Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to wish all of you, my friends, a very happy Mother's Day!
I also wanted to wish the world's best Mom, Carolyn Courtney, a very happy Mother's Day. We can't wait to see you!!
Mom, you make the word "Mother" that much sweeter to me. Thank you for all you have done to rear me for the Lord, and thanks for all you do to help me keep my eyes on Him.
Thank you for taking an interest in my interests by faithfully reading my blog, and commenting, in a way that only a Mom can!

I love you.

~Valerie

PS Check back later to see a photo of how our church honored Moms today!

Something for My "Partner"

I had wanted to post something special in honor of my "partner", my Dad, on his birthday or another special date. However, because I'm not sure as to what my blogging status will be on his birthday, July 2nd, I decided to go ahead with it now. As I was packing up, I came across several cards and notes that friends had sent after his death. I keep them in a box which I avoid. I don't look at them very often, for they cause sadness deep within my soul. The tears start as a gentle trickle and then rapidly increase from there. I decided today, however, I would go through the box again. It's been a while since I've looked through it. Even though I miss him terribly, and it causes sorrow, it's good for me to remember the wonderful Dad I had here- and who is waiting for me on the other shore. I just wanted to share some things with you about my parents while I had the chance.
First let me tell you about my relationship with my parents. To sum it up, it was, and still is, wonderful. My parents were, in my opinion, strict. This said to me, "We love you, Valerie". My parents were giving. This said to me, "We love you, Valerie." My parents enjoyed having a good time and laughing. This said to me, "We love you, Valerie." My parents were forgiving. After being disciplined, I would repent. They forgave me and never brought it up again. This said to me "We love you, Valerie." My parents never humiliated me publicly. This said to me, "We love you, Valerie." My parents read their Bibles daily, lived according to the Scriptures, and backed our preacher. This said to me, "We love the Lord, Valerie." My parents led balanced and disciplined lives themselves. This said to me "Live this way for happiness, Valerie. Follow us as we follow Christ, Valerie." My parents whole heartedly invested in my interests. Whether this was shown by giving of their time, money or by simply listening, they cared about what I cared about. This said to me "You matter to us, Valerie."
My Dad and I had a unique bond. He often referred to me as his "partner". We had similar personalities. We enjoyed doing the same things. We biked together many summer nights. We would lie on the bed with the windows open in the summer and he would tell me all about his childhood...okay, I asked him a lot of questions! He picked me up from school and often bought us milkshakes. (I told you we enjoyed the same things!) Sometimes, I'd go to work with him. He would give me a map of Arkansas with all the counties and some colored pencils. What fun!! We once drew a map of the USA to hang on our mantle at home.(I would give pretend weather forecasts using it.) He read books to me in the summer about the Presidents. We enjoyed being together. This was true of my Mom, as well. We all liked being with each other.
Here are some things I wanted to share with you about my Dad. These were written on 3x5 cards that were handed out at my home church soon after my Dad's homegoing. I hope it will give you a glimpse into the life of this remarkable man.

"Bro. Courtney was such a blessing. He always greeted you with a smile, always had something encouraging to say. I guess the biggest thing that I'll remember about Bro. Courtney is listening to him pray. He will always be in my heart." - Laura Herndon

"I always loved to sit near Bro. Courtney during church because he was always so enthusiastic during the preaching. You could tell by the way he would "amen" the preacher that he lived and believed what he said. I also loved to hear him pray. You could tell he had a close walk with God. He left a wonderful legacy!" - Alisha Samples

"Bro. Ron Courtney - A godly man and great example for the younger fathers in our church. We will greatly miss him at Victory Baptist Church." - Mary Thomas

"When I think of Bro. Ron, I think about his love for his children and grandchildren - but even more, his love for souls. I always loved to hear him play the trumpet."
- Sheila Herndon

"It was very hot outside and we were sitting in the church. [Note: At the time the church met in the gym while they were building their new building.] Bro. Ron got my attention and said "Don't you wish you were in Greenland?" Bro. Ron was an encouragement to us." - Bro. Marty Arnold, Missionary to Greenland

And there were many more! There are so many loving people in my home church. These notes have been such a comfort to me over the past 3 - almost four years.
My Dad was tall, 6'2", and many people thought he resembled Ronald Reagan, especially when Reagan was in office. He would get so tired of complete strangers telling him this. He did not share this opinion! ;]

Here's a poem that a faithful friend of our family wrote. The Payte family, Reggie, Debbie, Jenceson, Jim and Reuben, have been friends of ours for years. We grew in the Lord together first at Hot Springs Baptist Temple under Pastor Glenn Riggs, and later at Victory Baptist. I hope you don't mind this long post, I just wanted to share what Jim wrote.

