Gran Jan's JOY

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!

Gran Jan

Priscilla Shirer Live – Coming to Second Baptist, Warner Robins, GA

August 14, 2013 11:18 AM 3

I am very excited to announce that my church (Second Baptist, Warner Robins, GA) will be hostessing PRISCILLA SHIRER LIVE…and it’s a YEAR away! However, our Women’s Ministry Team (Cindy, Teresa, Jennifer, and me…love these girls!) are getting geared up and prayed up and fired up! We will be putting together a BIG CORE TEAM as well for this event, so stay tuned here on my blog, and on Facebook and Twitter! Priscilla is a tremendous teacher of the Word of God and is so genuine. WE LOVE HER BIBLE STUDIES! I’ve given her a title that to me fits her so well. “Queen of Analogies.” She can make a concept so clear and plain by the wonderful way she weaves a day-to-day analogy to the spiritual teaching she is expounding upon. So mark your calendars and save the date for August 22-23, 2014! To attend, you must register through the LIFEWAY EVENTS link.

A little unknown fact to many people is very special to us at Second Baptist. We heard Priscilla speak at a retreat we attended at Callaway Gardens, Georgia about 12 years ago. We loved her so much we invited her to come share at an in-house women’s retreat at our church. She came and we loved her even more…and especially when she told us she was three months along in her first pregnancy. Now she is the proud momma of three sons! God is so good.

This following description is from the Lifeway site:

Ever feel like you’re in a rut? Whether you need inspiration or a challenge, Priscilla Shirer Live will snap you out of routine faith. Priscilla’s ministry to women around the world focuses on the expository teaching of the Word of God. She desires to see women come to a full understanding of who they are in Christ by hearing the uncompromising truth of Scripture. With passionate Bible teaching from Priscilla and worship by Anthony Evans, you don’t want to miss this intimate and inspiring event for women of every age, culture, and background.

Thankful, blessed to serve, and praying for Priscilla Shirer Live!

Jan

Sisters are Different Flowers From the Same Garden…

July 19, 2013 6:46 AM 0

Life as we knew it in our family was FOREVER changed on July 19, 1985 when my sister Jean died in a car accident. I wrote a tribute to her on the 25th anniversary of her death in 2010…I am re-posting today in her memory and honor. I still miss her.

Sisters are Different Flowers From the Same Garden…

I am the oldest of four girls all named by our parents with ”P.J.” inititals, Pamela Jan, Phyllis Jean, Patricia Joan, Peggy Jo; all called by our middle names. This picture was taken back in 1981 as we celebrated our parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. (We are standing in birth order, with me on the far left.)

This past January 18th would have been Jean’s 50th birthday if she had lived. But God had other plans, and my sister died on July 19, 1985, 25 years ago. She was only 25 years old when a tragic car accident took her life instantly. She’s been gone for as long as she lived. Some days it seems like only yesterday…and other days I mourn every one of those 25 years.

I have scanned in some photos from our early years. Every memory I have of my childhood includes my sister Jean as we were so close in age. This could well be one of our first photos together. I was 2 years, 2 months and 2 days old when she was born in January of 1960.

This photograph is one of my favorites of Jean and me with our mother.

I was a brown-eyed brunette (still am), and she was a blue-eyed blonde!

Here we are on Christmas Day – I especially love my memories of Christmases with Jean. We loved this kitchen set, and always played “house” with our baby dolls.

We played outside for hours with this old dog.
Even though I am older, she was often my defender in squabbles.

Here we are all decked out for Easter with matching hats and dresses.

I was 7 years old, Jean was 5, and our baby sister Joan was 9 months old.

Jo was born the very next year on Good Friday.

This is Jean and I in front of our home in Hawaii.

Our Dad was a career Marine, and our family lived in Hawaii during

his duty there. We loved our years in Hawaii and the timing was

great as we were teenagers and we loved the beach!

A few months ago when the thought resonated in my heart that Jean had been gone as long as she had lived, I asked my mom if us girls could spend the day togther to remember Jean and celebrate her life. So that is what we did this past July 19th. My sisters and our mom went to the cemetery and put flowers on Jean’s grave.

There is a quote that Jean always loved, so her sweet husband had it carved into her beautiful pink granite tombstone at the bottom. It says:

With each rising sun,

think of life as just beginning.

Show kindness and love today,

for tomorrow’s chance may be lost.

