Emma Schneider – Misener Family Harvesters
I grew up on harvest, making my way from the floor of the combine with paper and crayons, to begging my Dad, Ron, to let me drive a big, green beast at 10 years old. At 15, I was being called the ‘official’ combine instructor and field manager. When my Dad passed away, I helped manage the business with my Mother, Kristy, and brother, Dan, at 21 years old. At 28 years old, I took a leap of faith and left custom harvesting all together to pursue a totally different adventure. I moved to South Dakota, from my Oklahoma home, to become a CNA and take care of our precious, beautiful, and sometimes extremely overwhelming, old people. Particularly memory care, those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even though I am extremely proud of who I am and who I have become with all of these accomplishments, I still felt that what I had to say, was not too important.
I guess you could say, that this is sort-of my life story. You’ve read about my past, let me fill you in on a little more. J You thought you were in for a bit of light reading didn’t you?!
When I moved from Oklahoma to South Dakota, I went on a whim. Looking back that was very bold of me! I am a family person and to be that far away from them was very hard. I didn’t really know why I went to that destination, but it just felt right. I soon was certified as a CNA and working my first nursing home job, when I felt it again; I need to move to Kansas. Maybe it was the distance from my family, or the 30 below zero temperatures, I could tell myself anything at that point, but looking back, it was totally God! I soon got a job that I absolutely loved, working with memory care residents, I had a great apartment, even if I did have to have a roommate, and all seemed well! I had just gotten out of a relationship a few months before I moved and was content with my single life. In fact I was totally content that my vocation in life would be a single life, taking care of my old people. I loved it! Here is comes again! God thought differently. The LAST thing I wanted, was a stupid man coming into the picture when I thought everything was going so well! I got my groove!
It was definitely an out-of-body experience when my finger clicked ‘yes’ to, ‘create an account?’ on catholicmatch.com. Four days later, and six new messages from people I had never met, there he was. I took a chance. He messaged me because we were a ‘match’, and exactly four days short of one year, Evan and I were married. It truly is a match created by God.
Skip forward, life is good.
Evan and I are expecting a honeymoon baby! The most exciting news, and exactly what we wanted to hear! We could not be more pleased. I had the baby fever! I loved knowing I was pregnant. That God trusted us to be parents! To take care of a soul he created! He’s trusting US to take care of one of His children! What a great and intimidating experience, but we took it head on. I mean, why did we get married if children were not welcome?! We are truly blessed.
Skip forward again. Life is hard and the future unknown.
I will never forget the day we lost our sweet baby. Easter Monday, 6 in the morning. I held that sweet little baby in my hand. No bigger than ½ the size of the palm of my hand. Sweetly formed nubs for hands, a little curve to his/her spine, black little dots for eyes on a perfectly rounded head. What a perfect baby! A perfect soul created by God, and called back home to Him. We named our little baby Hope Michael Schneider. I made a wooden box with his name and a crucifix inside his little coffin.
Skip forward one more time.
On mother’s day this year, we found out that we are blessed with another baby! We are now parents of two! God has and continues to bless us immeasurably! Just when I think there cannot be any more love shown to the two of us, here, right here, God surprised us again. His love is abundant and never-ending. We are beyond excited! Every day this baby is with us, is a gift from God Himself.
I had to share my life story! Life is hard. Life sucks. But it is also wonderful. It is beautiful. Sometimes the world can get us down, keeping us into our gloomy moods, unable to see the good things right in front of us. We need to open up our eyes! Life is glorious! And every day is a gift.
Have courage, have hope, have faith, be an inspiration, and love one another.
-Emma <3