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Posts tagged ‘friendship’

Who’s Your Best Friend?


At a memorial service last weekend,
175 friends and family gathered
From all over the USA to honor
My friend, Phyllis Wasick.

Phyllis died over two years ago
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Folks couldn’t celebrate her long life (88)
At that time; travel & gatherings shut down.

So now, as travel and gatherings resume,
We were able to gather together
To praise and celebrate our “Best Friend.”
I say that collectively intentionally!

Here is Phyllis with her daughter, Lisa
This was about a year before Phyllis
Went to be with her other best friends
Who had gone on to eternity before her.

At the memorial celebration of life
A few of her best friends were asked to speak.
It was not a “open mike” – that would have been crazy!
Everyone would have wanted to talk!

When asked, “Who was Phyllis’ best friend – really?”
The answer was, “The one she was with!!”
She made each one of us feel special.
She made each of us feel important.

She lived a life of love and inclusiveness.
She was a true friend to all and a servant, too.
She worked at the Food Bank, the church,
The library, and was a treasured Book Club member.

At the service, her great grandchildren
Gathered up front, led by one of her grandsons,
And they sang, “You are my Sunshine!”
Yes – the world was brighter with Phyllis in it!

So, who is YOUR best friend?
How would folks answer that about you?
Do you make each person you are with
Feel special, appreciated, and important?

It is a wonderful quality to posses.
I used to tell Phyllis, “I want to be you
When I grow up!” I am still growing –
And improving – with the memory of

Phyllis Wasick tucked deep in my heart!
Who inspires you to be everyone’s
Best Friend? It certainly was a lesson
Jesus taught every day of His ministry!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=JTjUDJXTC6A&feature=share
Click on that link to hear a piano rendition
of that song with the lyrics for you…
Sing along!!

Psalm 133:1

“1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

A friend encourages unity and interdependence. No divisiveness lives in a true friend.
Jesus was a friend to all ages!

A best friend cares about you
A best friend is a good listener
A best friend is someone you can confide in
A best friend knows how to keep sharing confidential
A best friend is supportive and trustworthy
A best friend loves you just the way you are
A best friend keeps in touch

Be a best friend to whoever you are with!
Maybe I can emulate my friend Phyllis-
With the help of God’s grace living in my heart
And the Holy Spirit within to guide me.

You can, too!

Jesus is my best friend!
And He helps me be more like Him every day…
Phyllis does, too!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing).
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Harmony, Love, relationships, Serving One Another

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Red-Yellow-Black-White


Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Jesus came to earth to show us how to live.
He gave His life – what more must He give
To teach us the lesson He came here to teach?
Just love one another! Live that lesson and preach!

Preach to the world the need for compassion.
Preach respect, integrity… Make them current fashion.
Don’t let fear and ignorance take the reigns
And infect our society and poison our brains.

White Replacement Theory? What a bunch of bunk!
Don’t let such absurdity enter you. It’s just junk!
God created each of us with blessed diversity.
He created us equally. Believe that with certainty!

Those who fear other skin or folks from outside the USA
Are showing us their ignorance by what they do and say.
They don’t understand the message God sent to earth
When He brought to this world His Son to give us second birth.

They don’t accept the well-known fact of Oneness,
The same blood, same love, same spirit of “Done-ness.”
We are were “done” by the Potter’s wheel and skill.
We all were created by our God, our Savior’s Will.

No color is more beautiful; No skin is a favored one.
No cuisine is more tasty. God differently flavored some.
So wrap your mind around the true acts of love…
Love others unconditionally – Give all hate a shove!

My heart goes out to the families and friends of the 10 who were senselessly murdered by a sick, crazed, fearful 18-year-old in NY this week. Additionally, worshipers were shot down in church two days ago… and the list goes on. It makes my stomach churn. It makes my head hurt. It puzzles my mind. I just don’t begin to understand. I want to help. I need to do my part.

