Been Farming long?

 Have You Been Farming Long?

fenceA couple is looking to get into farming after moving from the big city and into an old country farmhouse. They had not been farming long when they visited a local feed store there they saw cute baby chicks for sale. Even though they had ZERO KNOWLEDGE about chickens, they immediately, decided to purchase a few to start their very own flock. After getting all the supplies they head home to start their new venture. 

After a week they return to the store with disappointing looks on their faces. The store clerk asks if something is wrong to which they sadly notify the clerk that all of the chicks had died. 

The clerk, astonished that ALL the birds had died so soon, decides to ask a few questions. 

He asks if they fed the birds. Indeed they had fed them every morning 

He asks if they watered the birds. Yes they replied. 

The clerk took a minute to think about it then stated that he didn’t know what the problem could have been. 

Then the wife looked into the eyes of her husband and said “I wonder if we planted them too deep.” 

To which the husband replied ” No, that’s ridiculous! If anything, we planted them too far apart.  Author unknown

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Reflecting:

When I think about a couple who left the city for the rural life, I just laugh out loud.  It makes me think of all the crazy and hilarious things I said and did on the ranch when I came to Alberta.  Growing up in California, all my knowledge of a working ranch and cowboys was learned from the “Dallas” TV show and the beautiful cowgirl “Dolly Parton.” Wow, was my world small!

I came to Alberta in go-go boots and a beehive hair-do and stuck out like a wild turkey at a chicken convention. I knew nothing about farming and ranching, while the women of this rural community could put Laura Ingalls Wilder to shame. They drove tractors and combines at harvest time, rode horses, irrigated crops and cooked meals for their working crews.  They kept well-manicured yards, exquisite flower beds and vegetable gardens and still had time to can everything.

Now my idea of canning is to go to the super market, buy cans of food, take them home, open them and presto, I have a canned dinner!

Even out on the ranch my knowledge and skills were a little askew and I didn’t recognize the dangers of dealing with large animals.  When the gates for the cattle needed to be open, I had them closed.  When the gates needed to be shut to keep then in, I had them open. When the cattle came running, I was no help at all, I RAN TOO!

I can look back on this crazy, wild, fun and extraordinary journey and realize what a wonderfully blessed life it has been.  Isn’t it funny!  Even in the hard and difficult times there have been love lessons learned. Like the country song:

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world”.

 Ronnie Milsap – I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World Lyrics | Metro Lyrics 

To think that God brought a California beach bunny to the prairies of Alberta, Canada to teach me lessons I could never have learned anywhere else. I am humbled by the care of an amazing and loving God who continuously watches over me.

Psalm 139

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

Thank you for stopping by and sharing you time with me. Have a great weekend dear friends.

Lovingly, Karan

 *** ~Karan’s Update:  Thank you for all your love and prayers, I was able to see the wonderful surgeon in Calgary, and I am now booked for surgery June 23rd. Please continue to praying for God’s perfect will in this, and my patience.  If I can pray for you please send me an email, it is being able to remember each other that we can touch  the the heart of God through prayer. Much love and Hugs. ~ Karan

 

 

    

Caller ID ~ Do You Know Who’s Calling?

Caller ID

On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn’t
answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a pink phonefew things and try again in a few minutes.

When he tried again she answered right away. He
asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he’d used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night.

The pastor couldn’t figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said“It rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.” The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he’d intended to call his wife.

The man said, “That’s OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, ‘God if you’re there, and you don’t want me to do this, give me a sign now.’

At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘Almighty God’. I was afraid to answer!” The reason why it showed on the man’s caller ID that the call came from “Almighty God” is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!  Author unknown

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Dear Friends

I wanted to share with you dear friends what has been happening in my life for the last few months.  In February I was diagnosed with Cancer after a mass was found in my kidney. I have seen doctors, one specialist and had many tests as usually happens in these circumstances.   I would ask you to remember me at this time of waiting and decisions for the right result. I am now in waiting mode, to be honest I do not do waiting well.

They decided I need to have a partial kidney surgery, but I am waiting now to see another specialist in Calgary, Alberta.  He specializes in a surgery which is less invasive, with great results. It is a called a Robotic daVinci Partial Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer.  I am praying that he will consider me as a good candidate for this surgery. Medicare in Canada is a little different, so again I have found myself waiting.

Isn’t it amazing how God works in our lives! This morning while I was having a quiet time and reflecting on these last few month, I found great comfort in:

Philippians 4: 6 & 7 (The Message)

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

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Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me. I will keep you posted on my process, and if you need me to pray for you too, I would count it a privilege, just drop me a note. Hugs

Have a great week!  Joyfully Sharing,

Lovingly, Karan

 

Do You Know the Answer?

Where Did You Learn That?

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I was standing before he window of and art store where a picture of the Crucifixion of our Lord was on exhibition.  As I gazed, I was aware of the approach of another, and turning, beheld a little lad gazing also intently at the picture.  Noticing that this mite of humanity was a street boy, I thought I would speak to him; so I asked, pointing at the picture, “Do you know who He is?”

“Yes,” came a quick response; “That’s our Savior,” with a mingled look of pity and surprise that I should not know what the picture represented.

