We received a call this afternoon from Pfizer (the manufacturer of the medication Bob needs for treatment of his Amyloidosis- congestive heart failure). They have approved his application for assistance and the drug he needs to treat his problem will be in the mail tomorrow. We are grateful beyond measure! God is good! Thank you for your prayers. ❤️🙏🏽🥰
Lotsa smiles today.
Hugs to you, dear friends. Keep the faith. Be sure to express your needs to our merciful Heavenly Father – and believe your prayers are heard. God hears. God cares. Good is good!
Do you ever doubt your niche? Yesterday I posted excerpts from Gottfried’s Banter, a blog whose niche is humor. No, I wasn’t suggesting that my blog should try to fit that niche. Humor like Gottfried’s doesn’t come naturally to me like it does to him.
Gottfried has an oversized funny bone!
No, it’s not numbers, It’s my purpose that dictates My niche and my style.
It’s my gifts that spell The reason for my blogging. How about your niche?
My niche is “Inspiration.”
What’s your intention? Do you need one hundred one Questions to find out?
The Art of Blogging, Cristian Mihai, has questions Yes, one hundred one!
For Christmas this year our son, Ty, and his wife, Monika, gave me this book.
The back cover has a an explanation of the author’s purpose.
Each day David Jeremiah, (the author of Turning Point another devotional I have been following for years), selects a scripture, and reflects on it.
Today’s reflection was especially meaningful to me:
It is trusting the Lord’s direction day by day in our lives together that has allowed Bob & me to remain ever faithful to one another for these 60 years!
This Friday we will celebrate our 60th anniversary.
This was last year on our 59th.
Here we are 60 years ago!
Yesterday we celebrated my granddaughter, Faith’s baby girl – due April 3rd – with a virtual baby shower. It was attended by about 20 friends from all over this part of our world – from Alaska and Hawaii to NY and across to CA – and states like ours (Montana) in between.
Our daughter-in-law, Monika (Faith’s mom) did a wonderful job researching ahead of time, planning, inviting, and coordinating the event. She linked in to an app that invited her to post a baby picture of the prospective mom as a baby and the prospective dad as a baby at the same age. Then the app blended the two parents and showed what the baby might look like if she favored the mom more. Another picture showed what she’ll look like if she favors dad’s side more.
Because Faith and Kyle actually resembled one another as babies, the two renditions were quite similar. That was fun!
Another activity had all the participants answering questions about the honored couple. The running scores were exhibited and the “winners” were awarded Amazon gift certificates. I didn’t participate in that… couldn’t figure out how to access the game screen! So much for technological prowess!! But folks who engaged had a lot of fun with it.
We were able see Faith & Kyle virtually unwrap each of their gifts, as each told us a little about the gift-giver… and because we were all on a ZOOM share screen, we could see each other. I was terribly impressed with Monika who was able to put all this together and move the activities along at a good pace.
My blog yesterday, “A Virtual Baby Shower,” showed you this expectant mom & dad. Here’s another photo of them:
Faith & Kyle McSparron
I know you join me in wishing them a happy, healthy pregnancy. Of course, I will share pictures of their baby girl with you when she is born in April.
Meantime, my prayer for them is that they remain “ever faithful” to one another – and are loving, devoted parents when their new little bundle arrives. God bless Faith & Kyle!!
Bee well my friends. Thanks for visiting JanBeek. I’ll see you tomorrow (God willing) What are your Tuesday plans?
Hugs to you!
Oh, before I say good-bye, Here’s a tribute to this age-old tradition: marriage!!
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you for continuing to pray for Bob as we work together trying to get the medication he needs for his heart ailment. Did I tell you that after co-pay the first month of the medication costs over $3,000 ?? Pray that we can get assistance from Pfizer, the manufacturer of the medication, OK? This is a life-saving treatment plan that we need… God knows that!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)
No reason to be afraid! Take peace… He’s in control!
Where do you find your peace, my friend? Ihope it’s in your heart today! Let faith rise up in you…
How am I changing the world? That was the question for today’s January 29th #Bloganuary prompt.
