This legacy story is shared by Lydia Schroeder.
Harriet Schroeder lived in a small village called Okolona, Ohio. She and my grandfather had 5 children, which included my dad. Harriet and Ray were dedicated to cultivating and maintaining a safe and God-filled life for their children as they grew up; and for us grandchildren as well.
The Story of the Joy Journal: My grandma, Harriet, has always loved to write and to journal. I can remember when I would go to their house to spend time. I would enjoy sitting next to her and watching her write about the weather of the day, what she was doing, who she would call and check on, and her list of things she needed to do. As I became older, I began to do the same - to journal.
Throughout my years at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, I was introduced to Visual Faith Ministry. I was blessed to be able to see and incorporate Visual Faith practices during my student teaching experience, and continue to do the same now in my own classroom!
After attending a conference and hearing Ann Voskamp speak about her book “One Thousand Gifts”, I was shown that there was a Visual Faith Joy Journal that could be paired with this book. I immediately thought of my grandma, Harriet. Not only was she an avid writer, but she loved to read. She loved to read so much that the ladies at the Deshler Library, near her home, knew her by name! After that night, I ordered the book and the journal for my grandma. I gifted this to her at Christmas of 2023. I remember her calling me to tell me about what she would write and journal about. How she “isn’t the best artist, but tried”, and how she has been learning so much from the book as well.
On September 2, 2024, Harriet Schroeder was called to her Heavenly Home. She had tragically passed away in a car accident that afternoon. It’s times like these that make you truly reflect on the last time you have talked to, spent time with, or have seen your loved ones.
What was the last thing we talked about? What was the latest book she was reading? I wondered about these things and missed her dearly over the following months. We recently began to go through the beloved home that I had grown up playing board games in, journaling with her, and baking all kinds of goodies.
We began to go through the decorations and belongings and my mom found the Joy Journal that I gifted my grandma. I had completely forgotten that I had given this to her nine months prior! I opened the journal. There were all of her thoughts, prayers, and hopes from the last 9 months of her earthly life with us. I couldn’t help but cry. Not the type of crying I had been doing 9 months ago, but tears filled with joy and peace. I couldn’t believe that I had this precious memento of my beloved grandmother.
I cannot express my gratitude for the practices of Visual Faith, and how that journal has been such a blessing to my family and I. I have been able to pick up where my Grandma Harriet Schroeder left off in her Joy Journal. I am adding different ways I have and always will have joy for her and Our Savior in this earthly life. For this, I am forever grateful!!
Lydia Schroeder did her student teaching at St Paul Lutheran School in Ann Arbor, Michigan with first grade teacher- Jessica Meier- a Visual Faith Coach. Lydia now serves as a first grade teacher at St Paul Lutheran School in Napolean, Ohio
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!