tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34295593728943972292024-03-13T22:01:00.307-07:00John's JotsJohn Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-90091785591767589552023-12-03T17:33:00.000-08:002023-12-08T09:48:47.586-08:00Lee Christmas Update 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Christmas Greetings! 2023</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJxDTGe69FvjGPVmJl30xDCTOpEhnqeE2jdmtMGcj7k0EDL3z2Qw9NdoWB0ZImys0Ww_6RlzipzPE0F3d-Y38PoWKFZKj4EN01gs71I1lyLDuhE6EhdnuBISo0Lp_qIbI1DU18ZwFJmig7cDKZ90WhlhhhtnKvFIjqwCEVwj70g4pepB23M6qwSJ0lXUO/s680/789fa9c13e9c224d6b77c6a0cb5bf6a0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="564" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJxDTGe69FvjGPVmJl30xDCTOpEhnqeE2jdmtMGcj7k0EDL3z2Qw9NdoWB0ZImys0Ww_6RlzipzPE0F3d-Y38PoWKFZKj4EN01gs71I1lyLDuhE6EhdnuBISo0Lp_qIbI1DU18ZwFJmig7cDKZ90WhlhhhtnKvFIjqwCEVwj70g4pepB23M6qwSJ0lXUO/w308-h372/789fa9c13e9c224d6b77c6a0cb5bf6a0.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: rustic-refined.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Greetings to friends and family as we close out 2023 . What a year it has been for us! I'm reminded of that as I peruse pictures from the past year. Most of us like images to connect with words on a page, so I include plenty of pictures in this update.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Much of the Winter months were spent preparing for a remodel of our kitchen and main living areas, which commenced in the Spring. Making choices about counters, cabinets, paint colors, and faucets is overwhelming and exhausting!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We took a quick trip through Chattanooga, TN and on to Panama City for Spring Break.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdSyHU8xT6knYljaM3U-hSZLcZ6rDLTY3hoba9C16BtfaBSwAPZ2CfFaQyiqh7lzaFa251eE_3jJhtpafb_WWFIrtYOakPv6EDRcIuwgXp7O_YYp_Ny0z3wgx_YRzc8B-yzhU7oZm2VWJuO0quUlzpdZloRcqHk9iHm9wBZKII7UKEh5muktHjm9PZJHx/s4032/IMG_6056.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdSyHU8xT6knYljaM3U-hSZLcZ6rDLTY3hoba9C16BtfaBSwAPZ2CfFaQyiqh7lzaFa251eE_3jJhtpafb_WWFIrtYOakPv6EDRcIuwgXp7O_YYp_Ny0z3wgx_YRzc8B-yzhU7oZm2VWJuO0quUlzpdZloRcqHk9iHm9wBZKII7UKEh5muktHjm9PZJHx/s320/IMG_6056.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRb5-4Mi9UR7k2xiKQuxcG0fUY-KZkMEvIn3ae2vFc2IsaGJ32U7m7OA7EtB4tKZhqF5uwEqysGT0okp4mK3Hgur07AU-QXUqsn4fKxOKqawr3nUIdGJcqMsXcDX2Xj0jCIyz8nZbOdDI6FKgKX3GTSzvGEFxpLpVMn0OITGeyKsesDV0Ok5Y_fZPNxAT/s4032/IMG_3657.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRb5-4Mi9UR7k2xiKQuxcG0fUY-KZkMEvIn3ae2vFc2IsaGJ32U7m7OA7EtB4tKZhqF5uwEqysGT0okp4mK3Hgur07AU-QXUqsn4fKxOKqawr3nUIdGJcqMsXcDX2Xj0jCIyz8nZbOdDI6FKgKX3GTSzvGEFxpLpVMn0OITGeyKsesDV0Ok5Y_fZPNxAT/s320/IMG_3657.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuFHZEUhJKv8W5LOjkodtyIubAW2tbtzcoFR8XnBlNAXc2tu4kaaEnazJWP2HH0qLPevq92tYSm1D9PAFUW7UycQElTVbgQbaPyrofvOGxdlJlHPSO9ayGEUgxGdWXFiH3tBwUD68OfwEMSeNS_4A_bdjZRlOZgTbKMIumo_iir2NfrrsX-U1IWAz-JA_/s4032/IMG_3670.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuFHZEUhJKv8W5LOjkodtyIubAW2tbtzcoFR8XnBlNAXc2tu4kaaEnazJWP2HH0qLPevq92tYSm1D9PAFUW7UycQElTVbgQbaPyrofvOGxdlJlHPSO9ayGEUgxGdWXFiH3tBwUD68OfwEMSeNS_4A_bdjZRlOZgTbKMIumo_iir2NfrrsX-U1IWAz-JA_/s320/IMG_3670.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">We returned to renovation in our home for the next three and a half months. The construction crew attempted to make it as painless as possible but it required lots of adjustment. We are grateful for the added features in our kitchen and the open feel to our home.</blockquote><div><b>Before:</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h0Iv5EGlLCfO3rAXau1r8QrBwygIwa4ArqdwN9788r8xMqOSX-LuPpEMj3f528BhndLrd3_3qzclGhkeCrgTHfRlFrRmd8pNu-KxzXuzW2rb83brnVeYTOAS1jF0rwKNz_Z7lac2nBg06ijax0GbUFTOXw6XnUhYkDBnclZV4T6IM-5fGL2umKZCrHRg/s1600/IMG_3545.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h0Iv5EGlLCfO3rAXau1r8QrBwygIwa4ArqdwN9788r8xMqOSX-LuPpEMj3f528BhndLrd3_3qzclGhkeCrgTHfRlFrRmd8pNu-KxzXuzW2rb83brnVeYTOAS1jF0rwKNz_Z7lac2nBg06ijax0GbUFTOXw6XnUhYkDBnclZV4T6IM-5fGL2umKZCrHRg/s320/IMG_3545.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTzlqDRuoNxWPAsutSQm3zQdog4fqhjSsWVLgh8MRH1TxIuRz4yZcZRNyJ5ipWSo6FGTFrUVeBTmRlK2VepCpR1_pGp5I6HF4eGhe3DoR7XbWxNpYkO_0HIJ19umUjgz3HfvNZBq5ZMJCzDerBT1OOF5x9HoZJZpRtLwe2wGHxKZ-p7MTTvN0qHLgktkX/s4032/IMG_3607.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTzlqDRuoNxWPAsutSQm3zQdog4fqhjSsWVLgh8MRH1TxIuRz4yZcZRNyJ5ipWSo6FGTFrUVeBTmRlK2VepCpR1_pGp5I6HF4eGhe3DoR7XbWxNpYkO_0HIJ19umUjgz3HfvNZBq5ZMJCzDerBT1OOF5x9HoZJZpRtLwe2wGHxKZ-p7MTTvN0qHLgktkX/s320/IMG_3607.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>After:</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlFMgFSK6UrYJZi6ofE0VDgDVDxaIPPhSICurg1B7sa4gKxsynbBecz8LiOJj67jioYGumw8-q_8Ewn-_TelA3p_GgejocMjBuJ5LRp_ZfF9YC4erHwj25GtabldeDE40-XbR3M5C1sv9mWFJl8W_RBc4rDD0JGat5QjHcggfKKa5M8YJ4ICfr0LK6YGP/s4032/IMG_4462.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlFMgFSK6UrYJZi6ofE0VDgDVDxaIPPhSICurg1B7sa4gKxsynbBecz8LiOJj67jioYGumw8-q_8Ewn-_TelA3p_GgejocMjBuJ5LRp_ZfF9YC4erHwj25GtabldeDE40-XbR3M5C1sv9mWFJl8W_RBc4rDD0JGat5QjHcggfKKa5M8YJ4ICfr0LK6YGP/s320/IMG_4462.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyGP1W4rDj5ZzSybHZIDH2tMtk-9TqOXazfImcEHKjlfB0uA2Gx8SA0L1FK3Ufptyh9x84E54pm8dEYaUX-DY5tKhfBeXSYVj2VXCn398i0eq8trDDGYx0q9bwmxS0hv2tzRdSvRZtwlaJGQ31Qt-QXjVI0SwqtyC-tgCFdnMGxZy9JKTBuG30_ojWcNse" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyGP1W4rDj5ZzSybHZIDH2tMtk-9TqOXazfImcEHKjlfB0uA2Gx8SA0L1FK3Ufptyh9x84E54pm8dEYaUX-DY5tKhfBeXSYVj2VXCn398i0eq8trDDGYx0q9bwmxS0hv2tzRdSvRZtwlaJGQ31Qt-QXjVI0SwqtyC-tgCFdnMGxZy9JKTBuG30_ojWcNse" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAML_44qT4r1Jk2Nh0WcM28cohowksB8_pGRn7UgR9Uy0zVdVazI-i8e5YW_FdvrjKBiT0qX4N0k4XF-xqRa3Y7HzWobzhSfOPXueovo7nS_A7lXAH2cUW8YQ-q1LIgfF1PdqxTzSN7Wmf87RQk8KjDCfmGp6WbI3_AcAwVrxvjfVoJE7dsVbCkrhKYRK/s4032/IMG_4461.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAML_44qT4r1Jk2Nh0WcM28cohowksB8_pGRn7UgR9Uy0zVdVazI-i8e5YW_FdvrjKBiT0qX4N0k4XF-xqRa3Y7HzWobzhSfOPXueovo7nS_A7lXAH2cUW8YQ-q1LIgfF1PdqxTzSN7Wmf87RQk8KjDCfmGp6WbI3_AcAwVrxvjfVoJE7dsVbCkrhKYRK/s320/IMG_4461.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The kids have matured physically, mentally, and spiritually. It isn't without its bumps and bruises but we thank the Lord for each one of them, and we inwardly cheer as they grow in their positive influence. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jace is in his sophomore year. He runs track and cross-country. His cross country season was hampered by an emergency appendectomy. His interest in music remains as he continues to play the saxophone, piano, and take college prep courses for architecture and engineering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02nazTmH4FNLlQj4vwTe6oEuPNHNBDHjCB4egbS8grlUe08qafOxf5doKX0xu6QaAQBwKgZP9a1gusvsE8rG3kZJcrThuML7AR7TBmoK9nlJqrZ3Vs-iSd5IO1gpF61j6Lgvr3iS5lv27rIVcqJ8RZlT_jqcTTxSF3l7MhBDYH9EsJhKUckNG77ilwAse/s4032/IMG_6897.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02nazTmH4FNLlQj4vwTe6oEuPNHNBDHjCB4egbS8grlUe08qafOxf5doKX0xu6QaAQBwKgZP9a1gusvsE8rG3kZJcrThuML7AR7TBmoK9nlJqrZ3Vs-iSd5IO1gpF61j6Lgvr3iS5lv27rIVcqJ8RZlT_jqcTTxSF3l7MhBDYH9EsJhKUckNG77ilwAse/s320/IMG_6897.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXih7ylkFq7InP-g5PUM8SH49kgwlMbVOs_8OGoaX4eyKXrIE6NLj4U6mQDzKsXnXQ_28ZtSb3dltqWhOGx6ziDuGtfBKNBtHT0eDitZENgmkVABZlWgOdEajWOxXtosU-TfDTaUUtrvahspBR1viYkd7NzEewy0zUIXBSCAI_rArtQB3nrvQdJFlhH3yc/s1665/IMG_4214.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="1249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXih7ylkFq7InP-g5PUM8SH49kgwlMbVOs_8OGoaX4eyKXrIE6NLj4U6mQDzKsXnXQ_28ZtSb3dltqWhOGx6ziDuGtfBKNBtHT0eDitZENgmkVABZlWgOdEajWOxXtosU-TfDTaUUtrvahspBR1viYkd7NzEewy0zUIXBSCAI_rArtQB3nrvQdJFlhH3yc/s320/IMG_4214.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KUuPnMBYLRm-kiHWRIGfei6uSITmteqJ6mBaapvu9-EEW8LeUblxoqzPcpnW8ntFk2ksRRAnkRGssTI1PeRGMeuXxO2hOPeTsjlWOXfQP8T06i_bRekI1V3x25uVzjsnVlO8TsnsJ0P_468UqFhV_rgjgbcs9K6PmlRz4E_2lEfQVFu8_f6lJwJ8EjZq/s1665/IMG_4214.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><div>Gwyneth is an eighth grader, and she will move to high school next year. She continues in the dance ministry at the church, Show Choir at the Middle School, Junior National Honor Society, and piano. She enjoys volunteering in the preschool ministry at College Park Church and interacting with friends.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjqGGvyn801rHHCpG2U0Wg-kLBZam3McWftyql9Krd8ZGc0tk3K-4yO7rTGW4VdwpKZYV0KaI7wh5iLJEGhpvjW13rtqr89gWNGCFptQQ8pvEggSZG-TnkVYl3pdeBdjrzyUpTjiomrj6u5j9QBwUdd2d5Z2sfOuVkU6-HOOzzngEA044WhSQc8xybUJt/s1600/IMG_4205.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjqGGvyn801rHHCpG2U0Wg-kLBZam3McWftyql9Krd8ZGc0tk3K-4yO7rTGW4VdwpKZYV0KaI7wh5iLJEGhpvjW13rtqr89gWNGCFptQQ8pvEggSZG-TnkVYl3pdeBdjrzyUpTjiomrj6u5j9QBwUdd2d5Z2sfOuVkU6-HOOzzngEA044WhSQc8xybUJt/s320/IMG_4205.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtcP8EUcyHeaxShC-jsNF-Bgkh0meBQ_dYsbwyIg0E4-PH9cRwh5ehnyC4i9Ny7Em3rMJTILGljqy9SbWsVaBMiqGwj9XDYtGnGB5_u3W8xcbLrIk_Vf9pt7LRiHBr9HTlaGG0eMSxxwigU2IxilaeiCE5jv5ts1PaKeFgv8BakbalSmTAPjZOeFU7HCl/s4032/IMG_6875.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtcP8EUcyHeaxShC-jsNF-Bgkh0meBQ_dYsbwyIg0E4-PH9cRwh5ehnyC4i9Ny7Em3rMJTILGljqy9SbWsVaBMiqGwj9XDYtGnGB5_u3W8xcbLrIk_Vf9pt7LRiHBr9HTlaGG0eMSxxwigU2IxilaeiCE5jv5ts1PaKeFgv8BakbalSmTAPjZOeFU7HCl/s320/IMG_6875.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Quinn is a sixth grader who is involved in the New Creation Choir at the church, runs cross-country in the Fall, practices the piano, and is involved in the church's dance ministry. She enjoys expressing herself through writing and continues to memorize a lot of Scripture for Sunday School competitions.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q11iIe_RpT-M7iQ5gVzNgMNaX-oX_YtbBHlR6lD_pR0P0fA_b6NCnV4_CycMABU7UFH9bwUXofBWgjUCeys5Gfi2I9YOV9044auHiFnAxa5OCViG9eQDMOs1gBqg1-b_q9D0ZqkS-CQl6YNbRIpuW4KPunjN05CqvDOVO2oHsQvO_jvQRR34cWuGjUNz/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q11iIe_RpT-M7iQ5gVzNgMNaX-oX_YtbBHlR6lD_pR0P0fA_b6NCnV4_CycMABU7UFH9bwUXofBWgjUCeys5Gfi2I9YOV9044auHiFnAxa5OCViG9eQDMOs1gBqg1-b_q9D0ZqkS-CQl6YNbRIpuW4KPunjN05CqvDOVO2oHsQvO_jvQRR34cWuGjUNz/s320/IMG_4528.HEIC" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFvpGBKaXXHw5nksDnNts3e68Gf_6r-n4vei5Q11kWybRZUckr3YhqO9-o9zo0TuJLOaC-AJuci8KtLLkslZCb0mFcGCB_XUgU_KjPhvl7NMvzPdSS2ZtRdH1LWheqg0VN4MPBz4X3iSPW5bPRalDy6QLK_ZW9MxeUwrx8H2T5Y9xc-OPr6bYUsjNakd-/s4032/IMG_4204.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFvpGBKaXXHw5nksDnNts3e68Gf_6r-n4vei5Q11kWybRZUckr3YhqO9-o9zo0TuJLOaC-AJuci8KtLLkslZCb0mFcGCB_XUgU_KjPhvl7NMvzPdSS2ZtRdH1LWheqg0VN4MPBz4X3iSPW5bPRalDy6QLK_ZW9MxeUwrx8H2T5Y9xc-OPr6bYUsjNakd-/w240-h320/IMG_4204.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">John and Sarah celebrated their
20th anniversary this year. Sarah continues to work with Fishers Veterinary
Associates as a doctor with an interest in holistic medicine. John serves at
Indiana Wesleyan University as the Online Chaplain for the students in the adult studies programs. We're grateful for great places to serve, the
teams on which we labor, and how God supplies our needs for each season. We
continue to worship with the family of faith at College Park Church in Indianapolis.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBQyPaaNUUsLJiFF2GNtk_zojM-UaDNvAivwTTOtqSBCqmWRM9LdahjsYSk0fCz6s2PB7ydAq83kFCGMG8LhYr5oxqq9xQhl0Vm1apbpjBA9brYX3uitkQpT98js5GuiA4GlvJdIYdbJ7RK2kirSqdBNi0eqyLOU_0Pdp1g0HIMkB48Byd7x_tBqKpzOj/s3088/IMG_4905.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBQyPaaNUUsLJiFF2GNtk_zojM-UaDNvAivwTTOtqSBCqmWRM9LdahjsYSk0fCz6s2PB7ydAq83kFCGMG8LhYr5oxqq9xQhl0Vm1apbpjBA9brYX3uitkQpT98js5GuiA4GlvJdIYdbJ7RK2kirSqdBNi0eqyLOU_0Pdp1g0HIMkB48Byd7x_tBqKpzOj/s320/IMG_4905.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Ever since the kids were born, we
knew that someday we wanted to take an educational trip to Washington DC. We
had an opportunity to enjoy a Fall Break excursion, passing through Ohiopyle
State Park, the Flight 93 Memorial, and Gettysburg, PA in route. Our time in DC was
packed with too many pictures to share on this blog... Here are a few:</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo4lIT3LbJg0wu882rPN7Xuy_B18S-qESWHfOVl15QtgSS5M-pORk6zYvNvf7dGWS1Ts6bFLsjCcu7Oyst_VLVXfVi3qP0kooVj8F5wsXvHM7aXGofnoQSJ1Td0hEn-93ftatLFf4RHWcaxpxXr_ZwWMnqgevb5s_79IudZK7GvUQ74THJ1xr7BteQBXG/s1600/IMG_4593.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo4lIT3LbJg0wu882rPN7Xuy_B18S-qESWHfOVl15QtgSS5M-pORk6zYvNvf7dGWS1Ts6bFLsjCcu7Oyst_VLVXfVi3qP0kooVj8F5wsXvHM7aXGofnoQSJ1Td0hEn-93ftatLFf4RHWcaxpxXr_ZwWMnqgevb5s_79IudZK7GvUQ74THJ1xr7BteQBXG/s320/IMG_4593.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohiopyle means, "white, frothy water."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MzK9-RmVrIgxMRSTnqvgEoxp7jvm_As_1ys92Pq90CnnuxogL5wBznKcHlnvQKVqeHNULm-mnLc73KQAa2aIkgNQ017mOFqC3cwkBEzBLLIuQUd5CJELHPR0ZisB-BkJIKjeCr0yb6kKwQNzfSCrh4loxhWQ-OwUr4LMGvYd0JLH3NFtva5YE7m7i5WL/s1600/IMG_4594.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MzK9-RmVrIgxMRSTnqvgEoxp7jvm_As_1ys92Pq90CnnuxogL5wBznKcHlnvQKVqeHNULm-mnLc73KQAa2aIkgNQ017mOFqC3cwkBEzBLLIuQUd5CJELHPR0ZisB-BkJIKjeCr0yb6kKwQNzfSCrh4loxhWQ-OwUr4LMGvYd0JLH3NFtva5YE7m7i5WL/s320/IMG_4594.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohiopyle State Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zuMZZxczsB6C293i1sTQvVWSIG14vTVKP5-R1s1W4ahbi0Jrbh9UKVmaE_5NVGL8p7phoWbkaAEL3HEHpYBO_82-6_9XwjB39aZaGx1bNSLPZ7pOko2G_MXueH_DE-o9HBznXVxNjBHuI4xvoarwMRsk1eiXjYs52-loU4laSj0TijeN9__f4v_Vnt3q/s1600/IMG_4618.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zuMZZxczsB6C293i1sTQvVWSIG14vTVKP5-R1s1W4ahbi0Jrbh9UKVmaE_5NVGL8p7phoWbkaAEL3HEHpYBO_82-6_9XwjB39aZaGx1bNSLPZ7pOko2G_MXueH_DE-o9HBznXVxNjBHuI4xvoarwMRsk1eiXjYs52-loU4laSj0TijeN9__f4v_Vnt3q/s320/IMG_4618.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of Voices, Flight 93 Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoh9PriD5uZ_Iwijd7lfltVSJXf4nisPHigfMtG1Hmuwvq0KZrDn0o-nbABjfucWcJ_73Kf0atCWxODMfZ-oc8yV7wiYgewSlIPg3yI1KXgkTkt7zPrg82k3mdhyphenhyphenv6Q1VTkntpmGT7cU_ZYlx8ngEZzKCYPd4sYyFPfpU2AQ2EEUwoTpyFUEf-OLzODLr/s1600/IMG_4675.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoh9PriD5uZ_Iwijd7lfltVSJXf4nisPHigfMtG1Hmuwvq0KZrDn0o-nbABjfucWcJ_73Kf0atCWxODMfZ-oc8yV7wiYgewSlIPg3yI1KXgkTkt7zPrg82k3mdhyphenhyphenv6Q1VTkntpmGT7cU_ZYlx8ngEZzKCYPd4sYyFPfpU2AQ2EEUwoTpyFUEf-OLzODLr/s320/IMG_4675.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in World War 1 Plaza</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aAgB2GN10lPPlek8_4oeQWntlbiOwMU1yG5mZ9knOuq8uhEg9j_DY7GGiqQHSoxRwGakooxpZbX5p8WQ83PyusfZ0B7KAobG4Zk0LKaws_BhxbjtyYlIPw8XYKiTpyfj4fmU9QMbGBq6N1eO8E1d_Quq8axBDR2M6KR6YS8I4tXakO7GHfLjnpRzuT4h/s1600/IMG_4681.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aAgB2GN10lPPlek8_4oeQWntlbiOwMU1yG5mZ9knOuq8uhEg9j_DY7GGiqQHSoxRwGakooxpZbX5p8WQ83PyusfZ0B7KAobG4Zk0LKaws_BhxbjtyYlIPw8XYKiTpyfj4fmU9QMbGBq6N1eO8E1d_Quq8axBDR2M6KR6YS8I4tXakO7GHfLjnpRzuT4h/s320/IMG_4681.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnam War Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTqPZFZk6UCwR3pfkvCDeNzilgL-o4J5_t0ohflQPC13NsD3EaD5fPj502wSS-sJBmOP1v0Jx00uzu9fzxGxS31jH29gswirmeGRQmuuYN8bCIfyWC9Xt6fU35v9lyXnK3x5zjbQCLJt9Gc3o_1W9_-ZinrXenu33-fM9R7Mv-hyv6utjotgrc3oFUgUD/s1600/IMG_4685.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTqPZFZk6UCwR3pfkvCDeNzilgL-o4J5_t0ohflQPC13NsD3EaD5fPj502wSS-sJBmOP1v0Jx00uzu9fzxGxS31jH29gswirmeGRQmuuYN8bCIfyWC9Xt6fU35v9lyXnK3x5zjbQCLJt9Gc3o_1W9_-ZinrXenu33-fM9R7Mv-hyv6utjotgrc3oFUgUD/s320/IMG_4685.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqghVK9M5LcNH_7PNh-L7rWplYKfV0xyd7Ak-XLWHAKIZp7EOiFeNrSyeGZJpOPmmi3xgEgQD6JRNKF2hBPmcxnHEF32C_xWWHgA-8I4AjIQc3HiRMi5hi1BD8l6ohcAmYVQukX2VzHYK5jqOfy2tGlmxK-qS-egk5_ZZvFjf-2bUiFmuzGecQX3FGx3d/s1600/IMG_4764.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqghVK9M5LcNH_7PNh-L7rWplYKfV0xyd7Ak-XLWHAKIZp7EOiFeNrSyeGZJpOPmmi3xgEgQD6JRNKF2hBPmcxnHEF32C_xWWHgA-8I4AjIQc3HiRMi5hi1BD8l6ohcAmYVQukX2VzHYK5jqOfy2tGlmxK-qS-egk5_ZZvFjf-2bUiFmuzGecQX3FGx3d/s320/IMG_4764.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Marine Corps War Memorial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mv3-MZUjoNy4PC0j0XxRcP8kSGU7aqAruQP9da_6CxXJem60I4CJqKwaG73AIe8q7XgIt6W4VCq3lfj73HtWvzFcRvbNKBuUsXzOcmW9XGHhVReA3SKx8jEOgyGIwCa7joZr2-OiLjMss3WeBed54d_qWefL4KV7uQwnmDn_B1Ba11quRsKQtvloVTc2/s1600/IMG_4773.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mv3-MZUjoNy4PC0j0XxRcP8kSGU7aqAruQP9da_6CxXJem60I4CJqKwaG73AIe8q7XgIt6W4VCq3lfj73HtWvzFcRvbNKBuUsXzOcmW9XGHhVReA3SKx8jEOgyGIwCa7joZr2-OiLjMss3WeBed54d_qWefL4KV7uQwnmDn_B1Ba11quRsKQtvloVTc2/s320/IMG_4773.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb of the Unknown Soldier</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPpzX13-XIrEMhhyfw7dktBN7xbclWR7yDhUhUE0ZT2_RLq2lagcMAEjZTH1L0oI4r2NjrFbak0LqchO-AIuEvkKx5tH5_1U0ZRR3PGBg7NdwZPNqgaYSJRZxxsz3KNjR-UrOz5QhIqTx8wyq39u3EOBUcmJ2PglBhd0t7qpvHNGtZk7uAnL3bnHwOObi/s1600/IMG_6895.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPpzX13-XIrEMhhyfw7dktBN7xbclWR7yDhUhUE0ZT2_RLq2lagcMAEjZTH1L0oI4r2NjrFbak0LqchO-AIuEvkKx5tH5_1U0ZRR3PGBg7NdwZPNqgaYSJRZxxsz3KNjR-UrOz5QhIqTx8wyq39u3EOBUcmJ2PglBhd0t7qpvHNGtZk7uAnL3bnHwOObi/s320/IMG_6895.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2 class="qrShPb pXs6bb PZPZlf q8U8x aTI8gc hNKfZe" data-attrid="title" data-dtype="d3ifr" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-ved="2ahUKEwiXq8S21e6CAxWtl2oFHZOeDvQQ3B0oAXoECGMQAg" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.34; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center</span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38pJyonAtUDVkKwLCdIWXLc7QkQR9_oe_3UkI8P6kzUTpO0SLhe0GcBwtqpg-nD4nkxEfCGFRX7RXi9oA6_IQG5q82aXYtofHbX61QFNFxgiJIdOhNcc1ESKk7cAQqcHaDt0IzpTwm65nc36bizPqvY1DwQrCXcrttgdgqcDgKjM90lnqLFOl5PpWEegr/s1600/IMG_6921.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38pJyonAtUDVkKwLCdIWXLc7QkQR9_oe_3UkI8P6kzUTpO0SLhe0GcBwtqpg-nD4nkxEfCGFRX7RXi9oA6_IQG5q82aXYtofHbX61QFNFxgiJIdOhNcc1ESKk7cAQqcHaDt0IzpTwm65nc36bizPqvY1DwQrCXcrttgdgqcDgKjM90lnqLFOl5PpWEegr/s320/IMG_6921.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Jefferson Memorial</span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBD0n1ByEnRkH3xDkyA66E_G40VIAI7zEt5uyRPizkEVyU-v6kZWBfdOufRpCwuaNpHdIDE9eQozNUNDxpmtgl6-_zMLrkcE7NPJNeB60lxsDWOPzJbUMCTOg9hJxKBuzxQCAt4LKE_PVPfvZIUpOW2kkAoARyquZXbhUuwVdSnVh2OdZzwWYn9bax1X/s1801/IMG_4528.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20I-MycQ0UzA8MVK-3Xm0_uoAbHE3MT_4Tu5A88SZJOZCqQJG8rZm1BfQExIsUhiTQHwyE7N3nkMI3X8RDLF_YKxSawGb0pGFYY6t2xBHVrgwZuzmMSKK0D7-IFgxdUbBFXhd2v9lr2CghPxzNQPClC0LmPaI6YsHxtzwWNy1UM2VCuhnZzS9ATZ4Vefh/s4032/IMG_4818.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20I-MycQ0UzA8MVK-3Xm0_uoAbHE3MT_4Tu5A88SZJOZCqQJG8rZm1BfQExIsUhiTQHwyE7N3nkMI3X8RDLF_YKxSawGb0pGFYY6t2xBHVrgwZuzmMSKK0D7-IFgxdUbBFXhd2v9lr2CghPxzNQPClC0LmPaI6YsHxtzwWNy1UM2VCuhnZzS9ATZ4Vefh/s320/IMG_4818.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Family pic at President Washington’s Mt. Vernon home.