Christmas 2004

We came to a solid conclusion this year: we absolutely must send out a note over the Christmas holidays to all of you who haven’t heard from us for quite a while. No, we didn’t drop off the face of the earth. In fact, we’re busier than ever in the midst of our usual (and some times unusual) pursuits. Thanks for keeping in touch during our communication lapse. Here’s our update, starting with our 4 grown offspring…

Sarah returned to Rochester this year from Italy where she has been living for the past 3 years, learning the language, making lots of international friends, and completing her Master’s Degree studies in graphic art at Milan’s Scuola Politecnica di Design. She’s now settled into a lovely apartment on Culver Road, holding down a stimulating position in design at Mirrorshow Management, and delighting her Rochester friends and family, new and old, with her presence.

Nathan is in his 3^rd year of graduate studies at Arizona State University in Tempe (Phoenix), Arizona where he is pursuing a PhD in Biology. His enthusiasm for studying living things, teaching, and keeping at least one of his vintage vehicles running and on the road without crashing his budget has only recently been eclipsed by his enthusiasm for being engaged to the remarkable Kari Horn. We hear that plans are underway for wedding bells to be ringing next September.

Some things work out better than others!

Johanna is married (!) and the mother of our delightful first granddaughter, Zoya Rae Kuczek. Johanna and Marc both like to swim, and Zoya is right in the swim of things already, splashing around with great enthusiasm at the JCC with her bubble on, Mom on one side and Nana (that’s Susan) on the other. Just last month Zoya even lured Great Grandma Lowry into the pool!

Joel came back to Rochester this August after spending an intensive but wonderful year studying classics and the foundations of Western Civilization at Augustine College in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He fell in love with Canada and its people, but decided at the last minute to return to the US and Roberts Wesleyan College to complete his senior year. By May, Lord willing, he will have completed his Bachelors Degree with a double major in Music and History, ready to move on into an, as yet, uncharted future.

Susan is more active than ever ministering with her harp out in the community, teaching harp, and developing intercessory prayer ministry at His Branches. She’s been discovering the unfolding joys of grandmotherhood, and has recently had the privilege of being able be a source of strength and encouragement as her mother went through the trials of intensive treatment for cancer, now in a dramatic remission. Praise God for His ability to save and heal!

Johanna, Zoya, Joel, Harold, Susan, Tom, Polly, Sarah, and Bill (behind camera)

Bill continues to enjoy sharing the lives of his patients at Grace Family Medicine and working with a dedicated team in collaborative ministry at His Branches. A new Care Net Pregnancy Center is about to open upstairs, and times of greater outreach are on the immediate horizon. When they have time off he and Susan love year-round getaways to the family property in Cohocton and excursions in the countryside to ski or just tour about. Nova Scotia, Italy and Quebec have been some exotic destinations in recent years.

Earlier this year we found ourselves being sovereignly called out of the suburban church we’ve been part of for the past 15 years and back into the City. After several months of prayerful searching, with the support of our pastor and elders, we’ve discovered the place he’s called us to for further growth and service, Joy Community Church on North Goodman Street. As so many of you already know, it truly is a joy to be in living fellowship with the Lord and His people! Thank you for all your prayers, personal support, and friendship. We love you all!