Have you had more than a few candles put on your birthday cake? Ever had trouble blowing them out? My friends, Kathy & Ron, served a cake at fellowship after church today. They didn’t put all 83 candles on it, thank God… don’t wanna burn the church down! But, they put on a LOT – – – and I could not believe how long it took me to blow out those sparkling candles!!!!
This is just a very brief clip of the process… It’s OK to laugh with me as you watch it!
As you can see, there were only a few left to extinguish at this point… I had been at it for awhile…
Kathy & Ron are on my right. Am I praying I can do this? I don’t know…
This was about try #5 to get them all blown out. My friend, Alex, is there encouraging me!
Yes, things take longer as time goes by… And yet time seems to go by faster as the years progress. How do you figure that?
It was a happy birthday. I celebrated in Bozeman yesterday with Bob. He got me a new travel purse for our upcoming trip to Switzerland. We had a lovely dinner at The Mint in Belgrade.
Today I enjoyed exchanging messages with over a hundred of my friends from far and near on FaceBook. Also, had a wonderful FaceTime exchange with daughters, DeAna & Laina. It’s days like this when most friends and all of our family are far away that I especially enjoy the internet.
Couldn’t sit down face-to-face with DeDe and enjoy a cup o’ java – but we could talk and see one another.
And Laina could share her java with me virtually!
Our son, Ty, and his wife Monika, were not able to be here with us this year, but they FaceTimed this evening… so my heart is full. It took longer for them to reach out this year because Ty was on a Mission trip to Mexico. But I received a card from them… and this evening’s call was the frosting on the cake!
Yes, it takes longer between visits to see our family and friends these days, but thanks to the internet, we can FT and text, message and e-mail. In those cases, communication takes shorter – not longer!
Yes, I tilted toward the computer and my cell phone today!
Where do you tilt these days? And what things do you find take longer? I’m not alone in this, I bet!
Thanks for visiting! Have a great Sunday night – and a wonderful week.
Mi Familia is such a blessing We’re so glad we are here The trip was long and arduous But we traveled without fear
We knew God was with us Your prayers were felt for sure Thank you, God, for safety With You our trip was secure
God bless “Mi Familia!” It is so good to be with them! Monika, our daughter-in-law, is taking the picture. That’s Ruthie & Darrell, her parents, on the left. Our son, Ty, is at the head of the table there… and of course, Bob & me. We’ll be joined on Christmas day by our grandson, Jordan, and his family – – – and our granddaughter, Faith, and her husband. They are expecting their first child (a baby girl) in April. We are so excited for them!
Monika and Ruthie fixed a wonderful dinner last night: salmon and veggies and potatoes. Yum!
We spent time talking about our heritage and remarking about how much Ty looks like my dad, his Grandpa Sal. Can you see the resemblance?
Then we had fun giving Bob a bad time about his “honker!” See how he inherited his nose from his paternal great-grandfather Davis? That’s his dad’s mother’s father.
Prior to dinner we took time to toast “Cheers!” to all the family and friends who prayed us safely here – and gave thanks to God for answered prayers.
Outside the weather was chilly, rainy, and then foggy … but the spirit of Christmas was alive and well, warm and inviting.
Across the continent – and over the Atlantic to Switzerland, our crazy, fun-loving grandson, Nick (and his sweetheart Celine) celebrated the birthday of the King in their own way with a milkshake from the Burger King!
Don’t you love the way the internet shrinks the world and brings “Familia” into our lives from around the world?
Merry Christmas to you, my dear blogging friends. I pray that you have a meaningful, love-filled holiday with your family gathered round.
Remember the Reason for the Season… and bring that Christ Child into your family circle.
God bless you. Let me know what your Christmas plans are, okay? I look forward to hearing from you… and I thank you so much for following my blog. I post with you in my heart and prayers.
Bee Happy! Bee Well!
I send my love and hugs. Have a wonderful time with your family! See ya tomorrow (God willing) Love, JanBeek
Lead us by Your Grace Guide us so that we’ll be safe.
Yes, Lord! We need your guidance Now more than ever.
Enjoy this beautiful rendition of THE PRAYER. Let it touch your heart as it did mine.
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Where is our go-to hearth? We may all tilt toward the screen. Is it a bright light?
Does it reflect grace When we addictively turn To the media?
Social media Can be a wonderful tool, For we have choices.
