Hello! I’m Pat Estes. I’ve lived longer than the other women in our group of bloggers and have more history to share ☺️
My late husband, Bill Estes and I grew up in Northwest Iowa and went to high school there. We were high school sweethearts and started dating when we were 14 and 15 years old. We were married when we were 18 and 19; statistics are not good for marriages at that age and under those circumstances. I was pregnant at the time (a shame I have struggled with much of my life). Yet, because of God’s grace, we were able to stay together for almost 50 years until Bill lost his battle with cancer. That would’ve been unlikely if we hadn’t both given our lives to Christ after about 8 years of marriage. We had to learn to forgive one another for things that had happened during those previous years. God taught us to love one another unconditionally, the way God loves us and forgives us when we come to Him. Over the years we learned to admit our sin and selfishness, which is never easy for anyone.
We were blessed to have two children, Molly and Billy. Molly is married to Wendell and they live in Sioux Center. They have two children, Kendra and Koleby, who now run our family business, Pat’s Jewelry. Kendra is married to Spencer and they have a daughter, Mataya.
Billy is married to Jana and they have one daughter, Ellaree. They live in Charleston, SC where I get to spend my winters! ❄️
I attended Dordt University for 3 years and then had the opportunity to manage a new jewelry store in Sioux Center. I got more experience in Iowa City while Bill was attending dental school and also in Orange City when our daughter was going to Northwestern College. Eventually, the owner decided to sell and with Bill’s encouragement I bought it and it became Pat’s Jewelry. I worked there for 21 years. I hadn’t planned on being a jeweler, so I say that the business found me. It was a good fit.
Years ago I had the opportunity to help start a MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group in Orange City, where we were attending church at the time. I taught for eight years and later helped start another MOPS group in Sioux Center and teach it for two years. I loved the MOPS moms and I’ve enjoyed having women of all ages do Bible study in my home over the past 30 years. I am passionate about encouraging women in their roles as wives and/or mothers.
The last part of my story is walking with Bill, the love of my life, through a year and a half struggle of stage 4 of glioblastoma (an advanced and aggressive brain tumor). His faith was amazing, never asking “Why me?” Instead, he proclaimed, “For me and my house, we will trust the Lord and we’ll get through it.” He got through it; now I have to get through living my life without him. I still have a very rich, full life with a great family and lots of friends but I will always miss him in the life we had together.
I have no degree to qualify me to write or give expert advice. I just have various life experiences. So when I was asked to write for Lifetime Remedy, I agreed because much of my joy comes from encouraging others and sharing my faith and life with them.