1,000 GIFTS, #479 to #499

February 7, 2012 2:30 AM 3
479. Hymns – glorious hymns about God’s blessings. Showers of blessings, showers of blessings we need…mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead. So thankful for His tender mercies as I continue this journey to 1000 gifts.
  
480. Beautiful glorious pink sunrises through the pecan trees on the farm. Welcome morning!

481. This gorgeous tree is in full bloom…although Spring is still 6 weeks ago, this big tulip magnolia (magnolia lilifloria) is a JOY and sight to behold (downtown Perry, GA).

482. Sweet grandgirl Miss Madie wearing her new shirt Gran Jan made for her (see gift #477). She calls me “Jan Jan” instead of Gran Jan. Melts my heart.

483. I am loving the JOY of my embroidery machine – this is a little “dot font” monogram I put on a shirt for my sweet grandgirl!
484. A big beautiful LIVE OAK tree in Savannah, GA…the official state tree of GEORGIA and one of my favorite trees.
485. Sweet times with sixteen of the most wonderful women as we planned and prayed together at our annual women’s ministry team retreat last weekend.  God is so good to give JOY and FELLOWSHIP and KINDRED HEARTS as we shared around the table.  We went to a neat place called New Ebenezer Retreat Center that was a delightful respite.
486. Bunk Beds, delightful bunk beds in our retreat cabin. It has been YEARS since I climbed a ladder to the top bunk. We laughed until the late night (early morning). Our youngest team member is 24, the oldest is 71. Pure therapy for the soul…girl time.
487. A long walk Saturday morning to the bluff of the Savannah River which is where the retreat center is located.  Came across this old church that has been “in continuous worship of God since 1734.”  Amazingly serene.
488. Lunch on River Street in Savannah before we headed over to the Retreat Center!
(Melissa, Stephanie (our new pastor’s wife), Julie, Joy, Debbie, Jennifer)
(Leia, Cindy, Teresa, Doris, Charlene, Kathy)
(Taneea, Lanie, Patsy, me)
489. Someone built seats and a pulpit overlooking the river bluff. I can just imagine sitting here for a glorious Easter morning sunrise service.

490. Sweet surprise visit from Jonathan and Jackson this past Saturday – another winter day that felt “just like Spring.”  And a visit to the farm always requires checking out the cows and chickens…
491. The sight of these daffodils blooming in my garden always brings me joy – God’s glorious creation, gifts of His grace…the promise of a “new season.”
492.  I’ve enjoyed watching this beaver dam being built (about 2 miles from our home). My husband pointed it out to me recently. He knows how I enjoy all things “outside by God’s creation.”
493. Just finished a baby quilt yesterday for some dear friends awaiting their first grandchild. His nursery is a “John Deere” theme. Yes – yet another John Deer quilt…
494. Have I mentioned how much Travis Cottrell’s music blesses me? Can you tell by this iTunes list on my computer?  Thankful for his ministry.
495. Speaking of music, this is little Jackson sitting on the floor near his daddy in the back of our church’s worship center listening to his Pop (my husband) leading worship…generational joy! Grace.
496. A wonderful chocolate covered sweet cream-filled heart-shaped donut – yes, I took a picture of my donut and got caught doing so. Didn’t bother me one bit.  Enjoyed every sweet bite.
497. Bulbs, bulbs, bulbs. Springtime cometh. Oh the joy in each of those little planters. It was all I could not to get one of everything. But I restrained. For now.  It’s still winter. But not for long!
498. My sister Jean would have celebrated her 52nd birthday this past January 18.  I wrote a blog post about Jean’s brief life here .  Her daughter, my niece Amy, is so much like her.  Amy was just 3 weeks away from her 2nd birthday when Jean died. She looks more like her momma every single day, especially in this picture…
499. And here is the silly side of me (I am actually silly on all sides) from a trip to Wendy’s for lunch…it makes me smile every time I look at it, so I saved it. I love to laugh and be silly, which I hope will help me grow old gracefully. I really pray about that. That I may never lose the wonder of each day. Counting His gifts to 1,000 is sure helping me on the journey. Amen?

