Happy 26th birthday to our new pastor and dear friend, Mary Grace Reynolds!
If you’ve followed my blog for a week or more, you have seen posts about Mary Grace Reynolds.
For the past year and a half, my life has been consumed by the Pastor Nominating Committee. The search was arduous, extensive, long and detailed… and successful!
We reviewed over 100 Pastor Information Forms, Followed up with phone calls, texts, ZOOMs and reference checking on at least 40 of those. The bottom line: We believe Mary Grace was God’s choice for us!
Happy 26th birthday, Mary Grace! God bless you!
Just two puffs – and all 26 candles were out!
Do you remember your 26th birthday? Where were you? What did you do? What was your station in life?
1939 +26 = 1965; I was a new mom. On this day, my baby, Ty, was 3 months old. We were living in San Francisco – Park Merced, near San Francisco State Univ.
I was teaching in Daly City, California. Bob was working for Shell Oil in S.F. Mama Fran was our babysitter – But, I had the summer off.
Ah, to be 26 again! What would I do differently? I am not sure. What would you do differently?
This was March of 1966. Ty is 11 months old!
Yes, I was 26 once upon a time. Seems like an eternity ago. Would I change anything if I could go back and do it again?
Embrace your last best place It’s where you call your “Forever Home.” It’s the place you’re destined to stay When you decide to land – not roam.
“Our Last Best Place” is written on Our Montana license plates. It’s a motto for Bozeman, But Ennis is our place that rates.
It rates a forever stay. It’s where we want to be Until it’s time to eventually Leave for Eternity.
Our neighbors have a sign – It says home is a collection. It says home is a story – One with happy recollection.
I say home is a heartfelt Place where love is true – A place where when you have you go there, They always have room for you.
It’s a place where happy memories Have seeped into the wall And everywhere you look, Is a story to recall.
Grandpa DeAngeles’ cheese press (or is it an apple press – I wonder) Reminds me of my dad who had These treasures out in rain & thunder!
We had the piece restored And found a grape press to match. They sit in dining room corners – This one came without a scratch!
If rocking chairs could talk This would have stories galore. Bob’s great-grandma used it And our grandkids rocked some more.
This clock has a great history – It hung in Bob’s mother’s school. That was back in 1908-16 His mom was certainly no fool.
When the school house caught fire And the kids were evacuated, A lot of stuff ended in a pile. His mom saved this… she was elated.
The clock is not the only thing We inherited from our folks. Our house is full of those memories – Full of love and life and hopes.
The horseshoe has a history – The mortar Dad found in Merced River does, too. The pestle that goes with it Has seen more than a grind or two!
The books that line the living room Have stories – some written by friends, And the picture from Grimentz Has Swiss memories without ends.
I love the little angels On tables, counters and floor. Each one has a story And there’s always room for more.
That first one is from Terry, A friend who has my heart. The next one’s from our Laina – It’s meant for garden art.
Up in my sanctuary, There’s an angel in a dish. She’s playing the accordion – And she came with a great wish:
I wish you happy memories In this “Last Best Place” of yours. I know you’ll live here happily, Welcoming strangers through your doors.
It’s true, we love our Last Best Place – And we’ve welcomed many a guest. And we’re not through inviting them – Come – sit with us – we’re truly blessed!
Embrace Your Last Best Place
Are you in it now? Or do you anticipate where it will be… the one on earth, that is…
Tell me about it!
See ya tomorrow(God willing)
Love, JanBeek
Roy Rogers was my favorite as a kid… And never did I imagine I’d find a Home on the Range where the deer and the antelope play as my Last Best Place someday.
What has made you glad today? Are you thanking God for this day?
I will reJOYce for He has made me glad. This is such a beautiful spring day – The weather is a gift from God and My dear husband, Bob, has our yard Looking like a very inviting park.
Come sit awhile with me. Enjoy the birds singing. Enjoy the sunshine. Let the peacefulness of the mountain vistas Make you glad!
Our robins are such a treat. They make me glad!
Let your heart sing with the music of the birds! So beautiful!
I had a yellow chested blackbird singing to me this morning- -and while up in my sanctuary, a pair of doves landed on the garage roof and sang their hearts out.
(Thank God it wasn’t those “common cranes” or the “snipe” or the “corn crepe.” Those would have driven me crazy!
(If you glide your cursor over the red line on the video, it will tell you what kind of bird you are listening to.
The European turtle dove sounds like those we have here. They make me glad!
Yesterday I wrote about embracing a clear conscience. Then I went up to my sanctuary and read some of my devotionals. As is often the case, I was astounded at how God synchronizes my reading and writing and my life.
One of my devotionals is a Bible Study published by the Moody Bible Institute, Today in the Word.
My friend, Caroline, and I are studying the books of 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. The topic on Wednesday was “Living with Integrity.” Integrity is one of my favorite words … one of the most important life concepts. Without it, there is no way we can have a clear conscience!!
A quiet life is one that knows when to tune out the thunder, avoid the noise and the crowds, and settle into a peaceful place where introspection is possible.
If we never steal ourselves away from the hustle and bustle long enough to look at ourselves honestly and listen to the Holy Spirit directing us, and analyze our thoughts and actions, how can we hope to live a life of quiet integrity with a clear conscience?
The Moody devotional reminded me:
“A quiet life does not mean moving to the country. It can be described as taking care of one’s own responsibilities, as opposed to meddling in others’ affairs. Such a person is peaceable and respectful of others.”
