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Archive for the ‘photography’ Category

Embrace Virtual Travel


If we don’t feel safe yet
Traveling to places we want to go,
Then let’s embrace virtual travel.
Go with me to the most beautiful country:
Switzerland!!

My daughter, DeAna, lives in this gorgeous country –
I’ve shown you this picture recently of them in front of their restaurant:

De & Andre’ have three boys,
Mike, Nick, and Chris.
This week I received photos from Mike
( I think it was him who sent them)
sharing a wonderful meal they all enjoyed
at Mike and Tania’s apartment.

Natalia (Chris’ girlfriend) is in Colombia,
so she was not able to be there in person.
Thanks to ZOOM, however,
she was in the room for an hour!!
There is Nick with Celine:

(That’s Mike and Tania in the middle…
And Chris with Natalia on the right)

I love the internet because it allows
Long-distance grandparents
To be part of their grandkids’ lives.
Thank you, dear grandsons, for sharing with us!

Travel with me to other parts of
Switzerland!

Doesn’t it make you want to go there?
It really is picture postcard perfect everywhere you look!!

We forgive you, Andre’,
for taking DeDe with you
to this beautiful country.
If there is some place in the world
where we HAVE to travel
because our family is there,
we can think of no better place than
Switzerland!!


Here is our daughter, De,
singing a duet with our youngest grandson, Chris.
At the end he says, “My ball of rice!”
That’s his reference to Natalia.
So sweet.
Aren’t they cute?

Thanks for joining me,
dear blogging friends.
Sante’!! To your health!!
Have a good night.

See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, Family, flowers, friendship, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, mountains, music, nature, photography, relationships, Travel

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Embrace a Tree


Hug a tree for me
Find one you can wrap your arms
Around and hang on

Trees are like people
Some are so big that you can’t
Quite get around them

Like giant redwoods
All you can do is admire
Their magnificence

Some are just loners
They stand apart from others
Saying “Look at me!”

Some are connected
So tightly to each other
There’s no room to join

Others form a line
Saying, “Come and join us, but
You must look like us.”

Others welcome all
They are so hospitable
You just flock to them

Some are quite fruitful
They produce enough to share
And do every day

Others hide their fruit
Above gnarled exterior
Daring you to touch

Some are cold, distant
Dark and often depressing
Warning, “Keep away!”

I love trees who shine
Like bright, colorful people
Beckoning us near

Prickly trees are
Ones we try to steer clear of
Lest we should get caught

The young and tender
Beckon us to hold them tight
And protect their growth

Trees that nourish us
Are like the fruit-filled people
Who say, “Let me share.

Come see what I have.
Come taste of its sweet goodness.
I am rich with love.”

“Come sit beside me
Please let me give you some rest.
Come and embrace me.”

“I won’t hold my love
High above and out of reach;
Won’t put you at risk.”

“I’ll spread out my arms
And keep you safe from all harm.
I’ll listen. You talk!

Tell me your troubles.
Sit beneath my shade and rest.
Come, embrace a tree.”

We come in colors
Bright and shining as the sun.
Bare – when summer’s done

Trees are like people:
We hide our troubles inside
Deceptive faces.

Let’s learn from our trees.
Let’s let true colors shine through;
Show your true beauty.

Unlike this odd tree,
Keep your roots firmly grounded.
Embrace a tree now!

Any old tree will do!!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Tell me, what’s your favorite tree?
Which one is like you?

Bob & I send our love.
See ya tomorrow.

“Give some tree the gift of green again.
Let one bird sing.”
—From “When Autumn Came” by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
     translated by Naomi Lazard

Category:

Haiku, Love, mental health, nature, photography, Poetry, relationships, trees, writing

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Embrace Blessings


Video by my friend, Caroline Feldman.
We were looking at this blessed sunrise together this morning.

When God starts your day with this kind of a blessing,
how can your day go wrong?
TRUST in His blessings!

You just gotta smile, right?

This is the day that the Lord has made,
I will reJOYce and be glad in it!

Go ahead, click the arrow again!
Sing along! You can’t help but smile as you do!

How have you felt God’s blessings in your life this day?

Let me hear from you!

See ya in my prayers…
Love, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, friendship, God, Gratitude, happiness, Jesus, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, mountains, music, photography, prayer, relationships

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Embrace Prayer


In today’s Daily Guideposts 2021, the writer, Amy Eddings, wrote about a time when she prayed relentlessly for guidance and courage – and felt her prayers were going unanswered. Have you ever felt that you were praying relentlessly for something and your request(s) seemed to be falling on deaf ears?

