Alaska

It's been almost a year since we last updated this blog, but we thought it was time. We're going to do our best to keep it up to date! The reason we thought we should start up again is because .... we are moving to Kodiak, Alaska! I will do my best to summarize the last few months leading up to this decision:

Around May last spring, Luke was feeling burnt out with school. He had a lot on his plate - working half time, full time at Seminary, soccer coach. We decided that he should take the summer off from classes. Meanwhile, my work had been going ok, but I was pretty burnt out myself. Tired of the job that had me sitting behind a computer all day every day with a never-ending list of tasks. I love the organization and mission of Youth for Christ, felt very useful and appreciated, but I knew I couldn't last much longer in a job like that. I wanted to be doing something that brought me life. So that is how we went into the summer - unsure about everything and pretty discouraged.

In June we had a Schroeder family reunion. My Aunt and Uncle, Kathy and Ted, told us about this opportunity to volunteer for a year at the Kodiak Baptist Mission in Alaska where they live. At first we thought, that sounds good, but didn't put much serious thought into it. We kept it in the back of our heads, though, and it started to grow on us. I can't say what exactly changed, but we both got really excited about the possibility. We had nothing much that would keep us in Denver and we were definitely looking for a change. After much prayer and conversation, we have decided to go for it!

We will be working with the preschool that the Mission has for the community as well as the after school program. During the summer there are a bunch of summer camps that go on that we look forward to working with. I'm sure there will be many other opportunities that come up as well. We look forward to serving and can't wait to see what God does over the next year.

So Luke is taking a leave of absence from Seminary, I am quitting my job at the end of the year and we will be moving up to Kodiak in January after Heidi and Tim get married.

That's all for now! We will keep you posted!

P.S.

Luke is also having surgery on his shoulder again, which will be his second on the same shoulder.  Tentative surgery date is November 9.  The worst part of the recovery will be over by the time we make the move to AK. Please pray for a quick recovery!