1,000 GIFTS, #99 to #110

March 22, 2011 12:54 AM 3
MULTITUDE MONDAYS
This sweet discipline of counting the gifts of grace is precious and priceless. Thank you for indulging me as I once again list graces of the past week. Yes, as Ann Voskamp says, all is grace…

99. A surprise gift from my sweet husband just for me. Yes, this is a garden TILLER!  I have wanted one for a long time to support my gardening passion.  It is the perfect size for me to use.
100. The SUPERMOON of this past Saturday night! Beth Moore posted this picture on Twitter and it was absolutely the BEST picture of the night.  What a great Creator God! I kept going outside every few minutes to enjoy God’s handiwork.
101. A swing for my littlest grandboy…Jackson. My son and his wife were “testing it out” prior to hanging it outside. They are sure enjoying this little boy. Guess what? He has 2 grandmothers, 4 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers, and 2 great-grandfathers! 
102. My husband grilled porkchops for us all this past Saturday – great weather and a delicious meal with the family.
103. Zeke drove his John Deere tractor next door to make a special delivery of buttermilk to my father, his Papaw. He LOVES this tractor!  
104. This double rainbow appeared as the family was leaving the cemetery after the burial of two sisters who died last week. It was seen for miles and miles…this is in my front yard. Thank God for His precious promises. We are still praying for the Sullivent family in their grief.
105.Today is my Mom’s birthday, I am so thankful for her life. She is a strong woman from a generation of self-sacrificing women, a good wife and mother. She took care of my sisters and I while my Dad was in Vietnam; gone for 13 months at a time on two occasions – all this before the days of Skype and email and internet…a strong woman of faith. I love her! Happy Birthday Mom! 
106. My daughter-in-law sent me this picture of Madie Ruth via text last week.  This little girl has won our hearts! She and Zeke have 2 grandmothers, 2 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers and 2 greatgrandfathers. Blessed indeed.
107. My favorite Easter candy…Starburst Jelly Beans! I am not a fan of chocolate (truly). But I love jelly beans 🙂 These are sitting on my desk at work. They are “hard to get into” which is a good thing…because did I mention they are my favorite? 
108. A conversation this past Wednesday night after Bible study with long-time friends that lingered long. Cindy, Jean, Joy…thank you! Pure therapy for our hearts and souls. God be praised!
109. A letter in the mail from each of the children we sponsor through Compassion International. The joy of seeing that “letter from your sponsored child” envelope in my mailbox is overwhelming.
110. The joy of the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 settling over my heart and soul last night after a message by Dr. Ron Lynch (guest preacher at my church yesterday) gave me such hope. Our God is Greater!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

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March 22, 2011 12:54 AM 3

1,000 GIFTS, #45 to #64

March 1, 2011 2:56 AM 6

Here I am again on another Multitude Monday and LOVING this delightful discipline of counting toward 1,000 gifts.

#45.  An awesome planning meeting on Tuesday night with my Women’s Ministry Leadership Team at the Olive Garden…good food, great fellowship, and hope of a glorious future as we serve the women in our church and community. I love you Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer!
#46. Lunch with a sweet young woman that I love so much. We dined at “The Swanson” (a local restaurant in a downtown historical home) and encouraged each other as we’ve both been through some trials in our lives and church the past few months. God is so faithful.
#47. A great haircut from my sweet hairdresser, Brooke. Her shop is Salon Seven because she was born 7-7-77. Isn’t that the neatest thing? And she is a believer. And my son is her pastor. Love that.
#48. I attended a class by our local county extension agent entitled “Vegetable Gardening 101.”  I loved it and the teacher just happens to be a deacon from my church.  He did great.
#49. Sweet fellowship around great coffee with a great group of friends. Encouragement.
#50. As I type this it is thundering and the rain is coming down hard on my metal roof.