How would you answer it?
I changed the world when I was born Because I am as unique as one can be I change the world I live in Because there’ll never be another me
I changed the world when I gave birth to my first child, Tyronee Bee. He changed the world around him, too, Because he has deep faith, the same as me.
Ty is letting Jesus take him and Monika To the place God has for them both They tackle each day with perseverance And let God guide their daily growth
They reach out to those around them And share their wisdom with finesse Their hearts are full of love and wonder It’s obvious, those they touch, they bless.
I changed the world when I gave birth to my second child, DeDe Bee Her nickname is Miss Sunshine Her sparkle touches you and me
She smiles at life through thick & thin And “Carpe’ Diem” is her motto Her days are filled with sweetest song A smooth, clear tone with no vibrato
I change the world when I can travel To see my kids and encourage them I know the Good Lord guides their paths And nothing can discourage them
I know if I am weak and needy They’ll help me out however they can They’ll do the same for all they meet They know no stranger – child, woman, or man
I change the world when I reach out To gather friends and take them in Enlarge our family with additional members Reach out, expand, let others just blend in
They change their worlds in return And the circle just grows larger Connecting lives where e’re they go Giving others energy – a super recharger
I change the world when I give hugs Virtually or in gentle person Without the care and love of others The world of loneliness would worsen
So, never doubt your worth, dear friend Never imagine that you don’t matter Every kind word that you speak Is like seed in wind – let them scatter
Influence You matter You change lives Of those around you Love
Your world may involve only one One other person to interact with But that person means the world to you And that’s the world you’re packed with
So never underestimate your worth To just one – or to a world of plenty – You change the world where you are Folks who do not matter? There aren’t any!!
Many thanks to my faithful long-term friends here – And a hearty welcome to my new followers! You make me smile… You change my world.
Have a great weekend. It’s so good to be home! Go out – or stay in – either way, You change the world around you.
Never doubt it!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Bloganuary#17 – “What is a Secret Power You’d Like to Have?”
I want the secret power to have wisdom in all circumstances. I want the secret power to turn all tears to laughter and joy. I want the secret power to end all wars and create everlasting peace on earth. I want the secret power to make Believers of all doubters so we all can meet in eternity someday.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary Did You Know?” The lyric I like most in it is, “Mary, did you know, when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?”
And one of my favorite versions of the song is sung by the Pentatonix…
Have a listen… the words are powerful and this quintet is magnificent!!
Did you know, the sleeping child you’re holding is the Great I Am?
Have a very meaningful Christmas! Remember the meaning of the One. Embrace the Christ Child – and Thank God for His Only Son!
John 3:16
“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.”
God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas. I am praying for your health and happiness… and for your faith in Christ which gives you eternal life – Guaranteed!
Thank you, God!
See ya tomorrow (God willing) Have a beautiful Christmas eve! Love, JanBeek
Choked up with emotion, Speechless, but obligated To say something meaningful, Barack Obama sang!
Now he won’t get any awards For his pitch or tone, But for his bravery, A gold medal, indeed!
For his faith and love, And for his ability To inspire the crowd, A blue ribbon!
When I meet my maker, And you gather to cheer My entry into Eternity, Please sing Amazing Grace!
But, you might want to Avoid the microphone And let the Spirit lead The others to drown you out!
Hah! God bless Barack – I miss that guy in the White House. I miss his family and His Amazing Grace!!
There is something special About that You.Tube And its spontaneity. Don’t you agree?
In contrast, this nearly lily white Choir of perfect harmony, Is beautiful for sure, But somehow it seems stiff.
Or is that just me?
Maybe your taste for Amazing Grace Turns more toward country. There are as many versions Of that song as you can imagine.
What’s your favorite?
The amazing story of the song Is described beautifully in this video. I totally enjoyed all 15 minutes of it. I didn’t know what an influence he had on the abolition of slavery!
I hope you will enjoy this video, too.
