Meet Strong In Grace Reader Of the Month:

Christine Schraeder

Can you give us some background information about yourself?

I grew up in the Quad Cities, Illinois. My family consisted of my parents and two sisters. Today, I have a husband, two brother-in-laws, a nephew, one grandparent still living, parents-in-law and grandparents in-law. I have been a Christian since I was about 11.

What was it like growing up?
It was really fun growing up. My mom was a substitute teacher for 15 years. Now she works as 6^th grade teacher. My dad is a computer programmer.

How was your relationship with your siblings?
Ann and I were very close. She is 15 months older than me. We shared a room all our lives. I always had a friend and still do. My little sister, Erin, was about 4 years younger than me. I regret I wasn’t kinder to her. But today we are very close. I love hanging out and talking on the phone with both of my sisters. Erin is a special miracle to our family. I believe she is the reason my family plunged into a full-time relationship with and commitment to Jesus Christ. Erin was born with hydrocephalus, which is having water on the brain. My parents already knew when she was in the womb that she had hydrocephalus. The doctor advised my parents to abort her since they already knew that the brain damage would be permanent. My parents didn’t.

How did the sickness of Erin impact your life?

I believe it was the reason why I grew up in a Christian family. I would like to share a small testimony from my dad. I think it tells the complete story of Erin wonderfully.

“In 1977, I had a daughter born with hydrocephalus, water on the brain.

Doctors said she would not talk or walk. Every day for the first four months of her life she had a seizure. While other babies walked during those periods, she just slept and had seizures. On one particular day in the summer of 1977, she had a grand mal seizure that left her comatose. Doctors at University Hospitals in Iowa City said her brain had been irreparably damaged. They told me to just take her to a state institution to live out her life.

I took her to a prayer meeting with 50 people at the Gospel Temple in

Moline to pray for the Lord to revive her. During that prayer meeting the Holy Spirit knocked me backwards, and she woke up out of her coma as I held her. That event started a miraculous healing journey for Erin.

The years of her progress towards adulthood have been interesting. At this time, she has graduated from Western Illinois University with a 3.88 grade point out of 4.0.

The bad news was that she had assumed she would go into special education and teach. But that did not work out as her hand eye

coordination is not as great as most teachers are, and the Western

Illinois teaching department teachers encouraged her to leave the teaching program right in the middle of her student teaching experience. The rejection from entering the teaching profession left her thinking she was a worthless human being. She had passed all of the required tests, the national teaching exam and all the other

tests. But she considered herself a failure. I suggested to her that with her excellent people and perceptive skills she would be good in healthcare. She is currently a successful home health care worker.

Now she is very encouraged towards the things Jesus has done for her.”

Christine with her sister Erin and her nephew Cameron

How did you get saved?

I asked the Lord to come into my life during a youth meeting. I was raised in a Christian home. Some people say the biggest deceit of Satan is addicting people to drugs, tempting them with adultery, etc. But, I don’t agree. It’s that he deceives people by telling them that their lives are fine because they are “good”, healthy and happy, even without the Lord. Seeing people who think they are independent because they have worldly success is very sad to me. I have realized that I cannot live and breathe without Jesus Christ. Even though people may have looked at my life and thought I was fine since I had no major problems or addictions, I know that without the Lord I would have no peace and no joy

What do you feel your calling in life is?

First and foremost is to please the Lord in everything I do. That’s a general calling for everyone. The gifts he has given me is the gift of helps, which is practical service behind the scenes, such as giving money, time and energy to people in need. God also called me to be a missionary in my workplace.

What is your educational background?

I have a degree in Biology/Pre-med from Augustana College and a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from Chicago Medical School.

Are you working in these fields?

I started at Abbott Laboratory as a data manager for clinical trials. I am currently a medical development planner for clinical trials at Pfizer. I will be laid off soon because they are closing the facilities in the Chicago area. I am currently looking for a new position.

How are you coping with the stress of loosing job?

This is a really good time in many ways but not because it is easy. It is very exciting to think about new prospects and a little time off, but a job search is also stressful. But, it is only by trials that we grow. I know God will mold me and grow me in ways I never thought possible.

Tell us about your husband.

I met Josh at Abbott at the first day of work. When I first saw him, I had this physical spark go from my head to my toes. I am telling you the truth. Then we were friends in a group settings and I got to know him. Three years after we met we were married on Nov. 21, 1998.

Was he Christian?

Yes, he was also raised in a Christian family. We both grew up with the same charismatic denomination.

Do you have any children?

No. Our vision is to adopt some needy children eventually. This was a mutual calling that both of us had before getting married.

What three words would describe you best?

Hard working, cheerful, thankful.

If there were something you would like to change about yourself, what would it be?

Not spending enough time in the Word.

What is your favorite verse from the Bible?

Micah 6:8 is one of my and my sister Erin’s favorite verses. Also Isaiah chapter 58.

What is your favorite character from the Bible?

Lydia is one of them

Do you have a dream?

My dream is to do what pleases the Lord. That’s what really satisfies me day by day.

What was your happiest moment?

My marriage to Josh is the happiest time in my life.

What is your favorite activity or pass time?

Besides church activities, I like to work out and read. I ran the Chicago Marathon last year.

What’s your favorite book?

Francine Rivers is my favorite author. She is a Christian Fiction Romance writer. Her books are full of meaning and help show me practical ways to live a better Christian life.

Favorite Food?

Thai

Best advice you ever received in your life or you can give to someone?

What you think is a sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice at all. In other words, the biggest blessings I ever receive are when I step out in faith, even when it is difficult. Blessings most often come from the toughest situations.