Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Break from Negativity

February 7, 2024

The prompt for today gave me a knee-jerk reaction.
Immediately my answer to the question
popped into my mind.
Hence, today’s blog title!

Daily writing prompt
Do you need a break? From what?
View all responses

I need a break from negativity!!
There is too much negativity in this world.
It comes in many forms
and
bombards us
from all corners of the globe.

If we let it,
the negativity,
the bad news,
the wars and killings,
the inequalities ,
the catastrophes
that the daily news
brings into our living rooms
can make us really depressed.
There’s so little we can do about it!

But…

… then there are people like Bob Goff!!
He is doing something about a lot of things!
Do you know his book, “Love Does”?
Do you know his podcasts and his life’s work?
He is one of my antidotes to negativity!
His positivity is contagious!!

Do you tune in to his podcasts? https://www.bobgoff.com/listen They are guaranteed to silence the negativity around you – and replace it with hope and love, motivational ideas, and positive energy. Here’s today’s podcast news:

Bob is joined by Jason, the president of BrandHaven, about the heart and process behind the “He Gets Us” campaign. The campaign aims to increase the respect and relevance of Jesus in our culture by promoting unconditional love, radical forgiveness, and confounding peace. He emphasizes the importance of being a student of faith and focusing on the biography of Jesus. Listen in for a conversation that encourages us to be students of faith, cultivating a culture of love, forgiveness, and kindness.Learn more at hegetsus.com and follow along on social media, @hegetsus.

Bob Goff is one of those positive people
who has no idea how wonderful he is!
His Love Does organization builds schools,
educates children in impoverished countries
(especially girls where there were previously
no opportunities for them to get an education),
distributes food to the needy, etc. etc.
His voice is a song of cheer.
His chuckle will make you smile.
His message will inspire you.
Check him out
and be prepared
to let his whimsical ways
lift your spirit and inspire your soul
to spread positivity and love,
encouragement and grace
to everyone you encounter!

God bless you!
And God bless Bob Goff!

Cheers,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, blessings, Faith, kindness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, optimism, Serving One Another

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Simplify

February 1, 2024

Happy February, my friends!
I hope your 2024 has begun well.
If you follow my blog, you know Bob & I
had a wonderful beginning for the new year
as we traveled and visited family & friends in CA.

Now we are home and settling in –
– with Christmas decor finally put away
and the house clean and semi-organized again.
It’s time now to take away that “semi-” & get serious!
I am sharing a Word for 2024 with my blogging friend,
Sue Newell at Sue’s LIFE Journal – Sharing LIFE
Our word is SIFT.

cook adding flour into baking form while preparing meal
Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

No, our “Sift” is not intended to be a sifter.
Ours is an acronym with each letter representing
something we intend to focus on this 2024 year.
Let me tell you about that first letter
– S –
for
Simplify!

My office is not quite that bad… but it’s cluttered.
My closets are overloaded with clothes I should give away.
My storage room downstairs is full of things I really don’t need.
My filing system lacks the kind of organization that it should have.
So, this is the year to take care of those problems.
Organize – and simplify!

stack of towels on rack
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Can you identify?

In today’s entry for Turning Point, Dr. David Jeremiah
inspired me to begin with prayer and purpose.
He quoted an important verse from scripture:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life.
2 Peter 1:3, NIV

He put that concept of “NEED” into a Godly perspective
as he reminded me of a Maslow concept.
Dr. Jeremiah wrote:

“In 1943, Abraham Maslow, the son of Jewish immigrants to America,
published his famous diagram illustrating the hierarchy of human needs.
It was a triangle that explained our physical needs,
our need for safety and love,
and our need for esteem
and for self-actualization.”

Then Dr. Jeremiah inserted a principle you and I believe.
He said, “But Maslow was a humanist
who neglected to mention our spiritual needs
as described in the Bible.”

The patriarch Jacob said,
“God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.”
(Genesis 33:11, NIV).


As I apply that word, “Simplify” to my 2024 days,
I will keep a clear definition of NEED in mind!
And I will remember I have MORE than I need!

