“Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths.” (Epictetus)

In the photo above of the beautiful Wagner family, my friend Susan is pictured second from the left in the striped dress. She’s flanked by son Sam, daughter Lily, husband Ethan, and on the right, (holding the sweet pup) is her oldest son, Jack.

Feisty, positive and colorful are words I would use to describe this gorgeous, music-loving mom of three growing children. I met her a number of years ago and her oldest son, Jack, has been a longtime classmate and friend of my youngest, Zach. They will be in the GCHS Class of 2023 together! Susan has been a very present and involved mom with her 3 cuties during their time at SLDM, and she’s contributed in many meaningful ways in both her church family and the community at large. She’s a Butler Bulldog, and I am pretty sure she grew up in Plainfield? My point is, she’s spent some time here in Central Indiana and knows her way around town. She’s always got fun suggestions on things to see and do!

Particularly impressive to me is the time she has spent volunteering at Prevail, a Noblesville-based organization that advocates for the victims of crime and abuse. If you’d like to know more about this terrific place, which offers crisis intervention and restorative support services for adult, adolescent and child survivors of crime and abuse, visit their website at http://www.prevailinc.org. Susan’s got a big, generous heart and with it she blesses many in her path.

Countless are the times Susan hosted a gaggle of smelly, adorable middle school boys before school dances, or to celebrate birthdays and other fun occasions, and always they left her house smiling and very well-fed. Like yours truly, she enjoys cheering on her kids in their various activities and she is a wonderful witness of what a patient and compassionate mom can inspire. Unlike me, however, she does it while looking just so darn hip and adorable that I have just a little bit of an inferiority complex in her stylish presence, ha?

What I love about Susan is that she isn’t content to stay stagnant. She is always growing and blooming in new ways. The last time I spoke to her, she was taking classes to become a certified Pilates instructor. She explained how much it means to her to be able to help others become healthier and reach their own goals when I quizzed her for more information. It made me smile and think how much the Lord must be pleased with her heart. As life changes and the difficulties of the world settle on Susan, she just digs in to the messiness and lets Him help her bloom all the more gloriously as she redefines her mission by saying, “What’s next?”

Thank you, Susan, for all the time you have given to others as well as the example you have shown to all in your path about what it means to be a loving mom. The world needs as many generous souls as it can get, and your witness is more powerful than you might know! Your friendship is a blessing to me.