Gran Jan's JOY

1,000 GIFTS, #500 to #508

2012-02-13T21:03:00.000-05:00

500. Home. A wonderful place to be on this cold wintry night. I love that this 500th gift - a tribute to my home - is right in the middle of my counting to 1,000. Our home is also a centerpiece of grace for our family, our ministry, HOME. A place to just be - a respite from busy lives. So very thankful for HOME. A gift of His grace, it belongs to Him.

501. A time of sweet fellowship in our HOME for the pastors and their wives from our church. We enjoyed time around the table for a meal, and then time just sitting together, laughing and sharing stories. A gift to be together - to serve together.

502. The Jesus Storybook Bible where "every story wispers His Name." We love this Bible for children and enjoy reading it to our grandchildren. I LOVE reading it for me!

503. This book, "The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes" was a favorite book to read at bedtime with our boys when they were small. My grandchildren have it and I gave a copy to our pastor's wife and student ministry associate's wife too.

504. An awesome time of prayer and planning with Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer last week. I am so blessed to serve with these precious ladies in women's ministry. Our hearts are knit together in His love and we had one of the best meetings in years. We are planning some missions projects and also some special events for the women in our church.

505. Wednesday night Bible study is so special. I look forward to spending time with some very special ladies each week. We are almost through with Duty or Delight by Tammie Head. I would have loved to have had this material 30 years ago when I was a young pastor's wife caught up in "spiritual performance." Thankful to say today that my delight is in Him and serving Him is not a duty.

506. A very special time Saturday morning with my whole family here for breakfast. I really enjoy simple times the best and we surely enjoy each other's company. My three grandchildren are beginning to play together and it is delightful.

507. It was a joy to attend my church's "Anna's Banquet," this past Saturday. The banquet is for widows. Our pastors and deacons serve the widows a meal and then we just enjoyed each other's company. I loved sitting with Sarah, Sara, Aileen and Frances. PRECIOUS!

508. I began my list with thankfulness for my earthly HOME, but I am very aware (and very sure) that my real HOME is Heaven. But until I take up residence there, I want to treat every day as special - precious - gifts of His grace, because as James 4:14 says...

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.

1,000 GIFTS, #479 to #499

2012-02-06T21:30:00.003-05:00

479. Hymns - glorious hymns about God's blessings. Showers of blessings, showers of blessings we need...mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead. So thankful for His tender mercies as I continue this journey to 1000 gifts.

480. Beautiful glorious pink sunrises through the pecan trees on the farm. Welcome morning!

481. This gorgeous tree is in full bloom...although Spring is still 6 weeks ago, this big tulip magnolia (magnolia lilifloria) is a JOY and sight to behold (downtown Perry, GA).

482. Sweet grandgirl Miss Madie wearing her new shirt Gran Jan made for her (see gift #477). She calls me "Jan Jan" instead of Gran Jan. Melts my heart.

483. I am loving the JOY of my embroidery machine - this is a little "dot font" monogram I put on a shirt for my sweet grandgirl!

484. A big beautiful LIVE OAK tree in Savannah, GA...the official state tree of GEORGIA and one of my favorite trees.

485. Sweet times with sixteen of the most wonderful women as we planned and prayed together at our annual women's ministry team retreat last weekend. God is so good to give JOY and FELLOWSHIP and KINDRED HEARTS as we shared around the table. We went to a neat place called New Ebenezer Retreat Center that was a delightful respite.

486. Bunk Beds, delightful bunk beds in our retreat cabin. It has been YEARS since I climbed a ladder to the top bunk. We laughed until the late night (early morning). Our youngest team member is 24, the oldest is 71. Pure therapy for the soul...girl time.

487. A long walk Saturday morning to the bluff of the Savannah River which is where the retreat center is located. Came across this old church that has been "in continuous worship of God since 1734." Amazingly serene.

488. Lunch on River Street in Savannah before we headed over to the Retreat Center!

(Melissa, Stephanie (our new pastor's wife), Julie, Joy, Debbie, Jennifer)

(Leia, Cindy, Teresa, Doris, Charlene, Kathy)

(Taneea, Lanie, Patsy, me)

489. Someone built seats and a pulpit overlooking the river bluff. I can just imagine sitting here for a glorious Easter morning sunrise service.

490. Sweet surprise visit from Jonathan and Jackson this past Saturday - another winter day that felt "just like Spring." And a visit to the farm always requires checking out the cows and chickens...

491. The sight of these daffodils blooming in my garden always brings me joy - God's glorious creation, gifts of His grace...the promise of a "new season."

492. I've enjoyed watching this beaver dam being built (about 2 miles from our home). My husband pointed it out to me recently. He knows how I enjoy all things "outside by God's creation."

493. Just finished a baby quilt yesterday for some dear friends awaiting their first grandchild. His nursery is a "John Deere" theme. Yes - yet another John Deer quilt...

494. Have I mentioned how much Travis Cottrell's music blesses me? Can you tell by this iTunes list on my computer? Thankful for his ministry.

495. Speaking of music, this is little Jackson sitting on the floor near his daddy in the back of our church's worship center listening to his Pop (my husband) leading worship...generational joy! Grace.

496. A wonderful chocolate covered sweet cream-filled heart-shaped donut - yes, I took a picture of my donut and got caught doing so. Didn't bother me one bit. Enjoyed every sweet bite.

497. Bulbs, bulbs, bulbs. Springtime cometh. Oh the joy in each of those little planters. It was all I could not to get one of everything. But I restrained. For now. It's still winter. But not for long!

498. My sister Jean would have celebrated her 52nd birthday this past January 18. I wrote a blog post about Jean's brief life here . Her daughter, my niece Amy, is so much like her. Amy was just 3 weeks away from her 2nd birthday when Jean died. She looks more like her momma every single day, especially in this picture...

499. And here is the silly side of me (I am actually silly on all sides) from a trip to Wendy's for lunch...it makes me smile every time I look at it, so I saved it. I love to laugh and be silly, which I hope will help me grow old gracefully. I really pray about that. That I may never lose the wonder of each day. Counting His gifts to 1,000 is sure helping me on the journey. Amen?

May God bless you and hold you close,

Giveaway Winner - Jenny Hope

2012-01-31T19:01:00.000-05:00

Happy last day of January everyone! The winner for the GIVEAWAY of the wonderful worship music is #3 - Jenny Hope! Please email me your address so I can mail your CD to you. I hope you and your precious baby boy will love this music. You are a sweetheart.

1,000 GIFTS, #463 to #478

2012-01-23T11:19:00.003-05:00

463. I love my church. I love the people. They are family. Second Baptist Church, Warner Robins GA is my church HOME. My husband has served on staff there almost 24 years (June 1st). We raised our boys there - they were both saved and baptized there. I have a grandson there now - how awesome is that? On Wednesdays I head there straight from work to teach Bible study. This week I was blessed at the sight of the late winter sun shining on the steeple. Thank you Jesus for Your Light and this light in the community.

464. And I love my oldest son's church too. He pastors Cross Point Baptist Church and is a mighty fine son, brother, husband, daddy, and preacher. I am most blessed to be his mom. I would sure love to hear him preach in person more often, but I'm thankful for their podcast. Also thankful he and his wife and my two oldest grandchildren are close by.

465. And here are those two babies sporting their "dinosaur" shirts I made for them. They were headed to Mother's Morning Out and I'm grateful to my sweet daughter-in-law for taking the time to share this picture with Gran Jan.

466. My youngest son hosts an annual BBQ for his friends in January. It was last weekend. Jonathan has always had a lot of friends. (Here he is in our "barn," getting ready for the feast.) He is a good man to have for a friend. He is also a wonderful son, husband, daddy, and brother. It is pure JOY to be his mom.

467. My dad is a great cook and he loves to cook. (Reference gift #457.) He and Jonathan (above) spent the day before the Friends BBQ making my dad's family recipe of southern Brunswick Stew. The stew was delicious but I love even more that they made a memory and dad passed down that tradition. They even cooked it in an old cast iron pot that belonged to my dad's dad. Priceless to me.

468. My church hosted the Bailey Smith Real Evangelism Conference this past weekend. I'm thankful for the legacy of this great man and thankful for the pastors and wives that were encouraged by the conference. Our choir sang Wednesday night and it was a JOY.

469. Evangelist Bill Stafford is one of the heroes of our family. He preached in the conference that I just mentioned above. God has used this man to teach me about the Christ Life, about stewardship and about selflessness. I have not arrived by any means, but I'm thankful for this saint who is nearing 80 years old. Thankful for pastors and evangelists of his generation. May God raise up more mighty men like these.

470. There was another great conference this past week that I was supposed to attend, but I just knew I needed to be home for the event at my own church. SSMTC (Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration) was the culmination of a year-long scripture memory committment through Living Proof Ministries. I participated in the first event in Houston back in 2010 after memorizing all year in 2009. I thank God for the power of His Word - this grace gift NEVER stops giving.

471. I'm thankful that even though I could not attend, the tender hearted teacher in Beth Moore made a way for the event to be streamed live. Thank you God and may you bless the staff at Living Proof Ministries for this precious gift to us. I watched Saturday morning on my laptop.

472. These are two dear friends of mine from AL and TN that attended the SSMTC. We met through the ministry of the BLOG and outreach of Living Proof Ministries. Truly. They are dear to me. Genuine friends who I can contact at the reach of an iPhone. :) Thankful for technology in this generation, and especially Hey Tell :) Right girls?

473. Although I could not attend the SSMTC I wanted to share my JOY in my spiral of verses for 2011. I can literally see God's Hand at work through the progression of the year and the Word that ministered to my heart. I love God's Word. I encourage you to begin a memory plan if you're not already doing so. It will be LIFE to you.

474. Red cowboy boots on a list of gifts? You betcha! My sweet husband gave me these when I turned 40 (just a wee bit ago). :) I wore these to let my friends at SSMTC 2012 know I was with them in Texas spirit on Friday. :)

475. This is my 365 Day Picture app on my iPhone. You simply take a picture for every day of the year to capture your year in photos. Technology is a wonderful thing when kept in its proper place. God's Word tells us in James 4:14 that life is but a vapor. I can honestly say that I count every day on this Earth as a gift from the Good Lord. I'm savoring them.

476. Thankful for doctors who take care of little boys when they don't feel well. My daughter-in-law sent me this picture of sweet Jackson boy on the way home from the doctor yesterday. Thankful for God's healing in our lives, physically and spiritually. They stopped to get him a Sonic fruit slush - how precious is that?

477. Thankful again for the joy of handwork and the way it calms my busyness and centers my heart. I made this for my little granddaughter for Valentine's Day. She called me last night and told me she was praying for me (via her daddy's coaching). I can't wait to give this to her.

478. I came home from work one evening last week to see two of the most important men in my life (besides my sons and grandsons) laying out a plan to plant 35 pecan trees here at the farm. My husband and my Dad. Thankful thankful thankful for them.

Sweet blog readers! Thank you for your comments and for your support. I pray your week goes well and you can see His Grace Gifts through your daily lives. He is ever present even when you don't realize that truth. That is the joy of counting these gifts - you see them EVERYWHERE and you become more aware than ever of the simplicity of life at a slower pace, sensitive to His Voice and Spirit. I'm learning - sojourning.

Quilts

2012-01-19T22:01:00.001-05:00

Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces,

joy and sorrow, stitched with God's love.

My friend Lanie called me back last Spring (2011) and asked me if I would be interested in taking a quilting class with her. I had taken a quilting class years ago when I was in my late 20's. That busy season of life as a stay-at-home mom with two little boys didn't allow much time for learning to quilt. Fast forward to now when I am in the "empty nest/Gran Jan" season of life and everything in me said, "YES!" So I signed us both up that very day.

We went to class at a wonderful shop called "A Scarlet Thread." The owners are believers in Jesus Christ - wonderful people. The shop is the largest quilt store in Georgia and the ladies who work there are kind and helpful, always making us feel at home. One of the side blessings of the 8 week Tuesday night class was our "road trip." We had to travel over an hour each way and the class itself was two hours long. There is nothing like precious "windshield time" in the car for long uninterrupted conversation with a dear friend. We took turns driving each week and came up with a plan the first night. Whoever didn't drive bought supper that night (and Starbucks on the way home to keep us AWAKE)! God blessed us with traveling safety for the entire two months we went to class as we logged many miles up and down Interstate 75!

I have decided to keep a record of the quilts I make for my own joy and hopefully as a memory for my grandchildren one day as well. I had no idea the joy and contentment that quilting would bring me. Last year was unprecedented for my husband and me in ministry. It was a difficult yet blessed time of growth for us spiritually. Aside from time in God's Word and praying - this creative outlet calmed my heart as I would sit at the sewing machine...sewing and praying.

Here are the quilts I've made so far, beginning with the first one I made back when I was 29 years old. As God would have it, Lanie's own mother, Mrs. Polly, is the one who finished the hand quilting for me several years ago. She passed away back in 2010, making it more of a treasure to me. It is called a "Sampler" quilt - each block is a different type of patchwork. This one hangs in my home office/library. My oldest son's mother-in-law, Catharine DeLoach, finished the binding for me. She is very talented.

#2. (May 2011) My second quilt was made during the class at "A Scarlet Thread." The pictures show both the front and the back. I need to make a label for this one...

#3. (June 2011) What ever made me think I was ready to give a quilt away as such a newbie quilter? All I can say is...LOVE. I made this quilt for Beth Moore for her birthday. Keep in mind that I finished my last class the end of May and her birthday is June 16th. It was stitched with love and I told her it was flawed, just like me! She sent me a picture of her and the Director of Living Proof Ministries, Sabrina, holding it up. (The colors in the picture of the label below are truer.)

#4. (August 2011) When I began this quilt I really didn't have anyone in mind to give it to -I just loved the colors and the pattern was very simple as you can see. Straight ROWS with two vertical inserts. The beautiful batik fabric was so much fun to sew. I ended up giving it to my youngest son's wife, my daughter-in-law, Erin. She loves purple and it was just meant to be. She loves it!

#5. #6. #7. The Grandchildren all received quilts from Gran Jan for Christmas last month. The two grandboys were John Deere themed and my granddaughter's was just pink and precious. This is Zeke's quilt with a solid green backing:

This is Jackson's quilt with a solid yellow backing (and a closeup of the label):

This is Miss Madie's pink quilt (front and back).

#8. This is my Dad's "fleece" shaggy raggy quilt. It is very WARM and he loves it too! This was part of his Christmas gift too. I used my new embroidery machine to make his label.

#9. This is the first "baby quilt" I've made. It was a joy to give this to the newborn daughter of a young woman who serves with me in Women's Ministries at our church.

I have 3 more quilts started now - one that has proven a bit difficult, so I just work on it sparingly; one for my youngest son that I'm almost through piecing, and then another baby quilt that I just bought the fabric for last week. My oldest son and his wife have many beautiful quilts made by her mom - she is a very talented quilter, so I haven't made any for them...yet. :)

This I know - I am having a wonderful time. I have a lot to learn but I'm loving every moment and I'm thankful to have the resources to enjoy this delightful hobby!

God is so good to me!

1,000 GIFTS, #444 to #462

2012-01-16T21:37:00.003-05:00

WOW! We are two weeks into 2012 and it has been a month since I wrote a post on my journey to 1,000 gifts of grace! I have had the best Christmas holiday and I'm thankful - blessed - content - and looking forward to 2012.

