In these days of political dissension, remain cheerfully hopeful, like Linus. Carry your security blanket with you. Mine is a pillow that I brought from Montana to Switzerland as a reminder:
Dream a little dream with me
Carry your security blanket or pillow and your positive energy wherever you go. Dream of a better world. Dream of a place where the security of sanity and compassion are the norm.
Happy end to October, my friends. May your day be as beautiful as mine!
Hugs,
JanBeek
That’s our DeDe. It’s been a wonderful visit here with her and our extended Swiss family & friends. Peaceful. Beautiful. Loving. 🥰 Homeward on Tuesday. 😣🤨🌨️🥶‼️
Who would have guessed When we married in 1962 That our love would last so long I prayed it would, did you?
Every autumn I stop to recall The day Bob proposed to me He was far away in Germany I joined him the next FebruaryThe fall and winter season Were busy times for me and Mother She dove knee-deep into helping Prepare for a Valentine’s like no other
Have you ever seen a cake More beautiful than this one? It was a February 11th wedding Friends, family, students all had fun
And now, every day is a day To celebrate being in love and alive We’re so grateful for family and friends Who join us and help us celebrate and thrive
Sending love your way With prayers for your days To be filled with boundless blessings. Keep in touch with the God we praise! Amen?
The world lost a very special lady today. Dolly Parton was only 80. Much is being said and written about her today. She had more than 25 number one hits. Song writer, singer, philanthropist, generous friend to all … and so much more. Books for children: that’s one of her legacies. A great lady for many reasons, but she loved Boston Terriers just like we do. So of course I love her and will miss her.
See, there’s a pup like our Kenny!
Sorry Kenny never met her!
A very special lady!
God bless you, Dolly. May your songs bless your heavenly friends, too. Sing on!!
“Birthdays mark time. But they also give us a chance to focus on what really matters in our lives; to recommit ourselves to the values we believe in, to the people we care about, and to the work still left to do.” (A quote from Michelle Obama as she celebrates Barack’s 65th)
Happy Birthday Barack!
I celebrated my 87th last month, and Michelle’s quote really spoke to me. Yes, birthdays do mark time. But I agree, they give us a chance to gather together with people we really care about, and recommit ourselves to the values we believe in.
My values are mirrored by Pete Buttigieg in his “Rules of the Road”
My faith points to those values and to the greatest of these: Just love one another!May your birthdays be those reminders Michelle talks about, and may you have a long and healthy and prosperous and fruitful life!
This is the anniversary of our pup, Owen’s death. I posted “A Day from Hell” in my blog. So many dear friends wrote, called, came to offer condolences and support.
A different kind of death
Yesterday we had a different kind of death here. One of our beautiful evergreens succumbed to the 50 mph winds. It was 25 years old. Looked healthy on the outside, but when it blew over, it was revealed that there seemed to be no root structure to hold it. Hmmm … how had it survived all those years?
Even with roots, a tree can be toppled.
But that tree was young and immature.
Life can be like that. Young, immature, lacking a sufficient root system.
So today I mourn our tree, our loss of Owen, but most of all the loss of friends’ young sons.
Two of our friends lost 30 year old sons to suicide this past month. No tree or dog can compare. It’s an unimaginable sorrow. My heart goes out to those families.
Monday mourning
God bless you. May your life be deeply rooted in love and purpose.
Hugs, JanBeek (with my life’s love … thank you, Bob… I am so blessed!)
Here we are at a recent amazing Pittsburgh Pirates game.
Today’s sermon focused on the Good Shepherd. Here are my notes from interim pastor Brian Conklin’s message today.
Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s Most memorized and loved scriptures. It is powerful, impactful, comforting. The care and protection are heartwarming.
The word shepherd means to be a friend – Be a faithful companion who cares. God is our friend, our closest companion. He is faithful; his presence surrounds me.
God guides me along the right paths. Solitude and quiet are part of my DNA. I reflect, marvel, and hear God’s voice. Solitude is not a sad time for me.
Life is tough; we encounter dark valleys, But as a person of faith, I’m comforted. I feel God’s presence and everlasting peace. My cup overflows… abundance is mine.
In a world of scarcity, I am blessed. God provides a voice to be trusted. His voice encourages me to follow Him to still waters. His still, small voice leads me to light, love and hope.
He is with me.
Hallelujah!
Amen?
Love, JanBeek (with my friend Stephanie at fellowship after church today)
By the way, we discovered today that Stephanie has a look-alike in Switzerland! My daughter, DeAna, sent me this photo of her choir girlfriends who were out enjoying social time together. It’s not hard to find Stephanie’s look-alike! I think they could be long-lost twins!!
Our daughter, DeDe, is the third from the right. Looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it?
