Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day has been bitter sweet for me for the last 20 years and this year continues except with a greater sense of loss. While Christi and Bobby have been found, they have yet to contact us. Their silence is breaking my heart. I continue to pray that God will reveal the truth to them and hold them both in the palm of His hand.

When we found my father and children in February, I was told that my mother had died. This information shattered my hope for reconciliation and to tell her that I had forgiven her for trying to destroy me and stealing my precious older children. This conversation will never happen in this lifetime.

Despite this sorrow, I will serve Christ and recognize His tremendous blessings in my life. I have two wonderful sons in Michael and Paul. I dearly love them. They have both been great gifts from God. I can't imagine life without either of them. Yet, if Christi and Bobby had not been stolen, we would never have adopted Paul. My life and world would be a very silent and sad place without this young man in my life.

I also have a husband who adores me. He is my best friend. This man knows me - the good, the bad and the ugly - and still loves me. He blesses my life daily. I cherish him.

God has also blessed me with dear friends. Friends who call just to let me know that they realize my heartache this week-end and want me to know they love me and are praying for me. So, while a part of my heart aches beyond words or description, another part is filled with the blessings of God, family, and friends.

Paul told me that one should always look at the positive and dwell on those things in order to keep our minds filled with joy and laughter. Basically, he was saying to look at the glass of life as HALF full instead of half empty.

I have really lamented over the fact that Christi and Bobby haven't returned our phones calls. But, Mark constantly reminds me that now we have a GREAT hope. Hope that someday God will enlighten them to the truth and they will seek us out. This man operates in such amazing faith. I intend to borrow some of his faith as I think about my children.

Blessings and Hugs,
Debbie

The school year is almost over!

I can't believe that this school year is nearly completed. It's been a difficult position to say the least. My principal gave me several extremely difficult classes. So, the year hasn't been pleasant. I am counting the days until May 22 which is the last day with students. To say that I will be relieved is an understatement.

After praying and researching, Mark and I decided to buy and open a business. I have purchased a teeth whitening business which I'll be operating out of a salon here in town. I pray that this provides needed income. I have student loans to pay off and Michael is still in college.

Also, I believe that running this business will allow me opportunity to write. Another plus will be more time with Paul. Now, I am not sure if Paul thinks this is a plus but I most certainly do!! Since Paul decided that he wanted to finish High School homeschooling, I will be able to spend more time with him his last two years of High School. This really thrills me. I so enjoy my youngest son. He is an amazing kid with such deep thoughts and convictions.

I hope to write more on my Blog this summer!

Blessings to all who try to read this mess! May God grant you wisdom and peace in all you do!

Hugs and Prayers,
Debbie

Paul and his mask.....

My sweet son does not want to get my illness. And, I don't blame him. He came into my bedroom last Tuesday to talk to me .... wearing this mask! I made him take a photo! The boy makes me laugh!

Well.... this past week my computer crashed!

The mother board is dead. Mark and I talked about fixing it up and increasing the RAM and getting more HD and then I realized it was easier to buy a new one. So, I bought us a Dell. All I can say...... I am not used to this Vista stuff.

Our other concern is getting all of our documents and photos off of our old computer. sigh. We are hoping to have someone retrieve our information.

I need to make some photos and load them into this computer. I should take some outside ones of Paul's hammock and my azaleas.

The school year is almost over. And, I am thrilled. I am buying a teeth whitening business. I will be working out of a salon. Hopefully, this will free up some of my time for writing and homeschooling Paul.

I am looking forward to having time with my precious family this summer.

Blessings and Hugs,
Debbie

What's new at our house....

Paul told me that I could not post this picture on my Facebook account because he wanted it for his Facebook. So, I refrained even THOUGH the picture was made at my request with my camera.

Paul and Elizabeth


Elizabeth is a very sweet young lady who is a member of his church. Paul has known her since we moved to Vidalia. I have been impressed with the influence she seems to have on him. Since they started dating, he's home more. He is not hanging with the *guys* nearly as much. Anyway, he seems happy!

Michael was commissioned for summer missions two weeks ago. He'll be going to Mississippi this summer for a short term trip. These are a couple of photos from that Saturday.


