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Two Point Five Years

Valerie Basham

November 17, 2010

My husband and I have lived in this town, pastoring this church for two and a half years. It’s hard to believe, really. In some ways, it’s flown by. In other ways, it’s crept. In six short months, we will be celebrating our three year anniversary! Wow. I know it doesn’t seem like long to you, but you have to think of it in “church years”. You see, in “church years”, three is really eight. 🙂

We are so honored and blessed to be able to serve the Lord in this capacity. It has truly been amazing to see how He has met our needs and even some of our wants. I don’t think this blessing is because we are a pastor’s family, but often times, a pastor’s family is thrust into the position to rely upon the Lord more than those in the secular workforce. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is. Each of us only survive because of the Lord’s goodness and provision, but often, when we work in a factory (as my hubby did before pastoring), or any other job, we count on that company for our income. In the ministry, a church can only pay when God’s people give. Sometimes, a church can’t pay its pastor at all, yet God still meets the financial need of His man in amazing ways. Since being in this location, I’ve seen God give me a brand new dining room table and chairs, a new freezer, the ability to use my ice maker, a fenced in yard, and best of all, we have received a paycheck each week of our ministry here! Praise the Lord! We remember in years past, and in ministries past, when that didn’t always happen. We don’t want to take that blessing for granted.

Our church has hit a few rough spots during the past 2.5 years. There have been some very dark days. There have been days when the idea of quitting and returning to a factory job actually sounded appealing! lol! But, as soon as those thoughts crossed our minds, the Holy Spirit reminded us of why we are here: to see souls saved and lives drawn closer to the Lord. It’s no easy task, since Satan is fighting anyone who works toward these goals. We seek to be used of the Lord as He sees fit. We hope to point others to Jesus and His Word. The Lord also reminded us of the multitude of wonderful days – the blessings, the precious souls we serve, and the joy that serving Him brings. As I think back on the joyous days, it seems as though it couldn’t have possibly been that long already! At the same time, when I think of all that is yet to be done to reach our community, it seems time can’t go quickly enough! I am ready to see even more happen through our church.

Whenever I feel discouraged, the thought of Christ on calvary puts everything in perspective. We are in a five star resort compared to what He endured on the cross. I owe Him a lot more than a mere two point five years. I owe Him everything.

Valerie

For My Scrapbook

Valerie Basham

no comments

November 16, 2010

As a Christian, and especially as a Bishop’s wife, I strive to be consistent in my walk with the Lord. I may not ever achieve great things for God, but I want to be faithful in what little I do accomplish. So many ministry children – pastor’s kids, assistant pastor’s kids – grow into adulthood and turn on the Lord. My own husband turned away from the Lord as a teen, despite his parents’ faithfulness and love for the Lord. The Lord drew him back, and I believe it is because of his parents’ prayers and love for their struggling son.

I am trying to build a hedge around my children by protecting them from sinful influences and by teaching them the truths of God’s Word. Yet, I find that many days, the one “sinful influence” that I allow to break this hedge is me. Yes, I often portray a bad spirit, spew angry words, and let down my Savior in front of their watchful gaze. I apologize to my Savior, and to my children, but I fear the damage has been done.

I often pray and ask the Lord to fill in the gaps that I am leaving and to help them to succeed spiritually where I fall so glaringly short. I never disparage the ministry, or the people we serve, because I do not want them to grow bitter toward the Lord or His work. I watch for changes in attitude and spirit, and quickly talk to them and get to the root of the matter. But still, I cannot do the work on their hearts, only God can.

What a joy to my heart when my oldest brought me a letter she had written to our church family recently. I have not let it out of my possession because it means so much to me. I am sharing it here as a testimony that God can do amazing things in spite of all of our shortcomings. I am also posting it because this blog is my scrapbook. I often lose paper, but I can always locate my blog! lol! I pray the Lord will continue to work in Lauren’s heart and life, as well as my other four children, so that one day they serve Him faithfully as adults.

Sept. 25, 2010

Dear church family,

You are such a blessing to me and my family! I appreciate your compliments and gifts! I wish I could repay all your kindness to me. I greatly appreciate the house you have provided for me and my family. I do not deserve anything you do or give to me. If I could repay you, I would repay you four fold. But I am grieved that I cannot. But I shall do my best to obey and to discipline myself. If I have done wrong, correct me, for I wish to be as good as you.

When next I write again,

Lauren K.B.

Sincerely,

Lauren Kassidy Basham

This is definitely a treasure for my scrapbook. ♥

Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Lam. 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Valerie

An Autumn Decoration

Valerie Basham

2 comments

November 15, 2010

I wanted to share this very cute and easy way to adorn your Thanksgiving table. I have made these for a ladies meeting as well as for our family Thanksgiving celebration. These add a warm, homey touch to your family gathering, but make no mistake, nothing can replace smiling faces of loved ones at the dining room table. 🙂

Items needed:

Large red apples, Honey Crisp work the best.
Small disk candles. (These can be purchased at craft stores.)

Directions:

Place the disk candle on top of the apple and trace around it. Then, using a sharp knife, cut that circle out. Use a spoon to carve out the flesh of the apple until the candle fits down inside it. The candle should be level with the apple once it’s pushed inside.

Put one at each place setting, or however you’d like to decorate. Light, and enjoy with your favorite people around you.

Thanksgiving blessings,
Valerie

Cuddles, Quilts, and Autumn Colors

Valerie Basham

1 comment

November 13, 2010

We have had a very busy and full week! Just today, the weather has turned more “autumn like” after about a week of very balmy temperatures. In our neck of the woods, autumn is in her full glory. As a candle flares up right before it burns out completely, so is autumn’s splendor. The color is brilliant right now, but in a few days, the trees will be bare and the earth covered in a blanket of leaves. We are enjoying these last days of rich, fall color. I am looking forward to snuggling under a blanket for our family read aloud time, sipping hot cocoa with my kiddos and making the soups and stews that I’ve come to identify with this time of year.

Here are a few photos of our week. Hope you have had a happy and productive week, as well! 🙂

My oldest girl, cuddling her baby brother. She is such a blessing to her Mom! =)

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of getting to visit with my Mom as well as my Aunt from Phoenix. Our 60 and 70 degree weather felt quite cool to her! 🙂

I was so happy she got to meet our newest boy, Matthew Ron, who is named after my dad and her brother, Ron. I only wish we could have chatted longer. We had to meet at a restaurant, so the visit was quick.

Monday greeted me with a leak! The line that feeds our ice maker sprang a leak, and water got all over the pantry floor!

I stood and emptied cups into this bucket as they filled up, while my husband went to the hardware store to get the right parts. I’m so thankful I married “Mr. Fix-It”!

Today, my kids experience an early taste of Christmas! My very talented mother-in-law sent us a huge box of clothes! My children were elated!! Laci wore about three different outfits yesterday! lol!

Laci loves these “Dora the Explorer” slippers!

Leslie wore these boots all day! 🙂

Lauren was so happy that Grandma made her FOUR pairs of culottes – with POCKETS! She had outgrown, and worn out, her previous ones and I’d had to retire them just a few days before these arrived. The Lord met our need, and His timing is just right! I’m so thankful for my Mother-in-law’s talent, love and generosity!

My mother-in-law has made quilts for each of our children – and this is the latest one! Isn’t it so cute?? The little teddy bears’ heads are puffed up with filling (or batting? You know what I mean! lol!). It’s so precious!

Each of the kids’ quilts has their name and birth information on them some way. This says “Matthew Ron Basham 7-14-2010 8lbs. 3oz. 20.5 in.”

Terry was able to kill a deer today, too! It was the biggest one he’s ever gotten! I’m so blessed to be married to a real man. 😉

I’m not big on blood – therefore, I’m thankful that he skins and chops up his own deer. 🙂

What a blessing to have meat for the winter.

This is the little maple in our side yard. I just love the way it changes color.

Wishing you all the joys of autumn!

Valerie

Blessed, Not Lucky

Valerie Basham

no comments

November 12, 2010

I spent many happy hours as a child curled up next to my Mom and Dad, listening to them read books to me. We enjoyed a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. Because of the love of reading (and listening) that they instilled in me, whenever I found an interesting book or story, I often read portions of it aloud to my parents. When I started reading Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story, I loved it so much that I wanted to read each chapter to my parents so we could ooo and ahh together! (If you’ve never read that book or More of the Rest of the Story, I highly recommend them!) I ended up reading one chapter aloud each night before bed.

One story that captured my imagination, was documented on the TV series, Unsolved Mysteries. They call it “Lucky Choir”, but I call them “blessed”. As I think about the multitude of blessings that God has showered down upon me, I cannot neglect to thank Him for His protection. Most of us have no idea how many times He has spared us some tragedy, but if you are breathing right now, you can be sure that it’s all because of Him!

I hope you can take a few minutes to view the following video; It always gives me goosebumps! It’s an amazing testimony of God’s divine protection.

I’ve never been lucky, but I’ve always been blessed!

To see the story of the “Lucky Choir”, click HERE. I only wish it were a better quality video.

Valerie

A Sewing Resource

Valerie Basham

1 comment

November 11, 2010

I wanted to quickly share a website that looks to be an excellent resource for teaching sewing – even for those of us who *ahem* are not exactly experts behind a sewing machine! {Yes, sadly, that would include yours truly!}I have not purchased this curriculum yet, but after reading a review of these materials in Home School Enrichment magazine, and browsing the Modesty Matters website, I plan to purchase it in the future. Modesty Matters offers a curriculum called You CAN Sew! for teaching your daughters to sew. It gives written material as well as DVD instruction. You may view some sample classes and even download some patterns, including a paper doll page, HERE.

A few months ago, I purchased the Homestead Blessings The Art of Sewing DVD. It was very interesting, but for a beginner, I found it lacking. The camera didn’t zoom in close enough on some of the demonstrations. Also, they didn’t describe the techniques step-by-step in some projects. I still learned from it, but it wasn’t quite what I expected. If you already know what you’re doing when it comes to sewing, you will enjoy the Homestead Blessings DVD, The Art of Sewing, very much!

I am constantly looking for quality materials to help me in my efforts as a wife and mother, as well as to train my daughters to be keepers of their homes one day. If there are any materials that you have found useful, please leave me a comment!

Always learning,
Valerie

Counting My Blessings

Valerie Basham

3 comments

November 10, 2010

1 Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

It’s that time of year again! Oh, you wouldn’t know it by looking around the department stores, but it’s almost here! It’s one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving! Most stores are already setting up for Christmas – totally bypassing the blessed day of giving thanks. I love Thanksgiving! It’s a wonderful time to get together with my family and laugh, eat, talk, eat, play games, eat – well, you get the idea. 😉 One of my favorite traditions this time of year is to watch “On Moonlight Bay” and “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” with my children. Those old movies are quaint and clean. We love them!

Many of my friends are daily posting things they are thankful for on their blogs or facebook. I haven’t done a “daily” post because, usually, when I start something like that, it gets interrupted by something else and I can’t finish. And that really bugs my somewhat perfectionist side!

I do have so much for which to be thankful! I try to “give thanks” to my Father every day, but sadly, some days, I just take my blessings for granted. In the spirit of this neglected holiday, I wanted to share a few of my blessings.

My Father. My heavenly Father sent His only Son to die for me – the worthless, rotten sinner that I am. Not only that, but my Father meets my needs and even my wants. He gave me the very faith that I put in Him 17 years ago. He has never failed me. I trusted Him for my salvation. I trusted Him to lead me to the right man, and He did! I have the man of my dreams – and it’s all because of my wonderful Father!

