Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘family’

Recommended Books

Today’s prompt was:
What book are you reading right now?

Haha!! No, I’m not isolated…
And no, I didn’t color three books…
Only two!!

person coloring art with crayons
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

No, seriously,
The question should have been “What bookS…”
I can never limit myself to just one at a time!
I love reading!

So, what bookS am I currently reading?
Let me list a few:

  1. The Bible (always … daily)
  2. Devotionals that help me understand better and apply the Bible lessons to my life:
    a. In Touch by Charles Stanley
    b. Ever Faithful by David Jeremiah
    c. Mornings with Jesus and Walking in Grace and Strength & Grace by Guideposts
    d. Today in the Word by Moody Bible Institute
    e. These Days by Presbyterian Publishing Corp.
  3. The Last Caretaker: A Novel by Jessica Strawser

I have Jessica Strawser’s book on my Kindle reader. I prefer having a paperback or better yet, the hardcover book, but Kindle books are so affordable – – – and I can enlarge the print to make deciphering easier. So I am getting used to reading from my laptop. The Last CareTaker is a gripping story about a lady who agrees to be the caretaker at a remote nature preserve, but finds herself in the throes of a secretive shelter for battered, abused, and at-risk women. I’m enjoying it.

How about you? What bookS are you reading right now?

Bye for now…
I’m off to read some more.

(Oh, and by the way,
Happy Birthday to my mom.
11-15-15
Elizabeth (Betty)Totten DeAngeles
She would have been 108 today!)

Here we are when I was about 2 or 3.
Quite the hairdo, huh?
Sweet!

Love,
JanBeek

Valued Trait

Today’s prompt on WordPress was:
What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

Each of us is given special gifts.
The trick is to recognize yours.
When you find it, then
make it your favorite trait.

And use it to the fullest!

This scripture is one of my favorites…
and it reveals a trait I cherish:

Hebrews 13:2

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have entertained angels
without knowing it.”

My special gift is hospitality.
I love having family and friends
come to spend time with us.
Here is our dear 1980-81 AFS son,
Christian Zufferey (ZuZu), from Switzerland.
No, he’s no stranger to us!!

(Our DeAna married his first cousin!!
What a love story that is!)

This week DeAna, and her hubby, Andre’
surprised us by arriving with ZuZu
and his wife, Celia, for a four day stay.
Here they are this morning… leaving us (boo-hoo!)

But, we were blessed to have them
come and spend those days
(just not nearly long enough) –
and to have Chef Andre’ prepare great meals!

How wonderful it was also
to have our grandson, Mike,
and his wife, Tania, with us for a week
this month. They were so helpful!!

Now this hospitality business
would have a full opportunity
to be put into practice IF our son
Ty & his wife, Monika, would come!

The good news is that Peter,
one of Bob’s wrestling students
from back in the 1970’s in CA,
will be joining us in October for awhile.
Yay!

Why don’t you consider
Letting me use my favorite trait,
HOSPITALITY,
On you one of these days?

What’s your special gift – your favorite trait?

Love to you,
JanBeek

We Need More Empathy

Sympathy = “I feel FOR you.”
Empathy = “I feel AS you.”

Ah, we need more empathy!
We need more people who are willing
to put themselves in another person’s shoes…

Not just feel sorry for the one who suffers, but feel his/her suffering
– and try to do something to alleviate it.
I discovered a new blogger today (new to me) – “Ly-die” –
who wrote an eloquent post on this topic.
I really appreciated it, and I think you will, too.

Click below:

Have a terrific Thursday! Our daughter, DeAna, and son-in-law, Andre’ are with us this week. They surprised us by bringing along with them our 1980-81 AFS Exchange student (Christian Zufferey) and his wife, Celia. Chris (ZuZu) is Andre’s cousin… and he has not been to the USA in over 30 years! You can imagine our pure JOY at seeing him and his dear spouse at our door!

