Love me

Samuel is at that very inquisitive / experimental stage.....

He is at the stage were he experiments with words - more like playing charades with lots of pointing & "grunting".

He likes to experiment with various household items - can a whole toilet roll flush down the toilet? / if the dishwasher light goes on, it means its working even if its empty or only has some toys in it / can a feather duster work even if all the feathers have been "plucked"?

He prefers to feed himself, even if most of the food is on him / Mommy / every where except where it should be - his tummy!

"No" only means that I lovingly look at Mommy and try again.

And gaining access to his sisters' bedrooms is like hitting the jackpot :) - treasures in the form of phones, bangles, ipods, anything the results in a "EEEEEhhhhh"

Do we want it any other way? NO WAY. Just one look at this little face says it all. After being "busy", he always comes for a kiss...........

We are incredibly blessed with an inquisitive, busy little boy.

September 11th

"I'm sure all of you can remember exactly where you where on September 11th when Twin Towers got hit. About 3,000 people lost their lives due to this tragic event. But this was not the biggest loss of the day..... Did you know that about 30,000 orphans / vulnerable children across the world lost their lives that day(still do daily), many dying of preventable causes?"

These words were part of the opening address at a networking meeting for orphaned and vulnerable children I attended last week.The speaker continued with statistics about new HIV orphans per day, children out on the streets due to hunger crises and many more. The first question already had my heart in pieces and from there on it felt heavier by the minute.

The speaker called us fanatics for being there and that God wants us to be fanatic about each child out there. The word "fanatic" has such a negative connotation, yet the dictionary states "a person who is very enthusiastic or too enthusiastic about something". He also touched on Exodus 22 : 22-24 where God warns Israel about their social responsibility towards widows and orphans.

Whilst we were praying for Samuel, about this time last year, George & I listened to a Joyce Meyer session on TBN. We were asking God to provide us with a "clear directive" regarding adoption - yes, I know looking back I can't believe we still needed to hear a specific word :) - when Joyce said there is over 2000 verses in the Bible about widows & orphans and our responsibility in caring for them.

By the end of the meeting I felt drained yet positive. The majority of the role players who attended the meeting testified to God's provision in trying times and His power in making a way where there seems to be none. I can't wait to see what God has planned for this group of believers and their work with the children.

The past month has not been the easiest emotionally & spiritually for us. Many issues were brought before the Lord in prayer and we still don't have all the answers. I do know however that God does provide "clear directives" and even a push in the right direction when needed.
We just need to be still, listen and be obedient - God will take care of even the smallest detail.

"Thank you Lord

that You love each orphan / vulnerable child out in the world;

that You love us just as we are;

that You want to use us in Your kingdom;

that You bless us abundantly each day.

Help us Lord

to love others unconditionally;

to reach out and touch someone in need each day;

to share abundantly as everything that we have is from You."

Water fun...... & so much more :)

As I "might" have mentioned before, Samuel loves water -

any kind that gets him soaking wet.

From a bath after trying to feed himself.......

To trying to wash something, anything as long as it means water in a bucket.......

After waterplay, sound asleep by Mommy.

And then he found a "water source" in the house -

that he can reach :)

What alerted Mommy, was the alarm that went off

because the deep freeze had been left open too long-

way too long!

This activity has since gone a step further.........

he has found a way into the fridge vegetable draw

and plums are his new favourite fruit...........

Not a day goes by that we don't learn something new from this precious little one.

His sisters think he is the best "stress reliever" around - his antics keeps us smiling.

53rd Independence Anniversary of Ghana

Samuel had his 1st official Ghanaian function :)

We received an invitation from the Ghanaian Ambassador to join them

in celebrating Ghana's 53rd Independence Anniversary.

Samuel looked so smart - he had on his 1st formal pants (yes, a zip & belt).

He is still not sure what happens to his legs when wearing long pants,

even his jeans - its to cute to see him checking that they are

still there underneath the fabric.

As the youngest Ghanaian there, he had everyone dotting on him

and he loved the attention.

Our little man walked around as if he was royalty.

Everyday we fall even more in love with this special little boy.

