1,000 GIFTS, #347 to #369

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.