2021 was filled with blessings and challenges. The Tsai family welcomed its newest member. The house is down to 3 children. Social and ministry gatherings remain restricted. Aging parents a growing concern. We thank God for his mercy and grace, thankful for the love and support of family and friends.
Christmas 2021 Newsletter
Jack & Grace
Jack and Grace celebrated their 28th anniversary this year. They thank God for his faithfulness and goodness, for their loving families and friends, and for the opportunity to raise their family, grow their business, and serve the community. Jack enjoys helping the older boys to start their own business and the younger children to develop their gifts and passions. Jack's business remains steady and he enjoys serving clients. Jack likes to encourage local churches to work together. Grace has only two girls in homeschool this year. She took many trips to Vancouver to help her parents. She misses weekly gatherings with friends but is thankful for her newfound love for succulent arrangements and epoxy arts.
Ezra
Grinning, Ezra describes 2021 as incredibly full. He continues to Dispatch for the RCMP and even worked in Prince George for the month of November, offering their centre relief. Ezra’s photography business continues to grow; this year he took on a couple weddings. During the summer, Ezra embraced outdoor rock climbing. On days off he often had overnight camping trips planned to Squamish for climbing, or gulf islands for exploring and relaxing. One of Ezra’s favourite purchases this year was his Camp Chef stove, which he used almost every weekend. Ezra continues to enjoy playing volleyball and feeding his friends.
Peter & Olivia, Ellis
Peter and Olivia were thrilled to welcome their son, Ellis, in September! In contrast to her terrible morning (all day) sickness, the delivery couldn’t have gone better. The new parents celebrated their first anniversary a week later. In April, Peter’s company obtained its General Contracting License, culminating over a year of application, course work, and exams. His company completed one new build and two major house renovations in 2021. Two new builds are slated for next year. Peter, Olivia, and Ellis are thankful for the support of family and friends, and grateful for God's daily mercies, grace, and strength.
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2021 Has been full of excitement, work opportunities, and a little less sleep for Peter and Olivia.
They were thrilled to welcome their son Ellis Tsai in September! They agree that the morning sickness, or should we say all day sickness couldn’t have been worse, but the delivery couldn’t have gone better.
Peter and Olivia also celebrated their first anniversary at the end of September. Even though they were not able to do much then, they look forward to celebrating together at a later date!
Peter’s company successfully obtained their General Contracting License in April 2021, the application and courses took over a year, and Peter and his team are happy to be moving forward. Some of the major contracts has been completing one new build, and two major house renovations. They are expecting two new builds and more in the coming New Year.
This year has brought unique challenges and opportunities to this family of 3, and they are thankful for the support from family and friends, and extremely grateful that His mercies, grace, and strength are new every morning.
Peter, Olivia, and Ellis wish everyone a safe and peaceful Christmas, filled with good food and everlasting memories.
Daniel, Sawyer
Daniel looks to new horizons in the upcoming year. He is presently focused on growing his carpentry business and team, being a father to Sawyer, and developing himself further. Daniel biggest challenge this year was balance. However he is determined to be a good Dad and role model for his daughter. He thanks all those who has supported and encouraged him in fatherhood, business, and as a friend. Daniel greatly anticipates what the future holds.
Samuel
Sam started the year camping off-grid with his best friend, then hit the year running -- full-time as a plumber, part-time as a cashier, then training and running the Victoria Half-Marathon. Sam purchased a house and moved in on July 1st. Renovations are ongoing and he is thankful the help of many and for finally having heat. Sam enjoys reading, friends, and his "nephews & nieces". He serves in his church youth group and now periodically speaks in the Sunday service. Sam organized his best friend's wedding in December. With his bosses' blessing and support, Sam plans to start his own plumbing company early next year.
Nathan
"Strenuous" is how Nathan described 2021. He grew in faith, friendships, and self-knowledge. He led clubs, spearheaded projects, studied computer science, and worked part-time. He reached out to Christian leaders to encourage collaboration, and non-profit leaders to learn how technology can help alleviate poverty. In May, PRAXIS Academy inspired him to become a redemptive entrepreneur. Nathan organized a virtual conference for student leaders in June and a 48-hour hackathon to build an app for a food bank in October. He also rediscovered his passion for writing and teaching. For 2022, Nathan is eager to "step out into uncertainty / where faith is a requirement, not / a luxury."