It was extremely hot that day, and we didn’t tarry too long. But we did what we came for. We talked about how much we miss Jean, and we shed some tears. We visited our paternal grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ graves, and many of my Dad’s siblings’ graves too. After we left the cemetery, we had lunch together and did a little shopping. It was good to just be together. We wanted to remember her, but not to mourn as those who have no hope! Jean had a little girl, our sweet niece Amy, who was not quite two years old when her momma died. I texted Amy and told her what we were doing, and she was so glad. She lives out of state or she would have joined us. She is so much like her momma. It is absolutely uncanny when I watch Amy and see Jean’s hand motions and facial expressions. She did not get the privilege to raise her girl, but she lives on in her every day. Amy is so beautiful.

This picture of Jean and Amy was taken not long before Jean died.

I cannot tell you how Jean’s death devasted our lives. The morning of her funeral was the darkest day I have ever known. My heart was broken for my parents more than anything. Jean’s death remains the greatest loss in our family. But this I know! Jesus gives grace and He is so faithful. We turned to Him for comfort and He met us every time. We miss her every day, and when the family is together, we are not complete. But I know beyond doubt that a day is coming when we will be together again in Heaven! Because of the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross and our faith in Him as Lord and Savior – we will see her again one day, alive and whole. Blessings to you all. Love your family every day, for tomorrow’s chance may be lost…
Jan

What a Wonderful Day – My Story!

July 7, 2013 6:58 AM 5

Today is the 28th anniversary of the day I became a believer in Jesus Christ! Since this wonderful anniversary falls on a Sunday this year, my heart is reminiscing that day – the day that changed me for eternity! I am re-posting from my blog archives below where I wrote “my story” four years ago. I want my grandchildren (and everyone who will) to be able to read about the day Gran Jan met Jesus.

Please let me share the wonderful day that Heaven Came Down for me! It was 24 years ago today, on July 7, 1985. I was 27 years old…a young minister’s wife and stay-at-home-mother to two little boys who were not quite one year old, and not quite four years old, and the absolute joys of my heart. Here is my story… It was a Sunday morning and our routine was the same. As was his custom, my early-bird husband was already long gone to the church, and I was home getting myself and my two little fellas ready for church. Another “sameness” to the routine was the nagging doubt that had filled my heart for quite some time. I knew deep inside that something was just not right. My heart was heavy and unsettled. I was lacking peace…but I had lots of pride. After years of being a church member and A.G.G. (Always Good Girl), the realization that I was trusting my goodness and not His grace were ever before me. For you see – I had never seen myself as lost. To be found you must first be lost. I was a card-carrying, rule-following, obedient hypocrite. But on that hot summer day of July 7th as the Sunday morning service was nearing an end, I knew the Holy Spirit was calling me to salvation. The plagues of doubt were destroying me…but the Holy Spirit of God reached down that morning and brought the deliverance I was desperate for. I quickly slipped out of the choir and made my way to the front of the church. I took the Pastor by the hand. I told him that I had been going through the motions – and that I had never truly accepted the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for my sins. I had lots of “cranial” knowledge but no “cardio” knowledge. My head was full – my heart was empty! The surprised Pastor told me to have a seat on the pew and fill out a card to “join the church!” I gently told him that was what had gotten me off track years before…and this time I wasn’t joining the church, I was joining with Jesus! I turned aside and knelt down at the altar of that precious church and for the first time in my life realized my lost soul needed a Savior – a Redeemer – not a religious experience. I remember praying and asking Jesus to forgive me and trusting Him and Him alone for my eternity. My heavy heart was lightened, and the pride in “what would the church members say when they discovered the Music & Youth Pastor’s wife wasn’t even a Christian?” would worry me no more! Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! There’s an old hymn of the same title by J.W. Peterson that I absolutely love. Go here Heaven Came Down to listen to the festive melody that reminds me of a carousel at the fair!

1. Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget.
After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart. Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! When at the cross the Savior made me whole. My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day. Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!

2. Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine.
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came.
Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer,
He saved me, O praise His dear name!

3. Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time.
I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed.
Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

So on this my Spiritual Birthday, I wanted to share my joy with you. The joy of knowing Jesus and the blessed assurance that it isn’t about what I do – but about what He did! It isn’t about my works, but the wondrous exchange of His death for my life! Born on November 16…Born Again on July 7! (Pastor’s wives make such better church members when they get saved!) 🙂

Because He Lives,

Tomato Sandwich – Southern Summer Staple!

