A few weeks back you heard from my friend Kristen…and I shared that wanting to talk with her was the spark that led to mom2mom interviews.

True.

Just not complete.

My dear friend Tiffany and I had been talking about the wide world of social networking…one thing led to another and I found myself compiling a list of questions for Adie…a few months and a questions swap later brings me the great delight of sharing her answers with you!

An opportunity for you to hear the heart of a mama who has her priorities in line…God, husband, children, other ministry opportunities…I’m so blessed to share these answers with you today and hope you’ll take a minute to enter the giveaway below.

Her music has ministered to me on different levels, in various seasons of life…her latest album Just You & Me has been used to draw me from getting caught up in the world spinning around, back to a kneeling position at my Savior’s throne time and again…it’s a phenomenal album…but I’m getting ahead of myself…let’s start with her mama’s heart…

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself. About your spouse. Your kiddos.

I was born and raised in South Africa and moved over here when I was 19. I started in music singing for a band called “The Benjamin Gate”. I’m married to my best friend Jeremy, who I met in 2002. We have two beautiful girls, Isabella, who is almost 6 and Arianne, who is 4. We live in Franklin, TN.

2. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a stay at home mama?

Probably maintaining being gentle and patient, when I feel exhausted. I really love staying at home with my girls though.

3. What is your response to being “on the verge”?

Wow!

I’ve learned from my mistakes over the years where my breaking point is, and I’ve totally set boundaries for myself in my heart of what I need to do in order to not lose it with my precious little ones. I’ve been convicted many times that as a Mommy, it is my job to set the example for my girls. With much prayer and begging the Lord for wisdom, He has answered me so sweetly many times.

I also have scripture written and stuck up all over my house and one of them is, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” All is ALL – even my babies who may be driving me crazy at the time. It’s a day by day asking the Lord to help me be a good Mommy and for the law of kindness to be what comes from my mouth.

4. What are the activities that your little people enjoy?

Any form of art and making crafts, dress-up, reading, swimming, riding bikes, playing pretend and having dance parties.

5. Favorite meal option(s)?

Definitely mac and cheese (what they don’t know is that I sneak pureed veggies in all the time!!)

6. How, in the chaos of life, do you make moments count?

After experiencing a great sadness of one of our friend’s little ones going to heaven, I realized that I need to stop and enjoy the little things, to not get so busy getting things done that we don’t wait that extra 5 minutes at bed time to hear all their questions and stories or whatever it might be. I often ask myself, “Ok, what matters in this moment?” It helps me stay focused on my babes and not get so caught up in the busyness of life that we will look back regretting the things we may have missed out on.

7. What lesson have you learned as a mama that you’ve thought, “I wish someone had told me about this”?

I’m not sure if there’s anything that came as a big surprise, but what I underestimated (big time!) was the consistency of motherhood and how, like they say, a mother’s job is never done. I’ve definitely learned more about dying to myself than any other life experience has ever taught me, but in saying that, it’s been worth it every step of the way. To be honest with you, as hard as it is sometimes, I want the Lord to teach me to be more like Him and I’m thankful He uses motherhood as a lesson and a blessing at the same time.

8. What has being a mama done in your life?

It has done many amazing things. I think it’s such a depiction of what the Lord is like with us. He’s so patient in teaching and instructing us. He’s quick to forgive and He sees our hearts no matter how immature we may be at the time. No matter what we do, His heart of love for us never changes, because we’re His and we’re created in His image… I really could go on forever…

9. How do you maintain a meaningful marriage with your husband?

To be honest with you, more importantly than spending time with Jeremy, I’ve found that spending time with the Lord and praying for Jeremy has more of an impact on my heart, which enables me to be a good wife to my husband. I can be more understanding, less likely to be insecure, less likely to get irritated with him and way more capable of keeping my heart in love with him, instead of getting bitter about the conflicts we have.

After many years of being together too, we know when we need to take some time out for just us.

We’ve also learned that there are certain ways of handling things that add nothing good and so we try avoid those things by giving each other space, or finding ways to communicate with each other that makes hard things way less offensive.

The reason why I’m talking about conflict so much, is because everyone has the good times, it’s how you handle the bad times that counts to building the future of your friendship with each other. Remember you’re a team and you shouldn’t be fighting against each other…

I often pick up books about marriage and make sure I’m keeping my heart in check!

10. How does your family impact the community around you?

We’re a part of a church body that is very active in the community on a local and global scale. We’re involved there quite a bit and try help in anyway that we can. Since we travel a lot though too, our community is sometimes wherever we are on the road.

11. Any other thoughts, tips, or advice you’d like to share?

The greatest way to teach others is by example.

I highly recommend looking up a homeless shelter and finding out when their dinner times are, or partnering with a church or youth group, there are also other ways to serve and teach your children to serve.

We have a food pantry at our church and so I’ll take the girls grocery shopping and explain to them why we’re doing what we’re doing.

Instead of having a garage sale, you can donate your old things to different places.

If you don’t know where to start, with a little googling you’ll be able to find lots of ways to reach out… in James it says, “religion that God accepts as pure is looking after widows and visiting orphans in their need and to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.”

I’d also like to encourage people to pray for those that the Lord lays on your heart – that is a way everyone can reach out: by praying.

love Adie

xoxox

I love how the common thread of motherhood can bring us each back to Jesus feet…different circumstances, but the same need…patience… perserverence…trust…that He will fulfill what He calls us to as we daily pour into these little lives.

Adie…I’m so thankful for the time you took to answer these questions and for allowing women to glimpse into your life! Thank you for sharing!!!

AND…for you lovely readers…she didn’t stop there…nope.

There are 3 copies of Just You & Me up for grabs this week!!!

Here are the giveaway details:

{THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED}

1. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with the tag line Just You & Me… (and if you’re feeling brave, one of the things God is showing you as you draw near to Him)

2. One comment equals one entry…however, if you’d like to link this post to your facebook, twitter, a mention on your blog, or the ever popular letter to Grandma please make note of that in your comment here and I’ll enter you twice

3. Deadline for entries is this Wednesday at midnight MST, winners will be announced on Friday…names selected through random.org…randomly

4. One more thing…for the 5 amazing women rocking out to Christy Nockels…please feel free to pass the word on to friends and family but I’d ask that you not enter this one…just to make sure we spread the CD giveaway love around. Thanks for understanding

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Verse I’m meditating on this morning comes from Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

You’ve likely seen this one over in the ‘about me’ section…it continually leaves me realizing how equipped we can truly be, for whatever life holds, if we hold fast to Him.

It addresses the big angles…waiting with expectation? Be joyful.

Going through a time of affliction? Be patient.

An area needing prayer? Be faithful.

More on that later this week…

Blessings! And I’ll see you back this afternoon for mom2mom part 2!!!