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Knowa, our aged greyhound, is affectionate and still breaks into sprints around the backyard. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc6VeFErAPBo-Se3ac51ZNK7UHKM5iKq-FVOHF93dEZK4oA_5FXw3xseBCy8CQCBW0RC9V1rWCs2ijcNELNUls6yRktVAfiFuTU1-Rr4SoU4FzIAkhP1lrLbro3C7JicESb7fgYK7NG4CPzJJX_HLpTFNy4RaAud6cy81IXTjfy-CVrWw_Fy5zcswNtky/s4032/72090273503__A0879D88-27FD-44C6-8F08-286FD5DB61F6.fullsizerender.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc6VeFErAPBo-Se3ac51ZNK7UHKM5iKq-FVOHF93dEZK4oA_5FXw3xseBCy8CQCBW0RC9V1rWCs2ijcNELNUls6yRktVAfiFuTU1-Rr4SoU4FzIAkhP1lrLbro3C7JicESb7fgYK7NG4CPzJJX_HLpTFNy4RaAud6cy81IXTjfy-CVrWw_Fy5zcswNtky/s320/72090273503__A0879D88-27FD-44C6-8F08-286FD5DB61F6.fullsizerender.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Our new addition is Boaz, who has grown from kitten to cat terror!!! You may ask us how Christmas decor survived after this season.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWitxE7mQsjeUvzcz0RJdniPKVX5LiWSPmioGqoJ8f0sNF2_lhZbb7FtdArVP7ZivH6ls2FpRVjEMFQR75VKSRTtd6P1QL7KvFTt-DrTl-wHD2u-FBOrG_7lUuOWcvCN7wwB2LuYiSdN0xG8ISib_WbCION9vHyAKp5BuO3WUeFnFEstbdEJW9kHXVOgdG/s1600/IMG_4510.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWitxE7mQsjeUvzcz0RJdniPKVX5LiWSPmioGqoJ8f0sNF2_lhZbb7FtdArVP7ZivH6ls2FpRVjEMFQR75VKSRTtd6P1QL7KvFTt-DrTl-wHD2u-FBOrG_7lUuOWcvCN7wwB2LuYiSdN0xG8ISib_WbCION9vHyAKp5BuO3WUeFnFEstbdEJW9kHXVOgdG/w240-h320/IMG_4510.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkxwO_9ZgrzdVNvZIk7O1vkaNYgJ2JqCOyRmSGMTxB1YiUmGyTWZbYdg3F5RhupGKrLlyvkS6ZnZO8-nT3whRA7gIk2gFspykh42fQVOQOjxQQNeJVzHOJdCEUQvDjc1chjBZCYjEg8G0GSRjq2o0Zgrm9cnn7IX39DlllVBaXa9Bw07oskFGNe3Npyd3/s1600/IMG_6188.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkxwO_9ZgrzdVNvZIk7O1vkaNYgJ2JqCOyRmSGMTxB1YiUmGyTWZbYdg3F5RhupGKrLlyvkS6ZnZO8-nT3whRA7gIk2gFspykh42fQVOQOjxQQNeJVzHOJdCEUQvDjc1chjBZCYjEg8G0GSRjq2o0Zgrm9cnn7IX39DlllVBaXa9Bw07oskFGNe3Npyd3/s320/IMG_6188.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgYDTqzCMcnzG3M9oOIvqgGEzDncr6-Lr11BuKzxT7p7f7QijnoD7Q94QZUzm1C91Qdn_OmcgnGKlso35PrgZQjqpD50QjA0vxk15bdjOvKbf-o9-vAI2FX3dp6HSdR56jsZgzsdQWm_Tq2V7jUld0wdD26kSaafS7EUywsYkzxGzQj7MUAN8HZQPAZEV/s1600/Screenshot%202023-05-12%20at%205.26.17%20PM.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="739" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgYDTqzCMcnzG3M9oOIvqgGEzDncr6-Lr11BuKzxT7p7f7QijnoD7Q94QZUzm1C91Qdn_OmcgnGKlso35PrgZQjqpD50QjA0vxk15bdjOvKbf-o9-vAI2FX3dp6HSdR56jsZgzsdQWm_Tq2V7jUld0wdD26kSaafS7EUywsYkzxGzQj7MUAN8HZQPAZEV/s320/Screenshot%202023-05-12%20at%205.26.17%20PM.JPEG" width="148" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><div><br /></div></div><div>Seasons come and go. Whether you feel blessed in your current one or not, we hope that you have eyes to see God's goodness. Have a BLESSED Christmas and a Happy New Year!</div><div><br /></div><div>John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn Lee</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipEh-ntzStyXvi2gYAEZ4fads8ML75_1_b0HiWcixGDh9csiOfYktzzq4JtQt7J3QGm-zFDozYNmvuMlzo0ZThQP-u5QVRKn88vvKmNbXAXLlu5cNJlIyrRfcaoYQKSpBfwMsswo5KjL5uLAPxoYcav2D3LCsbe_on1kuI9ZEhGqEpksdV4A3iXOKOl8qp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipEh-ntzStyXvi2gYAEZ4fads8ML75_1_b0HiWcixGDh9csiOfYktzzq4JtQt7J3QGm-zFDozYNmvuMlzo0ZThQP-u5QVRKn88vvKmNbXAXLlu5cNJlIyrRfcaoYQKSpBfwMsswo5KjL5uLAPxoYcav2D3LCsbe_on1kuI9ZEhGqEpksdV4A3iXOKOl8qp=w308-h400" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 9:6</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-89149866278758812812022-11-07T17:35:00.007-08:002022-11-27T13:57:32.952-08:00Lee Christmas Letter 2022<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><span style="color: #38761d;">Lee</span> <span style="color: red;">Christmas</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">Letter </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">2</span><span style="color: #38761d;">0</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">2</span></b><b><span style="color: #38761d;">2</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGrTlS722og4hi6F3vJMS7HMAHBtcx_a9I4p08t6AFXu5X2Au33eNBLnXDsP5w9fRTg6Lq9OU2ycytMw09GstcEzcARyph2VuevVUC6ehMsCTaUmtVTkejyDZkOMRWkVYotaEfeJRF72qYSiV5EZpDDjKZMg0uUgVjwL-gYM0EVDJJqfx5WQ3eCNi9Q/s1024/376C0797-FE74-4765-90AF-C49B823AE8D6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGrTlS722og4hi6F3vJMS7HMAHBtcx_a9I4p08t6AFXu5X2Au33eNBLnXDsP5w9fRTg6Lq9OU2ycytMw09GstcEzcARyph2VuevVUC6ehMsCTaUmtVTkejyDZkOMRWkVYotaEfeJRF72qYSiV5EZpDDjKZMg0uUgVjwL-gYM0EVDJJqfx5WQ3eCNi9Q/w361-h240/376C0797-FE74-4765-90AF-C49B823AE8D6.jpeg" width="361" /></a></b></span></div><span><span style="text-align: left;">Family and Friends, </span></span><div><span><span style="text-align: left;">It is great to greet you at the close of this year. We are grateful for blessings from the Lord as we have journeyed. Naturally each year has its challenges when we feel low and mountain tops when God's goodness is more apparent.</span></span><p>Unexpectedly, Sarah's mother passed away in February after a bout with COVID. She was on a the rebound but suffered a heart attack while in recovery. We felt and still feel the loss deeply, but we are grateful for incredible memories and the person we were privileged to know. Our kids have adjusted well to the loss. We spent time in IA for the funeral and later, her burial.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHy2HHOspZT8j60WCwAoMiFc5Dg53hGlMAmZPeVcXQwxFBshLncmAt3SEs_7ptOdCtI_YghpCgEeAEmC0gMEqWH6CuOhMMVn0EtdzjF5CChUCTYf3MzzVSUSbw6jVfh7pRI5wMjtzeDUww91_xFEI8j5wLNS8oPJ3Qkl1dEJj9Eni3KoBmMHUCA986Q/s4032/686A8F16-7CC0-4183-803C-51FED7C4BC79.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHy2HHOspZT8j60WCwAoMiFc5Dg53hGlMAmZPeVcXQwxFBshLncmAt3SEs_7ptOdCtI_YghpCgEeAEmC0gMEqWH6CuOhMMVn0EtdzjF5CChUCTYf3MzzVSUSbw6jVfh7pRI5wMjtzeDUww91_xFEI8j5wLNS8oPJ3Qkl1dEJj9Eni3KoBmMHUCA986Q/w296-h196/686A8F16-7CC0-4183-803C-51FED7C4BC79.heic" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graveside burial of Sarah's mother with her sister's (Hannah Rieman) family.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_g5iIvuNQo0tdOmvIK-Ah4JU97wuH8A2Nd9VWCVNEPXcsIagDx88jQDa2MKs54IuGIcxkTNEIsPIyk37R9Vra8LgmGVGpveZQGYUz_8Rj9LFB6cn2dmCskvq99OraYZH5-sFyWIdi5HpDeaAq_hhBmtgbzqA_GFeE7GkdblXhmS1BQhdX3PADAqeOA/s4032/F6FF5EC2-68B3-4AD6-AAFD-687D69BAA7A6.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_g5iIvuNQo0tdOmvIK-Ah4JU97wuH8A2Nd9VWCVNEPXcsIagDx88jQDa2MKs54IuGIcxkTNEIsPIyk37R9Vra8LgmGVGpveZQGYUz_8Rj9LFB6cn2dmCskvq99OraYZH5-sFyWIdi5HpDeaAq_hhBmtgbzqA_GFeE7GkdblXhmS1BQhdX3PADAqeOA/w265-h199/F6FF5EC2-68B3-4AD6-AAFD-687D69BAA7A6.heic" width="265" /></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eGTzxp7LxIx96K9pJlGHs0qX_zaIjCgAWWIrT57hyfgNNoOzIjelF2gm6gto3iWGUWe_kZud84ipSY1Bew3SYYucpsqMHiK45u7-3Mq96KQGle-qKDBzmpsCowC-c0OXQUlI70m9jff02rFdep8RDvMQvgn85hz3OrHN4nNlK2rI22Grp8C747hg2Q/s4032/2068C926-7F8A-408A-8031-9D6E9696905D.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eGTzxp7LxIx96K9pJlGHs0qX_zaIjCgAWWIrT57hyfgNNoOzIjelF2gm6gto3iWGUWe_kZud84ipSY1Bew3SYYucpsqMHiK45u7-3Mq96KQGle-qKDBzmpsCowC-c0OXQUlI70m9jff02rFdep8RDvMQvgn85hz3OrHN4nNlK2rI22Grp8C747hg2Q/w320-h240/2068C926-7F8A-408A-8031-9D6E9696905D.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace played "How Great Thou Art" at his grandma's funeral.<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCmCOGHKxo9uAc5BHS0JPOr4D5sNtdXNI0oSsSydFrXctkCbs3_5beDP7YExgUo7pnJSvARsBp3mb8wwUU6l7rlBo3PcuuPWrNiqXcbUGn1OycIfyBBZNiMTh3xkp644PkH9D4QirzU9PG74kCJZhoYXXchlzCCmRv7dORtvmgtM_jpbjnuxKGfvYAw/s4032/GatGram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCmCOGHKxo9uAc5BHS0JPOr4D5sNtdXNI0oSsSydFrXctkCbs3_5beDP7YExgUo7pnJSvARsBp3mb8wwUU6l7rlBo3PcuuPWrNiqXcbUGn1OycIfyBBZNiMTh3xkp644PkH9D4QirzU9PG74kCJZhoYXXchlzCCmRv7dORtvmgtM_jpbjnuxKGfvYAw/w300-h400/GatGram.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time in Gatlinburg with Linda, Sarah's mom, last year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div>On one stop in IA, we went to Kansas City to see the some of the sights. We are grateful for every opportunity we have to be with the kids to make memories.</div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujtCI3dQaCMA0UEfIA7hmu_h_r6UVSqBdlMocF-7x58NiBzPqnkxJTmaZ9vM4LPsg7hY3Eh1LtyrLnQQ3UxaVI7XPZqEGzb9yvAcWftv2oMO75-qggWi5C_fqG2Bfu1t_17GPeAhPWq-JyF8bwXM4ZUYZOcA26hzKnmmrbeBj4GxKmqZYP4l8gC6OPA/s4032/990DFEAD-30F2-4B6B-8DC7-98D856BE54BE.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujtCI3dQaCMA0UEfIA7hmu_h_r6UVSqBdlMocF-7x58NiBzPqnkxJTmaZ9vM4LPsg7hY3Eh1LtyrLnQQ3UxaVI7XPZqEGzb9yvAcWftv2oMO75-qggWi5C_fqG2Bfu1t_17GPeAhPWq-JyF8bwXM4ZUYZOcA26hzKnmmrbeBj4GxKmqZYP4l8gC6OPA/s320/990DFEAD-30F2-4B6B-8DC7-98D856BE54BE.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWI Memorial and Museum, KC</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif25Vk4D4IZI7yPfJkuQDG3To1iUfpuwOljbhBdzVO8953vBc4sPIcrm7-hdIyrPs7ud8t0maGIdxCafzT8ohmSSH59cv76_w3svCRHeTuMgHwaPvS0mOwGwAkSm1tciVMrFK7Y9QqmO4zIPU9GMgCrHMxtQKT7kRpCM1FSJqPCR4kVwx5L9CnNtBQww/s4032/40D9731E-460D-4577-951D-44DF6708AE99.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif25Vk4D4IZI7yPfJkuQDG3To1iUfpuwOljbhBdzVO8953vBc4sPIcrm7-hdIyrPs7ud8t0maGIdxCafzT8ohmSSH59cv76_w3svCRHeTuMgHwaPvS0mOwGwAkSm1tciVMrFK7Y9QqmO4zIPU9GMgCrHMxtQKT7kRpCM1FSJqPCR4kVwx5L9CnNtBQww/w240-h320/40D9731E-460D-4577-951D-44DF6708AE99.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrowhead Stadium</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuW3uDnBQoviy4Tm2W1D2unyDrHk4Jq3fh3u3sOUrvFmmQXFwYlOcILyTwTpkep2eKX9286h6YmKRgcds90LOM8Yu6rsaxRPZIMCe1c_veikGfcm5wVU4WPL8RrJ4uidJwJsOAF-PQsM1oA1WQOKdRKiAx5FNHf1fCNqito3eC2M8WjQ9IwVAtV3q7g/s4032/F35BC205-8D83-412A-BF62-7A978DBE308B.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuW3uDnBQoviy4Tm2W1D2unyDrHk4Jq3fh3u3sOUrvFmmQXFwYlOcILyTwTpkep2eKX9286h6YmKRgcds90LOM8Yu6rsaxRPZIMCe1c_veikGfcm5wVU4WPL8RrJ4uidJwJsOAF-PQsM1oA1WQOKdRKiAx5FNHf1fCNqito3eC2M8WjQ9IwVAtV3q7g/w400-h300/F35BC205-8D83-412A-BF62-7A978DBE308B.heic" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kansas City Train Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Jace began his freshman year of high school. He has run cross country, stayed active in the church youth group, continued with his piano and saxophone playing, and looked for any opportunity to play Madden on the Xbox.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEeRhytIYvogWNM-XO6GPha1iQrH2oZPRHtEfUQqtKFQy_HQ7CdsW9NQQmKpU7TQL1XVB6XyVF1vLhSVorYM0QUreU8t95-kS0TQt9RylMBK0PTFun-aUZKTDnXZdiIN4hGJS2YQNeVovOUywybuMgV6IQYmQLQykzd1nyTJ8n4jxuXzhJvMAW0vO4A/s1200/F0945F53-A147-4FE2-8DF7-2DBBC0AEA572.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEeRhytIYvogWNM-XO6GPha1iQrH2oZPRHtEfUQqtKFQy_HQ7CdsW9NQQmKpU7TQL1XVB6XyVF1vLhSVorYM0QUreU8t95-kS0TQt9RylMBK0PTFun-aUZKTDnXZdiIN4hGJS2YQNeVovOUywybuMgV6IQYmQLQykzd1nyTJ8n4jxuXzhJvMAW0vO4A/s320/F0945F53-A147-4FE2-8DF7-2DBBC0AEA572.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Gwyneth started her seventh grade year, stays active in the youth group at church, has been a part of the speech and debate team at school, dances at the church, and continues her piano lessons and choir at the school. If we have organization projects in our home, we hand them off to her.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCIBT2B2g8Bp0niczx-q5q_y3bU5iACvPkw7z1T9DJ-FY16fX2cnndPYuHzmt9hYudUiPli_xuYKJU_A8kG4_u4U8qIjNJYVKFxv4ur7d5Bur5wlaOtos1qd0zHzgBEHPi48HyqPXBTv9DQIGV4C5L-J6Pzyrn9BfLsjT9DPK94NfhLuOqYgVJD_EFQ/s1200/9E36EF9F-4F77-44C9-B2D2-5B7E1EA5B4E7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCIBT2B2g8Bp0niczx-q5q_y3bU5iACvPkw7z1T9DJ-FY16fX2cnndPYuHzmt9hYudUiPli_xuYKJU_A8kG4_u4U8qIjNJYVKFxv4ur7d5Bur5wlaOtos1qd0zHzgBEHPi48HyqPXBTv9DQIGV4C5L-J6Pzyrn9BfLsjT9DPK94NfhLuOqYgVJD_EFQ/s320/9E36EF9F-4F77-44C9-B2D2-5B7E1EA5B4E7.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Quinn is a fifth grader who continues to run cross country, does piano lessons, dance, and children's choir at the church. If she can find a place to do a cart-wheel, it will likely happen.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1kewEKN3yrazQBh50IFTUNAVJWB0xuW8y_mF3toY5_uZXKtSFCIy__Pf2LKH2V60hmvq3m1-dEEZQsUjZVKY94L5tB10ahPU4o4FHDWF-Dyll88snrqC8K2cQQlX8v-B8mL2OD41SjuBw6MyacA-NMBD9TF0rEKkmYe4xV60vEW5d295gDK8tIClrg/s1200/4112FCB2-DCFD-485E-AB15-54E5BFEEE381.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1kewEKN3yrazQBh50IFTUNAVJWB0xuW8y_mF3toY5_uZXKtSFCIy__Pf2LKH2V60hmvq3m1-dEEZQsUjZVKY94L5tB10ahPU4o4FHDWF-Dyll88snrqC8K2cQQlX8v-B8mL2OD41SjuBw6MyacA-NMBD9TF0rEKkmYe4xV60vEW5d295gDK8tIClrg/s320/4112FCB2-DCFD-485E-AB15-54E5BFEEE381.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>John's mother fell in August of 2021, and she is in a long-term care facility in Somerset, KY, keeping in good spirits despite not being able to walk. His sister, Esther, visits her two times a day and helps us touch base through facetime calls.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZrCPkguY42dumpxO_BGoeNqKvzE3DaC1jHtddoo7dYX9PfoRDxuOH1TVPTLOxXSpr0_qSG0tVyIBI2aHRAwCrUB5LcZXxKyBbf8N6iVQfPUBU6zdAoL79Voc-pZYwToK7l-1TEntX6ONBxyFIYU3cqJhZtEMACEebXY5M8XVcaTuqRv6Q017mANeGA/s2048/2B55F866-B868-4172-92B4-52499F479888.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZrCPkguY42dumpxO_BGoeNqKvzE3DaC1jHtddoo7dYX9PfoRDxuOH1TVPTLOxXSpr0_qSG0tVyIBI2aHRAwCrUB5LcZXxKyBbf8N6iVQfPUBU6zdAoL79Voc-pZYwToK7l-1TEntX6ONBxyFIYU3cqJhZtEMACEebXY5M8XVcaTuqRv6Q017mANeGA/s320/2B55F866-B868-4172-92B4-52499F479888.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Esther with David Strong visiting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For Labor Day weekend, we took a quick trip to St. Louis to see the sights. It was a blessed time. The St. Louis Zoo, the Arch (Gateway to the West), and Sculpture Park were good experiences. We found the city to be very enjoyable. Surprisingly, a meal at a Mexican restaurant before leaving was a major highlight.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWYzIS8ynXnp_yM-utWKEekVbj0C-TN80Prza0yKTAq7ep7zRTSSY96nltKyZM4MQNunme7yAY0ZOtxjoIRsmV85gpiQ3JImMu79Hhb09hI2RUjP2NAhfnfcZ3jOrnvzAbp9RBsRoclfciyE3C5u47ShVKYJsIHu8JPfEr4bPJBN-p5WhDyhPDb05Xg/s4032/65F5E50A-4A16-4BD2-AAE8-CF18DB072003.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWYzIS8ynXnp_yM-utWKEekVbj0C-TN80Prza0yKTAq7ep7zRTSSY96nltKyZM4MQNunme7yAY0ZOtxjoIRsmV85gpiQ3JImMu79Hhb09hI2RUjP2NAhfnfcZ3jOrnvzAbp9RBsRoclfciyE3C5u47ShVKYJsIHu8JPfEr4bPJBN-p5WhDyhPDb05Xg/w320-h240/65F5E50A-4A16-4BD2-AAE8-CF18DB072003.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooftop of The City Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPhjhKbBcBIGyR7Lhph0ih283FFzXg38iCrMlihdbdAI1lNPyzxXVUd5HyrwUnXeiNZDfJ8qDg6BRlnDijIKHM9CcbOdKakgKa6riJPaewcexlGkZHhLUns_R1J2_qf62vuTXxt-_tqjNsLpWY0oDBTjHDdcgfn7R7j0xSZuiC8gSkSnvadGxtGMWug/s4032/3D61FDFB-6B1E-4753-83D8-7D00B9400760.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPhjhKbBcBIGyR7Lhph0ih283FFzXg38iCrMlihdbdAI1lNPyzxXVUd5HyrwUnXeiNZDfJ8qDg6BRlnDijIKHM9CcbOdKakgKa6riJPaewcexlGkZHhLUns_R1J2_qf62vuTXxt-_tqjNsLpWY0oDBTjHDdcgfn7R7j0xSZuiC8gSkSnvadGxtGMWug/w320-h241/3D61FDFB-6B1E-4753-83D8-7D00B9400760.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying The City Museum in St. Louis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ImUv1QbrxngecIESSQTIkv1sUQVpJd93Io9XfxmN6h76pv_rD1hDmrHVmuNH9JVu_olqvie7DteANAtZGEy1ntF5xQbtuxQQNTMv1Y2gXDqiK6IMhuOVDSH3XNIQD9-qwqyh1cCNuOgD4jP9O2wgSQdMFJ2bj4I9aBmaeiQrEI0XuIJz3ocdQ45peA/s4032/B2F2BE21-DF40-4935-B567-55263AB92B1E.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ImUv1QbrxngecIESSQTIkv1sUQVpJd93Io9XfxmN6h76pv_rD1hDmrHVmuNH9JVu_olqvie7DteANAtZGEy1ntF5xQbtuxQQNTMv1Y2gXDqiK6IMhuOVDSH3XNIQD9-qwqyh1cCNuOgD4jP9O2wgSQdMFJ2bj4I9aBmaeiQrEI0XuIJz3ocdQ45peA/s320/B2F2BE21-DF40-4935-B567-55263AB92B1E.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gateway Arch</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For Fall Break we had a family vacation and we were able to get away for five days. Returning, our connecting flight was missed and we ended up driving to Indianapolis from Philadelphia to get the kids back into school on Monday morning. We thank God for the time of relaxation with the kids before the holiday season.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye0vo2nYAdexm2pj84hLsZ5f2ldUuGOAeayhGwa2J8GjZcp14DiXIdhiKBO3GCu4y30ru0GiP8cSXk_-b4Ty_PYrwW239aZDbrEc3xzmDJeN2IQ15HDYEbioKdLDK3uVx6BBH2E-ay-gAqSEeAym40q6wMam8YBuavkOrXZtDYJuamFebMjuNQtKhMw/s4032/4796333E-F62F-4265-993F-FF0CB0345A40.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye0vo2nYAdexm2pj84hLsZ5f2ldUuGOAeayhGwa2J8GjZcp14DiXIdhiKBO3GCu4y30ru0GiP8cSXk_-b4Ty_PYrwW239aZDbrEc3xzmDJeN2IQ15HDYEbioKdLDK3uVx6BBH2E-ay-gAqSEeAym40q6wMam8YBuavkOrXZtDYJuamFebMjuNQtKhMw/s320/4796333E-F62F-4265-993F-FF0CB0345A40.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw3M2S6lMZ4dmykimbixtHQyozbPTHTFcy9n4rYCyC7v6Xx0x-kfsiX7TYAz83ztQLjd6tZ1-FQ-BHtaL9OA2DGRh0Ac9ALKkZNX2yhPextWQ98fd6xy1WNiK2vcRAwLqxSTr_pG-e0VfO8fnSE7p2gMrjMB3r7gE8YNX4gzdCGJ-rRgt2QoexocgkA/s4032/D49C041A-DCDE-49E9-9DD4-711F20B64EC1.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw3M2S6lMZ4dmykimbixtHQyozbPTHTFcy9n4rYCyC7v6Xx0x-kfsiX7TYAz83ztQLjd6tZ1-FQ-BHtaL9OA2DGRh0Ac9ALKkZNX2yhPextWQ98fd6xy1WNiK2vcRAwLqxSTr_pG-e0VfO8fnSE7p2gMrjMB3r7gE8YNX4gzdCGJ-rRgt2QoexocgkA/s320/D49C041A-DCDE-49E9-9DD4-711F20B64EC1.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Sarah continues as a vet for Fisher's Veterinary Associates and John continues as a chaplain for Indiana Wesleyan University. We are both grateful for a place to serve, provide for ourselves, and use our gifts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDLNfZo8Mk5ywKOuZN66YJ73BPQQRLxQMyM-sZc1LuM8JThWaQi1cEwxmLAw99hByd_iyRJp1TrRqscBA5IqrtnM2jZLjc8iCwjY1qwsiptM_e05_d9_tN8fStuR7k4xEtGj6kX75rCCUNDvV9FwiD9Mwm1repSBOSDEOIPcqVwMdUPBqFyHpQotnfQ/s1200/7A2E58A0-4135-4256-A29D-4B02B6279A56.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDLNfZo8Mk5ywKOuZN66YJ73BPQQRLxQMyM-sZc1LuM8JThWaQi1cEwxmLAw99hByd_iyRJp1TrRqscBA5IqrtnM2jZLjc8iCwjY1qwsiptM_e05_d9_tN8fStuR7k4xEtGj6kX75rCCUNDvV9FwiD9Mwm1repSBOSDEOIPcqVwMdUPBqFyHpQotnfQ/s320/7A2E58A0-4135-4256-A29D-4B02B6279A56.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>Have a Merry Christmas with your family and friends. May God's blessings abound in your life in obvious ways in 2023. God bless you! John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn <p></p><p> <i>"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." </i>Isaiah 9:6 NIV</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH-iF2NpvZyDVSxAbqgM0qsblyZYmNftFmlccGUi-FccHLAWAx-RZ2QV07MwWSZeR_my01J_eHws-r_suiD5kClnzO45bF7-e5TWddW1E86MIgEZX21tvmxJMq6EHIoHg0dF-ZHRfLGacxxp0UlFV7u3odVAugSLJ9QY1an-hp2_7r5OeHd8h9K5bdw/s4032/sunrise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH-iF2NpvZyDVSxAbqgM0qsblyZYmNftFmlccGUi-FccHLAWAx-RZ2QV07MwWSZeR_my01J_eHws-r_suiD5kClnzO45bF7-e5TWddW1E86MIgEZX21tvmxJMq6EHIoHg0dF-ZHRfLGacxxp0UlFV7u3odVAugSLJ9QY1an-hp2_7r5OeHd8h9K5bdw/w400-h300/sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-32479402170061092792021-12-04T08:43:00.016-08:002021-12-12T09:02:42.061-08:00Lee Christmas Letter 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 327px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 507px;"><img height="327" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CIT-Xw-CjNkSTK7orbsJ1lB01XL3-8Ra1FhqGheO-qs1ochEpXK8387HKmvyi5gybqb4A19pAniOFF3HpyYQTY_bIwgFQuF6Ymkl02CZk8tG0oCtTf8nzVDVwRxO3cVllM35k9-A" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="507" /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-87694673-7fff-7f5c-8774-9ebb85524dd9"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo credit: Pexels.com)</span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>NOTE:</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Format issues with each electronic devise is unique. The pictures and text are best viewed on a laptop computer. Please be </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;">u<i>nderstanding</i>:)...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Hello Family</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Friends</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It's that time of year...:)" Most of us look forward to an opportunity to give to those close to us, spend some time connecting with one another, and then prepare our hearts and minds for the new year.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is an attempt at connecting with you through pictures...</span></span></p><p><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 230px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 309px;"><img height="230" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MGevUxb_44TsNBr_MgP7AtXZEX3bw6Y1-wlFmtpnxjlJGzC4RMsfYtqTT0BS51xrdfX0gxNtdbXpxWYBbCeRLzqY71fMAW0wYJpnaHFsLpZyyDK9gmZgZ5SMa7ZTKuvJ2wsaj1j_" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="309" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 231px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 307px;"><img height="231" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qdlQy_8BF656bxy1Ba8zwkyZFhBJ1zwolguGN6qfVFe4q3O3YZ6H58MLQ2yeL-iOCCmr-Gn46G8F5TuM9KE2mWh3zF7lBZasRbyOzsXNuYyNLPUqf-ExeL4DD8UyqNHhUBkZkSVH" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="307" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had the opportunity to go to KY for a weekend to visit my sister, brother-in-law , and mother. We were able to spend an evening in Louisville and then go to Mammoth Cave the next day. Though we had a short visit, it was great to see family members. In the past year, my mother fell and broke her femur. After surgery, therapy wasn't given like we expected, so my sister, Esther, has been faithfully visiting her on a daily basis in a rehab facility in Kentucky. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For Spring Break the kids wanted to see their cousins. We stopped off in IA to see Sarah's side of the family for a few days. The kids enjoyed playing and even going to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, NE with their grandma Packard.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;"><img height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6SoTnuyxMd6Ep0hMxaTD1LXmu9TojyV3NkZ7k9Yj8_ZlFyH1aVgz3VHV0_QDdORyrFmNOx-ATJO0aUadm70LVKCauPKGtXj4Tbb_6zQT5Qes8RtjQIMzpaTdoZmZANtxiQ802_z4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 319px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;"><img height="319" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QXtE3N26zX00OidHMt7OvefU0IFfd33sR9KCDhp4Y4icgiB_bhy9lkN2ImGKMlEO0pL9RPyBdrM_ewDSDcyVwhTX4dxx7ae9BVXFw4coKPUXKaepLOwBM63GeUo3LZ9o7MAjrYWk" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In June we gifted Sarah's mother an experience in Gatlinburg, TN for a few days of relaxation, hiking, and family fun. The first evening, Jace pointed out some bears outside of our cabin.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 258px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 195px;"><img height="258" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PVW3Y3TzjFyGuqKxZzHXI_qPniG01-wD7tWSnj9bnZS4-YiwqleIvdPO9f6_MscpBf6Xic8zpMseS-eaOKDQT35SxrcRTPL7w7tdacuv0anf-U2fsDm4UYUP7Or71Cs5Jtf0rDBZ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="195" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 259px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 195px;"><img height="259" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gUA4v-0BGYkM0aRjhyUsvZl7-bkn7-DQC2FAXQXMiHh-ZDsLc_qauQqigDLio3kFyjkrFbhVH_PhFyufI7J5COAHRaY6LrQG3H3XiMoa6aTfajYaETjVCvEEbsunwdZqMGD-Vfac" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="195" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 259px; overflow: hidden; width: 216px;"><img height="259" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/v_WxzGiGFuGmNBXhGVLdRdT_0t2sB6hE750Fwjsx0A-thzBrDWna9KyEznFDVCDfF6nA5yAWNRATN2eFHrWqUJhgcv2Ui3ep_fnBIC3SuHLqEdDc3LS64vumMSavx8VN28Qs1kaJ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="216" /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In July we were able to take the kids to their second major league baseball game and see some sights in Cincinnati around the 4th of July weekend.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 401px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 325px;"><img height="401" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/P7HGshyt4NWVqTq1uxBTdBflZSEt-n9esRPFWFfPwGOBdQuFFGLuQuy2byU9JLu7_aqhsktisLNP76msd6OQBPHdeqFqKaKZnDbYKrctO1eyirwJR3LnW9PE3N02lTMYZp0bKas9" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="325" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 306px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 225px;"><img height="307" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/08pFfqHbbtJaGQaSkywV5uBzUY3Tt2h_JgIBU-iKI-byOTEqbdASIVf_QdeZN20IVaWyIiownuHW1qdh1T-poCnYM2CFIyncneN2hk6a3kJNJ3wj_k8ho0vQtBbEywBVUQRtm4Yn=w224-h307" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="224" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 260px; overflow: hidden; width: 345px;"><img height="260" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vjGrx9XkzdVG0IVE25ds-F-R6gbI91tWo_hkqXVfhSESrdP86wmdGYy29Yc8ii7cO0-T99ToNz5xwkuMrRMa3hW7kmpjnkSwXfa-aJhSfeJab7SxCUL68LvnaYOEpn6nPRNuzoHz" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="345" /></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Later, at the beginning of August, a highlight was having a visit from Sarah’s mother and Bailey, a cousin to our</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">kids. We all went to the Indiana State Fair for the day…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 386px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 290px;"><img height="386" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lySTA0-0FBx_qwzn25EIODdt8gGLvADO0lx9EEp5-kSE97ryBD1tNjm8T3_UmT-NTCEwnc2aGS9lBJrjTslN604jgxH0rcoSeWitn0RQHY3aByF4v2-i2vk8MEnA_sCFC_pq9xjx" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="290" /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;"><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 384px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 288px;"><img height="384" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z8c_SdTJRhm-_xq4N6OIjN42I8Y2LuAI6bw-6t7NMlKguh_UGL1TCYPrWmEG_Zp9aiXXEKAPQkHEye3u_6G0BP1rRIicTItVV4T0WL5uJDW0AetH9ksjPptJEopZwtCBO0LK7bzb" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="288" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jace is an eighth grader at Westfield Middle School and he enjoys playing the piano and saxophone. He</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">also has run cross country and track with his season highly affected with pandemic protocols. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">Gwyneth is a sixth grader who enjoys thriving at school, with others, so she can’t stand quarantines:)...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">Her friendships are important to her. She likes to keep herself and our family organized, finds enjoy-</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">ment in the kids choir at church, Student Leaders, and staying up on all that is happening.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Quinn is a fourth grader who loves to do gymnastics, dance, and run cross country. She finds ways to</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">share her giving heart and makes sure her siblings and parents know her preferences. She has an eye</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for fashion and is growing up far too quickly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="563" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/a-jVrhZeexPF9XimJ2kBJk9jBwhKfSAk6NGr3b4dAWaSmbMaRTTnVe-nqc7vOetuaFAI24JktjNEvkd2_flIv9R4FAIejFA0NoWVgc6Sb32jjX08aNM-d1bH30nHW4QxGZSKLfoI=w563-h563" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;" width="563" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">For Fall Break we were afforded the opportunity to change vacation plans for the second year in a row.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">We used the money that was refunded to us from prior plans and headed to Orlando, FL. We told the</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">kids we would find a way to go to the beach and do some hiking (a family practice for which they aren’t</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">often enthused). We found a great deal to go to SeaWorld and added on a Universal Studios visit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">The picture below is when Sarah told them we weren’t actually going to hike the whole vacation while</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"> waiting on our order at a Denny’s restaurant. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 327px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 437px;"><img height="327" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/o7z5EOnNgxZnkSHkrZpdNMPKVZLu55ModE575eQmL-CaagznuLLJecyraPLmhnQROfTVedI-_0uBLERn9Qzv_xOXroKJrkVn9aCW5ul3PkAXtzsCVhtSxlr-XhBbFKTygLI3KnoE" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="437" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 261px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 196px;"><img height="261" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5yHFBnimXv_5Fi9KsF2vCThMVF7zVr94BPUs16hgIDEIuKtn6rnA8EPhU49vBaE8b9yLNK3U5ObF7y-zx4aedKDaVz9apXbLu_X8FyjuOIxYZSgo--DByBWt0LjjKj-SYDsAUWUI" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="196" /></span><span style="border: none; clear: left; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 260px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 346px;"><img height="260" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Bo8GNteLKtBXJhw7aAtmWT3sNjI5EuJMPND35Ymjxais59mZyo4_hu994yTf8JIZU_uPG0rokQLaLICDOfeJFgnKocfwqPL5JFVbcqQH1YibGG-jlfdkMFkbD9QYYrvafAEv-_Mu" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="346" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><p><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 284px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 214px;"><img height="261" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1e6p9IojRlZNo19z3s53Wm0K0OxHIJ3gTAtthEBNGKixuEDmLjH_p6zhE_HYXv6GEqHFn-dR7z8Q3xQsAvxoYsDXaMo9Qa8QUPSq-wHacMV7GsjrAuD3KQYUnZ9c61-0xZ1Z9-ic=w196-h261" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="196" /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">When I think about areas where we need prayer, we thank the Lord for Sarah’s continued improvement</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">in health. We are amazed how her adrenal and fatigue conditions turned around through help from</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">Consolidated Wellness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please pray for mercy and grace over John’s mom and for emotional strength for Esther, John’s sister. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the kids mature, we desire to see their faith be genuine and transforming. We pray for community to rise around them to be great influencers in their growth and development.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hope you have a BLESSED Christmas season and a blessed New Year! The prophet Isaiah foretold of a Light for the nations hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus (Isaiah 9:2). We are grateful for the hope and direction that is eternal, right from Him. May His blessings go before you, behind you, and underneath you, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn</span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The people walking in darkness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a light has dawned.” </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 9:2 NIV</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img height="832" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/caHs5fqCidul-DC7RX8Bnxuvm3Y6r9uZT6U7BMC6ibxP57Z0iwBPvj35nM6Qh8GIoGQCajoqmIp01ZMkkWPkIXBTC8WRsrF9haPXqg27azvvRohREVLNEKMeBKJYSbqcPMNuTFWF" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="624" /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 400px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 534px;"><img height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V3CzDx6dkIwLrdcDpnIumXWqvPkqLknEE8iHdp3mOIEA1hc5O67-3i2COJOl2hJUOCqO7XegRmEF_zupvEFv8inNcRkALz86S_xDGjLcbogL9bqYqBpvjsJl5v5NZ8FgsFQgokUO" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="534" /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p>John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-15221411672004414232020-11-22T12:35:00.245-08:002020-12-14T02:56:55.811-08:00<b></b><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lee Christmas Update 2020</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ltyFf5Op-Tw/X7qx9xRxVMI/AAAAAAAADaY/EGOyVX9yI0E65C09kon-pV5Rwyo90wr-QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img alt="" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="986" height="271" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ltyFf5Op-Tw/X7qx9xRxVMI/AAAAAAAADaY/EGOyVX9yI0E65C09kon-pV5Rwyo90wr-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w458-h271/image.png" width="458" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">This past year is one that will never be forgotten. Rather than remembering the pandemic, masks, or the unrest of an election year - I want to remember family time, home projects, purging closets, and a chance to slow down amidst the busyness of life. Please forgive formatting issues with the pictures. We had tried to address it, but... (smiley face)</span></div><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;">With John working from home and not commuting to Indiana Wesleyan University as much, where he continues to serve as the Online Chaplain, he had an extra two hours off a commute per weekday for much needed projects around the house. Among the projects accomplished were installing shelves in a closet to finally get the home office functional. Small corner shelves were installed in the laundry room and a bathroom was renovated. Finally, a barn door replaced a normal door to the entrance to our basement. Sarah was able to garden in a raised garden bed and we hope to enlarge it next year.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3m77a6dMd8/X7qzYf1xvUI/AAAAAAAADaw/kCLy_ri3ZJANowj6pJ-b1hXxV2Afh0S7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8032.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3m77a6dMd8/X7qzYf1xvUI/AAAAAAAADaw/kCLy_ri3ZJANowj6pJ-b1hXxV2Afh0S7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_8032.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Laundry Room Shelves<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0l4M3YxPeo/X7qztv-3DoI/AAAAAAAADbI/5anm1Y7P5IMcVsLzwcI7CAESFiJyDAAEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8696.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Remodeled Kids' Bathroom" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0l4M3YxPeo/X7qztv-3DoI/AAAAAAAADbI/5anm1Y7P5IMcVsLzwcI7CAESFiJyDAAEACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_8696.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kids' Renovated Bathroom<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmot_d53CsQ/X7q0toVrcKI/AAAAAAAADbk/MG63wg-mLKsEM3hEFwL8oVZQ6e9LypeqACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmot_d53CsQ/X7q0toVrcKI/AAAAAAAADbk/MG63wg-mLKsEM3hEFwL8oVZQ6e9LypeqACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8736.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Garden behind the barn...<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JV2qbdIGRug/X7q5k1pUE2I/AAAAAAAADb4/CRLMyMHxmXUwpGGZ4FFK9bJG68dA51WMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8675.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JV2qbdIGRug/X7q5k1pUE2I/AAAAAAAADb4/CRLMyMHxmXUwpGGZ4FFK9bJG68dA51WMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_8675.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shelves that cleared office space...<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlfyYorHugs/X7q4spfIckI/AAAAAAAADbw/mzxY2siseaYGcFKWPITlc3glosSxbIB5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8095.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlfyYorHugs/X7q4spfIckI/AAAAAAAADbw/mzxY2siseaYGcFKWPITlc3glosSxbIB5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_8095.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Basement Barndoor<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_q8uYR3inQ/X7q6_C7UsrI/AAAAAAAADcE/jIK_N2RpdxgLwWgY1R5ypiR0XQPr1wXZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9352.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_q8uYR3inQ/X7q6_C7UsrI/AAAAAAAADcE/jIK_N2RpdxgLwWgY1R5ypiR0XQPr1wXZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9352.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Driveway Treatment<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB22CS7x7qU/X7q7vr7_F-I/AAAAAAAADcM/rXAJSJVHZDkgirgBv0TE5_3lepYMyftIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9079.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MB22CS7x7qU/X7q7vr7_F-I/AAAAAAAADcM/rXAJSJVHZDkgirgBv0TE5_3lepYMyftIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9079.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Deck Treatment<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Grateful for the kids' help on this:))</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a neat surprise when <b>Bailey</b>, Sarah's niece, came for a visit with Sarah’s mother. John has been able to visit his mother a few times but not with the kids present because of the risk.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_CF7hbsfNI/X8PreEw1o_I/AAAAAAAADhU/3euvi7ISxwED8BffNnH02Q_UaY0hYEQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9115.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_CF7hbsfNI/X8PreEw1o_I/AAAAAAAADhU/3euvi7ISxwED8BffNnH02Q_UaY0hYEQKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv5192167619WordSection1"><p class="yiv5192167619MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.78px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span>Since our vacations to IA to visit family for Spring Break and our Fall Break were cancelled, we adjusted and took weekend or day trips to state parks and replaced one vacation option that was cancelled with a week at Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Though the resort was only one third operational from COVID-19 and a recent hurricane, we still enjoyed being away from our normal setting for a week.</span></p></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv5192167619WordSection1"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra2qINf34Wk/X7q9mBEHuUI/AAAAAAAADcY/11gToUhWw9gYuXF9HG6xSlCmiGPeXSBggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9054.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra2qINf34Wk/X7q9mBEHuUI/AAAAAAAADcY/11gToUhWw9gYuXF9HG6xSlCmiGPeXSBggCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_9054.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indiana Dunes<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfXz-uLE3vs/X7q_aThCW7I/AAAAAAAADdI/rK9fIMHuCfgeGwWg8kOboEIUIBx0YlyfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9064.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfXz-uLE3vs/X7q_aThCW7I/AAAAAAAADdI/rK9fIMHuCfgeGwWg8kOboEIUIBx0YlyfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w415-h312/IMG_9064.JPG" width="415" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Warren Dunes State Park, MI<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hStLEh-4Kso/X7rAWqFWPyI/AAAAAAAADdQ/nXMMaYOvOYMRmflC11tW51VuYGKThWc8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_9095.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hStLEh-4Kso/X7rAWqFWPyI/AAAAAAAADdQ/nXMMaYOvOYMRmflC11tW51VuYGKThWc8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_9095.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Turkey Run with the Peters...<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-gt177B23U/X7rCeCD00uI/AAAAAAAADd0/5l1s95Ud5yYUWxawtZgBJE1JmNBWs8GDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-gt177B23U/X7rCeCD00uI/AAAAAAAADd0/5l1s95Ud5yYUWxawtZgBJE1JmNBWs8GDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9090.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Turkey Run Family Pic<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv5192167619WordSection1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjRMPGOMqUI/X7rC2ofPEGI/AAAAAAAADd8/fNgLhbd3eIY0mbPEOHCvN6tSp0rJoM3sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1458/IMG_9297%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1093" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjRMPGOMqUI/X7rC2ofPEGI/AAAAAAAADd8/fNgLhbd3eIY0mbPEOHCvN6tSp0rJoM3sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9297%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shades State Park<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqL4lazNnVA/X7rDJNFa_dI/AAAAAAAADeI/DVZRE9RzI7YbYHdA218_BZHymbiaid7BgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/IMG_9301%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqL4lazNnVA/X7rDJNFa_dI/AAAAAAAADeI/DVZRE9RzI7YbYHdA218_BZHymbiaid7BgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9301%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br /></span><p class="yiv5192167619MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.78px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1J7GAcSthg/X7rE27vuJ8I/AAAAAAAADeU/jgDZ_zASF2sKq85SaSeD_tbFm2QQqbZAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1188/IMG_E9339.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="891" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1J7GAcSthg/X7rE27vuJ8I/AAAAAAAADeU/jgDZ_zASF2sKq85SaSeD_tbFm2QQqbZAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_E9339.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">South Haven, MI<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="yiv5192167619MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.78px; margin-bottom: 8pt;"></p></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span> <b>Playa Del Carmen</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWAgDv_eShw/X7rF0or_-4I/AAAAAAAADeo/2dTqFcUmIbww2ZUYyQ94vEvW0q1306g1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9924.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWAgDv_eShw/X7rF0or_-4I/AAAAAAAADeo/2dTqFcUmIbww2ZUYyQ94vEvW0q1306g1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9924.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcyh3GcCez4/X7rF0b7A9CI/AAAAAAAADek/_QlkIPbojWA1Z8BpDmhaPVTjWXA2McmdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9928.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcyh3GcCez4/X7rF0b7A9CI/AAAAAAAADek/_QlkIPbojWA1Z8BpDmhaPVTjWXA2McmdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/IMG_9928.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QkGkE3ksLM/X7rFzoOi0QI/AAAAAAAADeg/EYxoXZTNDYIgqtCKrHEW3QUbIxcEFt3OgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9929.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QkGkE3ksLM/X7rFzoOi0QI/AAAAAAAADeg/EYxoXZTNDYIgqtCKrHEW3QUbIxcEFt3OgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9929.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VzsFs9Hcy3I/X7rF8ygAFOI/AAAAAAAADfI/kBSmNTPi5ScA6JvrI4uZ0kH3FvT3UK2JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VzsFs9Hcy3I/X7rF8ygAFOI/AAAAAAAADfI/kBSmNTPi5ScA6JvrI4uZ0kH3FvT3UK2JQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_9941.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjYiIoUMMLU/X7rKSFMjzsI/AAAAAAAADgU/dO6Ld3aWktQ9-JWNnlgyngbluvjI_w67wCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/OXAV1643.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="750" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjYiIoUMMLU/X7rKSFMjzsI/AAAAAAAADgU/dO6Ld3aWktQ9-JWNnlgyngbluvjI_w67wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/OXAV1643.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We were grateful for fun times with the Thatcher family at the resort...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhl0rUXqsi4/X7rF8kwk4nI/AAAAAAAADfE/PIgSP-0zuM8FqDMnM8UbGic03eSQfQMtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhl0rUXqsi4/X7rF8kwk4nI/AAAAAAAADfE/PIgSP-0zuM8FqDMnM8UbGic03eSQfQMtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9945.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kESG6lUuz-c/X7rF3eBoacI/AAAAAAAADe4/LrRW8MQRFCcrQbOLrBDFQmY9trqEvAXdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9955.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kESG6lUuz-c/X7rF3eBoacI/AAAAAAAADe4/LrRW8MQRFCcrQbOLrBDFQmY9trqEvAXdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_9955.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiAlnaJaoS8/X7rF304lOiI/AAAAAAAADe8/05BXX21LwgwMNybKLdutzm1U7H5BP4NpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9957.JPG" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiAlnaJaoS8/X7rF304lOiI/AAAAAAAADe8/05BXX21LwgwMNybKLdutzm1U7H5BP4NpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/IMG_9957.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I71voE5a3Rw/X7rG45AtAEI/AAAAAAAADgI/IL7PDqq38CIuIcNVQdjnJa1fAwdz2pK0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/IMG_9954.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I71voE5a3Rw/X7rG45AtAEI/AAAAAAAADgI/IL7PDqq38CIuIcNVQdjnJa1fAwdz2pK0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w133-h200/IMG_9954.JPG" width="133" /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygIk3evQQJo/X7rF2GcSi1I/AAAAAAAADew/1-VZnyWirv4ROoZmwf8VZojVw3gJag4iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/IMG_9953.JPG" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygIk3evQQJo/X7rF2GcSi1I/AAAAAAAADew/1-VZnyWirv4ROoZmwf8VZojVw3gJag4iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w133-h200/IMG_9953.JPG" width="133" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Our virtual students:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6YTrGohNjM/X8P3yxLghnI/AAAAAAAADhs/5tyyihwIOxoMgY8LH0RtexroO633jMYNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s315/117389419_10157416587592918_2448058440407927802_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6YTrGohNjM/X8P3yxLghnI/AAAAAAAADhs/5tyyihwIOxoMgY8LH0RtexroO633jMYNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/117389419_10157416587592918_2448058440407927802_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jace, 7th Grade<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOSg5A7e-PA/X8P4GmBA-tI/AAAAAAAADh0/Ng52BPoozY0_Pbi2uLsX4hMzKPB4PlpMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/117948832_10157416587777918_672850186082408723_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOSg5A7e-PA/X8P4GmBA-tI/AAAAAAAADh0/Ng52BPoozY0_Pbi2uLsX4hMzKPB4PlpMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/117948832_10157416587777918_672850186082408723_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gwyneth, 5th Grade<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icHkkXY9WA0/X8P4pAXMrUI/AAAAAAAADh8/r9c2tJ_jPgAcH4tFzDgfRI0I3P-LOgJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_E9628.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icHkkXY9WA0/X8P4pAXMrUI/AAAAAAAADh8/r9c2tJ_jPgAcH4tFzDgfRI0I3P-LOgJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_E9628.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quinn, 3rd Grade<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>Visiting family (especially John's mother) was a challenge this year because of the COVID situation throughout the country. We were still able to have Sarah's mother and sister's family join us for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful family time and much needed for our kids to enjoy play time with kids their ages.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5P8YTmQ1TU/X8P7KgTY0jI/AAAAAAAADiI/z0YOi8U4_Yw5kAUKw91VJlqE8ma8TO6UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/128621804_10100369939735330_5056563732510510347_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5P8YTmQ1TU/X8P7KgTY0jI/AAAAAAAADiI/z0YOi8U4_Yw5kAUKw91VJlqE8ma8TO6UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/128621804_10100369939735330_5056563732510510347_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxugsU2uAc8/X8P7UphigMI/AAAAAAAADiM/6wtymdt39xY68nwtraN49EqYlsnWNZ8jgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/128529443_10100369939705390_8331959665497289885_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxugsU2uAc8/X8P7UphigMI/AAAAAAAADiM/6wtymdt39xY68nwtraN49EqYlsnWNZ8jgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/128529443_10100369939705390_8331959665497289885_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F-ysQvzxxk/X8P7jDYJ_5I/AAAAAAAADiU/ZMpKnEhfWl8gXkE0OyfA8p2zpEO6MJJKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/i-KDmsrpB-XL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F-ysQvzxxk/X8P7jDYJ_5I/AAAAAAAADiU/ZMpKnEhfWl8gXkE0OyfA8p2zpEO6MJJKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/i-KDmsrpB-XL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of you have been praying about Sarah's adrenal issues that have plagued her for many years. We want to thank the Lord that she has received help through electro magnetized water treatments (to remove toxins). It may sound like hocus pocus, but we've seen more improvement in her health than any other year in the past seven.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a blessed time with family and friends this Christmas. We look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus and all the hope that He brings into our lives. Have a BLESSED end this year and the beginning of the new one, full of potential and possibility..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Lees </b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to7xglv3hDg/X8P8h92veYI/AAAAAAAADik/hcm5se5GxkQFsHcMqYJVcMHvo6r4HL78gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1023/i-CRTDm6z-XL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1023" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to7xglv3hDg/X8P8h92veYI/AAAAAAAADik/hcm5se5GxkQFsHcMqYJVcMHvo6r4HL78gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/i-CRTDm6z-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Gwyneth, Quinn, Jace, and Sarah<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i><span class="text Isa-9-6" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-NIV-17836" style="background-color: white; position: relative; text-align: start;">"For to us a child is born,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;">to us a son is given,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;">and the government will be on his shoulders.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Isa-9-6" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; position: relative; text-align: start;">And he will be called</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;">Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: start;" /></i><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"><i> </i></span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;"><i>Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."</i> Isaiah 9:6</span></span></b><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br />John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-5632420762254065542019-11-29T00:00:00.000-08:002019-11-29T00:00:03.524-08:00Lee Christmas Letter 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">I think we must be in good days, because the pace has been full this Fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">All three children were in cross country and we enjoyed attending meets and watching all of them compete. I think parents develop along with their runners as the kids worked to make personal records and deal with the challenges of an athletic commitment on the side of school.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gwyneth in her first season of XC.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Quinn also experienced her first season and had moderate success, even as a younger runner.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jace is a sixth grader. He has enjoyed learning the play the saxophone for band. His teachers say that he is responsible and his grades show that he is a smart boy. He strives forward in all he does and has recently been working through The Purpose Driven Life with his dad. He loves reading and time with his mom, who tries to relish any “little boy” moments that arise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Gwyneth is a fourth grader who loves school. She finds a way to enjoy anything she does. She is exuberant and continues to bring joy and drama to the family. She enjoys dance and gymnastics on the side of her normal activities and keeps her mom and dad on their toes about being fair in each situation.</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quinn gets along well with her peers and strives to win at anything she attempts. She longs to keep up with her brother and sister, even though she is a second grader. She also enjoy dance and gymnastics. Her giving spirit challenges us to be more selfless about “things” that we own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This past year, we tried to take advantage of the school breaks with our children. My boss and his wife own a time share. They offered a trip for us to go to Arizona for Spring Break. We enjoyed a week in the Phoenix area, hiked mountain peaks, and even visited the Grand Canyon.</span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summit of Camelback, Scottsdale, AZ</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the summer we were able to take a short trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan with a short stop at Sleep Bear Dunes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gotta advertise this moment:)...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Grand Hotel on Mackinac...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ferry ride back after the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lighthouse at Mackinac Island</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Fall Break, we took another short trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area of Tennessee. Dollywood, hiking, and Dolly Parton's Stampede were the highlights. We savor these family times and hold on to any opportunity to make memories.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our hiking day turned out to be too cloudy, but the scenery was still amazing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dollywood was decorated for the Halloween Season.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBQV9Nw5Kjg/XdiKmnUiPGI/AAAAAAAACBQ/793NmvHaaQMzKuXVwSWjZ3PlsB0onkyhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBQV9Nw5Kjg/XdiKmnUiPGI/AAAAAAAACBQ/793NmvHaaQMzKuXVwSWjZ3PlsB0onkyhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7444.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sarah continues helping animals to live a quality life as a vet. We have seen some steps forward in her healing from adrenal failure, but we are looking forward to improvements in her health, since we know she isn’t near full strength. She continues to keep us eating healthy food and sometimes relents when our pleas for sugar become incessant<span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span>. She is a loving mother whose kids love her devotedly.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John ministers through the chaplaincy role at Indiana Wesleyan University. His work load has increased with new policies and changes, and that means more lives to touch. He is grateful for a place to serve people who are already taking steps to better their lives through an education.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's our hope that you have a blessed holiday season. May times with your friends and family be rich. May you sense the greatest gift of all, Jesus, in your hearts. Have a Merry Christmas! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn</span><br />
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<i><b>"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on Hi shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6</b></i><br />
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-31704907401282248392018-12-02T18:33:00.003-08:002018-12-14T15:35:16.644-08:00Lee Christmas Letter 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wow, has this year flown by! I was assembling pictures from our phones to make our traditional memories book for 2018 and I was amazed all we have accomplished as a family. To summarize, our
year consisted of travel, kids, and renovation. </div>
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In July, we went on a family cruise to the Western Caribbean. What a wonderful time! The kids loved the activities, pools, and free ice cream<span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span>. John
and Sarah loved the family time, exposing the kids to new cultures, time to slow down, and the fancy evening dinners. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T0rrNlOCjs/XASHoGRnqzI/AAAAAAAAA_s/02qfMQf_lRMrl8Yv0sda-ZoC3bQ8k5N3QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T0rrNlOCjs/XASHoGRnqzI/AAAAAAAAA_s/02qfMQf_lRMrl8Yv0sda-ZoC3bQ8k5N3QCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5210.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbNovlnI2qA/XASHtBMS3qI/AAAAAAAAA_0/afS2a0mPNBYmPfhX2NKCLSeTn9MnTmOBgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbNovlnI2qA/XASHtBMS3qI/AAAAAAAAA_0/afS2a0mPNBYmPfhX2NKCLSeTn9MnTmOBgCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5355.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5NEBDceXOk/XASIsidyogI/AAAAAAAABAI/UIr9jAZz3GQqABsrIs68K8rfUSrYNBotwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #26282a;">Renovation is still a focus and when time permits, we continue to upgrade areas of our home that need an update. We added a pantry closet for the kitchen and overhauled our master bathroom and
