Embrace Maturing – Not everyone does with age; Some remain childish!
Happy Birthday, Son, Our 56 year old boy – You’re God’s gift to us!
I posted some pics On my Facebook page today. Here’s WordPress sharing:
Happy 56th Birthday, Ty
Maturity is to be embraced. Never fear growing older. It is a privilege denied to many – Embrace aging and getting bolder.
Life is full of great surprises. Improving since those Little League Days. From riding toy horses and tractors To inheriting a Porsche and a smile that stays.
If you have your dear wife and your health, If you have friends, a good job, and kids Who love and appreciate who you are, With God’s help, you won’t land on the skids!
Our son, Ty, always was a great ham. He played George’s role in the school play When he was about ten-years-old. Of course, a star was born that day!
We’ve always been proud of who he is – Pleased as punch with the man he’s become. A devoted husband, a loving grandpa, too – And to many a neighbor, a reliable chum.
His faith in the Lord has strengthened with age, The maturity of his belief’s a wonder to behold May he live a long, fruitful life in retirement – And never fail to share God’s wisdom. Just be bold!
Our daughter-in-law, Monika by his side Is a marvelous complement to our son. May they live to a ripe old age together – In the end hearing, “Well done, good and faithful ones!”
Love from Mom & Dad Bee
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today- Embrace Maturing!
See ya tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Ty – and Bill Welge, too!
Are you enthused about life? Have you overcome great strife? Are you ready to step out enthusiastically To conquer your challenges gleefully?
I am enthused because I look forward to returning to my volunteering today at the Madison Valley Medical Center. Ever since this pandemic shutdown last March, all the volunteers were told to stay home, socially distance, be safe, and wait this thing out. So this wonderful group of ladies who have annually saved the hospital the salary and benefits of at least two full-time staff members (as well as raising thousands of dollars in fund-raisers to donate for medical center needs) have been shut out. Yes, it was for our own safety… as well as others … but TODAY I GET TO GO BACK!!
I’m 3rd from the left second row… And yes, you read that correctly – it’s 31 thousand seven hundred dollars!
I am also enthusiastic today because after a year of searching with the Pastor Nominating Committee for a new pastor to lead our congregation forward following this strange year, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel! Our pastor of 32 years died and we’ve had a wonderful interim pastor who went out of retirement to help us. He is enthusiastically looking forward to returning to the retired life. I am looking forward to taking the next steps with our committee and our #1 candidate – – – enthusiasm bubbles over in all involved! What a wonderful way to approach Easter Sunday!
Today is Maundy Thursday. It’s the day Jesus invited the disciples into the upper room, washed their feet, and served the Last Supper. It was not with enthusiasm that they heard Him say He would die, be buried, and rise again in three days. They didn’t understand. But, I understand – so I am enthused!
The Last Supper
I am enthusiastic about the coming of Easter. I know we must endure the pain of “Good Friday” – wondering what’s good about the day Jesus dies on the cross. But, we know the rest of the story, so we can live through the remembrance of Christ’s misery because we know the way the story ends.
As a child I remember being enthusiastic about the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts. I see no harm in that, but as an adult the focus on Easter eggs doesn’t enthuse me… not unless the story that accompanies them is the reminder of the empty tomb when the child finds the plastic egg with no candy in it… and that child is the one who wins the Golden Egg – and realizes the empty egg was the favored one!
I just returned from volunteering at the medical center as a “Purple Lady” … member of the Auxiliary. I am enthused telling you that the two nurses and a host of staff members made it possible for around 120 Madison County residents to receive their vaccines today. Many of those were receiving their second shot. I enthusiastically look forward to “herd immunity.”
Photo by Edward Jenner on Pexels.com COVID-19 BE GONE!!
Here is my Haiku series celebrating enthusiasm:
Enthusiasm It’s a feeling of great joy Anticipation
It’s sweet engagement In delightful chosen tasks Active involvement
Looking bright ahead Accomplishments come at last Feeling in God’s Will
Seeing smiles around Others feeling included Successful efforts
Anticipating Hearing “Congratulations!” It’s a job well done
It’s shared excitement Knowing we have done our best Enthusiasm!
With COVID-19 limiting our travel right now We need to embrace short trips so We don’t become so isolated that we Think we have no where to go.
We can go safely to see the areas Around the place where we live. Don’t miss the beauty around you. They have so much joy to give.
On our way to Ennis Lake
Jack Fences, dilapidated remnants of an old chimney, hay rolls and cattle in the field made our trip toward Ennis Lake full of beautiful sights to behold.
Ennis Lake was totally covered with ice a few weeks ago. Now the ice is starting to melt and the wind has blown it into ridges along the lake’s edge.
The rock sculpture is amazing and the snow in the ridges on the Tobacco Root foothills is so pretty~
Headed back toward home, we enjoyed the view of Bear Trap Canyon and the sunrises and sunsets God gifts us with here in Ennis, MT.
