Our Christmas letter this year summarizes our sabbatical experience and so we thought it would be a great way to update the blog. First, here's a picture of the two of us with Santa and one of his elves. Plus, a bonus, notice the live penguin observing us!
Christmas 2012
Dear Family and Friends,
In 2012 Lee enjoyed a four-month sabbatical away from
his work at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. This was an extraordinary gift from
the Lilly Endowment through their National Clergy Renewal Program. It’s kind of
like Make-A-Wish for ministers as its intention is to offer once-in-a-lifetime
opportunities to learn, travel and experience whatever makes your heart sing.
We wanted to enhance our marriage and family
relationships and we did this through a variety of ways:
· A week-long marriage retreat on Coronado Island,
California with counselors Walt and Fran Becker. They specialize in clergy
couples and worked with us to enhance this most precious relationship. Their
support and insight gave us great energy to kick off the sabbatical journey. We
added on a few extra days to relax on the beach and enjoy the sights of southern
California.
· Lee had a week in Oklahoma with his Mom and sisters
Lonnie and Lynn. As you can imagine, having this kind of time as adults is rare
and precious.
· A long Labor Day weekend with Lisa, Jason, Leah,
Caitlyn, Rob, Connor and Alexa. We played indoors and out and enjoyed being
together in the relaxing beauty of the Laurel Highlands.
· We took flower arranging classes and cooking classes
together and Lee did a directed study on the spirituality of marriage.
· We took extended weekend trips to see Deb’s family in Michigan
and the fall foliage in Chautauqua, New York.
· We spent four nights in the lovely city of Bath,
England and eight nights in bustling London. We had a thoroughly magnificent time
touring the Cotswolds, exploring museums, taking in the theater, shopping, rocking
out at a concert at Royal Albert Hall and relishing ethnic cuisines. We loved being
together in this extraordinary and magical place.
Our muse for the sabbatical was Dr. Seuss’ “If you want to catch beasts you don’t see
every day you have to go places quite out of the way. You have to go places no
one can get to. You have to get cold and you have to get wet too.”
The delights of this year have been endless and
boundless. Our already strong marriage is even better and being with our families
in such special ways has been wonderful.
Our deepest blessings go out to you and yours during
this holiday season. May the beauty of
Christmas fill your hearts with peace and joy and goodness and love.
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