Weekend of Blessings ~

Friday and Saturday wasn't by any means typical in the Buckley household; though we have had our share of doings. But this weekend was proving to be challenging to me since it was mostly by my doings. . . It's possible it may have more to do with my age since I don't seem to move as fast.

Our youngest son Aaron's birthday was on Saturday as well as the Pastor's Appreciation Dinner at church.

It goes without saying what a blessing to us our son is and how much we appreciate him in our lives. And for his birthday he wanted a Cheesecake ~ w/ Raspberry Syrup Drizzled which I made Friday to serve up Saturday. Here he is trying to think of a wish.

Friday we had his birthday dinner of Fajitas which I started early in the morning and while that was going on I had a bread starter going since Thursday evening. Boy I needed to get a move on ,that bread took most of the day Friday and was done around six.

You can see where this is going? I had quite a full plate (no pun intended). Friday I had to make sure the preparations for the pastor's dinner was started - the actual cooking took place Saturday for the Chicken Tikka Marsala . Our pastor and his wife were missionaries to India so I choose to make them something for there and not in the norm for church dinners.

Here Pastor Roger is being sung to by very talented guys. They could take the act on the road.

You may know Ohio isn't my most favorite state. But I would never change the blessings of friends we've made over the years and how much more our lives have been enriched by them. And I would never change all the life's lessons I've learned or the trials we've had in our lives. I didn't like them; I'm stronger for them.

As in the lesson we learned in church today with Pastor's last teaching (He and wife are going back into the mission field in India), Romans 8:" 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

I can only hope that my family has enriched the lives of others as they have enriched ours. I can't ever imagine things different in know them and the many lesson we've learned and will continue to learn.

As for Aaron, I pray he got his wish. For a young man he isn't a stranger to trials either.



Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"Life is full of blessings,

For young and old alike.

God is the author;

I ~ Can't add anymore to that.

Amen

VLB 02/08/09