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Archive for December, 2021

Embrace Power

I wrote this back on Dec. 26
I couldn’t post it because
I had no internet connection
That’s just the way it was!

But now, four days later
A lot has come and gone
And we have electricity again
It’s nearly New Years dawn!

Here’s the Dec. 26 post:

“I woke up early this morning
To a winter wonderland
Turned on the electric heater
No heat! Didn’t understand…

Flipped on the light switch
But – lo –the house remained dark
Snow-laden trees had toppled and
Knocked down power poles at the park

My car was buried in the driveway
I saw it when light began to dawn
So much for going anywhere
Today’s plans were buried – gone!”

“My cell phone has a flashlight
I clicked it on to see
Walked downstairs and noticed
The coffee was made for me

Hooray, the timer had worked
Before the outage occurred
So with coffee and my flashlight
I settled down to read His Word

The message for this darkest day
Was obviously God-inspired
Rick Hamlin said in Guideposts
God-Light is always wired

We can’t rely on electricity
For the light to guide our way
With Christ there are no outages.”
Hear what Isaiah has to say:

“But they who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”


Isaiah 40:31

Relying on the strength in Christ
I troubleshoot this scene
How to make pancake breakfast
Plug into God-power; be keen!

Ah yes, we have propane
But to light it, I need flame
Here came our son with his lighter
The BBQ one (what’s its name?)

And then his wife appeared
With a gas lantern in her hand
A light to guide my pancake grill –
Creativity is so grand!

Rick Hamlin told the story
Of the Magi at the manger
They came with precious gifts
And then they sensed the danger

“Opening their treasure chests,
they offered him gifts of
frankincense and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream
not to return to Herod,
they left for their own country
by another road.”


Matthew 2:11-12

The time the Magi came
Is called the Epiphany
And when we discover newness
It’s an epiphany for you and me.

It was new to learn to cook
Without the usual routine
But, as the Magi realized,
Creativity meets the scene

“After any epiphany,” Hamlin wrote,
“You can’t go back to doing things
The same old way.” So be ready
For the newness epiphany brings.

Scripture speaks newness to us
When we are stuck and need it most.
It helps us with our current troubles.
Turn to it and hear the Holy Ghost.

Speak through the Holy Spirit to
Our Lord – and ask for assistance.
Be ready to understand the message
When you ask for it with persistence.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit
within me.”


Psalm 51:10

The electricity returned to us
In time to celebrate Bob’s special day
He turned 83 on the 29th
The “right spirit” came in a special way

Birthday breakfast time

Breakfast in the morning
With our son and daughter-in-law
Joined by friends most lovely
God blessed us – I was in awe!

In awe of the beauty outside us
In awe of the beauty within
In awe of our many blessings
The day was just to begin…

Wine tasting with Ty & Monika
Bob & Jan on his 83rd – So blessed!

We were joined by Ty & Monika
For a day in the Shenandoah Valley
Wine tasting and then a lovely dinner
And a tasty dessert as the grand finale!

Bob on phone to his brother

Many family and friends
Called to wish Bob a happy day
It was a wonderful birthday –
Just perfect in every way!

So embrace the power of God, friends
Let His power guide your way
And you’ll never worry about an outage
His might and power are here to stay!

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve.
We are in the Napa, California area now.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
If you could join us here somehow?

Happy New Year!

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,

JanBeek

Embrace Christmas Memories

Time with family is memorable, indeed
We’re grateful for the ones who embrace the holiday mood
We’re blessed to have them open their home
And share their love and delicious food.

Our daughter, De, in Switzerland
shared photos of their beautiful meal
Imagine how plates like these
enchant your guests (think how they feel)!

The family in far-off Europe
included our grandsons with our De
I’m grateful for the internet
and the pictures she shared with me.

Nick, De, Mike & Chris

Here in California
Eleven of us gathered round –
add two big, rambunctious dogs
and laugh as kids and animals clowned.

Christmas Day was a time for fun
with love and gifts exchanged
Friends shared photos of their day
Our family did, too … we got arranged!

Thank you, Ty & Monika
for your gracious hospitality –
we’re blessed to have our son & spouse
share their life & love with Bob & me.

I pray your day was blessed
and you celebrated Christ’s birth
with those you love gathered round –
good food, warm hugs, and lots of mirth!

A note for this day-after-Christmas-morning: Faith (our granddaughter) and Kyle were headed home to S.Lake Tahoe last night and about 3 hours later had to turn around and come back to Placerville. The road ahead was closed due to heavy snow and lots of accidents ahead. The good news is that they were not involved in one of them… and we’re all safe and sound… feeling blessed!

Merry Christmas!
Bee 🐝 well!
Bee blessed!

Keep the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in your heart year-round! May Jesus remain alive in you!

See ya tomorrow (God willing) –

Love,
JanBeek

Embrace Baby Jesus

jesus christ figurine
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

 

If you look for Me at Christmas

You won’t need a special star-

I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,

I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me

Amid the celebrations-

You’ll have to look beyond the stores

And all the decorations.

