Married 10 Months!

9 Months of Marriage!

I LOVE MY BOY!

Russell took me out to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner to celebrate the special occasion, and afterwards we went shopping and he bought me my birthday present...which I am SO excited about!!! (squeal) I am blessed! It's the best thing in the world to spend time with your favoritest person ever.

Our First Christmas!

This adorable ornament, in keeping with our Precious Moments tradition, was Russell's gift to me for Christmas.

Christmas morning and breakfast has always been my favorite time of the day. I made the same food my mom has made for years, which helped my homesickness a little bit.

And there is the "Baal bush." Lol. I love the little candy cane dolls Lydia got me...was it last year?

My daddy bought me this Nativity set for Christmas. I love the country look! It's very similar to the Nativity set I grew up with.

"Joy to the world"

"Wise men still seek Him"

"Jesus is the reason for the season"

And here are some of the decorations around the house....

We mostly spent the day relaxing. I took a nap, which is very unusual for me, because I wasn't feeling well, and the rest of the evening I wrapped up in my new pink bathrobe from Russell's grandma; what a nice gift! We ate good food, talked with my family for a little bit, played a few games, watched a movie, went to visit Russell's mom in the hospital, and that was pretty much our 1st Christmas together.

Christmas dinner was yummy!

I got Russell these ornaments for Christmas, because he is really into basketball. I also got him the Monopoly Deal game, and the Novacom Adventures in Odyssey series.

You know you're living in the age of technology when your husband pulls up a picture of a sprig of mistletoe on his phone and hangs it over your head while he kisses you. We don't agree with the Patch the Pirate song which says "I hate mistletoe..."! =D

I really missed my family on Christmas Day.

But it looks like another chick will soon fly the coop and create yet another branch in the family tree, since Clay and Lydia have started courting. Hurray!

Congratulations, you two lovebirds!

And that was our 1st Christmas together...

Christmas Letter 2010

Dear family and friends,

How can it be that this year is about to come to a close already? 2010 just flew by! This has truly been a year of monumental change, so let me start out with the highlights.

The Wedding

Russell and I just celebrated 8 months of glorious marriage. I can hardly believe our April 17th wedding will soon be something that happened a year ago. I wish time would slow down a little, but my grandma has always told me that it only goes faster as one gets older. Marriage was the first institution created by God, and if I do say so myself, it's the best thing He designed for the human race to enjoy…right up there with salvation. I'm understanding more and more every day the symbolism of God's salvation in the marriage relationship. They say love is blind, and it must be so, because Russell just continues to love me, even though he knows how unloveable I can be at times. It's the same with God. He knows all my faults, my sin and shortcomings, and He still loves me and forgives me, knowing what a wretch I am. If I was God I wouldn't put up with me, but He does, so I'm glad He is God and I am not! I'm thankful for the Lord's unconditional love…the love that caused God to send His only Son into the world of hateful mankind to sacrifice His life and save lost sinners.

Boys Home Battle

As many of you know, about 7 weeks after our happy union we encountered a huge and not-so-nice surprise. My father-in-law was the founder and director of Heritage Boys Academy, which has been in existence for about 15 years. After years of positive DCF (Department of Children and Families) investigations, the local authorities decided that with-or-without evidence of abuse, etc., they were shutting the Academy down. On June 4th the home was ruthlessly raided, the boys were interrogated, and then driven off in buses never to be seen again. It was a huge shock for Russell's family and all the employees. I just think about my dad's ministry, which was started basically around the same time as my father-in-law's, and how I would feel if the ministry he poured years into was destroyed in just one day. Bro. Buddy, Bro. Rob (the assistant director), and my husband spent that night in jail as their character was slandered over local TV and in the newspapers for days afterwards. Unfortunately the media isn't too concerned about the accuracy of their information and only proclaim what they think is truth…or what they want to be true. The truth of that sad day is that God used the evil schemes of a few gangsters within the academy to shut it down, because He wanted it shut down. We know that nothing happens without the approval of Almighty God, and everything He does is for a purpose and for His ultimate glory. We have the sweet comfort of God's promises… "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) "The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all." (Psalm 103:19) So pretty much right from the start of our marriage we've experienced things that your average newly-wedded couple never dreams of having to deal with. Sometimes I struggle with feelings of regret, because in some ways we were robbed of the care-freeness that should accompany the first months of marriage. I'm not going to lie and say it's been easy, because there have been times when it's been very, very hard. But God has a way of showing Himself in a more impressive way when His children are standing in the face of hardship, and He has certainly done so for us.