June 29, 2013 3:58 PM 1

Summertime in the South is wonderful with all the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables we enjoy…corn, okra, watermelon, butter beans, squash, cucumbers, blueberries, zipper peas, peppers, blackberries, cantaloupe, zucchini, peaches, green beans, purple hull peas, and of course, THE TOMATO! I planted 10 tomato plants this year in my garden. Below are the different varieties…Early Girl, Husky Red Cherry, Super Fantastic, Goliath, Big Beef, Park’s Whopper, and Better Boy. What fun names!
We had four ripe tomtatoes this week, and today for lunch I enjoyed eating my first tomato sandwich of the Summer of 2013. 🙂
Following is the “recipe” for a truly Southern delicacy, a tomato sandwich:
Ingredients:
Vine-ripened tomatoes
Mayonnaise (preferably Hellmans)
White bread (a must, although I did use “white wheat”)
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
1. Remove core from tomato and then slice.
2. Put mayonnaise on BOTH slices of the bread.
3. Carefully place tomatoes on bread, overlap if at all possible.
4. Salt and pepper the tomato slices.
5. Put one piece of bread on top of the other.
6. Carefully lean over the kitchen sink with your sandwich.
7. Say the blessing and thank God for your delicious tomato sandwich.
8. Take a bite and then let the juice run down your chin…

Happy Summer!

The Woman’s Study Bible – A Review

June 18, 2013 9:15 PM 0

I was recently asked by a publicist to review The Woman’s Study Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers) and I am honored to do so here on my blog. I love God’s Word. I believe with all my heart that the Word of God is active and alive – He tells us so in Hebrews, my favorite book of the Bible.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

I love Bibles and have several different translations in my possession. I love to read from them all. I even have a parallel Bible that contains four different translations side by side on the page. I received the first edition of The Woman’s Study Bible for Easter 2000, 13 years ago now. I love this Bible and the features specifically geared toward women. I just read the passages again in Genesis when Holy God created Eve, the first woman. Part of the uniqueness of this Bible is the detailed notes that are particular to us…to women, so beautifully and thoughtfully laid out throughout this Bible. You will LOVE these special features!

Besides the special character studies on women of the Bible, there are many notes, tables and charts on topics that are specific to our hearts as women. The examples below show the detailed notes that will aid your study of the Word of God.

When the publicist asked me to review the Bible, I didn’t realize at the time that I already owned this Bible in the New King James Version, the first edition of this Bible. This new second edition is the New International Version and there are even more contributors and features! That’s another beautiful benefit of this Bible – the women that contributed to it’s publication. What a roll call! The general editor, Dorothy Kelly Patterson is a professor of women’s studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. (My oldest son is completing his doctorate degree from SWBTS – we love that seminary!) I will never forget the time she came to my church to speak at our annual Women’s Ministry Christmas Brunch. I drove her back to the Atlanta airport and relished that time with her. She is brilliant and so genuine too!

This special women’s study Bible will be a great addition to your personal time with the Lord and would make a great gift too. I’m thankful for the privilege to share the JOY that this Bible has meant to me. Because this gardening girl knows…

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8

~Gran Jan

Spring 2013 – Lots of Living Being Lived!

June 10, 2013 11:12 PM 10

So much “living has been lived” since I blogged a month ago! Life is good because God is good, He is always good. He continues to faithfully reveal His love to me in wonderful ways. I take pictures all the time with my iPhone camera, so I really want to let my pictures do the blogging for me…as I did when I was counting grace gifts to 1,000 here on my blog the past two years. There have been lots of celebrations this month in our family! My life continues again with familiar themes of faith, family, fun, farm, and always of course…the flowers…

FAITH
June 1st marked a very special day for my husband and me – the 25th anniversary of ministry at our wonderful church! Our church family gave us a love offering and a paid vacation trip of our choosing. Last night (June 9th) we celebrated with a reception and so many memories flooded our hearts. They are precious people, a loving and generous church family. God surely blessed us when He led us there with our two little boys 25 years ago…

I was blessed to serve on the planning team for the recent Living Proof Life event in Atlanta. My church had 76 ladies attend and we had a wonderful time. Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell make a great team as the Word was shared and the Worship was divine. The last session was a celebratory time of responsive reading, singing, praying, and dedication like nothing I’ve ever experienced – unprecedented for one of the LPL events. So thankful for the time I shared with friends there.

This group of ladies with our fearless leader Mandy Parker were tremendous servants.
(Mandy is in the white blouse kneeling on the first row.)

My friend Sophie Hudson, author of this book below, “A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet” was at the conference (on the far right in the picture above). She is a genuine, precious woman of faith. I LOVE HER and this book is one I will re-read and go to often. She loves her family, her Southern heritage, and I so get her. She is one of the blessings that have come to me from “the internets.”

