Adoptions

#1

 Today is a special day because a year ago, on this day, was my first adoption! My first little girl met her forever family and was welcomed into the loving arms of her parents and 3 siblings.

Since this beautiful day I have been able to be apart of 6 other babies being match with their forever families.



The day of an adoption looks like this:

-We get all the babies up at 7 o’clock with a bath

-They get there 8 o’clock bottle

 -Most babies leave around 9 so after their bottle we pass them around for our last hugs and kisses

-At 9 o’clock we gather around and pray for our little one, the day, their families, and the transition.

#2

-Nicole drives to Pretoria (40 min drive) to Abba’s office or to the Guest Houses (international Housing)

-Dresses our little, in a super cute Adoption outfit handpicked to fit each baby

-Then around 10am-11am they meet their new family

-Nicole Shows them a beautiful hand-made book about their new son or daughter that makes the transition much easier. She then Answers any questions they may have.

-Nicole comes home and tells us how well it went and shows us a picture of the new family

-International family ‘s come to the El Roi House 3 weeks after the Placement to see the house where their child has grown up in.

#3

#4

Adoption Days are really cool because it is a great reminder for me as a house what we do. It is really easy to be so focused on the day to day raising all the kids and to forget the little time we have with each baby.


Some adoptions are more emotional than others. I love all my children so much but I do have special bonds with certain kids and so do all the aunties. We are a very unique family but we are a family. We cry together and encourage one another and do everyday life.
Nicole (house manager) has such wise words for us when we struggle to watch our babies move to a new family.

God saved these babies once already and to trust that God has an amazing life for each one. We get to introduce them to Jesus at such a young age and get to pray for them every day. He wants to use their story of abandonment and living in a baby home for His glory. The Families that these babies are matched with are not random. God has hand picked each family for our kids and knows the whole span of their life already.

I truly believe in all of these promises but sometimes I need the reminder of how precious they are in our Heavenly Father’s eyes too.  God loves my babies even more than I do (which sometimes is hard to wrap my brain around) and will do what is best for all of our kiddos.


 For you formed my inward parts;
 you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Wonderful are your works;
 my soul knows it very well.
  My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
  intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
 the days that were formed for me,
  when as yet there was none of them.

#5

 Psalm 139: 13-16

        

#6

#7

Birthday Celebrations!!!

 Happy Birthday!!!!!!

We have celebrated some very special birthdays last month. Baby J turned one and my little rockstar turned 2!

Birthdays are very special for everyone in the house but also a good reflection for me personally. Birthdays are fun to see how much our kids have grown but also to remember that its an anniversary of something really tragic. 

A year ago on that day was the scariest day for Baby J’s mom. She didn’t know how she was going to care for her new son. And Two years ago Rockstar’s mom was in a similar situation. I dont normally think about these babies mom’s. But however these babies came to us, the amount of hurt that all these mom’s must have is probably immeasurable.

On the flip side to that somber note...

I am so proud of my boys and how big they are growing. I enjoy telling them how wanted they are and how much I love them and Jesus too. I love kissing their cheeks and seeing their huge smiles on their faces.

Baby J I think has grown more than any baby in the house. He was sooo sick and in a lot of distress when he came to us. In less than 24 hours we had to readmit him to the hospital. He continues to surprise me everyday with the new things he can do. When he is very happy he loves to talk and smile at all of us Aunties. J has his own sensory box with different textures to expose him to. It is so funny to see how much he enjoys the feel of a towel. He loves the wind blowing on his face and sleeping. Love him to Pieces.

Baby J in Hospital

5 months old

Baby E and I getting ready for the party!

Birthday Boy!

Big Boys P and N waiting for cake!

Birthday Boy eating Cake! 

First Bible!

