Blessings from the Father

Valerie Basham

1 comment

December 17, 2011

I’m striving to keep Christ the focus of my life always, but especially this time of year. I can’t help but feel the pressure: decorating, baking, traditions and memories, shopping, wrapping, making gifts for church and the mother of them all – financial stress!

Yesterday, I was rushing about getting things ready for our church Christmas party. I was tired. Cranky was just around the corner. I knew shopping on Saturday would be stupid, so I decided to just get it over with the day before. As I was leaving, my husband said, “Can you make a deposit?” Okay, sure. No problem. Then I get in the van – it was on E! Add “get gas” to the list. Walmart would be last.

My first stop was the gas station. I put in my card, my pin, selected the cheapest form of gas, put in the pump. Then, I became frustrated when it wouldn’t work!  I was just wanting to get out of there. I was thinking “Now what? This stinks. Everything just stinks.” I rehearsed what I’d done, trying to see what was wrong. Then, I noticed the problem! I had grabbed the handle for the diesel fuel! I quickly switched and it worked fine. I thanked the Lord for keeping me from ruining our one and only vehicle with the wrong gasoline!

After that, I got worried I’d mess up at the bank. I got the checks ready for deposit while I waited at a red light. No use having a teller stare at me or someone beep their horn at me in line at the drive-through. All went fine there. *Phew*

Next, I headed to discount heaven. My husband had handed me a card to use at Walmart as I was leaving. I suddenly couldn’t remember where I put it. I sat in the parking lot cleaning out my wallet, my purse and searching the front of the van. I prayed. If I’d left it in my lap, it might have fallen to the ground at the gas station! I had a feeling it wouldn’t be there by the time I got back. I called my husband. I was talking to him and searching the front of the van again at the same time. Without really thinking (I can’t talk and think at the same time you know), I got out, opened the passenger door on the driver’s side. There, on the floorboard, was the card! Once again, I thanked my Father. I feel that He just led me to do that – to get out and open that passenger door – because I had no reason to do so. I had not been in that part of the van at all. The Lord answered my prayer!

Yet, there I was, getting all flustered and frustrated about food and gifts and money, while all along my goal is to do just the opposite. It reminds me of Mark 9:23-24. Jesus tells the father of a demon possessed man to believe and the impossible shall happen. The man replies, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” My goal is to keep Christ the center of my life, all year long, but I can’t do it alone. I’m too sinful. I say to the Lord, “I am putting You first, but you must help me put You first.” I do what I can, but I still need Him just do what I can. Does that make sense? I dunno…sounds confusing. In other words, I need Him, all the time! He blesses me, even when I get mixed up and tired and distracted. He is so very good to me, and I am so grateful for His blessings.
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Exercise for Life

Valerie Basham

no comments

December 15, 2011

One habit I’ve tried to maintain since my school years is physical activity. To be clear, I am not a health nut. I eat too much chocolate and desserts. I used to be addicted to soda. I love juicy hamburgers. My Wii Fit character is, ahem, chubby. But, I do exercise and have regularly done so since my youth. I use 5 lb. weights in some of my workouts. I love aerobics that make me sweat. I love it when it’s over.

There are so many health benefits in exercise:

  • It lowers blood pressure.
  • Helps you lose weight.
  • Creates muscle and  builds stamina.
  • Gives you energy.
  • Releases stress. (Nothing like kickboxing when you’re angry! Not that I really know…*cough cough*)
  • Releases endorphins – “the feel good” hormones.
  • Helps prevent back and posture problems.
  • Helps prevent osteoporosis.
  • And, my favorite: It enables you to eat chocolate with less guilt. 🙂

My goal is to exercise at least three times a week. Most weeks, I make this goal. When I want to lose weight and push myself (which is about once a year) I workout everyday of the week, except Saturday and Sunday, for three weeks.

