http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/Welcome to our family blog, we hope this will help us stay in touch with friends and family wherever you may be...Nova Scotia, England, Malawi, Australia...en-CAhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/80/a5c5b2a75c8b2d7b027ee77c8fbcf4_160x200.jpg <p>Spent New Year's Day in the Caribbean ocean...got a great tan and went under the water with snorkel gear...it was fantastic. Haiti was a wonderful trip, just like I expected. Fell in love with a little baby at the orphanage, made me think about having a boy. Jase did a great job at home with Shantaya, they had loads of fun together. Since I last wrote we have a mobile home to move to...offered to us by a friend for $10,000 less than the asking price!!! We are moving on Jan 31. Jonny and Hannah moved here, with their cat Ruby, on Tuesday...so far so good!<br> We are going to do so much this year, the calendar already look full! It's going to be a blessed and exciting year! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2007/01/19/this_is_the_year_of_favour~1578860/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2007/01/19/this_is_the_year_of_favour~1578860/Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:22:59 +0100 <p>Winter is well and truly here...it feels like Christmas is just around the corner. We have a cute new tree with the changing lights on it, and our three bear stockings hanging on the wall. Last night was the auction for the Haiti missions trip, and it was fantastic, we had such a wonderful time. We are still trying to move to Spruce, can't find anywhere yet. Jonny and Hannah are moving to Edmonton on January 16..woo hoo! Maybe we will find somewhere with them to share. Jason got a pay raise and I made enough money with Princess House to take Shanny to Nova Scotia last month...we had a lovely visit with her cousins and our family, it was so good to see them all again. God bless, ttys. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/11/19/november_already~1346739/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/11/19/november_already~1346739/Sun, 19 Nov 2006 17:00:56 +0100 <p>Hello<br> Time flies when you're having fun...is that ever true! We have been super busy, but life is great and God is doing some awesome things in our lives. Shantaya is doing wonderfully, talking up a storm, and enjoying playgroup and all sorts of adventures. Jason has the homeshow coming up soon, and he is doing well at work. I am stopping Avon and starting Princess House for my home businesss, and so far it has been very worthwhile. I had my second session about adoption in August, and that went really well, I was so excited to talk about adoption and what a great answer it can be!<br> This afternoon we are going to look at a place to buy in Spruce Grove, we are moving closer to church next month. Jason and I are participating in the Saturday Night service more, and in the New Year will transition into pastors there. Meanwhile, Ben and Lin are taking us away to the mountains for a week and then Shanny and I are going to Nova Scotia for a week. Also, I am taking 10 youth to Haiti this December to do mission and orphanage work...it is going to be amazing!<br> The other night we were on the webcam with friends from Brisbane, it was so wonderful to talk with good friends...10 years since we started Bible College together.<br> God bless, ttys. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/09/24/september_already~1156699/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/09/24/september_already~1156699/Sun, 24 Sep 2006 19:12:58 +0200 <p>We three had a great day today at Capital Ex, the new name for Klondike Days in Edmonton. It wasn't too hot, last Saturday it was 37' and the city nearly shut down! Today Shanny went in the toddler town farm area, and she proved once again she is such a city girl...even if she did milk the fake cow! She went on the real horse ride and got off before it was done! Said "off now" and slipped into my arms, but she loved the pink car on the little kids' ride, all by herself, the only one driving on the English/Malawian side of the vehicle!</p> <p>Jase has some whooping cough, we think, his boss and family has had it and spread it at work. Hopefully it will clear up really soon.</p> <p>We are preaching this weekend at Spruce Grove while Pastors Steve and Carman are away with the mission team in Bulgaria.</p> <p>Awesome book we recommned...Siezing Your Divine Destiny by Erwin McManus...just a great inspiring book! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/27/capital_ex_edmonton~991808/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/27/capital_ex_edmonton~991808/Thu, 27 Jul 2006 04:03:41 +0200 <p>please visit my new website <a href="http://www.adoptionplanner.org">www.adoptionplanner.org</a></p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/international_adoption~939972/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/international_adoption~939972/Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:56:43 +0200 <p>It has been super hot here, well over 32' yesterday, so we spent the afternoon at Allan Beach.  It was a wonderful time, Jase and Shanny swimming like crazy, I went in bit and so did Dani.  