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Mammogram Practice Anyone?

It must be spring; the doctor just made an appointment for me to have my annual mammogram. Now, I don’t know about you, but it is not my preferred procedure. I thought you might enjoy these mammogram preparations. Have you tried them?

Practice For Your Mammogram

rollerMany women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there’s no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam, and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared. And you can do this right in your home!

Exercise 1: Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut and lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds (while you hold your breath). Repeat, in case the first time wasn’t effective enough.

Exercise 2: Locate a pasta maker or old wringer washer. Feed the breast into the machine and start cranking. Repeat twice a day

Exercise 3: Situate yourself comfortably on your side on the garage floor. Place one of your breasts snugly behind the rear tire of the family van. When you give the signal, hubby will slowly ease the car into reverse. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Congratulations!
Now you have nothing at all to worry about when you go for your Mammogram

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Reflections:

I have been in California for almost a month, and have been appreciating the warm weather, and admiring the beautiful flowers. I love to look at and smell all the different flowering plants. And delight at how each one is unique, beautiful and special. Do you know how special you are?

images (52)For years, I was desperately trying to bloom where I was planted to gain love and acceptance from others. In my world things were never as they might have appeared, I was afraid if people saw the real me, they would not love or accept me. I hide behind a mask, which I called a smile, and become whatever I thought other people wanted me to be.

Although I had a husband and family who loved me, my concept of love was flawed. I thought it had to be earned: If you were good, drove the right car, had the right friends, or joined the right country club, you were loved. If you did not have all those things or were not in the right social group, you were not loved. I thought love and acceptance could be given and taken at a moment’s notice.

Do you step into life’s arena everyday wearing masks, striving for the right appearance and performing your best for love, acceptance, and approval? I have news for you.

God sees us without the masks and thinks we are beautiful, he loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions.©

The Bible says:

Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?

If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? Luke 12: 25-28, the Message-

His love is forever, unchanging, and constant, it is unconditional!

Lovingly, Karan

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Thank you for sharing your time with me today dear friend. What brings delight and Joy to your life?

I would love to hear your thoughts as we share our journey.

Hugs

Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

 

Would You Like Twenty Dollars?

crumpled-20-dollar-noteA well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. “Who would like this $20 bill?”

Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you – but first, let me do this.”

He continued to crumble the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. “Who still wants it?” Still the hands went up.

“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped the $20 on the ground and started grinding it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?”

Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, we have learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by …who we are! Author Unknown

You are special – don’t ever forget it.”

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Reflections

It was wonderful to be away in beautiful California and spend time with family and friends. I was able to sightsee a bit, shop and enjoy the San Diego Bsan 2ay.

Seeing familiar places and remembering the moments and places where my mother taught me to dream and laugh. She always saw beauty in everything.

I loved the times we spent at San Diego Bay, having shrimp sandwiches or fish tacos with a blanket on the grass at Shelter Island. We would watch the naval ships come home with grand display after being deployed from home for months at a time.

I loved the smell of the ocean and watching the small fishing, and sail boats glide peacefully by, as we visited and just enjoyed each other’s company. We often shared our thoughts, dreams and hopes, and occasionally funny stories, along with our secret hurts. But most of all we would speak of our blessings.

How I miss her laughter, her warm smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable3fe0ab12-a49a-42f4-ac32-cfeacc95092c odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

How true it is, even on those days when we feel worthless, crumpled, and broken by life’s circumstance God cares.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God

and are called according to his purpose for them.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?

If God is for us, who can ever be against us.

Romans 8:28 & 31

You are special – don’t ever forget it.

 

 

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, The newsletter will be back in your mailboxes every Saturday morning again.

If you know anyone who might enjoy it please pass it on.

I loved being away, but my pillow feels wonderful. lol.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.
Lovingly, Karan

I Need A Day Off !

I Need A Day Off !

sticky notesI urgently needed a few days off work, but, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take a leave. I thought that maybe if I acted ‘Crazy’ then he would tell me to take a few days off.

So I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises. My co-worker (who’s blonde) asked me what I was doing.

I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb so that the Boss would think I was ‘Crazy’ and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ Are you insane? I told him I was a light bulb. He said, ‘You are clearly stressed out.’ Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.’

I jumped down and walked out of the office… When my co-worker (a blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her, ‘…And where do you think you’re going?!’

She said, ‘I’m going home, too. I can’t work in the dark

 

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Don’t you love days like this!

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Reflections:

Over the years, I have struggled with the winter blues (SAD) and often get discouraged with the lack of sunlight and stormy days. So I usually sit under a SAD lamp (sun lamp) to keep myself positive.  I knew things were not going so well when my granddaughter would come for lunch every day, and ask if I had sat under my lamp and taken my vitamin D’s.  Lol

cryingThis last week the weather here in southern Alberta has been warm and crisp. The snow is gone, and although the mornings and evening are cold, the sun shines eventually to give us hope that spring is just around the corner.  My favorite time of the year is Spring.  I love to see nature wake up and come to life bringing hope and restoration to the land and my soul.

At those times of loneliness and discouragement, it is hard to believe that others love and care about us. But when I start to feel those doubts, I am so glad I can reach for my Bible to give me comfort and hope. God’s promises encourage me and help me to see his way instead of mine. Have you felt the like that too?

