Emma (Misener) Schneider – Misener Family Harvesters
When Tracy asked me to write for HarvestHER, I thought to myself, “What on earth would I have to contribute to this wonderful group of strong, integrity-filled, passionate, determined and driven, godly women?
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 attended the HarvestHER retreat this year with my wonderful friends Tracy, Nancy, my Momma, Kristy, of course, those whom I had been acquainted but not had the pleasure of knowing, and those whom were complete strangers. I honestly did NOT want to go. You see, even though I know and feel God working in my life, I never listen. He could hit me upside the head and I’d be like, “That hurt.” And continue on down the narrow, rocky path I create for myself. It’s a coincidence, right? Or just the right place at the right time. I thought I should just do what I think is right, pushing back all of those doubts in my mind, pulling me towards (what I thought to be) one of the most uncomfortable situations. “You mean I have to actually participate? Ha! God you are hilarious! I am not doing that.” God apparently thought otherwise, and just laughed at my plans. He probably said, “Girl, you are too cute! You think you can plan this and that, and think it will all turn out peachy, don’t you?!” Ladies, He’s totally right. I really DO think that! Then, when my plans never go according TO plan, guess who I lean on? Yup. You would think I would LEARN!!! Let’s see, definition of insanity…doing the same damn thing over and over, expecting different results. Ladies, I am actually driving myself insane!
I didn’t come to this particular realization, until I had that final tap on my shoulder from the Holy Spirit last night, which finally knocked me conscious.
What do I have to contribute?
I am a human being! No matter what your occupation is, don’t we all have heartaches and joys? Don’t we all have those days where you just want to forget all of your stresses and anxieties? Don’t we all marvel in the fact that we know we’re a part of something greater than ourselves and look with awe at God’s many gifts and creations? Ladies! What a GIFT LIFE IS!!!
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. 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 it 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. (side note) Evan’s Dad had a stroke one week after we met. God sure does work in mysterious ways. His dad was in the hospital for several months, and being I was a CNA, I convinced Evan’s mother we could bring him home and take care of him. I quit my wonderful job and moved to Wichita. He was a handful. Guess what was mostly affected by his stroke; short-term memory. Isn’t it just COOL how God works?! I know and specialize in memory care! He still has some recovering to do, but he was well enough to stand up at Evan and my wedding and make one of those heart-wrenching, hysterical and emotional speeches. God is good.
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. Our priest came out and said beautiful words, and then we buried him. The hardest thing I have ever done in my life. My heart hurt. My husband’s heart hurt. We had each other to lean on but it was dang hard! It brought us closer in our marriage; the whole two months we had been married, it felt like it gave us years together. We had a very hard time losing and burying our sweet Hope Michael, but we always reminded each other that Hope was not ours to begin with anyway. God just put him in our care! We, as parents, did our job! We helped get our child to heaven; the ultimate goal of a parent. We let go and let God. We trusted in His plan. We are grateful to have been parents for this sweet little soul.
Jump back to where I said, “I went to the HarvestHER retreat” and “I did NOT want to go”.
I guess now you know why. Almost two weeks after losing our sweet baby, the retreat began. This is where I tell you, yet again, what a marvel God is. That retreat was JUST what I needed. I opened up. I cried. I let my hurt out. That’s when I found that I wasn’t alone. Many, MANY women have had miscarriages, still births, and infant deaths. They KNOW how it feels! I knew we weren’t the only ones, but no one talks about it! No one! It almost felt as if it was something to be ashamed of. That there was just something wrong with me or something wrong with my baby. This baby, this life, is something to CELEBRATE! I had a beautiful baby! Born April 2, 2018 at 6 am. His name is Hope Michael! He went to heaven and is with God, and all of our loved ones no longer with us. Including my Dad. There is never a day Evan and I don’t miss him, or never a day we don’t love him and pray for him. He is a part of us. Through the heartache and joy, stress and happiness, there is always, always something to look forward to. I cannot wait for the day I get to see my sweet Hope Michael again.
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. We went to our very first ultrasound last week and our baby was so very active! I told Evan that he’s taking after him already; somersaulting, twisting and turning, and stretching! So much so, that it was hard to get a good picture. His strong little heart was beating at 165 bpm. He measured right at 13 weeks so January, here we come! It will be Evan’s best birthday present ever!
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 in 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
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".