1,000 GIFTS, #153 to #170

May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2
As I come to yet another Multitude Monday, my heart is overflowing with His goodness as I continue to count blessings, grace gifts. Including pictures makes this more than a simple list, but I pray you’ll indulge me.  As you know, “a picture is worth a thousand words…”  I’m working to one thousand gifts…so one thousand words in pictures sounds joyful too.
153.  My dearest friend is named Lanie. We were talking in the car on the way to our quilt class last week and she quoted a line from her Mother’s Day card from her husband…it sounded familiar. Can you say like-minded friends and husbands? Our husbands gave us the exact same Mother’s Day Cards! What a gift to have life-long friends.

154.  Lunch at Longhorns with a like-minded same-season-sister, Patsy. We have so much in common. She raised 3 sons, I raised two. One of her boys is married, both of mine are. We love the Word, we love our church, we love each other. It was such a sweet time and it was her treat…making it all the sweeter!

155.  A wonderful meeting in my home with my church’s Women’s Ministry Leadership Team. We accomplished so much, and enjoyed some delicious chicken salad too. I made a homemade peach cobbler.  Here is my recipe! Complete with pictures. 🙂

156.  Zeke spent the night with me Friday and we had so much fun.  He is getting older and it is getting funner (great word).  We picked blueberries and worked in the garden.

157.  And of course blueberries on Saturday morning call for blueberry waffles:
158.  I just love this picture and had to share these sweet little hands with 4 blueberries.
159.  The Instrumental worship pastor from my church, Rev. Dawson Hull attended a conference and my friend, Rev. Travis Cottrell was there leading in some of the sessions. I got this picture on my cell phone with a “Travis says hi” message and it made my day! 
160.  This is a “Blushing Bride Hydrangea” from the Endless Summer Collection.  I planted it the spring my youngest son Jonathan married his blushing bride, Erin on 06-07-08!  It blooms a pale white/pink, then turns into a very pale blue.  I love it!
161.  This is the son of Jonathan & Erin, sweet baby Jackson. He knows so many words and understands just about everything they ask him to do…he will toddle off and do whatever it is they say or do…here he is “loving Curious George.”  Sweet!  He has a first birthday coming up one week from tomorrow.
162. This past Friday my friend and co-worker Sharon and I attended the funeral for the brother of our mutual friend and co-worker, Brenda. It was one of the most inspirational funerals I have ever attended. Three preachers and a quartet!  It was a celebration homegoing and the quartet sang a song called “If You Knew Him,” by The Perry’s that is absolutely wonderful!
163. The drive to the funeral was all backroads country and it was good for the soul.  We came upon this old covered bridge.  It is in Upson County, GA and is called Auchumpkee Creek Bridge and of course is tied to the time when the Creek Indians lived in this part of Georgia. I could have stayed there all day.  Had a great time tweeting about it with my siestas!
164.  This is the first daylily of 2011 from my garden.  Daylilies are my favorite perennial. 
165.  All the songs we sang yesterday in our morning worship were about God’s holiness. “Holy Holy Holy,” then a beautiful duet by Julie and Megan entitled “No Word But Holy,” and then “Lord, You’re Holy.”  The Spirit was strong and the LORD added to His church. 
166.  Big families! Our church hosts a monthly “visitors luncheon” where new and prospective members meet and have lunch with the pastors and their families. Three of the families there yesterday had lots of children! I mean lots!  Two of them had 5 children each, and the other had six children! Hope for the future of Christian families.
167.  Our church nominated a great group of folks last night to serve as our Pastor Search Team. As God calls them to your memory, will you just pray for His will to be done?  We are searching for a Senior Pastor to come shepherd us, love us, and lead us.  Exciting times ahead for our family of faith!
168.  This is sweet baby Madie Ruth, my granddaughter, in as her momma calls it, “her girliest outfit yet.”  There’s more to come baby girl and we can’t wait!
169.  Lastly…as I sign off tonight, I just want to say it is going to be 49 degrees tonight and I am loving this gift of cooler weather.
170.  One more lastly, I planted green beans, squash and cucumbers in my garden this past weekend.  I harvested red potatoes and onions to make room for the above veggies. The tomatoes have been planted for about 3 weeks and are growing so well with the help of my farmhand, Zeke.  He was watering them for Gran Jan!
It’s been a very good week and I thank you for sharing this journey of counting His gifts with me.  Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be…

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May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2

