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Archive for the ‘children’ Category

Born Singing

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was born singing – well, I sneezed first before I cried. Then I cooed – a humming song! By the time I was five, I wanted to be in an all girls’ choir and tour the world!

No, I didn’t end up doing that. I’m not in that choir! But, you can understand why I was so enamored by the unique sounds of this girls’ choir, Jitro (Daybreak) from the Czech Republic! What a privilege to hear them! And they ARE touring the world!!

I posted a couple of short videos from the second half of their concert this week. Here are a couple from the first half. Listening to them will cause you and all who hear to want to ask “Alexa” to play some of their music for you! I did that. They are recorded on Spotify.

One of the girls told us during the fellowship time after the concert that she’d been singing all her life, too. And she joined the choir when she was four! See, I could have lived my five-year-old dream!

When you were five, what did you want to grow up to be?

What do you think you were born to be?

Thanks for joining me at JanBeek today. Have a lovely 🥰 rest of your Friday – and enjoy your weekend!

Hugs and happy music to you!

Category:

children, life, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, music

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I Believe in Music

Tonight we were privileged to hear a spectacular choir concert.

I didn’t record the whole song… saving my phone battery! But you get a taste of it.

The unique sounds of this girls’ choir, Jitro (Daybreak) from the Czech Republic, will cause you and all who hear them to say, “I Believe in Music.” The talent, skill, and perfection of these girls and their director and accompanist brought tears to my eyes! Tears of joy and appreciation.

They were so animated… and pitch perfect. Adorable!

The girls were amazing. The music transcended my ability to put into words how gorgeous and impactful it was. The director obviously exuded talent and elicited the love and respect of his choir members. What a delight!

The concert was in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Virginia City, MT, just 15 minutes from our home. This group has performed at Carnegie Hall, in New York, in Tokyo, in Australia … all over the world! And we got to hear them in our little community!! What a treat! What a blessing!

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

I wish I had taken some pictures of them during the first half of the concert. Their costumes were different. They changed during the “half time” break.

Yesterday the choir sang at two Bozeman, MT high schools and joined those schools’ choirs last night to perform in a combined choir concert for that community.

During the day today the girls enjoyed our Montana culture, touring this old mining town of Virginia City and dressing up as cowgirls, 1800’s western madams, and having their old fashioned pictures taken. Tonight was their last concert on this USA tour. Tomorrow they’ll fly home to the Czech Republic. I’m so grateful they were here and we got to hear them!

I wish you could have been there to see and hear them with us and see/feel the charisma of their director. Do you “Believe in Music”? What’s a favorite concert you’ve attended?

Have a great rest of your week, my friends.
I send my love –
JanBeek

I Believe in Music!
Do you?

Category:

art, blessings, children, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, music

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Let’s Laugh!

Humor
Freely shared
Increases your endorphins
Good for your health
Laughter

OK, so you don’t wear earrings?
Well, we all go to bed at night, right?
How about this one:

We all need snacks, correct?
What’s your favorite?
This was Bob’s choice:

Bob is the original cookie monster!
But I like salty things…
And then they make me thirsty.

John 4:14 
ESV 

But whoever drinks of the water
that I will give him
will never be thirsty again.
The water that I will give him
will become in him
a spring of water
welling up to eternal life.”

Photo by Uriel Mont on Pexels.com

Job 8:21: 

“He will once again
fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hear children’s laughter
Nothing makes me happier
Let’s share some of it

Have a laughing kind of day!
What makes you laugh the most?

God bless you with
joy,
laughter,
and
untold happiness.

Love & Silly Smiles,
JanBeek

Category:

children, Faith, happiness, humor, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, relationships

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Porcelain Dancers

Porcelain dancers –
Gift from Mom:
“You’re
forever
these!”

She gifted me
On my fortieth.

The Septolet is a poem consisting of seven lines containing fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two parts. Both parts deal with the same thought and create a picture.

My porcelain girls are a 1979 gift from my mom for my 40th birthday. Created by German artist, Lorenz Hutschenreut, they are called “Ring Around the Rosie” – This 3 Girls May Day dance figurine is priceless to me!

Mom knitted my sweater,
fixed my hair,
arranged for the photographer,
captured our love
forever in this photo.

