Embrace Hope
My Favorite Student
Teachers aren’t supposed to have favorites.
Right?

See that young man on the left up there?
His name is Ty.
He is my favorite!
(Well, in honesty… don’t be dismayed
if you’re one of my students….
I have lots of favorites, OK?
But Ty… well, read on!)
Ty was my kindergarten student in 1962-3.
Every day when he stepped off the school bus,
the girls all stopped what they were doing.
“Hi Ty!” they would swoon.
Yes, even kindergarten girls
recognize a sweetheart when they see one!

And every day when it was time to go home,
the girls all waved to Ty,
“Bye, Ty!”
they would swoon.

I was a newlywed.
It was my second year of teaching.
I decided if I had a boy someday,
I would name him Ty.
And I did!
Ah yes, my Ty is a sweetheart, just like his namesake!
So why the HOPE title?
Yesterday I heard the devastating news
that my favorite student, Ty,
has been diagnosed
with Stage 4 cancer.
It has metastasized.
He needs our prayers.
My heart is heavy,
but I am a believer…
and HOPE
is what believers do,
right?
Day before yesterday I posted this scripture:
Jeremiah 20:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you
and not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope
and a future.”
I know God has Ty tucked into the palm of His hand,
just as He holds our world in His hand.
I know God is watching over Ty and his treatment process.
But, won’t you add your prayers to mine?
“Dear Lord, please give healing to Ty.”
I wrote about Ty when he came to visit us
here in Montana a couple of years ago.
Here is the blog link:
https://janbeek.blog/2019/05/25/gift-from-the-heart/
A Gift from the Heart
After Ty & Roxanne left, they sent us a thank you gift for our hospitality. He created this cross for us. It hangs on my dining room wall as a constant reminder of my special student, Ty Stiles.

Ty said they represent the Trinity.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Please Heal Ty!!
Embrace Hope
“May the God of Hope
fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him.”
Romans 15:13
The reign of Christ,
both present and in the future,
is our foundation of Hope.
Take Peace
“And in despair I bowed my head
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will toward men.
Then peeled the bells more loud and deep –
God is not dead, nor doeth He sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail –
With peace on earth, good will toward men.”
Embrace Peace.
Embrace Love.
Embrace Joy.
Embrace Prayer.
Embrace Hope.
Thanks for visiting
and praying with
JanBeek