Articles

Service With A Smile!

Service With A Smile!

A couple in their nineties were having trouble remembering things so they went to their doctor for checkups. The doctor told them that they were both physically fine and advised them to write things down to help them remember.

couple-sitting-together-on-couch-smiling-340Later that evening while watching television, the husband got up from his chair to go to the kitchen for a snack. He asked his wife if she wanted anything.

“Could you bring me a bowl of ice cream?” she asked.

“Sure,” he replied.

“Do you think you should write that down to remember it?” she asked.

“No, I can remember that,” he said.

“I’d like some strawberries on it, too. Do you need to write that down?” she said.

No, I can remember that, too. Ice cream with strawberries,” he said, becoming a little irritated.

“I’d like some whipped cream on it, too. Can you remember all that? The doctor said you should write things down,” she said.

“For goodness sake, I can remember that. I don’t need to write it down. A bowl of ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream,” he said, now more than a little irritated.

Off he went to the kitchen. About 20 minutes later he returned with a plate of bacon and eggs. The wife stared at it for a moment and said, “Where’s my toast?”

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Reflections:

The world we live in is demanding and changing. With extra demands on our homes, families, work and social commitments we are faced with daily uncertainties. We look for ways to slow down and try to find hope, peace, and strength among all the chaos.

stressI always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However, the more I mature 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, of life, 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 stay in bed with a blanket 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 believe in Him, I can choose to trust Him even when I falter, he understands. 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 trust Him? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose to trust you, Lord, because of who you are and your promises to me. ©

I love that verse,

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

Philippians 4:13 NLB

What could God do for you today?

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

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Sweating to the Oldies ~Are we Having Fun Yet?

Are we Having Fun Yet?

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A retired couple decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape.

They chose to walk a mile out on a lonely country road so they would have no choice but to walk back.

At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it okay.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.” 

 

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Reflections:   Sweating to the Oldies

For years, my daughter and I faithfully watched an exercise diva on television. Imagine our excited when we learned she would be making a visit to our town, and appearing at the local Gym. The advertisement invited everyone to come, meet her, ask questions, and spend a few hours joining her in one of her great workouts. Although we were beginners, we decided to join the excitement and learn some new exercise techniques.

images (7)Always wanting to dress properly for any occasion, I decided to wear legging, an oversize t-shirt (to cover any bulges) and a headband so people would think I knew my way around the gym. My daughter wore her shorts and a cute top; I figured we looked like an ordinary twosome off to the gym.

At my office all morning, we were a little late arriving for the starting session. Laughing and excited we stopped on the stairs and gazed over the class of women doing a rapidly paced step aerobics, in their fancy, well-matched, small, tight, outfits. I was starting to have that big bird feeling in my oversize t-shirt. I realized my comfortable outfit was not going to look great for pictures as we were all exercising, especially from the backside…

The instructor delegated us to the back row (thank goodness) and said, “Please put on your aerobic shoes.” To which I replied, “We didn’t bring any, we’ll just wear our socks.”At that point, she stopped the class and educated everyone on the hazards of not wearing the right aerobic shoes. She acted as if we were not serious enough to be in her class; I wonder what gave her that idea!

The music started up again at a rapid pace, moving at disaster speed for me! I could hardly keep up, huffing and puffing. “O’ my goodness I’m overdoing it,” I thought, “I’m sweating I had better slow down, or my makeup will melt off.” At that point, I fell to the floor in a heap; my youngest daughter was starting to slow down too. The teacher yelled, “Keep the burn going, let’s maintain the pace, especially those in the back row.” Which was only the two of us?

Our predicament now seemed incredibly funny, and all I could do was laugh, my daughter was laughing too. The louder the instructor yelled, the harder we laughed; there we lay in hysterics on the floor. We embarrassed ourselves that day; but as we now look back, we realize we were making memories. Isn’t that what life is all about? Enjoying the journey of life we are on. ©

I believe God has a sense of humor too, After all, he made us!

Psalm 126:2 (NLT)

 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

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

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Moses Has a Walkie-Talkie.

Moses Has a Walkie-Talkie?

Nine-year-old Kyle was asked by his mother what he had learned at Sunday school.

moses“Well, mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.”

When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.

Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements.  They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and the Israelites were saved.

“Now, Kyle, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.

“Well, no. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”

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Reflections:

This week I will have another birthday, nothing helps you to reevaluate your life than a milestone on the calendar.  I knew my birthday was approaching because for the last six months I have been receiving emails about burial plots, death insurance, plastic surgery plans and wrinkle removers.  Wow, I didn’t think I was that old and thanks for the reminder! Lol.

I am 50 + and loving it and my mind has not left me yet, thank goodness.   I read a quote the other day that said,” I would rather be a vivacious, confident, and a young at heart 70 year old, then an old 40-year-old.

