Friends and family,
“It’s that time of year, when the world falls in love”, from
the tune by Doris Day, is upon us again and the sentiment or wish at the
conclusion of the song is, “may your New Year’s dreams come true.” Looking back
over the past year, many of our dreams came true with the normal struggles we
all face. It is great to catch up with you and let you know some of the
positive events of 2025, with a few pictures.
Jace finished out his junior year and began his senior year. With high school graduation on the horizon, he was accepted into the engineering school of Indiana Wesleyan University. So far this year, he received academic honors, was academic all-state athlete for the cross-country team, earned a letter, and was given the Rock-Solid Award for his tough and consistent approach to races, and an Oar Award for a race where he showed incredible effort and poise for his team. He continues to play the piano and picks up his saxophone for Wind Symphony of Westfield High School, for their concerts. His personal growth has been evident through this year. His attendance at Tuesday evening Bible Study and his small group on Sunday evenings, has been enriched by his friends with whom he feels most comfortable. Penn Station is a place where he earns a paycheck, and he is often closing the store with other team members in the evenings.
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| Jace had his senior pictures taken at the end of the summer. |
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| At the front of the pack in the Flashrock Meet. |
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| Feeding a giraffe that took a liking to him in Kenya. |
Gwyneth is in the last half of her sophomore year. She
enjoyed stage crew for the Show Choir at Westfield High School and plans to
have a managerial role for that crew in the New Year. She loves volunteering in
the children’s Sunday School class at College Park Church and dancing with the
In-Step Dance ministry. She is on the way to being a licensed driver soon, so
we’ll have to balance more drivers than cars in our home, as she plans to apply
for jobs. She is bold about her faith, loves her friends, and achieves at a
high academic level, she is a member of multiple clubs at school, and volunteers as a tutor for other students.
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| Gwyneth’s photography was displayed a local coffee shop. |
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| She won our family bow and arrow target competition in the Masai Mara. |
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| First day of sophomore year! |
Quinn is finishing out her eighth-grade year and is looking
forward to working out with the high school team for the upcoming track season.
She ran cross country and stayed active with In-Step dance at the church as
well. She is disciplined, enjoys her
friends, and serves in the kids’ Sunday School program as a volunteer, allowing
her to complete some of her National Jr. Honor Society hours. More recently she is involved in SALT (Student
Athlete Leadership Team) and has sung with the Show Choir for Westfield Middle
School.
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| Quinn with her Show Choir friend, Norah. |
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| First day of eighth grade for Quinn. |
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| School dance pic. |
It was a dream to return to Kenya so that the kids could see where their dad spent most of his childhood and where family members served the Kipsigis tribe, where we were able to see former mission stations where they served. It was great to see sights in Kijabe, Nakuru, Tenwek, the Masia Mara, and the capital, Nairobi. During the week we helped to install a portion of the Calvary Africa Gospel Church’s floor. We finished with a trip sightseeing animals in the wild, highlighted by encountering two leopards.
The kids love time with their cousins, and it was great to
spend a few days in the Wisconsin Dells with the Rieman’s, (Sarah’s sister and
bro-in-law). These times together, though short, are treasured.
Sarah continues to work with Fisher Veterinary Associates as
a veterinarian, practicing in integrative medicine. Thankfully, she is working
less Saturdays and can make it to more sporting events to see the kids and
assist John.
John continues to serve the adult online students of Indiana
Wesleyan University, enjoying the opportunities to encourage and point them
toward Jesus Christ, the way, truth, and life.
May your Christmas season be blessed and ‘may new year
dreams come true’, The Lees
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
