Summer Beginnings

Hey Family all over the world,

October has been a very exciting month! We celebrated two Birthdays and two adoptions!
 

Baby EJ and Baby K turned one! We had so much fun celebrating their birthdays! 

EJ loved his cake! He shoved his whole hand into his cake and frosting was everywhere! His thoughts on his presents were less than exciting. Every present put on this tray was quickly thrown on the floor. After two times he decided that he was funny. Im sure all the parents out there know exactly what I'm talking about. haha

Miss K had a somewhat opposite reaction. She didn't care for her cake. She didn't  want to touch it although, she thought it was quite nice when an auntie helped her taste it. : ) She loved her presents. She loved her little Giraffe and baby doll. She didn't want to put her Hello Kitty rattle down.

All the big kids know the song “happy birthday” very well, so EJ and K were celebrated with what I think was the loudest ‘Happy Birthday’ to date!  Sad that our next birthday isn't till January! 

When the day gets hot sleep with a plotted plant. silly cat

I am excited to announce that Miss AB is with her forever family! God has been extremely kind with this situation since a year ago we were thinking she would need to go to a forever foster family! I am proud to say that she not in a  foster family but  legally adopted by a beautiful local family! Her mom is a pediatric nurse who is so sweet and loves pink just like her daughter. Her daddy is in the  police force and can scare all the monsters in her room and slay all the dragons for his princess. They sent a picture the next day and AB had cute Princess Elsa shirt and a smile. It makes my heart so happy. It has been a pleasure to love this little girl for the last 2 1/2 years.

Walking into her new house with her mommy!

Saying good-bye to her friends

Little EJ had a really rough start in life. Probably one of more traumatic stories I have had to hear. I am so thankful that his story didn't end on that day but he has thrived into a rambunctious 1 year old. He is now in the arms of his wonderful parents and brother (5) from Denmark. The pictures from his adoption are so sweet and precious. He rocked the plaid shirt : )

Reminder: 

 Dont forget to pass along my adoption Survey! My goal is to get another 15 people to fill it out before December 1st! It is completely Anonymous and will help us in the baby homes prepare our kids better for their futures and come along side parents to support them the best we can! The responses have been wonderful so far and very insightful. You can email the link, Post it on Facebook, Twitter, You can even rent a large billboard and post the link if you wanted to. lol That last option might be a little much. Thank you so  much for your help!





https://goo.gl/forms/Okz7oYnSwB5uGlt22

REFILWE has a Calendar!!!!!!!!!!  

Only Two Days Left to Order! The Calendars are about R200. Which ends up being around $14.50 plus it will ship to your door before Christmas! It is a great gift and has a lot of great pictures from Refilwe and around South Africa. Quick and Order one now! (pssst I have a few pictures in in the Calendar!)









https://www.givengain.com/cause/2671/campaigns/17416/


Also, the end of the year is coming up! Would you Pray about committing to support me for 2017? There is a few ways to do that.

-Support me Financially either with a one time gift or monthly support. Every Little bit Counts!
-Let me know you are praying for me! Prayer is so powerful!
-Ask me about my Needs list for 2017.  I would be more than happy to email it to you
-Have Coffee with me while I'm in America! (or if your in SA too) Time of Sharing, Encouragement and Prayer is so necessary while im home.  I love catching up with people, a lot happens in a year! Ill be in America For the whole month of December 2016!

Even though it is Summer I found a Gingerbread Latte

He loves his Lovie

Bye to little AB

This is Hans

Hans is from Holland and Volunteers at Refilwe helping with Repairs on Fridays. I had a 2 hour conversation with him about his life. Its pretty incredible. The earliest date he mentioned was 1944 but he was a little boy then so im not sure exactly how old he is but, he is about as wise as they come. He is the first person I have ever met (at least that i remember) who was in Europe during WWII. His Family went into hiding in this cottage for 10 months hiding from the Nazi's. His Dad was captured but he escaped before he was taken to a working camp. He hid in Holland till the war was over. I dont remember how long that was however, he said his dad was gone for a long time.  His mom, Baby Sister and himself stayed in the cottage and it saved their lives! He has pictures, paintings and drawings of this cottage all over his house. It was captivating to see how much it meant to him and his family. Every year he goes back to Holland and any family that is around gather to the cottage and retell the story. Apparently the cottage is now owned by the government and houses underprivileged kids from the city to the country on school holidays.
He misses his wife dearly who passed about 4 years ago. He showed me the white roses she planted and some of her things are still around the house too. I definitely had one of the moments where I thought "wow, I hope one day I get to have a husband who loves me this much" Im not trying to be sappy about it just was a rare thing to see these days and it  was truly beautiful. I wish I could have known her.