So Long Insecurity – Part 2

Back in early March I was having lunch with some co-workers when my cell phone rang. The caller was the Director of Living Proof Ministries, beautiful Sabrina Moore. She wanted to know if I would be willing to organize a group of women to serve as hostesses at the LPM resource tables during the So Long Insecurity event. I said “let me think, yes.” It took less than 2 minutes with a Facebook message later that evening to gather the 12 workers! A chance for us to give back a little by serving Beth Moore and LPM after all they have invested in us? Done deal!

The “Delightful Dozen Southern Siestas” were Fran, Robyn, Tammy, Stephanie, Nikki, Wendy, Emmy, Lora, Deborah, Miranda, Karen, and me! My friend Alaina and Emmy’s daughter Lizzy even helped us! We worked so hard and had so much fun! No one would have believed we were newbies.  You know why? We knew and believed in our products! Bethie’s books, CD’s, DVD’s and studies! We knew of what we “speaketh!”

Here are two overhead pictures of us in action…I cannot tell you how much fun we had, but we did. We laughed, explained, worked, walked back and forth, prayed, explained some more, hugged necks, answered questions, hugged more necks, and had a blast!
Robyn (blonde) and K Mac and Nancy!
(K Mac and Nancy are LPM Staffers)
Wendy is bagging up a purchase for someone!
K Mac, Nancy, Tammy and Deborah
Me, Alaina, Fran, and Karen stop for a picture
Nikki – I was so happy to meet her “in real life”
Lizzy, me, and Emmy
(Emmy and I traveled to Houston together back in January
to attend the Scripture Memory Team Celebration)
Karen is having a good time! (Always)
Lora is a sweetheart! She writes beautiful poems.
I am saying “So Long Insecurity!”
I can’t remember when I simultaneously worked so hard and yet had so much fun. I know it is because we were all like-minded in spirit and in purpose. Thank you Living Proof Ministries for allowing us to serve you and our sisters in Christ. We were SECURE in our love for you and in our jobs as resource table hostesses!  It was a great day that I will remember for a long time. I miss my siestas already.
Jan
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So Long Insecurity – Part 1

The long-awaited So Long Insecurity Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA and simulcast to 869 locations for an attendance of 300,000 was one of the best events in which I have ever been privileged to participate!

Beth Moore taught from Ephesians 4 on what a “Secure Woman” is using the acronym for the word secure.

S = Saved from herself
E = Entitled to truth
C = Clothed with intention
U = Upended by grace
R = Rebounded by love

E = Exceptional in life

I will share my notes soon and which “letter” meant the most to my heart, but right now I just wanted to share some pictures.

Here I am on the bus with the book written by Beth Moore.  Go get it and read it if you haven’t. It will make a difference in your life and your attitude toward life. 

There were 300,000 women that participated in the conference, and 10,000 of them were at the host site at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia. They were great hosts and served us well.  I know their pastor, Dr. Johnny Hunt is so proud of them!  This is the women waiting to get in to their seats…

The worship, the Word, and the women were wonderful.  More to come…

Love,
Jan

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Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Happy Spring, sweet friends!  We had a family picnic Easter Sunday afternoon and I made “Chocolate Cobbler” at my husband’s request.  This dessert is pure old-fashioned chocolatey gooey goodness with a delicious cobbler crust!  It is made with simple ingredients that I invariably have on hand. You don’t even have to use a mixer, just a good whisk will do! I believe this is a depression era recipe, very old.

Now you know that this PW (pastor’s wife, not pioneer woman) would never lead you astray due to my Southern roots and hospitality and manners and all…  You must trust me when I tell you that this recipe will DELIGHT your soul and impress your guests, truly it will.  When you make it, I want to hear back from you!  (The recipe is for an 8×8 casserole, but I “doubled” it in the picture above and pictures below…double the goodness.)

INGREDIENTS (in order of use):

1 stick of butter (I use salted)
1 cup of White Lily self-rising flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (I used Hersheys)
1/2 cup whole milk (2% is okay, but not preferred)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups boiling water

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt butter in an 8×8 inch baking dish while the oven preheats.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of White Lily self-rising flour, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa, getting out all the lumps.
4. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth. Whisk well!
5. Spoon this batter over the melted butter in the baking dish, DO NOT STIR!

6. Whisk together the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder.
7. Sprinkle over the batter. DO NOT STIR!

8. Slowly pour the boiling water over the top of the mixture. DO NOT STIR!

9. Bake until “set” for 30-35 minutes in the preheated oven. The crust will rise to the top.

It is wonderful just as it is, and also good served while still warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, or some whipped cream.