Starting Over

For two months Russell was without work and, despite the fact that he filled out job applications all over town, he wasn't able to obtain a job because of the impending charges on his record. By the beginning of August we were really needing an income again, and it was at that time that God provided Russell with a job. Donald Adams, the Christian owner of two Chick-fil-a restaurants in town, was made aware of our situation and offered Russell a position at his drive-thru restaurant. Russell has been working there for close to 5 months now and is doing an excellent job. I'm so proud of him! He wasn't supposed to get a raise until he completed his first 3 months, but within one month's time he got a raise. Then a month later he got another raise to work the odd-hour shift so his great attitude would cheer the other workers and raise the score. (Attitude is everything in the fast-food business.) With me being so far away from my family and being alone for a good chunk of the day and evening, which I still don't enjoy but am trying to get used to, I was having a hard time with Russell's new hours. Well, it so happened that a girl got fired and Russell was put right back in his 6:30am-2:30pm shift but STILL received his raise to work the odd-hours. Then Donald gave him another raise "just because." To top it off, Chick-fil-a has a great program which rewards good employees with a $50 bonus whenever a satisfied customer writes in to the Chick-fil-a Cares Corporation using the name of the employee who helped them. Russell has received several bonuses because of his name being mentioned as being a great worker; his managers have told him that that hasn't happened so many times to one employee in a year's time, let alone in just a few months. The Lord has been exceedingly good to us! We want to thank you, dear friends, for helping us through a rough time. On several occasions during Russell's time of unemployment (and even after that, because of my increasing medical bills) there were times when I didn't know how I was going to put a decent meal on the table, and just when I was starting to wonder if I should panic, a gift card for groceries arrived in the mail. The Lord, through you, has provided for our needs EVERY TIME, JUST IN TIME. Thank you!!!

Little Miracles

Perhaps you have heard stories of "angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2 mentions this: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." There are times in life when you feel so desperate that believing just isn't enough…and a little miracle is necessary to carry you through. Let me share our miracle…

Russell was working at Chick-fil-a one day in September when an older couple walked up to the walk-up window and ordered 2 milkshakes. Russell took their order, and suddenly in the back of the store one of the workers cussed, using the name of Jesus Christ in their anger. Russell called back "Hey, it isn't His fault!" The older woman who had just ordered a milkshake exclaimed to Russell, "You are a Christian." He responded that he is, and she replied, "I thought so. In fact, the Lord told me to tell you something, but I refrained myself because I wasn't sure." Russell asked her what the Lord said to her. She responded, "He told me to tell you that 'Everything is going to be okay.' I hope that is a blessing to you." Russell thanked her and said it was. Well, after they got their milkshakes the elderly couple walked away hand-in-hand. Russell's manager, John, commented on the couple holding hands and said it would make a nice postcard or something. Russell took out his phone to snap a picture. The process of doing so takes less than a second, but when Russell looked up to take the picture he didn't see the older couple anywhere. They were walking much too slowly to have rounded the corner of the nearest building, and there was nowhere else for them to go. Russell asked his coworkers if they saw where they went. They, too, looked around for the couple, but nobody saw them anywhere. They just…vanished!

Makes me wonder if perhaps vanilla is angels' favorite flavor. =)

But the story doesn't end there…

That same night Russell's father was working at the bridge. There is a mental assylum close by, and a slightly demented black lady often walks the bridge and passes the building where my father-in-law works the controls to open the bridge for boats. That night this lady came to Bro. Buddy and wanted a dollar from him, because she was thirsty and wanted a drink. Bro. Buddy gave her a dollar and the woman turned to walk away. Suddenly she stopped and turned around and with unusual clarity in her eyes and speech she said, "Everything is gonna to to be okay." She then turned around and walked off, and I believe she has never spoken to Bro. Buddy in such a way since. It's like the Spirit of God---the same one who once, long ago, allowed a dumb old donkey to speak---whispered in that disturbed woman's ear to comfort the preacher with the same words of two elderly folk ordering a Chick-fil-a milkshake. "Everything is going to be okay."

Maybe you think that seems like a strange thing to take as a miracle, but don't forget 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence."

I'm studying on that last phrase of the verse: "…That no flesh should glory in His presence." See, if it makes sense to our human flesh---to our earthly body and mind---then it probably isn't of God, because God is spirit and spiritual…and He works out of the ordinary, confounding all senses of what we "know" to be factual and capable of occurring, just to show us how great and powerful He is!