May God bless you and hold you close,
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February 7, 2012 2:30 AM 3

Last Day of 2011 & Christmas Reflections

January 1, 2012 12:12 AM 4

As this last day of 2011 comes to a close in about 5 hours, I have been reflecting as most of us do when a new year rolls around. The same thing is going on over on Beth Moore’s Blog, and I also loved the post on the InCourage blog with 20 Questions for Reflection by Tsh Oxenreider. 

Christmas…I am blessed with a job in our local school system and the office closes for the last 2 weeks of the year which gives me a great Christmas break.  I’ve been extra busy but have enjoyed every moment.  Here are a few pictures for my memories on this blog…

I don’t do a whole lot of Christmas decorating – just the mantle,
our tree and some wreaths outside on the doors and windows.
This ornament is very special to me. 
Our First Christmas as Husband and Wife – 1977
Our Three Beautiful Grandchildren
Christmas with grandchildren in the home changes everything for the better.
Our 2011 Christmas Tree
I love a lot of lights on the tree – this one had 400 clear lights
and 900 festive colored lights. It was beautiful.
Our delightful 14th Annual Women’s Ministry Christmas Brunch speaker
Leah Adams of The Point Ministries
 Our awesome Church Choir and orchestra’s Christmas program
was the most worshipful ever this year.
One of my most favorite things in the
entire universe is singing in this choir!
Most Christmas lights I’ve ever seen – near downtown Perry, GA 
Sweet time reminiscing memories of family and friends as I
mailed Christmas cards this year…
My mom and sisters and I on our trip to Atlanta last week to
see Amy Grant & Vince Gill at the Fabulous Fox Theatre!
Sweet time with memories made.
One of my favorite Christmas coffee mugs!
Collards are still in my garden,
 I picked these at 3:30 and we ate them for supper at 6:00
Now that is FRESH!
Jalepeno Cornbread for the collards – so good.
GRAN JAN’S JOY in babysitting this sweet grandboy while my
son and his wife finished Christmas shopping (for him). 

 Santa is a member of my church (he really is). 
And I was so glad he was able to be there Christmas morning.
C-   Counselor
H-   Holy One
R-   Redeemer
I-    I AM
S-   Shepherd
T-  Teacher
M-  Mediator
A-  Almighty
S-  Savior

Ready for 2012 and all that our Almighty God has in store. He has been Faithful and True to me with abundant Grace and Mercy in 2011.  I love Him so.

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January 1, 2012 12:12 AM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #427 to #443

December 12, 2011 4:58 PM 6

So many times on this journey to 1,000 gifts I am reminded of the old hymn “Count Your Blessings.” I’ve heard it and sang it so many times in church with my husband leading in worship. I’ve been in church services when people would testify of His blessings. So really this counting is not a new thing, but a great discipline of old. The chorus of the hymn says:

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings,
See what God has done.
Soooooooooooooooooo, here I go, almost half-way there!

427.  Since my post almost a month ago I celebrated my birthday on November 16. I’m thankful for all the cards and gifts and wonderful birthday messages on Facebook. I really was overwhelmed with love. I’m thankful for LIFE.

