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Archive for the ‘friendship’ Category

Valued Trait

Today’s prompt on WordPress was:
What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

Each of us is given special gifts.
The trick is to recognize yours.
When you find it, then
make it your favorite trait.

And use it to the fullest!

This scripture is one of my favorites…
and it reveals a trait I cherish:

Hebrews 13:2

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have entertained angels
without knowing it.”

My special gift is hospitality.
I love having family and friends
come to spend time with us.
Here is our dear 1980-81 AFS son,
Christian Zufferey (ZuZu), from Switzerland.
No, he’s no stranger to us!!

(Our DeAna married his first cousin!!
What a love story that is!)

This week DeAna, and her hubby, Andre’
surprised us by arriving with ZuZu
and his wife, Celia, for a four day stay.
Here they are this morning… leaving us (boo-hoo!)

But, we were blessed to have them
come and spend those days
(just not nearly long enough) –
and to have Chef Andre’ prepare great meals!

How wonderful it was also
to have our grandson, Mike,
and his wife, Tania, with us for a week
this month. They were so helpful!!

Now this hospitality business
would have a full opportunity
to be put into practice IF our son
Ty & his wife, Monika, would come!

The good news is that Peter,
one of Bob’s wrestling students
from back in the 1970’s in CA,
will be joining us in October for awhile.
Yay!

Why don’t you consider
Letting me use my favorite trait,
HOSPITALITY,
On you one of these days?

What’s your special gift – your favorite trait?

Love to you,
JanBeek

We Need More Empathy

Sympathy = “I feel FOR you.”
Empathy = “I feel AS you.”

Ah, we need more empathy!
We need more people who are willing
to put themselves in another person’s shoes…

Not just feel sorry for the one who suffers, but feel his/her suffering
– and try to do something to alleviate it.
I discovered a new blogger today (new to me) – “Ly-die” –
who wrote an eloquent post on this topic.
I really appreciated it, and I think you will, too.

Click below:

Have a terrific Thursday! Our daughter, DeAna, and son-in-law, Andre’ are with us this week. They surprised us by bringing along with them our 1980-81 AFS Exchange student (Christian Zufferey) and his wife, Celia. Chris (ZuZu) is Andre’s cousin… and he has not been to the USA in over 30 years! You can imagine our pure JOY at seeing him and his dear spouse at our door!

Yesterday we toured Ennis and stopped at “The Long Branch” for a few libations.
That’s De & Andre’ on the left and ZuZu with Celia on the right.
I’m the happy camper in the middle!

Bob stayed home and then joined us later when we a went to our neighbors’ place (the Ducsays) for “TMW” – (what’s that – you ask?) – Hah – “Too much wine!” The picture doesn’t show our joy! We were having a grand time!

Today our Swiss guests are spending time in Yellowstone Park.
It’s a beautiful blue sky day here.
What are you up to??

Enjoy your Thursday…
I send my love and empathy your way.


Hugs,
JanBeek

Life is Wonderful!

m.facebook.com/story.php

Check out today’s wonder on my Facebook post!

We All Lead

Today I decided to FOLLOW the PROMPT:
Do you see yourself as a leader?

Whether we know it or not, we all lead –
at least sometimes.
And whether we know it or not, we all follow
at least sometimes.

What is a leader?
That’s the question.

If you read David Jeremiah’s “Turning Points”
you will learn the trademark secrets
of great leadership and
of being a faithful follower.

These following pictures
from September’s Turning Points
introduce the various topics
of leadership by logo or trademark.

The not-so-secret to leadership
is LOVE worn in behavior.
Don’t we all want to follow
the person who exudes love?

We all wear our logo
on our sleeve or our faces,
in our hearts,
and in our actions .

Your identity as a follower is important.
It’s Who you follow that counts!
Follow the wrong leader
And you end up in the dumps!

Get the copy RIGHT!

Leaders often don’t realize they are.

Some leaders quietly go about
being great by caring for others.
Their example leads others
to want to follow in their footsteps.

I wish Jesus lived next door to me.
He’s the leader I choose to follow.
Where He leads me,
I want to obediently go!

My faithful Leader helps me
By putting upright friends
In my life – in my neighborhood –
Friends whose love I want to emulate.

Who do you follow?
Who leaves footprints on your heart?
When do you lead?
We all do both, right?

Hebrews 13:7 

“Remember your leaders,
those who spoke to you the word of God.
Consider the outcome of their way of life,
and imitate their faith.”

Leader or follower?
Which are you?
Did you answer the prompt?
What did you say?

Thanks for visiting today.
Let me hear from you!
And have a Fabulous Friday!

Look up for your purpose!

Love,
JanBeek


Oh, and by the way,
I love “following” my WP friends.

You all inspire me to blog with love.
And I thank you who “follow” me.
I love you!

Sunflower Power

As the sunflower
faces toward the sun
so my face must turn to Thee
You are my Source of FUN!

