In our youth most of us have dreams of who we want to be or what we want to do with our lives. Often times these dreams are formed by influences of people and events that surround us. We are inspired or uninspired by family, friends, teachers and various role models. Personally I never had a specific job title or vision for a career set before me. As someone who finds satisfaction in the “doing” of life that has been frustrating at times. (It’s hard to focus on doing when you don’t know what you want to do 
) Growing up what I did with my life was never given much importance. The who I was becoming, especially in my relationship with Christ was always a focal point. So when asked in my teen years what I wanted to do when I grew up, I didn’t know. Yet, I knew who I wanted to be like, still do.
When I grow up I want to be just like my Grandma Tromsness. Grandma has lived a life that for me tells the story of Proverbs 31. She is a women of nobel character. She is not perfect but she has lived in a way that you can’t help but admire. It would take an entire book to share all the storys and characteristics that are admirable in her. We could sit and talk about making paper dolls, celebrating life, picking fresh vegetables in the garden, canning or making home made yogurt. These were all fun memories but the best memory and gift I have been given is that of prayer. As young children we eagerly went to bed when told at Grandma’s house. The option was going to bed or participating in the stacks of prayer folders that were taken out each evening. Time spent faithfully praying over missionary news letters, friends and family members prayer requests. The hours in prayer they have spent over each one of their children, grandchildren and now great- grandchildren have been evident in all our lives. I have not been blessed with the spiritual gift of prayer but rather I have been inspired by the example of praying for the generations of our family.
(My oldest son at 3 months talking with my Grandma, his Great-Grandma)
Fortunately for me I have also on occasion been told by family members that I inherited some of my grandmother, love of organizing (and labeling), experimenting in the kitchen and tone deafness; just to name a few. While I have some of my Grandmother in me there is no mistaking that I look just like my mother. It is easy having grown up day in and out with “mom” to focus on all the things that I don’t want to do (which by the way I do them all now). I myself a “mom” am recognizing that there are a lot of ways I want to be just like my own Mom when I grow up. My Mom is not perfect but she is a great Mom, to more than just her three girls. Sometimes as kids and even now as adults it’s easy to be jealous of having to share Mom’s love with so many others. While she has not legally adopted, she has emotionally adopted more kids and grandkids then I can keep up with. My Mom made our home a place where everyone felt welcome to come and stay. It was a place where you made your own lunch, put your feet on the coffee table and felt comfortable taking a nap on the couch. As a young wife creating the environment of my first home my Mom reminded me to make sure that people always felt important and welcome in my home. I have not been blessed with the gift of hospitality but rather I have been inspired by the example of placing value and importance in making people feel welcome.
(Me, my Mom and Sister shortly after the birth of my second Son)
Not everyone has the privilege of having generations of Godly women to learn from. While my Grandmother and my Mother are not perfect they are perfect examples of living out Christ in everyday life. There are many more examples of ways they have inspired and blessed just not enough time to share them all. I still have no idea what I want to “do” when I grown up. Yet when it comes to the person I hope to be; well I’d like to have a few little pieces of my Grandma and a few of my Mom. The ones that matter most. I want to love God with all my heart and I want to pass that down through the generations. I want to remember the importance of prayer and value in time spent praying. I want to love people and I want to pass that on to my children. I want to remember the importance of investing in others and living an outward focused life.
Maybe someday I will figure out what I want to “do” with my life. Until then I shall be thankful for the blessing I have been given in the lessons learned from my Grandmother and my Mother all these years. When I grow up I want to be…………..
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