Wendy! It's Your Day!!!

It was brought to my attention that today is Wendy Bayne's birthday! Wendy lives in North Carolina. She has been reading my blog since about day one! Thank you, Wendy, for faithfully reading what little I have to say here. It was nice to meet you this past summer. I hope you have had a wonderful day and a blessed year!!

So Much to Praise Him For!

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am reminded of how much I have for which to be thankful. The Lord meets me every morning at our "spot" and we have such a good time. Some days, I talk more than He does! Other days, I am rendered speechless as I soak up His Word, or as I sit quietly and let the Holy Spirit intercede for me. (Romans 8:26)

As I look back across my life of 30 years, I see how His hand guided me and comforted me. You've already heard more than you would probably like about my Dad's homegoing. You've heard how devastating the loss was for me. But my heavenly Father was there, all the time. He cared. He comforted. There was another tragedy in my family that happened two years after Dad's death. It was a deep wound to me, my husband and children that I won't soon forget. The Lord's comforting hand was there again. He saw my tears. He felt my anguish. He proved Himself faithful again. We have been serving in full time ministry for three years, but we have always been at least part time in the Lord's work for our entire eleven year marriage. We have faced job loss (more than once), financial reversal and stress, sickness and hospital bills and even threats on our lives. Through it all, He was faithful. He never failed me. Ever.
The Lord has not only seen us through hardships, but he has also lovingly blessed and rewarded us far more than we deserve or expect. We moved, rather suddenly, here to Hope last May. The church is letting us use a very nice parsonage. It's the nicest house we've ever lived in. Not only that, but my husband and I both agree that it is exactly what we would look for in a home that we wanted to buy, if we ever had the opportunity to buy one. The church put in a new stove before we moved in and the oven has a delay timer. You can pre-set it to come on at a certain time. I've always wanted an oven like that! They put in a new washer and dryer for us because before we moved, mine had "bitten the dust"! :) In October, the ladies of the church came to me and told me that the church wanted to buy me a new dining room table. My old one had been handed down to me by some family members. I had repainted it every time we added a child. It only had four chairs with it, so we used folding chairs to get us all around it. The men of the church handed me a check and said "Go pick one out that has enough chairs for your whole family." What a blessing! I don't believe any of this is a coincidence. I believe God blesses His people. These blessings are too specific for them to "just happen". God knows us. He knows how to show love better than any human can!
He also provides for His people. We've never missed a meal. Not because we've always had a full pantry, but because God has always provided what we need.
I have lived very far away from family at different times in my life. Each time the Lord gives me a friend, or many friends. He also enables me to get to see my loved ones. Three weeks ago I found out that my older brother, who pastors in Florida, would be coming for Thanksgiving! I haven't seen his family in two years! Not only that, but my sister is coming this week, also! That is just another of God's many blessings. I love my family so much. I'm so thankful to be able to see them again.

I am not as faithful to the Lord as I need to be. I fail Him often. I am happy to tell my church family that I make lots of mistakes. I want to be honest, and real, with others. The Christian life isn't always a time of reaping blessings, but there are benefits every day. (Psalm 68:19) I am thankful that even though I do fail my Lord, He is merciful and loving to me. Even when He must correct me, He does it with love.
I could go on and on praising the the Lord for his goodness to me. I am so unworthy!
Whatever may happen, I have a reason to praise the Lord. I praise Him in the midst of trial because He is in the trial right along with me. He stands beside me. I praise Him in times of blessing because, truly, all blessings come from His hand. As an old song says, "I have so much to Praise Him for!"
Indeed, I do.

Simple Pleasures

My family is rather strange. Yes, we admit it. We are unique; independent. Weird, okay? My family is weird. Putting a fancy word on it doesn't change the result. We don't go mixed swimming, we don't go to dances or the like and we don't go to movies. See? I told you we were weird! Instead, we enjoy "homebody" things. We like talking together, playing games together and of course, eating together! ☺ Since we will be out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do something special a little early just for the six of us. I am cooking our Thanksgiving meal tonight!! I enjoy doing things for my family. I only wish I could "go all out" every night for them!
There is one movie that I enjoy watching at this time every year, but I haven't been able to see it in quite a while. I first watched it with my Mom and Dad when I was about 14 years old or so. We all enjoyed it immensely. I had once owned it on VHS, but alas, the tape finally bit the dust. That was about four years ago! I had mentioned to my husband that I had seen this very movie for sale on Amazon.com, but it was almost $20!! I was hoping to save up and buy it for myself at some point.
Well, two days ago, as I was planning things for our family dinner, Terry told me that he ordered my movie! In fact, it wasn't just the movie I had wanted, but it was an entire set! He had found a set of movies that was a better deal. Yippee! I have been eagerly watching for the UPS truck to stop by ever since. I have told the children that after our family meal, we'll pull out "my favorite Thanksgiving movie" and watch it together. They have been grilling me for the title since then, but I wouldn't give in...till today! That's right, I just warmly greeted my UPS lady and received my special gift!!

