… hello to more trips to Bozeman and to enjoying the fall colors while we go
I can say reluctantly goodbye to green grass and bright flowers
… and say hello to orange sunrises and sunsets and pumpkins
Yes, I can say Hello to cooler days and colder evenings (but we’re not ready for the snow yet!)
Seasons come and seasons go. Company comes and company goes. But family (ah yes, family) stays in our hearts forever regardless of how many times we have to say goodbye!
To what are you ready to say goodbye? And hello to what? Tell me!!
Gone from home for three weeks Wonderful holidays and birthdays Shared with family and friends Missed my daily sanctuary quiet time
Back home and falling into routine Up around 8: and make coffee Climb the stairs to my “sanctuairee” Spend time with Jesus and His Word
Spend time with David Jeremiah Spend time with Guideposts devotionals Spend quiet time with God in prayer Ask God to be with each of you
Meditate with “All God’s Creatures” Contemplate love and life with Bob Goff Compare scriptures with Eugene Peterson “The Message” paraphrasing inspires me
What’s your favorite way to spend Quiet time? Do you carve out space for it everyday?
Where?
When?
With whom?
Regardless of when, where, and with whom, May your day always include space for Quiet Time
Pray with me, will you? For all those who are in distress: the homeless, the sick, the frightened, the lonely, those who feel helpless or hopeless. “Bee” the Light. Shine His Light wherever you go in this world. Lord, help us to reach out and to love as You love! Amen
Today’s prompt was: How do you express your gratitude?
Whenever I feel grateful Which is certainly most of the time I cheerfully, freely express it Often in cards I write in rhyme
I’m grateful for the animals That come and rest in our space But when they eat branches or flowers I shoo them off – give them chase!
I thank God for our sunsets That reflect on the mountains east The beauty of their presence Is for my eyes a heavenly feast!
I express to our sweet visitors Who came from Switzerland to here How much we enjoy their presence Creating memories so dear
Here they are on the Madison Fishing with Bob on the shore The peacefulness and the beauty, Made up for no catches, zero score
Our hostess was Fran, the musician Who entertained us with lunch and a song We thanked her with hugs and elation With such beauty, what could go wrong?
I thank God for USA’s freedom For the way we celebrate each year Parades, the rodeo, barbecues… what a crowd All came to see the bronc riders and to cheer
Our Swiss guest, Laszlo, really caught the mood Donning a cowboy hat, he weathered the rain He enjoyed all the cowboys and cowgirls Watched many get bucked off- lose the rein
Saskia smiled at the chance to be here Their first USA trip – They chose this Montana spot I’m expressing my gratitude for their visit And thanking God for perfect weather -not too hot!
Of course, you can count on huge crowds On Independence Day every year The parade is the main attraction Literally thousands come to view and to cheer
Horses are plentiful, some large, some small And the floats are the old fashioned type Throwing candy, waving flags, squirting water, They live up to all the hype!
The Bible says:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18 (NIV)
If you’ve gotten out of the habit of being thankful, it’s time to get back into spiritual shape. Every morning, as soon as the alarm goes off (or you wake up on your own… this side of the grass), make a habit of thanking God for a new day — and ask Him for guidance as you embark on new victories and challenges in the hours ahead.
We began our day at the nursing home Grateful we could help the residents out Pushed them in their wheel chairs Where they could hear the crowds shout
We thanked Madison Valley Manor For placing a row of chairs at road’s side We had first class seating to view All the cars, horses, floats… want a ride?
Back home we were treated To our own neighborhood parade & song The neighbors’ grandkids rode their bikes “Happy Birthday, Uncle Sam!” Sing along!
How do you express your gratitude When you are overwhelmed with glee? I wish you could have been here To say Thanks to the kids with me!
Thank you for the daily prompt That encourages me to write I don’t get at it every day, but often… You inspire my muse’s light!
How do you express your gratitude To those who touch your heart I hope you do it daily & often – If not, now’s a good time to start!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
(Happy Independence Day! and Happy Birthday to our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds, 28 today! Hooray!)
I’m grateful for her presence in our lives! God bless you, MGR!!
You are blessed to be a blessing. You have been given many gifts. They are meant to be shared; Pass them out – give others lifts!
Share Gifts
Whether its an ice cream That you share with your best friend Or an outing planned to surprise Your spouse, let your love extend.
Last night we shared a dinner At a restaurant – mighty fine – I had my favorite rack of lamb In a place so fine to dine.