Dave, Michael, and Me


Mark, Dave: the team leader, and Michael


I will not be teaching next year. Instead, I am probably going to be opening a small cosmetic laser teeth whitening business. I am getting all my ducks in a row right now. I haven't signed anything yet.... but it's close. This business will take me less time which will allow me to spend more time homeschooling Paul and writing. My hope is to get some devotions and Women's lessons published this year - for pay!!

Older Than Dirt

Yep, that’s me. I am older than dirt. Friday my birthday was announced at school. I had several students ask me my age and my normal response was, “Honey, I am older than dirt.” Of course, since they are nosey little fifth graders they continued guessing my age when they went to their next classes.

I have lunch duty at school on Fridays. Joy. Well, not really but sometimes we must pretend. The other fifth grade teacher that has duty on Friday is a friend of mine. She related this conversation, “Mrs. H, we are trying to figure out Mrs. Baskin’s age. I think that maybe she’s 40.” (BTW, I would take 40 gladly!!) Leslie said she just smiled and then another one of my sweet, sweet students said, “Oh, Mrs. Baskin isn’t 40. I think she’s around 30!!”

While I love these students guessing my age a decade or two lower than my age, I do have great apprehension. I teach them math!! And, my students have all met Paul, who is 16 and they have been pictures of Michael, Bobby, and Christi! Respective ages 26, 27, and 28. (Yes, Mark and I were a little busy for several years.)

Unfortunately, I am very concerned how these sweet students will fair on their state tests when we return from spring break. Obviously, their addition skills are lacking but now I am worried about their eyesight, too!

How to Pray

There are some situations where I really do not know how to pray. Words fail me and occasionally my thoughts are not what I need to express in prayer. I find at those times, I am at a crossroad. On one hand, I know that the Father already knows all of my conflicting thoughts and emotions. Reason would tell me that I can just let it all out in prayer and that He will understand.

On the other hand, while I believe that to be true I wonder if He is allowing me to travel through a situation to test my character. Possibly, these are times to discover if I will actually recall scripture on how to pray when people disappoint, wound, or slander me.

Here lies the decision that I have to make at this junction. How am I supposed to pray for myself and those that have caused me conflict? In thinking of scripture, I should probably pray, “Father, forgive them,” or “Father, help me in my affliction to be a reflection of you.”

While this is easy advice to give to others, it is often intimidating when I am faced with employing it in my own life. After all, God knows if I have forgiven those for whom I am praying. He knows the condition of my heart. Perhaps, the testing is transpiring in my heart. Will I pray and act in such a way that proves I have faith during these times? Will I pray for God to forgive a person who is acting in an unrighteous manner believing that He will give me a heart of true forgiveness for them, too?

God does not have a problem with forgiving an offense. I am the one that battles in this area. Consequently, I am reminded that I must crucify the flesh in order to be a more pleasing likeness of Christ. I am called “to take up His cross” and not despair over the physical trappings and heartaches of the present age. I am to look with anticipation toward an eternal future. When I do this, the conflicts of this world are put into a proper perspective and I am free to live without condemnation.

Listening to God

I guess because I have had a slow day of just being home and doing various chores, God was able to speak to me. Well, in reality He is always speaking to me but some days I hear Him better.

Today was such a day. I heard from my Father. Joy. I began to truly sense His abiding presence with me today and it has been a blessed gift. While I know that He is always with me, there most assuredly are times when I feel His Being in a more complete way. I am usually doing the mundane or ordinary like washing the dishes, brushing my teeth, or ironing. Often while doing those mindless tasks, my own thoughts take a hike off to “never, never land” and then ever so quietly, God enters the room and I begin to hear from my amazing Father.

God has never spoken to my spirit in a whirlwind or thunder storm. He speaks to me in the stillness. He comforts me with His peace. He carries me in His arms that are tender yet strong. How good He is to his frightened, worried daughter. He knows all my thoughts, all my hopes, all my fears. He knows me and He is able to draw me to Him and guide me through this season of my life

He spoke to my spirit. He began a conversation. And, I was astounded and amazed that He stopped and came to me today. I am about to begin an amazing journey in ministry. Mark’s calling will be made manifest along with mine.

God gave us a heart for a certain area of ministry 16 years ago and I believe that God is getting ready to open some doors and allow that desire to be fulfilled. Mark asked me if God had given me any directions and I told him that I thought that He wanted us to spend some time writing but honestly, I think God told me to stand back and be amazed which is an extremely hard thing for me to do.