I thought it was a funny quote until I started remembering when I was 40.  Do you remember your 40’s?  I was the ranch gopher, cook, mother of 3 teenage daughters, rancher’s wife, hostess, tour guide, chauffeur, and entertainment committee all in one.  I never seemed to have enough sleep. My theme song during those days was the Garth Brooks, song, “I’m too young to feel this damn old.” Do you feel like that?

I am sure God must have a sense of humor, looking down on us. With all the wild and crazy misadventure of life, we are still here.

God gave me the privilege of raising our three wonderful daughters. Then He gave me the courage to let them fly the nest, and become the special women that God planned for them to be.  It is hard to believe there were times when I wished everyone would hurry and grow up.  

I have news for you; the best is yet to come! ©

Psalm 18:30 (NLT)

 God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan 

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me.  Do you ever feel too tired and weary you forget to enjoy life? I would love to hear from you.

Hugs

A Holiday Road Trip?

A Holiday Road Trip?

While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at the roadside restaurant for lunch.  After finishing their meal, they resumed their trip.

Unknowincouple-1002gly, the woman left her glasses on the table and didn’t miss them until they had been driving about twenty minutes.

By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before finding a place to turn around.  

All the way back, the husband fussed and complained and scolded his wife.  As she got out of the car and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, he yelled to her, “While you’re in there, you might as well get my hat and credit card!”

 

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Reflections: Will I ever get done?

I have often put my life on hold using one little word,

AFTER.  I wonder if others do the same.  See if any of my excuses are ones you can relate too.

    • After the office is clean, I will have time to write.
    • After the house is clean, I will invite company for dinner.
    • After I lose weight, I will buy a swimsuit.
    • After my children are out of school, I will have more time to study the Bible.
    • After I catch up on all my TV series, I will have time to visit friends.
    • After I clean the garage, I will have a place to park the car.
    • After I get a treadmill, I will start exercising.

 

Recently, I had a few light bulb moments, or a blonde epiphany, (is that legal?) 

    • The office will never be clean enough.
    • The house will never be perfect enough.
    • No matter how much weight I lose or gain, I will NEVER buy a swimsuit.
    • When your children finish school, marry, and have children of their own we will never have time.We will be too busy attending ball games, recitals, soccer, having sleepovers, taking pictures and having fun.  Grandchildren automatically move to top priority.
    • A TV series is never done; there is always another new one to watch.
    • Landscaping and yard work is a weekly task, the weeds and grass just keep growing.
    • If the garage is cleaned out we will have to rent a large storage unit.  Besides the car looks good outside and everyone knows where we live.
    • I will never start exercising when I get a treadmill, bicycle, or the Wii.  If I haven’t started before now nothing else will help. 

 

I have wasted a lot of time waiting for the “AFTERS” to get done so I could move onto the important tasks.  The Bible says now is the time to use what we have to serve and honor God.  I don’t want my life to get stuck with the afters and never get to the serving of others.  I want to keep moving forward, onward and upward, running the race well.©

Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

    1 Corinthians 9:16
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?
So run to win!      
 
Dear Friends, thank you for stopping by and spending your time with me today, I love each of you. 

What are your favorite “after” excuses?  I would love to hear from you and get your opinion on these thoughts

Hugs to All, Lovingly Karan

The Reindeer Games

The Reindeer Games

The game show contestant was only 200 points behind the leader and about to answer the final question – worth 500 points!”

reindeerTo be today’s champion,” the show’s smiling host intoned,”name two of Santa’s reindeer.”The contestant, a man in his early thirties, gave a sigh of relief, gratified that he had drawn such an easy question. “Rudolph!” he said confidently, “and, …Olive!”

The studio audience started to applaud (like the little sign above their heads said to do,) but the clapping quickly faded into mumbling, and the confused host replied, “Yes, we’ll accept Rudolph, but could you please explain…’Olive?!?'”

“You know,” the man circled his hand forward impatiently and began to sing, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glowed. *Olive,* the other reindeer…” Author unknown

 

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Reflections:

This last year has had many highs and lows for me as well as being a year of reflection.  As I have traveled this last year, I am constantly aware people seem unsettled and fear their future. I’ve often said, “Life is tough if I wasn’t laughing I would be crying”. I think others are feeling the same way.

Whcoffee-and-meen your 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 lessons I have learned about myself this year have been enlightening, as I struggle to do better with God’s help:

  • I need to learn to be a better friend and family member by keeping closer contact and letting each person know how much I love and appreciate them.
  • I need to be more faithful in my accountability to writing, which I know God has called me to do.
  • I need to answer emails quickly. I am a procrastinator, then I feel embarrassed because time has slipped away from me. (To those who have written please forgive me, it was not intentional, I am just embarrassed) I will do better.
  • I need to have more faith and trust God as I march into the future. (He sees the BIG picture I don’t) I’m a memo girl, but unfortunately, God doesn’t send memos.

 

“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 weekend be safe. Hugs to all.