428.  Birthday flowers from my husband (roses), and my sweet friend and partner in women’s ministry, Cindy (fall bouquet). The colors were vivid and brought me so much JOY. Our Creator God sure makes beautiful flowers.
429. Thanksgiving. Next to Easter, it is my favorite holiday because it is “uncluttered.” Family, food, fellowship, and exactly what this post is about – BLESSINGS. This picture says it all…food everywhere. It was a great year because EVERYONE was around the table. That in itself is a gift of His grace.
430. My dad loves our homeplace and is so proud of this new sign at his driveway. Double M Farm Road. Watching him enjoy life brings me great joy. I love my parents. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on November 23rd. Grace.
431. Planting pansies is one of my many fall delights. I love to plant the little violas in my strawberry jar. Another JOY from our marvelous Creator. Flowers in COLD weather!
432. While outside enjoying my gardening day, I had quite an audience.
433. A week off for Thanksgiving. It was the best week I’ve had in a long time. It began with a visit to see my amazing mother-in-law, included time with my grandchildren, my whole family around my table, time in the garden and in the sewing room, and the PEACE and JOY of awaiting our new pastor’s arrival!
434. My church’s women’s ministry has an annual Christmas Brunch and this year we had an amazing speaker – Leah Adams of Point Ministries.  God has given her a message about leaving a Godly legacy. She brought a word from THE WORD and is a delightful woman. I am very thankful for her life and ministry. God is using her and did I mention that she is delightful?
435. This sweet woman is my Merle Norman lady. I love Mrs. Sarah. Isn’t she beautiful? Thank you Mrs. Gayle for sending me this picture from the Christmas Brunch. I thank God for the women He has brought into my life to encourage and mentor me in the faith. My heart’s desire is to do the same for the women He brings in my life.
436. A combination Birthday/Christmas/Valentine’s/Groundhog Day/Anniversary/Fourth of July/Memorial Day, etc. etc. gift. A new embroidery machine for my sewing DELIGHTS. This is my sewing room happy place. The new machine is on the left.
437. Because of #436, I can now make my own labels for my quilts (this is the first one I made and it is for a Christmas table runner I quilted). I really look forward to making personalized gifts for my grandchildren too. I have much to learn but am enjoying every minute. My friend Lanie has been so much help to me.
438. My baby boy with his baby boy. JOY. They are clones. I love this picture and their similar expressions…
439. God sent us the prettiest, brightest, largest, fullest, and most delightful RAINBOW I have ever laid my eyes on. It even made the local news. I pulled off the road 3 times on my drive home from work to just delight in it’s beauty and to praise and thank my COVENANT KEEPING GOD.
440. I babysat my oldest son’s children one night a couple of weeks ago so he and his wife could attend an event for Dr. Johnny Hunt. Out of the blue, this little fellow looked up and said to me, “Gran Jan, we don’t pray to kings…we only pray to God.” I actually took this picture right after he shared that WISDOM with Gran Jan. He is three years old and is the inspiration for my blog. I love you Zeke.
441. DAILY GRACE. One of my many favorite hymns is ““Come Thou Fount” I especially love this line because in the busyness of life as wife, mom, Gran Jan, daughter, sister, friend, employee, choir member, women’s ministry leader, I am prone to WANDER. Sweet Jesus keep my heart centered on You.
442. I love my front porch swing and it now has a fresh coat of red paint. Red is my favorite color and my sweet husband painted it for me. He also surprised me one night last week with supper ON THE TABLE when I came home from work. He is the kindest and most generous man I know and he is mine.
443. This precious red-bowed beauty is my granddaughter Madie. She is sweeter than Georgia sweet tea. She is starting to “talk up a storm” as we say in the South. We were making reindeer cookies. She was putting Rudolph’s red M&M nose in place. Here is a link to making these reindeer cookies from Southern Living. Easy and fun.
Next week is going to be all about CHRISTMAS and I cannot wait to share gifts of the season. If you’re prone to wander, may God bind your wandering heart to Himself and may you intentionally seek quiet moments every day to reflect on the JOY of His coming to this Earth to redeem your soul.
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December 12, 2011 4:58 PM 6

1,000 GIFTS, #386 to #408

October 31, 2011 11:45 PM 8
Here I am again on this Monday, my heart brimming with multitudes of gifts – more grace gifts, lessons learned, memories made, and in just a week! Just the blessing of being HERE on this earth, at this time, in this generation, is a gift. The Word of God tells us our life is but a vapor in James 4:14

This is a picture of the vapor in the cool mornings around our pond this week.

