1,000 GIFTS, #189

June 7, 2011 4:03 AM 5
My life has been blessed with many gifts this week. (One in particular is going to need a blog post all its own. I’m processing it slowly because it has happened that way…slowly over the past few months as God has been gently healing my heart and teaching me some truths by the power of His Word.)  But on this late night Multitude Monday, I want to dedicate this post to only ONE GIFT from the past week. It needs to stand alone. A GIFT SO WONDERFUL THAT IT WILL CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER.
My husband and I have taught a class at our church for many years now. It is a Bible study/Sunday School class for prospective church members, a covenant membership class called “Second Life.”  Many people come and go through the class.  But this past Sunday was absolutely wonderful…

#189.  Yesterday morning a young girl about 20 years old arrived early before anyone else. I was talking to some friends and as they were leaving, she asked us, “is this where the class meets for people interested in this church?”  We welcomed her and told her she was in exactly the right place and then I had her sign in and gave her the book we use for the four-week class.

A few minutes later my husband came in and we started chatting with Caitlyn. She had been coming to church as a guest of another young woman for about 2 months, and was playing church softball.  As Gary began teaching the content of “Week 1” which includes  doctrinal teaching and the truths of salvation, I noticed how Caitlyn was listening so intently. She then began talking and told us about the girls on the softball team sharing their “stories and their moments,” (testimonies) and then she simply said the most beautiful thing…
“That’s what I want, I want my own moment
with Jesus, I want a story too.”
That statement opened the door and became the most natural and wonderful opportunity to share with this young woman the timeless truths of God’s plan of salvation.  It was obvious that someone has been planting and watering the seeds and that Gary and I were just blessed to be there for the ripe harvest. We shared from God’s Word with her – we talked about salvation and God’s plan. We talked about sin and separation from God.  She understood – she was ready to get it settled down and taken care of right then.  So she prayed and asked Christ to be her Lord & Savior. 
My gift of seeing Caitlyn receive THE GREATEST GRACE GIFT of all was so wonderful, so marvelous.  To be there with my husband as he ministered the Word to her was a blessing to my heart. I’m so thankful to serve a church where God’s Word is taught and believers are strengthened and trained and non believers learn the basic truths of the Bible as they seek a church to call home.

I know that her friends had been praying for her for a long time and using the avenue of church softball to reach her. It was absolutely God-ordained for us to be in the right place at just the right time to put into practice I Peter 3:15 – always be ready with an answer! 
I Corinthians 3:7
So then neither the one who plants nor
the one who waters is anything,
 but God who causes the growth.

Thank you for taking the time to read this…my blessing to witness this young woman receive the gift of eternal life…I count it ALL GRACE!

In His Name,
Mrs. Jan 
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June 7, 2011 4:03 AM 5

1,000 GIFTS, #171 to #188

May 31, 2011 2:18 AM 3
Multitude Monday ~ May 30th, Memorial Day – Counting Gifts to 1,000
171. A bouquet of hydrangeas cut from my garden for a friend.
172. Fresh blueberries in my yogurt…from my garden…picked by my husband. Sweetness. 
173. Some good conversation with my mother, in the car, uninterrupted.
174. A new sewing machine – makes quilting a dream.  Speaking of quilts…
175. My quilt – almost finished except for the binding.
176. A series of messages by our Interim Pastor on family living – so refreshingly practical, biblical, expository preaching at its best.  Thank you Rev. Joel Southerland!
177. Pecans toasting in the oven. I sent a box to Paige Greene for her birthday. Buttery, salty goodness!
178. A great time in the Word of God. Habakukk 3:17-19. Within the span of a few minutes, this passage came to me from two entirely different sources, I sat up and paid attention!
179. My son Jeremy, grandson Zeke, and husband Gary picked these blackberries on our farm and I made a blackberry cobbler for Memorial Day dessert today.
180. Celebrating my youngest grandchild’s birthday this past week. Jackson is the son of my youngest son and daughter-in-law. Here he is getting some birthday love from Daddy & Mommy!
181. A nest of Brown Thrasher eggs in the tea olive bush by my back door. This is the official state bird of Georgia. 🙂
182. My oldest son and his wife celebrated 7 years of marriage on May 22.  They are a blessing to my heart. He is a pastor and they have two wonderful children who bring Gran Jan’s Joy to life!
183.  Our pond at dusk. My favorite time of day.
184. My husband and his associate, Rev. Dawson Hull both wore bowties to church yesterday…Gary in honor of an Air Force Colonel who gave him the tie. (Dawson wears them all the time.)  Everyone had a lot of fun with the “Bowtie Brothers.”
185. Our women’s ministry team wanted to set up a Facebook page, so we did. (It is going to be a great communication tool, already has been.) This required me to get back on Facebook after a 6 month break away. I learned a lot during my time away, especially that just like everything, balance is the key. Priorities – Jesus first.
186. It is daylily season here in Georgia and I love to check my garden every morning to see what’s blooming.  Some beauties are – that’s for sure.JMM 024
187. Today would have been the 87th birthday of our pastor of many, many years – Rev. Rastus Salter. We esteemed him greatly.  He was a great man of God. He served our church for almost 50 years. What a heritage of faith. Gary and I had the honor to serve with him for almost 20 years.
188.  Lastly I would like to share a picture I took early this morning here at the Farm. My Dad is a retired Marine and Vietnam War Veteran.  He proudly maintains these flags and they fly every day. I am so thankful to have been raised in a military family and we live in a military town today.  I thank God for all the women and men who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to our great country.  God Shed His Grace on Thee.
Much love to all!

