Embrace Relaxation
Gorgeous Photography
Have a peaceful , relaxing Wordless Wednesday.
Embrace Relaxation!
Love ya,
JanBeek
Archive for the ‘nature’ Category
Gorgeous Photography
Two Birthdays in Big Sky
Where’s the perfect place
to celebrate a birthday
if you live in Montana?
Well, Big Sky, of course!
And what’s the best way to celebrate in Big Sky when you get there?
With a friend who shares the same birthday, of course!
CG’s birthday was today, too.
It was their first trip up to Big Sky
through the Jack Creek Canyon …
and the day could not
have been prettier for the trip!
Easy to socially distance
Tables set 10 feet apart
We all ate outta the dessert plate!
Everyone was equally obedient.
Can’t be too careful in this COVID world!
But we’d hate more to get the virus, so we comply!
While up at Big Sky, I saw a lot of mask-wearing
that confirmed the concern!!
and a memorable, fun day.
Time to kick off my boots!
I hope your Tuesday was a Terrific as ours.
Do you have a birthday to celebrate this end of the year?
If so, I hope you do something memorable.
Have a Happy last week of 2020…
time to kick it off, too!
Where would you like to kick 2020 off to
while you welcome 2021?
A beach in Hawaii might be nice!
Thanks for visiting Big Sky with me vicariously today.
We all need to look forward to a safe, healthy 2021
I wish you could travel here for real.
We’ll take you up Jack Creek Canyon!
Hugs,
JanBeek
God is Whistling
As I sat
in my sanctuary
this morning,
with the painting of Jesus praying
looking at me,
I stopped
and appreciated the peace,
the quiet,
the calmness.
I tuned my ears
to God
and
what do you think I heard?
God whistled at me!
No, God didn’t whistle like Roger Whittaker.
He didn’t even whistle like this obsessed whistler below.
No, God whistled through the trees outside in my snow-covered yard.
The wind was blowing at about 30 miles per hour.
Some people might find that sound
annoying
or
frightening.
I found it inspiring.
Here is the poem it inspired:
God Is Whistling
God is whistling
At me this morning
The trees are dancing
Sending out a warning
A storm is coming
The sky is darkening gray
We’re going to have snow
Again on Christmas day
I listened to His whistle
For in it there was joy
I heard His song announcing
The coming of His Boy
I can whistle His arrival
I can join God’s happy tune
‘Cuz I celebrate this season
Christ the Lord is coming soon
I imagine those doves are cooing
as they peer down on the Christ Child.
I can whistle a cooing sound of a dove.
Try it.
God is listening.
I can whistle. Can you?
Whistle a love song.
Whistle a Christmas carol.
Whistle along with your favorite song of the season.
Here’s another Roger Whittaker for your listening pleasure:
I hope that made you smile.
Nothing like a cheerful whistle!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Have a Marvelous Monday.
See ya tomorrow.
Go With the Flow
Go with the flow.
Don’t get caught in the rocks.
Drink from the Living Water.
Be sure to take off your socks!
Wade down the stream
Of life’s flowing water.
Remember to pray –
You’re a beloved son or daughter.
Your Heavenly Father
Is walking the stream with you.
He is listening to your pleas;
His touch cannot miss you.
God’s love is with you in every situation.
Romans 8:31
“What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us,
who can be against us?”
I find assurance in knowing that God’s love is with me. He reaches out to me in my distress, and His comforting hand guides me through the tough waters of life.
As I search for the good, the acts of kindness and helpfulness, and the people who are examples of strength and resilience, He shows me the way. He buoys my spirits and helps me stay afloat.
Go with the flow.
Feel the love, the buoyancy.
Accept the peace that Christ gives.
Feel its strength and potency.
God is with you.
Jump in… Go with the flow, and
Be at peace!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Bob & I are together here in Ennis, MT,
going with the flow of things!
We are enjoying
The Wind of the Spirit
which blows everywhere here…
And JOY like a fountain.
We wish you that same joy!
Enjoy the peace of this lovely rendition
by the Vinesong ensemble:
See ya tomorrow.
I Love Winter!
Cozy
Still October
Should be Autumn
The Snow came Early
Winter.