Shan's braid beads this week are little fish, but not so little she'll put them in her nose!<br>Just got back from getting a great haicut, cut all the long black wannabe goth into a cute short 'do, long at the front, short at the back, it feels so nice.  Carlyn at Kwik Kuts stayed open late so she could do it for me, what great service, and Jase said it looks awesome (woo hoo!)<br>Nansy is having a birthday tomorrow, she said last week that for getting too old she would have gone with the retired vicar to Addis Ababa and have a look round, I spose at 89 she might want to stay closer to home!  Hope to see her in Nova Scotia later in the year.<br>Great verse: THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS  A LION</p> <p>Please visit <a href="http://www.adoptionplanner.org/">www.adoptionplanner.org</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/heatwave_and_haircut~939970/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/heatwave_and_haircut~939970/Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:55:19 +0200 <p>It has been super hot here, well over 32' yesterday, so we spent the afternoon at Allan Beach.  It was a wonderful time, Jase and Shanny swimming like crazy, I went in bit and so did Dani.  Shan's braid beads this week are little fish, but not so little she'll put them in her nose!<br>Just got back from getting a great haicut, cut all the long black wannabe goth into a cute short 'do, long at the front, short at the back, it feels so nice.  Carlyn at Kwik Kuts stayed open late so she could do it for me, what great service, and Jase said it looks awesome (woo hoo!)<br>Nansy is having a birthday tomorrow, she said last week that for getting too old she would have gone with the retired vicar to Addis Ababa and have a look round, I spose at 89 she might want to stay closer to home!  Hope to see her in Nova Scotia later in the year.<br>Great verse: THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS  A LION</p> <p>Please visit <a href="http://www.adoptionplanner.org/">www.adoptionplanner.org</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/heatwave_and_haircut~939969/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/07/07/heatwave_and_haircut~939969/Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:54:30 +0200 <p>Beautiful sunshine today after days of cold and rain, it will be nice to go outside today and let Shantaya play in her little pool. The other day I was running up the stairs and she was scrambling up behind me and she says "easy, tiger!". It was so funny and so cute, she is adorable.<br> Things are coming along for the adoption planner website. I think we are going to switch to Shaw cable, and so we'll do that and get everything sorted out before we do more advertising. Also we'll get new church cards made, vistaprint.ca is awesome for that kind of thing.<br> Aussies are doing awesome at the World Cup, they are great to watch, so tenacious and the late goals make it exciting football.<br> "The righteous are bold as a lion", that's part of the verse I've been thinking about all week. Saw an ad yesterday that said "We found peace of mind for $50 a month", and I was reminded how wonderful it is to have the free peace of God in my life, no worries or anxiety about the future, or about what today will hold. Debts are leaving, money is coming in, and God is good!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/06/23/easy_tiger~905192/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/06/23/easy_tiger~905192/Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:28:03 +0200 <p>Last night we had a bunch of people over, including new German neighbours, to watch the first match of the World Cup. Canada needs to get more involved and get some atmosphere going for this, you wouldn't know it was on! So this morning we're up early to see the first England game.<br> I am officiating at a wedding this afternoon for the very first time, quite excited about that! Dani is coming over to do my hair and watch Shantaya. The ceremony is in the atrium of the Citadel Theatre downtown.<br> Next weekend we're (well, I....Jase won't touch it with a bargepole)having a yard sale; try and clear out the basement a bit and maybe make a few bob, want to go see family later in the year.<br> Go Oilers Go! Come on, England! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/06/10/world_cup_kick_off~867836/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/06/10/world_cup_kick_off~867836/Sat, 10 Jun 2006 13:20:38 +0200 <p>Hi<br> We just got home from Red Robin where we had a really nice supper for my 32nd birthday...and a lady that we met once at church paid for us...as a surprise when we went to get the bill! We don't even know her name, but I hope we get to meet up with her again soon, what a blessing to us!<br> Also, Jason got a bonus this week and will make a commission now on his sales.<br> Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/31/birthday_supper~842311/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/31/birthday_supper~842311/Wed, 31 May 2006 03:08:11 +0200 <p>Congratulations to Jonny and Hannah on their first wedding anniversary! That was so wonderful to all be together last year, seems like a long time ago, we need to meet up again soon.