1,000 GIFTS, #99 to #110

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

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.

1,000 GIFTS, #65 to #79

Multitude Mondays - Marching Toward 1,000 Gifts in March

65.  Snowpeas and red potatoes peaking up through the soil in my garden.  This is a picture of the snowpeas taken with my Blackberry phone...I can't wait until they start climbing the trellis.

66. New life on the farm, two baby calves, a new bull and a new heifer.

67. The Bradford pear trees are shouting the promise of springtime! This tree is in the parking lot at my office...and there are three of them in a row...so beautiful.

68.  Help with watering the Texas sweet onions by a sweet Georgia grandboy.

69. Saturday morning breakfast pancakes shaped like a chicken, a cow, and a pig.  These are from Williams Sonoma and my friend Beth Moore has the "Star Wars" pancake molds for her grandchildren.

70. Answered prayer so gloriously confirmed. There is nothing like it, nothing.
71. An email from a friend of 23 years – we are both coming out of a season of intense spiritual warfare and her wisdom and sweet friendship blessed me.
72. Knowing a scripture passage  by heart just when my husband needed it...
73. A grandboy who asked to be rocked before bedtime, and then wanted to hear "How Great Is Our God" sang by his Gran Jan.
74. Worship in church Sunday as we sang one of my favorite hymns "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and hearing the glorious sound of the penny whistle played by my sweet friend, Joan.

75.  My favorite verse from "Come Thou Fount" is:

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

76. Listening to my husband read excerpts from Radical by David Platt. So hard yet so good.

77. A tweet this morning from Priscilla Shirer. I LOVE THIS YOUNG WOMAN!

78. My bookplate came in the mail from Ann Voskamp for the very book that has inspired all this counting of GRACE...that in itself is grace.
79. Focusing on the "whatevers" when my mind wants to be anxious...whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8

Oh To Grace How Great a Debtor...

 

1,000 GIFTS, #45 to #64

Here I am again on another Multitude Monday and LOVING this delightful discipline of counting toward 1,000 gifts.

#45.  An awesome planning meeting on Tuesday night with my Women's Ministry Leadership Team at the Olive Garden...good food, great fellowship, and hope of a glorious future as we serve the women in our church and community. I love you Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer!
#46. Lunch with a sweet young woman that I love so much. We dined at "The Swanson" (a local restaurant in a downtown historical home) and encouraged each other as we've both been through some trials in our lives and church the past few months. God is so faithful.
#47. A great haircut from my sweet hairdresser, Brooke. Her shop is Salon Seven because she was born 7-7-77. Isn't that the neatest thing? And she is a believer. And my son is her pastor. Love that.
#48. I attended a class by our local county extension agent entitled "Vegetable Gardening 101."  I loved it and the teacher just happens to be a deacon from my church.  He did great.
#49. Sweet fellowship around great coffee with a great group of friends. Encouragement.
#50. As I type this it is thundering and the rain is coming down hard on my metal roof.

#51. Sharing fresh collard greens from my garden with a friend. She was so excited and told me Sunday at church that they were delicious. I love you, Denise!

#52. Attending a birthday party Saturday morning for a dear friend who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. She embraces life and shares Jesus everywhere she goes. Her mantra is "shine like a highlighter" and she does. There were close to 100 women that dropped by and the money tree had enough for 3 to 4 more months of insurance. My best friend planned the party...and she is an ovarian cancer survivor of one year. She gave out of the abundance of her own grateful heart. There was not a dry eye.

#53. Seeing the widow of our church's pastor that served faithfully for 48 years before he passed away in 2005. We miss him so much and seeing her brought back wonderful memories. Precious woman of God.

#54. Saturday afternoon at a park with my youngest son and his wife and their 9 month old son, our grandson Jackson...followed up with pizza at their house. Good times.

#55. Awesome worship at church...great songs about the blood of Christ, beginning with the hymn "There is a Fountain," and ending with a choir special entitled "Not Guilty." Divine.

#56. Thankfulness for my Dad's recovery from back surgery four weeks ago. He is doing well, much better than I anticipated he would. He is behaving!

#57. A tweet from my grown son...unsolicited and kind. He loves his momma's cooking.

#58. The blessing to teach Sunday School to a group of women this past Sunday...just filling in for someone but I left with the blessing.

#59. Rice Krispy Treats made with Cocoa Krispies...thank you Pam!

#60. My grandboy Zeke is spending the night tonight...he is sleeping in the baby bed that his daddy slept in almost 30 years ago. He played with blocks and toys and hot wheels cars that his daddy and Uncle Jonathan played with as little boys. The legacy of children and grandchildren is my life's joy.

#61. A kind deed from a co-worker today.

#62. My spring garden is growing...pictures soon of Snow Peas!

#63. Good news from two friends undergoing cancer treatment. Praying for you Beth and Mac.

#64. A letter on the way to Gloria, my Compassion child.

Good Night Sweet Peeps,

1,000 GIFTS, #24 to #44

Multitude Monday is proving to be a real blessing and something in my heart feels lighter with joy as I anticipate counting to 1,000...thank you Ann Voskamp.  God gave you this plan for His people for this time. Gratitude is healing therapy.  This past week...
24. The gift of my husband's life as we celebrated his birthday on Feb 15th. I LOVE THIS MAN!

