Get to know.....MICHELE RICHARDSON

Hi there!

One of the greatest privileges I have in my life is being involved in Legacy Moms, mainly because I get to be surrounded by the incredible women that make up our leadership team. They are truly remarkable women and I am really humbled to get to serve alongside them. I have learned so much from them. These are the women that sharpen me, hold me accountable, and listen when I need a friend. I would love for you to get to know each and every one one of them. So, every now and then I will feature one of them in The Journal. I hope that as you read the interviews, you will feel like you just sat down over a cup of coffee and got to know them personally. I also hope that as you get to know more about different people on our team, you will come to Legacy Moms, sit at different tables, and let us get to know you, too!

It is only fitting that I start with Michele Richardson, who is really the "hands and feet" of Legacy Moms, one of my dearest friends and someone I admire greatly:

What is your role in Legacy Moms? Co- Founder, VP and administrative coordinator to the leadership team

Tell me about your family. I have a godly husband, Toby. We have been married 16 years. Our three children are Graham (13), Kayli (10) and Ty is 7 years old. Toby is a territory manager for a company called Secure Computing. He works out of our home office which can be a blessing but also difficult in the summer with three loud kids who have friends over all the time! My children go to Liberty Christian School and love it! Graham is on the 8th grade football team. Kayli plays select softball with a group of Liberty friends and is very social. Ty is my outgoing, never met a stranger type of kid... He makes friends so easily. He loves Legos and action figures and can talk to a wall :)!

Where do you go to church and what sort of things are you involved in there?
We have been members at Fellowship Church for 16 years. Over the course of 16 years we have served as Sunday school/preschool teachers, Kindergarten leaders, HomeTeam leaders, Adventure Week volunteers, Prep. For Toddler leaders, Prep. For Parenting leaders, Growing Kids God way leaders, Reflections of Moral Innocence helpers and First Time Visitor Guides. We are currently HomeTeam Leaders in Southlake. We recently moved to Bartonville (Argyle) to be closer to the kids school which is making the drive to church more of a challenge... Especially the youth Wednesday night activities. So we are in prayer as to God’s will if we should find a new home church. What a difficult decision when we have been so blessed at FC for so long!

What is the most rewarding part of being involved in LM for you?
I love sitting around the table each month and hearing all that God is doing in the lives of the women at my table. Their stories encourage me and uplift me to be the best mom I can be. It is as if God has given Kym the perfect topic each month just for me to speak to my heart .

When did you become a Christian?
September 27, 1988. I was a sophomore at TCU and met a guy who loved Jesus. His example was so powerful in my life that I finally realized that all I needed to do was ask God to take control of my life and accept the gift of salvation without having to be perfect.... His grace was all I needed! So, in my dorm room that night, I got on my knees and asked Jesus into my heart and life hasn’t been the same since.... What a joy filled life I now live :)... God is so good!

Finish these statements:

If you see me around town it would most likely be at: the gym taking step classes, jogging around my neighborhood or playing tennis in Southlake.

The last great book I read was: The Shack by William P. Young.... Great book!

My favorite part of being a mom is: the hugs my 7 year old still gives, my sweet daughter always telling me she loves me and the deep talks about God I have with my teenager.

The most challenging part of being a mom is: Seeing my kids go through challenging times and letting God help them through it. I so badly want to go in and try to “fix it” for them.

The best advice I have ever received was: My mother-in-law is always giving me great godly advice and she is the one who has told me to let God work in my kids lives at a young age because she felt like she always went in the “fix” their problems and therefore they had to go through them again as adults etc...

My family would describe me as: Laid back and spontaneous.

The lesson God has been teaching me lately is: to trust my husband with all the decisions for our family. God has put him as head of this household and I need to follow his lead. I have known this for 16 years of marriage but when hard times come, I want to take control myself!

When my kids are grown, the thing I hope that remember about me the most is: My daily quiet times in the mornings... Praying and studying God’s word.

What I wish I had known when I first started having kids that I know now: what a great responsibility God has given me to raise these kids to follow Him and be servants for His kingdom. At first I thought it was all about the joy of having a family (and the tough times of nursing them and diapers etc..... )... now I know and hope my kiddos will grow to love Him with all their hearts and serve Him deeply as adults. I can’t wait to see what God does in their lives.

Thanks Michele! You are a blessing.