Getting to Know You: Rosie

Rosie, what can I say? You have grown so much since I got here. When we first met, you had the awesomest mohawk that was totally not cut that way! We shaved your head to help the rest of your hair grow along with this mohawk.....but it didn't work. You just got your head shaved again a few days ago. Maybe this time the rest of your hair will understand it needs to grow too!

Your faces crack me up. Many people have said you look weird - but I don't! I think you are one of the cutest babies I've ever seen...and your many faces prove it. You could entertain anyone for the entire day with your many antics, faces, coos, laughs, sheer determination in standing, and the list could go on.

I have loved watching you develop. When I first came into the nursery you were only rolling around - hence the nickname Rollie Rosie that I gave you. And, because you're just fab, you decided to skip learning to sit up and go straight to getting onto your knees which quickly morphed to standing. I finally saw you sitting up by yourself this week!

Rosie, Auntie loves you! You are a very close 2nd in my faves list. You are someone who gets things done. I can see you doing great things for Jesus - praying that you accept Him as your personal Savior and that you have a very close relationship with Him alone!

I know you have a family who loves you very much and cannot wait to bring you back home. So - on that note, hurry up and get on total solid foods because there is much love from home just waiting to be showered on you!

Week 11 Recap

This week has been a little hard for me...I had to say goodbye to a very special lady in my life. She came about a month into my volunteering and has been such a refreshment to my soul! That goodbye (with unexpected tears on her part about leaving me and me in return tearing up) has left me emotional! I still have a week to go and I start tearing up just thinking about it. Best medicine for that? SNUGGLES!!!!!!

I know I keep saying this, but the weeks just keep flying by and they are becoming a blur to me right now. I've gone 11 1/2 weeks and only have one left. Where did it all go? Since I've been emotional every day I've gotten tired way easier now. 9 pm hits and I'm ready to hit the sack...it might also be the fact that my body wakes up on its own at 5:50 am every morning. The kids wake up at 6 am and I hear them, so I just drag myself out of bed and get going for the day. So, here's my week in pictures.....

Every Sunday I've been at Acacia Community Church, this neighborhood girl has found me and stayed by me during the singing time. I do not know her name, but do love the fact that she feels comfortable enough with me to sit in my lap or hold on to my hand until she goes to children's church.

The kiddos get mosquito nets put over their cribs every night.

Cathy and I the day before she left - with some of the Mamas who work here.

The girls have braids...but when they get taken out their hair looks like this until Mama Rukia gets to them to braid it again.

Zion, the newest member of Amani! She's now one month old...so tiny and adorable!

This is normal for my lap to be used as a pillow...or a place to beat your sibling.

That's one mobile mama!

Yep, typical Cathy - totally clueless!

So I went on an adventure with two ladies to visit Dickson, who is an artist living in a nearby village. He teaches orphans how to paint and has rooms for 5 of them at his house. He also has more kids who come on the weekends for art classes. They learn how to paint and make things out of banana fiber. His art pays for the kids school fees, food, and to house them. We met Dickson while going on a jigger removal with Sole Hope the week before and Cathy saw a painting that he had done and she wanted one too. I went with her to pick hers up not really expecting to find anything, but just HAD to have this one!

My pride and joy! Now, if only she will take her first step before I leave in one week......

Getting to Know You: David

David - you have matured so much in the short time I've been here. You were the baby when I came (sorry, Zion just came and has you beat by being only 3 weeks old!), but you are actually bigger than your older brother John.

You have become content to be on your back and stomach, which is a great thing since you used to not want to be on your stomach at all. Your hair was super curly when I first came, but not so much anymore that I have noticed. Your hair isn't typical Ugandan though...thinking you might have some Indian in your blood....well, hair that is.

You have found your vocal chords, so every once in a while I hear you talking to yourself. I haven't really heard you laugh yet. Maybe in the next week and a half I will get the privilege. You have finally figured out how to eat off of a spoon! It was a struggle there for a while to get you to keep your fingers out of your mouth while you were being fed. Not sure if you thought maybe you needed to push the food to the back of your throat or not.

I have loved seeing you grow! I didn't realize how big you had gotten until I saw you in your bed...yep, you definitely outgrew it!!!! Way to go little guy!

