Articles

Father’s Day ~ Making Memories

Father Day ~ Making Memoriesfather 2

Little Susan was mother’s helper. 

She helped set the table when guests were due for dinner. When everything was ready, the guest came in, and everyone sat down.

Then Mother noticed something was missing.
 
“Susan,” she said, “You didn’t put a knife and fork in Mr. Smith’s place.”

“I thought he wouldn’t need them,” explained Susan.
“Daddy says he always eats like a horse!”

 

clip_image001.gif

antie acid 23

clip_image001.gif
Reflections: My Dad

As a child growing up, I always wondered about the father I never knew. Did he have blonde hair, was I like him? My mother never talked about him, and I never inquired because it caused her great sadness to discuss that time in her life.

For years, I would think about meeting him, and dream about our wonderful reunion. But that scenario would not happen. I had found out that he had passed away many years before I had started to look for him. I was so disappointed, all my questions would go unanswered.

I remember at church the minister talked about how much God cares for each of us, and he knows our pain and hurt in the secret places where only he can see. And he quoted a Bible verse that I never forgot:

God in His holy house is a father to those who have no father.

And He keeps the women safe whose husbands have died.

God makes a home for those who are alone.

Psalm 67:5 & 6a

I found great comfort in that verse but wondered if it would happen for me.

Little did I know that God had prepared a father for me in Alberta, Canada. When I married Lyle, I not only got a husband but a new father who became my dad.

Trygve was a kind, loving and humble man who loved life and loved me. As the years passed by it amazed me, how much alike we were. We both loved books, collected funny stories and loved humor. He loved to sing, loved people and most of all loved God.

Trig passed away in 2000; there is not a day that goes by that I don’t reflect on all the times we spent together. We would both cry through “Little House on the Prairie”, sad movies and touching books. We liked to laugh, sing in the car, go shopping, eating out and share the important family stories and our walk with God. How I loved and missed him.

I am thankful for the great privilege to call Trygve my DAD.
God gave me the desire of my heart, and his timing is perfect.

Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful gift.

Happy Father’s Day!

Lovingly, Karan

Do you have special memories of your Dad?  I would love to hear them. Hugs

Hold On!

Hold On!

Eleven peoplhelicoptere were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men, and one woman.

The rope wasn’t strong enough to carry them all. They decided that one had to leave because they were all going to fall.

They weren’t able to name that person, until the woman gave a powerfully, touching speech.

She said that she would voluntary to let go of the rope. Because, as a female, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, or for men in general.

And she always made sacrifices for others and never expected anything in return for her efforts.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands…….

 

dotted-lines

IMG_1971

dotted-lines

Reflections:

holding-hands (1)A While Back I found myself in a place of discouragement. Wondering if the goals and dreams God had placed in my heart were achievable anymore. The way forward seemed so complicated and the challenging, I wasn’t sure I had the enough energy to finish.

Johann W. Von Goethe once said,” 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.

One morning as I was reading my Bible and praying I asked God to encourage my soul with his love, compassion and guidance. Asking Him to give me a new perspective and passion for the task He had given me. I had become tired. And His promises and love lessons come just in time. I received emails that afternoon of encouragement and confirmation; God is not finished with the dreams and goals He has placed in my heart.

Jeremiah 29:11

I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.

 

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.©

clip_image001.gif

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

Have a great week, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, I don’t know that person at all???

girl11

So You Think You’re The Mother Now?

 

Little Alice was allowed to sit in her mother’s place at the dinner table one evening when her mother was absent

Her slightly older brother, disapproved of the arrangement, sneering he asked, “So you’re the mother tonight.” All right, how much is two times seven?

Without a moment’s hesitation, Alice replied nonchalantly, “I’m busy. Ask your father.”.

 

dotted-lines

IMG_2561

 

dotted-lines

 

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, I don’t know that person at all???

HAVE YOU had sleepless nights, got up in the morning checked the mirror and thought, “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to get it together today?” Was your hair standing on end? Are there bags under your eyes, not to mention the dreaded puffed eyelids? Thank goodness for eye cream and concealer! Some mornings, looking in the mirror can almost stop your heart. Which often happens at my house.

mirror 6Have you fallen off your diet in a major way? Enjoyed an incredible weekend full of carbohydrates, sugars, and fat overload? Now feeling guilty, bloated and 10 pounds heavier than when you started your week. You know, the weekend where you ate everything you could get your hands on just because you couldn’t stand another carrot stick? I have, and I give myself a good scolding too. I usually feel so guilty and miserable I promise myself never again. Well, maybe that’s a little hasty, I hear a little Chocolate is good for you!

Perhaps you’ve had a dispute with your husband, friend or even the kids, and you’re on your last nerve. Possibly you’re saying, “I need to run away for a while or take a cruise, ” or if you’re like me, you just stay in bed and cover your head. I’ve even considered a week at a rest home, wouldn’t that be heavenly. There I could sit on the porch in a rocking chair and sing “Be Still my Soul “and mean it.

Some day’s life does not go the way I expect. I can write lists, make my plans and try to get some sense of order, yet life does not stop because I have had a bad day. Have you ever felt like that?

I am thankful that as each new day comes, I can choose to find something to be thankful for. I am learning how to find joy in the moments. Which has been a lifelong journey for me, I am not a fast learner. How about you?