I’m so thankful because:

386.  …I am very content in my life’s current season:
387.  …I am halfway through my 34th year of a solid marriage to a Godly man
388.  …both my parents are still healthy and well
389.  …my sons are happily married to wonderful young women
390.  …my grandchildren are healthy, delightful, and bring me JOY
391.  …my sisters Joan and Jo are there for me any time I need to talk
392.  …I have a wonderful circle of friends
393.  …my church family is Rock solid.  
394. I’m so blessed with my quilting time. It calms me to sit at my sewing machine and ponder and pray as I sew. I finished Madie’s quilt Saturday and it was fun to work with such “girly” fabric for a change from the boys’ tractor themed quilts. This was a simple pattern of squares and rectangles but I love the old-fashioned look. Madie is a beautiful child and I know she will continue to grace our family.
395. This is my quilting buddy and best friend of 23 years – what a treasure Lanie is. We’re old school and don’t mind sharing that. Faith and family are our joys. We enjoyed a recent “sew-in.” Today’s generation of women is missing something that women in times past did – getting together to quilt, sew, can food – train – mentor. We need that.
396. I love my job – I actually do have a “day job” besides being a pastor’s wife. I have worked for our local board of education for 23 years. The people in our offices are true public servants. Sharon is one of those folks, and she brought me some apples from the North Georgia mountains. She is “Gran Sharon” and when she became a grandmother 11 years ago, it was actually then I decided I would be “Gran Jan.”  And so I am.
397. Saturday was fun as the boys came very early to cut firewood. It’s been a long time since the back door opened and I saw my boys come in together. Raising them has been my life’s greatest JOY. I love their bantering – always have. I know they could quote Psalm 133:1 right now…
398. My husband loves to deer hunt. He was in the woods and when I got home I found these sweet “love notes” all around. Reference #387 – amen?
399. This is a cotton field – a HUGE one. Right now on farms all around us – cotton, pecans, and peanuts are being harvested. My paternal grandfather was a sharecropper and raised cotton and peanuts. I love to hear my dad talk about him because I never knew him. But I know I would have loved him dearly.
400.  What a joy my mom and I discovered as our camellia bush is finally blooming. We planted this one four years ago and the wait was well worth it. They bloom when nothing else is…what a great life lesson. I want to do the same!
401. My grandson Zeke spent the night and he was with me and my mom.  My grands call her “Gigi” (Great-Grandmother). She and Zeke were walking with pockets full of rocks to throw in the pond.  It’s their thing to do – and he never forgets.
402. We moved from our home of 20 years “in town” to the country life on the farm four years ago last week, October 27. I love this land already and the traditions we are making with our grandchildren. Another JOY of this season of life.

403. My dad has wanted a fence along the front of our farm for these 4 years, and it’s just something we haven’t been able to get done. Well, now we have. A fence on a list of grace gifts? Yes – because if you knew how happy it made my dad, you’d know just how thankful I am to do something for him for all the things he’s done for me my whole life. It was my husband’s idea. He is a generous man.
404. Our church’s senior adult ministry is called XYZ for “eXtra Years of Zest.” The XYZers went on a trip last week and my mom went with them. They had a blast. (Older ladies are still little girls wanting to have fun and from all accounts, they did.) I’m grateful for Pastor Mike Slade and his wife Susan who lead this ministry. These girls are the cream of the crop. Back row: Mrs. Lynn, Mrs. Sara, Mrs. Rita, Mrs. Gayle. Front row, Mrs. Lola, Mrs. Lois (my mom), and Mrs. Ann. My mom told me she got her picture taken with Dr. David Jeremiah and they also had former President George W. Bush as a speaker at the conference. Blessings indeed.

405. Yes my garden. Aside from time with my family – this is a happy happy place for me. I love to sit on that stone bench under that river birch tree..
406. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches shaped like hearts for a little boy who has stirred up so much love in my heart when I became Gran Jan the day he was born. I love you Zeke!
407. Me and my sweet husband with our youngest grandboy Jackson…more love stirred up in my heart. Thank you Erin for sending me this picture. It was good to have y’all with us on vacation this month.
408.  As I’ve learned from reading Ann Voskamp’s book and more importantly, God’s Word, there are times of hard eucharisteo.  We are to give thanks in all things, not just the pleasant and joyful and blessed times.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16. Rejoice always,
17. Pray without ceasing,
18. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
This past year has been a time of deep reflection, in prayer, in learning, in trusting. Even surrounded by family and friends, the sweetest times have been those when the still small Voice of His Spirit spoke to the deepest places of my heart.  Abide – be still – I’m in control. Abiding in stillness is not easy in this day of go go go – but it is always where the times of growth occur. I want to be fruitful, don’t you?
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October 31, 2011 11:45 PM 8