</p> <p>Attendance: 9</p> <p>Had a few look-ins last night, 5 different people, and some of the Kidtropolis staff will soon attend, I'm sure. We sang some praise and then got straight into the message about how to know what God wants...to live justly, love mercy, walk humbly with Him. We closed with some more praise and worship, and the last song was "My heart burns for you", that is so powerful. </p> <p>Thanks for praying for WEM, we are really enjoying being in the new location and there is lots of room for growth there.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/29/wem_report_for_may~837906/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/29/wem_report_for_may~837906/Mon, 29 May 2006 14:38:25 +0200 <p>Attendance: 15</p> <p>Some of our regulars were away camping for the long weekend, but a new family of 5 came so that was exciting. Jason and I preached about healing for our body, spirits and relationships. We really enjoy preaching together.<br> Thanks for praying for WEM, God is doing good things at the mall. We are able to put our sign up in Kidtropolis, just have to double-check with the owner where would be best.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/22/sunday_may~820181/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/22/sunday_may~820181/Mon, 22 May 2006 16:30:29 +0200 <p>So this week we heard all sorts of stories of things that kids put up their noses because that's what Shantaya has been doing with her hair beads! I had to take them all out of her hair (and it looked so nice!!!) because four days in a row she put them in her nose. The Lord helped us, they came out fairly easily (had to go to ER yesterday, and learned a trick from the Dr there...plug one nostril and blow in her mouth). So no more beads for awhile, after having them in all this time.</p> <p>The car is running well, it has to pass an insurance inspection this week but shouldn't be a problem.</p> <p>We had three couples over on Wednesday night to talk about adoption, that went really well, I would like to set up an agency or be a facilitator for international adoption, and I am looking into that.</p> <p>Shantaya moved out of her crib into her new Blue Bear bed, and slept really well in it the first night. She only got up once, and then stayed in after that. </p> <p>Oilers game was huge last night...ended up winning 6-3. GO OILERS!</p> <p>Pastor Carmen is home from Haiti with their new son, Joshua, and we get to meet him tomorrow (Mother's Day here). </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/13/beads_go_bye~797614/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/13/beads_go_bye~797614/Sat, 13 May 2006 23:38:36 +0200 <p>We got given a car yesterday! Our van needed loads of work on it, and it just wasn't worth putting another penny into fixing it. We cried out to God for a new vehicle, we really didn't want to add more debt, we are getting out of debt this year. So Jason and I and Shantaya prayed and when I called Kevin and Liv from church to see if Kevin had found anything in the auto bargain finder, Liv said, "We have a car you can have. It's been sitting here waiting for someone who would need it!" It's a '91 Plymouth Acclaim, runs like a dream, and has 50,000 less KM than the van, and cost $15 less to fill the tank. It's burgundy inside and out, and has a proper tether anchor for Shan's carseat. THANK YOU, LORD, YOU SHOWED YOURSELF STRONG ON OUR BEHALF!!!</p> <p>The name is "Argyle" due to the Plymouth football team called "Plymouth Argyle", and "Fruitfulness" is the name of a new baby at mom and dad's church,we love that name! The baby's twin brother is named "Dominion", how can you not succeed and be a blessing to people with names like that!</p> <p>We gave the van to Dani, her car was in a wreck two weeks ago and isn't drivable. Her brother is a mechanic and he will patch up the van for her and her mom to drive. Also, giving the van away is a seed for a next vehicle. God is so good, breakthrough is coming to our family this year.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/06/argyle_fruitfulness~780202/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/05/06/argyle_fruitfulness~780202/Sat, 06 May 2006 16:46:35 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=509304"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/304/509304_f0b1f7b311_s.jpeg" align="" alt="ManU fan on-line" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/27/some_family_pictures_april~761171/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/27/some_family_pictures_april~761171/Thu, 27 Apr 2006 22:43:39 +0200 <p>It's 9:30 on Saturday night and the maintenance guy is here to unlock the upstairs bathroom...fortunately Shantaya didn't lock herself in!</p> <p>Earlier this week we took her with her giftcard from Steve & Carmen to get her ears pierced...and after 20 seconds of crying she was fine. She looks so adorable with them (even though tonight a lady said "Oh, I didn't know it was a girl"...thought the bright pink sweater and the gold earrings would be a clue!).