Siesta Spotlight - Crystal and Shaunessy

Hi There, Siestas!
We are Crystal and Shaunessy, mother and daughter, loving the Lord here in beautiful southern New Jersey.
The thought that we will be joining you all in San Antonio is just surreal!
We made our decision/leap-of-faith to actually do so at the last possible minute and we're still pinching ourselves.

Our lives here are blessedly full. For the complete picture, visit our blog HERE .

I, Crystal, am a thirty-something wife, mom, home-educator and general life coordinator to our family of one girl and four boys ages 3-15.

My interests beyond that include travel, women's ministry, and people-watching. The contrasts in the various roles I play are at times downright funny. I love that there are times when I actually hang with my denim-jumper clad homeschooling buddies by day and then change into my corporate wife costume at night . Makes me think back to the old 70's Wonder Woman series where she does a quick spin and is transformed beyond recognition...a silly comparison considering the reality of Christ's transforming power in my life.

Since I was just a little girl I've been awed and humbled by the fact that He seems to work through my feeble efforts to give Him glory. Etched in my memory is the cover of a Bible story book which had an illustration of Jesus visiting with the little ones who came to Him. When my second grade Sunday School teacher Miss Carol talked of His ways and kindness, I knew I wanted a piece of that.

By His grace my faith has grown in dimensions I never imagined. One of our greatest joys is that our children have been shown Jesus at an early age, just like their Daddy and me.

Shaunessy is a high school student with wisdom and maturity well beyond her years. Her artistic talents, administrative skills, and compassion for others are a power-packed combo. These attributes, as well as the visionary nature we share, have lead her to minister short-term in Peru and spend some time marketing jewelry made by Christians in economically depressed areas of the world. Oh, and she's cute as can be. (I can just hear her when she reads this..."Mom!! I can't believe you wrote that!!" That's what she gets for going to bed early and leaving me alone on the computer!)

We just love Beth's studies. I've facilitated "Breaking Free" and "A Woman's Heart" and this past winter we hosted "Patriarchs" together in our home. It is so much fun having a daughter who is also my best girlfriend.

As if this post was lacking in volume, we would love to throw out a prayer request, and to Patty and Kim it may have a familiar ring to it: We have recently caught a vision for a Daddy-Daughter Ball to be held this November to benefit Maria's Fund in honor of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman's little girl. Go here for a post about the event

His song "Cinderella" would be the centerpiece of the evening. The trouble is this; we have found what we believe to be the perfect ballroom for the event, but to really be an effective fundraiser we need the projected costs to be about 30% less. Humanly speaking this is unlikely and negotiations need to happen quickly.

Would you please pray for clarity on these decisions and favor with the various vendors who would be involved.?

If you are so inclined you can watch for updates on the matter at our blog .
We would be so grateful!

Well Money from Your Hearts to Their Need

I am sending a check to Life Outreach International tomorrow for $2,165. Right now, all donations are being matched--doubled!

That means we have given our first well (valued at $2,400) and are on the way to the second well with $1,930 towards the second well. All of it is given in honor of Beth Moore and her entire staff at Living Proof Ministries! What a wonderful thing you all have done!

I have 120 books available and ready to ship right now. Let me know if you want one, OK? My email is chrishollysmith at msn dot com. Just tell me how many to send. I am quite willing to order these, as long as you all want them.

Now, give the LORD some praise with me!!

Fanfare Free-For-All For Fall Photos

We've got a wonderful contest for you with blessings to boot! I LOVE FALL! I love the crisp air, apples and scents of cinnamon in my home. But I especially love God's awesome artwork outside. I just can't get enough of it.

Since we cannot take a trip all across the country to see God's autumn awesomeness in your area, why don't we share and multiply the joy? We would like for you to send your 2008 fall photo for a contest!

You may send only one photo, which I know will be hard. Even so, pick your favorite 2008 fall picture and submit it with your name and location (at least your state) to Patty (pwilliamsut at aol dot com) on or before midnight November 16, 2008.

All entries will be posted on November 17th for your delightful enjoyment. They are sure to bring an eruption of praise to God for His awesome and magnificent artistry!

I have posted a few delightful fall photos (please overlook our antenna in the two of the photos, hee hee!), which my Chris and I captured at Rocky Mountain National Park over the weekend. May they inspire, bless and encourage you this day. We serve an awesome God, who does wonders among His people! His beauty fills the earth.

Kim, Patty and I will pick our favorite fall photo and post it on November 21, 2008. The winner will receive a $25 Visa gift card. I wish we could give a card to each one entering, 'cause I know they are going to be so very beautiful!! I praise the LORD for each of you--for your hearts.

I have never known a sweeter family on all this earth! Thank you for sharing your lives, Siestas. You are truly the feet and hands of Christ in this generation. God bless you and enable you to walk this journey out in your mission field, which is wherever your feet are planted this moment (from a very wise 97 year old woman of God)

Coming Soon

The details of the photo contest!!!

Look for the details this week!

Have a great Monday Siestas!!!

With All I am

Praise Him, He is Worthy!

Have a blessed Sunday Siestas!!!

Our Bible Study Updates

Good Morning, Siestas!
I hope you are having a great week!!

It's time to share what God is teaching you through your fall Bible studies. The very thing you share may help or encourage another siesta.

In week 1 of the study I am doing, Discerning the Voice of God, by Priscilla Shirer, this is what I have gleaned:

• I should expect to hear from God
• Wait Patiently for His Word
• Plan to Obey It, on this point, I was reminded to ask God to help me obey His Word before He gives His Word to me. Wouldn't that make life a lot easier.
• Listen for It
• Have Faith in it.

I can expect God to answer and know that He is working even in his silence. That is big for us because each of us has experienced a time in our lives where God was silent. This is crucial to know that he is always working because the enemy will try to get us to believe that God doesn't care about us or what we are going through. We have to trust God at all times, even when he chooses to be silent.