Here's a hint: DORIS DAY!!! Don'tcha just love Doris Day?? ♥

This is the cover of the entire set which consists of seven movies!

Here they are!! The titles are as follows: Romance on the High Seas; My Dream is Yours; I'll See You In My Dreams (biographical movie of Gus Kahn, the man who composed such hits as "It Had to Be You"; "Pretty Baby" and "Carolina in the Mornin'"); On Moonlight Bay; By the Light of the Silvery Moon; Lucky Me

Can you figure out which one we'll be watching?

Here it is!

This is such a touching story. It is inspired by Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories. I love the way it makes you feel afterwards. It doesn't leave you depressed and "blah" the way some newer movies do. It makes you feel good. It makes you want to have a close-knit family.

Here's the sequel! It is equally good!

And here's the man who made it possible!

My husband and I do not have many material possessions. The ones we do have are not as precious to us as our children. Our dear children are eternal possessions! You can't get better than that! Recently in a sermon, my husband said he couldn't think of anything that he wouldn't give up to help one of his children stay close to God. Some would say we're anti-social. Some would say that because we homeschool and refrain from certain practices, that we are trying to shelter our children too much. We disagree. They see plenty of the outside world as we go soulwinning, as we interact with people in businesses, and in their homes, and so forth. Someday they will be able to go out and forge their own path in the world. Our desire is to prepare them for that day, and then be here when they need us. You would never see our U.S. Military sending a new recruit to Iraq without his first having finished Basic Training! No way! The first thing a soldier learns is how to fight and how to have the highest chance of survival. That's what we're doing with our "new recruits". We're training them rigorously in God's Word and by example. We're trying to teach them the way to have the highest chance of survival in the world.

I'm thankful for my close-knit family. I'm thankful for the simple pleasures.

City Girl Solutions

We recently attended a bonfire at a church member's house. At the bonfire, we did something that I haven't done for years - we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows! DEEE-LISH! I love roasted marshmallow's!! This is something that I, as a city girl, do not get to enjoy too often. While growing up, my Dad would sometimes roast marshmallows for me over the fire in the fireplace. It brings back sweet memories! *sigh*

While purchasing groceries for our Thanksgiving Day meal this past Saturday, I noticed those giant marshmallows in the baking aisle. I picked them up. No, I do not have a fireplace. No, I do not plan on camping out anytime soon. (Although I think it would be nice to do that...once!) I planned on roasting them another way. Below are photos of the experience.

The STAR! Hello, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows! How have you been? It sure has been a loooong time! You haven't changed a bit.

Yep, you probably already knew where I was going with this. You people are so smart! Anyway, as I was saying, get your strong, handy husband to unwind a wire hanger and snip it down to a small size with wire cutters. Bat your eyelashes and look helpless. (Oh no! Did I just put that on here? I hope he doesn't read this! He'll find out all my secrets...oh well.) Place one - or three! - of those beautiful jet puffed marshmallow's onto the end of the hanger and rotate it over the flame of your gas stove. If you don't have a gas stove, then get out your camping equipment, and hurry! It's getting cold quickly!

If you have a gas stove, wire hanger, and our lovely star ready, then start cookin'! Get ready for that ooey-gooey, mouth watering taste of roasted marshmallows!!

When done properly, (Translation: when done the way you like them. You may like yours charred and black or maybe just barely dimpled. Whatever you like. We want you to have it your way. I'm here to please.) they are nicely browned with only slight blackening. This is what I call "Marshmallow Perfection"!

Next, it's time to clean up! Did you notice all that leftover marshmallow on the tip of your holder? Well, don't lick it off right away, that could result in serious injury! You could let it cool and just wash it, but that's so hum-drum. I have a more exciting method of clean up!

Simply hold your wire hanger (aka, marshmallow holder ) over the flame on your stove. I have no idea why the flame isn't showing in this photo. Probably because I'm using a point-n-shoot camera, or maybe it's because I'm a lousy photographer. Or maybe it's both! Anyway, let it flame up for a second or two.

Once you've held it for a few seconds (Please do not burn your house down.), remove it and let it cool down a moment. Then, take a paper towel and remove the black.

*Disclaimer: Valerie is not responsible for any injuries or home damage that may result from lazy roasting practices. Do not attempt if you are under 18 years of age. Do not attempt if you are accident prone. There. Did I cover all the bases?

