Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/975606
6 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2018 PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR Chris Jones Quincy, Hayden & Olive's dad BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom MEDIA & ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Julie Brosnan, twins Chris & Finn's mom Megan Walsh, Mia, Noelle, and Adelaide's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom SOCIAL MEDIA Brenda Sapanghila Archer, Maddox & Oliver's mom CALENDAR & COOL THINGS TO DO ELETTER Leigha Pecher Jake and Luke's mom EDUCATION ELETTER & EVENTS Debra Caffrey Aidan's mom INTERN Haley J Harkin parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540-429-3572 EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA E-MAIL webmaster@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540-429-3572 E-MAIL fredparenteditor@gmail.com SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's standards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information con- tained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are sub- ject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2018 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. WRITTEN BY CHRIS JONES LIKE facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent SIGN UP www.FredParent.net TWEET facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent PIN www.pinterest.com/ fredparent FOLLOW @fredparentmagazine I read the Bible every night as a kid. My grandmother believed it would lead to good character, and she worked to instill solid values in me. As I read the stories—Noah and the flood, Moses in Egypt, and David and Goliath—it wasn't just character that formed, though I grew from what I read. It was a love of story that took shape. I asked for illustrated Bibles. I wanted a visual reference of every tale. As I saw the stories, I acted them out. I whipped rocks through the air using a homemade sling like David. I drove large sticks into the stream hoping to part the waters like Moses. Those Old Testament stories ener- gized me, and it never got old. My affinity for David grew as I read the Psalms. I learned to appreciate poetry and wrote my own poems. As an adult, the New Testament influenced my personal development. Jesus, a master storyteller, taught me how to reach with people using illustrations in a story. Many of my favorite motiva- tional speakers—from John Maxwell to Eric Thomas—share this same influence. I appreciate my grandmother sharing her primary influence with me. It's something I do with my kids too. I share what I read, hear and watch with my kids. I want them to know what makes me tick. I want them to know what guides my life. How I'm influenced and who influences me affects them. My grandmother died in 2012. Of her possessions, the one I asked for was her pink Women's Study Bible. It has her underlines and highlights, and her notes etched in the margins. It smells like her cigarette smoke too. It helps me to know her mind even though she's gone. I hope my kids will use the tools I give them. I hope they apply the lessons that I share with them. When I'm gone, I hope they allow me to speak to them through my jour- nals. That's the influence I received and one I want to pass on. Lasting Influence letter to the readers "I want them to know what makes me tick. I want them to know what guides my life."