So, with my left hand in a cast and my little finger throbbing, I hunt and peck with my right hand. I send my love out into the world – and I beg my readers to do what you can, too. Try to drown out hate with loud acts of love. Try to squelch fear with gigantic messages of compassion and understanding. Try to stamp out ignorance with numerous exchanges of God’s messages in His Word and through His Son. Do something. Do what you can.

Photo by ATC Comm Photo on Pexels.com


Dear Heavenly Father,
help us to set aside
fear,
hatred,
ignorance,
and
divisiveness,
and start
as a nation
and as a world
to
just love one another…
Amen

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Heartache, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships, respect, Serving One Another

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Headed for Surgery


Thank you, my friends, for your love and supportive prayers and comments.
Bob & I are headed in to Bozeman now for my surgery on this dislocated and broken finger.

It snowed a lot in a circular radius around us, so we’ll have icy roads up & over Norris Pass and a lot of snow in Bozeman when we get there. Prayers for safe travels appreciated.

My surgery is to realign this little finger and put a couple of pins in the finger to keep it in place going forward. Prayers for the surgeon’s steady hands and skill appreciated. And for my pain tolerance, please.

Dear friends are bringing us our dinner for tonight. Praise God for His loving servants who reach out to others in their need. We are so grateful!

I probably will not blog for a couple of days. You understand.

See you when I can. Sending love and appreciation.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Please send continued prayers for those who need it so much more than I do…

Category:

friendship, Giving, Gratitude, health, kindness, Love, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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Embrace 5 Ways to Keep Long-time Friends


Bob & Victor

Victor Salazar and Bob have stayed in touch for 50 years. How has that happened?

Victor was Bob’s wrestling student when Bob coached at Hillsdale High in San Mateo, CA. back in the 1970’s. Every year at Christmas, we exchanged Christmas cards. Victor let us know where he was each year – and his career took him to over 30 different countries! What a joy to have Vic come from Alabama to reconnect with us here in Montana! (That photo was taken last year when I first posted this blog)

I have had the fun of that kind of connection with former students, too. This is Ty Stiles and his wife with Bob & me. He was my kindergarten student in 1962! I named our first child, Ty. We never let Ty Stiles out of our sphere of contact. He was in my prayers daily. He came with his wife, Roxanne, from California to visit us a few years ago. About a year after his visit, sadly, Ty left this earth for his eternal home. My memories of him and his visit warm my heart every single day as I look at the cross he welded and sent to us shortly after his visit.

There’s no greater joy
Than to reconnect with friends
From long, long ago

Look up for your purpose!
Look up to the cross
Recall its loving meaning
Embrace those friendships

5 Ways to Keep Long-time Friends

  1. Pray lovingly for them daily.
  2. Be sure to keep them in your address book and write to them often (don’t just rely on social media)
  3. Pick up the phone and talk to them, emptying yourself into them… it’s an investment. Be loyal and be confidential.
  4. Let them know how much they mean to you, but don’t force the relationship. It has to be natural. Don’t insist that the relationship is forever reciprocal. Some friendships are meant to be seasonal… and the season may last years – but maybe not. You can’t control that.
  5. Be honest and transparent with them … let them see your warts. It shows you trust them not to hurt you… and you are trustworthy in return.

Embrace Long-time Friendships
Never let those precious folks go
Keep them forever in your heart
How long we’ll be here, we can’t know

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

Embrace Long-time Friends
My heart’s covered with footprints.
How about your heart?

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Faith, friendship, Haiku, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, mental health, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Sharing, truth

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Listen with Your Heart!


Bloganuary #17 “What’s a Super Power You’d Like to Have?”

I answered the question earlier today,
interpreting it as a “Secret Power”
– and those answers still stand.

But, I have had time to do my devotionals this morning
– and I’ve listened to a few podcasts
– and I’ve given this question greater thought.

