tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43640894874019058242024-03-19T14:54:13.664-06:00learning to journeyGrandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-19807278566154011112014-10-09T08:37:00.002-06:002014-10-09T08:37:50.215-06:00the sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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oh the moon these nights and in this picture, the morning.<br />
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I look for beauty in the sky as the world around turns brown and the darkness settles in…..Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-64216876768570633632014-09-17T17:46:00.000-06:002014-09-17T17:46:05.128-06:00Fall, Autumn, the Season following Summer, preceding WinterI am slightly envious of the many people who applaud the coming of Autumn or Fall as I seem to label it. I wrote a post a few years ago bemoaning Fall with all the falling leaves and temperature. But so many people love this time of year. The colours, the cooler days and ???? Excuse me but what else is there. And I am not all that excited about orange and brown or about being cold or even chilly. Give me a good old sweat any day over shivering and having to layer until the bit of body shape I may have had is now one massive covering of woollies.<br />
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Truthfully, for this pessimist, the dread starts June 21, knowing the days are starting to get shorter. I get over that for 6 weeks or so as I continue to enjoy the sunshine, the flowers, the grass, family times. Then mid-August the feeling begins, a heaviness, a sadness. By the beginning of September it is full-blown! This year was somewhat improved over past Labour day weekends because the JD Salesman and I did an overnighter, checking out Writing-on-Stone provincial park. But Labour day always reminds me of the treks across Saskatchewan, on into Manitoba to leave our friends, our becoming adult kids at college. It broke our hearts every time we made that journey. The memory of that dread still overwhelms me at times.<br />
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Then there is the leaving of the sun. I have another memory of coming out the back door of the junior high building at Delburne. The angle of the sun in the southern noon-hour sky is still vivid in my mind. Fall was on the way. Even then the heaviness started to settle in on me.<br />
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Okay, after all that whining and negativity you might think I may as well dig a cave and stay there until spring. (never thought of that before!). I don't like fall but I love life, the life we have here, the life with the bestest JD Salesman ever. Well, I don't really care about the sales part but this Man is the Bestest! We have three fantastic kids with their amazing spouses and now nine grandkids who all love us too. So life is great.<br />
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And I have learned to cope. My intake of vitamin D increases, I attempt to connect with people regularly, and the quilting projects take shape. If I am in need of a 'fix' I drag out the pile of quilting books or the piles of fabric. Sometimes that is as far as I get but often the piles of fabric become piles of strips, squares and rectangles. And then, then the fun of sewing can begin. The darker evenings are conducive to a cup of coffee and a good story in my favourite chair.<br />
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So, I shall more than survive another Fall. I will be okay but I still envy those who enjoy this season of the year…...Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-20261077146417971752014-09-15T17:22:00.002-06:002014-09-15T17:22:57.982-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been so long. I don't know if I remember how to blog.<br />
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I have been thinking, 'why did I quit?' And I am really not sure. Was it partly the busyness of last summer? I got out of the habit? I don't think anyone reads blogs anymore? ( but I read blogs!)<br />
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I know I stumbled upon a link of 'someone' who was checking out my blog. I was not very happy of what I found and it probably frightened me. This whole internet thing is a little creepy I guess!<br />
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Recently a couple of people asked if I still blogged and one especially encouraged me to continue. So, I shall try again to share a little of what I am learning and some of what I am experiencing. My life is ordinary but hey, most of us live ordinary lives don't we!<br />
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The photo was taken earlier in the summer on an evening when smoke filled the horizon. A little eery and quite beautiful at the same time…..Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-74624963054310607282013-07-03T14:06:00.001-06:002013-07-03T14:06:08.266-06:00the valleySomewhere along the way I have come to look on Psalm 23 as scripture to be read at a funeral. It is often printed on the back of a brochure, often read as the scripture. For that reason I have come to think of the one who has died as the one walking through 'the valley of the shadow of death', the one who has found comfort in this Psalm.<br />
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While this is true, while many people find comfort in the knowledge of God being with them in that valley, I am seeing a different 'view' of the valley these days.<br />
