I hope everybody is getting into that holiday spirit. It seems like from Halloween until Easter there’s nothing but parties and get-togethers, which should mainly be a good thing, depending on who you’re getting together with during the holidays. The holidays also remind me about the importance of serving—I think of a second serving of turkey at Thanksgiving, a second serving of banana pudding . . . in all seriousness, service work, regardless of what religion you are, is a fundamental of true happiness—serving others.

As far as serving others, I couldn’t think of anybody better to discuss than Mo and Tamara Ludlam. Tamara is from Murfreesboro, while Mo has lived in Murfreesboro the majority of his life despite his Navy family’s many moves during his childhood and adolescence. These two are friends of mine whom I look up to, especially when it comes to service work. I would ascertain they truly are making a difference, not only locally, but throughout the world. There needs to be more people like them. The Ludlams truly are a team of Murfreesboro makers.

Mr. Murfreesboro: Where are you both from? Where were you born?
Tamara Ludlam: I was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in the old Rutherford Hospital.
Mo Ludlam: I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but was a Navy brat, and grew up all over the place.

Where did y’all go to school?
T: I went to school in Murfreesboro, graduated from Oakland High School.
M: I went to school in Jacksonville, Florida, and also went to college in Jacksonville.

Who influenced you both growing up and life in general?
T: My dad was a huge influence in my life. I was pretty stubborn. I think he didn’t think I would ever get married, so he taught me how to be self-sufficient by teaching me how to change my own oil, my own tires, and how to use power tools. These skills have served me well. I also had a few teachers in school who were strong influences as well. They are the reason that I studied education in college. I taught first and second grade for seven years. Also, Mo. Seeing him getting sober was inspiring. Seeing him be so honest and vulnerable about his addictions showed me what true bravery was. He didn’t have to choose sobriety but he did. He had continued to remain sober for himself and for our family. His actions over the past almost 15 years showed us how much he loves us.
M: My parents.

What was your first job?
T: My family owned a silkscreen printing business growing up. I started working there before I was old enough to get a “real job.”
M: Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers.

Do y’all have siblings?
T: I have four siblings. I have two biological sisters, Tabatha Shea and Terra Jackson. I also have a stepsister from my dad. He was actually our stepfather but we never thought of him like that. In 2015, I learned that I have a half-brother from my biological father. It has been so fun having a little brother and getting to know him. He is 20 years younger than me.
M: One brother and one sister. I am the oldest child.

How long have y’all been married? Where did y’all meet?
T: Twenty-six years. When I was teaching school, I was a waitress and bartendress part time. Mo was my manager when I worked for Logan’s Roadhouse in Murfreesboro.

Do y’all have children?
Yes we have two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Lexie.

Has faith played a role in your lives. If so, how?
T: Yes, My mom had all of us in church since we were babies. Although I strayed away in my 20s, it was always an important part of who I am. In 2009, Mo and I were separated and heading toward divorce. The Lord literally intervened in our marriage. It was the first time that I had audibly heard God’s voice. From that point forward, He has been the guiding light and voice in my life and in our marriage.
M: Faith has played a huge role in my life. Faith in a higher power has helped save my marriage and me with addiction.

What do you like to do? What are some of your hobbies?
T: I love spending time with family and friends, and I love to travel. As far as hobbies, I love to create. I can do and make pretty much anything that I put my mind to. I can sew, crochet, do woodworking, and build things. I love to challenge myself to learn new things. I tell everyone that I go to YouTube University because I have learned so much from watching videos. I also love taking care of my chickens and am learning more about hobby farming. I plan to have a full working hobby farm someday.
M: My favorite thing to do as a hobby is surfing, followed closely by traveling and hiking.

What do you and the family like to do?
T: Travel.

I understand y’all did some mission work. Elaborate on that.
T: In January of 2012, our family moved to the Dominican Republic to a small village called La Represa. We did mission work there until July of 2017. We helped build a school and a church, led short-term mission teams, and developed our own individual ministries. Mo has a surf ministry, in which we hold surf camps two times a year. One is in the Dominican Republic and the other one is typically in a different country. The last two years, it has been in El Salvador. In February, we will hold one in Peru. I had a women’s ministry, in which we grew our faith through Bible studies and fellowship. The ladies also made jewelry and sold it to help support their families. Lauren started an animal rescue program and taught English. Lexie started a drama program. She would write the plays and the kids in the community would perform them for mission teams and at church.

What convinced or convicted you to do mission work?
T: Honestly, God called Mo to the mission field originally. God just needed the girls and I to have open hearts to move to a tiny village in a third-world country. He did a lot of work to change my heart because I liked pretty, shiny things and my modern conveniences. I also had a very successful real estate career. It took me about three years to truly listen to what God wanted from me. We committed to one year but stayed five. We still go back to help.

Where is y’all’s favorite place to travel?
T: That is a really hard question because I haven’t really been anywhere that I haven’t liked. If I had to narrow it down to one country, it would be Spain.
M: I love Spain and everything about it—the food, the people and the overall culture. We have walked the Camino de Santiago twice now and want to do it again. And anywhere that has a good surf!