It’s a Super Power… not just a secret power!
Here’s my answer to THAT question for today:

I’d like to have the Super Power to listen with my heart – truly listen to others – and see into their heart, their intent behind their words. In Bayside Church’s devotional on-line today, Kevin Thompson spoke to this issue of listening. Here’s what he said:

“Consider the power of listening. When we hear another person, we see them, value them, place their voice above our own. We restrain ourselves to give them space to speak. Sincere listening is born of humility. It is a genuine act of love. When we fail to listen, we are elevating ourselves above others. We arrogantly assume we already know what they might say or believe they can add no value to our lives. Planning our response when someone else is talking instead of truly hearing what they have to say is a sign of pride. Refusing to see and hear other people is one of the most dehumanizing acts we can take.

“When Jesus commands that we love our neighbors, one way we should do so is to listen to them. That’s not the whole command, but it’s part of it.

“So, which neighbors are you failing to hear? Too often, our lives become echo chambers in which the only people who have our ears are those with whom we agree. People with the same experience, perspective, and understanding provide the voices that influence us. Yet love calls us to a different way. Christians should have the most diverse voices influencing us because we believe everyone is created in the image of God, every person has value and purpose, and we understand the limits to our knowledge and experience.

“Imagine the difference love/listening could make in our world. Where authentic listening takes place marriages flourish. In a world of political divisions, what if the church modeled listening and loving people with whom we disagree politically. In a society divided among socioeconomic and racial divides, what could the church offer if we went out of our way to know, hear, understand, and love those with different backgrounds, upbringings, and experiences than we have?

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE LOVED OUR NEIGHBORS—EVERY NEIGHBOR?

“The fantastic news of faith is that the God of Heaven has given us access to His ear at any moment. He invites us to speak to Him on an ongoing basis. This changes how we use our tongues. But it also changes how we use our ears. Receiving God’s invitation to hear from us, we begin to extend our ears to those to whom we otherwise might not listen. We seek to value them, learn from them, and be in a relationship with a diverse community.

Who is a neighbor you are not currently listening to? Start listening with your heart today.”

It actually doesn’t take a Super Power to listen with your heart … but to see inside the speaker’s heart to their intent … well, that might take a special gift from God – ya think?

Sending love ❤️ and prayers for your health and happiness.
It’s so good to be home!

I just returned from my annual physical.
In spite of a residual cough from this RSV,
my dear doctor tells me
I am no longer contagious –
and I’ve been given a clean bill of health.
Hooray! Bob’s feeling good, too.
Thanks for your loving prayers!

Thank you for
visiting JanBeek today.

See ya tomorrow(God willing)

Oh, and tell me – what’s a Super Power you’d like to have?

Category:

blogging, Faith, Giving, God, Jesus, kindness, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, prayer, relationships, 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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Bloganuary #4 -Favorite Toy


Today’s topic on #Bloganuary is:
“What was your favorite toy as a child?”

Mother-Daughter

Here I am as a young mom with my daughter, DeAna.
I don’t have available with me here on vacation
Any photos of myself as a child at her age.
I’m think my toys were part of my education.

DeDe was born during Barbie era.
She had boyfriend Ken and their playhouse.
She could play for hours with them
And be as quiet as a mouse.

Here is our son, Ty, as a child.
I know what he liked most at a young age:
“BamBam” – his bouncing horsey!
Quiet wasn’t a word on any Tyroneee page!

I didn’t have those kinds of toys!
It was World War Two and we were poor.
We tore our napkins in half to save paper.
We knew the soldiers needed it more!

I was content to play outside.
Rocks and dogs and imagination
Kept me entertained for hours.
No need for a Play Station!

I didn’t know at that time
That we weren’t rich as can be!
I had all the love in the world –
And that was enough “play” for me.

My parents never failed to provide
For all of the things we needed.
If a parent’s goal is to raise happy kids,
Mom and Dad certainly succeeded!

I may have had a doll or two –
I really don’t remember.
What I envision when I think of play
Is our “wedding” in September.