After praying and asking for God's help in a particular situation, leave my cares and problems with him.

Also, before ending my prayer time to remember to connect with the Spirit. Priscilla wrote: "Spirit-led prayer gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to direct our prayer time. He alone knows the thoughts of God and can express them as He leads us in prayer."

1 Cor. 2:10-12, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Case in point: I have been praying for a certain person to be saved for over 10 years. This week I had the mind set to give up. I assumed this person would never be saved and that I should quit praying for that person.

This morning after I prayed and asked the Spirit to lead me in the things God wanted me to pray.

This is how the Spirit led me. For a second day in a row, I was led to Luke 8, the parable of the Sower.

Verse 11: This is the meaning of the parable, The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear , and the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so they may NOT believe and be saved.

Then I was led to verse 15: But the seed on good soil stands for those who are noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop OR in the Message(sticking with it until there's a harvest).

The Spirit led me to pray, God, don't let the Devil snatch the Word from this person. God has given me so many verses about harvest time, so many verses to pray for this person and I was going by what I was seeing over the word God had given me. God was gently reminding me to hold on to his word. Stick with it until there's a harvest! Praise God!! His Word is Enough!!!

What about you? What seed, what word has God given you this week? What are you learning through your Bible study? Please share.....

Recipe Talk: Food Glorious Food!

This week's edition of recipe talk will focus on some very delicious dishes found in the Siesta Fiesta Cookbook.

Fiesta Stack Up by Shonda Savage Whitworth. Yes, I tried it because of the name! It was delectable and delightful. Each member of my family, and my cousin's 11 year old daughter, enjoyed it and wanted seconds. So it was given 7 thumbs up! This would be a great meal to have for a crowd. Everyone could stack it just the way they like it--with or without black olives or sour cream.

Then we had Beth's Texas Sheet Cake. Chris said to me, "You should have made it in the shape of a cow." I looked at him in confusion and asked, "Why?" To which he replied with a proud smile, "Then it would be bull sheet cake." I am so sorry if that offends you. But I have to say it totally caught me off guard and cracked me up! Laughter is good medicine, no?

Back to the cake--it was completely wonderful with much moaning and yumm-ing. It was rich and chocolate-y and moist and tasty. Please ignore my well-used and ugly, but clean, Pampered Chef stone pan. You will certainly be asked to bring it to every single covered dish dinner you attend--and asked from that point on to bring it every time! Here is the recipe, if you'd like to try it and don't have a cookbook.

Last week, we had Stacie Landess' Angel Chicken Pasta. It would be a hit with all of you fellow Italian food lovers!! I would say that to double or triple the sauce would make it even better and drown all the noodles, which is my favorite way to eat pasta. Also, it was reasonably priced to make for my family of 6. So definitely give it a try. I daresay it will become a household staple, and that not a boring one, but a favorite!

Don't have a Siesta Fiesta Cookbook? Want one? Email me at chrishollysmith at msn dot com. The next order of 200 will be ready this Monday.

Next week's recipe talk will be on Tailgate Parties for all your football enthusiasts! Gig 'em Aggies!! Please o' please won't you win a game this year??? Come on now, fellas! Our tailgate food tastes much better, when you win.

Now please share what dishes from the cookbook that you have tried in the comments. I cannot wait to read them and hear about your experiences!!

Siesta Spotlight ~ Rachel

Hola Siestas!

I'm (nervously) coming out of hiding to introduce myself. And to clear up any confusion you might have had upon reading a comment of mine and wondering, "Who is that?" My name is Rachel and this is my husband Danny. Although this picture is two years old, it's the one that shows up beside my name when I comment. It was taken in Yellowstone National Park on our honeymoon. Back then my hair was longer, my waist was smaller and if I stayed up all night, I did so by choice.

Enter Reese. She is our sweet baby girl who flipped our world upside down. I never knew my sinful, fallen heart could love somebody like that. She is the reason I was unable to attend the Fiesta this year. But oh, how I've LOVED reading through everyone's recaps and looking through your pictures!

Danny and I originally hail from Kansas City, Missouri. I graduated from the University of Missouri (go Tigers!) with a journalism degree. Upon getting married, we moved to northern Mississippi, where we are full time youth directors at our church. So if you ever need to know anything about High School Musical or the Jonas brothers, I am your girl! Youth ministry is a lot like labor…long, hard and in the end is more rewarding than you ever could have imagined.

I started our blog a year and a half ago to keep our far away families up to date on our little lives. And also, because it's cheaper than therapy. J No lie, it took me six months to realize there were other bloggers out there. (Girlfriend's not the quickest.) And it took me six more months to work up the nerve to actually comment somewhere. (Girlfriend's also a bit of a pansy.)

If this were my acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, the exit music would have started by now, and sweet Patty would be mouthing to me, "Wrap it up, wrap it up!" from the side of the stage. So I will end it with this. In the whirlwind that is the past two years of my life, there is One who has remained constant. Words fail as I try to articulate all that He has been to me. He's my Portion, my Comfort and no matter what He's called me to do, He has shown Himself faithful!
As I've learned to say in the south, if you've made it to the end of this post, bless your heart, Siesta! J
Rachel
http://thehintonhome.blogspot.com/

Siesta Spotlight - you?

Hi Siestas,
So it's Tuesday and this is the day for our Siesta Spotlights however I don't have any more :(

I know several of you have said you wanted to submit one and you are working on them
(we look forward to seeing those and getting to know you better)

However, I think there are some of you out there thinking
"I am not sure I have anything interesting to say" or "I am not sure they would want to know anything about me"

Well that is totally not true
We Love you all and absolutely want to know more about you

This is YOUR Siesta community and we want you to feel connected

I have received SEVERAL e-mails from people asking how to become a Siesta or how to "join" the group

This is an open Siesta blogging community intended to encourage one another through Christ Jesus - you belong by contributing and joining in with us through discussions, giveaways, and comments :)

So if you want to be spotlighted send me an e-mail - connorcolesmom at gmail dot com
Patty and I look forward to introducing you to the Siesta group
God bless,
Kim and Patty

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...Photo Contest

Siestas,
We are going to have us an amateur photo contest.