444. This is one of my favorite ornaments - and describes the truth of CHRISTmas. Although I wrote a Christmas post here, I'm still celebrating the JOY of one of the best Christmases our family has had in several years...full of His peace.

445. Me and my husband and our three grandchildren - what FUN! Thankful for sweet children who worked HARD to help us attempt to get a picture with three - three and under...

446. I came home from work one evening and my sweet husband had put up Christmas lights on the gate at the end of our driveway. The sky was so pretty and I counted it a blessing that he would do something that special for me!

447. Babysitting this precious little grandson. He was absolutely the sweetest boy this morning, and I LOVE JACKSON BOY! GRAN JAN'S JOY!

448. There is nothing like children at Christmas time...except grandchildren! We had the best time enjoying Zeke, Madie, and Jackson...it had been a long time since I bought some boy toys, and it was my first time to buy a doll [for sweet Madie].

449. These two little cousin cherubs are exactly two weeks apart in age...they are precious. I know I count them over and over (in various blessings), but let me tell you - I can't help it! This was Christmas Eve.

450. How many people have walked the aisles of churches and Billy Graham crusades while the song "Just As I Am" was being sung? Travis Cottrell has a fresh and glorious arrangement to this song that has really ministered to our church family. WE LOVE IT! Thank you Travis!

451. My dearest friend Lanie and I love to sew and quilt and recently have also been doing some machine embroidery. The week after Christmas we had our "QTT" (Quilting Time Together) sew-in and made some cute things for our grandchildren. The quietness of getting away and being with a long time friend is a great gift of God's grace.

452. Lanie and I have also started a fun idea we are calling the "Boomerang Bag." She gives me a gift in a bag and then I give her a gift back in the same bag...and so on. She gave me this mug and I gave her some quilting fabric last week. [Right now, it's her turn and I'm waiting for the Boomerang Bag to show back up.] Grin. The element of anticipation makes it all the more fun. No rules, no timeframe, just surprise fun.

453. This precious young mom serves on the Women's Ministry Leadership Team at my church. She is working on her doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and she is also the mom of this beautiful baby girl, who is 5 months old today. I made my first baby quilt for her and she sent me this picture. I love this family.

Here is the quilt. I had so much fun making it.

454. Hot tea on a cold winter's night. I love Constant Comment Tea with its sweet orange and and spice flavor. God is so good to create all the wonderful flavors we enjoy.

455. I know we say the "blessing" over our food and some people even call it saying Grace, but do you truly stop and thank God for your food? After my trip to South Africa two years ago (journaled here) my outlook on all of my material blessings has not been the same. I took a picture of my salad last week and my co-workers laughed at me...but they thought it was a pretty salad too. And I was grateful to have it.

456. One of the most wonderful gifts of God's grace thus far in 2012 has been the arrival of our new pastor, Dr. Jim Perdue and his sweet family. We are beyond excited and thankful. He preaches expositionally - verse by verse by verse from God's Holy Word. We are thrilled - he is a man of integrity and he loves us like a pastor-shepherd should. He began his ministry on the first day of the first month of 2012. THANK YOU JESUS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS.

457. I am so thankful to have my parents - both healthy and active in our lives. My Dad is a great cook and here he is doing what he does best..."doctoring up" something my sister Jo had already prepared...WE LOVE YOU DAD!

458. My mom and sisters and I went to the Fabulous Fox in Atlanta the week before Christmas. We ate at Cheesecake Factory and we had a wonderful time. I love my family. I love being the oldest sister. I love being the brunt of all their jokes. This is me and my mom.

My two younger sisters...aren't they beautiful?

459. I absolutely love birds and really just love being outside to daily enjoy God's grace gifts. Last week I had the delight to pull up at work to a tree FULL of cedar waxwings. They are migratory and were eating all the berries off a Bradford tree.

460. A bit of Springtime on my kitchen window sill during winter. This is a pink hyacinth forced to bloom. I am thankful (again) for God's gifts of flowers and change of seasons. I also love those babies in that picture...they warm my heart no matter the season...

461. And one of God's greatest grace gifts to me - Bible study. I especially love the authors of this new study - James, Mercy Triumphs, Beth Moore and her daughter, Melissa Fitzpatrick. I will begin facilitating this in March. I'm praying for a great harvest.

462. My last gift tonight on this post was actually the start to my day this January morning. A beautiful colorful sky. Thank you Creator God.

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;

In the morning I will order my prayer

to You and eagerly watch.

Psalm 5:3

Giveaway ~ Happy New Year!

2012-01-07T18:45:00.003-05:00

Back in the fall of 2010 I discovered some of the most worshipful, soothing, calming, peaceful, wonderful music through an email recommendation I received from Jennifer Rothschild's ministry. (I love her Women's Ministry Website.) I wrote a post about the music here.

Well - a new CD has been released by Breakaway Music: "Hidden in My Heart, Volume II." Visit this link to listen to Scripture Lullabies. If you like what you hear, come back and leave a comment about how God has used MUSIC to bless you...in your quiet time, in worship, at church - any way He has used the ministry of music to your heart.

I ordered two of the new CD's and I

want to give one away!

As a worship pastor's wife of 34 plus years, I can tell you that I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for His gift of music. Please leave your comment by January 31st. I will randomly draw for a winner and announce it here on my blog.

Happy New Year!

Last Day of 2011 & Christmas Reflections

2011-12-31T19:12:00.000-05:00

As this last day of 2011 comes to a close in about 5 hours, I have been reflecting as most of us do when a new year rolls around. The same thing is going on over on Beth Moore's Blog, and I also loved the post on the InCourage blog with 20 Questions for Reflection by Tsh Oxenreider.

Christmas...I am blessed with a job in our local school system and the office closes for the last 2 weeks of the year which gives me a great Christmas break. I've been extra busy but have enjoyed every moment. Here are a few pictures for my memories on this blog...

I don't do a whole lot of Christmas decorating - just the mantle,

our tree and some wreaths outside on the doors and windows.

This ornament is very special to me.

Our First Christmas as Husband and Wife - 1977

Our Three Beautiful Grandchildren

Christmas with grandchildren in the home changes everything for the better.

Our 2011 Christmas Tree

I love a lot of lights on the tree - this one had 400 clear lights

and 900 festive colored lights. It was beautiful.

Our delightful 14th Annual Women's Ministry Christmas Brunch speaker

Leah Adams of The Point Ministries

Our awesome Church Choir and orchestra's Christmas program

was the most worshipful ever this year.

One of my most favorite things in the

entire universe is singing in this choir!

Most Christmas lights I've ever seen - near downtown Perry, GA

Sweet time reminiscing memories of family and friends as I

mailed Christmas cards this year...

My mom and sisters and I on our trip to Atlanta last week to

see Amy Grant & Vince Gill at the Fabulous Fox Theatre!

Sweet time with memories made.

One of my favorite Christmas coffee mugs!

Collards are still in my garden,

I picked these at 3:30 and we ate them for supper at 6:00

Now that is FRESH!

Jalepeno Cornbread for the collards - so good.

GRAN JAN'S JOY in babysitting this sweet grandboy while my

son and his wife finished Christmas shopping (for him).

Santa is a member of my church (he really is).

And I was so glad he was able to be there Christmas morning.

C- Counselor

H- Holy One

R- Redeemer

I- I AM

S- Shepherd

T- Teacher

M- Mediator

A- Almighty

S- Savior

Ready for 2012 and all that our Almighty God has in store. He has been Faithful and True to me with abundant Grace and Mercy in 2011. I love Him so.

1,000 GIFTS, #427 to #443

2011-12-12T11:58:00.001-05:00

So many times on this journey to 1,000 gifts I am reminded of the old hymn "Count Your Blessings." I've heard it and sang it so many times in church with my husband leading in worship. I've been in church services when people would testify of His blessings. So really this counting is not a new thing, but a great discipline of old. The chorus of the hymn says:

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one

Count your many blessings,

See what God has done.

Soooooooooooooooooo, here i go, almost half-way there!

427. Since my post almost a month ago I celebrated my birthday on November 16. I'm thankful for all the cards and gifts and wonderful birthday messages on Facebook. I really was overwhelmed with love. I'm thankful for LIFE.

428. Birthday flowers from my husband (roses), and my sweet friend and partner in women's ministry, Cindy (fall bouquet). The colors were vivid and brought me so much JOY. Our Creator God sure makes beautiful flowers.

429. Thanksgiving. Next to Easter, it is my favorite holiday because it is "uncluttered." Family, food, fellowship, and exactly what this post is about - BLESSINGS. This picture says it all...food everywhere. It was a great year because EVERYONE was around the table. That in itself is a gift of His grace.

430. My dad loves our homeplace and is so proud of this new sign at his driveway. Double M Farm Road. Watching him enjoy life brings me great joy. I love my parents. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on November 23rd. Grace.

431. Planting pansies is one of my many fall delights. I love to plant the little violas in my strawberry jar. Another JOY from our marvelous Creator. Flowers in COLD weather!

432. While outside enjoying my gardening day, I had quite an audience.

433. A week off for Thanksgiving. It was the best week I've had in a long time. It began with a visit to see my amazing mother-in-law, included time with my grandchildren, my whole family around my table, time in the garden and in the sewing room, and the PEACE and JOY of awaiting our new pastor's arrival!

434. My church's women's ministry has an annual Christmas Brunch and this year we had an amazing speaker - Leah Adams of Point Ministries. God has given her a message about leaving a Godly legacy. She brought a word from THE WORD and is a delightful woman. I am very thankful for her life and ministry. God is using her and did I mention that she is delightful?

435. This sweet woman is my Merle Norman lady. I love Mrs. Sarah. Isn't she beautiful? Thank you Mrs. Gayle for sending me this picture from the Christmas Brunch. I thank God for the women He has brought into my life to encourage and mentor me in the faith. My heart's desire is to do the same for the women He brings in my life.

436. A combination Birthday/Christmas/Valentine's/Groundhog Day/Anniversary/Fourth of July/Memorial Day, etc. etc. gift. A new embroidery machine for my sewing DELIGHTS. This is my sewing room happy place. The new machine is on the left.

437. Because of #436, I can now make my own labels for my quilts (this is the first one I made and it is for a Christmas table runner I quilted). I really look forward to making personalized gifts for my grandchildren too. I have much to learn but am enjoying every minute. My friend Lanie has been so much help to me.

438. My baby boy with his baby boy. JOY. They are clones. I love this picture and their similar expressions...

439. God sent us the prettiest, brightest, largest, fullest, and most delightful RAINBOW I have ever laid my eyes on. It even made the local news. I pulled off the road 3 times on my drive home from work to just delight in it's beauty and to praise and thank my COVENANT KEEPING GOD.

440. I babysat my oldest son's children one night a couple of weeks ago so he and his wife could attend an event for Dr. Johnny Hunt. Out of the blue, this little fellow looked up and said to me, "Gran Jan, we don't pray to kings...we only pray to God." I actually took this picture right after he shared that WISDOM with Gran Jan. He is three years old and is the inspiration for my blog. I love you Zeke.

441. DAILY GRACE. One of my many favorite hymns is ""Come Thou Fount" I especially love this line because in the busyness of life as wife, mom, Gran Jan, daughter, sister, friend, employee, choir member, women's ministry leader, I am prone to WANDER. Sweet Jesus keep my heart centered on You.

442. I love my front porch swing and it now has a fresh coat of red paint. Red is my favorite color and my sweet husband painted it for me. He also surprised me one night last week with supper ON THE TABLE when I came home from work. He is the kindest and most generous man I know and he is mine.

443. This precious red-bowed beauty is my granddaughter Madie. She is sweeter than Georgia sweet tea. She is starting to "talk up a storm" as we say in the South. We were making reindeer cookies. She was putting Rudolph's red M&M nose in place. Here is a link to making these reindeer cookies from Southern Living. Easy and fun.

Next week is going to be all about CHRISTMAS and I cannot wait to share gifts of the season. If you're prone to wander, may God bind your wandering heart to Himself and may you intentionally seek quiet moments every day to reflect on the JOY of His coming to this Earth to redeem your soul.

Beth Moore's Gravy Recipe

2011-11-23T06:11:00.002-05:00

Beth Moore is not only a great writer, Bible teacher, (and wife, mother and grandmother), the woman can cook. In her words she claims not to be "stellar," but rather just a good country cook. Well...those kinds of cooks are my favorite. My Granny and my parents are both great cooks. I'm a good cook myself - based on what my family tells me, and their estimation is all that matters to me. In fact, my husband often says, "that was a feast" and it has become a family saying that especially tickles my daughter-in-law Erin.

Anyway, Beth wrote a great post on her blog this week about "Holiday Cooking Hints" and she and I had talked earlier in the day about doing a tutorial next year. How FUN! Go here for the complete post with lots of great recipes and great ideas. Siestaville is the best blog community anywhere. Following is her gravy recipe taken from the blog post:

Beth Moore's Gravy Recipe

Now, for a few gravy hints. The drippings to a turkey are absolutely divine. After you’ve let the bird cool off enough to work with the drippings, tear open your roasting bag and use a cup or ladle to pour a generous amount into a measuring cup exactly like this:

See how the spout is at the bottom? The fattest part of the liquid will rise to the top after just a few minutes. You only want to use the bottom part to make your gravy or it’s too greasy. Set the filled measuring cup to the side until it’s time to make your gravy. Do you girls have iron skillets? They are best for making gravy but not imperative. You want it to be one of the last things you do before serving your meal. I’m going to tell you how to do basic gravy rather than giblet gravy so you’ll know how to make it from any roast whether beef, pork, or bird. I’ll leave giblet gravy to one of the other cooks on here.

Go back to your measuring cup of drippings. Pour that lower (less fat) half of your liquid in a skillet. Heat it up to a rolling boil. Depending on how much liquid you have in your skillet, put about a heaping tablespoon of flour (not into your pan yet!) into about a fourth cup of warm water and stir it up really well until the lumps are out. While the liquid in your skillet boils, pour in the flour mixture and stir constantly for at least several minutes. After it’s well mixed, decrease your heat to a low boil. Add some salt and pepper if the liquid needs it. (You can’t be afraid to taste it in process or it won’t be well seasoned.) The liquid in the skillet will all begin to thicken. Keep it boiling until it looks like gravy. Grin. And add some water – just a little at a time – until it has the consistency you’re looking for. Especially with any of my bird-gravies (chicken or turkey), I like to add no more than a dime-size of this:

It simply adds a little color. For those of you with access to a Williams Sonoma, however, this is absolutely FABULOUS (this is the only thing on here today you can’t get from a regular grocery store):

I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones and that you take the time to truly give thanks to our Great God for His goodness to us. This past Sunday night at my church our interim pastor, Joel Southerland, actually had us physically write down our blessings. Since I've been "counting to 1,000" with Ann Voskamp on Multitude Mondays that was near and dear to my heart. I'll be sharing my list soon.

Happy Gravy Making!

Meet My New Pastor!

2011-11-19T09:01:00.012-05:00

Praising God this Thanksgiving Week from Whom ALL Blessings Flow!

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly

abundantly above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works in us,

21 to Him be glory in the church

by Christ Jesus to all generations

forever and ever. Amen.

My home church (Second Baptist Church) has a new pastor and he will begin his ministry on January 1, 2012. Our wonderful Pastor Search Team sought the heart of God for our church and we have supported them in prayer. This video below is how the team presented the pastor to our church. (It was created by a very talented young woman, Mrs. Brooke Hering. Thank you Brooke for sharing your work with me for my blog.)

