All are Welcome!!

We know that quite a few people are just finding out about Melanie's Angels, and it can be disheartening to want to volunteer and then find that all of the lists are full. If you want to volunteer, just go ahead and send an email to melaniesangels@charter.net and we will find a place for you. We are sure that people who are signed up more than once would not mind sharing this privilege.

Also, we wanted to let everyone know that as we receive emails, we are updating the lists (we will email back if we have questions, otherwise just check the lists for the update you requested). These updates should occur within 1 or 2 days of receiving your emails. You can find the lists easily by clicking on the Labels section, midway down the right side bar.

With the exception of meals which are scheduled for certain days and housecleaning which is scheduled by week, the lists are used by Jeff & Nicki when they need assistance in that area. It is comforting for them to know that they can call people for help when they need it, and it gives them a big group to pull from.

A NOTE FROM THE GARY WESTRA FAMILY

To all of you who in any way are helping out Jeff, Nicki, Miya, Jayden, and Melanie,

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

As probably all of you know, Jeff’s entire family is from Northwest Iowa. Being so far away puts a whole new meaning to the word HELPLESS. We love them so much and want to see them and our tiny miracle grand-daughter/niece/cousin so bad. We will continue to do the one huge thing we can do from here which is pray….pray fervently that all of our Michigan family’s needs will be met. We know that the Lord will never leave them or forsake them and this brings us great comfort.

We just want you all to know that what you have been and are doing is truly a blessing. It makes the miles between us not quite so hard, knowing that they are being taken care so wonderfully by all of you. Each and every one of you will always have a special place in the hearts of our family because of what you are doing. Thank you for your willingness to take care of everything from Nicki’s rides to and from the hospital, to watching sweet Miya and Jayden, to sitting at the hospital with Nicki, to supplying their meals….although we think you out-did yourselves by giving Jeff his taco meat for every week!!! :) :) :) The list continues to grow every time we check the blog. “Thank you” doesn’t even come close to appropriately expressing our gratitude to all of you!!!

Our prayer is that God will richly bless all of you!
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts…..Thank you!!!

Gary and Jeralyn Westra
Josh, Glenda, Cambrie, and Madison Krikke
Steve, Tonia, Marissa, and Carter Westra
Brett,
Kyle,
Janelle,
and countless extended family and friends.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever” Psalm 118:1

Calling all Guys!!

The guys will be getting together for a fall cleanup and "winterizing" party. Brian VanderKolk will be the organizer for this one. He's going to get a list of things that need to be done from Jeff, equipment that should be brought, and set a date. Keep checking this post for more information.

Also, Kraig Meyer has volunteered to snowplow for the winter. What a blessing for the Westra's! Thanks so much!

Help around the house on Saturdays

Dan Drnek

Driving Nicki while she recovers

Nicki is still recovering from the delivery. She will need transportation to and from the Hospital. Times for driving, what days she needs it, whether or not she will just come back with Jeff, etc.....all this will be figured out one day at a time. Nicki will call you the day before your scheduled time and let you know what she needs. If it conflicts with what you have going on, no big deal; she will call someone on the alternate list below. Thanks for your patience and understanding!!!

Tentative Schedule
Nov 9th------Paul Windemuller (to), Barb Riedberger (from)
Nov 10th-----Paul W. (to), Cindy Schipper (from - after 5pm)
Nov 11th-----Wendi Heasley (to and from)
Nov 12th-----Diane Huber (to), Tonia May (from)
Nov 13th-----Shelly VanderKolk (to), Brian Breuker (from - after 5:30pm)

Nov 16th-----Heidi Mowery (to), Barb Riedberger (from)
Nov 17th-----John Mossner (to), Cindy Schipper (from - after 5pm)
Nov 18th-----Tania Witter (to), Michelle Bjork (from)
Nov 19th-----Shelly VanderKolk (to), Tonia May (from)
Nov 20th-----Diane Huber (to), Renee Breuker (from)