I remember last year when Australia was on fire and so many animals were dying and losing their habitats. I prayed along with the rest of our world for rain… but the fires raged on.

I have recently been praying incessantly for our Pastor Nominating Committee at our church. If you have followed my blog for awhile, you have read my sermon notes on Sunday from our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church. You know our pastor of 32 years died a year ago and we have a wonderful temporary pulpit fill who came out of retirement to help us. Rev. Hundley needs to be able to re-retire. So, we are searching for a solo pastor and I am praying hard. I believe in the power of prayer – and I believe in God’s perfect timing. Don’t you?

So, will you add my prayer request to your prayer list?
“Lord, help the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Pastor Nominating Committee
find the person God already has in mind for us.
Help them find the right new pastor
to lead the congregation into renewed spiritual growth in 2021.”

My husband, Bob, has been praying incessantly, too.
He is on our church’s leadership board
and as such is the “elder” in charge of Buildings and Grounds.
Our church owns an old church that is about 10 miles out of Ennis
in a tiny little village called McAllister.
The church was built in the 1880’s.
MVPC uses it once a year to maintain its
tax-free status as a “place of worship.”
It is in a serene country setting on a little over an acre of land.
It has electricity, but no water or septic system.
The church is for sale. We’re praying for the right buyer.

McAllister Church

Please add this to your prayer list, too, will you?
“Lord, send the right buyer to Rikki at Berkshire-Hathaway in Ennis, MT
– a person who will treasure this historic building
and use it for wholesome purposes.”

Gerry Mooney Photography
McAllister Church

When we EMBRACE PRAYER
and pray with a right spirit,
God hears, God cares, God answers.

Philippians 4:6,7: Pray about everything

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your request to God.”

1 John 5:14: God always hears

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

EMBRACE PRAYER

GOD BLESS YOU
and keep you safe and healthy.
That’s my prayer for you today.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Have a blessed Monday.
See ya tomorrow.

This is my favorite prayer… and I pray it fervently.
It spells out my purpose in life … to be an instrument of God’s peace…
TO SPREAD LOVE, FORGIVENESS, FAITH, HOPE, LIGHT AND JOY…

Sing along … and be blessed!

EMBRACE PRAYER

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, photography, prayer, Serving One Another

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Live Life Forward


I CAN …

If you’ve followed my blog for a week or so, you already know that I journal most days in this little book that is dedicated to my dear and daring daughter, DeAna. I don’t write in it EVERY day, but often I do, when I am up in my sanctuary, motivated by my devotionals. Today was such a day.

Look ahead, my friend
Live Life Forward
Stare out the windshield
Not the rear view mirror

Look toward the future
Find the unexpected gifts
Share the love and grace
You find at every turn

Share the laughter
Share uninhibited joy
Share compassion
Ease each others pain

Find the hidden treasures
‘Neath the tears of sorrow
Let them wash you clean
Ready for tomorrow

Look ahead, my friend
Don’t let the past upset
Live life forward
And bury all regret

Photo by Binti Malu on Pexels.com

I have positive thoughts about today.
It’s snowing here…
and it is beautiful outside.
It’s warm and cozy inside.
I pray you are cozy, too.



Thanks for visiting JanBeek
And thank you to all my faithful followers –
Your comments make my day!
See ya tomorrow.

A photo taken from a drone by my friend, Whooter,
showing you how pretty it is
when the snow is beginning to turn things white.
Happy Christmas Weekend!

Category:

blessings, books, Faith, Family, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, peace, photography, Poetry, writing

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Only Imagine


In my journal yesterday, I created a six stanza Haiku. It’s where I’m comin’ from on this day when I delivered Bob (my sweet husband of 58 years) into the hands of a surgeon. It’s a relatively straight-forward procedure… an angiogram to determine any heart issues that were not detected with the x-rays and EKGs. Bob is in good hands… and I am here in the hotel room relaxing:

What is Heaven like?
I can only imagine.
I see glimpses here.

The help of a friend
The love of dear family
Colors of sunrise

The pureness of snow
Unconditional pet love
Hidden surprises

Gorgeous scenery
Flower pedals opening
Precious solitude

Whiskers of kittens
Soft and abundant kisses
Marvelous sunset

Magnificent Son
The warmth of welcoming arms
And eternal rest

The help of a friend
22 at Bob’s 80th in 2018
The love of family
Colors of sunrise
Pureness of snow
Unconditional pet love
Hdden surprises
Gorgeous scenery

Thank you to Curtis Wallace for his gift of photography.

Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com

Such joy in flower petals opening – and sunflowers seeking the sun

Precious solitude… but not aloneness!
Whiskers of kittens
Our daughter DeDe, kissing her hubby, Andre’

Thank you, God, for soft and abundant kisses.

Our great-grandson, Xander, in Hope’s arms

Kisses know no age
Kisses reach into our hearts
Gratefully receive

Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt on Pexels.com
Begin Eternity Now
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Magnificent Son
Thank you for your sacrifice
So freely given

The warmth of welcoming hugs
Sending tight, heartbeat hugs to Bob
as he undergoes his heart procedure
My daddy’s hugs were the tightest!!

… and eternal rest –
That’s where my daddy is now.
What is heaven like?

I can only imagine!

Hugging blankets works
When hugging arms aren’t available

Just got a call from the hospital.
Bob is out of surgery.
Heart looks good.
No blockages.
No stents needed.
Thank you, God,
for hearing and answering prayer.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
and praying with me!
You’re the best!
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, blessings, children, Faith, Family, flowers, friendship, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, pets, photography, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Mountain Majesty


Thank you, Ed Coyle, for this beautiful photo of the grand Tetons in Wyoming.

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.

The Tetons are truly amazing!
Terry & Jim enjoyed a visit to this museum today.
There’s my dear friend, Terry.
Bob calls her Sparkles (because she does).
Great photo, huh?
That previous photo
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.

See ya tomorrow.

Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Montana, mountains, music, nature, photography, Serving One Another, Travel

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A Satisfied Life


A satisfied life
Is one that applies knowledge
In constructive ways.

Use knowledge wisely.
Then your mind, soul, and heart will
Find satisfaction.

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Today our daughter, De, in Switzerland shared some pictures of the renovating and decorating and menu planning they are doing in preparation for the Grand Opening of their new restaurant in Vissoie. I am so excited for them! De and Andre’ are using all the knowledge and wisdom they can muster to create an inviting ambience and delightful dining experiences.

Andre’s shrimp in curry sauce
Andre’s chicken with morel mushroom sauce
Their darling new restaurant
in the Alps on the way to Zinal ski area
A cozy corner just for you
This yellow top will be replaced. with a wooden circle,
“The Round Table” was always
our favorite gathering spot
in their previous restaurant.

Our grandson, Mike, is a great photographer. DeAna does a wonderful job, too. They have chosen some of their best shots taken in and around Valais and created a delightful, inviting entrance to the dining room and bar.

Isn’t it inviting?
We told De she should offer to sell the photos.
I think there’d be buyers, don’t you?
My grandson, Mike, could use the cash!

Now, take your knowledge
And with wisdom apply it.
Gain satisfaction!

Thanks, De, for the pictures!

See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

Category:

art, Family, food, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Love, mountains, photography, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Travel

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Fondue and Chalets


Fondue and chalets
Speak of Switzerland to me
It’s so beautiful!

My grandson, Mikey,
Is teasing me with this cheese.
He knows I love it!

And my daughter, De,
Is teasing me with Swiss scenes.
USA’s shut out!

Because of COVID,
We can’t even think of going.
I long to visit.

Come travel with me
Via Internet magic.
No place prettier!

That church is close by
De and Andre’s restaurant.
Opening date soon.

I love Swiss chalets!
This is not a chalet. Notice, no windows.
It’s for grain storage and tools.

Notice the big flat rocks under the building at the top of the posts. That’s to keep mice and other rodents from climbing in and stealing the grain!

Do you imagine
Travel restrictions will lift
In a year from now?

Anyone know who this man is on the memorial rock?

Thanks for traveling
Vicariously with me.
Next year: Go for real!!

Have a Restful Thursday night.

See ya tomorrow.
Meantime, enjoy some Swiss music.

The next You.Tube is a young man from Germany who is at an alphorn competition in Nendaz, Switzerland – very near where De and Andre’s home is in Sierre and their restaurant in Vissoie. He is delightful. Do take time to listen to him!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

children, Family, flowers, food, Haiku, Love, mountains, music, photography, Poetry, relationships, Travel

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Marvelous Montana & Morning Plans


Sharing more pictures
from yesterday’s autumn colors ride
I wonder why some are golden
while others remain green?
So many wonders to behold everywhere we looked!
The picture doesn’t do it justice.
With the sun coming through them,
those trees were pure gold!
Our friends, the Feldmans, led the way.
I posted this one yesterday.
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:

#11 on the list
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 appreciate your visit.
I’m off to do #12…
See ya tomorrow.

Sending you my love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, God, Jesus, life, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, mountains, nature, photography, Poetry, trees, writing

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