Archives for November 2012

As my Granny used to say, “there’s been a lot of water passed under the bridge” since we last got together.  I have been extremely busy since my last post, but not too busy to stop and count…so here continues the blessed JOY of counting the gifts of God’s grace, so undeserved, yet so welcomed.

845.  We have a fantastic facility right near home that hosts a National Fair each year…I enjoyed a date with my sweet husband there and snapped this picture as the sun was setting. Peaceful time spent with the one I love.

846.  I am serving with some sweet ladies on the team for the Beth Moore Living Proof Live event scheduled for next May 31-June 1, 2013, here in Georgia. There is absolutely nothing like the sweet spirit of immediate fellowship. Our bond is Christ.

847.  My sweet dad is as proud of this antique tractor as he can be.  He loves the way it “sounds,” and I believe it takes him back to a simpler time in life. I certainly understand that!

848.  My newest little granddaughter and her sweet brother…be still my heart. God’s grace multiplied…I can’t wait to see how their love for each other grows. How special it would be to have a big brother.

849.  I often times feel very rushed…rush to work, rush to the grocery store, rush to prepare a meal, rush to finish, rush, rush rush.  But for 3 days last month over a long weekend my friend Lanie and I enjoyed a serene unrushed time. We celebrated her birthday and her 3 years surviving ovarian cancer.  We attended the Georgia Quilt Show, we sewed, we laughed, we ate Mexican food at Pappasitos, we stayed up until the wee hours and we were exhausted, but it was pure therapy.  Here is her van packed and loaded with our sewing “stuff.”
850.  The 3D Nemo Nerds. I took Zeke and Madie to the matinee one afternoon to see “Finding Nemo” in 3D.  When Zeke put on the glasses he said, “Gran Jan, Nemo is swimming right at me, I can touch him!”  We had a wonderful time and they were so good.  That was a first for the 3 of us, but it was so fun.  I love being Gran Jan.

851.  While driving down the road while in Atlanta with my friend Lanie, we passed this little church and I saw the pastor’s name on the sign.  The name of the pastor who performed my wedding 35 years ago…I love what the sign said and that Pastor Jones is still serving…what a delight!  Still in God’s Hands!  Indeed we are.  Grace.

852.  I made a little pumpkin onesie for our newest little punkin grandgirl…Emery…
853.  And Turkey shirts by Gran Jan for the grands…I consider it a blessing to be able to enjoy doing this, for the machine, for the grandchildren in my life to enjoy.  God is so good. I love to see them wearing the shirts I make for them!

854.  The women’s ministry of my wonderful church had a ministry project this past month to support a local Christian adoption agency by hosting a baby shower.  The response was tremendous and it took a truck (my husband’s) to load everything up!  So thankful for the young women who choose LIFE for their unborn babies and the blessing of adoption.

855.  I love the way our church has responded in worship the past few months.  The Spirit has been so strong among us, and I believe it is God’s grace and pleasure in how our Pastor gives preeminence to the Word of God.  I love my church.  And I love our Worship Pastor husband because I know him, I live with him, and I see his genuine integrity day in and day out.

856.  When my daughter-in-law Carrie sent me the pictures of these two in their Fall Festival outfits I just kept staring at them with joy because I see their JOY.  Zeke is so proud to be a policeman.  He and Madie both have spent the night several times the past month and we have FUN. They fill a place in my heart and meet a need to keep “mothering.”  I know you grandmothers get it…especially you moms of sons who cut those apron strings long ago…Gran Jan’s JOY.  God’s grace.  Daily grace to have them close by.  I count that blessing EVERY single day.
857. I finished this heart quilt for the new baby daughter of our church’s instrumental music pastor and his wife.  It was fun to design and fun to quilt.  I love the way a quilt crinkles and puffs up the first time it is washed after it is all quilted and finished.

858.  I spent all afternoon this past Saturday helping my Mom divide her daylilies.  We had lots of help from my husband because the flower clumps had gotten so large we couldn’t  lift them.  I really enjoyed that time with her.  The fresh air, daylilies to share and some for my own garden too.

859.  Some sweet times with the Lord where He is affirming to me that He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother…

On this eve of a very pivotal election for President of our great country, I am praying for God’s grace to be evident in the lives of believers across America.  We must keep praying and believing and trusting in the fact that God is in control no matter who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue and sits in the White House.  In God We Trust! I love this passage from Daniel 2:20-22:

²⁰ “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
²² He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.