Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47
I was (and still am) a very strong willed person. My Dad said I had a "one track mind". I've been known as "argumentative". I also have a tendency to nag. I really have to watch it. I know you all are sitting there thinking, "I never deal with these things in my life." I am so happy for you! You must live a very peaceful life. I am high strung and there are times when my life is anything but peaceful!
I got lots of spankings as a kid. I got more than my older brother and sister combined! When I was very little, most of the spankings I got were because I refused to obey. As I grew, the spankings were because I said things that hurt people. I spoke without thinking! It is easy to deduce from looking back at my childhood that my two main faults were being stubborn, and talking too much.
The Bible says these things are sin.
1 Sam. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...
Prov.10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
As I grew and received punishment for my wrong doing, and lots of talking, I came to a point where I had to accept the fact that yes, I was doing these things. I had to stop arguing and swallow my pride. I've had to apologize to a lot of people over the years, and it's never easy. After I go to someone, and they forgive me, I feel sweet relief! When I came to Jesus, and begged His forgiveness, I felt that wonderful, sweet relief. I wanted a relationship with Him because of the life I had seen my parents live. They loved me in spite of all my shortcomings, and I knew Jesus did too.
I am very glad that I messed up all those years. I know that sounds strange. I'm not glad that I hurt people at all! I'm just so glad that I can look back and see where He's brought me from. No, I haven't arrived. I'm still stubborn - sometimes - and I still talk a lot - most of the time- but I'm so much better. Why the change? Because of Jesus! I hurt Him so much, yet He forgave me! He's forgotten it. He loves me, in spite of all my faults.
I wanted a relationship with the Lord as a child because of my parents' testimony. I want a relationship with Him today because of my own. I can say from experience that He keeps His word.
I love Him so much, because He forgave me so much!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thank You, Kristy!
We had an awesome surprise today! We got a FedEx package from the Rowell family today! Now, I've met Bro. Mike Rowell, many moons ago! But I've never met his wife, Kristy. I found her blog on the Internet after my husband found Mike's blog. I had just started blogging, and we started chatting back and forth. Today, the FedEx man delivered us a box from them! No one could imagine what was in the package!
Here are some photos:
Dad opening our surprise gift!
All the kids got sacks of goodies like this one.
Inside we found candy bags for the kids, a coffe cup for me with some yummy little cookies, a candy bar for Terry and the best mini muffins you've ever tasted! (Chocolate and Banana Chip!) She wrote us a very kind note - just the encouragment that I needed! She put Fun Dip in the goody bags, and my kids had never eaten Fun Dip before! What a great day they had. It came at just the right time of day, too! We had just finished lunch! Here's a thank you video my kids made. Mitchell is still a little hoarse! Bless his heart! (I meant to say "thank you" too on the video, but I got so carried away with helping the kids say thank you that I turned it off without saying it at all! Sorry! Please know that I'm sending you a HUGE "thank you" too Kristy! I don't deserve a friend like you, that's for sure. I do hope we can meet sometime in the future!)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Basham Family Fun Day!
We took a holiday on President's Day and explored the Inks Lake State Park. My in-laws stayed with the two youngest kiddos so they could get their naps in, and the rest of us headed out for a hike! It was so nice. We hiked along the Pecan Flats Trail at Ink Lake State Park. Here's a little photo-journal of our hike.
Lauren with the cacti!
Okay, that's ME with the ever present prickly pear cacti. We saw lots of patches of them. They grow quite abundantly.
Not sure what kind of grass this is, but you can see that a child could easily get lost in it. No, ours didn't! :o)
This is the Falkenstien Wedding Castle. I zoomed in as far as I could, and it's still just a speck! You can't tour it, unfortunately, but we've looked at it closer up on other expeditions. It is amazingly huge!
Ever had mesquite BBQ? Well, here's the tree that it is flavored from! These are everywhere also.
The kids on top of the rock!!
I made it, too!
The view from the top of the rock. (Inks Lake)
Another view ~
Terry tossing a rock into the Lake. It was very peaceful out in the woods! The splash from the rock sounded loud!
Here's Mitch by the Lake.
He's balancing on a tree trunk! He had so much fun running and climbing on this trail.
Spanish Bayonet. VERY SHARP! Of course, nearly everything out here will poke, pinch, sting or bite you! :o)
MISTLETOE! And it's not even close to Christmas!
These are the lovely (I say sarcastically) Cedar trees that pollinate in DECEMBER and leave us with terrible allergy trouble! It is nice to see some green in an otherwise brown world! :o)
We found this very tall rock and Terry couldn't wait to see the view from there!
The kids made it, too!
Hello up there!
I couldn't get to the top of the rock, but close enough!
The view from the high rock.
Yet another view...
Inks Lake.
Lauren taking a rest from the hike...now we're getting tired!
The campsite area of Inks Lake.
Inks Lake, or the "Lake of Shining Waters", to quote Anne of Green Gables!
We enjoyed our little getaway so much. Inks Lake is only 10 minutes away, but we hadn't been! Some of the greatest beauty, and fun, are truly in our backyards! After the cold weather, sickness and injuries, it was a gift from the Lord to be able to get away and enjoy ourselves, and God's creation. We're going to try to go back when everything is bursting out in various shades of green and our gorgious wildflowers are in bloom!
Lauren with the cacti!
Okay, that's ME with the ever present prickly pear cacti. We saw lots of patches of them. They grow quite abundantly.
Not sure what kind of grass this is, but you can see that a child could easily get lost in it. No, ours didn't! :o)
This is the Falkenstien Wedding Castle. I zoomed in as far as I could, and it's still just a speck! You can't tour it, unfortunately, but we've looked at it closer up on other expeditions. It is amazingly huge!
Ever had mesquite BBQ? Well, here's the tree that it is flavored from! These are everywhere also.
The kids on top of the rock!!
I made it, too!
The view from the top of the rock. (Inks Lake)
Another view ~
Terry tossing a rock into the Lake. It was very peaceful out in the woods! The splash from the rock sounded loud!
Here's Mitch by the Lake.
He's balancing on a tree trunk! He had so much fun running and climbing on this trail.
Spanish Bayonet. VERY SHARP! Of course, nearly everything out here will poke, pinch, sting or bite you! :o)
MISTLETOE! And it's not even close to Christmas!
These are the lovely (I say sarcastically) Cedar trees that pollinate in DECEMBER and leave us with terrible allergy trouble! It is nice to see some green in an otherwise brown world! :o)
We found this very tall rock and Terry couldn't wait to see the view from there!
The kids made it, too!
Hello up there!
I couldn't get to the top of the rock, but close enough!
The view from the high rock.
Yet another view...
Inks Lake.
Lauren taking a rest from the hike...now we're getting tired!
The campsite area of Inks Lake.
Inks Lake, or the "Lake of Shining Waters", to quote Anne of Green Gables!
We enjoyed our little getaway so much. Inks Lake is only 10 minutes away, but we hadn't been! Some of the greatest beauty, and fun, are truly in our backyards! After the cold weather, sickness and injuries, it was a gift from the Lord to be able to get away and enjoy ourselves, and God's creation. We're going to try to go back when everything is bursting out in various shades of green and our gorgious wildflowers are in bloom!
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Best Part About Keeping a Blog is...
...posting photos of my kids on it! Here's a little photo-journal of the kids from this week.
Right before Lauren came blindly into the house, led by her brother's hand, I snapped this photo of Leslie. She had just fallen asleep on Mitch's bed "reading"!
Laci is my smiling girl. She also loves her baby! (I love mine, too!)
Off to play!
Here's a picture of Lauren's poor eye. I told her to make this face so I could see the eye better. Her pupil was dilated and you can see her red cheek (where the stick hit first) and red eye. The eye doctor said that her eye healed more than expected just overnight. That's the Lord! He's so good to us! 
Through all the pain, my sweet girl kept smiling. She's a joy to us. She got saved in September of 2005. I believe she is saved because of her tender heart. When she does wrong, she comes to me and Terry in tears to apologize. She listens closely during Terry's preaching. She loves her younger brother and sisters. She's a hard worker in school. She has pledged some money -$1 a week - to missions. She doesn't even get an allowance, but we've seen God provide her missions money- and then some- for January and February. I'm so glad she is already getting to see God's love for her at age eight!
Psalm 127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
I am so blessed...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day From Valerie
I'd like to wish you all a happy Valentine's Day!! This is one of my favorite holidays. It sounds a lot like my name, and I love being associated with, well, LOVE!
Thank you all for your friendship and prayers for my family. It's been a very hectic week, but the Lord has taken care of us through it all. He has blessed beyond measure. The Lord's love is there for me everyday of my life. I am so thankful that I am not only saved, but that I know Him closely. When things started falling apart yesterday, I knew He was there with me, for I had already talked with Him that day. As I fought worry, I felt Him offer reassurance. When I was afraid, He calmed my fears.
He's so wonderful. I love the words to this song, which is based on a Jewish poem.
