Beth Moore (Toben)

I feel like I need to write more about Beth Moore as Living Proof Live was such a blessing to Joanne. So I'll start at the beginning:

Joanne asked me to go with her to Living Proof Live down in the Springs. Now I am not a Beth Moore fan, mostly because I am a guy  and Beth doesn't really appeal to most guys. But I told Joanne that of course I would take her and stay nearby in case she needed me. Our friend Holly had worked with Beth's assistant to make sure Joanne and her friends and family (5 in all) had seats on the floor of the World Arena. So after some twists and turns we ended up finding a wonderful Lifeway staffer named Robbie. She took us in tow to the elevator and down to the floor seats. Sure enough, they had 5 seats with Joanne's name on them. What a cool feeling to be so well taken care of!

So Joanne, her mom, sister and friends (Kristin, Yvette and Kathy) all took their seats as the event was about to start. So I did what any guy would do--I headed for the highest seat in the arena, I mean high, like last row. I grabbed Joanne's iPad and thought I would get on-line for awhile to kill time. But I have something to confess...I paid attention. Through the worship and through Beth's talk my attention held. Yes, I admit, I did a little texting. I did check email once or twice, but for the most part I was present. I can now say what few guys can: I attended Living Proof Live...and liked it! 

Now I acknowledge that attending, much less enjoying LPL will cost me my "man card." I accept that. I have to go through the 30 day waiting period to get it back, during which time I have to do something especially manly like steer wrestling or getting in a fist fight with Chuck Norris. But it's worth it. Here's why:

I could see Joanne from high above where I was sitting. And I observed her stand up from her wheelchair with Kristin's help.  I watched as Kristin helped her stay standing, her arm around Joanne's waist. And I saw Yvette get up and move to Joanne's other side and put her arm around Joanne as well. She was supported on both sides by two friends, so that she could fully participate in worship. 

I instantly flashed to the story of Moses and Aaron. As Moses was holding up his staff on the mountainside overlooking the Israelites, Arron helped him hold his arms up when he was too tired to do so on his own. Kristin and Yvette helped Joanne stand when she could not do it on her own. Observing that moment made the loss of my man card seem trivial at best. It was beautiful and I doubt I will soon forget it.  

After Friday night, we drove to my folks house and spent the night there. They have it well set up for Joanne and it is a very easy place for us to stay. I mean easy in that they have done what they could to make their place handicapped accessible, etc. Bonus: we got to sleep in the basement guest room and it was so nice and cool down there. When we got up early Saturday morning Joanne commented that she was, "just the perfect temerature." A nice change from our over-heated bedroom at home. So back to LP we drove and met up with the rest of our little group.

After gettign Joanne settled I still went and sat in the last row but this time for a different reason. It wasn't to escape LPL but to give Joanne and her friends and family the space they needed to really enjoy and participate in the worship and teaching together. I didn't want to get in the way of that.

So, in summary: The worship was great, Beth was great, the whole experience was great. And after it was all over Beth wanted to have a picture taken with the "Siestas" which I gather are what they call the LPL blogger community. So Joanne got to go backstage and have her picture taken with Beth. She even got a hug out of it! What a great way to finish the event--a hug from Beth, a woman who has meant so much to Joanne. 

Whew! I'm leaving out a lot but I just felt like I needed to let you all know how it all went because I know a bunch of you have also been blessed by Beth and prayed that Joanne would be able to go to, participate in and be blessed by LPL. She was...and I was too.

But I still want my man card back!

Toben

Comments

[Holly Smith]

The Moses and Aaron reference just SLAYS me....you are a great man and husband, Toben. Joanne is SO VERY DEAR! Her very presence at the event was a living sermon--testimony of God's great POWER and MIGHT! Love to all the Heims! Holly

[Bobbie]

You really are a very special MAN, Toben! I say you solidified your man card with what you did for your beautiful wife!! I felt like Joanne would be totally blessed at LPL if you could get her there. She's been very loved on our Siesta blog for years and any ofusstillpray for her...she's a blessing to this community!!

