My name is Esther Hizsa and I live in Burnaby, B.C. with my husband, Fred. We have two grown children: Rudy (married to Corinne) and Heidi (married to Jeremy) and two grandchildren, Hadrian and Hannah.
I work as a spiritual director and writer. I was trained as spiritual director (SoulStream) 2007-2010. In 2013 I was trained to give the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and am a member of the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver (fancy name for a group of us who have been trained to give the Spiritual Exercises). I am also a facilitator in SoulStream’s spiritual formation course Living from the Heart (Lower Mainland). I facilitate retreats and preach occasionally. My first book, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, is now available. See also Published Works.
Here’s a link to a video I did for Living from the Heart about Prayer
From 2006 to 2014, I worked part-time as the associate pastor of New Life Community Church. I oversaw local outreach, helped new people get connected, led a contemplative group that meets weekly, preached occasionally, and organized arts collective gatherings and our annual arts worship service. It was a princess job because I got to do what I enjoyed. But God called me to be less busy so I left that job December 31, 2014. We now attend St.Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church.
My first career was in nursing, but I gave that up when Heidi was born. It wasn’t a fit anyway. I liked writing songs, stories, and poems for kids, and teaching Sunday school better. In 1991 I recorded Ride Your Dreams and performed at Christian schools and church events.
But God was calling us on another adventure. We sold our house, packed up our things, bought a forty-foot sailboat, and from 1992-95 we went sailing. We travelled west around the world as far as Turkey. Rudy and Heidi, were 10 and 7 years old when we left and when we returned three years later they received awards as seasoned offshore sailors from the Bluewater Cruising Association.
Back home again I worked as a youth and children’s pastor until 2003, a residential care worker with developmentally disabled adults (sleep-over night shift on weekends) until 2007 and completed my Master of Divinity degree from Regent College in 2005.
I like riding Gracie, my road bike, with Fred and hanging out with family (particularly our two grandchildren), playing Scrabble and watching movies.
You can contact me at aneverydaypilgrim@gmail.com
Here’s why I started this blog.
Congratulations, Esther!
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Thanks, Eileen. I’ve learned so much from you. See you in Sept!
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Hey Esther! Can’t believe I stumbled across your site while crusing for worship art
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That’s way cool. How are you doing? Did you find any of the art on my blog you liked?
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Happy Birthday mom!
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Nice blog!
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Thanks, Cam.
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