Ennis is a wonderful place to be… So if all we can do for now Is to make short trips around here, That’s OK. Let’s just count our blessings, shall we?
Embrace Short Trips (until longer ones are safe again) Be contented where you are! ❤ Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow.
We All have Gifts to give All others do, too Embrace
Embrace The gifts Celebrate others’ gifts Open them with care Receive
Gifts
Recognize And see What others give To enhance your life Appreciate
Name Your gifts Use them lovingly Share them with humility Blessings
Gifts are blessings to be shared
Share Love and Time and compassion Remember that you matter Engage
Engage In life With your heart Wide open to receive Gifts
Gifts Don’t always Come all wrapped In pretty Christmas packages Discern
Precious Loving gifts Often are disguised In very simple acts of Humility
You Have gifts Unique to you Never underestimate your impact Shine
Shine Your gifts With loving kindness Embrace the many opportunities Smile!
Thanks For coming To JanBeek today Your loving presence here Matters
Elfchen or Elevensie is a poetic form that uses eleven words in a configuration of 1,2,3,4,1. Did you recognize it as you read my post today? If you haven’t already, you should try it. It’s fun! Thank you, Richard at Big Sky Buckeye for inspiring me and sharing your gift! Check out his blog, my friends.
See ya tomorrow
P.S. I found this insightful You.Tube presentation on the subject of GIFTS… gifts of the Holy Spirit. I thought it was quite well done – and a good addition to the topic, Embrace Gifts. If you have time, I highly recommend it.
If we don’t feel safe yet Traveling to places we want to go, Then let’s embrace virtual travel. Go with me to the most beautiful country: Switzerland!!
My daughter, DeAna, lives in this gorgeous country – I’ve shown you this picture recently of them in front of their restaurant:
De & Andre’ have three boys, Mike, Nick, and Chris. This week I received photos from Mike ( I think it was him who sent them) sharing a wonderful meal they all enjoyed at Mike and Tania’s apartment.
Natalia (Chris’ girlfriend) is in Colombia, so she was not able to be there in person. Thanks to ZOOM, however, she was in the room for an hour!! There is Nick with Celine:
(That’s Mike and Tania in the middle… And Chris with Natalia on the right)
I love the internet because it allows Long-distance grandparents To be part of their grandkids’ lives. Thank you, dear grandsons, for sharing with us!
Travel with me to other parts of Switzerland!
Doesn’t it make you want to go there? It really is picture postcard perfect everywhere you look!!
We forgive you, Andre’, for taking DeDe with you to this beautiful country. If there is some place in the world where we HAVE to travel because our family is there, we can think of no better place than Switzerland!!
Here is our daughter, De, singing a duet with our youngest grandson, Chris. At the end he says, “My ball of rice!” That’s his reference to Natalia. So sweet. Aren’t they cute?
Thanks for joining me, dear blogging friends. Sante’!! To your health!! Have a good night.
I could have called this “Embrace Maturity,” but that would have been pussyfooting around the issue. Not everyone matures as they age, but aging is not an option.
You do it or you die.
However, I embraced this meme when I saw it:
Aging is a privilege only given to the lucky ones, you know. So, yes, I will count this year … but at 81, I sometimes forget if it is 80 or 81 and if I try to get by with the lesser number, I have an 82 year old husband who is quick to remind me.
Hah! Can’t fool him… He keeps a check on me – – – but he’s not big on donuts. Darn!
My daughter (most of you have met her on this blog in the past – DeDe – lives in Switzerland) sent me this a little while back. She particularly liked it because one of Bob’s nicknames for me is “Rocky”
Most of you also know that I have a sanctuary where I spend the first hour most every morning… and in it I have three antique rockers. Ah, yes, it’s the perfect image of me!
But the chair that brings us mutual joy is the one we put in the back of our ATV and pull out when we stop for a break. The best way to embrace aging is to find a hobby that you can enjoy with someone you love.
For Bob and me, it is joining friends and going four-wheeling on these wonderful Rocky Mountain trails. .. stopping to fish the mountain lakes. Ah, that’s livin’!!
What hobbies make your aging process more enjoyable? One of our mutual hobbies (besides four-wheeling) is teaching Sunday School.
Here are darling Ruby & Cord.
COVID got in the way of being able to meet each Sunday morning with these two darlings and one other… and then these two moved away. As they age, their mom sends us pictures.
Getting picture from family and friends is a great way to welcome the new day and look forward to the next time you can visit.
Aging is easier to embrace if you have dreams – something to look forward to, right?
We dream of next October – when COVID-19 will be controlled and it will be safe to travel to see our daughter, De, and her husband, Andre’ – and stay in one of the hotel rooms above the restaurant.
As we age, some of the benefits outweigh the struggles that come with aching joints and lowered energy levels.
One of them is, when your grandkids act up and get on your nerves, you can just send ’em back to their folks!
Couldn’t do that when you were younger and they were your own kids!
Gotta look for the perks in this aging process!
Oh my! Take ’em home!!