I think most of us LOVE to take pictures. Myself included.

Here is the deal:

The theme will be fall. Fall is my favorite time of the year. God blesses us with such vibrant, beautiful colors at this time of year. I love to watch the leaves change. I love to see pumpkins everywhere. It's time to show off your state, city or neighborhood. Capture fall in your area.

What I need you to do:
If you are interested in joining the Siesta Photo Contest please email me at, pwilliamsut@aol.com

I will give more details later but I want to see how many siestas want to do this.

Siesta Prayer Request

Siestas,
We just received a prayer request from our Siesta Donna
Her parents are missionaries and they need our immediate prayers
See below for the e-mail Donna sent:


Kim, if possible, could you pass this on to our siestas?
If you think about it, please pray for my parents and other servants of the Father in South Asia. I cannot share names or exact locations for security reasons. There has been increased violence and persecution of the church in the area where my parents are working in recent weeks. You may see additional information at this site: http://www.go2southasia.org/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=2008038
Thank you siestas.
It truly means the world to my family to have such a valiant network of prayer warriors.
--~ Donna
http://www.waymorehomemade.com/

We love you Siestas,
Kim and Patty

Cookbook: Delay of Game: Penalty 1 Week

Since it is Saturday, when this is posting, I thought I'd throw out a little football lingo for you! Also I am posting a yummy fall recipe at the end for your fall enjoyment. It's not in the cookbook.

Today is actually Thursday, and I wanted to write and let you all know what's up with the cookbooks. I am heading to the printers' office today to spend a good hour or so to re-format the whole document.

As some so eloquently say, "Word format blah blah blah not up to date blah blah blah newly edited edition blah blah blah version trouble blah blah blah reformatted newly edited cookbook blah blah blah now 408 pages blah blah blah should be 338." Got that?

Or I could say Microsoft updated their Word to a new version. I have the old version. The new version doesn't play nicely with others. In fact, it likes to take over. Yuk.

So the 200 cookbooks will be delayed another week.

I will pick up half of them a week from Monday (September 29th). Mer, Su and I will package them. And I'll mail them out on September 30th. Please pass this word along, if you know of someone looking for their cookbooks.

ALSO, I have some wonderful friends. And they often give good advice. One advised that I print the cookbooks and ship them out at the end of every month. That sounds good to me. It will keep me from ordering a few at a time. And it will open up more time with my family.

So in September, I will have 200 by the 29th. About 50 of those are paid for...and another 50 have inquired and are planning to pay--or it's in the mail. So that leaves 100 open for the end of September.

From that point on, I will order the cookbooks and ship them out on the 30th of every month, until they have served their purpose and built a well or two or three.

The first part of the well money will go out in the next month. I am hoping to send a check for a full well. We don't have that amount, yet. Then I will send a second check to Life Outreach at the year's end...and perhaps every quarter until they are no longer being ordered.

Any questions or suggestions? I'd be happy to hear them. Leave a comment or email me at chrishollysmith at msn dot com

Now for Mrs. Julie's Applesauce recipe--makes your home smell so good!!
5 granny smith apples
5 gala (or another) red apples
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Peel, core and slice apples into about 8 pieces. Add all to the crock pot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Then I used a hand blender to "mash" them. Leave a few chunks in it, if you'd like.Enjoy!

Our Birthday Winner Is:

Debbie Williams!!! Congratulations to Debbie.



Please send Kim your address and she will get your gift card out to you!!!



Okay, Siestas, our next giveaway will be October 16th. If your birthday is in October and you haven't emailed me your birthday just send me an email(pwilliamsut@aol.com) and I will add you to the list.



Have a great weekend!!!

Celebrate Good Times...Come On

It's time to celebrate our sweet Siestas who have had or will be celebrating their birthdays this month.

This is our first Birthday Giveaway!!!

May God bless your year with fresh revelation in His Word, with new beginnings, fresh starts, financial provision, excellent health, may he enlarge your territories if He has a mind to! May His face shine upon you. May He grant you success. I pray He delights you throughout the year in ways you would never expect.

If you have a birthday this month and your name is not on the list, please email me @ pwilliamsut@aol.com.

Happy Birthday To:

Kate~ 2nd

Mary Lou~ 2nd

Debbie Williams~ 4th

Mary Snyder~ 6th

Tara~7th

Kristen~ 7th

Sharon ~ 7th

Evie T. ~ 8th

TamHam~ 10th

Allyson~ 11th

Susan Clark~ 11th


Cara~ 14th


Sheryl~ 15th


Kelli~ 15th


Sarah ~ 17th


Heather~ 21st


Bridgette~ 21st


Judy~ 21st


Adrienne~22nd


Vera~ 23rd


Laura in NC~ 23rd


Nise'~ 26th



Sharon B. ~ 27th

The winner will be announced on Friday!!



Please leave your birthday wishes and prayers to our September Birthday Siestas in a comment!!


Have a blessed Thursday!!!

Urgent Prayer Request

Siestas,
I just got an email from Siesta Cassie requesting prayer for a friend of hers who needs our prayers immediately. I will copy & paste the email and let you read it. Thank you for your prayers!

Patty,

Could you please start a prayer chain, My friend Denise who has been waiting 20 months for a second heart transplant. Just got a call. She had left houston because of Ike and came home.

Her and her husband are on their way to St. Lukes Hospital which is a 3 hour drive with no traffic. Her name is LaNora Denise Jacobs, you can read about her story at www.caringbridge.com/visit/denisejacobs.

