We just had the most wonderful week with my cousin and his wife. Adrian & Laura were such fun to have around.
They are DeAngelis (my maiden name) “of angels” – apropos!!
They are spending a week in Yellowstone
We were privileged to watch the parade from dear friends, Roy & Barbara Washburn’s lovely place. Such gracious, generous people!
Wish you coulda joined us!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Celebrate Freedom!
Galatians 5:1
“For freedom in Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, therefore,
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Today is Juneteenth in the USA. It is a holiday that was established in 2021 to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. The holiday often is called America’s second Independence Day. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 12, 1862, formally freed enslaved people. However, this news didn’t reach parts of the country. On June 19, 1865 (nearly three years later) Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, announcing all enslaved people were free. This was designed to provide absolute equality of personal rights, and rights of property, between former masters and slaves.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if today we could look at our USA and observe that all people in our country are actually free? Free with equality of personal rights?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could witness all people world-wide being treated fairly with equal opportunities for health care, abundance, happiness, and peace?
Limiting and false beliefs about people exist in the hearts of many (outmoded ideas that stunt growth and keep life small and limited for groups in our community). Ask any Black or Native American, Hispanic or Asian person if they think they are treated equally. What do you think most would say?
I long for a world where all people are truly free. Free to truly embrace who they were designed by God to be. I celebrate the freedom that allows all people the right to claim their identity as equal children of God, designed to live and speak and act in ways that truly express their divine talents and abilities.
I celebrate freedom!
Happy Juneteenth, my friends.
Let’s continue to work together
to create a world
where everyone of truly free!
Amen?
Amen!
Love,
JanBeek
This is Easter week
Each day’s a time to seek
Greater understanding of the death
And resurrection. Take a peek!
A peek at the message clear
That resonates throughout the year
About the joy and love we share
Living Christ’s legacy here.
Last Sunday’s sermon spoke
To all the tuned-in folk
I took notes (as I always do)
I am tethered to the Lord’s yoke.
The message really resonated with me.
Thank you, Brian Conklin, for your sermon’s artistry.
I hope my readers find it impactful, too.
Here it is for you, my friends, to see:
He is Risen, Indeed!
There are moments in life
When everything changes
Easter Sunday may have been
One of them for the disciples.
Climbing a mountain Easter morning
Was one of those moments – a struggle.
Reaching the summit, I could look down
The town below me was washed in sun.
The hope of a new year dawned
A dark, challenging climb gave way
To a carpet of wildflowers –
The sun washed over me, too.
Today God has opened a way for me.
He has created a turning point:
Death does not have the final word –
The empty tomb brings a transformation.
Jesus’ followers went from hope
To a time of fear and confusion.
Doubting, lives torn apart, they hid.
Weeping, they gathered in the Upper Room.
They didn’t believe the women who told them
“He has been revived! He’s alive!”
But when Jesus joined the disciples
And broke bread with them, they believed.
Do we believe or is it too dark?
Do we have unanswered questions?
Christ brings hope and transformation.
Believe! Step out! Death has lost its sting.
Amen?
… and love… every day!!
Hugs,
JanBeek
I asked AI for a picture of Jesus in the tomb.
No, AI, Jesus was not lying in the tomb with his eyes open!
So much for artificial intelligence!
We know He was crucified.
We know Nicodemus was one of two men who prepared his body for burial.
John 19:39 – “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.”
John 19:40 – “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”
Today, known as Holy Saturday, also sometimes referred to as “Silent Saturday” is a day when His followers were stunned by His death on the cross. Puzzled by the way the Man they expected to save them was suddenly gone… and in such a cruel way.
We, too, would be puzzled if we didn’t know “The Rest of the Story.” The ladies went the next morning to the tomb. Not sure what they expected to see, but it definitely was not an empty place where Jesus had been laid! Imagine their surprise!
We can endure Good Friday and Holy (Silent) Saturday because we know.
We know He is risen indeed! Happy Easter, my friends! Tomorrow we celebrate!
Sure, we’ll see a lot of bunnies and Easter eggs and we’ll wonder if they have the whole picture.
We’ll wonder if that bunny is a distraction or a blessing. Think about a few ideas that make the idea of Easter bunnies and eggs OK:
1) Bunnies are prolific – alive and lovable. (Well that’s a stretch!)
