Today marks the beginning of a journey to South Africa! The actual trip is late August of this year, but the process has begun in earnest. We have known about this mission opportunity since late Winter, but the details are coming together and I am beside myself. My husband and I finally got everything together and applied for our passports today! After finding out that I wasn’t “certified,” there was a delay. I have had a copy of my birth certificate for a VERY long time :), but only recently discovered it wasn’t certified. I got that taken care of this past week, so we are well on our way. The nice gentleman at the Post Office told us the turn around time is actually just 3 or 4 weeks! I want to keep up with this journey on my blog, so I’m going to number the posts…so today is number one! I appreciate your prayers as God brings me and this mission trip to your mind. Much love, Jan
The Life of a Minister’s Wife
Part 1:
The Life of a Ministers Wife – part 1 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.
Part 2:
The Life of a Ministers Wife – part 2 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.
Part 3:
The Life of a Ministers Wife – part 3 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.
Beth Moore and 1,200 Ministers’ Wives!!!
This past weekend me (my husband is our Worship Pastor) and three of the other ministers’ wives (Senior Pastor, Adult Education, and Recreation) from my church trekked to Nashville, TN for the Living Proof Live Event for Ministers’ Wives at Two Rivers Baptist Church. We also attended the pre-conference event on Thursday evening and Friday morning too. The breakout sessions and Q&A panel time was so good! I attended “Laugh a Little for Crying Out Loud,” “Balancing Act,” and “Armed and Dangerous.” They were so good, and very applicable! 
These are my notes from Beth’s sessions. She taught from Galatians and ENCOURAGED us beyond measure! She gave us 6 “Aggravations” and 6 “Alternatives,” each with 6 words…
Much love,
My Boy and His Boy
I love this picture, it brings me (Gran Jan) lots of joy! This is my boy and his boy, my Jeremy with his Zeke. I love watching my son and his precious wife (my daughter-in-love) with their son, my grandson. They are happy parents, grateful for the opportunity to be parents, when they were “told” they probably would not have children. My God is a mountain mover, and He has blessed us indeed with this gift of love. This is the reason for my blog and hence the title…Gran Jan’s Joy. I blog to share my joy – joy in Jesus, joy in my family, and joy in sojourning until He comes to take me home. Until then, my heart will go on singing, Until then, with JOY I’ll carry on…
Do-Overs and A Focus for 2009
Good Evening Y’all: Have you ever heard the term having a “do-over?” That’s how I feel when a new year begins – fresh and clean! A new beginning, a clean slate, a “do-over” so to speak. (My sisters and I use to give each other do-overs in games – at least once a game – for when we would mess up…we were sweet to each other that way…occasionally!) I love to keep order and make lists, even in my prayer journal. It helps me stay focused and on target, as I’ve been told by my precious and loving friends that I “tend toward ADHD.” I know I do, oh yes I do. (I have been known to leave my bathroom while brushing my teeth to go do “something else” and end up slurping the toothpaste foam until I can get back to my bathroom and finish brushing…)
Anyway, I wanted to share Psalm 15 with you all and hope it will touch your heart as it did mine. I am going to memorize it as part of my commitment to memorize scripture in 2009.
Psalm 15 (New Living Translation)
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
I want to do all these things in 2009 (and beyond). From Psalm 15, I want to: worship in His sanctuary, enter His presence, lead a blameless life, do what is right, speak the truth from a sincere heart, refuse to gossip, refuse to harm my neighbors, refuse to speak evil of my friends, despise flagrant sinners, honor faithful followers of the Lord, keep my promises even when it hurts, lend money without interest, and take no bribes or lie about the innocent. I WANT TO STAND FIRM FOREVER!
I love y’all so, Georgia Jan
Excited, Energized, and Eager for Esther!!!
This coming Sunday – January 4th, 2009 – I will begin facilitating the new Bible Study by Beth Moore, “Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman,” at my church, and I am excited – ecstatic – eager – energized! I have no idea how many women have signed up – I’ll know in just a few days, but this I do know: whoever God chooses to bring to Bible Study will be blessed as she digs deep and determines her destiny.
I know many of you are starting this study soon as well, and some (Jenny Hope!) are already through. I love you all – thank you for your encouragement to me as I began my blog this past summer. 
2008 has been full of celebrating for “Gran Jan” and my joy in Jesus is complete. I thank God for my precious grandson and look forward to all God has in store for our family in 2009.
Blessings, Georgia Jan
Romans 15:13
Siesta Ornament Exchange 08
This Ornament Exchange has been a wonderful blessing because I had our very own Siesta Patty’s name and she had my name – how about that??? Patty is precious and thoughtful and the gifts matched my season of life during this Christmas season. She blessed me with a box of goodies. Several ornaments – one that said “Believe” (see it there between Redeemer and Jesus) because she knew I believed God for a grandbaby that wasn’t supposed to be here! She also gave me a picture frame that said “M-I-R-A-C-L-E” because that is what I believe happened when Zeke was born against all odds. Thank God He is in control of “all odds.” She also sent me a gift card to Hobby Lobby and I applied it toward my new Christmas wreath…I am so proud of myself because I am not a crafty person. 
Patty introduced me (through her blog) to a drink at Starbucks called a “Caramel Apple Spice” (or is it Cinnamon Apple Spice)? Anyway, she sent me a gift card to Starbucks and I will be able to enjoy this drink several more times thanks to her generosity! You know what else I absolutely LOVED? My Christmas card from Patty. The back said “Christmas on the Farm” and I live on a farm. (Did you know my card said that Patty?) It is the prettiest card I have received all year. Thank you Patty for your generosity amidst all you have gone through – being sick and the changes in your life. You are a true blessing and I am praying that God will return your giving spirit in ways that only He can do!
Merry Christmas to all, Georgia Jan