I am used to rolling up my sleeves and working. I am not used to watching. But, I believe that God is going to amaze us.

Just because I needed to post something fun.....

I found this photo of Paul and Mandi Kay on her Facebook account. It made me smile. So, I wanted to share it. I haven't been smiling a lot lately but this photo made me laugh. I am so thankful that I have this sweet son in my life. He brings me such joy. Mandi Kay is a good friend of his. Paul stayed with the Kay's when Mark and I were in California hoping to see our Christi and Bobby.

Blessings,
Debbie

Short Blog....

My braces are off! Now, I will go work on laundry and watch LOST!!

Blessings,
Debbie

The fourth and fifth grade teachers have moved.

This has been one exhausting week. Our school is in the midst of a building project. In a couple of years, the elementary school will get the second graders from the primary school. Phase one of the building project has been completed. The new media center, offices, and second grade wing have been completed. So, the fourth and fifth grade teachers had to move into the new building. The new building will not be our permanent home. We will be moving again once the fourth and fifth grade wings are completed. The fourth and fifth grader teachers, who are in the pods, are still in the pods because there were not enough classrooms for them.

Most of the *moving* teachers have worked late packing their rooms, moving their rooms, and setting up their rooms. Luckily, the community came together and lots of help came to move the heavy stuff. I was amazed at how positive everyone has remained during a some what stressful time. The teachers and staff not moving were blessings to many of the moving teachers and staff. They showed up on Saturday, rolled up their sleeves and worked along side their colleagues. The plan for the third grade wing is to gut it and renovate it in the near future after the fourth and fifth grade wings and cafeteria are completed. Then, the third grade teachers get to move into the second grade wing and the rest of us get to move out into our new buildings.

At the present time, we will not have a cafeteria since that building is being knocked down. The children will be eating in the gym. This created more work for the powers that be in having to plan a new schedule since the gym is now on double duty.

This week has been busy for me teaching. I am trying to catch my students up with the other two math teachers. I have some tests to grade and lots of grades to post in my grade book and on the computer. So, I will probably be working late, again, this coming week.

Exciting news, for me, is that my braces are coming off on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I will have to take off Wednesday. I am going to make DETAILED lesson plans for my sub to follow.

We still have not heard from our Christi and Bobby. But, we are still rejoicing in knowing they are alive. I know that God is in control and I am trusting His timing in all things.

Blessings to all of you!
Debbie

Trying to get back into the normalcy of life...

Surreal seems a good word to describe the events of our lives for the past several days. A two decade old prayer was answered a week ago Monday evening. We were given the news that our precious children, Christi and Bobby, had been found. When Bill Sharp sent us their photographs, I couldn't stop crying. I kept touching their beautiful faces on the computer screen with my hand.

There are no words to describe that moment when I saw their faces. How does one verbalize those kinds of feelings?

Right now, we covet prayers. We are praising God for allowing us to find out that they are alive. We are praising God for allowing us to see photos of them. But, we are heartbroken over not seeing them or talking to them.

Last night, as I tried to go to sleep, I wept for my parents. I wept for all the pain and sorrow they have inflicted on so many people. I wept as I thought of my father behind bars. I wept as I thought of my mother. There is such an array of conflicting emotions concerning them. On one hand, they are my parents and I never stopped loving them. Yet, the people that I should have been able to love and trust tried to destroy our reputations and stole our two oldest children. They did the unspeakable to us and to my children. If not for Jesus Christ carrying me all these years, I would not have survived. But, Christ showed me how to walk in forgiveness and faith.

Christi and Bobby are in the forefront of my thoughts and prayers. I have not ceased praying that God is giving them grace, gentleness, and assurance. I am praying that true memories of their lives with us with begin to surface. When we visited California, I was thankful that they had been raised in a beautiful state. I tried to imagine what their lives had been like. As I looked at the view of the mountains, I wondered how many times they gazed at those mountains?

There is no way we can get back all the years of their precious lives. We have lost that time but our fervent hope and prayer is that we can begin building a future with them.

Our news..........

