Don’t let your stories Die inside you when you’re gone Let stories out now
We are headed to California to spend time with our son and his family and with Bob’s brother and his family.
With my niece and her family, we will have the Memorial Service for my sister that had to be cancelled last December. My niece wants me to say a little about my sis at the memorial service. Where do I begin? Where do I stop? How do I choose? There is so much to tell.
That picture of the two of us was taken 30 years ago at my daughter’s wedding. It brings back so many memories!
There is Sally with her two nephews and two nieces (our son’s children)… taken when the youngest two were around 8 years old. They are 25 now! I could write a book about my sister’s affection for holidays and the joy she got out of dressing up for each one of them. Her closet – full of clothes – was arranged according to holidays!
I don’t have to tell you what time of year this was! She and GiGi (or was that MeMe?) were headed to celebrate with us. Life with Sally was one celebration after the next. Lordy! Don’t let the stories die with her. Keep them alive!
Let those stories out Just Embrace Storytelling! Share more tomorrow…
Lord help the mister Who comes between me and my sister And Lord help the sister Who comes between me and my man… (or something like that… hah!) We never had that trouble!
When a friend comes up with an idea And you concur, what do you do? Do you encourage your friend to progress? Do you join in and help the idea come true?
My neighbor, whom I had not seen in a while, Said, “We need to have a get together.” I concurred and suggested a dinner – A progressive dinner – pray for good weather!
Well, the weather cooperated, and so did The “Hood” – our neighbors on our ridge. Last night we had a wonderful time… Time to set aside masks – cross that bridge!
So we did it… the first hosts had appetizers. Then it was lasagna at our house with yummy bread. Across the road we went for dessert — Our tummies and our hearts were well fed!
“The Hood” dinner at Beekmans
Rex & Penny served cake for dessert The Hocking House is a perfect gathering place!
We are blessed to live in a place where we All get along with our neighbors as friends. We’re so relieved this pandemic’s isolation Has finally subsided – The separation ends!
Penny & Rex’s cat supervised the event
When a friend comes up with an idea, Encourage the thought and run with it! You never know til you give it a try How very much you’ll have fun with it!
Back at home – beautiful evening sky
The outcome of Karen’s idea to get together As more successful than we could have guessed So – if you have an idea, my friends, share it! Don’t keep the outcomes buried in your chest!
What idea are you ready to share and run with? Trust your instincts. EMBRACE the OUTCOMES!
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Come join us for dinner!
See ya tomorrow. (God willing!) Have a great weekend.
Are you waiting expectantly for something? Somewhere in time what you long for Is out there for you … you just need to EMBRACE EXPECTANT WAITING.
(I recommend you listen to that gorgeous piano and orchestra as you read this blog. “Somewhere in Time” – so beautifully played From Maksim Mrvisa/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
I have been waiting – trying to be patient – This past nine months has felt a little like The nine months of pregnancy: Expectantly waiting for a new beginning!
But unlike the birth of a baby, This wait has birthed for us A new pastor for our church… And now we have to wait.
Wait for the Presbytery to approve – Wait for Mary Grace to check out of her college dorm And check back into her home in Tennessee And check out of there to drive here.
Meantime, as we wait expectantly, God says, “Live in the now! Every day is a new beginning. Don’t waste today waiting for tomorrow.”
What are you looking forward to? Are you waiting expectantly for retirement? Are you planning a cruise or a vacation of some sort? Are you anticipating a visit from special family members?
DeAna’s new toy
Our daughter, DeAna, who lives in Switzerland, Is anticipating a trip to Turkey this September. She bought herself a motorcycle so she can Ride her own bike – not sit behind on her hubby’s.
I would not be looking forward to such a trip. I’d be shaking in my boots! But Bob & I are Eagerly anticipating a trip to England and then On to Switzerland to spend time with De & family.
We also are expectantly waiting For our trip to California next month. We’re going there for my sister’s memorial – We’ve waited half a year for this closure.
What are you expectantly waiting for? It seems to me that life is more exciting If you have something to look forward to. Never stop dreaming about tomorrow’s joys!
While Mary Grace, our new pastor, was here last week, The weather decided to rain and snow and blow. It was mid-May for crying out loud! S’posed to be spring! So we eagerly anticipated springtime’s return.
Yesterday when Mary Grace flew back to Virginia, Montana was gray and cold – not looking like spring at all. But today we had the most beautiful blue sky with Puffy clouds and warm temperatures. Go figure!!