I thought I’d share some of my favorite workout DVDs. I also enjoy using the Wii Fit, when I can get a turn. 🙂

Denise Austin is my favorite workout trainer. She is peppy and encouraging and the music is peppy without being too loud. I like her moves, too. She picks hard moves, but just when I’m about to pass out – she stops. Most of her newer DVD’s give the option of having her instruction or just music.

Denise Austin’s Get Fit Daily Dozen – 12 exercises in 12 minutes. Choose from five different workouts, two cardio, 2 strength training (one legs, one arms) and one yoga/Pilates. If you’re short on time, just do your daily dozen! I love it! I often do two a day, which is still only 24 minutes and I get a great workout. I also like the variety.

Denise Austin’s Blast Away 10 lbs.  – One of her older DVDs, but does the job just fine. If you need to get into shape quickly, do this workout five days a week for three weeks! You will shed the sweat and inches. It’s a kickboxing workout with lots of jacks, jogging, and plyometric exercises. I love the punches and kicks, but there is one part at the end that I dread. She has you jog really, really fast, barely moving your feet up and down for what feels like forever! When I’m done, I feel like a champ though! And I’m sweating. Profusely.

Denise Austin’s 3 Week Boot Camp – My sister told me about this one, so I gave it a try. If you follow the plan the way she recommends on the DVD, you will see results! I’ve heard of people using P90X – which is an hour a day for 90 days. I cannot possibly devote that much time of my life to working out. This Boot Camp DVD is a nice “medium”. It’s an intense workout, but doable. You start with the first segment – 20 minutes a day of cardio – and do that four times that week. The next week you do the second segment – also 20 minutes, but it is a strength training/kettlebell inspired workout – four times. The third week, you do both segments (40 min.) four days that week. To maintain, she recommends doing the full 40 min. workout three times a week. I like variety, so I spice it up with other workouts. I have maintained the weight I lost doing this routine (we won’t count Thanksgiving week). I need to lose more so maybe after the new year I’ll give it another whirl.

I’m wanting to try her newest release, Sculpt & Burn Body Blitz, just for variety. I’ll let you know what I think if I do it.

Before you exercise, remember to get your doctor’s approval. Start slowly, building five minutes at a time till you reach 30 minutes a day. Walking is a great exercise! Start there! If you can do it with a friend, even better. I know that exercise doesn’t guarantee a long and healthy life, but it doesn’t hurt. Denise Austin often says, “God gave you one body, take care of it.” I agree. This body is His temple and I want to care for it. No, I’m not going to ever be a super model, nor do I want to be. I may never even lose this last 20 lbs. I gained after my fifth baby. But I want to keep moving. If God sends an illness into my life, I want to be in good shape to fight it. This is a realistic goal. Being a size zero isn’t.

Do you have a favorite exercise? I think everyone should choose to do something they enjoy! 🙂

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Please Pray for Donna

Valerie Basham

2 comments

December 13, 2011

I’ve known Donna for most of my life. When we moved from our home in Hot Springs,we had to find a new church and Christian school. That’s where we met this wonderful family. Donna was the same age as my sister. She also had younger sister the same age as I! It was perfect. Donna and Melanie worked in our church’s bus ministry. She always had a heart to serve God, even as a young teenager. She was always kind.

Donna married a wonderful guy, named Jenceson. Jenceson was my bus driver when I was a teenager and, to be honest, I think of him as an older brother. He always made Sunday a fun day! It’s hard to describe him, I suppose the best way is to say that whenever I felt the like the Christian life was a prison, (you know how teenagers are…) his way of looking at life unlocked the doors. He is genuine, just like his lovely wife. I like that, don’t you?

When I was a young, insecure teenager, I stood up to testify at the end of a church service. Everyone was saying something, so I wanted to, also. I have an older brother and sister who are nearly perfect. I grew up often feeling quite inferior to them and their many abilities. I said in my testimony, “I know I’ll never be like Kevin and Melanie, but I hope that God can use me in some way.” (Or something like that.) After church, Donna stopped me and said, “Valerie, you don’t need to feel like you’re not as good as Kevin and Melanie. You’re a wonderful person, just the way you are.”