Back up Drivers
Jodee VanOverLoop (any)
Shelley VanderKolk (any)
Diane Huber (any except Tues)
Barb Riedberger (MWF afternoons, MThF mornings)
Cindy Schipper (can bring home after 5pm)
Tania Witter (any except on Mon & Tues)
Tonia May (any)
Heidi Mowery (any)
Renee Breuker (Wed, Thurs pm, Fri)
Michelle Bjork (any)
Le Morren (any)
Erin Drnek (mornings - any, afternoons - Th, Fri)

Jeff's Taco Meat

Jeff's favorite thing to eat for dinner and/or late night snack is Taco Salad. He goes through about 1 lb of taco meat a week. We are asking the volunteers to provide 3 lbs of prepared Taco Meat (prepared the good ol' modern way with packages of Taco Seasoning), packaged in 1 lb per freezer bag so that it can be put in the freezer until he needs it. He will be so happy now :)

week of: -----Volunteers
Nov 23rd-----Michelle Bjork
Dec 14th-----Cindy Meyer
Dec 21st-----Mark Witte
Dec 28th----Mark Witte
Jan 4th------Nancy Windemuller
Jan 25th-----Kate VanDyke
Fab 15th----Kate VanDyke

Just follow the same delivery method as we do for the meals. If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email.

Meals, Meals, and more Meals

This will help in so many ways. Just knowing that there will be food on the table is such a relief. We have loaded them up for the first week. After that we will provide 2 meals a week, any more than that and the food could go to waste.



Week of: ----Volunteers

Nov 9th ------Leesa V. (Mon), Free Take Out (Tu), Wendi H. (Wed), Jodee V. (Fri)
Nov 16th-----Brenda T. (Mon), Free Take Out (Tu), Wendi H. (Wed)
Nov 23rd-----Heidi M. (Mon), Free Take Out (Tu), Wendi H. (Wed)
Nov 30th-----Nancy W. (Mon), Free Take Out (Tu), Wendi H. (Wed)
Dec 7th -------Marcia TenBrook (Mon), Tania Witter (Wed)
Dec 14th------Lynn Mossner (Mon), Shelley Cammenga (Wed)
Dec 21st------Cindy Schipper (Mon), Renee Marcusse (Wed)
Dec 28th------Shelly VanderKolk (Mon), Wendy Heasley (Wed)
Jan 4th-------Barb Riedberger (Mon), Cindy Meyer (Wed)
Jan 11th------Diane Huber (Mon), Renee Breuker (Wed)
Jan 18th------Marcy Yonker (Mon), Aunt Kathy (Wed)
Jan 25th -----Tonia May (Mon), Kate VanDyke (Wed)
Feb 1st-------Le Morren (Mon), Jodi Fogerty (Wed)
Feb 8th-------Emily Bomers (Mon), Nicole Holstege (Wed)
Feb 15th -----Diane Huber (Mon), Kim Petroelje(Wed)
Feb 22nd-----Jeannie Deibis(Mon), Erin Drnek (Wed)

We have come up with a delivery plan in order to minimize the amount of involvement needed by Nicki. I believe we have told most of you. If you are not sure what I am talking about, please email melaniesangel@charter.net

Available to stay with Nicki and/or Melanie

Anyone who has the flexibility to stay with Nicki at the hospital or stay with Melanie when the Westra's can not be there, please let us know. Nicki may not need anyone for this, but you never know. Just one more area that gives Jeff and Nicki flexibility and comfort.

Barb Riedberger

Michelle Bjork

Cindy Meyer

Lynn Mossner

Brittany DeKoster

Diane Huber

Heidi Mowery

Le Morren

Erin Drnek (Th, Fri)

Erin Wassink

Emily Bomers

Laundry, Grocery Shopping & Other Errands

At this point, Sue Berens (Nicki's Mother) will be taking care of these types of things. I just thought that we could put together a list of a few people that could help out if Sue would like some assistance.

Nancy Windemuller

Anita Windemuller

Le Morren

Eunice Yonker

If you would like to be added to this list, please let us know. Thanks!

