Our mothers are truly two of the most amazing women we know! In honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to introduce you to the wonderful ladies that Ben and I have the privilege of calling mom.
My mom, Jeanette Franks, was born in Mount Pleasant, Utah. She spent several years as a third culture kid on an Apache Native American Reservation, where her parents were teachers. She later moved to Flagstaff, Arizona for high school, where she met my dad at a youth group dance in middle school. They got married 33 years ago when both were in college. My mom graduated from Northern Arizona University with a teaching degree, and eventually earned her master’s in education from the same university. She taught in low socio-economic school districts for almost a decade. After I was born, she decided to stay home with me and educate me and my sister at home until we both graduated high school. Now, she and my dad live in Glendale, Arizona, where she loves to mentor other women, volunteer, write, hike, and raise a beautiful garden.
My favorite memories with my mom are the times she would take me somewhere– like downtown Glendale to wander through antique shops–and just talk with me for hours. We’ve spent a lot of time together scrapbooking, traveling, hiking, or just sitting over tea and chatting on a weekend morning. My mom is my best friend, my mentor, and my inspiration. She taught me to follow Jesus with both her words and her actions. To put it Dutch Bros Barista terms, she’s “goals.”
Ben’s mom, Ruth Johnson, was born in Burundi, a tiny country in East Africa. She spent most of her childhood as a third culture kid in Democratic Republic of the Congo. She went to high school in Flagstaff, Arizona. After earning a certificate in Bible after high school, she spent some time working in a Christian bookstore in California. She later returned to Congo to work at a orphanage and reconnected with a childhood playmate, who became her husband. They have been married and working as missionaries in Africa for 39 years. Mom raised seven children (Ben was number six) in East Africa. Now, she runs women’s ministries Kigoma, Tanzania and is an amazing grandma to fifteen grandchildren.
Ben’s favorite memories of his mom are seeing her worship Jesus with joy at nightly family devotions. She taught him a lot about trusting God and having compassion on others.
We are so thankful for these women who have been our mothers, teachers, and mentors. You deserve honor not just on Mother’s Day, but every day! We love you.