God Bless America. 

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May 31, 2011 2:18 AM 3

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!”
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March 24, 2011 11:25 PM 8

1,000 GIFTS, #99 to #110

March 22, 2011 12:54 AM 3
MULTITUDE MONDAYS
This sweet discipline of counting the gifts of grace is precious and priceless. Thank you for indulging me as I once again list graces of the past week. Yes, as Ann Voskamp says, all is grace…

99. A surprise gift from my sweet husband just for me. Yes, this is a garden TILLER!  I have wanted one for a long time to support my gardening passion.  It is the perfect size for me to use.
100. The SUPERMOON of this past Saturday night! Beth Moore posted this picture on Twitter and it was absolutely the BEST picture of the night.  What a great Creator God! I kept going outside every few minutes to enjoy God’s handiwork.
101. A swing for my littlest grandboy…Jackson. My son and his wife were “testing it out” prior to hanging it outside. They are sure enjoying this little boy. Guess what? He has 2 grandmothers, 4 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers, and 2 great-grandfathers! 
102. My husband grilled porkchops for us all this past Saturday – great weather and a delicious meal with the family.
103. Zeke drove his John Deere tractor next door to make a special delivery of buttermilk to my father, his Papaw. He LOVES this tractor!  
104. This double rainbow appeared as the family was leaving the cemetery after the burial of two sisters who died last week. It was seen for miles and miles…this is in my front yard. Thank God for His precious promises. We are still praying for the Sullivent family in their grief.
105.Today is my Mom’s birthday, I am so thankful for her life. She is a strong woman from a generation of self-sacrificing women, a good wife and mother. She took care of my sisters and I while my Dad was in Vietnam; gone for 13 months at a time on two occasions – all this before the days of Skype and email and internet…a strong woman of faith. I love her! Happy Birthday Mom! 
106. My daughter-in-law sent me this picture of Madie Ruth via text last week.  This little girl has won our hearts! She and Zeke have 2 grandmothers, 2 great-grandmothers, 2 grandfathers and 2 greatgrandfathers. Blessed indeed.
107. My favorite Easter candy…Starburst Jelly Beans! I am not a fan of chocolate (truly). But I love jelly beans 🙂 These are sitting on my desk at work. They are “hard to get into” which is a good thing…because did I mention they are my favorite? 
108. A conversation this past Wednesday night after Bible study with long-time friends that lingered long. Cindy, Jean, Joy…thank you! Pure therapy for our hearts and souls. God be praised!
109. A letter in the mail from each of the children we sponsor through Compassion International. The joy of seeing that “letter from your sponsored child” envelope in my mailbox is overwhelming.
110. The joy of the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 settling over my heart and soul last night after a message by Dr. Ron Lynch (guest preacher at my church yesterday) gave me such hope. Our God is Greater!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

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March 22, 2011 12:54 AM 3

1,000 GIFTS, #80 to #98

March 15, 2011 1:28 AM 4
MULTITUDE MONDAYS
80. Back to Bible study with my Wednesday night girls, I love them so much!
81. A homemade Chocolate Cobbler. Go HERE for my posted recipe and pictures.
82. Time in my garden with glorious warm weather on Saturday and Sunday.
                             Texas Sweet Onions!                         Daffodils!
83. Joining my friend Travis Cottrell by becoming a backer on his new worship project.
84. Assurance that Jesus Christ is the Solid Rock, even during times of devastation in our world. 
85. Thankful for Samaritan’s Purse and their gifts to help the people in Japan suffering intensely after the earthquake and tsunami.
86. Enough hair for my 10-month old granddaughter Madie Ruth to have a real ponytail.
87. The opportunity to pray with some of my co-workers this week. We are asking God to give His grace to a family in the death of two young sisters in a car accident…they were headed home from church and the weather was so stormy. 
88. Singing with our Praise Team this past Sunday morning…”Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin and “I Bless Your Name” by Selah. Awesome worship.
89. Thankful that my Dad is continuing to recover well from back surgery 5 weeks ago.
90. Good conversations with my sons this week. I love them with all my heart. We are friends.
91. Calls, emails, and cards of encouragement from friends at church who know that the past months have been extremely difficult in ministry. God is doing a mighty work in our church…things are better than ever and we praise His Holy Name. Our God is Greater.
92. Helping my husband move these two cows to the pasture behind our house…I am not a cowgirl, but I had a blast! That’s Helen on the left, and Thelma Lou on the right…

 93. A new devotional book Reliving the Passion as I prepare my heart for Easter…

94. Continuing to memorize scripture with lots of friends on the SSMT…Siesta Scripture Memory Team!
95. Going to “Sonic” last night after church with dear friends Jack & Lanie and sitting outside at the picnic tables until way past our bedtime 🙂  Laughing like teenagers.
96. Enjoying these violet violas while they last…because when the warm weather cometh they will not be happy! (I like cooler weather too.)

