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Can You Find Me?

Valerie Basham

April 14, 2013

When I was 18 years old, the Lord led me to the perfect job. I was a receptionist for a car dealership and got to talk all. day. long. I told you, it was the perfect job! My boss was one of the owners, John Landers. He was a wonderful man. He retired about two years after I started working there, and upon his retirement, one of the salesmen drew a “family portrait” of the Landers family. I uncovered it as I was cleaning out and packing up to move. It was a happy time in my life and I owe it all to the Lord. I trusted Him to guide me, and He did.

So, the question is, can you find me? 🙂

Mastering the Indoor Shot

Valerie Basham

4 comments

April 13, 2013

I have been enjoying using my Nikon camera whenever I have it handy. I have been so busy lately with school and packing and you-name-it, that I have missed several photographic moments. I did want to pop in and share that I have finally mastered the indoor shot! I usually use “Auto” mode indoors, with the flash off. The photo below was taken on Aperture mode (meaning that I set the aperture and the camera adjusts the shutter speed for me). The trick for me was adjusting the ISO setting! I set it at 3200 for this shot, which is petty high, but it turned out great! In the past when I used A-priority or S-priority modes indoors, I got total darkness or completely blurred out photos. This one isn’t the greatest, but it was CLEAR! Hooray! It was a bit washed out, so I adjusted the balance in my photo editing program. I still have a lot to learn, but I was pleased.

Moving On

Valerie Basham

18 comments

April 11, 2013

For quite a while, my husband has felt that the Lord had been leading us to leave our ministry here. Yes, it’s been difficult in ways which I cannot fully describe. But, difficult circumstances exist everywhere, in every type of life, ministry or otherwise. “Difficult” doesn’t mean “wrong”, nor does it mean “quit”. So, even though the problems have been numerous and the Lord has seemed to be a million miles away at times, we have stayed the course and waited on the Lord to direct our path while faithfully serving through the hard times. We haven’t been perfect at all, but the Lord doesn’t require perfection, He requires faithfulness. (1Cor.4:2) We have been faithful.

Last September, we were voted in unanimously to a church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada! It was an exciting prospect – we would be in a foreign country, learning French, a new currency, and on and on! After much prayer, however, we both came to a simple conclusion: it was not God’s will. We didn’t have a minute’s peace about it. I don’t mean we were scared, which we were. Who wouldn’t be scared or nervous about relocating into a foreign country with five children? It wasn’t the fear that stopped us, it was that missing peace from God. Again, I cannot adequately describe it. It’s just something you know as a child of God.

Little did we know that when we had to say no to the good people in Canada, that at that moment God was opening a door for us. Soon after our return from Montreal in September, we got an email from a church in Lawton, Oklahoma. To this day we are not exactly sure how they got our name, but they did. They even sent the email to my husband’s old address, but he happened to check it and found it in time! After several interviews, emails, two face-to-face meetings and much prayer, all concerned have decided that it is God’s will for my husband to become their pastor! We are moving!

The sorting and packing has begun and yes, I’m overwhelmed. It seems like yesterday we moved here, believing that we would be here forever. I have enjoyed being back in my home state, but I admit that this part of Arkansas isn’t what I’m used to! It’s very different from the central Arkansas area where I was born and grew up. Nevertheless, there are many sweet people here that we will miss immensely. Even though we do have that “nervousness”, we have the sweet peace from the Lord that this is right.

I hope to blog about our new life in Oklahoma whenever I can squeeze it in. We are in the process of buying our first home – something that I never expected to happen – so your prayers for that are much appreciated! Packing boxes with three little kids around is difficult, but I’m so thankful for the help of my oldest daughter and son. They can pack and babysit while we work. We head out April 25, which will be here before you know it! (And also happens to be my sweetie’s birthday!)

Thanks for reading, I hope you’ll follow our adventure as we move to the Sooner State!

My First Best Friend

Valerie Basham

1 comment

April 9, 2013

God has blessed me with many acquaintances and several good friends over the years. But my first best friend, outside of my parents, would be my sister, Melanie. She asked the Lord to give her a baby sister and God heard that prayer. From the moment I came home from the hospital, my sister fluttered around me. She held me, played with me and took care of me. She endured my toddler years being only slightly annoyed that I got into all of her things. She played in the sprinkler with me. She made tuna sandwiches and pork ‘n’ beans and served them on toy dishes for our tea parties. She shared her dolls with me. She played the piano and let me sing loud in her ear. She let me dress up as a bride and would play the “Wedding March” as I slowly walked down the hall, pretending to be getting married. We pushed our two twin beds side-by-side and would fall asleep whispering (unless Mom heard us and shushed us!). In winter, our electric blanket controls cast an orange glow on our pillows as they hung from her headboard post.

