Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A Christmas letter from God

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival; although, I do appreciate being remembered
anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgot that one, look at John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that at believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and, remember, I LOVE YOU.

Love,
God

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mr. Shore

I'll never forget you!

Tonight Ezra and her sparks group visiting a nursing home with baked items to offer the residents and a Christmas sing song!

Ezra was wonderful! She had a great time serving and eating!!!

I thought that Ezra might be a little nervous approaching the men and women but she gladly stood by my side, answering questions and making them smile!

It was so amazing to see how much joy these young chilren brought to the elderly. It was a blessing to be a part of all of this!

Then there was Mr. Shore! What a man! He was honoured to have Ezra and I speak with him for such a long time! He said how unhappy he was there and how much he missed his wife, who he lost just over a year ago. He has no children and never any visitors. He was full of joy that Ezra didn't walk by him and we stayed to chat with him. He wore cute beaded necklaces that served as memories of the past for him...but it took only minutes before he tore two of them off and offered them to Ezra!!! He told us his stories of Marti Gras with his wife and when he got these treasures. What an honour!

He said that he would lay in bed and cry...thinking of his wife. How heartbreaking. I pray that God used us to show His love...and add some joy and hope to his life!

I can only pray that when I call the nursing home that they will allow Ezra to continue visiting with him....Please pray for Mr. Shore...my heart definatly goes out to him this Christmas!

Thank you God for the opportunity to him Mr. Shore!

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Ezra's Ballet 1st Recital

Ezra had her Christmas recital on Saturday. She was so excited but very nervous, but we knew that she was going to do great!!! She had so much fun and just loved performing!
We look forward to their big recital at the end of the session at the Auditorium! But thankful we got a sneak peek at what the girls have been doing the past few months!
Check our little ballerina out! Shes got the fuzzy pink elastic in her bun...and she is 2nd one in on the right hand side!



Love you so much Ezra xoxo

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Starlight, Star bright....

Last night Ezra came with me to do some last minute Christmas outfit shopping for myself. When we were coming home, the sky was lit with stars & Ezra says "mom, I just wished on a plane that wasn't moving!!!" We thought that was so funny and I wanted to remember it forever!!! It was a plane she wished on...but it didnt appear to be moving!
What a cutie!

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

NightLight


A couple of months ago I was really struggling...I was just feeling very unsatisfied...On Sept 10th I was watching a message online from Lifechurch.tv. Pastor Craig Groeschel had a guest speaker that day, a woman named Christine Caine who preached a message titled STOP ACTING LIKE A CHRISTIAN - BE ONE and changed my life forever!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MESSAGE

She also shared about what she was doing regarding human trafficking and the sex trade in Greece. My heart broke & was bawling at the thought of young baby girls, as young as 4 years old being sold and forced into sex slavery, servicing up to as many as 20 men a day.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO THAT CHRISTINE CAINE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE A21 CAMPAIGN

This really had made me realize how selfish I had been, complaining about my amazing life. A deep passion began to grow in my heart, and I decided I had to do something-immediatly. I researched for hours online, looking for a way I could get involved, it was then I learned about NightLight, a ministry that provides friendship, support and employment to sexually exploited women and children.


CLICK HERE FOR THE NIGHTLIGHT WEBSITE

Here's a blurb from their website:

"Through NightLight Design, women are making beautiful jewelry from silver, semi-precious stones, pearls and decorative beads. NightLight Design provides an economic alternative for women who previously had no hope of freedom from their circumstances. When you purchase these products you are securing the freedom of women who have been exploited or were at risk of exploitation in the bars of Bangkok, Thailand."

I contacted NightLight the very same day and asked if I could develop my own version of one of those home parties to raise awareness and sell jewellry for these women. They were more than supportive. I ordered a dvd and some product to display. I put together a 51 paged catalouge of all of the NightLight product and asked a local printing business to donate them to this cause! I was so excited & encouraged that Print Pros Plus very happily donated four catalouges, without hesitation. I have four parties scheduled for November. I am so very excited to present the facts of human trafficing and to do ALL I can to sell jewellry for NightLight...there is a waiting list of 10-15 women who want out and the more we sell, the more women that can be saved!