1,000 GIFTS, #130 to #152

May 10, 2011 2:44 AM 1
I have not posted on “Multitude Mondays” in a multitude of Mondays, but I’m back and thankful to be here. Life is good but life is busy. I promise I’ve been counting all along the way…and really can affirm that this counting grace gifts has become a habit. A good habit. A way to bring perspective to my day, even to my “situation.”  Blessed.
130. I had a great checkup from my new young doctor, “Dr. Young.” I told him I wanted a young doc to get me to my senior years and his name was a plus! 🙂
131. Celebrating my youngest sister’s birthday April 8th. Peggy Jo was born on Good Friday back in 1966 when I was 8 years old…she’s a sweetheart.
132. Having all the pastors and their wives over to our home for a meal and sweet fellowship a couple of weekends ago…priceless, theraputic, and just plain FUN!
133. Celebrating my Dad’s 77th birthday on April 29th.  “Captain Tom” is a Vietnam War Veteran, a retired Career Marine and one of the finest men I know. I love you Dad.
134. Surprising my sweet Mother-in-law with a visit! She was so excited and apologized for not having her “face fixed.” (Meaning no makeup…she is 88 years old – I love that!)
135. I have finished my quilt top! My bff Lanie and I are taking a quilting class on Tuesday evenings. We have so enjoyed our class, but the fellowship in the car during our commute to and from the quilt shop is an added bonus (we drive for over an hour to our class site).  There’s nothing like good conversation with a trusted friend.  We always get Starbucks on the way home!
136. On Easter Sunday our choir did the most beautiful music and at the end of the song, a HUGE banner was unfurled…it simply said JESUS. I got to “pull the cord” to unfurl it from the choirloft…it was WAY overhead…very high. I have never been so excited in my life as I anticipated letting it go at just the right time…and I am thankful to say it was right on time!
137. Purple Martin birds coming to live in the big birdhouses we have up for them! They are migratory and they found us! 🙂
138. Speaking of birds…the hummingbirds are back…I so love them!
139. A great harvest of snow peas from my garden – delicious.
140. Beautiful tomato plants in the garden now…pictures soon!
141. This visitor on my patio the night before Easter…I am serious.
142. This is my youngest grandson, Jackson. He loves being outside and this picture has brought me a multitude of smiles…that is his momma, my sweet daughter-in-law Erin holding the hose for him.
143. A letter from my Compassion son, Iduar. He was thanking me for his birthday money. He bought tennis shoes. Remember the perspective I told you that this counting grace gifts brings? A little boy that lives in Colombia bought tennis shoes and he was so grateful. Speak LORD.
144. Coffee on the front porch with my grandson Zeke. It was a cool morning and we had our “blankies” and our coffee. I love when he spends the night with me and Pop!
145. Beautiful roses in my garden. My favorite of all is “Mr. Lincoln.” Smells divine.
146. The joy of praying for my dear friend in the fellowship of pastor’s wives, Lisa McKay, who weathered a tornado in the crawl space of her new home with her husband and four children. They are well and are ministering to their community in northeast Alabama. Go here to keep up with her. She is a treasure.
147. The joy of babysitting my little grandgirl recently, Miss Madie Ruth. She will be ONE YEAR OLD tomorrow and we had her birthday party this past Friday evening with a big family BBQ planned by my son and his wife…her parents. The weather was perfect and it was so much fun to be together to celebrate her life!
148. Rocks! Yes, rocks! Rocks to line my flowerbeds. Nice big beautiful rocks from “the Stone Mart” in town. They are beautiful and I plan to do a post soon about my garden because it is a work in progress and it is my happy place.
149. My husband and I took Dr. Robert Smith of Beeson Divinity School (Birmingham, AL – Samford University) and his wife Dr. Wanda Smith out to lunch last Sunday. It was pure JOY to sit with them and receive the wisdom they spoke into our lives. We are on “this side” of a rough season in ministry, but God is faithfully teaching us, and we are receiving all He has for us.
150. We have blueberries on our farm and the earliest varieties are bearing now. They are HUGE (that is a quarter next to the blueberry I picked this evening). I had the best time teaching Zeke which ones to pick! He kept saying, “don’t pick the green ones Gran Jan…they will hurt your belly.”  🙂
151. Celebrating Mother’s Day this past weekend with my boys and sweet daughters-in-law and grandblessings and then having my Mom and sister and her family for Sunday dinner yesterday. Besides knowing JESUS, being a Mom & Gran Jan has brought me more JOY than anything I’ve ever done!
152. The joy of singing a solo in church yesterday with the most wonderful choir in the universe! The song is “Saving Grace.” The second verse always *blesses* me so:
In this life before me, there are trials I must face.
But God has given all I need to finish out this race.
So when the earth’s foundations crumble,
there is refuge in His Hand,
and I will rest in this assurance,
that by His grace alone I’ll stand… 
Yes indeed, by His grace alone I’ll stand!
For ALL is GRACE – to Him alone be ALL glory!
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May 10, 2011 2:44 AM 1

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, #45 to #64

March 1, 2011 2:56 AM 6

Here I am again on another Multitude Monday and LOVING this delightful discipline of counting toward 1,000 gifts.

