WOW - I am really nearing the goal of counting to one thousand gifts. As I seek to reach that goal I can say with complete confidence that a greater goal has been achieved... that of seeing His grace everywhere at all times with all JOY.
800. I love moonflowers. I took this picture one night last week on my back patio. (They bloom at dusk.) One of my favorite authors, Jan Karon, wrote a book entitled
"The Trellis and the Seed," which is a book of encouragement about waiting...
801. These next few pictures all show God's bounty as we approach harvest. If these pictures bore you, I must say I will never get over the fact that "God planted a Garden," (Genesis 2:8) and I love gardens and farms. We live in the country with farms all around. This past Saturday evening we took a drive and a farmer was harvesting his peanuts...I really love this picture.
802. Less than a mile from the peanut fields are acres and acres of soybeans...
803. And about a mile from the soybeans were acres and acres of cotton. The cotton is just starting to mature. My paternal grandfather (who died before I was born) was a farmer who grew peanuts and cotton.
804. Cooler morning temperatures which mean my favorite season is almost here. Autumn brings me so much energy, and I'm going to need it as we await...
805. The birth of our fourth grandchild, a girl...due in about 10 days. Here we are celebrating at a baby shower two weekends ago. Gran Jan, Mommy-to-be, and Nonna. Love this picture.
806. We Southern girls love our monograms - and I loved these precious pink monogrammed cookies at the baby shower for Emery.
807. My little 2 year old granddaughter Madie also came to the baby shower with my daughter-in-law. She is precious. Having raised boys, I am really enjoying watching her "girl play." She will sit in the little rocker in our den and rock her baby doll, patting her on the back and being the sweetest little mommy. It just blesses my heart.
808. And here is the finished dress I made her for fall. I really get excited thinking about all the little jumpers and dresses I can make for my grandgirls.
809. And of course I still have to make things for the little grandboys too...here is Jackson's fall shirt....with a manly monogram. ;)
810. Texting with my niece Amy who lives in California. I love that we can "connect" at a moment's notice. She shared with me "
Be Here, Be Now," and that little saying sometimes comes to my heart and helps me focus. Amy is the daughter of my sister Jean who passed away when she was only 25 years old, and Amy was 23 months old. I wrote all about my sister Jean
in this blog post.
811. My other niece Melissa got married this past weekend in beautiful Savannah, GA. Here is the beautiful bride on the arm of my father, her grandfather. She is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside.
812. My parents - God's grace in my life. I am one of those blessed daughters that has sweet childhood memories and now much love and support as a grown woman. They are simple people who value family and hard work.
813. Wednesday night Bible study with some faithful women. We are completing a study this week by Priscilla Shirer, "Discerning the Voice of God." It has been tremendous.
814. Looking forward to our next study by Kelly Minter, "The Fitting Room," (Putting on the Character of Christ). I am thankful for the way God is raising up these young women that teach and hold true to the Word of God. Thankful for women like Kay Arthur and Beth Moore that have paved the way for them.
815. Grandparents Day at my grandchildren's preschool. They are both in this picture (Madie is in the middle in the yellow blouse), and that tall little fella in the red shirt on the far right caught his Gran Jan's eye. He ran to me and gave me a hug that carried me the rest of the day...
816. Every Sunday after morning worship we wait for our grandson Jackson to come to "big church" to see us before we all leave. Just yesterday he sat right down at the pastor's pulpit and my son took this picture. I love seeing my family at church.
817. And even though I don't see my oldest son and his family at church each week, I know their influence for Christ in their church is strong. My son pastors a great church in a neighboring community and I drove by this sign just this past week on my way into work. Joy for this mother's heart, multiplied grace.
818. A Saturday spent making a memory with our oldest grandson. We spent the day together with Zeke and rode the
SAM Shortline Train to Plains, GA for the "peanut festival." Here is his with Pop after we had enjoyed the big parade. :)
819. A cup of hot tea soothes a scratchy throat. The tea
(Constant Comment by Bigelow)
was tasty (my favorite flavor of spice and oranges) and the honey stirred in was sweet, but what was especially good was that my sweet husband prepared it and brought it to me as I was working on my Bible study...I am spoiled rotten. Grace?
820. He also makes a mean pan of jalepeno cornbread...which he has done a lot lately. I will post the recipe soon - it is very good. He called me as I was leaving work one afternoon and said "the cornbread is in the oven." God surely graced me by bringing Gary into my life all those years ago. God's gift of grace in my marriage has grown exponentially over the years as my love for my husband has grown too...
821. Looking foward to the Georgia Quilt Show next month with my friend Lanie. Tickets and reservations are made. We call it the QTT (Quilting Think Tank and Quilting Time Together). Good friends are God's sweet grace. Lifelong friends are priceless.
822. My youngest son works on our local Air Force Base as a Project Manager. I'm not quite sure what he does but I know from reliable sources that he is very good at his job. He had to go TDY (temporary duty) last week to Nevada...and sent me this picture as he visited Hoover Dam. I'm so proud of him and his work. He is a great son, brother, husband, father, and worship leader.
823. There is a very quaint public place in downtown Perry near where I work that is especially nice to have lunch. My friend Sharon and I did just that last week. We took our Subway sandwiches and sat outside ane enjoyed the glorious cool weather.
824. I am most thankful for our pastor's series of messages in the book of Joshua on Sunday mornings. He is an awesome expository preacher - and the Word of God is so rich. He began a series just like night on Zephaniah. It's going to be a hard word, but the hard words are just as needed and show His grace to us strong.
825. One of our staff pastors and his wife have been serving in Kenya the past 2 weeks. Can't wait to hear from Pastor Matthew and Kathy as they return home this week. May the sun never set on the ministry of Second Baptist Church...
826. Rejoicing with another of our staff pastors in the birth of a daughter. We love you Dawson and Taneea and celebrate this gift of God to your family...
Thankful tonight for the simplicity of gifts seen in faith, family, and friends. It's all His grace. Blessed.
Jan