(This was sung at my wedding, too!)
The Love of God
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh love of God! How rich and pure,
How measureless and strong!
It shall forever more endure
The saints' and angels' song.
Here's one of my Dad's and Mom's favorite songs...and mine too! :o)
When in darkness Jesus found me
Touched my eyes and made me see,
Broke sins chains that long had bound me
Gave me life and liberty
O Glorious love of Christ my Lord divine!
That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine.
For all my days and then in Heav'n above,
My song will silence never, I'll worship Him forever
And praise Him for His Glorious love!
Who needs today's modern "Christian" music? Not I! I'll take the ones written by holy men of old! These songs proclaim how I feel in my heart! God's love is so great, it reached even me! He had to bend way, way down to get me, but He did it. I'm so grateful that I have a loving, merciful and LONG SUFFERING Saviour! Do you know Christ's love in your own life first hand? If not, then click here. You'll never regret falling in love with Jesus. What a perfect way to spend Valentine's Day! Getting to meet the One who loves you more than anyone else in the entire universe.
Have a wonderful day ~
Thank you all for your friendship and prayers for my family. It's been a very hectic week, but the Lord has taken care of us through it all. He has blessed beyond measure. The Lord's love is there for me everyday of my life. I am so thankful that I am not only saved, but that I know Him closely. When things started falling apart yesterday, I knew He was there with me, for I had already talked with Him that day. As I fought worry, I felt Him offer reassurance. When I was afraid, He calmed my fears.
He's so wonderful. I love the words to this song, which is based on a Jewish poem.
(This was sung at my wedding, too!)
The Love of God
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh love of God! How rich and pure,
How measureless and strong!
It shall forever more endure
The saints' and angels' song.
Here's one of my Dad's and Mom's favorite songs...and mine too! :o)
O Glorious Love
John W. PetersonWhen in darkness Jesus found me
Touched my eyes and made me see,
Broke sins chains that long had bound me
Gave me life and liberty
O Glorious love of Christ my Lord divine!
That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine.
For all my days and then in Heav'n above,
My song will silence never, I'll worship Him forever
And praise Him for His Glorious love!
Who needs today's modern "Christian" music? Not I! I'll take the ones written by holy men of old! These songs proclaim how I feel in my heart! God's love is so great, it reached even me! He had to bend way, way down to get me, but He did it. I'm so grateful that I have a loving, merciful and LONG SUFFERING Saviour! Do you know Christ's love in your own life first hand? If not, then click here. You'll never regret falling in love with Jesus. What a perfect way to spend Valentine's Day! Getting to meet the One who loves you more than anyone else in the entire universe.
Have a wonderful day ~
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Prayer Does Work!
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
THIS VERSE IS TRUE!
It is 2:14 Central time now and I just received a call from Terry. Lauren did scratch her eye starting at the base of the eyeball and going up through the cornea. The doctor thinks it will heal, but is concerned about infection getting inside the eye. She called in antibiotics for her, dilated her pupils and placed a medicated contact on the hurt eye. Lauren will go in tomorrow at 1:30 to have the contact removed and be checked again. Terry said they placed dye on her eye and looked at it under ultra-violet light. When they did this, the scratch was clearly visible to him and he said it was very large. I'm so thankful she got immediate attention!
When we called, the doctor was about to leave, but she waited just to see Lauren. We've never met her before, but I can tell you that God had her there. He took such good care of us. Through this experience I can say only one thing for sure: "I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee. Ev'ry hour I need Thee." We do not know what each day holds, but we know the One who can guide us safely through the rough waters we might face.
Thank you for your prayers... they were answered!
THIS VERSE IS TRUE!
It is 2:14 Central time now and I just received a call from Terry. Lauren did scratch her eye starting at the base of the eyeball and going up through the cornea. The doctor thinks it will heal, but is concerned about infection getting inside the eye. She called in antibiotics for her, dilated her pupils and placed a medicated contact on the hurt eye. Lauren will go in tomorrow at 1:30 to have the contact removed and be checked again. Terry said they placed dye on her eye and looked at it under ultra-violet light. When they did this, the scratch was clearly visible to him and he said it was very large. I'm so thankful she got immediate attention!
When we called, the doctor was about to leave, but she waited just to see Lauren. We've never met her before, but I can tell you that God had her there. He took such good care of us. Through this experience I can say only one thing for sure: "I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee. Ev'ry hour I need Thee." We do not know what each day holds, but we know the One who can guide us safely through the rough waters we might face.
Thank you for your prayers... they were answered!