2) Eggs are a symbol of new life… and one of those plastic Easter eggs empty can symbolize the empty tomb.
3) See the meme below:
What is your mood this “Holy Saturday”?
How are you feeling about the Easter egg hunts and the focus on the bunny?
I pray your Holy Saturday was a time of quiet meditation…
A time to focus on why Jesus had to die
And what His death means for us all.
Without tomorrow, without the resurrection,
He’d just be another forgotten martyr.
But, He is risen indeed!
Happy Easter, my friends.
God bless you!
Love,
JanBeek
First February Festivity: the 11th for our 64th anniversary-
A reason to celebrate and share a fabulous memory.
The year was 1961 and Bob was stationed in Germany
I was teaching a 1st grade in CA; he was in the US Army.
The wedding was spectacular and the reception would make
Family and friends smile & cheer us on and marvel at our cake.
At our 50th anniversary we asked a bakery to duplicate it for us.
One after another they said “Impossible” in an incredulous chorus.
I landed a job on the army base school in Germany, a first grade class,
And finished out the year joyfully, learning a new culture. It was a blast!
Back in California, I continued to teach the little ones in Turlock
And then in San Francisco & Hillsborough… while Bob graduated from SF State.
We started our family during those SF years… a boy, Ty, and girl, De.
They were a delight to us then … and still are a blessing each day to me!
Here’s a picture of Bob & me with Ty when he was a sweet little babe…
And one of DeAna with me in matching dresses I made!
As the years have gone by and our children have grown
We moved from the Bay Area back to the place we had known
As children and young adults; Bob joined the family with bees
While I continued to teach and moved to principal and District Office with ease.
Our 50th anniversary was a time to gather five decades of friends & family
For a weekend in Palm Desert where we golfed, ate, and reunited happily.
The memories of that grand occasion are alive and well in our hearts,
And we continue each February to connect with friends from our life’s parts.
When we retired, we continued to celebrate our February dates with flare!
But we’re doing it in Montana. Twenty years ago we moved ourselves there.
We love living in Big Sky Country, Ennis Montana, where the antelope roam.
We celebrate life every day and invite you to come share the joy in our home.
February 11th is a day each year to celebrate the joy of being together.
Valentine’s Day we celebrate at a Wine Pairings dinner – regardless of the weather.
It’s at Madison Valley Ranches, a beautiful setting for sure, with great food and friends.
Come join us if you wish… spaces are available … right out here where the river bends.
Time to celebrate! This February Festivity is my favorite one.
Having you here to join us would make it extra fun.
Call Manu at 406-660-2959 for your Valentine’s Day reservation.
It’ll make us so happy to see you! Come share in our celebration!
Love ya,
JanBeek (& Bob, too)
It was an extra 6 hour drive – stressful in torrential rains, but well worth it to be able to spend time at Carmel by the Sea and experience the Asilomar coast. Sooo beautiful!
Don’t know what that white is…
Don’t know what that black spot is!
God is good! Now, a safe drive to Sacramento airport early tomorrow- and I’ll see you back in Montana.
Love, JanBeek
The end of 2025
Found us loving life
Spending it with family
Avoiding stress and strife
All should be so blessed
To have such happy love
We don’t take it for granted
Such love is from above!
Love, JanBeek
Hard to believe! BionicBob is 87 today! Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet husband! I’m so glad he is here, hearing, and healing!!
Feeling loved and pampered!
Happy New Year, dear friends. We send our love.
Hugs, JanBeek
Independence Day in Ennis, Montana is a happening!
The Virginia City Players posted this photo on their Facebook page.
Main street was crazy today!!
There are thousands of visitors
who flock to our town for the parade and rodeo today.
As I write this, back home
after a busy, delightful morning,
it is hailing outside!
Don’t like our Montana weather?
Wait five minutes!!
Thank you, Roy & Barbara Washburn,
for hosting such a wonderful morning
filled with food and friends and treasured friendships.
Yours is the perfect yard from which to enjoy the parade!
Happy Birthday, USA!
We are so grateful to be living in this Land of the Free!
Love,
JanBeek
God bless all those who sacrificed their lives that we might live in freedom. I never take that for granted. Have a blessed Memorial Day🥰, my fellow Americans.
Love,
JanBeek
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