God is blessing us exceedingly abundantly above all that we could have asked (and we did ask in much prayer). My new pastor's name is Dr. Jim Perdue, his wife is Stephanie and they have four precious children, two sons and two daughters. Jim grew up at our church and he is coming home after being gone away to college, seminary, marrying and having a family, and pastoring. I am especially thankful to God for His mercy and love. His timing is His timing and it is always right and always for our good and His glory.

1,000 GIFTS, #409 to #426

2011-11-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

My heart is as near to overflowing these days as it has ever been - aside from my salvation day, my wedding day, my sons' births and weddings, and the days my grandchildren were born---I am full of praise and thanksgiving to the Good LORD for His unmerited grace and tender mercies to me these recent days.

409. I'm starting my list today with the blessed news that my church has a new pastor, Dr. Jim Perdue, and he will begin his ministry at our church on January 1, 2012. He has a lovely wife and four beautiful children. He grew up in our church and is now coming home after getting his seminary education and pastoring the past 10 or so years. HE LOVES US! What a season we endured prior to his coming - God has surely been my Shield, Defense, Strong Tower, Refuge, and my Best Friend. Thank you JESUS! The timing is just God as we approach the season of Thanksgiving. I am most humbly thankful.

410. Fall is my favorite season. I praise God for His gifts of seasons to enjoy. The color this year has been spectacular.

411. I received a voice mail last week from a young woman named Fran that blessed my heart in the deepest places. She loves Jesus and is in the "zone" raising 3 young men. Her desire is to live a life that counts and she is so much FUN! We are "siestas" which is an affectionate term for members of the Living Proof Ministries blog community. It is the most genuine, caring group of believers ever. Right siestas? Thank you Fran for encouraging me on every level. You know I love you and I'm here for you.

412. Following these wonderful young women as they journeyed to Ecuador on a Compassion bloggers trip. Sophie, Melanie, Ann, Amanda, Kelly. You bless me!

413. I attended a fundraising banquet last week for Covenant Care Ministries, an adoption agency that places children in two-parent Christian homes. The speaker talked about everyone's adoption story...as we are adopted into the family of God by the provision of Christ's death on the cross. Hallelujah and Amen.

414. My two oldest grandchildren go to Mother's Morning Out twice weekly at their church. Last week the firetruck came. Oh the JOY! My grandboy is on the front row and is seated - far left. Everything to Zeke is "so fun."

415. My daughter-in-law Erin really loves to bake and she's very good at it - actually I think she's quite good at everything she does. Check out her cake against the cover of the October Southern Living Magazine. I told you she was good!

416. My dad is a retired Marine Captain and Vietnam War veteran. I am so proud of him. He has always worked hard and provided for our family. He loves this country and we fly the flags here at our farm every day of the year - but this past Veterans Day, 11-11-11, they seemed extra bright against the blue November sky.

417. Captain Tom, my father. I love him.

418. I've made quilts for each of my 3 grandchildren for Christmas gifts. These are the labels I will sew on the back of the quilts for Zeke and Madie Ruth.

419. In my father's footsteps, and in his boots. This is my youngest grandboy wearing my son's boots. Couldn't you just squeeze him?

420. There is a song on Travis Cottrell's latest CD that is entitled "Thanks Be To Our God." That song has been used of God to minister to my soul - I'm talking every single time I hear it. It is anointed. I'm so grateful. Reference #409. "For the road that leads from darkness into light...for the hope that rescues us from endless night..."

421. Worship. Just as We Are. There is another song on that same release that is the "Just As I Am" invitation song used in hundreds of Billy Graham crusades. But Travis's version has a beautiful addition about coming to Christ and how He receives us JUST AS WE ARE that my husband has used in our worship services the past 2 Sundays. Just get the whole CD - you will be blessed.

I come broken to be mended

I come wounded to be healed

I come desperate to be rescued

I come empty to be filled

I come guilty to be pardoned

by the blood of Christ the Lamb

And I'm welcomed with open arms

Praise God - Just As I Am...

422. Planning our Thanksgiving menu via text messages with my sisters Joan and Jo. So glad this is a year where all the family will gather together (at our home) and not one of those off years where we scatter - even though I do know those years are blessings to the other families too!

423. My Wednesday night Bible study group is going through Beth Moore's "Wising Up - Proverbs study." Last week we learned about Wisdom for Moms. Not a dry eye. My life's greatest joy has been to raise my two sons. No other accolade or accomplishment means more to me that being a mom and Gran Jan.

424. I am thankful for my home and the farming community in which I live. The land of cotton. I don't have to "wish I was there" as the old song says...I am there. It is cotton harvest time in these here parts...I can't help but wonder what my paternal grandfather and his father would have thought about all this "modern equipment."

425. I'm blessed to have a mom who is a wonderful gift of grace to our family. She recently went on a retreat with some senior citizens from our church and they were able to meet Dr. David Jeremiah. I listen to this man preach most every weekday morning on the Sony radio in my bathroom as I'm getting ready for work. He is a great communicator. (That's my mom in the white jacket on the far right.)

426. This lone red maple is so beautiful in the field. The variety is "October Glory" maple, and even though we are now in November - she is still GLORIOUS! I'm in the fall season of my life too as I approach my 54th birthday in just 2 days. My life's desire is to stand strong (and sometimes alone) and say "Soli Deo Gloria." For the Glory of God Alone! Yes I know I just made an analogy to a tree...but I love it.

For the strengh to carry on
And forgiveness great and strong
And the promise of Your mercies ever new
Thanks Be To Our God

1,000 GIFTS, #386 to #408

2011-10-31T19:45:00.004-04:00

Here I am again on this Monday, my heart brimming with multitudes of gifts - more grace gifts, lessons learned, memories made, and in just a week! Just the blessing of being HERE on this earth, at this time, in this generation, is a gift. The Word of God tells us our life is but a vapor in James 4:14

This is a picture of the vapor in the cool mornings around our pond this week.

I'm so thankful because:

386. ...I am very content in my life's current season:

387. ...I am halfway through my 34th year of a solid marriage to a Godly man

388. ...both my parents are still healthy and well

389. ...my sons are happily married to wonderful young women

390. ...my grandchildren are healthy, delightful, and bring me JOY

391. ...my sisters Joan and Jo are there for me any time I need to talk

392. ...I have a wonderful circle of friends

393. ...my church family is Rock solid.

394. I'm so blessed with my quilting time. It calms me to sit at my sewing machine and ponder and pray as I sew. I finished Madie's quilt Saturday and it was fun to work with such "girly" fabric for a change from the boys' tractor themed quilts. This was a simple pattern of squares and rectangles but I love the old-fashioned look. Madie is a beautiful child and I know she will continue to grace our family.

395. This is my quilting buddy and best friend of 23 years - what a treasure Lanie is. We're old school and don't mind sharing that. Faith and family are our joys. We enjoyed a recent "sew-in." Today's generation of women is missing something that women in times past did - getting together to quilt, sew, can food - train - mentor. We need that.

396. I love my job - I actually do have a "day job" besides being a pastor's wife. I have worked for our local board of education for 23 years. The people in our offices are true public servants. Sharon is one of those folks, and she brought me some apples from the North Georgia mountains. She is "Gran Sharon" and when she became a grandmother 11 years ago, it was actually then I decided I would be "Gran Jan." And so I am.

397. Saturday was fun as the boys came very early to cut firewood. It's been a long time since the back door opened and I saw my boys come in together. Raising them has been my life's greatest JOY. I love their bantering - always have. I know they could quote Psalm 133:1 right now...

398. My husband loves to deer hunt. He was in the woods and when I got home I found these sweet "love notes" all around. Reference #387 - amen?

399. This is a cotton field - a HUGE one. Right now on farms all around us - cotton, pecans, and peanuts are being harvested. My paternal grandfather was a sharecropper and raised cotton and peanuts. I love to hear my dad talk about him because I never knew him. But I know I would have loved him dearly.

400. What a joy my mom and I discovered as our camellia bush is finally blooming. We planted this one four years ago and the wait was well worth it. They bloom when nothing else is...what a great life lesson. I want to do the same!

401. My grandson Zeke spent the night and he was with me and my mom. My grands call her "Gigi" (Great-Grandmother). She and Zeke were walking with pockets full of rocks to throw in the pond. It's their thing to do - and he never forgets.

402. We moved from our home of 20 years "in town" to the country life on the farm four years ago last week, October 27. I love this land already and the traditions we are making with our grandchildren. Another JOY of this season of life.

403. My dad has wanted a fence along the front of our farm for these 4 years, and it's just something we haven't been able to get done. Well, now we have. A fence on a list of grace gifts? Yes - because if you knew how happy it made my dad, you'd know just how thankful I am to do something for him for all the things he's done for me my whole life. It was my husband's idea. He is a generous man.

404. Our church's senior adult ministry is called XYZ for "eXtra Years of Zest." The XYZers went on a trip last week and my mom went with them. They had a blast. (Older ladies are still little girls wanting to have fun and from all accounts, they did.) I'm grateful for Pastor Mike Slade and his wife Susan who lead this ministry. These girls are the cream of the crop. Back row: Mrs. Lynn, Mrs. Sara, Mrs. Rita, Mrs. Gayle. Front row, Mrs. Lola, Mrs. Lois (my mom), and Mrs. Ann. My mom told me she got her picture taken with Dr. David Jeremiah and they also had former President George W. Bush as a speaker at the conference. Blessings indeed.

405. Yes my garden. Aside from time with my family - this is a happy happy place for me. I love to sit on that stone bench under that river birch tree..

406. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches shaped like hearts for a little boy who has stirred up so much love in my heart when I became Gran Jan the day he was born. I love you Zeke!

407. Me and my sweet husband with our youngest grandboy Jackson...more love stirred up in my heart. Thank you Erin for sending me this picture. It was good to have y'all with us on vacation this month.

408. As I've learned from reading Ann Voskamp's book and more importantly, God's Word, there are times of hard eucharisteo. We are to give thanks in all things, not just the pleasant and joyful and blessed times.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16. Rejoice always,

17. Pray without ceasing,

18. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This past year has been a time of deep reflection, in prayer, in learning, in trusting. Even surrounded by family and friends, the sweetest times have been those when the still small Voice of His Spirit spoke to the deepest places of my heart. Abide - be still - I'm in control. Abiding in stillness is not easy in this day of go go go - but it is always where the times of growth occur. I want to be fruitful, don't you?

1,000 GIFTS, #370 to #385

2011-10-24T13:29:00.002-04:00

My heart is so full this Monday I could hardly wait until lunchtime today so I could get to my favorite little free WiFi place...to ponder and began this post. I've been recording my grace blessings, gifts - both on paper and in my heart...since week before last. I dearly love how I will have a "moment" and realize "what a gift!" This has become so much more than a Monday blog post, it is a way of eucharistic living that has reached to the deep places of my heart and hopefully effected a change - evidence that others will see SEE and I may "give a reply for the hope within" as told in I Peter 3:15.

370. Celebrating the birthday of my son Jonathan, my youngest, a gift. His name even means "God's gracious gift." His gentle and quiet ways are refreshing. He is a strong man, a wonderful son, husband, father. I love him with all my heart.

371. Four Generations around the table last Monday as my Dad, me, Jonathan, and his son Jackson enjoyed supper together. What a blessing to have and especially as it was my Dad, ("Papaw" to my sons and grandchildren) who spoke that gift aloud.

372. The privilege to speak to a group of women last week at a local church, Oakland Baptist. They are beginning their women's ministry and this was their very first event. It was a JOY to encourage them. I love women's ministry. I shared with them from God's Word and used the word WOMEN as an acrostic. W=Word of God, O=Outreach, M=Mentoring, E=Encouragement, N=Needed. (The N for needed was what Jesus spoke to Martha when he told her that Mary had "chosen that which is needed.") Luke 10:42

373. Courtney, my new young friend. A new choir member - young, beautiful, smart (she's an engineer). She loves to cook and it was JOY to share with her last week as we talked recipes and country living.

374. This past out-of-town weekend shared with my dearest friend of 24 years, Lanie. We celebrated her birthday - her LIFE. She is an ovarian cancer survivor of 2 years. We shopped, we went to a quilt expo, we laughed, visited a Country Living Fair, we ate, we laughed, we sewed for 10 hours straight on Saturday, we laughed, and we truly celebrated with much prayer and thanksgiving. God is so good!

375. This sweet gift from Shannon, a monogrammed pumpkin. Shannon is another young woman who radiates Jesus. Her smile is so beautiful as she smiles from the inside out. She and Natalie (another young woman I love) are in my Wednesday night Proverbs class, and we are "Getting Wisdom" in our Wising Up study by Beth Moore.

376. Yesterday my church and Deacons (represented by Mr. Lee Evans) honored our pastoral staff. It was a beautiful time - I was so blessed. October is clergy appreciation month. As a pastor's wife of 34 years I would like to ask you to please encourage your pastor and his wife and family (not just in October, but any time). A card, a note, a gift certificate - and most of all - with prayer! In order below are our staff pastors, Jimmy Moneypenny, Gary Morton (my husband), Matthew Gibbs, Dawson Hull, Mike Slade, Ben Hunley, and Mike Dorough. They are wonderful Godly men with great integrity and hearts for ministry. All praise to Jesus Christ!

377. I am the proud owner of a new iPhone 4S. If you know me at all I promise I am not being worldly or materialistic - I am truly thankful because I love this phone and all it will "do."

378. The sheer JOY to hug the necks of a young couple in our church who have been praying for a baby for over 8 years and are now expecting! May God bless this little one yet to be. I love you Bubba and Heather. I can't wait to see your JOY grow in the months ahead...and that precious life inside your womb too!

379. My new favorite picture of my son and his two children. Look at the JOY that radiates in their eyes and smiles! They are sporting their "Got Biscuits" shirts I bought for them at the Paula Deen store in Savannah.

380. A wonderfully kind and encouraging email from Nancy Mattingly last week. Nancy is the correspondence manager for Living Proof Ministries and I tell you this - the woman loves Jesus and lives for His Glory. She blesses me. I love you Nancy.

381. Christmas gifts for my two Compassion children, Iduar in Colombia, and Gloria in Uganda. May God bless these two precious children.

382. The pure and simple JOY of hearing/seeing true worship yesterday as Jordan sang "I Will Rise" with our choir. He sang the solo. Jordan has some limitations in the world's eyes, but to God, He is everything. I love that young man.

383. Another John Deere quilt - I finished this one at the QTT this past weekend - the "Quilting Time Together" with my friend Lanie.

384. The true JOY of seeing what some "meant for harm" being turned into what God is using for good. He loves His church, His bride, and He has surely poured out His love and grace on my church the past year. We stand amazed. He is a mighty big God and cannot be undone. I could shout - in fact, I have!

385. As I sign off to head back to my office, I want to leave you with this sign I saw at the Country Living Fair....Yes, I was promoted to Grandmother and that is the very reason I began this blog...GRAN JAN'S JOY!

All truly is grace, and I am daily constrained.

Love,

1,000 GIFTS, #347 to #369

2011-10-10T10:13:00.003-04:00

My spirit is overflowing with grace gifts, and it's not just because my counting is overdue...it is because of the tender mercies of Christ in my life. Many of my blessings this week surround a wonderful time away last week at the beach. I am in a very good place right now, both physically and spiritually at rest. God has taught me so much this past year and I love HIM so, MORE every day. Thank you sweet readers for sharing life's JOY with me.