But, the real capture of love for me
was more than just in my childhood…
She continued to gift me
with her strength,
her optimism, and
her encouragement
for the rest of her life.

When I take out my dancing girls
and decorate the vase with flowers,
I am taken back to my fortieth,
back to my childhood,
back to time with Mom.

What a treasure!

Here Mom is with my sis, Sally, and me – – –
and my daughter, DeDe.
I like to think that
we three are the “Dancing Girls.”

Ah, such sweet memories!

Do you have a special item of some sort
that brings you back to your childhood?

Something that’s priceless to you
because of the memories packed into it?

Tell me about it.
Maybe try your hand at a septolet!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

art, blessings, children, Family, flowers, Love, Memories, optimism, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Kindness

The Septolet is a poem consisting of seven lines containing fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two parts. Both parts deal with the same thought and create a picture.

.
.
.
Kindness
Lovingly given
Gratefully received
Reap what you sow

We rise
Lifting others
Carry
.
.
.

What picture did those words create for you?




Here
is
the
picture
that
came
to
my
mind.



:o)

And this is the scripture that came to mind:

Luke 6:25
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

Jesus is my inspiration.
God’s Word is my go-to for direction.
It inspires me to be kind,
not just to my family, friends, and loved ones,
but also to those who annoy me…
maybe most to them!

Thank you, David, from skepticskaddish.com,
for introducing me to this new (to me) poetry form.
It was fun to give The Septolet  a try.

Hey, WP Friends,
why don’t you try it, too?
I’d love to see your word picture.

Tim McGraw sings the message in a most beautiful song.
This is new to me, too.
Have you heard it before?
The images that accompany it
are so inspiring.
You’ll be glad if you
take time to see and listen!

Hugs to you…
Have a Wonderful Weekend.
Always be Humble and Kind!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, children, Faith, friendship, happiness, Jesus, kindness, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, relationships, respect, Serving One Another, Spiritual Gifts, writing

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Good to Go; Great to Return

Good to go
Appreciate the help
Airport Kindness

Montana State
Basketball Big Boys
Filled our plane

Arrived in Baltimore
safe and sound
;o)

Our daughters
Greeted & Treated us
We’re so blessed

Total Wine
A Fun Outing
Shared Libations

Reason to Travel
Beautiful Wedding
Adorable Couple

Love Thrives
Commitment Reigns
God bless ‘em

Party Begins
Family & Friends
There to Support
and to Congratulate

Mother of Bride
Wonderfully Talented
Sooo Generous

Thank You, Laina!!

A Day to Rest
“Mangia” & Enjoy
Visit Annapolis

Mmmm Seafood
Fresh & Tasty
What a Treat

Highly recommended
The Choptank
Sooo good

Beautiful Chapel
Annapolis Navy Academy
Wonderful Campus

Lovely Setting
On Chesapeake Bay
Blue Sky Day

(Meanwhile, it was -20 degrees
and snowing back in Montana!)

Back in Glen Burnie
Time to Relax
And Pack Suitcases

Yummy Breakfast
Greatest Hostess
Sweet Kitty


Time to Say Good-bye
Missing our Daughter #2
and her “Go-Go”

Car iced over
Roads icy, too
Scary Drive Home

(Appreciated the truck that led the way!)

Snowdrifts 4 feet high
Can’t get car in garage
But we’re tucked inside safely

Hooray!
God is good!!

(Thank you for the prayers
They worked
God bless you)

Can’t remember the last time I had lobster.
Can You? When and where?

This was such a treat!
I pigged out!

See ya tomorrow
Stay Warm

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, Family, food, friendship, God, Gratitude, kindness, Love, Montana, pets, prayer, relationships, Travel

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A Merry Heart

“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of the heart
the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 15:13

Use your merry heart
To be like an umbrella
Protection in storms

At the end of day
Your sweet, merry countenance
Is a lovely sight

Your positive view
Shines through the dark clouds of gloom
Lifting others’ hearts
💕

You’ve an extra dose
Merriment is contagious
You infect others

David Jeremiah’s entry in today’s devotional
in Ever Faithful was titled “A Merry Heart.”
It gave me the incentive for today’s post:

“After Richard Norris was badly disfigured
by a gunshot wound in 1997,
he remained hidden at his parents’ home for years.
They covered the mirrors
to keep him from glimpsing his face.
But a team of doctors…
gave Richard a new countenance.”

