Sorry I've not been posting lately. It's been a rough week for me. Last Sunday I was in terrible pain from a toothache. Naturally, being the week of Christmas, I could not get in to see a doctor until Thursday. He did however, call in an antibiotic and a prescription for Vicadin!!! I've been feeling so bad, and all this from a toothache, that I've done only what has been necessary to survive: Food, clothes and path. Food for my family, clean clothes and a path to walk through the house! I had a root canal on Thursday, and now another tooth (two were bad and the dr. had a hard time telling which one was worse!) is bothering me. On Christmas night, Laci was up screaming all night. We took her to the doctor and she has an ear infection!!!
Laci is doing much better now, but I'm not. Anyway, I know this sounds so silly, so minor, but could you please pray for my tooth? I don't know if I can bear the thought of another root canal, and my budget is telling me the same thing!
Thanks so much for your prayers.
P.S. This reminds me of how every member of the body is important, even something as small as a tooth! As a church body, every member is important from the oldest to the youngest, richest to the poorest. Well, maybe I should save this idea for a later post! Have a good weekend...and be sure you go for your regular dental checkups! :o)
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
To Find My Heroes, I Look No Further than My Breakfast Table
A man told my husband that he was wanting to write a book about three of his heroes. All three were preachers. I thought to myself "That is really wonderful! But, if I write a book about my heroes, I wouldn't need to look further than my breakfast table to find them."
My heroes as a child, were Ron and Carolyn Courtney, my Dad and Mom. They are not pioneers, or war veterans, but they made an ordinary life, extraordinary. They brought joy to the mundane happenings of life. They brought peace to a chaotic world. For this, they are my heroes.
My Dad never made it very far up the "ladder of success". He worked as Director of Field Services for the American Cancer Society, and later the American Heart Association. This meant that he traveled the state of Arkansas and organized local fund raising boards. He was a great speaker. He taught the boards how to organize and follow through with fund raising campaigns, such as, "Jump Rope for Heart" and many others. Once he and Mom came to know Christ, they no longer went to the parties that were hosted by the "big wigs" in these fund raising organizations. He quit doing this because they served alcohol, and Dad would not associate with that lifestyle in any way. This forced him into the shadows of the business world, and therefore, he never made it into the boss's chair. Because he said "no" when the world offered him success at a high price, he is my hero. He spent many hours reading to me about the Presidents. I loved history, and he did, too. He took me on walks in the summer. We each had our own "walking stick" and we enjoyed looking at our neighbors' well manicured lawns and noting their new riding mowers! We smelled the honeysuckle in the air and he told me stories of his childhood. He took me on long bike rides, and he would take my bike apart and lubricate it every year and then proudly stand back and say "She'll go like greased lightning, now Valerie!" And he was right. He took me to teen activities, the library, and to my monthly orthodontic appointments. He read the Bible aloud to my Mom every morning. He loved me when I would get a bad attitude, and he was so proud of me when I achieved a high score on a test. For all of this, he is my hero.
My mother was blessed to have the favor of men and women alike in her chosen field: education. A brilliant student herself, I am convinced that she could have become a college professor if she had desired. Instead, she taught special education. She was, and is, tenderhearted. Her heart broke when a mentally disabled or retarded person was laughed at, or made fun of. I am not as naturally tender hearted as she, but watching her tear up over seeing someone mistreated has made me much more sensitive to the feelings of others. We never called someone "a retard" as a joke in my house. We never made fun of those who were handicapped or poor or disabled. She taught me that it was by God's grace that we had the intelligence, money and abilities that we have. For this she is my hero. She taught me that "life and death are in the power of the tongue". (Prov. 18:21) She spent many hours explaining to me that words can help or hurt people, and that mine often hurt others. She worked long hours teaching, and often stayed after school to tutor students who were struggling. Then, she came home to cook supper, do laundry, write letters, lesson plans, and grade papers. She rose early, and went to bed late. It was a rare evening that she ever put her feet up to relax. She was always doing for others. She never missed her Tuesday night soul winning time. She worked hard at teaching her 3rd Grade Sundays School class. She made us eat breakfast - and supper - together. For all of this, she is my hero.
When I married at age nineteen, I had already been witnessing some amazing examples of character and integrity. I had no idea that I'd be witnessing even more of that in the life of my husband.
He got his first job at age fourteen because his bike was broken, and he needed to earn money to have it repaired. He could have asked his parents, or grandparents for the money, but he didn't. He got himself up every morning at 4:30 and delivered papers on foot. For this, he is my hero.
