{Lisa Box}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

I grew up in Santiago, Chile (my parents were missionaries), so my best memories with my dad are of hiking and camping in the amazing Chilean Andes and the south of Chile. My dad grew up in Missouri and didn't see the ocean until he was 18...he came to Oregon to build fences during the summer after his freshman year of college, and he fell in love with mountains and beaches.  He taught me to appreciate natural beauty, and to this day whenever I go somewhere beautiful, I think about how much my dad would love it.

2. What are some of your goals for the next five years?

 My biggest goal is to put down roots in Salem and build community.  We moved here 10 months ago, after living in Oklahoma, Chile, and Seattle, and I'm ready to be in one place for a while!!!

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

My grey patagonia fleece...and flip flops.  If I can wear both together, even better.  It means it's the perfect temperature.

4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Unloved and unwanted kids.  After having 3 kids of my own, it's unfathomable to me that there are kids in this world who don't know love.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Well, I'm not looking to move any time soon...BUT if I could have insta-community (or take family/friends with me) I would move to New Zealand.

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

I really love bread, cheese and fruit (and could happily eat them every day for the rest of my life.)

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

Explore nature with my husband and 3 kids.

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

See #7 :)

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

The "Happy" station on Pandora.  Last week my five-year-old said in the middle of dinner, "I think we need to pause for a dance party."  My work is done. :)

10. What do you wish you were better at?

Sleeping!  Seriously, if I could have any super-power it would be to be able to fall asleep anywhere, any time.

11. How has God blessed you this week?

Through the beauty of Spring and through friends reaching out and reminding me I'm not alone.

12. What event changed your life?

Moving to the States for college when I was 18 (14 years ago this month!).  

{Jessie Doneth}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

My favorite memory of my dad is in Middle School when he helped coach my basketball team we'd have to leave church early on Sundays to make it to practice.  The best part was we'd usually stop somewhere on the way to practice and eat lunch together just the two of us.  My dad worked a lot growing up and I didn't see him much so to have some one on one time over a cheeseburger and fries on Sundays before practice was such a treat for me. 

2. What are some of your goals for the next five years?

That's a question I haven't been asked since I worked outside of the home.  I think to just be the best wife, mom and friend I can be.  To listen to Gods call on my life and be willing to obey when he asks something of me.  I hope growing our family is a part of the next 5 year plan as well.

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

Right now my maternity jeans. I have three of the same pairs that I rotate.  I live in them and I secretly wish I could always wear them pregnant or not.  They are so dang comfortable!

4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Hunger

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

So if were talking in a perfect world scenario I'd rather get a vacation house somewhere sunny (like Arizona or Hawaii) to escape the rainy seasons instead of moving permanently and take family and friends with me.    

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

I'd say right now during pregnancy its olives.  I crave that salty, briny flavor.  I can knock down an entire can of them while making dinner if I'm not careful.  But normally non pregnancy its anything chocolate. 

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

Kiss and snuggle both Jason and Drew and soon to be baby boy Doneth every day!

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

Traveling to new places with Jason, but specifically our trip to New Zealand.

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

Well...I have a worship playlist that I listen to on shuffle especially during nap time that I love that I could choose any of those songs as a favorite.  I just checked my music app and it says How he loves by David Crowder Band.  

10. What do you wish you were better at?

I wish I liked to cook and was better at it (I'm sure my husband Jason would agree).  Even with the help of Pinterest I'm still not very good.  I should have a board of failed recipes that I've made my family try.  Haha 

11. How has God blessed you this week?

I'd say hearing the heartbeat of our healthy baby boy #2 on Wednesday with my son Drew.  Two beautiful miracles that we've prayed for over 8 years! 

12. What event changed your life?

I'd say our 8 year long continued fertility journey has rocked and changed me to the core.  I've been able to experience every emotion good, hard, beautiful and thankfully miraculous along this journey.    I can say that I've sensed His peace and comfort and even joy in times of total uncertainty, loss and grief.  He's meets me regularly along this journey in lots of different ways through His word, quiet, my family and friends, music, sermons, encouraging texts and cards, etc.  I am a much different person today and love and experience things in much richer and deeper ways then before because of walking this road of infertility.  I wouldn't want to have to do it over but I wouldn't change what I've gained through it either.      