97.  The sacred echo of this verse in my heart… James 4:14
Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life?
 It is even a vapor that appears for a little time
and then vanishes away.
98. Which is exactly why I rejoice in the simple JOY of counting to 1,000…FOR ALL IS GRACE.
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March 15, 2011 1:28 AM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #65 to #79

March 8, 2011 1:31 AM 4

Multitude Mondays – Marching Toward 1,000 Gifts in March

65.  Snowpeas and red potatoes peaking up through the soil in my garden.  This is a picture of the snowpeas taken with my Blackberry phone…I can’t wait until they start climbing the trellis.

66. New life on the farm, two baby calves, a new bull and a new heifer.

67. The Bradford pear trees are shouting the promise of springtime! This tree is in the parking lot at my office…and there are three of them in a row…so beautiful.

68.  Help with watering the Texas sweet onions by a sweet Georgia grandboy.

69. Saturday morning breakfast pancakes shaped like a chicken, a cow, and a pig.  These are from Williams Sonoma and my friend Beth Moore has the “Star Wars” pancake molds for her grandchildren.

70. Answered prayer so gloriously confirmed. There is nothing like it, nothing.
71. An email from a friend of 23 years – we are both coming out of a season of intense spiritual warfare and her wisdom and sweet friendship blessed me.
72. Knowing a scripture passage  by heart just when my husband needed it…
73. A grandboy who asked to be rocked before bedtime, and then wanted to hear “How Great Is Our God” sang by his Gran Jan.
74. Worship in church Sunday as we sang one of my favorite hymns “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and hearing the glorious sound of the penny whistle played by my sweet friend, Joan.

75.  My favorite verse from “Come Thou Fount” is:
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
76. Listening to my husband read excerpts from Radical by David Platt. So hard yet so good.
77. A tweet this morning from Priscilla Shirer. I LOVE THIS YOUNG WOMAN!
78. My bookplate came in the mail from Ann Voskamp for the very book that has inspired all this counting of GRACE…that in itself is grace.
79. Focusing on the “whatevers” when my mind wants to be anxious…whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8

Oh To Grace How Great a Debtor…

 
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March 8, 2011 1:31 AM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #24 to #44

February 22, 2011 1:04 AM 4

Multitude Monday is proving to be a real blessing and something in my heart feels lighter with joy as I anticipate counting to 1,000…thank you Ann Voskamp.  God gave you this plan for His people for this time. Gratitude is healing therapy.  This past week…
24. The gift of my husband’s life as we celebrated his birthday on Feb 15th. I LOVE THIS MAN!

25. I am so grateful for the way Gary takes care of me and that God brought him into my life and that our marriage was part of God’s plan before we were ever born.
26. Bible study with my ladies every Wednesday evening…we just finished Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George on Feb 16th, such a timely study.
27. Two days off from work this past Thursday and Friday, a chance to s-l-o-w down a bit, and b-r-e-a-t-h-e.
28. Time in my garden with red potatoes, Texas sweet onions, English peas, and snow peas all planted.
29. A harvest of the collard greens I planted last fall to make room for the onions, and the greens are now in the freezer…can’t wait to cook them, my three men love them!
30. A family lunch on Saturday with the boys and their wives and our 3 grands…simple joys that are priceless.
31. A bottle of bubbles and a 2 1/2 year old grandson to chase them…
32. A new camera…I can’t wait to learn how to use it.
33. A missionary from South Africa who preached Sunday at church.  Dr. Harold Peasley of Multi Ministries from Johannesburg preached a message from Genesis on the life of Lot. So good. 
34. Memories of our trip to South Africa from August 2009 were so real as we reunited with Dr. Peasley and my journal contains everything.  I will never forget these children:

35. The joy of singing a solo Sunday about “The Power of the Cross” and the sweetest folks I know singing behind me in the choir…
36. My Sunday afternoon nap…short but oh so sweet.
37. Choir rehearsal on Sunday afternoons and catching my husband’s eye as he leads in worship.
38. A trip to Kroger after church and a husband who doesn’t rush me…
39. A quiet day at the office today.
40. My sweet boss Mrs. Linda took me to lunch today at “The Oil Lamp,” a local restaurant run by the Mennonites, and they sure know how to cook.
41. Blueberry plants growing and warm temperatures today.
42. My husband was off today, and he had grilled steaks ready when I got home from work. Reference Gifts #24, #25, #37, #38.
43. My grandson Zeke just called me on my cell phone, “whatcha doin’ Gran Jan?” I’m loving you Zeke.
44. A walk across the farm after supper to visit my parents next door. They’re good people and I’m thankful for them too, even when it’s inconvenient. 
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by!
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February 22, 2011 1:04 AM 4
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