t's good to check on the blog again and write a few words. Below I'll post our Christmas update letter from 2014 to fill in some of the gap time. Though I've not been writing, I have been discovering purple peppers! Praying for God's help to keep finding them each day!
December 2014
Dear Family and Friends!
We send sunny greetings from California, our new home, where
we find ourselves writing these words to all of you. This year however, we’ll
be celebrating Christmas in the winter wonderland of Ontario! It will be our first
Christmas as a family in Canada, and Andrea’s first Christmas at home in twelve
years. There are many jingles of joy ahead!
It’s definitely been a year of transition for us as a
family. In October 2013, after a decade of life there, we left Taiwan trusting
in the Lord for a new adventure ahead. We enjoyed time with both sides of our
family and got some good rest with our arrival back to North America. In
November, Daniel got a job offer in California, and so God clearly directed our
steps here. We bought a car and ventured to our new location. Daniel started
working at Emmanuel Faith Community Church as a Multimedia Designer in December
2013. Last year we were blessed to spend Christmas in Washington State with
Daniel’s family.
Our year in California has been one of fun in the sun! We
are enjoying our close proximity to the ocean! Beach visits provide hours of
entertainment for all. We’ve also had many visitors including dear friends from
Taiwan, and family and friends in the area. Our parents have also visited.
Andrea’s parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a
visit in April. In August we spent a week at Daniel’s big family reunion with
his immediate and extended family on the picturesque shore of Cannon Beach, OR.
Daniel has been enjoying his work at church. He had many
video and photography projects this year to celebrate our church’s 75th
anniversary. A challenge he gave himself for this year was to draw a picture a
day on his iPad. You may have seen some of his work on facebook. The drawings
are now a special collection for all of us. Andrea’s schedule is full in the
title of mama! She’s been active with a MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group and
enjoys forming new friendships.
Jeremiah turned three in March. He’s growing up and becoming
such a big boy! He’s into Thomas the Train, airplanes, cars, and working on his
funny faces. In Sept. he started going to preschool two mornings a week – a
challenge he was most ready for! Selah turned one in February. It’s been a
super charged year of growth for her from crawling to walking to talking! Well,
spouting words anyway J
She is a joy beam shouting “HI!” to all in her path and dancing to every beat.
She loves bubbles, bouncing and bananas! She’s also going to be a great big
sister. Yes, we are expecting another little one! We are so thankful for this
gift of life. We hope to meet our new little Bastke bundle in March 2015.
We’ve learned a lot in this past year with the challenges
and the joys. Thank you for continuing to journey with us. May you have most
blessed Christmas and experience the fullness of God’s hope, joy and peace in
the new year.
Love,
Daniel, Andrea, Jeremiah and Selah
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy
Spirit you may abound in hope.
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