347. Blueberry pancakes are sweet, but not as sweet as this grandgirl eating them...

348. Continuing to read The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. Every woman needs to read/embrace this book, no matter her age or season of life.

349. A movie date to see "Courageous" with my sweet husband. WE LOVED IT. Praying that God will use this movie for His glory (He already is). If you have not seen it yet - go go go.

350. Have I mentioned that my parents live "across the pasture?" Well they do, and I am blessed to have them so close - they are wonderful, loving, giving people. They dog-sat my younger sister's two dogs week before last, and along with their dachsund, Dixie - they had a kennel. Here they are on an outing over to my house. The dogs and the parentals needed a break.

351. My husband and I vacationed at the beach (Florida Gulf Coast) last week, and that in itself is a grace gift. There is something about being near the ocean that is restful to my spirit. Psalm 95:5 I've heard others speak of this peace, and it is certainly true for me. This year the weather was amazing, so cool and refreshing. We are thankful for the time to rest and spend time together - unbound by clocks and schedules. My favorite time is as the sun begins to set. Whether I'm home or at the ocean, I love dusk.

352. The sunrises are beautiful too. The ocean was as smooth as glass.

353. October 6, 1974 was a beautiful autumn Sunday night (a long time ago...). That "date" markes a "date" for me...the evening of my seventh date with my then new boyfriend. (Seven is the number of completion in the Bible - how fitting.) We met at church, he was the young music minister. It was the summer before we each began our senior years of high school. That night was our first kiss and since we happened to be at the beach last week on the "37th anniversary of the first kiss," I wrote it in the sand. The tide may have washed my sentiments away, but the sweet memory is forever etched in my mind. God surely blessed me when he brought my future husband into my life that night 37 years ago...

354. I love this man...thankful for God's grace in bringing him to me (see #353).

355. I met a beautiful woman, Sybil, while shopping at the Destin Commons Mall day before yesterday. She assisted me in an Estee Lauder purchase at the Belks store. We shared more than mascara and lipstick...we shared Jesus Christ. When she was checking me out, she said "thank you Georgia Jan." Now Sybil had no idea that I use "Georgia Jan" as my blog name...she just knew I was from Georgia. Well that led into conversation about blogs, Bible study, and our favorite teachers...Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur. We discovered that she and I both attended the very first Deeper Still conference in Nashville four years ago and enjoyed sharing memories of that time. I love random meetings like this. God bless you Sybil.

356. My youngest son and his wife and son joined us at the beach later in the week. Sweet family times. Pop was in heaven when Jackson fell asleep in his arms during a morning walk on the beach. We loved having lots of time with this little fella. He is SO smart!

357. We ate lunch twice at Dewey Destin Seafood. You could look through the planks in the pier and see the water below! We were able to get a choice seat...right at the very end of the pier. The weather was GLORIOUS, so was my Grouper sandwich.

358. Pumpkin spice coffee...on the balcony...with the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. The wind blowing, the waxing gibbous moon (almost full), sweet conversation, hearts in love, souls at peace, minds at rest. G-R-A-C-E.

359. New crocs for the grandchildren. Boys=camo, girl=pink. Simple as that and I'm not waiting until Christmas to give them to them.

360. My husband loves seafood. (He even teased some friends and told them he would have shrimp milkshakes if he could.) We took a seafood break and ate Chinese at P.F. Changs one day, and I called him "P.F." the rest of the week. P.F. stood for "Platter/Feast" because every meal he ordered had either the word platter or feast in the title...

361. I found a twenty-dollar-bill on the floor at the CVS drugstore last week. When I turned it in, I thought the manager was going to call a press conference. He said, "people don't turn in money." I told him that the money didn't belong to me, but that I belong to Jesus, and His Spirit in me enabled me to do the right thing. I will say however, that it was quite a rush to look down and see that $20 lying there :)

362. On our way home from the beach we had a tire going flat so we stopped at a Wal-Mart to get it fixed. We thanked the Good LORD that it happened exactly when it did and not on a remote road. We also thanked Him for His perfect timing and provisions. The GPS said there was no Wal-Mart or auto store nearby...oh, really? Yes there is/was.

363. While the tire was being repaired I meandered through the store and bought sewing machine needles and a new rotary cutter for some quilt fabric I have. So thankful for my quilting JOY!

364. While walking back to the auto department, I saw an elderly gentleman in one of those little scooters going up and down the aisles. He seemed a little "out of sorts," so I asked him if I could help him. He told me that he lived alone and was looking for a pot to cook in, to warm up food. I found a perfect one on clearance and he was so pleased. That little random act of JOY was a blessing to my heart. I thanked the Lord for our low tire and my divine appointment. We also shared Jesus in that clearance aisle.

365. A great report, a super great report from my annual physical. Aside from my salvation, God's grace gift of excellent health is so very precious to me. I thank Him daily.

366. Although I do not embrace "fortune cookies," I loved this one...because he was sitting right to my left, the one with whom I shared a kiss 37 years ago...remember?

367. The welcome sight of HOME...fall color and a field of white cotton across the street.

368. Collard greens and turnip greens growing growing growing...I love this garden.

369. Rainy days and Mondays do NOT get me down. This has been a glorious week and to have the blessing of a day off (Columbus Day Holiday) to reflect, count grace gifts, and reflect some more...

Thank you JESUS.

1,000 GIFTS, #325 to #346

2011-09-26T21:07:00.001-04:00

Multitudes on Mondays

My Monday recording journey of counting grace gifts continues...all from His Hand.

325. Cotton fields are blooming and there are hundreds of acres of cotton right across the street from our home...fields white unto harvest as far as you can see.

326. Text messages that begin "what are y'all doing today?" and end with lunch around the table.

327. Preparing breakfast for my Dad and surprising him by riding next door on the golf cart to deliver it to him. He was sitting on the porch and was so proud of his breakfast! My mom and I enjoyed our coffee together while he ate. He shared his raisin toast with her...

328. Praying together and being of one heart.

329. Bible study class full of women eager to learn and "get wisdom!" I love my Wednesday night ladies.

330. Answered prayer with successful back surgery for a friend's teenage daughter. Praying for a full recovery.

331. A warm and dear hug for a friend whose father passed away 2 weeks ago and telling her that her loss had already touched my heart...prompting me to make breakfast for my dad and deliver it to him. Tears were shed.

332. The promise of lunch this week with two young 20-somethings, Taneea and Sarah.

333. The joy that they would even want to spend time with me, a 50-something.

334. A life lived with the anticipation of splashing the Living Water with young women as I grow older, both in wisdom and in my walk of faith.

335. Cards in the mail, hand-written, full of love.

336. A Saturday afternoon all to myself...sewing...sewing...putting together a new quilt. These are some of the 5" squares that will form the blocks. They are lying on my ironing board. There will be many more made before the quilt is finished. Guess what? The fabric is called GRACE and I love that - it is so fitting for counting GRACE gifts.

337. Here's a picture with the "Grace" tag...I hope my life is "tagged by Grace."

338. Lots of sweet tweets from my friends who attended Dot.Mom in Birmingham, a Lifeway conference for mothers - a time of great encouragement for them. I love you Sophie, Melanie, Robyn, Fran, Dedra, Dori, Amanda, Heather...I pray God blessed you deeply!
339. Sweet emails back and forth with my oldest son. He is a good man, a good husband, father, pastor.
340. A phone call from my youngest son who is out of state on business...he is a good man, a good husband, father, and he misses this little pumpkin, will be home very soon!
341. The little pumpkin with the yogurt-covered-smile. He misses his daddy too, but my sweet daughter-in-law said he has been a trooper.

342. A text message from my daughter-in-law that included a little video of my 16 month old granddaughter talking and making the cutest face as she talked, crinkling her nose.
343. Back-to-back nights at home with just my husband that included supper and then long conversation on the front porch swing, enjoying the cooler weather. Simple grace gifts.
344. I've been the wife of a minister for 34 years, 3 months, 15 days. Have I shared how much JOY there has been? Well there has. And heartache and sorrow too - but mostly joy, and I'm grateful. The joy of serving in one church for over 23 years, raising our boys here.
345. Having said that, I've been singing in my husband's choir for 34 years, 3 months, 15 days. I love that with all my heart. Each week the anticipation of being part of corporate worship under his leadership blesses me. I know he is a man of integrity and his personal worship enables him to lead in public worship. I know better than anyone else.
346. And this is our church choir. I love these people so much. It's hard to see me, but I'm on the very back row (always have been) on the far right as you face the choir. This recording was made just yesterday morning by a man sitting in the congregation. Revelation 1:8 - He is Alpha and Omega.

1,000 GIFTS, #305 to #324

2011-09-19T17:15:00.002-04:00

As I count these grace gifts to 1,000 with Mrs. Ann Voskamp, I am beginning to see a pattern, and that in itself is a gift to me. Back at the beginning of the year, I wrote this post on 1-1-11 and vowed to "Keep It Simple Sister." A goal to slow down and enjoy life's simple pleasures, to prioritize my time, my goals. This JOY of counting has helped me to see that the gifts I cherish and count are in God, my faith in Christ, my family, my precious grandchildren, friends, God's creation, gardening, quilting (my newfound JOY), and not in STUFF. May it ever be so, sweet LORD.

305. As I stepped outside my office one day last week headed to lunch, I saw this beautiful Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on the zinnia flowers. Just that moment...for me. I love the camera on my cell phone for d-e-l-i-g-h-t-s just like this one!

306. First night of Fall Bible study last Wednesday night, as we began Beth Moore's study from Proverbs: "Wising Up...Wherever Life Happens." Wisdom is Supreme, get it! Great group of women all ready and eager to dig into the Word of God. Proverbs 4:7

307. The joy of trusted confidence as a friend shared a prayer request concerning her health, and then the Spirit prompting me to pray for her. Thank you sweet Father for prompts to remember to pray.

308. A song from Travis Cottrell's newest release that has ministered to my soul, the depth of my soul I say. It is called "Thanks Be To Our God." I love this new CD very much, but song #13 has been on repeat track the most.

309. A first for me where my grandchildren are concerned! I went to Zeke's school, actually it is a Mother's Morning Out program at his church (where his daddy, my son, is the Pastor) for "Grandparents Day." They sang two songs and quoted a Bible verse and every one of them looked adorable. And I got four spontaneous hugs. I was so sad that I had forgotten my camera. But when I returned to work I received this photo collage in an email. God graced me in that my friend who is a real photographer was there with a camera for his child...which records one of those wonderful hugs from Zeke!

310. The intoxicating divine smell of Tea Olive Shrubs blooming in our garden. My husband and I LOVE them. They bloom in the spring, in the fall, and on a warm winter's day they can surprise you with small white blooms which smell wonderful. We have them by the front porch swings and this is the shrub in my back patio garden. It was a gift for my 50th birthday from some wonderful friends...they bloom when the weather changes. I hope that I will "bloom in life's changing seasons too." May it ever be, sweet Lord.

311. The full moon. I especially love the big Harvest Moon of this past week. I keep up with it on my Nook with a "moon phases app." Yes I do. I am a moon phases nerd. I love to talk waning and waxing gibbous...

312. A book and sweet card of encouragement received in the mail from Mrs. Esther Burroughs who spoke at our Women's Retreat last weekend. She is challenging me to "pour into" the lives of young women. The big watering can at the top of my blog is one of my favorite items - I collect watering cans. I need to remember to splash the Living Water of Jesus everywhere I go...

313. Plans made for a Prayer/Planning Retreat for our Women's Ministry team, pastor's wives, and other women's leaders in our church. It is going to be WONDERFUL. We will all stay in one cabin...with a fireplace...at a Retreat Center on the Savannah River. Can't wait!

314. My grandson Zeke spent the night this past weekend and while we were playing outside he lightly skinned both his knees when he fell. As I was applying Spiderman bandaids :), he said, "Gran Jan, will you pray and ask God to heal me?" I prayed and hugged him tight. He blesses me so.

315. My son sent me this picture and "asked for prayer." He said it was the first time he had taken both children out to breakfast alone. His wife was attending a consignment sale and it is important to be FIRST in line at those...aren't they PRECIOUS? YES THEY ARE!

316. This is Jackson, the "Master of the Slide." Isn't he PRECIOUS? YES HE IS!

317. I finished Jackson's quilt top last week and am getting ready to put it together. Here is one of the blocks with his name...I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

318. Reaching for a soft tissue in my purse to hand to a woman next to me in the choir as her tears fell. Thankful for the bond of women, sisters, mothers, friends.

319. Once again our interim Pastor Rev. Joel Southerland blessed us with a word from the Word. God is using him greatly during this season in our church without a Senior pastor. There is a fresh healing wind of the Holy Spirit blowing across our congregation and the JOY is evident each time we gather to meet. I'm very thankful for lessons learned, continuing to pray for everyone...those gone, and that that remain. Soli deo Gloria.

320. A hint of fall in the air...my very favorite season of all.

321. A Girls' Night Out with my sweet best friend of 23 years, Lanie. Delicious fresh guacamole and chips at a restaurant in Macon...buzzing through Barnes and Noble, the Ulta store...time together that is so precious. Sharing prayer requests, life's seasons.

322. My first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Yes, that's a gift! I do love coffee.

323. Thanking God for my health has always been in my prayers to God, but has really been on my heart this week as so many are facing surgery and treatments and struggle with daily issues. Thank you Father for a healthy body.

324. Seeing my father kneel down beside Mrs. Mary's chair in her home, take her hand, and offer to help her with anything she needs in the days ahead. Mary is an elderly black woman who has just lost her husband of more than 50 years. I love our rural community. We had taken a meal to them...because that's what Southerners do. I've never been prouder of my dad than I was at that moment. He has a heart of gold. Being the tough former Marine that he is, you have to "mine it out sometimes"...but it was shining that moment. :)

Multitude Monday Blessings to you,

The Resolution for Women Book Club!

2011-09-15T23:01:00.001-04:00

The Resolution Revolution with Priscilla Shirer!

Priscilla Shirer of Going Beyond Ministries will be kicking off her first book club meeting on Friday, September 16th LIVE at 10:00 am CST. Click HERE and look for the link to join in the conversation on Friday. All you will need is a web browser and your book. I already have my book and have read the Introduction. As hard as it is going to be...I'm so ready!

1,000 GIFTS, #288 to #304

2011-09-12T21:53:00.002-04:00

Grace gifts, still counting along the way; very thankful and very blessed.

288. A blessed Women's Ministry Conference this past weekend on 09-10-11 with the wonderful Mrs. Esther Burroughs. She is a precious mature Christian woman who shares from her life's experiences and all who listen benefit. She taught from John 4 and encouraged us to "splash the Living Water" as we "Go OUT of our way while ON our way..." It was glorious!

289. This is a picture from the Conference with Mrs. Esther (she is in the black and white stripes). I call it "Generational Joy." The two young women on the left are in their early 20's and are DELIGHTFUL! Esther encouraged us to pour into their lives.

290. Helping Hands at the Women's Conference...how blessed we are to have a church where people serve with JOY. Thank you Cindy, Sarah, Taneea, Teresa, Pam, Doris, Lisa, Kathy, Susan, Natalie, Lanie, Mindy, Lynn, Barbara, Rounette, Karen, Charlene, Patti, Jeanette, and Cheryl.