Another advantage of aging is that we have time to reminisce about the “Good Ole Days” and the songs we used to sing that these youngsters with their guitars and drums don’t seem to understand anymore.
And if those songs and the memories they bring aren’t enough to make you feel good about still being on this earth, try singing this one:
Another way to “Embrace Aging” is to relish the extra time you have to just find a good book, pour yourself a hot chocolate or a glass of wine, curl up in front of a warm fire, and spend some uninterrupted quality time.
When you were younger, that luxury was seldom yours, right?
Now, if you are a youngster (under retirement age) reading this blog, you are probably thinking that I am a dreamer. You’re right. I am! And each day I dream up all kinds of things to keep me exuberant about life.
Yesterday it was effervescence. The day before it was … oh, do I have to go back that far?
Nope! A trick to aging gracefully is to remain playful. Keep your hobbies, and make up ways to keep the sparkle alive. Take those boots that were left at the front door and get creative!
If you can’t get out because you’re snowed in – and you’re longing for sushi, but the nearest place is an hour away, send money to your kids and tell them to go out for sushi on you. But make sure they send you a picture… and drool all over the computer screen when they send it!
Ask your friends to send you a picture of the table they decorated for some recent holiday – and then marvel at their creativity as you sit down for the 10th night in a row at your kitchen counter… thanking God for your life, your food, your kids, and your kitchen counter.
A trick to embracing aging is to always remain thankful for your blessings… even if they aren’t at a yacht club!!
Now, here’s a couple who knows how to live it up: My friends, the Rosens.
Embrace Aging by feeding your mind Hope, Truth and Love on a daily basis.
Don’t let your mind tell you you’re OLD. That’s a state of mind for the senile. It’s not for you!
Tell your mind that aging just adds to your story… and you’re not finished telling it yet!
“How do you define inspiration?” I asked my husband, Bob, that question at breakfast this morning. He said, “Enthusiastic Appreciation that Motivates.” I nodded. Yes, when we are inspired, the next step is action!
We may not be inspired to physically climb mountains, But inspiration will lead us to climb higher than We would without that motivation, right? I am motivated to be grateful for all my blessings.
In my gratitude, I know I am blessed to be a blessing. I am inspired to reach out in love to those around me. I am inspired to share the things that keep me moving. I am motivated to want to help my friends move forward, too.
Actions do speak louder than words, but words count! I can bless my friends and family with affirmative thoughts, Just as you inspire me by your positive comments. I am grateful for the way you inspire me.
Today is “Presidents’ Day” in the USA – a day to remember – Remember and be grateful for the two presidents who Inspired our nation to form as one union and then to unite After a Civil War that tore us apart: Washington and Lincoln.
In my Daily Guideposts today, the writer, John Dilworth, Was inspired by Colossians 3:23 to write about his experience With President Jimmy Carter’s Air Force One when the Then President Carter visited the base where he was stationed.
His picture of Air Force One is a reminder of the way The team of cadets worked at the fueling station With total commitment, unified teamwork, and Precise execution to service the President’s plane.
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com (This may not be the president’s plane – but you get the idea)
Col. 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
What inspires you to total commitment? When have you experienced total team commitment? Where have you seen precise execution of a task? What do you think inspired each of those situations?
John Dilworth ended his message with this:
“Today as we honor our past and current presidents, I must ask myself, ‘How can I do my best for the president today?’ … One thing we can all do every day is pray for the president.” Pray for our world’s leaders, for their discernment, safety, and effectiveness.
Here is my Elfchen for today – Inspired by Proverbs, chapter 15 (An “Elevenie” – poem with 11 words in a pattern of 1,2,3,4,1):
Let’s embrace blooming – Both the blooming of flowers As well as ideas.
Let’s embrace blooming – Blooming of plants and ideas As well as people.
Let’s embrace blooming – Blooming of people today; The world needs blossoms!
Charles Stanley – In Touch Magazine cover
One is fully bloomed – One is on its way to bloom – A couple are curled.
To fully open, We must face toward the Son Light. Do not turn away!
You, too??
Blossoms need sunlight. We need the light of the Son In order to bloom.
Isaiah 35:1-2a
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; It will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”
Your soul will sparkle; It will bloom and grow in love If you walk humbly.
As long as Christ leads We can make it all the way; We can bloom and thrive.
Let your blossoms dance! Follow in obedience. Let your spirit shine.
My choice for the look alike contest. Don’t you love those smiles? “Smilers never lose, and frowners never win.” Listen to the song below!!
Your smile’s contagious When you blossom from inside. Let’s Embrace Blooming!
You deserve this award!
Your blogging sparkles And your face reflects the Son. You’re brilliant and bright!
Fertilize others With words of encouragement. Continue to bloom!
Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com God bless You!!
My heart bubbles over with gratitude for God’s Bright and Brilliant Light. May it continue to bubble over in our hearts and lives. “Open up your heart and let the sunshine in!” Listen to the sunny song below – It’s a favorite from my childhood.