He watched his father face many battles in the ministry, yet he gave his life to serve in the ministry as well. He didn't get bitter. He is my hero.
In Bible college, he had to install his own lavatory in the dorm! He faced very primitive conditions as the college got on it's feet, yet, he didn't quit. He's been criticized and judged wrongly by others, but he doesn't get angry or quit. He keeps going. He is my hero.
He has many abilities and talents, yet he is humble. He gives his all when he could get by with less.
He studies God's Word, and tries to live it. He's honest. He's not a hypocrite. If we have a disagreement over something before services, or if he even just snaps at me, he will apologize before he preaches. He wants to be right with God, and with man, or in my case, woman! For all of this, he is my hero.
I am so thankful that my heroes are not just people I know about, but people I know.
My heroes as a child, were Ron and Carolyn Courtney, my Dad and Mom. They are not pioneers, or war veterans, but they made an ordinary life, extraordinary. They brought joy to the mundane happenings of life. They brought peace to a chaotic world. For this, they are my heroes.
My Dad never made it very far up the "ladder of success". He worked as Director of Field Services for the American Cancer Society, and later the American Heart Association. This meant that he traveled the state of Arkansas and organized local fund raising boards. He was a great speaker. He taught the boards how to organize and follow through with fund raising campaigns, such as, "Jump Rope for Heart" and many others. Once he and Mom came to know Christ, they no longer went to the parties that were hosted by the "big wigs" in these fund raising organizations. He quit doing this because they served alcohol, and Dad would not associate with that lifestyle in any way. This forced him into the shadows of the business world, and therefore, he never made it into the boss's chair. Because he said "no" when the world offered him success at a high price, he is my hero. He spent many hours reading to me about the Presidents. I loved history, and he did, too. He took me on walks in the summer. We each had our own "walking stick" and we enjoyed looking at our neighbors' well manicured lawns and noting their new riding mowers! We smelled the honeysuckle in the air and he told me stories of his childhood. He took me on long bike rides, and he would take my bike apart and lubricate it every year and then proudly stand back and say "She'll go like greased lightning, now Valerie!" And he was right. He took me to teen activities, the library, and to my monthly orthodontic appointments. He read the Bible aloud to my Mom every morning. He loved me when I would get a bad attitude, and he was so proud of me when I achieved a high score on a test. For all of this, he is my hero.
My mother was blessed to have the favor of men and women alike in her chosen field: education. A brilliant student herself, I am convinced that she could have become a college professor if she had desired. Instead, she taught special education. She was, and is, tenderhearted. Her heart broke when a mentally disabled or retarded person was laughed at, or made fun of. I am not as naturally tender hearted as she, but watching her tear up over seeing someone mistreated has made me much more sensitive to the feelings of others. We never called someone "a retard" as a joke in my house. We never made fun of those who were handicapped or poor or disabled. She taught me that it was by God's grace that we had the intelligence, money and abilities that we have. For this she is my hero. She taught me that "life and death are in the power of the tongue". (Prov. 18:21) She spent many hours explaining to me that words can help or hurt people, and that mine often hurt others. She worked long hours teaching, and often stayed after school to tutor students who were struggling. Then, she came home to cook supper, do laundry, write letters, lesson plans, and grade papers. She rose early, and went to bed late. It was a rare evening that she ever put her feet up to relax. She was always doing for others. She never missed her Tuesday night soul winning time. She worked hard at teaching her 3rd Grade Sundays School class. She made us eat breakfast - and supper - together. For all of this, she is my hero.
When I married at age nineteen, I had already been witnessing some amazing examples of character and integrity. I had no idea that I'd be witnessing even more of that in the life of my husband.
He got his first job at age fourteen because his bike was broken, and he needed to earn money to have it repaired. He could have asked his parents, or grandparents for the money, but he didn't. He got himself up every morning at 4:30 and delivered papers on foot. For this, he is my hero.
He watched his father face many battles in the ministry, yet he gave his life to serve in the ministry as well. He didn't get bitter. He is my hero.
In Bible college, he had to install his own lavatory in the dorm! He faced very primitive conditions as the college got on it's feet, yet, he didn't quit. He's been criticized and judged wrongly by others, but he doesn't get angry or quit. He keeps going. He is my hero.
He has many abilities and talents, yet he is humble. He gives his all when he could get by with less.