{Rebecca Butler}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

There are so many, it's hard to choose! I just love my Dad. My Mom often had church meetings in the evenings so we were left to ourselves, and often planned something fun to do together.  I have to say the memory that evokes the most smiles was around Halloween. You know those really freaky rubber mask faces you can buy? We were always going around the house trying to "out-scare" each other wearing those. One night we decided to put them on "fake people" who were sitting on our front porch to decorate for Halloween (which is funny because we lived out in the country and NEVER had any trick or treaters). We stuffed old jeans and flannel shirts and added pumpkins and cornstalks. It looked awesome! But my favorite part of the night was after we finished the front porch decorations, we made a Halloween tape to play for ALL (none!) the trick or treaters to listen to as they approached our front porch. We made up names for each other (Chris and Ann) and acted like someone was breaking in our house to do something scary to us. We screamed as loud as we could, sharpened knives and turned on the garbage disposal to make "scary" sounds into the tape recorder....that's right, I said tape recorder. Remember those? We still call each other "Chris" and "Ann" to this day around Halloween!


2. What are some of your goals for the next five years?
Organize our family photos and put them into albums. 

Take a road trip to Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion national parks. 

Become a good aunt. 

Find a house for our family that will hopefully be our forever home. 

Go on more walks. 

Trust God MORE!


3. What is your favorite item of clothing?
My GoLite down jacket 


4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Abuse and trafficking of any kind, but especially involving children.



5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
The South of France.  


6. What is your favorite thing to chew?
Creamy Peanut butter, it's pretty chewy, right?!

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?
This is such a hard question! This sounds really Christian-y, but I think it would be to spend time with Jesus. After this week's lesson on surrender, I just realize how much the things and people of this life disappoint, but Jesus never does.

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?
Moving to France and opening a bed and breakfast with my husband and two kids. 

 

 
9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)? Oceans by Hillsong 

 

 

10. What do you wish you were better at?
Praying and memorizing scripture.

 

 

11. How has God blessed you this week? Sitting outside on our quiet back porch, feeling the sunshine on my face, seeing the trees and daffodils in bloom, and the peony shoots coming up!

 

 

12. What event changed your life? Having my first child. I never realized how hard it is to be a Mom, and how selfish I am! It takes so much dying to self. What a lesson though, in how much God must love us and how much MORE I need to depend on Him.

{Amy Billera}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

I don't really have any big ones. I guess I just remember how patient and flexible he was with me. Like when he would take me to five places to look for new shoes cause I wasn't quite sold on any of them, just to end up back at the first place. or when I was soooo scared to ride in the car with the big extension ladder on the top, so he and I walked home and carried the ladder. or when he would stay up late to help me finish my homework when I just couldn't get it.


2. What are some of your goals for the next five years?
Become proficient in Sign Language, Be Debt Free, Become  a Licensed Labor Doula,  Not let the stress of life take the fun out of being a mom.  Spend more time in the country.

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

My Jeans. Wish I had more of them. But I live in my jeans. They are comfy, and when I get kid stuff on them it doesn't show as much.

4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Child abuse.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I Don't know about location, but where ever it was, there would be 10 acres, a nice country house with a wood burning fireplace right in the middle, it would be near some mountain range,
with blue skies, and lots of things to do outside with the kids.

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

It would be a tie between those chewy gobstopers, and a really good tiramisu cake. the gobstopers are addictive and I have trouble not finishing a whole thing of them. But Tiramisu is like chocolate coffee heaven.

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

I think I would Pick cuddling with my family. kids, hubby, both are good. That or drinking Coffee and eating chocolate ;)

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

motherhood ;) also doing just about anything new and fun or exciting. I like to take road trips, go new places, meet people,

eat at new places. do new activities. I think its kinda unpredictable too.

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

Good Morning, by Mandisa. I like just about anything by her really. and Ive been listening to a lot of worship music.

10. What do you wish you were better at?

 uh what don't I wish I were better at :) Being patient with my kids. Being more organized and less forgetful, Making Friends, ASL, Playing Piano, teaching my kids,  being more decisive.


11. How has God blessed you this week?
Its been the little things really. like weather that we can go play in, good behavior from my kids during my first solo trip with all four of them, "the joy of the lord is my strength" popping into my head in the middle of "one of THOSE days", and sweet moments with my little monkeys.

12. What event changed your life?

I think it was finding out I was pregnant with my third little one 3 months after I had my second baby. My Mom was having life and death health issues, my aunt died, we had moved to a place where we knew barely anyone, and we just found out our baby had a hearing loss, but I think I was handling it ok ya know. God really shook my world and has used it to bring me where he wanted my by giving me my third baby so soon. I realized I couldn't do it alone, moved back to Oregon, had my son in the place that inspired me to want to help other mamas in labor, and want to have a fourth baby, and lots of other stuff. I went from tryingto be super mom, and do it myself to really wanting to love God more and be where he wants me to be.

