Blessed

I am so very grateful to God for the many blessings I experience and especially those which have occurred within the past month. Richard and I had a safe, enlightening, and amazing trip to Santorini, Greece and Rome, Italy. On June 20th we attended the destination wedding of a wonderful young couple. Paul Christian, the groom, and his family are from Norway. Melora, the bride, and her family are from Australia. Paul’s late grandmother and I are first cousins. “Devine Destiny” brought Paul and Melora together at a church service in Australia. Paul was in Australia finishing his chiropractic education. The initial meeting, followed by the social networking of facebook, led to this meaningful wedding on the beautiful Island of Santorini with its multinational guest list. The most impressive and significant memory for us is that of God’s place in the day, His place in each of their lives, and in their promise to each other, and to God, that He would be positioned first in their marriage. After thanking their family, friends, and parents for loving and supporting them, they expressed the following, “Most importantly, we thank God for bringing us into relationship with Him and for revealing His Son, Jesus, to us. He is the ultimate example of who and what Love is. We thank Him for bringing us together, to love and serve one another, for all of our days”. The new Mr. and Mrs. Pallesen have asked for all to keep them in prayer as they begin and continue their journey as husband and wife. This I will do.

The scripture readings at the ceremony were: 1Corinthians 13:1-8, 13, Isaiah 54:10, Micah 6:8, 1John 4:12, and Ephesians 3:14-22. They tell us that “Love never ends”, “God loves us with an Everlasting Love”, and “His power is at work in us and all Glory will be unto Him forever, and forever”.

Santorini is a semicircular shaped island created by the eruption of a volcano which was active as far back as prehistoric times. Santorini is steep and rocky on the west coast where it faces the volcano’s crater and plunges down into a circular lagoon, the caldera. Perched on the rim of the cliffs are the island’s main towns. Paul and Melora were married at the Santo Winery and the reception was in Fira, both were on the edge of these cliffs. The volcanic origins of the island render it unusually fertile. Its most prized product is wine. Grape vineyards cover much of the island. The reception in Fira was held at sunset and was at one of the numerous restaurants which covered the rim of the rocks overlooking the Caldera. It was an amazing site as the sun set and the countless restaurant lights began to illuminate the cliff’s edges.

The island’s east coast is flat and fertile with miles of black pebble and sand beaches. We stayed in Kamari on the East coast. Along the miles of beach were also miles of out-door restaurants. Our favorite one, along the beach, was Irini’s where we had fresh fish, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, stuffed zucchini, Greek salad, etc. and of course some Santorini wine.

The weather was sunny and warm with a breeze. We rented a quad and had fun touring the island from Oia in the North to the lighthouse on the Southern tip of the island. The Giorgaros Fresh Fish Tavern, close to the southern tip, was recommended to us and we had an amazing meal there twice. It is family owned and run. The father fishes, the mother cooks, and the young daughters serve. We were brought into the kitchen to choose the fish we would eat. Richie and I shared a Red Snapper which was prepared to perfection. On our second visit we were with our friends from London, Barbara Jane and Bill. The mother prepared two slipper lobsters with a light oil and tomato pasta dish which we all thoroughly enjoyed. We continued to tour Santorini by car on the two days in which we were joined by our friends.

In addition to attending the very exceptional wedding, we experienced many other blessings. We are so grateful to have been with our family from Norway, to have been joined by our friends from London, to have met so many new wonderful and interesting people, and to have had the opportunity to visit Santorini and Rome. To Paul Roy and Torunn and your family, and to Barbara Jane and Bill…. you are all special blessings in our lives and we thank the Lord for your friendships.

I do not take for granted everything that I have been blessed with in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity and ability to take such a wonderful trip. I am grateful for my devoted husband, for our loving family, and for our forever friends. Richie and I will be married 47 years in September. I thank the Lord for being with us, guiding us, and supplying all of our needs and so much more. He has been with us during the hard times and the happy times; in the valley and on the mountain top.

We thank you Lord for your Blessings and for your Favor. We will continue to seek a closer walk with you, and continue to serve you, as we live in anticipation of what you will be doing next in our lives. We are blessed.