Gran Jan's JOY

Sisters and Mom Weekend on Tybee Island, GA

November 8, 2013 1:26 PM 1

I was raised in a houseful of girls…we had no brothers, and with just two males in the family, our Dad and our dachsund “PJ.” [My poor Dad has endured a lot through the years but I know he wouldn’t have it any other way (and he had eight sisters)!] Besides, he was a Career Marine, so we knew he was tough. Ooorah! A few weekends ago my mom and my sisters and I spend a long weekend in Tybee Island, Georgia with a day trip to beautiful historic Savannah, Georgia.

Right before we left Dad brought back an old tradition that we dearly love…he gave us some cash money for the trip! Woo-hoo! Here we are right before we began a long journey in my mom’s car with her wacko GPS. That’s another post for another time. Needless to say, we had some extra time in the car together (and a late night stop at the Dairy Queen in a little country town) which was actually okay with us. We made some pre-trip rules that began with “we are not on a schedule.” We settled in our room, ROOM I said – all four of us in one room. Actually we wouldn’t have had that any other way either. What’s the point of going away to spend time together and then staying in separate rooms? We arrived late due to the wacko GPS, so we went to bed and laughed and giggled like girls (grown women) do. My youngest sister Jo had us up early with requests for coffee and a walk on the beach. It was a beautiful morning and we walked a long way. We spent that Friday morning in Tybee Island visting some shops, did lots of walking, and had brunch at a great restaurant called “The Breakfast Club” that is wonderful (they even catered for JFK Jr.’s wedding). That afternoon we went to the Tybee Island Lighthouse and I am really proud to say I overcame a lifetime fear of heights and conquered climbing the lighthouse! I’m still scared of heights, but for that day…I made it! And here is my youngest sister Jo “mocking” me climbing said lighthouse. As you can see above, I didn’t step outside on to to the railing, I just peeped outside. Jo was actually pretty close to my “flair for the dramatic.” A nice older man on his climb to the top stopped and checked on me at one of the landings as I was processing (hyperventilating) my fears…I kept quoting Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ…”That evening we enjoyed some delicious seafood for supper at a local restaurant and we sat outside to eat, the weather was perfect. We walked back to our hotel and settled in early and planned our trip to nearby historic Savannah for Saturday. We were exhausted from climbing lighthouses and laughing at each other. Mostly from all the laughing.

Here are some pictures from Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, a city rich in history with beautiful old homes and moss-draped live oak trees. We took a trolley tour and it was really good. Even though I know most of the highlights of Savannah history, it was great to hear it again and learn some new things.

We went to River Street and had breakfast at Huey’s on the River. My mom and sister Jo had their wonderful beingets, while Joan and I had a delicious breakfast of grits and omelettes. I love Savannah’s “River Street.” It is really neat, especially if you love history as I do. It is centuries old. It was a bustling seaport that housed most of the cotton and tobacco grown in the South that was shipped from the plantations nearby all over the world from the wharfs there. My husband and I went to Savannah and Charleston, SC for our 25th wedding anniversary back in 2002, and we stayed at the River Street Inn which dates back to 1817. This is the view from the inside looking up at all three floors. Here is my mom beginning her descent down to River Street. I love the cobble-stone streets there. They were built from old ships’ ballast stones— as the ships would have to balance their cargo and would deposit the ballast stones there on the street – I love that little tidbit of history too. 13 - River Street Back last year when our father was in ICU for over 40 days (a hospital stay of 54 days), and my sisters and I came together to support our mother and each other, I grew to love them more than I ever had in the past. Even though we don’t see each other every day, we connect through texting, phone calls, Facebook, and e-mails. And when times are hard as they were during that season last winter, they proved what family means. THEY WERE THERE! It really was lots of fun to spend this weekend with them. It passed way too quickly…I love you Jo and Joan. You both have quick wits to go along with your big hearts and big blue eyes. I’m thankful to be your ~~big~~ older, brown-eyed sister. I really am. And I will leave you with one last picture of beautiful Tybee Island, Georgia. There’s just something special about the beach, time with family, and the JOY of knowing that God is very much in control of our lives.And I will leave you with one last picture of beautiful Tybee Island, Georgia. There’s just something special about the beach, time with family, and the JOY of knowing that God is very much in control of our lives.

The sea is His, for He made it…Psalm 95:5

Gran Jan

Five Minute Friday – GRACE

November 1, 2013 2:34 PM 3

Grace. The older I get the more I desire both to be and to be known as a woman full of the Grace of Almighty God. So for me to be a woman of grace I have to believe that His grace really is sufficient, and to be known as a woman of grace, I must show grace, give grace, and live grace. I love the title of the book by Liz Curtis Higgs, “Embrace Grace.” Welcome to the Forgiven Life! I remember the first time I heard the acronym for GRACE, which the speaker said meant “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” I’ve never forgotten that definition. It cost Jesus everything – His very life – to allow me to embrace the gift of salvation and receive His grace. His grace was given so freely to me that I really want to share His grace with others.