Bob had his favorite seafood In a curry sauce with cream. We shared the blessing of the meal In this gorgeous spot… a dream!
It’s an Asian fusion restaurant In the heart of Bozeman city. The waitress, Marisa, did a great job – Shared her talent – Ain’t she pretty?
If you have the special blessing Of being able to go out for a meal With your favorite dining partner, Do it! I know just how you’ll feel…
Oh, and if that fabulous chef Tucks a surprise inside your dish, Be sure a let him/her know how much You appreciate it… and how it was delish!
My rack of lamb with broccolini Had a flower tucked inside. Oh, what fun it was to find and taste it … Some blessings like to hide!
If you’re ever in the city of Bozeman, Look up “Sweet Chili Asian Bistro.” It’s a delight – a real blessing – a treat! And, take your sweetheart when you go…
We came home to a Montana sunset That was a treat indeed for our eyes. My friend in North Carolina sent her sunset – Sadly Canadian fires created her smokey skies.
But the blessing in her mind was It could be a whole lot worse. My daughter in the Baltimore area showed The smoke there is a real curse.
Meanwhile, returning to our home A rainbow greeted us as we drew near – God’s promise wrapped in the scene – A reason always to give a cheer!!
We’re blessed with Rocky Mountain grandeur And our intent is share it with you. As the day draws to a close here, Here’s a scene for you to review:
Taken from our back patio You can see the highlighted shelf. As the sun sets to the west behind us, We thank God for nature’s wealth.
Bob mowed the lawn before the rain Came and watered the grass so green. Yes, we are blessed to be a blessing – – – Come visit us and see what I mean!
Love, JanBeek
What blessing are you blessed to share with others today?
Hello beautiful sunrise from my dear North Carolina friend!
Hello Montana Snowdrifts!
Hello, dear friend, who walked over the 3’ drift to come say, “I’m here to plow you out!” (Oh my, look how the snow came in the front door!) God bless our helpers!
Hello Daughter#2 back in Maryland. Thank you for your love, hospitality, transportation, and luscious food! We miss you already.
Hello Lacey! You’re such a lucky pup to have your “People Grama” taking care of you while your parents are on their honeymoon!
Hello Daughter#1… So glad you’re back safely in Switzerland, enjoying a luscious dinner with your hubby. 👍🏽
Hello PicNick! Hey, DeDe, How fun that your #2 son came to visit and to show you his new car! Congratulations, Nicky (my #2 grandson). We’re so glad for you!!
Hello again, Lacey! Yes, I know, you need attention!!
Hello Montana sunset! Another day gone by, and we are so grateful for clear skies, for friends, neighbors, WP contacts and their comments, and for our local chiropractor who helped relieve my body aches!
(That was my first visit in my 83 1/2 years to see a chiropractor. I wonder why I waited so long!)
Have you ever been to one?
Whew! Feeling like an Angel just touched me! I hope you’ve had a blessed day, too, my friends.
Bee 🐝 well- and free of pain!
See ya tomorrow. Hah! It’s tomorrow already… I forgot to click “Publish” on this one yesterday ;o(
Is it hard for you to ask for help? Some people find it very difficult. Some people feel like they are a burden. They want to be self-sufficient.
Bob and I have learned Self-sufficiency is harder as you age. Asking for help is imperative, Especially when you are stuck!!
That red dot out there is the back – The back light of our car. We high-centered in.a snow drift. That’s about 50 yards out.
It is freezing out there – Brrr! We walked home and left the car. Brrrr… Help! We can’t do it – Can’t dig ourselves out.
It’s not the first time We needed help this week – Not the first time this year. What would we do alone??
Thank God for friends and neighbors. Thank God for Bobcats & snow blowers And friends who come to help. We would be toast without them!
Tomorrow’s sunrise promises us A better day – a chance to get out A chance to go to church and thank God For the HELP we receive from so many
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Do not be afraid to ask Do not be too proud to admit You need help – can’t do it all yourself Let others help… and ask God for help, too!
No request is too small.
We reached out yestersay We asked our friend, Joe, for help He came and helped Bob Unbury our snow fence
Earlier this month I reached out And asked my friend, Susan P, For help with my Christmas decorations She came – we did it together – God bless her!
I couldn’t have done this without her!
May the Lord bless and keep you May your neighbors and friends Be the help you need when in distress Don’t be afraid to cry out: HELP!!
There is no joy in aloneness When you are craving assistance People want to help you They want to be asked. So do!
