Merry Christmas from the Morehouses!

We enjoy sharing our lives with you at the end of the year because it gives us a chance to review the Lord’s blessings and reconnect with friends over the miles. Here’s an update about what each one of us has been doing in 2008:

Joel started a Masters Degree program at Roberts Wesleyan College in January, pursuing certification in History and Music Education while singing in a few choirs locally and working part-time as a music director at St. Stephen’s Church. This fall he added another full-time job teaching English and History at Finney High School. In his spare time, he’s overhauling two vintage Saab 900 cars with parts scavenged from a third.

Johanna is working as a Recreation Therapist with the elderly at St. Ann’s Home in Rochester and devoting herself to raising our granddaughter, Zoya. They moved into their own apartment last winter, and this fall Zoya entered Kindergarten, where her learning is just taking off! Three days a week she comes back to our house after school and spends time with Nana while Mom finishes her afternoon at work.

Nate and Kari are still in Arizona where Kari is working with the Salt River Indian Community and Nate is putting the final touches on his PhD thesis (butterflies, of course). They’ve landed a wonderful “post-doc” position in Tours, France, where they will be relocating in March after he defends his dissertation.

Sarah has joined the ranks of the homeowners this year, buying a delightful home in nearby Irondequoit and moving in before the housing crunch, just in time to host the extended family for Thanksgiving! She’s enjoying the challenge of her Art Director position at Mirror Show Management and continues to be a creative, globetrotting trade show manager for them.

Susan released a new CD “A Bouquet from My Mother’s Garden” this spring and finds that playing her harp is an ongoing place of growth and encouragement that blesses an increasing audience in the surrounding area. Together with the whole family, she helped Dad Lowry move from their old family homestead into a wonderful town house in the Cloverwood adult living complex in Pittsford, where he’s reestablished his woodworking shop and is making new friends. Being a wife, homemaker, daughter, sister, Mom, Nana, and leader of the Arnett Block Association keep her out of trouble the rest of the time…

Bill has more than enough to do keeping up with the medical practices he oversees at Grace Family Medicine, Joy Family Medicine on the east side, and the Elim Student Health Services office in Lima. However, his callings as hubby, Dad, and Grampy continue to keep him on his toes. Speaking of which, last year’s broken right leg healed well and has taken him not only on rounds but skiing, hiking, hunting, and even canoe camping with the family (see enclosed picture) since then. 

We appreciate our family and friends, our spiritual family at Joy Community Church, the wonderful Board and staff that support us (www.hisbranches.org),  our health, and the Abundant Life we have in Christ more with each passing year. Let’s be in closer touch in 2009! Until then, check out the pictures we’ve posted at www.Nadegave.com/2008.