year, like I did last time!
I don’t remember if you asked for our location, but if you did, Newport News, VA.
I have just asked my niece and daughter to join me in starting this adventure. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. They said they are in, too!! Praise God
I need to do this! Had mastectomy Dec.9 for breast cancer and will be starting chemo in January. Thanks for your prayers!
We are praying for you right now, Mary! So thankful you will be joining us for SSMT 2017.
Dear Mary,
I will be praying for you. It was last December that I began my journey with Breast Cancer. I finished treatment in October. I have never felt God’s presence in such a deep way, gracious and loving. We walked through the fire together. It was memory verses that really helped especially during times I was in the hospital or couldn’t lift my head. Sometimes I couldn’t remember verses I knew, and I could only utter key words but God knew. Other times I just read my spiral memory books and proclaimed His word aloud. (I was one of those people that felt all the side effects.) I will pray for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Oh Mary… I lost my breast a year ago – I am praying for you. God will use this time in ways you don’t expect and He is there with you every moment.
This will be my first time to do this! Excited to focus on learning and memorizing Gods word!
So excited to do this!
Cannot wait to begin!
I’m in! Praying and learning through 2017!
Thanks for offering an opportunity to grow in scripture memorization.
So excited to join again. Maybe this time I will make it to Texas next January, but even if I don’t, memorizing God’s word is a gift and blessing. Let’s keep encouraging one another on!
Mary B., you’ve inspired me to join. I was struggling with making another commitment, but I’m placing this one at the top for 2017. Prayers for you, Mary!
How do I sign up?
Hi SueAnne! There is no official sign up, just be ready with your selected verse on January 1st! You will leave a comment on our SSMT blog post OR Facebook post that we share on January 1st, and that’s how you join! You will choose a new verse on the 1st and 15th of each month, and by the end of the year you will have 24 verses memorized. Please let us know if you have further questions. Blessings!
Sounds great! I’m in!
I’m in. This sounds like the thing I have been looking for to propel me into memorization. Thank you!!
Looking forward to this challenge. Our minister to older adults has already challenged us who teach. I like memorizing whole chapters. Thanks for the invite.
First time!!! This is exactly what I’ve been needing!!! Can’t wait to start!!!
So excited to do this!
Love this! Looking forward to being a part of this amazing journey! Much needed 🙂
So excited to do this!!
I just read this today. I’d love to join. It’s a wonderful way to keep my heart in constant prayers!
So looking forward to being in the word during 20017.
Hello Ladies~
I’m in for 2017, did this in 2015 and loved the challenge to memorize God’s word. Already have a few scriptures that already speak to this heart of mine, looking forward to reading your scriptures too. May God’s blessings be upon each of us, as we dive into His word.
Can’t wait to get started!
I am in! I need this! Thank you….
I’m so ready!
I participated last year (2015) and did not realize that it was an every other year event…I was so disappointed when I did not find any information at the beginning of this past year…was OVERJOYED to come across this information on your blog!! I’ve already got a local group in the works as well to have additional accountability! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this amazing group…what a blessing from God!!
Excited. Sounds great, I am in.
Looking forward to this challenge. I was just saying to a friend I needed to get back to memorization and study. Thank you for the challenge.
Looking forward to this. I need to memorize more of God’s Word. Excited!
have never done this will try this .how those this work?
Trying to register but it keeps telling me there is an error
So glad to hear you’ll be joining us, Donna! There is no registration so just come to this Blog, or our SSMT Facebook page each 1st and 15th to post your verse you’re memorizing. That’s it!
New Years resolution is to memorize scripture. What better way to do it than with my sisters!!!
Hurray, hurray! Amen and AMEN!! :::waves and blows kisses to all of the sisters!:::
I’m looking forward to this
I’ve never done this before. But, I’m excited!
I’m excited about this challenge. I really need the support and accountability. My church always does a Beth Moore Bible Study in January so this will moat at me throughout the year.
Excited to do this. Looking forward to diving into the Word of God.
Im in!
I want to do this! Sounds awesome!
I’m so excited to be apart of the SSMT ! What a great start for the new year .