We stand amazed at the work God does in him and

the way God uses him to touch the lives of other people.

Continued prayers needed

A quick update on our friend Tim & his family as well as a request for continued prayer.

After much prayer, Tim's tumor was removed in South Africa 3 weeks ago. The subsequent test results showed that Tim had a carcinoma of the adrenal cortex, which is a rare cancer.As the doctor / oncologist in South Africa had not seen it before, they are still to determine final treatment, and where it will be done. Chemo as a precautionary treatment is definitely on the charts though and will start in March. As you can imagine the operation, waiting for results and being away from home has been emotionally draining on them. Tim has also been experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort.

Tim, Felicity and Natani are currently resting, recuperating, "reloading" in the beautiful town of George as well as traveling on to Durban for another family visit.

"Lord we stand in agreement with Cherry's prayer

- we pray for healing of body, soul and spirit;

- our hearts and prayers are that Tim will not have to have any chemo at all;
- many thanks & praise to Jesus who has enabled the cancer to be removed;

- we praise Him that Natani is there;

- we praise Him that the costs are being taken care of;

- we praise the Lord that He will do a complete healing, body, soul and spirit.

Thank you Lord for how You are using this precious family to bring people to You.

Thank you Lord for their lives and the plans You have for them."

Yvonne @ 15 - a young lady

Hard to believe that 15 years have passed since Yvonne's unexpected arrival 6 weeks early.

In the days just following her birth many people prayed

for her lungs to develop (she was on a ventilator);

for her to grow & remain strong

( @2.3kg she was our biggest baby, but not big enough to the pediatrician's liking)

and above all to grow up as a child of God, a blessing to her family.

And here she is today - a young lady of 15 that has fought her fair share of "battles".

We are so proud of you.

Yvonne's first birthday in Ghana was a rather sad birthday.

We arrived in Ghana late Monday, 16 February 2004.

She had no friends, was heart broken about being away from all our extended family & friends . The only people apart from us to wish her well on the 18th, was Claire, Mike & Iain

- we only met them that day!

Yvonne's last birthday in Ghana was also the girls' farewell party to friends

as our house was being packed up the next week.

So again many tears for 18 February 2009.

This being her first birthday in Zimbabwe, she was apprehensive,

those who know her well knows how she can worry.

BUT WOW did they have fun!

Despite having started the day with cross country standards at school (which she did not like) and lots of swimming when we got home, the girls still managed to stay up till after 1am :)

Yvonne trying to jump clear of the waterhole.

Swimming at anytime is great fun.

The birthday girl surrounded by friends.

Yvonne cutting her cake - a delicious, glittered, bedazzled heart.

"Thank you Lord for Yvonne's life;

she is fearfully and wonderfully made;

she is precious in Your sight.

Thank you for the daughter & sister that she is;

her place in our family is special."

Vonnie we love you so much!

Our little stunt man :)

George came home on Sunday after being "down south" for 4 days, to find Samuel looking like a boxer. Adorable, but so scary when it happened.

Samuel started experimenting with different styles of walking, it so funny to watch him.

He will walk fast with little steps, so it looks like jogging; then he switches to big, slow steps almost like an elephant walk in playgroup; then there is the old man walk where he stands with his hands on his knees & tries to hold onto his knees whilst walking. He also sometimes refuses to walk until we say "ready, steady, go".

On Saturday he thought he could "walk on air" whilst trying to chase a ball...... well enough said.

After tumbling 3 steps, he first sat up & looked very annoyed at the whole situation, then of course with 4 "mommies" all rushing & wanting to comfort, he took it to the next level.......
The girls were so upset and when the cheek / eye showed signs of swelling, they went into complete over-protective mode ( Mommy was not far behind though), he was carried for the rest of the day!!

Of course Daddy came bearing birthday gifts from the family. Thank you Oupa & Ouma for my guitar and Auntie Gretch for my books.

Welcome home Daddy

Don't I look handsome in my Ghana gift for my 2nd birthday?

Doing what I love to do, making music with my guitar

Yes, I do have toys. BUT it is more (much more) fun to play with things that mess!!!! (Especially if I think Mommy or Lucy is not watching)