We just had the most wonderful week with my cousin and his wife. Adrian & Laura were such fun to have around.
They are DeAngelis (my maiden name) “of angels” – apropos!!
They are spending a week in Yellowstone
We were privileged to watch the parade from dear friends, Roy & Barbara Washburn’s lovely place. Such gracious, generous people!
Wish you coulda joined us!
Hugs,
JanBeek
We did it! Couldn’t look at that boathouse and not experience it!!
Meantime, Marcie sat up there and watched us.
Wish you were here!
This is Hillsdale High School’s winning wrestling team back in the 1970’s.
Bob was the wrestling coach. He also taught in the classroom
(safety education and behind the wheel driver’s education).
Matt Martinelli has ahold of Bob’s right leg.
And our son, Ty, is down there looking up proudly at his dad.
Ty just had his 59th birthday… and Matt is now in his 70s!
Time flies, doesn’t it?
Here’s another of Bob”s former wrestlers from back in the ’70s.
Peter is another who keeps in touch
and lets Bob know that he made a difference in his life.
What a joy it is to maintain those contacts!
Here’s our son, Ty:
Life is worth celebrating!
Even though Matt is in CA (and so is Ty),
and Peter in in Arizona,
we are blessed to stay in touch with them.
They let Bob know that Dad/CoachBeek
is a champion still!
He made a difference in their lives.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Making a difference can sometimes be challenging, and it’s easy to grow weary. However, this verse reminds us to persevere in doing good. Even if we don’t see immediate results, God promises that in due time, we will reap the rewards of our efforts. Therefore, we are encouraged to press on and not lose heart in our pursuit of making a difference.
Bob feels badly that he doesn’t have
the strength and stamina that he once had,
but hey… don’t we all have to accept that?
Our bodies change as we age, right?
Bob’s with his brother, Bill, there…
Looking mighty fit, wouldn’t you say?
Both of them are blessed
to be alive and functioning
as “Champions Still” in their
mid-to-late 80’s!!
Not everyone has that privilege, right?
Blessed to be alive!
Blessed to have one another.
Blessed to continue to do good.
Blessed to be a champion still!!
Who’s a “Champion Still” in your life?
Sending love your way,
JanBeek
Each month our Madison Valley Woman’s Club meets for lunch and a business meeting. My role in the organization is to be their “Inspirational Leader.” As such, I share a message with the ladies – – – and this year I have chosen a selection each month out of my journal titled, “I Can, and I Will… Watch Me!”
Today’s “I Can” message was titled, “I Can Share.” And what I shared was the ideas from a link my friend, Lee, sent me titled “Embrace Values.”
- Wearing a $300 or a $3 watch –
– They both tell the same time.- Whether they carry a $300 purse or a $3 handbag from the Nearly New –
– The amount of money on the inside is the same.- Whether we drive a $150K car or a $30K car,
– The road and distance are the same
and we get to the same destination.- Whether we drink a bottle of $300 or $10 wine (if we drink it all)
– The hangover is the same.- Whether the house we live in is 300 sq. ft. or 30,000 sq. ft,
– The loneliness is the same.- You will realize your true happiness does not come from
– the material things in this world.- Whether you fly first class or economy,
– If the plane goes down – you go with it.- Therefore… I hope you realize
– When you have mates, buddies, and old friends,
brothers and sisters who you chat with, laugh with,
talk and pray with, sing songs with,
talk about north, south, east, and west,
that is true happiness! And they will share
and agree with you on these:
Five Undeniable Facts of Life- Don’t educate your children to be rich,
– educate them to be happy so they will
know the value of things, not the price.- Best awarded words in London:
– Eat your food as your medicine –
otherwise you will have to eat your medicine as food.- The ones who love you will never leave you for another
– because even if there are 100 reasons to give up,
he/she will find one reason to hold on.- There is a big difference between a human being
and being human,
– only a few really understand it.- You are loved when you are born.
You will be loved when you die.
– In between, you just have to learn to manage!
NOTE:
If you just want to walk fast, walk alone!
But if you want to walk far, walk together!
– Thank you for walking together with one another here in this,
Our Madison Valley!! God bless you!!
Our ladies in the Madison Valley Woman’s Club are those kinds of friends.
We are so blessed to have one another to work with, laugh with,
meet with, and care for. Thank you, Ladies! I love you!!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Why do you blog?
Today’s prompt made me pause and reflect on the why.
Why am I here? Why have I posted “stuff” here for so many years?
It’s not for rewards or recognition.
The title up there tells the story.
It’s my place to stay connected
with Derrick & Dwight,
Ann & Sue,
Richard & Donna,
Caralyn & you!!
It’s blogging friends old and new
who take the time to comment,
who post their own inspirational messages …
that’s why I’m here.
I care about you.
Thank you for also blogging and for staying in touch!
Love,
JanBeek
The woman’s husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day. One day, when he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, “My dearest, you have been with me all through the bad times. When I was laid off, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you stayed right here. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. You know what?”
“What dear?,” she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.
“I think you’re bad luck.”
OK, LAUGH!! But, no, don’t take that seriously!
Our spouses are such an important part of our support system!
But not all are blessed with a supportive spouse.
Some live alone;
some live in turmoil at home;
and some just feel abandoned.
Some just need a hand…
In “Mornings with Jesus,” my daily devotional today,
the scripture featured was
Isaiah 49:15-16
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands…”
The nail prints engraved on Jesus’s hands remind us that He died in our place.
We can be sure He will never forget us, even if everyone else on earth does.
Have you ever felt abandoned by everyone else –
left with nowhere to turn,
looking for solace
and finding it only in your faith?
