Articles

Dec 11 2017

Christmas at Grandma’s ~ Humbug!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 Christmas at Grandma’s

 

Christmas at Grandmother’s little Jimmy asked, her how old she was.  

She responded, “I’m thirty-nine and holding.”

The little tyke thought for a moment,  then said, ” How old would you be if you let go?

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS WARNING… 

Christmas Has Been Canceled

It’s all YOUR fault!

You told Santa that you were GOOD this year…

 

 

 AND HE DIED LAUGHING!!!

 

 

 

Reflections:  Humbug! 

Each year at the holiday season our family watches “A Christmas Carol”. We love the black and white version with Alabaster Simms, as Ebenezer Scrooge. As the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future each pay their nightly visit to Ebenezer; he is traumatized by his nightmares.                                                                         

However, in the morning daylight, things don’t look so grim, and he rejects the nightmares, saying: Bah, humbug, I think the reason I love “A Christmas Carol” is because it causes me to reflect on my own past, present and future

The smell of Christmas baking, the glowing tree with the Angel on top, I would love to keep the tree up all year long if I could. It is so relaxing to sit under the glow of lights and meditate and reflect on the past years. And reflect on God’s love and grace to me.

Over the year, there have been many tears, frustration and fears as I have tried to learn God’s love lessons in patience. I think patience is going to be a lifelong pursuit for me because I seem to be such a slow learner. I am so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me, as he lovingly helps me to understand his purposes for my life.

As I reflect on this last year, I am reminded of all the love, encouragement and prayers of family and friends. What an extraordinary year. I read a little quote that said, “Dark fears flee in the light of God’s presence”. What a beautiful thought of comfort and peace God brings to us as we look forward to 2018.©

Praying you have a wonderful Christmas season with your family and friends.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.

What is your favorite Christmas Traditions?

Sending love to you all, Merry Christmas.

Lovingly, Karan

Nov 18 2017

No One Diets on Thanksgiving

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”
~Reba McEntire ~

 

Stuff The Turkey

Baby Bruno was sitting in his grandmother’s kitchen, watching her prepare the Thanksgiving meal.

“What are you doing?” Bruno asked.

“Oh, I’m just stuffing the turkey,” his grandmother replied.

“That’s cool!” Bruno said. “Are you going to hang it next to the deer?”

 

 

 

 

 

No One Diets On Thanksgiving

I love The Thanksgiving season, anticipating the cherished times with family and friends that no amount of money could buy. And besides no one diets on Thanksgiving! 

The smell of a turkey baking, pumpkin pies and the beautiful fall colored trees of November is my favorite time of year.  I love the family gatherings as we remembering each loved one who joins us and the cherished ones we have lost these past years. We can also reflect on God’s love and grace. 

Over the year, there have been many tears, frustration, and fears as I have tried to learn God’s love lessons in waiting. I think waiting is going to be a lifelong pursuit for me because I seem to be such a slow learner. I am so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me, as he lovingly helps me to understand his purposes in my life.

And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.  Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love.  Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.  

Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV

As God’s peace fills my soul I know that everything is all right. God’s plans are deeper, wider, and higher than anything, I could imagine, and in the loving arms of a faithful and trustworthy God, I know we will be safe.

As I reflected on this last year, I am reminded of all the love, encouragement and prayers of family and friends. What an extraordinary year. I read a little quote that said, “Dark fears flee in the light of God’s presence”. What a beautiful thought of comfort and peace as God brings us soon to another year.

Praying you have a wonderful Thanksgiving season with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, Travel safe
Sending love to you all. HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan 

***What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

****And yes in Canada we have snow, Burrrrrr. LOL

Nov 11 2017

What Does Bravery Look Like?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

We Will Not Forget!

 

 

 

 

 

What Does Bravery Look Like?

Bravery reminds me of the day I watched my husband and my son-in-law walk ahead of my daughter and me towards the restaurant for an early morning breakfast.

I still remember the feeling I had knowing this would be our last breakfast together for a while. Our brave soldier would be leaving for a 15-month deployment.

My heart filled with respect and admiration as I looked at this fine young man, and wondered what would cause a person to volunteer so freely to serve his country and willingly go into harm’s way for others.  

To stand and fight for people he does not know so they can enjoy safety and freedom too.  Is it the brave determination of character to serve God and to do what is right because he loves his country and family?

They say “Freedom is never free,” but there is always a price… physically, mentally and emotionally.

In our country, there are various opinions on how our government and military should run. Or how we should help in other countries far away and remote from our lives.  Have we forgotten what Bravery is, or what life would be like for us if this war were fought here in America or Canada?

Every Country, even our own has paid an enormous price for freedom, and our friends far away are learning what the cost is with their suffering.  But once they have tasted it, they will not stop until they have it for themselves, their families, and country. 

        “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.” Aesop

The Canadian and American spirit is the heart and soul of our soldiers, and the people in these countries will never forget them.©

Thank You to all who serve, I am praying for you!

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend. What does the word Bravery bring to your mind?

 I’d love to hear from you.   Hugs

Oct 29 2017

Am I Doing It Right?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

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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Sep 11 2017

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

One child wrote the following school paper:

We always used to spend the holidays with grandma and grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but Grandpa got retarded, and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don’t know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.
At their gate, there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds.

Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck.

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren. Author unknown 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Can’t Live Without Them!

My daughters loved their grandmothers and learned many incredible life lessons from them.

Grandma Frances was from California, who was funny, curious and as they said in ‘Star Wars” “To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before.” Grandma always brought fun adventures!

She was eccentrically independent with a generous heart and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.

She always saw beauty in everything and especially loved the times she spent with her granddaughters in San Diego when they were visiting. Sandy beaches, seashells, sea world and Mexican food.

Even now, I miss her laughter, her friendly smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

We knew mother, and grandma loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us every day about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. Through her life, we could see how God faithfully protected and cared for each of us.

Grandma Gleddie lived close by, in fact, she lived in the same yard. Every day after school My daughters would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their private time to have Grandma all to themselves.

I remember the joy on their faces as they came home telling me they had beat their Grandmother in their chosen game today. Such confidence and happiness, although I am sure that she allowed them to win much more, then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, her willingness to love and teach her granddaughters how to bake and enjoy recipes as they hunted for something new to try and sample.

She was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And her gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house and quietly enjoy their private concerts and singing.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. She always knew God loved her and her faith knew he had a perfect plan for her.

The cherished gifts these two different grandmothers gave their grandchildren gave them a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more than silver and gold. My daughters are blessed. ©

Proverbs 17:6 The Message

Old people are distinguished by grandchildren;
    children take pride in their parents.

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear reader, I pray that you have gotten a giggle and a blessing at the same time. Hugs
Lovingly, Karan