staff
CrossRoads
Trish Alava
Something I'd like you to know about me: I try not to define myself as being a mom, or wife, but in essence, that's what I love being the most. I have four children and have been married to my college steady for almost 15 years. I spend more than 12 hours a day working outside the home, so I relish the evenings and weekends, and am usually planning our next getaway. I also love living near my parents, brothers, and their wives & children. My family has essentially been my constant friends for all of my life, so being near them is a treasure.
My life is fully rich with church friends too. I look forward to seeing them on Sundays, or during the week when we have a gathering. Sharing our life happenings, and the things that really matter keeps me growing and learning, loving, and longing to know God more deeply.
Why I do what I do: Children begin making decisions about the world at a young age. They learn to trust, they learn to explore, they decide if the world is good, or bad and most of this encounter takes place with their parents, but if in my interactions with them I can
somehow help guide those beliefs by introducing them to a loving and kind God, and by assuring them that they matter and have great significance in this world, then that's what I want to do.
My favorite things:
- Sports: I can watch most sporting events. I pick a team and then root for them. My favorite sports to watch are whatever my kids are playing though!
- Music: I grew up with Funk and R&B - now known as Old School. But Tommy Walker, Jonathon Butler, Israel Houghton, are among the writers of songs I enoy singing.
- Movies: It's easier to write what I won't watch - horror flicks & really dumb comedy that puts down people. Other than that, I'm pretty open to watching any genre.
- Books/Authors: A variety, but I regular watch for new releases from these authors: Francine Rivers, John & Staci Eldridge, Luanne Rice.
- Activities: Whatever my family is doing...
- Food: Japanese and Thai. I'll stop for any good bakery too.
If I could spend time with any historical person...I would want to hang out with Brother Lawrence. His book, The Practice of the Presence of God, was appropriately assigned as required reading when I was preparing to be a Resident Assistant in college. It changed my life perspective, but I wonder if I would be so inclined to do the same if I hung around him in the seventeenth century? What was it like to be around such a humble person. Would it rub off on me, or would I rebel, and try to convince him to rebel as well?