Has God inspired you to
SIMPLIFY
your life
in 2024?

black teenager choosing clothes in bedroom
Do you have
MORE than you need?

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Love,
JanBeek

(P.S. Tune in tomorrow
for what the “I” in SIFT
represents!)

Category:

Bible Lessons, Giving, Life's Challenges, Love

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Music Lifts

January 27, 2024
Photo by Papa Yaw on Pexels.com

Nothing lifts my spirits more than beautiful music. Do you want to be lifted up this day? Click on this link. Goose bumps guaranteed!!

youtu.be/2esOJcVEhL0

I hope that link opened for you – and I hope you were inspired to sing along!

What does the Bible say about singing?

Singing is part of our human experience. Songs have been used to express some of the deepest human joys and sorrows from the beginning of time. Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about music and singing. You may wonder what God thinks about that toe tapping song you sing every Sunday morning. What does the Bible actually say about singing? Here are a couple of m favorite scriptures:

Psalm 71:23 

“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.”

Psalm 105:2 

“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”

Do go back up to that youtube link, if you didn’t click on it before… and this time, do sing along!
Nothing will lift your spirits quite like that! Sing to the Lord… He’ll lift you up and you’ll smile in spite of yourself. Really!! Try it!

Sending Love
and happy songs your way,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, blessings, Faith, Living in Harmony, Love, music, Sharing

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Leisure Luxury

January 25, 2024

Today’s prompt on JetPack was:
“What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?

Visiting family and friends is my obvious answer! Today we met our dear friends, Bill & Marcia, for brunch in Bozeman before Bob’s ENT appointment.

It’s such a joy to meet up with and stay in touch with loved ones.

Bob & Bill

Fun!

Marcia & me

So dear!! But, oh my goodness, I need a haircut!! We’ve been gone 34 days – vacationing in California. I think I posted a couple times on our trip, didn’t I? That’s leisure time … nearly a dozen different beds in 34 days! Time with dear family/friends. God bless ‘em!!

Great-granddaughter Cosette, daughter-in-law Monika, great grandson Christian 1 month new, granddaughter Faith, and great-granddaughter Mable

What a blessing to be with these dear ones!

My former 1st/2nd grade student, Eva Lear (Stanislaus Co. Teacher of the Year)

Another favorite spare time activity: touching bases with former students and wallowing in their successes!!

Darrell & Ruthie Payne, our son’s in-laws,
part of “Mi Familia!!”

Four lovely days with that dear couple – can’t be beat! Went with them to dinner at Fisherman’s in San Clemente- and for scrumptious Italian in Pasadena. Deeeelicious! Such gracious hosts!

Diane, Ruthie & me

Prior to that stay, we were wined & dined in Paso Robles by my “soul sister” Terry & her wonderful hubby, Jim.

Jim & Terry with us at Sculpterra Winery

Time with my dear cousin, Adrian, and his wife, Laura, is hard to beat. Did I tell you earlier about them? They deserve a blog post of their own (coming soon).

Bob with cousinAdrian & his sweet wife, Laura

We also got to spend time with my high school sweetheart, Jerry & his darling wife, Carolyn, and Bob’s former Sunday School buddy, Monica, and his former girlfriend, Sally ( my song girl classmate) and her terrific hubby, Bob Phillips.

The latter two were not able to join us for lunch, but we stayed a night at their house. Do you get back together again with those dear to you from 60 years ago??

Jerry, Bob, Monica, me & Carolyn.

Before that gathering in Turlock, CA, we were in Carmel/Pacific Grove/Pebble Beach with Bob’s two brothers and their wives – and with our long-time friends, the Tillions. Did I post earlier about that 85th birthday of Bob and that New Years Eve experience?

It’s been quite a memorable month!!!

Bob, me, brother Bruce, Ann,
Marge, and brother Bill.
Me, Ingrid, Bob & Alan

Our “leisure time” activities included a lot of dining out in terrific places. This was Big Sur, CA. Such a pretty day! It was 47 degrees, sunshine & feeling warm while back in Montana there was an Arctic storm and the temp was -47! That’s 100 degrees difference!