Caleb
Caleb graduated from high school and worked full-time in the summer before heading off to Capilano University to pursue a Bachelor of Design degree. For recreation, he enjoys playing volleyball. Overall, Caleb is enjoying his time in the Lower Mainland and learning to adjust to the new lifestyle.
Joseph
Joe's kind heart and gentle spirit are a blessing to all. This year he started Grade 11 at the local high school and is loving all his courses: Intro to Spanish 11, Foundations of Math 11, Studio Arts 3D, and Physics 11. Over the summer he worked as a carpenter apprentice to save up for university, in hope of pursuing a career as an art and food teacher. Joe really enjoys painting and drawing. He also enjoys making food and baking dessert from different countries to the delight of his family and friends. Joe wishes everyone "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!"
Ellianna
Ellianna is our newest teenager. She loves to play badminton, practice hand lettering, crochet, and read (or listen) to books. This year, she joined a youth group, a Language Arts class, and a badminton club. This has given Elli many opportunities to learn and to meet and socialize with friends, all of which she thoroughly enjoys. Elli also volunteers at the Salvation Army’s weekly “Kid’s Club” this fall and enjoys leading and helping with the kids that attend. She is thrilled to be selected along with her best friend to compete in badminton at the February 2022 BC Winter Games!!
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Hello Everyone,
I’m Ellianna, the second youngest of nine children. This is a summary of my year and different dreams I have. I hope that you enjoy hearing about all this and thanks for reading!
I’m 13 years old now and it’s the start of a new journey. I have really loved reading books and listening to audiobooks. I love to listen to audiobooks while I do my chores, crochet, or paint. I enjoy crocheting because it allows me to make something I can give or use and I can crochet while watching a movie too. I’m not very good at painting but I enjoy painting simple things on cards to hand letter on and give away. I also got my own room this year which was very exciting. I got to arrange anything I liked and I had a lot of fun.
This year I joined many different things for the first time. I joined the local badminton club and have been really enjoying it. I started out quite bad but have improved a lot. I’ve been having lots of fun and enjoying hanging out with friends. I made the team for the BC Winter Games in Vernon. I’m still not sure if I will be able to go, but I’m still very excited. At practice, we meet up twice a week and practice drills and then play games against each other. It’s tons of fun and I’m so happy that I joined. I also joined a youth group and have been enjoying playing with friends, meeting new people, and learning more about God.
This year, I also have been helping out at a local Kid’s Club at the Salvation Army’s building. I help out with the kid’s and it has been a blast. I have enjoyed teaching, leading and playing with smaller kids and it has been a wonderful experience. We put on a Christmas play in December and it was so much fun. I directed people on stage and helped them know where to go next. It was a wonderful experience and I loved helping out in my community.
My family and many relatives all went to Camp Homewood this year and it was a blast. We were not able to go to camp last year because of COVID-19, but this year we were able to follow protocols and have fun. I enjoyed making many new friends and hanging out with cousins and grandparents.
This year, I am an auntie to Sawyer and Ellis. It’s always so much fun to play and talk with Sawyer. I won’t be able to play with Ellis for a while since he is still a baby. I had a wonderful, fun, year, and I’m so excited for the next. Merry Christmas!
Mary
Mary has a sweet personality and loves to help others. She is also a dedicated student, usually up early to start on her school assignments and piano practice. She enjoys cooking meals, drawing pictures, and doing crafts. This year Mary finally got her own room, which she likes to keep tidy and decorate with her drawings and indoor plants. She also started playing badminton twice a week this fall and is loving it. Mary's motto for this year: "Take joy in the small things, persevere through tough things, and do everything to the best of your ability."
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Mary has a sweet personality and loves to help others. She is also a dedicated student, usually up very early to start on her school assignments and piano practice. She enjoys cooking meals, drawing pictures, and doing crafts. This year Mary finally got her own room, which she likes to keep tidy and decorate with her drawings and indoor plants. She also started playing badminton twice a week this fall and is loving it. Mary's motto for this year: "Take joy in the small things, persevere through tough things, and do everything to the best of your ability."
Here are some of the things Mary learned this year:
- Badminton: Practice makes perfect.
- Bedroom: Decorate it and keep it clean.
- Cooking: Learn new recipes and don’t burn down the house.
- Drawing: Test different techniques and don’t give up.
- Plants: Don’t over-water and give them lots of sun.