1,000 GIFTS, #711 to #728

Was it only just last week I was so excited about a week off to slow down? Well...my heart is FULL to overflowing from the JOYS of last week's slower pace. We enjoyed a simple staycation, a stay-at-home vacation, a concept I highly recommend...so restful for both body and soul.

711. So thankful for a wonderful service of patriotic music and powerful preaching at my church. I'm thankful to be an American citizen. Even with all the issues in our land today, there is still no place I would rather live as I sojourn this Earth...I'm praying for our country in this election year. (Daniel 2:20-23)

712. My friend Lanie and I had a "sew-in" last Friday. She brought her machine and several projects over and we also made dresses for our granddaughters. We laughed like only friends of many years friends can do. It was a day of JOY and soul therapy too...bonding and sewing and quilting.

713. Thankful to God for granddaughters. Lanie and I both raised sons, and now she has two granddaughters. I have one granddaughter and one on the way...God's wonderful gracious grace. Here are the dresses we made on Friday...complete with monograms.

714. And here is my sweet girl in her dress...my daughter-in-law Carrie sent me this picture just this morning...touched my heart.

715. A trip to the Farmers Market with my daughter-in-law Erin for fresh vegetables to "put up" as we Southern women call that process. We blanched butter beans, zipper peas, and crowder peas for our freezers. Hard but fulfilling work. I loved spending the day with her and one of the reasons is because...

716.  ...she left Jackson with us to spend the night and we had such a wonderful time with him. He is our youngest grandson, reminds us so much of his daddy at that age.

717. Here he is on the front porch with Pop, watching down the road for his mommy and daddy to come...

718. Can you see why he reminds us of his daddy at that age? Herein is proof...

719. Time with my parents without the rush of a work schedule...we spent a day going to the local peach packing sheds and enjoyed fresh peach ice cream too.  I love my parents. Did you know the first commandment with a promise in God's Word is found in Exodus 20:12?  Honor your father and mother...


720. Garden time. Enough said.

721. An entire day spent with my husband...shopping, eating out, uninterrupted conversation, reconnecting. So sweet and so important for good marriages.

722. Praying daily for a missions team from my church in Ukraine. I love these folks - every one of them. They are gathered here on their way to the airport in the wee hours of the morning last Friday. They are awesome people on mission for Jesus. As our Pastor, Dr. Perdue says, his desire is that the sun will never set on the ministry of our church as we serve globally. We also have students in South Africa as well as down the street from our church this week, serving in a trailer park conducting Backyard Bible Clubs. I LOVE MY CHURCH FAMILY...

723. Celebrating the JOY of my spiritual birthday - July 7th. Reflecting on the day the Savior reached down for me...I.HAVE.NEVER.BEEN.THE.SAME. Half my life I have known Him. And Hallelujah, He's known me since before there was a me. (Psalm 139:16)

724. I know I often mention my fondness for sewing and embroidery, but I am especially happy to share these "crab shirts" I made at the request of my daughter-in-law Carrie for my grandchildren and some of their friends for a beach vacation. I loved doing this for them. I asked my daughters-in-law to save all the shirts I am making for the grandchildren because I think it would be fun to make a quilt out of them all one day...can we say Memory Lane?

725. Be still my heart. My little yet-to-be-born granddaughter's first of many monogrammed gifts from Gran Jan. TIny little Emery, we are praying for your arrival to the family in September. Can't wait to meet you...

726. The JOY of a rare opportunity to attend our son's church and hear him preach yesterday morning - a message from the fifth chapter of Mark where Jesus delivers the man possessed by demons. Jeremy made a strong, clear biblical application and this momma's heart was deeply moved and thankful.

727. My daughter-in-law Carrie's pot roast dinner on Sunday. Family around the table is one of God's sweetest gifts in my life.  

728. One of my favorite delights from last week is this picture I took of an old fireplace out in the middle of the country. My dad stopped to let me get the picture (that in itself is a gift too). I can't help but wonder about the family that lived here long ago and the hands that built that fireplace.

What am I building that will stand the test of time? Am I investing in the lives of others for eternity and for Christ's Kingdom?  God help me to see past the busyness of daily living that can so easily distract me from my true purpose here...

Jan