Thank you Patty,
Cassie

Recipe Talk: Let's Talk Autumn

Oh Siestas, I am so enjoying my cookbook! Are you?

Please, let us hear what you are trying in your homes and with your families and friends in the comments!

It's funny that I spent so much time putting it together and cooked nary a thing from it during those 2 1/2 months this past summer. But as I went through each page, I kept thinking, "Oooo, can't wait to try this one!"

It is such a blast to finally be eating the fruits of our labor. Truly, y'all have the best recipes in here. You must be wonderful cooks!

On Sunday we made Melissa and Amanda's Uncle Wayne's White Winter Chili (Link to this recipe here). It is my very favorite, spicy soup of the season. IN FACT, you can thank Uncle Wayne for the cookbook idea. I know I searched for his recipe at least 4 or 5 times on the LPM Blog over the past year. And in my desire to find the recipe in an easier and more efficient way, I thought, "We need these recipes in a cookbook." So thank you Uncle Wayne! Your chili is delicious, too!!

For supper tonight, we tried Cinde James' (The Barefoot Seamstress') North Woods Bean & Sausage Soup (pictured below). Everyone loved it! Even my oh-so-picky-Mr.-Chris. That's saying a lot. It was a delightfully warm and soothing fall fare! I had to substitute a couple of different beans for the northern beans, because I only had butter beans and white beans in my pantry. It was still delicious.

If you are a lover of comfort foods, like me, Joanne Heim's (The Simple Wife's) Zucchini Bread (pictured at the very top in the fall basket) is delightful!! She made some for me and Meredith last fall and shared a nice care package with me a few weeks back, when I headed to the Siesta Fiesta. It is so tasty!

Finally, Angela Cottrell's Strawberry Cake is the best I have ever tasted! I believe there is cake in Heaven just like this--and the angels use Angela's recipe. We made it for Sydney's second birthday on August 25th. Didn't my Chris decorate it beautifully? Since the strawberries for this recipes are from the frozen section of your local market, this cake can be made and enjoyed year round.



See this on my dining room table? I sent out 100 cookbooks last week with the help of Meredith (Life at 7000 Feet) and Su from Colorado. I tell you these Siestas of ours are the best, servant-hearted ladies on the planet! Please give Him praise with me for them.

Not only that, but I have even had two sweet siestas tell me that I mailed extras to them when they had already picked their cookbooks up at the Siesta Fiesta. Both of them were the sweetest and kindest ladies to me, when I made this mistake. I am so thankful that this group of Siestas looks so much like Jesus. Yes, they do! I praise Him for you, dear ones!!

On Monday, I'm receiving an order in of 200 more cookbooks. Would you like one? Email me at chrishollysmith at msn dot com. I have a feeling word is going to get out amongst your Bible studies and areas. Please help spread the word, 'cause we are just so close to the first water well, that I hope we make it to two! 'Makes me so glad-hearted for those children!! I can see them joyfully receiving the gift in my mind's eye already.

Siesta Spotlight - Robyn

Siestas,
Patty and I are going to feature a new spotlight every Tuesday.
So if you have not submitted one yet please do.
We would love to get to know you better.

Here is Robyn:



Hey there, Siestas!
I'm so proud to be featured in this edition of The Siesta Spotlight!
Because let's face it. I love to spotlighted. I've never run from being the center of attention. I guess that's the oldest child syndrome in me.

Ok, here's a little about me.
My name is Robyn, but I'm also known as 3girlsmom. You can call me either name. I also answer to "mommy", "hey you", and the occasional whistle, which is my dad's way of calling us when we're out in the country at his house.

I have been married to a fantastic man for almost 11 years now. We were set up on a blind date by our mothers. Yes, it worked.

We have 3 daughters. Mary Emma is 7, Tait is 3, and Camille is 22 months. They are the definition of fun. Mary Emma never stops talking or making up stories or singing. Ever. Tait is sweet and cuddly and loves to play "mommy" with all of her baby dolls. And Camille...well you've heard of Hurricane Camille? That pretty much sums her up. That kid never stops.

We live in Birmingham, Alabama. We both grew up in Alabama, but have only lived on Birmingham for 2 years. We absolutely love it here.

I am a huge Auburn University fan and my husband is a huge University of Alabama fan. For those of you out of the South, the Auburn/Alabama rivalry is the biggest rivalry in college sports. People wonder how our marriage lasts. It really cracks us up to hear the comments from people when they find out we're in a "mixed marriage." They anticipate our divorce. Hilarious.

I am super thrilled to be coming to San Antonio for LPL and the Siesta Fiesta. My good friend, Erin from Tallahassee, is coming with me and we are totally stoked about our girl weekend. I also look forward to meeting people who I have "met" on this blog. My blog address is http://3girlsmom23.blogspot.com/. Go check it out.

Interesting facts about me...
1. I love Baskin Robbins chocolate/peanut butter ice cream. The closest Baskin Robbins is 3 hours away. That just isn't fair.

2. I live in the same town as BooMama. Does that make me famous? :)

3. I love to meet celebrities. Since February, I've met Jennie Finch, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Clarkson.

They were all so nice that I want to be friends with them. (Then I could become a backup singer and go on tour and wear crazy black eyeliner and ride in the cool tour bus and have millions of adoring fans....breathe.....)

4. I love Reba McEntire and also love the TV show Reba. The cancellation of that show should've been a crime.

5. I love the Olympics. I will watch it from sun up to sun down. I will wear any item of clothing that has an American flag on it during this time. I will chant "Go USA" from my den. I will TiVo the opening ceremonies and watch it over and over. I LOVE the Olympics and can't wait till Aug 8.

