Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘Bloganuary’

A Half a Dozen Passions

Bloganuary#16 asked us to write about something we are passionate about. I can’t pick just one! Can you? Do your passions include some of the six things I am passionate about?

Here are a half a dozen of mine:

1. Let’s start with my love of home and family and the delight at being safely back here again. That’s passionately on my heart right now after being gone 3 weeks, getting a miserable respiratory virus, and being cared for so lovingly by our son, Ty & his wife Monika:

Home Sweet Home

2. If you have read any of my blogs before this one, it will not surprise you that I am passionate about Jesus and His sacrifice that saved my soul. I love the Lord with all my heart and pray daily for His Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions, and to guard my tongue, and to inspire my writing. I read His Word daily and am passionate about inspiring others to Trust also in His promises.

3. I am passionate about music. Often I include a YouTube music clip at the end of my daily message here. I love to sing. I used to play the clarinet (was quite good once upon a time before arthritis bent my fingers so badly – my skill was thanks to years of private lessons my parents provided for me and hours of happy practice during those ages from 10 to 18 – – – I also play the accordion (you can find posts about that by putting “accordion” in the search bar in the upper right of my blog). I still am passionate about sharing the joy of the accordion with others – – – it’s like carrying a party on your back!

Here’s a wonderful video clip of a great song sent to me by a dear friend this morning:

4. I am passionate about cooking – and providing homemade meals for Bob and me that are pretty as well as nutritious and tasty. Besides music and writing, cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s one of the reasons I love following Caralyn’s posts on BeautyBeyondBones. If you haven’t followed her blog, do yourself a favor and check her out.

5. That’s another thing I am passionate about: finding things, places, people, books and blogs I love and sharing them with others. Here’s a link I hope will take you to the source of the picture below = (Thank you, Caralyn) https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/36990166/posts/3768091539

Isn’t that mango salsa
over a nice piece of flakey,
cooked-to-perfection halibut
enough to make your mouth water?

What are you passionate about?
I’d love to hear.

There I am in those days when I was able to serve as a volunteer at the Food Bank. (I can’t right now… until I am sure this RSV is all gone … and until Bob & I return from our trip next week to Mayo Clinic). BUT, that’s #6 on my list of passions: using the time and talents God has given me to serve others with love and compassion.

I bet you do that, too (or are you waiting until you retire?)… Don’t!
Begin now… it’s so rewarding! In this COVID world, find a way!
Your talents are in passionate need out there!!



God Bless You!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

blessings, blogging, Faith, Family, food, friendship, Giving, Gratitude, happiness, health, Jesus, Love, music, relationships, Serving One Another, writing

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Life’s Lesson

I was off-line as we traveled safely home yesterday. Thank you for your prayers! God heard. God answered. The weather conditions (except for one little patch of dense fog just before Twin Falls – out of Jackpot) and the roads were clear and perfect. We are happy to be home!

Coming through Island Park, guided by the moonlight
The Alpine glow of the sky led us homeward
in joyful anticipation

The Bloganuary prompt yesterday asked us to consider a “Life Lesson” worth remembering. I cannot do more justice to this question than to share with you this blog from “Written Word.” It’s perfect!

My response to her was to be sure that heart is filled with the voice of the Holy Spirit. Following such advice will always lead to satisfaction. God bless you!

Reason

Keeping up with the daily prompts from Bolganuary can be difficult when traveling. I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed from a fellow blogger today. Have a wonderful Sunday! <3

Category:

Belief, blessings, blogging, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, Sharing, writing

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My Ideal Day

Bloganuary #13 asked,

“What’s Your ideal day look like?”

Open hands
Open heart

Psalm 34:10b
“Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Isaiah 26: 3-4
“Those of steadfast mind
You keep in peace—
because they trust in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for in the Lord God
you have an everlasting rock.”

My Ideal Day is filled with:

  • Enough
  • Peace
  • Trust
  • Faith
  • Love
  • Friendship
  • Affirmation
  • Health
  • Music
  • Writing time
  • Reading time
  • Blessings
    …. to fill my cup to overflowing so I can share.
Share hugs and love

An Ideal Day ends with:

  • Gratitude for today
  • Peace of mind
  • Hope for tomorrow
  • Joy abounding

Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you will abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

And then I have
a good,
long,
restful
sleep-
zzzzzzz

My ideal day ends
with this peaceful music
and these beautiful scenes
(click on video/music below)
as I fall asleep
praying for you,
my friend.


