One of my tip top friends is Susan…and for as long as we’ve been mothers she has passed on bits and pieces of wisdom from today’s mama.

And what Sus passed on was always encouraging…wise…challenging…filled with grace.

So when I saw Ruth’s name pop up in the Christy Nockels giveaway, I knew it would be an absolute delight to share her answers with you all. Little did I know just how much of a delight it would be!!!

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

I am a Chinese-American that never planned on staying home or homeschooling. I never imagined myself submitting to a husband, or dying to self. I grew up thinking the Christian life convenient, rather than consecrated. Praise God for his sovereignty! Today, I am a mother of four boys: Caleb (8), Liam (6), Judah (4), and Livingstone, who we call Stone (1 1/2)…and am about 6 weeks pregnant with number 5! I am married to Troy, who always planned on being introverted, being a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, and is now serving as a teaching pastor at our small church plant, and a Headmaster of a Classical School we co-founded. I spend my days cooking, cleaning up messes, homeschooling on our home days, kissing ouchies, crafting, encouraging my hubby, ministering to younger ladies, and blogging about it all when I can.

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

The first thought that comes to my mind is: My flesh. I think that being a stay-at-home mom really shows me how selfish, lazy, impatient, discontent, and undisciplined I am, LEFT UP TO MYSELF. The home is not the kind of workplace that caters to the approval junkie, the affirmation addict, or those who seek a promotion. There’s no Employee of the Month board, no bonuses, and no certification that declares that you’ve completed the course. The reward for those of us who embrace the high calling of motherhood and biblical womanhood is the pleasure of Christ in our obedience. It’s running the race well; it’s our God completing the good work that he’s begun in our children. The greatest challenge day to day, is keeping the end in mind when the weariness of the moment sets in.

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

Do you mean, “How do I deal with the moments I think I’m going to lose it?”

The two things that put me on edge the most are kids fighting and endless messes. I guess my first response to this question is that I try to prevent myself from being “on the verge!” And, knowing what m two pet peeves are, I can first train my children to be disciplined in those areas. But, as fighting and messes are inevitable even with good training, I find that I must preach to my own heart before I ever preach to theirs (my children’s). While I use Philippians 2:14 to counsel my children regularly, I find myself requiring regular reminders not to complain as well.

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

With four boys, you will always find our home vibrating with the sound of boys at war to the Indiana Jones soundtrack, playing air guitar to Switchfoot, and pretending to be the Swiss Family Robinson in the backyard. They love to read when they are all tuckered out, and they love to draw. Legos are a daily occurrence in almost every room of our house. (I must add that I’ve managed to convince my kids that chores are fun, so that cleaning and rearranging rooms, doing dishes, and pulling weeds are requested family activites!)

5.  Favorite meal option(s)?

I didn’t have a clue how to make a pot roast when I was first married. But now, I’ve discovered the joy of cooking in the last 12 years of marriage, and really do enjoy making a meal, rather than putting food on the table. I love the idea of us eating meals together as a family. No TV, no loud music, no toys. Just us…and sometimes friends to share it with.

We definitely have easy meal nights. Those are the nights I will make cheater gyros with frozen turkey meatballs, store-bought tzaziki sauce, and flatbread. You can have Indian in less than 20 minutes if you use a jar of Trader Joe’s Curry simmer sauces with cut up chicken over rice. I do see each meal as an opportunity to expose the kiddos to various flavors, textures, and nutrients.  Whenever I can, I try and fix meals that I LOVE TO EAT. And since I love to eat, among other things, seared Ahi, Chinese noodles, Irish stout stew, and fish tacos, my kids love those things too.

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

I really believe that we make time for things that truly matter to us. Which is to say, what we prioritize and treasure will be evidenced in the way we spend our time. And while life is chaotic and busy, you can absolutely develop a culture of intentionality in your family. Driving together to soccer practice can be a time of connectedness, grocery shopping WITH your kids can be special and meaningful for them (we’ve sometimes turned those outings into dates with a stop at Sonic!), and sacrificing your own productivity to listen to a story your child is telling is equally as meaningful as getting under the covers with him at bedtime for a 5 minute “snuggle time” with mom.  When you are intentional, meaningful moments are everywhere to be found.

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

I wish I had read about parenting, disciplining, and discipling my believing kids BEFORE I started having kids. It’s never too late, but I do think that attitude and direction  in these things begin long before you have to address the issues.

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

It has taught me humility, mercy, and compassion. It has illustrated for me the patience of my Heavenly Father.

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

We have regular date nights. Twice a month we go out, hold hands, and talk and talk uninterrupted. Other times, we pour up a glass of wine and steam artichokes for a date night on the couch after the kids go to bed. We enjoy a good movie now and then, but we really try to make our time together meaningful by truly connecting, and not just accompanying.

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

I think our largest area of influence is through Northside Church, where my husband pastors. Because we are a small church, we do not and cannot rely on programs and activities to form gospel-centered relationships. Whether it’s with neighbors down the street, or with families from church, our greatest impact seems to often flow out of the conversations around our kitchen table.

We are also deeply committed to the Oak Grove Classical Academy, which we co-founded with a few other families. Our desire is to impact our community by offering Christ-centered education that involves the family. The Classical model (which I will not go into here) really places the emphasis on teaching our children how to think, and how to learn. Our hope is that, from our school, many generations of influential, thinking, followers of Christ would go forth to impact our world.

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

I think Mom2Mom is great, because it models the mandate found in Titus 2. My only other advice is that I would encourage all moms to be involved in fostering gospel-centered relationships with older women, and younger women. Mentoring younger ones; learning from older ones.

Ruth…thank you, thank you, thank you…as you proceed through life with 4 little ones and number #5 on the way I am so encouraged to hear that the method of training little hearts is the same no matter the number.

And that in whatever we’re called to, God gives us the grace to fulfill that calling.

Be blessed and encouraged on a regular basis by checking out Ruth’s blog, Grace Laced.

And………..

In keeping with the run of Monday morning giveaways…Ruth, who is oh so talented, is giving away these darling posy pins to one reader…

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

{THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED}

1. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with the tag line Laced with Grace…and one (or two) of the ways you’re learning a lesson about grace in your day to day.

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

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Also, be sure to check out Ruth’s etsy shop here. It’s a toss up between her beautiful Climbing Rose Lariat and Cream n’ Sugar Ranunculus Headband…what’s your favorite??!?!