I was speechless. No one (outside of blood family) had ever been that kind to me. As you can see, these *cough cough* years later, I still remember it.

Donna’s mother was a teacher at our small Christian school, and she was a hoot! She would often start helping a child with the question, “How now, brown cow?” She loved practical jokes and saw the bright side of life so easily. Well, a few years after Jenceson and Donna married, Donna lost a baby and her health. She had to have her kidneys removed. I watched as they buried their sweet girl, as Donna fought for her life, and as her mother joyfully gave her one of her kidneys. I watched as they stayed true to God and His Word in the darkest days of their lives. God was gracious to us, He allowed Donna and her mother to recover. We all breathed a sigh of relief.

That was many years ago. Today, Donna is needing another kidney. Her sister, Audrey, who is the same age as I am, is giving her one. I’m praying for safety as they undergo this serious operation. I’m praying Donna’s body doesn’t reject this organ, that Audrey will heal quickly, that we can all breathe another sigh of relief.

It’s so hard to watch family suffer – and the people in my home church are my family. I want to do something, to get in there and fight for them, to serve them, to help in some way. I don’t really know how many folks this blog reaches. I have Google stats, but I don’t know how accurate that is. I’ve asked people to spread the word about my blog for myself in the past, just so I could have the pleasure of a larger readership. But today, I’m asking you to spread the word for a different reason. Would you please pray for Donna and Audrey as they undergo surgery this Thursday, December 15? Would you pray for Donna to accept the kidney easily? She will have to live near the hospital for two months, maybe more, and that will be a lot of added financial stress, as well as emotional stress. They were able to adopt a daughter, so this will be hard on her as well. Please pray for Paige, who is 12 years old.

This family is so precious and so amazing. Through all of their trials, they have stayed faithful to God and have served Him with joy. If there were a church full of people like them, that church could reach the world!

If you happen to be a millionaire and would feel led to make a donation to help with their expenses, please do so by clicking the “donation” button in the lower right hand corner of this blog. Just mark it “Donna”. I will see that it gets safely to her. I also ask that you please share this post with others so that many will be in prayer for her in the days and weeks to come.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Thank you for helping me pay back the love that I’ve been shown.
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Remains of the Day

Valerie Basham

no comments

December 12, 2011

I am constantly amazed at how God sees me through each day. I often begin my days heavy-hearted, full of care and woe. I pray and read my Bible, still not feeling an overwhelming burst of energy or joy. I end the day, however, hopeful and ready to see what tomorrow holds. I lie in bed, recalling the not-so-happy feeling I began the day with, and I am in awe of how I made it through another day! Some days, I do break down and cry for whatever reason. But I still end the day with a joy and peace that wasn’t there before.

The grief washes over me, overtakes me, like a wave of the ocean sweeps away a layer of sand from beneath your feet. But the peace creeps up slowly, gently, gradually. Just the way that you feel after being out in the snow for an hour or more. You come in to the warm house and put on dry socks. You bundle up in a blanket or sip hot cocoa. You don’t instantly feel warm, but rather, it grows on you. You begin to “feel” your feet again, then your legs, fingers, and so forth. Slowly, the pain that the chilly air caused is gone and you are warm and cozy once again. That’s the peace of God. Gradually, slowly, He warms my heart until I am at rest in Him.

I was recently describing it to my husband in this way. When our infants have cried long and hard, complete with runny nose and splotchy face, it’s often hard to sooth them. They can’t seem to turn off the tears. Eventually, by rocking or patting or bouncing or singing, the crying winds down, gets softer, less frequent, and then, they are hushed. They are calm and quiet in the safety of their mother’s embrace. That’s how the Lord is to me, His desperate, hurting child. He soothes and rocks me, gradually calming me, giving me strength to rise and go forward. He walks with me throughout my day as I sweep, mop, vacuum, wash and fold laundry, cook, read, play, laugh, write, teach, train, love. He escorts me to my bed for rest and stands watch over me through the night. He is there when I rise, helping me up, to repeat the process again. He is an ever-faithful friend that will never leave me or forsake me.