Bee well!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
See ya tomorrow (God willing)…

Me with my daughter-n-law, Monika

P.S.
We’re packing today
and heading back
toward Montana
tomorrow after two weeks
of recuperation time
from RSV
with our gracious,
kind,
generous
son and his wife.
God is good!

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, blogging, contentment, Faith, friendship, Giving, God, Gratitude, happiness, health, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, prayer, relationships, respect, Serving One Another, writing

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Emoji Preference

🤗

If it’s not a hug, then it’s another symbol of

❤️

LOVE

🙏🏽

When Bloganuary #12 asked the question,

“What’s your favorite Emoji?”

I thought this isn’t a very thought provoking subject. But I guess if you answered with a

🧻 or a 💊 or a 🥨 or an 🫒, then we’d have something to talk about, right?

🤪 I often send this one when I’m being silly … or I send this one 😴 each evening when I text “Good night” to my grandson. Those are pretty mundane.

I accidentally sent this Emoji to a friend 👙 recently. We both had a good laugh. It was not what we were talking about at all. Have you ever sent the wrong one by mistake?

One of my most frequent ones is this: 🐝 … I use it to remind my friends to 🐝 well! I’m still suffering with the nasty cough 😷 from this RSV. 😤😩😮‍💨

I wonder 🤔 when I will breathe normally again?

Keep praying 🙏🏽 for my return to good health, ok? God is listening … and I’m sure He wants us to be able to return home to Montana by this weekend! What are YOUR plans?

Love, JanBeek 🥰

Category:

blogging, Love, prayer, writing

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Live Boldly!

Bloganuary #11 asked us this question:
“WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE BOLDLY?”
I called it #10 accidentally when I posted it tonight.
It’s really for tomorrow’s prompt…
But hey, part of living boldly is getting ahead of yourself, right?

Here it is… It’ll be the 11th before you read it no doubt.
https://bloganuary.wordpress.com/2022/01/10/live-boldly/

I borrowed this photo from the Bloganuary picture file.
Gotta find out who this beautiful bold blogger is!
If you know, please tell me!

Isn’t she a bold one, Mr. Grinch?

See ya tomorrow. Sleep tight…
… and pray that my miserable coughing stops
so I can get some sleep!

Love ya,
JanBeek

P.S. Did you click on that link and see how I answered the question?
How would YOU answer it?

Category:

blogging, Love, Poetry, prayer, writing

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Two Bodies –

Yesterday’s Bloganuary#9 prompt was one I skipped.
I missed a day because I didn’t want to write about the topic:
Assumptions I Think People Make About Me.

Ya, people probably assume…
but my mom always told me
when you assume,
you make an
Ass-
u-
me!

So I have negative feelings about assuming anything.
I’d rather dig out an old blog from the drafts file…
something I started a year or so ago and never finished.
I’d rather read other people’s answers about assumptions.
I’d rather skip a day of blogging
and just apply the 4R’s.
I needed to do that!

Rest
Relax
Rejuvenate
Read

So I did!

And here’s that old blog
that I never finished last August
right around the time my daughter, DeAna,
was having a birthday.
It was titled,
“Two Bodies”:

Two bodies
Two sides of the earth

Two people
One birth
Two hearts
One mind
She’s my daughter
Love binds.

Yup, I decided to skip #9 altogether.
I don’t like assumptions,
even if they are positive ones.
I’d rather talk about today’s prompt.

Bloganuary#10
asked me to post 5 things I’m grateful for.
I can do that… but don’t expect me to limit it to 5!!

You’ll find my answers here:
https://bloganuary.wordpress.com/2022/01/10/5-things-im-grateful-for/

Check it out…
and tell me,
besides your life itself,
what are you grateful for?

I’m grateful for you…
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
… unless I decide to skip it!

I’m still at Ty & Monika’s in Placerville –
recuperating from RSV.
It’s a bugger!!

Category:

children, Family, Gratitude, health, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Why Do We Write?

Here is a link to my post on “Bloganuary” today.
The prompt for today is “Why Do You Like to Write?”

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

I tried posting on the Bloganuary WordPress site
rather than writing the message here.
I am trying to see if that results in more WordPress readers
who also are taking this 31 day challenge to answer
a given prompt each day. We’ll see.

https://bloganuary.wordpress.com/2022/01/08/why-do-we-write/

I am still in Placerville at my son, Ty’s house.
My coughing and sneezing was so bad this morning
that I was banned to my bedroom! No fun!!
But this RSV (respiratory virus) is highly contagious –
and I do not want to give it to Ty & Monika.
(I hope I have not done so already!)

