Psalm 34:10b “Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Isaiah 26: 3-4 “Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace— because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.”
My Ideal Day is filled with:
Enough
Peace
Trust
Faith
Love
Friendship
Affirmation
Health
Music
Writing time
Reading time
Blessings …. to fill my cup to overflowing so I can share.
Share hugs and love
An Ideal Day ends with:
Gratitude for today
Peace of mind
Hope for tomorrow
Joy abounding
Romans 15:13
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
And then I have a good, long, restful sleep- zzzzzzz
My ideal day ends with this peaceful music and these beautiful scenes (click on video/music below) as I fall asleep praying for you, my friend.
Bee well! Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)…
Me with my daughter-n-law, Monika
P.S. We’re packing today and heading back toward Montana tomorrow after two weeks of recuperation time from RSV with our gracious, kind, generous son and his wife. God is good!
Today’s topic on #Bloganuary is: “What was your favorite toy as a child?”
Here I am as a young mom with my daughter, DeAna. I don’t have available with me here on vacation Any photos of myself as a child at her age. I’m think my toys were part of my education.
DeDe was born during Barbie era. She had boyfriend Ken and their playhouse. She could play for hours with them And be as quiet as a mouse.
Here is our son, Ty, as a child. I know what he liked most at a young age: “BamBam” – his bouncing horsey! Quiet wasn’t a word on any Tyroneee page!
I didn’t have those kinds of toys! It was World War Two and we were poor. We tore our napkins in half to save paper. We knew the soldiers needed it more!
I was content to play outside. Rocks and dogs and imagination Kept me entertained for hours. No need for a Play Station!
I didn’t know at that time That we weren’t rich as can be! I had all the love in the world – And that was enough “play” for me.
My parents never failed to provide For all of the things we needed. If a parent’s goal is to raise happy kids, Mom and Dad certainly succeeded!
I may have had a doll or two – I really don’t remember. What I envision when I think of play Is our “wedding” in September.
My friend, Frankie, and brother, Aldo, Lived on our same property. We dressed up in some cloth we found. He wrapped it all around us three.
Cousin Bobby was a little younger. We convinced him to be preacher. He walked ahead of us down the “aisle”. My dog, Jumbo, was best man. What a creature!
Our pretend house was a large hole We dug in the old cow field. We fixed it up with pretend furniture, And covered the entrance – truly concealed.
We often climbed down to that “house”. It worked just fine as a place to play…. Until a cow fell in and broke its leg. I remember the lickin’ I got that day!
So, what was my favorite toy? It was probably the neighbor boy! Eventually we both got accordions – Music was the “toy” that brought us joy!!
The accordion still is one of my favorite toys! What’s your favorite childhood toy??
Thank you, Mom, for helping me know that imagination and creativity are the best “toys” ever!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow (God willing). Are you enjoying the daily WordPress prompts?
WordPress started a new program called Bloganuary each day they’ll give us a writing prompt. I’ll see if I can find inspiration in this new program – and share comments with some fellow bloggers I haven’t met before.
My 2021 blogs all began with my word for the year, “Embrace.” We had spent 2020 with the absence of hugs … and that was really hard for me. It was not difficult to think of a subject to embrace each day.
Our daughter, De, at age 19.
Now, let’s see what my life experience can do with these new daily prompts!
What Advice Would I Give to My Teenage Self?
I wrote a poem for my daughter, DeAna, when she was 19, married her sweetheart, André, and left us in CA to go live with him in his home country of Switzerland. My advice to her was wrapped up in this poem. It’s the same advice I would have given to my own teenage self:
I hope you are able to read that, dear blogging friends. And I hope you have been given (and can give in return) “Gifts Your Kids Can’t Break”
God bless you this New Year’s Day. May 2022 be a memorable year of many hugs and many blessings from Our Lord to you and your loved ones.
Please pray for my husband, Bob, who is in ER right now with congestive heart failure.
My high school buddy from the Stone Age, Doris, sent me a story today. It was written by a guy (no name available) who recalled an experience that stuck with him and changed him forever.
Did the title of this blog draw you in? Stay with me.
The story writer told about the way a young Downs Syndrome man impacted the hearts of all he touched. I was moved by the story – and decided it was too good to keep to myself. I hope it touches your heart, too.
In 1979, I was managing a Wendy’s in Port Richey, Florida. Unlike today, staffing was never a real problem, but I was searching for a someone to work 3 hours a day only at lunch. I went thru all my applications and most were all looking for full time or at least 20 hours per week. I found one however, buried at the bottom of a four inch stack, that was only looking for lunch part time.
