Recently I was at a Village dinner, a gathering of mamas for a night out sans kids. As the table was set, women, laughter, and cinnamon apple sangria filled the bright space at The Table. It was a delight to connect with women, spotting familiar faces and meeting new friends. At my table I sat next to Moch. We had chatted briefly before at other events but had never had a chance to hear each other’s story. This was our chance. I was speechless as Moch began to share. I was reminded how we need to know the stories around us. They invite us to be brave, listen, applaud another’s courage, and they intricately connect us, threading us together, giving us compassion for the person in front of you, understanding they are fighting a battle or have fought one you know nothing about.
Check out the Village 253 on Instagram @thevillage253. PC: Moch Snyder
As I sat there with Moch I just couldn’t keep her to myself. Her story and life are a witness to the beautiful and fierce bravery found in Jesus.
So here’s a few thing to know about Moch…
How do you spend your days? What are your passions?
At the moment, I feel like most days work around our almost four year old. He has preschool on Mon Wed and Fridays. He is also signed up for swim and sport skills at the Y. Aside from that, I am a stay at home mom who has been in the photo biz for eight years. So in between kids and husband, I try and find time to do church, photograph sessions and find girl time.
As for my passions… hmmm I feel like I have a lot, but I think they have evolved and changed as I have gotten older. One of my biggest passions is women. Particularly because I grew up very insecure, had lots of self doubt and dealt with major unworthiness. I want women to know, how incredibly beautiful they are and deeply loved. I love kids, a huge part of my heart is to open an orphanage over seas but that is a big dream that will take some mountains! Both my husband and I would love to adopt if possible! I long for deep friendship. I love being creative and letting that out whenever I can. Oh, and since I’m getting closer to my thirties I am loving fashion and clothes more and more, maybe because I am more comfortable in my skin!
Tell me a little about your background?
My mom and dad met in a concentration camp in Cambodia during the reign of Pol Pot in the 80’s. They were separated from their own families, as they were previously married. They fled to a refugee camp. Together they had my sister and I, and both of us were born at a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, called Kampuchea. From there, we went to the Philippines for a short time. A man from Texas sponsored my entire family, I think he may have been a believer. Whoever he was, my family and I are forever grateful. When I talk about this, it brings me back to how the enemy came to kill and destroy but the Lord came to save and rescue. My family moved up to Washington as a large community of Cambodians reside here. So I have lived in Washington since I was three, and I got my citizenship while attending Pacific Lutheran University.
My family are not people of faith in Jesus. As a family we had been invited many times to church and it wasn’t before long that I was drawn to it. Some of my friends went to church. I would always ask for rides, and gave a resounding “yes” if they asked to me to join them for any church function. It didn’t matter if it was harvest parties, Awanas, or Young Life, I was there. I was drawn to their light and lives. I think I finally understood what having a relationship with the Lord meant when I met Patty Brem, who has been like a mama to me. I met her when I was 12, I lived with her and her husband for a couple years until I got married. I cannot thank Jesus enough for her.
How has your childhood experiences affected your walk through motherhood?
All I know is what my mom and dad did, and did not do, for me growing up was the best they could offer me. They loved me the best they knew how with their upbringing and I truly believe that. It wasn’t always perfect. I was not always perfect. With the cultural differences, language barriers, and financial pressures it was tough. Somehow I turned out just fine and everything was ok. I look back at some of the circumstances and they truly were unfortunate events, and other times I see I was the lucky one. My mothering comes from my mom, Patty, and other moms that I have looked up to in becoming a mother myself. For my family and my house, we choose to serve Jesus. The biggest thing I can take from my experience is to be more affectionate toward my kids, speak softly to them, and not rush to anger. Our family wasn’t an affectionate bunch and I think I that makes a world of a difference when you have little ones. You realize they need love and affection more than anything else.
What is one thing you wish mamas could know?
I wish other mamas out there knew how much they are loved. It may or may not be vocal in your homes. Whether they heard it or not growing up, or in their home now, you are loved. Remember to take it all one day at a time and to honestly ask for help. No one knows you need help unless you tell them, and although its hard to ask, there are people who to help you. Live this life to the fullest, let your light shine!