Auntie loves you David! I pray that you grow up knowing the Lord as your personal Savior and that you won't be shy about sharing His love with those that are around you!

Week 10 Recap

10 1/2 weeks down, only 2 left. I never thought I'd make it this far. I really didn't think about the fact that I would literally watch these babies grow up in front of my eyes. It has been such an awesome thing for me to see. Teeth make such a difference in a young one's smile! One of the girls went from having 2 teeth to 8 in just 2 1/2 months!

They immediately came over to me...yeah, it's a great feeling!

Jumping to the music...Christmas music that is!

Since there are 12 babies, the volunteers have been rotating shifts on Saturday and Sunday every week. This week it was my turn in the nursery on Sunday morning. I had such a great time. Took my laptop down, blared some music and just had a ball with kiddos. I went down and sat by myself and the next thing I know, I had 3 girls on my lap. Then at least 3 more babies crawled over and we were having a party! I use to hate working in the nursery at church - one hour? One and a half hour? No big deal now! Bring it on!!! Ok - actually I just wouldn't mind working with the infants for that long anymore :)

This growth by the name of Frank was attached to me for quite a while that day.

One major highlight was getting to go for one night to Wildwaters Lodge. It was on an island in the middle of the Nile and we were the only ones on the island for all of Friday afternoon and night. Our bungalow was right next to the rapids and it was so loud - it was so majestic! We were very shocked at how nice the place was...feeling very undeserving for the Lord allowing us to even go.

One of the many views at the Lodge.

Found out when we got back on Saturday that we gained two more babies - we now have 62 kids at Amani - we are bursting at the seams. Two of our girls moved from the nursery into the girls' cottage to make room. Zion is 3 weeks old and Baboo is 6 months old. I'm looking forward to holding Zion for a good amount of time these next 2 weeks.

Hair is half done....yeah I would cry too!

I'm gearing to put my lovin' on for these babies and make sure that I give them a ton of kisses each day and that I hold each one every single day I have left here. As I've been reminded over and over again, I am Jesus' hands and feet to these kids. Here's to 2 more weeks!!!

Getting to Know You: Jane

Jane, you are just a little pudgemeister! You've been nicknamed "Fatty" because you have been growing out instead of up lately. However, those cheeks are just so irresistible....they must be pinched!

You have finally figured out how to crawl...what's great is going from sitting to crawling. You haven't gotten the part about crawling on your knees yet, so your clothes can get a wee bit dirty if you're crawling around on the porch area.

You despise being thrown in the air. The other night one of the mamas decided to make you bawl like a little baby (oh wait you are one...) before you were put to bed. We all got a good laugh at your expense!

Janie Poo (as I so affectionately call you), auntie loves you very much. I pray for your salvation. As you continue to jibber jabber (and growl) to yourself and learn real words, use that desire to spread the gospel to all those that you meet.

Getting to Know You: April

April, you are the darkest baby that we have in the nursery! You have only been with us about 5 weeks. You are a great snuggler!!! You tend to fall asleep if you are on your tummy for very long.

Just lying around on the job again...

You do however, know how to crawl, you just don't necessarily want to do it.

1st day with us.

I love that you are slowly starting to interact with everyone around you. Your smile...it can brighten anyone's day...including mine!

Water day with the babies!

Auntie loves you very much. I pray for your salvation at an early age. Use the talents that God has given you for His glory alone little deary! Continue to bring joy to all those that you touch.

Learning to eat cereal...can be a tricky business!

Week 9 Recap

The week started on Sunday and ended on Saturday. (Best recap you've ever read, huh?!)

I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left. It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows, but I'm so thankful for all that I've been through. This week was the first time I have felt truly fulfilled. My heart is full. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that the Lord has given me to work with these precious children. It may not seem like I'm doing much, but I am the hands and feet of Jesus to these children.

The following is an excerpt from "Jesus Calling", page 329:

Focus your entire being on My living presence. I am most assuredly with you, enveloping you in My love and peace. While you relax in My presence, I am molding your mind and cleansing your heart. I am recreating you into the one I designed you to be.

 What a great reminder that everything we go through is to mold us to be more like Christ - the person He wants me to be!