“The Lord gives us many blessings, But unless we are grateful for them, We lose much of the comfort from them.”
May God’s Amazing Grace give you enormous comfort today and always…
Do you love to travel? What is your motivation to travel? Some people travel to study history. Some travel to see the scenery. Bob traveled recently to “catch the big one!” Others travel for business purposes. Why do you travel?
This week my grandson, Mike, who lived in Switzerland took a trip to Greece with his fiance’ Tania, and sent me some wonderful photos. Why do you think they traveled?
At the same time, our daughter, DeAna, sent us pictures of her travel experience. She and Andre’ (our son-in-law) are traveling to Corsica this week. Why do you think they traveled?
Look at the difference in travel mode!!
Bob & I traveled to Bozeman today. That kind of travel counts, don’t you think? It’s an hour’s drive… We went for several reasons: Get my new iPhone, Get help programming the phone, Get a haircut, Buy new clothes for our trip to Switzerland. Why do you think we’re going to Europe?
Snow-capped Madison Range Ennis, MT 9-21-21
No, our trip to Switzerland has nothing to do with Swiss cows. Guess again!
I am praying that all these COVID tests required for flying to London, and then required for staying there, and then required for leaving and going to Switzerland will arrive on time to each of their destinations. I have faith that God hears my prayers, and God knows how much we need to see our daughter and the rest of our Swiss family. Please pray with me for all to go smoothly!
And stay tuned…
I hope to show you my favorite sites along the way.
Our buddy, Rex Hocking, with his award-winning 30″ trout.
Bob says it’ll be pretty hard to beat that wonderful, surreal trip he just took with his buddies to Alaska. Rex sent a photo of Bob fishing (there was a bear on the shore right across the river from where he was)! Just imagine that!
I can’t post that fisherman-bear photo today (gotta figure out how to reduce the size of the file and eliminate some of my WordPress photos so I have room to add more in my media library)… But, it is pretty hard to beat those kinds of experiences, huh?
God willing, and test results arriving on time, we’ll be sharing our fun in the days to come.
Where have you traveled recently? Or what’s your favorite trip?
“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances…”
With the right attitudes, we can be young at heart no matter what our chronological age may be.
No, we are still young… Young at heart! Can’t you see it?
Psalm 92:12-15
“12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 70:4
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love Your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
Each day has its own personality. There will be happy and sad days. Some will be quiet and restful, while others will be filled with activity.
Some will be brimming with health, others will find you facing unexpected challenges.
But, whatever the circumstance, you can find moments of delight – and you can thrive as you see the blessings hidden – even in the worst of times.
This week I learned that my friend, Paul, who was scheduled to replace our wood floor (while we are gone next month on a trip to Europe) fell off a ladder and broke some ribs. In addition to the body aches, he was suffering massive headaches. So, the doctor took x-rays.
The x-rays revealed that Paul had a brain tumor! If he had not fallen off that ladder, there might not have been the x-rays to reveal the tumor. He had brain surgery yesterday morning. The report came that “all is well.”
I don’t know if that means the tumor was benign, or if it means they got it all and he will be fine. Maybe it means all three! But, I know Who has the answers… and I know He hears my prayers.
I know everything happens for a reason… and I know God is in charge. I am so grateful the tumor was discovered! So, I can EMBRACE GOOD CHEER!
I am grateful for the faith I have that allows me to behold life through the eyes of hope and positivity.
Colors are brighter, laughter comes easier, and the joy of simply being alive sets the tone for daily celebration of life’s infinite possibilities.
On this day of remembrance (9-11), may you – with love and reverence – embrace the good cheer of memories that cherish the family members, friends, co-workers, and tireless volunteers who have made a mark upon your life.
May those memories inspire you to live with such integrity, creativity, faith, and love, that one day the memory of you will bring good cheer to all who know you.
Be in prayer for those who are hurting. Be in prayer for all who are in danger. Be in prayer for all who live in fear.
Be in prayer for those who need happiness to knock on their door today.
You’re in my prayers. God bless you with good cheer!