My Holiday Letdown Response System

I love this time of year. I enjoy some cold weather. I enjoy trying to think up great gifts for friends and family - especially Terry! He's hard to buy for and to surprise! Last year, I shocked him by getting him a bi-pod for his gun. And he thought I didn't know about guns! (Well, I don't, but I'm observant! I saw him eyeing one at the store once!) I love the food, the decorations, the food, the music, the lights, the food...well, you get the idea. I love it all!!!!
The down side is, that when it's time to take down the decorations and lights, turn off the music and start losing the weight from all the food, that I can get very melancholy. I feel like it was all over so fast! I was so excited about it, and then it's over, that fast! I've been looking back at all the photos of past Christmases and I can't believe how much my kids have changed! It's already been almost a year since Laci was born! I guess I'm just "female"! I go from up to down so quickly. And when I get down, it's hard for me to get back up again!
Because I'm aware of my "holiday letdown pattern", the get excited-have the event-get blue pattern, I've developed a "holiday letdown response system." Or, H.L.R.S. for short. My system is simple: have something fun planned to do after the big day! I am blessed to have an anniversary on January 2nd. My Hubby and I try to go out to eat that day, or do something together. But, that sort of blends in with the other holidays, so I try to plan something else after that. Maybe I plan to go to the mall to spend some Christmas money (I hate to admit this, but I don't buy clothes! I usually buy books!), or a trip to the library, or I may plan to call a friend and visit. I plan something. Something that I can immediately shift my focus to after the holidays.
I am also prone to look back at the past all year long. I look back at old photos and think about when the kids were smaller. I think about the friends and family that I never see, I think about my Dad and I feel like I didn't get to have him long enough - though I know others who've lost parents younger than I did, I still wish I'd had him longer. I remember the great Christmases Mom and Dad gave me, and on and on I go until I'm in tears! It's not pretty! But, I've developed a system for those times too! When I feel that way, I remember Phil. 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Now, I know Paul was probably saying that we should forget the mistakes of the past and move forward, and that's so true. But I also have to forget the good times. I can't dwell on the happy memories of yesteryear, because I begin to feel like I'll never be happy again, life stinks, poor me, and so forth. After all, if I stay in that mood, I certainly am not getting anything done for Christ, I'm giving the Devil the victory! No, I have to forget those good times (temporarily) and move forward, making new happy memories, today. Yesterday is over. I'm so glad I got to live it, and there are times I can look back and not feel so blue, but I need to focus on today. What can I do today for my kids? How can I invest my life today so that it impacts eternity? How can I help you today? This is the stuff the Christian life is made of: giving ourselves to Him, so that someday, we can stand in Heaven with no sorrow, no regret, and no "holiday blues" - but with satisfaction of a life lived wholly for Him.

Do you have a Holiday Letdown Response System? I sure couldn't make it without mine!

Worldly Thinking

Here is the devotional that I shared with our ladies at our November fellowship. My Mom wanted to me to share this, so here it is. I hope it is a blessing, and I hope you have a spare hour to read this! :0)

The Lord began showing me some of my own "worldly thinking" shortly after my Dad went to Heaven. At that time I began to think that I should go out and get a degree in case Terry died suddenly. I would need to find a good job support myself and four kiddos! (After all, I certainly couldn’t continue in the family business, could I?) What would I do? Well, my mother, who holds several degrees, pointed out that I was using worldly thinking. She reminded me that God could provide for me, and if I needed a degree, it would be in His timing, not mine. As I nurse a baby, home school two kids and rear a lively toddler, when could I find time to work on a degree? I’m struggling just to write this now! No, I need to just wait and trust Him. There’s nothing wrong with planning for an emergency, it is wrong when we do not seek His face before plunging ahead with our own ideas. He may have another way- a better way, and perhaps, an easier way. But we must trust Him, and go to Him. We cannot possibly plan for every possible circumstance that may come up! We must trust Him, and rely upon Him.
Why do we need to shy away from worldly thinking? James 4:4b says "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." I surely do not want to be God’s enemy! I’m also aware that sin begins in the mind. If I keep my thoughts pure, then my life will be pure. It’s definitely a battle for the mind!

Oh, I also want to add that this is not an exhaustive study. This is just the tip of the iceberg. My hope and prayer is that this will be a springboard to an even deeper and more personal study for you. May God help all of us to clean out the cobwebs of worldly thinking that have settled in our minds, and replace them with the glorious sunlight of God's Word!

I.What does the Bible say about the world?
A. Who rules the world? Satan!
Eph. 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

B. As Christians, how should we feel about the world?
The Bible says we’re different, and others should be able to see that clearly. Not just by how we dress, that’s way overemphasized - but by our attitudes and actions. After all, if our hearts are right with God, then will submit to His authority on everything, including our clothing. Get your heart right, and the rest will fall in place, and it won't be hard at all because you'll be sincerely desiring to please Him!
2 Cor.6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
1 Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
James 4:4b whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

C. How do we act toward people of the world?
We love them! See John 3:16, and 1 John 4:8 & 16

D. How should we live in this world?
Live right, do what’s right. Go to church, read the Bible, pray, be honest, witness, be real, and on and on.
Tit. 2: 11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
E. We love the people, but not the "way" of the world.
1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

F. We should love Him, and the things that pertain to Him!
Col.3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
We can overcome this world.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Your faith is what overcomes this world. You have the power already in your hands, or heart. But which one are you "feeding"? Your faith, or your flesh?

G.Where does it all begin? In the mind!
Do you feed your mind filthy TV, wrong music, bad books? Then you will not be an overcomer! You're feeding your flesh and not your spirit. I don't even watch the news because all the media does is tell you all that's wrong in the world. I want to dwell on what's right - and only one thing fits the bill - Jesus! Let's dwell on Him, and His Word!

Do you use worldly thinking? I think we all do without even realizing it - I know I do, anyway! Remember, we’re in the world but not of the world. We should think according to the Bible. With that said let's try these on for size:

II.The following are some comparisons of worldly thinking to Bible thinking.

The World says: "She (or he) deserves that!"
The Bible Says: We should be forgiving and longsuffering with others.
Eph.4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Matt.5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matt.18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Prov. 24:17-18 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

The World says: "I have to take care of myself, because no one else will."
Are you a child of God? If so, then that’s not true! God takes care of His children.
The Bible Says:
Matt.6:25-26Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Ps. 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Ps. 37: 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.*Note: What about the beggar Lazarus in the NT? He was saved, yet he was a beggar! I believe the key to this verse is that David said he hadn’t seen the "righteous" or those living right forsaken. Perhaps Lazarus wasn’t living right! Maybe that’s why we see some saved folk suffering financially. Maybe they aren’t tithing, or living right according to God’s Word. Just a thought!
I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The World says: "No one can make me do anything."
The Bible Says:
I Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
I Sam. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry....
Gal. 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Matt. 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The World says: "I'll serve God, but my family comes first!"
The Bible Says: We should put God ahead of all other people in our lives.
Gen.12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
Matt. 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

The World Says: "Okay, I'll help with (fill in the blank). But I'm doing it my way!"
The Bible Says: We are to submit (which means to abase or humble) ourselves to others, not take over.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Eph. 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
I Pet.2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Here's the one that gets me!
Eph. 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

The World says: "No one notices what I do, so why should I bother?"
The Bible Says: We aren't to do things to get man's attention, but we are to serve God out of a heart full of love for Him.
Matt. 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Eph.6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Heb. 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Ps.100:2a Serve the LORD with gladness:...

I've Earned $2.21 in Two Years

I was recently cleaning out some of the obscure areas in our home. Areas like our hall closet, our bedroom closet, the pantry and the laundry room. I was cleaning the shelves above my washer and dryer when I saw a wide assortment of little things on the shelf. There were three cherries and a bucket from the Hi-Ho Cherrio game (what was I thinking in buying that game anyway? I bet we've lost all but four cherries by now!). There were three shoelaces...but don't ask me which shoes belonged with them! I also found six safety pins and (drum roll please) all of the loose change that has been found in the washing machine! A grand total of, yep, you guessed it - $2.21! That is approximately $.09 a month for 24 months! Oh! Along with the U.S. money there was also one Brazilian coin that one of the kids had gotten from a missionary, but I didn't figure that in my total! :o) All in all, I'd say that I'm overworked and underpaid, as are all stay-at-home-moms! I think I'll be discussing a possible wage increase with my boss today when he gets home. ;0)
Really, I thought this was interesting. After two years of cooking, cleaning, serving, washing, refereeing, teaching, disciplining, decorating, shopping, "doctoring", loving - I only have $2.21 to show for it...in one sense. If I were seriously looking at the financial benefits to being a stay-at-home-mom, and a home schooling mom, then I wouldn't be doing it! The world has way more to offer me in tangible benefits than this line of work! But I realize that I am getting so much more than the world could ever offer me. No, there's no paid vacation, or sick days, or even a small salary package. But I get the unconditional love and admiration of four sweet children! I got to hear my daughter, and now my son, begin to read!! I get to see their faces light up when some difficult subject finally "clicks." I was there for their first smiles, their first steps, and I was there when they were hurt or sad. I'm there each morning to greet them with a hot breakfast, and I'm there in the afternoon to see them play at the park. I'm there every night to read to them, kiss them and tuck them in their beds. I'm there to spot character flaws and point them out, before they become habits! I'm not out conquering the business world. I don't hold a degree of any kind, unless "Mrs." counts! I know several women who are mothers, in that, they did bring forth children into the world, they have the title "mother". But, some moms, sadly, leave their children with the nanny or babysitter -indefinitely- so they can go fulfil their own "dreams". I'm not trying to bash working Moms, because you can work a job and be an excellent mother, no doubt about it. What I'm talking about is mothers who seem to be able to forget that they even have kids because they get so wrapped up in their own separate lives. It's so sad. I believe "mother" is a noun and a verb! It's work, and love, and more work! I feel that I hold an even higher position than any female CEO in the country - I'm a Mom! Not just in title, but in deed.

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 Life in the Hill Country

Here are some photos from recent days. I did get lots of good photos on my trip home!!! I'll be sharing those tomorrow. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my life in the hills of Texas...

Terry increased his workout. He's made it triple effective!

Leslie has learned that good eye protection can make all the difference!

Our last ladies fellowship was held November 17. We had a Thanksgiving theme. Here are some highlights. I shared a devotional thought that I've been mulling over for a while on "Worldly Thinking." The Lord really used it to work on me.

We had a great turnout!

We had a few autumn-type snacks. I made my Aunt Dorothy's famous Cranberry punch, and it was a hit! (Thank you, Dot!)

I made a cake that was supposed to look like a cornucopia, or horn of plenty. I had fun doing it, but I don't know if it turned out exactly right!

I have had computer problems this morning, so I won't have time to post the photos of my trip home today. We are also without heat here in the parsonage and it's 36 degrees! We hope to have it fixed today. In the meantime, we are using two small space heaters and we've all been sleeping in the same room, with one of the space heaters. This morning, when I went to plug in the other heater, it sparked and sizzled and burned my left thumb pretty badly. It burned the cord into two pieces and left me crying. I'm just so glad it wasn't one of the kids who got burned! If you think of me, please pray for our heat, and my thumb! :o)

So now you're up to date on my life in the hill country! I know Mondays typically stink, and I'll admit that mine has started out lousy, but with God's help I hope to make it a profitable day. Not just for now, but also for eternity. I hope you can do the same! Have a great Monday, and thanks for stopping by!

