1,000 GIFTS, #729 to #748
1,000 GIFTS, #711 to #728
717. Here he is on the front porch with Pop, watching down the road for his mommy and daddy to come…
718. Can you see why he reminds us of his daddy at that age? Herein is proof…
719. Time with my parents without the rush of a work schedule…we spent a day going to the local peach packing sheds and enjoyed fresh peach ice cream too. I love my parents. Did you know the first commandment with a promise in God’s Word is found in Exodus 20:12? Honor your father and mother…
720. Garden time. Enough said.
721. An entire day spent with my husband…shopping, eating out, uninterrupted conversation, reconnecting. So sweet and so important for good marriages.
722. Praying daily for a missions team from my church in Ukraine. I love these folks – every one of them. They are gathered here on their way to the airport in the wee hours of the morning last Friday. They are awesome people on mission for Jesus. As our Pastor, Dr. Perdue says, his desire is that the sun will never set on the ministry of our church as we serve globally. We also have students in South Africa as well as down the street from our church this week, serving in a trailer park conducting Backyard Bible Clubs. I LOVE MY CHURCH FAMILY…
728. One of my favorite delights from last week is this picture I took of an old fireplace out in the middle of the country. My dad stopped to let me get the picture (that in itself is a gift too). I can’t help but wonder about the family that lived here long ago and the hands that built that fireplace.
What am I building that will stand the test of time? Am I investing in the lives of others for eternity and for Christ’s Kingdom? God help me to see past the busyness of daily living that can so easily distract me from my true purpose here…
Jan
1,000 GIFTS, #690 to #710
I’m getting closer to the mark of the 1,000th gift, and as much as I anticipate reaching the goal, the greater JOY has been the journey. I mean that. I am thankful for this JOY and discipline, knowing that His grace gifts will not end even when I reach the goal…
690. Glory glory glory – precious TIME unbound by the clock or a schedule…time to just “be,” as I’m off work this week. Lots of projects lined up, but I can’t wait to get started on them all…one at a time, just like this counting.
691. I saved zinnia seeds from last summer all winter long and planted them in the Spring – they are bringing much JOY and I’ve enjoyed sharing them. They have grown exceedingly abundantly more than I could have imagined.
692. Fresh corn from my Dad’s garden and his JOY in sharing it with so many folks.
693. I kept my oldest grandboy weekend before last, he even came to church with us on Sunday! I loved every single moment with him. It is very special to have one-on-one time with my grandchildren. I enjoy having them ALL, but the noise level and activity of three 3 and under is wild sometimes. He enjoyed playing on my mom’s front porch as we visited with her.
702. Our church’s annual “Family Night Spectacular” was just that – spectacular. Sweet sweet sweet fellowship and fireworks! The Family of God. What grace is this?
710. This beautiful Swallowtail butterly was enjoying the zinnias in my garden, and I had my iPhone with me outside so I captured the moment…
1,000 GIFTS, #675 to #689
683. While driving home from my day in Atlanta with Lanie, a thunderstorm was brewing as I got closer to home. I am so thankful for the much needed rain. I could see this one coming and we ended up with 2 inches of rain and some great puddles…for little grandboys and Gran Jans.
1,000 GIFTS, #660 to #674
Along with the daily gifts of God’s goodness in our lives, this past week has been one of milestones in our family, of birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Family is everything to me and I only wish I had more time to spend with all of them. We are busy in ministry, jobs, and taking care of day-to-day responsibilities. Just like you and your family. But taking the time to stop and count the gifts of grace Jesus gives makes the pace a bit slower so you can truly focus on what is right here and now, gifts from His hand…
660. Today is our 35th wedding anniversary. I have been a tad emotional about celebrating this milestone. Why does it seem that events that end in “0” or “5” are more special? God has certainly blessed my sweet Gary and me all these years. We were so young and so in love. Then…and now…
664. Here she is as a young bride herself…I love this picture, and I’m very thankful for her faithful love to me and her testimony as a woman who loves the Word of God. She has 5 brothers and four of them were preachers. What a wonderful family I married into…her maiden name is Moody and the family tree has lines to the famous evangelist, D.L. Moody. One of her brothers is named after him.
1,000 GIFTS, #639 to #659
1,000 GIFTS, #615 to #638
Multitudes on Mondays (and knowing that His Grace abounds every other day too). Just keep counting…just keep counting…just keep counting…
615. Mercy – His Mercy. Mercy that triumphs…still relishing the Bible study on James
618. Praying and believing God for a special word and then when my Pastor gets up to preach and reminds us that “the Power is in the Word,” and then being blessed as God delivers that special word to my heart.
619. Anticipation…
625. The Super Moon this month.
3 When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established,
and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?