For me…SHOWING GRACE means giving the benefit of the doubt when my flesh wants to criticize or hold someone accountable.
GIVING GRACE means forgiving immediately without any need for a why or a cause for explanation.
LIVING GRACE means every moment of every day to live out a life of grace. At home, at work, in the grocery store, at church, in the tough times. To be leaning in close enough to hear Christ whisper grace to me so that I can show grace to everyone who comes across my path.

By showing, giving, and living grace, I will be blessed to become that woman of grace. I so want to be that mentor of a grace-filled, grace-full woman to the young women who God brings into my life, beginning with my two daughters-in-law and two granddaughters, Madie Ruth and Emery Caroline.

The words of the old hymn “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” have always been such a treasure. I love the hymns, and this one is a favorite.

Marvelous grace of our Loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, Grace, God’s Grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, Grace, God’s Grace.
Grace this is greater than all our sin.

Thank you Lord for your Amazing Grace!

Gran Jan

Triple Trials – Triple Triumphs

October 14, 2013 4:38 PM 1

I’ve been reviewing 2013 often in my mind lately. When this year began, I had great anticipation for the new year. I always do. Many people do! There’s something cathartic about a new calendar, a fresh start. Conversely, there may be apprehension as we wonder what will come to pass, what lies ahead. Hopefully as believers, we’ve been taught to rest in the truth that our God is in control. However, in the emotion of waiting and wondering about what may happen or what actually does happen, we can get “trials, tests, and temptations” mixed up.

Trials are difficult life events that inevitably come to everyone as we sojourn here on earth.
Tests are difficulties God sends to reveal the depth of our character and increase our faith.
Temptations come from the enemy of our souls in an attempt to destroy us, our faith and our peace.

What lay ahead for me came in three events, in this order: my father’s bout with life-threatening pneumonia, my husband’s cancer, and my oldest son’s (and his wife and 3 of my grandchildren) physical move 3 hours away from us. Right now this very day my dad is well and playing golf, my husband is cancer-free and fully recovered in every way, and my son preached in his new church yesterday. God’s grace multiplied thrice.

I really want to share some things I’ve learned (and quite possibly have just been “refreshed” with) on my journey so far this year…both spiritual lessons and practical ones.

God is good, always good, and I know without a doubt He loves me with an everlasting love.
Grace isn’t stored up. You don’t receive grace for tomorrow’s trials. His grace is sufficient and always on time. Always.
God doesn’t bring about temptations, but He does allow trials and tests. Even Jesus endured testing (God’s Word sustained Him.) You’ll be the better for whatever it is because God can and will use it for His glory in your life.
Don’t be hurt when people go on with their lives even though you feel your world crumbling. We can’t be all things to all people and shouldn’t expect that of others.
If you do need something, ask for help specifically and then let people help you.
A strong marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts. Keeps me centered. I’m so thankful God healed my sweet man.
Lifelong friends are wonderful.
A card in the mail is a balm to the soul in a world of email, Twitter, and Facebook.
Praying is a lifeline.
Worship is wonderful – you worship from a different place.
A book entitled “The Power of Crying Out, When Prayer Becomes Mighty,” is powerful.
Your emotions will lead you astray. Vain imaginations. Conjured up conversations. Stick to the truth. God’s truth. Walk in the Spirit.
Stay focused, get alone with God.
Remember who the real enemy is. Remember that he is defeated.
Get some rest. You can’t take care of others when you’re fatigued.
A church family is another one of God’s greatest gifts. I really mean it when I ponder “what do people do without a church home?”
It is pure joy to have a family that will come through and show up and help and be there. My sons and their wives and sisters are the best.
Life is but a vapor (James 4:14), enjoy God’s daily gifts, pick your battles.
Grandchildren remain pure therapy for my soul. Even though three of the five are no longer close by, they are alive and healthy and their daddy and momma are following God’s call. What a legacy of faith.

And just as surely as God has given three of the best outcomes to my three trials, He would still be God and He would still be good if there were different outcomes. Yesterday at church we had a guest pastor preaching, Dr. Ron Lynch. He shared a quote by Major Ian Thomas:

“You can’t—He never said you could—He can, He always said He would. So let Him.”

God gave Major Thomas this message through Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible):

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Lord Jesus, I can’t—You never said I could—but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know.