laundry room with the help of a construction company.</span></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry at mid-point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pantry partially stocked:).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed master bathroom...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same scene completed:)...</td></tr>
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Removal of our kitchen floor was followed by laying new flooring and replacing weathered appliances.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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Jace finished the fourth grade and changed to an intermediate school in the fifth. He has enjoyed cross country this Fall, in which his season ended with a national meet in Louisville, KY. It
was great to see him represent his team well and compete against some top runners in our nation. He continues to excel in math and is placed in classes that challenge him. It is neat to see him lead as a big brother in the household.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace's 4th grade team was fourth in the state in Math Bowl.</td></tr>
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All three children benefited from the influence of a great nanny over the summer months. Christa and her daughter (Saebella) were a welcome addition to our household in the summer months.</div>
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Gwyneth is a third grader. She has shown a love for kids on the bus and at school who have special needs. Her heart has opportunity to spill over as she expresses herself through service to these
friends. She loves all kinds of social interaction, is thriving as a student, and continues to “mom” everyone in the house, including her parents! She and Quinn have dabbled in gymnastics and dance classes at the church.</div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Quinn is a vibrant first grader who can’t wait to follow in the steps of her big brother in cross country next year. She works to keep up with her older siblings, is a good reader, and loves
to move to the music. I think her favorite description of herself is “sassy.”</span><br />
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In this year, we also added four horses to our property. Their caretakers, who rent our stable and pasture space have been great tenants. They work with our kids helping them learn to care for
the animals and keep the place tidy.</div>
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Sarah continues to see improvements with her health thanks to celery juice every morning. She continues to remain sweet and charming
despite a full work schedule with plenty to accomplish on her days off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj2x4eQdi0I/XAST2kJ6m1I/AAAAAAAABDs/lgYAb9EtaTwnjIkbvsHXHdTZU1w576PGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj2x4eQdi0I/XAST2kJ6m1I/AAAAAAAABDs/lgYAb9EtaTwnjIkbvsHXHdTZU1w576PGACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5716.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On date nights we were able to pull away from the kids for an evening together. This past year we were able to see the Broadway musical <i>Wicked</i> and also enjoyed the <i>So You Think You Can Dance Tou</i>r as it came through Indianapolis.</td></tr>
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John is grateful for an opportunity to point people toward hope in Jesus as a chaplain at Indiana Wesleyan University. His co-workers are a blessing, and despite the long commute, we can’t imagine
a better scenario for these years with our kids and family.</div>
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May God’s blessing be tangible and real in your lives this holiday season. Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2019!</div>
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John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn</div>
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Is. 9:6 <i>For a child is born to us, A son is given to us; And the government Is upon His shoulder; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.</i></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-23026525767402111262017-11-23T18:26:00.001-08:002017-12-08T07:28:11.585-08:00Christmas Update 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“Sweaty and exhausting.” That was Sarah’s response after asking her for a word or two to describe 2017. In the Lee home, it has been a trying year for sure. We are grateful for how God has led us through and showed His faithfulness through many challenges. Even though we haven’t had much time to pause in our lives along the way, here are a few pictures of our journey.</div>
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Much of our activity centered in our move from Fishers to Westfield, IN. “Live and learn” has new meaning as we are experiencing all that inspection reports don’t show in the </div>
purchase of a new home.<br />
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Here is our country home. If you'd like to schedule a work-day, feel free:)...</div>
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Here is our new ride for mowing our property...</div>
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Our barn kittens are named Rascal and Flatts.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our kids have been great through the transition. When we had no AC or they couldn’t use a bathroom because of another leak, they continue to focus on what is important. Our kids loved Hoosier Road Elementary, but we are encouraged by the appreciation they have for their teachers at Monon Trail Elementary. Their teachers seem to balance instructing a whole class and keeping students challenged based upon their abilities. In addition, all of the kids have chores that should increase as we become more established in our new home (feeding the guinea pigs and cleaning cage, caring for Knowa the greyhound, and also the barn kittens). Piano lessons with Aunt Becky continue and we hope that we’ll find extra time when we are not consumed with house projects to involve them in sports they enjoy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kindergartner, Quinn, with Mrs.McCreary<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace has thoroughly enjoyed the influence of his first male teacher in his school career. Mr. Lewis helps to encourage Jace with math, science, and running.<br />
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Jokin' around before boarding the bus for their first day at Monon Trail Elementary...</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We pulled the kids out of school for a week to visit Disney World in September. This was a long-awaited and planned bucket list event. It was good to break away from the normal routine, eat food we don’t normally consume, while enjoying entertainment, sunshine, and character heroes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Meeting Mary Poppins, Jasmine, and Gaston in REAL LIFE was a thrill!</span></div>
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Sarah and John have grown this year. We are SO thankful for our employment and the people with whom we work. What a blessing to have a stable work environment where ‘drama’ is bare minimum. We’ve grown in our reliance on the Lord for our health, His provision, and His constant care. It has been evident to us as we have made the choice to trust His good plan. We miss Fishers and not seeing friends and neighbors as much but we already know we are fortunate to have new neighbors that show their love for our kids and us. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We hope you have a BLESSED Christmas season. john, sarah, jace, gwyneth, and quinn</span><br />
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<i><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Isaiah 9:6</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">New International Version (NIV)</span></i></h1>
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<i><span class="text Isa-9-6" id="en-NIV-17836" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>For to us a child is born,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to us a son is given,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the government<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will be on his shoulders.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">And he will be called</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Wonderful Counselor,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Mighty God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Everlasting<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Father,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Prince of Peace.</span></span></i></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-35120586325875637132016-11-24T14:30:00.004-08:002016-11-24T14:30:54.446-08:00Christmas Letter 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Family and Friends,</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I think
about recapping our year, I’m drawn to showing our experience in pictures. In
all honesty, I don’t think Sarah and I took enough pictures, but we try to
capture memories at every turn. Time marches on, and we certainly feel it as we
watch our kids grow and realize we aren’t as young as we used to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each kid
spends a portion of two grades in the year. For Jace it was 2<sup>nd</sup> and
3<sup>rd</sup> grade. For Gwyneth it was K and 1st. And for Quinn it was her 1st
and 2nd year of pre-K. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of
Jace’s 2<sup>nd</sup> grade works of art was featured in an art show put on by
the school system. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We attempt
to give the kids a dabbling in a variety of activities that we pray helps to
broaden their experience and help them to develop as whole persons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gwyneth and
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jace and
Gwyneth sang in the New Creation Choir at our church, and we are expecting
another big Christmas show in which their choir is participating the second
week, this December.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the
kids’ Spring Break, we headed to IA for a week to see Sarah’s side of the
family. Sarah’s sister, Hannah, gave us a photo shoot on a frigid, rainy day.
We didn’t have summer tans, but we were thankful for the opportunity to have
family pics from a seasoned photographer.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and her mom.</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jace played
his last season before Little League baseball and enjoyed his Pirates team.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of summer, we rescued a greyhound from the racetrack in FL. We later found out he has run around 41 races, won 5, and placed in most … He was a sick dog at first, but Sarah has done a great job changing his diet and getting the worms out of his system.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end
of the summer, we enjoyed a short trip to KY to visit Grandma Lee and Aunt
Esther. Natural Arch was the chosen destination for a picnic and hike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">School
arrived too quickly after a summer that the kids spent with our nannies Alyssa
Cummings and Sarah Benson. They did an awesome job, and the kids had a lot of
fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TAeRUfhwFU/WDdc-0qVJ0I/AAAAAAAAAnY/CDlPn07AqsUnaAfie9iVg7cW4rLpo2ZgQCEw/s1600/1551546_10201337188653771_1166578194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TAeRUfhwFU/WDdc-0qVJ0I/AAAAAAAAAnY/CDlPn07AqsUnaAfie9iVg7cW4rLpo2ZgQCEw/s320/1551546_10201337188653771_1166578194_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alyssa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are
first day of school pics for all three….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace/3rd Grade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwyneth/1st Grade<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinn/Pre-K<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All three
kids played soccer in the fall. This was Quinn’s first time playing soccer. We
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving was spent at my sister Becky’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sarah and I
are full of gratitude for friendships, a good church, jobs we enjoy, and a
relationship with God through Jesus Christ that sustains us. We hope you have a
BLESSED Christmas season with your family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John, Sarah,
Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is. 9:6 "</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For to us a child is born,</span></div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to us a son is given,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the government<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will be on his shoulders.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">And he will be called</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Wonderful Counselor,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Mighty God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Everlasting<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Father,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17836H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Prince of Peace."</span></span></div>
John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-37707470662388246512015-12-13T12:22:00.000-08:002015-12-13T12:25:00.186-08:00Christmas Letter 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pV90ShIWrCA/Vm3LOwaPiYI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Ba0M48gAdJI/s1600/merry_christmas_clip_art_best_picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pV90ShIWrCA/Vm3LOwaPiYI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Ba0M48gAdJI/s640/merry_christmas_clip_art_best_picture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dear Family and Friends, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This past year began as the previous 5 years. John was able
to stay home and care for Gwyneth and Quinn while Sarah continued working at
Fishers Veterinary Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jace was in
first grade at Brookschool Road Elementary and enjoying his friends, his
teacher, and learning. John continued to work in the evening, and as a family,
we continued to trust that the right doors would open at the right time for him
to step back into full-time work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-975VfQc4GCU/Vm3MAYbgVnI/AAAAAAAAAhE/_qDWcQntLZA/s1600/11737812_10152974471427918_7947530159391910212_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-975VfQc4GCU/Vm3MAYbgVnI/AAAAAAAAAhE/_qDWcQntLZA/s320/11737812_10152974471427918_7947530159391910212_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants with high online ratings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wj1Lehr26Mg/Vm3MXIc48lI/AAAAAAAAAhM/m3xxwtk9iQQ/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wj1Lehr26Mg/Vm3MXIc48lI/AAAAAAAAAhM/m3xxwtk9iQQ/s200/IMG_1341.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An excursion at Shell Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In July, we took a family vacation to Panama City, Florida,
and enjoyed a week on the beach. As a special treat, Sarah’s mom was able to
join us from Iowa, and the kids had a wonderful time playing with Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Mom and Dad enjoyed having 3 adults and 3
kids to make it easier to keep them in line!) Following vacation – life was
dramatically different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deviation. Turn. Diversion. Break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After 5 ½ years as a stay-at-home dad, God opened up a door
for John, and he began a full-time job as a chaplain for Indiana Wesleyan
University. God’s guidance and direction were very clear, and we were able to
move forward with confidence that this is where John is meant to be. He works
with non-residential and online students through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spiritcare,</i> a segment of the Student Services department and is able
to touch many lives through his ministry. He enjoys working with his new team
and looks forward to ministry developments in the new year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbQR0HsFMyo/Vm3OqznSDQI/AAAAAAAAAhY/fDdScbEg1Y4/s1600/11889452_10153034260326629_573190270022585752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbQR0HsFMyo/Vm3OqznSDQI/AAAAAAAAAhY/fDdScbEg1Y4/s320/11889452_10153034260326629_573190270022585752_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school for Jace and Gwyneth.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Two weeks after John’s orientation day at IWU, Jace started
second grade, and Gwyneth started kindergarten in a new school. Our school
district went through a redistricting plan, and our kids were switched to Hoosier
Road Elementary. Admittedly, we were apprehensive about this switch but now we
see that God was watching over us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
kids have fantastic teachers; they are growing socially and academically. Gwyneth
is blossoming in school. She comes home and performs the songs and dances that
help her learn how to spell, and we see many expressions and hand motions that
she mimics from her teacher. She LOVES doing her homework and is rapidly
becoming a proficient reader. Jace is also a good student, although drawn more
to art and creating than to math and reading. He continues to sing in our
church’s children’s choir, and both Jace and Gwyneth take piano lessons from
John’s sister Becky. They also enjoy dabbling in group sports through the YMCA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQozrxy7lIg/Vm3P7ENlUFI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Peb90QSDcbY/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQozrxy7lIg/Vm3P7ENlUFI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Peb90QSDcbY/s200/IMG_1568.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spunky Quinn.<br />
</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With John working full-time, Jace and Gwyneth at school, Quinn
is now attending The Playschool at Arbor Village. She is there all day on
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday and continues to struggle with this adjustment.
