Dear family and friends,
In 2021, we weathered several rounds of vaccinations, telework, and lots of school. In the same year, we were blessed with lots of cute children, graduations, and mission to the homeland.
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In this amazing year, the number of our grandchildren almost doubled. We were honored to witness one baptism and two baby blessings. We drove to Utah for a family reunion. This fall, my mother had a bad fall and two back surgeries, but she’s gradually recovering. |
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On May 30, 1982, I had an interview with my patriarch before he gave me my life guidance and blessings. I told him that I have three big goals that I wish to fulfill in this life which are college, mission, and marriage in the temple. He suggested that I rearrange my goals to first go on a mission, get married, and then go to school. I never knew that really happened. I served a mission and got married in the temple, but my schooling was like putting puzzles pieces together. After 36 years of waiting, I finally come to the finish line to receive a bachelor’s degree in arts from University of Maryland this winter 2021. I am amazed how wise my patriarch was. I am not gifted in learning English as a second language. I see how these years has prepared me to be more confident in speaking and writing. I know it is meant to be this way so I could be ready for this final step. God gave me my weakness so I may be humble in learning. I am grateful for all the opportunities He has provided for me. Family first, and all of the blessings will come. |
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We are especially blessed this year to have Trey join our family in May 🥰 it has been an adjustment, now having 3 kids but oh they are so cute ☺️ sometimes I still sit and think, wow I have 3 children, when for so long it was one child. We’ve been really blessed and it’s so fun to see them interact with each other 😁 Grace copies everything Blake does and Trey has been getting excited, flapping his arms every time Blake and Grace are playing something together. We joke that these past 2 years have been the best time to have babies (and really it has been so nice to stay home and be with them and let them nap 😂), but I know that it was all in His timing as well, and it really worked out better than I could have planned! |
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After several years at Pratt & Whitney as a computer scientist, I decided to move to Maryland for a change of scenery and for a chance to make a career change. This semester I explored several classes to search for a refreshing direction. Hopefully next year will bring a new crossroads. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. |
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It's hard to believe that at the beginning of this year, I was still taking on new responsibilities at school, assistant teaching part time and doing research full-time. In March I presented my master's thesis on the micromechanisms of certain single crystal materials and graduated the following month. The next several months I went all in on my job search until finally accepting a position as standards engineer at Stanley Black and Decker in September. The job requires work on site, so I quickly moved to Maryland and am starting to settle in. |
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This has been a year full of many changes! We started out the year by moving out of our first apartment, just one week before our beautiful daughter Evelyn was born. All of us, especially Sofia, love her so much! Not long after Evelyn was born, we made the move over to Utah, as Javier's work allows him to work remotely. We love being able to spend time with Jessica and Henry, especially spending time with Sofia and Evelyn's cousins! We were also blessed to share a couple weeks with Javi's family here, the first time they had all been together for almost 6 years. All in all, we are so grateful for such a fruitful and happy year that Heavenly Father blessed us with. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! |
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It's the most wonderful time of the year in a year full of wonders! I love being a missionary. It's strange to think I have never been home this year, but I am so happy to be serving now of all times! I had the pleasure of serving in Kaysville, Utah with many 優秀 companions up until May when I had the opportunity to fly to Taiwan! Since then, it's been a roller coaster of getting accustomed to the culture and teaching friends and being taught by wonderful examples and mission experiences. It's been a great opportunity to learn how to rely on Him. Despite being far away, I feel that as I get closer to Him, I feel like I am at home. You are where you need to be and God loves you! Love you all, miss you, and Happy Holidays! |
Best wishes for the new year. We wish each of you prosperity and happiness and peace throughout this coming year.
The Tsai family,
Ben & Li-Fang,
Jessica & Henry & Blake & Grace & Trey,
Jonathan,
Joshua,
Melinda & Javi & Sara Sofia & Evelyn Claire, and
Megan
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