His name was Nicky. Hadn’t met him but thought I would give him a call and see if he could stop by for an interview. When I called, he wasn’t in but his mom said she would make sure he would be there. At the appointed time, Nicky walked in. One of those moments when my heart went in my throat. Nicky suffered from Downs Syndrome. His physical appearance was a giveaway and his speech only reinforced the obvious. I was young and very sheltered. Had never interacted on a professional level with a developmentally disabled person. I had no clue what to do, so I went ahead and interviewed him. He was a wonderful young man. Great outlook. Task focused. Excited to be alive. For only reasons God knew at that time, I hired him for 3 hours a day, 3 days a week to run a grill.
I let the staff know what to expect. Predictably the crew made sure I got the message, “No one wants to work with a retard.” To this day I find that word offensive. We had a crew meeting, cleared the air, and prepared for his arrival.
Nicky showed up for work right on time. He was so excited to be working. He stood at the time clock literally shaking with anticipation. He clocked in and started his training. Couldn’t multi-task, but was a machine on the grill.
Now for the fascinating part… Back in that day, there were no computer screens to work from. Every order was called out by the cashier. It required a great deal of concentration on the part of all production staff to get the order right. While Nicky was training during his first shift, the sandwich maker next to him asked the grillman/trainer what was on the next sandwich. Nicky replied, “single, no pickle no onion.” A few minutes later it happened again. It was then that we discovered Nicky had a hidden and valuable skill. He memorized everything he heard! Photographic hearing! WHAT A SKILL SET.
It took 3 days and every sandwich maker requested to work with Nicky. He immediately was accepted by the entire crew. After his shift he would join the rest of his crew family, drinking Coke like it was water! It was then that they discovered another Rainman-esque trait. Nicky was a walking/talking perpetual calendar! With a perpetual calendar as a reference, they would sit for hours asking him what day of the week was December 22, 1847. He never missed. This uncanny trait mesmerized the crew.
His mom would come in at 2 to pick him up. More times than not, the crew would be back there with him hamming it up. As I went to get him from the back, his mom said something I will never forget. “Let him stay there as long as he wants. He has never been accepted anywhere like he has been here.”
I excused myself and dried my eyes, humbled and broken-hearted at the lesson I just learned. Nicky had a profound impact on that store. His presence changed a lot of people. Today I believe with every fiber of my body that Nicky’s hiring was no accident. God’s timing and will are perfect.
This Christmas, I hope we all understand what we are celebrating. We are all like Nicky. We each have our shortcomings. We each have our strong points. But we are all of value. God made us that way and God doesn’t make mistakes. Nicky certainly wasn’t a mistake. He was a valuable gift that I am forever grateful for.
We are celebrating the birth of the ONE that leveled the playing field for all of us. God doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, republican or democrat, or black or white. He doesn’t care if your chromosome structure is perfect. He doesn’t care what level of education you have attained. He cares about your heart. He wants us all to love and appreciate the gift HE gave us on Christmas, His son, the Savior, our salvation. His Son that was born to die for our sins. To pay our debt. To provide us a path for eternity.
So this Christmas, let’s check our hearts. There is a little bit of Nicky in all of us and I suspect there is a Nicky somewhere in your life who is looking for the chance to be embraced. Thank God for that. Thank God for His perfect gift, Christ Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Alice Paschal Nativity
Peering Down
Another of my high school friends, Kristy, sent me that sketch up there done by a 93-year-old friend of hers, Alice Paschal. What a wonderful rendition of that glorious Christmas Day! Like those two doves, my husband, Bob, and I are sitting in the rafters, peering down on that magical scene – marveling at the love Christ brought down to earth. Grateful for those who share His love in stories, words and actions.
Ready to Learn
May we all be like the workers in that restaurant long ago – ready to learn to love, learn to accept, learn to wrap our arms around the most vulnerable. May we learn to see one another through Jesus glasses, from the inside out.
I first posted this in December of 2020 … and here it is a year later … December of 2021 … and in many ways, we are more engulfed in the effects of COVID-19 now than we were then!
My New Years glasses
My resolution for 2020 was to “Walk the Talk.” Little did I know when I created those 20/20 Perfect Vision glasses January 1, 2020 what a challenge that would be!
I posted the picture of that little girl in early January, determined to talk less and to do more.
Lenten Breakfast 2020
No Way of Knowing
I had no way of knowing when we celebrated the first of five planned Lenten breakfasts leading up to Easter that it would be our last. COVID-19 hit, our gatherings were shut down, and social distancing eliminated these opportunities.
Time
Time to read more, time to think more, time to reflect on stories like the one at the top of this blog.
I asked you, my WP readers, “How will you spend the rest of this 2020 year? What will you do to Walk the Talk and Show the Love of Christ with those you meet?”
