Mentor of Faith // Rebecca

Rebecca Huth was recommended to be a HHH Mentor when a mutual friend shared Rebecca's article "My God Will Never Leave Me" from Forward in Christ, a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran magazine. In the article, Rebecca tells her story of growing up in India, being adopted by Americans, and overcoming many heart breaks and obstacles of life while being held by God's love and grace for her. After reading the article (I highly recommend!) read her interview below where Rebecca shares lessons from the past, present and her confidence in the future - the LORD. 

Tell us more about yourself, what is a regular day like for you? 

"My regular day begins with getting up around 6:30 in morning every day. As soon as I get up I make sure my two boys are getting ready for the day and I feed my baby daughter. Then I get myself ready, feed the boys some breakfast and make sure that my oldest is ready for school. For about 12 weeks, I was taking care of the boys myself because my husband was working in Marshfield and Rhinelander, WI for school.

When my daughter was born, it became very hard for me to get up and keep going with the day before I could take a break. I spend the day feeding the kids, playing with them, and now that it is nice outside I go to the park with them. By the time my husband gets home from work I start making supper. About an hour after supper the kids go to bed. Then my husband and I try to catch up on our day if we have the energy, and we go to bed. My husband is gone before we get out of bed, and he comes home around 4p.m every day. It gets overwhelming at times because of the energy it takes to nurse a baby and make sure the boys are getting my attention."

How would you describe your unique role as a woman? 

"If I had to describe my role as a woman, I would say that I am very determined and motivated. For 16 months straight I was enrolled in school. I was taking anywhere from 18 to 21 credits a semester. The school gave me two and half years to finish my degree but, I wanted to complete it in a year and half. I was able to accomplish my goal. Now I have more time to pay attention to my children.

When I was in school one of the comments my oldest son said to me was, “Mom, I don’t like it when you do so much at home. It makes me sad because you are not keeping an eye on me!” When I heard this, I was awakened by his comment. He was right that I was not keeping an eye on him. To him, “keeping an eye” is playing, talking, and paying attention to what the boys are doing. I was in the same room as them but I was on the computer writing papers or working on something else. I did not give them my full attention. My unique role is setting goals and completing them right away so I can spend time with my children."

What bible passage is your personal favorite? 

"I have many favorite passages that I use on a regular basis. It is hard for me to pick one that I hold dear to. If I had to choose, it would be this one:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give  you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

This passage was chosen for my high school graduation verse. It was fitting for me when I lived in India, when I came to America and went off to high school. It is still fitting in every chapter of my life. The passage is my heartbeat; I live by it every day because I do not know what the next day brings to my adventure. I have been married for almost 6 years, every year my husband and I have had to face some sort of challenge. 

First, it was health. I quit college to work full-time but lost my job shortly after. We moved to a place where I did not know a single soul. Following, my second child was born and I lost my nephew to heart defect within seven months. Then we moved again because of my husband’s schooling which required a lot of traveling from Northern Wisconsin to Central Wisconsin. He applied for many residencies and did not get in but now he is applying and still has no job. Graduation is four weeks away and he still has no job offers.

I look to Jeremiah 29:11 more often these days because I do not know what God’s plans are for the next few months. I am confident knowing that God’s plans for my family are far better than I can imagine."

Who is your strongest Christian mentor?

"I have two mentors who have touched my life. My first mentor was Pastor Mark Wagner from Grafton, WI. When I shared my story with him way before I had even thought about writing to “Forward in Christ”, he encouraged me to share the story with others because it is a unique story. For two years, I did not take his advice, then one day, I decided that it is about time I should let go of what happened in the past. The only way I could do that was share it to others. Pastor Wagner was happy to hear that I was willing to share my personal story to others. He was encouraging every step of the way and he helped me write the story. 

My second mentor would have to be Pastor Henke from Appleton, WI. He is constantly helping me and encouraging me to be a mature young Christian woman. I have hit some rough patches in the last year that Pastor Henke is willing to work with me and constantly teach me how to be a fearful young Christian woman. I have learned a lot from these two pastors. 

