Merry Christmas!

Schenewarks

2012

This year as we reflect on our Savior’s birth, we thought of the wise men and their two year adventure to find the Christ child. Leaving their homes and families, they journeyed to a strange land following the new star that had been prophesied of for so long. Who these men were or how many we are not told, but it is certain they were not ordinary.

Tanner is also on a two year journey in Londrina, Brazil. His journey is not on a camel, or involving so much traveling, but it does include eating unusual foods, speaking a foreign language (Portuguese), and sharing the sweet message of the gospel with others. He began his mission in Sao Paulo, and is currently in Tupa. Tanner is hoping this year’s adventures include lots of white, lots of mail, and a little less sun. Having an investigator say she came to church because Tanner was “glowing” in her hallway is not ordinary.

Hunter, as ponderous as a camel, traveled with a new license, no accidents, no tickets, and no dates. He is enduring braces, enjoying quiz bowl, serving as junior class president, playing golf and baseball. Hopefully his journey in the following year includes no dates, no tickets, no accidents and no braces, as well as a new repertoire of hymns. Working hard on having new football kicking skills for his senior year, and filing for a school board candidate when he turns 18 will not be ordinary.

Porter’s expeditions, who drinks water as often as a camel, included making the freshmen basketball team, managing the cross country teams, pole vaulting in track, going to scout camp and finishing his eagle scout project. His journey this new year may include more piano, braces, a driving permit, high school baseball, contacts and completing his eagle scout paperwork. Being chosen as the first freshmen ever to be on the varsity quiz bowl team is not ordinary.

Cooper, who actually was a camel in the church nativity, and the tin man in a school play, has basketball, baseball, and soccer in his wanderings, as well as art, Legos, scout camp, piano and clarinet. He’s still in braces, began middle school this year, asked for contacts, grew new finger bone, and received the Priesthood. His travels next year might include a few more inches in height and his own library card.  Having the kind of heart that knows where to help, when to rescue, and how to care is not ordinary.

Sawyer trekked through this year like spit from a camel. He was everywhere and in everything: Playing basketball, baseball, soccer and golf; losing eight teeth; needing glasses, needing glasses four times, earning his wolf and playing the piano. Perhaps his journey next year will include earning his bear, learning  something new, turning double digits in his age, or finally being old enough to see what the school’s gifted and talented program is all about. Practicing diligently whatever he plays, every day, without being asked, and making sure Miller knows how to do it as well, is not ordinary.

Miller’s quest this year included baseball, basketball and soccer, where his kicks were as strong as a camel. He had weekly speech classes, lost and swallowed his first tooth, celebrated his 7th birthday on the 7th, and told everyone he was home schooled.  His daily quest involves rescuing his fair maiden and working on his Super Miller skills. Next year’s journey will definitely include less Breyer time, more kindergarten, homework, and new friends, and finding his super suit.

Breyer’s venture into the world of her brothers has given her amazing animal sounds, brilliant duck-and-dodge moves, perfected finger wrapping techniques, and camel-like cries, which are not so ordinary. As she continues in her weekly nursery, speech, neighbor Larry and library story time dates, her journey next year will include less of Miller and more of Mom: cooking, cleaning, painting toe nails and whatever else girls are supposed to do.

Amy Jo’s daily trips to the kitchen, the laundry room, the bedrooms and bathrooms, the bunny’s backyard, and the dog’s den make a camel’s trip across the desert seem easy. She wishes her journeys in the upcoming year include more emails from her missionary, more trips to Massachusetts, and more sleep. Her feeding nine more for breakfast each morning, in addition to preparing for her daily seminary class, is not ordinary.

Jarrod’s busy with campaigns for world peace in politics at the dinner table, mandatory play time at work for Marshall University, and eliminating bishopric meetings in his spare time. His head, full of ideas and wisdom, and his heart full of love and concern, go much faster than his teaching workload permits. But, his ability to juggle six boys, five with sports schedules, scout requirements and camp outs, plus working to keep up with mammoth food bills from boys who eat like camels, is not ordinary.

We are thankful our journeys include you, and hope that this New Year is one in which you may more fully live your life, helping others along the way, and discover the secrets for a life that’s not so ordinary.