My friend, Frankie, and brother, Aldo,
Lived on our same property.
We dressed up in some cloth we found.
He wrapped it all around us three.

Cousin Bobby was a little younger.
We convinced him to be preacher.
He walked ahead of us down the “aisle”.
My dog, Jumbo, was best man. What a creature!

Our pretend house was a large hole
We dug in the old cow field.
We fixed it up with pretend furniture,
And covered the entrance – truly concealed.

We often climbed down to that “house”.
It worked just fine as a place to play….
Until a cow fell in and broke its leg.
I remember the lickin’ I got that day!

So, what was my favorite toy?
It was probably the neighbor boy!
Eventually we both got accordions –
Music was the “toy” that brought us joy!!

The accordion still is one of my favorite toys!
What’s your favorite childhood toy??
Thank you, Mom, for helping me
know that imagination and creativity
are the best “toys” ever!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing).
Are you enjoying the daily WordPress prompts?



Category:

Animals, children, Family, friendship, happiness, humor, life, Life's Challenges, Love, Memories, music, pets, Poetry, relationships, writing

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Embrace Willing Helpers


Today a team of five willing helpers moved every bit of our furniture and appliances from our kitchen, dining room and living room. It was a monumental task!

Beekmans’ bare house

New wood flooring will be installed over this old, soft fir, scarred floor while we are gone to CA for Christmas and New Years. This is what the new/old wood will look like when it is finished:

That’s our friends, Julie & Mike’s new floor.

The wood is from a hundred year old silo in Malta, Montana. Bob saw it and fell in love with it. He decided it is what our house needs. When all is said and done, I hope it is as lovely as he anticipates – and it is worth the time, money, effort, and stress involved in such a major renovation! Our existing floor doesn’t look bad in the video, but it really is in bad shape – and the wood is soft – scars really easily. The replacement wood (going right over the top of this) will give us a brighter, lighter look. Happy New Year!

God bless our willing helpers who are making all this possible!

1921 silo in Malta, Montana

The crew who did all that work to move things today are saints! As I said, it was a major task! And the man who is harvesting the wood from this old silo is a wizard! His name is Paul. Do keep in in prayer. I just pray he maintains his health and is able to finish the project. It was originally planned for when we were on our trip to England and Switzerland last September, but Paul, FELL while doing the wood harvesting and broke some ribs and had other health issues that required surgery. So, of course, our project was postponed while he recuperated.

1921 silo

It’s fun to know the history of the wood – and to look forward to a new look in our home. But, it involves a whole lot more than what meets the eye… because one thing always leads to another, you know? I am reminded of Derrick & Jackie Knight’s recent renovation of their kitchen and entry and upstairs rooms. Derrick shared the step-by-step, day-by-day progress with us on his blog. Quite an undertaking!

We’ll be gone and Paul will be living here in our absence – – – doing his magic. I’ll show you the finished product (God willing) when we return next year, mid to late January. Meantime, do keep our safe travels in your prayers, will you? I’ll keep in touch along the way.

Have a Blessed Sunday. Bob & I will attend church this morning … and then do a little clean-up in our kitchen area to have it cleared and ready for Paul’s arrival tomorrow. What are your Sunday plans?

Us – looking forward to fun with family in sunny California

God bless you and keep you safe.
See you tomorrow (God willing)
Tomorrow is our day to pack!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Family, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Love, Montana, prayer, Serving One Another, work

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Embrace Mary


Christmas is coming
You see it everywhere you look these days.
But…
It’s not a “Merry Christmas”
I am wishing for you!
It’s a “Mary Christmas!”
That’s in contrast to a “Martha Christmas!”

Luke 10:38-42

New International Version

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Are You Mary or Martha?

If I am not totally aware,
it is easy for me to fall into the Martha role.
Company is coming!
I love entertaining.

But, if I am busy being Martha,
I find at the end of the evening
I didn’t engage
in a meaningful conversation
with anyone!

