My Old Memories ~ I fell and can’t get up!

My Old Memories

Two elderly people are living in a retirement home near Fareham, he was a widower and she a widow, had known each other for a number of years. One evening there was a community supper in the big arena in the Clubhouse. The two were at the same table, across from one another. As the meal went on, he took a few admiring glances at her and finally gathered the courage to ask her, ‘Will you marry me?’

After about six seconds of ‘careful consideration,’ she answered ‘Yes. Yes, I will!’
The meal ended and, with a few more pleasant exchanges, they went to their respective places. Next morning, he was troubled. ‘Did she say ‘yes’ or did she say ‘no’?’ He couldn’t remember.

Try as he might, he just could not recall. Not even a faint memory. With trepidation, he went to the telephone and called her. First, he explained that he didn’t remember as well as he used to.

Then he reviewed the lovely evening past. As he gained a little more courage, he inquired, ‘When I asked if you would marry me, did you say ‘ Yes’ or did you say ‘No’?’

He was delighted to hear her say, ‘Why, I said, ‘Yes, yes I will.’ and I meant it with all my heart.’

Then she continued, ‘And I am so glad that you called because I couldn’t remember who had asked me.’ Unknown author

 

 

 

 

 

I fell and can’t get up!

Late spring, my teenage grandson rode with me to town, we were in our truck. Although it had rained all night I decided to wear white pants to our family function. I needed to stop at Costco and get some prepared food items for our event.

Hurrying back to the truck and placing our food in the back seat, I grabbed the overhead handle to lift myself into the seat and lifting my 3-inch high heel foot into the cab I slipped.

Not wanting to let go of the overhead handles and getting my white pants muddy, I tried to get my other foot on the floor of the cab. I thought  It would give me a more firm foundation to lift myself up. 

I did get my other foot in the truck, but couldn’t pull myself out of my predicament. At this point, my white pant bottom was the only thing dangling out the door 2 feet off the ground. As I hung on for dear life I was yelling at my grandson who was listening to his iPod with his earbuds in. He was in enjoying his music he didn’t even notice my state of affairs.

As I was trying to get my grandsons attention,  I was surprised by two firm hands on my bottom, and a man was shoving me up into the seat. I didn’t get a chance to thank him because he ran away. And my Grandson caught the action just as I was being shoved into the truck. How embarrassing, but the best part my pants were still white. Come to think of it I haven’t worn white pants since!

I think God has a sense of humor too; after all, He made us.  Have you ever stood naked in front of a mirror and quoted, Psalm 139: 14a I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Personally, I have not been able to get past the fearful!

I have always been blonde, quirky and uncoordinated, so I have a lot of material to write about. God has blessed me with a sense of humor, laughter, and to see the funny side of situations.  I love that about God and his love, I believe he has a wonderful sense of humor too, after all, he made us!

Our confidence comes from knowing that God made us in his image, he knew what we would look like before we were ever born and loved us anyway. ©

Psalm 126:2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.

And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Do you think God has a sense of humor?

Am I Doing It Right?

Am I Doing It Right?

A praying child one evening said; Dear God, I hope you’ll also take care of yourself if anything happens to you; we’d be in an awful fix…

** I’m sure we all feel like that these days when the world is in so much turmoil and distress.        

** I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems so often to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

** I have felt guilty, that I did not pray enough, or long enough.

** I have felt not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so often.

** I don’t have enough time; I know and have been told that you have to spend hours in a quiet place, (I have family, work, I don’t have time to hardly sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.)

We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning, an author told me. (I’m not an early bird, I just stare at my open Bible, then fall asleep) then for sure, I will feel guiltier.

Then discouraged I give up, God why did you make me like this? I can’t even stay awake in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, one who doesn’t deserve your constant, eternal, forgiving love and graciousness.

I spent money on seminars and books that would help me to try and get it right, so many formulas and how it should be done. But it never was personal to me until I heard a story about the mother of John & Charles Wesley, Susanna who raised 19 children and still had time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it difficult to find quiet time to pray. Her life was hard, but she realized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon learned that any time of the day when their mother had her apron flipped up over her head that she was praying. So they quietly left the room leaving her disturbed.

I love this story about Susanna Wesley, it has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray? ©

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another, but to see one another through.”

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Song was written by Charles Crozat Converse, Joseph Scriven 

Have you ever been frustrated in your Christian walk? Trying to do it like everyone else does?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

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“It’s The The Journey that matters.”

  “It’s The The Journey that matters.”

This last week I drove to Northern Saskatchewan for an event in Prince Albert.  The weather was beautiful as I witnessed the shades of fall in all its majesty. I think fall is my favorite season.

With autumn comes a gentle calm in the fields after all the fast-paced spring planting, summer harvest, and marketing of the year’s bounty.  All is now waiting for the winter to refresh the land with moisture and a time of rest. Looking at God’s handiwork gives me lots of time to contemplate all the blessings he has given us.

It is during those times when I am alone, quietly listening, that God shares his plans with me. But even in those peaceful moments, I feel the need to remind God that I have a few projects of my own I need to finish.  

Some days I feel overwhelmed with my own plans and goals I haven’t completed.  And interruptions just cause me to fall further behind. Do I choose my time and plans wisely? Are they necessary to my home, business, and ministry? Or is it more like, my way, my wants?  Asking God, “Do you see my busy schedule?  Do you care how tired I am?”  Have you ever felt like that?

