Packing

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.

May 07 2019

   Who Am I?            

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Who Am I?

 

Who Am I

The quote, “Collect moments, not things” is what vacation, family, and friends are all about.

I find it hard to express the wonderful opportunity that has been given me to make new memories with the ones I love over the last month.

First to California, later sailing up the west coast to Victoria, B.C. with my sister and brother -in -law, and then continuing to the San Juan Islands in Washington. I will be here for another week.

Last week as I was writing a new blog and ready to send, I noticed I had no internet. So you will get this one a week later.

May 3, 2019

Today everywhere I look it is water the great expanse of the ocean.  It is hard to fathom the magnitude, scope, and extent of the Lords’s mighty hand.  To realize all of this is preserved by his perfect will, as he holds me tight, sheltered from the storm.

In this spot, he sees me a speck of humanity floating on the sea and cares, loves and watches over me. I am secure in his arms.©

David writes in Psalm 24:1,  The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it

I wonder do I grasp the greatness of God’s kindness? Everything I have comes from God’s mercy, and he gives me the joy of his blessings.

 1 Chronicle 29:14

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 

                 God’s timing is perfect, He is in control of history and
 He weaves together our lives in his plan.  

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Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Jan 30 2019

Finally Home

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 

 

Reflections: Finally Home

I love the small agricultural communities where we live in Southern Alberta. The people are loyal and caring in the lives of others’ and consistently supportive and helpful. 

As many of you know I have been living between my house and the new apartment for over a month.  Three weeks ago, while getting ready for a lady’s potluck I stopped at my house for a few items. Running into the house I found and collected my dessert, locked the doors and hurried to my event.

It wasn’t until the next day when my daughter and I were going to continue working at the house, we realized we had no keys. I had left them on the kitchen counter the night before. 

I canvassed around town to see if anyone knows of someone who could pick a lock, but no one wanted to admit to it.   So, after a week we called a locksmith, who would be delighted to help us for a grand total of $200.00 plus mileage. After all, he had to leave town and come all the way out to a rural Alberta?

We kindly thanked him and said we wanted to think about it. However, my daughter and I thought that was a little steep.

The next day while expressing my predicament to my sweet neighbor, I asked if she might suggest someone who might help us. She said she would ask around.

After lunch, I got a call from her reporting she had unlocked the door. She told me she and a few others had put their heads together and figured out a plan. 

As she related her story, she stood on someone’s shoulders and climbed to the second story bathroom window and could narrowly squeeze through the window and fell into the tub and shower.  I could never have climbed up to get to the window much less get my body through it. I am so thankful for a small talented friend.

After the break-in and keys retrieval, we immediately went to the hardware store and had three sets of keys made. We didn’t want to get caught without an extra key again. 

As I stopped for the mail and groceries in the afternoon, several people inquired if we had been able to get in the house yet and retrieve the keys. It seemed there was genuine concern from various people in my community about my predicament. Others may have chalked it up to another blonde week with a few giggles.

The last few months racing back and forth between two residents has been confusing. I have found myself forgetting appointments, a date or even what day it is. My mind is continually running trying to remember all that needs to be done.

There are times when life spins out of control, and it’s tough to see how it ends. Do you ever feel like life is spinning out of control?

God reminded me the other morning as I was reading my Bible in Isaiah.

For since the world began no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4

The wonder of knowing that God faithfully cares about every detail, even where I live gives me enormous hope. In fact, it blows my mind!  He knows what I need. How I love you, Lord. ©

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

Jul 09 2018

Remembering ~ The Wallpaper Crises

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

    I want to remember every day the soldiers and families who serve our great country with their sacrifice.

To remember them daily is an Honor.

John 15:13
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: The Wallpaper Crises

I have always loved wallpaper. Over the years you could find different types of it in each of our homes. So, when we moved to Foremost, Alberta in the spring of 2011, I again looked for some wallpaper for our home.

I found a charming pre-pasted vinyl in the pattern and color I wanted and couldn’t wait to get it up on the wall.

Now, seven years later I decided to get to work on it. Speedy I’m not. When life gets busy the more important activities take precedence. I’m sure you can attest to that too.

First I needed to find my supplies, but they were nowhere in sight. I must have loaned them out but to who?  I can’t remember.  So after buying new supplies, I started to get excited and inspired.  I put towels on the floor, filled the water trough, put the ladder up and laid my scissors, sponge and measuring tape where I could reach them.  Finally, I was ready.

Being a seasoned wallpaper enthusiast, I decided to measure and match the pattern before getting the paper wet and on to the wall. All seven pieces each eight feet long. I thought I was a genius to even think of this time-saving step. Wrong!

The first three lengths were on the wall looking great, but due to the late hours, I decided to go to bed.  And due to previous commitments, it was two and a half weeks later before I got back to it.  Feeling inspired again, I picked up the fourth length of wallpaper, put it through the water trough and proceeded to hang it on the wall, however, the wallpaper was not matching very well and looked a little off. I decided to let it dry a little hoping it might look better.

After an hour I looked at it again and noticed it looked like a different color, and at closer inspection, I realized the pattern was upside down. Ugh!  I gently pulled the paper off the wall hoping to turn it right side up and save it.  As I stood on the ladder I tried to lay the paper flat with the paste-up thinking when I was down from the ladder I would fold it paste to paste to preserve the paper.  As I stepped off the ladder, my socks caught the edge of the wallpaper glue and I landed on the paper and slid the whole eight feet on my backside.  I had glue all over my clothes, hands and in my hair.  Of course, the paper was crumpled up so bad it was never going to see the wall again. 

At this moment I must confess I am a little nervous about the whole wallpaper idea.  And yes I am still looking at my wall half papered and half not.  Lol, I’m waiting for my inspiration to return!

When things don’t go as I would like and time seems in short supply, I tend to get discouraged and wish the world would stop for awhile and let you off. To have a chance to regroup and collect our thoughts?

When those times come for me I know that I can talk to God about any situation and he will calm my spirit and give me hope to keep moving forward. I love the promises he gives to us to hold on to. Where would I be without him in my life.©

Psalm 62:5-6  NLT

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.

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