He studies God's Word, and tries to live it. He's honest. He's not a hypocrite. If we have a disagreement over something before services, or if he even just snaps at me, he will apologize before he preaches. He wants to be right with God, and with man, or in my case, woman! For all of this, he is my hero.
I am so thankful that my heroes are not just people I know about, but people I know.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
I'm so thankful that He came so long ago, and that I know Him now.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
A Little Update...
Well, I feel like most of the pressures of Christmas are past! I have finished most of my shopping - one more gift for Terry to buy - and I am through homeschooling until after Christmas!!!! YEA!!! I am going to make my visits, get my stuff for Super Church ready, and make up some Christmas goody bags for my Super Church kids today.
I wanted to tell you my progress this past week on my exercise...(clears throat) I didn't do very well. I was thinking about lying to you and saying how great I did at exercising in the midst of Christmas chaos, but then I realized that lying is wrong...so I must be honest - I bombed this week. I did walk over a mile at Lakeline Mall last night, does that count? But, then I ruined that be eating a Hershey's pie at Burger King after we were done. I am going to try to work out today, but I don't know if I'll be able to. I'll let ya know.
Anyway, on a brighter, more cheerful note, here are a few pics of my kids in case my niece Amber in Florida is tuning in, or in case you, a possible total stranger, would be interested in them!
My laundry is a lot of fun!
Mitch had to join in on this! He was pushing her around in the laundry hamper!
Leslie is my little helper. She has to be right at my side whenever I'm cooking!
She also loves to dress up!
Lauren wasn't too happy about Mitch falling asleep on her shoulder during our last trip home from Arkansas, but she put a smile on fast when the camera came out! She's like Blair Warner, I guess. (Inside joke for Melanie)Wednesday, December 19, 2007
My Favorite Movie Experience
It's a Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite movie. I posted the ending here, so if you have a minute, stop and watch the results of a life lived for others. It so often feels like we are accomplishing very little as we serve the Lord, our families and each other. But, when those hard times come, it is then that we see that we really have made a difference. I know George Bailey is a fictional character, and he certainly wasn't a perfect role model, either! But there is something in him - the fact that he's human I guess - that I can relate to. This movie isn't just entertainment, it's an experience. Don't just watch it - live it!
Have a Merry Christmas, dear reader! I hope I can make a small-and beneficial- difference in your life this year. Hearing from you makes my day. If you are reading this, and I haven't met you, please comment with your name and state. I'd love to know who happens to stop by, but whether you wish to "sign in" or not, I want to say thanks for reading! I hope and pray this blog isn't just fluff - I hope it can make a difference.
Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference.
Have a Merry Christmas, dear reader! I hope I can make a small-and beneficial- difference in your life this year. Hearing from you makes my day. If you are reading this, and I haven't met you, please comment with your name and state. I'd love to know who happens to stop by, but whether you wish to "sign in" or not, I want to say thanks for reading! I hope and pray this blog isn't just fluff - I hope it can make a difference.
Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Making Christmas Merry!
Here is a rundown of the events and activities of our family during the last week. Man, has it been busy! Oh, and this post is lovingly dedicated to Pamela~ ;o)
Merry Christmas from the Basham Family!!
Here is Sandra - she just recently joined our church!
Caroline and Margaret enjoying the good food!
Isabelle, Doris and Kathy enjoying each other!
Ann and Evelyn - Smile! You're on Life in the Hill Country!!
Just so you know I was there, here I am! :0)
Step one: Gather supplies. You need the metal lids from juice concentrate. This is the candy part. You'll also need craft sticks (for the handle), acrylic gloss paint in the colors of your lollipops: I used real red, real green and white. You'll also need pink. You'll need a flat brush or a stencil brush. You'll need a 10-12 inch square of cellophane for each lollipop you make, some ribbon to tie it with and some gold cord - about 7 -12 inches per ornament.
Here are the ornaments right before I drew on the smiley face.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!
Hmmm...this isn't too bad!!
She really loved her birthday present...come to think of it, all the kids loved it!
She's on the move now!
It's been a busy month so far, and Christmas is still a week away! Yikes! I've still got so much to do. I'm trying to relax and enjoy the Christmas season, but it's hard. I'll be working on that...oh no! Did I say "working?" I mean, I'll be resting on that! ;o)
Merry Christmas from the Basham Family!!Below are the photos of our December ladies fellowship. We met at the Highlander Buffet restaurant here in Burnet. We had a really good time.