You alone are my source of power
and I long to “bee” with Thee
You accept me with “shower head”
And love whatever You see

You created each thing on earth
I love the sweetness of your Being
Turn my eyes to Your Face, O Lord
Set my feet on The Path You’re seeing

You alone are my source of power
So I pray to You today
Let me “bee” as the sunflower
and look to You EVERY day!

Amen

Have a wonderful weekend!
What will you do this beautiful day?


We’re having friends for dinner
before they move away next week.
Bitter sweet times…
Look to the Son for comfort ;o)

Friends always show their love.
What are brothers for if not to share troubles?
~ Proverbs 17:17

What do I call “Troubles” today??
It’s when a dear friend moves away.
Oh, how my heart aches already…
But, true friends stay in touch, come what may!!
How do you stay in touch
with those Sunflower people
in your life
when they move away?

Love to you,
JanBeek

Blogging Friends

Why do you blog?

Today’s prompt made me pause and reflect on the why.
Why am I here? Why have I posted “stuff” here for so many years?
It’s not for rewards or recognition.

The title up there tells the story.
It’s my place to stay connected
with Derrick & Dwight,
Ann & Sue,
Richard & Donna,
Caralyn & you!!
It’s blogging friends old and new
who take the time to comment,
who post their own inspirational messages …
that’s why I’m here.
I care about you.

Thank you for also blogging and for staying in touch!

Love,
JanBeek

New Adventures!

We got a new truck!
Well, it’s not really brand new,
But it’s new to us.

Nolan Kemp, salesman
Did a great job at Kendall
Sold us our pickup

We named him “Charlie”
Because he’s “Charlie Blue” blue
We like Charlie lots!

Name your vehicles?
It’s a habit we started
With our ATV

We named her Lucille
Because she is red-headed
And she is a BALL!

We took Lucille up
High into Montana’s sky
Great times with our friends

We also took friends
In our lovely Clack-a-Craft
Fishing the rivers

Notice the trailer
And the help hooking things up
Those days are over

That’s why we sold them
The boat and the trailer, too
Traded the pickup

Don’t need something big
Don’t need a diesel engine
“Charlie’s” gas one’s fine

Without the boat and
Without the big pickup, too
We’ll rely on you!

When you’re heading out
To go fishing for a day
Let Bob ride along!

“Charlie” will give us
Many more years of great fun
They’ll just be different

TazE’s not with us
Crossed over the rainbow bridge
She’s gone – but not us

We’re hangin’ in there
Looking for new adventures
“Charlie” will show us!

It is a new day
Lots of opportunities
Waiting to explore

Travel in “Charlie”
Seeking out new excitement
Got some fresh ideas?

Share!

Cheers!
Love to ya,
JanBeek

Man’s Best Asset

What do you consider man’s best asset?

mondo backside
Photo by Tazz Vaughn on Pexels.com

Well, it depends on how you’re looking at the word, huh?
ASSet?
Or maybe who you are and what you do?

If you are a gastroenterologist,
(a GI doctor)
like Dr. Gentry,
who last Sunday performed Bob’s colonoscopy,
then you’re looking for a clear anus!!

Oh my!
TMI ??
Too much information!!

BUTT (oops!) BUT,
hey, we just went through this weekend from hell…
and if you’ve read my previous coupla blogs,
you know what I mean.
And maybe you are waiting for an update?

Bob received wonderful care at
the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
The nurse, Ann-Marie, was the reason
he was smiling like this!
She was as efficient as she was beautiful!

What’s a woman’s greatest asset?
She was kind, caring, efficient, and professional.
A real delight!
Aren’t those the perfect qualities for a nurse?
(Or any of us, for that matter!)

Let me digress for a minute, OK?
While Bob was waiting and waiting for his procedure,
(it was scheduled for 8:00 am
and got bumped twice because of emergencies),
I decided to go get something to eat.
Neither Bob nor I had anything solid for about 48 hours!

I was sitting at the counter at Jam!
(my favorite breakfast place in Bozeman)
when the hostess seated a coupe next to me.
I glanced up from the CA church service
that was live-streaming
on my cell phone
and said, “Hi!” to the couple.
Then I went back to listening
to our son, Ty, who was delivering
the sermon at his church
in Placerville, California.
(Isn’t modern technology wonderful?!)

That’s Ty with me – taken last summer…
We’re so proud of his decision to pursue the ministry.


Anyway, I digressed…
What I wanted to share with you was the way
God worked miracles in our lives
every time we turned around last weekend!

persons left hand doing hand gesture
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich on Pexels.com

I was listening to Ty’s sermon
when I heard the customer recently seated to my left
say, “Hello, Mrs. Beekman.”

Surprised, I looked up…
and I studied the handsome young man’s face.
“Neighbor? Crowley?? Are you Cole?”
I had not seen him in a coupe of years.
He and his family live right across the road from us.
He’s been away at college.
What are the chances in a restaurant with 100+ people
that Cole would be seated right next to me??

