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, #325 to #346

September 27, 2011 1:07 AM 2
Multitudes on Mondays

My Monday recording journey of counting grace gifts continues…all from His Hand.

325.  Cotton fields are blooming and there are hundreds of acres of cotton right across the street from our home…fields white unto harvest as far as you can see.

326. Text messages that begin “what are y’all doing today?” and end with lunch around the table.
327. Preparing breakfast for my Dad and surprising him by riding next door on the golf cart to deliver it to him.  He was sitting on the porch and was so proud of his breakfast! My mom and I enjoyed our coffee together while he ate.  He shared his raisin toast with her…
328. Praying together and being of one heart.
329. Bible study class full of women eager to learn and “get wisdom!”  I love my Wednesday night ladies.
330. Answered prayer with successful back surgery for a friend’s teenage daughter. Praying for a full recovery.
331. A warm and dear hug for a friend whose father passed away 2 weeks ago and telling her that her loss had already touched my heart…prompting me to make breakfast for my dad and deliver it to him. Tears were shed.
332. The promise of lunch this week with two young 20-somethings, Taneea and Sarah. 
333. The joy that they would even want to spend time with me, a 50-something.
334. A life lived with the anticipation of splashing the Living Water with young women as I grow older, both in wisdom and in my walk of faith.
335. Cards in the mail, hand-written, full of love.
336. A Saturday afternoon all to myself…sewing…sewing…putting together a new quilt. These are some of the 5″ squares that will form the blocks. They are lying on my ironing board. There will be many more made before the quilt is finished. Guess what? The fabric is called GRACE and I love that – it is so fitting for counting GRACE gifts.

337.  Here’s a picture with the “Grace” tag…I hope my life is “tagged by Grace.”

338. Lots of sweet tweets from my friends who attended Dot.Mom in Birmingham, a Lifeway conference for mothers – a time of great encouragement for them. I love you Sophie, Melanie, Robyn, Fran, Dedra, Dori, Amanda, Heather…I pray God blessed you deeply!
339. Sweet emails back and forth with my oldest son. He is a good man, a good husband, father, pastor.
340. A phone call from my youngest son who is out of state on business…he is a good man, a good husband, father, and he misses this little pumpkin, will be home very soon!
341. The little pumpkin with the yogurt-covered-smile. He misses his daddy too, but my sweet daughter-in-law said he has been a trooper.

342. A text message from my daughter-in-law that included a little video of my 16 month old granddaughter talking and making the cutest face as she talked, crinkling her nose.
343. Back-to-back nights at home with just my husband that included supper and then long conversation on the front porch swing, enjoying the cooler weather. Simple grace gifts.
344. I’ve been the wife of a minister for 34 years, 3 months, 15 days. Have I shared how much JOY there has been? Well there has. And heartache and sorrow too – but mostly joy, and I’m grateful. The joy of serving in one church for over 23 years, raising our boys here.
345. Having said that, I’ve been singing in my husband’s choir for 34 years, 3 months, 15 days. I love that with all my heart. Each week the anticipation of being part of corporate worship under his leadership blesses me. I know he is a man of integrity and his personal worship enables him to lead in public worship. I know better than anyone else.
346. And this is our church choir. I love these people so much. It’s hard to see me, but I’m on the very back row (always have been) on the far right as you face the choir.  This recording was made just yesterday morning by a man sitting in the congregation. Revelation 1:8 – He is Alpha and Omega.
 

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September 27, 2011 1:07 AM 2