25. I am so grateful for the way Gary takes care of me and that God brought him into my life and that our marriage was part of God's plan before we were ever born.
26. Bible study with my ladies every Wednesday evening...we just finished Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George on Feb 16th, such a timely study.
27. Two days off from work this past Thursday and Friday, a chance to s-l-o-w down a bit, and b-r-e-a-t-h-e.
28. Time in my garden with red potatoes, Texas sweet onions, English peas, and snow peas all planted.
29. A harvest of the collard greens I planted last fall to make room for the onions, and the greens are now in the freezer...can't wait to cook them, my three men love them!
30. A family lunch on Saturday with the boys and their wives and our 3 grands...simple joys that are priceless.
31. A bottle of bubbles and a 2 1/2 year old grandson to chase them...
32. A new camera...I can't wait to learn how to use it.
33. A missionary from South Africa who preached Sunday at church.  Dr. Harold Peasley of Multi Ministries from Johannesburg preached a message from Genesis on the life of Lot. So good. 
34. Memories of our trip to South Africa from August 2009 were so real as we reunited with Dr. Peasley and my journal contains everything.  I will never forget these children:

35. The joy of singing a solo Sunday about "The Power of the Cross" and the sweetest folks I know singing behind me in the choir...

36. My Sunday afternoon nap...short but oh so sweet.

37. Choir rehearsal on Sunday afternoons and catching my husband's eye as he leads in worship.

38. A trip to Kroger after church and a husband who doesn't rush me...

39. A quiet day at the office today.

40. My sweet boss Mrs. Linda took me to lunch today at "The Oil Lamp," a local restaurant run by the Mennonites, and they sure know how to cook.

41. Blueberry plants growing and warm temperatures today.

42. My husband was off today, and he had grilled steaks ready when I got home from work. Reference Gifts #24, #25, #37, #38.

43. My grandson Zeke just called me on my cell phone, "whatcha doin' Gran Jan?" I'm loving you Zeke.

44. A walk across the farm after supper to visit my parents next door. They're good people and I'm thankful for them too, even when it's inconvenient. 

Count your many blessings

Every doubt will fly

And you will be singing

As the days go by!

Oh So Easy Lasagna!

EASY HOMEMADE LASAGNA

This recipe has been a favorite in our family for a long time and is so easy to prepare. I made it often when my boys were both still in high school because you can feed a crowd! Add a nice green salad and good Italian bread and everyone is happy!

Ingredients:

One small box of lasagna noodles, prepare as directed
2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained
1 chopped onion (saute in 1 teaspoon olive oil until done)
1 large jar of your favorite prepared marinara sauce, or 2 small jars (28 ozs. each)
1 16 oz. container of Cottage Cheese
Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 4 cups)
Shredded Mozzarella cheese (about 4 cups)
Shredded Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)

1. Brown ground beef, add cooked onion and prepared pasta sauce

and simmer for at least 30 minutes - longer if you have the time.

2. Boil lasagna noodles in water, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and about 1 Tablespoon

of oil to the water so the noodles won't be sticky. Do not overcook the pasta,

 it should be slightly firm as you will bake the lasagna as well.

3. Ladle a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.

4. Next, place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.

5.  Now cover the noodles with more meat sauce (be generous) and

 then dollop the cottage cheese as shown below:

6. Be more generous and sprinkle 2 cups each of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top!

7.  REPEAT THE LAYERS ONE MORE TIME!

 Lasagna noodles, more meat sauce, cottage cheese dollops, 

and then shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

8. Finish with the Parmesan cheese.

9.  Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees until cheese melts

 and the lasagna is nice and bubbly!

10.  Before you slice and serve the lasagna, it is important to let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy and be blessed!  Every day you have together with your family...every meal shared around the table...they are gifts from God.  

1,000 GIFTS, #11 to #23

Multitude Monday is here again, bringing with it the wonderful joy of counting gifts as encouraged by Ann Voskamp in her wonderful blog, A Holy Experience. I am also reading her book One Thousand Gifts  and there is a Book Club that will bless you greatly with weekly video discussions from Ann herself! I am on my way to counting gifts, as the author says, the graces of daily living. This week, I am going to count my blessings in pictures...all taken this past week on my Blackberry phone.


11. Sunday dinner with these two sweet girls last week while in Birmingham for a worship pastor's conference with my husband. Here are Robyn, Sophie, and me. DELIGHT!

12.  A wonderful light and fluffy snowfall while in Birmingham...good for writing in mine and my sweetheart's initials...on the hood of his truck!

13.  A snowy night...the view from our room at the Conference Center.

14.  Homemade buttermilk biscuits...my maternal grandmother's recipe.



15.  Green cabbages harvested from my garden this past Saturday, 2-12-11

16.  A fire in my outside fire pit (a Christmas gift from my husband) this weekend...with a good cup of coffee and precious conversation with that sweet man...



17.  The sweetness of fruit and a grandboy who peeled his first clementine...all by himself!

18.  Hens on our farm, now producing eggs daily!

19.  These Valentine's Day flowers were on my desk this morning when I arrived at work. My sweet husband had delivered them on his way to the church where he serves as worship/executive pastor. Pale pink and highly scented...my favorite.

20. Grandboy Zeke opening his Valentine's Day card from Pop & Gran Jan...

21. Granddaughter Madie opening her Valentine's Day card from Pop & Gran Jan...

22.  Grandboy Jackson opening his Valentine's Day card from Pop & Gran Jan...

23.  A Valentine's Day card from my husband, full of promises made and kept...

Grace-filled week and I thank you Father for all of the above, and for all that is yet to come, because of Your sweet grace...