#45.  An awesome planning meeting on Tuesday night with my Women’s Ministry Leadership Team at the Olive Garden…good food, great fellowship, and hope of a glorious future as we serve the women in our church and community. I love you Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer!
#46. Lunch with a sweet young woman that I love so much. We dined at “The Swanson” (a local restaurant in a downtown historical home) and encouraged each other as we’ve both been through some trials in our lives and church the past few months. God is so faithful.
#47. A great haircut from my sweet hairdresser, Brooke. Her shop is Salon Seven because she was born 7-7-77. Isn’t that the neatest thing? And she is a believer. And my son is her pastor. Love that.
#48. I attended a class by our local county extension agent entitled “Vegetable Gardening 101.”  I loved it and the teacher just happens to be a deacon from my church.  He did great.
#49. Sweet fellowship around great coffee with a great group of friends. Encouragement.
#50. As I type this it is thundering and the rain is coming down hard on my metal roof.

#51. Sharing fresh collard greens from my garden with a friend. She was so excited and told me Sunday at church that they were delicious. I love you, Denise!
#52. Attending a birthday party Saturday morning for a dear friend who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. She embraces life and shares Jesus everywhere she goes. Her mantra is “shine like a highlighter” and she does. There were close to 100 women that dropped by and the money tree had enough for 3 to 4 more months of insurance. My best friend planned the party…and she is an ovarian cancer survivor of one year. She gave out of the abundance of her own grateful heart. There was not a dry eye.
#53. Seeing the widow of our church’s pastor that served faithfully for 48 years before he passed away in 2005. We miss him so much and seeing her brought back wonderful memories. Precious woman of God.
#54. Saturday afternoon at a park with my youngest son and his wife and their 9 month old son, our grandson Jackson…followed up with pizza at their house. Good times.
#55. Awesome worship at church…great songs about the blood of Christ, beginning with the hymn “There is a Fountain,” and ending with a choir special entitled “Not Guilty.” Divine.
#56. Thankfulness for my Dad’s recovery from back surgery four weeks ago. He is doing well, much better than I anticipated he would. He is behaving!
#57. A tweet from my grown son…unsolicited and kind. He loves his momma’s cooking.
#58. The blessing to teach Sunday School to a group of women this past Sunday…just filling in for someone but I left with the blessing.
#59. Rice Krispy Treats made with Cocoa Krispies…thank you Pam!
#60. My grandboy Zeke is spending the night tonight…he is sleeping in the baby bed that his daddy slept in almost 30 years ago. He played with blocks and toys and hot wheels cars that his daddy and Uncle Jonathan played with as little boys. The legacy of children and grandchildren is my life’s joy.
#61. A kind deed from a co-worker today.
#62. My spring garden is growing…pictures soon of Snow Peas!
#63. Good news from two friends undergoing cancer treatment. Praying for you Beth and Mac.
#64. A letter on the way to Gloria, my Compassion child.
Good Night Sweet Peeps,
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March 1, 2011 2:56 AM 6

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

1,000 GIFTS, #11 to #23

February 15, 2011 2:14 AM 6

Multitude Monday is here again, bringing with it the wonderful joy of counting gifts as encouraged by Ann Voskamp in her wonderful blog, A Holy Experience. I am also reading her book One Thousand Gifts  and there is a Book Club that will bless you greatly with weekly video discussions from Ann herself! I am on my way to counting gifts, as the author says, the graces of daily living. This week, I am going to count my blessings in pictures…all taken this past week on my Blackberry phone.


11. Sunday dinner with these two sweet girls last week while in Birmingham for a worship pastor’s conference with my husband. Here are Robyn, Sophie, and me. DELIGHT!

12.  A wonderful light and fluffy snowfall while in Birmingham…good for writing in mine and my sweetheart’s initials…on the hood of his truck!
13.  A snowy night…the view from our room at the Conference Center.
14.  Homemade buttermilk biscuits…my maternal grandmother’s recipe.

15.  Green cabbages harvested from my garden this past Saturday, 2-12-11
16.  A fire in my outside fire pit (a Christmas gift from my husband) this weekend…with a good cup of coffee and precious conversation with that sweet man…

17.  The sweetness of fruit and a grandboy who peeled his first clementine…all by himself!
18.  Hens on our farm, now producing eggs daily!
19.  These Valentine’s Day flowers were on my desk this morning when I arrived at work. My sweet husband had delivered them on his way to the church where he serves as worship/executive pastor. Pale pink and highly scented…my favorite.
20. Grandboy Zeke opening his Valentine’s Day card from Pop & Gran Jan…
21. Granddaughter Madie opening her Valentine’s Day card from Pop & Gran Jan…
22.  Grandboy Jackson opening his Valentine’s Day card from Pop & Gran Jan…
23.  A Valentine’s Day card from my husband, full of promises made and kept…

Grace-filled week and I thank you Father for all of the above, and for all that is yet to come, because of Your sweet grace…

 
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February 15, 2011 2:14 AM 6
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