May 15 2015

Does It Really Matter?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Mother’s Dictionary of Meanings

Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn’t appreciate the strained carrots.
Full Name: What you call your child when you’re mad at him.
Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they’re sure you’re not raising them right.
Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.
Independent: How we want our children to be for as long as they do everything we say.
Puddle: A small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.
Show Off: A child who is more talented than yours.
Sterilize: What you do to your first baby’s pacifier by boiling it, and to your last baby’s pacifier by blowing on it and wiping it with saliva.
Top Bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.
Two-Minute Warning: When the baby’s face turns red and she begins to make those familiar-grunting noises.
Whodunit: None of the kids that live in your house.

What really Matter?

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the gun, they all started out not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.

The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back — every one of them. One young woman with Down’s syndrome bent down, kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and walked together across the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story today.

Why? Because deep down we know one thing: life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. Author unknown

I love this story, but I have never been able to find out who the original writer was. Someone sent it to me in 1999 and I have seen it reprinted many times, but still no author’s name was found. I wish I could give a personal credit because this story touches my heart every time I read it.

It reminds me of the different times and seasons in life when friends and family have cried, prayed and loved me through many circumstances. Where would I be without those faithful ones who walked beside me, no matter how long or far the journey took. The compassion of these sweet souls makes traveling together a joy.

I want to be a person like that, who can see people thought God’ eyes, and not my own flawed vision. To be faithful to walk, pray, and wrap my arms around them when they need a caring friend. God is my dearest friend, a constant companion who is always with me. He sees my “Footprints in the Sand.”

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, I pray that you have found some Love, Laughter and Hope for your day. I would love to heard from you and have your opinion.

Lovingly, Karan

May 08 2015

Are You Just Like Your Mother!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

I Wish…

In this life I’m a woman. In my next life, I’d like to be a bear. When you’re a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing be sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you’re a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of a walnuts) while you’re sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you’re mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you’re a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. Yup, gonna be bear! Author unknown

Happy Mother’s Day, Have some Chocolate!

Are You just like your mother”

People would say, “You’re just like your mother” and I would cringe. At the ripe old age of 15, 20 and 28, those were not the words I wanted to hear. I wanted to be a super mom, you know, the woman that did and had it all. I was going to be organized, clever and insightful at life. No traumatic crisis for me.

My mother came from a harsh background; I think she spent her life trying to work through the difficulties she encountered as a child. She strived to be understanding and kind towards others. Unlike her parents, she achieved her goal. There were painful personal and emotional struggles in her life, as well as great highs. Mother was always optimistic no matter what life handed her. Her motto was: “Tomorrow’s a brand new day.”

She worked hard to put a roof over our heads and food on the table, never giving up or expecting handouts. Although others thought we were poor, I can’t say that we ever thought we were. We always had enough, when we outgrew our shoes and clothing; she made sure we had something new to replace the old. I often wondered how she worked her magic with the budget, but as I look back I realize she went without so that my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras.

Mother loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the ultimate bargain.

She loved her flowerbeds and gardening much better than house cleaning and often said she fecloser to God outside. She loved to spend time talking to Him in the quietness of the morning as the sun rose on a new day.

We knew mother loved us, and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would sustain her throughout life. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we were able to see how God faithfully protected and care for our needs. My mother, has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold.

Now when I hear “You’re just like your Mother,” I say thank you. I pray that my children will know how much they are loved, and that they would see the light of God’s love in my life too.©

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear friend, what is a special memory of your mother?

Happy Mother’s Day!

Lovingly, Karan

Apr 24 2015

Been Farming long?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Have You Been Farming Long?

A 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

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

¹O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
²You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
³You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
⁴You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
⁵You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

¹⁶You 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.

¹⁷How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸I 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 23^rd. 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

Apr 09 2015

Caller ID ~ Do You Know Who’s Calling?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

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 phone few 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

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.

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

Apr 02 2015

Do You Know the Answer?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Where Did You Learn That?

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

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

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

Hope

Does It Really Matter?

Are You Just Like Your Mother!

Been Farming long?

Caller ID ~ Do You Know Who’s Calling?

Do You Know the Answer?