My life isn’t always perfect, but I have a friend who loves me through the circumstances of life. He is the shield which blocks the sting and protects me in his perfect will. Nothing touches me that does not go through the cross first.

Although I will always have my share of bad hair days, bags under my eyes, blow my diet and lose my temper. I am safe and secure in the knowledge that God’s love, forgiveness are constant, unconditional and forever. He is my Friend. He is faithful. ©

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:7

dotted-lines

Thank you for sharing your time with me.

How do you cope with bad days? I would love to hear What You do.

Have a great weekend! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

You Know You’ve Been Gardening too Long When . . .

 

You Know You’ve Been Gardening too Long When . . .

GARDENER 2** When someone steps on your lawn and alarms go off, and a voice says,”Please step away from the grass.”
** When you visit a friend’s home and start pulling their weeds.
** When you butt in & correct the staff at the nursery when they give incorrect advice to customers.
** When looking at your compost pile makes you feel all warm inside.
** When “multiculturalism” means planting flowers among your vegetable.
** When you say hello to your garden before you go into the house after a vacation.
** When the local garden centre sends you Christmas and Birthday cards.
** When the ER doctor comes in with your X-rays, and you ask him how poorly the daisies were hurt when you fell into them.
** When you prefer seed catalogues to Victoria’s Secret catalogue.
** When your friends and neighbours all hide as soon as the zucchini appear.
clip_image001.gif
 IMG_2126
clip_image001.gif
Reflections :

Spring has finally come to Alberta, although the evenings and mornings are cool, everyone is starting to plant their gardens. So this year I decided to plant a few vegetables. Many years ago I did try to grow a small garden and despite my lack of knowledge, some plants did grow. Lol. My mother was so talented and loved flowers and could grow any plant. I always loved my plants too much, I either watered them to death or not enough.

0004776-R1-013-5They say that talents often skip a generation, and I’m sure that must be the case because my daughters each have their grandmother’s green thumb.

Last Friday we worked all afternoon planting. By evening I could hardly walk, I had used muscles I didn’t remember I had, everything hurt. It’s an actual reality check when you suddenly realize not as young and agile as I use to be. In fact, I don’t even bounce like I use to either! My backside was so painful, the only satisfaction for me was the thought I might get a little lift from the exercise. At my age, any lift is good since everything else is moving south. LOL

When life gets so busy, it is a comfort to be able to take the time to spend in God’s creation enjoying the peacefulness of each day. When I am quiet and listen, I can hear God whisper his plans for me. But so many times I feel I need to remind God, I’ve made my plans for my day. “God can you see my busy agenda,” Sometimes I have so many plans and goals I don’t want to have my day interrupted. Have you ever felt like that?

Do I choose my plans which are essential to my business and ministry? Or choose God’s plan for me, stepping out in faith to trust Him. Serving Him is to enjoy the great adventures He has planned for me and knowing I have obeyed his call gives me great happiness.

He is my peace and safe place, the one who loves and protects me. Could I offer him anything less than my obedience choosing to follow Him? Each new day gives us a reason to love and praise God.©

clip_image001.gif

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me. Do you ever have your plans sidetracked or interrupted?

How have you learned to cope, I would love to hear from you.

Have a great week! Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Remembering Mother’s Day

A Working Mother

mom

 

Any mother who gets out of bed!

Happy Mother’s Day!

clip_image001.gif

 

My Mother Kept A Garden

DSC_0902
My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it’s start.

She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem…

And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I’d need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me                                                                                                                                  
Author unknown

clip_image001.gif

 

Reflections:

I have wonderful memories of an extraordinary woman who loved, encouraged and shared her life with me, my Canadian my mother-in-law. Although she was opposite to my mother, the one bond they each had in common was their love of God, and for me.

As I have gotten more mature, I can see more clearly how God has made impossibilities, possible. He had a plan before I was born, and knew what I would need to grow closer to Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

He saw me and loved me when others thought I was a mistake; He had a plan. He knew the mother I need to help me through life. (Although when I hit my teens, I was sure he had given me someone else’s mother.) He also knew who my dear mother-in-law would be too.

mom gleddie2Hedevig was a tall, kind, and a gentle Danish woman who loved her home and family. She taught me how to cook, clean, bake those wonderful Danish pastries and pies. I learned to can food, make jams, jellies, pickles, and how to freeze and blanch vegetables. I learned how to garden too.

There was never anyone turned away from her home, generous hospitality, delicious meals, and beautiful table settings.

Our homes were on the same property, and we would see each other daily. She was a wealth of knowledge and made learning fun. She became my second mother, mentor, and friend.

As the years past, three daughters were born to our family, and they loved their grandmother very much. In fact, every day after school they 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 particular time to have Grandma all to themselves.

Over the next few years, she endured severe illness, and like the family, we rode the roller coaster of extreme disappointments. My daughters would still visit Grandma after school every day; however they would set the cookies on the table, make the tea, set the games up, and she would come and set with them and watch as they played. Over a cup of tea, sweetened with laughter they enjoyed their time together

Hedevig was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And that gift was passed on to her children and grandchildren. I loved to listen as she sat and played the piano for hours in her home. I would go over to her house on the corner of ranch yard and quietly enjoy my own concert. It always brought comfort to her soul as well as mine.

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

My mother’s gifts, have given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. I have been blessed.©

Wishing every one a wonderful weekend as we remember our mother’s. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. I would love to hear your special memories of your Mother.

Hugs to all.