Dear Family and Friends, Christmas greetings from my home to yours in this wonderful, joyous season! I trust this finds you happy and well, rejoicing in God’s goodness and faithfulness which are evident each and every day. A highlight of the year was the opportunity to attend the 150th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan with whom the RCA has partnered for many years. At the Easter worship service, thousands gathered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and to praise and glorify the Lord for his faithfulness throughout the 150 year history of the PCT. How special it was to meet former students who are now serving in local churches, former missionaries whom I had not seen for over 30 years, former and current PCT staff, and the list goes on. After a long week in Taipei, I visited Hualien, the place where I lived for nearly 40 years! Friends were so very gracious, inviting me for many meals and giving me opportunities to share. I visited the prison class and even taught again and also worshiped at the church I attended. Walking through the beautiful new multi-purpose building at Yu-Shan, speaking at a chapel service, participating at a small memorial service on Good Friday for Bill, and talking and eating with former colleagues and students were rich blessings. It was a trip never to be forgotten. Just days after returning in May, Ruth, my middle daughter who returned from Taiwan, and I drove out to Orange City, IA to watch the Tulip Time musical, “Mary Poppins”, which Lois, my youngest daughter directed. Being involved in many community activities keeps her busy, but she also enjoys her job in a local church. Ruth, after spending some time to discern God’s will, is completing her first semester at Western Theological College in Holland, MI. Mary, my oldest daughter, is teaching general music to elementary students and band to junior and senior high students in Earlville, IL. To fill her “free” hours, she volunteers as a firefighter and EMT in Mendota where she lives. John, my oldest son, and his three sons, ages 22, 16, and 15, lives in Libertyville, IL Timothy, Kim and sons, ages 11 and six, live in Ellicott City, MD. With his new job, he has been making frequent trips to Utah. Peter, Susan, and three daughters, ages 21, 19, and 14, and son, 16, live in Woodburn, IN. Pray for a job for Peter as his ended the first part of December. Stephen continues to work on the base in Omaha, NB. This year all the children and their families were home at least once. Wonderful! Many ask how I fill my time, and sometimes I wonder. As I was baking shortly before midnight one night this week, I honestly wondered how I was able to teach full time before and still get everything done that I did. I continue to volunteer at a local nursing home one day a week, working at the reception desk and visiting residents who don’t have many visitors. Once a month I lead a hymn sing there, too. Playing the piano from time to time at the Beaverdam Reformed Church, where I attend and also lead a ladies Bible study, and for Vesper services in a couple of assisted living communities is most enjoyable. Special times are spent with my siblings and friends, having coffee or going out for a meal. How thankful I am for the blessing of good health. I have been cancer-free for almost three and a half years! Thank you for continuing to pray. May you and yours experience the precious Christmas gifts of love, joy, peace and hope now and throughout 2016! Have a Joyous and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! God bless! Christmas blessings, Judy
*Mrs. Judy Estell
RCA former missionary Yushan Theological College and Seminary |