Do ask for HELP when you need it Ask for HELP when you want it You will be blessed and so will your helper We all need to be needed!!
This is my adorable 10-year-old friend Hailey helps to give me a sense of purpose Each week she joins me in my sanctuary We study scripture and read devotionals
I am so grateful for her and her mom They let me know they needed something In helping them, I am the one who is blessed You, too, can be the helper as well as the one who’s helped
Reach out today and make someone’s life better In the process, you will make your own richer, too. Help is a two-way street – Don’t miss it! God bless you, my dear WP friends… you help
You help by reading my blog and commenting You help by posting your stories and inspiration You never know just who needs what you write You never know who you’re he[ping today! Thanks for dropping by JanBeek today.
Your “likes” and comments lift my spirits. I’m headed to go see your blog right now, too. Thanks for your HELP!!
Embrace each sunset Trust the sun will rise again Pray for clearer skies
Taken on the way home from Bozeman last night with smoke-filled skies
Psalm 65:8 “They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”
Embrace each sunset Know the sunrise is coming Count on God’s promise
One season follows After another each year Changing day by day
Enjoy the beautiful voice of Aled Jones in this lovely song that reinforces the Sunrise follows every sunset focus… Close your eyes and imagine your most beautiful sunset.
Tomorrow’s sunrise Brings with it great promises Embrace each sunset
See ya tomorrow (God Willing) Make the most of it! What will you do?
Tonight I am praying for my friend, {{{Derrick}}} Do you follow his blog? Check it out. The photography is as captivating as the text. I can hardly wait for the sunrise when we get to see him & Jackie in person! Stay tuned… I’ll share it with you.
His mum peacefully retired over her last sunset on earth. My heart goes to to Derrick & Jackie and their family. Rest in peace, Mum. God bless you. Leave the light on!
Here is the Madison Valley and Range as seen from the Gravelly Range
We went on an adventure today into the Gravelly Range with our friend, Julie, and her dog, Zeke. Come enjoy the Montana Vistas with us!
The Gravelly Range is just south-west of Ennis. We were looking for wildflowers. This is the time of year when they usually are prolific. However, it has been a relatively dry spring and summer so far, so the flowers were not as colorful or plentiful as usual.
This field of flowers is irrigated – so they’re not the “wildflowers” we were looking for.
See that line up the mountain? That’s where we are headed.
We drove the pick-up with trailer to the base of our destination and took the ATV up from there.
Julie & Zeke rode in the back. TazE sat in my lap. Bob’s the driver.
TazE enjoyed the views. That mountain above TazE’s head is called the Sphinx.
The clouds made the sky so beautiful and interesting today, but they also threatened rain. Fortunately we had about an inch or two of rain last night, so it settled the dust. And it held off until we were headed back home this afternoon.
On the way up, we saw a lot more cattle than usual. Definitely more cattle than wildflowers!
Zeke was quite interested in the beauty of the Madison Valley vistas.
This is Caroline’s tree! We always think of her when we see it. Caroline loves tree skeletons!
As we climbed, the clouds moved out from the Madison Range and began to cover the valley.
This is a purple sticky wild geranium. Julie has an app on her iPhone that allows her to take a picture of a flower and then have the phone tell her the name of that flower. What a cool app! “Picture This” is the name I think. I need to check it out.
I can’t remember the name of this hairy wildflower. Isn’t it interesting?
We reached a place where the road was closed and we could go no further. So, we stopped and rested a while and let TazE and Zeke run around.
Julie took our photo, and while we were distracted, Zeke went out exploring.
Zeke found some wet, runny cow poop and thought it was great fun to roll in it!
Like I said, there were more cows than wild flowers, so of course, there were plenty of places for an inquisitive pup to explore!!
Julie was intrigued by some of the leaves.
I walked beyond the closed gate and took this photo of the US Forest Service sign and the field of wildflowers beyond it.
They were more brilliant than this photo shows.
Heading back down the mountain, the cows bellowed at us! They were not happy that we were disturbing their peace.
The one we enjoyed earlier was still there on our way down.
TazE continued to enjoy the views with us.
The sprinkler systems keep the fields green in spite of our near drought conditions.
The storm clouds threatened … and we got a few raindrops on our way back to the pickup.
See the squall on the other side of the valley? You can see that it is raining there.
Ah, home – with great memories of beautiful Montana Vistas!
And a beautiful sunset ended our day…
Thank you for sharing our beautiful Montana Vistas with us.
I hope you had a beautiful day, too. Embrace Montana Vistas. Come visit us!