My Sweetheart. It is such a joy to curl up each night beside the best man I know. We have certainly had our share of trials, and many disagreements! 🙂 But he is the man I trust implicitly, the man I gave my heart to over 13 years ago, and the man I pray God allows me to grow old with. He provides material goods for me and our children, he leads us spiritually, and he shows love to me in tangible ways daily. I am of all women most blessed.

Motherhood. I am in the midst of “baby days” – those are days when you get little sleep! Many nights I collapse into bed, wondering how I can keep going. The work of mothering five children and homeschooling them is often overwhelming. When I start to get frustrated, I recall how many women in the world are longing for a child. They are daily seeking the Lord about becoming a mother. I then recall Ps.127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. God has rewarded me five times – ME! I don’t deserve his blessing, but I am so grateful for it, especially during these “baby days”, for I know they will grow up all too quickly.

Memories. Each day, my memories of my dad bring joy to my heart. I can still see his smiling face, hear his roaring laugh, and am often “quoting” him to my children. I recall the way he turned to God’s Word in the darkest of valleys. I remember riding bikes with him, enjoying chocolate fudge milkshakes together, reading books, wrestling, taking trips, Christmases, and literally a million other things! I’m so grateful that I can remember those wonderful days gone by and share my stories with my children.

Medicine. I shudder to think what my life would be like without my rescue inhaler. I really cringe when I think of what it would be like without Zoloft – the medicine I’m taking for PPD. I’m so grateful to the Lord for allowing doctors to discover the medicines and cures that they have so far. I am now able to enjoy my family again! I can live a normal life! God is so good to me!

I could go on and on, but I know you have other things to do today! I must end with one more blessing – YOU! I’m so thankful for this blog and the wonderful friends I’ve met via the internet. Writing is a cheap form of therapy for me, and you all are my therapists. Thanks for reading, it means a great deal to me…but your comments mean even more! lol! 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving!
Valerie

It’s All in How You Look at It

Valerie Basham

no comments

November 8, 2010

Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Sometimes my spiritual focus gets all out of whack. I look around at my broken down furniture and my worn out clothes and start feeling sorry for myself. We didn’t get into this line of work, if that’s what you want to call it, to get rich, but one does need money to survive. Sometimes, these are just fleeting thoughts. Other times, they are crying sessions, or “wallowing in self-pity” sessions.

As soon as I slide down into the abyss of self-sorrow, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the myriad blessings He has given me. He reminds me that I’m just a low-down, no good, dirty, rotten sinner whom God allows to serve Him full time in the ministry. “Who am I? I am nothing!” I say to myself. I then proceed to pick myself up and smile. I go from sorrow to joy because my perspective has changed. I realize that I have everything I need. I can amen the verse above – I, too, have lacked nothing!

I’ve often heard pastors whine because they didn’t get a love offering for their birthdays or anniversaries. Or, perhaps they didn’t get a raise last year. I even heard one man say, “If I were in the secular workforce, I’d be in upper-level management.” Say WHAT? Pastoring and managing a factory are worlds apart – my husband has done both and can personally attest to the vast differences. Yet, somehow, we think we deserve the same salary and benefits that the world receives. Yes, I’m guilty of this, too. I’ve thought similar things before. It’s amazing how it all comes crashing down around me in seconds though, thanks to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. I hope that my work will gain me something more durable than 3 weeks paid vacation or a 401K fund. My goal is have riches “…in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:20.

The fact is, the man of God does deserve respect and love from those whom he serves. But a true man of God does not whine about a lack of material possessions. He takes his needs to the Lord and leaves them there. If you have a godly man leading you, do try to be a blessing and encouragement to him. God will bless you for it. Whatever type of pastor you have, pray for him. He is, after all, just a man. He needs help from the Lord to do the arduous task of feeding God’s people.

If you are in the ministry and you’re discouraged because you lack material goods, please take those needs to your Father. He cares and will meet the needs as He sees fit. Change your perspective and see how unworthy you are to do any work for the Lord.

