Merry Christmas from the most important people in my life:
Peace, Love, and much Joy to you at this holy time of year!
The lights on our picket fence this year proclaim “Matthew’s First Christmas”.
His arrival on January 8, 2011 tops the list of highlights that have brought joy to our lives this past yearJ Matthew (11 mo) is an easy-going little guy who can charm anyone with his ready smile. He’s adorable all the time and his hearty belly-roll laugh brightens any day. He has mastered the army crawl with his swift push/pull motion—it’s hilarious!
Thomas (3) easily adapted to his ‘big brother’ role and is quite attentive to Matthew (especially when Matthew is moving toward his toys). Upon seeing and holding newborn brother for the first time, Thomas expressed, with much awe, “I can’t believe baby Matthew!!!” He continues to amaze us with his inquisitiveness, sponge-like learning abilities, vocabulary, and understanding. Thomas’ enthusiasm for CU basketball continues to intensify as he practices his shots and hangs with the guys on the team! Yes! He and his family attended a Jays basketball practice (arrangements made by Aunt KelliJ) where Thomas personally met and took pictures with the players! Now they know his name when he ‘high fives’ them on the way into games! This was definitely a highlight for Ryan and Rachel, as well. Having our grandsons spend a couple days with us each week while Ryan and Rachel are both working brings us more joy than one can imagine, definitely a highlight of our lives! It’s a new adventure every day on the farm!
Another highlight is a visit to Amy’s kindergarten classroom as it always lights up her face and we love experiencing the delightful way she draws us into their activity or lesson. She’s pleased to have completed her Early Childhood Education Endorsement to her Masters. Amy and Mark enjoy attending Jays basketball and Nebraska football games!
Andy’s visits home always provide special time and laughter together—making new memories—many of which are highlights! He has a thoughtful way of doing little projects for us that make us smile. It’s rejuvenating for him to come home. We wish he was closer. It’s been a pleasure getting to know his girlfriend, Nichole.
Another graduation from Creighton was a highlight this May, as Elizabeth earned a double major in Social Work and Justice and Peace. After a 3 week orientation with Franciscan Capuchin Corps in Milwaukee in August, “Isa” embarked on an 18 month volunteer commitment in Nicaragua. Skype, email, and occasional phone visits are ‘getting us through’, as we all knew how much we’d miss her—and how homesickness will continue to be her biggest hurdle. Her boyfriend, Alex, visited her in October. Elizabeth prays for reassurance that she is following God’s will by serving abroad for such a long time. Finding the area of service most fitting for her has also been challenging. Her spiritual advisor suggested “zealous patience—wanting something so bad you’re willing to wait for it.” She is drawn to helping women and children and is now shadowing a social worker in that area. Each day, Elizabeth makes an intentional effort to maintain that “zeal” that got her there—that passion for service, faith, and relationships. You’d enjoy following her experiences and reflections on http://elizabethschroer.
It is with great joy that our baby is turning 21 this Christmas Day! Kelli is very excited to be sharing this special birthday with Jesus, as always. She delights us with her cheerfulness and her dedication to her junior year of school work and part time job in Creighton’s office of Social Entrepreneurship. Kelli was recently a recipient of CU’s Emerging Leaders Award. She’s also excited for her upcoming week in Nicaragua with Elizabeth, celebrating E’s 23rd birthday on Jan. 2.
We cherish new memories made around our dining room table with family and friends-whether it is a meal or a crazy game of Blitz! We always enjoy having Kelli bring friends home for a homemade meal and a mom-hug and we are tickled thatElizabeth’s friends continue to join us—she has a way of staying connected! E’s favorite quote by Frederick Buechner rings true: “You can kiss your family and friends good bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you can carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”
Travel with family and friends also brought much joy: a 10 day train/auto trip through the Canadian Rockies with old neighbors, the Bollmans; our annual Jays tournament outing to St. Louis and Nebraska B &B weekend with the Krampers; skiing in Colorado with Kelli; attending Elizabeth’s Commissioning Ceremony in Milwaukee with Kelli, Amy, and Alex; and visiting the Reinharts and Roeders in Minneapolis. More great fun was had at our annual Schroer Family Reunion and tanking the Cedar River with Elizabeth, Kelli, Amy, and Mark, followed by dinner at the home of his parents in rural Ericson.
We feel blessed to be able to continue giving newborn care through NE Childrens Home. Babies Alex and Lucas have provided us with much growth this year as our limited medical experience is pushed to new levels. They have such humble ways of blessing us! As we all know, babies come into the world assuming they own our time and control our actions—and they do! But as I sit here rocking 7 week old baby Lucas, I think of how God needs the same of me—all my attention! Newborn Baby Jesus comes at Christmas—and is with us each day. So now I ponder the Christ-child’s Presence in my life, and I challenge myself, “Do I allow HIM to own my time? Do my actions revolve around HIM?”
We wish you “zealous patience” as you prepare for His Coming and pray you celebrate His Presence throughout the New Year with great joy!
Larry & Debbie
Ryan, Rachel, Thomas, Matthew,
Amy, Andrew, Elizabeth & Kelli
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