291. Sharing a recipe for Tomato Pie with my sweet friend Lanie.

292. Moonvines...this picture was taken just a few hours ago at dusk. I love these flowers. They will bloom all night and close up in the morning...

293. Another quilt class and girl's night out with Lanie. We learned techniques for "half-square triangles," but we learned much more than that...quality time in the car during a road trip helps you learn each other's hearts and prayer needs...what a gift from God.

294. Driving through this allee of trees as I leave home each morning and returning each evening and celebrating His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night. (Psalm 92:1-2) So grateful for my job and the people I work with and for. Grace.

295. Looking up from my desk at work just in time to see my oldest son and his son coming in the door to see me. Zeke gave me the sweetest hug ever. He said, "I'm your boy, Gran Jan." He knows that blesses my soul.

296. Another great practical message from Rev. Joel Southerland as he preached from the book of Job on the value of our families.

297. Finding a long-lost receipt. Thankful. Needed it.

298. Collards and turnip greens planted in my fall garden.

299. Attending a wedding with my husband this past Saturday of a young woman named Julie who we've known since she was 5 years old. Her groom was injured in an accident 14 months ago. Seeing her speak vows that she has already lived by standing true to him gives me such hope for young people and marriage.

300. Two big bags of fresh peas from a friend at church - thank you Mrs. Rhoda! I love to sit and shell peas - it is so soothing.

301. Jasmine. In my garden.

302. Long bike rides with my husband down country roads, cool weather. Good exercise. Weight loss success! So thankful.

303. Spending time with my youngest son and his son tonight. Getting to play with little Jackson, feed him, bathe him, and tuck him in was so tender for me. My daughter-in-law is taking a class and was not home. I missed her, but love seeing the home she is building for my son and grandson.

304. New books and the anticipation of reading "The Resolution for Women." The book is by Priscilla Shirer. Excited about participating in her on-line book club this Friday. Details will follow on my blog.

Nighty-night sweet friends,

1,000 GIFTS, #270 to #287

2011-09-05T18:52:00.003-04:00

My heart is so full of JOY from counting blessings, the wonderful Grace of Jesus! Thanking Him today for this Multitude Monday, a rare and peaceful day off from work, a restful day.

270. A new season of Fall Bible study begins tomorrow and a kickoff brunch was held 2 weeks ago with lots of women attending - excited about studying God's Word.

271. Two littlest grandchildren sliding down slides...they are strong and healthy and I am so thankful.

272. A pretty little cat has taken up at the farm...I hope she stays...outside for sure! :)

273. My daughter-in-law Carrie sent a video of grandson Zeke singing a song he wrote, "Every Day We Go to Church..." I've watched it dozens of times. So thankful she shared it with me!

274. Another video sent to me by my son of Zeke asking "Gran Jan, can I spend the night with you? I really want to..."

275. Zeke spending the night...pizza, popcorn and Charlotte's Web... I really wanted him to!

276. Celebrating my son's 30th birthday last Monday with this post. Lots of memories of a fine son. God's Grace multiplied.
277. Thankful for Jeremy's wife, who also celebrated a birthday last week...she is a gift to our family.

278. The whole family for lunch on Saturday. I love to cook for them and we had grilled pork tenderloin, hasbrown casserole (recipe here), butter peas, collard greens from my garden (frozen last winter), and these delicious cheese muffins from The Pioneer Woman. I left out the sugar and used self-rising flour. My Dad ate two plates full and that blessed me so much.

279. My two sweet daughters-in-law blowing bubbles for the babies after lunch. They are both so tall and thin...beautiful...one blonde, one brunette, both long prayed for...

280. Three sweet grandbabies chasing those bubbles...it just doesn't get any sweeter!

281. My daughter-in-law Erin worked so HARD to get a picture of these 3...it is nigh impossible...but I love her for trying!

282. Chocolate-face Jackson...eating his momma's mini cupcakes!

283. A pot of chili simmering on the stove all day on this wonderful Monday off from work...my husband said it was the best ever. I love to cook, have I mentioned that? :)

284. More material for more quilts...these are called "Charm Packs," and every square is 5" and represents all the fabric in a particular line. They make quilting fun and easy because all the fabric blends together...the pink butterflies will be for my granddaughter Madie.

285. I finished Erin's quilt and gave it to her two weeks ago. She loved all the colors and I hope she enjoys some long naps this fall and winter under her cozy quilt.

286. Just finished Jackson's "John Deere" quilt top about 3 hours ago. I rode my bike next door to my mom's house and hung it on her clothesline so I could take a picture. I can't wait to quilt it. (Zeke picked out the fabric for his John Deere quilt while he was here...)

287. Yesterday our interim pastor Bro. Joel Southerland, brought a message from Job 1:20-22 and I loved this quote..."In the storms of life, our REACTION determines our RECOVERY." I want my reactions to be right, Spirit-filled, and for His glory. It was a great message.

Count your blessings,

name them one by one...

and it will surprise you

what the Lord has done!

A Mother's Memories - 30 Years

2011-08-29T01:11:00.001-04:00

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY Jeremy! There are days it seems like only yesterday since that hot August Saturday night of 1981 when you entered this world and I became a mom. (You were 19 days overdue, but you haven't been late since, and have been busy making up for lost time.) I love your name! Jeremy is a variant of Jeremiah and means "may Jehovah exalt, appointed by God." I believe on August 29, 1981, God appointed you and blessed me by allowing me the privilege to raise you and be your mom. To celebrate your 30th birthday today, I poured over lots of pictures and chose some of my favorites to share.

Four months old...still a UGA fan!

Six months old and you STILL love books...

You still have a winning smile.

You were a great big brother...

and you still are...

You love to tell a story...no matter the location.

You love to fish,

hunt,

and play golf.

You still drive a truck (this was the day you got your license and

I cried when you drove yourself back to school).

You were a good student in Kindergarten...

and high school, and college, and seminary,

and hope to be Dr. Morton in the next year or so...

You've always had great friends...

You still do...

You married the girl of your dreams and we adore her!

You have a precious son and daughter...Gran Jan's JOY!

So on this your 30th birthday...I want to thank you for being a good son, a blessing to our family, a man of integrity. Your energy and zest for life are a delight. Thank you for being a son who honors the LORD, your calling as a Pastor, your wife, and your family. You are a JOY. Please never forget that for all of your days I'll see my little boy in the man you've become. I know you're grown, but I can't help it, don't want to, don't plan to...because I'm your Mom and don't you ever forget it...I love you son!

1,000 GIFTS, #246 to #269

2011-08-22T17:33:00.004-04:00

Although I haven't posted in several weeks, I'm always counting...the JOY ever close as I see God's grace at work all around me, and most hopefully...deep within my heart, where the needs are greatest. Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be.

246. Remembering our time in South Africa two years ago this week. That trip changed my heart forever. I kept a journal and logged it all here.
247. A precious email from my friend Teresa who has caught the JOY of counting 1,000 gifts. She is our Women's Ministry Bible Study Director and loves the Word of God.

248. A long encouraging email from Jennifer, a brand new mommy of a baby girl. Jennifer is a Christian counselor and her words matter. She is the youngest woman who serves in women's ministries at our church. She is our little gleaning Ruth, but truthfully, we learn from each other.

249. My moonflower vine is blooming. I love seeing God's handiwork and His creation blesses me so. These vines bloom at dusk, my favorite time of day.

250. A party for my mother-in-law's birthday. She has been a godly influence on my life and I'm so thankful for her. Family is everything to me and she has welcomed me and loved me for a long time. I'm forever grateful to her for raising such a wonderful son, my husband!

251. It was LOUD grace, but I counted 14 little boys under the age of 10 at Memama's birthday party. P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S.

252. There were two roses among those boys, my granddaughter Madie Ruth being one of them!

253. My dad's mucadine vines are loaded this year. He loves to garden.

254. Our Interim Pastor, Rev. Joel Southerland, has been preaching from the 4th chapter of James. He has certainly encouraged us in the Word of God. He ended our August 15th Sunday night service by asking all our staff pastors and their wives, our deacons and their wives and our pastor search team and their spouses to come down to the front of the church. We literally had an "encouragement hug-fest," and were loved on and hugged and blessed by our church family. Pure therapy from God's Word by God's people.

255. This was his message that Sunday evening:

Seven Things You Can Do Instead of Slander:

1. Edify (Ephesians 4:29)

2. Encourage (Proverbs 12:25)

3. Give Testimony (Psalm 145:10-12)

4. Give Thanks (Ephesians 5:20)

5. Praise God (Psalm 9:1-2)

6. Teach Others (Proverbs 13:14)

7. Pray (Matthew 5:44) (Romans 12:14)

256. My first born son and his wife and their son all have August birthdays. My sweet daughter-in-law planned a party for the "boys" since their numbers matched up...here's the cake:

257. My youngest son and his wife gave Zeke a "toy laptop" for his birthday. It is very nice and a great teaching toy. When we asked Zeke what he was going to do with his laptop, he said, "I'm going to use this to work on my sermons..." He's watching everything his daddy does. God's grace has blessed me with sons who are modeling godly lives for their children.

258. After record triple digit heat this summer, it was nice to have some recent rain. Last week we enjoyed two rainy evenings at home! Delight. This was my view as I drove from work, right before turning on the road to home. Summer rains are so precious.

259. My friend Jennifer, the new mommy sent me this "WAIT" acrostic last week...I love it and it is timely - I hope it will be a grace gift to you as well:

WAIT:

Withstand: the schemes of the devil and he will flee from you (Ephesians 6:11).

Anticipate: the need - go back to the last word God spoke before His silence.

Serve HIM in that manner while waiting on a new word.

Integrate: your faith into everyday life.

Trust: simply the most difficult, because it can be done only in a Spirit-filled life.

260. The gift of sight confirmed by a great report from my eye doctor this past week. He is a delight - a Messianic Jew, Dr. Eisner. We love to talk about the LORD together.
261. A great email from my friend Leah Adams requesting prayer support for some new teaching material God is calling her to concerning being "covenant keepers." She's great!

262. A quick, yet wonderful and blessed trip this past weekend to Hilton Head Island, SC. We were the guests of my son's in-laws, so Zeke and Madie had both sets of grandparents together and received a double portion of love. We had dinner in a restaurant that was near the marshes of the island. It was so peaceful there.

263. On our way to Hilton Head we stopped for the day in Savannah, GA, one of our favorite places to visit in our beautiful state...I love the live oak trees and the history of this city. I am thankful for some overdue uninterruped conversation with my sweet mate.

264. A short little video sent to me last evening by my youngest son's wife. I love my smartphone and am so thankful for the way she keeps me in the know with little snippets of Jackson's day. Grace indeed.

265. A four-mile bike ride on Hilton Head, then meandering through the ruins of an old estate from the 1800's called the Baynard Plantation.

266. An impromptu fun game with Zeke and my husband in those dappled-light woods near the ruins. Brought back memories of him playing with our boys...

267. Plans for a treehouse came forth from their play time. The grandchildren are in for fun at the farm when Pop builds the tree house!

268. To be a mom and a grandmom. Daily DOUBLE portions of Grace.

269. To be HIS daughter, ALL GRACE...

Encourage one another and build each other up,

~Jan

Three!!!

2011-08-17T06:43:00.000-04:00

"When a baby is born, so is a grandmother."

Three years ago today when this little boy, the firstborn of our firstborn, came into our family, I became Gran Jan... This blog, Gran Jan's Joy, was born out of our family's journey of faith as we waited on God. The first post I ever wrote, Waiting Room, tells part of the story. Zeke, whose name Ezekiel means "God strengthens" was a much prayed for and anticipated child. Here he is at just 15 minutes old. That is my son's hand on his little head. I should have known Zeke was going to be a character from the look of that little "peep eye." He was already checking us out, afraid he was missing some action. Oh if he only knew, he WAS the action!

I picked the name Gran Jan a long time ago, before my boys were even married. I have a special friend who is Gran Sharon, and I told her that one day I would be "Gran Jan," and so I kept that name close at heart all these years. Little did I know how special it would be. When we locked eyes on this little fellow, everything changed...I was officially Gran Jan!

This picture is very special to me. Jeremy had put on Zeke's first diaper in the baby nursery at the hospital. I looked up just in time to see my son bending over to kiss the top of his son's head. Be still my heart.

I call this picture "In Granddaddy's Arms." My husband was talking and Zeke was listening to every single word and did not take his eyes off his Pop!

These special memories resonate in my heart today as we celebrate Zeke's birthday and I celebrate my JOY in becoming Gran Jan. We have two more miracles now, Zeke's little sister, Madie Ruth, and our youngest grandson, Jackson. They are both 15 months old, and are absolutely the greatest joys of our lives. I count my blessings in threes.

Your relationship with your children changes when they become parents themselves. I remember thinking how much more I loved and respected my own mom and dad when I became a mom...the circle of life indeed. Our sons and daughters-in-law are great parents and I couldn't be more blessed and proud of them.

Happy Birthday to you Zeke, you are truly Gran Jan's JOY. Thank you for opening up a part of my heart that I had no idea existed. I feel as if I have been given a second chance on being a mom, a mom with lots more practice...a grandmom. I've read that grandmothers are mothers come into the fullness of their grace. Perhaps. I just know this...I love you three grandchildren with all my heart, and I promise as long as God gives me breath I will be there for all of you, for you are Gran Jan's JOY, and the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Three years of Zeke's life...

Three years as Gran Jan...

Three little grandchildren..

Thankful,

1,000 GIFTS, #231 to #245

2011-08-01T21:29:00.004-04:00

Today has been a wonderful Multitude Monday. It started with a sweet time in the Word this morning...

231. I'm so very grateful and thankful for my quiet time place...

232. I am on day 86 of a 90-day devotional by Beth Moore entitled "90 Days with Jesus the One & Only." I've lingered way longer than 90 days as I spent the 40 days of Lent reading a devotional recommended by my friend Joanne Heim a couple of years ago. After I finish Beth's devotional I am going to read through the book of Acts. I LOVE THE WORD OF GOD!

233. Last Tuesday our Women's Ministry hosted a "Summer Sisters Salad Supper." We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship with salads of every kind and desserts galore. Over 200 women attended and my dear friend Lanie Nash shared her journey through ovarian cancer. Women's ministry is hard work, but rewarding...I serve with the best team ever. I could NOT imagine this ministry without Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer. They serve with hearts of gold.

234. Speaking of women's ministry, I received a precious email early this morning from Leah Adams of The Point Ministries. She is a North Georgia gal and my cooking-canning buddy. Leah is coming to be the guest speaker for our Women's Ministry's 14th Annual Christmas Brunch, December 3, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Leah is a delight. She is a disciplined woman with a passion for the Word of God. She emailed to tell me that she is praying as we plan and prepare. It blessed my soul! Thank you Leah - I love you girl!

235. This little buddy spent the night last Thursday with his Pop and Gran Jan...this smile is the result of a quick trip to the Dairy Queen for ice cream. D-E-L-I-G-H-T! (Zeke...not the ice cream!)

236. Please don't think me irreverent for taking this picture at such a time...but I wanted to capture the JOY of seeing all these men kneeling in prayer at the altar before evening worship last night. We were singing "Somebody's Praying" as the men filled the altar in prayer. Oh God, raise up men to lead our homes, our churches, our land...