FAMILY & FUN
May is the month my two middle grandchildren celebrate their birthdays exactly two weeks apart! They each celebrated their 3rd birthdays with sweet parties planned by my daughters-in-law. Madie had a “Bubblegum Party” theme (since she is now allowed to have bubble gum), and Jackson had a “Jake the Pirate Party.” They each had so much fun at each others’ parties with family and friends, and Gran Jan had fun making the birthday shirts they wore at their parties. Here are the hugging cousins at Madie’s party…it just doesn’t get any sweeter!

Here is the Birthday Princess wearing her “#3 Bubble Gum Machine” shirt made with love by Gran Jan. She is a sweet girl!

Here is Jackson’s “#3 Pirate Birthday” shirt made with love by Gran Jan.

My daughter-in-law Carrie took this picture of Zeke and Madie on their last day of playschool. She couldn’t have captured a sweeter moment! It is perfection and I’m so thankful to have it here to share with you. One of my favorite pictures ever. I pray these two will always be there for each other…nothing like siblings!

We also celebrated my nephew Payton’s graduation from high school on May 25th with a HUGE FAMILY GATHERING complete with matching “Maloy Family” shirts compliments of my sister Joan. We enjoyed delicious King Crab and all the trimmings at the “Crab Fest 2013.” It was so great to have everyone together and my daughter-in-law Erin has great skills for setting up a photography shoot!

Both my boys have celebrated wedding anniversaries recently…Jeremy & Carrie celebrated 9 years May 22nd and Jonathan and Erin celebrated 5 years on June 7th. NO GREATER JOY for this mom than to see my sons and daughters-in-law building homes together!

Zeke played tee-ball with Upward Sports Ministries at our church this Spring and we had a great time watching him “play ball!”
My son was one of the coaches and we enjoyed watching him too! 🙂

Little Miss Emery is now 8 months old and brings everyone JOY with her sweet and precious disposition. She is a GOOD GIRL!

Grandbaby #5, our gender tie-breaker! (We have 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.)
We love you already and can’t wait to meet you in just under 3 months.

Mother’s Day 2013 was special and I’m thankful for my boys’ wives who gave me great gifts – pretty red jewelry from Carrie and this photo collage flowerpot that Erin put together with all the grandchildren’s pictures around the whole pot! I love it!

Today is Memama Morton’s 91st Birthday. She is the Morton Family Matriarch and the best mother-in-law this daughter-in-law could ever have. She loved me from the start, she prays for our family, and she has never once “interfered” with our lives. I pray I can be as good to my daughters-in-law as she has been to me. We love you so much Memama!

FLOWERS!
We’ve had a great Spring 2013. The weather has been cool and rainy, my flowers and garden are flourishing, and best of all
God’s tender mercies are new every morning…

Daylilies…

Glorious gardenias and roses… My “Blushing Bride” Hydrangeas…

Blackberries…

Wonderful sweet-smelling Confederate Jasmine over the spring arbor…

As I close this post tonight, I am thinking toward a very special day, the most special day a man and woman can celebrate. Tomorrow is our 36th wedding anniversary. Gary and I began our lives together 6-11-1977. God has blessed us with a wonderful family, a fruitful ministry, and a solid marriage based on trust and love. I am so thankful that 36 years ago as a young (way too young to be getting married) 19 year old woman that God knew what I needed and provided you for me when I didn’t even know He was taking care of me. I love you Gary – and my love for you is stronger than ever. Being your wife has been my life’s greatest joy. Thank you for taking such good care of me… even going to the blueberry garden early in the morning last week to pick blueberries for my yogurt. You’re a fine man and I’m one spoiled, blessed woman!

Love to all of you and thank you for reading all the way to the end…life’s SIMPLE JOYS are really the best,
and only made sweeter when surrounded by the love of Christ.

Gran Jan's JOY

Welcome to the Family Abraham Daniel Morton!

Priscilla Shirer Live – Coming to Second Baptist, Warner Robins, GA

Sisters are Different Flowers From the Same Garden…

What a Wonderful Day – My Story!

Tomato Sandwich – Southern Summer Staple!

The Woman’s Study Bible – A Review

Spring 2013 – Lots of Living Being Lived!

GRAN JAN

GRAN JAN'S JOY!

My Three Men

MORTON FAMILY ~ ESTABLISHED 1977

Jan’s Journal by Topic

Jan’s Journal

Quilting & Sewing

I Support COMPASSION – Will You Too?