Will I accept God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him for my day? Am I willing to allow him to be my travel guide for a great adventure? Serving Him is to enjoy all He has planned for me, and knowing I can trust him gives me great joy.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.

He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

What Great travel insurance God has given us?  Enjoy the Adventure!  Hugs ©

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I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour if we only will tune in.”

George Washington Carver

 What is your favorite season of the year?  Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.

Have a wonderful weekend. HUGS,

Lovingly, Karan

Attention: ***** If you would like to receive our entire letter please subscribe and have it delivered to your mailbox each week, and don’t miss out on the fun stories, blonde jokes, and encouragement with a dash of warmth. 

Can I Give You A Smile?

Can I Give You A Smile?

Some days I find myself in a place of discouragement. Bewildered by the world we live in, with so many hurting people looking for hope, encouragement and a smile. My heart aches for all the families that have gone through the hurricanes the last few months and the massacre in Las Vegas last night. 

Sometimes the way forward seems complicated and challenging, and I’m not even sure I have even enough energy to finish the tasks God had given me.  

I have often heard,” Instruction does much, but encouragement is everything.” Many times a kind word of encouragement, a smile or a simple touch can lift a heart out of sadness, grief, exhaustion or despair.

An act of kindness encouraging others and lets them know you care about them, and they are not alone. It also gives us the opportunity to show God’s love as we touch the lives of others. Encouragement gives hope and inspires determination to keep moving forward when life gets tough, and we become weary of the struggles.

Many times I have asked God to encourage my heart with his love, compassion, and guidance. Asking Him to give me a new perspective and passion for the task He had given me.When I become tired, His promises and love lessons come just in time in sweet ways of encouragement from others. God is not finished with the dreams and goals He has placed in my heart, and he is not finished with me either.

Isaiah 40:31 NLV

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
 

LIFE can be tough, and the struggles of life and ministry can be harsh. With God’s encouragement, we can remember His promises and rely and lean on Him. The journey will be brighter for us and others as we stand together building one another up with encouragement.©

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Have you felt more stressed in the last few months, how have you coped with the daily events?

Attention: ***** If you would like to receive our entire letter please subscribe and have it delivered to your mailbox each week, and don’t miss out on the fun stories, blonde jokes, and encouragement with a dash of warmth. 

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

Have a great week, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan

How does that relation go ~ Finding the Clues

How does that relation go? 

Many, many years ago when I was twenty-three, I was married to a widow who was pretty as could be.

This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red, My father fell in love with her and soon they too were wed.

This made my dad my son-in-law and really changed my life, for now, my daughter was my mother because she was my father’s wife

And to complicate the matter, even though it brought me joy, I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy.

My little baby then became a brother-in-law to dad, And so became my uncle, though it made me very sad.

For if he were my uncle, then that also made him brother, Of the widow’s grownup daughter, who was, of course, my step-mother?

Father’s wife then had a son who kept them on the run, And he became my grandchild, for he was my daughter’s son.

My wife is now my mother’s mother and it makes me blue, Because although she is my wife, she’s my grandmother too.

Now if my wife is my grandmother, then I’m her grandchild, And every time I think of it, it nearly drives me wild.

Cause now I have become the strangest ‘case you ever saw, As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa.

Written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe

 

 

 

Reflections: Finding the Clues

I am a History Nerd! I love History, whether it’s my ancestors or the world’s history. Books, movies, research, Museum’s, I like to study and get the facts.  Usually, more facts lend to more questions, and then my obsessiveness kicks in.  I love research and like to think there’s a little Sherlock Holmes in my genes, as I continually search for the next big clue.

Fifteen years ago I started working on my Ancestral tree. I got so engrossed with the research that I couldn’t put it away.  I couldn’t sleep without getting up at night just to find the next hint of evidence to prove I was on the right track. Soon I realized that I was putting all my time and effort in the search.  I finally packed everything in a box and put in the Garage.  Out of sight and out of mind.

Fifteen years later, guess who found the box and pulled out the old dusty files for just a quick peek to confirm information I needed. As I pulled each file out, it was like seeing old friends again. It wasn’t long before I was back obsessing over new data and looking for the pieces of history I needed to complete the puzzle.

Yesterday, while I was reading my morning devotions in my “Daily Walk Bible” I pondered 3 Questions:

  • Where does your mind wander during the moments before you fall asleep?
  • What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you wake up in the morning?
  • Answer these questions honestly, and you will discover the greatest passion in your life!

 

These issues were a scary thought for me, you see like genealogy but I am obsessed with the news too.  As soon as I wake up, I lay in bed and read all the news each morning, and at night I do the same before I fall asleep. I like to think I’m just staying up on world events but in reality, I had come face-to-face with my own failings. The hard fact is the news, and my ancestors had become my idol. What a shocker, I guess God thought I needed to face the facts about my excesses.

The Bible says: Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I have now placed all my genealogy away in a file cabinet and am trying to go cold turkey on the news. Lol, I’ll let you know how it is progressing.  It is not that these are bad, but for me, if they are first in my life then I need to put them in check. My desire is put God first and keep my eyes on Him.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me. Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all, 

Lovingly, Karan