Karan K. Gleddie

Feb 13 2020

A Joyful Noise?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

A Joyful Noise?

I am not a good singer, and I am self-conscience of my voice. But that doesn’t keep me from singing because I do love to sing. After all the Bible says in Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth.” I always think God must have included that verse for me!

They say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words. There have been times of sorrow, depression, and sadness in which I found it hard to keep my mind and heart from constantly dwelling on them.

I’ve often said,” It’s a long way between my head and my heart.” When we don’t understand our circumstances and find ourselves in hard places, we often want to rely on our knowledge, experience, and know-how to make everything better. But in our hearts, we feel afraid, worried and confused.

There have been times in these last few years that my head knows all the Bible verses and promises from God’s word, as well as all the praise and worship songs. But my heart still says, why? Have you ever had those feelings??

I have found over the years when I listen to music it lifts my spirits. It is something that gives me energy and joy when I can turn up the volume and sing as loud as I want. I have found the car is a perfect place for my personal concerts also.

17 I will thank the Lord because he is just;

    I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.   Psalm 7:17  

2 I will be filled with joy because of you.

    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2 

Being able to sing lifts my spirit and helps me to delight in the love and care of God. Singing also reminds me there is no problem or circumstance that is too hard for Him. When I am singing my heart and head are one and at peace with Him.©   Are their any singers out there?

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Happy Valentines Day!
 I love you all and am praying. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Jan 16 2020

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

 

 

Some Days are Like this!

 

Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Every year about September, we hear about getting the flu shot which includes a promise to keep us protected from that year’s seasonal virus. I am faithful each year to receive my shot because of an Auto-immune disease that I battle with. Now my husband, who never has the flu shot, thinks it’s a waste of time, besides he never gets sick.

However, after getting the shot something went wrong. You guessed it, two days after Christmas I caught the flu which lasted about three weeks. My family decided I would get well sooner if I would try their flu and cold zapping home remedy. At that stage, I will try anything, well almost.

A cup of hot water, one teaspoon of minced garlic, one teaspoon of honey and one-quarter cup of lemon juice. Two cups a day, morning and evening weren’t too awful, and it seemed to help some. After a few weeks of confinement in my home, I was so excited to go to the grocery store and see people. Yeah! I was hoping no one would notice the cloud of garlic following me up and down the aisles.

I still smelled like a garlic bulb, but I made it through. Lol.

This year I determined not to get my flu shot, after all, if I became sick having the shot I might as well try it without. Wrong, I was back with the flu and cold zapping home remedy again smelling like a garlic bulb for another few weeks.

I don’t want to complain, but I’m uncertain what I should do next year. Since it didn’t seem to benefit having the shot or not.

However, I was startled to see how quickly my joyfulness flew the coop when things went wrong. I sulked around the house sniffling and sneezing with my hair unkempt and it even hurt to blink my eyes. My Joy dropped from 85 to zero in record time, becoming self-absorbed with my very own pity party.

Am I joyful in all circumstances even if I don’t feel like it? Life is a matter of choices and God’s mercy will never fail us. I know he will never leave me alone.

As he encourages me to look back and remember all the amazing adventures, He has given me, I see only His promises of faithfulness, His great love, and forgiveness, what more could I ever need?©

Always be joyful. ~ 1 Thess. 5:16

Has the flu come your way yet? How is your joy today?

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
I love you all and am praying.

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Dec 30 2019

Happy New Tear – A living Legacy

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

Happy New Year – A living Legacy

 

 

A living Legacy

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

Great-grandfather Christopher immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1900.   Arriving at Ellis Island, New York, with experience in shipbuilding 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 the 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.©

 Happy New Year 2020, travel safe

 Love to all. Hugs!

Lovingly,  Karan

Dec 16 2019

I Bought a Discounted Ticket

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

 

I Bought A Discounted Ticket

A few years ago, when Lyle and I were living in California we stayed with our daughter whose husband deployed.

We traveled back to Canada for Christmas, to be with our daughters and their families. And finding a great flight at a discount was a bonus. Thinking it would be fun to take some candy treats back for everyone, the Jelly Belly jellybeans.

We located the Jelly Belly factory in the next town. And can you believe it when I arrived there was a great sale on the Jellybeans? Buying one bag and get two free. Don’t you just love bargains? I bought four bags, with the free bags I finished with 12 sacks, 2pds each, 24 pounds in all. 

While getting into the Christmas spirit I failed to remember we needed to pack them. On the way home, I later purchased three boxes of See’s Candy which added five more pounds. My poor husband started wondering how we would get it all in our bags. 