I asked you, “Think about it.”
And here it is another year gone by, still dealing with the effects of COVID-19, and still asking the same questions. still making the same requests:
And I still want you to know, “I love you.“ I hope you have avoided the ravages of the virus. I hope you are well, and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with loved ones.
Thanks for taking time to read JanBeek. I hope it inspires you. Bee well! Bee LOVE.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor’s permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.
My memory’s not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory’s not as sharp as it used to be.
Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.
I talked with God about this today.
God said to me: “Folks don’t mind your creases, Jan. It is part of the aging process – and those lines are roadmaps to your soul. They tell how you’ve lived your life. Your joys are there. (Those are the creases beside each eye) The times you were tickled are there. (Notice those crinkles on your nose!) Your worries are there. (Those are the railroad tracks on your forehead; sometimes caused not by worry, but by pondering!)
Those aren’t wrinkles – They’re wise cracks!”
One of my favorite Bible verses about aging gracefully is “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”
(Psalm 92:14)
God will carry us through, even into our advanced years. Our Creator has had a plan for us since before we were born. He had our days numbered since the beginning of time and it is up to us to make wise decisions to help our bodies live a more vibrant and full life and to impart our wisdom to those placed in our lives.
How many wise cracks do you have? Are you trying to hide them? Or do you embrace them?
In the video below, Lisa, Domestic Life Stylist, moves our focus away from our “Wise cracks” and shares some wise tips on aging. It’s worth a watch!
Her final words: “Embrace the age you are!” Wisdom indeed! (I’m 82, how about you?)
See ya tomorrow (God willing). Thanks for visiting!
If you’ve followed my blog or seen my posts on FaceBook, you know my husband, Bob, has been facing some medical challenges. I asked for prayers for his return to usual stamina.
Thank you for those prayers, (if you offered them up to God for us). He is feeling soooo much better – and the doctor has okayed his trip tomorrow!!
So, Happy Labor Day weekend, my friends! I hope you are enjoying a relaxing, fun-filled day.
Bob is getting ready to go on a fishing trip with two of his buddies. They leave at 5: am tomorrow for Anchorage and then will spend a week at Kulik Lodge, way up north on the peninsula of Alaska, in the area called Bristol Bay. Have you every been to Alaska? Have you been fishing there?
His buddies told him he doesn’t need to bring all his flies on the trip. The lodge and guides where he is going will provide for him all the flies he needs.
Doesn’t that look inviting??
If all goes well, he will not only be able to catch some whoppers, but he will have at least one smoked and shipped home with him!
While Bob is getting ready for his trip, I am getting ready for his absence. In our 60 years of wedded bliss, I cannot remember ever being away from him this long!
Here we are in the mid-60’s with our son, Ty.
Here we are together with my parents in the late 1960’s – or early ’70s.
Here we are with 22 family/friends at Bob’s 80th. That’s our daughter DeAna with her arm around her daddy and our son, Ty, next to her with his hand on my shoulder.
You can see from this photo of us on our 59th anniversary that the years have been good to us.
So, as I get ready to be away from Bob for more than a week, send me some ideas for how to avoid loneliness! Tell me how to get ready to fix a meal for one… and to eat alone for 9 days!
A friend is coming over to keep me company for awhile tomorrow. (Thank you, Julie!)
What are you doing Tuesday?
TazE says, “Just relax, Mom. I gotcha covered!”
Thank God for our pets, huh? I know TazE will be great company.
Have a good Sunday evening. I send my love and hugs your way.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Today’s sermon was titled, “Please Go to Bed Angry.”
What??? We all know what the Bible tells us:
So how could our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds tell us to go to bed angry? What a weird twist on a well-known scripture, huh? What was the point she was making? Here are the notes I took as I listened to today’s sermon:
Sit with yourself in silence Long enough to feel the anger That’s hidden inside of you.
If you’re not angry, You’re not really livin’ – Anger is a quiet, deep given.
Anger leads to rage and hatred. Anger leads to destruction – And we might not know it’s there.
I’m angry, and I name it. I see it; I control it. Paul tells us, “Walk away!”
Don’t let your anger lead you to sin. Some people hurt us intentionally And the gospel says, “Walk away!”
But there are people in our lives Who need to be there – And we may find some of them “angry.”
What do we do with anger? Acknowledge it, define it, use it. Let it build for the common good.
When I “feel” anger, It doesn’t have to define me. Sleep on that anger and address it.
Weather the conflict and Don’t let it divide us. Initiate the pain confrontation.
Managing anger demands strength And a clearness of mind. Let it be the light illuminating a better way forward.
Amen?
Anger is like boiling water inside you. It bubbles up and alerts you To the need to get it up and out.