First, I know that many of y'all know that 2 or 3 weeks ago, Mark did several interviews. This was in regard to a ten year old lead on finding our children. Honestly, I didn't expect anything to turn up. But, as always there is hope - even the smallest glimmer.

Yesterday evening when Mark was at Brewton Parker College playing in one of the groups he is in, he got a call from our police detective Bill Sharp. He told Mark that he felt like they had found my father in CA. He was sending me a poorly scanned photo of him to identify. I immediately knew it was my dad.

Mark came home to be with me and we began calling prayer warriors to cover my parents, my children, the police in CA, the FBI, our detectives, Michael and Paul and Mark and me. In the meantime, there were several phones happening between Mark and Det. Sharp.

(I am trying to give a time frame of events in our home last night. I may be off on some of the times.)

At approximately 12:30 AM this morning, we got a call that he had found photos of my beloved children. He scanned those and sent them to me. The children are beautiful.
Sometime after 12:30 AM, our detective called to say that the San Jose Police had this man, in custody.

This morning, about 30 minutes ago, Det. Sharp called my husband with the following information.

The man admitted to being Marvin Maple (my father).
They believe that my mother is dead.
My father has a stroke a few years ago but has recovered.
My beautiful daughter, Christi, has a nursing degree and works in hospital administration. Christi is still single.
My handsome son, Bobby, is married. I don't have any other information on Bobby at this time.

Det. Sharp and his partner are arriving in CA this evening at 11 PM with the signed paperwork to extradite my father to Tennessee. The FBI is involved, too BUT it was this God-sent man, Bill Sharp and his partner who have done the impossible. I will forever be grateful.

At this point, I have no idea if our children will even want to talk with us. We are praying that their hearts and minds are ready to hear the truth. I cannot stress enough to y'all how grateful that I am to see their faces and to know that my prayers of God granting them a somewhat normal life has, in fact, transpired. God is good.

I have had 1.5 hours sleep. I went to work and my principals sent me home. My co-workers, Joy and Brad, are handling everything for me. I cannot thank God enough for his compassionate care. He is faithful.

I am still ill and have a severe migraine but I am convinced that the one who has carried me this long.... will not forsake me now.

Right now, my urgent prayer request is to put a desire in Christi and Bobby to rejoin our family. I know that they have lives out in CA. But, I am hoping that the years the locusts have eaten will somehow begin to be restored.

To God be the Glory.

Love to each of you who have been faithful all of these years in praying for my broken hurting family,
Debbie

What have I gone and done?

I had several friends request that I set up a Facebook account. I ignored their requests until the queen, Lynda, asked me to do it. Anyhoo, I have about let it take over my computer time this past week. And, that really must stop. I enjoy my blog! Really I do. And, I enjoy visiting on my board: Christian-Moms.

This week has been a rather LONG week at work. The students were in rare form. Also, we tested all week long and they were sick of it as were their math teachers. I have a fun math project planned for Monday.

I have been trying to get sick all week long. And, I accomplished it. sigh. I called in sick for the first time this morning. Of course, I felt extremely guilty about it all day long. I think that some little gremlins came and rubbed sandpaper inside my throat when I was sleeping. I can't stop coughing even with taking cough meds.

Please read Aaron's blog that I just added to my blog links. This is about the son of a dear, dear friend who is studying in Scotland this semester. I really got tickled reading his account of the travel there and his first days.

So, that's about all that I am going to say tonight. Oh, if you Facebook - add me as a friend.

Blessings and prayers sent to each of you,
Debbie

Just saying..........

I have a three day week-end!! Wowhooo! We are off on Monday for MLK holiday. I should be cleaning and ironing this chilly Saturday morning but instead I am checking up on the ladies from my board, reading blogs, and watching television with my sweet husband.

Oh, our news. Mark has accepted a new church position. He will be pastor of a small church in our area. I covet your prayers as we prepare to minister and lead at this church. Please pray that God can use us to His glory.

We are sad to be leaving Twin City Baptist Church since we have served there for two and a half years. However, it became evident that we should make a move at this time. Pray for them, too. I believe that they need many prayers.

I will write more later. Now, I am going to go find Mark and watch the shows we taped last night.

Blessings to each of you,
Debbie

Aged Wine

My friend, Marsha, called me today on the phone. I was telling her that I feel the need to expand my area of ministry. I have felt so boxed in the last several months. I miss seeing the power of the Holy Spirit move in the lives of His children. I feel called to get serious about preaching and ministering to women.

After I shared my heart with her, Marsha told me that an evangelist came to her church on New Year’s Eve. One of the statements that he made really impressed her. She felt led to share it with me. I will try to paraphrase his comments.

He compared those of us nearing or past fifty to aged wine. He said that he felt those who have faithfully served the Lord for many years, especially those in the ministry, would be poured out this year on God’s people like perfect aged wine.

I guess that Mark and I both fit into both categories: in the ministry and old. The road has not always been easy. The path has been heartbreaking at times. However, there have also been moments of great joy. We have been honored to witness the lost being saved, the hurting comforted, and the sick healed. The journey has been one of victory and defeat. We have cried tears of sorrow and joy.

Yet, I have never felt complete in my calling or that I was using my gifts to the fullest of the abilities that God has given me. I wonder why I still desire to step out of my comfort zone and be used of God in certain areas. The areas to which I feel God is calling me are not the normal Baptist route. However, the calling or desires are not fading. In fact, they seem to be getting stronger.

This year, I want to see the power of the Holy Spirit made manifest in my life to a great degree. I want to see His face daily and abide strongly in His presence. There are three areas of my life that I am praying about it. I will not share those areas on my blog, today. But, I will write them down. Next year at this time, I hope to be able to report how God made His answers and wisdom known to me and to my beloved husband.

I covet the prayers of fellow believers as this year begins. I will be praying for those of you who read my blog.

May all of us walk this year fully seeing His light and direction in our lives.

Blessings,
Debbie

More on Christmas

Christmas evokes many memories some joyous while others can make us cry. Yet every year, Christmas comes. We make decisions about how we celebrate and the memories we create. When we lived in Florida there were several Christmases where I felt rather alone and isolated. Luckily, we have dear family friends in Tampa who included us in their family gathering. These are sweet memories.

I always felt very blessed that godly wonderful people filled in the gap for me after my family's attempt to destroy me and my family. God is faithful and He scoops up the brokenhearted and holds them close and then calls His faithful children to love and care for His wounded and weary children.

Over the years, God has placed people in my life that became family. They have become stronger family than blood because God bonded us together with His Spirit. Lauri and her family are some of my wonderful blessings and gifts from God. We usually try to get together over the holidays - because you get together with family during this season.

Lauri and her kids arrived the evening of December 26. Here are a few photos of all of us.

Aaron and Glenn


Taylor, Lauri and Rachel


I realized that I have been making digital videos instead of photos. I'll see about downloading one of them later.

Mark was going shopping for me the day before Christmas when the radiator broke in half in the Mustang. He had to have Paul come pick him up. The car was fixed on Friday morning, so he went and picked me up a few more things. He got me the Anniversary Willow Tree figurine. Here are a couple of photos of me and my best and only husband. We will be celebrating 29 years of marriage on Monday, December 29.

Mark and me.


Mark,me and pink slippers.

Traditions

My friend, Deborah, wrote about family traditions in her blog. This year my thoughts had been very similar in that I didn't think that we had holiday traditions. I had lamented this fact to Mark, who just gave me one of his famous looks that read, "Woman, what are you talking about?"

Deborah asked that we blog about our traditions. I will attempt to tell our singular holiday tradition. We celebrate Advent. We have celebrated Advent since the late 1980's. We had friends in seminary who celebrated Advent and they introduced this wonderful tradition to our family.

One year on Christmas day, our Advent wreath caught fire. Of course, we had company over and there was a bit of a commotion as Mark's tried to blow out the dried Christmas foliage with which I had surrounded our wreath. While we didn't think it humorous at the time, it has become one of those funny stories that our family tells.

This year, a dear friend, Lynda Talmadge, gave our family a beautiful new Advent wreath this year as an early Christmas present.

Our lovely new Advent wreath!


We used to light a candle every evening during supper but as our sons have gotten older and our schedules different, we chose to light our candles the four Sundays before Christmas. Since we all attend different churches, the lighting of our Advent wreath every Sunday brought both of my sons home for Sunday dinner after morning worship. I loved it.

Christmas eve, we pause to once again read and listen to the birth of our Savior and we light the center candle.

Eating supper on Christmas eve, with our large Christ candle gracing our table to remind us of our Lord.


Christmas morning, I change all the weekly candles to white and we burn all the white candles along with the Christ candles for hours. Those little lights remind us of the true reason we celebrate this season.

Another tradition when the children were little was to open two gifts on Christmas eve - their pajamas and their new Christmas ornament. Well, this year, there were no sweet Christmas jammies under the tree. Instead, the boys were allowed to open all of their together gifts that their dad and I had bought them. These included two games, several Wii accessories, and a new Wii game.

Michael, me and Paul






I guess perhaps, I just wrote about two traditions. What can I say, I teach math and can't count. We love the holidays. It's a time for slowing down and spending time with loved ones. It's a time for remembering Christ and His gift to us. So, while our traditions seem few, they are meaningful.

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas!

As y'all can see, I didn't put up our nine foot tree, I put up a tiny little three foot tree on a table. But, at least it's up and the house looks a little festive.

I have been getting some Christmas goodies done today. I am truly sick of smelling sweets. I have made: peanut butter fudge, peanut butter balls, dipped pretzels, Neiman Marcus $250 cookie recipe, and the cake is cooling for the coconut cake.

Tomorrow, I am making an easy meal of potato cheese soup, rolls (store bought) and ambrosia. I will hopefully get some boiled custard made, too. Mark loves it. It's his mom's recipe.

Christmas day I will make a roast and various other things,

Lauri and her family will arrive the day after Christmas. I can't wait to see them.

Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Debbie

When did it get to be December?

We are nearing the second week of December. I can’t believe how quickly this school year is progressing. I am more relaxed with my abilities and some days, I find myself enjoying this job for a few hours a day. Some of my students are wonderful. They are earnest their desire to learn. Those students help me to remain motivated. Unfortunately, I have other students who do not want to learn.

Part of the problem is the standards that the state of Georgia has decided that fifth grade students need to know. However, the vast majority of the children are simply not ready for these standards. We need to be focusing on arithmetic skills. Instead, we are teaching to the test and hoping that these children will somehow remember enough of the instruction to pass the CRCT. It is obvious that whoever came up with these standards have never been in a classroom. So, we end up with extremely frustrated students who become behavior issues. I am sure that if we actually allowed to teach to their readiness, many of the behavior problems would be solved. Discouraged children cause problems. I wish we could focus on getting their computation skills perfected to understanding not simply memorized.

The sad fact is that the bureaucrats that came up with these standards are probably sincere in their aspiration to improve student’s problem solving skills but instead they are ruining an entire generation’s math knowledge. These students are so confused with math ideas that are above their comprehension skills that they are unable to solve problems. The bureaucrats blame the teachers and the schools instead of looking at the ridiculousness of the standards that they believe are necessary.

Well, enough of my soapbox.

I do have WONDERFUL news! Paul has decided that he wants to complete his high school education at home. I am thrilled. I think that this will be wonderful for him. I have enrolled him in a satellite school called Homelife Academy. He will graduate with a diploma and a portfolio.

Normally, I take months in deciding on curriculum; however, since I am working full-time and this decision was only made this week, I haven’t had the luxury of time. But, God is good. I have wonderful resources in the ladies from my Christian-Moms board! I asked for suggestions on curriculum and my moms responded. In fact, several have offered to give or loan me curriculum to use so that I do not have to buy it. This is such a blessing due to the financial needs we have experienced in recent months.

The first major need was in purchasing the Mustang. While we were blessed with a wonderful price, it drained my savings. Michael’s truck has needed several repairs. Thanksgiving week, Paul wrecked my van! It was an accident. (He hit a pole at Sonics. The pole survived but the front side panel and light on the passengers side didn’t!) Now, I have to pay for body work. Also, my van decided to try and die mechanically. This week, we spent nearly $400.00 on it and were told that we needed to put a rebuilt engine in it by February. I keep telling myself that it’s only money.

I still do not have my tree up. The only Christmas decorations that I have out are my Fontanini Nativity, my Advent wreath, and poinsettias and garland on the stairs. I am not in the mood to decorate. My tree is always up by now. I usually put it up the day after Thanksgiving.

This blog has gone on and on. But, that’s an update on our family.

Blessings,
Debbie