South Africa - 5

CAPE POINT ~ SOUTH AFRICA

I am going to post my "Out of Africa Journal" very soon, but I could hardly wait to stop and post these comparison pictures!

The picture above is one I found on a South Africa tourism site. However...the picture on the right is me "on-site" at Cape Point, South Africa, just last Saturday. Woo-Hoo! I made it to Cape Point and it did not disappoint.

It was gloriously delightful...only our Creator God could make such beauty!

So many things much more monumental and wonderful happened that are of way more eternal value, but I was so blessed to see this beautiful place first hand.

Love to all, can't wait to post my journal soon.

South Africa - 4

We are leaving Sunday night and will be in South Africa on Monday afternoon, August 17...which just happens to be our grandson's first birthday. Happy Birthday Ezekiel - I love you. I am so glad I was able to celebrate with you at your party today! Thank you ALL for your prayers and sweet comments. You must read the wonderful poem by Lora - see it in the post comments on South Africa - 3. What a gifted writer! Thank you Lora, you blessed my soul. One of the things I want to see is the "Cape of Good Hope." I found this picture on a travel site. It is the southern tip of the continent of Africa, Capetown, South Africa, and we will be ministering in Capetown as part of our journey. Isn't it beautiful? The place where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet. I know the One who made those seas, and my Hope is in Him! Dear Father, guard and keep us safe, use us for Your Glory Alone, watch over our family, protect our home, and hold Your Mighty Hand under that big 777 plane...and then again as we return. Psalm 95:5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. I can't wait to share this journey with all of you...I am so blessed and my hope is to be a blessing.
 

South Africa - 3

Well, we are one week away from departure for South Africa. I am sharing our itinerary below. Please pray for me and my husband as God brings us to your heart and mind. (Remember, it is a 16-hour flight....) Sunday 8/16 Flight leaves at 8:10 p.m. Arrive in Johannesburg 5:15 PM (Monday) Monday 8/17 Arrive in South Africa Tuesday 8/18 Travel to Lichtenburg Wednesday 8/19 Outreach – North West Thursday 8/20 Travel to Pilanesburg - Outreach Overnight - Manyane Friday 8/21 Back to Johannesburg / Fly on to Cape Town From Lanseria – Arrive 19:10 Saturday 8/22 Planning & Ministry in Cape Town Conference Monday 8/24 Flight to Lanseria – Arrive 16:35 Tuesday 8/25 Depart from Johannesburg to home 8:45 PM Wednesday 8/26 Arrive Atlanta 7:00 A.M. I am so very excited about this adventure, and can't wait for all God is going to teach me. I am praying He will use me to encourage and minister to others in His Name (and I believe that I will be the one that will be CHANGED). I am so thankful for the opportunity to go.

What Encourages Me

"Encourage one another and life each other up!" I was asked to write about what encourages me...and so I did. Go here to see why. It is a wonderful new website that just launched! You are going to love it, I promise! My Encouragers...pretty much in order...pretty much...:)

• The Security of my Salvation...In Christ Alone
• The Word of God
• A Home in Heaven
• My Faithful Husband of 32 years
• Two Handsome Sons who love and serve God (see recent post)
• Two Beautiful Daughters-in-Law who love my Two Handsome Sons
• Gran Jan's Joy, my grandson Zeke...I am smitten!
• My Parents and my Sisters and their Families
• My Church Family - a true treasure
• Singing in my Husband's Choir :)
• Beth Moore...she has encouraged me in my walk with the Lord for over 10 years...and I love her for that
• Leading in Women's Ministry (she who refreshes others will herself be refreshed Proverbs 11:25)
• My Blog Community of Siestas
• My Garden
• Creation all around me - Delights Daily

Be Encouraged

Brothers - Preacher and Worship Leader

This mother's heart is so full of joy and gratitude tonight as I write this post on Gran Jan's Joy. Last night, both of my boys were "back together" at our home church for a special youth service. My oldest son preached and my youngest son led worship. I sat there and just cried with joy to the Lord, so did my husband. Both boys grew up at Second Baptist Church. We dearly love our church, my husband has served on staff there 21 years. Our oldest son has been gone since he was 17 when he began to pastor a church his Junior year of high school...yes.he.did. He is still the pastor of Cross Point Baptist Church and is now working on his doctorate degree from SWBTS. He has always been a great student. My youngest son leads worship in the student ministry here at our home church, and also sings in his daddy's choir. He is a tax assessor, a real estate appraiser. Both boys are married, and our daughters-in-law are beautiful blessings, and we love them.

And of course, little Zeke needed tending to while his daddy preached, so I was happy to oblige. I love him more and more and the feeling is reciprocal...he is starting to reach for me and wants to stay with me, and I love that so much.

It was a great night for our family, one I will cherish and thank God for. One of the most tender blessings for my heart was when Jeremy openly exhorted his little brother for the heart and passion he has to lead worship. My heart rejoices with joy that my boys and their wives are all serving Jesus. You young mothers out there, be encouraged. God is able.

Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be,

My First Blogaversary

One year ago TODAY I penned my very first blog entry entitled "The Waiting Room." I was waiting for the birth of my first grandchild. It had been a long wait, and the time was drawing near. To say I was beyond excited is an understatement. People who know me well often say it doesn't take much for me to be excited, but this anticipation was unlike any other! A grandson!!! Little did I know that exactly one year to the day from that first blog post, my little grandboy would be spending the night with us! This time last year he wasn't even here...tonight he is asleep in the same crib his daddy slept in 27 years ago. I am smitten, pure and simple...hence the title of this blog, "Gran Jan's Joy." I hope my boys and their wives will add some more JOY to our lives in the next few years, but until then...here are a few photos from tonight's joy.

Happy First Blogaversary to Me! If I look a little more excited in these pictures than Zeke does, it is because I am. :)

Gran Jan

Sunflowers!

Psalm 113:3

This field of sunflowers is near my home...

what a delight!

(These pictures were taken by my friend, Carmen)

From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the LORD's name is to be praised.

Love, Jan