an emerging cook

Interview with Theresa

How did you first hear about YLCF?  How did you “meet” the other YLCF team members and become one yourself? I heard about YLCF through my best friend Jessica, who is Gretchen’s sister. I read the blog off and on for several years. I’m actually not really sure how Gretchen got to know me…but eventually she asked me from time to time if she could publish some posts from my blog on YLCF, especially through my year courting Trent. Earlier this year, she asked me if I’d join the team and I was happy to say yes! I don’t actually personally know any of the other team members, but I’d love to someday!

When and how did you come to know Jesus? My salvation story is more about sanctification than it is about the actual conversion. I honestly don’t really remember the moment I trusted in Christ, but I know that since I was 11, the Lord has really been working on me and keeping me close to Him. It’s been an amazing, crazy adventure!

How many siblings do you have, and where do you fall in the birth order? I have two sisters (Karen and Laura), both older than me. We were all born within three and a half years, so we were pretty good pals.

What is your family (faith) background? If they are believers, how do you encourage each other? If not, how do you handle the faith issue? My family is very in love with the Lord, and I am thankful for that! My mom and dad are still growing in their faith, which encourages me. My two sisters are really seeking to live for the Lord and follow Him. I am very thankful for the unique relationship I have with my mom and especially my sister Karen, in the way of spiritual matters. We talk on the phone a lot since we live in separate towns, and we often talk about the Lord and how He’s leading us. My mom is always encouraging me to stay in the Word. My sister Laura is following the Lord’s will for her life by doing missions work this year, which in and of itself is a big testimony to me.

What is your approach to sharing your faith with nonbelievers? I have to admit, this is a real weak point for me. I’ve never really dove headlong into evangelism. My method so far is perhaps led by fear, perhaps also led by my laid-back personality. I don’t think that non-Christians really want God stuffed down their throat, so I strive to live a life that points to Christ and let my life do the talking. I am trying to cultivate a more friendly me in public; one that is willing to strike up conversations and make comments about the Lord. I hope that the Lord uses my blog to lead people, Christian and non-Christian, closer to Himself. Like I said, this really is a weak point for me and one that needs tending! I don’t think I have as much urgency about the matter as I should.

What are your favorite recipes? Do you have a signature dish that you love to make? I’m what I call an “emerging cook”, so I don’t have anything that really says “me” quite yet. I’m not big on baking because I have a hard time following recipes! Since I love to improvise, my preferred method of cooking is stove-top cooking. I love making stir-fry the most since it has such loose guidelines. My stir-fries turn out different each time!

What’s your preferred form of exercise? I really prefer running. I don’t like the mental coaxing it takes to get myself out the door and the pain during, but I love the afterglow and how I feel so fit overall when I run. I used to run a lot, but since having my sweet boy, I don’t have as much energy and ambition as I once had.

If someone met you in person, what’s one thing they’d learn about you that your online friends might not know? I think you’d be surprised to know that I’m actually very shy and quiet, even to the point of being awkward, especially around people I don’t know. When I’m nervous around people, I usually end up saying something really dumb.

What is your favorite pair of shoes? My Chacos. They are such a versatile shoe. I love to hike in them (I hiked to the top of a mountain in Alaska in them!), wear them with skirts, wear them with shorts, wear them with pants! They match every occasion (or at least just about!). I love how comfortable and down-to-earth they are. Very “me”.

Are you a morning person or a night owl or neither? I used to be a morning person before my baby came along… I guess I still am, in a way. I thrive at about 10:00 AM and fade at about 8:30 PM.

Your favorite spot in nature? I love being deep in the woods with a creek. I love how the light filters through the green leaves and dances on the water. I love the fact that the only sound you can hear is birds and the water gurgling. I love that it’s a long way from civilization.

What did you like about your education and what do you wish you and/or your parents had done differently? I was homeschooled throughout high school. I think the most awesome thing about homeschool is the flexibility it allowed me! As a kid, it was great to get done with school at noon and have the rest of the day to play. As a highschooler, I was able to spend my junior and senior years studying at community college. In those years, I almost completed the pre-requisites for the nursing program.

If you’re married, what are some ways you’ve worked through conflict with your spouse? I have to admit; this is another weak area! We are bad at conflict resolution. I like to talk it out, my husband likes to think it out. I often am not sure what I should say, or if I should say anything at all! Something I strive for is to keep an open mind toward him and keep humble. I try to be willing to see my fault and admit to him what I’ve done wrong. But we are nowhere close to perfect in this area!

Outside of immediate family, who has had the most impact on your life? I would have to say that the woman that has had the most impact on me is Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I have listened to her podcast every day in this last year of marriage, and she has been an huge source of encouragement to me. She has encouraged me to trust in the Lord in storms, to encourage my husband instead of tear him down, to value the role of a mother, and to cling to the Lord every day. I wish I could meet her and give her a big hug.