“When things happen in your Christian walk of faith
and you say to yourself what a coincidence,
you should know that it’s not, 
it is God’s hand in your life.”


James 1:17 
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Open your hands
and your heart
for God to fill them!

Cole and I chatted for a while,
got caught up on what’s new
with him and with us…
and I went back to listening to
Ty’s sermon on-line.
Cole & his girlfriend said their good-byes
with “Let me know if you need anything.”

When the sermon was over
and it was time to get back to Bob
before he went in for his procedure,
guess what?
I asked for the bill…

“That couple that was next to you
paid for your breakfast!”

Every time I turned around,
God was working His miracles
through the generosity,
kindness, professionalism,
and compassion of others!!

See that latte pictured up there?
Do you think it was a coincidence
that a happy bee is floating on the top?

Remember, Bob is
a retired beekeeper/almond farmer.
No accident that they made my dirty chai latte
with almond milk and God sent the bee here to say,
“Hah! Here I am to remind you
Bob is in good Hands!
I’ve gotcha covered!”

I got back to the hospital in time
to say a prayer with Bob
before he was wheeled in.

It was only a short time when
he was wheeled back to the room.

Shortly, the doc came in with the good news,
“You have a beautiful anus for an 84 year old!”
(See, there’s that asset I was telling you about)
Only a GI doctor with 25,000
colonoscopies under his belt
would be so observant, right?


“Everything is OK!
Whatever was causing the bleeding
(no doubt diverticulitis)
has healed itself.
No surgery needed.
Eat more fiber.
Drink more water.”


Bob was given his marching orders
with instructions to follow-up
in a week with his primary care doc here in Ennis.

But before they checked us out
and sent us happily on our way,
Bob was given solid food
(ah, a turkey sandwich never tasted so goood!)
We were sent home with grateful hearts.
Praise the Lord!!

I believe in miracles.
We just experienced more than one.
Look for God’s miracles.
Expect them.
He is busy delivering them every day!

God bless you!
Thank you for all your prayers.
We love you.
Bee well!!

Oh, by the way,
what do you think is
Man’s Best Asset?

5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

I posted this two days ago…
before I was bit by a nasty 24-hr. flu bug.
Felt like I was hit by a diesel truck!
My birthday “Flu By” yesterday.
Today this blog sits in “Jet Pack”
saying it wasn’t posted.
I know it was…
some of you responded.
But, it’s not letting me
respond to your comments.
So, here it is again
…maybe a little different;
(JetPack didn’t keep my latest revisions…
siiiiigh!)


I’ve discovered
there are many more ways
to lower your blood pressure
than there are ways to raise it!


Those of you who read my last few blogs
know I had a bout with increased blood pressure
that went up to over 200/80.
Dangerously high!

Well, it’s going down.
Soon it’ll be back to normal.
Besides meds, here are five ways
I have found that are very helpful:

1. Relax. Stay in my pj’s and robe til noon.

2. Spend quiet time in a special spot.
Pray.
Read my Bible.
Meditate on a favorite scripture or poem.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

So many friends/family
prayed for my health yesterday
as the Flu Bug hit me like a diesel truck!
God is good… He answered. Today I feel much better!

3. Latch on to your favorite friend
and accept the invitation
of other friends to go
and do something fun together.
(Thank God I got to do that
before the diesel truck hit!)

4. Hug a dog …
and the friends who brought the dog along
while we all went out on their ATV,
four-wheeling up into the mountains
to a beautiful lake.

Off we go…

Beautiful scenes along the way…

Wonderful fields of wildflowers…

Gorgeous SureShot Lake

Zeke is such an intelligent, sweet dog!
He loves riding in the canoe.

I rode in the canoe, too!!
What a beautiful get-away!
(Can’t get that picture to post here…
You can just imagine it!)

Oh, and the fifth way to lower your blood pressure?

5. Get a good night’s sleep after enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Do you have some ideas
for how to lower your blood pressure
if it’s too high
or how to keep it at a normal range?

Let me hear from you.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
I send my love and appreciation for you.

Optimizer!

New word! I love it!!
You are an optimizer
Can you count the ways?

You make things perfect
You make things more effective
Increase their function

You keep places neat
And make them more beautiful
Optimize your space

How do I do that?
Make a positive impact?
Read this fine scripture:

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brothers,
whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is just,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.

Yes, JUST DO IT!!

Today’s prompt was this:
“What things will improve with age?”
I do! And fine wine!

Do you optimize
The world that is around you?
Make it more lovely?

An Optimizer
Smiles and laughs and spreads sheer joy
You do that daily!

Photo by Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

I thank you for visiting JanBeek today.
May I ask a favor of you?
My blood pressure was through the roof this week
and we can’t figure out why! 204/84 … “Stroke City!”

Please pray with me that we (the doctors and I)
figure out what’s causing it, OK?
We’ve optimized by blood pressure medicine…
Dear Lord, help it to “improve with age” – OK?
Amen!

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