Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

 

Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

crumpled-20-dollar-noteA well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. “Who would like this $20 bill?”

Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you – but first, let me do this.”

He continued to crumble the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. “Who still wants it?” Still the hands went up.

“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped the $20 on the ground and started grinding it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?”

Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, we have learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by …who we are! Author Unknown

You are special – don’t ever forget it.”

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Reflections

It was wonderful to be away in beautiful California and spend time with family and friends. I was able to sightsee a bit, shop and enjoy the San Diego Bsan 2ay.

Seeing familiar places and remembering the moments and places where my mother taught me to dream and laugh. She always saw beauty in everything.

I loved the times we spent at San Diego Bay, having shrimp sandwiches or fish tacos with a blanket on the grass at Shelter Island. We would watch the naval ships come home with grand display after being deployed from home for months at a time.

I loved the smell of the ocean and watching the small fishing, and sail boats glide peacefully by, as we visited and just enjoyed each other’s company. We often shared our thoughts, dreams and hopes, and occasionally funny stories, along with our secret hurts. But most of all we would speak of our blessings.

How I miss her laughter, her warm smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable3fe0ab12-a49a-42f4-ac32-cfeacc95092c odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

How true it is, even on those days when we feel worthless, crumpled, and broken by life’s circumstance God cares.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God

and are called according to his purpose for them.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?

If God is for us, who can ever be against us.

Romans 8:28 & 31

You are special – don’t ever forget it.

 

 

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, The newsletter will be back in your mailboxes every Saturday morning again.

If you know anyone who might enjoy it please pass it on.

I loved being away, but my pillow feels wonderful. lol.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.
Lovingly, Karan

Sorry For the Delay – Special Wishes

Sorry For the Delay – Special Wishes

I am e2ba06bb-cf2d-48c3-9a5a-8c35ee3d3a5fsorry this is late, but I wanted to send it regardless, as I love being able to wish you all Happy Easter. After I had arrived in California and ready to send out my newsletter, I realized my hosting server for my website was down.
 
Thankfully my wonderful son-in-law who is like the tech Obi-wan of the universe was able to straighten things out. He ended up moving my site to a new hosting server. I am so thankful for him, being “blonde” I tend to be computer deficit. Lol
 
We are now in San Diego, California, this week for my nephew’s wedding on Sunday afternoon and will be home the following week. I will be praying all will be back to normal soon, but what is normal anyway?
 
 Normal is not vacations. You know, when you go on vacations there is always too much shopping, eating and running around. Isn’t it funny how we excitedly leave for holidays hoping to get a good rest and come home so tired we need another holiday to recuperate? Do you ever feel like that? 
 
I am so glad God offer rest and strength no matter where we are at in life. Even our circumstances don’t scare Him, He always has our back.
Mathew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Hugs to All

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  I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard. 
I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word. 

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame; I knew you wouldn’t mind. 
I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. 

I asked that He’d be near you at the start of each new day. 
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way. 

I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small. 
But it was for His loving care I prayed most of all.

Author unknown

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“The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”  Robert Flatt

See you Next week at the usual time, Thank you for sharing your time with me. Do you have to recuperate from vacations too?
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Lovingly, Karan 

 

Please Don’t Make Me Adult Today!

 

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Have you had a bad nights’ sleep, woke up in the morning looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not sure I’ll make it today”. Is your hair standing on end? Are there bags under your eyes…? Thank goodness for bag cream, not to mention the dreaded puffed eyelids? Some mornings, looking in the mirror can almost stop your heart. This happens to me quite often.

Have you fallen off your diet in a major way? Enjoyed an incredible weekend full of carbohydrates, sugar and fat overload, and now feeling guilty, bloated and 10 pounds heavier than when you started. You know, the weekend where you ate everything you could get your hands on just because you couldn’t stand another carrot stick? I have and gave myself a good scolding too. I usually feel so guilty and miserable I promise myself never to do it again. Well, maybe that’s a little hasty, I hear a little Chocolate is good for you!

Perhaps you’ve had a dispute with your husband, friends or even the kids, and you are on your last nerve. Possibly you’re saying, “I need to run away for a while or take a cruise “, or if you’re like me, you just stay in bed and cover your head. I’ve even considered a week at a rest home, wouldn’t that be heavenly. There I could sit on the porch in a rocking chair and sing “Blessed Quietness “and mean it.

Some day’s life does not go the way I expect. I can write lists, make my plans and try to get some sense of order, yet life does not stop because I have had a bad day. Have you ever felt like that?

I am thankful that as each new day comes, I can choose to find something to be thankful for. I am learning how to find joy in the moments. This is a lifelong journey, and a fast learner I am not. Not because life is perfect, but because I have a friend who loves me through the circumstances of life. He is my shelter who blocks the sting and protects me in his perfect will. Nothing touches me that does not go through the cross first.

Although I will always have my share of bad hair days, bags under my eyes, blow my diet and lose my temper. I am safe and secure in the knowledge that God’s love and forgiveness is constant, unconditional and forever. He is my Friend, He is enough.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Lovingly, Karan

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

What gives you hope when you have a bad day? I would love to hear What You do.

Have a great week! HUGS

I Need A Day Off !

I Need A Day Off !

sticky notesI urgently needed a few days off work, but, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take a leave. I thought that maybe if I acted ‘Crazy’ then he would tell me to take a few days off.

So I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises. My co-worker (who’s blonde) asked me what I was doing.

I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb so that the Boss would think I was ‘Crazy’ and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ Are you insane? I told him I was a light bulb. He said, ‘You are clearly stressed out.’ Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.’

I jumped down and walked out of the office… When my co-worker (a blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her, ‘…And where do you think you’re going?!’

She said, ‘I’m going home, too. I can’t work in the dark

 

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Don’t you love days like this!

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Reflections:

Over the years, I have struggled with the winter blues (SAD) and often get discouraged with the lack of sunlight and stormy days. So I usually sit under a SAD lamp (sun lamp) to keep myself positive.  I knew things were not going so well when my granddaughter would come for lunch every day, and ask if I had sat under my lamp and taken my vitamin D’s.  Lol

cryingThis last week the weather here in southern Alberta has been warm and crisp. The snow is gone, and although the mornings and evening are cold, the sun shines eventually to give us hope that spring is just around the corner.  My favorite time of the year is Spring.  I love to see nature wake up and come to life bringing hope and restoration to the land and my soul.

At those times of loneliness and discouragement, it is hard to believe that others love and care about us. But when I start to feel those doubts, I am so glad I can reach for my Bible to give me comfort and hope. God’s promises encourage me and help me to see his way instead of mine. Have you felt the like that too?

If I have failed him or others, I know he forgives me and helps me to do better. God never remembers the past.  When we ask for forgiveness, he starts each new day for us just like a new Spring day.  God’s loyalty and love will find us anywhere when we reach out to him

“The Lord’s love never ends, his mercies never stop.  They are new every morning,   Lord your loyalty is great.’ 

                     Lamentations 3: 22-23

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Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today. 

Do you ever have Blue days and what makes you feel better when you do? 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

Lovingly, Karan

Happy Valentines Day Mom!

Happy Valentines Day Mom!

missingSix-year-old Jimmy was so excited to go shopping with his dad for a Valentine gift for his mother. After picking the right card telling her how much they loved her, they headed for the candy store. Jimmy and his dad found a beautiful heart-shaped box with bows, ribbon and lace on top, and one pound of his mother’s favorite chocolates.

As they headed home, they discussed where to hide the gift until tomorrow morning. Jimmy ask if he could keep it in his room under the bed, and dad agreed. Jimmy could hardly wait for the next day to surprise her. After all, she loved chocolates.

The next morning after breakfast Jimmy and his dad presented her with their lovely Valentine gift. Excitedly she opened the box and realized one piece of candy was missing from the center.

Noticing an elegant gold label written in calligraphy which said, “Packed especially for you by Selina.” Still confused about the missing chocolate, Jimmy mother turned the paper over her saw a hand-printed message saying, “ tested by Jimmy!”

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I love shoe sale’s, How about you?

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Reflections:


forrest-gump-suitcase-bench-tom-hanksMama always said:
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Forest Gump

I always love Valentine’s Day, especially the chocolate, I think Chocolate makes everything better, don’t you? Have you ever noticed when you are feeling a little off, depressed, or just plain grumpy, chocolate helps immediately. Even if I’m feeling fat, Chocolate helps. Lol, What is that?

I remembered many years ago; I tried to wean myself of a secret chocolate habit. Attempting to be firm I would self-talk listing all the pro’s and cons of learning to control my sweet tooth. However once in a while, I would secretly make a whole recipe of fudge just for me, eating the entire batch out of the pot. It would never get to the pan and have time to set.

My husband would drive me crazy; he could have one piece of chocolate at a time and save the rest for weeks. While I would eat mine at one setting, and then want him to share with me.

Now after all these years he often brings us home some chocolate bars in a bag of groceries, and we both sit down and enjoy them. No guilt, no worries, just pure enjoyment of a special moment together.

When I look back I think that quote is right, Life is like a box of chocolates, and we never know what you’re going to get.

We hit times of crises, and circumstances we don’t understand, that seems to be the world we live in these days. But through these time, we can stand firm knowing that we have a God, who loves, cares and protects us from the storms we face. I read this quote the other day that puts everything in perspective for me it says:

“We can endure life’s wrongs because we know that God will make all things right.”

What a relief, He is in Control!

We Win!

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day Sunday. Hugs to all