The night before we took off for the airport, we planned to leave at 5:00 a.m. Our flight left at 8:00 a.m. I stayed up half the night packing, trying to decide how to make our luggage lighter. At one point, we could not lift the luggage off the floor, so we included another suitcase.

 After a few hours’ sleep, we carried, or should I say dragged our baggage to the car. Three large suitcases, two larger overnight bags, one computer, and a book bag. And an enormous handbag and tote, everything fits. Although I had to sit on it to get it shut! To be honest, I jumped up and down on it is more like it. 

Our daughter dropped us off at the terminal and headed home. We didn’t manage the luggage by ourselves, we hired someone to help us. I couldn’t wait to get to Calgary and our hotel room and have a good night’s sleep before seeing our family. Only 15 days left.

With tickets and passports in hand, we ambled towards the airline counter, and the man pushing our luggage cart was straining to keep up. He helped us put our baggage on the weight scale, and I held my breath. It’s heavy (imagine that) the airline agent glanced at me and said sorry, she can’t confirm us in now?

I pulled out my e-ticket showing her our 8:00 a.m. departure. She responded,” we don’t check people in 12 hours early. Your flight leaves at 8:00 p.m. (No wonder the fight was so cheap!) At that moment a picture was worth a thousand words when I looked at Lyle’s face. His mouth dropped open and had that distinctive look that said, “You mean I have to do all this again tonight?” 

 I called my daughter who was happily enjoying her quiet drive home and told her of our circumstances. To which she replied, “I knew it was too easy, you and dad fly nowhere without something unusual happening.

After leaving our Airport at 8:30 p.m. we found ourselves delayed in Salt Lake until 1:30 a.m. Arriving in Calgary at 4:30 p.m. Lucky for us I had booked a hotel room near the airport and had guaranteed the room.

So at 5:15, we headed for our room, dragging all our luggage and promising ourselves we would make sure we checked the times of arrivals and departures before we ever bought another airline ticket. 

And to add insult to injury, as we climbed into bed and turned out the lights, we received a call from the front desk. Notifying us it was our good morning wake-up call, I must be a bad dream! I assured him he had made a mistake, we just climbed into bed! ©

When life turns upside down it has a way of giving you a whole new perspective on what is important. 

In reflection I have learned when life is tough, I need to focus on the priceless treasures in my life. God’s love, my family and friends who encourage and pray for me.  I am blessed.

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of our families and friends all wrapped up in love for one another.” I believe that is true, no matter what our circumstance or need.

This year as we come into the Christmas season, there will be joy and expectation knowing we have the presence of our loved ones and friends. And as we wrap our love around each one, we will lovingly remember those who could not be with us.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and pray that the Christ of Christmas will bless your homes as you prepare for the Holiday Season.©

Luke 2: 13 & 14

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful Holiday Season, be safe.

Hugs to all.

Oct 26 2019

Can Our Sense of Humor Be Off?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

Can Our Sense of Humor Be Off?

“My sense of humor is slightly off this month. The adjoining apartment flooded, and my bathroom and part of my bedroom had damage. No one was living in the apartment.  A cracked toilet went undiscovered until a few days later when people noticed water rushing down the halls.

The last few months I’ve been waiting for apartment insurance approval and workers to show up and start  working. Then, when they finally inspected the damage, they discovered the dreaded asbestos. They spread plastic tents all over everything and fans are blowing full blast!  

Moving out on August 2nd and have been living with my daughter on their farm/ranch, about 12 miles out of town.

One weekend I decided I would try to stay in the apartment. Brushing my teeth and washing up in the kitchen, would be just like a camping.

However, the toilet became unusable, because they put it into the bathtub. The three brave tradesmen suggested I could run down the hall to the public restroom.

Somehow the idea of scurrying down the hall at night in my pajama didn’t appeal to me. I almost burst out laughing when I realized they were serious! Apparently, they did not understand a mature bladder! 

I’m uncertain when I will be back in my apartment. I now have been out close to three months.

The last few months have been very discouraging and frustrating but I have a beautiful place to stay with a warm bed and wonderful food and company. To be honest, there is nothing to complain about.

Life can be like that for so many of us. We all make our plans but when unexpected events disrupt our agenda, we become upset. Besides, doesn’t God know he needs to deliver a memo first? We need time to prepare and schedule an interruption, right?

When our schedules get messed-up and things get Crazy, I wonder if God just busts out laughing; He is the one in control of the universe, not me. He sees the Big Picture. God always takes care of us with his everlasting love and care. 

I love this verse it is so simple and encouraging.

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.  Proverbs 16:9

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the one who is leading. Thank you, Father for loving me.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan