Trials and Blessings !

"Trials and Blessings"
Seems to be the motto we've carried through this past year. January started off with a bang, as we found out last Christmas day that we were going to become grandparents! The big G word as in "Grand" after all, it was the next season that we were about to enter !
We took our home off the market in February, didn't look like this was the time to sell. And we thought we had it all figured out. Gonna sell ,find a smaller home, live a little simpler, yadda, yadda, yadda. But God, had something else in mind. Remember, sometimes when things don't go exactly the way you want them too and prayers aren't answered, there is a reason. And we trust, that we are exactly where God wants us.

Russell has been working very hard and very long hours.He has been with Bashas now for over 15 years. We continue to be thankful these days that he is still working. There have been a lot of people this last year who have lost their jobs, what a crazy year. As most of you know here in Arizona, Bashas filed for bankrupcy back in July, and closed quite a few stores, and some of Russell's colleagues from other stores were let go.We continue to that God for His provision. For we know how fortunate we are to both be working. We never know what is going to happen with Russ's company, but we do Know that God IS in control and He will see us through regardless of the circumstance.

Sarah had a pretty easy pregnancy up untill the end, where she had to go to the ER a couple of times. Lilly was just a tossin- and a turnin in there and she was on some nerves a couple of times, with Sarah so tiny there was no room for that little baby to go .Sarah had a really easy delivery, thank God ! When she came to full dilation it was only like 15 min. Seriously !! Sarah is doing great she is a stay at home mom and she wouldn't have it any other way. She loves being a mom, and we are so proud of her. We always knew her talent was singing, and now we are certain of her God-given gift, she is a wonderful mother,we are proud of both Joel and Sarah they are wonderful parents!

Joel works very hard. We couldn't of asked for a better man for our daughter. He takes care of our baby and now our gandbaby! He works long hours, full-time at our church East Valley Bible . He leads the Worship for Jr. High High School Ministry in the week, and plays guitar and sometimes leads in all 4 services in the conference center on sundays. He also helps out with the college ministry. Whatever they need, Joel's the man, (ok I'm a little biast !) but it's true :)

Lilly ! Lilly is now here, hard to believe that a year ago she wasn't here and now she is and it's her first Christmas ! God is so good! She is on a tight schedule, thanks to mom ! (Sarah) She is a mover and a shaker ! I love to sing to her, just about anything, and everything! I love to get her to smile and to tell her how big she is. I just started reading to her and trying to get her to wave ! She has the most beautiful blue eyes and longest lashes. I love being able to be there. What a Joy she is!
We just love and adore her.

As for me, I am just working for Hallmark now, yeah !! I left Bashas in May. As God continues to provide for our family. It is such a blessing to be able to work my own hours. Right now it is busy for us, I am working about 20 hours a week, But normally I work 12-15 hours a week. It's nice that I can help Sarah out if needed, or just go have lunch with her and the baby, whatever. I had some trials this past year being sick a couple different times. I had to give it up to God and let Him take it, I was spent . I needed to trust in Him to see me through, and He did. Russ and Sarah and my girlfriends were all there for me, praying for me, but I needed to rely on Him. I am thankful for every day that He's given me. I love to be in God's word. Seeing the next thing He is going to teach me. Knowing whole-heartedly that I have "Never" arrived, I am on a constant journey, a journey that He is orchestrating !
We want to wish you all a Blessed year in 2010.
"From His Love Above", The Kubli's !

Lilly Bug !

Lilly Bug, Lilly bug, oh Lilly Lilly bug
Lilly bug Lilly bug , oh Lilly Lilly Lilly Lilly bug !!!
badabambam

(Gramma Debbies song for Lilly)
She is growing so fast. and changing, into a little girl, not just a newborn anymore, her eyelashes have come in and they are so long and beeautiful ! she loves to flirt with you , and be shy..... and smile....... she loves to smile ,when anyone is talking to her, she knows how much we all love her. I love to sing to her , all the fun songs I sang to Sarah when she was little, and of course anything on KLOVE radio! I ask her to tell me about her day, and she just talks and coos and tells me all about it !! What a wonderful blessing she is to all of us.
Thank you Father, for giving her to us, we will continue to pray for her salvation, and that she will grow to KNOW you. She "Will", grow up Knowing Your Truth, Knowing how much you love her and how Jesus died on the cross for her.
In your Son Jesus's name, AMEN

Amazing Song: "What Faith Can Do "

Kutless - "What Faith Can Do" From the album It Is Well

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache, You think it’s more than you can take....
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now, The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds , To find the silver lining....
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end, Even when the sky is falling....
I’ve seen miracles just happen , Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts, become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death ,When they decide to take that step
Out on the water , It’ll be alright
Life is so much more, Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way, If you keep believing ...
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end, Even when the sky is falling...
I’ve seen miracles just happen, Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new,
That’s what faith can do
Overcome the odds, You do have a chance(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you CAN!!!!
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end, Even when the sky is falling.....
I’ve seen miracles just happen, Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!!!!
Even if you fall sometimes, You will have the strength to rise

This year, sure has flown by !!!

Wow, can you all believe that the holidays are upon us ? And what a year we all have had. I know we have had to really stop and count all our blessings, for what we have. God has provided us with all our needs . We all have been affected by this economic spiral in some shape or form. We continue to Thank God each and every day, for our health, our home, our children, our jobs. Our circumstances have been, in no means perfect, but we Trust God and His will to be exactly where He wants us. Knowing, without a doubt, He is in control, He is Soverign and He does not change. Our Faith in Him, Will see us through, whatever circumstance, we may face! His Grace "IS" sufficient.

Sarah's new blog CK out team buckingham!

http://www.teambuckingham.blogspot.com/ Check out new pictures of Lilly's and the Buckingham family on Sarah's new blog.

Lilly is here!

Our beautiful granddaughter Lilly is here. Lilly Joeleen Buckingham was born on August 7th , @ 11:28 am she came in at 6 pounds 9 oz. and 19 and 3/4 inches long ! What a perfect child of God!OK, I am just a little biast :) It has begun , I am a proud grandmother, showing off pictures to people in restaurants I do not know, yelling across campus @ EVBC telling everyone our little Lilly Bug is here!
Russ wants to be called GUMPY, yes gumpy, I am going to let Lilly decide when she gets older what she will call me right now I am grama Debbie, as Joel's mom is grama Gwennie! I had the privledge to spend the night a couple nights to help out with those late night feedings, to help the kids get caught up with some sleep. Sarah is back to 115 lbs you'd never know she just had a baby! lucky her ! I know, I need to figure out my camera and the computer thing to get my pictures on here. :) I know, I know , forgive me !

Please continue to Pray for Natalie and her family

We would like to ask if you would please keep Natalie and the entire Erwin family in your prayers as Natalie continues her fight against Leukemia. She's been on a bumpy road, and has been neausas recently and not been able to attend school. We pray for God's healing and His protection from antibodies as this precious child of God has a low immune system. We ask God to help her and her family through this trial , that they abide ( rest ) in Jesus, as He is the Hope that will see her through.

"i am not " but i KNOW I AM !

God told Moses:
I AM the center of everything. I AM running the show.
I AM the same every day, forever. I AM the owner of everything.
I AM the Lord. I AM the Creator and Sustainer of life.
I AM the the Savior. I AM more than enough.
I AM inexhaustible and immeassureable.
I AM God.
In a heartbeat, Moses knew God's name and something more. He finally knew his. For if God's name is I AM, Moses' name must be i am not.
i am not the center of everything. i am not in control.
i am not the solution. I am not all-powerful.
i am not calling the shots. i am not the owner of anything.
i am not the Lord.

That's my name, too. And yours. i am not. Just try it under your breath, " my name is i am not."

i am not running anything. i am not the head of anything.
i am not in charge of anything. i am not the maker.
i am not the savior. i am not holding it all together.
i am not all-knowing.
i am not GOD.

"To God Alone" Aaron Shust

Aaron Shust - "To God Alone"From the album Take Over

Can you take me by the hand
Can you use me as I am
Break me into who you want me to be
When the time is finally right
You will open up my eyes
Show me everything you want me to see
This life is not my own

Chorus:
To God alone be the glory!
To God alone be the praise !
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for you , To God alone be the Glory!

The glory is yours alone
Yours alone, Take the offering I bring
You want more than what I sing
Can I give you every part of me

Chorus:
To God Alone, be the Glory!
To God alone be the Praise!
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for you, To God Alone be the Glory

Turn these pennies into gold
Take this life I call my own
Until I'm running after your heart
I'm needing to let go

We will rise and we will fall
But you remain , after all
You're glorious and beautiful You're beautiful
To God alone be the Glory
To God alone be the praise
everything I say and do, Let it be all for you

Label: Brash Music

DO YOU NEED AN ENCOURAGING WORD ?

Ck out Klove radio's/ encouraging word below for the daily encouraging word, and remember, it's FROM HIS LOVE ABOVE !

The K-LOVE Encouraging Word for Thursday, 4 June 2009:
For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:14 NLT

http://kloveradio.org/EncouragingWord/

Sarah's Shower

Sara's shower was this past saturday night. What a great turnout, over 30 ladies, from mothers-to be to new moms, new grandmothers-to be, to new great-grandmothers to be, aunts, and great aunts as well . It was very humbling to see how many friends and relatives, there supporting Joel and Sarah and of course baby Lilly !
They received lots of wonderful things, and tons of diapers from the diaper raffle, which was a hit. I had lots of help putting it all together, from Joel's mom, who made all the oragami birds, hanging from the cherry blossoms, the cake cookies, touched off with handmade flowers! She also helped me with putting the favors together weeks before the shower! And Donna, who brought the veggies, and dispenser for the pink lemonade! (and chairs from SecondMile church) , Dianna, my sister who made a wonderful feta salad to go with the croissant sandwiches, and veggies, Sharon H. who brought lots of ice and we cannot forget Sarah's best friend Sara, also known as Sheldon (her last name ) ( to many Sarahs ) , who made the amazing diaper cake, brought the huge cookie from Paradise, made the clothesline , hanging with baby clothes, *(clever) , and of couse the diaper game, with the candy bars ! I was very blessed to have so much help. It was an honor to have you all at our home. It won't be long now and our little Lilly will soon be here!

Prayers for Natalie Erwin

Please click on the website below , and continue to pray for Natalie and the entire Erwin family, as they are awaiting news on Natalies blood counts, that they are UP ! and that she may be in Remission . Our God is limitless.

(Life App Study Bible ) 2 Corinthians , the Importance of trials ; God is faithful. His strength is sufficient for any trial. When trails come, they keep us from pride and teach us dependence on God. *(not on man) He comforts us so we can comfort others.

(NIV) Psalm 37 :5-7 (Hope) "Committ your way to the Lord; trust in himand he will do this:He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the jsutice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret....
(I have this written next to this passage in one of my bibles," Do not be unwilling to wait when things don't make sense- it doesn't mean it won't make sense one day.")

Probably a quote from Tom from one of his messages , or Adrian Rodgers who I love on sunday mornings on "Love Worth Finding" !


http://pray4npe.blogspot.com/