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Posts tagged ‘thankfulness’

5 Reasons to be Thankful

I could write a million reasons
to be thankful, couldn’t you?

But if you had a Thankfulness Journal
and each day you were only allowed space for five,
what would they be today?

  1. I am thankful for these five guys: Ed Platt, Bob Welna, Joe Stokes, Bob Beekman, and John Hauck.
    They put our stove back in the kitchen and hooked it up and moved our furniture back into the living and dining rooms. God bless ’em!!

2. I am thankful for our Ennis Arts Association and the program Cindy Owings presented to an appreciative audience at the Madison Valley Library today. Cindy’s book, The Purple Blanket, is available on Amazon. What fun it was to receive an autographed copy today!

3. I am so grateful for each new day… but especially the beautiful Madison Range that decorates our eastern landscape and the amazing sunrises that give us such wonderful views as we start the day.

4. I am so grateful for this fun-loving, faithful, generous, huggy character that I get to share my life with. Bob is the love of my life… and I am blessed to have had his companionship for these 60 years. We’ll celebrate our anniversary this Friday, thankful for each day God gives us together.

5. Listed last, but actually first in my life: I am thankful for God’s Word, my ability to read and comprehend it, the joy of sharing it with others, and the promises it holds for every day of life and beyond. Tonight eight of my friends who live in our local nursing home, The Manor, joined me for an hour of Bible Study. I love being with them and sharing selected scripture. So thankful that we can have that precious time together!

Do you have a Gratitude Journal?
Do you take time each day
to thank God for all your blessings?

If you do, you have discovered (as I have)
that naming those reasons to be thankful
has a way of magnifying the positive
and shrinking your troubles.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Hugs… Bee well!!

I’m thankful for this
Attitude of Gratitude.
Aren’t you?
What five things would you list today?

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!!

Embrace Teachers

This week school started
Children back in their classrooms
Masks are required

Teachers wear their masks
Most children are feeling safe
God bless our teachers

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Some must test daily
States requirements differ
God bless our teachers

Some still distance learn
Listening to a screen is hard
Harder than up close

Virtual lessons
Leave many students outside
Levels of comfort

Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com

Not all the children
Have the proper equipment
Nor their private space

Some live in chaos
Choose invisibility
Fearful of teasing

The choice should be theirs
But how do teachers teach blanks
God bless our teachers

Photo by Yan Krukov on Pexels.com

Embrace our teachers
They yearn to be close and touch
Give encouragement

Send a thank you card
To a teacher in your town
Appreciate them

Times are difficult
When masks and distance require
Such separation

Some things must be taught
Up close, very personal
COVID-19 SUCKS!

Photo by Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

Please

Send a thank you now
To a teacher in your life
Embrace your teachers!

Feeling better

Thank you for your prayers
for my bruised face.
It’s getting better everyday.

Pray for our teachers!
They have a tough assignment
in the midst of this pandemic.
They need our love and support.

And parents, please, set a loving example
for the sake of your children…
No more fighting!!

It’s so harmful to kids
when they see their parents fighting

In the news this week
We saw some parents slugging
Over mask ideas

The damage to kids
When adults behave like this
Is so long lasting!

10 Effects of Parents Fighting in Front of Children

parenting.firstcry.com › articles › impacts-of



YOU are your children’s first teacher!
You are your child’s life-long teacher,
Your behavior sets your most lasting legacy.
Parents, be your children’s BEST teacher!!


Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Embrace Focus

While you are thanking God
for making you human,
giving you courage to try hard things,
helping you learn and grow and
understand the lessons life has for you,
don’t forget to count your blessings!

Goodness
Surrounds you.
You’ll find it
If you look thoughtfully –
Blessings!

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

If that is your focus,
You won’t have time to
See the other side of the coin!
You’ll be too busy giving back!!

We are blessed
To be a blessing.
Count your blessings
See what God has done!

Focus on what you have
Not what you wish you had!
Use your gifts for others
And watch them come back multiplied!

Let’s grow flowers!

Plant the seeds in your garden carefully.
Make sure they are in rich, fertilized soil.
Keep your soul seeped in the encouraging
Words of scripture… and you’ll grow fruits of the spirit!

I am thankful for you,
Grateful for your presence in my life.
You’re the flowers in my life’s garden.
I feel blessed to have you visit JanBeek
Leaving encouraging comments.
Thank you!!

See you later.
Have a blessed day!

I’m off to church…
I’ll share my sermon notes later today.
Come on back!

Love, JanBeek

P.S. Did I tell you yesterday was my dad’s birthday? He would have been 110!!
One of my many blessings is having him for my earthly father.
Check out my blog from way back when –
when I posted a poem I wrote about my dad:

https://janbeek.blog/2018/06/16/memories-of-daddy/

Happy Birthday, Daddy!
I miss your hugs!

What tops your list of blessings?
What are you focusing on today?

Keeping Awake

Here is
Rev. Steve Hundley’s sermon
as recorded through the
poetic listening ears
of Jan Beekman
at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Ennis, Montana
Based on this scripture:
Mark 13:24-37

Steve Hundley and Jim Forsberg provided the music today, too.