Go ahead and just do the math and DOUBLE it!
Use a 9×13 pan…you’ll be glad you did!
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Beginnings and Firsts

There is something very special about a new beginning, a “first time.”  This is a picture of my youngest son and his bride on their wedding day almost two years ago…06-07-08. This day marked the beginning of their lives together! They had “only just begun” as the song lyrics repeat…it was a beautiful wedding, their first day as husband and wife.

This past Saturday, March 20, 2010, was another first! The beginning of a new season, the first day of Spring! The weather was absolutely beautiful, and the gardener in me loves the beginning of a new season of flowers.

But the “Gran Jan” in me had another *first* this past Saturday that I would love to share with you!  A miracle of sorts, a blessing to enjoy thanks to the amazing technology of today. I laid eyes on my little grandson that isn’t even born yet! Little Jackson, son of my youngest son and his sweet wife!
A FIRST! I saw my baby boy’s yet unborn baby boy via the imagery of a 4-D sonogram.  It was so amazing. My son and his wife and both sets of grandparents were there.  We had a wonderful morning as we saw baby Jackson’s sweet face. We can’t wait to see him face to face!
Psalm 139:13-16
13  For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15  My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16  your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
And this last picture is another beginning…the first day my name became “Gran Jan” when little Zeke was born.  Oh the JOY, Gran Jan’s JOY!
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DELIGHTS – TIMES 4!

DELIGHTFUL WEEKEND! I have enjoyed so much this past weekend!  Special time with my family as we celebrated special events of our lives together, and the beautiful snow that is so rare for our area. So this morning, I am thanking God for some more Gran Jan’s JOY!  (These delights are in no particular order…they are ALL joyful.)

Delight #1: Winter Wonder ~ We don’t have snow ’round these parts very often – and definitely not of the magnitude that we enjoyed this past Friday.  There is something so peaceful about the clean and pristine white snow.  The rarity of this event made it quite a delightful winter wonder for all of us. 

Our driveway – Double M Farms
My parents live next door.
(My maiden and married names – M’s)
Pecan grove
Oak trees line the driveway (I love this so much!)
Side view of my front porch – a happy place to spend time
Single cardinal in the birch tree, the
view from my kitchen window
Delight #2: Zeke finally said Gran Jan – clearly! Not “ga-ga” or something two-syllable sounding as he has been doing, but he said “GRAN JAN!” I went to babysit him for a little while Friday morning and as I was leaving, he patted his mommy and said “Mama,” then pointed to my son and sad “daddy,” then tapped my arm and said “Gran Jan!”  I was so tickled.  I have been waiting for this day!
Delight #3: Our other two grandbabies are on the way in May and the girls took another picture this weekend to show their progress!  If you look closely, you can see the babies’ genders on their tee-shirts.  Erin (daughter-in-love on the right) made these shirts as a surprise.  (Go here to read all about that.)  Carrie (daughter-in-love on the left) is having a girl! See the flowers showing? Erin is having a boy! See the sports balls showing? They did not plan this, but Erin pointed it out when she sent me the pictures – I love it!
Delight #4: Today is my husband’s birthday.  I have celebrated many birthdays with this man, and each one is more special – each celebration of life makes me so grateful for the man God gave me to be my husband.  I love Gary more than ever – he is my best friend, he takes good care of me, he loves our family and he is a man of great integrity. He is a true man of God – at home, at church, and in the community – and that makes me respect him all the more.
Counting my blessings today, and loving Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength!
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Gazillion Georgia Gals at Books a Million to see Beth Moore!

My friend Cindy and I trekked (I actually drove) through the cold rain yesterday afternoon to go see my friend Beth Moore at the “Books a Million” in Peachtree City, Georgia.  There were so many women there it should have been called “Books a Gazillion.” Beth was kind and gracious to all gazillion of them and she signed books for 3 solid hours…she was precious!

The gazillion gals were there to have Beth sign their copies of her newest release, So Long, Insecurity (you’ve been a bad friend to us) and I’m sure to also hug her sweet neck and tell her how much the LORD has used her ministry in their lives.  Now, not all gazillion gals at Books a Million actually told me this face to face (about a billion did), but trust me, I know that’s why they were there! 