If I have failed him or others, I know he forgives me and helps me to do better. God never remembers the past.  When we ask for forgiveness, he starts each new day for us just like a new Spring day.  God’s loyalty and love will find us anywhere when we reach out to him

“The Lord’s love never ends, his mercies never stop.  They are new every morning,   Lord your loyalty is great.’ 

                     Lamentations 3: 22-23

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Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today. 

Do you ever have Blue days and what makes you feel better when you do? 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

Lovingly, Karan

I Know Just What You Need!

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I Know Just What You Need!

It was one of the worst days of my life; the washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, my head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill I had no money to pay.

Almost to the breaking point, I lifted my one-year-old into his high chair, I leaned my head against the tray and began to cry.

Without a word, my son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it into mine

 

 

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What Am I Thankful For?

Am I thankful? When God does not answer prayers as I have hoped, and circumstances have left me broken and vulnerable, do I see the hand of God’s wisdom? When the people I love are hurting and going through unimaginable trials, can I still cry out to a God who says He loves me and believe Him? Where can I find a thankful heart?

I always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However the more I matured I realized I have more questions than answers. Surely I have learned something along the way, or have I forgotten?

The awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me a great peace in my life. Through the highs and lows, disappointments and joys, sickness and deaths, I have found God a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when I felt numb.

Some days I must confess that I would rather sit in a closet with a large bag on my head. But in those times He gently reminds me that He is the same today as He was yesterday. The same God, who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee and healed the sick so many years ago, lives today. He would die on a cross and then rise again to life a living God. He is the same God I rely on today who calms the storms of my life and gives me peace. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life personally and trust Him, I can choose to be thankful even when I do not feel like it. I have a God, who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think He is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life that I have been given, my family, friends, and ministry, how can I not be thankful? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose you Lord, and desire to be thankful because of who you are, not my circumstances. I love you, Lord.©

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Happy Thanksgiving America, Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

What are you Thankful for today? I would love to hear from you.

Coffee With Grandma ~ The Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Coffee With Grandma ~ The Cinnamon Dolce Latte

lineGrandma and I have a special bond; she’s one of my best friends, and I couldn’t imagine our relationship being any more or less blonde.

I remember our many shopping trips, road trips, and excursions and not surprising, after a long day of walking, and shopping, we both just wanted to sit rest our feet and have something to drink.

Not Grandma. Now most people who know Karan will have already learned her quirks, habits, and acquired tastes, but I was one of a select few chosen to expand my mind and develop a strong skill to remember how she took her coffee.

We both love Starbucks, and when faced with a multitude of decisions for other coffee shops, we would always pick Starbucks. I would order something simple, like a Chai Latte or just a Latte. Grandma, on the other hand, would wreak havoc!

“I’ll have a venti, Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte with six pumps, Extra Hot, no whip and no foam. Oh, can I have that in a to-go cup with an extra-long straw?” Most baristas would ask her to repeat such an order at least Three times before we got the desired drink. And if they didn’t ask more than two times, chances are they got it wrong.

Again I reiterate, I was one of a few entrusted with remembering such an order.

When Grandma and I go for coffee, she will pick a table for us, and I’ll go order. In my mind, I know what’s coming as the barista tries to understand what exactly the order is. I simply apologize and say, it’s not for me. And as if there is some mental game going on between the ever growing line behind me and the
baristas in front of me, I can feel those customers all saying, “Yeah right, hurry up.”

In life, we all have our personal ideas and individual tastes. Regardless of how long it takes, or how difficult it is to put it together, we all want it a certain way. Most of the time there is no guarantees to “make it again if you don’t like it”. It’s one chance and one shcoffeeot to get it right.

To put this into perspective, now if God were to go to Starbucks, he would have his perfect drink order pre-planned and ready to go. God knows, if he orders a latte, it’s a simple task, a simple request that even Grandma could cope making it. But, if he were to order something more difficult, how many times would we complain and argue about how hard it is and make a mistake.

God gives us these opportunities on a daily basis, and he may put an opportunity in front of us to show us a bit of compassion, or practice some patience. He may tell you that he has other plans for your life different than the ones you have planned. Something a bit more life altering. How many times have we said, “That’s too hard, I’m happy with what I’m doing now,” and then make a wrong decision.

I read a great story in my last devotional,

“I had a fulfilling job, a regular paycheck and my name on the office door. But God said, “I’m finished with you here.” “How could that be?” I wondered. I continued to work where I was for a full year after God told me to leave, and that year was miserable. I did not understand why I was so unhappy, why there seemed to be no grace to do what I had the great grace to do in previous years. Finally, one morning, I cried out to God, “What is wrong?” He spoke to my heart, “I told you a year ago to leave and your still here.” That was all he said” –

Joyce Meyer.

God is merciful, if he has placed a difficult task on your heart or asked you to do something for him, you may decide it’s too hard and will choose to take the easier road. Eventually, you’ll find it is all wrong, and you’re reaping the consequences. But again, God is merciful, and he will give you that chance to try again. He Loves you!

And if anyone runs into Karan at the coffee shop, be prepared for a Starbucks order of the century, and if it’s during the summer, make it iced. © 2015 ~ Caitlyn Rose

 

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I hope you enjoyed my granddaughters story, she is an excellent writer and I am so proud of her.

Thank you for sharing your time with me I love the privilege of hearing for each of you.

You bless my life. Have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love.

Lovingly, Karan

What is your favorite coffee, have you a particular order? Hugs