His wavy white hair
His finely honed wit,
The strength of his handshake
His encouragement to never quit.

The height of his stature
Is just but a mite,
Compared to his example
Of a man who lived right.

And, oh, to hear him pray
That's what I loved most
He seemed as though he were best friends
With the Lord of hosts.

No thee's and thou's
No strain of thought,
Plain spoken words
Not rehearsed or taught.

His head tilted back
As he uttered his prayer
I peeked I suppose
It seemed the Lord was standing there.

The words that he spoke
Still ring in my ear
I want to pray like that
And feel the Lord so near.

Into God's presence
Now he'll abide.
For today he went home
Leaving his children and sweet wife by their side.

But don't worry, don't mourn, fret or despair.
Ron Courtney left a heritage...
He was a man of prayer

Now you can see him in Heaven
As he talks with the Lord.
I picture it quite the same
As it was here before.

His head tilted back
Now Glory in his eye,
Face to face praying and waiting,
For you and me to arrive. - Jim Payte

I sure hope I didn't bore you with all of this. Since I've had a blog, I've written about everyone in my family. Everyone except my Dad. I've said a few things here and there, but I hadn't really told you about him. And to think, I could continue to write about him, and my Mom, for hours! None of my feelings for my parents are a shock to them. I have no regrets about my relationship with my Dad and Mom. To God be the glory!
I'll close with a little quote from my Mom's favorite show, The Andy Griffith Show. (Here's a brief synopsis) This is the episode where Aunt Bea wants a bed jacket for her birthday, but Andy doesn't get it for her. He instead gets her two dozen preserve jars. Aunt Bea is crushed. When he realizes his error, he goes to get the bed jacket, but it's been sold...to the Mayor! Andy agrees to trade the Mayor his prize fishin' rod, Eagle-Eye Annie, for the bed jacket. At the end, when Opie asks his Pa where the rod went, Andy replies to Opie:
"No, I didn't say that [I'd never get rid of it], I said I kept it because it brought me so much pleasure. And ol' Eagle-Eye Annie's doin' just what she's always done. Even right now she's bringin' me pleasure. Real heart-warmin' pleasure."

Pleasure, that's what my family brings to me. Real heart warmin' pleasure.

A Sister Is Forever ~

Happy Birthday, Melanie!!

Walter, Melanie, Stephen and me

Many friends may come and go, but a sister is forever. In honor of my sister's birthday today, I'd like to tell you a little about her. I often tell people that my sister is extremely good. And that defines her perfectly. I often desire to please myself, Melanie desires to please others. I often seek my own benefit along the way of life, Melanie seeks the benefit of others. If you need a babysitter, you can call upon her (but please don't...she's really busy these days). If someone is ill and needs a meal, she will be there. She sews. She cooks well. She sings. She plays the piano. She will gladly help you prepare a meal, or clean up after a meal. She will volunteer to pick up the dry cleaning or go to Wal-Mart for the one ingredient that you forgot to buy for supper. She homeschools, she is a soul winner, she teaches Sunday school, she is the mother to three active boys, she works in 4H, she's on her homeschool co-op board. Oh! She also recently organized the Master Club regional competition for her church, Gospel Light Baptist Church. That was no easy task. Her church runs around 3,000 people. She is amazing.
Somehow in the midst of this busy schedule, she still finds time to talk on the phone - for an hour or more at a time - to her sister in Texas. (That would be me! ;])

Besides "good", another word to describe her would be "Christlike". Yes, that's the right word. Melanie tries very hard to be like Christ.

Melanie, you have always been able to love everyone. It seems to come naturally to you, whereas I have to work so hard at loving people. I hope that today you will be the one who gets waited on hand and foot. I hope you can relax and enjoy today. It is your day.

Thank you for being the world's best sister. You have been, and still are, a wonderful example of Christ for me to follow.

I love you.

News From Us ~

I'm sorry I failed to post yesterday. We had Terry's younger brother, Joel, and his family here. They were passing through on their way home

to Trenton, Missouri. We enjoyed seeing them so much, but it was all too brief. We hadn't seen them in two years, and well, that's just too long! They could only stay a few hours because they had such a long drive ahead of them. We were able to take some family photos, which you'll see at the bottom of the page.