Yesterday we toured Ennis and stopped at “The Long Branch” for a few libations.
That’s De & Andre’ on the left and ZuZu with Celia on the right.
I’m the happy camper in the middle!

Bob stayed home and then joined us later when we a went to our neighbors’ place (the Ducsays) for “TMW” – (what’s that – you ask?) – Hah – “Too much wine!” The picture doesn’t show our joy! We were having a grand time!

Today our Swiss guests are spending time in Yellowstone Park.
It’s a beautiful blue sky day here.
What are you up to??

Enjoy your Thursday…
I send my love and empathy your way.


Hugs,
JanBeek

Life is Wonderful!

m.facebook.com/story.php

Check out today’s wonder on my Facebook post!

Gratitude for Workers

Today is Labor Day in the USA.
It’s a day to thank our workers.
Thank all who make life better
By their diligence … never shirkers!

Regardless of the job they have,
They perform with willing heart.
I’m filled with gratitude for them.
They carefully do their part.

During COVID we took special care
To thank our healthcare workers all.
We should continue to thank them
And all the others whether large or small.

No job is less important than another.
All are crucial for the bottom line.
Teamwork, passion, determination
Are ingredients that make the results shine.

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

Proverbs 10:4

“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

The after effects of COVID-19
Have left some workers unwilling
To return to the office or work space;
They find teleworking more fulfilling.

woman in gray shirt sitting on bed
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

But the worker who inspires me most
Is the on the job person who strives
To make the world a better place
By interacting with others’ lives.

Yes, it can be done at home sometimes,
But what about when you want to dine out?
The chef and wait staff better be there,
Or you’ll be high and dry… without!

So, today I want to shout out a thanks
To all the workers who make life sweeter.
Here is one… our Dolly Wolly in Switzerland.
You should go to her place and meet her!!

This is what it looked like then they bought it.
Now the restaurant has taken on a new look.
And De’s husband, Andre’ is the chef who
Puts out superb dishes – he’s quite the cook!

Here are De and Andre’ with some family
Sitting down to enjoy a meal…
You can tell by the empty plates and smiles
How good it was; how it made them feel!

So, Happy Labor Day, all you workers
Who strive to serve the public with care-
Whether out in front and quite visible
Or hidden in back rooms, with work to share!

We appreciate the way you aim to please
With passion and with determination.
What you do is important and beneficial
Regardless of your chosen occupation.

Thank you!

Hugs from
JanBeek
(volunteering at the Food Bank)

Volunteer work counts, too!
Stay-at-home Mom work counts double!!

What’s in a Name?

Daily writing prompt
Where did your name come from?

Names are funny things
They help to define us
Our parents named us
Without a lot of fuss

Did they realize
When they made their choice
That the name they chose
Would give us a life-long voice?

My parents chose Janet
She was an actress superb
First female Academy Award Winner
My name is indeed a verb

Janet is a lady of action
The name means “God’s Gift”
It comes with a lotta ham
“Jan” is quite an audacious lift!

So, what’s in YOUR name?
Did your parents tell you why
They gave you the handle they did?
Does it make you bold or shy?

Mine gave me permission
To climb up on the stage
Janet Gaynor was her name
She was quite the rage!

(Back in 1939 that is! Hah!)

Tell me your name’s story.
Thanks for checking out
JanBeek today
Give your name’s sake a shout!!

Man’s Best Asset

What do you consider man’s best asset?

mondo backside
Photo by Tazz Vaughn on Pexels.com

Well, it depends on how you’re looking at the word, huh?
ASSet?
Or maybe who you are and what you do?

If you are a gastroenterologist,
(a GI doctor)
like Dr. Gentry,
who last Sunday performed Bob’s colonoscopy,
then you’re looking for a clear anus!!

Oh my!
TMI ??
Too much information!!

BUTT (oops!) BUT,
hey, we just went through this weekend from hell…
and if you’ve read my previous coupla blogs,
you know what I mean.
And maybe you are waiting for an update?