But if you take a moment

From your list of things to do

And listen to your heart, you’ll find

I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with,

You’re the reason that I came,

And you’ll find Me in the stillness

As I’m whispering your name.

Love, Jesus

 

background close up day daytime
Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.com

Merry Christmas, dear Blogging Friends.
May your day be filled with
love, hugs, and opportunities
to reflect on the real Reason for the Season.

I first posted this poem in 2018.
I decided it was worth posting again this year
because many of you are new followers,
and some of you who saw it three years ago
may have forgotten it … I did!

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Merry Christmas to you!

Celebrate that precious baby today.
Put Jesus in your heart to stay-
Carry Him with you in a blessed 2022…
We’re counting on it to be better each day!

What are your post-Christmas plans?
We’re getting ready to celebrate
my girlfriend, Sue’s birthday the 28th
and Bob 83rd b’day – the 29th the date.

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Embrace the Christ Child

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary Did You Know?”
The lyric I like most in it is, “Mary, did you know,
when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?”

And one of my favorite versions of the song is sung by the Pentatonix…

Have a listen… the words are powerful
and this quintet is magnificent!!

Did you know, the sleeping child you’re holding is the Great I Am?

Have a very meaningful Christmas!
Remember the meaning of the One.
Embrace the Christ Child – and
Thank God for His Only Son!

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas.
I am praying for your health and happiness…
and for your faith in Christ which gives you eternal life –
Guaranteed!

Thank you, God!

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Have a beautiful Christmas eve!
Love,
JanBeek

Embrace Mi Familia

Mi Familia is such a blessing
We’re so glad we are here
The trip was long and arduous
But we traveled without fear

We knew God was with us
Your prayers were felt for sure
Thank you, God, for safety
With You our trip was secure

God bless “Mi Familia!” It is so good to be with them! Monika, our daughter-in-law, is taking the picture. That’s Ruthie & Darrell, her parents, on the left. Our son, Ty, is at the head of the table there… and of course, Bob & me. We’ll be joined on Christmas day by our grandson, Jordan, and his family – – – and our granddaughter, Faith, and her husband. They are expecting their first child (a baby girl) in April. We are so excited for them!

Monika and Ruthie fixed a wonderful dinner last night:
salmon and veggies and potatoes.
Yum!

We spent time talking
about our heritage
and remarking about
how much Ty looks like my dad,
his Grandpa Sal.
Can you see the resemblance?

Then we had fun
giving Bob a bad time
about his “honker!”
See how he inherited his nose
from his paternal great-grandfather Davis?
That’s his dad’s mother’s father.

Prior to dinner
we took time to toast “Cheers!”
to all the family and friends
who prayed us safely here –
and gave thanks to God
for answered prayers.

Outside the weather was chilly,
rainy, and then foggy …
but the spirit of Christmas
was alive and well,
warm and inviting.

Across the continent – and over the Atlantic to Switzerland,
our crazy, fun-loving grandson, Nick
(and his sweetheart Celine)
celebrated the birthday of the King
in their own way with a milkshake
from the Burger King!

Don’t you love the way the internet
shrinks the world and brings
“Familia” into our lives
from around the world?

Merry Christmas to you,
my dear blogging friends.
I pray that you have a meaningful,
love-filled holiday
with your family gathered round.

Remember the Reason for the Season…
and bring that Christ Child into your family circle.

God bless you.
Let me know what your Christmas plans are, okay?
I look forward to hearing from you…
and I thank you so much
for following my blog.
I post with you in my heart and prayers.

Bee Happy!
Bee Well!

I send my love and hugs.
Have a wonderful time with your family!
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Embrace Clear Roads

The sky is gray – The roads are clear – Your prayers are felt – our God is so dear!

Our Creator is magical- This world is astounding – We see His handiwork – His care is resounding!

Everywhere we look we marvel – at the beauty everywhere – So travel with us, dear friends – We’re happy we can share.

See ya later.

Love, JanBeek

Embrace Safe Travels

Thank you so much for your prayers for our safe travel and clear roads and beautiful weather. Your prayers were answered.

That was the area we were most worried about: Island Park, Idaho. It was so perfect today. God is good! We could not have asked for more perfect weather and more beautiful road conditions! You were with us, dear friends. Thank you!

Perfect sunset!!

Enjoying a relaxing dinner in Elko, Nevada.

Bob & I traded off driving. It made the 500 +/- miles go much more smoothly.

Have a good night – and continue your prayers, please. They worked!!

Meantime, in Switzerland, DeAna & André are enjoying a busy December at Relais des Mélèzes – their beautiful Swiss chalet/hotel/restaurant in Vissoie, Switzerland. They are in need of health and healing prayers. Can you add them to your very effective prayers, please?

Thanks so much! See ya tomorrow (God willing) … another 500 miles to go through, up & over Donner Pass – Lord, hold off the storm!

Amen?

Embrace Prayer & Peace

Pray with me for safe travel, will you?

We leave tomorrow for Christmas with family in CA.

The roads are snowy and icy!

Pray and be at peace knowing God hears and He cares.