When we stop, take a break, slow down, and look around us and inside our souls, we open ourselves to discover the beauty and the peace around and in us.
Peace be with you, my friends… Peace – inside and out.
Amen
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I love hearing about how you’re doing… What’s your secret to a clear conscience and a peaceful existence?
Having a clear conscience is one life’s joys. Looking at myself in the mirror has to be A time when I can honestly say to myself, “I am being my best self. I like what I see!”
Life is not about being perfect. Life is not about never making mistakes. Life is about appreciation and forgiveness, Loving God and one another – that’s what it takes.
A clear conscience doesn’t come because You never say or do things you eventually regret. It comes because you admit your failings, Ask forgiveness, receive it, and then forget!
Don’t forget the lessons that you learn From the errors you readily can see, But put the mistakes behind you, never to be Repeated – Never to divide you and me.
I try not to let my faux pas get me down. I know I am only human and I disappoint, But I try not to become entangled in them. There’s more to life than to finger point!
My conscience is clear when I know in my heart That my motives were pure when I blew it. So, if there’s more to it than admittance, Remorse, and forgiveness, who knew it?
Whatever I said or did to hurt you, I really didn’t aim to bring harm. So hug me, my friend, and forgive me – So my conscience won’t sound the alarm!
I can embrace a clear, clean conscience – One that is free to stand quiet and true Before my Lord and Savior, my Maker. I pray the same blessing, my friend, for you.
May you experience the “Sweet Forgiveness” That Christ can provide so we can pass it on. As we embrace a clear conscience, may we Spread the love so others also have a Bright New Dawn.
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
I had not heard Gordon Mote before – and I didn’t know this song. Was it new to you, too?
Do you have a clear conscience? If not, is there something you need to ask God to help you clear up so you, too, can have a clean slate?
I invite you to contemplate what that level of forgiveness means in your heart as you sit quietly for awhile and listen to the soothing piano of this “Gaither Instrumentals.”
Let’s embrace bird songs. They bring music to our souls. Delight in their sounds!
The following video is a 42 minute delight. It displays 80 birds, identifies them for you, and plays their songs. I LOVE it!
I recommend that you play it as background music as you read the rest of my blog and go about your day.
Peek back at it every now and then – because the close-up pictures of these birds and the words that identify them and the settings where you find them will be sure to delight you!
I woke this morning to the sound of doves cooing. They have built their nest in the eaves Outside my bedroom window – Crafted it with twigs and leaves.
Partner doves made their home there And sang their song, “I hid hid hid it!” Soon they’ll lay their eggs there And change their song to “I did did did it!”
But their nest is not hidden from us. We can see their coming and their going. Their song brings us daily happiness. Our day starts with shared music – enjoying!
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After you have listened to some of that first video, check this one out. It is just the dove… Then go back to that first one. Let it mesmerize you! (You can slide the red bar at the bottom of it to go back to where you left off.)
“Happy are the people to whom such blessings fall; happy are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Psalm 144:15
Just as each bird has its song, People have songs that identify them. Some are blues, some jazz or rock and roll, Others are known by their favorite hymn.
As I listen to music on my Amazon device And I hear one I wanna put in my cart, I say, “Alexa, add that to my favorites.” My list – like a bird song – comes from my heart. .
Take a break from the bird songs, and listen to a song that touches my heart. I can’t help but sing along whenever it plays:
In my “Happiness Project” (one sentence journal) the verse at the top of the page today was:
“It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation, which give happiness.”
– Thomas Jefferson
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What Creates Happiness for You?
I used to find my greatest happiness in the classroom – working with young children. Then I found it in my home with my husband and two children. Neither of those sources, however could be defined as “tranquil.”
It wasn’t until we moved here to Montana, we both retired, and we bought a house with an upstairs “SanctuAiree,” that I found my place of tranquility. Surrounded by trees with singing birds outside and my Bibles, devotionals, and angels inside, I am at peace. Inner peace is my definition of tranquility and happiness. How about you?
For me, there are few things in life which create more tranquility than the sound of a dove cooing. Our God used a dove as the carrier of good news (it returned to the ark with an olive branch to announce “Dry Land! It’s here! It’s here!”) The dove is a symbol of peace.
What a way to wake up in the morning! And then they greet me on the rooftop when I am in my SanctuAiree.
Doves are little gifts from God. I love them and their song.
What is your favorite bird song?
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I hope you’ll be singing when you leave here!
(You can go back to that first video and continue enjoying those bird songs)
Home Warm, cozy Feeling loved here Love the feeling here Embraced
Dormant Under ground Seeds and bulbs Lie waiting for sun Flowers
Collections Called clutter Some don’t understand It carries our history Memorabilia
Our good neighbor took this photo of our home with his drone. Yes, here it is April 14th and we had a snow flurry today! But spring WILL come. Beeeee patient!
Travel Far Away But return again It waits for you Home
We enjoyed being able to fly to Oregon to be with Bob’s sister, to support her and her family with our love during this time of loss. But, it felt so good to be back… Ennis is such a welcoming place. Yes, EMBRACE BEING HOME!
P.S. Elfchen are poems with eleven words, written in a pattern of 1+2+3+4+1… Aren’t they fun?
Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by to welcome me home! See ya tomorrow. JanBeek