Bob received wonderful care at
the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
The nurse, Ann-Marie, was the reason
he was smiling like this!
She was as efficient as she was beautiful!

What’s a woman’s greatest asset?
She was kind, caring, efficient, and professional.
A real delight!
Aren’t those the perfect qualities for a nurse?
(Or any of us, for that matter!)

Let me digress for a minute, OK?
While Bob was waiting and waiting for his procedure,
(it was scheduled for 8:00 am
and got bumped twice because of emergencies),
I decided to go get something to eat.
Neither Bob nor I had anything solid for about 48 hours!

I was sitting at the counter at Jam!
(my favorite breakfast place in Bozeman)
when the hostess seated a coupe next to me.
I glanced up from the CA church service
that was live-streaming
on my cell phone
and said, “Hi!” to the couple.
Then I went back to listening
to our son, Ty, who was delivering
the sermon at his church
in Placerville, California.
(Isn’t modern technology wonderful?!)

That’s Ty with me – taken last summer…
We’re so proud of his decision to pursue the ministry.


Anyway, I digressed…
What I wanted to share with you was the way
God worked miracles in our lives
every time we turned around last weekend!

persons left hand doing hand gesture
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich on Pexels.com

I was listening to Ty’s sermon
when I heard the customer recently seated to my left
say, “Hello, Mrs. Beekman.”

Surprised, I looked up…
and I studied the handsome young man’s face.
“Neighbor? Crowley?? Are you Cole?”
I had not seen him in a coupe of years.
He and his family live right across the road from us.
He’s been away at college.
What are the chances in a restaurant with 100+ people
that Cole would be seated right next to me??

“When things happen in your Christian walk of faith
and you say to yourself what a coincidence,
you should know that it’s not, 
it is God’s hand in your life.”


James 1:17 
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Open your hands
and your heart
for God to fill them!

Cole and I chatted for a while,
got caught up on what’s new
with him and with us…
and I went back to listening to
Ty’s sermon on-line.
Cole & his girlfriend said their good-byes
with “Let me know if you need anything.”

When the sermon was over
and it was time to get back to Bob
before he went in for his procedure,
guess what?
I asked for the bill…

“That couple that was next to you
paid for your breakfast!”

Every time I turned around,
God was working His miracles
through the generosity,
kindness, professionalism,
and compassion of others!!

See that latte pictured up there?
Do you think it was a coincidence
that a happy bee is floating on the top?

Remember, Bob is
a retired beekeeper/almond farmer.
No accident that they made my dirty chai latte
with almond milk and God sent the bee here to say,
“Hah! Here I am to remind you
Bob is in good Hands!
I’ve gotcha covered!”

I got back to the hospital in time
to say a prayer with Bob
before he was wheeled in.

It was only a short time when
he was wheeled back to the room.

Shortly, the doc came in with the good news,
“You have a beautiful anus for an 84 year old!”
(See, there’s that asset I was telling you about)
Only a GI doctor with 25,000
colonoscopies under his belt
would be so observant, right?


“Everything is OK!
Whatever was causing the bleeding
(no doubt diverticulitis)
has healed itself.
No surgery needed.
Eat more fiber.
Drink more water.”


Bob was given his marching orders
with instructions to follow-up
in a week with his primary care doc here in Ennis.

But before they checked us out
and sent us happily on our way,
Bob was given solid food
(ah, a turkey sandwich never tasted so goood!)
We were sent home with grateful hearts.
Praise the Lord!!

I believe in miracles.
We just experienced more than one.
Look for God’s miracles.
Expect them.
He is busy delivering them every day!

God bless you!
Thank you for all your prayers.
We love you.
Bee well!!

Oh, by the way,
what do you think is
Man’s Best Asset?