237. I love participating in the "SSMT" Siesta Scripture Memory Team. Today is August 1st, the day we post our verses to the LPM Blog. Here's my post from this morning:

August 1, 2011 at 7:52 am
James 3:18 (NLT)
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
238. Yesterday after church we went to the home of my youngest son and his wife to visit and take a nap as we had to be back at church early Sunday afternoon. We live out in the country and it just saves a trip home! Besides that...we get to fellowship with our youngest grandboy Jackson. D-E-L-I-G-H-T.

239. This is the fabric for another new quilt!!! I had ordered some accompanying fabric and found out it was discontinued. But just today a kind woman in Customer Service at Hancocks of Paducah, KY told me she personally went and found the exact yardage I needed for my quilt. What a blessing. I thanked her...

240. The book I ordered came in the mail last week. It is a new book that I love for two reasons. The topic - the Word of God...and the artist...one of my favorites. Karla Dornacher. Her gifts bless me.

241. I've shared from my heart about the death of my sister Jean 26 years ago. I wrote this post last year on the 25th anniversary of her death. It is the "most read" post on my blog. Just this past Saturday I got to spend time with my niece Amy, Jean's beautiful daughter. She lives in California, and is visiting home this week. Time with her is rare. There are no words to describe how much she is like her Momma. Although Amy was only 23 months old when Jean died...she is JUST LIKE HER. What a gift.

242. Tonight's supper included zucchini fresh from the garden. My sweet husband cooked and cleaned up the dishes. I love that man. He takes such good care of me.

243. My little granddaughter Madie is really talking a lot. She didn't spend the night last week, but I'm looking forward to girl-time with her. I didn't have that as a "boy mom!" I want to teach her to make biscuits...

244. And as I sit here listening to the beautiful piano music from Ann Voskamp's blog I was thinking about the wonderfully gifted pianist at our church. He is actually the Instrumental Worship Pastor. His name is Rev. Dawson Hull and he is a gifted musician. Just yesterday I was blessed by his gifts. As our interim pastor Joel Southerland was sharing during the invitation about "being a Friend of God," Dawson played an impromptu gentle medley that included "What A Friend We Have in Jesus." His sweet wife Taneea is also a gifted musician. Their spirits are a blessing to our church family. We are thankful for them.

It's time to hit "publish post" and get ready for bed...and read...and continue to count these gifts to 1,000. My heart is full tonight...another gift.

245. A quiet heart...a contented heart.

Quietness

2011-07-30T20:45:00.003-04:00

Quietness. Yes! Even with my sanguine and outgoing personality, I love solitude and quietness. I actually crave it. Quietness...some definitions I love:

making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound
restrained in speech, manner, saying little
free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful, a quiet life
being at rest
refraining or free from activity, especially busy activity
making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable
free from disturbing thoughts & emotions, mentally peaceful, a quiet conscience
expressed in an unobtrusive way
not showy or obtrusive; subdued
not busy or active

The past few months have been a lesson for me in the discipline of quietness. I read a tweet recently by James MacDonald of Walk in the Word Ministries. It simply said:

"Finding out all the facts in every fiasco you face is overrated -

consider the discipline of not knowing - it will help you give grace later on."

I wasn't "facing a fiasco" as mentioned in the tweet, but had been through a season in life that was difficult and quite frankly, was draining me in body, soul, and spirit. As I sought solitude God began to speak to me through His Word, drawing me to quietness, to "not knowing everything going on." This "not knowing" brought peace. Here are some passages that really encouraged my heart:

Exodus 14:14

"The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

Job 34:29

When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble

Psalm 4:4

"Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still"

Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips

Isaiah 30:15

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

Isaiah 32:17

"The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness,

quietness and assurance forever."

1 Thessalonians 4:11

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life,

to mind your own business and work with your hands

If you are going through a rough time, step back, get quiet, and be still before the Lord. The wonderful passage in Psalm 46:10 about "being still" means cease striving...take your hands off, relax. I promise you this, you will find out and know - HE IS GOD. He has everything well under control - yes, HE IS GOD.

Get some rest, seek quietness. I know you young moms and busy wives have precious little solitude, but try to carve out some time in the day, even if only a few moments...to just close your eyes and meditate on the goodness of the Lord. Be Still. R-E-S-T in Him.

~Georgia Jan

1,000 GIFTS, #216 to #230

2011-07-25T20:16:00.003-04:00

Although I've never met Ann Voskamp, her heart for Jesus shines through cyberspace - her blog, her books, her tweets...and she blesses me. This discipline or holy habit or awareness, or whatever you name it...this way of counting grace gifts to one-thousand is a wonder! The consciousness of intentionally seeing God at work all around is uplifting. Some of the gifts are divine and spiritual, some are tangible "things," some are His glorious creation seen around the farm, some are just in my heart, but ALL are from His Hand, Grace.

216. Singing "I Bless Your Name" at church with our praise team. I love singing with Melissa, Meredith, Tammy, Megan, Gary, Lou, and Gary R. God is knitting our hearts together more each time we sing.

217. A heart that is healing, sweet victory, answered prayers, awareness of true friends, health, peace of mind - these have been mine in abundance the past few weeks. I am so thankful.

218. Our long-time pastor, Rev. Rastus Salter always talked about how good the "late peaches" are, the Elberta peaches. He was right - they are the best. He passed away in 2005 and is certainly enjoying the fruit of his labors. In the presence of Jesus!

219. An impromptu pizza party with my husband, our boys, their wives and our 3 grandchildren. Sometimes unplanned is more fun. Just "y'all come," and let's get together. And when it ends up that Zeke spends the night, well that is just icing on that sweet cake!

220. Could she be any cuter? This is sweet Miss Madie with her first pigtails. She is talking up a storm and holding her own with big brother Zeke. She and cousin Jackson are precious to watch together.

221. Front porch rocking chairs, hummingbirds zooming by, and long talks with my sweet husband. We always say to each other, "it just doesn't get any better." I pray we will be blessed to grow old together (Gran Jan & Pop pillows were made by our daughter-in-law Erin!) I love that man. I love to hear people speak of his integrity... and I've heard that spoken often these past months, and it blesses me every time!

222. Fig preserves. Delightfully Southern. One of my Dad's sisters (he had eight) taught me how to make them. Aunt Jimmie Lou. Even her double name is delightfully Southern! There is nothing better on a hot buttered biscuit than fig preserves.

223. My moonflower vine has blooms. I can't wait to share the first flowers with you. One of my favorite authors, Jan Karon, has a book entitled The Trellis and the Seed that is about encouragement...using these wonderful flowers. I grow them from seed each spring and give away all but a few plants to enjoy for myself.

224. I finished the quilt top from the beautiful jelly roll* of batik fabrics. I can't wait to quilt it. *By the way, a "jelly roll" is an entire fabric collection that has been laser cut into 2 and 1/2" strips, then rolled up like a bakery confection and tied with a bow. Each pack contains one 44" long strip of each fabric in the group. I LOVE THEM! The possibilities are endless.

225. Which leads to this...the next quilts I'm planning! I bought a lot of John Deere fabric to make quilts for the boys - the big boys and the little boys!

226. New life on the farm just today - this Monday. A new calf, and three new lambs - one a set of twins...this wee one is but hours old.

227. Twins - the momma is black and white like this baby. These are just a few hours old...

228. Hearing the reports from the mission teams that went to Brazil and to Ukraine from my church. Seeing people I know and love light up and come alive when others are won to Christ - of seeing them "love to tell the story."

229. A letter from my Compassion child, a daughter in Uganda. We wept. I am so thankful to partner with Compassion International to sponsor a boy in Colombia, and a girl in Uganda. I so love this ministry.

230. My magnolias are blooming again. I have two trees - they were given to me by the women of our church at the Women's Ministry Christmas Brunch, 2007. I love that!

Blessings to you on this summer Monday,

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

2011-07-16T21:21:00.001-04:00

This song "Blessings" has absolutely blessed my SOUL all day today. I first heard it recently, but not enough of the lyrics to find the songwriter...until today. My best friend Lanie and I spent the day together shopping and enjoying coffee and sweet fellowship. Lanie is an ovarian cancer survivor for over a year now. The song came on the radio today in her car and I said, "that's the song I've been looking for." She told me how it had ministered to her in her deepest moments of need the past year and a half. I pray it ministers to you too. This young woman is gifted and you can tell she writes from a deep place. She is also the writer of "Mighty to Save." Her name is Laura Story and her "story" is full of God's grace.

'Blessings' - it's one of those songs that unexpectedly touches listeners in their deepest need,"

says Wally Dekker from WBFJ-FM in Greensboro. "Laura Story's simple delivery of such a

poignant message provides instant connection. If you want a song that elicits response,

please consider. If you want a song that will touch hearts for eternity, it's a must add."

1,000 GIFTS, #207 to #215

2011-07-11T22:08:00.002-04:00

I have had one of the absolute BEST weeks in a long time! It has been very peaceful and quiet - and this wafted over to the same PURE Joy in my spirit - all from Jesus. This JOY will be reflected in my list of counting grace gifts to 1,000:

207. Nowhere to go last week...off work...reconnecting with all things H-O-M-E...stillness.

208. Celebrating my re-birthday this week, the day I became a born again believer in Jesus Christ, on 7-7-85. I'm 26 years old in the LORD, and I wrote my story here.

209. Lots of garden time last week and the daily delights of fresh tomatoes.

210. A "sew-in" with my friend Lanie. I had a pattern for a "sewing mate," and we made them together. So peaceful and fun, more JOY. This creation holds all your sewing notions close at hand. The bag on the far right is a little trash container for threads, etc.

211. My son is fishing in Canada this past weekend, and he is so proud of this Walleye, the biggest catch at the Lodge this summer. He is a JOY to my heart.

212. On my backroad drive to go to my friend's for our sew-in, I saw this hay bale. I loved it and was reminded to pray for my friend Beth Moore as she wraps up her study on the book of James. The other side of the bale said "James 5:16."

213. Plans are being made for a baby shower in a few weeks, and I'm one of the hostesses. The baby girl we are celebrating will be born into a family of strong women of faith and she will mark the Fourth Generation! I sure love y'all - Mrs. Mary (great-grandmother), Pat (grandmom), Pam (great Aunt), Jennifer (mom-to-be), Lindsey (aunt), Allison (aunt), Stephanie (aunt), and little miss Taylor Kate (baby girl due in August). The joy of long-time friends from serving in one church for over 23 years...PRICELESS!

214. My mom and I spent most of Saturday morning painting our front gates...the fellowship was so good and I really did enjoy spending that time with her.

214. The reference of Habakkuk 3:17-19 has come to me from many sources the past month. Again this morning while listening to David Jeremiah and his new series entitled "The Joy of Encouragement." He did.

215. My daughter-in-law Erin saw this bookrack in a magazine and that smart girl duplicated it! Her Dad made the rack and I sewed the fabric that made the "shelves." Jackson loves it - he loves books. So did his daddy.

Counting my blessings, naming them one by one - all the way to one thousand!

1,000 GIFTS, #190 to #206

2011-07-04T15:20:00.005-04:00

It has been a month since I shared the wonderful story of Caitlyn's conversion. She was baptized a couple of weeks ago and is aglow in her new walk with Christ. We still rejoice in being in the right place to water the seeds others faithfully planted. I am continuing to count His gifts with JOY and Ann Voskamp. This counting discipline has affirmed more and more the value of simple things in my life. This simplicity keeps me centered and brings me the most JOY. I don't take them for granted - I am very thankful. It has also reassured me of the purpose of blogging - my way of documenting my simple life - my family, our home, our ministry - all grace gifts and His blessings.

190. Celebrating 34 years of marriage 6/11/77 to 6/11/11! Blessed and spoiled. I love you so much Gary and thank God for bringing us together - high school sweethearts.

191. A blessed productive afternoon spent with two outstanding women's ministry leaders. Cindy, Teresa, and I inventoried our entire Bible study library and put together a spreadsheet. We are ready and geared up to serve the women of our church. God sure blessed me by sending these women to serve alongside. I love them both so much.

192. Attending the wedding of Jordan and Kristin and knowing them both since they were wee ones - that is so special.

193. A sweet little helper in the garden...this is my grandson Jackson.

194. Being released from the ortho doctor after 5 months - I had torn the PCL in my right knee and it is healing beautifully with physical therapy alone. Thank you LORD.

195. Another quilt class called "Take 5." Five fabrics used in every block. This is the class I took where I made the quilt for Beth Moore. I received a sweet thank-you note from her day before yesterday. God has used her so much in my life, and I know He is rewarding her in ways that will matter for eternity.

196. Father's Day dinner with ALL my menfolk around the table (the two below in matching shirts for Father's Day): Husband Gary, sons Jeremy & Jonathan, Dad Tom, and grandsons-Zeke & Jackson. Blessed indeed. (Thankful for the women around that table too...)

197. A churchwide picnic with fantastic food, fellowship, fanfare (music), fireworks and FUN. I went by and picked up my grandson Zeke and we had a blast. He was mesmerized with the orchestra. I adore this picture:

198. An antique biscuit cutter that has scalloped edges...and my grandmother's biscuit recipe (in the post right before this one).

199. Blueberry bounty and a little granddaughter who loves them.

200. Another new quilt started with a jellyroll of fabric. A jellyroll is pre-cut strips and these are especially beautiful.

201. It is coming together nicely:

202. My backyard garden, a happy place for me to be (if I'm not in the sewing room). :)

203. I have had the blessing to keep my two older grandchildren for 5 whole days (and nights). My daughter-in-law is away visiting her sister & brother-in-law who serve as missionaries. My son is also staying with us and he has been a wonderful help. It has been good to see him be a daddy up close. I worked so hard to get a picture of them...

204. My youngest grandson and his first trip to the ocean. Delight...

205. Blackberry bounty. My dad's vines. We have had good family time picking these blackberries. Simple things yet again.

206. On this Fourth of July, I'm so thankful and yes, proud - to be an American and live in the greatest country on Earth. Even with all the flaws, I'd still rather live here than anywhere I know. Send a revival to our land dear LORD.

As I wrap up this list, you can see there is nothing as glorious as the salvation of Caitlyn last month, but these are grace gifts all the same. Family time on the farm surrounded by good food and sweet fellowship...and yes at times some tempers and tired folks, but still all GRACE. And I'm so grateful.

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

2011-07-02T15:13:00.002-04:00

We are having a great Saturday here around the farm. It started this morning with a big Southern breakfast at the request of my oldest son. (Big Southern breakfast to us includes: grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade bisuits and preserves, and sliced cantaloupe!) I made homemade biscuits this morning, and I wanted to share my recipe. I have the ingredients down to measured amounts - which is unusual for most Southern women and their "pinch here and there" while making biscuits!

Gran Jan's Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
(This makes about 10-12 medium sized biscuits.)
2 1/2 cups of White Lily self-rising flour
1/2 cup of Crisco shortening
1 cup of buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Lightly grease a baking sheet or pan with some Crisco.
I use this cast-iron pan for baking biscuits and absolutely love it!
Mix flour and shortening together until the mixture resembles crumbs.
Next, pour in buttermilk and mix well. (I hold the bowl with my left hand and use my right hand to mix everything together - but you can use a large fork to mix if you prefer.)
Now wash and dry your hands well and then "dust" your hands with more flour.
Pinch off some of the dough and roll it in your floured palms. Don't handle the dough too much - my Grandmother always told me the biscuits would be lighter and fluffier if you don't handle the dough too long. Just a quick knead is all you need!
Place the biscuits on the pan so they touch each other - this makes them softer.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Brush with melted butter and serve.