Because that’s why I was there…

Beth’s wonderful and extraordinarily capable assistant, Michelle, gave the security guy the “nod,” so I was allowed to get “behind the barricade” to talk to Bethie.  I actually surprised her and it was so much fun! I wanted to support her because that’s what friends do.  Support.each.other.
So, if you haven’t yet done so, go get yourself a copy of So Long, Insecurity, and join in the on-line discussion reading group at the Living Proof Ministries blog.  I believe the sign up is this coming Tuesday.  Go here some time on Tuesday February 9th to get the details. Don’t be insecure, just do it…you will love it. Trust me.
You can also go to Amazon to get your copy! It won’t be nearly as much fun as going to the store and hugging the author’s neck, but it will have to suffice for now. Okay?
Blessings to you all,
Georgia Jan
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THE LORD LISTENED AND HEARD…Malachi 3:16

It was a JOY to participate in 2009 as part of the Scripture Memory Team. One of my verses was Malachi 3:16, and it fit our celebration this past weekend in Houston so well! As we talked with each other and shared our verses, the LORD listened and He wrote a scroll of remembrance concerning the Siestas! Isn’t that the most wonderful glorious news?
“Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard, and a scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name!”
Deborah, Georgia Jan, Beth, Emmy, Wendy

The Georgia Four Wendy, Emmy, Deborah and me were so excited to be in Houston, TX for the LPM SMT Celebration! We had agreed to pray God’s Word together through the promise of Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of our Lord God rest upon us, and establish the work of our hands.”  Indeed He did!

Amanda, our wonderful Blog Queen, had let us know earlier that there would be about 500 of us, and as you all know, that is really a “small group” for a Bethie event!  I loved the intimacy and focus of the Siestas that attended.  The like-mindedness of all of us memorizing scripture for one year together was palatable in that place. It was sweet to see Beth get to be up close and love on the siestas – something she doesn’t get to do in an arena setting.  It was like a family reunion!

I love to make lists, and this list is alliterative.  It covers so many of the wonderful blessings from this past weekend. Nothing.Disappointed.  Nothing!

  • Beautiful Beth
  • Amazing Amanda
  • More Master’s Degrees Melissa
  • Wonderful Worship by Terrific Travis
  • Lovely LPM Staff
  • Hospitable Houston
  • Georgia Girls
  • Sweet Siestas
  • Warm Weather
  • Verified Verses
  • Fantastic Food

But the list doesn’t share details and pictures, so I would love to oblige with that now…

We had a great flight to Houston from the ATL and I knew we were off to a great start as Emmy was ALREADY watching a DVD of Beth on our way there to see Beth.  Gotta love that!  I took this picture from my seat right behind her on the plane!

The Georgia girls started the morning early with some pampering at the spa within the Omni Hotel. Facials, sauna, whirlpool, the works!  It had been a very long time since I enjoyed that type of pampering.  Thank you sweet Deborah for blessing me with that gift!

Friday afternoon I was so happy to see our wonderful worship leader, Travis in the lobby at the Omni. I love his musical gifts, but I love his heart of worship more.  Always gracious, he kindly took time for pictures and conversation with many of us.  Thank you Travis Cottrell for being used mightily to bless this Baptist “music minister’s wife!”

Here are some random pictures of the weekend.  Words cannot describe the fun and joy-filled time we all had together. So much preparation went into memorizing all that scripture, and much preparation obviously took place months before our arrival. The LPM staff are as sweet and helpful as can be.
Here is my friend Lora from By the Lamplight, I loved meeting her! Lora writes beautiful poetry as God speaks to her heart. Maybe she will share the words to her new poem (quite different from her usual writing). It is called “Purse on the Chain,” sung to the tune of “Pants on the Ground” after she saw a purse at the Houston Galleria for almost $2,000.

Here is my friend from Florida, Karen Barrows. She and I met last October in Orlando, FL at the Deeper Still event. We said our memory verses to each other on Saturday afternoon. It was a very special time.
This is the littliest Siesta. Her name is Dailey Rae, and she memorized her scripture too.  She took these notes while Beth was teaching.  Isn’t this the sweetest picture ever? Little girls like her are our future.  Let’s live our lives so that we will be the Titus women that these young ones need.
Here is another friend, Lindsee Eddy.  She led a big group of us to eat at Pappasitos and it was so very good. There was some sort of green sauce on the table that I claimed as my very own.
Beth taught us from Psalm 119, Life with God from A to Z, and it was marvelous!  “I’m a resident alien, seeking direction, in deep want of wonder, in peril and need, troubled by humanity, especially my own, knowing that to follow is the only free road for a straying sheep, longing to be found.”
I love you Beth – thank you for all you do for all of us Siestas and for being my bff. Your life has been used mightly of God in mine.  Thank you for loving on me so that I can love on others. You are a delight!

Georgia Jan

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