Tell us more about your travels.
T: We mostly like to travel to Latino countries. From living in the Dominican Republic, we all speak Spanish so it is nice to be able to travel and still be able to communicate. Most of the time, when we travel, we don’t even book a place to stay except for the first night that we arrive. We never know what we want to do once we start traveling. Most of our friends and family think we are crazy for traveling like that. One of my favorite travels is walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In 2018, we walked 135 miles of the northern route with our daughters. In 2022 for our 25th anniversary, Mo and I walked 185 miles from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
M: I have traveled extensively throughout Central America and the Caribbean surfing and going to Peru with one of our surf camps this year . . . super excited!

What’s most important to you?
T: Without a doubt, my family and my faith.
M: My wife and my daughters. I live for them.

What do you hope your legacy to be?
T: I hope that I am remembered as being kind, compassionate and content. In the world that we live in today, kindness and compassion are needed. I hope that the way that I live life encourages people to be kind and compassionate. Also, contentment is something that is needed in today’s world. We are taught to always want more and to always do more. The world tells us that busyness is the goal. I disagree. We should always strive to be a better version of ourselves while also being content with the life that you have. To me, contentment shows gratitude for what God has given you.
M: I love my family; it was always up for an adventure.

What is your passion?
T: My passion is my family and friends. I love my hobbies and can’t wait to have a hobby farm that I can share. My goal is to be able to offer our farm as therapy for others. I hope to have a certified therapy farm for those with special needs, PTSD, and anxiety. I hope to provide a place of comfort and peace to others.
M: My passion is surfing and helping others attain their goals dreams.

Who has made a difference in your lives?
T: I shared earlier about those who have huge influences in my life. I think the best answer to this question is everyone whom I have ever come into contact with. The good and the bad, because I have learned from every one of them. I have seen traits from some that have pushed me to be a better person. I have seen traits in others that showed me who I don’t want to be.
M: I have to say my wife has been my biggest influence. Her love, devotion, stubbornness and strict moral code has made me the man I am today.

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what would you be doing?
T: I am doing exactly what I want to do, for now. Who knows, that may change some day, but I am exactly where I want to be right now.
M: I would like to own a surf bed and breakfast at a tropical location.

Where do you see yourselves five years from now, 20 years from now?
T: In five years, I hope to have our farm up and running. I hope to be holding women’s retreats on our property and teaching women how to build things and not be afraid of power tools or to try new things. In 20 years, I hope to be alive and living near a beach with my husband.
M: Hopefully, in five years our daughter will be running our construction company and I will be helping my wife with her chickens.

I understand y’all raise chickens. Why?
T: Chickens are fun! It is very relaxing to just sit and watch them peck around. Plus, they are very easy to care for and you get eggs!
M: Chickens . . . not my department . . . I eat the eggs and do what I’m told to do.

Are chickens easier to raise than children?
T: Definitely! However, Mo and I have been so lucky with our girls. They have been such a joy to parent and didn’t give us much trouble at all. I think our life in the DR made our family very close. We had to learn to work peacefully as a team.

Can you believe how much Murfreesboro has grown over the years?
T: It is not the same place where I grew up. I miss “old Murfreesboro” at times. I miss not being able to go to the grocery store without seeing someone you know.
M: It’s absolutely surreal, the growth of Murfreesboro. I do hope we get control of it and work on the infrastructure for future generations.

I understand you are in the real estate business—can you elaborate on that?
T: I have been selling real estate since 2005, except for the five years that we were living in the DR. Before moving, I was highly successful and had a real estate team. After returning from the DR, I knew that I never wanted to be that busy again. I mostly only work with family, friends and referrals now.
M: I am a builder, and I also do home inspections.

Who is the best builder around?
T: Without a doubt, it is my husband, Maurice Ludlam of Ludlam Construction. Our daughter, Lauren, has now come on board as our project manager. I am the design consultant. We love to build true custom homes for people, and our clients get the full family experience when working with us.
M: That’s a loaded question, being that I am a builder. I would say one that doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles but they are a well-known, respected builder is Ole South.

You’ve been recognized in a national publication, Better Homes and Gardens. What was that like?
T: Yes! It was a surreal experience to be featured in the Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Craft Edition. When they contacted me in January of this year, I thought it was a scam at first. When they sent me the contract, I knew it was real. I still cannot believe that one of my designs was chosen to be in such a well-known publication!

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The Real Mr. Murfreesboro Bill Wilson with radio co-host Kelsie Williams, Mo and Tamara Ludham and Sebastian Medina, one of Mo’s surfers from Dominican Republic

As you can see, the Ludlams have lived a life that included many great times and some not-so-great times, but that’s life. I believe that it’s how you respond to your surroundings and situation, whatever they may be, that defines a life. Mo and Tamara Ludlam are a great example of living life to the fullest and staying grounded in faith and family. Follow Tamara on Instagram @thefeatheredhaven.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone, and remember to go out and do something nice for somebody. God bless!