Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for May, 2026

Friends in Chattanooga

My buddy Marcie

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!

The friendship, the children, the scenery and gorgeous hospitality all are beyond wonderful!
Thank You, Marcie!

What a treat to travel up to Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain and see the homes & vistas up there!

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Thanks for traveling vicariously with us…

See ya tomorrow.

Love,
JanBeek

Treat from the Kids

Our son, Ty in CA, and our daughter, De in Switzerland , combined forces and bought us a gift certificate for Mother’s Day to one of our favorite Bozeman, Montana restaurants: Dave’s Sushi. Today we used it with great delight!

Mmm … a Bliss roll for me and a John Wayne for Bob.

Who do you think enjoyed theirs more??

Cheers! My Bliss roll was magnificent! But we both equally enjoyed the house red … a delightful blend.

Look at those sushi rolls again.

Beef on sushi!? Not my choice. But Bob loved it.

And we had enough left on our gift certificate to give Thomas , our terrific waiter, a nice tip.

Thank you, Thomas. Thank you, kids! We’re so glad you made me a mother!!

Now tomorrow we’re headed to Chattanooga. Stay tuned, my blogging friends. I’ll let you travel along vicariously.

We’re praying for warmer weather in Tennessee. It’s been a crazy May here in Montana. Today we had gray breezes, restless puffy clouds, snow, rain, and then bright sunny skies…. All within 5 hours in Bozeman. Crazy!!!

Hugs,

JanBeek

Mothers

M others

O nly

T hink of

H elping

E veryone

R egardless of their

S ituation

Hope your day was beautiful and you had (have) that kind of helpful mother (I did!)
And I am blessed with this very loving helpful son and…
… these two very sweet, helpful, loving daughters.

I am sure a lucky mama!

I hope your Mothers’ Day has been blessed, too.

Happy Mothers’ Day

Love, JanBeek

Living Stones

close up of natural stone pattern on pebbled ground
Photo by Carsten Busch on Pexels.com

Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sermon Notes
Brian Conklin – interim pastor
Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Jan’s sermon notes:

“Skipping across the lake’s surface
The perfect stone seems to dance.
Looking for something specific,
God has chosen us as Living Stones.

Person skipping a stone across a river surrounded by trees and mountains

Peter says we’re built on the cornerstone,
The most important part of the building.
Jesus Christ is our cornerstone –
But He was rejected by the world.

Moses struck a stone; there were stones
That allowed Christ followers to walk
Across the Jordan without sinking.
Stones are instruments of God’s work.

Close-up of textured rock at edge of calm lake with distant tree line

God is our steady, certain rock.
Each of us is built in His image.
Like rocks, if we are fitted together,
We can be built into a spiritual house.

God never intended us to be a lone stone –
A stone out in the field by ourselves.
Faith allows us to be built into a Holy Priesthood –
A place where God is encountered.

We are offerings of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Our lives make God visible on earth.
Sometimes we feel like a lone stone,
But we belong. We’re connected. We matter.

Large textured rock on grassy terrain with mountains and sunset sky behind
We’re not designed to be lone stones!

We are held together by grace.
Living stones are not identical, but
As unique individuals, start asking
“What is God building among us?”

Where am I placed and why?
Can I bear the weight of others?
I am strong enough and I am fit.
I’m willing to be placed and be a light in the darkness.

Are you?
Anywhere??

One sparkling stone among dark stones

God Bless You!
Love,
JanBeek

Wisdom

James 3:17-18

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God”

Have a lovely day filled with peace and the wisdom that comes from heaven.

Love, JanBeek