1,000 GIFTS, #347 to #369

October 10, 2011 2:13 PM 6

My spirit is overflowing with grace gifts, and it’s not just because my counting is overdue…it is because of the tender mercies of Christ in my life. Many of my blessings this week surround a wonderful time away last week at the beach. I am in a very good place right now, both physically and spiritually at rest. God has taught me so much this past year and I love HIM so, MORE every day. Thank you sweet readers for sharing life’s JOY with me.

347. Blueberry pancakes are sweet, but not as sweet as this grandgirl eating them…

348. Continuing to read The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. Every woman needs to read/embrace this book, no matter her age or season of life.

349. A movie date to see “Courageous” with my sweet husband. WE LOVED IT. Praying that God will use this movie for His glory (He already is). If you have not seen it yet – go go go.

350. Have I mentioned that my parents live “across the pasture?” Well they do, and I am blessed to have them so close – they are wonderful, loving, giving people. They dog-sat my younger sister’s two dogs week before last, and along with their dachsund, Dixie – they had a kennel. Here they are on an outing over to my house.  The dogs and the parentals needed a break.

351. My husband and I vacationed at the beach (Florida Gulf Coast) last week, and that in itself is a grace gift. There is something about being near the ocean that is restful to my spirit. Psalm 95:5 I’ve heard others speak of this peace, and it is certainly true for me. This year the weather was amazing, so cool and refreshing. We are thankful for the time to rest and spend time together – unbound by clocks and schedules. My favorite time is as the sun begins to set. Whether I’m home or at the ocean, I love dusk.

352. The sunrises are beautiful too. The ocean was as smooth as glass.
353. October 6, 1974 was a beautiful autumn Sunday night (a long time ago…). That “date” markes a “date” for me…the evening of my seventh date with my then new boyfriend. (Seven is the number of completion in the Bible – how fitting.)  We met at church, he was the young music minister. It was the summer before we each began our senior years of high school. That night was our first kiss and since we happened to be at the beach last week on the “37th anniversary of the first kiss,” I wrote it in the sand. The tide may have washed my sentiments away, but the sweet memory is forever etched in my mind. God surely blessed me when he brought my future husband into my life that night 37 years ago…
354. I love this man…thankful for God’s grace in bringing him to me (see #353).

355. I met a beautiful woman, Sybil, while shopping at the Destin Commons Mall day before yesterday. She assisted me in an Estee Lauder purchase at the Belks store. We shared more than mascara and lipstick…we shared Jesus Christ. When she was checking me out, she said “thank you Georgia Jan.”  Now Sybil had no idea that I use “Georgia Jan” as my blog name…she just knew I was from Georgia. Well that led into conversation about blogs, Bible study, and our favorite teachers…Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur. We discovered that she and I both attended the very first Deeper Still conference in Nashville four years ago and enjoyed sharing memories of that time.  I love random meetings like this. God bless you Sybil.

356. My youngest son and his wife and son joined us at the beach later in the week. Sweet family times. Pop was in heaven when Jackson fell asleep in his arms during a morning walk on the beach. We loved having lots of time with this little fella. He is SO smart!

357. We ate lunch twice at Dewey Destin Seafood. You could look through the planks in the pier and see the water below! We were able to get a choice seat…right at the very end of the pier. The weather was GLORIOUS, so was my Grouper sandwich.

358. Pumpkin spice coffee…on the balcony…with the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. The wind blowing, the waxing gibbous moon (almost full), sweet conversation, hearts in love, souls at peace, minds at rest. G-R-A-C-E.

359. New crocs for the grandchildren. Boys=camo, girl=pink. Simple as that and I’m not waiting until Christmas to give them to them.

