Sharing Some Blessings ~

I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted here. We got back from our anniversary trip on Friday afternoon, and then Mom had to be at the airport early on Saturday. We also had our first "In Service Saturday" this past weekend, and then, poor Lauren got a stomach virus Saturday night! She is better now, praise the Lord, but still battling a fever. :o( Anyway, without further ado, here are some photos of our San Antonio trip! It didn't go exactly as planned, because the main thing we wanted to do was ride the boat on the River Walk, but, the River Walk was closed for cleaning until Jan. 11th! I was so disappointed. But I'm trying to look on the bright side...maybe I can come back for my birthday!! :) We still had a great time. We did get to walk along the River Walk (there's a great mall there where I bought several books at a Brentano's bookstore!), and we went through the Alamo for the fifth time, but this time, there were no children with us to constantly need something, so it was nice. BTW, if you need to know anything about the Alamo, well, after five trips, I'm your girl! :0) We also went through some museums and enjoyed our wonderful Grand Suite at the Holiday Inn Express! We ate at Olive Garden (YES!) and enjoyed being together. I was torn though, as I also wanted to be able to spend time with my Mom, who was home babysitting. Between getting root canals and my trip, I feel like I hardly saw her. The kids spent lots of quality time with her though!

Me at the River Walk - you can see it's low from being drained!
Terry at the River Walk
Hello, I'm your Alamo tour guide...just step this way to see a lock of Davy Crockett's hair!
The sacred Alamo - where over 250 brave men gave their lives for Texas liberty!


Our suite was named in honor of David Robinson - a former Spurs player.
It had two rooms! Here is the living room.

Here I am in the kitchen. The cabinets had real dishes in them!

It was so nice! We had two TVs, a King size bed, and a hot tub! It was heavenly.

Our first In-Service Saturday was a huge success! I went soul winning with Mrs. Caroline, and we got to see a young lady accept the Lord as her Savior! Praise the Lord! I was wanting to at least get to see one person accept Christ this year, and I did on January 5th! I hope that she is the first of many souls saved this year. The people had a great spirit. We had 12 show up to be involved. I made Taco Soup for lunch, and I think it went over well. Thank you to those who are praying for our work here. It has been slow by our time-table, but the Lord has been working according to His schedule, and that's the best timing of all!

As I was out visiting, I couldn't help but be heart broken over some of the situations we encountered. So many folks are wealthy, but unhappy. Some are so poor, and bitter! Some are just trying to survive and are so weary. I have days when I battle depression, but overall, I have a joyful spirit. Why? What's the difference between my life, and the lives of those listed above? One word: Jesus. Jesus makes all the difference. Now, some people get saved, but continue in sin or refuse to grow. They are not letting Jesus have all of them. When you trust Him for salvation, and give Him your life here and now, He will do great things!

What is the difference between me and the beggar on the street? Jesus.

What is the difference between my home, and a broken home? Jesus.

What is the difference between an alcoholic and me? Jesus.

What is the difference between my marriage and an unhappy one? Jesus.

What is the difference between my soul and a lost soul? Jesus.

Jesus has given me all I have. I can't take credit for not being a beggar, or an alcoholic, or divorced or anything. I am not in those situations because of Jesus. He makes all the difference.

Our 10th Anniversary Celebration

Hello everybody!
I just wanted to write and tell you that I will be leaving for San Antonio tomorrow. My husband and I are going to be spending two days and one night in the beautiful home of the River Walk!! I am really excited about it! We haven't been alone overnight in 7 years!
I will be taking my camera, so I hope to have some photos to share with you on Friday or Saturday.
I would appreciate your prayers for us as we travel, and that we will be able to enjoy our time alone to the fullest! By the time I get used to it being just the two of us, we'll be back home again! But that's okay. I will be glad to get away for a while, and I'll be glad to get back home! I am looking forward to a time of refreshment!
Oh, and please pray for my Mom, as she will be caring for the little Bashams while we are away!
Thank you for your support, prayers and friendship.

Your servant in the hill country ~

Valerie

My Love Story - Ten Years Later

Terry and Valerie in Florida 2004

Terry and Valerie 2007

It was all I could do to walk away that cold January night. I headed for my car, staring at the dark concrete as I walked, tears stinging my eyes, wanting to turn back, but refusing. I knew that those first steps would be the hardest. I was walking away from a one year relationship with a guy that I thought consciously - but knew better subconsciously - would be my future husband. I did not admit to myself that I had "pushed" the relationship along the entire year. I had suggested that we go do "so and so". I had asked if he would call. I had done almost everything for both of us. Deep down, I knew I didn't want that. I wanted a guy that wanted me. But who would want me? Finally, the day came when I had to admit he wasn't the one. He had been drinking. He had another girlfriend in another town. He was doing drugs. This relationship was turning into a nightmare. It was over. I knew I deserved better, but truthfully, I had zero faith that I would get anyone, much less anyone better. After our break up, he left our small college and headed for the hills, where he could party undisturbed by my "ideas" for another date.

I spent my teen years in an active youth group. We had several guys in our church, and they dated every girl in church, well every girl except me. I had only had a few long-distance relationships. When would some guy -that lived around there- want to date me? All my friends were not only seriously dating someone, but two were married!

Then, I met Terry. Well, I met him at teen camp when we were 15, but at 18, he came to my church's college. He had also dated every girl in church - but me! (Do we see a pattern here?) He had been living a worldly life shortly before I broke it off with that guy. Terry came forward in church one night, crying and asking our church to forgive him. We did. That was that. He stayed in college. He kept going. That guy, didn't. He quit.

Terry came to me one night after church and told me he was "crazy about me". Okay. Right. I may be blond, people, but I'm not dumb. I had seen all the broken hearts he had left behind, and I had just been through that myself - I wasn't about to do it again. I was preparing to leave for a Bible college in northern Indiana. I had had it with small churches and my hometown. I was moving on to bigger and better things...I thought.

Terry sent me a rose to work the next day with a note that read "Since you don't believe me, I'll convince you." It was unsigned, but I knew who had sent it. I was reeling. This was what I wanted! Someone who wasn't afraid to win me. That was the end of February,1997. And let me tell you, convince me he did! He had his work cut out as I am very stubborn! He had to win my Dad over, as well as me! Dad wasn't too fond of any guys at our church after what that guy had done. Terry prayed and worked very hard at winning me. Our first date was April 25,1997. We got lost! We finally made it to the restaurant. It was, well, it was exactly how I envisioned a date to be. After all, this was my first date! Well, the first date that I hadn't organized! ;o) We dated "steadily" from then on. We were soul mates. It was obvious to us, but I will admit that at 19, you're still very immature!!!

He purposed marriage to me on Sept. 11, 1997. We were married January 2, 1998. He has not been perfect, but then, neither have I. We have our ups, and our downs. Life has hurled many trials our way. Some trials our closest friends don't even know about. But through it all, God's love has led us. And through all my faults and failures, Terry's love has been there - waiting for me, and winning me all over again! He's a wonderful husband, he's my best friend. He's a great leader. He's a tender hearted soul winner. He's an honorable man and loving father. Every quality I looked for in a husband, he has it and more!

I love you, Terry. Thank you for wanting me. Thank you for convincing me. Thank you for 10 exciting years.

Terry and Lauren with her new doll, Christmas 2007

(She named the doll Elsa)

Terry and Mitchell shooting his BB gun.

Terry and Leslie with her broken arm. :(

Terry with Leslie and Laci