Today I felt a little whimsical fancy :) and decided to roll the dough out so I could use one of my antique biscuit cutters. I bought the biscuit cutters at an antique market in Atlanta several years ago. I used the scalloped edge biscuit cutter today. I have a large one and a small one. (The three small biscuits were for the grandchildren.) If you roll the dough out instead of just forming the biscuits with your hands, be sure to flour the surface of the counter first.

After breakast my husband, son, and grandson all decided to take a swim in the pond. They had the most wonderful time and swam for almost 2 hours...which means they had hearty appetites for lunch! These hearty appetites led to another Southern delicacy...Tomato Sandwiches!!!

I am very thankful for the garden bounty we've had this summer. I love to garden for the pure joy it brings me, but the side benefit of the delicious produce is wonderful this time of year.

My youngest son and his wife and son joined us for lunch today and we had a wonderful time around the table. The grandchildren are at the age now where they can play together a bit more. Zeke will be 3 next month and Madie Ruth and Jackson are both almost 14 months old. Good times indeed. I am counting my blessings this Saturday, and family time is right up there at the top of my list!!!

Happy Biscuit Baking!

A Birthday Quilt for Beth

2011-06-19T20:30:00.003-04:00

I wanted to do something very special this year for Beth Moore's birthday. God has used Beth to teach, encourage, and equip me as a pastor's wife, as a mom, and as a woman for the past 13 years... I could never repay her or thank her, but I wanted to try. A few months ago my bff Lanie and I attended a beginning quilting class together. We had a blast! I did not win any "best of class" awards, but I discovered that I really loved quilting. So I decided to make a quilt for Beth for her birthday. It is flawed just like me, but I somehow knew that Beth wouldn't mind my mistakes. She's the real deal.

Here I am in class at the quilt shop (the shop is called A Scarlet Thread and is owned by Christians). Beth's quilt pattern is called "Take 5" because there are 5 coordinating fabrics and each fabric is in the block in five varying positions throughout the quilt. I think that's what the instructor said...remember, I am a beginner.

Here are the five different fabrics in the quilt. I sent an email to Nancy Mattingly (I met her at the So Long Insecurity Conference and LOVED her) at Living Proof Ministries to ask her what colors Beth liked...and she said "pink." So I bought fabric that had lots of pink! The material is called "In the Garden." (Now there's a subject I know and love, gardening!) But I did have a blast learning to quilt. It's just hard for me to be still that long.

My sweet husband set up tables for me in our living room so I could lay the quilt out to baste and get ready to quilt...there is a label on the back with a note from me for Beth!

It wishes sweet Beth a Happy Birthday and reminds her that she is "covered in His love."

Here is the Birthday Girl and her beautiful office manager Sabrina Moore, holding up the quilt. Beth was sweet enough to let me know that she had received her quilt. (In fact both Sabrina & Evangeline at LPM went out of the way to let me know the quilt had arrived. Beth's staff serve with hearts of gold!) I hope that every time she snuggles for a nap or takes some Sabbath rest, Beth will feel just how much I love her! God has used her ministry to bless me, and I have attempted to bless other women as I serve in women's ministry at my church out of the overflow of His grace in my life.

I am so thankful that we are all covered in His love! Happy Birthday Bethie! :)
Jan

With God As Our Partner

2011-06-11T10:28:00.001-04:00

It takes a groom, it takes a bride,

two people standing side by side.

It takes a ring and vows that say,

"this is our happy wedding day."

But marriage vows are sanctified

and loving hearts are unified

when standing with the bride and groom,

unseen by others in the room

the Spirt of the LORD is there

to bless this happy bridal pair.

For God is love and married life

is richer for both man and wife

when God becomes a partner too

in everything we say and do.

And every home is specially blessed

when God is made our daily guest.

For married folks who pray together are

happy folks who stay together.

For when God's love becomes a part

of body, mind, and soul and heart,

our love becomes a wondrous blending

that is both eternal and unending.

And God looks down and says, "well done"

for now we two are truly one!

(by Helen Steiner Rice)

Gary Timothy Morton wed Pamela Jan Maloy

June 11, 1977

Highland Park Baptist Church
Conyers, Georgia

34 years ago today!

1,000 GIFTS, #189

2011-06-07T00:03:00.006-04:00

My life has been blessed with many gifts this week. (One in particular is going to need a blog post all its own. I'm processing it slowly because it has happened that way...slowly over the past few months as God has been gently healing my heart and teaching me some truths by the power of His Word.) But on this late night Multitude Monday, I want to dedicate this post to only ONE GIFT from the past week. It needs to stand alone. A GIFT SO WONDERFUL THAT IT WILL CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER.

My husband and I have taught a class at our church for many years now. It is a Bible study/Sunday School class for prospective church members, a covenant membership class called "Second Life." Many people come and go through the class. But this past Sunday was absolutely wonderful...

#189. Yesterday morning a young girl about 20 years old arrived early before anyone else. I was talking to some friends and as they were leaving, she asked us, "is this where the class meets for people interested in this church?" We welcomed her and told her she was in exactly the right place and then I had her sign in and gave her the book we use for the four-week class.

A few minutes later my husband came in and we started chatting with Caitlyn. She had been coming to church as a guest of another young woman for about 2 months, and was playing church softball. As Gary began teaching the content of "Week 1" which includes doctrinal teaching and the truths of salvation, I noticed how Caitlyn was listening so intently. She then began talking and told us about the girls on the softball team sharing their "stories and their moments," (testimonies) and then she simply said the most beautiful thing...

"That's what I want, I want my own moment

with Jesus, I want a story too."

That statement opened the door and became the most natural and wonderful opportunity to share with this young woman the timeless truths of God's plan of salvation. It was obvious that someone has been planting and watering the seeds and that Gary and I were just blessed to be there for the ripe harvest. We shared from God's Word with her - we talked about salvation and God's plan. We talked about sin and separation from God. She understood - she was ready to get it settled down and taken care of right then. So she prayed and asked Christ to be her Lord & Savior.

My gift of seeing Caitlyn receive THE GREATEST GRACE GIFT of all was so wonderful, so marvelous. To be there with my husband as he ministered the Word to her was a blessing to my heart. I'm so thankful to serve a church where God's Word is taught and believers are strengthened and trained and non believers learn the basic truths of the Bible as they seek a church to call home.

I know that her friends had been praying for her for a long time and using the avenue of church softball to reach her. It was absolutely God-ordained for us to be in the right place at just the right time to put into practice I Peter 3:15 - always be ready with an answer!

I Corinthians 3:7

So then neither the one who plants nor

the one who waters is anything,

but God who causes the growth.

Thank you for taking the time to read this...my blessing to witness this young woman receive the gift of eternal life...I count it ALL GRACE!

In His Name,

Mrs. Jan

1,000 GIFTS, #171 to #188

2011-05-30T22:18:00.004-04:00

Multitude Monday ~ May 30th, Memorial Day - Counting Gifts to 1,000

171. A bouquet of hydrangeas cut from my garden for a friend.

172. Fresh blueberries in my yogurt...from my garden...picked by my husband. Sweetness.

173. Some good conversation with my mother, in the car, uninterrupted.

174. A new sewing machine - makes quilting a dream. Speaking of quilts...

175. My quilt - almost finished except for the binding.

176. A series of messages by our Interim Pastor on family living - so refreshingly practical, biblical, expository preaching at its best. Thank you Rev. Joel Southerland!

177. Pecans toasting in the oven. I sent a box to Paige Greene for her birthday. Buttery, salty goodness!

178. A great time in the Word of God. Habakukk 3:17-19. Within the span of a few minutes, this passage came to me from two entirely different sources, I sat up and paid attention!

179. My son Jeremy, grandson Zeke, and husband Gary picked these blackberries on our farm and I made a blackberry cobbler for Memorial Day dessert today.

180. Celebrating my youngest grandchild's birthday this past week. Jackson is the son of my youngest son and daughter-in-law. Here he is getting some birthday love from Daddy & Mommy!

181. A nest of Brown Thrasher eggs in the tea olive bush by my back door. This is the official state bird of Georgia. :)

182. My oldest son and his wife celebrated 7 years of marriage on May 22. They are a blessing to my heart. He is a pastor and they have two wonderful children who bring Gran Jan's Joy to life!

183. Our pond at dusk. My favorite time of day.

184. My husband and his associate, Rev. Dawson Hull both wore bowties to church yesterday...Gary in honor of an Air Force Colonel who gave him the tie. (Dawson wears them all the time.) Everyone had a lot of fun with the "Bowtie Brothers."

185. Our women's ministry team wanted to set up a Facebook page, so we did. (It is going to be a great communication tool, already has been.) This required me to get back on Facebook after a 6 month break away. I learned a lot during my time away, especially that just like everything, balance is the key. Priorities - Jesus first.

186. It is daylily season here in Georgia and I love to check my garden every morning to see what's blooming. Some beauties are - that's for sure.

187. Today would have been the 87th birthday of our pastor of many, many years - Rev. Rastus Salter. We esteemed him greatly. He was a great man of God. He served our church for almost 50 years. What a heritage of faith. Gary and I had the honor to serve with him for almost 20 years.

188. Lastly I would like to share a picture I took early this morning here at the Farm. My Dad is a retired Marine and Vietnam War Veteran. He proudly maintains these flags and they fly every day. I am so thankful to have been raised in a military family and we live in a military town today. I thank God for all the women and men who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to our great country. God Shed His Grace on Thee.

Much love to all!

God Bless America.

1,000 GIFTS, #153 to #170

2011-05-16T21:07:00.006-04:00

As I come to yet another Multitude Monday, my heart is overflowing with His goodness as I continue to count blessings, grace gifts. Including pictures makes this more than a simple list, but I pray you'll indulge me. As you know, "a picture is worth a thousand words..." I'm working to one thousand gifts...so one thousand words in pictures sounds joyful too.

153. My dearest friend is named Lanie. We were talking in the car on the way to our quilt class last week and she quoted a line from her Mother's Day card from her husband...it sounded familiar. Can you say like-minded friends and husbands? Our husbands gave us the exact same Mother's Day Cards! What a gift to have life-long friends.

154. Lunch at Longhorns with a like-minded same-season-sister, Patsy. We have so much in common. She raised 3 sons, I raised two. One of her boys is married, both of mine are. We love the Word, we love our church, we love each other. It was such a sweet time and it was her treat...making it all the sweeter!

155. A wonderful meeting in my home with my church's Women's Ministry Leadership Team. We accomplished so much, and enjoyed some delicious chicken salad too. I made a homemade peach cobbler. Here is my recipe! Complete with pictures. :)

156. Zeke spent the night with me Friday and we had so much fun. He is getting older and it is getting funner (great word). We picked blueberries and worked in the garden.

157. And of course blueberries on Saturday morning call for blueberry waffles:

158. I just love this picture and had to share these sweet little hands with 4 blueberries.

159. The Instrumental worship pastor from my church, Rev. Dawson Hull attended a conference and my friend, Rev. Travis Cottrell was there leading in some of the sessions. I got this picture on my cell phone with a "Travis says hi" message and it made my day!

160. This is a "Blushing Bride Hydrangea" from the Endless Summer Collection. I planted it the spring my youngest son Jonathan married his blushing bride, Erin on 06-07-08! It blooms a pale white/pink, then turns into a very pale blue. I love it!

161. This is the son of Jonathan & Erin, sweet baby Jackson. He knows so many words and understands just about everything they ask him to do...he will toddle off and do whatever it is they say or do...here he is "loving Curious George." Sweet! He has a first birthday coming up one week from tomorrow.

162. This past Friday my friend and co-worker Sharon and I attended the funeral for the brother of our mutual friend and co-worker, Brenda. It was one of the most inspirational funerals I have ever attended. Three preachers and a quartet! It was a celebration homegoing and the quartet sang a song called "If You Knew Him," by The Perry's that is absolutely wonderful!

163. The drive to the funeral was all backroads country and it was good for the soul. We came upon this old covered bridge. It is in Upson County, GA and is called Auchumpkee Creek Bridge and of course is tied to the time when the Creek Indians lived in this part of Georgia. I could have stayed there all day. Had a great time tweeting about it with my siestas!

164. This is the first daylily of 2011 from my garden. Daylilies are my favorite perennial.

165. All the songs we sang yesterday in our morning worship were about God's holiness. "Holy Holy Holy," then a beautiful duet by Julie and Megan entitled "No Word But Holy," and then "Lord, You're Holy." The Spirit was strong and the LORD added to His church.

166. Big families! Our church hosts a monthly "visitors luncheon" where new and prospective members meet and have lunch with the pastors and their families. Three of the families there yesterday had lots of children! I mean lots! Two of them had 5 children each, and the other had six children! Hope for the future of Christian families.

167. Our church nominated a great group of folks last night to serve as our Pastor Search Team. As God calls them to your memory, will you just pray for His will to be done? We are searching for a Senior Pastor to come shepherd us, love us, and lead us. Exciting times ahead for our family of faith!

168. This is sweet baby Madie Ruth, my granddaughter, in as her momma calls it, "her girliest outfit yet." There's more to come baby girl and we can't wait!

169. Lastly...as I sign off tonight, I just want to say it is going to be 49 degrees tonight and I am loving this gift of cooler weather.

170. One more lastly, I planted green beans, squash and cucumbers in my garden this past weekend. I harvested red potatoes and onions to make room for the above veggies. The tomatoes have been planted for about 3 weeks and are growing so well with the help of my farmhand, Zeke. He was watering them for Gran Jan!

It's been a very good week and I thank you for sharing this journey of counting His gifts with me. Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be...

1,000 GIFTS, #130 to #152

2011-05-09T22:44:00.004-04:00

I have not posted on "Multitude Mondays" in a multitude of Mondays, but I'm back and thankful to be here. Life is good but life is busy. I promise I've been counting all along the way...and really can affirm that this counting grace gifts has become a habit. A good habit. A way to bring perspective to my day, even to my "situation." Blessed.

130. I had a great checkup from my new young doctor, "Dr. Young." I told him I wanted a young doc to get me to my senior years and his name was a plus! :)

131. Celebrating my youngest sister's birthday April 8th. Peggy Jo was born on Good Friday back in 1966 when I was 8 years old...she's a sweetheart.

132. Having all the pastors and their wives over to our home for a meal and sweet fellowship a couple of weekends ago...priceless, theraputic, and just plain FUN!

133. Celebrating my Dad's 77th birthday on April 29th. "Captain Tom" is a Vietnam War Veteran, a retired Career Marine and one of the finest men I know. I love you Dad.

134. Surprising my sweet Mother-in-law with a visit! She was so excited and apologized for not having her "face fixed." (Meaning no makeup...she is 88 years old - I love that!)

135. I have finished my quilt top! My bff Lanie and I are taking a quilting class on Tuesday evenings. We have so enjoyed our class, but the fellowship in the car during our commute to and from the quilt shop is an added bonus (we drive for over an hour to our class site). There's nothing like good conversation with a trusted friend. We always get Starbucks on the way home!

136. On Easter Sunday our choir did the most beautiful music and at the end of the song, a HUGE banner was unfurled...it simply said JESUS. I got to "pull the cord" to unfurl it from the choirloft...it was WAY overhead...very high. I have never been so excited in my life as I anticipated letting it go at just the right time...and I am thankful to say it was right on time!