Righteous anger is addressed In the Bible very clearly when Jesus overturned the tables.
The money changers were Ripping off the worshipers. Jesus would have none of that!
John 2:15 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. Matthew 21:12 12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Mark 11:15 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves…
If Jesus had slept on that anger, Might he have responded differently? I doubt it. The situation was untenable!
Some actions and incidences Deserve our righteous anger. No need to sleep on it!
But other reasons for anger Are not so clear cut! Let the resolution stew a while!
After sleeping on it, You may find there is a better solution Than the one you thought of yesterday.
Let God speak to you. Listen to His calming influence. Respond biblically!
So, while we may embrace the right to be angry, And we may feel justified exhibiting righteous anger, The real path to a peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling life Is the path described in Colossians 3:12. It’s my choice!
Don’t overlook your life’s importance or minimize its worth. It doesn’t matter if you’re on an allowance or Social Security. No matter where you are in life, you have so much to give.
The vital part of your life never disappears or fades away. Each of us is vital to God. He gives us the courage to go out and live, to heed His call, and step out in faith on a new journey today.
In faithful obedience, lean forward to hear Him. He doesn’t shout. His call is quiet and personal. Get serious. Listen carefully. Are you up for a new journey? Have faith and step out!
I wrote the poem, “Have Faith and Step Out” in 2002 while we were still living in California. I had officially retired from teaching in 1999, but daily I was looking for new direction, new purpose, new adventures. The International Library of Poetry published the poem in its 2002 Anthology of Poetry and sent me a dozen greeting cards with the poem printed on the front of them. Today I am using one of those cards for a friend who is stepping onto a new path.
The poem has become more meaningful in the nearly 20 years since its creation. The older I am, the more I realize, “No matter where you are in life, you have so much to give.” Your age doesn’t matter. Your place doesn’t matter. What matters is your mindset, your faith, your motivation.
It’s OK to be petrified. Sometimes God takes us to the edge of adventures where we feel unprepared.With faith, He will remove our fear, put us on a bridge, and send us the Light to follow.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Today Bob is out on Lucille (our red-headed ATV on which we have a “Ball”) with his former student, Victor, who is visiting from Alabama. Victor was Bob’s wrestling student back in the 1970’s. He reminded us that Bob also was his Drivers Education teacher. They are on an adventure – going to a lake above Sheridan. Our Boston, TazE, is with them. Ah, yes, step out in faith. Have fun!
Where He leads me, I will follow!
Remember, no matter where you are in life, you have so much to give.
Where are you being called to go today? What are you being called to do? Whatever it is, step out in faith. He will give you grace and glory… He’ll be with you all the way!
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?
In Loving memory Of my dear, only sister All of us gathered
Many remembered The loving kindness of her I wrote and read this poem:
Sisters are a real treasure – A gift from Heaven with love. Sally shared with me a relationship Designed by God above.
When Sally and I were little, Mom dressed me as her twin. People thought we really were – But she would say, “I’m the oldest – so I win!”
I used to blame my sis for things When I was the culprit – clearly! “I no pick the flaws – maybe Sally d!” Fist full of flowers, I’d point sincerely.
She never held it against me; Her heart was too big for grudges! Always first to shrug nd forgive, She didn’t need a lot of nudges.
We both joined Turlock High Band; Played clarinet – marched in every parade. But she preferred being treasurer – Being sure ny dues were paid.
When God gave out number sense, I must have hid behind the door – Or else I missed it because my sis Had enough for the two of us -and more!
We never really competed with each other. She did her own thing – for sure. A more unique soul never existed – Cut from a loving mold – honest and pure.
She’d give you the shirt off her back If she thought you needed one – And she never missed a potluck – Or any other activity with games and fun.
Her closet was quite organized From Valentine’s to New Year’s Day. You never had to guess the holiday – Her clothing was the display.
After God created Sally, though, He threw away the mold. No one earth could match Her heart, her style – so quirky and bold!
Sally loved her family – of that we had no doubt. She loved her church and her yippy pups. She adored her Lodge sisters and her scouts. She generously gave us oregano, bee stuff, and cups.
I smile when I look at her pictures. They tell a story of a life filled with joy. They help me recall my sister’s love – And be grateful – She was the Real McCoy!
Here is Sally with my grandson, Jordan. The two of them shared a December 20th birthday.
I ended my remarks at Sally’s Memorial with this scripture:
1 Kings 3:12b “…no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arrive after you.”
Rest in peace, Sis. I’ll see ya later!
And my dear blogging friends, I’ll see YOU later, too. Bob & I will head back to Montana via Delta Airlines tonight. Your prayers for our safe travel and smooth connections will be greatly appreciated.