“Elevenie”
Five Lines
Contains eleven words:
One, Two, Three, Four,
One
Cold
White peaks
Mountains are Beautiful
Looking from Warm Inside
Comfy.
Smart
Found Spot
Best Place Ever
Claimed Pillow at Fireplace
TazE!
Ready
Looking Forward
It’s Holiday Time
Trick or Treat Here
Candy!
October
Loves Orange
Roast the Seeds
Better than the Candy
Jack-o-Lanterns
Visiting
Pumpkin Patches
Enjoy the Fun
Keep Winter at Bay
Halloween 🎃
Clouds
Circle Mountains
Snow Covers Peaks
Can’t Hold Off Winter
Brrrrrr!!
Hey!
Yes, YOU!
Thanks for visiting.
I have missed you.
Welcome!
Leave a message and tell me how you’re doing!
Love ya…
JanBeek
Helping Children
This is my son, Ty, with his grandchild, Cosette (my great-granddaughter). Ty sent me this photo yesterday. It warmed my heart so much!
Isn’t that the most precious photo and the most adorable expression? Someday with the help of her mom and dad, grandparents, her Uncle Sam, and friends who love her enough to read to her, Cosette will know the difference between an up-side-down view and one that is right-side-up. But meantime, this Great-Grandma (call me “GG”) takes enormous joy in seeing the delight in this child’s face – and her interest in books at her young age!
When children are surrounded by love, they grow into loving adults who know how to love in return. Yesterday, while Cosette was receiving this kind of nurturing, my friend, Kathy and I took the hour and a half’s drive from Ennis to Helena. We visited Intermountain Children’s Home and delivered some backpacks with school supplies for a boy and a girl who are there.
Intermountain is a school and residential facility for children who did not have the privilege of a loving start. They are between the ages of 4 and 14 and are critically “at risk.”
I first visited Intermountain about 14 years ago- with my Presbyterian Women’s group. We delivered “Wish List items” to the home for the children. This chapel was not there at that time… it was added to the campus about 6 years ago. I have loved visiting every couple years or so and watching Intermountain grow and thrive.
Intermountain was established in about 1908. It’s been around a long time! It was essentially a home for abandoned children initially. Today it is home to 24 children who need intervention for a variety of reasons. (The numbers were double that before COVID forced the space to house less children for social distancing and safety). There are four cottages with 8 children in each… and a staff of trained professionals who work as counselors, teachers, cottage parents, and administrators.
and Tyler Zimmer, who is Intermountain’s fund-raising coordinator
and an excellent tour guide!
Children who have been abused or neglected need guidance to learn how to play together peacefully, how to get along, how to trust again.
Harry “Dibbs” Mitchell is just one of thousands of children who have been helped by the Intermountain brand love and care. Many, like “Dibbs” went on to live successful lives and enjoyed being able to “give back” to the place that changed their lives when they needed that intervention the most. They have about an 80% success rate – sending children out into the world with less traumatic symptoms than they came with. Not every child is receptive and able to change yet. We need to keep all our children in prayer. God’s not through with them yet… nor are we!
Intermountain’s website can tell you how to add your financial help if you are looking for a way to help children that has a long history of success: https://www.intermountainresidential.org/
(and Grandpa Ty, photographer)
took Cosette to the pumpkin patch
was as pretty as ours
from Helena back to Ennis
I hope you are inspired to think of a way that you can help children in your life. If you’re a mom or dad with family still at home, you have your task facing you daily. Love ’em, read to ’em, and limit their screen time. Give ’em lots of hugs, encouragement, and face-to-face time!
but they are not nearly as good a baby-sitter as you are!
It’s predicted for Sunday here in Ennis!
God bless you, Ty & Monika, for being good grandparents.
God bless you, Jordan, for being a loving daddy.
God bless you, Sam, for being an adoring uncle.
Here’s a cute little Halloween kitten to bid you farewell for today.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek
The Joy of Human Love
Oh, for the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
Enjoy this beautiful hymn while you read the rest of this post. I love The Cambridge Singers directed by John Rutter. Sooooo beautiful!!
Yes, Lord, I raise this joyful hymn
in grateful praise to You!
Yesterday I had the privilege of spending time with my granddaughter, Hope, and her family: her husband, Drew, and their two children, Xander and Sienna. I am so grateful for their visit!