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Over the last months, years, I have watched as family, friends, acquaintances grieve for their family, friends or acquaintances. I watch as they walk deep into the 'valley of the shadow of death'. They walk into that valley suddenly without any warning. Or they may walk slowly with someone who slowly is overtaken in the valley. But for the ones left here the valley goes on and on and on..... It seems to have no end, it seems to become deeper, darker, more lonely as the days go by.<br />
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I watch from the upper bank. I so want to throw down a rope, a ladder, build an elevator, do something to bring these ones I care about out of the valley. I feel helpless, guilty for watching and not 'doing' anything, carrying on with my normal living. I call out once in awhile trying to bring hope and encouragement. I love them..... but what can I do.....<br />
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The Psalm continues: '...I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me...."<br />
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Ah.... they are not alone down there. God IS with them. And the rod and staff? not instruments of pain or rebuke but gentle, kind instruments for guiding, for pointing the right way, for hedging in and around all the valley's rocks and pitfalls.<br />
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One day, one day..... these friends will find a little more light penetrating the dark. One day they will find the walls of the valley are not quite as high. One day they will venture into a different pasture where there is green grass, where the waters are still, they will find a new normal. <br />
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In the meantime.... I ache for them, I ask God for them, I struggle to find words or ways to love them. I wait with them......Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-41687619435645733022013-04-24T10:49:00.001-06:002013-04-24T10:49:22.673-06:00prenuptial agreement, cowboy style, old-time cowboy style!These were the three conditions presented to the one he wanted to marry:<br />
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1. I believe in tithing. We have to agree to tithe what we know is God's.<br />
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2. I can't be trusted with much money so I know we will never have a lot. Our needs will be met but there won't be much extra.<br />
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3. Don't try to talk me out of horses.<br />
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She didn't seem to have any problem with these conditions! So, she agreed to marry this handsome cowboy from Youngstown. That was well over 60 years ago. I know they kept tithing. (I only know because if that is what they said they would do they did it!). It appears they never had a lot of money but they always had enough. She never talked him out of the horse issue but after a tangle with a particularly ornery one he settled for quieter involvement that did not include having to break them.<br />
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When it became clear they would not be able to have their own children they began caring for others who did not have parents who could. And now, these adult kids are there to help the parents who provided for them.<br />
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At one point when health issues started to arise, the doctor asked is he had ever had any serious injuries. "No", was the reply. "But I was dragged across the prairie behind a wagon one time. Then there was the time a horse........ But no, nothing serious." Yeah. Right.<br />
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Uncle and Auntie still live in their own home, home care helps as needed. Auntie bakes bread and buns, makes all the meals, sews drapes and bags from leftover drape fabric. (anyone who visits will probably take one home!) Uncle loves a phone call once a week from the JD Salesman and also the company that stops from time to time.<br />
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Thanks for the example of commitment! We love you!Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-18003103031310821912013-03-31T09:13:00.003-06:002013-03-31T09:13:32.416-06:00from the JD salesmanMy JD Salesman was asked to 'give a tribute to Jesus' at the Good Friday service. Here it is:<br />
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"I feel I need to give a bit of an introduction so you will understand where I am coming from. I was raised in a solid christian home with God fearing parents. If the church was open, we were there. I learned of God's love, protection and provision. I thought I understood God fairly well but my God was pretty defined, predictable and therefore in a pretty small box. I believed in heaven and hell and that salvation was through Christ's shed blood and His resurrection and my admission that I was a sinner and needed to accept Jesus as my Saviour and sin-forgiver. I knew that God was in total control and that He designed everything both good and bad.<br />
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For the past dozen or so years God has been showing me how He was and is much bigger than my original concept of Him. Just a couple of weeks ago we buried the daughter of very close friends, mother of a 2, 5 and 8 year old, loving wife to a young husband. I was wrestling with how a loving God could either design her death or even allow her death. On top of being very sad, I was troubled and somewhat confused, searching for answers, searching for truth.<br />
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In our small group study that week we were studying in Luke, just happened to be on the Lord's prayer. The phrase 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven..' was heavy. Did God really will that Danielle die or did He just allow it? The Lord showed me, through the comments of one of our group, that either way the outcome was the same. Danielle had died. Did God design it or allow it, it didn't really make any difference. Karin often says that God is God and God is good. I had been keeping God in a box, a much bigger box than before but still confined to what I could understand. I am thankful that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit it showing me that God, our God, is bigger than any boundaries I could imagine. He is limitless, huge and I am slowly realizing that God is God and God is good. I don't need to understand the whys of the tough situations of life. and there is so much true freedom for me in that.<br />
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Isaiah 55: 8&9 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' "Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-31118124474213628642013-03-13T10:08:00.000-06:002013-03-13T10:08:13.557-06:00and life goes on.....As the 'unlikely group of people' met a week ago there was good discussion which came out of Luke 11, the "Lord's Prayer". What does God allow, what does God plan or design for our lives. ( I was not all that pleased to realize how I hold on to my own 'ideas'!)<br />
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But near the end one quiet, gentle lady who has gone through sorrow, the like of which I know nothing about, spoke truth into the situation. I write what I 'heard'. It is not a direct quote!<br />
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She said that whatever we might believe about 'thy will be done', does God allow or design the situations we find in life does not change the outcome. People get sick, they die, they have accidents. But what we do with the outcome of these things in life is what will affect the remainder of OUR lives. She spoke of the 'size' of God and again I realized how small I see God to be. I said in my last post that God is God and God is good but I don't think I really know what that means, I don't comprehend God. My God is too small, again.....<br />
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The encouragement that comes to me is the reality of God's love, He does not condemn me for my lacking of understanding. He loves me and shows me once again His goodness. He knows I am frail but continues to gently teach me. Such a safe place, this God of love and grace.<br />
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And when I doubt and wonder and question I come back to the reality of what God has done inside of me. I am often blind to His involvement in the situations of life but I know the change He has made and continues to make inside me. Then I come back again to trust and faith in a God who is good.<br />
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For Danielle's family life must find a new normal. And we ask God for grace and strength for them to do life well as they grieve and live.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-12109133194558054372013-03-05T18:21:00.000-07:002013-03-05T20:57:05.431-07:00a year laterIn March of last year I blogged about Danielle and encouraged others to follow her blog. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer and wished to share with others the journey she was taking. It soon became clear to Danielle that she had to have a 'closed, a private' blog. She was being harassed by strangers who mocked faith and alternative medicine.<br />
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Danielle's story has been amazing and she has written honestly of her cancer story. There were so many ups and downs, joys and sorrows which she openly talked about. We have laughed with her and cried. We watched her parents grieve as Danielle struggled with the battle. Her Mom has spent most of the last year with Danielle and family, a province away from her own home, helping when and where she could.<br />
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In the last few weeks there was a down turn in her health and on Sunday night, on her 36th birthday, Danielle went home to heaven.<br />
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I know we all grieve in different ways. We are all affected in different ways. The JD Salesman and I are by-standers, friends who love them. Our grief is not the grief of the family but we grieve, we ache, we are weary with grief. It makes no sense. There is no explanation. It is not God's will that this lovely Momma should die. Maybe I push the limit with words when I say that because I can accept that God allowed Danielle to die but I cannot believe it was God's will. We heard a friend once say with regards to a different sorrow that God made a perfect world, in the end all will be made perfect but here and now, in between the two ends of perfection bad things happen, people die tragically, people get sick, crap happens to people.<br />
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I believe God is good. Danielle's husband said that he is so thankful that God is love. Good. Love.<br />
I choose to trust this God. I certainly don' t understand Him. For that I am also thankful. He is God and I am not. There is a thought in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" that often comes to my mind. I am told that Aslan, the lion, is a figure of God. Someone asks if the lion is safe and the answer is no, he is not safe but he is good.<br />
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In my 'terms' I don't think God is safe but I trust Him because the longer I live, the more I get to know Him, the more I believe He is good and He IS Love.<br />
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I hold on to that when I think of Danielle's husband, his extended family, her three young children, her two brothers, their wives, her nieces and nephews, her kind and gentle Mother, her do-anything-for-you loving Father, her huge extended family and multitude of friends all over this world.......<br />
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Saturday, March 9, 10:30 a.m., we will gather in a church in Sherwood Park Alberta, to join her family to honour Danielle's short life and to meet God. If you are so inclined, if God puts it into your heart, could you please pray for this family?<br />
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Thank you.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-10906340112611946722012-12-09T23:49:00.001-07:002012-12-09T23:49:18.041-07:00an 'unlikely' group of peopleA gentleman asked us, the JD Salesman and I if we would lead a 'care group'. That was 11 years ago. We really had no idea what we were in for but having spent a year in such a group at Clark and Wanda's house we knew the value of such.<br />
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Things have changed, people have come and gone for various reasons but over the last 3 or 4 years the same group has come together every other week for a couple of hours. There are 2 widows, one who still is raising children on her own. A number of years ago now we grieved as one of our seniors became sick in December and died in March. Her husband still comes. Then there is the brilliant retired teacher married to the gentle violinist. They have been married for over 25 years after their first spouses died. A single retired counsellor who came back to Alberta to be near family joined us four years ago. An alcoholic who has been clean for close to 30 years and his wife round out the group. Ten. Ten vastly varied backgrounds, personalities, occupations, families, representing six different churches. Ten people with histories of pain, of being misunderstood, of misunderstanding.<br />
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We are actually an unlikely group who would probably have never 'chosen' each other as friends. But 'somehow' we have come together, we care about each other, we care for each other. We come together, read some verses from a book of the Bible and then we sit back, wait, listen, talk, think, share thoughts and after an hour or more we are awed by what God, through the Holy Spirit has shown us. Sometimes it is a simple thought, sometimes it causes a stir, a change in thinking. But we learn together, we grow together, we respect each other, we accept each other no matter how differently we might think.<br />
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Maybe this is what church is really all about. Maybe this is 'church'.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-81094455229750077122012-10-24T16:33:00.002-06:002012-10-24T16:33:53.846-06:00I look out the window....I look out the window and see the snow piled where the flowers were blooming, where the grandkids were running barefoot on a treasure hunt. I look out the window and see ice on the sidewalk where the rain poured down the spout into a pail that would water the pots of pansies. I look out the window and see snow covering the last row of potatoes that I did not dig before we went away. I look out the window and I am thankful for:<br />
-a bag of potatoes that are safe and dry in the garage, enough to last until Christmas<br />
-natural gas that fuels the furnace<br />
-electricity to light the dark evening<br />
-enough $$$$ to pay the gas and electrical bills<br />
-there has been no tornado, earthquake, flood or any other 'natural disaster'<br />
-our house is more than we need, warm and cozy<br />
-the JD Salesman will come home with heart-warming stories<br />
-more than adequate food<br />
-friends who call, Facebook, email and come to care group<br />
-siblings and in-laws who love us<br />
-three 'kids' with amazing spouses and kids of their own<br />
-homes and food for these families<br />
-reliable vehicles to drive on the icy roads<br />
-good roads that are kept relatively clear for driving<br />
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Where does the list end? Does it have an end? I doubt it.... I don't enjoy cold or winter but today I choose to be thankful for the many, MANY 'gifts' that I have. <br />
I choose to thank God.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-28391438807371133992012-09-14T09:45:00.002-06:002012-09-14T09:45:38.778-06:00more of the journey...Prayer continues to be a puzzle to me....<br />
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It would seem as though prayer has always been a part of life. I remember the list of names my Dad prayed for each morning, the Bauchs, Fawleys, Malsburys, Carlsons, Friesens all faceless names in unknown countries as far as I was concerned. That was followed by all of us as a family reciting the "Lord's Prayer" together. Then there were my own petitions as I knelt beside my bed in that icy upstairs bedroom. Mostly I remember trying to recall all the bad things I needed to confess. I had no concept of God's total forgiveness of sin because of Jesus' death.<br />
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In the last few years I recall a friend asking if there was power in prayer. "Of course," I thought, that is what I had heard all my life. "No," replied Murray. "The God we pray to has power but our words don't have power." That set me back to thinking!<br />
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I have been told there are certain words I should not use when I pray, that I should pray a 'certain' way. I have been left feeling fearful and guilty about prayer more than once by people who have formulas and patterns that 'work'. These 'formulas' are encouraged to bring great miracles for all to see. Truthfully, some of the greatest 'miracles' that I have seen personally are the ones that have happened inside when I pray "help" or "I can't do this. Please do it through me".<br />
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So what do I believe now, today....<br />
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I believe I have a lot to learn.<br />
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There is much talk these days of 'relationship' with God. It would seem to me that 'relationship' does not follow a 'formula', that each 'relationship' we have with those around us is different. So I learn to talk to God, learn to listen to God in a way that is unique for 'us'. I am not saying we can't learn from each other but I am also different from everyone else so I can not relate to God like everyone else.<br />
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I have read in the Bible about having faith like a grain of mustard, about telling mulberry bush to be moved into the sea. I have also been left feeling guilt, not even having faith as tiny as a mustard seed, I mean, come on Karin!!! Recently when I read that I was honest enough to say (quietly :) ), "that is so ridiculous. Why would I tell a tree to be moved into a sea". What I 'heard' in my mind was: "Exactly!" And then a flood of thoughts.... it only takes a tiny bit of faith in a great God to believe in the things that others might think are ridiculous, to act on a belief that I am convinced that God has given me whether others agree or not. (note: I am not saying I should 'do' anything that is illegal or immoral! Those are not the kinds of 'things' I am talking about and those are not the kinds of things God would ask of me).<br />
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And so, I continue to learn to believe that God wants me to tell Him what I want, to believe that He knows what is best and good, to trust Him to sort through what I say, to understand my thoughts. I continue to pray, though sometimes it is just a jumble of thoughts. I think that is what a 'relationship' is all about.<br />
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I am most happy to be challenged about this, to hear what others have to say. I think we all learn as we talk and respect each others 'learning'.<br />
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-79075432296500758132012-08-31T13:14:00.000-06:002012-08-31T13:14:30.631-06:00FacebookA number of years ago I was encouraged to be Facebook member. Although my 'skills' were (and still are) very limited computer-wise, I was in! For about a month! I did not know what all the terminology meant. I did not know what was 'etiquette'. (is there such?). I started hearing horror stories regarding privacy invasion. So, I just quit!<br />
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I resisted the encouragements, the scorn of those well-versed in all the ins and outs of Facebook. I admit to developing a snobbery of my own. "No, I am not on Facebook"probably was said with some satisfaction and weird pride!<br />
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Then it dawned on me that I was actually missing out on some local happenings and sometimes events. Good friends recognized my archaic attitudes and would usually phone me but that is hardly fair of me to expect. I 'lurked' on a family members account but that did not keep me in touch with my community. I 'heard' of the great photos posted and sometimes would have them forward by friends.<br />
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But a couple of weeks ago I relented and tried to set up an account only to find my 'old' account sitting in 'inactive'. So, there I was, here I am. On FaceBook......<br />
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I am still cautious. I don't do much posting. I have become brave enough to add a few comments once in awhile. But I have discovered some amazing photography, learned of new babies, the health problems of a friend. I also discovered that I can waste, yes, waste a whole lot of time! But hopefully I will get a grip, gain some balance, let go of fears and just enjoy the 'good' that is there.<br />
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It has taken me goodness knows how many years to become comfortable in the blogging world! I suspect Facebook will be a way off life for me about the time it becomes obsolete! Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-72120087146533356282012-08-23T13:06:00.001-06:002012-08-23T13:06:28.426-06:00Treasure...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our grandchildren are basically 'city / small- town' kids so there are wonders of country life that are not experienced on a regular basis.</div>
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On the last morning of the recent family get-together we did one last Gator exploration of the pasture. Lo and behold! A treasure! A picked-over-by-coyotes carcass of a yearling steer! It could have been a gold-mine as far as these young'uns were concerned as they loaded the back of the Gators with stinking bones!</div>
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All well and good until it came time for the departure for their civilized homes! "You are not taking those with you!" "But Grandma said I could!" oops!</div>
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The parents relented as a very dry white one was chosen and enclosed in a large garbage bag......</div>
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The next young lady's choice was not nearly as dry and the odour was not quite as pleasant! But the Papa agreed to allow the 'treasure' to travel to the city with the agreement that these would be 'outside toys'. These were encased in more than one 'odour guard' garbage bag! </div>
