Doreen

Janet Schultz is an amazing woman with a gift and passion for hospitality. She loves, gives and makes making breakfast for 200 people look effortless. She always has a smile on her face and brings joy with her everywhere she goes.  You will love her straightforward, matter-of-fact faith today.

“Start children off on the way they should go, even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

After reading my daughters latest blog I thought I would share it as part of mine.

Our daughter Doreen has always cared a lot about people. She was a sweet caring child and is loved by all who know her. As a young child she took it upon herself to try to change a friend who was raised as an atheist, he always listened to her and smiled. Many years later he called and said to tell baby Doreen (he used to call her that) I took communion today. He is a regular church attendee now. Even a small child can change someone’s life. We never know how long or when the seed planted will bloom.

 As we grow into the different season of life our gifts will grow and maybe change.

God’s path and plan for Doreen was to be a wife and mother of five children. After her first child, she decided to home school her family through high school. Her dedication amazed us and she worked hard to make sure they all learned what they needed. Her life was composed of school, field trips and teaching about whatever came in their path, including vacations. She was also a wife and cook to a household of seven. 

Her dedication to her children is evident with the success of her family. Today Zack, her oldest son is a graduate of UCLA, married and working on his master’s degree while Amanda his wife is working on her Ph.D. Sydney is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and is getting married this summer. Julian graduated from Barrett’s Academy and is now at Cal Tech getting his Ph.D. Caleb and Jordan, the youngest two, are enrolled at Las Positas College in Livermore, CA. 

We are very proud of Doreen and her husband Steve for giving us the blessing of this amazing Wagner family. To say “job well done” is an understatement.  Steve also played a huge part in the homeschooling while working full time.

Doreen worked on college courses as her children grew.  It took her a while to decide her directions and at one time considered nursing.  She decided to start an exercise program and get fit, and fit she got!! This took her to her next decision.  Now comes her time to shine again and have a new career.  

 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Today Doreen is a certified personal trainer and has a degree in Kinesiology.  She is always working on learning new things. She helps people change their lives and become what they want to be. Her gift is now directed at helping others. Seeing her on Facebook with her classes and reading what people say about her brings such joy to us.

The thread of kindness and caring has followed Doreen her entire life in many different ways. We all need to remember the gifts we get from God and put them to good use. 

I love how God sets our path in life and gives us the strength to do what we need in all stages of our lives. Working with people is just where Doreen is supposed to be.

(Even though my blog is about our daughter, we also have an amazing son.)

Doreen writes lots of great blogs, but I love the one below because it’s about her story.

Doreen’s Blog on Growth:

Growth, this has been on my mind. I homeschooled my kids. The concept of growth was always on my mind. I was concerned with social growth, intellectual growth, spiritual growth, and physical growth. These were key areas of focus for me and I wanted to make sure my kids were in the process of continual growth. It makes sense; kids need to grow, right!? Well, what about adults? What about YOU? Guess what, we need to grow too!!! I found this quote and I think it sums it up pretty well… “The only way that we can live, is if we grow”. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. “Throw yourself.” C. Joy Bell C. YES! “Throw yourself”!!! Adults like to have it all together, know what they are doing, be in control, etc… When is the last time you threw yourself into some uncharted territory? When is the last time you tried something new? I suggest you give it a try. Set aside all preconceived notions and just “do it”. You might be surprised at the growth that occurs when we take a small step outside that comfort zone. #livforward