My Heart Is Full, and Overflowing

This will be my last post until November 26th. I will be leaving to go home on Monday to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my Mom and my sister and her family. I am really excited about it.
Thanksgiving often gets overlooked. We are all in such a rush to get to Christmas that we forget about the sacrifices the Pilgrims made so long ago that have made our lives possible. God's grace alone saw them safely over to the New World from Holland aboard the Mayflower. It was no wonder they knelt immediately at Plymouth Rock to give Him thanks. When they arrived, and nearly froze to death or died of starvation, it was God alone who kept them alive. It was God who allowed them to meet the Indians that helped them that first year. What if they had isolated themselves from the Indians because they were "different"? They would've starved to death for sure. They showed thankfulness to the Indians by inviting them for a big feast - sharing in the bounty that God so graciously provided.

We live today in a world that's very different from the Pilgrims' day. Kids don't know how to say "thank you." Most people don't send written thank you notes for gifts anymore. What has happened? Have we no time to be thankful for that which God has given us? I hope I don't become captive to the attitude of "un-thankfulness." I want to always remember to thank God, and others, for the kindness they show me. As I consider all He's given me, my heart is full and overflowing. I'd like to share some of the blessings for which I am thankful:

My Parents, Ron and Carolyn Courtney, for looking to the cross when trials came into our lives and making Christ so real to me. For staying faithful to a church that was falling apart, all the while trusting God to send His man, which He did! For not quitting no matter what happened. My Mother used to quote from Job,"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

My Salvation - God graciously convicted me of my sin on June 12, 1993, and I accepted His gift.

My Husband - A man who loves the Lord, and me. His humility has enabled him to have a walk with the Lord that few can have. He is a loving and encouraging companion as I walk life's road.

My Children - Why would God allow someone like me to be a mother? And not once, but four times? He is so merciful and loving to me.

My Church - We waited for seven years on God's perfect will for a church to pastor, and on Sept. 11, 2005, God answered! He had a people and a place that He was preparing just for us. What if we hadn't waited on Him?

My Friends- I don't have a vast number of friends, but I have some faithful friends. Friends who have known me for years, and like me anyway. You are a gift - thank you.

My relationship with the Lord - He has provided for me when no one else could. He has listened to me when no one else would. He's given me strength to stand against wrong and He's been by my side when I stood all alone. He has kept every promise. He's never let me down. I've not always understood His ways, but I've always known He was with me through every trial. He speaks to me, He isn't just a God who lives way out in the galaxy - He's my very best friend.

Those I've led to the Lord - I've led many people to Christ, and that is a blessing. We are only commanded to go, not win them, so to see some saved is a bonus.

Yes, as the song says: "I've got so much to thank Him for."

Finally!

Here are the photos I mentioned a while back. I've been meaning to post these for some time now! These first ones are of me and my hubby painting our entry way at our house. The church painted all the walls white for us before we came, so they would be fresh and clean. I have gone through and painted some myself, choosing something other than white. I thought it would be welcoming if my entry way were a warm color so I chose a kind of mocha color. Oh, and we did this back at the first part of October.

Laci wanted to get in on the action!

Thanks, Honey, for your help! :-)

Here I am doing my part on the entry way. I didn't have any old shoes to paint in, so I went barefoot! And yes, I did step in wet paint!

During the month of September, Terry led our church in a Sunday School campaign/contest against his brother's church in Trenton, MO. The loser had to get a pie in the face, and well, we lost. We did get some great photos from it though! :o)

Lauren got to do the honors! She was only too happy to oblige!
She got him so hard that she bent the pie tin! Luckily, it didn't break his nose!
He's officially been "creamed."

The kids are enjoying breakfast! Say cheese, er, uh I mean oatmeal!

Leslie enjoys a smile and some cereal early in the morning.
This is kind of dark (sorry) but it's Laci on the treadmill! She's trying to walk, but I don't think she's ready for a treadmill yet!

Lord willing, we'll be getting to go home for Thanksgiving! I know! I was just home less than a month ago! What a blessing! My sister, Melanie, from North Carolina will be there this time with her hubby and three boys! I am really looking forward to it. I haven't seen them since last Christmas! I will try and get a whole new batch of photos for you. But, don't hold your breath...you know what happened last time I went home!