The scripture selected, Proverbs 15:13, fit the story perfectly.
Richard’s spirit was broken.
His sorrow of the heart was understandable.
David Jeremiah went on to link
Richard’s sorrow to us all:

“While Richard’s story is unusually dramatic,
there’s a sense in which we all need a new countenance.
Study the faces of people you meet every day…”

Oh how I love those
Last two pictures of my friends
Study every face

David Jeremiah goes on to suggest,

“Steal a quick glance at your own face
as you pass a mirror or reflective window.
…Our emotions inexorably flash through
the forty-three muscles in our face
and we communicate our feelings
through our eyes, brows,
and the set of our mouths.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

“One smile can light up a room;
one frown can darken a day.

“The Bible tells us a merry heart
makes a cheerful countenance.
Rejoice in the Lord today
and let the joy of Jesus shine through.”

I dare you to listen to this and not smile!!
You know I play the accordion, right?
Well this is a concertina… buttons on both sides.
Aren’t these kids adorable?

Open up you Merry Heart!
Mine is open for you!!

Love ya,
JanBeek

Open heart + Open hands = Merry, Cheerful Countenance

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Haiku, happiness, Jesus, kindness, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, optimism, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Family Christmas

We are very blessed
To be with family today
A Merry Christmas

Four generations
With fourteen of us in all
God bless our family

img_2658

Generation One
With sweet Generation Four
Thank God for babies

Children grow so fast
Remain babies a short time
Enjoy while you can

As a babe Christ came
Helpless and vulnerable
To live as we live

Mary and Joseph
Provided a loving home
Knowing He’s Special

Peace- John 14:27

So when did they know
The Truth of His intentions
Did God prepare them?

img_2675

I can’t imagine
Raising a loving child
For Him to die young

Some friends are hurting
On this day after Christmas
They lost a child, too

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Maybe their lost one
Is a sweet four-legged friend
That breaks your heart, too

On this Christmas night,
let’s reflect with my loved one from Zimbabwe
on Christmas Meaning:
God’s Plan by Taking the Human Form
– Birth of Jesus –

John 3
16 : For God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
may not die but have eternal life.

17 :
For God did not send his Son
into the world to be its judge,
but to be its savior.

11 :
“I am the good shepherd,
who is willing to die for the sheep.

It’s not about the day
as no one knows for certain when Jesus Christ was born.
It is a celebration of why He was born.

Here’s to our Salvation celebration
through the birth of Baby Jesus.
Let us make room for Him in our hearts 💕

Blessed Christmas beloved ones of God.
Shalom 🙏🏽❤️

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God Bless You, dear friends.
I pray you had a wonderful, family-filled Merry Christmas!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Bible Lessons, children, Christmas, Faith, Family, God, Haiku, holidays, Jesus, Love, pets, Poetry, relationships

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I will always love you —

( A Simple Poem inspired by a discussion between our 4 year old when she made mistakes that even the biggest mistakes aren’t enough to make us love her less – a window into God’s unconditional love and grace for us.) Pee on me, I’ll wipe you and me clean and make funny faces to […]

I will always love you —

Click on those blue words up there (I will always love you) and go to read this lovely poem in its entirety.

Thank you, GrowingGood Families, growgoodfamilies.blog for letting me share.

Category:

blogging, children, Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Reblog # 9 – Embrace Joy

Reblogging from  my 2020 “Embrace” series… the word for today is JOY. Pass it around!

joy

Want to be happy?
Just embrace contagious joy.
Hang with happy folks!

Find reasons to smile.
Folks will smile back at you.
Smiles are contagious!

Bee contagious!!

Psalm 144:15

“Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.”

The Good News:

God is the true source of
happiness,
strength,
hope,
and wisdom.

Those who are in His favor
will always have these things.

Just as mopey people can pull you into the doldrums,
Happy People can lift your spirits and make you smile.
Happiness is a choice… choose it!
Beeeee Contagious!
Spread JOY!
SMILE!

See ya tomorrow (of course, God is willing)

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, children, Faith, God, Haiku, Jesus, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry

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