Today, my friend Emily is coming to stay with us for a week. She and I went to the same college, where we were placed in a "discipleship family" through the campus ministry. To her, and a handful of other girls, I am "Mama Liz," who was there through all the ups and downs of college life. With cupcakes, of course.
I loved being the mama in college, because, let's face it, I'm a meddler. I love digging around in people's emotional baggage. I love counseling them through it. I love eating cupcakes with them. Who wouldn't?
Most of these girls didn't require a lot of time or energy. They just needed someone to be there for the little things—coffee breaks, boy troubles, finals meltdowns. And I was happy to do that.
I had no idea how important those "little things" would turn out to be.
When we moved to Kosovo, the emails began. One after another, the girls I mentored in school continued to write me. Sometimes just to say they were thinking about me. Other times, to ask for advice or detail whatever crisis they might be going through. Before I knew it, every single girl had written to me, without me saying a word.
Most of these girls didn't require a lot of time or energy. They just needed someone to be there for the little things—coffee breaks, boy troubles, finals meltdowns. And I was happy to do that.
I had no idea how important those "little things" would turn out to be.
When we moved to Kosovo, the emails began. One after another, the girls I mentored in school continued to write me. Sometimes just to say they were thinking about me. Other times, to ask for advice or detail whatever crisis they might be going through. Before I knew it, every single girl had written to me, without me saying a word.
The family: Emily, Gretchen, Blair, Lauren, Areanna, and me!
I was so surprised at how much they all wanted to keep it up. In college, they couldn't really avoid me, I was so involved in everyone's life. Now, they could feel free to do what they wanted. But they all wanted to be discipled. Even if they had to send letters across the ocean, or come here themselves.
When Emily told me she would fly to Kosovo (from her program in England), I could hardly contain myself. The fact that she wanted to come all the way here spoke volumes to me. I'm so proud of the woman she's become, and I'm so humbled that she still wants to hang out with her "mama."
So let me just remind you all to take the time to be with people for the little things. It doesn't take a lot of effort to mentor someone. It can be a whole lot of fun, too. But best of all, it makes a difference. And when you're on the other side of the world, someone might just catch a plane to see you. And I can't tell you what that's worth.
Love to you,
Liz (and Sam)
As always, support can be sent to
Sam & Elizabeth Steere
3601 Ginger Creek Dr.
Springfield, IL 62711
Thank you!
When Emily told me she would fly to Kosovo (from her program in England), I could hardly contain myself. The fact that she wanted to come all the way here spoke volumes to me. I'm so proud of the woman she's become, and I'm so humbled that she still wants to hang out with her "mama."
So let me just remind you all to take the time to be with people for the little things. It doesn't take a lot of effort to mentor someone. It can be a whole lot of fun, too. But best of all, it makes a difference. And when you're on the other side of the world, someone might just catch a plane to see you. And I can't tell you what that's worth.
Love to you,
Liz (and Sam)
As always, support can be sent to
Sam & Elizabeth Steere
3601 Ginger Creek Dr.
Springfield, IL 62711
Thank you!
