All the New in January

I’m Back Home. People say home is where your heart is. But what happens with your heart belongs to so many different places? My heart belongs to places in America like Aptos, San Ramon, Livermore, Stockton, Memphis and Bolton Landing.  My heart is at Refilwe Community Project and Onthatile Children’s Ministry. And I have bits of my heart all over Europe In Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Finland and South Africa!  

I got back and when I visited all the kids one of them said.” Auntie Whitney  I haven't seen you in soooooo long!” I was actually surprised that they remembered me since I have known them for such a short time. My office was filled with donations to be sorted and lots of meetings to sit in. Sitting at the police station for 4 hours waiting for a birth mother to show (she didn’t). Since the moment the plane wheels hit the grown in South Africa, I have felt like I am running everywhere.  The year definitely started off with a bang.

On the wettest day of the year, Jan 7th the Kirby’s ( founders of Onthatile) oldest daughter got married. It was a beautiful ceremony and considering it was a large wedding everyone coped well with the tight space considering  the fact that God decided to end our 2 year drought in one day : ) It poured the whole day and the roads were floods everywhere. I think my favorite part were the hymns that were sung throughout the ceremony. they fit perfectly. I have been apart of a wedding with a song or two but usually its not a sing along with the guests. This church family has wonderful loud singing
voices which made a difference. One of my favorite memories was: I had the small baby N all day. I absolutely loved it. Trying to get the carseat and pram (stroller) in and out of the car, pouring rain, in red mud, long dress, and heels was a hilarious and adventurous task. I almost fell in the mud twice and getting to the wedding wasn't too bad but by the time i got in the car trying to go home I was wringing out the water from my hair and dress to the floor of my car. I looked like I stepped under a shower tap.  I had a good laugh. Driving home was absolutely terrifying but we did make it home safe and sound with no troubles.

My Wedding Date Baby N

Last Picture with Baby R

Adoptions!

Baby R is with her forever mommy and daddy! Her forever parents cried tears of joy through the whole placement. They just adored all the little things that make her a unique little person. They definitely showed a lot of first time parenting mannerisms. I am excited to see how they have bonded with their daughter in a few weeks when they come back for a visit to El Roi before heading to Finland.

Toddler M is finally with his family!!!!! Wow, what a journey this has been. M’s paper work has been sitting in court for months and some other legal issues. When a child is old enough they get to see the profile with pictures of their new family. He loved that book so much caring it around the week before his placement. It was very precious to watch during my visits at El Roi. The placement itself was one of the most relaxed placements we have ever had. M is a third adopted child for this family. His new brother and sister loved playing with him. Excited for him to grow and flourish in Sweden!

Last Pic with M

M with his forever brother and sister

We got Updates! I got a first update from Toddler L in Sweden and it was so much fun to read. Mom basically summed up all the things we already love about her. She doesn't love too many cuddles and loves playing and drinking water all day long if she could. I love reading about how her family is learning about their daughter. She seems super settled and loved by her forever family.

drum roll please…….. 

I got an update from my little Minnie Mouse!  I have waited 459 days to hear something. Anything. It was my Christmas present from Cindy. I am telling you that going from being completely okay to uncontrollable sobs in seconds in possible. The update is a year old from January 2016 and its a social worker update but it has settled my heart in ways i cannot describe. She is so happy and mom and dad are very intentional about making her feel safe. One of the pictures is a very typical picture of her on her knees playing with a toy, One is with her big brother, her being christened with her mommy and daddy, the last one is my favorite. She is standing outside with a hat on and a in a big winter coat that seems to swallow her up. I woke up the next morning with the biggest smile on my face because it wasn't a dream, those blurry black and white pictures were still on my kitchen table.

Prayer Requests:


1. Adoptions! There are still so many babies that need families! Baby N at Onthatile is waiting to be with is family! We are waiting for judges to sign papers. We are praying he will get to be with his family in next week! Toddler N, Toddler S and Toddler J are all turning 4 this year at El Roi. Please be praying that the correct legal process happen quickly so they also can with their families this year. Especially Since their best buddy M has gone to his family they are asking more than ever about their families and their “book” (family profile). My heart is in pieces.

2. New Babies. We have had many potential new babies at Onthatile but all of them have been either a blank end or directed somewhere else. Please pray for patience as we wait for a baby and be praying for that perfect baby that God has for this house!

3. Financial Support. I am about 70% funded for the year. I am looking for people who would be willing to come along side me for monthly support. Any Amount is a blessing! There is a link to my paypal on the right side of my blog. Also there is directions on how to give a tax deductible donation to Valley Bible Church. If you have any questions or would like to talk through Skype or have a meal or coffee next time I'm home to talk about different ways you can help. Please email me or FB message me. If you don't know me, thats okay too! I love meeting new people! (ill be in California in May!!)