ALL I need to know.

Jan

The 20 Verses You Love Most

September 12, 2013 4:24 PM 1

This post by Liz Curtis Higgs, THE 20 VERSES YOU LOVE MOST will forever be one of my all time favorites. I wanted to share it with you here on my blog, and also so I would then have a “place” to return again and again to read for myself.

Mrs. Higgs took a poll on her blog this past Spring. She asked her readers to select a verse that was “the one.” Your life verse. Your mission statement. Your word from the Lord. The verse you’ve memorized, posted on a bulletin board, stitched onto fabric, written below your signature. The response was nearly 1,000 verses. She then compiled a Top 20 list and wrote a beautiful summary post for each verse. The 20 verses included 11 verses from the Old Testament, and 9 from the New Testament.

Come back again and again when you have time to read and savor these verses. She does a beautiful job dissecting each one with details and beautiful photos to accompany her writing. I just know you will find “your verse” in this compilation. Please share your favorite verse in a comment below.

Blessings,

Jan

One Year Ago Today…Great Is Thy Faithfulness

September 4, 2013 11:16 AM 1

I was looking around my blog this morning, and noticed in my Google stats that someone from INDIA (Mumbai, Maharashtra) had landed on the following archive post. I have no idea why or what they were looking for, but I decided to re-read the post myself, and then realized it was posted exactly one year ago today! I love that. God’s faithfulness is just POURING over in my heart and mind right now. Even with the hard season last year during my dad’s serious illness, my husband’s cancer, and my oldest son and his sweet family moving away next month, I have celebrated the births of two new grandchildren this year (a little girl and a little boy) since this post. Morning my morning new mercies I see, Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

It has been a wonderful long 3-day weekend filled with time at home, time in worship, time with family, and time with friends. Those gifts are all wrapped up in my list this evening…

786. Three-day weekends with Monday’s off. Grateful.

787. Celebrating my oldest son’s birthday. He’s a fun-loving, passionate preacher – but he was sweet enough to wear this “chick-fil-a hat” for his children. My husband and I met Jeremy and his family for lunch on his birthday last Wednesday – August 29th. Fun times.

788. Counting one of my life’s greatest JOYS and blessings, being a mom. I’ve been one for 31 years now…and I’m grateful for my two boys, two daughters-in-law, and precious grandchildren. I love being a mother.

789. And I LOVE being a grandmother too, this is my oldest boy’s boy. When he came running to me at Chick-fil-a last week and gave me that big hug I thought my heart would burst open. God’s grace.

790. Getting ready for my fall garden planting this morning, and I found this praying mantis on my lemon thyme…he really struck a prayerful pose for me, now didn’t he?

791. Homemade tomato pie – my husband loved it and it blesses me to cook for my happy hearty eating family.

792. I’ve spent a lot of time in my sewing room this weekend and made four ”burp cloths” for my little Emery…September is her birth month! Can’t wait to meet her. Won’t be long now.

793. As my husband, youngest son and youngest grandson were leaving church Sunday, they were playing the “one two three jump” game and I grabbed my iPhone and snapped this picture…THREE GENERATIONS leaving church together. Thank you LORD.

794. Ann Voskamp – who is the inspiration behind 1,000 Gifts, retweeted a tweet of mine last week and it just made my heart happy. She wrote a beautiful post on marriage…you can go read it here.

795. I love fall the best of all and I’m making a cute little fall jumper for Miss Madie Ruth…complete with a fall scarecrow. This applique was 25 steps and I had a lot of fun picking out the colors and fabric scraps to design it.

796. A little hummingbird flew into our garage and I was able to hold her while she caught her breath – then she zoomed away…and I caught my breath. I loved that.

797. Sending a quart jar of pickled okra to my mother-in-law because I know she loves it and making it for her brought me a special joy. She’s been such a good role model for me all these 35 years I’ve been married to her baby boy.

798. Breakfast is my husband’s favorite meal of the day. We enjoyed good conversation this morning over delicious jalepeno cheddar sausage made at a local shop called M & T Meats.

799. My daughter-in-law Erin is great with child and we are counting the days to Emery’s birth later this month. She and Jonathan have prepared the most beautiful room for this baby girl…I am so thankful for my boys and their wives – they are great parents and it brings me such JOY to know my grandchildren are being raised up in love and being taught the ways of Christ.

My grace gifts lists have a common theme – faith – family – friends. I am thankful for the joys of simple living and counting these gifts makes me realize even more that my JOYS are those simple treasures of daily living. I am very thankful and counting my blessings makes me even more aware of how blessed I am. It’s a good discipline and it will keep your mind and heart focused on what really matters…faith – family – friends.