Here is Sandra - she just recently joined our church!
Caroline and Margaret enjoying the good food!
Isabelle, Doris and Kathy enjoying each other!
Ann and Evelyn - Smile! You're on Life in the Hill Country!!
Just so you know I was there, here I am! :0)Every year I try to make a homemade gift for each family in my church. I am not a great cook, and I cannot sew. This limits me greatly. Therefore, I rely on "crafty" ideas. You know, little crafts that have pretty simple instructions that even I can do! This year, I made lollipop ornaments.
Step one: Gather supplies. You need the metal lids from juice concentrate. This is the candy part. You'll also need craft sticks (for the handle), acrylic gloss paint in the colors of your lollipops: I used real red, real green and white. You'll also need pink. You'll need a flat brush or a stencil brush. You'll need a 10-12 inch square of cellophane for each lollipop you make, some ribbon to tie it with and some gold cord - about 7 -12 inches per ornament.
Step 2: If you're handy with tools, then drill a hole in the top of each lid using a 3/32 drill bit. If you're not, have your husband do it!
Step 3: Paint each lid the color you desire. You'll need to do several coats, letting them dry in between.
Step 4: Dab your sponge brush into the pink paint, blotting it till almost dry. Then, dab on some pink on each side of the lid for cheeks. CHECK! Be sure the hole is at the top center before putting smiley face on lids!
Step 5: After the pink paint is dry, take the end of a water color or small paint brush and dab a dot of white paint on each pink spot - at the top. This will be where you'll be beginning your smile.
Here are the ornaments right before I drew on the smiley face.Step 6: If you're doing the peppermint ornaments, you'll draw in the red or green for the peppermint on the white lids at this time.
Step 7: Draw smiley faces on each ornament.
Step 8: Glue craft stick on back of lid - be sure again that the hole is at the top center! Glue only about 1 1/2 inch of stick to lid.
Step 9: Cut out squares of cellophane, and a length of ribbon. Wrap cellophane around ornament , gathering it around the bottom and tying with ribbon.
Step 10: Poke hole through cellophane where the hole in the lid is. String with gold cord and tie a knot.
You can label the back of each ornament with your name and the year. Do this before you wrap it with the cellophane!
Tada! The finished product! What a relief! I think they were a big hit.
I couldn't resist getting one more picture with my prized project! Lollipop anyone?
Laci's birthday was a lot of fun. I can't believe my baby is already one year old! Where did the year go? I did a much simpler cake for her than for the other kids' first birthdays. Since they can't understand or appreciate it much on their first birthday, I just do something easy for me. As they grow, I do harder ones. I did Laci's cake with Cool Whip for frosting. I got this idea from my friend Amanda!(See my post "Good Friends are Forever") I loved it! It was easy, and tasty!
Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!
Hmmm...this isn't too bad!!
She really loved her birthday present...come to think of it, all the kids loved it!
She's on the move now!It's been a busy month so far, and Christmas is still a week away! Yikes! I've still got so much to do. I'm trying to relax and enjoy the Christmas season, but it's hard. I'll be working on that...oh no! Did I say "working?" I mean, I'll be resting on that! ;o)
Have a Merry Christmas, everybody!
God Can Speak to a Teenager
Teenagers are kind of silly. It's an awkward age. They are in between childhood, and adulthood. They're dealing with raging hormones, insecurity, "finding themselves" - and oh, let's have them make the most major decisions of their lives too! It's a hard time.Bro. Graham used to say that teenagers "were dumber than a box of rocks." They are. They think they know everything, and in reality, they know very little! Only two things helped me to survive my teen years unscathed: 1. The love, and patience, of my parents. 2. A relationship with the Lord. I knew my parents loved me, and would always be there to help me navigate my way through those major decisions. But as most teens are, I was a little, okay, a lot independant! I wanted to find the answer to life's big questions myself . I wanted the Lord to show me the answer. What I found out impacted my life forever.
Most of my "boyfriends" were pen pals. They all lived in other states. Bro. Graham preached to us teens that you shouldn't just date for the sake of dating. You should look for qualities in a date that would be suitable for a future mate. In other words, he was saying it was dangerous to date a guy you worked with that didn't go to church, who drank and lived a lifestyle that was opposite your own - you may get attached to that person, marry him and then be forced to live a life that you know is not pleasing to God. Because of this, I took "dating," which in reality was really just "writing," very seriously.
