Merry Christmas

Dear Family and Friends,

2011’s end is already in sight!  They say, “Time flies when you are having fun.” We must be having funJ! God’s blessings have been evident throughout the past year.

Gwyneth is two. Her words and verbal cues are becoming clearer to us each day as her vocabulary rapidly grows. She’s a “ go- getter,” and has a way of exasperating Jace in her forceful and sweet manner. Her feet don’t reach the pedals of our tricycle yet, but Jace made sure she doesn’t miss out on an occasional ride. She already tries to be caregiver for her big brother and it is a blessing to see her personality bloom on a daily basis. 
                                         

Jace consumes any new book he can get his hands on. By that, I mean, he has his parents read the book to him. He’s been riding a bike with training wheels, having fun with his train table, and learning how to express his emotions. Jace has a great ear for music, noted by his ability to sing on key and his concentration on the instrument that is being played in a song. He’s an intelligent little boy who is a joy to watch mature and flourish.

Sarah has recently completed course work for a certification in acupuncture. She knows that the therapeutic results for animals are significant, but human friends and family have reaped benefits as well!  We are so thankful for the way that her job has provided for the family and we are still able to have significant family time each week. The kids erupt with excitement when she is at home, and she still gets tagged to read by both kids over dad when she is home.

John continues to be a stay at home dad. He worked part-time as a waiter for The Fort Grille through six months of the year and was grateful for the hours he was able to work when Sarah was at home. He continues to send resumes and serve at Harvest Church. We pray that in God’s time he will find a place of employment to flourish, grow, and provide. When he interviews he is up against hundreds of others in the same position. He needs your prayers for God to guide him to resources and experiences for his own personal development until the next major transition into full-time employment.

We’ve been blessed with being able to see family throughout the year. Sarah’s sister, Hannah, took pictures of our family after Thanksgiving. Some of the shots you are looking at on this blog are her handiwork. We apologize for the grainy pictures (Hannah didn’t take thoseJ) since our camera was set incorrectly at the time. But, you can see that we enjoyed time with Grandpa (Boo) and Grandma Lee, as well as Grandma Packard.

This update comes to you in hopes that you have a BLESSED Christmas season! Blessings to you!

John, Sarah, Jace,  Gwyneth

(for more pics scroll down)

 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Grandpa Lee ("Boo") with Gwyneth

Grandma Lee with Jace

Grandma Packard with, you guessed it:).

Gwyneth was dedicated to the Lord in March of this year at our church.

Best buds on a walk at a park near our home.

It was a blessing to take a vacation this past year. This was a pirate cruise that we all enjoyed.

Halloween 2011

Grappling With Being a Stay At Home Dad

Sarah doesn’t love going to work when most mothers have the opportunity to stay home with their children. When asked if she feels bitterness toward me, she says she struggles only when I whine about having to stay at home, when that is something for which she longs. Her efforts to provide aren’t a negative experience for her, except for my derogatory comments about my current lot in life- full-time fatherhood.

Allow me to share a few of my internal struggles:

-          It is difficult for me to separate myself from the traditional understanding of the man of the house being the provider.

-          Since I have a driven and competitive nature, hearing of my friends’ accomplishments in their careers doesn’t always result in rejoicing. I’m happy for them, but I long for impact from my occupational pursuits as well.

-          The wide-scope of my employment history has never resulted in a specialization in one area- which honestly, probably would have bored me to tears. Yet, I long for the seemingly significant contributions of peers who exemplify expertise in a field of service.

-          Dealing with working buddies, who seem so detached from the internal war of feelings, who dismiss my inward groans by saying, “I’d give anything to be a stay at home dad.”

-          Since Sarah’s “part-time” work is meeting our current need, it seems naïve of us to move unless I feel the Lord’s finger in my back.

-          Selling our home in this economy may result in a significant loss.

-          It is difficult to not feel that my work skills may diminish as I stay at home with the kids. One finds that just living offers opportunities to grow, not excluding full-time fatherhood. So, I’m hoping I’m growing in my patience and in relating to people through my involvement with my toddlers.

-          Seeking out the next open door is a struggle since I have no idea when God wants me back in the work force and very few opportunities even fit in a situation where a large segment of the population is looking for employment.

-          Trusting that God is guiding every step, and actually resting in that belief, feels like naivety, on my part, in a culture that encourages a person to get out there and make your dreams come true.

-          In Sarah’s and my case, it does not feel like any job will do. We both sense it should provide enough for the kids’ childcare. And, we don’t think it is worth putting them in childcare unless I’m convinced and psyched about joining the cause that provides the paycheck. We are also praying for the caregiver, because if a job comes along, we want that person to be top-knotch.

These are just a few of the issues with which I’m grappling through this long season of unemployment. I continue to lean into promises from the Bible, about how God guides EVERY step of His children. That’s where I want to rest. Believing that HE has great blessings in store for those who trust HIM, is what I choose to believe.

Christmas Letter 2010

December 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

We just celebrated Thanksgiving on the Lee side of the family with a feast here, in our home. It was great for all to be together and for Jace and Gwyneth to spend time with their immediate relatives. They’ll have the same opportunity as we travel to the Des Moines area to visit the Packard side of the family this Christmas, a much needed extended break for Sarah.

The year 2010 has been a great year amidst the ups and downs of life.

Gwyneth is pulling herself up on furniture to stand and quickly crawling around the house in pursuit of any sound she hears. She adores her older brother and insists on being in the middle of anything he is doing. She has been a delight with her bright smile and cheery attitude. This bundle of energy in our lives has been such a blessing, and we are enjoying watching her explore and grow.

Jace’s vocabulary continues to grow as he constructs more sentences on his own. His activity level has picked up as well, and the occasional Friday night movie has opened up his world to the characters in “Cars” and “Toy Story.” It’s amazing how he finds these characters on almost any product imaginable as we shop for necessities. He’s able to memorize quickly, and we are taking advantage of this time in his life to help him memorize John 3:16 and The Lord’s Prayer.

Sarah continues to work as an associate veterinarian for Fishers Veterinary Associates and has begun studying for certification in acupuncture. She anticipates having her diagnostic skills expanded as well as further her treatment options for the dogs and cats. Naturally however, the highlight of her week is any and all time she gets to spend with her kids and family.

John is learning much about parenting toddlers and waiting on the LORD for the next step in the journey. Right now, the step in the journey is to be a caregiver for Jace and Gwyn, so he dutifully changes diapers, cleans the house, fixes meals, and keeps his eyes and ears open for an opportunity to flourish, grow, and provide. Rather than take any position available, it seems wise for us to wait on a door that we sense God opens that fits. He continues to apply for international relief and development or spiritual formation employment opportunities and stay open to any new venture into which the Lord may be leading.

Through it all, 2010 has reminded us that God is still on the throne and has us in His grip, especially when we don’t try and wriggle free. May you sense HIS great faithfulness to you in the Christmas season. May your time with friends and family be just what you need to renew and recharge for the new year. May He guide us all to be faithful to take the next step. For HIM, John, Sarah, Jace, and Gwyneth

“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. 6:9

 Jace's reaction to Santa...                                                                            And, Gwyneth's...