God is Good,

JAN

The Women of Christmas – Buy Books & Get Books Free

September 3, 2013 3:00 PM 0

Christmas is less than four months away and the wonderful deal I’m sharing with you here is one of the sweetest blessings available for you and a friend TODAY! It’s a great “Buy One Get One Free” (or buy 100 and get 100) beautiful Christmas book by none other than Liz Curtis Higgs! I love to read seasonal devotionals during the year, especially at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas…and Liz Higgs is one of my favorite authors and speakers. She is delightfully witty, and her teachings are always rich and full of her knowledge and love for God’s Word.

The book is called The Women of Christmas and explores the biblical stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna. Each verse is unwrapped with tender care and introduces you afresh to The Women of Christmas. You will follow in their footsteps, so that you too may prepare for the Savior to enter your heart, your mind, and your life in a vibrant, new way this season. I don’t know about you, but I desire that EVERY Christmas season! This beautiful book also includes a study guide and suggestions for immersing yourself in the sacred season of Christmas.

So go ahead and buy one for a friend (or four) and get one (or four) for yourself FREE from the fine folks of WaterBrook Multnomah! Start your Christmas shopping early with this special offer for The Women of Christmas. There is no limit on the number of books you can buy, and the publisher will match one for one while supplies last. This offer is valid until September 16, 2013 for U.S. addresses only. The book goes on sale September 17, 2013; and free books will ship at this time.

Go RIGHT HERE for all the details on ordering and receiving your free books!

I’ve already placed my order!

Merry Christmas and Merry Shopping,

Jan

Welcome to the Family Abraham Daniel Morton!

August 29, 2013 8:22 PM 5

I began this blog five years ago while awaiting the birth of Zeke, my oldest grandchild. I named it GRAN JAN’S JOY! Today that joy was multiplied again! This morning at 9:02 AM, little Abraham Daniel Morton was born, third child to my oldest son Jeremy Daniel Morton and daughter-in-law Carrie! He is a beautiful baby boy, and this Gran Jan is so thankful. He is my fifth grandchild, and was our “tie-breaker baby.” The boys are now ahead by one! Prior to this day we had two grandsons and two granddaughters. Oldest grandson Zeke said “I got what I wanted, I got what I wanted!” It is safe to say we ALL got way more than we deserved.

Here is little Abe at just a few minutes old…love those little “peep eyes.” If he only knew…This picture is very special. Carrie’s father was on Skype with her sister (his daughter) Sarah who serves as a foreign missionary. What a precious moment for her. We all stood at the window as the nurses weighed Abe and swaddled him in a blanket to take to his mommy. Zeke and Madie enjoyed every moment, and Zeke had so many questions, mostly as to whether or not they were hurting him. He’s already a protective big brother! This little video (Abe – Announcement) is so special and the execution of a sweet plan! Big sister Madie announced “It’s a BOY,” while big brother Zeke shared his name! I was so proud of them for carrying it out so well. You see, we didn’t know his gender or name. He was a blessed surprise and I am so thankful Jeremy and Carrie chose not to find out the details. Since they already have a son and a daughter, they were happy to wait, and it made for a very sweet day. (This is a picture of Jeremy bringing them to the waiting room to announce to us grandparents!)Here are the siblings holding him for the first time, with the protective arm of their daddy supporting him.There is something very special about this family of five. Dad and Mom…two boys and a girl. Before Jeremy and Carrie became parents five years ago, they were told they may never have children of their own, so they began the process to adopt. Early on they were selected by an agency and were in line to adopt a set of triplets (two boys and a girl). Through a series of events they discovered that the birth parents were not ethical and the adoption unraveled. On that dark day when hope was all but gone, we felt such despair. The very next day, less than 24 hours after the depth of sadness, Carrie discovered she was pregnant. Well, on this day, August 29, 2013 they have their own TWO BOYS AND A GIRL! His timing. Now my heart is overflowing tonight for another reason. On this day 32 years ago, I became a mother when my son Jeremy was born. Now he is here today celebrating the birth of his son on his birthday. It’s been a full circle day for so many reasons. God is faithful, always good, and His timing is amazing. I praise His Great Name. This is me and Jeremy from his birth 32 years ago. It was a difficult birth and a 10 day hospital stay. God’s plan continues to unfold today. And here are the birthday boys, Jeremy Daniel at the top of the picture, and little Abraham Daniel below. I have a feeling that these two will be joined more tightly than with just middle names and birthdays! The happiest days are when babies come! I love you FIVE – Ezekiel Timothy (Zeke); Madie Ruth; Jackson Evan, Emery Caroline, and Abraham Daniel (Abe). GRAN JAN’S JOY!