360. My husband loves seafood. (He even teased some friends and told them he would have shrimp milkshakes if he could.) We took a seafood break and ate Chinese at P.F. Changs one day, and I called him “P.F.” the rest of the week. P.F. stood for “Platter/Feast” because every meal he ordered had either the word platter or feast in the title…

361. I found a twenty-dollar-bill on the floor at the CVS drugstore last week.  When I turned it in, I thought the manager was going to call a press conference. He said, “people don’t turn in money.”  I told him that the money didn’t belong to me, but that I belong to Jesus, and His Spirit in me enabled me to do the right thing. I will say however, that it was quite a rush to look down and see that $20 lying there  🙂

362. On our way home from the beach we had a tire going flat so we stopped at a Wal-Mart to get it fixed. We thanked the Good LORD that it happened exactly when it did and not on a remote road. We also thanked Him for His perfect timing and provisions. The GPS said there was no Wal-Mart or auto store nearby…oh, really? Yes there is/was.

363. While the tire was being repaired I meandered through the store and bought sewing machine needles and a new rotary cutter for some quilt fabric I have.  So thankful for my quilting JOY!

364. While walking back to the auto department, I saw an elderly gentleman in one of those little scooters going up and down the aisles. He seemed a little “out of sorts,” so I asked him if I could help him. He told me that he lived alone and was looking for a pot to cook in, to warm up food. I found a perfect one on clearance and he was so pleased. That little random act of JOY was a blessing to my heart. I thanked the Lord for our low tire and my divine appointment.  We also shared Jesus in that clearance aisle.

365. A great report, a super great report from my annual physical. Aside from my salvation, God’s grace gift of excellent health is so very precious to me. I thank Him daily.

366. Although I do not embrace “fortune cookies,” I loved this one…because he was sitting right to my left, the one with whom I shared a kiss 37 years ago…remember? 
367. The welcome sight of HOME…fall color and a field of white cotton across the street.
368. Collard greens and turnip greens growing growing growing…I love this garden.

369. Rainy days and Mondays do NOT get me down. This has been a glorious week and to have the blessing of a day off (Columbus Day Holiday) to reflect, count grace gifts, and reflect some more…
Thank you JESUS.
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October 10, 2011 2:13 PM 6