When I first came, only two babies were crawling around the nursery...now all but three are crawling. The place is a zoo - but I'm loving every minute with my kiddos. I told the mamas who were working today that I'll be taking all the babies home with me so they'll be out of a job in 3 weeks. They just laughed at me :)

And because pictures are really why you read my blog...here's some more for your pleasure!

Because doing both sides takes quite a while the hair lady needs breaks :)

She fell asleep like this - got some great video footage of it!

Just an afternoon of singing...at the top of their lungs.

Dorothy and Justine

Do you see something wrong with this picture?

Great way to end the week!

Am looking forward to these next three weeks and how God will continue to stretch me! Thank you for all your prayers...they are much needed!

Getting to Know You: Duncan

Duncan, you have only been with us one month and you have melted every single heart that has come into contact with you. From your big ears to your big smile, anyone who sees you would have to be blind to not see what a fun loving baby you are!

You came to us very healthy - so someone out there definitely loved you enough to want the very best for you! You can never seems to get enough cereal and my, oh my, what a HUGE mouth you have when you want food :) I would say you are the best eater in the nursery right now.

I hope that I will get to see you crawl soon.  For now you are just happy to sit up and play with toys or anybody that comes near you.

I pray for your salvation dear little one! You are full of life right now and such a joy to be around. Auntie loves you and I pray that you will have that same joy while serving your great Lord!

This was before he learned to grip the bottle.

Getting to Know You: John

Johnnie boy, you are such a precious child. You have the face of a little man and I absolutely love that about you! Unfortunately you have eczema. The other night I was feeding you your bottle and you kept squirming and scratching at your head which eventually led it to bleed a little. I was almost in tears because my heart breaks for your obvious discomfort and pain.

My wannabe mzungu baby - getting all lotioned up to help with eczema

I have found that you absolutely love Eskimo kisses. If I see you crying or scratching I pick you up and give you kisses and you get the cutest smile on your face. I want to take you home with me!

What a cutie!

You haven't gained weight or grown in a few weeks, so we took you to see the dr. He said that you are "failure to thrive" or also known as malnourished. You get to have sugar in your formula...who wouldn't want that?! You are just learning to eat cereal. You don't quite have the hang of it yet as it ends up more all over your head than in your belly. Hopefully soon you'll be able to get the concept down and start gaining that much needed weight!

Am surprised it's not smeared everywhere!

Despite your physical problems, you are a content little man. I've eaves dropped on your talking to yourself more than once and love it. You still don't have any teeth and are currently smaller than your younger brother (who is the youngest of the bunch). You giggle every once in a blue moon and it makes my day so bright!

I just want to eat you up - you are so adorable!!!!!

Auntie prays for your salvation Johnnie boy! I don't know what the Lord has in store for you - if you will have physical suffering your entire life - but I pray that you will use that for His glory. God is allowing this to happen to you for a reason - seek that out and use it to point others to Christ! I love you...P.S. you are one of my favorites...there, I said it out loud :)

Week 8 Recap

This week has been kind of lousy in regards to my health. I've had a cold that turned into a sinus infection. Praise the Lord the nurse here had amoxicillin and I don't have to see a dr to get some! I'm currently on a very low dosage since this hasn't been turned into a full blown war within my sinuses. I hardly took any pictures this week too which is very unusual.

So, since not much happened, besides my babies maturing each day before my eyes, I'm going to try to upload a ton of pictures for your enjoyment (or whatever you call it)...

Sunset off the balcony

Mama Josephine tackling our laundry with a fury! God bless her immensely for all her hard work!!!

Elijah was proud of his freshly brushed teeth

Because your life would not be complete without seeing this beautiful face! (I want to take her with me!!!)

Rainbow - God's promise to me that He's always there!

The kids tend to always have to be touching you when they are outside the orphanage grounds.

Buying from locals...you can go to the Tukula website and let me know if there's an item you would like for me to get...much cheaper here than online!

Mama Cook hard at work for our lunch

Local weaving shop - absolutely gorgeous items they make. Got a few oven mitts for my collection.

Pro golfers in the making.....or not.

Many of the kids had never been on a slide this "big"

I only have one month left. Here's to loving on my babies as much as I possibly can every single day!