Articles

May 28 2016

Remembering the past, looking to the future”

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Remembering the past, looking to the future”

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Reflections:

Although I am an American, who lives in Canada now, I have never gotten over the thrill and pride at seeing the American Stars and Stripes flying over a country I love and cherish. It still brings tears to my eyes as I sing God Bless America and the National Anthem. What a joy and a privilege to live in a country with an incredible heritage.

And when I see the Canadian Maple Leaf flag I am reminded how blessed we are to have the opportunity to live in both countries where we enjoy the freedom that others have bravely fought for.

My heart filled with respect and admiration as I consider 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?

I am forever grateful to those who have and still do served our country with honor and integrity and their families who sacrifice so much.

They say “Freedom is never free,” but there is always a price… physically, mentally and emotionally. I am humbled and honored to say, thank you to the brave soldiers who fight for my freedom. Thank You, You are Remembered!

At this moment, I also am overwhelmed as I remember that Christ did the same for me. He freely gave himself for me so that I could have an everlasting inheritance with him.

“Christ paid a price I could never pay to give me life I did not deserve.” I am loved and blessed.

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

Do you have those who are serving or have served, I would love to hear from you?

HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

May 13 2016

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

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

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

** 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.

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-R1-013-5 They 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.©

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

Mar 19 2016

Please Don’t Make Me Adult Today!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Have you had a bad nights’ sleep, woke up in the morning looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not sure I’ll make it today”. Is your hair standing on end? Are there bags under your eyes…? Thank goodness for bag cream, not to mention the dreaded puffed eyelids? Some mornings, looking in the mirror can almost stop your heart. This happens to me quite often.

Have you fallen off your diet in a major way? Enjoyed an incredible weekend full of carbohydrates, sugar and fat overload, and now feeling guilty, bloated and 10 pounds heavier than when you started. 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 gave myself a good scolding too. I usually feel so guilty and miserable I promise myself never to do it 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, friends or even the kids, and you are 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 “Blessed Quietness “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. This is a lifelong journey, and a fast learner I am not. Not because life is perfect, but because I have a friend who loves me through the circumstances of life. He is my shelter who 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 and forgiveness is constant, unconditional and forever. He is my Friend, He is enough.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me.

What gives you hope when you have a bad day? I would love to hear What You do.

Have a great week! HUGS

Mar 12 2016

“Have I got A Tip For You”

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

“Have I got A Tip For You”

I have been watching our utility bill go up and down for this last year. In August, a young gentleman came to town advertising for a new utility company. They wanted to consolidate our gas and electric bills into one instead of two separate bills.

We could save money and lock in a new rate much lower than before if we signed up for them. Lyle and I looked over the contract and felt it looked better than the variable rates we had been experiencing.

However in the fall and over the winter, we kept seeing the bill increasing, instead of going down as promised. I phoned the utility company to inquire about my bill, and the consultant was polite and understanding. Saying she was sorry, and next month’s bill would be better, she promised. She even gave me a 10.00 credit. LOL

Well, the next month arrived, and it was much worse than the previous month, so I found the contract and realized the company headquarters was in Texas. I started thinking maybe they were charging us in American dollars instead of Canadian. You see, right now in Canada, our dollar is worth seventy-one cents to one American dollar.

I called the company again to see if the exchange rate was the problem, they assured it was not. As I visited with the representative, she inquired if I received their company’s brochure on how to get budget saving tips for our home. I hadn’t received the brochure, so she gave me a few tips on how I might conserve energy.

First she said I need to unplug my refrigerator, stove, and oven every night. She did every night, and it helped her conserve energy.

At that point, I had visions of my husband and myself dragging all our appliances out and unplugging then each night. Then plugging them in every morning and pushing them back in place. I don’t know about you but, I had never heard this tip before, sounds like a high-energy project for sure. She then suggested I put everything on an extension cord so it would be easier.

I told her I had never heard of that money saving tip before. She said she does it every night; it is what we do in the Philippines. What??LOL

At this point I was so relieved that it wasn’t Canada she was talking about, I thanked her tips and said good-bye.©

Have you ever had a day like this?

Reflections:

Have you ever felt like you might want to scream or burst out laughing when you are on the phone trying to get information or fix a problem? I must admit sometimes I get impatient when I can’t get things straighten out quickly. I often wonder if God gets impatient with me, and ever feels like screaming at all my mistakes. I’m sure He has been frustrated many times when I go the wrong directions too.

I am so thankful that I have those flash points in my life to remember God always continues to be faithful to his promises of love, forgiveness, and grace. I may get upset, angry, emotional and worry momentarily, but when I stand still and look up, I know that God is always with me, and continues to love me.

God may delay our answering our requests, but he will never disappoint our trust. I know I am never alone He cares and walks beside me.

What a joy and privilege to have such dear friends to walk with us on our journey.

Thank you for sharing your time with me today.

I love you, Hugs

Karan

Mar 05 2016

Did I Miss My Ride?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Did I Miss My Ride?

For our anniversary, my husband and I decided to travel outside Canada. We spent months getting our passports in order and making sure we had all the right documentation. My husband, Lyle, is Canadian, but I am a U.S. citizen with landed immigrant status, which allows me to live, work (and pay taxes) in Canada.

When my new American passport arrived with a picture reminiscent of Phyllis Diller, Lyle drove me to the Canadian consulate to have it stamped.

“I’ll pick you up in forty-five minutes,” he said, as he dropped me off across the street from the consulate, “I’ll drive by, and you can jump in.”

Finding the right department at the embassy and getting my passport stamped took most of my forty-five minutes.

I rushed outside, crossed the street, and spotted our gold Lincoln coming my way. I began waving frantically, but he just passed by. Fortunately, as he neared the light, it turned red.

Sprinting across the four-lane street in my three-inch heels, I prayed the light would not change as I made the final charge. I jerked open the car door and breathlessly jumped in. Fumbling for my seat belt, I looked up into the horrified face of the driver who was not my husband. By now, the light had changed to green, and we just sat there. “Am I being carjacked?” He asked.

I let go of my seat belt, said my apologies, and assured him it was a mistake. I was not a carjacker! I jumped out just in time to see my husband drive up. He had seen the whole escapade and was driving like a wild man in case he had to rescue me.

“What on earth are you doing? Don’t you know what our car looks like?” He said. All I could do was laugh. My knight in shining armor came rushing in to save me, and the poor man in the other car will most likely never drive his car again without having the doors locked. ©

Reflections:

Isn’t it funny how we can get the wrong impressions about people or circumstances and assume we know all the facts? And harsh conditions and crises events are not usually what we would share on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram. I confess I have been guilty of making assumptions myself and embarrassed to find out how wrong I have been.

How many times have I put on a mask hiding from others what is happening in my life? You know that little survival kit, full of special occasion masks we use to get us through the hard stuff.

When I walk out of the house, hear the screen door slam behind me, I can often pretend to be someone else for a time. Trying to become whatever other people wanted me to be. And never allowing others to see my own fear and insecurity.

I placed all my emphasis on outward appearance, material wealth and personal importance. I had a perfect mask and wanted people to think I had a perfect life too. I would just wear a smile!

I was afraid if they saw the real me, they wouldn’t accept me. I am so thankful there is a God who Loves me and likes me just the way he made me. He sees “The good the bad and the ugly” and loves me anyway. Thank goodness.

What a precious and wonderful gift that He has given me. The gift of grace. I don’t have to pretend that life is perfect, and afraid of what others think of me, I am free to be Me! ©

Do you feel like hiding behind masks too? Why do we feel we need to smile when life is tough?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Hugs to each of you.