I wanted to take this opportunity on Mother's Day to honor the woman who has had the most significant influence on me as a mother (besides my own mother). This example has been before me for almost fifteen years, and there isn't a day that I am not thankful to God for putting this woman into my life. Her name is Charlene Vigil. She is an amazing mother, wife, daughter, and friend. She has also served over the years as a caregroup leader, home-school advisor, science fair adminstrator, and so many other things that I know even if I tried I would neglect to mention them all.
She daily puts her family first in her heart and life. She rises early in the morning (and by that, I mean 4:30 a.m.) to spend time with God and cry out to him for her every need. Her dependence on the Lord is the first thing she has modeled for me as a mother. She takes everything to God in prayer, and this is evidenced in her life by an amazing faith during trials (and they have been many), and wisdom that surpasses anyone else I know. She has wisdom for any and every situation, and has shared her wisdom with me faithfully, on everything from how to care for my sick children to how to organize my homeschool! She has taught me so much about homeschooling that I could type an entire novel about what she has shared with me. She is so thoughtful to share her insights and tips or new websites she has discovered with me so that I can benefit as well.
She serves her children so amazingly - she constantly sets short-term and long-term goals for them spiritually as well as practically, taking her summer to invest in teaching them life-skills. She has had her girls in 4-H, they have taken sewing lessons, they have grown gardens and planted flowers, they have learned to serve their father and brothers in preparation for motherhood and marriage, they have learned to cook, clean, and so much more. The girls have interests in animals - and Charlene has
sacrificially allowed them to have pets - and I do mean pets - they currently have three dogs, two rabbits (who just gave birth) and a bird. They have had hamsters, fish, you name it.
The average person who had all these pets would have difficulty maintaining a clean home, but not Charlene. Her home is immaculate, clean, and very homey. She has invested much time creating a welcoming, warm environment so that her children will love their home, and they do. She has excellent taste in decorating and does it within the confines of a budget that her husband gives her.
She is submitted to her husband in all areas, and I can honestly say that I have never seen a woman as committed to this area and as faithful in it as her. She truly places her faith in the Lord which allows her to joyfully submit to her husband. This is one area that I can strive my whole life to be like her, but I fear I shall never be half as faithful and obedient in this area as she is. (But I am trying honey!!)
She heroically serves outside her home as well - she is always counseling someone, taking a meal to a family, watching a friend's children, hosting a shower or party for someone, visiting the sick, etc. She has "adopted" an elderly lady who lives alone and has spent many years taking her Thanksgiving and other Holiday meals over to her. She visits this lady and the kids make cards and gifts, and have truly loved her as their "adopted grandmother". Charlene, however, would say that it is an honor and a privilige for her to learn from this woman and her cheerful attitude. Another example of Charlene's amazing humility.
She is a loving, kind and gentle mother to her children, as well as being fun! She makes everything fun, and has made COUNTLESS memories and traditions with her family - as well as for my children!! My children have been the recipients of balloons and candy when they are sick, or sad from losing a pet or breaking a bone or needing stitches (yes, I am talking about MY children) There is always m&m's for school bingo, ice cream outings for special times, her girls have regular dates with their mom out for breakfast. I cannot think of a moment that Charlene isn't thinking of her children, how she can invest in them, bless them, make memories for them, train them, teach them, love them. I often look at her children and see just how BLESSED they are to have her as a mother - I cannot wait to watch them grow up and see what kind of mother the girls will be under her influence.
She has come alongside me in my mothering as well - she has encouraged me with specific scripture and timely encouragement, she has cried with me, laughed with me, removed ticks from my children, put band-aids on their wounds, come in the middle of the night to check them when they were sick and I didn't know what to do, she has taken me to the emergency room when my husband couldn't because we had a child at home sick, she took me to the hospital when my Dad had a heart attack and stayed and prayed for and encouraged my whole family. There was a time our dog had a nasty ear infection which needed to be cleaned out daily (a very gross task) and she offered to come and even do that for me! Charlene has a nursing background and I have always made her my first call! She is my first call for
any crisis in my life, and I have asked her before how many friends have made her their first call as well! She won't admit it, but I know the number is countless - she has so many friends who love her and rely on her.
Charlene has been through every major event in my life for the last fifteen years. It started with choosing my husband (another story for another time), and extends to being at the hospital with every one of our children - one of which was born on her birthday! She has lovingly confronted me when I needed it, she has encouraged me when all hope was lost, she has prayed for me, cared for me, been happy for me when something good was happening, I could just go on and on. She has worked through very difficult issues in her life with incredible grace, patience and faith. She has had seasons in her life where it seems God was pressing her in on every side, but she always remained cheerful and her faith sustained her through every one of them.
As I go through life, I watch her example in so many areas, and there are times when I face a decision and I really should be saying "What would Jesus do?" and instead I say "What would Charlene do?"!! (I am working on that one Lord...) But I am so thankful that God has given this woman to be my friend, my mentor, my example, my Titus 2 woman... and as I have described her, and believe me, soooo much has been left out, you will probably say "She sounds just like the Proverbs 31 woman" and you are right. She is the living, breathing, real-life Proverbs 31 woman.
Thank you Charlene for all that you are, all that you have done, and all that you have meant to me. Thank you for your example as a mother and wife. I am humbled by and grateful for your friendship all these years. I love you. Happy Mothers Day!!
This was what we started with. Kind of boring...
You can see Danny and Ryan in the background. Danny laid all the stepping stones and spread all the heavy bags of mulch, with Ryan as his assistant. It was so much fun to work together on a project!
These are the pictures of the finished product!! We think it is "rather lovely", and look forward to the day we can put a bench out there and just sit and have our tea! Hannah will probably sit out there with a sketch pad and draw all of the flowers and bunnies. She loves to draw, especially things in nature.