Suppose we were happy to be spending our leisure time with family & friends? You bet!!

Bob, Ty, me & Monika

Our last evening in CA we took our son & his wife out to dinner. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And thank you for loaning us your Lexus so we could travel the state in style for a month!!! What a gift!

Home Sweet Home

Time to unpack, do laundry, sort the mail, pay bills, and take down Christmas decorations! Happy 2024, my friends!

What’s YOUR favorite leisure time activity?

Last night we celebrated our friend, Julie’s birthday. The love of time with family and friends goes on…

Love to you and yours,

JanBeek ❤️

Category:

blessings, children, Family, friendship, happiness, Love, relationships, Serving One Another, Travel

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It’s Never Too Late

January 22, 2024

If you could make your family and friends understand one thing, what would it be?

The prompt asked about making a pet understand. Well, we don’t have a pet right now. So, I substituted “family and friends.”

I want you all to know, “It’s never too late.”

“Too late for what?” you ask.

Well, you fill in the blank!

As a life-long Christian, I have often heard the pastor say, “Remember your baptism” on various occasions. I can’t. Or I should say, “I couldn’t!”

Not until yesterday!

My mom & sister often told me,”Yes,” when I asked, “Was I baptized?” But there are no pictures. (Mom was an avid picture taker all the time!) And there is no certificate or other written record. I find that strange.

I tried to contact the little white Methodist/Presbyterian church in California’s Central Valley where it supposedly happened, but it burned to the ground years ago … and all records with it.

So, I decided to”It’s never too late. I want to have a baptism I can remember!” At 84, you think you wanna be dunked? You bet … by my son (who recently was ordained as a minister at his church here in CA, where we are visiting this week before we head home from our month’s reprieve from Montana’s ccccold Arctic blast).

Did it take courage and commitment? Was it a hard decision? You bet! But was it important for my spiritual health!? Definitely. I wanted to be able to “remember my baptism” – feel the obedience to the Christian command, “Go, and be baptized!”

It’s never too late!

Do you remember your baptism?

It’s never too late!

Love, JanBeek

My son, Ty, with me and 2 of my great-grandchildren- See my wet head? Yup, I remember being dunked!!

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Faith, Family, God, happiness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Memories, relationships

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More Than a Job

January 20, 2024

Today’s prompt was:
What’s your dream job?

My career as an educator was more than a job. More than a “dream job.” It was a beautiful calling. It was a gift. I was a teacher. I loved my students, my teaching colleagues, the joy of making a positive difference in someone’s life.

Today I had the wonderful privilege of reconnecting with a student who was in my first and then second grade classrooms back around 1969-70. Today she is a teacher – and has been honored by being selected as the Turlock School District and Stanislaus County “Teacher of the Year.” Congratulations to Eva Marquez Lear!! Thank you for expressing your gratitude and recounting your love and reaching out to tell me I was one main reason you decided to become a teacher. It’s more than our “dream job” … it’s our calling, our gift … pass it on. God bless you!!

Eva & me today

What’s YOUR dream job?

Love, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, friendship, Gratitude, happiness, Love, optimism, relationships, Serving One Another, work

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Good Leaders

January 19, 2024

Today’s prompt on JetPack/WordPress is: What makes a good leader?

Our son, Ty

Our son, Ty, is a good leader. He is:

  • Compassionate
  • Bright
  • A good listener
  • Christ-like
  • Willing to work with you
  • Fun to be around
  • Conscientious
  • Thoughtful
  • Sincere
  • Articulate
  • Gregarious
Loving & tender-hearted

Aren’t we blessed!? To have a son with these leadership attributes is definitely a gift from God! Do you know a leader who exhibits those qualities?

Sending love your way …

Thanks for visiting JanBeek ❤️

Category:

blessings, children, Family, God, Love, relationships

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Feeling Loved

January 17, 2024

Today’s prompt is:
Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?

Interesting choice of words on this prompt: “…felt loved”… Hmmm 🤔 I FEEL loved. Always. Every day. Minute by minute. I pray you do, too. If not by people around you, then certainly by your Maker who cherishes you every second and holds you in His Palm.