I moved to Grafton without knowing anyone in the area. As I met more members and got to know the pastor; I was able to open up and share my story to Pastor Wagner. For me, it took a lot of courage to share my experiences with someone I had only known for a year. When I moved to Appleton I did not share my story with Pastor Henke and was going through depression. Instead of seeking help from friends and family, I began to take my anger and regret on those around me which affected my marriage greatly. Pastor Henke was concerned for me and my marriage and asked to help me. I never thought that someone cared that much about me or cared enough to help me save my marriage and mature to be a God-fearing Christian young woman.

I do have to say that God sends people in our lives when we least expect it. I never thought these two pastors would make such an impact in my life, but they have. I am so grateful for them. I have learned so much from these two pastors, whether it is through sermons, bible studies, or counseling." 

Can you share any advice to encourage a husband in his faith and role? 

"I am not the best person to ask for advice on how to encourage a husband in his faith and role in marriage. I have a husband who is constantly encouraging me in my faith and my role in the marriage. If I had to give advice, it would be that a husband should always involve Christ in the decisions he makes whether it is with his family or for himself. Before I married my husband, I told him right away that having Christ at the center of my marriage is very important to me. My husband agreed. We both knew that the third strand in our marriage is very important, because “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b). Husbands should love their wives in the way “Christ loved the church”. 

When I was a newlywed, my husband and I used to read devotions together in the morning and at night. We would take turns every night saying a bedtime prayer. When we had children, our schedules got so busy that we both would pray and have devotions with the kids. When I moved to Grafton, I attended a class with my husband called “God’s Way”. It was good for us. We both did our assignments together and attended the class once a week.

As the years went by, we drifted away from our personal devotions we used to have. I can say this confidently that I am going to be starting up this again. It is a shame that we fell away from this bonding we both had in the word. It is very important to study God’s word not only with the children but also as a couple. Nothing is more precious than studying God’s word together.

When husbands and wives do this, their children will see and learn from it too. Children learn from what they see and hear, therefore it is important for them to see how important God’s word is and they will learn to grow in the word like their parents."

Is there anything specific from Titus 2:3-5, our blog's mission, that you would like to comment on to encourage women? 

"Titus 2:3-5 is a great passage to have as a mission statement for a blog. It is true that older women should set an example for the younger women. I have heard multiple times that children learn from what they see and hear. I believe that if older women do not teach the younger ones to be good and modest women in the church and community, the younger women will not learn how to be one unless they are taught. I will use my mother-in law as an example. She is a hard-working wife and mother. Living at home, she has all three sons, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and her husband is retired. You can only imagine how difficult this might seem from time to time. In the last year that I have spent living her, I have learned how to be a good wife, daughter, and mother. She does not directly teach me or tell me how to be a wife and mother to my children and husband, but I can see and learn from her example. She comes home without complaining, willingly starts supper, and takes care of whatever house work that needs to be done a regular basis.

When my daughter was born, I chose to take on more responsibility. I chose to have supper started and take care of the things that I know how to and make sure that I am taking care of my children. As I began to do this more and more, I learned that being a wife and a mother is such a wonderful blessing God has given me. Now that I have a daughter, I can teach the things that I am learning from the example my mother-in-law has set for her family. My mother-in-law may not hear it from me or her sons, but I am SO BLESSED to have her in my life. She is such a wonderful person to be around. I can confidently say that my mother-in-law is the “wife of a noble character” from the book of Proverbs 31. This is the kind of wife and mother I want to be every day. Therefore, every woman should leave this kind of example for the younger women so that they know how to treat their husband and children."

What do you feel is a threat to a woman's faithfulness in her home?

