Anthony, 10, is now in 4th grade. He is having a great year with lots of interests. He loves playing soccer and basketball. His second year of cello is going very well. Just the other day, he was playing songs like "Jingle Bells" and "Ode to Joy" with Jacob playing with him on the piano. Studying is not what he loves to do, but he does very well in school. Lately, he has spent a lot of time in the backyard with Shadow and the trampoline that appeared in our yard.
Natalie, 12, is in 7th grade already. Basketball is her favorite activity and is part of the varsity basketball team made up of all 7th graders. She played YMCA soccer this fall and will play on the school team in the spring. She enjoys most parts of school and earned straight A's first quarter with singing in the school choir being another favorite. Natalie is looking forward to her part in the school play again this year.
Jacob, 15, is now a sophomore in high school. He received his first Varsity letter in Cross Country this fall and hopes to letter in track also. He has excelled at Winter Springs HS while taking honors courses. He loves having his Aunt Lois around for company. Adult choir and youth leadership fill up the evenings in his schedule while a new job tutoring a Haven resident (90) in computer skills will be a challenge. He has been a great help to St. Luke’s with his computer and AV skills. He has also taken up practicing the piano in his spare time.
Becky, (still looks 25), is enjoying the 5th grade. (w/teaching partners Sarah Nowicki [left] and Lisa Mowry [center]). Science is her specialty with the three day SeaCamp trip the highlight of the year. Coaching the JV basketball team is another highlight of the year.
Steve, (now older than before), continues to be Director of Technology for the church and school. Projectors, cameras, handhelds, and computers continue to change so keeping busy is not a problem. A broken wrist last winter (falling off a roof) and a Master’s in Administration were more fun than you can imagine.
Vacation this summer was a Midwest trip. We got to see niece Sarah in Nashville, spent 3 days in St Louis (where I finished the SLED program), visited Marion IA with Mom & Dad Arp and went out to the Amana Colonies, stopped in Fort Wayne to visit friends Hoffman's and Fluegge's, and spent a couple days in Ohio with Al & Brenda and Mom & Dad Lehenbauer. We always thank God for the blessings of our entire family and how He continues to care for us. Jacob got his first highway driving experience on this trip!
Time together as a family is still what we attempt to have. The rest of the family held things together for two years while I completed my Master's Degree (online from Concordia Seward). We spend plenty of time enjoying the Florida weather at all the basketball, soccer, cross country and track meets. We still worship together and enjoy a good movie on weekends. The beach is always a favorite and we usually make it there 8 to 10 times a year. Bike riding, roller blades, 5K runs, church events, yard work, etc all seem to find their place in our calendar. St. Luke’s continues to be blessed by the Lord as it grows in amazing ways.
As we celebrate this Christmas, we marvel once again at the truly awesome way God works in the world. The gift of Jesus as our Savior fills us with peace and hope in the struggles that come our way. We have seen the blessings that God brings even from the painful things of this world. We know that the Lord does want all men to be saved and come to the Glory of God. Our response can only be one of thanks and a willingness to share this great message with everyone we meet. We look forward to celebrating with all of you in Heaven! Merry Christmas and have a Blessed new year!
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Email: jlehenbauer@gmail.com
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