I always have the intention of getting our Christmas letter out before Christmas, but then duties trump that. Anyway, here is the year-end review from 2015. Enjoy!
Only
a week remains to be seen
To
wrap of the year of two-thousand-fifteen.
So
we shall engage in our regular manual
To
summarize what happened in this last annual.
God
is always good, so we need not complain.
He
has sustained and blessed us this year again.
We
are pleased to inform you, as another year goes,
Our
joys have far outweighed our sorrows.
Laura
continues to track her blood platelet count
And
gets checked to learn the platelet amount.
Whether
low or high—we can never be certain,
But
hospital stays have become quite rare.
Laura
still teaches K through 2nd grade.
Her
love for her class is always displayed.
She
finds time to see our kids in their busy-ness.
She
cares for our house and does not get enough rest.
We
learned that her life will soon take a new track.
St.
Peter’s Lutheran School will not be back.
They
voted to close it, which will happen in June.
We
pray God will direct our direction, and soon.
Good
Shepherd continues to open its doors
For
sinners who crave the mercy God pours.
Tom
preaches, teaches, communes, and absolves
And
does whatever the ministry involves.
He
keeps up his blog, you can follow along
He
likes to take photos of the kids in action
Which
provides him with a healthy distraction.
Martin
Luther College is where you will find
Faith
in her third year exercising her mind.
She
also works her legs, arms, back, and hands
Playing
basketball with some of her best friends.
She
was the nanny for two boys in the summer past.
She’s
gone to friends’ weddings and had quite a blast.
She
loves to come home and spend time with Peter.
She
is now 21; toast her with a margarita.
In
late October, Faith and we had a discussion.
A
car crash had given her a nasty concussion.
Though
it totaled the car, Faith was not at blame.
And
God is so good—his guardian angels came.
One
year at MLC for Nathanael was enough.
He
likes to be closer to all the family stuff.
He
now attends Saginaw Valley State U.
And
Charli is attending there with him, too!
For
over four years, a steady couple they have been
They
went to Ford Field and saw that “Hail Mary” win.
He
still does lawn service for his summer employment.
He
wishes he had a car for driving enjoyment.
Andrew
is a senior; MLS days are fleeting.
Each
season is the last of his high school competing.
Last
season, basketball wins made his season quite fun.
MLS
went far in their team’s playoff run.
In
football camps, he had hoped to turn heads,
But
he ended up with a cracked rib instead.
He
healed up and played games quite stout
At
safety; also QB, and later wide out.
The
Cardinal team notched a 10-2 slate.
Andrew
got honors from team, conf, and state.
He
sings in the choir and last spring went on tour.
He’ll
graduate in May, at least we’re pretty sure!
Caleb
is a Cardinal at MLS.
He
is a sophomore and continues to impress.
He
is getting good grades, his GPA’s high.
It
sounds like Caleb is a popular guy
Driver’s
Ed. this past summer was part of the plan.
He
has his permit and likes to drive when he can.
Caleb
straps on headphones and blocks the world out.
Caleb’s
the quietest of the kids, no doubt.
Caleb
played football for the JV squad.
Some
catches at receiver had the crowds awed.
This
winter JV basketball is what he’s got
Where
he drives to the hoop or blocks someone’s shot.
Philip
has had quite a year to remember
With
a Packer game at Lambeau back in September.
The
NFL game was an experience glorious,
And
it helped that the Green and Gold came out victorious.
Philip
is at St. Peter’s and in his final grade.
One
more year of Eagles basketball to be played.
He
knows MLS comes after his graduation.
He
also anticipates a May confirmation.
After
long years of waiting, Philip is no longer vexed.
He
just got a phone to make calls and to text.
He
lives with his iPod and WiFi access.
As
far as his school work, he strives for success.
On
December 15, Peter turned seven years old.
He
likes to trounce in the snow and the cold.
He
is a Minecraft player on PlayStation4.
He
would never leave the game if we let him play more.
Peter
attends the same school as Philip, his brother.
He’s
in first grade and he is taught by his mother.
He
started to learn basketball and loves going to practice.
Three
January games will be enough to attract us.
Peter
is excited about all things Star Wars--
Decorative
bed sheets and shirts in his drawers.
He
still likes to draw, to color, and read.
He
loves playing with his siblings, and grows like a weed.
Summer
vacation filled the family with glee.
The
first stop was Knoxville in Tennessee
To
the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Faith
was eager to see pioneers of the game.
Then
down south we drove with much determination
To
the place where we had made our reservation.
We
pulled in quite late and set up in the dark
At
Walt Disney World campground and park.
A
three day pass was the deal we got—
To
Magic Kingdom and then to Epcot,
And
finally Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
We
saw the mouse with the ears that everyone knows.
A
month later we drove through traffic chaotic
To
Philadelphia, a city which is quite patriotic.
The
University of Penn had a camp for Andrew.
We
saw Independence Hall and a cracked bell, too.
We
hope you have enjoyed our year in review.
We
pray that the Lord keeps watch over you.
May
the love of our Savior which was given at his birth
Fill
you with comfort, with joy, and with mirth.
Love,
Tom,
Laura, Faith, Nathanael, Andrew,
Caleb, Philip, and Peter Schroeder