6. I love Jesus and am trying daily to be as close to Him as possible.

I thank Beth Moore (Siesta Mama) for her studies, which have lit that fire in me.
See y'all in San Antonio!
Robyn

Welcome Fall and Bible Study Update

Happy Monday morning my fellow siestas!! I hope you had a great weekend. You all should be in full swing with your fall Bible studies.

Well, I start mine this Wednesday so maybe you haven't started yet. ;) If you have started your Bible Studies what has God shown you or revealed to you in your study? What you share might encourage another siesta today!

This week is O-ficially FALL!! This is my favorite time of the year.

I remember when I was married and living in upstate New York that our favorite thing to do in fall was to drive to Vermont or through the Adirondacks and look at the leaves changing or visiting a favorite apple orchard (weekly). They had a little stand with apples(of course) and pumpkins, gourds, BUT they made homemade cider doughnuts and they offered cider to wash them down with and it was so good!! Of course I enjoy, well I might as well admit, LOVE college football and the cooler temps and fall puts me in the mood to make homemade soup and cornbread. I am from the south and I need my cornbread. :) This time of year also puts me in the mood to make pumpkin bread and pumpkin pancakes. Good grief they are so good!!

What is your favorite part of fall? What is your favorite soup that you crave or must have during this time of year?

Of course, we have the Siesta Cookbook to go through and pick out yummy recipes.

I just want to pray that you have a great day with the Lord. I pray that He will reveal your calling to you and that He will light your way. He has equipped you to serve him. I pray that God would illuminate his Word to you. I pray for protection and provision and health and may each of you receive a special delight this week. Believe God for bigger things!!!

Siesta Peeps

Siestas,
We have a fun little link in our sidebar that allows you to follow our blog

It allows you to get updates on all of our new posts

So click the "follow this blog" link to sign up and join the fun :)

We just love you!

Kim and Patty

Holy Ground

Have a blessed Sunday and we are still praying for our Siestas in Texas!!

New additions to the LPL and Deeper Still conferences

Siestas,
We have a great announcement to make
There have been a few more conferences scheduled for 2009

Many of you asked if there would be a conference in the NC or SC areas

Well now there is!!!

A Deeper Still conference has been added for July 31-August 1st in Greensboro NC!
Deeper Still is the conference that includes Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer
Go here for more info

The link at the bottom of the page will get you to the complete schedule where the updated list can be located. The link at the above site does not include the updated info for the NC Deeper Still Conference.

If you have never been to one of these events I highly recommend it
It is such a special experience because you have 3 generations of godly women bringin' the WORD!

They also have a special Q & A at the end of Saturday and it will make you laugh until your side hurts plus you will learn some great tips on hair and make-up
It is a must see!!

For info on any LPL conferences go here

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend sweet SIESTAS!!

Love

Kim and Patty

Siesta Cookbook Give-away Winners

Here are your random numbers:

2 50 5
Timestamp: 2008-09-12 15:34:57 UTC

I listed each person's name for each mistake they gave me (unless they asked me not to). Then I numbered the list and generated these three numbers without duplicating a name.

The winners are....dum da da DA!.....

Lavonda (Prize #1--Wisdom for Women from the Book of Proverbs)

Linda (Prize #2--A Christmas Collection)

Tammy (Prize #3--Armed for War, But God! and Anybody Weary?)

Ladies, please email to me (chrishollysmith at msn dot com) your address and I will send your prizes out on Monday. Thanks for all your help! Today I head to the printers with the edited update and am ordering 200 more.

Let's build a well, y'all!! We are so very close!! So keep those orders coming...

Go Away Ike

Siestas,

After watching the news report on Ike I decided to make a post, not that we need a reminder to pray because I know the Siestas have a heart for prayer, for intercession. As Amanda wrote on the LPM blog, their family should be at their ranch by now but we have many siestas who live in Houston and Dallas and Galveston, who may still be there as Ike comes on land.

This is a place to write a prayer if you feel led.

Psalm 107:28-31 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men."

Giveaway for Your Help with the Cookbook!

THIS is a STICKY POST. PLEASE scroll down for new posts. Thank YOU!

OK, here is my offer...for every single mistake you find in the Siesta Fiesta Cookbook, leave a comment for each one--in other words, enter as many times as you want to and as you find mistakes for. I will enter you in for each mistake/error/addition/ typo separately.

And if it happens to be a duplicate of someone else's, don't worry about it! I will gladly enter you in for these awesome prizes!

Also, let me be really specific if I left off your blog name or something on your recipe, please enter that in, too! It will be so helpful! I am sure some of you have blogs, and I just didn't know it. I'd love to share your address in the book!!

The deadline is this Friday morning at 9 am MST. I will then draw names and list them by 10 am MST.This gives me time to fix the mistakes in the cookbook and re-order the next bunch o' books!!

Just got in a shipment from Living Proof Ministries that I ordered JUST FOR YOU! Well, some of it I did keep for myself, hee hee! You should check out their store here. I love to listen to the Word God gives to Beth. I do! I do!

I will draw three names for this (Wisdom for Women--from the book of Proverbs):

and this (A Christmas Collection...my very favorite, by the way! Don't drive while listening, though. It's hard to see through all the tears of joy, hope and the love of God in sending His Son, Jesus.):

and this (Armed for War, Anybody Weary? and But God!):

Please know how VERY THANKFUL I am to have your help. Sometimes my eyes miss what yours will find! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 'Wish I could send some materials to ALL of you!

Remembering

Today we remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, seven years ago. I was trying to think of an appropriate post to write and I read my sweet friend Lisa's post and I thought I would provide a link to her blog so you can read what she wrote today. Her link.

May God bring comfort and peace to the families who lost loved ones this day.

We do remember.

Siesta Spotlights continue - Debbie

Patty and I have discussed continuing the Siesta Spotlights
We think they are a great way to get to know one another
So if you have not submitted one yet then please e-mail Kim (see the sidebar for my e-mail address)
This spotlight I received right before we left for San Antonio but did not have a chance to post until now.
Here she is...