I’ve had to do this many times. It’s amazing how much better I feel when I realize how rotten I am.

Valerie

Best Friends

Valerie Basham

1 comment

November 7, 2010

I am so grateful that most of the time, my children are kind and loving to each other. Lauren and Mitchell are very close. They do practically everything together! Leslie and Laci are even closer – almost joined at the hip! Where one goes, you’re sure to find the other. So far, they all adore Matthew. I’ve not had to deal with any jealousy issues; only some bickering over who gets to hold him!

I recently “caught” Laci joining Matthew under his baby toy. I thought it was a precious moment and I’m so glad I captured it with a photo and some short videos.

“May I join you under here?” 🙂

Blessed beyond measure,
Valerie

Just Call Me "Lucy"

Valerie Basham

2 comments

November 6, 2010

I have great intentions. I make wonderful plans and have grand ideas. Yet, somehow, when it comes to executing those plans and making those ideas a reality, things just…fall apart.

We just finished up a revival with Bro. Tim Green this past week. Bro. Green has been to our church three times. We consider him a great friend. He is a man of God in every sense of the word and he is just like family to us. I have had him to our home many times and cooked many meals for him. He’s eaten my meatloaf, beef stew, roast, BBQ chicken, chicken with stuffing, tacos, and just about every other dish I make.This year, I wanted to make a something different for him. One meal I’d never served him was poppy seed chicken. It is a delicious recipe I got from a wonderful friend, but it is rather labor intensive. I decided to make it for him on Thursday. I got a late start, but tried not to let that ruffle me.

After 30 minutes of preparation, I popped it in the oven and went about with the other 1,743 things that I needed to do. The clock ticked and I could smell the yummy aroma of the chicken. Soon, however, the aroma shifted from a “cooking” smell, to a “burning” smell! I opened it the oven and saw that it was bubbling over into the bottom of my oven, but the chicken wasn’t burning. I thought, “Well, a little bit in the oven won’t hurt anything.” I closed the door and went on. Terry and Bro. Green had gone down to the church for something. As soon as they left, I noticed that black plumes of smoke were billowing from the oven! I opened the door and saw, through the smoke, that the spillage was more than I realized and it was really burning. I pulled the dish from the oven, spilling it on the oven door and myself.
Done or not, I had to take it out of the oven. I turned the oven off, turned the vent on above the stove. It’s just a little…I thought.

It didn’t take long to see it wasn’t just a little! Smoke was filling my house! I decided to try to remove some of the food from the bottom of the oven so that it would quit burning. I was going to scrape it off onto a cookie sheet that I had nearby. When I reached for the cookie sheet, it caught on the handle of my measuring cup – my glass measuring cup – and fell to the floor. It shattered into a million pieces. The kids were all wound up due to the excitement. Laci wanted to cross through the kitchen but she was barefooted, so I told her to stay put. At that moment, my barefooted Leslie raced past me, right through the shattered glass on the floor! I shrieked, thinking she had just sliced up her feet. Miraculously, she didn’t get a scratch.

In the midst of all the chaos – yep, you guessed it – came Bro. Green and Terry. Oh well. All I could do was warn them to hold their breath and watch their step. Terry helped me open up the house to get the smoke out. As the smoke went out, about ten flies came in! It took us until the next day to get all of them killed. I also spent the next day cleaning my oven. (Thank the Lord for Easy Off!)

I decided that all I could do was laugh. I even grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos. Hope you get a laugh, too.

Amazingly, the meal actually tasted good. We fed Bro. Green and quickly got him out of there before the roof caved in. Through it all, I didn’t lose my cool or display a bad testimony to my family, but the thought did cross my mind to just sink down and cry. Or maybe scream. Looking back, I’m almost thankful. It could have been worse. I think.

I’ve decided just to embrace my “Lucy” tendencies. Life as “Lucy” isn’t that bad! 🙂

Valerie
aka Lucy 😉