 Oh my little Rockstar. I have known P since he was 7 months old and the love in my heart for him continues to grow everyday. He is the smartest two year old I have ever met. He pulls out full sentences at the craziest times. He loves puzzles and I find it hard to find something to challenge him with. The wooden puzzles Im pretty sure he could put together with his eyes closed.  He counts to 10 and loves to put in the number 7 whenever he thinks necessary. His favorite song to sing is Jesus Loves Me and always asks me to play “Hallelujah” on my phone. (All Creatures by David Crowder Band)


How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7

10 Months

13 months old

1 year!

2 weeks ago

P loves legos he calls them towers (confusion with what they are vs what hes building) 

Reading with our Babies

First week with him

All his brothers and Sisters wore either "Cars" Themed shirts

or Red to support his lightening McQueen Birthday!

 Rice Crispy treat birthday "Cake"

Birthday Boy!

Opening Presents with Auntie Nicole

He enjoyed the Chips better than the cake

Lots of people from Refilwe showed up for his party! Everyone loves Peter!

P loved going through his toys after his guest left 

A shout out Today to Nicole on her Birthday! So Blessed I get to go through life with you here in South Africa!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!

August Winds and September Flowers

Hey Family! I hope you all are doing well.


All the babies are doing so well. They are all healthy and naughty. We have 2 toddlers, 1 crawler, 3 sitting up on their own, 4 who enjoy their tummy time and 1 very tiny little girl.  A total of 11 babies!

My days are filled with Feedings, Burpings, Exercises, Crying, laughing, nappy changes and smiles. Some days, like yesterday, can be hard when we have a handful of cranky babies and toddlers. But it is such a learning experience to try to figure out how to be creative in keep my kids happy. Pushing my patience a little bit further, so I can grow to look a little bit more like Jesus everyday. I am so thankful that my heavenly father is so patient with me. If God had my patience I would be in trouble a lot more, oh dear.

Nicole and I have been so blessed to have our home church be so supportive of the baby house and want to be part of what we are doing. They have organized a nappy drive, “baby showers” and most recently put on a benefit concert. On Aug 1 the winner of South African Idol, ( yes they even have Idol here too) Kayah Mthethwa, came to our church and did a concert. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wn8MJRriw0)
 R30,000 ($3,000) was raised for the baby house! God has been so kind in his provision. It came just in time since we were not sure how we were going to buy size 3 nappies.

Bongiwe and I

The BIG check for R30,000

Kayah

Baby T

We have had another Adoption!

Baby T is moving to Denmark with her Forever Family. The Transition has been a little rough but her parents are so in love with their little girl and can't wait to be back home.

*****Sometimes I talk about another project at Refilwe called Kids Club. Every Saturday we host the kids from the informal settlement, Joe Slovo. On my Days off I love getting to spend time with these kids and Its one of my favorite places to be. Instead of me trying to explain it, I can just show you. The beautiful Ari Byers created a video about Kids Club. Please take a couple minutes to watch these people that are very close to my heart!
   
http://vimeo.com/102714537

Precious Baby E and I

Toddler N

How can you be praying for us?

-The Roof at the baby house is really struggling.  Please pray for wisdom and swiftness as an Organization on how to fix it. Also that it keeps the rain out as we approach the rainy season here in SA.
- Prayer for water at the baby house is always needed and very much appreciated. We have gone the longest stretch in many months where we have consistent water. I think we are around 5 weeks of running and hot water. Yay!
-We have a spot open in our house! I believe that God brings specific babies to our house. I always get curious when we have a spot open for a long time because I have to wonder who God is waiting to be born. There is no shortage of babies who need a home so God has someone extra special in mind for us to Love on.

-A prayer for myself is that I keep my eyes on Jesus while a lot of changes are going to happen around me. In the House that I  live in there are many volunteers coming in and out in the next couple weeks. Sometimes I can get very anxious with inconsistency and change. I need reminding of Gods promises, that he is my constant.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Toddler P (Rockstar) stretching his legs

Baby M and I are Rocking the Stripes

Celebrating 4th of July with people from all over the World

Andy and I took Nana and Sanele to Monte Casino!

First time at an Arcade!

Little Princess A

Aunties Evelyn and Nici during Feeding time