"I know a lot of single mothers from school. I compliment them because it is hard to go to work, school, and raise a family. I think that single mothers feel like they do not get recognized for the work they do in order raise their families.  I cannot imagine how difficult it can be. Social media can be a threat to them because they feel like they have to live up to other people’s standards. I only say this because I used to feel like that.

It is good from women to remember that they are children of God and whatever they do, do it all to the glory of God. Too many times we feel like we have to live up to others’ standards than praise and thank the God who has blessed us with more than we could ever ask or want.

What we do every day, whether it is getting up in the morning and taking care of our children or getting up and going to work, you do it for HIM who bought you with HIS own PRECIOUS BLOOD."

Can you share an event in your life that was difficult that God strengthened you through? 

"As long as I can remember, life has been difficult for me all around. My mother committed suicide when I was five years old. At age 8, my father could not raise three daughters and a son, so he gave up his three daughters for adoption. When I was about ten and a half years old, I left the only life I had known and came to a country where I did not know anyone, or the culture. I attended high school away from home, which was scary at first, but as I made friends it became easier. Then I went away to college in a different state and got married two and a half years later.

When my first son was born, it was scary to be a mother, because parenting did not come with an instruction manual. I moved back to Wisconsin but lived in a different town. I did not know anyone. But in the four years I lived in Grafton, God blessed me with some great women who have made an imprint in my life. These women will always be remembered in my heart. Now I am waiting patiently for my husband's graduation, my graduation, and for God to bless my husband with a job. These are the events that have impacted my life greatly. The challenges I have faced in the last twenty years of my life have been filled with happiness, sorrow, heartbreak, and trials, but God was with me all along. There was a time where I abandoned my Savior, who still held on to me. When I lost my biological family, I thought I would never have another family again.

Through my journey in life, God has taught me patience, love, and strength. He is my stronghold and my sure defense. He never left my side. Through my experiences God taught me that He alone is in control. Even though the plans I set out for myself were not accomplished, God in his great love for me, showed his plans were far better for me than I could have ever imagined. Through HIS plans, God was always pointing me to HIMSELF, not only for comfort and encouragement, but most of all for his strength to get through the rough patches in my life. Jesus showed me how he is the way. He directed me to a wonderful family in WI, blessed me with a Christian husband who loves me, and three beautiful children who bring such joy to my life every day. Through the events I faced my in life I learned that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life."

Is there a moment when God's hand clearly guided or provided for you that you would like to share?

"I clearly saw HIS hand guiding and providing for me in every event of my life. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I did not have a God who loved me so much that not only had HIS Son die for me, but he also guards, protects, guides, and provides for me, even when I deserted him.

I am so uncertain about my husband’s future, but I know that wherever we go God’s hand will always be guiding us. I never have to doubt about his guidance in my life."

What's next for you?

"Well, I can say that the end of this chapter in my life is graduation for my husband and I. My husband has been in school for eight years to earn a degree in Pharmacy and I am finishing up my Bachelor’s Degree that I had started back at Bethany Lutheran College. I am completing my degree through an Adult Accelerated program at Concordia University Wisconsin. We are both happy to finish school. 

The next chapter in our life is uncertain right now, because we do not know where we will be moving or where my husband will get a job. However, I will say this confidently, no matter what happens in our life, I know that God has a plan for us even though we uncertain of it. I wait patiently for the Lord to help me start the next chapter in my life."

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Thank you for sharing your story with us, Rebecca. Your favorite bible passage, Jeremiah 19:11, certainly is a suitable one for you as God has strengthened you to live with confidence. Another bible passage that your interview reminds me of is Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." I am grateful for your courage to use your story to God's glory! Please keep us updated to where God calls your family next. We would love to keep in touch and update our readers! :)

** May 2014 update from Rebecca: "My husband Adam has accepted a job offer with Walgreen Pharmacy .We are looking forward to it. Currently, I am working with a realtor in the area to find a place for us to live. I will be staying home with the kiddos. The boys will be attending a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod school and church. I am so thankful for this wonderful blessing God has blessed us with."