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, #270 to #287

September 5, 2011 10:52 PM 4
My heart is so full of JOY from counting blessings, the wonderful Grace of Jesus! Thanking Him today for this Multitude Monday, a rare and peaceful day off from work, a restful day.
270. A new season of Fall Bible study begins tomorrow and a kickoff brunch was held 2 weeks ago with lots of women attending – excited about studying God’s Word.
271. Two littlest grandchildren sliding down slides…they are strong and healthy and I am so thankful.
272. A pretty little cat has taken up at the farm…I hope she stays…outside for sure! 🙂
273. My daughter-in-law Carrie sent a video of grandson Zeke singing a song he wrote, “Every Day We Go to Church…”  I’ve watched it dozens of times. So thankful she shared it with me!
274. Another video sent to me by my son of Zeke asking “Gran Jan, can I spend the night with you? I really want to…”
275. Zeke spending the night…pizza, popcorn and Charlotte’s Web… I really wanted him to!
276. Celebrating my son’s 30th birthday last Monday with this post.  Lots of memories of a fine son. God’s Grace multiplied.
277. Thankful for Jeremy’s wife, who also celebrated a birthday last week…she is a gift to our family.
278. The whole family for lunch on Saturday. I love to cook for them and we had grilled pork tenderloin, hasbrown casserole (recipe here), butter peas, collard greens from my garden (frozen last winter), and these delicious cheese muffins from The Pioneer Woman. I left out the sugar and used self-rising flour. My Dad ate two plates full and that blessed me so much.
279. My two sweet daughters-in-law blowing bubbles for the babies after lunch. They are both so tall and thin…beautiful…one blonde, one brunette, both long prayed for…

280. Three sweet grandbabies chasing those bubbles…it just doesn’t get any sweeter!

281. My daughter-in-law Erin worked so HARD to get a picture of these 3…it is nigh impossible…but I love her for trying!

282. Chocolate-face Jackson…eating his momma’s mini cupcakes!
283. A pot of chili simmering on the stove all day on this wonderful Monday off from work…my husband said it was the best ever.  I love to cook, have I mentioned that? 🙂
284. More material for more quilts…these are called “Charm Packs,” and every square is 5″ and represents all the fabric in a particular line. They make quilting fun and easy because all the fabric blends together…the pink butterflies will be for my granddaughter Madie.
285. I finished Erin’s quilt and gave it to her two weeks ago. She loved all the colors and I hope she enjoys some long naps this fall and winter under her cozy quilt.
286. Just finished Jackson’s “John Deere” quilt top about 3 hours ago. I rode my bike next door to my mom’s house and hung it on her clothesline so I could take a picture. I can’t wait to quilt it. (Zeke picked out the fabric for his John Deere quilt while he was here…)
287. Yesterday our interim pastor Bro. Joel Southerland, brought a message from Job 1:20-22 and I loved this quote…”In the storms of life, our REACTION determines our RECOVERY.” I want my reactions to be right, Spirit-filled, and for His glory. It was a great message.
Count your blessings,
 name them one by one…
and it will surprise you
what the Lord has done!

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September 5, 2011 10:52 PM 4

Three Years Old & THREE Grandchildren!!!

August 17, 2011 10:43 AM 6
“When a baby is born, so is a grandmother.” 

Three years ago today when this little boy, the firstborn of our firstborn, came into our family, I became Gran Jan… This blog, Gran Jan’s Joy, was born out of our family’s journey of faith as we waited on God. The first post I ever wrote, Waiting Room, tells part of the story. Zeke, whose name Ezekiel means “God strengthens” was a much prayed for and anticipated child. Here he is at just 15 minutes old. That is my son’s hand on his little head. I should have known Zeke was going to be a character from the look of that little “peep eye.” He was already checking us out, afraid he was missing some action. Oh if he only knew, he WAS the action!

I picked the name Gran Jan a long time ago, before my boys were even married. I have a special friend who is Gran Sharon, and I told her that one day I would be “Gran Jan,” and so I kept that name close at heart all these years. Little did I know how special it would be. When we locked eyes on this little fellow, everything changed…I was officially Gran Jan!

This picture is very special to me. Jeremy had put on Zeke’s first diaper in the baby nursery at the hospital. I looked up just in time to see my son bending over to kiss the top of his son’s head.  Be still my heart.
I call this picture “In Granddaddy’s Arms.” My husband was talking and Zeke was listening to every single word and did not take his eyes off his Pop!
These special memories resonate in my heart today as we celebrate Zeke’s birthday and I celebrate my JOY in becoming Gran Jan. We have two more miracles now, Zeke’s little sister, Madie Ruth, and our youngest grandson, Jackson. They are both 15 months old, and  are absolutely the greatest joys of our lives. I count my blessings in threes.
Your relationship with your children changes when they become parents themselves. I remember thinking how much more I loved and respected my own mom and dad when I became a mom…the circle of life indeed.  Our sons and daughters-in-law are great parents and I couldn’t be more blessed and proud of them.
Happy Birthday to you Zeke, you are truly Gran Jan’s JOY.  Thank you for opening up a part of my heart that I had no idea existed. I feel as if I have been given a second chance on being a mom, a mom with lots more practice…a grandmom.  I’ve read that grandmothers are mothers come into the fullness of their grace.  Perhaps. I just know this…I love you three grandchildren with all my heart, and I promise as long as God gives me breath I will be there for all of you, for you are Gran Jan’s JOY, and the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Three years of Zeke’s life…
Three years as Gran Jan…
Three little grandchildren..
Thankful,
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August 17, 2011 10:43 AM 6

