Happy Mother's Day in October

Over the past weeks, we have been reflecting on some of our favourite things about Charles's mom, Monette. This led us to remember a post Charles wrote for his mom last Mother's Day, and we thought it was worth reposting. Here it is, if you missed it the first time. And if you were fortunate enough to read it the first time, here it is again. We think it is worth a second read (or a third, or fourth...)


This is a guest post from Mr. Foot Down. In the past for American Mother's Day, Mrs. Thumb Up wrote a Top 10 things she's learned from her mom and is grateful for. We thought it would be a nice mother's day gift this year if I did the same for my mom. So here goes (in some rough order but not precise!).


10. My mom has always loved music. She would listen to music all the time and has a wonderful singing voice. I took piano for 6 or 7 years because she thought it was important. My younger siblings have gone on to great heights in performance and composition. I love music now, and it seems so far that my children do too, and that's attributable in no small part to my mom.

9. My mom models sincerity in how she speaks. I still use way too much sarcasm, but by comparison in a UK context, I look incredibly earnest, and I'm sure she's part of that.

8. My mom loves to play games. A few games that I can remember us playing, just off the top of my head: Spades, Hearts, Aggravation, King's Corner, Monopoly, Candyland, Cranium, Geek, Bridge (now my favourite), and the life-saver for those long car trips between Kansas City and Houston, the Alphabet game as we looked for words that started with each letter of the alphabet. Mom was pretty dominant at that game, finding just the right word when she needed it. As I write that, I wonder if perhaps she was putting us on sometimes, but then I go back to #9.

7. My mom is the master at looking for a bargain and saving money. I certainly haven't always agreed with the results of such frugality (not least because I've been too interested in getting the 'name brand' at times), but the example overall has been wonderful.

6. My mom has lived with a significant amount of chronic pain for most of my life, and she just gets on with things. Almost never complaining, you'd never know how bad she feels, unless you ask, or just happen to catch the grimace on her face in an unguarded moment. She's accomplished far more, under far worse circumstances physically, than I could ever imagine to.

5. My mom has taken wonderful care of her parents. My grandparents moved up to Liberty some years ago to be near her and the family, and she's really looked out for them, to the point that my grandma now lives with my parents. What a wonderful example that is to me of honouring your father and mother.

4.5. My mom is one of the smartest people I know, and she (along with my dad) always encouraged us to think and try to learn. If a word was used at the dinner table which we didn't know, we were encouraged to go look it up and learn how to use it. I have no doubt that my own work in a theological college has been shaped significantly by how my mom cultivated that sense of intellectual curiousity and value on the life of the mind.

4. My mom loves the church. She places a really high value on their local church and makes being there every Sunday a priority, even in the midst of physical pain often. That kind of love for God's people is profoundly biblical and a great example.

3. My mom commits herself to love her kids sacrificially. She had me when she was rather young, and of course, we just kept coming. From the beginning she made it her 'job' to raise us and teach us and spend time with us and be a godly, loving parent. When I see so often my own sinful, selfish heart when I'm with my kids, I marvel all the more how my mom has done it.

2. My mom has shown me how to love your spouse and put their needs before your own and be on the same page and support them and build them up. If I could be a fraction of as good a spouse to Mrs. Thumb Up as my mom has been to my dad, I think my wife will be really blessed.

1. My mom loves Jesus. She follows and trusts God, and that faith shapes everything about her life. Before I had ever heard of Abraham Kuyper, I saw a real-life example of his quote about every square inch of existence belonging to Jesus Christ. She has been willing to love and follow Jesus whatever the cost, and that indeed is the greatest gift a parent can give their children.

Thank you so much, Mom, for all these gifts (and so many more!). Happy Mother's Day.

Behind Every Great Man Is A Great Mother

Many times throughout life you are given the opportunity to thank someone. Often these opportunities are quite mundane such as thanking someone for holding the door open or passing the butter. Other times, however, the opportunity to say thank you is much grander, but unfortunately the chance often passes us by, and we don’t take it. It’s the latter type I want to do here – I don’t want to miss the opportunity to thank my mother-in-law for molding my husband into the man he is. 

For the past twelve and a half years I have had the privilege of sharing life with Charles. He is an incredible man and even more amazing husband, but that is not what this writing is about. This entry is about his mom, Monette.  Over the years, it has become obvious to me that many of the things that I so appreciate about Charles he has learned from his mom. Here are a few things that come to mind:

• Charles cares for and makes time for people. I see this same openness in you. Many times I have seen you open your home to someone who has a need.  Countless time I know you have been a listening ear to another homeschooling mom who needs advice.  I wouldn’t even be able to guess how many babies are holding mémés (blankets) that were hand knitted by you. Undeniably, you have been a good friend to many.

• Charles is very accurate in his speech and with details (much to my dismay sometimes!). You and the rest of the family are very precise people. I tried to come up with some examples, but I could only remember them generally, without any of the necessary detail!  Nonetheless, you have been very patient with me and have warmly welcomed me and my ‘less’ precise nature into the family, and I am grateful.