July 4 in Ennis, MT

This coming week is a big one in Ennis, MT. People come from all around to enjoy:
1) the Fireman’s Pancake breakfast 7:-10:am at the FireHall,
2) the old fashioned (step back 50 years) parade at 10:00 am,
3) a walk around our quaint little town for a couple hours,
4) the Lion’s Club BBQ at Lion’s Club Park at noon, and
5) the rodeo at 4:00 PM … or is it later? (there’s also one the night of the 3rd)

Here are a few pictures from years past to help you see what a great set of events it is:


The parade is an event not to be missed!

The rodeo is always fun!

I love the way little kids dress up for the holiday!
The adults go all out, too!

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Fortunately, this year we don’t have to wear face masks!

The Boy Scouts, the 4-H Club,
various churches, the Lion’s Club,
cowboys, and our school kids
all join in the fun!

This year, I will again
help the folks
in our nursing home
(the Manor)
get front row seats
on the parade route.

Come to Ennis this week!
Enjoy the festivities!
I wish our daughters
could be here again this year.
Alas, they’re too far away!

DeDe & Laina,
we’ll miss you!

Ray Easter will be in the parade
with his pristine old convertible!
Look for him!!

Of course, little kids on their ponies
must always be a part of the fun!

Carts, dogs, clowns, fire trucks…
you name it! They’ll all be there!

Will we see you?
I hope so!!

You’ll love our little town!!

And our neighborhood celebrates, too!

I send my Love to you,
JanBeek

Alacrity

Do you know this word?
Alacrity!

happy sportspeople of different ages preparing to run in forest
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

Alacrity = cheerful readiness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When I chose my word for 2023, “Ready”
back on January 1, 2023,
I did not know what I needed to be ready for.
But I told myself, “Whatever comes my way,
I will be cheerfully ready!”

This past week, we had the privilege
of hosting my niece,
her husband and 16-year-old son,
and her bff from Utah, Melissa.
And mid-way through their visit,
our son and his wife came for
3 days and 4 nights.
A house full!
Was I ready?

Yes! When your guests are happy, helpful, and relaxed, it’s easy to be cheerfully ready for them!

A day in Yellowstone was a highlight. We all were ready for the bubbling geysers and pools, bison and other animals. Old Faithful always was a hit!

Are you ready to visit Yellowstone? Are you ready to ooh and aaah?

That photo captured only about 1/4 of the herd. It was the largest group of bison mamas and their calves that I’ve ever seen!

We were ready to see the elk and deer 🦌 So, yes, they did not disappoint us! We even saw a black bear. Rare!

My grand-nephew, Liam and I were ready to have our memories of “Artist’s Point” captured by a kind tourist. It’s my favorite Yellowstone spot!

And the guys were more than pleasantly waiting with alacrity for their day of fishing on the Madison. Each of them caught at least one fish … some caught three. No, we didn’t have a fish fry! The Madison River has a “catch & release” policy.

What are you ready for today? I hope you’re anticipating it with alacrity!

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Live, laugh, love ❤️ JanBeek

Favorite Moment

Today’s writing prompt was:

Describe one of your favorite moments.

The dreary, cloudy, Saturday in February of 1962 that we chose to be married made the stained glass window in the University of the Pacific’s chapel rather dull in color. But the moment the UOP choir blessed our vows with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” – at the top of the three fold amen (or was it a seven-fold? You need to listen!) ~ the sun came out!

That is my “Favorite Moment.”
It was definitely a
memorable,
beautiful,
defining moment
when God smiled down on us
and blessed our marriage.

God has certainly blessed this union!

Then, 25 yers later, out daughter, DeAna,
wore my wedding dress
and married her sweetheart, Andre’
in the same chapel.

Happy Father’s Day, Andre’ – – –
you and De produced
three delightful boys.
We are so blessed!

And our son, Ty married
his sweetheart, Monika,
a year later.
What a beautiful union that is!
They have given us four more grandchildren!

Happy Father’s Day to our son, Ty, too!

What is your most
“Favorite Moment”
????
Is it related to your wedding day
or an experience as a parent?

a man reading a book to his baby
Photo by nappy on Pexels.com

Tell me about it!
Have a Happy Father’s Day!

Love,
JanBeek

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