Lashed By Storms

Lashed by Storms

By Janet Streed

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,

A Note From the Author

The first time I met Anne Schlegel, it was to interview her two sons to gather information to write their profile for a school newsletter. After the interview, Anne sent her boys on their way. She then took a seat across from me at our table at Perkins Restaurant in Longmont, Colorado, deliberately locked eyes with me, and said, “I want to talk to you.”

I hadn’t expected any further conversation that spring day in 2015, but I didn’t have a legitimate excuse to leave. Anne’s smile was engaging, and I sensed she had a specific reason for wanting to talk. I decided to stay and listen.

Half an hour later, I was still listening. Anne made herself vulnerable that afternoon, as she shared with me a few of the amazing, almost unbelievable events she and her husband Mike had experienced in twenty-seven years of marriage. It amazed me they weren’t separated or divorced—lesser challenges had led to broken marriages.

There was a genuineness about this energetic, petite woman. Her love for the Lord was obvious with each sentence she spoke. Her humility was refreshing.

I was captivated.

As our conversation continued, Anne told me God had been speaking to her heart, and to Mike’s, nudging them to share their story. It was their joint desire to honor and glorify God; that by sharing their story they could offer hope and encouragement to those walking through difficult challenges.

God spoke to my heart that day too. The Schlegels were offering an opportunity for others to know they aren’t alone in navigating the harsh realities of military life, infertility, life-threatening medical situations, adoptions, relocations, parent-child relationships, home-schooling, and more. God had been faithful when they were obedient. And He didn’t abandon them when they deliberately disobeyed.

Our conversation that afternoon was followed by another two weeks later. Three weeks passed, and Anne introduced me to Mike. The conversation the three of us shared that day is what ultimately led to this writing.

Soon after, as our respective busy schedules permitted, I would meet with Anne. It was then I began to learn, in greater detail, the particulars behind the stories that dotted the landscape of their marriage—stories of love, heartache, intrigue, miracles, healing, redemption, and grace.

Most of the time we met at Mike and Anne’s home, situated in mountainous terrain above Lyons, Colorado. We sat at her round, solid oak kitchen table, each of us facing a window with a mountain view. Always a gracious hostess, Anne made sure I had a cup of coffee and would fix herself a glass of ice cubes. I took notes as Anne openly shared her life while occasionally fishing out an ice cube or two to crunch. The degree to which she and Mike’s stories were intertwined continued to hold me captive.

When Mike’s work schedule permitted, he would join us at the table; his seat across from Anne’s, faced a stone fireplace. I soon learned Mike’s recollections of certain events differed somewhat from Anne’s. While they sorted out their respective memories, I’d lean back in my chair, try to hide the grin on my face, and listen, always grateful for how transparent they were willing to make themselves. Neither ever gave me occasion to doubt their commitment to honor God’s prompting.

The more we met, the more I came to love Anne and Mike, and their boys, Noah and Aaron, as well. Their love for each other and their commitment to God, were ever present. Sometimes, a phone call from Noah would interrupt our visit. A dedicated mother, Anne would take his call, and more often than not, I’d hear her ask, “Do you need prayer?” And while she prayed with her oldest son, I’d bow my head and quietly ask God to be present with each of them.

I’m excited to introduce you to the Schlegels. Bring your coffee or beverage of your choice and join me in their spacious kitchen. Get to know Anne and Mike. Let their struggles and challenges, and the resulting outcomes, speak to your heart and to your life.

You will find, as I did, that their story falls well outside the bounds of “usual.”

~ janet streed