1,000 GIFTS, #305 to #324

September 19, 2011 9:15 PM 3
As I count these grace gifts to 1,000 with Mrs. Ann Voskamp, I am beginning to see a pattern, and that in itself is a gift to me. Back at the beginning of the year, I wrote this post on 1-1-11 and vowed to “Keep It Simple Sister.” A goal to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, to prioritize my time, my goals. This JOY of counting has helped me to see that the gifts I cherish and count are in God, my faith in Christ, my family, my precious grandchildren, friends, God’s creation, gardening, quilting (my newfound JOY), and not in STUFF. May it ever be so, sweet LORD.
305. As I stepped outside my office one day last week headed to lunch, I saw this beautiful Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on the zinnia flowers. Just that moment…for me. I love the camera on my cell phone for d-e-l-i-g-h-t-s just like this one!
306. First night of Fall Bible study last Wednesday night, as we began Beth Moore’s study from Proverbs: “Wising Up…Wherever Life Happens.”  Wisdom is Supreme, get it! Great group of women all ready and eager to dig into the Word of God. Proverbs 4:7
307. The joy of trusted confidence as a friend shared a prayer request concerning her health, and then the Spirit prompting me to pray for her. Thank you sweet Father for prompts to remember to pray.
308. A song from Travis Cottrell’s newest release that has ministered to my soul, the depth of my soul I say.  It is called “Thanks Be To Our God.”  I love this new CD very much, but song #13 has been on repeat track the most.
309. A first for me where my grandchildren are concerned! I went to Zeke’s school, actually it is a Mother’s Morning Out program at his church (where his daddy, my son, is the Pastor) for “Grandparents Day.” They sang two songs and quoted a Bible verse and every one of them looked adorable.  And I got four spontaneous hugs. I was so sad that I had forgotten my camera. But when I returned to work I received this photo collage in an email. God graced me in that my friend who is a real photographer was there with a camera for his child…which records one of those wonderful hugs from Zeke!
310. The intoxicating divine smell of Tea Olive Shrubs blooming in our garden. My husband and I LOVE them. They bloom in the spring, in the fall, and on a warm winter’s day they can surprise you with small white blooms which smell wonderful. We have them by the front porch swings and this is the shrub in my back patio garden. It was a gift for my 50th birthday from some wonderful friends…they bloom when the weather changes. I hope that I will “bloom in life’s changing seasons too.”  May it ever be, sweet Lord.
311. The full moon. I especially love the big Harvest Moon of this past week. I keep up with it on my Nook with a “moon phases app.” Yes I do. I am a moon phases nerd. I love to talk waning and waxing gibbous…
312. A book and sweet card of encouragement received in the mail from Mrs. Esther Burroughs who spoke at our Women’s Retreat last weekend. She is challenging me to “pour into” the lives of young women. The big watering can at the top of my blog is one of my favorite items – I collect watering cans. I need to remember to splash the Living Water of Jesus everywhere I go…
313. Plans made for a Prayer/Planning Retreat for our Women’s Ministry team, pastor’s wives, and other women’s leaders in our church. It is going to be WONDERFUL. We will all stay in one cabin…with a fireplace…at a Retreat Center on the Savannah River. Can’t wait!
314. My grandson Zeke spent the night this past weekend and while we were playing outside he lightly skinned both his knees when he fell. As I was applying Spiderman bandaids :), he said, “Gran Jan, will you pray and ask God to heal me?” I prayed and hugged him tight. He blesses me so.
315. My son sent me this picture and “asked for prayer.”  He said it was the first time he had taken both children out to breakfast alone. His wife was attending a consignment sale and it is important to be FIRST in line at those…aren’t they PRECIOUS? YES THEY ARE!
316. This is Jackson, the “Master of the Slide.” Isn’t he PRECIOUS? YES HE IS!
317. I finished Jackson’s quilt top last week and am getting ready to put it together. Here is one of the blocks with his name…I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.
318. Reaching for a soft tissue in my purse to hand to a woman next to me in the choir as her tears fell. Thankful for the bond of women, sisters, mothers, friends.
319. Once again our interim Pastor Rev. Joel Southerland blessed us with a word from the Word. God is using him greatly during this season in our church without a Senior pastor. There is a fresh healing wind of the Holy Spirit blowing across our congregation and the JOY is evident each time we gather to meet. I’m very thankful for lessons learned, continuing to pray for everyone…those gone, and that that remain. Soli deo Gloria.
320. A hint of fall in the air…my very favorite season of all.
321. A Girls’ Night Out with my sweet best friend of 23 years, Lanie. Delicious fresh guacamole and chips at a restaurant in Macon…buzzing through Barnes and Noble, the Ulta store…time together that is so precious. Sharing prayer requests, life’s seasons.
322. My first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Yes, that’s a gift! I do love coffee.
323. Thanking God for my health has always been in my prayers to God, but has really been on my heart this week as so many are facing surgery and treatments and struggle with daily issues. Thank you Father for a healthy body.
324. Seeing my father kneel down beside Mrs. Mary’s chair in her home, take her hand, and offer to help her with anything she needs in the days ahead. Mary is an elderly black woman who has just lost her husband of more than 50 years. I love our rural community. We had taken a meal to them…because that’s what Southerners do. I’ve never been prouder of my dad than I was at that moment. He has a heart of gold. Being the tough former Marine that he is, you have to “mine it out sometimes”…but it was shining that moment.  🙂
Multitude Monday Blessings to you,
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September 19, 2011 9:15 PM 3

1,000 GIFTS, #231 to #245

August 2, 2011 1:29 AM 4
Today has been a wonderful Multitude Monday. It started with a sweet time in the Word this morning…
231. I’m so very grateful and thankful for my quiet time place…
232.  I am on day 86 of a 90-day devotional by Beth Moore entitled “90 Days with Jesus the One & Only.”  I’ve lingered way longer than 90 days as I spent the 40 days of Lent reading  a devotional recommended by my friend Joanne Heim a couple of years ago. After I finish Beth’s devotional I am going to read through the book of Acts. I LOVE THE WORD OF GOD!
233. Last Tuesday our Women’s Ministry hosted a “Summer Sisters Salad Supper.” We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship with salads of every kind and desserts galore. Over 200 women attended and my dear friend Lanie Nash shared her journey through ovarian cancer. Women’s ministry is hard work, but rewarding…I serve with the best team ever. I could NOT imagine this ministry without Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer. They serve with hearts of gold.
 