House Cleaning

We are planning on helping around the house with light cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, cleaning kitchen and bathrooms, etc.) every other week. If we get enough volunteers, we can buddy up to make the job go faster. Also let us know if you would like to help more than once. We like feedback.

week of: ---Volunteers

Nov. 9th ----Brittany DeKoster

Nov. 23rd ---Tonia May

Dec. 7th -----Lynn Mossner, Anita Windemuller

Dec. 21st ----Michelle Bjork, Alyssa Thurston

Jan. 4th -----Nicole Holstege, Emily Bomers

Jan 18th-----Anita Windemuller, Lynn Mossner

Feb. 1st------Brittany DeKoster, Michelle Bjork

Feb. 15th----Marcy Yonker

Offers to stay the night with the girls

Nicki will call if she needs anyone to stay the night with the girls. Just another way to give her peace of mind in having flexibility. If you want to offer assistance in this area, just let us know.

Michelle Bjork

Cindy Meyer

Le Morren

Eunice Yonker

Katie Slotman

Available Babysitters

Once again, the amount of people volunteering is amazing. This is a list of people that Nicki can call on for anything that comes up, as well as, for backup to the everyday schedule.

Jeanine Looyenga (any)

Leesa VanOverloop (any)

Brenda Terkstra (Tu, Th, Sat)

Jodee VanOverloop (any)

Heidi Mowry (Tu, Th, Fri)

Nancy & Anita Windemuller (any)

Tania Witter (Wed, Th, Fri)

Shelly VanderKolk (any)

Brittany DeKoster

Tonia May

Diane Huber (any day but Tues.)

Kate VanDyke (nights, weekends)

Marcy Yonker (after 4pm, weekends)

Eunice Younker (nights)

Nicole Holstege

Kim Petroelje (Tu, Th)

Emily Bomers

Katie Slotman

This will give Nicki lots of flexibility. Thank you, Thank you!!!

Miya and Jayden Covered!!!

We have put together a set schedule for the girls. This will ensure that they get comfortable with their surroundings and know what to expect each day. Thank you so much for making this commitment!

Monday - Allysa Thurston
Tuesday - Wendi (their Aunt)
Wednesday - Allysa Thurston
Thursday - Jeanine Looyenga
Friday - Leesa VanOverloop
Saturday - Jeanine & Leesa will alternate as needed

Our Purpose

Hi everyone - I just want to make sure people aren't feeling like the Angel Coordinators are gate keepers for helping. There are just some areas in Jeff and Nicki's life where we can have the most impact by working together and coordinating our efforts. Right now that list includes meals, watching Miya and Jayden, driving Nicki to and from the Hospital while she is recovering, housecleaning. If any of you have other ideas that you would like coordinated or would like to have posted so that people can go in on something with you, just send an email to melaniesangels@charter.net. We can always use ideas. Plus we'll need every one's eyes and ears open while talking with Jeff and Nicki, so that we can add ideas to the "Looking for the perfect gift" section.

This is not meant to stifle any ones creativity or spontaneity. If you have something special you want to do for Jeff and Nicki, please go right ahead. No stamps of approval required :)

The lists of who is helping and when will be coming shortly. The plan is that each group of volunteers will come out on a separate post (labelled so that they appear on the sidebar for easy reference at a later date). That's the plan anyway...now whether it comes out like that, we will just have to wait and see...we are definitely limited by not having any experience in blogging.

The Support is amazing!!!

Melanie's Angels are in motion, that's for sure!! The number of emails and calls offering assistance in all areas is amazing. We have volunteers for meals, babysitters, house cleaning, driving Nicki to and from the hospital while she recovers from her surgery.....even offers to stay with her during the day, sit with Melanie when Jeff and Nicki need to rest, stay the night, you name it. Each and every one of you are truly blessings from God.

Matthew 25:35-40 "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was sick and you visited me....as you did it to one of the least of these brethren, you did it to me."