Our Madison Range was hidden behind grayness, But today the gray lifted and beautiful snow-capped Mountains emerged. That’s Jack Creek Canyon And Fan Mountain out there. Come back, springtime!
Knowing I was missing the colors of spring, My friend, Lisa, in North Carolina, sent me Photos of her gorgeous roses in her garden. I am expectantly waiting for our flowers now, too.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Because the future SOMETIMES (often) depends On what you do today, look for the joy and hope around you. Do whatever you can to make today the best it can be. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Just live today with joyful expectation.
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
We waited for the pastor candidate we did not see. We waited for the congregation to vote affirmatively. And now we wait for our Mary Grace to return And begin her spiritual leadership in our church.
It’s hard to wait with patience, but we are told Like those beautiful roses that sprang from a plant That was brown and leafless in the winter, The blossom will bloom – and it’ll be worth the wait.
My mom often told me when I was Eagerly, anxiously, anticipating something, “Cross that bridge when you come to it!” Good advice! Go back now to the top now… and watch that musical video.
The images are wonderful. This bridge is one of them. “Edited video Leonidas” – magnificent! Worth the wait!
Tell me, what are you expectantly waiting for?
Thank you for taking time to visit JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
It is our uniqueness that makes us An interesting, diverse, beautiful world. We fly our flags in different colors, But in reality we’re all one world unfurled.
Let’s embrace our uniqueness And celebrate how we see things differently While remembering we are more alike Than not… and we’re all designed magnificently!
There’s no one on earth like me; No one in the whole world like you, So embrace your uniqueness, my friend… Share with others your point of view.
No one sees life quite like you do. No one can paint or write as you do. Let your expression of life splash out of you And help others see the world anew.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Just as no pot created on the potter’s wheel Ends up looking just like another pot, And yet each is beautiful in its own way, So each of us beautiful – no one is not!
Something beautiful, something good – All my confusion He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, But He made something beautiful of my life.
Give your brokenness and strife to God. Let Him make something beautiful in you. Then share it – as only you can do – So others can appreciate their uniqueness, too.
Use your unique qualities to make the world a better place. Don’t judge others or turn them away because they’re different. Embrace them. Love them. Appreciate the way they add color to your world. Know God designed each of us intentionally … be reverent!
I love you, my friend. Thank you for adding your uniqueness to my world. See ya tomorrow.
Happy Mother’s Day to our moms! Whether they are alive or dead, They live daily in our thoughts – Either lovingly or with dread.
Some folks weren’t as lucky As I feel I was born to be. I had a strong-willed mother Who passed her strength on down to me.
Mom & Dad
Mom moved from her home in Washington To marry my handsome Italian dad. She spent her life in central California. Musta made her mother rather sad.
Mom raised me and my sis, Sally, To learn to stand on our own two feet. From day one we were taught to know School wasn’t done ’til college was complete.
She was born fifth of six children – And her dad died when she was a teen. College wasn’t an option for her, but for sure Her girls would experience that scene!
Sally, Dad, Mom & me
Sally went to Jr. College and Brigham Young. I graduated from University of Pacific (UOP). Mom was pleased as punch to know – If I needed to, I could take care of me!
She and Dad were great supporters Of Bob & me their whole lives through. I couldn’t have asked for better folks. I hope you can say the same about you.
Dad Mom, Bob & me
That’s me with Mom, Sally & our daughter, De – behind us is Dave Butters, Sally’s husband who died way too young.
Mom’s selfie
Mom took selfies with a smile Long before digital cameras and internet. If she was alive today, she’d post ’em daily And she’d have a huge following – you bet!
Today’s the day for us to remember Our moms – and conjure up some joy As we recall their better selves – and set aside all thoughts that annoy!
I must remember no one’s perfect, And I just hope when I’m dead and gone, Our children will recall my better self, And set aside times I was a moron!
I hope my kids will say, “My mom was the Bee’s Knees” and laugh at any bitterness while remembering only the honey!
Happy Mother’s Day! Embrace your Mothers today (for real – or in your memories). They did (or are doing) the best they could!!
What are the small delights that enchant you? Keep you coming back for more? What are the small delights that entice you To return again to your favorite store?
I love wreaths and flowers; I take delight in their display. I delight in springtime when its warm And I can walk in the sunshine and play.
