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 Christmas Parade

12-4-2010

Our church entered the Christmas parade last Saturday. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.

I love this time of year!

Everyone really outdid themselves putting this together.

JESUS is the only reason for the season. Jesus...God, who became frail, human flesh, appearing in the form of a helpless babe, in order to save Adam's race from sin, death, and hell.

JESUS.

I love Christmas lights! So pretty!

Russell and I were part of the gingerbread choir singing Christmas carols.

Clay played live on the piano. He did awesome, as always, and Russell was his faithful side-kick.

After the parade was over some of us went out to McDonald's for a late snack.

There I am outnumbered by guys (what's new?).

We had a lot of fun and hopefully the Lord used us to remind folks what Christmas is truly all about.

Fall Fellowship 2010

It's that wonderful, crisp, cool time of the year! How I love fall...pumpkins and leaves, etc! And it's actually finally beginning to feel like fall here in Florida! Thank God!

Last Saturday we had the annual Fall Fellowship at church. We were here for it last year, only Russell and I weren't married at that point. My mother-in-law, who is also the pastor's wife, had all of us ladies make a bunch of food because this year we invited another church to join us for the fun. I made chili, ziti, coleslaw, 20+ grilled cheese, and a cake. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it. I sure missed my mom's dishwasher when it came time to wash all the dishes I got dirty. =D

As you can see, I got a TON of dishes dirty. Once clean, they were stacked rather haphazardly. I joked with Russell, "Don't slam the front door or walk heavily when passing by, and PLEASE don't turn on the washing machine!!!" It feels like we are experiencing an earthquake the way that thing bounces around while its spinning out. =D

The day of the Fall Fellowship dawned bright and clear with perfect temperatures! Russell and I did our best to dress up as cowboys (the costume theme was cowboys and Indians). We were going to buy maroon plaid shirts so we could match, but decided it wasn't a necessity in our budget. (Yes, this is the first picture since it happened. I cut my hair...personally!)

Over 60 people showed up from Old Paths Baptist Church.

Everyone brought a ton of food! I organized a craft with the little girls at church, and together we made paper wreaths and a paper chain to decorate the fellowship hall for the festivities.

This is mine!

Starting out the day, we signed up for the various contests, etc. Russell signed us up---the Russell Maynard family---to have our family picture taken on the hay bales with pumpkins. I haven't gotten those pictures yet. I was also signed up for the chili contest, the baking contest, and the sewing/craft contest.

Last year Russell almost got his head whacked off while holding the log for whoever was chopping during the log-splitting contest. I held my breath and offered silent prayers as I watched my husband this year as he helped while Aaron hacked away at the log. He was fine, thank God, and even entered the contest, getting 3rd place!

This little girl's grandma made her costume. Isn't it cute?

And here are the kids in their costumes. I'm pretty sure Rylee, the little girl in front and all the way to the right, won first place as a cowgirl.

There is my mother-in-law and several of the other adults entered in the costume contest.

We sure have a beautiful church building!

I enjoyed holding one of the little babies in our church.

Russell was one of the judges for the baking contest. With me not being able to eat sugar, Russell is used to basically having a sugar-free diet, so he had a splitting headache after consuming all those sweets. My poor boy! He told me he never wants to be a judge for the baking contest ever again. He sure changed his tune quickly! =D

Can you guess which cake is mine???

I entered this banana split cake into the contest and won 1st place for how it was decorated. I was told I would have won 2nd place for how it tasted, only they wouldn't give one cake two ribbons.

A dear friend sent me this seashell pattern as a wedding gift, and I recently finished making it and then framed it to enter into the craft contest. It won 1st place! Thank you, Naomi! It's beautiful!

My prizes! Thanks be to God, who gave me the ability and strength! If it wasn't for His grace, which allows me to awaken and get out of bed every morning and breathe His air in my lungs, I could never accomplish anything.

After all the contests were over, many games of volleyball had been played, and much fellowship was made, we closed off the night with a singing around the bonfire. It was a wonderful day!!!