“Oh, Jan, Jan!” Jesus would say to me,
“prepare for your guests in advance,
so when they come,
you can sit down
and enjoy their company!”

But what if guests pop in unexpected?
Should I be the Mary who lets Martha do all the work?
Surely there is a happy medium here somewhere!

Work or Shirk?

If company pops in unexpected,
drop everything and enjoy the surprise!
They didn’t come to see your house.
They probably didn’t come to eat your food.
They are there to see you!
So it’s not a question of work or shirk!

Put on a smirk –
take off the apron –
set aside the work!

If you convince them to stay
and enjoy a snack or a meal with you,
invite them in to your kitchen
and continue to enjoy one another
as you fix up some goodies together!


‘Tis the season to enjoy the love of company –
‘Tis the season to spread the joy
and remember the reason for the season.
It ain’t stressin’ yourself out with
decorating, shopping, gift-wrapping,
and
entertaining like Martha!

It’s Mary –
the Christ Child –
the simplicity of the stable –
the spontaneity of good friends –
and the Good News!

Mary Christmas!

Have yourself a Mary Christmas!

Love to you…
Pop in – and sit awhile!
Let’s listen to some relaxing Christmas music
and have a cup o’ tea or hot cocoa!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Christmas, contentment, Family, friendship, holidays, Jesus, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Embrace Cards


Do you save some of the cards people send you?
Are you inspired by the things your friends and family say to and about you?
I have a bulletin board on the back of the door that leads to my laundry room.
Each year I save the birthday cards I receive and post them there.
If ever I feel myself moving into a funk, and I need a spirit lift,
just reading a few of those cards definitely raises me up!

In my sanctuary, I have a bookshelf with my collection of Bibles and various devotionals. On it, I have a card that my friend, Terry, sent to me several years ago. I see it every morning and it is a marvelous source of encouragement and inspiration. Living up to the sentiment it expresses, being the person this friend sees in me, are daily challenges – daily goals. You can see why I have saved and I embrace this card:

Last year when my dear friend, Phyllis, died, I inherited a bagful of cards she had kept during her last year of life. Living in the nursing home during COVID-19 when visitors were not allowed in, the cards were a lifeline to the outside world. Never underestimate the value of the card you take the time to select and send to a friend. They are more precious than gold!

I am going to select some of the most meaningful of these cards and send them to Phyllis’ daughter(s) … knowing their messages will live on in the hearts of my friends’ family members, just as they live on in my heart.

With Thanksgiving coming, that USA holiday dedicated to an attitude of gratitude for our many blessings, I went to the Family Dollar Store yesterday. For $1.00 apiece, I picked up a dozen beautiful cards with lovely sentiments. With precious family and friends in mind, I selected carefully. Today I wrote a personal note of appreciation on each, addressed, and stamped them. Bob took them to the post office. They are on their way to special people who make my life better – just because they are a part of my world.

Letter writing and card sending does not need to be a lost art. Cards can be expensive (those same ones would be between $2.50 and $4.95 at a stationery store). But, check out your local dollar store! Don’t let the expense deter you! Get a few cards today. Find some time to write a personal note to the people who make your life better. Send them off to brighten someone’s day. Let your light shine through your words and thoughtfulness! You never know, your cards may be keepers, too!

Embrace Cards.
Embrace the Expressions of Appreciation you receive from others.

Send yours out tomorrow…
Be the friend everyone wishes they had!

Let your light shine
all the way to
where your loved ones are…


There’s still time for your cards to be received by Thanksgiving!

Good friends- Terry & Elaine –
So blessed to have these as “Keepers!”
Their light shines in my heart everyday!

Thanks for visiting.
Tell me – are you a card saver, too?

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love ya,
JanBeek

I dare you to listen to this song without smiling!!

Category:

blessings, Family, friendship, Giving, Gratitude, holidays, kindness, Love, music, relationships, Serving One Another, writing

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