I haven’t!
But I have friends and family who have experienced those emotions.
And some of them don’t know how to turn to their faith, either.
I had a niece who felt that way –
and she committed suicide!
So this topic of emotional support systems is very dear to me!
In the case of my niece,
she isolated herself from family and friends.
She suffered in silence.
She left the rest of us wondering where we went wrong.
How could we not have picked up
the stress signals that let us know
the depth of her despair?
But we didn’t…
Don’t be deceived by outward appearances!
Look deep inside.
Be the friend in whom your family and neighbors
can confide by asking questions and showing concern!
Yesterday I shared about the grief of losing a friend – – – an ATV buddy who died while we were on our trip. And I shared the difficulty of our news about my husband, Bob’s, health issues. The outpouring of love and support from friends on Facebook and blogging buddies here was heartwarming. I thank you for embracing my grief and sharing my hope and faith in good test results and clear diagnosis and effective treatments. Your emotional support is so appreciated!
This week is full of labs and scans, biopsies and various exams.
In the midst of it all, I draw strength from my faith.
I know God is with me and Bob.
I know He is in control.
I believe He works for our good.
And I feel your love and encouragement.
Thank you for being a part of my support system!
I appreciate you!
None of you shared yesterday
if there is a way I can pray for you…
a specific need you have.
Let me know, okay?
And thank you for keeping Bob & me
in your prayers as we take this one day at a time.
God Bless You!
Love,
JanBeek
Today was our Madison Valley 25th annual Arts Festival. (well… almost annual… we had to cancel it last year because of COVID). Nearly 50 artists from Montana and Idaho gathered here in Ennis to treat us with their displayed talents. It was a delightful day. Come and join me to enjoy the festival vicariously.
Here are some of the artists:
Maybe next year at this time, you can can to come to Ennis and help us celebrate our 50 year anniversary as an Ennis Arts Association. I’d love to house a bunch of my Word Press friends and have us enjoy the festivities together! Think about it!
Thanks for taking my Art Festival tour with me. Which kind of art do you like best?
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek
You know I need you.
We’re wired for connection,
Love and belonging.
Birthday girl needs love.
Friends need connectivity.
We crave relations.
We’re in the same nest.
We’re born in this together.
But don’t smother me!
I rise with the sun
Into a brand new morning
Facing a new day.
Connected to God.
Learning to live cautiously,
Leaning on my Lord.
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.”
If baby robin #4 in that nest up there doesn’t sharpen her will, poke her beak up with the rest, and open up, she will be doomed to the nest forever!
So, we who need one another are asking ourselves, “When it it time to open up? When it it time to let our courage and our natural need for connections take hold? When can we do it safely?”
Should we wear a mask or not? Should we join the protestors or not? When it is time to believe COVID-19 is safely at bay?
Not only is each person different, but each area of our world is different, too. Here in Montana, I could join my friends for a small birthday gathering outside (only 7 of us) and feel safe. I realize everyone in the world does not have that luxury.
But while we each are different, so are we all alike in many ways. We all crave genuine connection.
Matthew Lieberman, a Harvard-trained psychologist wrote,
“The human brain is wired to be social. Love and belonging might seem like a convenience we can live without, but our biology is built to thirst for connection because it is linked to our most basic survival needs.”
Birds of a feather
Flock together, connecting
Love and harmony.
Likewise, we humans
Crave times to touch each other.
Isolation hurts!
We need connection.
Pray for opportunities
To safely gather.
I pray for your health.
I pray for our world’s return
To safe gatherings.
I pray for world peace,
For racial equality,
God’s intervention.
Lord, help us all to
Turn to You for our guidance.
Lift us safely up.
Open every beak
To receive life’s sustenance
And sing Your glory.
Have a Hallelujah Day, my friends.
I feel your presence…
See ya tomorrow.
Jan Beekman
What helps you live longer and better?
Is it pills,
Vitamin C,
healthy eating,
clean air,
exercise,
friendships?
What are the keys to a longer, better life?
“There’s no magic formula to living longer and better.
But a certain character trait
makes getting older a lot more rewarding:
having an open mind and heart.”
Jim Hinch, Senior Editor, Guideposts magazine
.
.
“Wisdom …
That’s what makes getting older more rewarding.”
Bob Beekman,
my husband for 58 years
.
“An open mind and heart,
both of which are tuned to love and peace,
daily immersed in God’s Word,
walking the talk,
those are the qualities
that make living longer a joyful experience.”
Yours Truly: JanBeek.
And if I were to quote you,
what would YOU say
are the character traits
that make up the formula
for living longer and better?
It’s easy to say, “Make Friends.”
But how do you do that?
It’s not as easy as it sounds.
Not like putting on a hat.
To have a friend, you must
Be a friend, they say.
I say that’s important…
But there’s another important way.
To have a friend, you must
Reach out and share your heart.
You can’t be afraid of rejection –
You just have to be the start.
Be the start by helping others.
Be the start by praying.
Be the start by being compassionate.
Be a friend who’s there for playing.
Play the games they like to play.
Invite them over for tea and toast.
Go out riding on your ATV, or
Ask them what they like the most.
Don’t limit talk to texting words.
Don’t just “friend” on a Facebook page.
Call ’em up. Send a card. Drop by.
Go out for lunch or go dance on a stage!
Friendship is like Love, I think.
It’s a verb, an act of doing.
Lost a friend you used to love?
Reach out and start renewing.
Renew your commitment to be the one
Who is steady, honest, and true.
That friendship can be kindled afresh.
But being a friend is UP TO YOU!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