Grace is never far; It can be undetected If we choose poorly.
Grace is on our screens If we know where we should look. See posts who tag “GRACE.”
I know grace is mine. I feel it daily with thanks. I share it with you.
Grace is comforting. It’s an expression of care. It gently lifts us.
Grace is God’s great gift. It is delivered freely. Accept it with love.
In these days of Pandemic Pandemonium, Don’t succumb to the chaos! Know that God hears and He is with you. Find comfort in His Grace. We will emerge a stronger, more loving world.
Where have you seen God’s grace at work in your community, in your home, in your heart this week?
Tell me about it.
See ya tomorrow… – meantime, I’m holding grace lovingly, and letting it seep through my fingers to you!
No, it’s not a love affair between me and my youngest Swiss grandson, Chrissy. But, Chrissy is the reason for my blog topic today.
I was shocked earlier this week to learn that Chrissy has a girlfriend. I didn’t know it. I hadn’t heard anything about it! And Chris lived for about 5 months here in Montana last year… it’s not like we’re distant relatives!
I was delighted to learn the news, because Bob & I have been praying everyday for Chris… asking God to keep him safe, help him find happiness, help him be accepted into the nursing program he has applied for, and help some smart young female discover what a sweet. lovable guy he is – and give him the love and affirmation he needs and deserves. I know God listens to my prayers. I was convinced He would answer these fervent requests.
Prayers Answered
Then I learned in a text exchange with our daughter (Chrissy’s mom) this week that not only has Chris found a girlfriend, but he found her with the magic of the internet!
I tell you, friends, it’s a new world out there! Our young people have prayers answered by a very hip God Almighty! Chris has been communicating regularly with darling Natalia – using the wonders of FaceTime, no doubt.
Aren’t they adorable together?
Long Distance Romance
I am not an old-fashioned 80-year-old Grammy who objects to internet match-making. I figure this is a big world, full of wonderful people all over the place. The person God intends for us may not live in our part of the world. In the olden days, people didn’t know about some distant soulmate unless they happened to travel to that foreign land and happened upon them “accidentally.”
In today’s world, Match.com and other dating sites link people up from across the world. I don’t know if that’s how Chris met Natalia or not, but if it is, good for him! What fun!!
Cut the Distance
In today’s world, if you spend enough time seeing and talking to one another on-line, and the sparks fly across the miles, there will come a time when (if you can afford it) you want to cut the distance and meet face-to-face.
If you think I was shocked to learn that Chris has a girlfriend, imagine my surprise when I discovered last Thursday that the next day Chris was flying 6,000 miles to meet Natalia and her family face-to-face. AMAZING!!
I did a little research and found the city where he is… the only city in Colombia with access to the ocean. I can imagine how beautiful it is. I researched ten top things to do in and around Cali… and of course I sent my grandson an e-mail suggesting a few of them for the two of them. Silly me! Natalia lives there! Of course she will know the top spots! And she’ll be able to give Chris suggestions a whole lot better than this long-distance, inquisitive Grammy can! But, the Devil made me do it! Hah!!
He probably won’t take her salsa dancing… that’s one of the things I learned Cali is famous for. I restrained from sending him the step-by-step instructions on how to learn to salsa in five short minutes! But I did send a link to a hot night spot where salsa dancing is featured!
He probably won’t take her out to a bee yard, but this is a picture of a Colombian beekeeper – – – and after all, Chrissy’s Grampy is a retired beekeeper! Wouldn’t you think he’d want to teach her all about that part of his family heritage?
He’ll probably take her to a restaurant more than once. My guess is, that’s about as close as he’ll get to the idea of salsa. But who knows? He’s full of surprises these days!!
Chris will probably take a walk along the shore – and enjoy many beautiful sites. I’ve asked him to take some more pictures and share them. Do you think he will? I hope so!!
Where Will it Go From Here?
What happens next?? Your guess is as good as mine! I don’t know if the relationship is meant to go beyond wonderful FaceTime conversations and a memorable trip to see her face-to-face and meet her family. Only God knows. But, in the meantime, I am grateful he made the trip there safely; he sent us one picture; he shared with me what city she lives in (so my curiosity could be satiated); and he and Natalia look happy together.
God bless you, Chris and Natalia!
Ain’t love grand? Do you have an internet love story to tell?
Stay tuned. I’ll let you know what happens next when I find out!