I'm reminded of…

1. The Foolish (Impossible) things of the world - That a virgin conceived without knowing a man.

2. The Weak things of the world - That Mighty God appeared to mankind in the weakest, most helpless form possible---that of a mere infant…a babe who could not survive without a young mother to hold, feed, and change it. The picture of weakness is that the Creator should entrust His livelihood to one whom He created. God, who needs nothing and is dependent on no man, allowed Himself to be frail enough to need.

3. The Base things of the world - That a young girl conceived a baby out of wedlock---a fact that should have gotten her shunned from all who knew her and stoned to death according to the laws at that period of time in history. The Pharisees considered Jesus base, which is evident here: "…Then said they [the Pharisees] to him [Jesus], We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." (John 8:41)

4. The Despised things of the world - That Eternal God descended to mortal man…from a magnificent mansion to a simple stable…from a throne of gold to a crib of hay…from angel's adoration to the lowing of cattle…from the realms of praise, perfection, and joy to a world of hatred, sickness, and death.

Jesus stooped to our level so He could raise us up to His.

He became the despised and rejected, dying on the cruel cross of shame,

so we could become loved and accepted, living eternally, once forgiven of sin.

This is the reason Jesus came.

Jesus made the way to Heaven,

because He IS The Way to Heaven.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. - John 3:17

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - John 3:18

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. -John 3:19

Our prayer is that the Light of Christ's salvation dwells in your heart, because without LIGHT, CHRISTmas has no meaning at all.

Merry Christmas and a blessed 2011!

With much love,

Russell & Hannah Maynard

The Cutest Tale of Jonah and the Whale

This little girl is adorable. I had a hard day yesterday and this video made me laugh again. Hope you enjoy it! Watch it full-screen.

8 Happy Months!

SOMETHING I SAW YESTERDAY

- by Bob Lonsberry © 2010

As I ran up to him, the first thing I noticed was the Bible.

It was small, a pocket-sized book, in black leather.

It had apparently been knocked out of his clothing when the car hit him, and had landed beside him in the snow, down off the shoulder of the road.

That was yesterday, a few minutes after 7 in the morning.

It was frigid and there was accumulation and black ice and two cars had slid off the busy Interstate. He had stopped and gotten out to help.

He had been on the way to work, with his son, and he saw the motorists who needed help and he stopped. Countless others of us drove on by. But he stopped.

And got out in the blizzard and was going to render aid when out of nowhere came a vehicle.

He was struck and thrown and he landed where I found him, motionless in the snow, by his Bible.

There was a young man standing above him. A nurse from Strong Memorial Hospital was also there, and maybe another man, motorists who had stopped to render aid.

I knelt by the man in the snow. I could find no pulse in his right wrist. The nurse could find no pulse in his left wrist. She felt at his neck and I counted his breaths.

They were the breaths of someone struggling to stay alive. It was as if he was snoring.

I asked the young man what had happened and he told me that the man was his father.

He looked to be in his late teens or early 20s. He was well groomed and in business clothes. And his father was at his feet. It struck me what a horror he must be enduring. I asked him if he would pray for us, and he squatted beside his father and we three bowed our heads as he prayed and said “Amen” when he was done.

The exact details of what followed are kind of blurred in my mind, but a lady called 911 on her cell phone and I asked her if I could speak to the dispatcher. I tried to describe the gravity of the man’s condition and I told her we’d need Mercy Flight. It was a foolish request, given the conditions, and she kindly told me that they couldn’t launch in the blizzard. Then I told her that we’d need the county fly car and she told me that it was on its way.

He had a jacket on with the name of his company on it. The ID tag clipped to his shirt said that his name was Ken. Though he was unresponsive, I talked to him and called him by name and encouraged him and told him what was happening.

Traffic was heavy and slow and I kept looking up from the man to see if I could see any emergency vehicles coming.

The first to arrive was a captain from the Department of Environmental Conservation police. His presence was calming and professional. He and the Strong nurse checked the various occupants of the various cars to make sure everyone was all right.

A man from a utility – maybe the electric company or the phone company – came to offer aid.

As the minutes passed, various passersby brought coats and blankets from their cars to lay over the man. One gentleman took the coat off his back and covered the man with it. Then he took off his gloves and put them over the man’s hands.

At a certain point, the man’s wife arrived. She had been called by the son and, their home apparently being close, had arrived quickly.

“Where is he?” I heard her say. “He is my husband.”