I love Michaels, the craft store, that has All the items for projects galore. That’s the place that’s my go-to For creative activities – and more.
Prayers, pictures, and greetings From Elaina, my daughter #2 Bring morning smiles and giggles “Let me share my soup with you!
Let me show you my sweet kitty,” She declares as she pictures her cat. We share the things that delight us In our daily morning chat.
My friend, Lisa, in South Carolina Finds beauty in sunrises and purrs. I love the way she shares with me The views and delights that are hers.
Lisa’s cat
Lisa’s sunrise in South Carolina
The small delight that grows To enormous size and glee Is the joy I find in friendship. Friends are so dear to me.
Laina & DeDe
Laina and our daughter, DeAna Have been friends since high school days They find great delight in togetherness… A relationship where love always stays.
Caroline’s photo of ducks in lake
Some small delights in nature That we often take for granted Are ducks on the lake with snowy borders And evergreen trees God has planted.
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
I delight in having great neighbors Who bake beautiful cookies and share The tasty treats from their kitchen. I delight in those friends over there!
(Thanks, Robin & Whooter & Sue Welna!)
A delight I’ve been waiting for Is the opening of this daffodil bloom. Thank God for the coming of springtime And the flowers I see from this room.
My husband will tell you that nothing Delights him like a bowl of ice cream. His favorite is mocha almond fudge – That’s his idea of a dessert dream!
Photo by Lisa Oliver
I take great delight in rainbows. They keep God’s promise visible & true, This one over the McAlllister Church Is a small delight just for you!
Here’s my delightful sunset reflected over the Madison Range.
Have a delightful Wednesday. See ya tomorrow (God willing).
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. I delight in your comments.
“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.”
-Thomas Campbell
Today we are celebrating the life of my brother-in-law, Stan. He gave us many reasons to smile. He will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
If you could write your obituary, celebrating your life, what would you want folks to say about you?
Here lies __________________ (insert your name) S/He was __________________ (insert an adjective) We could count on him/her to ____________________ (what could folks count on you for?) His/Her life was noted for ________________________ (what’s your legacy?)
Have you discovered how to discern His Will? Are you asking God each day to help you do His Will?
How are you using your time today? Time is our greatest gift. Use it wisely!
We’re in Oregon with Bob’s sister. Priceless time!
I am praying that you have a Marvelous Monday!
Hugs to you. See you tomorrow (God willing)… JanBeek
The word “Race” implies competition when you “Run the Race.” But life lived in competition rather than collaboration is a lonely one. When I was an elementary school principal back in the 1980’s, I wrote our school theme song using the California Poppies tune.
The California Poppies song went like this:
“Poppies, golden poppies, gleaming in the sun, Closing up at evening when the day is done. Pride of California, flower of our state, Growing from the mountains to the Golden Gate.”
The words I wrote for our Caswell Elementary School in California were:
We’re the Caswell Cougars. We are Number One! Green and yellow banners Waving in the sun. Caswell is a place for Learning and for fun. We’re the Caswell Cougars; We are Number One!”
One of my fellow principals objected to our song. She felt I was in competition with her school. I responded, “There’s room at the top for more than one. Come up and join us!”
As I have journeyed through this life, I am going and growing. I am understanding better where my colleague was coming from.
Thirty years later I can look back And I can see my competitive spirit At work in that school song… Unintended yes, but obvious to others.
If life is viewed as a race, then there is room for only one at the top. The race goes to the swiftest. But a journey has room for many.
Hold my hand as we walk this path. Pray with me. stay by my side. Soon enough we will reach the mountain top And when we do, celebrate with me.
Today Bob & I are journeying to Oregon where we will join his sister and her family. We will gather to give back to one another The love we have shared on this life’s journey.
We will hear the echo of Bonnie’s husband As their daughter and son speak of the ways Their dad sent out, sowed, and radiated love During his 86 years here on this earth.
As we travel today, Bob and I acknowledge The grace of God that has allowed us to share These six decades with one another – And we take not one of those chapters for granted.
Stan Hunt’s chapters on earth have ended, But we know his story doesn’t end here. We know death is not an end to our journey; It is a beginning of our eternal life – forever with our Lord.
We will share, hug, and weep for our loss, And we will assure one another of the faith we have. We know we will see one another in eternity. We will continue the journey – writing our masterpiece!
Have a beautiful Sunday, my friends. I send you my love as we journey this life together.