137. Purple Martin birds coming to live in the big birdhouses we have up for them! They are migratory and they found us! :)
138. Speaking of birds...the hummingbirds are back...I so love them!

139. A great harvest of snow peas from my garden - delicious.

140. Beautiful tomato plants in the garden now...pictures soon!

141. This visitor on my patio the night before Easter...I am serious.

142. This is my youngest grandson, Jackson. He loves being outside and this picture has brought me a multitude of smiles...that is his momma, my sweet daughter-in-law Erin holding the hose for him.

143. A letter from my Compassion son, Iduar. He was thanking me for his birthday money. He bought tennis shoes. Remember the perspective I told you that this counting grace gifts brings? A little boy that lives in Colombia bought tennis shoes and he was so grateful. Speak LORD.

144. Coffee on the front porch with my grandson Zeke. It was a cool morning and we had our "blankies" and our coffee. I love when he spends the night with me and Pop!

145. Beautiful roses in my garden. My favorite of all is "Mr. Lincoln." Smells divine.

146. The joy of praying for my dear friend in the fellowship of pastor's wives, Lisa McKay, who weathered a tornado in the crawl space of her new home with her husband and four children. They are well and are ministering to their community in northeast Alabama. Go here to keep up with her. She is a treasure.

147. The joy of babysitting my little grandgirl recently, Miss Madie Ruth. She will be ONE YEAR OLD tomorrow and we had her birthday party this past Friday evening with a big family BBQ planned by my son and his wife...her parents. The weather was perfect and it was so much fun to be together to celebrate her life!

148. Rocks! Yes, rocks! Rocks to line my flowerbeds. Nice big beautiful rocks from "the Stone Mart" in town. They are beautiful and I plan to do a post soon about my garden because it is a work in progress and it is my happy place.

149. My husband and I took Dr. Robert Smith of Beeson Divinity School (Birmingham, AL - Samford University) and his wife Dr. Wanda Smith out to lunch last Sunday. It was pure JOY to sit with them and receive the wisdom they spoke into our lives. We are on "this side" of a rough season in ministry, but God is faithfully teaching us, and we are receiving all He has for us.

150. We have blueberries on our farm and the earliest varieties are bearing now. They are HUGE (that is a quarter next to the blueberry I picked this evening). I had the best time teaching Zeke which ones to pick! He kept saying, "don't pick the green ones Gran Jan...they will hurt your belly." :)

151. Celebrating Mother's Day this past weekend with my boys and sweet daughters-in-law and grandblessings and then having my Mom and sister and her family for Sunday dinner yesterday. Besides knowing JESUS, being a Mom & Gran Jan has brought me more JOY than anything I've ever done!

152. The joy of singing a solo in church yesterday with the most wonderful choir in the universe! The song is "Saving Grace." The second verse always *blesses* me so:

In this life before me, there are trials I must face.

But God has given all I need to finish out this race.

So when the earth's foundations crumble,

there is refuge in His Hand,

and I will rest in this assurance,

that by His grace alone I'll stand...

Yes indeed, by His grace alone I'll stand!

For ALL is GRACE - to Him alone be ALL glory!

ALABAMA TORNADO RELIEF EFFORT - FROM LISA McKAY

2011-04-29T17:45:00.008-04:00

It is such an honor to post concerning the Alabama Tornado Relief Effort on behalf of my dear friend in the Sisterhood of PW’s (preacher’s wives), Mrs. Lisa McKay. I talked to her for a long time this morning, and cannot tell you how the chills ran up and down my spine as she shared. In fact, when I saw her name on my cell phone as a call coming in, my heart began to race. She has not been far from my thoughts or prayers the past 3 days.

First and foremost she wants everyone to know that she and her husband, Rev. Luke McKay and their four children are safe. Their home is uninhabitable at the present, but it can be fixed and will be! They had much devastation up and down their road. Lisa was so thankful and yet grieved, in that place where joy and sorrow meet. Thankful for her own family being spared, and grieved to tears at the pain of others. In the words of Lisa, “It is like God reached down His Hand and cupped His palm over my home as the tornado jumped and skipped all around…” More chills. More tears. More praise.

She and Luke and the kids were in the crawl space of their home and she said she was praying and crying out to God Psalm 57:1 over and over…

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.

She said she was praying, “Lord either take all of us or none of us, don’t leave part of us…” Can you even imagine? The children were telling each other they loved each other. For those of us who have or have raised squabbling siblings – that in itself will make you cry. Let’s all commit to pray that the terror of this will be erased from their memories by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lisa also said that yes – a tornado sounds like a train and she cannot even describe the terror and feeling of doom as they were huddled together waiting…waiting…waiting. And to hear the sound of your man crying out as well…

They had neighbors that were killed (pray as members of the Otts family grieve) and another neighbor where the concrete slab foundation of their home was literally “wiped from the face of the earth,” only 200 yards away.

And now, at Lisa’s request – the purpose of this post is to let you all know that another local church in the area, Chestnut Grove Baptist is the “HUB” of all collections, donations, etc. for the relief effort in their community. They have a fund set up that is ongoing for benevolence called “Chestnut Grove Needy Child Fund” where the tornado efforts will be pooled. This is the address of the bank where the funds may be sent:

Citizens Bank
Attn: Chestnut Grove Needy Child Fund
PO Box 147
Valley Head, AL 35989

The donations are tax deductible and receipts/thank you's will be mailed!

Following are pictures that Lisa sent me…with her text beneath the pictures:

More of our road I'm just now seeing.

This is the landscape for miles.

Behind the house. My backyard used to be a dense pine thicket.

The trees miraculously began falling horizontal to the house

where we were hiding underneath.

We were in this crawlspace...

Front of the house. All trees blowing directly perpendicular to it.

I love you Lisa, and we are praying for you. And you know there's a guestroom here at the farm with YOUR name on it!

Your friend,
Jan

1,000 GIFTS, #111 to #129

2011-04-04T22:39:00.004-04:00

Continuing to count His gifts, all is grace...

111. Spring Break, a week away from work...what a gift.

112. A birthday lunch with my Mom and sisters - sweet times for sure.

113. Dinner with good friends in a quaint restaurant that was featured in Southern Living Magazine. Yesterday Cafe is known for buttermilk pie. (But my mother-in-law's buttermilk pie is better!)

114. Spending time with my daughter-in-law Erin one afternoon during spring break. She and Carrie are both such good little mommas, it blesses me so. Long answered prayers.

115. Help planting my moonflower seeds...Gran Jan's JOY!

116. New porch swing with a special spring that makes it bouncy and fun!

117. Extra time to read, one of my favorite things.

118. Signing up to take a machine quilting class with my bff Lanie! Can't wait! First class is Tuesday...

119. Attending two bridal showers back to back on Saturday and the JOY of knowing the bride of one and the groom of the other for most of their lives (the blessing of serving in one church for almost 23 years).

120. A long long visit with my mother-in-law and the chance to serve her by helping her buy groceries and then putting them away for her. She needs assistance with a walker now, so getting around takes lots of effort. It was good for me to s-l-o-w down...

121. New ferns on the front porch - a sure sign of spring for my gardening delights!

122. A crop duster flying low over the farm and bringing great JOY to Zeke (and Gran Jan and Pop too). A beautiful day full of God's blessings. (Pop & Zeke are in the picture below.)

123. A word from my son that brought about some deep personal reflection. A good thing. I love my two boys very much. Sometimes I forget they still need their mom even though they are grown MEN. It's a different season...this empty nest.

124. The first grass cutting of the season - I love the smell of a freshly mown lawn.

125. Cherry blossoms...I love Spring in the South.

126. The delight of texting back and forth one afternoon about the JOY of old hymns with my friend Beth, and we especially lingered long over "How Firm a Foundation." We had church across the miles. We are "same season sisters."

127. Avocados on my salad...love them.

128. Balancing my checkbook...quickly...the first time.

129. Being awakened by my little grandson very early one morning last week...and when I opened my eyes...we were eye-to-eye. Sweet.

Thank you for sharing in Gran Jan's JOY!

BOOK GIVE-AWAY OPPORTUNITY

2011-03-30T19:58:00.000-04:00

One of my very favorite artist/authors is having a give-away on her blog, and I wanted to be sure you all knew about the chance to enter!

Go here to read all about it. Her name is Karla Dornacher and I have a "link" to her in my blog sidebar as well. Her art is whimsical and fun and she loves the Lord. The book below is one of my favorites...

Her writing speaks to me of the simple joys of life, and always always blesses.

Check it out, okay?

For Grandmothers & Grandmothers Yet-to-Be

2011-03-24T19:25:00.021-04:00

For all Grandmothers, whatever your name...

"Grammy, Mimi, Gramma, Gran, Nana, Grandma, Mamu, Granny, Mimmie, Mawmaw, Grandmother, Big Mama, Nanny, Memama, Gigi, and of course, my sweet friend Bibby!"

I began this blog almost 3 years ago anticipating the JOY of becoming a first-time grandmother; hence, Gran Jan's JOY. My very first post was entitled "The Waiting Room" as I journaled about this new season in my life. I came across these "grandmother" quotes recently and wanted to share them. (I apologize if perchance you are the author, please reply and I will give due credit.)

I suspect many of you young women probably never think much about becoming grandmothers. I honestly didn't when I was your age. However, I can surely testify to you first-hand that aside from the precious love of Jesus Christ...it is the most wonderfully sweet and delightful pure love, and I am smitten with these three grandbabies of mine:

JACKSON, ZEKE, MADIE RUTH

Here are the "Grandma Quotes:"

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting...

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,

and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure.

JACKSON

Grandmothers are just antique little girls.

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.
GRAN JAN HOLDS EZEKIEL "Zeke" FOR THE FIRST TIME

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the children instead
of the television...on purpose.

When a baby is born, so is a grandmother...

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful.

One moment you're just a mother...

the next you are all-wise and prehistoric.

A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance...

When grandmothers enter the door, discipline flies out the window.

Just about the time a woman thinks her work is done she becomes a grandmother...

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting just to see you
and now her day was complete!

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies.

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace...

JACKSON

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world.
And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too!

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice,
I should advise every one of you straight away to become one.

MISS MADIE RUTH

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again.

The best baby-sitters, of course, are the grandparents.

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have, if just to keep up with them.

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple:

grandmas are short on criticism and long on love...

nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.

Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of practice.

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside.

One of the sweetest handclasps is that of a new

grandbaby around the finger of a grandmother.

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one.

If your baby is beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,

sleeps on schedule and burps on demand,
an angel all the time, you're the grandma.

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have

around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.

Grandchildren don't make a man feel old;

it's the knowledge that he's married to a grandmother...

I LOVE YOU, "POP!"

1,000 GIFTS, #99 to #110

2011-03-21T20:54:00.004-04:00

MULTITUDE MONDAYS

This sweet discipline of counting the gifts of grace is precious and priceless. Thank you for indulging me as I once again list graces of the past week. Yes, as Ann Voskamp says, all is grace...

99. A surprise gift from my sweet husband just for me. Yes, this is a garden TILLER! I have wanted one for a long time to support my gardening passion. It is the perfect size for me to use.

100. The SUPERMOON of this past Saturday night! Beth Moore posted this picture on Twitter and it was absolutely the BEST picture of the night. What a great Creator God! I kept going outside every few minutes to enjoy God's handiwork.

101. A swing for my littlest grandboy...Jackson. My son and his wife were "testing it out" prior to hanging it outside. They are sure enjoying this little boy. Guess what? He has 2 grandmothers, 4 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers, and 2 great-grandfathers!

102. My husband grilled porkchops for us all this past Saturday - great weather and a delicious meal with the family.

103. Zeke drove his John Deere tractor next door to make a special delivery of buttermilk to my father, his Papaw. He LOVES this tractor!

104. This double rainbow appeared as the family was leaving the cemetery after the burial of two sisters who died last week. It was seen for miles and miles...this is in my front yard. Thank God for His precious promises. We are still praying for the Sullivent family in their grief.

105.Today is my Mom's birthday, I am so thankful for her life. She is a strong woman from a generation of self-sacrificing women, a good wife and mother. She took care of my sisters and I while my Dad was in Vietnam; gone for 13 months at a time on two occasions - all this before the days of Skype and email and internet...a strong woman of faith. I love her! Happy Birthday Mom!

106. My daughter-in-law sent me this picture of Madie Ruth via text last week. This little girl has won our hearts! She and Zeke have 2 grandmothers, 2 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers and 2 greatgrandfathers. Blessed indeed.

107. My favorite Easter candy...Starburst Jelly Beans! I am not a fan of chocolate (truly). But I love jelly beans :) These are sitting on my desk at work. They are "hard to get into" which is a good thing...because did I mention they are my favorite?

108. A conversation this past Wednesday night after Bible study with long-time friends that lingered long. Cindy, Jean, Joy...thank you! Pure therapy for our hearts and souls. God be praised!

109. A letter in the mail from each of the children we sponsor through Compassion International. The joy of seeing that "letter from your sponsored child" envelope in my mailbox is overwhelming.

110. The joy of the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 settling over my heart and soul last night after a message by Dr. Ron Lynch (guest preacher at my church yesterday) gave me such hope. Our God is Greater!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

1,000 GIFTS, #80 to #98

2011-03-14T21:28:00.002-04:00

MULTITUDE MONDAYS

80. Back to Bible study with my Wednesday night girls, I love them so much!

81. A homemade Chocolate Cobbler. Go HERE for my posted recipe and pictures.

82. Time in my garden with glorious warm weather on Saturday and Sunday.

Texas Sweet Onions! Daffodils!

83. Joining my friend Travis Cottrell by becoming a backer on his new worship project.

84. Assurance that Jesus Christ is the Solid Rock, even during times of devastation in our world.

85. Thankful for Samaritan's Purse and their gifts to help the people in Japan suffering intensely after the earthquake and tsunami.

86. Enough hair for my 10-month old granddaughter Madie Ruth to have a real ponytail.

87. The opportunity to pray with some of my co-workers this week. We are asking God to give His grace to a family in the death of two young sisters in a car accident...they were headed home from church and the weather was so stormy.

88. Singing with our Praise Team this past Sunday morning..."Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin and "I Bless Your Name" by Selah. Awesome worship.

89. Thankful that my Dad is continuing to recover well from back surgery 5 weeks ago.

90. Good conversations with my sons this week. I love them with all my heart. We are friends.

91. Calls, emails, and cards of encouragement from friends at church who know that the past months have been extremely difficult in ministry. God is doing a mighty work in our church...things are better than ever and we praise His Holy Name. Our God is Greater.
92. Helping my husband move these two cows to the pasture behind our house...I am not a cowgirl, but I had a blast! That's Helen on the left, and Thelma Lou on the right...

93. A new devotional book Reliving the Passion as I prepare my heart for Easter...

94. Continuing to memorize scripture with lots of friends on the SSMT...Siesta Scripture Memory Team!
95. Going to "Sonic" last night after church with dear friends Jack & Lanie and sitting outside at the picnic tables until way past our bedtime :) Laughing like teenagers.
96. Enjoying these violet violas while they last...because when the warm weather cometh they will not be happy! (I like cooler weather too.)

97. The sacred echo of this verse in my heart... James 4:14

Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapor that appears for a little time

and then vanishes away.

98. Which is exactly why I rejoice in the simple JOY of counting to 1,000...FOR ALL IS GRACE.