Last thoughts of the bride-to-be

Today is my wedding day. This morning feels like any other morning. This only confirms to me how right this marriage is. God is so in control. I have felt His sweet presence keenly. Today I believe to see the goodness of the Lord. Today, as I prepare to meet my Russell at the alter at 11:00am, my faith is going to become sight. God promised to give me a husband, then He told me Russell was to be my husband, and today my best friend is going to become my husband. God fulfills His promises...every one! Today I am going to be Russell's radiant bride. Forever his---for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and cleaving to him only, until death do us part. Today I am going to hold my husband's hand and be kissed for the very first time. Today I can declare with all assurance that it was worth the wait to wait! I waited for God's best, and I got the best! There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord created Russell and me for each other. No human is perfect, but I believe with all my heart that God makes perfect matches. This is a match which only could have been made in Heaven. Dear loved ones, thank you so much for praying us through the months, right to this moment and this day--April 17, 2010. Please continue to uphold us before the throne of grace. This is going to be a long day, but I've determined that I'm going to have a good attitude no matter what possibly goes wrong, and if my hair falls because of the humidity, I am going to be the happiest mess you ever hoped to see. =D God is SOOOOOO good. By the end of this day, no matter what comes up, I am going to be Russell's wife, and that is the only kind of wedding I want--one that will make me his bride and wife forever. It was worth the wait! It was worth every moment. I'm so glad I saved my first kiss for my husband. I'm so glad I didn't settle for anything less than God's best. Praise the Lord! Today I am a bride. Today is a gift. I'm missing all of you who can't be here to celebrate with Russell and me. We are thinking of you all. Thanks for your emails. You all had me crying last night. I miss you all lots! Lord bless, and I will be writing again sometime after we get back from our honeymoon and get settled into our house. Love you all LOTS!!!

Russell's bride,

Hannah

WHEW…

Well…the days are flying by. Wedding garments and flowers are becoming complete and looking lovely, and packing has begun. My room is looking so bare I can hardly stand to call it my own, for it was once such a cute and cozy place. Now all my things are either packed away or are already in Florida. So much has been going on. I don’t know where to begin.

The devil is fighting as hard as ever. For some reason he just despises this wedding. It feels to me as though the gates of hell have opened up and unleashed all its demonic forces. With so much stress I feel like the devil is literally riding on my back. Casting my cares on the Lord has taken on a whole new meaning, because the load which I have to continually relinquish before His feet is a crushingly large one indeed.

It is customary in our house that at least one item of major importance dies just before we make a trip. In the past it has always been either the washer or dryer that has given up the ghost (don’t ask me how many we have gone through--it’s ridiculous). Before our October trip it was my dad’s waterbed that sprung a leak on the Sunday morning prior to our departure. So far during this time of preparation it is my laptop that has decided to be a problem; it died on my several days ago. BUT, praise the Lord anyway.

PLEASE lift our family before the throne of grace. I am more keenly aware at this moment than I have ever been before how much Satan despises me, my family, Russell’s and my union in marriage, and the joining of our two families. Everything seems to be against it. The long distance relationship has made frustration, misconception, and miscommunication a very common problem. I do not recommend long distance relationships of this sort unless it is absolutely certain to be God’s will. As Lamentations 3:22 says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Dad preached on that last Sunday. I am continually reminded that it is the Lord who is the glue, and it is He who binds us together. How very dependent we all are on Him!

Besides a lot of physical stress I have been very burdened emotionally. In many ways I feel the insecurity and vulnerability of having the rug ripped out from under me. I’ll soon be leaving everything familiar to embrace everything unfamiliar. Life as it used to be and as I have always known it is on the brink of irreversible change. How is it possible to be so happy to be getting married and yet so very sad to be leaving the land, home, church, adopted family and friends I have come to love so dearly these 14 years? I am thrilled that I will soon be Russell’s wife; I couldn’t live without him and don’t know how I ever did. But my heart is terribly sad, because I will never again be a little girl in my father’s house. Something inside me is dying, and at the same time something else is trying to be born. In this light, it is no wonder then that I feel sick to my stomach as so many conflicting emotions that vary so greatly from one moment to the next overwhelm me. I sympathize with the little ship that is thrashed to and fro as furious billows crash against its hull on the stormy surface of a vast ocean. I am that little ship. As of now, it is only by faith that I trust the Great Captain will lead me safely to my desired port. Lord willing, by March 31st I will have arrived at my new home.

Well, that is a brief update on my family and life’s happenings.