We’ll do our part by driving carefully.

And I’ll keep in touch, ok?

Travel vicariously with me.

See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Love, ❤️ JanBeek

Embrace Willing Helpers

Today a team of five willing helpers moved every bit of our furniture and appliances from our kitchen, dining room and living room. It was a monumental task!

Beekmans’ bare house

New wood flooring will be installed over this old, soft fir, scarred floor while we are gone to CA for Christmas and New Years. This is what the new/old wood will look like when it is finished:

That’s our friends, Julie & Mike’s new floor.

The wood is from a hundred year old silo in Malta, Montana. Bob saw it and fell in love with it. He decided it is what our house needs. When all is said and done, I hope it is as lovely as he anticipates – and it is worth the time, money, effort, and stress involved in such a major renovation! Our existing floor doesn’t look bad in the video, but it really is in bad shape – and the wood is soft – scars really easily. The replacement wood (going right over the top of this) will give us a brighter, lighter look. Happy New Year!

God bless our willing helpers who are making all this possible!

1921 silo in Malta, Montana

The crew who did all that work to move things today are saints! As I said, it was a major task! And the man who is harvesting the wood from this old silo is a wizard! His name is Paul. Do keep in in prayer. I just pray he maintains his health and is able to finish the project. It was originally planned for when we were on our trip to England and Switzerland last September, but Paul, FELL while doing the wood harvesting and broke some ribs and had other health issues that required surgery. So, of course, our project was postponed while he recuperated.

1921 silo

It’s fun to know the history of the wood – and to look forward to a new look in our home. But, it involves a whole lot more than what meets the eye… because one thing always leads to another, you know? I am reminded of Derrick & Jackie Knight’s recent renovation of their kitchen and entry and upstairs rooms. Derrick shared the step-by-step, day-by-day progress with us on his blog. Quite an undertaking!

We’ll be gone and Paul will be living here in our absence – – – doing his magic. I’ll show you the finished product (God willing) when we return next year, mid to late January. Meantime, do keep our safe travels in your prayers, will you? I’ll keep in touch along the way.

Have a Blessed Sunday. Bob & I will attend church this morning … and then do a little clean-up in our kitchen area to have it cleared and ready for Paul’s arrival tomorrow. What are your Sunday plans?

Us – looking forward to fun with family in sunny California

God bless you and keep you safe.
See you tomorrow (God willing)

Tomorrow is our day to pack!
Love,

JanBeek

Embrace Faithfulness

Every morning I begin my day
with a cup of coffee and a climb
up the stairs to my sanctuary
where I spend time with my Bible,
devotionals, prayers, and Jesus.

One of my devotionals is “These Days,”
a daily devotion for living by faith,
published by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.
Its format is scripture, devotional, prayer.

Today’s scripture was:

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.”

In the devotional, the author, Hope Douglas Harle-Mould,
wrote about the comfort Jesus provides.
She included a poem she wrote to
Our God of all Faithfulness:

“We pray for a cure; God sends us healing.
We pray for continued life; God gives us new life.
We pray death will not come; God overcomes death.
We pray in anguish; God weeps with us.
We pray in fear; God teaches us to laugh.
We pray for ourselves; God gives us each other.
We pray for miracles; God fills us with love.
We pray for the future; God showers us with blessedness.
God, help me trust the voices heralding your hope.”

I am assured
as I read and pray
and study God’s word,
that just as he
carries the lamb
in his arms,
he will be faithful
to carry me.

As I descend the twelve stairs
at the end of my devotional time,
I recite my personal
TWELVE STEP PROGRAM
Thank You, Jesus, for the:

  1. Love,
  2. Joy, and
  3. Peace (that are mine). Help me with
  4. Patience,
  5. Kindness
  6. Goodness, and
  7. Faithfulness (which brings blessings),
  8. Gentleness, and
  9. Self-control.
  10. Help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and
  11. A response of generosity, forgiveness,
  12. Obedience, and integrity.
    In Jesus name,
    Amen!

When I get to the 7th step,
I see the metal sculpture
that says, “Blessings” above my door.
It was a gift from our dear friends,
Jim & Terry, so I pause to thank God
for their faithful friendship.
When I get to the bottom of the stairs,
I see this cross on the wall:

It was made by Native Americans.
I pause to pray for them
and their peace and prosperity.
I send occasional gifts to
schools for Native American children –
– places like St. Labre’ and St. Joseph’s –
and they faithfully write back
acknowledging my small donation.

A student at St. Labre’ School
for Native American children

Faithfulness is a two-way street.
We pray to God faithfully; God answers.
We give to people who touch our hearts;
they give back with gratitude & smiles.
We read God’s Word faithfully each day;
He gives us wisdom and discernment,
understanding and blessings.

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com

Check out this different version of that old song, The B-I-B-L-E… I love it! What a way to learn to names of the books of the Bible, huh?

How do you begin your day, my friends?
What does FAITHFULNESS mean to you?

Thanks for visiting today.
I hope your Friday is blessed, indeed!

See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Love,
JanBeek

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