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

1,000 GIFTS, #190 to #206

July 4, 2011 7:20 PM 1
It has been a month since I shared the wonderful story of Caitlyn’s conversion. She was baptized a couple of weeks ago and is aglow in her new walk with Christ. We still rejoice in being in the right place to water the seeds others faithfully planted. I am continuing to count His gifts with JOY and Ann Voskamp. This counting discipline has affirmed more and more the value of simple things in my life. This simplicity keeps me centered and brings me the most JOY. I don’t take them for granted – I am very thankful.  It has also reassured me of the purpose of blogging – my way of documenting my simple life – my family, our home, our ministry – all grace gifts and His blessings.
190. Celebrating 34 years of marriage 6/11/77 to 6/11/11!  Blessed and spoiled. I love you so much Gary and thank God for bringing us together – high school sweethearts.
191. A blessed productive afternoon spent with two outstanding women’s ministry leaders. Cindy, Teresa, and I inventoried our entire Bible study library and put together a spreadsheet. We are ready and geared up to serve the women of our church. God sure blessed me by sending these women to serve alongside. I love them both so much.
192. Attending the wedding of Jordan and Kristin and knowing them both since they were wee ones – that is so special.
193. A sweet little helper in the garden…this is my grandson Jackson.
194. Being released from the ortho doctor after 5 months – I had torn the PCL in my right knee and it is healing beautifully with physical therapy alone.  Thank you LORD.
195. Another quilt class called “Take 5.”  Five fabrics used in every block.  This is the class I took where I made the quilt for Beth Moore. I received a sweet thank-you note from her day before yesterday. God has used her so much in my life, and I know He is rewarding her in ways that will matter for eternity.
196. Father’s Day dinner with ALL my menfolk around the table (the two below in matching shirts for Father’s Day): Husband Gary, sons Jeremy & Jonathan, Dad Tom, and grandsons-Zeke & Jackson. Blessed indeed. (Thankful for the women around that table too…)

197. A churchwide picnic with fantastic food, fellowship, fanfare (music), fireworks and FUN.  I went by and picked up my grandson Zeke and we had a blast. He was mesmerized with the orchestra.  I adore this picture:

198. An antique biscuit cutter that has scalloped edges…and my grandmother’s biscuit recipe (in the post right before this one).
199. Blueberry bounty and a little granddaughter who loves them.
200. Another new quilt started with a jellyroll of fabric. A jellyroll is pre-cut strips and these are especially beautiful.

201. It is coming together nicely:

202. My backyard garden, a happy place for me to be (if I’m not in the sewing room). :)
203. I have had the blessing to keep my two older grandchildren for 5 whole days (and nights). My daughter-in-law is away visiting her sister & brother-in-law who serve as missionaries. My son is also staying with us and he has been a wonderful help. It has been good to see him be a daddy up close. I worked so hard to get a picture of them…
204. My youngest grandson and his first trip to the ocean. Delight…
205. Blackberry bounty. My dad’s vines. We have had good family time picking these blackberries. Simple things yet again.
206. On this Fourth of July, I’m so thankful and yes, proud – to be an American and live in the greatest country on Earth. Even with all the flaws, I’d still rather live here than anywhere I know.  Send a revival to our land dear LORD.
As I wrap up this list, you can see there is nothing as glorious as the salvation of Caitlyn last month, but these are grace gifts all the same. Family time on the farm surrounded by good food and sweet fellowship…and yes at times some tempers and tired folks, but still all GRACE. And I’m so grateful.
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July 4, 2011 7:20 PM 1
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