Question and Answer Time with Mom

Maude: What is your favorite thing to grow in the garden?

Mom: Why flowers, of course! Sunflowers and zinnias are my very favorites! They don't count, actually, because they are just for fun. Thank you, God, for their beauty. They cheer the heart! I also love tomatoes because I love to eat them! Sun-ripened, fresh from the garden- yum! Also because they are easily canned or frozen, and can be enjoyed in so many recipes.

Maude: That's funny.  I hadn't really even thought of flowers for my garden.  We do have Nasturtiums but that is mostly because their leaves are edible greens for salads.  I mostly think of the garden as functional, not as much pretty.  I am excited about my tomato plants though!  Did I tell you that we started them from seed?  We've not put them into the ground outside yet but we will be in the next couple of weeks.  My husband's never a tomato fresh from the garden so he's excited about that.  I told him about your tomato sandwich.  I always think of you with tomatoes, Mom.

Esther: I planted flowers in my garden this year because I loved how you always did Mama.

Maude: What has been your favorite thing about motherhood?

Mom: My kids! :) By the time I have gotten to the "red hat" age group it's hard to remember anything I didn't like. After the 1st couple babies I even relished the time alone at night with my little one- well, most of the time. I remember being pretty tired with the buddy boys, #9 and #10. My favorite thing? Maybe cuddling in bed. After awhile it got pretty crowded. My favorite thing? I loved loading up the big monster van, Nessie, with all the family and heading off to church. It was not easy but very rewarding. My favorite thing? Sitting around our Dining Room table praying together and singing hymns. What a privilege to worship together as part of education. (As a new believer in my 30's I took seriously Deuteronomy 6:4-9, desiring that my children would love and serve the Lord all of their days.)

Esther: Fun memories Mama!

Maude:  That's a lot of favorites!  Is that allowed?!  Haha!  One can definitely tell you love being a mom.

Lizzi: Those are great memories, Mom! And what an encouragement to those of us "in the trenches" that you mostly just remember the good stuff! :)

Lizzi: What advice would you give a new parent, or parent of young children?


Mom: Pray without ceasing. Pray with and for Daddy. Bathe your decisions, your words and attitudes in prayer.

Lizzi: To become a woman of prayer, prayer, prayer! Wonderful advice.

Lizzi: What would you consider the hardest part of parenting?

Mom: Having to say "no" when your child has asked sweetly, has been obeying, but, when the answer still needs to be "no."

Esther: Why did you decide to have such a large family? Did you always know you wanted a big family? Was it something you and Dad discussed once, or was it an ongoing thing?

Mom: When I was growing up, the only thing I wanted to be when I grew up was to be a mom with lots of kids like my mom. God sure blessed me. I forgot to pray that the kids and spouses would add onto the "old home place" like the Amish. Instead, I prayed the prayer of Jabez, 1 Chronicles 4:10, "...and enlarge my territory" and He answered. Why such a big family? I grew up in one and loved it. Still do! Dad and I talked about it many times. We knew that we served a sovereign God and could trust Him to provide (or open or close the womb- Ruth 4:13) every day in every way. Not that it was easy.

Lizzi: Great question, Essie! Great answer, Mom. :) Encouragement to us living faraway to press on in ministry and serving, and encouragement to trust God as the sovereign Author and Provider.

Esther: What is your favorite flower? Why?
Mom: Oh my! Spring- tulips, forsythia, violets. Summer- zinnias, petunias. Fall- sunflowers, mums. Winter- poinsettas, holly. And, of course, roses, baby's breath...
My very favorite: Sunflowers because they make me smile.

Esther: Sunflowers are my favorite too!  I almost held off on my wedding till sunflowers were in season haha! BUT I decided that it wasn't worth it.

Maude: You're so cute Mom!  She forgot to mention the weeds she collects.  Some of the prettiest flowers are on plants we consider weeds and Mom taught us to always appreciate the beauty of the weeds.  They make some of the prettiest bouquets!