Keeping Awake

Advent season begins today.
It was 2020 years ago
When the star shone bright
And shed its light on the baby below.

We must always be ready
For His return; don’t know when
He will come to take us
Home with Him. ‘Til then…

We can’t expect to be alert
Every second of every day.
God does expect us to rest.
“Keep awake 24-7” He did not say!

But in several scripture passages,
It does warn us, “Keep Awake!”
Be ready for the Master’s return.
We pray, “Thy Kingdom come,” for Heaven’s sake.

We can’t stay on tiptoe forever
Without the muscles starting to ache.
We can’t keep our eyes always open;
Expecting to do so is a mistake.

God’s not telling us to forego
The rest He knows we need.
He’s just telling us to always care
About His return – Show it with each deed.
<3 <3 <3
“Bee” ready for His coming!

Don’t say goodbye to Thanksgiving too soon!
Keep that Attitude of Gratitude in your heart every day!
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

See ya tomorrow.

Look at the World

Look at the world,
Everything all around us.
Look for the miracles
Each day; they surround us.

Look at the world,
Look at the blessings we all share.
Look for the love and the positives.
Look for them, friends; they are there.


I hope you will click on the song above, enjoy, and put its message in your heart. Look at the world… and see the good!

Tell me something you are thankful for today…
Let’s focus on our gifts and blessings.

God Bless you…
JanBeek

A Crappy Day

It’s a crappy day
A gray and cloudy Tuesday
There’s no place to go

California’s far
For a one day drive in car
And flying is out

Switzerland’s too far
To drive, fly, or even swim
It’s a crappy time

I want to hug them
I want to see my grandkids
One has a birthday

This week is her day
To celebrate twenty-six
No, I can’t be there

Are you feeling it?
Is your separation tough?
Is your day crappy?

We just want to love –
Love one another right here
Is there a good way?

Thank God for the Net
Thank God for phones and e-cards
Thank God for your life

Gratitude’s the key
For changing crappy to good
Do you feel thankful?

Thank God you’re alive
Thank Him for your daily bread
Reach out to your friends

Write a card today
Put it in the mailbox
Brighten someone’s mood

Personalize it
With a special note from you
Let shared love cheer you

And if you live close,
You might deliver a piece
Of your berry pie

Or the cinnamon
Sticks you learned to make from Mom
Who never wasted

The left-over dough
Does that memory bring smiles?
It does that for me!

Day’s not so crappy
When you reach out with a smile;
So, try it yourself!

Don’t think of crappy
Think of happiness instead
You are what you think!

Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and sharing below a little bit
about what you did
to change
crappy to happy
for you and your loved ones today.

Just Love One Another!

Give to a Worthy Cause

Today is a Good Day to Reach Out.

Reach out in love!

Show Your Love

There are plenty of people out there who want to show their love to others. They want to give to make a difference. You are probably one of them.

Besides giving to those we love around us, there are “causes” we care about. We want to give love to those, too. Especially while staying at home during this COVID-19 pandemic, I have felt the need to reach out more than ever.

But, how do you know the cause is “legitimate,” and if you donate to a cause, then the money is going to its intended purpose – and not to line some executive’s pockets – or make an advertising company wealthy?

Photo by Pragyan Bezbaruah on Pexels.com

Intermountain is a nationally recognized nonprofit providing Hope & Healing for children, youth, and families.

On their website, this is INTERMOUNTAIN’s mission statement,

“When families need help
with the complex emotional challenges
children and teens sometimes face,
Intermountain offers innovative treatment
developed from years of experience.
Our caring professionals
rely on our relationship-based approach
and client-centered treatment solutions
to meet the individual needs
of each child and family
and help them heal.
Our goal is to help
every child and family we serve
thrive and grow.”

Commitment

Because I believe Intermountain is committed to meeting its goal – and I have visited its campus in Helena, Montana, and seen first-hand the enormous good they do, I am signed up for an automatic deduct from my retirement stipend each month to send a donation to Intermountain. It’s a small contribution, not enough for me to even miss it, but it is consistent. It adds up to real help when it happens month-after-month, year-after-year. I am committed to doing my small part.

If everyone who heard about Intermountain donated a small amount every month, just think of how much more they could do to help needy children and their families!

Assurance

I have the assurance that my donation has arrived and is being put to good use because every single month I receive a thank you letter from Beth, the Sr. Development Officer there who is in charge of Special Events (and obviously also in charge of written acknowledgements). Here is a copy of the letter we received in January from Intermountain:

You can go to their website at
https://www.intermountain.org/home/
to learn more about them.
Photo by Kristin De Soto on Pexels.com

Where’s Your Heart’s Passion?

As an educator for 36 years, I have a passion for children – their health and well-being, their safety and their enlightenment.

I know there are children out there who are facing complex emotional challenges. I am not equipped to help each of them (but I wish I could). Their problems are beyond my resources of time, money, and skills.

Some face separation anxiety with parents who were abusive, or parents who are in prison, or parents who are deceased, or… well, you name it!

Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

I can’t help them all, but I can do a little to support this place in Montana that DOES have the facility, the love, the skills and materials to make a difference.

Reach Out

God has blessed you to BE A BLESSING. If giving to Intermountain is not in your future, then look for a place in or near your community – a place that is legitimate – a place that pools its resources, love, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others in need. There are so many … so many less fortunate than we are … Reach Out to bless others in whatever way you are able!

It’s never too late to
capture the 2020 vision…

Make it a year of 20/20 clarity of purpose!
Think about your passions,
think about your blessings,
and with gratitude,
consider your giving.

Tell me some way you are giving in love to share your blessings with others in need. I’d love to have you write your ideas in the comments section – and inspire others to give in love, too.

See ya later.

Inspirational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes About Hope and Healing

CaringBridge is a website designed to help people going through medical challenges (COVID-19, cancer, heart failure, etc.) remain connected with an invited group of family and friends. When my cousin, Cliff, was in the midst of his esophageal cancer and related surgeries, CaringBridge was my connection to him. My friend, Gloria, is another CaringBridge friend who allowed me to be on her contact list. Check it out… http://www.caringbridge.org )

CaringBridge Staff Mar 22, 2018 inspirational quotes about hope

The CaringBridge community was asked to send in favorite inspirational quotes about hope and healing so that they could share them with everyone.

Here are 18 of them:

Unknown
Submitted by Vicki Bunke “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”

Christopher Reeve
Submitted by Kaye Warren “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1
Submitted by a CaringBridge user

image of candle quotes about hope

“Some people cannot be cured, but everyone can heal.”

Unknown
Submitted by Kelly Grosklags “Barn’s burnt down — Now I can see the moon.”

Poem by Mizuta Masahide
Submitted by Shelly Leduke “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Vivian Greene
Submitted by Teri Schild Wehrman “God does not give us more than we can handle.”

Unknown
Submitted by Betty Martin

time is precious quote

“Love many; trust few. Learn to paddle your own canoe.“

American Proverb
Submitted by Mary Valuri “All our infirmities, whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display his gracious work in us.”

C. H. Spurgeon
Submitted by Jon & Pam Fulton “The sun never quits shining. Sometimes, clouds just get in the way.”

Unknown
Submitted by Gailann Thomas-Black “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Abraham Lincoln
Submitted by Susan Mosgrove-Wilber “When you go through deep waters I will be with you.”

Isaiah 43:2
Submitted by Sharon Hammond-Saad “If there’s life, there is hope.”

Stephen Hawking
Submitted by CaringBridge user

sunrise over mountains

“I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.”

Ralph Abernathy
Submitted by Patch Reynolds “A smile doesn’t cost a cent, but draws a lot of interest.”

Unknown
Submitted by Cecil Irwin “We grieve because we love. The intensity of the grief often proclaims the depth of our love.”

Gary Roe
Submitted by Ernestina Santana “The forces that are for you are greater than the forces against you.”

Joel Osteen
Submitted by Peg Sorensen “And sometimes, against all odds, against all logic, we still hope.”

Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
Submitted by Sigrid Devita “Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view.”

Photo by Martin on Pexels.com
Photo by Suliman Sallehi on Pexels.com

Persevere!

The climb may be hard,
But the view’s worth the struggle.
So, just persevere!

In today’s Daily Word,
the scripture reference was Proverbs 16:9
“The human mind plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.”


The writer in reflecting on that text
reminded us that we need to be open and receptive.
“I know wherever I am, God is.
Love is.
Peace is.
I need only turn within
to listen,
to be present,
to be still…
Living from the Christ within
is the way to find
lasting peace,
[and] happiness…”

If our friends at http://www.CaringBridge.org find peace in the inspiring quotes above, surely we also can know how blessed, humbled, and grateful we are to live in love as we do. Thank God daily for your many blessings!

What is a favorite quote of yours
that helps sustain you during times of struggle?

I’d love to see yours.
Please respond below…
Let me know you’re out there!

See ya later.

A Dozen Thanks; 2 NOT

Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you for the joy they bring.

Thank you for the kittens and cats;

I’m even grateful for bees and bats!

Photo by Alexas Fotos on Pexels.com

Thank you for Italian moms

But, no, I can’t be grateful for pandemics or bombs!

Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

Thank you for doctors, nurses, and CNA’s
Who still can smile through stressful days.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
Roxanne Bender

Thank you for the rivers, the stream,
And all the reasons You give us to sing.

Wm. Adams Photography

Thank You for answering our every prayer
Even when it’s “Wait” – we know You are there!

Thank You is the least we can say
For giving us another beautiful day.

Wm. Adams Photography

Be with us now and keep us strong.
May we sing Your praises our whole lives long.

Did you count a dozen reasons for thanks?
And of course, you saw the two NOTs!
Do you have others to add?

Have a Terrific Tuesday!
What song will you sing today?
Send me a link!

Here’s a link to on oldie that I love…
Tells you some little things I am thankful for
.
The words are wonderful!
Are you old enough to remember it?

Bee THANKFUL for little things, my friends.
See ya later.
Bee well!!

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