I would love for you to consider buying jewellry from NightLight...it's beautiful, affordable and an amazing, amazing cause. If you are interested in hosting a party I would be so grateful. It is an awesome opportunity to share with a group of women and team together to help make a difference. This is non-profit and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to NightLight. I won't make any money, or free jewellry and neither will those who so graciously host!

Thank you for enduring this long blog post. If you want to contact me for more information or if you would like to know what you can do - email me at westermanlisa@yahoo.ca

LET'S DO IT...WE ARE GOD'S PLAN....THERE IS NOTHING ELSE!!!
LET'S BUY & SAVE LIVES!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Penny Girl

Guess what??? Isla swallowed a PENNY last evening!!!



Long story short...Ezra had made a shaker toy for Matthijs because Matthijs really hurt his toe...it got caught under the door. It really cheered Matthjis up!

This was Ezra's second attempt at a shaker...the first one was a plactic cup of water with glitter glue in it...on top of that was another plastic cup upside down taped on with bandaids!!! We didn't think that would 'work' so we went with pennies inside of an empty Kraft Dinner box...taped up with bandaids!

Anways....Isla opened it, put a penny in her mouth and when Matthew asked her to spit it out...she swallowed it instead!!!

So, good news is...she didnt choke! Bad news is Im gonna be inspecting poops to make sure it makes its way through her system!

I think I wanna save it for her...to be her 'magic penny'...hey, it knows her inside and out right?!?!?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

photos to share!

Ezra did her own hair this morning...she is getting really excited about her first ballet class this Saturday!!!



Big girl Isla drinking from a big girl cup...this is the only way she'll drink milk!



Ezra getting her 1st ever professional haircut!!! She LOVED it and says she wants to go there everytime!!! Guess mommy just wasn't hacking it anymore...oh, but I WAS HACKING it!!!





Taking Ezra to school....doesn't HE look HANDSOME!!! Mommys handsome prince!!!


Old to some, New to us!

Here are the precious gems that were given to us this summer....Pake (Matthews grandfather) and his wife moved from their home and downsized into a condo in another city. He gave to us a beautiful dresser type thing and also gave us a queen sized teak bed...

Matthews mom gave us a dresser type thing (you guys can correct me on what they are actually called) this was from her Aunt. We love all of these pieces and I know a few of you were wondering how everything came together!
The playroom is now a guest bedroom...so make your way out!!!! Love you all....

Lisa

Thank you Pake and Nelly-May...and everyone who helped in anyway! We love it all...

Pake Dresser in our bedroom


New Guest room...goodbye playroom!





Love the frames from Matthews parents...and LOVE the vinyl letter that Ange and Andrew bought for us!!!


This is not the greatest picture and the house is an absolute mess here...but I just wanted to show our new chair and my new birthday ottoman and the tv.....

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Ezra's 1st day of SK...French Immersion!!!

BONJOUR!

That's right...Ezra is back to school again! This time SK...FRENCH! She was excited & nervous to be starting today. Excited to see her friends and nervous to learn a new language!
Ezra's teacher is amazing and it was nice to see all of her old friends and a handful of new ones!!!
Here are some pictures of our beauty this morning!
We took the kids for ice cream after school to celebrate the new (school) year!!!



VIDEO


We are so proud of you Ezra...you're gonna do amazingly this year....

Love Mommy & Daddy

Saturday, July 04, 2009

ISLA'S WALKING....

and she's off!!! June 26th...13.5 months and Isla has decided to get walking!! We are sooo proud of her...shes doing it more and more and more....when she falls she gets back up and keeps on going.....
what a SWEETIE!!! Im so glad that shes walking...gives mommas arms a bit a break and just in time for summer!!!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS...for Ezra!



Ezras training wheels were taken off on May 20th & we only practiced for 5 mins. Then on 22nd you practiced for about 1 hr. & went pro...days after that, she had the hang of getting the bike started all on her own too! Way to go Ezra...your hard work has totally paid off! Ezra has driven her bike all the way to and from the park on her own (we walked with her of course) twice now!!! SO since May 22nd you have been a REAL BIKE RIDER! I love you!!! Good job! You've only had 2 falls!!! Love you Ezra, Mommy & Daddy xoxo

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Don't Make Me Count To Three

I'm reading a really good book right now, my friend Sherri had suggested. Here are a few bits and pieces from "Don't Make Me Count To Three" by Ginger Plowman

"Sometimes I feel like just getting dressed and making it through the day is all I ever accomplish,..."isn't there something more that you wanted me to do today, Lord?.....I was able to dust, organize, clean, counsel, and cook. I kissed away the boo-boos and washed away the tears. I praised, rebuked, encouraged, hugged, and tested my patience, all before noon.