Her teachers assure us that once we are gone, she does very well but openly
expresses that she would rather stay at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 3 ½ years of age, this is the first time she hasn’t been with a
parent during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the plus side,
she is learning to play with kids her age, she gets to paint almost daily (her
favorite), and she enjoys feeding Lucy, the guinea pig</span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our family has always been one to follow tradition, and that
includes putting up the Christmas tree and decorations on the day after
Thanksgiving. We also like to watch The Muppets Christmas Carol in the evening
of Black Friday. Consistent with how 2015 has gone – this also changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we joined Sarah’s mom and her
sister’s family at an indoor waterpark north of Chicago. We enjoyed turkey
chili in our hotel room on Thanksgiving after splashing through the normal
Thanksgiving meal time. While being with family was wonderful, we don’t
anticipate a new Thanksgiving tradition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0-g5fTWakA/Vm3REMSK-PI/AAAAAAAAAh4/wN6eBlRHoeY/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0-g5fTWakA/Vm3REMSK-PI/AAAAAAAAAh4/wN6eBlRHoeY/s320/IMG_1566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family shot at Key Lime Cover, Gurnee, IL.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sarah’s year has not been quite as eventful as the rest of
the family’s. She continues integrating Western and Eastern medicine in the
veterinary practice and enjoys caring for her patients and their families. On
the health front, she continues to focus on a rigorous and specific diet that
will get the full function of her adrenal glands back. While a grain, sugar,
and dairy free diet is challenging, she is definitely feeling stronger and
hopes for a full recovery in 2016. Please pray with us for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">May your family sense God’s blessings during this season and
in the New Year. It is a privilege to journey with you and with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s best to each of you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“For to us a child is
born, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">to us a son is given, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">and the government
will be on his shoulders. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And he will be called </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GtOytmJ99k/Vm3RctqxQbI/AAAAAAAAAiA/kdzFoP8tba8/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GtOytmJ99k/Vm3RctqxQbI/AAAAAAAAAiA/kdzFoP8tba8/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are looking forward to some time with grandma Lee this Christmas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-64982890955366444832015-10-28T13:12:00.001-07:002015-10-28T13:12:55.827-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 28pt; line-height: 107%;">How to Read the Bible</span></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can’t understand what I’m reading!” This is a common
remark that I hear when a person desires to grow in the Christian faith and
he/she has been encouraged to read the Bible. The Bible is not one book, but
rather, sixty-six! It is quite important to understand that it is not
necessarily a chronological ordering of the books it contains, but rather a
collection of works that the Church prayerfully agreed are the inspired words
of God. It includes law, history, prophetic messages, poetry, perspectives on
the life of Jesus, and even letters. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vOogx5a95A/VjErptId6ZI/AAAAAAAAAdo/OwwV5DOltIQ/s1600/Books_of_the_Bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vOogx5a95A/VjErptId6ZI/AAAAAAAAAdo/OwwV5DOltIQ/s400/Books_of_the_Bible.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where do I start?” That is a great question! Some would
prefer to start at the front, in the book of Genesis, with the creation
account. Others just want a simple book to ponder on a spiritual level. A
simple book about the life of Jesus is the book of John. Another basic read
about some of the basics of Christianity is the book of James, written by one
of Jesus’ own brothers. For a raw and heartfelt perspective about life
experience, reading the songs and poetry in the book of Psalms (most by
Israel’s former king David) would be valuable. For wise principles to conduct
your business or relationships in your sphere of influence, you might consult
Proverbs, written by King David’s son, Solomon. It’s your choice, but these are
a few pointers to help you read to understand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Understanding the Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pray for understanding. Ask God to guide you and
help you discover truth to apply to the way you live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read everything in context. The author had intent
and purpose when he wrote the text under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The
events happened at a particular time in history. When anyone attempts to make a
point by sharing a particular verse with another person or group, the fact needs
to line up with the message the author desired to convey. It must harmonize
with the message of all the other verses in the 66 books of the Bible. Understanding
the author’s background, the time in history that the book references, the main
purpose of the book, and the audience to whom the author was writing, all help
to make what is written meaningful. In many study Bibles, much of the
background information is included. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible wasn’t written or organized
chronologically. Please view this basic historical timeline (located at the
bottom of this document) to help you understand the historical period related
to each book in the Old and New Testaments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Use helps. Maps, commentaries, and even Google
can be helpful in investigating content in the Bible. Caution -- as with any
research project, be aware that all sources of information aren’t reliable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ask yourself questions as you read the text. “Is
there a command for me to obey? Is there a promise for me that relates to my
situation? How will I live differently now that I’ve read this? What truth may
I apply to my life today? Is there a word/phrase that is being repeated or a
message that is being reiterated?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope these suggestions will make your reading a valuable
experience and that your understanding will grow. As the Holy Spirit teaches
you, you will grow in your spiritual walk as you learn to assimilate the
Scripture into your daily life. It’s a discipline that has amazing results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Keep
this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that
you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful.” Joshua 1:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNYvZTSyONM/VjErymRGvSI/AAAAAAAAAdw/6OW4c_Wn4as/s1600/BibleTimeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNYvZTSyONM/VjErymRGvSI/AAAAAAAAAdw/6OW4c_Wn4as/s400/BibleTimeline.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div>
John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-8235392019252067942015-10-28T12:50:00.002-07:002015-10-29T06:04:52.960-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knmwmKDg1IA/VjEmKf4cSvI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nztBxWCNtOk/s1600/why-you-need-to-spend-time-alone-with-god090412_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knmwmKDg1IA/VjEmKf4cSvI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nztBxWCNtOk/s640/why-you-need-to-spend-time-alone-with-god090412_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time alone with God -- it’s
essential…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
am amazed at how many people who claim to be “Jesus-followers” overlook the
necessity each day of spending focused time centered on their relationship with
God. Even Jesus, God in the flesh, made it a priority. In my own life, I
struggle to keep a balance like anyone else, and when life pitches out of
balance, centered devotional time with the Lord may suffer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here
are a few pointers to make your time with the Lord effective:<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Place</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Have a place where you can be alone
for this important time each day. The New Testament referred to a prayer
closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So be creative, but make sure it
is a location that helps you focus on the attributes of our great God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were in pre-school, I’d make sure I
was in a room where you weren’t playing, asking me questions, or wanting me to
see you. The best places are void of distractions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Posture</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Your
posture makes a difference in the act of meditating. Walking while you pray may
aid your concentration more than reclining in an easy chair. Prostration or
kneeling can express your humility before God almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose what you sense points your heart and
personhood toward full surrender to Jesus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Period</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- A
chosen time in each day helps with continuity and prioritization. If a
devotional time is important to you, it will be in your schedule. If I don’t
set a time each day during the week, it is amazing how other activities make it
to the top of “to do” list.</span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Plan</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- It’s nice to have a plan when you
embark on a meaningful, scheduled time. Whether you read through the Bible in a
year, concentrate on a few chapters or verses, or follow a study written by a
Christian author, it should be a blueprint to grow in knowledge of God and how
you relate to Him. Essential in making it meaningful is a way to record your
insights for future reference and review. I’ve used a journal for years, just
to write down insights, prayer requests, and strong impressions from the Lord
through His word.</span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Provisions</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- The
supplies you need are up to you. I prefer a study Bible with a journal and pen.
You may have a Bible downloaded on an electronic device. Some like meditational
music in the background or have books of historical hymns or prayers from
Christian history. As you endeavor to make this period effectual and
meaningful, your list of materials will change to meet your needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Presence</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- When
you enter into your time, you need to be fully present. Turn off the
distractions and focus. And remember -- the Omnipresent One is with you. I
think faith in Jesus allows for the verses from Scripture and impressions on
your spirit to connect with your life and its circumstances so that you and
your perspective are transformed. You will be better prepared to meet the day
as you believe that you’ve met with the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adequately expressing the kind of joy or
comfort of a word from God to the heart of my soul is beyond me. When you are
sure that, “God must have meant that, just for me…,” when you are spending time
focused on Him, there are few inspirations in life that surpass it. Make your
time with God a discipline. It will pay off in dividends.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Very
early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and
went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"But
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“God’s
acquaintance is not made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual
or hasty comer and goer. To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing Him
and of influence with Him.” E. M. Bounds<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-3213572110256887572014-12-01T13:15:00.002-08:002014-12-02T14:18:21.980-08:00Christmas Letter 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxT654RDWyY/VHzUNgAnywI/AAAAAAAAAXo/EuKcWynW6zs/s1600/dsc_6536%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxT654RDWyY/VHzUNgAnywI/AAAAAAAAAXo/EuKcWynW6zs/s1600/dsc_6536%2B-%2BCopy%2B(2).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life is moving at breakneck speed, and these are days to
treasure! Pictures capture feelings and stories better than words for many of
us, so we decided to share a few with you to recap our year.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All our kids are growing up too quickly, but we continue to
parent them with prayer and love, despite our own shortcomings, and trust God
with the outcome. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9X48FkPrqoA/VHzUedQ2QiI/AAAAAAAAAXw/iNhGCshY3Lw/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9X48FkPrqoA/VHzUedQ2QiI/AAAAAAAAAXw/iNhGCshY3Lw/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jace is a creative, sensitive, and energetic boy who loves
school and life. We are proud with what we see him accomplishing academically.
He continues to be involved in a smattering of sports throughout the year,
first year of piano lessons, and more recently singing with a kids' choir
through College Park Church. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zx8UMOKN00/VHzVn4elZsI/AAAAAAAAAYI/kYZyfM8I5SQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zx8UMOKN00/VHzVn4elZsI/AAAAAAAAAYI/kYZyfM8I5SQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gwyneth is a powerful little personality we have nicknamed
“Sarge”. When she is sick or out with a friend, her absence is felt. She is
forthright about what she wants, ready to serve, and sappy sweet with an edge.
She is loyal and dedicated to friendships, and I’m sure we’ll be hauling her to
parties someday. Everyone is a friend. Though we’ve had her in gymnastics and
dance, we tried soccer for the first time this year. She is excited for
kindergarten, and we are confident she is ready and will devour the opportunity
to learn and be with other kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0OSMyxttPDc/VHzW87SMTCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/eRk4vEGYqSg/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0OSMyxttPDc/VHzW87SMTCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/eRk4vEGYqSg/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quinn is a determined, industrious, spunky little lady. She
parrots what her older siblings say and tries to copy every action, whether she
is ready or not. She loves to move her body, deposit her belongings and ours
all around the house, and we have to caution her about all the challenges for
which she is not ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF0IgVbjdvU/VHzXPDMnZtI/AAAAAAAAAYc/dh2x1JQQCOw/s1600/dsc_6653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF0IgVbjdvU/VHzXPDMnZtI/AAAAAAAAAYc/dh2x1JQQCOw/s1600/dsc_6653.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are so thankful for how Sarah’s job has provided for us
in these years. She has continued to develop professionally, and the practice
is led by talented doctors who have administrative gifts in their arsenal. We
are so happy that she can spend ample time at home, enjoying family life while
still being able to provide. John continues to care for the kids during the day
and works four to five nights at Home Depot, getting to bed around 2 a.m. and
then up at 7 to get Jace out the door for school. Recently we found a small
group we feel encouraged about through our church. We help with the Sunday
School program for our kids and have found our church to be a blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May your Christmas be filled with true Peace. May
2015 be a year full of blessing for you and those close to your heart, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"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." Is. 9:6 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In March, Mason, our "pure-bred Frisbee dog," was
laid to rest. We admired his companionship, his love of life, his ability to clean
food on our kitchen floor, and his passion to chase down Frisbees. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OuNMSGwRch0/VHzYVZEfQkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/-b43P-yUPt4/s1600/DSCN0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OuNMSGwRch0/VHzYVZEfQkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/-b43P-yUPt4/s1600/DSCN0388.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>two night campout to McCormick’s Creek State Park was a ton of fun, even though we got rained out and broke down our camp at midnight to head home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sibling love…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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On Halloween this year, Mary Poppins, Burt, and Minnie Mouse
showed up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-60697203449380892952014-10-31T23:09:00.001-07:002014-10-31T23:09:40.109-07:0011th Anniversary, Just BE... HERE...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4f6sMV_cCw/VFR4Ga36KqI/AAAAAAAAAWw/FdONMUC6YyI/s1600/dsc_6656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4f6sMV_cCw/VFR4Ga36KqI/AAAAAAAAAWw/FdONMUC6YyI/s1600/dsc_6656.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romantic preparation for our 11th Anniversary has not gone
as I envisioned. When I awoke from a four-hour sleep to prepare breakfast for
the family on Saturday morning, I was aware that something wasn’t right. I
willed myself out of bed and had good reason to return to it in an attempt to
grab a quick nap before a neighbor’s birthday party. Fast forward to Sunday
morning: I knew I needed to miss church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was feeling lousy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I creaked
down the stairs, I saw that Sarah had all the kids huddled around the laptop,
watching the morning online worship service at our church, while eating their
cereal. My temp would stay in the 100’s for most of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday morning, it was 104! I would wear a long sleeve
T-shirt over the top of a short sleeve T-shirt just to keep from having the
teeth-rattling chills. I’d wake up to the realization that I needed to shower
and put on some fresh shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
I’d kicked the bug when my temperature dropped down to around 98 after a shower
and another shirt change, but by 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening, it was back up to
around 102.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the midst of this, Sarah’s demonstrations of love were
clear and visible. The kids were encouraged to keep the noise level down, and I
was able to rest in our bedroom. She would check on me, empathetically inquire
about how I was feeling, bring fresh water, sometimes wipe my forehead, and
bring samples of food that seemed appealing. She tried to pick up where I would
have led the charge by making sure the kids were bathed as well as assuming
other responsibilities that I carry. She chose to sleep in the same bed with
me, even if it was the flu, just to be close. She was a companion as I cleared
my throat in the mornings, or coughed to breathe clearly in the evening. On
Monday, she had a huge day of work, but she was aware of my high temperature. I
prepared Jace’s lunch, got him on the bus, then retreated to our room, hoping
the two girls, Gwyneth and Quinn, could care for one another. I texted Sarah
about how I was doing, and she immediately planned to come home to get lunch
for them. I planned to close out the morning with them watching the “Frozen”
DVD. When she got the girls fed, she proceeded to ask me what I would love to
eat and I off-handedly said, “Soup....” She prepared homemade chicken-vegetable
soup and brought it to my bedside. As the day progressed, Sarah arranged for a
lady who watches our children to come over before Jace arrived home from
school. Our friend, whom we call Aunt Jerri, prepared the evening meal and got
the kids ready for bed. Sarah arrived back home right when the kids went to
bed. She’d been active for over 12 hours at work while covering at home where
she could. Then, she came into our room and took me to the doctor while Jerri
stayed with the kids. We were relieved to receive a diagnosis of bronchitis and
prescribed antibiotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We breathed a
sigh of gratitude that our kids hadn’t been exposed to something quite as
contagious as another type of virus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a way, this week was deeply romantic. Confined to my
bedroom for two days, I missed the usual touch of my kids and Sarah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt disconnected from “life” as I know it.
But, the gratitude for this servant and life partner beside me, whose love
shows in tangible ways, was more powerful than ever. I had a new appreciation
for her, a new love for all that she shouldered in just a few days. I had new
hunger for just being with my kids. And I’m starting to feel what it is like to
be in a healthy body again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have friends who are dealing with terminal illnesses,
who’ve struggled against odds for months and years, and at times even ended up
in hospice. What an incredible blessing if they are surrounded by a presence in
the form of a person who really cares. That’s love we all crave when it matters
most. Someone who will care, who will be there, who will go the extra mile --
often shown in the least expected ways. We want the kind of love that will just
be there. It’s really romantic isn’t it? Great practice for the next 25 years….<strong>
Just BE… HERE…!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-88477530518821181672014-05-28T18:17:00.003-07:002014-05-28T18:17:22.764-07:00God Encounter: Crucial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Face buried in my hands, I was feeling broken, torn open to
the core … but it was good. The setting was a much-awaited youth conference for
which I’d saved money and attended during my junior year of high school.
Thoughts about that season of my youth conjure memories of grappling for
meaning in life and an all-out search for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But at that moment, I was wrecked -- but in a good way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever felt internally exposed and loved
all at the same time? Though prior to the event, I’d surrendered as much of my
dreams and aspirations to align myself to what I perceived to be God’s will,
I’d never felt so unworthy, so convicted about who I was in my heart, so sorry
for oversights with people, or oddly, so purely loved all at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jonathan Martin, a pastor, summarized the experience well
with this quote: "To encounter God is to discover both how small we are
and how beloved we are, and we are not prepared either to be so insignificant
or so desperately loved. Both revelations are unnerving."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, with more years of life under my belt, I’m often amazed
at how that event, etched vividly enough to recall, has become a reference
point -- a “true north” experience about my relationship to God and other
people, and understanding my existence. Awe-inducing reverence of a holy God
was the result. It marked me enough to know that I was sick and sinful in HIS
presence, but He was LOVE with no limits, so powerful that, though I never
wanted to leave the presence I was feeling, it was potent enough to consume me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This divine appointment<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>humbled me, purified me, empowered me to love in deeper measure, and
helped me to see my own selfishness and self-centered sinfulness in the “good
works” of my “sacrificial” offerings to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the time of the experience, I was confident of no greater joy or
contentment on earth. In confession, since then, there have been seasons where
I’ve failed and not maintained my sensitivity to God’s inner voice and desired
to go my own way. And, LIFE within me has died. But I always have that
experience of reference where God tangibly showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continues to from time to time, and it
brings about renewal in my sensitivity to Him again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you had an experience like this? If so, what you sensed
at the specific encounter and the change in your life that followed couldn’t
happen without divine assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it
all God, or are you and I involved in such a happenstance? For me, it was
certainly a season marked by a deep search for God and sense of fulfillment and
meaning in my own journey. But for others -- they’d say it just happened. This
I know: we all NEED a God encounter. As a Christian, I believe I encounter God
through the person and divinity of Jesus. It is a God-encounter that changed me
internally, purified my motives, and set my desires on a course to please God
more than boss, friend, or even a spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you have a God encounter? I think the encounters come
in all shapes, sizes, and any way that God chooses, but it seems to start with
a desire. It probably involves another person who makes you desire Him more in
your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if there is no desire, I
guess we need to turn to God and ask for the hunger. “God give us a desire and
people around us that will inspire us to know You.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jeremiah 29: 13 NIV, “You will seek me and find me when you
seek me with all your heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 6: 5 NIV, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am
ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean
lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-61588917492720405082013-11-28T18:56:00.002-08:002013-11-29T03:59:41.594-08:00Christmas Letter 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lN8QdD1uXV8/Upf1KviYN7I/AAAAAAAAAOM/J3WtX5MjnYk/s1600/dsc_0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lN8QdD1uXV8/Upf1KviYN7I/AAAAAAAAAOM/J3WtX5MjnYk/s640/dsc_0637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Family
and Friends, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2013 has
been an eventful year, and we are thankful for this rich season of life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKPXUJp_X7U/Upf2l0-W1DI/AAAAAAAAAOY/XgMHv1jioW0/s1600/dsc_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKPXUJp_X7U/Upf2l0-W1DI/AAAAAAAAAOY/XgMHv1jioW0/s200/dsc_0712.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jace started
kindergarten this year, finished up a Tae Kwon Do program, and played on a
soccer and basketball team. He rides a bike without training wheels, and can
now keep his body above the water long enough to be classified as a “swimmer.”
We are proud of our little man’s accomplishments and continue to thank God as
he develops as a boy with a heart for God, despite the bumps and bruises he
sustains along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwEhiqChWVM/Upf4Z5Y5iwI/AAAAAAAAAO0/pP1U3MM567w/s1600/dsc_0757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwEhiqChWVM/Upf4Z5Y5iwI/AAAAAAAAAO0/pP1U3MM567w/s200/dsc_0757.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gwyneth has
a strong personality, yet her nurturing spirit has her playing mommy to
everyone (much to independent Quinn’s dismay!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is learning to write letters and numbers and has taken some dance,
swim, and tumbling classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brings
constant laughter and joy while keeping us on our toes! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quinn is
determined to keep up with her siblings and grows in her ability to motor
around and form words. We can tell she is a persistent, purposeful, constant
mover. She seems to have an infectious joy and openness to all. She is a bubbly
and a little shy personality that we love to see sprout and come to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMo3p-0bptQ/Upf7ZXBhOvI/AAAAAAAAAPM/ceYaDizG1Fc/s1600/dsc_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMo3p-0bptQ/Upf7ZXBhOvI/AAAAAAAAAPM/ceYaDizG1Fc/s200/dsc_0849.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We visited
family in KY and in IA on separate occasions and we hosted Sarah’s mother at
our home a few times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed a
camping experience in KY, while visiting John’s family, and a visit to the IA
State Fair while in IA. We look forward to many more memories for our kids with
their grandmas and uncles and aunts in the years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-syn-Puu7Y/Upf8rEapjzI/AAAAAAAAAPY/UMzhRRsZ-ww/s1600/dsc_0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-syn-Puu7Y/Upf8rEapjzI/AAAAAAAAAPY/UMzhRRsZ-ww/s200/dsc_0679.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though
it had been difficult for John’s parents to visit because of health issues, his
mother was able to make the trip for Thanksgiving this year. John’s dad passed
away earlier in November after a long fight with cancer, so the family has been
adjusting to life without him. The funeral and the days surrounding his death
were incredibly meaningful and resulted in lots of thanksgiving instead of
regret. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read John’s tribute to
him in the blog entry before this one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qUYGc0GzUY/UpgAO9HHnAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/UH7E9X9oWHs/s1600/DSCN0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qUYGc0GzUY/UpgAO9HHnAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/UH7E9X9oWHs/s320/DSCN0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad enjoying a camping cookout, a few months before his death.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can
imagine, there’s not a lot of time for relaxation for us. John continues to
keep up with the kids and housework while Sarah supports the family as a
veterinarian. We continue to enjoy church, hosting a small group from time to
time, and providing care in the nursery as needed. John continues with a
writing project and calling pastors and praying for them in a volunteer roll.