Debbie Taylor Williams
Christian Author/Bible Teacher, Speaker

Favorite Bible Verse – Philippians 3:7-10

Kerrville, TX
Siestas,

I can’t wait to meet you! It’ll be such a fun time of celebrating the Lord and receiving His teaching through Beth. Believe it or not, I’ve never been to one of Beth’s events. Usually I’m on the road speaking or if at home, teaching or writing. However, a sister from Florida who reads my You Go Girl For God blog read about a new branch of my ministry and started emailing me. She then asked me if I’d come this weekend and be her roomie. It was so “out there” (weird, sorry Melinda), but I felt God telling me, “Go, Debbie.” Needless to say, I said, “yes” to God and Melinda. Now I just hope she can put up with me. I usually have my own room for numerous reasons…including I get up between 4 and 5 a.m. and I snore. Not good qualifications for a roomie. Haha
My ministry is Hill Country Ministries, a non-profit 501 (c 3), but rather than bore you with the details, bottom line, I’m a Christian author/speaker/Bible teacher. Most of you probably know me as the author of the prayer journal, Prayers of My Heart, which Beth told you about on her January 1 blog. It’s such a neat story about how she happened to begin using it. I’d love to share the story with you but it’s too long here. Maybe I can share it with some of you at the Siesta Fiesta. It’s a real God, Holy Spirit story!

An exciting new branch of my ministry is P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conferences. You can read the details on my website www.debbiewilliams.com, but the short version is God woke me up on April 2 and told me I’m to take the principles He gave me for my book Pray With Purpose, Live With Passion to every state in the nation, 25 states within the first two years. And, to not charge my speaking fee or travel expenses. Needless to say, this has been quite a faith walk since it isn’t budgeted and airfares have gone up and scheduling options down. When I asked God for confirmation, He quickly had sisters in GA and FL respond within a few hours. Now I’m booked in nine states. I begin September 4 in KY with 2 events. I would love for you to pray for the outpouring of God’s Spirit as I teach and for God to move in the hearts of our sisters who attend. It’s going to be an awesome time of praise, repentance, prayer, and learning how to yield to God.

In addition to the above, God put on my heart He wanted a new song written for the conference. Long story short, God had me contact Jenn Weber, who led the worship when I spoke at an event in Ohio, who then partnered with Gary Sadler, who wrote Ancient of Days and Be Unto Your Name to compose and record a new song for my conference! I’ve been so humbled by how God has been working. You can check out my blog for pics of Jenn and Gary recording it. Jenn sent me a first recording and it’s amazing! For those of you who will be at a P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conference, get ready to have your heart soar to the throne of God when you hear it and sing it.

On a personal note, Keith, my hubby and love for 33 years, and I are going to be grandparents! Our daughter, Lauren, (25 years old) is due Dec 5 with a baby boy. We're so excited for her and Chris! They are wonderful Christians and will be awesome parents who raise this little one to know and love the Lord. We’ve already had such fun singing every imaginable hymn and praise song to Lauren’s tummy. J We’re also blessed with a wonderful son, Taylor, (28 years old) who loves the Lord. He’s an attorney in Dallas.

In addition to our new grandson and P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conferences beginning this fall, Keith will be sworn in as State District Judge. I’m so proud of him. He’s an awesome Christian hubby. I also have a new 8-week Bible study on Colossians coming out in March called, "If God Is In Control, Why Am I A Basket Case?" I’d love for you to check it out if you run out of Beth’s studies. J

Can’t wait to see you in a few days. I know you’re praying for our time together, as I am.
Love,
Debbie

Pics:

Family picture taken when Keith ran for State District Judge. PTL! He takes office soon.


Lauren and Chris told us about baby on the way with “I love Grandma, I love Grandpa bibs” which we have around our necks...of course.
Lauren and I had to do a little shopping when we found out they’re having a little boy! We dropped by Keith’s office to show him our purchases.

Taylor and Ali

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord," Philippians 3:7-8a

OH Yes, We Shamelessly Succumbed!

Oh my Y'all. I just finished my exercise. And probably will have to do so three times a day for a week.

But it was worth it....

Last night my family feasted on Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick's, Roasted Chicken Breast with Lemon, Garlic, Rosemary, and Potatoes. And it was very good. Oh, yes! My children ate it and only one said it was too spicy (that would be the black pepper, which she fusses about for every livin' thing we make). And my Chris said that perhaps next time I should use bacon grease to pour over the potatoes. Which, in fact, is an awesome segue to the next person, who happens to love bacon and things cooked with said grease...like any good southern girl would!

For dessert, I prepared Sophie's (BooMama's) Fig Preserves Cake. The kids had left with my Chris for a couple of hours. And the girls, Meredith (Life at 7000 Feet) and Su (Su from Colorado) came over to help me package 100 cookbooks to ship today. I was making the icing, right when they came.

I wish I had had Sophie's phone number, for I would have asked--serve it hot, warm or cold? I didn't have it. So I went for hot. And OH MY! Hot was the right answer!

These are the comments from us girls, as we chatted and delighted in this fabulous dessert:

No words--just MOANING. Ummmm. Ummmmm. Ummmm. Can't talk, it's too good!

Then shamelessness, as we headed for seconds!

OH.THE.DELIGHT!!

We succumbed. We sacrificed all dignity. We licked the plate.

Yes, it was everything Sophie warned us about by saying this in the cookbook, "Good luck eating just one piece of that fig preserves cake, by the way. In fact, the fig preserves cake and I were caught up in a bit of spiritual warfare over the weekend. I told Sister that I just wanted to grab a fork and the cake plate and sit down and GET IT OVER WITH, but in the strong name of Jesus, I was able to stand firm in the midst of all the spicy sweet temptation. We are more than conquerors, y’all."