Then one day, she put on a cap and gown and got to walk down a real aisle to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance”. I didn’t realize it then, but after that, my life would be forever different. She moved away to Hyles-Anderson College – 900 miles from our little bedroom with the orange light. I had two wonderful parents who loved me and did things with me, but I missed my best friend. I spent more nights that I can count crying myself to sleep. I felt awkward walking through the doors of our small Christian school alone. I missed having someone share the backseat with me when we all went to church. The table seemed lopsided with out her gleeful chatter.

I’d heard our pastor say that the Holy Spirit was a comforter, so before I was even saved, I began relying on Him for help. I imagined Him like the down comforter we bought for Melanie’s college dorm bed, wrapping Himself around my heart each night, holding me until I fell asleep. He filled my life with friends and activities that sustained me those many days without my sister. We have been separated by hundreds of miles ever since her graduation, but in reality, we’re never too far apart. She is with me now, in my heart, in my memories and thankfully, she’s just a phone call away.

Happy birthday to my very first best friend. I love you.

I Love This Picture

Valerie Basham

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April 8, 2013

Not too long ago, my mom shared a few old photos with me. A former teacher at Jessieville Elementary school sent her some extra snapshots of Mom’s going away party when she resigned as principal there. (The theme was “Mayberry”, since Mom is a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show.) As I flipped through the photos, this one stopped me cold. I have many pictures up of my dad, but since I see them everyday, I’ve become numb to their affect. I suppose I’m desensitized a bit. But when I saw this picture, I felt tears form behind my eyes, and my throat got tight. Waves of sadness washed over me and I grieved for a few moments the loss of my dad all over again. Here is the picture:

Do you see the love and admiration for my mom in his eyes? He would look at Mom as well as each of his children that way. Do you see the respect he has for my mother? He respected women – he wasn’t threatened by them. He never beat my mom or threw “temper tantrums”. Do you see the genuine gladness on his face? That is how he looked every day of my life.

I saw this photo and, for just second, he was alive again. He was laughing and talking and enjoying his family. He is now enjoying the glow of the Savior’s love in Heaven; he is in the very presence of God! Because of my parents’ testimony, I trusted Christ as my Savior, too. I will see him again. But until then, I will thank God for these two amazing people that I am blessed to call Mom and Dad.

My Appointment

Valerie Basham

1 comment

April 4, 2013

Every morning, I get up, stumble my way to the coffee pot and wait the four minutes for it to fill up. Then, I get my coffee into the cup and stumble to my quiet time spot, my school room. I lock the door, get out my notebook and start reading. Some days, it’s like the world opens up and I receive so much; it’s as though the Lord is in the room with me. Other days, I leave feeling like I received nothing; as though God were a million miles away behind a brass curtain. But either way, I show up the next day, and the next, and the next. My plan is to do this on my last day on Earth, whenever that is, and after that I will get to worship face to face! What a day that will be!

My flesh, however, is not so enthusiastic about my commitment to Bible reading and prayer. My flesh likes to sleep, surf the web, read other books, watch the news or even snuggle with my kiddos first thing in the morning -anything but read the Bible and pray! But, it’s an appointment I have with myself. I would say it’s an appointment I have with the Lord, but He’s everywhere all the time, always on schedule! I’m the one who needs the prodding; I’m the one who has to have an appointment.

I have missed this appointment before, due to sickness or travel. I’ve been late many times, finding myself reading late at night because the kids got sick or some other unexpected event took place. I’m not perfect in this area now, nor will I ever be. But, I continue to plod. I read Leviticus and Ezekiel, Malachi and Mark, Romans and Revelation. I read the list of who begat who and the descriptions of the tabernacle and temple. I read the exciting stories, the obscure stories and the parables. I read it all. I don’t understand it all, but I read it all. And the Lord blesses my effort. How? He blesses me by coming down, each morning (or night, if I’m late) and meeting with me. He’s there when I don’t “feel” like He’s there. He’s helping me in ways I am yet unaware, and I am grateful. I’m grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness to me regardless of my faithfulness to Him.

In today’s world, we all have computers, or iPhones, or iPads or Kindles – reading God’s Word is easier than ever! Yet I wonder if we’re doing it, or are we giving in to our flesh? If you, like I, have done that, be encouraged! You don’t have to start reading God’s Word on January 1 for it to count, you can start today, April 4! You can start anytime, anywhere! He will meet you and He will bless you.

So what are you waiting for? Make that appointment.

Thank You, Aunt Christina!

Valerie Basham

1 comment

April 3, 2013

Last week, we received a wonderful surprise box from my sister-in-law in Missouri! It had several headbands for the girls and some jewelry, lotion and perfume for me. (She also kindly included $5 for each of the boys!) It just made our day and I wanted to share the photos of our happy kiddos. She has just become a Paparazzi Accessory consultant, so if you’re interested in brightening someone’s day (or your own), just let me know and I can put you in touch with her! Oh, and this was just in time for Easter! Yay! 🙂

Laci and Leslie – Leslie is wearing a headband and a little flower clip together.