I am excited about the Christmas season. I love the lights, decorations, the chill in the air, music, movies, scents, and spirit of this annual time. I even have a short, but not cheap, wish list. (Hey, I gotta be real.) But,  with Jesus sitting here beside me, what more could I want?

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Help Needed

Valerie Basham

4 comments

December 10, 2011

Last month, I decided to update the professional photos of my kids that adorn my walls by taking them myself. The ones I have are four years old! I have a point & shoot camera, nothing special, but it takes good photos (in my opinion). I saved a bundle of money doing it this way. BUT, I ran into a problem. One of the photos came out with kind of a reddish hue to it. I tried fixing it using Paint Shop Pro, but I’m not sure if my results were as good as it could get. I’m not even sure if I should fix it. If you have photography experience, could you give me your opinion in comments or by email? Pretty please?

The original photo…there’s just something a bit off. The others came out fine. I’m baffled.
 I tried to adjust it here. I think it looks even more red/pink. 
 Another adjustment…hmmm.
My last attempt. It looks rather washed out, doesn’t it?
So, my questions for you are these:

1. Do you like any of the photos above?

2. Any ideas on what I should do to the original to get a balanced color that isn’t washed out?
Thanks for your help!

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10 Things I’ve Learned about Blogging in 2011

Valerie Basham

2 comments

December 9, 2011

1. How to create my own background and header. (Still needing improvement, but I’m on my way!)
2. How to add a post divider – a line of decoration between each post.
3. How to automatically add a signature to posts.
4. That I love Blogger’s new dashboard and features, they make designing and writing so much faster and easier.
5. To appreciate reader’s comments more than ever. They are truly a blessing!
6. That getting subscribers/followers is a lot of work. It takes a lot of “self-promotion” and I just don’t feel comfortable with that.
7. That when I host a giveaway to get the word out about my blog, it really doesn’t do the trick. Maybe I should try giving away a Mercedes next year? Nah. It would be hard to ship that.
8. I’ve learned that when a company contacts me about hosting a giveaway of their product, I must try the product first! 
9. That I get really pumped when someone shares something from my site on their blog, Twitter or on Facebook. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, I’m stoked! 😉
10. That I don’t think I could stop blogging even if I had zero readers. I learned this year, when I tried to stop blogging, that I write more for myself than anyone else. If it happens to help someone, and they subsequently share the link somewhere, (and I get giddy with glee) then that’s a bonus. A huge bonus.

Hey! A reader! Thanks for being here! You make the blogging experience so much nicer. 🙂 And to those who comment, I know it takes a bit more time. Thanks for doing it. I love hearing from you.

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From the Rear View Mirror

Valerie Basham

7 comments

December 8, 2011

Well folks, we’re coming to the end of yet another year. May I just say an unenthusiastic “Phew” right here?  The words “difficult” “gut wrenching” and “drama filled” describe 2011 for me.

We began the year, or rather ended last year, with a phone call from some unhappy people. This call came on Christmas. Yes siree, Bob. What a great gift! On January 2nd, after trying to help these folks, they called to say “Goodbye.” Yeah…bummer. Oh, and the kicker? January 2nd is our wedding anniversary! Not a great way to start the year.

The year got progressively worse after that.

Our attendance is down, our offerings are down and there’s a sect in our community who, if they are reading this now, is rejoicing. But, I’m rejoicing, too, so it’s okay! No, I’m not rejoicing that those dear people have left our church and are still displeased with us. Instead, I’m rejoicing at how this is molding me. I’ve shed more tears this year than I have in all of the others combined. I’ve felt more forsaken and alone than ever, and I live closer to my home than I have in years. I’ve been so depressed and defeated, that I have sat on the floor and cried till there were no tears left. I’ve dealt with anger, guilt, discontentment, panic, fear and grudges. I know, that’s a lot of sin, isn’t it? Sorry to taint you in this way. You know me, I gotta be real. BUT WAIT! Before you click away, let me point out the words “dealt with”. Past tense. I deal with these issues as they come, I don’t harbor these emotions and allow them to fester. I take my anger (after venting it on someone I trust) to the Lord. I get forgiveness. I move on.