Sarah strengthens her veterinarian skills by studying herbal medicine to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>add to her acupuncture certification. Our
steps are in God’s hands, so we continue to rely on HIM to guide us into all
that He has for us as a family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May you
experience <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Peace</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Joy</span></strong> this <span style="color: red;"><strong>Christmas</strong></span>! Have a BLESSED time with your family
and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Him, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John, Sarah,
Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah 9: 6 “For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LHDsNHF-ec/Upf23lsGkaI/AAAAAAAAAOg/coufmVKIic0/s1600/DSCN0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LHDsNHF-ec/Upf23lsGkaI/AAAAAAAAAOg/coufmVKIic0/s320/DSCN0284.JPG" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jace having some fun in the sand while in IA this past summer.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1VYc46hfe4/Upf59Q3G-cI/AAAAAAAAAPA/UNmHBXvdgUU/s1600/DSCN0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1VYc46hfe4/Upf59Q3G-cI/AAAAAAAAAPA/UNmHBXvdgUU/s320/DSCN0316.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinn has a real attraction to animals, and she enjoyed this visit to Sarah's Uncle Jim, in IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmYEGWulKQ/UpiBdJLjGOI/AAAAAAAAAQU/muDVobrQNcQ/s1600/photo+1+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmYEGWulKQ/UpiBdJLjGOI/AAAAAAAAAQU/muDVobrQNcQ/s320/photo+1+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwyneth is all smiles after reading with daddy.<br />
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-34157596682237398642013-11-08T18:50:00.001-08:002013-11-08T18:52:24.356-08:00My Tribute for Dad (Aug. 23, 1929-Nov. 3, 2013)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9fcS4Zvg5A/Un2had8vB1I/AAAAAAAAANg/OAE1-s0K5og/s1600/IMG_2875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9fcS4Zvg5A/Un2had8vB1I/AAAAAAAAANg/OAE1-s0K5og/s400/IMG_2875.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read by Gary Knox at David W. Lee’s Funeral <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">11-8-13<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can imagine, it’s a challenge to write appropriate
admiration for a great father, and keep it within a few minutes for someone to
read. That is what I’ll attempt. Since we are into the month of November, with
the celebration of Thanksgiving on the horizon, I’ll honor my dad through
giving thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to gather here
to honor my dad. By the grace of God his impact in the lives of his children,
family members, ministries, and people for whom he prayed, is deserving of
commemoration. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to my wife, Sarah, for giving me the nudges and the
freedom I needed to leave for Kentucky on Friday morning, a week ago. It was a
blessing to have people from our church’s small group take care of the girls
and for one of Sarah’s clients to take Jace to his first basketball practice,
while Sarah worked a half day on Saturday. Upon arrival, I hoped that dad would
heal from the pneumonia in his lungs and miraculously revive for a great
Christmas with my kids and the rest of our family before his passing, so I
stayed obnoxiously positive. In the evening, mother shared with me that it was
no longer pneumonia, but the cancer and disease was taking over his lungs. On
Friday, after praying with my mom in her room, I remember praying for God to
take dad and be merciful to him. Grief started to roll in with force at that
point. Saturday morning I told him, “Dad, we aren’t holding on to you anymore.
You are free to go, even though we’d love to have you healthy.” By Saturday
afternoon they had decided to move him into hospice and his condition continued
to decline. Sunday morning, about 8:40 a.m. we got a call from Esther, my
sister, that she had been called by hospice to get to the hospital. While in
route, enjoying the beautiful KY morning with black angus cows in the fields
and leaves in full Fall colors, Esther called again. He was already HOME. When
we got on the hospice hall a little after 9:00a.m., we were told he had passed
away at 8:55 a.m. .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNuNuJgLSjo/Un2hnJnXIZI/AAAAAAAAANo/F-FfJ4KFCPc/s1600/480125_10151492082142918_289121738_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNuNuJgLSjo/Un2hnJnXIZI/AAAAAAAAANo/F-FfJ4KFCPc/s400/480125_10151492082142918_289121738_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m so grateful for that weekend. I was able to say “I love
you” multiple times to my dad, and even hear him faintly say, “I love you too.”
I gave his last living, earthly shave. I got to wash his face with a hot
washcloth to make him look better for nurses and visitors stopping by to see
him. It was great to know I had filled a void for a sister and mother who had
given themselves to the point of emotional and physical exhaustion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I was able give him my own personal
release of freedom to “go to heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m full of thanks for how the events surrounding his death
affirmed my faith, in Jesus, His perfect timing, and the way He blesses through
people who live by faith. For example:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That morning I had dreamed of my dad running up
to my grandpa, grandma, his brothers, and loved ones in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The devotional mother and I read before
receiving the call to leave for the hospital felt like it was for us, and I was
positive death was imminent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A former pastor felt led to call about David
Lee’s condition. When the hospital answered-it was 2 minutes after his death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Close friends texted messages, with dad in their
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad and mother were on the World Gospel Mission
prayer calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A former neighbor and a small group leader and
his wife (Larry and Sherry McNabb) stayed up all night with dad until 7 a.m.,
before his passing, but returned to the hospital by 9:15 a.m. to see his body
rolled out for preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People were dropping off meals to cover for
mother before the day was over. Neighbors assured me that the yard would be mowed,
and person after person let me know that my parents had touched them in deep
ways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sister’s high school Spanish classes have
been covered by a competent teacher this whole week in her absence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s sovereign, provident hand were present the
WHOLE weekend, -other family members have more they could tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dO6wfgsGeBM/Un2iC6-ZdjI/AAAAAAAAANw/jV8mTwQaYV8/s1600/273_22928376628_8936_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dO6wfgsGeBM/Un2iC6-ZdjI/AAAAAAAAANw/jV8mTwQaYV8/s400/273_22928376628_8936_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for a dad who valued hard work and doing a
project right the first time. I learned to swing a hammer, drive a nail, saw a
board, paint a room, and dig a ditch from him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for a dad who was organized- he had his whole
funeral service filed away with all prearranged details ready with the funeral
home in Carey. I hung a mirror for mother, and marveled as I went to the garage
to look for a tack for the back of the picture frame. Tools were hung in
perfect order, with all the types of nails and screws neatly filed in little,
plastic, cabinet drawers for easy access. His garage looks more like a well-
kept living room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for a dad who modeled practical, authentic
belief in Jesus, backed up with action. He was a faithful Sunday School
teacher, Bible Study participant, and caring neighbor. I never heard him use an
unwholesome word, and even though I know he was very human, his pursuit of
holiness and his desire for the experience to be a part of each of his
children’s lives was evident. Daily family reading of Scripture and prayer is
the mode of operation in the Lee home. And you all know that he made his
sacrifices, living thousands of miles away from his closest family, in
ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful for a dad who gave me discerning, sound,
biblical advice, yet expected me to make my own decisions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will miss the phone conversations when I
need to talk to an older buddy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thankful to have had a dad who was a man of prayer, and
the belief in its power in my family. Family members, he PRAYED for you, by
name- ALL of you. If you are in these seats and you are a part of a
mission/ministerial organization, he probably prayed for you too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Organized and purposeful, authentic disciple of Jesus,
discerning, man of prayer. I’d love to continue the legacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I arrived home from the hospital I looked at the bags
mother would unpack. I noticed his watch. I stretched it over my hand and onto
my wrist- it looked pretty good. It’s on me today. I grabbed his walking cane,
and made sure I put it in the Rav4, to head back to IN. That’s in my bedroom at
home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed his dresser and there
were a few pocket knives on the dresser top. I wondered which one I’d inherit.
But no, it wasn’t time now. I needed to bask in the thankfulness I was feeling
for a faithful earthly father and in the healing that time brings before we
rummage through possessions that evoke such strong memories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much, Dad… Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the hope of
heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW8uD1nvOHs" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">A song that has been an encouragement over the last week...</span></a></span></o:p></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-71682882486290852782013-08-15T19:54:00.001-07:002013-08-15T19:58:10.989-07:00The "Unloving Way?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Daddy, may we have candy for dessert?” This is a question I
often hear from Jace and Gwyneth as they<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>labor over their last bites of potatoes or broccoli. Any anticipation of
a food item they crave helps the last vegetable morsels go down like good
medicine. Often my answer is “No,” and I explain to them that they had enough
sugar for the day. Honestly, I sense pleasure seeing them enjoy candy. But out
of concern for their health, their afternoon nap (and my relaxation too), I
make the decision that it wouldn’t be prudent for them to fill up on candy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a Christian, I have faith in a God who interacts with me
much like an earthly father who wants to raise healthy kids. As a father, I
believe that I show love to my kids by giving them boundaries, and I think my
heavenly Father has done the same for each one of us. It’s as if God has
constructed a “way of refuge” for people who follow Him. It’s not a way without
suffering, but it is a way of peace and purpose that He has fashioned for each
person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you hold to a belief or a conviction that there is
actually “a way” to do life that supersedes all others, you may be labeled
unloving, intolerant, fundamentalist, non- progressive, a traditionalist,
unbending, culturally blind, etc…. It’s like the cultural heart-cry of the day
is “love has no boundaries and no discriminations.” In other words, if you are
loving, you better accept my way of life, and don’t EVER disagree with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These attacks center on anyone who holds to a
belief that there actually is “truth” about how to live life, and it isn’t just
true for me, but rather for everybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, it’s not that I don’t accept you, I just don’t accept “your
way." Now because I don’t accept “your way” even though I accept you,
please don’t label me or call me an arrogant bleepity, bleep, bleep….<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Absolute TRUTH has been under attack through the ages, and
especially in the last twenty years. But, the issue is evolving even more. I
quote Pastor Mark Vroegop on the issue when he says, ”Before the advent of
post-modernity, followers of Jesus might have been excoriated for believing
something that non-believers believed was false. They would have been shamed
for their ignorance. But now the categories are no longer 'true and false'; the
new cultural categories are tolerance or arrogance. In other words, the problem
now is not being 'wrong' but in thinking or saying that someone else is wrong.
The issue then is that the cultural discussion has been framed such that
Bible-believing Christians will be shamed for their arrogance of thinking that
they are right and someone else is wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">To be perceived as a person who thinks of himself as
superior or uncompassionate, as a Christian, is antithetical to 'the way' the
Bible, our authority, tells us to live. And just because we attempt to follow a
written rule whole heartedly, does not mean that we are arrogant, unloving,
bleepity bleep, bleeps. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“ I would suggest that we have an opportunity to present to
the world the refuge of God’s way. Post-modernity will not last. Truth inside
of oneself and morals chosen by public opinion will collapse, personally, and
eventually, culturally.” Mark Vroegop<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, my kids will continue to have limits. And, they seem
to know I love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they tell
me so!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-83889408023297508322013-06-20T19:12:00.000-07:002013-06-20T19:37:52.456-07:00Significance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIipMmZu1f4/UcO09W2HmbI/AAAAAAAAAJI/d0wHQpGfgBA/s1600/imagesCA7B49TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIipMmZu1f4/UcO09W2HmbI/AAAAAAAAAJI/d0wHQpGfgBA/s400/imagesCA7B49TM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"I'l</span></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">l have the 6 oz.
sirloin, medium-rare, with the scallops.” A restaurant close to most of our
group was the chosen locale. It was good to interact with high school and
college buddies who have been there in significant points of my journey. Soon
we were savoring food prepared according to our requests. Men leaned in as a
few in the group shared about trials of recent days. It was good to be among
friends that showed through attentiveness and nods of understanding that they
cared about each person verbalizing personal and recent experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seated around the table that night was a CEO of a
not-for-profit, a web-developer who sang at my wedding,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a medical doctor who has earned the respect
of many patients on the west side of Indianapolis,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a pastor of a large multi-site church walking
through a difficult transition in his own life, and an Eli Lilly engineer who
was leading a team to eventually be able to implant a pump into someone’s
noggin to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>provide the brain with a
medication to fight against a terminal disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, you know I was seated there too….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I change diapers well and keep my kids rash free most of the time, flip
thin pancakes on Friday mornings, unload and reload the dishwasher daily, fold
clothes on “leave a legacy” levels, and make sure Wednesday night meals are
"to die for" when Sarah comes home from work.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I listened to my friends converse, more potent than the
taste of the food or rich camaraderie, to me that evening was the need for each
one of us to feel that we were making a significant contribution. Engrained in
most healthy, well-adjusted persons is a desire to be remembered for something
good and noble by the next generation, and that desire must be managed
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">All who know the men mentioned above discern they have
reached a level others would immediately identify as “success.” And, they’ve
made sacrifices for the attainments in their professions. I know the admonition
that one is to never compare, but I came home that night not only encouraged
from being with great guys, but pained because I wondered if I was leaving a
visible mark anywhere -- feeling a little like I’m wasting away making sure I
make it to the next Tae Kwon Do or ballet class, while warming up a bottle in
case I need to feed a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Sarah
all about the feelings when I got home, and she listened….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My own little identity crisis….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find these principles to be powerful when I struggle with
my identity, and by no means is it an exhaustive list. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Be authentic…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Today you are You,
that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr.
Seuss <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do not let your
peace depend on the hearts of men; whatever they say about you, good or bad,
you are not because of it another man, for as you are, you are.” Thomas a’
Kempis, The Imitation of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Authenticity is strengthened when I embrace my current
circumstances and responsibilities and tackle them with my own personal flair.
I think I’m becoming more and more comfortable with my personal motto being,
“What you see is what you get.” God didn’t call me to be anyone else, so as
Kierkegaard once said, “And now, with God’s help, I shall become myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> B</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">e dead…<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s not ultimately
about my desires, my dreams, or constructing a personal destiny. Actually, it
involves surrender to a higher purpose while striving to take the next obedient
step. Even though I’d like to be the provider in our family, at present I
surrender to fanning any flames of nurture and empathy that exist in my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> J</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">esus died and lived this principle as well. “I tell you the
truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a
single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">You and I must die well to live well. When I die to longings
that are destructive for me, there is no telling what may multiply from the act
of obedience. As a stay-at-home dad, I’ll need to die to some desires. But, I’d
be dying to other ones if I were building my professional resume’ as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Be humble…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few quotes about
humility that I like are…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If you compare yourself with others, you may be bitter or
vain, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” Max
Ehrman<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> "</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All through history God has chosen and used 'nobodies,'
because their unusual dependence on Him made possible the unique display of His
power and grace. He chose and used the 'somebodies' only when they renounced
dependence on their natural abilities and resources.” Oswald Chambers<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I were practicing more reliance on God while tackling
the challenges of consistently offering guidance to three preschoolers that I
adore -- just because they are my kids. Though it is a privilege to be with
them a majority of the time, it is also humbling, based upon traditional and
cultural expectations of a “man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Difficulty arises when I wonder why I’m not developing expertise outside
the home when my buddies <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are out
achieving what I consider significant accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I tell myself, “Swallow…. It’s OK for
right now….”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Be connected…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Easy, right!? Nope,
not even with all the gadgets we have to stay connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a person benefits from rich conversation
and interaction that boosts and undergirds his/her sense of worth, now THAT is
a gift to treasure. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would suggest that most important in a person’s sense of
significance and identity is a devotion to God Almighty that results in a
feeling of "belonging” or “connectedness” to Him. There’s a certain sense
of completion in that. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet, often, love from God is expressed through people. There
are plenty of needy people around each one of us. Someone has said, “If you
don’t like your lot in life, build a service station on it.” If you find a
place to serve, it will aid in helping to feel connection. If I’m not called
upon to do what many would consider to be “important,” then I can volunteer at
the VBS where my kids attend, hand out flyers at the church door to make people
feel welcome, or even teach my kids’ Sunday School class -- it all serves to
connect me with my kids and with others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">C.S. Lewis said, “I
become my own only when I gave give myself to Another.” What I notice about
that quote is the "Another" is capitalized. A sense of connection to
others and life begins with God.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Be grateful…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many would trade
places with me in a heartbeat. Thankfully, I wouldn’t be so quick to trade my
privileged position anymore. Life is often spent pining rather than accepting
and finding internal gratitude in a season of life. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two verses that come to mind about being grateful were
penned by the Apostle Paul, when he was writing the Philippian church. He
wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4: 6, 7) You and I are exhorted to take our heartfelt desires to
God. When we express them, it tells us to offer the requests with thanksgiving,
or gratitude. I find that giving thanks while I pray helps my perspective as I
reflect on what God has already done. I also step toward the future in grateful
hope that the Lord is working for my own good, as He has already promised. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> C</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">an you and I measure
significance, impact, or the size of a footprint a life leaves behind? I think
that you and I will be amazed when we see what God considers to be significant.
For now, I choose to be authentic, dead, humble, connected, and grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-83061869543130717992013-02-12T14:33:00.004-08:002013-02-18T04:17:52.913-08:00No Regrets?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8P6dDLNro/URrCRvzpWEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/FNVtvrDLZxw/s1600/shame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8P6dDLNro/URrCRvzpWEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/FNVtvrDLZxw/s400/shame.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Face to</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> face with my 9<sup>th</sup> grade biology teacher,
her hands slightly raised from her short stature, choking my neck and her eyes
bulging with a flushed face, was no way I had imagined the start of my eight
a.m. class. I had even heard the warnings from my buddy Doland, “John, … John…
Jo…,” then I turned into this wall of rage. And, in all honesty, she had every
right to be livid. We had taken an exam the day before, and prior to the bell,
I noticed the grade book open on her desk. For some dumb reason, I thought it would
be informative and rather cool to read the results of the test, for any student
who wanted to know their personal grade. After she released me from her firm,
two-handed grip around my neck, the class sat in a hushed silence as I gingerly
reported back to my seat. Needless to say, it was difficult to break the somber
tone for the rest of the hour. I felt terrible, and it wasn’t a failure that I
wanted to share with anyone who thought I was an upstanding teen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve never felt the sentiment of some of our cultural
heroes, who boldly say of their lives, “NO REGRETS!” Are you serious!? That was
a mild infraction for what many of us experience, yet I think my 40’s have been
about the introspective journey of facing shame and embarrassment over segments
of my past. Take for instance, just a few weeks ago, I got out my journal with
plans to write out all that I still induced any type of regret or feeling of
disgrace in my life. I thought the tiny writing exercise would go by quickly,
but soon, I had jots that filled a whole page!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The causes of shame: things done to us (we are the victims),
things we proactively did or passively didn’t do, and feeling like we fall
short of some standard that others or God has set for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rest assured your list won’t be my list. But, I’ll bet you
have a list… An overheard conversation where you were cut to the core? A
heart-rending end to a relationship? An abortion? A rape? Being caught
red-handed? Saying something that ended up being offensive, you can’t take back(this
can happen through written words that are often misunderstood, even with the
best intentions.) Being fired? You can’t get control of your weight? An addiction?
Oh my, the things that can cause us shame, embarrassment, and disgrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And oh how the enemy of my soul and your soul
uses negative experiences to drive the stakes of shame into our beings and pin
down our potential. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are four things I have been doing with my shame.
Notice I’m still processing some of that journal page.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forgive-- God, others, and yourself. God gets
the blame sometimes. Let Him off the hook and take responsibility for your
happiness and internal freedom. Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust concentration camp
survivor, explained forgiving others as a firm decision of the will. The
feelings can continue much like a large bell that has been rung. The chime can
be heard as the bell tolls back and forth. Eventually the sound diminishes, and
the clapper comes to a resting position, as long as the bell rope isn’t pulled
again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace-- get in touch with it. When I look at my
list of shame, I SURELY NEED undeserved goodness. God offers it. Yet, just like
God, you and I need to offer that same kind of love and acceptance to others.
