My Siblings

So now that you have met my parents, I probably should introduce you to my three crazy siblings and my brother-in-law and sisters-in-law (who I consider to be just as worthy of the title "sibling" as my three biological ones).

Matt (Pictured on the far left): His three words would probably be passionate, tender, and protective. Ever since high school, Matt has had a knack for teaching. He knows how to communicate lessons and truths to people of all ages with skill and ease. It is clearly a God-given gift that he has been instilled with. One of the neatest things is getting to watch Matt teach (he is a junior high Bible & history teacher at Trinity Classical Academy). He cares about his students so much, has a passionate love of the subjects he teaches, and he constantly tries to keep his teaching methods fresh, fun, and motivational so that the kids will want to learn. Beyond teaching, Matt is passionate about theology. He always is asking Dad some thought-provoking question, or looking up the answer to something on his own. He often leads my family in fascinating discussions around the lunch table. He is very passionate about his walk with Christ and about rooting out anything that diminishes his love for his Savior. While Matt is tough, fit, and often walks around with a more serious countenance, he is very tender. I love to watch the way he takes care of his pregnant wife, Ashley, or the way he holds and talks to his nine month old daughter Reese. When you bring a concern to Matt's attention, he is likely to respond to it with a soft, teachable spirit. Finally, Matt is protective. He has always been that way. He used to be protective of my sister and I back in high school and now he funnels this instinctive nature into his relationship with his wife and daughter. When Matt and Ashley were dating, I remember he would say cute things like "If anyone ever looks at Ashley, I'm going to go beat him up." That spirit has carried on into his and Ashley's marriage, where he often is quick to assert "We better be getting home, Ashley is tired." Lately Matt is quick to remind us that, "Everyone needs to be quiet! Reese is trying to sleep." He has turned into quite the leader and family man. He is still your typical oldest child and someone we each rely on for so much.

Ashley (Pictured on the far left): Her three words would probably be maternal, loyal, and caring. Ashley has always had a love for the things of the home, for marriage, and for children (I think coming from a family of seven children helped with that). I still fondly remember walking into Motherhood Maternity with her and watching her look excitedly at all of the cute clothing for pregnant mothers before Matt and her were even engaged. Ashley's relationship with Reese is so precious. She glows as a mother. It is unquestionably clear that she loves her daughter so much. This Christmas it was special watching her get choked up as she talked about the meaning of Christmas and how she better understands what Mary must have gone through, now that she has a cherished child of her own. Ashley is also very loyal. She is a great wife, friend, sister, daughter, sister-in-law, etc. She had friends from high school standing on the stage with her for her wedding, each a unique and valuable presence on her special day. Once you are friends with Ashley, you are sure to be friends with her for a lifetime. Ashley is finally extremely caring. Her sweet nature makes her endearing to all. I remember how she sent me a thoughtful card the week my sister moved out of our house and into the dorms (for the first time in eighteen years I had my room all to myself). I also recall that Ashley began calling my Dad "Papa" relatively early into her's and Matt's relationship (I think when they were newly engaged). She always is so gracious, kind, and concerned when it comes to her relationships with other people, whether she knows them well or not. Perhaps this is why she has earned the nickname, "sugar cube." From the moment my sister and I met Ashley at church, we liked her. And since then she has spent Thanksgiving with us, Christmases, planned surprises, thrown a sister sleepover, and in every way become a dear member of our family. She is one of the sweetest persons that I know- so gentle, so tender, so kind. We are so thankful that she is a Mehringer! And because our family is so much like her's and she fits into it so comfortably, it is often easy to forget that she is my sister-in-law, instead of my biological sister.

Tad (Pictured on the far right): His three words would probably be funny, hard-working, and servant-hearted. Tad is quite possibly the FUNNIEST person I know. He is very quick-witted and is also able to imitate almost any person/song/movie known to mankind. He always knows how to make you laugh and he uses this ability to make people feel comfortable and thus easily makes friends. He particularly likes to perform for mom (he has since he was a kid) or Matt (who is known to turn very red in the face and CRY, I am serious, thanks to Tad's comedic skills). The Lord sovreignly chose Tad to be in Junior High ministry at church for a reason. :) Tad is also very hard-working. Ever since his first job at Big Lots he has emulated a Colossians 3:23 attitude. He works so tirelessly and always perseveres in whatever he does, without complaining. For this reason, employers have always loved my brother offering him position after position and he has been able to do very well in the business world. Tad represents Christ faithfully through his work ethic. Tad is also very servant-hearted. It is not uncommon for him to come home from a long day at work and to immediately help out with setting the table, washing dishes, taking care of the cats, etc. He loves to serve his wife, Monika and has always been good at serving the family. Because he loves his wife so much, he is very chill and enjoys deferring to her preferences and whenever he comes over to our house for family get-togethers, it is not unusual for Tad to take the trash out or volunteer to do dishes. He is very good at recognizing needs and meeting them. I'll never forget the summer before Tad got married. I was into tennis at the time, and he sacrificially played 2-3 times a week with me in the blazing hot sun just because he knew that I wanted to. Tad is such a fun guy and so easy to get along with and love (even if he is known to tease me brutally, ahhhem, Mr. I-put-a-fake-parking-ticket-on-Mollie's-car-after-she-did-eight-hours-of-traffic-school)!