I suppose a turning point came when we had Bro. Tim Green preach our revival a few weeks ago. He told my husband that the Lord cares less about what’s going on in our church – souls being saved or not, attendance high or low, money or no money – and He cares more about what is happening to us as individuals. How are we growing through these experiences? What is God teaching us? That was something to ponder! God had certainly been working on me through all of this! I’ve had emotions that I didn’t think I could have! It was as though the Refiner had turned up the heat and all of the dross, the worthless trash, was coming to the top.

Another encouragement came from my husband. As he sat next to me in my puddle of tears, he told me that at that moment, I was glorifying God.

“Huh? How was God being glorified by my tears, by my desire to quit?” I asked in shaky voice.

“Because you aren’t quitting. Each step you take to live for Christ, when you are suffering, is bringing glory to God. It’s easy to live for God when life is easy. That’s nothing. That doesn’t glorify Him. But to keep going during suffering, now that says ‘love’.” He said.

Wow. What a thought! My suffering, which in the grand scheme of life may not be that great, can bring glory to God! Now that’s worth living for! That’s something to buoy one’s spirits! I don’t have to be a missionary to China to bring glory to Him! I don’t have to have two ladies events each month to glorify Him! I don’t have to be popular to bring glory to Him! I just have to endure hardness, to be a good soldier for Jesus, and His name is honored and glorified! William Carey is known today as a great man of faith, but he was just a man.  He was known to have said, “I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.” You know, I can do that, too.

I. can. plod.

Finally, peace came when I said, “Yes, Lord, I will stay in this fire. I will embrace the flames as they melt me down. I will submit as You remove the dross, as You mold me and shape me. It hurts, Lord, and sometimes, I just want to run away. But I will not run. I will stay in this furnace.”

God is allowing these trials in our lives to mold us. He’s teaching me patience, how to love those who will not return my love, meekness, joy in suffering, holding my tongue, and a host of other things.

Yes, it’s been a rough year. I sigh heavily and wipe my brow as I look back upon the rows that have been plowed. How thick the muck was in some places, the footprints are deep. I look forward to this next year with hopes of a great harvest. No, it may not be of people. Our attendance may stay low. And it may not bear the fruit of financial gain. It might bring forth fruit that we cannot see until we get to Heaven. I may stay in this furnace another entire year. It may get even hotter and more uncomfortable, I don’t know. But, by God’s grace, I will stay. And someday, I will come forth as gold.

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For Laci Elizabeth

Valerie Basham

3 comments

December 7, 2011

I wrote a little poem for my sweet girl’s fifth birthday. I wrote it down quickly, so it’s far from perfect. It’s hard to believe I’ll have four children in school next year! When they were babies it felt like their school days were far, far away. I’m learning, as all mothers do, that the days are long but the years fly by. I think I’m going to try to write a little poem for the other four kids on their next birthdays, too. 🙂

I’m so blessed to be a mother. Happy birthday, to the sweetest five year old around! For more photos, go HERE.