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-68511954044899079072012-08-14T10:40:00.000-06:002012-08-14T10:40:09.496-06:00of pixies, fairies, leprechauns...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At one time, long ago(!), my most favorist thing to do was read. In the midst of all the stories to be read there were some of great imagination. I don't think I ever truly believed in fairies, pixies or leprechauns but oh, it was such fun to imagine! I know I imagined and imagined!. While cutting grass the other morning I came across this toadstool of all toadstools. A perfect place for pixies, fairies and leprechauns to sing, dance and share the bit of sunshine together............</div>
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-45733400735244883942012-06-28T11:10:00.001-06:002012-06-28T11:10:42.951-06:00water,water everywhere....<div style="text-align: right;">
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It seems long ago since we lived on that farm in the middle of this picture. I don't recall ever seeing water like this! There was a down-pour ( I think that is putting it mildly) the other night. The JD Salesman took a flight over the countryside yesterday and with his phone, took a few pictures. </div>
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South of Youngstown is a reservoir, a recreational area, which is over flowing its banks. I know of one family who was evacuated for fear the dam would not hold.<br />
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-56602030959930847302012-06-13T20:34:00.000-06:002012-06-13T20:34:03.162-06:00A tea party (coffee too!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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pretty cool box for tea! handmade by the 'man of the home'<br />
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yes, there was tea but also coffee...<br />
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and food, all kinds of fine food! <br />
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dainty sandwiches<br />
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plenty of sweets<br />
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delicious scones<br />
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Thank you, Friend, for the party!Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-88910940157321765922012-06-03T09:01:00.000-06:002012-06-03T09:01:14.905-06:00"Gifted"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The JD Salesman was "gifted" with a relic John Deere bicycle in the back of his pickup sometime last winter. (yes, it does say John Deere in obscure printing!). It sat in our shop, waiting for someone to rescue it, make something useful. This is what has transpired! Now the question is will the plants survive the wind and will I remember to water ! Ask me later........</div>
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-55342190811895532662012-05-24T11:03:00.003-06:002012-05-24T11:03:44.138-06:00and last but not least.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have the privilege of having these two live close enough to come and visit once in awhile.<br />
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So much for which to be thankful ......<br />
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Sometime in May, 1928 Magda arrived at the train station in Wayne Alberta. There to meet her with horse and buggy was a man named Karl. Karl was employed on the farm of Peter and Marie Ostergaard and was also the high school sweetheart of Magda. When Karl realized that the Ostergaards were looking for a girl to help with the housework, he wrote to Magda and sent her the money to immigrate to Canada. Soon Magda realized that Karl was not the man she wanted to marry but he was the one who had paid for her to come to Canada, he was her 'sponsor'. The dear Ostergaard family who had accepted Magda as one of the family paid Karl and took responsibility for her. Shortly after that they laid Karl off and he vanished from her life! Well, I understand she and her husband did meet him once years later.<br />
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Magda married Hans Thomsen on April 30, 1932. Her life was anything but easy right from the beginning. Mind you, life in the 30's was not easy for anyone I don't think! Magda gave birth to her first child, a son, Eric Jens, in February 1933. Shortly after that Magda spent 10 months in the TB sanatorium in Calgary.<br />
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Magda gave birth to four more children and I am her baby. Eric was 17 when I was born so raising children stretched over many long years. She had her first grandchild when her youngest child was 6 years old!<br />
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Today, May 22 marks 27 years since Mum died. For many years she would talk of friends who had cancer and how they suffered. It seemed to me that she greatly feared that disease. In January 1985 she was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrigs disease. Although there may not have been a lot of physical pain the loss of speech, being unable to swallow caused such suffering. She chose to stay at home and deal with life as it came.<br />
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Unlike most victims of ALS, Mum was able to walk and she did just that the evening before she died. My sister tells of how she walked around the garden whacking at the weeks with her cane, reminding my Dad of what he should be doing!<br />
