For Grandmothers & Grandmothers Yet-to-Be

March 24, 2011 11:25 PM 8
For all Grandmothers, whatever your “Grandma name”…
“Grammy, Mimi, Gramma, Gran, Nana, Grandma, Mamu, Granny, Mimmie, Mawmaw, Grandmother, Big Mama, Nanny, Memama, Gigi, and of course, my sweet friend Bibby!“

I began this blog almost 3 years ago anticipating the JOY of becoming a first-time grandmother; hence,Gran Jan’s JOY. My very first post was entitled  “The Waiting Room” as I journaled about this new season in my life. I came across these “grandmother” quotes recently and wanted to share them. (I apologize if perchance you are the author, please reply and I will give due credit.)   

I suspect many of you young women probably never think much about becoming grandmothers. I honestly didn’t when I was your age. However, I can surely testify to you first-hand that aside from the precious love of Jesus Christ…it is the most wonderfully sweet and delightful pure love, and I am smitten with these three grandbabies of mine:

JACKSON, ZEKE, MADIE RUTH
Here are the “Grandma Quotes:”
 Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting…
What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,
and they give me a million dollars’ worth of pleasure.
JACKSON
Grandmothers are just antique little girls.
 
 Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.

GRAN JAN HOLDS EZEKIEL (“Zeke”) FOR THE FIRST TIME…8-17-2008
 A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the children instead
of the television…on purpose.

When a baby is born, so is a grandmother…


Becoming a grandmother is wonderful.
One moment you’re just a mother…
the next you are all-wise and prehistoric.

A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance…
God’s best “do-over!”

 When grandmothers enter the door, discipline flies out the window.


Just about the time a woman thinks her work is done she becomes a grandmother…

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting just to see you
 and now her day was complete!
 Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies.
  Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace...

JACKSON

My grandkids believe I’m the oldest thing in the world.
And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too!

 If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice,
I should advise every one of you straight away to become one.

MISS MADIE RUTH
Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old.
An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again.

 The best baby-sitters, of course, are the grandparents.
I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have, if just to keep up with them.
Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple:
grandmas are short on criticism and long on love…
nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.
 Grandmother – a wonderful mother with lots of practice.
A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside.

  One of the sweetest handclasps is that of a new
grandbaby around the finger of a grandmother.
It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one.
 
 If your baby is beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,
sleeps on schedule and burps on demand,
an angel all the time, you’re the grandma.
 Grandparents are similar to a piece of string – handy to have
around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren.
Grandchildren don’t make a man feel old;
it’s the knowledge that he’s married to a grandmother…
I LOVE YOU, “POP!”
Share
March 24, 2011 11:25 PM 8

1,000 GIFTS, #1 to #10

February 8, 2011 4:28 AM 2

I have wanted to join the ranks of gift counters for a long time now, ever since I discovered Ann Voskamp’s wonderful blog, A Holy Experience.  Every time I visit it truly is…a holy experience. Her words are anointed, her writing so fresh and free. I love this young woman’s heart and would love to meet her one day and give her a big old southern girl hug around the neck!

Since I’m just beginning my list of 1,000 gifts and it is a “Multitude Monday,” I’m going for it. I am in a good place to do this – away for a conference with my husband that is very specific…for just worship pastors and their wives. It’s good to be with like-minded folks and those who are seeking to have the mind of Christ. It’s been a good day. 

1.  to be a pastor’s wife, specifically to one whose calling is to lead in worship
2.  to share the joy of time away to refresh and renew
3.  hearing over 50 “music men” sing together in worship…glory voices!
4.  a text from my daughter-in-love this morning
5.  the joy of mentoring a young wife tonight about raising boys
6.  reading Ann Voskamp’s book “One Thousand Gifts” this afternoon in the quiet of a beautiful retreat center
7.  fellowship this evening with a fellow garden enthusiast, specifically a lover of daylilies
8.  roundtable discussions with other ministers wives…talking shop and occupational “hazards”  😉
9. typing this blogpost while my own music man sleeps next to me…weary from a long day of taking in so much with his peers
10. connecting with a young steward at this retreat center named Daniel…and sharing with him about the Daniel of the Bible…JOY!

Thank you Jesus for the JOY of this day…a gift…the beginning of thousands.

Share
February 8, 2011 4:28 AM 2

She Lived 25 Years…She’s Been Gone 25 Years

August 3, 2010 12:49 PM 31
Sisters are Different Flowers From the Same Garden…

I am the oldest of four girls all named by our parents with “P.J.” inititals, Pamela Jan, Phyllis Jean, Patricia Joan, Peggy Jo; all called by our middle names. This picture was taken back in 1981 as we celebrated our parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.  (We are standing in birth order, with me on the far left.)