I also wanted to include some recent photos of the kids!
Hope you enjoy them!

Terry made the kids some "glasses" out of chenille wire! Very funny!

Leslie would look pretty good, if these were on straight! :o)

I was able to find all three girls matching dresses for Christmas, so I couldn't resist a photo to bronze the moment!
Mitchell got a new outfit too! Here they are, best friends!


The entire Basham Clan! (This was hard to do with so many little kids, and we used the timer feature on our camera!) Say "WE LOVE TEXAS!"
The Basham Grandkids. L-R: Lauren (holding Timmy), J.T., Mitchell(holding Laci), and Leslie
Mitch and J.T.
The Basham Boys! Terry II, Joel, J.T. and Mitch

My Home was a Haven

I remember my turbulent teen years like they were yesterday. If you didn't go through some rough, emotional times as a teen then I'd like to shake your hand. I think most of us had a hard time being a teenager. The age between childhood and adulthood is difficult. As you near the "big" age of 18, the pressure just increases. "What will you do with the rest of your life?" Everyone seems to ask. If you do have an idea of what you want to do, chances are it won't work out exactly as you have in mind. That's life.
If I did anything right as a teen, it was having a good relationship with the Lord, and with my parents. Oh, I put them through a lot of late night talks and some tears, but we loved each other. I knew it, and I hope they knew it too. I had plans to marry a certain someone. He turned out to be a fake and a liar. I just want to say "Thank you Lord for not letting me get involved with that guy forever!" It was hard to let go of him, because I had those afore- mentioned plans. I did it though, because I knew the Lord didn't want me to be with him, and I knew my parents didn't.
After the break up, I just wanted to be away from everybody. All my close friends were either married or engaged. I didn't fit in anywhere...anywhere except home.
Mom and Dad were always there. Steadfast in their Bibles (Dad would often read it aloud while Mom fixed her hair for work). Steadfast in their zeal for the Lord - they were genuine, faithful Christians. They were steadfast in their soul winning efforts. They both made telling the lost about the Lord a high priority. They were steadfast in their love for each other. Oh, they had a disagreement or two...who doesn't? But I never feared my Dad and Mom getting a divorce. I knew they loved each other. They were steadfast in their love for me. When this guy was gone, they were there. When my friends moved away, they were there. When I eventually moved away, they were still there if I needed them. I got phone calls, letters, cards and most of all, I knew they were praying daily for me.
My home was a haven. When I broke up with that guy, I stopped going to Taco Bell after church. (Our local church hang out) I went home and enjoyed a Subway sandwich with Mom and Dad and all the love a girl could need. I hope and pray that my home is a haven for my family. I don't want a home that is full of strife, or hatred. I want people to feel our love for each other the minute they walk in the door.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for making my home a haven.

There's No Place Like Home....

First of all, thank you so much for praying for our heat to be fixed. It was repaired yesterday at about 10:30 and the minute that heat started blowing we rejoiced! Thank you to Bro. Scotty Bristow for coming over and repairing it for us. Also, my thumb is so much better! I can't believe it is already doing so much better. I appreciate your prayers so much.

I had such a good time during my last trip to Arkansas for the Thanksgiving holiday.Here's Janet Drive, the street on the side of our house. It was so lovely to see the falling leaves!! It's something we don't see down here in autumn. We have the Live Oak trees here and, oddly enough, they lose their leaves in the spring! I couldn't resist snapping the photo below. It's kind of relaxing, don't ya think?

Here is my nephew, Andrew. He is holding, well, trying to hold Laci! Melanie's boys loved her so much!
Here is David Allen, Melanie's oldest boy with Laci.
The three Musketeers! L-R: David Allen, Mitchell and Andrew
Here I am with the three little ones. L-R: Leslie, Laci and Stephen
My Mom bought new pajamas for the grandkids. These five here spent the night at Mom's house on pallets on the floor(For you Andy lovers out there, they called it "adventure sleeping"). Terry and I and the little girls stayed at a motel. Lauren was the only girl, so she didn't get Spiderman PJ's! She loved her penguin pajamas though! They all had a blast!
Here's the whole gang: L-R: David Allen, Andrew, Stephen, Lauren, Mitchell and Leslie (who's trying unsuccessfully to hide. She's the shy one.)
A proud Aunt! Here I am with the cutest clan in the world! Okay, I'm a little prejudiced! :o)
Leslie was a busy girl during our trip. She was always trying to fold blankets, or help Mom fold towels. She also enjoyed coloring! Her baby doll Lucy is beside her. Lucy has seen better days, as you can see!
Stephen, Melanie's youngest boy, just adored Laci! He kept asking her if they could have Laci for Christmas! He would come up to me and say "Valry, I love your baby!" and then give her and me some kisses! He's a sweetie! He was such a good "babysitter". He kept Laci happy so I could visit with my Mom and Melanie.
The kids had so much fun together. Uncle Walter took all the older ones to the park three times, and the weather was nice enough for them to play outside.
Here's one of my three sweet nephews! I sure miss him, and the whole family.
David Allen and Mitchell had matching Spiderman pajamas, which, by the way, came in very handy those two nights the heat was off!