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That day in May I left the Farmer (now JD Salesman) with three young kids and went to visit my parents. Our oldest sister had come from Ontario and the middle sister had come a month earlier from Thailand at Dad's request. Dad and Chris had gone to the little country church for prayer meeting. Martha and I sat in the yard, visiting and then prayed, asking God to take our Mum to heaven. He did. <br />
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After the reality had settled in I remember leaving the house and walking into the nearby field where I screamed at God. I was so angry that my Mum had died. It was years later that I came to realize how anger us just a part of grieving, it is normal and no, God did not turn away from me, reject me, get angry back! I know He understood.<br />
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Mum loved flowers. She loved birds. One of her favourites is the house wren. The other day when I heard that noisy little bird for the first time this spring I thought of Mum. <br />
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I still miss her.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-69689977718732440382012-05-19T11:32:00.000-06:002012-05-19T11:32:10.742-06:00and three more.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Manitoba means two families, six grandchildren, many memories....<br />
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Lucy<br />
the sparkle in these eyes reflects the mischief that is brewing...<br />
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Jackson<br />
energy to spare! His Dad tells me the soccer shoes are being put to good use!<br />
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Molly<br />
she faithfully waters the bean plant she has been growing since winter! Pretty in pink, right?Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-34087865444185191412012-05-18T09:25:00.002-06:002012-05-18T09:25:37.530-06:00annual Manitoba visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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is it really three weeks ago that I took a flight to Manitoba? oh my! how the time flies....<br />
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While I was there I took in the annual dance recital of these three grand daughters. And yes, I shed some tears of joy and pride.<br />
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They all did a great job!<br />
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(Lexie is the one on the left of the picture. She has a "double" who is in her kindergarten class as well as her dance class. I wasn't the only one who kept getting mixed up!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xXn0Wo2An_dzBGIEcJ9V727WqKlisvxZh0JbPzi4kvTT8p7lRGdkCnEOADh_zfAj_PV0qF808zjw3MzZO0RtReczBIPVT6eNwzg3JybqhFkxJ416qYVTZ1wG8zt2MwNEc-3hTxXgOtw/s1600/IMG_2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xXn0Wo2An_dzBGIEcJ9V727WqKlisvxZh0JbPzi4kvTT8p7lRGdkCnEOADh_zfAj_PV0qF808zjw3MzZO0RtReczBIPVT6eNwzg3JybqhFkxJ416qYVTZ1wG8zt2MwNEc-3hTxXgOtw/s400/IMG_2284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-65231340539133188952012-04-23T10:05:00.000-06:002012-04-23T10:05:37.366-06:00ahhhhh spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The calendar 'told' us a month ago that spring had arrived but at the end of last week I KNEW it had truly come to be. The robins have been hanging around for a number of days but when the meadowlark took up his position on a fence post and announced his arrival, when the JD Salesman walked the prairie finding a bouquet of the finest for me, I took a deep breath and knew spring is here! </div>
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-82037191441947654712012-04-11T08:58:00.000-06:002012-04-11T08:58:35.074-06:00If you love me....."If you love me you will obey what I command." John 14:15<br />
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These words have haunted me and left me with a feeling of guilt for so many years. Have you ever thought of your parents, your friends, your spouse in terms of "If you really loved me you would ______"? That is how I read this verse and saw it as judgement, a condemnation. My mind said "You don't love God very much. You don't obey the commandments, the sermon on the mount, all the 'rules' that seem to apply to Christians."<br />
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I have come to see in recent years how frightfully wrong I have been, how I was reading this verse and others like it with a legalistic idea and mindset.<br />
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Firstly, I took the word "if" as conditional. But love for God is not a measuring stick, a scale to determine how righteous I am. My love for God is rather puny in comparison with His love. But I believe that my love, my faith, even if it is the size of a tiny seed comes from God in the first place. I don't seem to be able to 'muster up' love or faith in my own strength. Instead of the word "if" maybe "because" explains the verse more clearly. I am coming to understand the desire, the ability to obey comes because I love God not proof that I love God.<br />
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Secondly, I read a translation of the latter part of the verse as: "follow my teachings." This was a contrast to what I had believed about the list of do's and don't's with which I had grown up. I had actually come to a place twelve or so years ago deciding there was no way I could live this 'Christian' life, that I could ever 'be' what I thought people expected from a 'Christian'. But I was looking at man-made expectations and equating them to God's commandments.<br />