We are in Southern California being loved by family and friends – wined & dined – loving and being loved. Out of the sun-zero Montana winter for a month. Enjoy some of our adventures with us:

That’s yesterday in San Clemente … cool ocean air … warm family fun!

Bob with friend Bob and our son’s father-in-law, Darrell. Cheers!

There had been high tides that washed away sand. They’re replacing it ingeniously!

Before coming to southern CA beaches, we spent glorious, loving time with dear friends, Jim & Terry in Paso Robles. Ah, feeling love all around!

The warmth of their love was matched by the warmth of their home and beautiful fireplace.

Church on Sunday in Paso Robles was filled with the love of people singing and praising God and seeking to return His love in tangible ways.

The cover of the Sunday bulletin

As we continue our road trip through California for another week, soaking in the love and hospitality of family & friends, I will reach out in prayer for you, praying you, too, can not only remember when you FELT loved, but you can FEEL love every day, every hour, every minute. You ARE loved!

Card by Sue Newel

Have a love-filled week!

Necklace is a love gift from Terry. Thank you, sweet “Soul Sister!”

Hugs,

JanBeek

(PS – I don’t have my computer on this trip. Blogging in my iPhone. Don’t know how to down-size photos on this platform. Hope I don’t overwhelm you with that huge JanFace!!)

Category:

blessings, contentment, Family, friendship, God, happiness, holidays, Love, relationships, Travel

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Memorable Road Trip

January 13, 2024

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

I don’t have to think back

My most memorable road trip is now!

Our son and daughter-in-law

loaned us their car for this trip.

We’re so happy to be in

sunny California instead of home

In Montana right now!

It was -23 and felt even colder with the windchill factor back home today. Here in Paso Robles, CA the sunny skies were perfect for enjoyable wine tasting opportunities. Time with friends is what makes this road trip so memorable, so special, so much fun!!

Wish you could join us!

Sculpterra Winery

was filled with amazing sculptures.

You would have oogled and ogled

just as I did!!

Bruce, our wine guide,

poured some delicious tastings for us.

This was one of my favorites.

As a retired beekeeper,

Bob was especially interested

in their display of honeybee products.

Meantime, back in Montana,

the cold spell continues …

and we’re grateful our road trip

doesn’t involve driving there right now.

If you’re in the pattern

of this Arctic storm

with its sun-zero temps,

Escape now!!

Come join us!

And don’t mind the 80’s plus folks…

We’re young at heart!!

Love,

JanBeek

Category:

Animals, art, Family, food, friendship, Living in Harmony, Love, relationships, Sharing, Travel

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My Mission

January 9, 2024

Today’s WordPress Prompt was:
“What is your mission?”

My mission is to spread God’s love, live in faith, and “bee” an inspiration for others to do likewise!

How about you? What is your mission? You know we each are put in this world for a purpose. Do you know yours? How are you fulfilling it?

Meet with old friends! Today we reconnected with my high school buddy, Monica, and the wife of my senior class sweetheart. Carolyn is fulfilling one of her missions: taking care of Jerry !!
God bless Carolyn & Jerry! Such fun to reconnect with them. Jerry and I had a year of wonderful fun together in 1956-57!!

And Bob reconnected with Monica … with whom he attended Sunday School every week during his childhood. So precious!!

No friends like old friends!!

Our mission is to spread love and joy wherever we go. What a wonderful way to begin this new year of 2024! Our travels in California have been blessed with great weather, family, friends, and Bob’s 85th birthday celebration along the Pacific coast. Such fun!!

Alan & Ingrid with Bob at Monterey Aquarium.

Alan & Ingrid with us at Big Sur.

Then precious time with my brilliant cousin, Adrian, and his wife, Laura.

Life doesn’t get too much better than this!

God bless my birthday boy!
My main mission besides spreading God’s love: take care of this BeeBoy! I’m so blessed to have him in my life all these 65 years!! I pray we have many more.

God bless you!

Have a wonderful week.

Love, JanBeek ❤️

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, happiness, Love, relationships

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