Monika (Pictured on the far right): Moni's three words would be: Fun, creative, and hospitable. We get along well because we both like to go on adventures and be the life of the party :) She is always chipper and ready to go shopping, watch scary movies, throw a dance party, test new desserts, get a pedicure, host a get-together, buy someone an exciting present, etc. Monika is a great example to me that you can love Jesus and still love life, that these two are not incongruous but rather go hand-in-hand. Even just sitting on the couch looking at magazines with Moni is never boring. She spices up the little things in life, which explains her nickname "bouncy ball." She and Tad are one of the funnest couples that I know to hang out with. My relationship with Monika is particularly special since she has known me since my late pre-teen/early teenage years. I still have a very cute chocolate chip cookie shaped Hallmark card from her that says "Happy 13th Birthday, Mollie" on the inside (it goes on to tease me about Orlando Bloom. Embarrassing, I know). From the moment she entered our lives, Courtney and I adored her. We wanted to be just like her. She would take us on shopping sprees, or let us hang out with her in her dorm room, and even came over when Tad was in IBEX. Monika has always been so open-armed, welcoming, and loving to us. There is no greater compliment than when she says that we are like the little sisters she always wanted but never had. Monika is also super creative. She basically could start her own business from home. From the pillows and signs she creates to the cupcake tiers she puts together to the invitations she designs to her beautifully decorated home, Moni is the next up and coming Martha Stewart. She uses this gift to bless others by making them gifts or by helping them redesign their bedroom, etc. Monika is finally very hospitable. She always is having junior high girls, or junior high staff, or our family into her home and cleaning the house and cooking scrumptious meals. She uses her hands and her home to serve others and she does so with skill and grace. We are so thankful for this "sistorrr" who brings so much joy, fun, and laughter into our lives on a daily basis!

Courtney (Pictured in the middle): her three words would be diligent, wise, and crazy. Courtney has always been one of the most diligent persons that I have ever known. This is manifested in her work ethic at Starbucks, the fact that she worked and studied and maintained a home her senior year of college, and can be seen all the way back from her junior high days when she she won $100 in a writing contest and saved all $100 of it (what junior higher does that? Not me certainly! :p ) She has always done very well at balancing the various demands of life with discipline and faithfulness. She knows how to keep her priorities in line, from Jeremiah to work to ministry to family, etc. Courtney is also very wise. I love coming to her with questions and thoughts about my spiritual life, my friendships, the ministries I am involved with, conflicts, guy issues, etc. Her love for God's Word and the knowledge that she accrued as a Biblical counseling major at The Master's College is actually one of the primary qualities that first attracted her husband. Courtney uses her knowledge and discernment to counsel the several high school girls she oversees in Grace Community Church's 180 (High School) Ministries. Finally, while disciplined, balanced, and wise Courtney also has a fair share of "crazy" mixed in there. She is hilarious when she is hyper! She is crazy in love with her husband Jeremiah and loves to make that known and is known to get things mixed up or to say things that are extremley random that will make you roll on the ground in laughter (it's really cute to see the ways that she makes Jeremiah laugh!) Courtney has been the greatest sister and best friend that I could ever have asked for. I will never forget laughing in our room late at night about unwanted suitors, or giving her a big hug as she had tears streaming down her face after telling Jeremiah goodbye for four months as an engaged woman, or the countless fun memories we made together while we were home schooled or during breaks (Scrabble, pasta with vegetables, and Christmas movies!) Courtney is a great little sister, big sister, daughter, and friend and if you are lucky enough to know her, you will be the beneficiary of great counsel, constant accountability, and are sure to create many great memories and get to enjoy a lot of laughs along the way.

Jeremiah (Pictured in the middle): His three words would probably be wise, level-headed, and hilarious. Jeremiah has so much experiential wisdom that comes from almost 30 years of life and the many things he learned as an unbeliever, and that he has since learned being actively involved in ministry and pursuing his M.Div at The Master's Seminary. Along with Courtney, I love going to him for his advice on day to day issues and his thoughts on various deep theological questions. He really is my third big brother, and I don't just say that lightly. My fun, joking around, but also advice seeking friendship with Jeremiah is a blessing to me; I love being the little sister he never had. :) I have always been thankful for how much Jeremiah and Courtney incorporated me into their dating relationship, and this tight-knit threesome friendship has carried on into their marriage. They do such an amazing job of prioritizing their marriage but not shutting others out in the process! One of my favorite ways to spend an evening is enjoying Courtney's amazing home cooking, and games or 24 with Courtney and Jeremiah in the comfort of their home. Jeremiah's wisdom coupled with his shepherd's heart makes him a valuable and cherished mentor to the many high school boys he disciples. Jeremiah is also very level-headed, and possibly I might add, the ONLY member in my family who is! Hahaha! Jeremiah's Texan ways add a calming, relaxed presence to the routine chaos of Mehringer get-togethers. When we are all talking over each other and telling the same stories, Jeremiah remains unfazed and simply drawls, "Haven't we already heard this story before?" When a fiasco strikes, Jeremiah is one of the best persons to turn to. Jeremiah is finally, as I said HILARIOUS. He has all kinds of unique, funny preferences (like the way he likes the dishwasher to be loaded or how he gets creeped out by certain food textures). His dry humor and competitive nature always keeps us laughing. The latest funny thing about Jeremiah that amuses me is how he tries to spell out tough theological words during Bananagrams such as "Beautitudes" while I always manage to squeak out a victory through my usage of such words as "to," "for," "at," and "of." He says its cheap. I say its smart. One of the things that I most respect about my "brother" is how his life is centered on ministry. God's Word and people are ultimately what make him tick. I don't know what is a better compliment than that. I pushed for Jeremiah since day one and I couldn't have asked for a better brother-in-law (I mean, after all, how many brother-in-laws would tolerate you calling them Miah Papaya?)