I was so busy with the children while they were in the house, I didn’t have time to think about pictures. But once they were strapped in their car seats, ready to leave, I said, “Wait! I need to capture this visit!”
I actually captured this photo of Xander & Drew just before Xander was strapped in. His toy phone is his constant companion. He carried on very loud pretend conversations with his dad and Bob and imaginary friends!
For the Beauty of the Earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
Our voices in grateful praise!
I pray that one day my great-grandchildren will grow to become young people who can sit and listen to a story, a poem, a wise parent… as Hope and Drew share “The Great Realisation” with them. God Bless “Tom Foolery” for his beautiful poem and the timely message he is sharing in this video with his child. If you have not heard this before, please take time to to listen. It is WONderful!!
Thanks for visiting today.
Have a WONderful week.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek
of these beautiful Fall Days!
Mountain Majesty
My friends, Terry and Jim Groshong, are hiking in the area of the Tetons this week. It is such a gorgeous area. I need to share some of their photos with you.
Bob calls her Sparkles (because she does).
had to have been taken
through one of these holes,
don’t you think?
Don’t these photos make you want to take a trip to Jackson Hole, WY, and on to the areas around? Terry and Jim did some hiking… You may want to plan on that, too.
Bob and I worked at the manse (church parsonage) today. He painted the area above the garage door where the paint was chipping due to years of snow and sun bearing down on it. I stayed with Bob while he did this project yesterday and today. Not a good idea for an 81 year old to be up on ladders and scaffolding. But, it had to be done.
While Bob painted, we had an audience:
With a little noise, she got up and spent about a half an hour munching on the lawn.
Meantime, Bob completed his job. The manse looks refreshed!
That was the gray base coat. I’ll show you the finished product tomorrow. Time to go now and listen to our Presidential Debate between Biden and Trump. I pray for honest exchange and civility.
Love ya,
JanBeek
Marvelous Montana & Morning Plans
from yesterday’s autumn colors ride
while others remain green?
With the sun coming through them,
those trees were pure gold!
Bob told me today, “Those aren’t aspen.”
Well, anyway, I like their color!
Before I leave you this morning, I want to share something I found on FaceBook:
is at least a half hour
of journaling and beginning my blog post
I do #9 regularly.
I love the Proverbs.
There are 31 chapters.
Today read Chapter 22. Full of wisdom!
I’m at #11 on the routine list right now.
Do you get notices like this from WordPress?
I wonder what’s magic about 1337?
You’d think they’d wait til 1500 or some round number, wouldn’t you?
Anyway you look at it though, that’s a lot of posts.
I hope you spend some time perusing them
by putting your favorite topic up in the search bar at the upper right.
Topics like bees or animals, Switzerland or Jesus will lend some beautiful results!
I’m off to do #12…
See ya tomorrow.
Sending you my love,
JanBeek
Montana Aspen in Autumn
There is no better way
To spend an autumn day
Than to take a ride with friends
Up into the Gravelly Range
We traveled along the Madison
Overlooking the Palisades
And enjoyed the river view
And the hint of what’s to come
Every mile closer to
Antelope Basin, our destination,
The scenery became more and more
breathtaking!
At the 7,000 foot level
The autumn colors amaze
The aspen are changing color
From green to gold to orange
Golden grasses and blue sky
Accented the purple mountains
And created a wonderland
For this appreciative photographer
We went in and out of twelve
Or more gates to keep cattle in
They stood at the road’s edge
Unperturbed by our noisy ATVs
When you sing of purple mountain majesty
And you wonder what that might look like,
Just come to Montana and you will
Wonder no more… you’ll just be in awe!
We stopped by Hidden Lake
To rest and have our lunch
The lake is soooo beautiful
And it really is hidden down there
Chuck and Caroline relaxed with Bob
After enjoying a picnic lunch
Penny & Rex were with us
And TazE, too, of course!
Isn’t that blue sky spectacular?
And the colors of the trees glorious?
Don’t you wish you could be
In an ATV traveling with us?
‘Tis time to return to our pickups
Load up the four-wheelers
Return down to our Madison Valley
And look forward to the next trip.
Wish you could join us!
I’ll share a couple more pics tomorrow.
Have a good night.
Thanks for traveling with me vicariously!
Hugs,
JanBeek