On Laci’s Fifth Birthday

God gave us great news, that fine spring day,
When we found out that you were on the way.
You’ve filled me with joy, laughter and zest.
When God gave me you, He gave me a test.
I was a bit scared, to have you back then.
After all, our oldest was not close to ten!
Ages seven, four and one were the rest
When I came to rock you upon my chest.
But we all soon learned that you would be fun.
We were all so elated the day you turned one!
At two you were talking, stories and jokes,
You made silly faces and stole drinks of our cokes.
You were three on the day that scared us all,
My heart filled with panic, on the Lord I did call.
The cries of my heart and my voice He did hear
He lifted you up and calmed my worst fear.
At four you were crazy about that girl Dora,
You knew all the songs about fauna and flora.
You listened to books as you sat on my lap,
Then burst into song about Dora’s map!
And now, you are five – where did the time go?
Days fly like the wind on a blustery day blows.
There’s so much excitement in the future for you,
If I pause to think of it, it makes me all blue.
So if someday you ask “Did Mother care?”
“Did she notice me? Was she aware?”
You’ll read this and see that I saw you, my dear,
Please dry your eyes, and don’t shed a tear.
Someday you may move far from our home,
But if you trust Him, you’ll not too far roam.
He’ll watch over you, each step you trod,
Keep following Him; keep watching our God.
The five of you kids put the “live” in my “living”,
Your love is the gift that just keeps on giving.
When the time comes you must leave from this nest,
I want each to know, that He gave me the best.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
Psalm 113:9

Happy birthday to my sweet, pizzazzy, silly-goose five year old!
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The Same Rules Apply

Valerie Basham

1 comment

December 4, 2011

I admit it. I get a bit distressed when folks gripe about Facebook. After all, it’s not that bad. I’ve enjoyed my time there. I’ve decided to share with the world around me the secret to using Facebook happily and drama free. It’s one of those things where “easier said than done” would be an appropriate description. It’s easy for me to share the secret, but hard for me to put it into practice!

So, are you ready? Okay, here goes nothin’!

The same rules that the Lord set down for us in His Holy Word about the tongue also apply to Facebook. After all, the tongue is a form of communication, right? Yes! So are phone calls! And text messages. And e-mail. And this blog. And your blog. And all God’s children’s blogs.

That’s it.

We shouldn’t say curse words with our tongues to someone, so therefore, we shouldn’t text it, type it, write it, sign it or mouth it. (Matt. 5:37, James 5:12)

We shouldn’t lie with our tongues. Or our fingers. (Ex. 20:16)

We shouldn’t give out unsought advice with our mouths. People don’t heed advice they didn’t ask for anyway. Wait a minute! They don’t heed advice they did ask for, either! So, why bother trying it on the world wide web? Nah. Don’t waist your time. Just say, “Praying for you. 😦 ” {Don’t forget the sad face!} And then pray for them. (Rom. 14:1)

We shouldn’t gossip verbally at parties, at lunch, at the water cooler or anywhere else, for that matter. Likewise, we shouldn’t do it on social networks. (Prov. 6:16, Prov. 6:19)

Oh, and one last tip: when someone writes something nasty to you, just ignore it. I know, it’s hard. Very hard. But just hit “delete” and put it out of your mind. If you’re in the wrong, make it right and move on. Happily. (Luke 6:29)

I think this is the answer, people. I think that we could change the world with this info! Wouldn’t that be great? 

Dream sequence, picture that swirly look that you see on movies when someone is dreaming:

Fade in to me, standing behind a lectern in front of the Lincoln Memorial, giving a speech. See it? C’mon! Sure you do!

“I dream of better place, where men and women, especially women, can fellowship drama free on Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, and other venues of social interaction. We CAN do it! Together!”

Applause, confetti throwing, balloons, people waving signs that say “NO DRAMA” (Not to be confused with “No ‘bama”) and “I want to believe”. (Yes, I borrowed that last phrase.)

Okay, fade back in to reality. Please ignore the screaming children.

I really do believe that Facebook, Twitter, blogs and even text messages can be used to uplift, encourage, share prayer requests, Bible verses, praise reports and myriad other great things. And when we do slip up and say something we regret (in any form of communication), there’s always such a thing as a heart-felt apology. It does wonders at restoring friendship. Believe me on this one, people, I ought to know. {shaking head} I’ve *ahem* made a few (thousand) apologies in my time. But because of my multitude of amends-making experiences, I can also tell you firsthand that it’s a great feeling to be forgiven and restored.

So, what do ya think? I think it can be done! Share this post if you agree. And find me on Facebook!! 🙂 Photobucket

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