Lauren and Stephen enjoying the building blocks.

Valerie and Terry ~ still in love after all these years!

We had such a great holiday. Thank you, Mom, for treating us to such a great time. I made memories that, Lord willing, will last my lifetime.

We don't have lots of money, or a fancy car. We don't have designer clothes or a bass boat, but we are so rich. We have a loving family and a home that is truly a haven from the stress and turmoil of this world. We have a great home because we have Jesus! The song says: "With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm" and for a child of God that is so true! No matter what is happening in my town or around the world, I can smile at the storm because I have the giver of peace with me each and every moment. Even during the times of no heat, and painful burns, I have so much to be thankful for!

My Dad ~

My Dad, and "partner", Ron Courtney.

Terry's cousin Misty was kind enough to email me this photo of my Dad that she saved off of the funeral home's website. I didn't even know it was possible to do that at the time of my Dad's death, and didn't think of doing it now! I've also been blessed with a great family from my husband's side as well. I'll have to devote my next post to the Bashams!

Thanks again, Misty! You made my day!!

Feeling Homesick

For some reason, every autumn, my thoughts turn homeward. I guess because autumn in Arkansas is so very refreshing! The summers are long, hot and humid and life as a member of Victory Baptist Church was always a flurry of activity in the summer - teen camp (where I met my hubby!), bus ministry promotions, revival meetings, and a vacation if you could squeeze one in! It was go, go, go. Then school resumed and life took on a more regular pace. We have hot summers here in Texas - they last till October or November! But, unlike Arkansas, there's not a distinct fall season. We have one, but it sort of blends in with winter, as we have mild winters. We do not have as many trees that change with the autumn season here either. Arkansas has beautiful colors! The crisp mornings in Arkansas, the beautiful leaves changing, the rhythm of school and church and soulwinning...oh how simple and wonderful those days were!
I guess what I miss most about Arkansas would be 2811 Karen Drive in Benton! My home! That was my safety net for all of life's hardships. I knew when I crossed that threshold that I had a Mom and Dad who loved me and cared about my problems. My mom would let me chatter away while we (well, mostly she) prepared supper. She listened and then offered caring advice, usually from Proverbs, as she is the Proverbs Queen! Then, Mom would listen to the same news again as I told Dad about it at supper. We'd eat, talk, laugh, then we all went about our evening routine. Sometimes, Dad and I would take a bike ride together if the weather was good. Or, I would just do homework, Dad would watch a little TV and Mom would write lesson plans and grade papers - sometimes we all graded papers!
Yes, I sure do miss those days. At the time though, I was in such a rush to grow up, I didn't really enjoy it to the fullest.
Now, some many years later, I look back with a heart of thankfulness on those wonderful, secure childhood days. I want to give my children the same wonderful memories that I have. I still long for Arkansas, but I know I can never recapture those days of yesteryear.I must look forward.

On July 29,2004 the Lord chose to take my Dad on home to be with Him. It was sudden. But, I knew exactly where he was, he was in our permanent home, Heaven. I recently had a dream where I discovered that my Dad wasn't dead, he was in prison! How awful! But in my dream I was glad of this news because that meant I could go see him! When I awoke, I realized that I was the one "in prison". Dad was truly free. I'm imprisoned in this flesh, in this wicked world, but Dad is free of the flesh, of sin and the world. You see, 2811 Karen Drive was just our temporary home. Today, friends, I miss Arkansas. But I long for Heaven even more. That will be my permanent home. That's where my Dad is! That's where my Savior is! Up there, I'll never be homesick again. It will be wonderful! No pain, no tears, no fear, no locks on doors! Jesus is there, and there are streets of gold! And I don't know for sure, but I bet they have gorgeous autumn colors there, too!