Next, take a your SOS pad and....GASP!...I'm out of SOS pads! Okay, don't panic if you don't have SOS pads. Simply use a dishcloth and scrub it a little more with some dish soap.

Voila! You have a clean marshmallow holder, ready for use next time. Which in my case is right about now! (Don't worry if it's a little stained, it won't hurt you, I promise! Just look at me! I'm perfectly normal! :P )

I just wanted to throw this photo in for fun. It's just the sun reflecting on my faucet.

Another item I noticed when I was in the baking aisle recently, was Jet-Puffed Marshmallow's cousin, Marshmallow Creme! At that moment, inspiration hit! I decided to take my favorite cappuccino mix and couple it with Marshmallow creme! The result is a sensational twist on my morning routine! Oh, and go ahead and kill time by photographing inanimate objects. It's a hoot!

At first, Cappuccino would have none of it! He was so offended that I wanted to change him! He asked me, "Am I not good enough?" I explained that it had nothing to do with him, it was me! It was just me and my selfish desire to try something new.

He agreed to talk it through with Creme and try to come to a compromise...for me. I was so touched!

At last, they came to an agreement!! YEA! We've been living in harmony ever since!

Now, I can go on with the rest of my day at peace with myself and the world.

What? I heard that! I know I'm a little crazy and have a little too much time on my hands. You don't need to remind me. (sniff) The fact of the matter is, when you have very little talent, you must grasp at whatever amusements you can find. This one was very cheap (free) and made me laugh. Yes, I know, I need to get out more. You don't have to tell me that, either. Just be easy on me, people. Please? Oh, thank you!

Now, go on out there and be one with your morning beverage!

My Love Story ~ Part Fourteen

I can't believe I've dragged this story out for fourteen chapters, or posts, or whatever you want to call it. I apologize from the depths of my being if this has in any way discouraged you, bored you to tears, or disgusted you in general. Believe me, I understand those emotions, and I sincerely seek forgiveness. Thank you.
If you, however, do not understand what I am talking about, then click here to find out what you haven't been missing.
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I had ended my "relationship" with Terry. It was over. I enjoyed being pursued, for the first time in my life, and I enjoyed the distraction from the pain of ending things with Mike. BUT...I couldn't seriously consider marrying this man! I had spent my entire life of nineteen years in either Hot Springs or Benton, Arkansas, which happened to be only 20 minutes from Little Rock! I was a city girl in every sense of the word! He was raised in the country. He was a preacher's kid, my parents' both worked in the secular world. He hunted deer, and ate them. He fished, and ate them, too. He loved four-wheel-dive vehicles, guns, and boats. I knew nothing about deer, fish, trucks, guns or boats. I only knew about malls, subdivisions - like the one I grew up in- and going to beauty salons. (Not that it did much good, but I always felt better for trying.) For fun, I would go with my Mom on Saturdays to the school where she taught and helped her decorate her bulletin boards. We would eat hamburgers right in her classroom!! (I know! Can you think of anything more fun?) When she became a principal, I would type things for her and roam the halls. It was a very wild life! I realized one night, as I was second guessing my decision, that I had, in fact, done the right thing.I knew opposites attracted, but we were just too opposite! As I looked at him in his black wranglers and his very brightly colored western shirt, all doubt vanished from my mind. I just wasn't a western girl. His Mom told me that he'd always wanted a girl with a pickup truck and a bass boat. That wasn't I!
Terry called me at work the day after our "break up".
"Valerie, why do you think we should just be friends? Did I do something?" He asked me. He didn't sound angry, like he had been the night before.
"No, Terry, you didn't do anything. I just feel....well...."(I hated having this conversation! Didn't he know I had made plans for the next forty years of my life, and he wasn't in them?) "I just feel smothered!" I finally blurted out. "You call me all the time, you leave notes and flowers on my car, and you've already said you loved me! I'm just not ready for that!" I said, with the fire in my voice that he loved.
There was silence.
"I feel like I've just been re-paid for all the girls that I stood up, or broke up with after leading them on." He said. He actually sounded...humble!
"Look, I wasn't leading you on. I really liked you, I still do, but we are so very different! I just don't think it will work. And besides, I'm leaving for college in about two months. There's no way it will work."
We said our goodbyes, and hung up.
Something inside of me said "You might be making a mistake, Valerie." But I ignored it. I knew I'd done the right thing. I'd been making a list of qualities to look for in a future mate since I was twelve years old. He wasn't measuring up to most of them.