Russell's Visit ~ Day 10

Two weeks ago I told Russell he couldn't leave me after our 10-day visit was up. I told him I was going to tie him up with a rope so he couldn't leave. At the time he had smiled and said he would help me tie him up. (chuckle) But...we didn't do that. I let him go.

I hate goodbyes. But this time it was easier to see him walk off knowing that this is our last goodbye. Next time I behold the face of the man I love I will do so without the dread of knowing I will have to say yet another farewell and get on a plane and leave him behind. Next time I will be standing by his side hugging my family goodbye instead. Wow… That is one...one...mind boggling thought. =(

This was Russell's and my last goodbye picture before our marriage. Now we just have to make it through this last stretch until April arrives. Please pray for us to stay close to the Lord, which sometimes gets a little difficult when we are so distracted with each other. Also, please pray that we don't do anything drastic...like throw our laptops through the window when we are frustrated with skype and its many shortcomings. =D Seriously, there's nothing like being face-to-face...but then there are other frustrations. As wonderful as the past 10 days were with Russell, it was good for him to go home. As much as I hate to admit it, oceans are a good thing. =) God knows best. So...now we're just waiting for the big day to arrive and trying to stay busy until then.

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing."

Psalm 65:11-13

I believe to see the goodness of the Lord!

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures!

Russell's Visit ~ Day 8

We drove to the area near where Dad was born to show Russell this castle, which dates back to 1710. The place is magnificent!

"Two are better than one;

because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;

for he hath not another to help him up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.

~Andre Maurois

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame."

Song of Solomon 8:6

Russell loves planes, and he loves flying. The Lord opened a door in a very special way and he is now registered with the Civil Air Patrol and taking flying lessons at a base nearby. He should be finished with ground school just before our wedding and will be doing his solo flight in this plane--an N-144--soon after our honeymoon. After our marriage I'll finally be getting settled in one place after being a missionary's daughter for 14 years. You know--a home, a husband...safe and settled!...And he has to go flying away from me. =( I guess I'm learning already what it's like to be a wife. I want him to be happy, and I'm thrilled that his boyhood dream is seemingly becoming a reality...but I just want to keep him safe and close to me. I told him that I'm not going to be happy if he kills himself...so, he promised to be careful. I don't want to be a widow just weeks after becoming a bride. It's okay...God has been in this so far; He's not going to desert us now. =)

Can you tell he's in his glory? =D

Russell's Visit ~ Day 7

The Monday before Russell arrived Mom and I went grocery shopping. Suffice it to say that we had enough groceries to feed a bear...or a brute. (chuckle) (That's Lydia's nickname for Russell.) We fed him lots of good food while he was here, and soon it was time to make another visit to the store. I love grocery shopping; it's so fun. (NOT) However, I must say having a certain young man along made it more enjoyable. When we got to the checkout line we discovered that Russell is like Dad in yet another way--he lines up all the food perfectly on the conveyor belt so it looks nice and neat. Whenever Dad does that I tease that he didn't organize it in alphabetical order. =D

Russell showed me how to play chess. I won the first game...but I'm pretty sure Russell let me. He said I was making all the right moves and messing up his plan. =D

I sure do love my guy...

Russell's Visit ~ Day 6

Our backyard under a beautiful blanket of white snow!

"...I found him whom my soul loveth..."

Song of Solomon 3:4

Baby Jonathan is getting bigger and bigger. Russell was amazed at how much he's changed since July. Why do babies have to grow so fast? Russell taught Jonathan how to high-5. Don't tell me babies can't learn and can't understand, because that baby learned how to high-5 within 5 minutes. Babies are smart little people...you just gotta be smarter than them and know when they are trying to outsmart you. Jonathan rode the "Russell roller coaster"; he looooooooooved getting tossed in the air and swooshed around. What giggles and excited screams! So cute! =D

Yup...we're a just little engaged and a little goo goo-eyed. What fun!

Russell's Visit ~ Day 5

Lydia made us heart-shaped waffles for breakfast...yummy!

Dad and Mom went out for their Saturday night dinner date. Lyd, Joe, Russell & I stayed home made 100% homemade pizza for our dinner and watched a movie. It was fun!

Russell got his wish! We had a snowfall! It was so pretty!!!

Of course we had to keep our tradition. This was my work of art...

...And this was Russell's. His is always nicer.

And Lydia was our ever-present chaperon and photographer. Thanks, sis! =)