Thank you for the wonderful things you did for the teachers this appreciation week. There was a lot of joy, thanks to you. This past week, one of our morning "staff prayers" was to voice compliments to a staff member in appreciation for each other. Like all families, we rely on each other in many ways. We know that God is the only One we need, but he needs us to help in His work. We are all on this journey together and I think Mrs. Schiert's update will inspire you . Sometimes, what we need, comes from a person standing next to us. This is what she wants to share:
My heart has been full these past couple of weeks since I have been able to be back more frequently in my counselor role here at SHOJ. I want to thank you for your patience and your prayers for me and my family these past three months since I have been gone. My 16 year old daughter recently posted on social media about her illness and has even gone back to school a couple of times in the past two weeks. After 3 months of privacy and processing her reality, she was finally prepared to open up about her illness, so I would like to as well. In February, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer and has endured multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. The month of May has offered her a bit of a break from treatments which has allowed her to rest and recover and me to get back to work more consistently. In June, she will begin 6 months of chemotherapy treatments that will end in November. I consider these past three months as a master’s class in the school of faith and life. While it is my daughter who has had and will have to endure the brunt of this illness, as her mom, I am certain that I feel her every pain and only wish it were me instead of her. However, that is not the lesson God intends and it appears that the more I resist what He is trying to reveal to me, the harder it is. My daughter is teaching me what it looks like to rejoice in suffering and that leaving it in God’s hands is so much better. When I lean into each moment, not wishing it away, and surrender to His perfect plan, God provides me with great peace that bears amazing fruit.
I share this all with you for two reasons. First, this SHOJ community is my family and with the permission of my daughter, I feel the need to explain my abrupt absence with you. You and your children are very important to me and it is an honor to work and worship here. I look forward to coming back in the fall. My hours will likely be similar to this month’s (leaving for an hour or two mid morning for appointments etc), with the exception of being out one week per month to be with my daughter during her inpatient stay at Children’s Mercy for chemo. I will send more specifics as we grow closer to the beginning of the school year and throughout the fall semester. But please be assured of my love and commitment to your children even with the gaps in my day.
And second, I wanted to thank you for your outpouring of goodness these past months. From the cards and calls/texts to people jumping in to cover my school tasks, to preparing meals for my family to simply respecting our need for privacy, this SHOJ community continues to show up for my family and me in our times of need. I have described everyone’s prayers like Heavenly bubble wrap. Like a fragile package on a tumultuous journey, I feel perfectly protected and confident that we will sustain all that this journey requires.
When you see me, you will likely see a smile on my face. It is not a mask to hide my sadness or fear. It is conveying joy and gratitude and it’s more genuine than it’s ever been. Watching my daughter these past few months face her challenges with courage and strength has inspired me to live in each moment and notice the little things. I see God’s hand in literally every moment of this experience which has allowed me to see the power of Heaven right here on earth instead of feeling like I’m living a nightmare. I will never put God in a box again; He is bigger and greater than I ever imagined and have allowed Him to be. My daughter explained in her recent post that this experience has taught her how precious life is and that she appreciates the little things she once took for granted. I couldn't agree with her more. Our dark moments have allowed us to see and appreciate His great light in our lives. I hope my smile is my witness to that.
You will continue to be in my prayers through the summer months. I challenge you to ask God to reveal Himself to you everyday this summer and live each moment to its fullest. I look forward to seeing you in one of the aisles at Walmart this summer, my favorite reunion spot. Otherwise, I will be excited to see you in the fall.
Always grateful,
Lori Schierts
SHOJ counselor