#51. Sharing fresh collard greens from my garden with a friend. She was so excited and told me Sunday at church that they were delicious. I love you, Denise!
#52. Attending a birthday party Saturday morning for a dear friend who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. She embraces life and shares Jesus everywhere she goes. Her mantra is “shine like a highlighter” and she does. There were close to 100 women that dropped by and the money tree had enough for 3 to 4 more months of insurance. My best friend planned the party…and she is an ovarian cancer survivor of one year. She gave out of the abundance of her own grateful heart. There was not a dry eye.
#53. Seeing the widow of our church’s pastor that served faithfully for 48 years before he passed away in 2005. We miss him so much and seeing her brought back wonderful memories. Precious woman of God.
#54. Saturday afternoon at a park with my youngest son and his wife and their 9 month old son, our grandson Jackson…followed up with pizza at their house. Good times.
#55. Awesome worship at church…great songs about the blood of Christ, beginning with the hymn “There is a Fountain,” and ending with a choir special entitled “Not Guilty.” Divine.
#56. Thankfulness for my Dad’s recovery from back surgery four weeks ago. He is doing well, much better than I anticipated he would. He is behaving!
#57. A tweet from my grown son…unsolicited and kind. He loves his momma’s cooking.
#58. The blessing to teach Sunday School to a group of women this past Sunday…just filling in for someone but I left with the blessing.
#59. Rice Krispy Treats made with Cocoa Krispies…thank you Pam!
#60. My grandboy Zeke is spending the night tonight…he is sleeping in the baby bed that his daddy slept in almost 30 years ago. He played with blocks and toys and hot wheels cars that his daddy and Uncle Jonathan played with as little boys. The legacy of children and grandchildren is my life’s joy.
#61. A kind deed from a co-worker today.
#62. My spring garden is growing…pictures soon of Snow Peas!
#63. Good news from two friends undergoing cancer treatment. Praying for you Beth and Mac.
#64. A letter on the way to Gloria, my Compassion child.
Good Night Sweet Peeps,
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March 1, 2011 2:56 AM 6

One Day, No More Earthquakes

January 15, 2010 1:35 AM 3

I copied this tweet from my son’s Facebook status:

RT @nathanafinn: One day the True King will return and restore all that Adam lost. Then there will be no more earthquakes.

Hallelujah for that DAY. 

  • No more earthquakes. 
  • No more disease. 
  • No more poverty.
  • No more death.

You can go directly to the Compassion site to give safely and securely to bring aid to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

I sponsor a little boy in Colombia and he is safe and sound tonight. I received a letter from Iduar just last week telling me about how much he loves to play soccer and asking me if I like to sing!  I stood in my kitchen as I read his letter and thought to myself… “he held this paper, Iduar touched this very same piece of paper that I am holding right now.” 

The power of touch – so many hurting Haitians right now.  I can pray and ask the Healer, my Heavenly Father to touch lives right now.  Grant it Lord. Use those that are there to touch many lives out of the overflow of You touching them.

One Day, No More Earthquakes.

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January 15, 2010 1:35 AM 3

A Contrast in Babies…USA and India

May 2, 2009 1:54 AM 8

I have been following Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick’s blog journal this week over at the LPM Blog. She and several other bloggers are sharing their journeys to India as part of the Compassion bloggers’ trip. It has been an amazing journey for that team as shared through their posts – and we have been privileged to participate by praying and reading their blog. Of course, the best way we can participate is by sponsoring a child. My husband and I have been sponsoring a little boy since February. His name is Iduar and he lives in Colombia, South America.

The following excerpt from Melissa’s post just wore me out:

A six-month old infant lying alone on a bed in a shack without any supervision *for the entire day* since both his parents are out working daily labor jobs and living desperately from hand to mouth.

The reason I am so slain by that thought is of course the obvious: six-month old babies don’t stay alone for any length of time, much less an entire day.

And another reason is that our 8-month grandson is spending the night with us tonight! We have enjoyed every minute of his company and he has never ONCE been out of our arms. We’ve visited all the farm animals (chickens, cows, sheep, donkeys) and we watched as my Dad, (Zeke’s great-grandfather) worked in his beautiful vegetable garden. Six adults and one blessed little boy – his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all doting on his every action – laughter and joy abounding.
My mind kept thinking about that 6 month old in a shack some- where alone because his parents had to do what they had to do to survive. I cannot wrap my mind around that.

One little boy here in the USA all tucked in tonight, sleeping in the very baby bed his father slept in – with a full tummy, smelling so sweet and clean, and rocked to sleep by his Gran Jan…

One little six-month old in India that was alone for a whole day – in filth, hungry, crying – oh God – why?

I say thank You Father for Your love, mercy, and grace to me and my family.

Mark 10:14 (Amplified Bible)
But when Jesus saw [it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, Allow the children to come to Me–do not forbid or prevent or hinder them–for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Please consider sponsoring a child – for $32 a month you can make a difference.

Blessings,
Gran Jan

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May 2, 2009 1:54 AM 8
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