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It is so very much a work in process but I am learning (let me emphasis LEARNING) to listen to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, and to obey what I believe God commands, to follow the teachings of Jesus. When I first thought of 'what I command' as following Jesus' teachings, I also thought, "I can handle that". Then it hit! Wait a minute! I can no more follow Jesus' teachings than I can successfully obey all the 'rules' I once thought I had to keep. That is why I need a Saviour, why I need the Spirit of God in me to give me the capability to obey.<br />
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There is a freedom that comes with looking to God rather than myself or to other people. Some days seem easier than others: some days, some hours, some minutes. I guess it is a constant learning process that will only end in heaven some day.Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-37947662279200075082012-04-02T11:44:00.000-06:002012-04-02T11:46:41.723-06:00aging process"Leave behind the chilling thought of wrinkles and the anxiety of an aging-epidermis and instead opt to add an easy-to-apply product..... " "Discover how a dab of this signature cream makes approaching your exterior wrinkle concerns a simple process..."<br />
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This greeted me as I checked my Inbox the other morning. I had not even looked in the mirror. I prefer to use the bathroom in the dark first thing in the morning, avoiding the reflection as I 'take a seat'. But I am fully aware of the wrinkles and the aging-epidemis. So I leaned into this advertisement, checking the price of this miracle cream and pondering the wonderful benefits.<br />
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Then, wait a minute! What is happening! What sort of lies am I buying into! Why should I be chilled at the thought of wrinkles! What is there about aging epidermis that should give me anxiety! Give your head a huge shake GRANDMA Karin! You are in your 6th decade. There is nothing wrong with aging, with becoming old. It is natural, a fact of life, reality.<br />
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But I realize there is the subtle and sometimes no-so-subtle implication or belief it is wrong to become old, to accept the changes that come to my body and my mind. I have bought into the belief of beauty belonging only to the young and I should do everything possible to hold on to a 'look', and 'image' that someone, somewhere has decided is perfect. <br />
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Today is another day. I have not totally forgotten the wrinkles and whatever my skin happens to be. I fret over the middle roll but I am also reminded that it is the inside, the inner me that truly wants change. My greatest longing is to be at peace within my heart, to rest, genuinely rest in the love of God for me, to trust ALL things working for my good, for the good of family and friends. <br />
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Isn't this the heart of Easter?<br />
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<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364089487401905824.post-6837971646388556682012-03-26T09:32:00.000-06:002012-03-26T09:32:29.003-06:00Three Hills has got talent!Saturday afternoon my sister, the JD Salesman and I took in the <a href="http://www.thaas.ca/">Three Hills Arts Academy</a>'s spring musical: "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". If you live within driving distance of Three Hills, have any inclination for drama, this is one to see.<br />
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I was not surprised at the talent which made up this production. Three Hills is teeming with such! But it is so very impressive to see it all come together in one huge undertaking. Having never been part of something of this magnitude I don't know all that is involved but I do have an inkling.<br />
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There are the costumes, the choreography, the directing of this huge group of people. It is difficult enough to memorize a number of songs with varying 'beats' and range but then to sing them to recorded music? Add some pretty fancy footwork at a fast pace and one's head must be spinning.<br />
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I hesitate to mention particular characters because they ALL did a fantastic job. Please know that I appreciated all of them! But I must tell you about a couple of them.<br />
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Pharaoh: I will never walk through the dairy section in the local grocery store, meet Dan who is in charge of said section and be able to resist a grin! I had not idea the Pharaoh, in this production, had an 'Elvis' flair and Dan fit the role, played the part and has an exceptional voice. Absolutely delightful!<br />
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And then there is Judah..... aka Daryl. What can I say...... who would have known he has a latent country boy side! Smashing in his wide-brim hat! Line dancing? I would never have suspected this ability. Alicia, do you foresee ranching in the future for your family? All joking aside, he was so delightful and his 'Benjamin Calypso' was brilliant and so well done.<br />
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Take note of the 'Baker' who also plays one of the 'brothers'. Would you guess he, excuse me, she, is also the director of this whole affair? <br />
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Thank you to those who are committed to going to all this work for our entertainment. Thank you to the families who really do sacrifice to have family members involved in hours of practice and performance. It was great!<br />
<br />Grandma Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770351296878161488noreply@blogger.com1