</p> <p>Dad is home from the hospital and resting, Jonny is helping with the business and everyone we know all over the world is praying for a full recovery. </p> <p>I met three new ladies this week, one from South Africa, one from Kenya and one Edmontonian! We are really believing and praying for breakthrough and growth in church, and it is encouraging to meet new people and have them respond so positively to an invitation to church.</p> <p>I'll ask Curtis to help me put some new photos up tomorrow, I got some developed today.</p> <p>Edmonton Oilers in the NHL play-offs! Real hockey town here, so could be some fun.</p> <p>Have a great Sunday...more next week...love, Nik </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/23/this_week_at_the_topsom_s~748570/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/23/this_week_at_the_topsom_s~748570/Sun, 23 Apr 2006 04:46:20 +0200 <p>Attendance: 8</p> <p>Don and his son Logan came and helped to hand out the 200 Easter egg invitations we had made up (plastic eggs with 3 chocolates and a paper invite inside). It is SO EASY to give things like that out, and it is powerful to work in the opposite spirit of the shopping mall...we are giving something away for free and the mall is getting people to part with their money. We would like to give out 2000 or more next time, there's no shortage of people.</p> <p>Jason and I did our firt "tag-team" sermon, where we both have a pulpit and do part of the sermon from the same notes. It was so much fun, and really inspiring and exciting. That will probably be a habit we'll get into. At the end we ministered to nearly everyone there, and God gave us encouraging words to share. </p> <p>Thank you for praying for WEM, we believe to see great things happen! This week we are going to work on advertising, pray for good ideas that will be very effective.</p> <p>Have a great week!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/17/wem_church_report_easter_sunday~733741/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/17/wem_church_report_easter_sunday~733741/Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:12:36 +0200 <p>This morning the three of went to Edmonton's valley zoo, it is only 10 minutes away and cost less than $15 for us to get in! The weather was bright and sunny, it was lovely to be outside in the fresh air and see the animals. One of the elephants was being led down the public pathway, right in front of us! Two tigers came close up to the glass, that was really impressive. Shanny loved the otters swimming and playing in their little pond. It was a really fun morning, we will be sure to take any visitors that come to Edmonton! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/12/a_fun_morning_at_the_valley_zoo~722999/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/12/a_fun_morning_at_the_valley_zoo~722999/Wed, 12 Apr 2006 19:36:31 +0200 <p>Attendance: 8</p> <p>The new stereo was blasting as we had a great time of praise and worship last night, tried two new songs from the Heaven CD and they went really well.</p> <p>Jason preaced four points on getting over fears, fear that can stop us from moving on in our lives. It was clear and encouraging, with a couple of funny stories thrown in, of course! </p> <p>After most people had left, four of us prayed for growth and new people to come in and get plugged in with us. Next week is Easter and that is an awesome opportunity for people to check out church.</p> <p>This Wednesday we have cell group, and we are going to prepare 200 Easter egg invitations to give out next Sunday before church. </p> <p>Also, Monday Night is now men's soccer night, that kicks off tonight!<br> It will be good for the church guys to get together and it's a good way to get some excercise and meet new people.</p> <p>Thanks for praying for WEM! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/10/west_ed_mall_coc_report~716860/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/10/west_ed_mall_coc_report~716860/Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:54:04 +0200 <p>Last night we had 14 adults and 13 kids over for Shantaya's birthday party! It was nice enough to go outside so we went for a walk to the park where the guys played football (soccer) until the little kids joined them, and then all trooped back, babies on shoulders, for icecream cake. </p> <p>Jason is probably going to get a church football game going once a week like he did in Swindon, that will be good for him. Don and his son Logan and Roger and his son Jabez are keen to play.</p> <p>Church this avo at Spruce, it's potluck so I think I'll make (!) something, stretch my domestic self a tad. Then church at West Ed tonight, we always look forward to that. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/09/full_house~714533/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/09/full_house~714533/Sun, 09 Apr 2006 15:42:55 +0200 <p>Our little girl is 2 tomorrow, and we are having a party this afternoon to celebrate! She is such a good girl, loads of fun and tons of personality. Thanks for all the kind cards and gifts you sent for her.<br> When I figure out how to load pictures I'll add some! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/08/shantaya_s_birthday_party~713335/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://jntopsom.blog.co.uk/2006/04/08/shantaya_s_birthday_party~713335/Sat, 08 Apr 2006 23:42:52 +0200