234.  Speaking of women’s ministry, I received a precious email early this morning from Leah Adams of The Point Ministries.  She is a North Georgia gal and my cooking-canning buddy. Leah is coming to be the guest speaker for our Women’s Ministry’s 14th Annual Christmas Brunch, December 3, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Leah is a delight. She is a disciplined woman with a passion for the Word of God. She emailed to tell me that she is praying as we plan and prepare.  It blessed my soul!  Thank you Leah – I love you girl! 
235. This little buddy spent the night last Thursday with his Pop and Gran Jan…this smile is the result of a quick trip to the Dairy Queen for ice cream.  D-E-L-I-G-H-T!  (Zeke…not the ice cream!)
236.  Please don’t think me irreverent for taking this picture at such a time…but I wanted to capture the JOY of seeing all these men kneeling in prayer at the altar before evening worship last night. We were singing “Somebody’s Praying” as the men filled the altar in prayer.  Oh God, raise up men to lead our homes, our churches, our land…
237.  I love participating in the “SSMT” Siesta Scripture Memory Team.  Today is August 1st, the day we post our verses to the LPM Blog.   Here’s my post from this morning:

August 1, 2011 at 7:52 am
James 3:18 (NLT)
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
238. Yesterday after church we went to the home of my youngest son and his wife to visit and take a nap as we had to be back at church early Sunday afternoon. We live out in the country and it just saves a trip home!  Besides that…we get to fellowship with our youngest grandboy Jackson.  D-E-L-I-G-H-T.

239.  This is the fabric for another new quilt!!! I had ordered some accompanying fabric and found out it was discontinued.  But just today a kind woman in Customer Service at Hancocks of Paducah, KY told me she personally went and found the exact yardage I needed for my quilt.  What a blessing. I thanked her…

240. The book I ordered came in the mail last week. It is a new book that I love for two reasons.  The topic – the Word of God…and the artist…one of my favorites. Karla Dornacher.  Her gifts bless me.

241. I’ve shared from my heart about the death of my sister Jean 26 years ago.  I wrote this post  last year on the 25th anniversary of her death.  It is the “most read” post on my blog. Just this past Saturday I got to spend time with my niece Amy, Jean’s beautiful daughter.  She lives in California, and is visiting home this week. Time with her is rare. There are no words to describe how much she is like her Momma.  Although Amy was only 23 months old when Jean died…she is JUST LIKE HER.  What a gift.

242.  Tonight’s supper included zucchini fresh from the garden. My sweet husband cooked and cleaned up the dishes. I love that man.  He takes such good care of me.
243.  My little granddaughter Madie is really talking a lot. She didn’t spend the night last week, but I’m looking forward to girl-time with her.  I didn’t have that as a “boy mom!” I want to teach her to make biscuits…
244.  And as I sit here listening to the beautiful piano music from Ann Voskamp’s blog I was thinking about the wonderfully gifted pianist at our church.  He is actually the Instrumental Worship Pastor. His name is Rev. Dawson Hull and he is a gifted musician.  Just yesterday I was blessed by his gifts.  As our interim pastor Joel Southerland was sharing during the invitation about “being a Friend of God,” Dawson played an impromptu gentle medley that included “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”  His sweet wife Taneea is also a gifted musician. Their spirits are a blessing to our church family.  We are thankful for them.
It’s time to hit “publish post” and get ready for bed…and read…and continue to count these gifts to 1,000.  My heart is full tonight…another gift.
245.  A quiet heart…a contented heart.
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August 2, 2011 1:29 AM 4
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