I looked all over creation to find fig preserves...and then remembered that my sweet Mother-in-law had given me some. It was waiting in my pantry for this cake. Such a proud little jar, ready for greatness.

This morning, I made another of Sophie's recipes for our Bible Study brunch kick-off. It was the Apple-Craisin French Toast Casserole.

It was down to the last, tiny piece by the time I got there in line (now this is with six large tables overflowing with good breakfast foods!). What I heard from some of the ladies was this, "Oh, this is good!" And "Was it easy to make?" Both of my responses were, "YES, it is good! And yes, it was easy."

SO, tell me in the comments. What have you tried?? Describe your experiences and share!

Also, please help me out by going here (Giveaway for Your Help with the Cookbook!). Thanks--Y'all are the best. Truly, truly the best! God bless you each one!

A Weeks Worth....

OF Giveways at Leigh's blog.

Siestas, if you like to enter giveaways and who doesn't, please head on over to Leigh's blog, Speaking Thru Me and sign up!!

Leigh is giving different things away each day this week. It begins today so hurry on over and thank you Leigh. You have such a giving heart and you are so much fun!!!

I think I am going now to enter to see if I can win something. My eye is on the t-shirt. :)

Thank You

Here is a picture of my cake. Isn't it pretty? It came from a homestyle bakery. Family owned and operated. It was so good. Georgia accidentally smashed one of my roses. I didn't want you to think the bakery did that. lol

Thank you Kim and all the siestas for your sweet birthday wishes.

It was fun reading your comments. :))

I had a great day. I went to church and then after church we ate a Japanese restaurant that wasn't Shogun. It was Tokyo Japanese Steak House and it was so much better. I was surprised. We can't wait to go back. My oldest son's birthday is in October and he said he was picking some place different for us to eat at. I tried to persuade him to pick J. Alexander. :))

REMINDER:

I am almost finished making the master birthday list and if you haven't emailed me your birthday OR left it in a comment please do so HERE.

The September Birthday Giveaway will be held on the 19th.

Have a blessed week!!

Love,

Patty

Happy Birthday to you...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


I wanted to get you a Tennessee birthday cake but this is as close as I could get

We have a special someone having a birthday today

Patty is celebrating her big day

(Sunday, September 7th )

Patty we hope God shows you His glory today

I pray that He brings such delight to your heart that it takes your breath away

May this next year be full of Love, Peace, Joy, Prosperity, Health, Belly laughter, and pure Happiness

You mean the world to us Patty!

We love you!

Kim and all of your SIESTAS :)

A Little Cookbook Fun

Hey Siestas!

I have 82 paid towards this next 100 that I pick up on Monday. God is SO GOOD! And with Amanda's post, I have already responded to about 50 more inquiries. So we may just have another 100 coming up soon. Wow. Wow. Thank You, Lord!

OK, so here's a little cookbook FUN challenge for you. Every week or so on Tuesdays, I will have a post and tell you about a recipe I tried from the book. In the comments, I want to ask you to do the same!

So, if you have your cookbook, see if you can pick out a recipe to make by Tuesday. Leave a comment on my post and let's talk about it together. OK?

If you are interested in a book, know this, they will be available AS LONG as y'all want 'em. So order anytime and I promise to get yours to your doorstep, as soon as I can.

There will undoubtedly be a lead time for orders coming in after this 100, because I simply cannot pay for 100 in advance. So bear with me and let's see what God is going to do!

So far we have $1,669.40 towards a water well. Praise Him with me!!

The WINNERS are...

Here are the winners
Selected randomly via an 8 yr old calling out 4 numbers between 1- 60 - hehe

The first place winner and winner of the autographed T-shirt, Bible, and bag is
Denise (comment number 55)

The second place winner is Long meadow Mama (comment number 24)
she has won the LPM series

Third place and winner of the jewelry is Sharon Blumfield (comment number 10)

Robin Titan is the fourth place winner of the Red Lobster or Olive Garden Gift certificates (comment number 2)

CONGRATS to all of the winners
We wish you could have attended the conference in San Antonio but we hope these prizes serve as some consolation

Please contact Patty to claim your prizes :)

Stay tuned another giveaway is coming soon as well as the Monthly Birthday Giveaway!!

Blessings
Kim and Patty

Here is How it Will Work....

For our monthly birthday giveaways......

God is so good to give us fun things to do!!!

Every third week of the month we will announce the birthday winner .

I am making a master list of the birthdays I have so far and each name will be listed for that particular month. If you don't see your name email me!!

Our September birthday siestas will be first.

If September is your birthday month and your birthday has passed, you still qualify for the giveaway.

Okay, I think that is it and we hope you all have a great, great weekend!!!!

Love,
Patty and Kim

Long time no blog...

Hi Siestas,
I bet you wondered if I had fallen off the end of the blogging world
Well kind of :)

I basically got back from San Antonio and left for the beach to celebrate my dad's surprise 60th Birthday party

Unfortunately Hurricane Gustav rained on our Birthday parade and we had to leave a little early You can go here to read about it :)
I am so glad to be back

I see Patty kept us going - don't you LOVE her
God has given Patty and I such a blessing not only with each other but with all of you as well

If you have not sent in your birthday info please go to the post below or e-mail Patty with that information

We really want to keep this blog going and one of our favorite things to do is a GIVEAWAY
We will be drawing the winners on Saturday for the Giveaway for any Siestas that was unable to attend the San Antonio conference

Speaking of this weekend we have a Siesta who has a Celebration this weekend - Sunday to be exact. I won't give away who it is just yet but her name starts with a - P
Oh and I would never tell you her age because that would be just WRONG (although it is between the numbers 30 & 50 and when the 2 digits are added together they equal the number 8 - hehe) We have to respect our elders and all - LOL

Lastly, I would like to answer a few questions we have been receiving via comments and e-mail
the first of which is the most popular :)

1. Are we going to have another Siesta Fiesta?

Patty and I would love nothing more than to have another Siesta reception. We have not heard any mention of another one however. All we can do is pray for God to direct the Siesta path and maybe He will allow for another one :)

2. We have a booklet from the Louisville Simulcast stating that Beth will be in NC however when we look online we can not find any such event listed?

Any questions regarding Beth's events should be directed to either Lifeway or Living Proof Ministries. Information and schedules of events change and either of the above will have the latest information

3. Which LPL conference are most of the SIESTAS attending next year?

Patty and I have heard Memphis mentioned the most. It will sell out I have no doubt so if you plan to attend please go ahead and purchase your tickets :)

4. How can I get the pictures from the Siesta Fiesta reception?

Rich Kalonich, the photographer for the LPL events, has a website set up to retrieve any of the pictures FREE of charge - thank you so much RICH!
You can go here to download the pictures
You need the
username: siesta
Password: fiesta

I think that is all for now
We will be back soon with the winners of the giveaway
God bless,
Kim And Patty

It's Your Birthday

UPDATE: IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS IN SEPTEMBER CONSIDER THIS AS THE FIRST BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY. :) Siestas,

I would like you to share with me your birthday. Please leave it in a comment OR you can email me @ pwilliamsut@aol.com

We would love to have a monthly birthday drawing. Out of curiosity what would be your favorite place to receive a gift card from?

Thank You,

Patty

Cookbook Form

UPDATE: If you have not gotten a reply from me and clicked the cookbook button and filled it out--do re-send it. Some have been lost in the wide world interweb, as Sophie (Boomama) says.

Hey Siestas!

If you clicked on the "Order a Cookbook" button today and filled out the form and I did not reply to you, then please will you re-send it? All the bells and whistles are now in place for the form to be forwarded to me.

I am picking up the next order of 100 on Thursday and truly BY FAITH am praying that I have enough to pay for them. I have 50 orders with money in hand so far. So if you are wanting to order, there's no time like the present.

The wonderful news is that even if I don't have all the money, I am sure that the printers will be glad to let me buy and take half now. I'm praying for His leading. He began this project...and He is so faithful to complete it. Isn't He?

In a week or two, I would like to host a little give-away. In advance, I will give you what I'll be looking for. Now wait until that post to share, but here is the scoop. I want to have all of you, who have a cookbook so far, to share any mistakes/typos/errors you have found (YES, the old professor trick!).

For every mistake you share on that post's comments, I will enter you in for a very nice give-away!! I will draw three names to win...and will share more details in a couple of weeks. Are you curious??
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I got this verse today by reading Longmeadow Mama's blog. I thought I would share it here.

"The seas have lifted up, O Lord,the seas have lifted up their voice;the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,mightier than the breakers of the sea--the Lord on high is mighty." Psalm 93:3-4

MORE PRAYER NEEDED

Siestas,

I am sitting here watching the local news and there is a group of evacuees who have lost their luggage which included their medicines and birth certificates etc....

They are not sure if their luggage was left on the tarmac in Louisiana or not but please join me in prayer and ask God to bring their luggage to them. This particular group is in Nashville until they can go back home.

It breaks my heart to see them away from home and they don't know if they have a home to return to but they need their luggage and medicine and I know God can get their belongings to them!!! ALL things are possible with God!!!!

Blessings,
Patty

Special Siesta Giveaway

Your giveaway is finally here!!

We want to say that while we were in San Antonio you were in our thoughts and prayers and trust me when I say that you were missed!!

We would like to offer this special giveaway for the Siestas who were NOT at the Siesta Fiesta this year.

All you need to do is to leave a comment and you will be entered in this giveaway. We will have 4 winners!

First Prize: This prize comes from Michelle Bentham. She wrote me and told me she wanted to give away one of her shirts that she ordered, the cool thing she thought of was to have the shirt signed by as many siestas as she could find during the Fiesta. Also, included a beautiful book bag and a NASB Bible with notes from the conference.





2nd Prize: A Beth Moore Series on cd: Life Altering Works of the Holy Spirit. This is a 4 -cd series examining the insight, the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit.

3rd Prize: Jewelry set: a pair of earrings and a bracelet

4th Prize: A $10.00 gift card to Red Lobster or Olive Garden

We hope you enjoy your giveaway!!! Good luck to all of you and the giveaway will close Friday with the winners announced on Saturday. :)


We love you,

Patty and Kim

Siestas on Call

UPDATED: I received an email from Siesta Cassie and this is what she wrote:

Right now we are getting the outer bands of the hurricane. It is really windy and a light rain. We have everything secure and are stocked up on supplies, yesterday was exhausting ,but Praise God will got everything done.

Worship service yesterday was wonderful it started out as a solemn assembly (which was not intentional) everyone is just so tired of everything that is going on.

But as we began to worship, the Holy Spirit swept through and we had revival. So even with all the crazy things going on this weekend it was a good one.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers,
Cassie, Fred, and Ryan



I forgot to check which siesta said that in a comment but I thought it appropriate to title this post with her words.

Thank you for praying for Chaz and we thank God for working in his life!! Please continue to pray for him as Michelle stated that the next three months are critical.

This goes without saying but we need to join together and I know you all are already praying about the people who are in the path of Gustav, we are joining together in prayer for these precious families who are being evacuated again to places they do not know but we praise God for keeping them safe.

Our very own Siesta Fran wrote about it on her blog yesterday. Go HERE to read her post and the 125 evacuees her church took in yesterday.


I can't begin to describe the love in my heart that I have for you all. When someone needs prayer you are right there to pray and offer encouraging words . You may not realize, at the moment, the impact you are having on the body of Christ, but you are and I can see your love pouring out to each other and that is the way we should be toward each other.


Thank you for praying and may God bless each of you with a special delight today!!

Love,
Patty