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.
When is the last time you felt relief? Yesterday I told you my daughter bought a bike – Not an ordinary bike – a big ole motorcycle! She told me, “This one’s for ME!”
I thought that meant her hubby would have his, And she would have her own to ride. I told you I would not be eagerly anticipating that. Well, come to find out, she would not either!
No, Mom… I am not driving a motorcycle… We traded in our other one. Andre’ will drive. It’s for me because it is more comfortable And it has more space for carrying things.
Whew! I am relieved to say the least.
How about you? Would you be up for driving this? If that were your daughter, would you be relieved That she is not intending to be in the driver’s seat? Sitting in the rear is challenge enough!
Dream about what you want tomorrow to be. Imagine the very best possible outcome. Then pray your reality will be even more than that. Feel the sense of relief when dreams come true.
Wrap your troubles in dreams and dream your troubles away!
What a relief when sunshine follows the rain!
But don’t let the rain stop you! Embrace the rain – dance in it!
Thank you, Lord, for sparing us the worry Of a daughter driving a motorcycle On the narrow switchback Alpine roads. It’s hard enough to trust her safety as a back seat rider!!
Ah what a relief it is!
See ya tomorrow (God willing) Have a good night. JanBeek
Where do you place trust? Only in the hands of God. Know He’ll pull you through!
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways submit to Him – and He will make your paths straight.”
See ya tomorrow. Have a good night’s sleep. Love, JanBeek
Time to embrace friends Time to invite them again Leave the masks behind
Time to hug our friends Time to share a laugh or two A welcome relief!
May 21st and it’s snowing outside!!
Loved having the Feldmans & Lyons here to meet Mary Grace and share a meal with us
My Native American pancho is just what MGR needed to go out and face the bitter cold
The wind blew the snow It fell and swirled all around Indian blanket
Just grin and bear it Don’t worry, spring will return We will survive this!
My daffodils are probably toast And the crocus will wait to return next year They’re buried under four inches of powder But the ground needs the moisture – never fear The snow will melt and the sun will shine By Sunday we could be wearing shorts Keep an eye on the weatherman But don’t put too much stock in his reports!
Pray for good weather Sunday!
We’re getting ready for Pentecost Sunday Mary Grace will preach for the congregation Afterward, at a special meeting, members will vote. I’m praying we’ll have cause for celebration.
Pray with me, will you, my friends? Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for dropping by. See ya tomorrow.
Time for beginnings Is now – this very morning Baby animals
This “Puggle” says “Hello World!”
Baby platypus Greets the world with a big wave It makes me smile
Baby robins on our porch
Whether antelope Or platypus or robins Embrace beginnings
Mark 10:27
“Without God it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Mary Grace Reynolds
Excitement revealed These Eminent Beginnings Readily perceived
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’ve worked diligently for the 10 months with our Pastor Nominating Committee. We investigated more than 50 candidates, looking at their PIFs (Pastor Information Forms), texting, e-mailing, calling, ZOOMing, checking references, etc.
Our pastor of more than 30 years passed away over a year ago … and we have had the privilege of a wonderful interim pastor who stepped out of retirement to help us keep our church alive during this year of COVID-19. Not an easy feat!
We feel (as a Pastor Nominating Committee) that God spoke through the Holy Spirit to the young lady you see above. She is our chosen candidate – and we all love her! She will preach to our congregation this Sunday. The members will have a chance after meeting/hearing her to vote yay or nay on accepting her … and whether to accept the terms of employment that we and the church leaders (the Session) have put together for her.
This is definitely a time of “New Beginnings” for her – and for our church. Would you add your prayers to ours during this crucial weekend? I’d really appreciate it! I know God hears … and we just want His Will to be done!
The excitement is palpable!
Mary Grace – in front of the manse (the church parsonage where she would live)
Bob (my hubby) has been working long and hard (as the Elder in charge of Buildings and Grounds) to get the manse ready inside and out for a new pastor. He’s there now working on the stairs – getting the old padding out so the installers can come Monday to put in new carpet.
It takes a village to accomplish all we’ve done. Thank God for the church leaders and our Nominating Committee for their arduous work over the past year.
Have you ever served in one of those capacities – selecting a new pastor – or being in charge of buildings and grounds? If so, you can relate to what we’ve been through – – – and are facing.
Prayers are really appreciated for this exciting time in our church life.
See ya tomorrow. Thanks for visiting JanBeek – and lending your support!
Embrace New Beginnings, indeed!! There I was in 1965 with new beginnings for our son, Ty!!
While you are thanking God for making you human, giving you courage to try hard things, helping you learn and grow and understand the lessons life has for you, don’t forget to count your blessings!
Goodness Surrounds you. You’ll find it If you look thoughtfully – Blessings!
Count your blessings Name them one by one Count your many blessings See what God has done
If that is your focus, You won’t have time to See the other side of the coin! You’ll be too busy giving back!!
We are blessed To be a blessing. Count your blessings See what God has done!
Focus on what you have Not what you wish you had! Use your gifts for others And watch them come back multiplied!
Let’s grow flowers!
Plant the seeds in your garden carefully. Make sure they are in rich, fertilized soil. Keep your soul seeped in the encouraging Words of scripture… and you’ll grow fruits of the spirit!
I am thankful for you, Grateful for your presence in my life. You’re the flowers in my life’s garden. I feel blessed to have you visit JanBeek Leaving encouraging comments. Thank you!!
See you later. Have a blessed day!
I’m off to church… I’ll share my sermon notes later today. Come on back!
Love, JanBeek
P.S. Did I tell you yesterday was my dad’s birthday? He would have been 110!! One of my many blessings is having him for my earthly father. Check out my blog from way back when – when I posted a poem I wrote about my dad:
