Christmas letter for 2009

For anyone who would like to read it, here is our letter which we sent out:


“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15)

Dear family & friends, Christmastime, 2009
It amazes me as I think about the different things that have happened this year. Not only has God taken care of our family throughout the year, but we have been blessed by seeing our twelve grandchildren growing and learning, watching the needs of our business being taken care of, and knowing that each of our family members and friends are being loved by God in the best way possible.
In early spring, we were invited to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Richard’s brother and sister-in-law, Alfred and Dorothy Muth. Many family members were there to see and visit.
In May, Richard and I (along with my sister, Karlene and her husband, Calvin) traveled up to Denver to celebrate our brother Kennard’s life. We were able to visit with Ginny King and Kennard’s children, Jodie and Jeremy and their families. It was a nice time of reflections. Upon returning home, we were able to see the Mother’s Day present which our children had fixed. They had done some wonderful landscaping around the base of two big blue spruce trees in our yard. That was a big surprise for me.
Our business has continued to keep us very busy, allowing us to take on extra help. Malcham has been one of our workers, as he has helped Tim to organize equipment and parts in the yard. He’s been very helpful to customers needing to find things on our sales lot.
July was a very busy month for camps. Tim took off from work for three weeks to direct at Camp Salvation. Malcham worked as game leader at Singing Valley Camp for junior week, then he was able to be a camper at both of these camps. Mary cooked at Camp Salvation for two different weeks, and I (Esther) went to Camp Salvation as a counselor, then cooked at Singing Valley Camp for their Jr./Sr. High camp. Austin was able to attend Camp Salvation with his brother, Zeph. We all had fun. Our family was also able to visit the Royal Gorge Park.
October was also a great month in that Sarah and Tim Valiante’s family came for a visit, followed by a visit from Michael and Jenny Muth’s family. They were all here for a weekend, so Karlene and Calvin came down for a nice big meal and visit. We all had a great time.


Anna and Tom are still ministering at Wall Highway Baptist Church in Alabama. Tom continues taking classes towards his master’s degree at Liberty University Online. Anna still teaches piano lessons. Christian (12 years old) and Karissa (8 years old) both attend public school, and Zachery Bryce (2 years old) enjoys sharing the center of attention with their two new dogs.
Tim and Joy are serving the Lord as youth pastor and Awana Commander of our church and working for his dad, here at Muth Welding Service. He has taken on the responsibilities of directing Camp Salvation and planning area youth rallies. Joy home schools Mark (7 years old) in his third grade studies and Stephanie (6 years old) in first grade. Mark is very confident and outgoing, while Stephie enjoys being a little princess who likes to draw.
Sarah and Tim Valiante continue to serve the Lord at Lighthouse Baptist Church, while Sarah has been a stay-at-home wife. Micah Joel (who will be three on February 15) and Kiersten ((aka KiKi) about 20 months old) keep their family busy. Tim has continued some seminary classes at Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, PA, as well as being youth pastor at church. We really enjoyed listening to Micah talk and sing while he was here with his family. KiKi was very sweet.
Mary is such a blessing to our family. Besides taking care of our household, she teaches children’s church, picks up extra kids for our midweek service (children’s ministry), and helps in our Awana program at church. Zephaniah (soon to be 13) is now in 7th grade at Swink School; Austin (9 years old) is in 2nd grade, and Ethan (7 years old) attends 1st grade. They all enjoy playing with Lego and/or K’Nex blocks, playing video games, and watching movies.
Michael and Jenny have almost finished the remodeling of their house/home. They hope to get refinanced, make the kitchen a little more updated, then sell, it for a profit. Michael continues to work in construction, though his body aches for a job with a little less physical stress. Jenny has started to sell Pampered Chef products. Their boys are learning so much and entertained all of us when they were here in October.
Malcham is now 17 years old and a senior in our Muth Home School. He has been so helpful in our business, when he is working. Between his guitar playing, computer games, and hanging out with his friends, he has kept busy with attending Campus Crusade, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and youth activities in the area churches. You will find him leading games on Monday nights at Awana Clubs and leading songs at our church on Wednesday nights. We are very proud of our youngest!
On December 17th Richard was able to get together with his siblings and their mates to celebrate Albert’s 75th birthday. Picture includes Shirley & Don Lacy, Ruth Muth Grenard, Esther & Richard, Dorothy & Alfred, and Grace & Albert. Janice Muth was with them, too, but had to leave before the picture was taken.
We are very thankful for the blessings which God has brought into our lives. We hope and pray that each of you will have a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, for it is in Him that we have the hope of eternal life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Richard, Esther, and Malcham Muth; and Mary and her boys, too!