Bob is feeling better,
but getting very tired of being house-bound.
His miserable cough is almost gone.
Praise God for answered prayers!

Now it’s my turn to turn the corner…
Keep those prayers coming!
I need ’em!|
Love,
JanBeek


P.S.
At least I have a warm house
to stay in –
with loving family
to take care of me –
and there’s sunshine outside!
I am not complaining!
Could be a lot worse!!

Category:

blogging, Family, Gratitude, kindness, Life's Challenges, Poetry, Serving One Another, writing

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What Makes You Laugh?

Bloganuary#7 Prompt asked,
“What Makes You Laugh?”

If we can laugh at ourselves
We’ll always have something to laugh about.
If we can chuckle at our idiosyncrasies,
We’ll be happier, no doubt!

We can overcome difficulties faster
If we look at them through lenses
That are tinted with lots of humor.
Laughter is a medicine that cleanses!

Photo by Flickr on Pexels.com
JOY is in ReJOYce!


The Bible has several examples of laughter.
Here are three:
1. Sarah laughed in unbelief.
2. Abraham laughed in wonder.
3. Then they both laughed in joy!

I find it interesting that I find no scripture of Jesus laughing. Do you know of any?

I agree with these illustrations.
Surely He laughed when He was with the children!

Besides laughing at yourself, what else makes you laugh?

A good meme?
A funny grandkid?
We can’t help laughing.
It’s better than complaining or crying!
Laughter is a blessing.

Honey, it’s you!
And it’s OK!!

What makes YOU laugh?

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

These examples of laughter make me laugh in wonder
because they sound more like my respiratory virus cough
than they do real laughter! Come on, you can do better than this.
Give me a laugh!!

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Faith, God, happiness, humor, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, Poetry, relationships

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“Who are you most inspired by and why?” 

Bloganuary #6 asks us to consider the main Source of our inspiration.
That’s a no-brainer! As a Christian, the answer has to be Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

With the inspiration provided by scripture, prayer, daily devotionals, and a constant walk with my Lord, I am inspired every day be seek His Will for my life. I am inspired to seek His Truth. I am inspired to share His Love. I am inspired to share the Good News!

16 For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I pray that Jesus inspires you, too.

Now, if I have to choose someone who is on earth today… a living human who inspires me, I would not be able to narrow is down to one person! Here are a few:

  1. Derrick Knight – he inspires me to blog every day as he does, and to respond to all who leave a comment on my post (just as he does).
  2. Ty and Monika – our son and daughter-in-law – they inspire me with their big hearts and open hospitality, their love for one another, their family and neighbors, and their faithfulness. They inspire me to be more open and communicative about my faith in Christ.
  3. Marcie Fernandes – my long-time friend – she inspires me to be more forgiving, more open to seeing the good in others, less quick to be judgemental.
  4. DeAna & Andre’ – our daughter and son-in-law – in Switzerland – they inspire me to be more “in the moment.” Carpe’ Diem!

It would be fun to have those six folks together here at Ty & Monika’s in California right now, but they are spread from here to England to Tennessee to Switzerland! They all live in my heart and my prayers each day, though.

Who inspires you and why?
It’s a thoughtful question, don’t you agree?

Jesus inspires me
to rely on Him

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, friendship, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, relationships, Serving One Another

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#Bloganuary #3 Comfort Zone

Today’s #Bloganuary prompt is:
“Write about the last time you left your comfort zone.”

The picture above tells a thousand words!
(Here are a few Haiku poems to explain)

Leaving comfort zone
Going into the hospital
Sitting at bedside

Leaving comfort zone
Entering the men’s bathroom
Helping hubby dress

Leaving comfort zone
Not a lovely, fragrant place
Smelly men’s urine

Leaving comfort zone
Afraid some guy would step out
Just as I’m inside

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Pexels.com

Life is full of challenges.
Often we’re asked to step out,
Leaving our comfort zone
Is sometimes what it’s about.

When our help is needed,
We can’t always ask for sun;
Sometimes we step into shadows
To do what needs to be done.

It’s reassuring to know
If we faithfully ask for the Son,
We’ll have the strength and courage
To step out with help from The One.

He’ll give us the tools we need
To respond to the “Step Out” command.
So ask for God’s help and you’ll find
A prescription for a new Comfort Brand!

You’ll find a broader, available comfort zone,
And you’ll have the courage and words you need
To step out in ways you never dreamed of …
New, expanded comfort zones – guaranteed!

Have a Marvelous Monday!
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow…

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, courage, Faith, Family, God, Haiku, health, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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