This past January 18th would have been Jean’s 50th birthday if she had lived. But God had other plans, and my sister died on July 19, 1985, 25 years ago.  She was only 25 years old when a tragic car accident took her life instantly.  She’s been gone for as long as she lived.  Some days it seems like only yesterday…and other days I mourn every one of those 25 years. 

I have scanned in some photos from our early years.  Every memory I have of my childhood includes my sister Jean as we were so close in age.  This could well be one of our first photos together.  I was 2 years, 2 months and 2 days old when she was born in January of 1960.

 This photograph is one of my favorites of Jean and me with our mother.
I was a brown-eyed brunette (still am), and she was a blue-eyed blonde!
 Here we are on Christmas Day – I especially love my memories of Christmases with Jean.  We loved this kitchen set, and always played “house” with our baby dolls.
We played outside for hours with this old dog.
Even though I am older, she was often my defender in squabbles.
Here we are all decked out for Easter with matching hats and dresses. 
I was 7 years old, Jean was 5, and our baby sister Joan was 9 months old.
Jo was born the very next year on Good Friday.
 This is Jean and I in front of our home in Hawaii.
Our Dad was a career Marine, and our family lived in Hawaii during
his duty there. We loved our years in Hawaii and the timing was
great as we were teenagers and we loved the beach!

A few months ago when the thought resonated in my heart that Jean had been gone as long as she had lived, I asked my mom if us girls could spend the day togther to remember Jean and celebrate her life. So that is what we did this past July 19th.  My sisters and our mom went to the cemetery and put flowers on Jean’s grave. 

There is a quote that Jean always loved, so her sweet husband had it carved into her beautiful pink granite tombstone at the bottom.  It says:

With each rising sun,
think of life as just beginning.
Show kindness and love today,
for tomorrow’s chance may be lost.

It was extremely hot that day, and we didn’t tarry too long.  But we did what we came for. We talked about how much we miss Jean, and we shed some tears. We visited our paternal grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ graves, and many of my Dad’s siblings’ graves too.  After we left the cemetery, we had lunch together and did a little shopping.  It was good to just be together.  We wanted to remember her, but not to mourn as those who have no hope! Jean had a little girl, our sweet niece Amy, who was not quite two years old when her momma died.  I texted Amy and told her what we were doing, and she was so glad.  She lives out of state or she would have joined us.  She is so much like her momma.  It is absolutely uncanny when I watch Amy and see Jean’s hand motions and facial expressions.  She did not get the privilege to raise her girl, but she lives on in her every day.  Amy is so beautiful.

This picture of Jean and Amy was taken not long before Jean died.
I cannot tell you how Jean’s death devasted our lives. The morning of her funeral was the darkest day I have ever known.  My heart was broken for my parents more than anything. Jean’s death remains the greatest loss in our family.  But this I know! Jesus gives grace and He is so faithful.  We turned to Him for comfort and He met us every time.  We miss her every day, and when the family is together, we are not complete.  But I know beyond doubt that a day is coming when we will be together again in Heaven!  Because of the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross and our faith in Him as Lord and Savior – we will see her again one day, alive and whole.

Blessings to you all.  Love your family every day, for tomorrow’s chance may be lost…
Jan

Share
August 3, 2010 12:49 PM 31

Meet My Granddaughter, Miss Madie Ruth Morton

May 12, 2010 1:50 AM 27

5-10-10…My son and his wife were on the way to the hospital, and I went to keep Zeke and took this picture right before they left.  Then on Monday afternoon around 1:45 my sweet daughter-in-law, gave birth to a girl.

I have a granddaughter!  Her name is Madie Ruth Morton

(Madie is pronounced may-dee.)  She weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.  She is so beautiful. 

Gran Jan’s Joy is now PINK!
Her Grandaddy meets her for the first time below,
and I could hardly wait for this moment,
because we had BOYS!
I just know he is in for a wonderful JOY!
These are Madie’s maternal grandparents.
They did a wonderful job raising her mother, my daughter-in-law!
This is Madie’s big brother Zeke,
my inspiration to begin this blog,
Gran Jan’s Joy.
In less than two weeks my baby boy’s sweet wife will deliver grandbaby number 3, little Jackson Evan Morton.  Gran Jan’s Joy is receiving the double portion this month.  I honestly can’t wrap my heart and mind around everything I am feeling and praying and rejoicing over, but I’m doing the best I can to enjoy every minute and to be thankful.  
My family is growing and the heritage of faith they are going to receive is the most important gift my husband and I can give them…
Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children-
Share
May 12, 2010 1:50 AM 27

So Long Insecurity – Part 2

April 28, 2010 1:52 AM 9

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
Share
April 28, 2010 1:52 AM 9

So Long Insecurity – Part 1

April 26, 2010 5:38 AM 11

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

Share
April 26, 2010 5:38 AM 11

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.

Share
January 15, 2010 1:35 AM 3
« Previous Page
Next Page »