• Charles has often been described as ‘smart’, for a lack of a better word. His ‘smartness’ is largely driven by his inquisitive mind. I know from an early age he would ask questions, and you and David would encourage him to find the answer out for himself – not in a mean way but in a self-sufficient knowledge gaining way. I see this same inquisitive, loving to learn aspect in you as well. Thanks for teaching him to work hard to understand things.

• Charles loves games. It is not hard to see where he learned this. You and David are always ready to play bridge with us, or play a family game of Geek (much to my dissatisfaction!) or Empire.  I know it is not the game that you are so keen on, but instead the opportunity to spend time as a family. I love this and hope we can continue this in our immediate family.  

• Charles has an amazing ability to stay up until early hours in the morning. You are clearly the other night owl in the family. Both of you make me look wimpy with my need for sleep!  I know Charles has always appreciated your ability to stay up late and has enjoyed many late night conversations with you as a result.

• Charles is an excellent dad in many ways, but one way that has particularly ministered to me is his love for newborn babies. I still remember how competent he was with Jack when we first brought him home from the hospital and I was so clueless. Both you and David are so great with babies. He has had excellent role-models in this area and it has paid dividends in our family. I am not sure I know another person who enjoys rocking a baby more than you. It was a joy to have you in England after the births of Jack and Addie, and recently it was incredibly special to watch you rock Eliot during his whole two hour nap (gasp!).

• Charles aims for the gospel to affect every area of our life. This is something I am very grateful for because often my sin tries to push other ways. He is quick to point out that he has learned this from you and David. You all have been excellent examples of living out your faith in the midst of hard situations and even to the extent of sometimes looking foolish in the eyes of the world. This is one of the best gifts you have passed to Charles. We hope our kids can say the same of us some day. 

Monette, there aren’t really words to describe how grateful I am for Charles. It seems overwhelmingly inadequate, but thank you. Thank you for helping to make Charles the man he is today. Jack, Theo, Addie, Eliot, and I are forever indebted to you. Thank you for being my mother-in-law and friend. It is so simple, and I am sorry if I have not said it more clearly before, but thank you.

First time for everything...

About a week ago, Theo came to us and told us he was feeling sick. Charles consoled him and offered him a wastebasket just in case he needed to throw up. Theo perked up with this gesture and excitedly commented, 'Yeah this would be the first time I have thrown up in  America.' It was almost as this made it an event to look forward to!

'The Abbotts'

One of the greatest things about moving back in mid August was the chance to get to know our Abbott cousins better before they move to Pennsylvania. It has been a real treat to watch the kids develop relationships, and then watch relationships turn to friendships. In just two months these little four people have become great friends of ours. The phrase 'The Abbotts' usually followed by 'are coming over' is met with unanimous approval and excitement in our household.

Last night we had supper with them. Josiah prayed a wonderful prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you for today.
Thank you that Jack knows so much about the Revolutionary War and Theo about Lewis and Clark.
Thank you for this food.
Amen

This prayer encapsulates so much in the mind of a seven-year-old. There have been many games of imagination played - wars fought and journeys exploring the West-  in Grandmother's and Granddad's yard these past two months. Josiah is thankful and so are we!

Selfishly we are sad to see them leave today, but we are excited for the ministry God has for them in Pennsylvania. We will hold the memories of these two months close to us as they are far and look forward with great anticipation to the next time we can see them.

Trip to Missouri Capitol

 We had a great day yesterday visiting the Missouri Capitol. We were fortunate enough to get a tour from a new friend (I think that is an appropriate description). Todd, a guy from church, is the chief of staff to a senator there and offered to take us on a little personal tour. By the end of the tour, Jack was holding hands with Todd leading me to think friend is the appropriate description!

Todd took us into the Senate House and let us stand up in the 'pulpit' (not sure the correct term) and throw the gavel down. He explained some of the rules to us, which if broken would prompt the pounding of the gavel. We then instructed Charles to go down and 'break' some of the rules which prompted the kids to pound the gavel at their dad which needless to say they thought was very good fun. 

Todd and Charles then took the big boys up in the rotunda.I went outside and played on the Capitol lawn with Addie and Eliot. The boys thought the journey to the Whispering Gallery (where you can stand on opposite sides of the rotunda and whisper and hear the opposite party) was super cool . Then they ventured to the very top of the rotunda where they got  to go outside.

We ended the day, as all good trips to the Capitol do, with Arris Pizza. We were very happy that Todd joined us as did Grandad, Grandmother, Aunt Natalie, Miriam and Ezra. It was a great day for all. Erin in particular was very thankful for the day and Todd's generosity in leading us because almost daily for the past six weeks, Jack has asked when we will get to go in the Capitol (which is very believable to all who know Jack!) So Momma is happy to check this off the never ending question list!

Picture of Capitol for those less familiar

 

Here we are in the Senate House

 

Picture of the Senate House

 View of the Missouri River from the top

 

Boys at top of the Capitol