JanBeek

Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Juneteenth

June 19, 2026

Celebrate Freedom!

Galatians 5:1
“For freedom in Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, therefore,
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

west irian liberation monument in jakarta indonesia — Photo by el jusuf on Pexels.com

Today is Juneteenth in the USA. It is a holiday that was established in 2021 to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. The holiday often is called America’s second Independence Day. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 12, 1862, formally freed enslaved people. However, this news didn’t reach parts of the country. On June 19, 1865 (nearly three years later) Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, announcing all enslaved people were free. This was designed to provide absolute equality of personal rights, and rights of property, between former masters and slaves.

Group of people celebrating Juneteenth outdoors with flags, signs, and music — A joyful group celebrates Juneteenth
with music, flags, and food at a park gathering

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if today we could look at our USA and observe that all people in our country are actually free? Free with equality of personal rights?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could witness all people world-wide being treated fairly with equal opportunities for health care, abundance, happiness, and peace?

Limiting and false beliefs about people exist in the hearts of many (outmoded ideas that stunt growth and keep life small and limited for groups in our community). Ask any Black or Native American, Hispanic or Asian person if they think they are treated equally. What do you think most would say?

I long for a world where all people are truly free. Free to truly embrace who they were designed by God to be. I celebrate the freedom that allows all people the right to claim their identity as equal children of God, designed to live and speak and act in ways that truly express their divine talents and abilities.

I celebrate freedom!

a silhouette of people jumping on a field — Photo by Shardar Tarikul Islam on Pexels.com

Happy Juneteenth, my friends.
Let’s continue to work together
to create a world
where everyone of truly free!

Amen?
Amen!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, holidays, Living in Harmony, Love, optimism

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Beautiful Montana

June 11, 2026

Gorgeous sky driving in to Bozeman today

Scenery got even prettier as we approached Bozeman with its backdrop of the Bridger Mountains

I got to be pampered… and now I’m red/white/blue: ready for July festivities

Returning to Ennis this was the scene about a mile from home

Wishing you could come visit beautiful Montana… especially our Madison Valley

Have you watched any of the TV series called “The Madison”? It’s filmed right here in and around Ennis.

Love, JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Love, Montana, mountains, nature

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Rescued

June 9, 2026

In my devotional, “When God Thinks of You, He Smiles,” the message fit perfectly for us today. I was invited to “Think of a time when God rescued you.” Yesterday I mourned the loss of one of our beautiful big evergreen trees. It blew over in a 50 mph wind storm. God heard my unspoken pleas. Obviously Bob & I needed help cutting up and removing that fallen spruce. We didn’t have time to think about that task before three different friends reached out and offered to come and help us. It was certainly something they (and for sure God) knew we could not do ourselves. Our bodies just lack that capability at the ripe age of 87!

So, that tree that once stood at least 20 feet tall snapped off right at its base… and lay there Sunday pathetically waiting to be removed… and dear friends came Monday to cut it up. A big job for two men with chain saws, a pick up and a borrowed trailer. Took three trips to the dump to get most of it removed. Tomorrow the rest will go and the trailer will be returned to the generous owner. We are so blessed to have such caring, capable friends!

The devotional this morning began with, “God’s love leads Him to do more for us than we can envision.” Certainly the Godly servants of the Lord that He sent our way did more than I could envision.

The message went on to say, “No matter how often you need Him, He will always be there. Trust in Him, for He is faithful and true.”

Thank You, God, for rescuing us. I do trust in You. Thank You for sending Your beloved followers to help us. We delight in You.

My devotional says, “When God thinks of you, He smiles.” Well, guess what, when I think of God, I smile.

Do you?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Faith, Gratitude, kindness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, relationships, Serving One Another, trees

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Monday Mournings

June 8, 2026

This is the anniversary of our pup, Owen’s death. I posted “A Day from Hell” in my blog. So many dear friends wrote, called, came to offer condolences and support.

Yesterday we had a different kind of death here. One of our beautiful evergreens succumbed to the 50 mph winds. It was 25 years old. Looked healthy on the outside, but when it blew over, it was revealed that there seemed to be no root structure to hold it. Hmmm … how had it survived all those years?

But that tree was young and immature.

Life can be like that. Young, immature, lacking a sufficient root system.

So today I mourn our tree, our loss of Owen, but most of all the loss of friends’ young sons.

Two of our friends lost 30 year old sons to suicide this past month. No tree or dog can compare. It’s an unimaginable sorrow. My heart goes out to those families.

God bless you. May your life be deeply rooted in love and purpose.

Hugs, JanBeek (with my life’s love … thank you, Bob… I am so blessed!)

Here we are at a recent amazing Pittsburgh Pirates game.

Category:

Heartache, Life and Death, Love, mental health, relationships

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Ninth Inning

May 31, 2026

Oh my goodness! What a ballgame!

The first 3 innings were exciting … but we trailed the Minnesota team 3-4. No scores in the next 5 1/2 innings. Then, one man on, bottom of the 9th, Pittsburgh home run! The stadium erupted!

And the drone light show that followed the game was nothing short of phenomenal!!

Each of those lights is an individual drone. Amazing !

Wish you could have been there!

Look at how close we were! Yes, we saw that home run get smacked outta the park!

Great experience!

And today we went to a beautiful church service in Sewickley, PA with my niece, Jodie. Gotcha in my prayers.

Have a great weekend!

Love, JanBeek (& Jodie)

Category:

Family, happiness, Love

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Hospitality

May 29, 2026

The gift of hospitality

Cannot be taken for granted

It’s a gift to be treasured

A gift that cannot be measured

and…

… her husband, Bill, is generous beyond measure

Yesterday he barbecued steaks, chicken, veggies, etc. and created a meal fit for royalty!

Of course, Jodie was responsible for all the prep work. No small feat!

In this home, tucked among the trees, love grows.

And they treated us to a night out on the town, too. A wonderful banjo event!

My maternal grandpa played the banjo, so this took on extra nostalgic meaning for me.

Could you hear me singing along? I loved it!🥰

Tonight we’re headed to a Pittsburgh baseball game. So, stay tuned! I’ll be back!

Love, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Family, food, Giving, Gratitude, happiness, kindness, Love, music

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Flowers Flowers Flowers

May 28, 2026

Here I am… ready to tour this beautiful exhibit.

Gorgeous displays

Some glass art still on display from the Chuhuly (sp?)
exhibit

Thanks to my niece, Jodie, for her gracious hospitality!

Wish you could have seen these in person with us!

Thanks for traveling with me vicariously!

Love, JanBeek

Category:

art, Family, flowers, Gratitude, Love

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Just Write

May 26, 2026

No prompt needed

Sitting at the back

Row 19 out of 20

Gives you an interesting perspective

Look at all those people

Row after row

Nothing but houses

A city coming up

No prompt needed

Just look at life

Exciting, isn’t it?

Jodie’s husband in his way home

Life is its own prompt

Enjoy!!

Hugs,

JanBeek

Category:

Family, happiness, Love, relationships, Travel

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Time to Climb

May 23, 2026

We did it! Couldn’t look at that boathouse and not experience it!!

This is the easy part… but the ramp with no railing… that needed someone to help us!

Big blue eyes, dimples, and a devilish grin —- oh my —- what a cutie!

Meantime, Marcie sat up there and watched us.

A break in the rain…
Such a pretty day in SoddyDaisy, TN

Wish you were here!

Category:

children, Family, friendship, happiness, Love, Travel

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Friends in Chattanooga

May 21, 2026

Visiting Marcie meant being able to share time with her daughter Stacey,
son-in-law Jeff, & grandchildren. Such a privilege!
Jeff & Marcie showed us around the area and treated us like royalty.
Stacey & Jeff treated us to dinner in their lovely home! We feel totally loved!