When I was 17 I was "dating" a guy from a boys Ranch. [Attention: This means I was desperate!] He came highly recommended by my Pastor, and I don't think my parents were too concerned since he lived 500 miles away! He had a rough way to go during his young life, but he seemed to be on fire for the Lord, and doing right.
Because I took dating (writing) so seriously, I prayed a lot about my future husband, and I talked to the Lord about this guy. One thing that bothered me, was his past. I felt guilty for judging a guy's past, but remember, I was thinking "future husband!" I was bothered by the scar in his left ear where he had worn an earring at one time. I knew he had done other things in his past that leave scars on the heart as well. This bothered me, because I came from such a loving, and pure home.
I was pretty innocent back then, and I hope I still am! I prayed like I was talking to my parents. "Lord, whatdya think about him? I don't like the scar from his earring. Am I being picky or what? Can ya please show me? I don't wanna mess up my life." Guess what. He showed me.
I'll never forget that morning when I was reading my Bible, and God gave me an answer. Not my pastor, or my parents, or my big brother, but ME! He showed me that this was NOT the guy for me. I have the passage marked in my Bible, and it is very dear to me. I'd like to share it with you.
II Samuel 22:21-25
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury
These verses stood out to me like they had been highlighted in yellow! The Lord was using this passage to give me an answer from Heaven. He told me, that while I was far from perfect, I had chosen to keep myself from the wickedness of the world. I was a pure young lady. I had kept myself from alcohol, and wild living. I needed, and wanted, a man who had done the same with his life. And this passage was my promise from God to give me such a man.
Now, for the rest of the story. I'm far away from my teen years now. I can barely see them in the rear-view mirror of my life, but I can remember them. I remember that day when God spoke to a teenage girl about her future mate, and Lord willing, I'll never forget it. I've been married almost a decade. I married a man who is like me: he's not perfect but, he's pure, he came from a good home, and he loves the Lord.
That guy that God steered me away from? Last I heard he was headed to prison.
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to a teenager. Thank you that you're still there for me today.
Most of my "boyfriends" were pen pals. They all lived in other states. Bro. Graham preached to us teens that you shouldn't just date for the sake of dating. You should look for qualities in a date that would be suitable for a future mate. In other words, he was saying it was dangerous to date a guy you worked with that didn't go to church, who drank and lived a lifestyle that was opposite your own - you may get attached to that person, marry him and then be forced to live a life that you know is not pleasing to God. Because of this, I took "dating," which in reality was really just "writing," very seriously.
When I was 17 I was "dating" a guy from a boys Ranch. [Attention: This means I was desperate!] He came highly recommended by my Pastor, and I don't think my parents were too concerned since he lived 500 miles away! He had a rough way to go during his young life, but he seemed to be on fire for the Lord, and doing right.
Because I took dating (writing) so seriously, I prayed a lot about my future husband, and I talked to the Lord about this guy. One thing that bothered me, was his past. I felt guilty for judging a guy's past, but remember, I was thinking "future husband!" I was bothered by the scar in his left ear where he had worn an earring at one time. I knew he had done other things in his past that leave scars on the heart as well. This bothered me, because I came from such a loving, and pure home.
I was pretty innocent back then, and I hope I still am! I prayed like I was talking to my parents. "Lord, whatdya think about him? I don't like the scar from his earring. Am I being picky or what? Can ya please show me? I don't wanna mess up my life." Guess what. He showed me.
I'll never forget that morning when I was reading my Bible, and God gave me an answer. Not my pastor, or my parents, or my big brother, but ME! He showed me that this was NOT the guy for me. I have the passage marked in my Bible, and it is very dear to me. I'd like to share it with you.
II Samuel 22:21-25
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury
These verses stood out to me like they had been highlighted in yellow! The Lord was using this passage to give me an answer from Heaven. He told me, that while I was far from perfect, I had chosen to keep myself from the wickedness of the world. I was a pure young lady. I had kept myself from alcohol, and wild living. I needed, and wanted, a man who had done the same with his life. And this passage was my promise from God to give me such a man.
Now, for the rest of the story. I'm far away from my teen years now. I can barely see them in the rear-view mirror of my life, but I can remember them. I remember that day when God spoke to a teenage girl about her future mate, and Lord willing, I'll never forget it. I've been married almost a decade. I married a man who is like me: he's not perfect but, he's pure, he came from a good home, and he loves the Lord.
That guy that God steered me away from? Last I heard he was headed to prison.
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to a teenager. Thank you that you're still there for me today.