{Sarah Clews}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

When I was 7 or 8, he took me to see Star Wars in the theater. It was my first movie in the theater and I felt like such a big girl.

2. What are some of your goals for the next five years?

Produce some more children, pay off debt so we can be debt free, and go through a car wash (I've never been).

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

Do boots count? I got my first pair for Christmas and I love them.

4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Hungry children. No one should be hungry.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I actually would still live right here in Salem, Oregon. It's just the right amount of everything for me and I live 5 minutes from Nordstrom. Also, there tend to not be any large bugs. My fear of insects and spiders would pretty much prevent me from living anywhere else.

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

Donuts. I love them. I wish I could pay to have them delivered on days when I have a sick kid and can't go out to buy one.

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

I guess I would read because then I'm not really just doing one thing...I could read about all kinds of adventures.

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

Skydiving. I almost went when my husband and I first got married, but I've chickened out since then.

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

It's hard to choose, because I tend to listen to a very wide variety of music and mostly the radio. However, I would say the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (from the movie Despicable Me 2).

10. What do you wish you were better at?

I wish I had better directional skills; I tell people I am "directionally impaired." I use the gps on my phone constantly.

11. How has God blessed you this week?

My husband and I were very blessed to pay off his student loan this week. Thank you God for the money and for leading us to Dave Ramsey!

12. What event changed your life?

The time I attended a Generation Unleashed conference (as a leader). I was going through one of the hardest times in my life and had  really pulled away from God. I felt like He was my enemy. The worship music was incredible and they played a song "Standard." "When the enemy comes like a flood, You'll raise the standard, no weapons formed against me will stand." It was a reminder that God was not my enemy, and so this event was a huge turning point for me.

{Jana Koning}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

My dad and I used to paint houses together during the summer. It was great to work side by side with him hearing his childhood stories, his faith, and love for his family. I will cherish those moments forever.



2. Most poignant goal for the next five years?

I wish I was more goal oriented. I guess at this stage in my life, I am trying to get through the next five minutes:)




3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

Any sweatshirt!

4.  What section of Target do you like to hang out in the most?

The home section. Although lately I have  been hanging out mostly in the toys.  

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Italy Cinque Terre. Absolutely beautiful, and the food is divine!

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

This might sound lame, but I love watermelon bubble gum. It doesn't last long:) 



7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be? 
Squeeze my three kiddos all day. 

 
8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?
A road trip!!! I love road trips! We are hoping to take a trip this spring, but with three little ones, we are a little apprehensive.

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

Little Big Town- To know Love.

10. What do you wish you were better at?

Anything crafty.

11. How has God blessed you this week?

Lots of precious moments with my children. Dancing with them, reading to them before bedtime, tickling them, and more.

12. What event changed your life?

When my first child, William, was born. Best feeling in the world. And most painful:)

{Sara Mize}

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

Teaching me how to ride a dirt bike when I was 10.  I remember being so scared, and him saying "We'll take it nice and easy, I'll be right here, I won't let you crash". After a few lessons and I had the biggest smile, you just can't buy that kind of happiness!

2. Most meaningful goal for the next five years?

I'm sad to say I haven't made any goals for this year.  Maybe I should make a goal to make goals?  Ha!

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

 Layering tank tops, I love them for their extra coverage when tops are a bit lower cut than I'd like.

4. If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

That there are children in our world that have never felt love, been held, heard someone tell them they are loved and wanted.  Ugh, just breaks my heart.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I feel so blessed to be right where I want to live for the rest of my life.  I've been lucky to travel to other countries and see other parts of our county, but nothing feels like home, like Oregon.

6. What is your favorite thing to chew?

You know the chocolate pastries at Panera Bread?  Those.  If you've never had one, go get one now.

7. If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

Snuggle in bed with my son & hubby.  I cherish Saturday mornings that we all get to hang out in bed watching cartoons.

8. When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

I would love to go on a family trip to Yellowstone.  I went as a kid and remember seeing Old Faithful and my dad getting chased by a moose cause he wanted a really up close picture (another fond memory).  

9. What is the most listened-to song on your iPod (or other music listening device)?

I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons

10. What do you wish you were better at?

Menu planning.  Even with all the ideas I've pinned with Pinterest I still struggle to get weekly menus organized.  

11. How has God blessed you this week?

On Sunday we celebrated my son, Scott's, 3rd Birthday.  It always fills me with joy to have family together.  Its priceless to watch a toddler go bananas over play-doh and logging trucks.  Life is awesome!

12. What event changed your life?
Becoming a mother.  It completely took my breath away, and does often with how lucky I am to be his mommy!