[Jennifer, Hawaii]

How wonderful! A beautiful telling Toben, and I imagine a much more beautiful sight in person. Beth Moore is so wonderful and it's hard not to like someone speaking Truth of Encouragement! So glad that it went well, that Joanne had a good time!

[Helen]

Toben,
Thanks so much for writing more about the LPL experience. I saw Joanne's tweet via FB and knew that she had gotten that hug. I read your post this morning and felt greedy wanting to hear more...thanks for taking the time to do it.
I was so thankful that all those fires couldn't stop the event from happening and Joanne getting to partake...beautiful post!

[Tina Smith]

Tears in my eyes:) I know how much Joanne has been inspired by Beth over the years and what a blessing of a little normalcy in her life if even for a very short time!! I am also aware of how an illness effects the whole family and how blessed you guys have been by donations for Emma:) prayers and hugs

[Rebecca]

I loved the Aaron and Moses analogy. God is so wonderful and provides exactly who and what we need when we need it. Praise God! I'm so glad Joanne was able to attend and be blessed by the experience.

And you didn't lose your man card...yours has been permanently replaced with the super duper Platinum extra bonus miles and rewards man card! :)

[Margie Smallman]

Oh, I love, Love, LOVE that they all got to attend such a life-giving event and to be soooo blessed! What a COOL picture that was of what support is supposed to be.... both figuratively and literally,when necessary! Happy for you both!

[Patty]

Wow! Toben how great! So glad that as a man you got something out of the LPL. Not too many men could do that. Your such a wonderful hubs. Praise the Lord.

[Beth Petty]

Tears falling! Holly got it right! His mighty power triumphs through you all. Beth's ministry & the Siestas are how so many of us found you and Joanne and have been blessed by you ever since. I am thankful for the Heims, et al and for Beth's loving obedience to His leading. Glad you enjoyed LPL.

[Sharon]

So glad Joanne was able to go and that you were willing to go, too!

[K]

I had no idea you were able to see that Toben. This brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing through your eyes. I love her so much, I'm glad I got to be there with her.

[Marena Sheffield]

Through literal tears I say that you now have a permanent Platinum man card!!!!

[Madelin Butler]

I wasn't expecting to be moved as I read this post but it has struck a cord so deeply that all I could do is weep. I too am a proud Siesta who adores our Beloved Siesta Mama Beth Moore. Toben what you did for your sweet wife and friends moved this Siesta to tears. God met you where you were all the way up in the rafters. LPL is an worship & teaching experience like none other. I'd like to nominate you as an official Miesta~ one of the few good men in Siestaville. Welcome!!

[Kim Feth]

Welcome to Sieastaville! You are an official Miesta! I loved the Moses/Aaron analogy. Continuing to cover you and your entire family in prayer!
Peace
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

[Angie]

It kills me that I couldn't be there. I'm so so soooo happy that Joanne got to go and got a bonus hug from Beth. I'm certain it blessed them both! Toben, you've more than earned your man card and no matter what you'll never get it revoked. The way you love Joanne is amazing. My hubby and I talk about that a lot. And anyway, probably every man on earth is jealous you got to go to LPL. Right? RIIIIGHT???!! :)

[Diginee]

You never lost your man card! What you did is a true man!!!!!! Praise God!

[Patricia Blomeley-Maddigan]

Toben - I think you should RECEIVE your Man Card, for attending the Beth Moore Evening - two evenings! Impressive!
I have never been a fan of Beth Moore, but thanks to you, I plan on checking her out!
Thank you
Patricic

[kimberly]

beautiful~thank you

[Colleen Stockman]

Toben,
What a lovely lovely story...I could visualize Joanne's friends lifting her up and holding her. What sweetness. Thanks for sharing this. It feels so good to know that Joanne got to experience this special weekend of teaching, praise and worship! God bless you for being such a special man.. :)

[Jeremy Scott Adidas]

Your blog is very informative and useful. You have written it very well.

[Adidas Porsche]

Just found your wonderful blog through A Mom's Year. Love your style! I'm sick too... definitely sucks. Hope we're both feeling better fast! :

[Adidas Original Shoes]

Never mind on that last comment. When I posted the last comment the photos showed up. I'll never understand how the computer "mind" works.