Look who's visiting us today! It's Tami Engle, all the way from Forest Grove. She stuck around Sunday after the baptism at Ashberry Lane and let me interview her. Luckily, she was wearing casual business attire and I decided to hire her on the spot! Actually, we sat under the shade of the patio umbrella and I asked her a few questions.
Sherrie: How long have you and Tom been married?
Tami: Next Sunday we'll celebrate our twelfth anniversary.
Sherrie: That's wonderful! Has he always been a techie kind of guy?
Tami: Yes. I think he was born with a computer in his hand! We moved here from Spokane about ten years ago so he could get on with Intel.
Sherrie: I know you're a stay-at-home mom of three kids. Have you ever worked outside the home?
Tami: Not really. This has pretty much been my life.
Sherrie:What do you like best about getting to stay home?
Tami: I like getting to catch every big moment in their life. I feel I have greater insights into the kids. And I've noticed the lectures I give to them return to me.
Sherrie: I know what you mean! John used to say that when he'd have to get after our son for something, he'd realize God was saying, "You know, you do the same thing to Me!" What challenges do you face in parenting?
Tami: That of stepping out of the situation and seeing the big picture when I'm in the midst of things with the kids. To be able to grant them their own side and not insist they see everything the way I do.
Sherrie: What are your hobbies?
Tami: I guess children.
Sherrie: No, that doesn't count! What would you do if you had the time and resources?
Tami: I'm a tomboy. I would really like to become a Master Falconer.
Sherrie: Really? That's amazing! Have you started the process at all?
Tami: Well, I met a couple of people who are falconers, but I haven't even read any books about it yet. It's just something that really interests me. As far as other hobbies, I'd have to say archery and camping. I told you I was a tomboy!
Sherrie: How did you come to know the Lord?
Tami: I grew up in a Christian home and we went to church nearly every Sunday. There were so many blessings in my life because of that. And I'd have to say that AWANA played a big part in my spiritual growth. I accepted Christ into my life when I was five, but it was a long journey after that for me to see that I needed Christ and not just a religion.
Sherrie: That's an area that trips up a lot of people. What is the best way you've found for growing in your Christian walk?
Tami: I'd have to say it's reading my Bible. That has revolutionized my life. When I really get the concept that God is living and active, that makes a huge difference. I like things very formulated and logical, and God isn't that way all the time! I'm always discovering more about trusting vs. control.
Sherrie: And now to the deeply personal question--what is your favorite candy?
Let the guessing begin! Leave your guess, along with your name, as a comment. If you're the first person to guess correctly, you'll win that candy. Since no one guessed Chrissy's from last week, I'm now at liberty to announce that it was Red Licorice!
This week's event: A redo of the Forest Grove Farmer's Market. Remember the last time we were going to meet there a few weeks ago? Well, it was so hot no one wanted to attend. So we're trying again this week. Meet at the ice cream shop on the corner of Main and Pacific at 5 PM. We'll browse through the array of fresh bounty as well as listen to our own Nicole Chan perform. Children (and husbands) are invited to join you.
Upcoming events: I need help, ladies! I'm running out of ideas, as well as I will be out of town for a week or two. Would someone like to volunteer to host a game night? Or just a night of getting together to hang out and visit? We've done a lot of things during the day lately, which means the women who work outside the home don't have an opportunity to attend. I'd like to have several "women only" events during August. Please help me out!! Contact me by phone or email at the address below.
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director 971-285-6699 sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com
I MADE A MISTAKE! I MADE A MISTAKE! I only gave Tami credit for three kids in my interview instead of the four she actually has. (I think she gave birth overnight, which changed my statistics!!) My only out is that I was writing at midnight and can't count after 11 PM!
ReplyDeletetoo funny, Sherrie. . . statistics are all in the interpretation anyhow, right?
ReplyDeleteTom insisted that my favorite candy bar is Kit Kat, which is when I had to confess that my true favorite never survives the long trip home from the store. . .
~tami
That's really funny, Tami, about your favorite candy never making it all the way home!! That comment put some joy in my day!! I laughed outloud.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! And, I think you may have dropped a hint. . .
ReplyDelete~tami
Almond Joy!!! :p
ReplyDeleteFunny, as I was reading I thought, "I could have sworn there were 4 kids ..."
Beautiful pic, Tami! Put that up as your profile on facebook. :D
And the winner is ...Christina!! Would you have got it if Tami hadn't said I'd dropped a hint? Congratulations and expect an Almond Joy to show up at your house someday soon!
ReplyDeleteHey no fair.. I would have never caught on to the hint.. Christina and you have the same brain, you know!! I think she needs to share some licorice :) you crack me up Sherrie, 3 kiddos I started adding them in my head and thinking, we are missing someone..!! thought I was crazy which is true too! Tami~you are just the best, your smile is so genuine and full of love! Love that your sis brings that girly side out and gets you to glam up too :) No wonder you are such a great Awana leader!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I will gladly award Christina a package of Red Vines for guessing red rope for Chrissy's candy last week. I just didn't want it to look like I was playing favorites by giving my own daughter something when the candy wasn't the EXACT right name! Didn't want to be accused of nepotism, or whatever that big word is!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are all so much fun on here. We've got to get more women involved each week. I haven't even heard a peep from Nathalie this week. Usually she's guessing like crazy!!
And to further confuse the issue of how many issues Tami has had, the Wapato pictorial directory shows her with four children, but only lists the names of three in the addresses in the back. What's a woman to do?? Don't forget Farmer's Market tomorrow.
Thank you, Chrissy! Of course, I'm usually smiling around you, because you bring the fun! Especially this last Spring, at retreat, it was great to spend time talking. And yes, my sister definitely challenges me to get out of my jeans and t-shirt rut. :)
ReplyDeleteSherrie, I'm glad you think I only have those issues! lol If you fear the appearance of nepotism, I could find that Almond Joy a home where it could be loved and nutritious. . . at least with Christina living so close it might survive the trip between your home and hers.
Nathalie's mom is in town, so I'm sure they're out doing fun mother-daughter stuff. I hope we'll see them today at the F. M.
~tami