4. Settling into my new house! Im in my new cottage and still unpacking and trying to figure the different pieces of the puzzles that I still need. I finally got dishes so i can stop eating off a laminated sheet of paper I have. lol #thestruggleisreal

My Cottage im Renting

Hand Sandwich. Love these boys!

N hanging out in our new chair!

Christmas in America 2016

Hey Family All over the world,


America! America was great. I started my whirlwind trip in Tennessee where I got to spend about 40 hours with my favorite Southern Person Kate Jenkins or as Refilwe affectionately calls her, KJ.

The first night I was so Jet Lagged that honestly its a bit of a blur. Something about a tattoo, really good chilly cheese fries, needing a dill pickle and successfully melting two pints of our favorite Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Chunky Monkey on accident. And through it all sounding completely delirious, sleep deprived and a cross between Southern English and South African English. It was a bit of a mess.

Half way home!

London Sunrise

Day two is much clearer. We got breakfast at Chick-Fil-A! My first ever experience at chick-fil-a and it was incredible! I now understand why everyone talks about it! If you don't know what it is i suggest you find the nearest one and figure out how to get there… If your not in america I am so sorry and the only thing I can say is that it is Not in the same category at KFC. Not even close.


I got to See Memphis University and Feel like a College student again. Beautiful Campus. Kj took me to Downtown and we had some memphis BBQ and stopped in Arkansas for about 5 minutes, literally. We stopped for a Selfie with a sign that said Arkansas and drove back. I went to the STAKS Museum which is a museum about the history of Soul Music. I got a caffeine headache from too much sweet tea. (I’m weak lol) KJ volunteers at a after school program for primary(elementary) age and she took me with her. We got two sweet boys (grade 2) to help with their homework and do some ‘extra help papers’ and it was so much fun. It made me remember how much i enjoy teaching. Then we drove to KJ’s parents house for dinner. They are some of the sweetest people.

Memphis BBQ

Arkansas!!!!

The last Morning we had breakfast and i got to try Grits for the 2nd time. It had butter and cheese on top and it just seemed so wrong to be eating it so early in the morning. However, I wanted to be as southern as possible so I ate it anyways.  We drove to Mississippi were we did the same thing, took a picture with a sign and drove back. After our #threestatesthreedays accomplishment we stopped at chick-fil-a for lunch (where we got stuck in the lunch madness) and dove to the airport to drop me off!  Whew… that was 40 hours…

I had such a wonderful time stopping in Tennessee and I am so Thankful for KJ for hosting me and taking the time to show me her Memphis.

Mississippi

My first week in California was very nice. I can actually say very restful and got to catch up on a lot of my shows, netflix and Sleep. It helped that everyone else was either at work, school, or Dialysis and my brother had my car at school.

On the 10th of December the McDaniel family hosted another  donor dinner for me. Lots of people came and I got to share about South Africa and what my 2016 looked like and what my 2017 is shaping  up to be in my new ministry and new role. I left feeling so encouraged and lots of money was raised. (Im so sad I have very few pictures from that night)

I had a fun surprise on that night. My Aunt Connie, Cousin Greta and her son Jack surprised me from Oregon. It was so wonderful to see them and I finally got to meet Jack who is adopted from China. There is something special about people who are genuinely excited about what is happening in your life.

The rest of my weeks were filled with High Tea with my grandmother (Mimi), lunches and dinners with Dear friends. I met a precious little girl for the first time who was born while I was away. I met with a lot of old friends and made some new ones too. I sat with my mom at Dialysis a few times and got to know some of her tech’s.

Christmas was fun. it was very different than a traditional Eitzen Christmas but it was special all the same. My Aunt, Uncle and grandparents came for Christmas day which was wonderful. We had a great dinner and lots of laughs.

Snowbelle

Princess

One of my favorite meals in America Phô

Picking out a Christmas tree

My dad and Noah playing at church on Christmas Morning

Girls night out watching the Moscow Nutcracker

Christmas Eve

Prayer Requests:

Financial Support. I am about 70% funded for the year. I am looking for people who would be willing to come along side me with either a one time gift or monthly support. There is a link to my paypal on the right side of my blog. Also there is directions on how to give a tax deductible donation to Valley Bible Church. If you have any questions or would like to talk through Skype or have a meal or coffee next time I'm home to talk about different ways you can help. Please email me or FB message me. If you don't know me, thats okay too! I love meeting new people! (ill be in California in May!!)
My Heart as I continue to Transition. I have a lot of change this year. New House, New Car, New Job, New friends, New Church, and New Town. Its hard. It hard not to get discouraged. Its hard not to get frustrated.  Its hard to remember how confident I feel that this is where God wants me to be. Its hard to not become overwhelmed with anxiety and fear.

However

I know I serve a mighty God.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for this who love God all things work together for good, for this who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8: 26-28

The Lord is at hand; Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Miss Ramiyah

Mom and I at a Ice Hockey Game

Hanging out with Mom at Dialysis

Spoiling this little girl. Love you Ramiyah!