949. As I get so close to the GOAL of 1000 gifts, I am remembering today where it all began. I was attending a conference for worship pastors (and their wives) with my husband, and we were in Birmingham, AL. My first gifts, one to ten are here. That conference is 2 weeks from today and we are part of the team that is hosting the event (Metro II) here in our state in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. Time flies…
950. And speaking of worship – here is our grandson Jackson singing “Where I Belong” (Building 429) in the tub just last night. He had heard that Pop (my husband) had sang it in “big church.” Click on the little link below (Jackson-Tub) for 20 seconds of pure JOY. “All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong…take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong…” Jackson-Tub
951. Phone calls at work that begin like this, “Mom, you want to meet me and Carrie and the kids at Chick-fil-A for lunch?” Indeed! Then lots of hugs and kisses from Zeke & Madie Ruth before I head back to the office. My favorite way to spend a lunch hour! Thank you Jeremy for calling and inviting me.
952. Grace beyond all measure in the continued strength and healing in my dad’s recovery. He is a miracle of the Lord and my heart is full to overflowing with thankfulness. He is still in the hospital but is most assuredly on the mend. Thank you for praying.
953. My friend Lanie invited me to an “art party.” The sponsor is Truth Be Told Art and it was absolutely wonderful. It is a wonderful ministry where you paint His Truth on canvas. We painted the scripture from Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit. The artist led us step by step and we are so proud of our artwork! Left to right in the picture is Kathy, me, Lanie, and Joy. Both Kathy’s and Joy’s husbands are staff pastors at our church. Blessed time of fellowship. 
954. Thank God for the JOY of some springtime weather right in the middle of winter…record highs last week. This may be the perfect weather to me. Just warm and wonderful, breezy, low to no humidity.
955. My oldest grandchild and I spent a long time just sitting on the bank of our pond on that beautiful Spring day last weekend. Zeke is a talker and we enjoyed long conversation. He calls this weeping willow our “picnic tree.” We had a most wonderful time and I’m so thankful.
956. And that perfect day was made more perfect by some “flowers” from Zeke. Dandelions…delightful! 🙂
957. I love the music of Travis Cottrell and our choir and orchestra and really our whole church enjoy his music. Our Praise Team is working on “Jesus Saves.” My husband is planning something very special when we sing it and it will feature a presentation of ALL the people who have come to Christ and been baptized in our church recently…YES! Jesus Saves! I was actually in the audience the night Travis recorded this music at First Baptist Woodstock, Georgia. What a great memory!
958. I planted a Rose of Sharon last weekend. Mine is white and I love this old-fashioned flowering shrub. A sweet and precious friend, Jan Leary brought it to me from Atlanta. Her father was in the hospital at the same time as mine. We met in the hospital lobby and talked and encouraged each other through that trying time right at Christmas. She is very special to me. I love you Jan! We have a lot in common, beginning with our names.
959. Life is but a vapor…James 4:14 from the Amplified Bible. Barely a week goes by that I don’t think about something I learned from the Bible study on the book of James (Mercy Triumphs) by Beth Moore and her daughter Melissa Fitzpatrick. One cool morning last week as the vapor and fog was wafting through the pecan trees I stopped to take a picture…
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow.
What is the nature of your life?
You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist)
that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].
960. Love this new “app” for the Scripture Memory Team! I am memorizing Psalm 103 this year. 
961. Thankful for the safety of my friend Cindy who was home during an attempted break in at her home last weekend. She is a woman of the Word and had the presence of mind to know that the attempted “robber” needs Jesus. I am praying for God to bring her peace of heart and mind as she works through everything. Jesus be near.
962. I had everyone over for a big family breakfast this past Saturday and we enjoyed some time outside. I love this picture of Jackson and Madie running. They are exactly 2 weeks to the day apart. I pray they will be as close in friendship as their ages are in days…
963. Sweet Emery is always so HAPPY and I enjoyed some time with her in the house while everyone was visiting the cows!
964. Our Pastor preached one of the most practical and clear messages yesterday on what it means to be a disciple of Christ that is GROWING in relationship with Him (from Hebrews 5:12-14). I so desire to be a mature woman of faith!
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1. Lack of growth limits your ability.
2. Lack of growth hinders your productivity.
3. Lack of growth reveals your immaturity.
965. I assure you I did not draw any attention to myself or disturb anyone around me as I quickly took this picture (with my iPhone) at church yesterday, but I wanted to preserve this moment in my mind…a group of friends praying together at the close of our services. I have no idea who or what they were praying for, but it touched me way down deep. So thankful for small groups, Bible study, Sunday School and JESUS! The bond that holds us all together is His love. Thankful for that grace moment yesterday.
966. And lastly…this quote from Dr. Perdue yesterday:
Grace didn’t come with a “to-do” list, Grace came with a DONE list.
AMEN AND AMEN!
Jan
Wow! Love the quote and the picture of the folks praying. At this season and because I am writing a Bible study from Hebrews I love anything that has to do with the book. Bless you, sweet Jan.
I have to say Jan, this post is so really lovely to read. I adore how you added photos to each of your gifts. Congratulations on nearing your 1000 mark, now to get to the rest of eternity with them all. YOU are a beautiful woman of valor. Please don’t stop sharing His words and His gifts to you.
Thank you.