Look carefully – I m in there, holding my grandson’s hand!
On September 10th my oldest grandson, Mike, was married to his sweetheart, Tania, in Switzerland. It was the most enjoyable wedding ceremony I ever have attended. Following the beautiful wedding, the 100+ guests drove to a lovely mountainside venue for appetizers, libations, and music. The music was eight alpenhorns, one of which was played by my grandson. Before the last song was played, the director announced that this number was dedicated to ME!! Mike knows how I love the Lord and how much their horns playing “Amazing Grace” would touch my heart. I wish you could have been there to hear it. What a special moment!
Unique instruments Alpenhorns in Switzerland Play Amazing Grace
Travel is wonderful It takes us to friends It connects us with family Our little world extends
DeDe, our daughter, was a wonderful chauffeur
Visiting family is a treat Especially on special occasions Participating in events Receiving honored invitations
Our oldest grandson, Mike Married the love of his life We were blessed to be there When they became husband and wife
Mike and Tania were sweet – Sent us photos from their honeymoon Some of the scenery was Enough to make us swoon
Love is beautiful when it’s new Full of promise and creating dreams God blesses those who build hopes On His Word and what it means
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
While we were blessed To be able to go and see Our loved ones who live afar, Home is indeed a great place to be.
I loved being able to go Up into my sanctuary again To spend time with my angels And time in prayer – Amen!
(Yes, I know you can pray Anywhere you are – every day – But there’s something about a place Set aside for that in a special way)
We loved being able to have Bob’s former student and his wife Come and spend time with us – Sharing our home – sharing our life.
So glad Peter & Alice Martin came to visit!
Returning to our church family Was a treat for us as well – There is comfort and joy Being where Christian friends dwell
One of my dear Ennis buddies Took care of my plants while we were gone Another came and took care of our yard Checking the flowers and mowing the lawn
Enjoying the company of our pup Is another bonus of being home Our TazE is twelve years old now She’s loved by dear friends when we roam
Ah yes, it’s a blessing to be home We appreciate from the bottom of our heart All that our family and friends did But we miss our bed and pillow when we’re apart!
We certainly enjoyed Andre’s phenomenal cooking All the Swiss cheese and bread it contained… But it’s time to return to my cooking each day – While we take off the pounds we both gained!
Come visit us, dear friends. We’d love to see you here. We’ll take you to Dave’s Sushi – In Bozeman – a city that’s pretty near.
Or… just feed you here at home – It’s a blessing to be here, you know. And a blessing to travel and see family – Where is a spot that you’d like to go?
Have you missed me? We’ve had a whirlwind four days here in Switzerland. Each day from eye opening early mornings to collapsing in bed at night has been phenomenal. If you’ve been following me, you know it was the weekend of my oldest grandson’s wedding.
Let me take you to the church and two fairytale receptions. Sit back and enjoy!
The wedding was full of music, fun, smiles, tears, promises, family & friends. A choir sang, our daughter, De, and Chrissy (our youngest grandson) sang a duet with Nick ( the middle brother) accompanying on guitar. I even had a role by reading a message ( in English, thank God) that they prepared for me – a message if forever love and devotion. Then we all headed to the outdoor reception nearby where wine, hors d’oeuvres and music flowed. Mike played in his alpenhorn group.
Look carefully! I’m holding Mike’s hand. The group just played “Amazing Grace” and dedicated it to me!!!!
The second reception was a sit-down dinner after more wine, beer, and socializing in this gorgeous outdoor setting:
We woke this morning back in Vissoie. Ready to go on another adventure. See ya later! Thanks for sharing and visiting with me.
Yesterday and today we woke to the magical sound of children across the road from our bedroom here in Vissoie, Switzerland. What a joy!
Yesterday evening we were treated to an Alphorn concert. Nine dear people (one being our grandson, Mike) played this age-old instrument. I became acquainted with it when I was a child. My Uncle Hans was my mom’s oldest sister’s husband. He was a young German-Swiss cheese maker when he moved from Switzerland to Washington back in the 1930’s. He & Aunt Evelyn had 3 children. He taught them all to yodel and he taught his son, my cousin, Hanslie, to play the alpenhorn.
Mike is on the left.
My mom would be so proud to know her great-grandson is following in the musical tradition of her family! I get sentimental and cry when I hear these instruments and think of how mom & my aunt and uncle would have adored hearing this!
Today our friends, Jim & Terry, are here to enjoy a few days with us in this marvelous place. Last night they were able to meet Mike & Tania and we all celebrated Jim’s 75th and DeDe’s 55th together. André fixed an incredible dinner of ribs with a medley of vegetables. Yum!!
Here is yesterday’s delicious roast beef lunch.
Last night’s ribs
It is so wonderful to have my forever friend, dear Terry here to share these experiences with us.
This is Vissoie’s Main Street
Later this morning we’ll walk down that street and get a few groceries at the store. Wish you were here to go walking with us!
See ya later! Thanks for traveling vicariously with me. Hugs, JanBeek
27 … the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
In “These Days” one of my daily devotionals, Martin Wiles reminded me of the song, “Lookin’ for Love” released in 1980 as part of the soundtrack for the movie, Urban Cowboy. He reminded me that country singer, Johnny Lee, sang the song. I remember singing along. I found it on YouTube music. It inspired this blog. Click on the link below and have a listen!
Martin Wiles commented in the devotional, “The lyrics tell of someone who spent a lifetime looking for love in all the wrong places. They hoped to find someone who was also looking for love. After many failed attempts, they finally found the special person.”
The scripture that inspired the commentary is Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Martin Wiles continued, “The Psalmist discovered God’s love. Our world too often has a twisted definition of love, defining it by emotions alone or confusing it with lust. God demonstrates agape love – an unconditional love that keeps giving whether we return it or not…”
So, I am encouraged to receive God’s love and I ask God to help me love others as God loves me.
I am not looking for love in all the wrong places. I trust that you are not searching in all the wrong places either.
I send my love to you, dear WordPress friends. Pass it on!
Just meditate on this scene; Let the beauty soak into you. Thank God for the beauty around you. You’re blessed. You know it?
No human can recreate what God has done. Meditate on the wonders of the universe. Thank God for His many blessings, And have a wonderful Thursday, OK?
Just 5 more days ’til we leave to go To Switzerland for our grandson’s wedding. We are anticipating the beauty we know We will experience there. Come back…
I’ll share!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. God bless you! See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Your prayers for our wise preparations and safe travel will be very much appreciated!
Click the link below if you’d like to have an hour or so of beautiful meditation music (water sounds, flute, etc.) while you count your blessings.
I have a guardian angel Who is faithful – yes, indeed! He’s saved me from disaster, Been there for every need.
An angel guarded Angela, Our Boston Terrier pup, From dying when a rattlesnake Bit her on her butt!
You have a guardian angel Who’s watching over you. I hope that you are grateful And careful on your feet, too.
Sunday in church our pastor Read a poem that touched my heart. It conjured up my angel; Who’s compassionate and smart.
Yours is, too!! In fact, YOU may BE somebody’s angel! Serving love with glee.
“The World I Live In” Mary Oliver
God of Grace, help us to see Your angels at work among us, lighting upon the unhoused in the street, delivering cups of coffee, Ziploc bags full of toiletries, and deli sandwiches.
Help us honor Your angels with our praise and gratitude – the patient teacher, the loving parent, the determined wildfire fighter, the volunteer rescue worker, the visitor of the elderly, the sick and the imprisoned.
Give us eyes to see, O God, your angels at work and help us be among their ranks.
Click the link below and enjoy listening to Alabama sing for us “Angels Among Us.”
