Mom Tribute (Finally!)

As you can probably see, when I say something about blogging "tomorrow," that's Kristin-ese for "like...three weeks from now." Just a little "head's up" on that for all of you faithful friends and family. In my defense, (cause we all need to defend ourselves, right?), we have been very extra-busy lately. A friend recently commented on the unusual amount of things that are on our plate right now, and I must say it does seem a bit unusual! Thank goodness school for Keaton is at least over. Well, on to the Mother's Day Tribute I promised!

I don't know how many of you know my mom, but you're about to get to know her better by reading this. Earliest memories of my mom are...sitting on her lap in the big wing-back chair in the corner of our living room. Lots of affection. School days...I remember being so proud of my mom for helping with the make-up for a school play...she even painted her face up like a clown to practice, and we have the picture to prove it! I remember her encouraging me to practice the piano and to sing, sing, sing. She is still my biggest fan! I remember how hard she worked at being "Room mother" for one or two of the years in elementary school, where she would organize the holiday parties, bake special cookies (I remember the candy cane cookies that where red and white and twisted into candy cane shapes!), and get other parents to help. (She probably did this for my older brother too, which meant she was room mother many times!) I remember her cheering like crazy at my brother's tee-ball games, and later his baseball games. She had been a cheer-leader in high school and I think she never gave up that role! I remember the talks, talks, and more talks we had about God, school, fears, and later about boys. I remember shopping with her for hours to find "the perfect gift" for a relative. I remember her beautiful piano playing, both at home and at church, practicing for hours. I remember her cooking...pot roast with carrots, spaghetti and meatballs, her coconut-cream/ice cream dessert, lemon graham cracker dessert, and especially her famous cherry pie....amazing!

But the most important thing about my mom that has left a lasting impact on me is her love for God. I remember time after time...finding her in the living room, either with Bible open or with her eyes closed in prayer. She would often question me about my own quiet times (and I didn't like it....when I wasn't being consistent with them). I remember her leading my brother and I in before-school devotions out of the little "Daily Bread" booklets we had. I remember her crying out to God when life was hard, and never abandoning her faith. I remember her counseling me to forgive others when they had wronged me, even to the point of having me go to the other person and ask THEIR forgiveness...and this when I was only about 6-7. I remember her praying with me when I was ten...I wasn't sure I was saved. I wasn't seeing fruit, and I was concerned that I had never really become a Christian. So my mom prayed with me, and from that moment on, I began to see fruit. My mom was the one that first helped me see the relevance of spiritual gifts, as she would often have a "burden" for someone, and would stop and pray. One of those times had been when I was only 18 months old, and I had fallen out of a 2-story window while she was vacuuming. She had prayed all morning, knowing someone was in danger, but not knowing who. I only had to get 4 stitches, and was dancing around after we returned from the ER that day.

The year my mom turned 50 and Keith and I were to be married, she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in her uterus. I was on summer music tour, and knew I needed to get home quickly. She seemed strangely at peace when I arrived home, confident that God was in control. I prayed fervently for Him to heal her. I was not ready to say good-bye to this woman I loved. God did heal her. Her surgeon said it was such a small amount of cancer that he was not even going to follow up with radiation. My mom rejoiced. She also used her time in the hospital to try to encourage her room-mate, Nan, who had had a re-lapse of cancer. She spoke to her of the Lord and His work in her life. Nan was sad to see my mom go, and they hugged each other tightly, knowing Nan may not make it through this time. My mom continued to pray and keep in contact with Nan. This is just part of who my mom is, compassionate.

This is what I remember of my mom. She has recently had alot of health issues, and I know she is discouraged in many areas right now. She may not see it, but I see God growing her in wonderful ways. I have told her this, and I am praying she will see God bring to her "the desires of her heart." I believe that, by the grace of God, I am following the Lord today because of this woman's influence and prayers. She may not feel as though she is being "used" by the Lord right now, but she is. I am seeing God continue to work in her life, and I am convinced He will be faithful to complete that which He started so many years ago in her! I love you Mom!!

Now, my mother-in-law, Jackie...

When I first met Keith's parents, Keith and I were not yet dating. I'm glad of that, because I probably would have been more nervous! They (along with his sweet grandma Rose) had driven to Toccoa, GA where we were in college, for a short visit. They came to our music-team practice and listened to us. I remember thinking they were all very nice and friendly. Little did I know, I'd be seeing ALOT of this family in the years to come!!

A few months later, Keith asked me to date him, and we knew it was going to be the "serious" kind, where marriage was the goal. I remember going to Florida for a few days that spring, to stay with Keith and his family. It was easy to feel "at home" with them, due in large part to his mom's sweet and gentle way. I never felt scrutinized by her as a potential daughter in law. Never felt like she was "testing" me to see my true colors. The "mother-in-law" stigma never remotely came into my mind with this woman. I felt so fortunate, so blessed, that this woman would be the "other mother" God would give me. As the years passed and we grew to love and know each other better, I often would have good talks with her about many things, and she was always such a good listener! So encouraging, too. She always saw the "bright side" of things, which wasn't necessarily how I saw things. (This accounts for why Keith has this perspective too, I guess!) She would often speak of how she had seen God be faithful in her life, and that, we could trust Him. After Keith and I were married, I never felt like I had to "prove myself" as a wife through great cooking or housekeeping, (though I still tried to do things really well when they came for a visit!)

Soon, the grandbabies started coming, and in this, Jackie was excited! All but one of their grandchildren were boys, so we were able to supply lots of granddaughters for them! I remember her coming to New York after Keaton was born and wanting to help any way she could. When she asked what the most helpful thing was that she could do, I asked her if she could clean out the fridge! She did it! (I can't believe I asked her to do that, but she never missed a beat!) All I can say it here is humility!

I know when we moved to Butler and had our two other little ones, it was probably hard, knowing that my parents would have wayyyy more time with the grandchildren. But she never showed any sign of struggling with our decision to move there, and was supportive all the way...including helping us pack and load our moving van and travel with us to PA to start our new phase of life. Throughout our five years there, Paul and Jackie came 3 or 4 times a year it seemed, driving all the way from FL. Our children are so fortunate to have two sets of grandparents who love the Lord and them so much! Near the end of our time in Butler, we went through some very difficult circumstances, and Jackie was praying and loving us through it all. When a child goes through suffering, it may be worse for the parents as they watch their beloved children suffer while there is very little the parents can do to ease it. I know this must have been a tremendously difficult time for them, yet they only ever showed support and concern for us. We knew they would have done anything for us, and still would!

About 18 months after our difficult times in Butler, Jackie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The news hit us all like a ton of bricks. It was a tremendously difficult year that first year for them, and when I saw her for the first time after all her battling of the cancer, she seemed so frail...so different from the strong, vibrant woman I had always known. But in her heart, she remained unshaken, knowing God was in control. And this is what she spoke of. Again and again, she would reaffirm that God had a plan, and she was just living one day at a time. This spoke volumes to me about her faith in God. She was changed in the sense that anyone who has battled a terminal disease is changed. Reckoning your heart to the realization that each day is uncertain. Only God is our constant. Jackie reflected all of this in her words. And little by little, she was regaining her strength.

It has been nearly three years since Jackie was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since that time, she has not only reaffirmed God's love to her, but she's been a vessel He's used to impact others. She and Paul recently went on a fishing trip with some other Senior Adults in their church, and they were asked to share their testimonies. I wish I could have been there!

These are the two women God has blessed me with. I am amazed at His goodness. Such a heritage for my children. Such a gift to me. I love them both and thank God for the gifts that they are. May He continue to bless them with a long, fruitful life!