Lee Christmas Letter 2009

Dear Friends and Family –

Merry Christmas! The Christmas lights, fattening desserts, and full shopping malls are signs that the season is in full swing. At this time we reflect on all that transpired in the past year and attempt to update you in brief. We are so grateful for friends, family, and our faith in Jesus as we recollect.

John was working for World Gospel Mission until August when restructuring resulted in the loss of his position. Since then he has been staying home taking care of Jace while searching for a new job. The job hunt tends to be discouraging as doors close yet we are trusting that the right door will open in the near future. John’s mom recently underwent a second surgery for melanoma and we are hopeful that the surgeons were able to get all the cancer out of her body.

Sarah continues to work for Fishers Veterinary Hospital as a veterinarian. She has been learning to juggle motherhood and working life and is grateful that she can work part time to spend more time with family. She found out in April that there would be an addition to the family so she was able to enjoy the summer anticipating the arrival of a new little Lee.

Jace is now 18 months old and is growing and developing with lightening speed. It is delightful to watch him grow. He is running around the house, developing his own personality, and experimenting with words . He absolutely loves ‘Diggers and Dumpers’ and all sorts of bulldozer type equipment. Whenever he sees one he will exclaim, “Guck, Guck!!” (truck, truck)

On December 6th, we welcomed a little girl, Gwyneth Rose, to our family. She has a head full of dark hair and has truly been a blessing in our lives. She weighed in at 6 lbs. and 13 oz., 19 ½ inches long. To quote a t-shirt she was given, “all mommy wants for Christmas is a silent night...”

For the past several years, John and Sarah have been involved with Pathway Church – a church plant in the Fishers area. The people and the church were a huge blessing in their lives and they were saddened to see God close the doors to this church in October. For this reason, they are now in the process of hunting for a new church where they can invest and call home.

As you can see, the year has been eventful. We treasure the memory making and our Savior, Jesus Christ. May HIS goodness be felt in your home this Christmas season and in the New Year.

With thankful hearts,



John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth

Focus!

“Our thoughts create reality-where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.”
- Peter McWilliams

During the transition into a new year, vacation time is savored as we spend time with family and friends. But amidst the rush, if you are like me, margins to focus are difficult to find. At the onset of each new year I try to focus on where I want to go and what I want to do.

Have you thought about your life, your church, your family, your occupation, etc… as we enter this new year? Increasingly, I’m more aware of so many options that tap at my life’s front door, desiring my attention and focus, that aren’t visitors that I should host. If I’m careful about the new year, the decisions I’ve made about what to focus on can direct my actions and thoughts in the new year.

Wasn’t it Jesus who said that your heart will follow your treasure and focus? Let’s resolve to be focused on moving towards Christ in every area of our lives this year, and we’ll see the fruit in our church.

Lee Christmas Letter 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! We hope this holiday season finds you relaxed and anticipating time with friends and family. This past year has been filled with experiences that have built memories which will last a lifetime.
Jace Lee
Most importantly, our son , Jace David, was born on May 15th. Needless to say, our lives are now radically different. Jace is 7 months old and (fortunately for a rookie mom and dad) a very easy-going baby. He is growing like a weed, loves ‘real‘ food, and smiling at new faces. We are having so much fun watching him develop and achieve those ‘firsts’. John takes care of him on Mondays while working out of the house and Jace is in daycare on Wednesday and Thursday. We have felt incredibly blessed to find a great daycare provider and to be able to stay home with him the rest of the week.

John continues to work for WGM as Director of Major Gifts. He has hired three new staff members this past year who have proven to be a great asset to the team. As the development department of WGM heads in a new direction, John is anticipating the Lord’s blessing on both the partners of WGM and the organization in the years ahead.

Sarah still works for the Fishers Veterinary Hospital as an associate veterinarian but has cut back on hours in order to be home a little more with Jace.. She continues to enjoy all life stages and all aspects of general practice. In addition, she is also on a committee to plan the annual conference for the American Animal Hospital Association. The biggest changes within the practice include the addition of another full time doctor bringing them to 6 doctors and the anticipation of a facility remodel doubling the practices size.

In June, we hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for John’s parents. We put a couple tents in our back yard and had about 40 people come. Great friends and family helped to make the occasion a memorable event. So many wrote to contribute to a scrapbook assembled by Becky (John’s sister) and Laura (John’s niece) that two books were used to archive the notes and pictures!

John’s mother has recovered from a bout with skin cancer. She had a spot removed from her right shin and had to endure a long healing process followed by a skin graft. Fortunately, she has recovered and is back to her daily activities. We are so thankful for the Lord’s healing and help.

In September we went back to Iowa for a few days to celebrate the wedding of Sarah’s sister, Hannah, to Blake Rieman. It was a beautiful, and we had a wonderful time with family. Blake is a wonderful man we are so happy to have him in our family!

May your hearts be filled with gratitude during the celebration of the birth of our Savior.. May you sense HIM near as you spend time with friends and family. May HIS joy be yours,

John, Sarah, and Jace

Is. 9:6 For to us a child is born, … , And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.