With an obvious desire to enlighten me further, he continued, after a pause; “Them’s Roman soldiers, the Roman soldiers, and,” with a long drawn sigh, “that woman crying there is His mother.”

He waited, obviously for me to question him further, then thrust his hand in his pockets, and with a reverent and subdued voice and tear-stained face added, “They killed Him, Mister.  Yes, sir, they killed Him.”

I looked at the little dirty, rugged fellow and asked, “where did you learn this?’

At the Mission Sunday school,” was the reply.

Full of thoughts regarding the benefits of the Mission Sunday schools, I turned and resumed my walk, leaving the little lad still looking at the picture, I had not walked a block when I heard his childish voice calling, “Mister! Say, Mister! ” I turned.  He was running toward me but paused;   then up went his little hand, and with a triumphant sound in his voice and now radiant face, he said, “ I want to tell you: HE ROSE AGAIN, HE IS ALIVE!”        R.A. Torrey

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Easter is a time of new life. That which was dead now lives.  Darkness is gone. A warm sun shines.  Life has a new meaning. 

Today we are privileged to celebrate the Easter because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. The cross of Christ reveals man’s sin at its worst and God’s love at its best! 

Happy Easter Dear Friends, Wishing you much love and blessings.

 Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me.

Hugs!

Lovingly, Karan

Why Parents Drink?

Why parents drink

shavingThe boss wondered why one of his most dependable and valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee’s home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whisper.  ” Hello ? “

“Is your daddy home?” he asked. ” Yes ,” whispered the small voice. May I talk with him?”   The child whispered, ” No .”

Surprised and still wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” ” Yes .””May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, ” No .”

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, “Is anybody else there?” ” Yes ,” whispered the child, ” a policeman “.

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?”

” No, he’s busy “, whispered the child.   “Busy doing what?” ” Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman ,” came the whispered answer.

Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”    A helicopter ” answered the whispering voice.

“What is going on there?” demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.  Again, whispering, the child answered, ” The search team just landed a helicopter .”

Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, “What are they searching for?  Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle..”ME.”

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As the snow ebbs on the plains here in Alberta, and spring is starting to show its colors. I see the trees starting to bud, grass with a tinge of green, and I know the earth is coming alive once again.

The wonder of the seasons, has always thrilled and amazed me. As I eagerly anticipate the flocks of swans, Canadian geese and other familiar birds flying home rosefrom their distant winter homes in the south. I love this time of year.  It give me hope, thankfulness and courage the world is right and God’s big picture sees a much wider view then my own small vision.

Sometimes when there has been discouragement, illness or difficult times the struggles our lives need a new perspective.  And spring does that for me.

When I have time to sit quietly and listen, I can hear God whisper his plans for me. But I feel I need to remind God, I’ve made my own plans for the day. Some days I have so many plans and goals I don’t want to have my day interrupted.  Have you ever felt like that?

Do I choose my plans which are important to my life and service? Or choose God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him. Serving Him is to enjoy the great adventures He has planned for me, and knowing I have obeyed Him gives me great happiness.

Father, I choose your strength, love and promise,

I will not fear as long as you walk with me lighting my way.

I choose to trust you.

Lovingly, Karan 

Have a great week, hugs to each of you!

Legacy Remembered

Legacy Remembered

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I have always loved Genealogy and learning about my ancestors.  Following their paths from Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia and beyond and documenting their quests of a better life for their families and freedom to choose. It has always fascinated me; their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering and hardship in order to reach their goal.

Great-grandfather Christopher emigrated from Norway to the United States in 1900.   Arriving at Ellis Island, New York, with experience in ship building he soon found work helping to build the Brooklyn Bridge.  However, when great-grandfather heard about free land in the state of Wisconsin, he moved his family west. In a few years, he had saved enough to buy a small farm for his family. 

Farming was hard during those years; every acre needed to be cleared of dense forest before he could plant his precious seed. The tree removal was backbreaking, slow and often dangerous. So naturally, when great-grandfather heard about free land on the prairies in Alberta, Canada, he was interested. No more tree removal!

In 1908, he moved his three young sons and wife to Alberta, Canada by train to start a new life.  The land was beautiful and rugged but cruel in the winter.  Months after arriving in Canada he buried his young wife, who died from Diphtheria. He endured the loss of two more wonderful helpmates, prairie fires, theft and many hardships, yet the one thing that all his children remember most about their father is his great faith and love for God, no matter what happened in his life.

One freezing night the barn burned down, and all the animals and winter supplies were left lying in ashes. As great-grandfather watched the flames die down, his children heard him say, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1: 21b).  The stories of great-grandfather’s faithfulness and love for God have been remembered for four generations now.  And today, because of his faithfulness, our families are reminded daily of God’s faithfulness too. What a legacy to remember!

“Remembering God’s Faithfulness in the past will give us confidence for the future”

Father, help me to walk faithfully in your ways so that my life will point my family and others to you.

I want to leave a remembered legacy too, that will point my family to God’s Amazing grace, love and forgiveness. 

That is my prayer.

 Lovingly,  Karan

 Have a great week, Love to all. Hugs!