Yes, my greatest accomplishment today was nurturing the precious children that God has entrusted to my care.

God DOES have an important job for me, and it does require much skill. It is my calling, my priority, my stuggle, and my goal. I will rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand. I will love, nurture, and train my children the way that God has called me to do.

...The joys of motherhood (parenting) are rare and beautiful treasures that can be easily missed if we don't seize the opportunity to grab them."

This book is really helping me to raise my children in the ways of the Lord...dealing firsthand with the issues of their hearts!

Jesus in your heart

I am so blessed!

Matthew and I try so hard to be a godly example to our children. We want them to grow up knowing God...and knowing Jesus. Not just knowing about him....but experiencing it, living it.

Just a few minutes ago I was reading a story about praying to Ezra & Matthijs before nap and Ezra asked if God can hear her when she prays in her head. I said that it didn't matter how you prayed, quiet, loud, in your head, whatever - God is always listening! She said, right, because He is in our hearts right? I said yes, right!! Then Matthijs asked, "is Jesus in my heart?" I said, "yes, why don't you tell Jesus if you want him in your heart and if you want to follow him" Matthijs, without hesitation put his little hands on his chest and said "Jesus, be in my heart. I want to follow you."

I am so proud to say that Ezra & Matthijs already at such a young age want to live for Jesus. They want to please him, love him and follow him. How amazing!!!
Matthew and I can only pray that their love for the Lord will grow in time...staying real, forever!!!

Thank you Lord for giving me these precious opportunities. To be home with my kids, and to take part in such amazing conversations with them. Use me Lord for the things you want to do in their lives and the lives of others.
AMEN!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

IF IT'S YELLOW....

DON'T let it mellow.....
Isla is INTO the toilet! This morning she was awfully quiet and when I went to find her she was digging into the yellow mellowing toilet and throwing the sopping wet toilet paper out onto the floor....YUCK!!! Good thing Ezra didn't have a number #2, cuz she rarely flushes those......



Our long weekend adventures....
Kakabeka Falls....




We went to the cascades for nice long walk to the waterfalls.....fun!!!


This is the LIFE...Jos Louis in one hand...juice in the other...just kickin' back!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Isla turned ONE!!!

My baby is ONE now!!! Isla celebrated her 1st birthday yesterday May 14th. We had an amazing day!!! Grandma and Grampy visited for 5 days over Islas birthday...it sure made her day EXTRA SPECIAL!
Ezra wanted to make Isla a heart birthday cake...so that we did! Grandma brought waffle sundae bowls and TONS of candy to decorate them with! The kids LOVED it! Isla of course loved her chocolate cake and her pasta dinner that daddy prepared! We also took Isla to wiggles-n-giggles on her birthday...Ezra and Matthijs enjoyed that more than she did!!!
Enjoy the crazy amount of pictures.....Be prepared....cuteness ahead!!!

AT ONE YEAR OLD:
- Down to ONE nap a day - this has been a great thing!
- Cut two MORE molars...now you have all four...for a total of 11 teeth!!!
- Standing for about 5 secs at a time and you have taken a step or so (sometimes, when you're feeling stable)
- You'll pull yourself up on a wall now...anything!
- Now JUST your body is swaddled....and not your arms. Can't believe you did almost a full 11 months of a tight swaddle
- Still nursing 2 times a day (mommy doesn't want to give this one up yet!)
- You LOVE to dance, swaying your body from side to side when you hear music
- You can say a total of 5 words. Ma Ma, Da Da, Ahwa (Ezra), Iee (Hi), Ba Ba (Bye Bye)

Islas 1st Year Collage....



Here are some pictures of Isla the day before she turned ONE...her last day at 0 yr old!!!







Here are her birthday pictures!!!!