They are broken too. It’s sacrificial and crazy love that busts through
barriers before it is a transforming agent for our wounds of shame and regret.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Surrender-- when I don’t know what to do with the
internal pain, I can surely surrender it to God. A few weeks ago in church, a
song was sung by the Newsboys, called “In the Hands of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few lines caught my attention: “When our
strength gave way to the weight of guilt, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Til we strain for every breath, Only One could
lift our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">shame</b> and make us well, And
when all is finished and we face the fearsome power of death Only One has
overcome the gates of hell. In the hands of God we will fall, Rest for the
restless and the weary, hope for the sinner, In the hands of God we stand tall,
Hands that are mighty to deliver givin' us freedom…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
saying, “Let go, and let God…,” can go a long way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Truth-- when the pain is deep enough, any lie or
destructive message about who I am must be replaced with a principle or message
about myself that will help me cope with any reality that I face. I find that
the Bible is full of principles that help me replace stinkin’ thinkin’ with
TRUTH that is liberating. A verse that comes to mind is Philippians 4:8- “…whatever
is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ps. 119:80- May my heart be blameless towards your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.</span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-84011820462181969542012-12-02T13:04:00.001-08:002012-12-03T08:27:44.784-08:00Christmas Letter 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Christmas Tree, pictured on Black Friday after we decorated with our parents and the kids...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Friends and Family<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="color: red;">C</span><span style="color: red;">- </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Christmas Joy, and Christopher Pop-in-kins</span><span style="color: red;">-</span></strong><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">He’s our “elf
on the shelf” who finds a new place to sit every evening after the kids go to
bed, and <span style="background-color: white;">they</span> excitedly look for him when they come down the stairs for
breakfast. With decorations, desserts on the counter, and Christmas music
streaming from the internet, a festive feeling is in the air. Jace recently
inquired about Santa, saying, "Does Santa bring presents to big kids too?"
To which Sarah replied, "Yes, of course--the ones that are good. That's a
lot of pressure isn't it?"</span></span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Life is filled with a lot of laughs from the way our preschoolers relate to one
another, and to us. We are in blessed days, and thankfully, we are aware of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUZ3d62Fatw/ULu-nsqv_cI/AAAAAAAAAFw/mUe1iiIcg7o/s1600/JandG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUZ3d62Fatw/ULu-nsqv_cI/AAAAAAAAAFw/mUe1iiIcg7o/s320/JandG4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>H- Happiness, Helping, and Heaven-</strong></span> <span style="color: #38761d;">While adjusting to three
kids has been a challenge, there is much laughter and joy in our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gwyneth is an active, happy little girl who
is celebrating her third birthday this December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tends to want to do the opposite of what
she is told to do, but will quickly help in any way she is asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may involve smothering the baby in burp
cloths or pushing a large storage bin at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jace, at 4 ½ years, is smart enough to sit
back and let her help him at every opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jace is currently taking tae-kwon-do classes and we are seeing
improvements in confidence and coordination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being a thinker, he recently had a day when he was focused on heaven all
day. Right around bedtime this culminated in a crying little boy who told Daddy
he didn’t want to go to heaven without his blankie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another comment that made us chuckle was his
desire to have a “peanut butter and jelly casserole” – according to Jace “it’s
a dessert”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is wonderful to watch the
kids enjoy life and we do all we can to savor this stage.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m9YwKLAykc/ULu_fyVTKnI/AAAAAAAAAF8/Bl27NcCcOR4/s1600/Fam9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m9YwKLAykc/ULu_fyVTKnI/AAAAAAAAAF8/Bl27NcCcOR4/s400/Fam9.jpg" width="376" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>R- Rest-</strong></span> <span style="color: #38761d;">We look forward to a little more… <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>I-Iowa-</strong></span> <span style="color: #38761d;">We had a chance to visit Sarah’s family, from the
Des Moines area, in September. She scheduled an internship to complete a
portion of her certification as an acupuncturist. Sarah’s sister, Hannah, took
some of the pictures you see, while we were there. Thankfully, we’ve been able
to see all our immediate family in IA, KY, and IN. The times with our families
fly by too quickly and are immensely enjoyed, but with a seven-month-old baby, two
preschoolers, and Sarah’s full work schedule, trips take some planning.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">S- Stay at home dad</span><span style="color: red;">-</span></strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> John builds his skill at doing laundry,
keeping the house clean, reloading and unloading the dishwasher, and doing
everything again and again… He continues to make it to the gym three times a
week, read and write on the side, and recently has enjoyed volunteering for the
Clergy Education and Development Division of the Wesleyan Church by calling
pastors to pray for and encourage them. John helps to teach a preschooler
Sunday School class, host a small group with Sarah, and greet on occasion at
Harvest Church on Sunday mornings</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEqTQVlc5EA/ULvAviMzZ1I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/HvlWXDApDpc/s1600/Momandkids1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEqTQVlc5EA/ULvAviMzZ1I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/HvlWXDApDpc/s320/Momandkids1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grandma Packard and the kids...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">T- Thanksgiving</span><span style="color: red;">-</span></strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">It was a privilege to go to John’s sister,
Becky Perkins’, home for our Thanksgiving Dinner. All John’s side of the family
attended, and Sarah’s mother, Linda, graced us with her presence as well. It
was terrific to have both sets of grandparents in our home for a few days
following the Thanksgiving holiday to connect and bond with our kids.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">M-Miracles-</span></strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">This family believes in them. David and Anna
Verne Lee (John’s parents) have both battled cancer over the past years, and
all is clear in both of them! We thank the Lord for the birth of a new daughter
as well. Quinn Michelle, as referred to by Jace and Gwyneth, arrived on April
24 and is growing up quickly. She is a happy baby who knows how to demand our
attention when something in her life is a little off kilter. Sarah recently
began introducing her to solid food. She’s beginning to master sitting on her
own and she is more mobile than her siblings were at the same age. We are aware
of God’s blessings through the journey, and don’t want to be blinded to
anything new God wants us to see.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Unc68snB1iA/ULvBlHIyKpI/AAAAAAAAAGY/JJhS-QznPns/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Unc68snB1iA/ULvBlHIyKpI/AAAAAAAAAGY/JJhS-QznPns/s400/IMG_3614.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">A- Acupuncture-</span></strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">Sarah is a Certified Veterinary
Acupuncturist. It is very rewarding to help pets live a high quality of life
whether conventional medicine has failed or the owners desire a different form
of treatment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has also developed additional
skill in herbal medicine to supplement the needle treatments. Her schedule is
busy and her clients are faithful. We still enjoy Fridays when she is home, and
our shopping day on Tuesday, when we get to go to Costco as a family and enjoy
all the samples<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">S-Savior-</span></strong> <span style="color: #38761d;">We are thankful for Jesus, who brings hope and
light into our lives. He saves us from our sin and sets us free to serve
others. In a VBS this summer, Jace went forward to signify that he wanted to
make a commitment to a relationship with Jesus. We try to foster that
relationship with Christ in ourselves and each one of our kids.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a blessed Christmas! John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and
Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah9:6 “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.” (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-38005676028126223892012-10-27T14:00:00.002-07:002012-10-27T19:10:05.992-07:00It's NOT Over!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, hopefully as soon as the election is over, we won’t be
logging off social networks with a lump in our throats, feeling a heaving
sensation in our chests from all the political dialogue to which we’ve been
exposed. Honestly, I feel pain on a profound level when I consider some of the
positions that my friends hold on volatile issues that have been discussed, but
I can imagine they feel the same about some of mine. But, “I’m right!” No, I
don’t really mean that. The extreme views and propaganda of freshly spun story
lines and words spoken, yanked from their context, have been enough to make a
person ill. The political spectrum’s right, left, and even the independent camp
are all guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMfBrj-51VA/UIxLJ0CSLHI/AAAAAAAAAFI/NIe15577jkU/s1600/imagesCA129TD0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMfBrj-51VA/UIxLJ0CSLHI/AAAAAAAAAFI/NIe15577jkU/s320/imagesCA129TD0.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">No matter the outcome from the votes, we can bet the news
media will take us through a short honeymoon for the administration of the
POTUS, and those newly elected to the House and Senate. But, in no time, the
onslaught of attacks will begin afresh. Maybe the hope of the media is to
uncover inconsistencies that elected officials need to fix. Or, maybe it is a
barrage mudslinging to the demise of a person with a different approach or
perspective in solving the nation’s problems. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet, with all the intensity that this election evokes, an
important question emerges:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
candidate you want to win, WINS, will that really solve all of our problems?!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course it won’t! And, that’s not to say that great
leadership doesn’t make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I’ve observed the political process through my life, I’ve
come to conclusions that often people make decisions based upon, "what’s
in it for me?” Not always, but most of the time. I know that self-centeredness
is what I see on a daily basis with my preschooler and toddler, and to be
honest, real honest, I have to go to God, A LOT, about my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no matter what policies a government
puts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in place, it seems that eventually,
self-centered people<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are after a slice
of the pie, for any benefit that can be acquired, free, from the governing
authorities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Capitalism is awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Awesome as long as we all are upright, blameless, righteous, and just
people. When the moral fabric of any culture crumbles, it doesn’t matter how
well the political rails of the cultural train have been placed. Just to add, I
don’t know of ANY founding fathers who laid a better foundation than the nation
in which I currently reside. So if our governing officials stick to that
foundation, we can expect a flourishing future. Yet, a necessity to experience
a flourishing future we so desire is that citizens, on an individual basis, get
in touch with a deep sense of righteousness and justice. That sense needs to be
deep enough that it moves each person to responsible action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, my prayer is still, “God bless America.” PLEASE do,
right down to the core of our being. Because what is going on in our hearts,
the seat of our affections, motivations, and actions, is more important than
any ideology to which we hold. Heart change brings awareness of our capacity
for selfishness, and it can help us to know that with God’s help, we can do
what is best for others, even if it costs us everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amos 5: 24 “But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-37654667007201081752012-08-14T17:55:00.001-07:002012-08-14T17:57:47.781-07:00Achievement Hunger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watching the ’12 Olympiad from London has been quite an
experience! I fast-forwarded through hours of recordings to see the interviews
and the competitions that resonated with my temperament and personality. Once
in a while, I saved a recording of the equestrian events or gymnastics for
Sarah as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’ve watched returning
athletes, like Phelps, May, Walsh, Bolt, etc…, I’ve contemplated about how they
are able to win, and even return after four or eight years, and triumph again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are all types of components in being a
‘winner’, but what gives a person that intensity of desire of hunger? It’s that
longing or desire that keeps a veteran competing, and helps a young athlete to
rise to the occasion. That’s the theme that I’ve wondered about through the ups
and downs of the games in London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disciplined
and repetitive preparation, training, focus and even athletic ability all
combine to make a champion, but an underlying, and even more important element
seems to be a yearning to compete, and ultimately, win…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PabMqa4oCoQ/UCrzLG7P3PI/AAAAAAAAAEw/dBXcN7Os_pA/s1600/Phelps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PabMqa4oCoQ/UCrzLG7P3PI/AAAAAAAAAEw/dBXcN7Os_pA/s1600/Phelps.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a personal level, we all go out and, to a degree, contend
in the marketplace. Some of us have a hunger to do what we do. There’s
something deeper that drives us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
sometimes that drive is more passionate, and sometimes, unfortunately it
languishes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I’d like to ask a few questions and read your feedback.
I’d love to write an entry someday with the thoughts that you have, since your
responses may help provide expertise on the subject of that inner drive. What
do you think feeds such a deep desire to win or triumph? Where do you think
that get-up-and-go comes from? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Across the board, I think we’ve seen the athletes who lose
that drive and the competitive edge, and all of a sudden, the medals and
accolades no longer accompany their efforts. It happens in the work-world too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve also felt that the hunger and drive has an innate, divine
quality. It is almost like a calling for each one of us. What do you think? I’d
love to read your comments on my Facebook page about how to feed the desires
that will help you accomplish and where you think that hunger comes from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-78693110464810029542012-07-03T18:27:00.001-07:002012-10-28T04:10:56.327-07:00The Gift of Freedom (by my cousin, Lori Cameron)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some years ago, I had a Cambodian student in my class. He struggled heroically with both speaking and writing English but finished with a C minus. In spite of his difficulty, he came to class every week wearing a big smile on his broad, beautiful face. I had warmed to him considerably during the term, so, when he stayed after class the last day—as he was inclined to do—I sat down and talked to <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">him for longer than usual. Our conversation drifted to his home country, and he began—in his faltering English—to describe what it was like to live under the Khmer Rouge. I sat speechless as he described how people were driven from their homes and either killed execution-style or forced to march for days to slave labor camps where they were forced to work for the regime. He said one word of protest, one false move could get you killed. At one point, I stopped him and asked, “How do you LIVE in such circumstances? How do you survive?” He replied, “You do work the government give you, and you keep mouth shut.” <br /> <br /> I could feel the strength leaving my body. My student then described his break for freedom. He said that Cambodians often rushed the Thailand border en masse, making it difficult for the soldiers to catch or kill them all. Some were caught. Some were killed. Some were severely injured, but many made it across safely. My student and the group he was in rushed the border under cover of night, and, while my student made it across unscathed, another man was shot. Once across, he helped the injured man make it to one of the refugee camps set up across the border where the American Red Cross was helping the sick and injured. The man was treated and lived. After some time, my student learned that some Americans had donated money earmarked for airfare so that some of the refugees could come to live in America. Against all odds, my student acquired a plane ticket and came to the United States. He said he lived here a while, got married, had kids, then decided to go to college and learn computer programming. He wanted to get a better job to provide for his family. I asked him later, “How did you feel when your plane landed? What did you do?” He replied, “I got off plane, got down on my knees, and kissed ground.”<br /> <br /> I cried all the way home that night. I realized that sometimes I cloister myself into a tiny world of slights and imagined wrongs. Sometimes, I think I am the victim. That night, I realized that I lived in the greatest country in the world, and at times I hardly acted like it. I get impatient standing in line at the grocery store—a store filled with more food and greater variety than can be found most anywhere in the world. I get frustrated in traffic, but I’m driving a car with soft seats, music, and air-conditioning. I sigh heavily when my flight is delayed, but I can travel freely in this country, anytime I want, anywhere I want. I can speak my mind and worship as I please. I have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I make my own choices and mark my own destiny. It seems to me that the people who come here from other countries—people who have fled civil war, famine, poverty, and oppression—are the ones who appreciate this country the most. They understand. They feel the contrast right down to their bones. We cling to our curmudgeonly ways. <br /> <br /> When we start to cloister ourselves in our tiny worlds, we must stop. We must go the other way. We must make our world bigger. Make it stretch across the ocean to another place. Make it reach all the way to Cambodia—under cover of night.<br /> <br /> Tomorrow is Independence Day. The liberty we have is a precious gift—given to us by God and by men and women willing to lay down their lives to keep us safe. I hope that in the midst of the fun, we remember that we possess the single most valuable thing a country can ever give its people, and the thing so many people would willingly risk their lives for—freedom. by, guest writer, Lori Cameron</span></div>
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John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-49114098667782073092012-05-16T16:01:00.000-07:002012-05-23T11:33:38.608-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: x-large;">21 Day Experiment-Thanks</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">21 Days! Some of you may be thinking, “What is the significance
of that time period?” I’d have to answer by saying, “I’m not quite sure.” I
noticed that most habits are set within the 21 or 28 days, and 21 fit my
schedule better than 28.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the past three weeks, I’ve practiced what I addressed in
my last blog entry. I encourage you to check it out, “A Key to Faith in Your Prayers,”
where I suggested to the readers to mix thanksgiving with all your prayers. It
should boost one’s faith. Well, that’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what I’ve been doing purposefully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now before I give you the results, you must understand, I’ve
been transitioning a ton in the last 21 days. Three weeks ago, our daughter
Quinn was born. I’ve had sleepless nights, days when I was too tired to pray,
days where I felt as though I were on top of the world, and days when I was
looking up from the bottom. They have been days of experiencing many of the
emotions one normally feels through the ups and downs of life. Here are the
results of making sure to mix thanksgiving into my prayers:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It affects my perspective</b>.
I am positive. I’m tending to fixate on gratitude rather than whining prayers
for my desires to be fulfilled. The worn path from the thought patterns in my
brain lead to faith and hope rather than despair and negativity. Correct
thinking patterns are crucial in achieving amidst the challenges all of us face
in the uphill climb toward impact for good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It grounds me in God’s
Word</b>. It is challenging to offer back to God promises from His Word that He
has made concerning me, others, and any circumstance for which I am praying. I
am reminded of Scriptures that I’ve memorized in the past, and challenged to
memorize more, just to have the truth available in my arsenal, as I tell God of
what He already said. When I can repeat God’s Word back to Him, it gives my
thanks potent content.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It helps me to surrender
to God’s sovereignty</b>. No, I can’t control a situation just because I pray
the right words. Certainly prayers can affect the outcome, or they would be an
exercise in futility. But, when I begin to thank God that He is in control, no
matter the outcome, I find my soul resting in HIS sovereign plan for me,
realizing He is good in all HIS ways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It helps me to adopt the
posture, “Thy kingdom come.”</b> It’s not about me getting the answer that will
help me build any kingdom for myself. It’s not about dreams for me, my family, my
friends, and circumstances. It’s all about HIM. When I thank the Lord amidst
any circumstance, surrender is my posture. It keeps me focused on His purposes
and His glory through the drama we all experience in life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You’ll notice that all the results are in the present tense,
and I plan to keep it that way. In other words, I’m planning to make this a practice
of “thanksgiving” as an integral ingredient in prayers I offer to God. I trust
you’ll be challenged to do the same. Thanksgiving in prayer is a key to faith,
and praying that way makes a difference!</span></div>
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</div>John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429559372894397229.post-39917421547586015472012-04-20T12:42:00.001-07:002012-04-23T12:54:44.422-07:00A Key to Faith in Your Prayers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are there challenges beyond your own strength and abilities
looming in the not so far future? Overwhelmed!?!?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you’ve felt that before. Have you taken inventory of the
types of prayers you offer during those pressure packed segments of life’s journey?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, to my shame, I have thought, “Maybe if I prayed a
little more earnestly or just one more time or stepped out and did a good deed,
it might change something. Then, just maybe, God would honor this prayer.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I think about some of my paranoid ramblings during life’s
seasons of desperation for God’s intervention, a Scripture comes to mind. Jesus
gave these instructions just before He presented His disciples with the model
to pray, what we know as “The Lord’s Prayer”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 6: 6-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who
is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be
heard because of their many words. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not be like them, for your Father knows what
you need before you ask him.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even though I don’t stutter when I pray (the original meaning
for babbling), my prayers are repetitive (probably fall into the ‘many words’
category), and God hears the same thing again, and again, and…. That’s not all
bad -- especially when you take the story from Luke 18 into consideration.
There was a persistent widow who kept badgering a judge about receiving
justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider this: if an unjust
judge finally gave in to her pleas, how much more will God, our loving Father,
work in circumstances to bring about justice for us. What is problematic is
when petitions from my heart are offered without closure. What do I mean by
that? Here’s a verse to illustrate:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em>Philippians- 4: 6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</em></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDXBuISZorY/T5G8A5u5UOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/gejde4a0KuY/s1600/key+of+faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDXBuISZorY/T5G8A5u5UOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/gejde4a0KuY/s400/key+of+faith.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Thanksgiving will help spur your faith amidst agonizing, heartfelt
cries that each of us feels when waiting on answers and offering our persistent
prayers. It’s mentioned, but almost in passing right in the middle of a
command, not to be anxious. Offer the prayers ‘with thanksgiving’ (v. 6). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How do I thank God when I’m going through harsh circumstances
in my life that are clearly out of my control?” you may ask. I think you mix
the thanks ingredient into prayers by reminding Him and yourself of promises in
the Bible that counsel you with the truth that He will never leave you, that He
will not sleep on the job, that He will guard and keep you, that He will direct
your steps as you live in submission to His plan for your life, and that He
works in your circumstances to bring about His glory and your good. Rest in
confidence that He said that He wants to bring you hope and a bright future.
When you choose to put those kinds of statements in your prayers, the petitions
and requests that you bring to Him are surrendering to HIS good purposes in
your life. Choosing to trust that HE truly gives a rip about your heartfelt
desires and trusting His heart are central to the thanksgiving. So, choose that
posture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It encourages me to remember that “your Father knows what you
need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we truly believe that,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can
move on with expressing faith in our GOOD God. Thanks mixed with your deepest expressed
longings is key to prayers full of faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it." A. W. Tozer in <u>Signposts</u></span></div>John Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126560355931334607noreply@blogger.com0