I looked up when I heard those words, and saw a woman walking toward us. I was dreading her arrival. I did not want her to see or experience this. I could not imagine the pain and sorrow inherent in a situation like this.

She was dressed as conservative Christian women sometimes are, in a long dress, it might have been denim, and I think her hair was long and up on her head.

As she approached us, she was calm and business like. She asked how he was and what had happened.

Then she knelt and began to pray.

She may have held his hand, she may have leaned in toward his head. As she spoke, I cast my eyes down and reverently listened. She addressed God. Whether she called him “Dear Lord” or “Heavenly Father” or something else, I can’t recall. But she addressed him, and then she thanked him.

And she offered him praise.

Her words were not words of pleading, they were words of praise and gratitude.

And then she said something like, “If today you wish to call him home and take him from us – thy will be done.”

Thy will be done.

The line from the Lord’s Prayer. The hardest part of faith. At a moment when most of us would be begging God to give us what we want – to spare us our loved one – she asked the Lord to do his will, what he wanted. She trusted him, and had faith in him.

Where could there be a truer test or demonstration of faith than in the snow beside the broken and near lifeless body of your sweetheart and spouse? In that situation, there can be no pretense, no show, only the heartfelt honesty of a soul in direct communion with its Creator.

And in her moment of test, in her own Gethsemane, she literally prayed, like here Savior before her, not my will, but thine, be done.

But if it was not his time to die, if the Lord did not want to call him home, she asked for his life, for her and their children, and strength through the weeks of hospitalization and recovery.

And then she asked that this event would be turned to the glory of God, that somehow it could touch the heart of someone, that someone might find Jesus, that someone might come to salvation.

And that was her prayer.

While I listened for this man’s breaths, and rescuers sped on slippery roads, and neighbor helped neighbor.

Soon I saw a deputy and a trooper, and then a fire truck in the far lanes, and then firefighters around us and finally an ambulance.

They were angels in turnout gear.

They came with such a competence and earnestness.

One medic, a younger man, had an Avon patch on his uniform. He quickly worked to help the man breathe. Another medic, slightly older, had a Livonia patch on his uniform. He worked on the man’s body. Another medic soon came, directly from home, in office clothes, and with the help of the firemen the three of them loaded the man first onto a backboard and then onto a gurney and up into the Avon ambulance.

In a minor and unskilled way, they needed an extra set of hands, so I climbed into the ambulance with them as the doors closed and the rig pulled out.

It may have taken most of an hour to get to Strong Memorial Hospital. We stopped at one point to pick up the Livingston County paramedic. He was a stunningly professional man, and watching him and the others work was like seeing a nuts-and-bolts miracle.

It was high science and true compassion, a moment-by-moment tending of an injured man’s needs. Each medic attending to different tasks or coming together to achieve one. Like a choreographed dance or a loose symphony. I was grateful such people and such technology exist.

In his own way, the ambulance driver performed his own miracles. In stalled bumper-to-bumper traffic, over miles and miles of snowy highway, he pressed forward, moving between and around any obstacles that presented themselves, using his resourcefulness to get the patient where he needed to go.

In the back of the rig, I noticed in the pocket of the man’s shirt six or seven little tracts, religious pamphlets, about the true meaning of Christmas. The sort of thing that religious people pass out inviting others to get saved. As they pulled the gurney out of the rig at the Strong ED, the tracts fell to the floor of the ambulance, wet from the melting snow and stained with the man’s blood.

Later, I would recount this story on the radio, and receive e-mails from coworkers and church members. People who knew him and loved him.

He always carried the Bible and the tracts, they said. And he was the nicest guy they knew. He would do anything for anybody and he and his wife had eight children.

And for the past three years, he and his sons had built with their own hands a house for the family. A house for which they had only recently been granted a certificate of occupancy – a permit for the family to move in and begin its dream life.

He was a good man, doing a good thing, and that didn’t surprise anybody. He came to be hurt because he came to the rescue.

When I went to bed last night, his condition was very grave and prayer requests were echoing across the Internet.

And I couldn’t help but think of the verse from the Gospel of John.

“Greater love hath no man than this,” it reads, “that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

That happened on a cross once, and on battlefields countless times, and sometimes it happens on the side of the road.

I saw something sacred yesterday, and I hope I have communicated it adequately.

I hope I have done my part to help answer a good woman's prayer.

- by Bob Lonsberry © 2010

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This morning at 7:20am Kenneth Parfitt went home to be with the Lord.

Please keep this family in prayer.