CELEBRATING OUR JESUS YEAR HOUSTON STYLE

On January 1, 2009 BETH challenged her fellow SIESTAS to make it a JESUS year by memorizing scripture with her. Twelve months and twenty four scriptures later, 508 SIESTAS representing 42 states (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and 22 different denominations converged on Houston's First Baptist Church to CELEBRATE with BETH, AMANDA, MELISSA, TRAVIS, and the hard working LPM STAFF. What a BLESSING as well as a BLAST!

My journey started with a Wednesday night stay at my parents' home where I enjoyed great food and hospitality before heading to the airport on Thursday morning. I boarded my Continental Flight with great expectations. I arrived at the HOUSTON OMNI on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday night I met Jackie and Sheri while waiting for the elevator. They had an extra seat in their rental car and we made plans for Friday. On Friday I met the other member of their group, Charlotte from none other than..... LEXINGTON! On Amanda's recommendation, we headed to PAPPASITA'S for chicken fajitas. Lots of pink feather boas at the restaurant. Anne, the Siesta who came up with the idea of the pink boas to set us apart, joined us for dinner. After dinner, we headed for First Baptist Church for worship music led by Travis, teaching by Beth on PSALM 119 (Did you know it has 176 verses?), and TEXAS SHEET CAKE.

On Saturday morning, Beth wrapped up her teaching on Psalm 119 and we broke into groups of two to say our memory verses. Charlotte and I went out in the courtyard and we said our 24 verses to each other. We all gathered back for more singing, a fun time of questions and answers with Beth and her daughters, and before we knew it the time had come to say goodbye.

Thank you Beth, Amanda, Melissa, Travis, and the LPM Staff for such a wonderful time of worship, instruction, and just plain FUN!!!
I can hardly wait for the next get together with my SIESTAS. Thanks for sharing this JESUS year with me.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Seven)

One week from tonight I will be worshipping with 449 other Siestas at Beth Moore's Church in Houston as we celebrate all that God has done for us this year through our scripture memorization.

I know this will be a life changing trip and I am SO excited about the opportunity to be with Beth in a more intimate setting than RUPP ARENA or SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN.

I am also grateful to my husband, daughter, and parents who have supported me in my decision to take this trip.

I hope to have lots of pictures and stories to share with you when I get back to Lexington. If you want to know more about Beth or this celebration check out the LPM Blog.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Six)

Two weeks and counting....

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 110 (KJV) This was my verse for 11/15/09, 2 days before our 30th wedding anniversary. This psalm was read during our wedding ceremony.

Nothing is impossible for God! Luke 1:37 ( Contemporary English Version)

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 As my last verse of 2009, this sums up my feelings ( and many of my SSMT sisters I imagine) as we finish up 2009... our JESUS year.

COUNTDOWN TO HOUSTON (Part Five)

Three weeks and counting.......

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (HCS) I chose this verse on Oct. 1st in honor of my parent's 60th wedding anniversary

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
Psalm 119: 175 (Message)

When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.
Ephesians 5:19 ( Contemporary English Version)