During this time, I expected to see him "on the rebound" and get another girlfriend. Two girls made their cases to him in one way or another. I just held my head high and pretended that I was sure of myself.
He didn't sit with anyone else. He didn't even flirt with anyone else! Now, that was something! In the past, he would flash that toothy grin of his in all directions when eligible girls were around. But not now. Whenever I was around him at church, I could feel him watching me.
A week or so passed. I noticed he started dressing better! He actually stopped wearing jeans and western shirts to every church service. He bought regular dress shoes instead of always wearing cowboy boots (and nothing against cowboy boots, I was just pleased to see the variety!). I noticed he ignored the girls who tried to flirt with him. I noticed that now I was watching him. Oh dear.
I started to miss being able to talk to him; to laugh with him. I missed his making fun of me, now that he was good natured about it. I missed his confidence. Okay, I'll admit it, I also missed that "butterfly" feeling I had whenever he was around me. One day, he had me so nervous that after we talked at my car, I pulled away from him in first gear. He leaned back in my window just as I moved forward, and said "Hey, Val, you're in the wrong gear." He then tapped my car and walked away. I looked down, and yep, he was right. He gave me the feeling that if I fell, he'd be there to catch me. I missed that security.
Deep down, I wanted give him another chance. I wasn't sure if I should, though. I talked to my Mom. She didn't know what to do, either. Now, let me just say that this was a new thing to me. My Mom always knew what to do. She had always been able to advise me from some past experience of her own, or tell me some Scripture that would apply. This time, she had nothing. She was stumped! I quickly ran to my room to record this moment in my journal. Okay, I didn't do that! I was just checking to see if you were awake!
"Valerie," Mom said to me while we prepared supper one night, (Translation: Mom made supper while I poured my heart out to her. I think I set the table or something.)"I think you should go talk to Bro. Graham about it. He knows Terry, and his family. Bro. Graham will know what you should do."
"Mom, Bro. Graham will just tell me to do what you say to do! He knows you and Dad are wise people, and he wouldn't want to take a chance on giving me advice that you wouldn't agree with or something." I explained.
"Okay," Mom said, thoughtfully. "Then go to him and say 'My parents don't know what I should do. They told me to do what you say to do.'"
"Okay. I guess it can't hurt to try."
As soon as I could, I cornered Bro. Graham to see if I could get some counsel. He was always so gracious by allowing young, dumb nineteen year olds to corner him! I explained that I had broken it off with Terry,aka, Bumper, and that now I was having second thoughts. I asked him if he thought Terry was sincere in his feelings for me. Bro. Graham said yes, he felt sure that Terry really did care for me.
"What should I do now?" I said, rather desperately. "I ended things with him! My parents said to tell you that they didn't know how to advise me, so whatever you say, goes."
"Well," Bro. Graham said, "Why don't you just talk to him? Or write him a letter?"
"You don't think that would be forward?" I asked. (Remember, I had vowed to never be forward again!)
"No, I don't." He said.
"Okay! I will! I'll write him!" I left his office feeling as though a load had been lifted.

I went home and penned a note to Terry, explaining that I did want to date him, but things had to slow down. I apologized for being so wishy-washy.I told him that I just needed to withdraw for a while and think things through. Basically, I did everything except beg. I left it in his mailbox at the college.

He made a bee-line for me after church one night, after he'd read my note.
"Valerie. I got your note." He said to me. "Are you sure you want me, Terry Lee Basham, II?" He asked me boldly.
"Yes! I'm sure. I like you! I just need things to slow down for a bit." I told him.

He smiled at me and gave me a wink, but he never made any promises.

To be continued...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY... November 17, 2008

Outside my window... The sun is glistening off of other's windows; some beautiful fall leaves dangle from the trees, and many, many more lie on the ground awaiting removal!

I am thinking...about trying to learn computer graphics!


I am thankful for...my brother and his family and my sister. They are all coming to visit next week!


From the learning rooms...clutter from the completed school day. We are winding up our Thanksgiving art projects.


From the kitchen...Busy Day Casserole.


I am wearing...a red-ish shirt and a black skirt. (Work clothes!)


I am creating...nothing now. I will be working on Christmas gifts for our church family very soon!


I am learning...not to worry or fear.


I am reading...Lassie Come Home


I am hoping...that I can have my house ready for company next week!


I am hearing...the dishwasher running. (Thank you, Lord, for appliances!)


Around the house...the usual clutter that needs picking up (by my children!); and the pile of laundry - Mt. Never-rest! :)


One of my favorite things...Christmas decorations!!


A few plans for the rest of the week: Homeschool, write notes, get ready for company.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is my three year old, Leslie, and my nearly two year old, Laci, wearing my shoes! I love the way they are embracing one another. My prayer is that they will feel the same way toward one another in ten, no, make it twenty years!

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. (I believe this can apply to sisters, also! ;)

A Pearl from Proverbs ~

I thought I'd share a little jewel - a pearl to be exact - that I gleaned from Proverbs today. I needed it!

Proverbs 17:9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Do we seek to love, or to separate?