Lauren is wearing one with a feather on it!

My goodies! I just love them! 🙂

I think this one is self-explanatory. 😉

I’m not very talented in the fashion department, especially when it comes to finding the right accessories, so these headbands and necklaces were such a blessing! I know I’ll feel more “put together” now. The girls love frilly things and of course, what boy doesn’t just love getting a little extra cash?

Thank you, Aunt Christina, for making our day! We miss you all!

Resurrection Day 2013

Valerie Basham

4 comments

March 31, 2013

It was a dreary start to our Resurrection Sunday today, but the sun is shining now.

We rejoice that HE LIVES!

Vintage Valerie: Florida

Valerie Basham

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March 30, 2013

On April 17, 2004, my little family and I flew to Orlando, Florida, to surprise my brother for his 25th anniversary of Gospel ministry. We “hid out” that Saturday at a rented house and showed up at his services the next day, April 18. My parents had arranged for all of us to be together, and had provided the means for us to travel. My sister also came down from North Carolina. It was a happy time in the rented house, which had a pool!. We visited Sea World. We went to the ocean. We swam everyday. We celebrated Terry’s birthday, which was that same week. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. We didn’t know that only three months later, my dad would be in Heaven. If we had known that, we probably wouldn’t have laughed so much. I think I would have taken more photos, too! Back then, I was barely 26 years old and wasn’t very good at photography, nor did I realize how precious memories were. I do have these few treasures from that wonderful vacation, though. And that’s what they are, priceless treasures.

Lauren and Andrew, age four, before church. We’re about to surprise Kevin!

Blurry photo of Lauren at the pool.

We enjoyed the swimming!

My nephew, David Allen, Lauren, and Mitch at Sea World

The last photo I’d ever take of my dad, at Sea World. That was one tall mermaid!

Some of the gang – L-R: Ashlea Courtney, Nathan Courtney, David Allen Pledger, Lauren, Mitchell and Andrew Pledger.

The ocean! It was just lovely and amazing!

We enjoyed two shows at Sea World, and no, I didn’t sit in the “soak zone”.

Little Mitchell, playing in the sand.

Lauren had fun in the sun. 🙂

I couldn’t get over the magnificence of it. This photo doesn’t do it justice, but it’s better than nothing.

Going out…

…coming back!

Three little boys having a blast! (David Allen, Mitch and Andrew)

Several of the family enjoying the waves.

Me with my baby nephew, Stephen, who was just a few months old at the time.

David Allen, Amber Courtney, Lauren, and Ashlea Courtney eating ice cream!

Me and Terry celebrating his 26th birthday in Florida!

Mitchell, the ham!

Andrew – and in the background, my dad.

Words cannot begin to describe how thankful I am for this final memory of our family all together. It was the last time we’d all be together on Earth, but my prayer is that this scene will be replicated one day in glory. I am praying each one of these dear children come to know Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful parents.

History Lover

Valerie Basham

2 comments

March 29, 2013

I have vivid memories of lying on the big bed in my parents’ room, which was right beneath two large windows, looking at books of Presidents. There was one book in particular, a large, red book from the library that I enjoyed the most. It had a good two or three pages on each President along with interesting photos. The portion about President Washington showed a picture of his ivory false teeth! Every page detailed the events of our exciting past as a nation. I found that through those pages, I could transport myself back in time; I could become an eye witness to the hand of God (and of Satan) at work in our country. I fell in love with the past. My dad loved history, too, and it didn’t take any coaxing at all to get him to lie next to me, with reading glasses in place, and read aloud the book of our nation’s leaders. I wish I could recall the exact title of that big red book of Presidents (hmmm, maybe that’s it!), because I’d love to get a copy – even a used copy – as a token of the wonderful memories I made with it.

I still love history. I have found so many thrilling adventures in the pages of biographies and history books, not textbooks. They are dry and boring compared to books written by a man or woman who truly love the subject about which they write. That’s the difference! Their love and admiration is spilled out onto the page and you just can’t help going along for the ride!

I am in the middle of a huge volume right now, 992 pages to be exact. My kids looked at it and said, “Oh! I hope I don’t have to read that!” I told them, “If you started it, you wouldn’t put it down! It’s a page turner!” The book is Truman by David McCullough. I have read 1776 and John Adams by Mr. McCullough and each one was excellent. I have also enjoyed reading the autobiography of Laura Bush and Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy by Bill O’Reilly. If we don’t learn and understand our past, we most assuredly are doomed to repeat it.

I also picked up a DVD set the other day that I’ve seen on the History Channel, simply called The Presidents. I highly recommend it.

Reading history is not only something I enjoy, but it reminds me of my own history. I remember snuggling beside that tall, tan, cologne-scented man who was my dad, my “partner”. Through the pages of these books, we are together again.