Michael Versfeld.....

We serve an awesome God!!

Today we became the proud parents of Michael Ayinbota Atua Versfeld, a handsome 1-year old from Ghana.

Although our journey to this point has been a roller coaster of emotions, hearing the words "adoption granted" has made all the sacrifices worth while. Being apart from his Dad & sisters has been difficult for Samuel and is still coming to terms with sharing Mommy, but already loves his little brother.

More later about Samuel and my time in Ghana as we will be travelling to the northern part of Ghana to meet Michael's family.

As for now ....... only prayers of thanks from a family who feels so blessed to have a new baby brother.

"In waiting"

This month has been rather hectic. Apart from the home school responsibilities - yes, I still hate doing the Progress Reports because doesn't matter how well I prepare, its still stressfull :) - I was also running around to get our paperwork sorted out.

Our dossier finally went off to Ghana, another document was needed and that was sent too. Passports have been dusted off and visa applications collected.
Now we are officially "in waiting" :) - trusting God for his perfect time in growing our family.

To try and explain emotions as you wait to bring a child home is very difficult.
My friend at BH calls it a rollercoaster ride and she is spot on.
Court dates, paperwork, passports and visas all make for wild ride - BUT it is so worth it, each time!!

The day I handed over the dossier at the DHL counter, I was an emotional mess - the prospect of another son was so exciting, yet there are so many still waiting to be part of a forever family and I prayed that many adoption dossiers would be leaving DHL/UPS counters that day.
Also we had never thought that we would be blessed with a son, soon we would have 2 :)

God is so amazing. He moved us out of our comfort zone in South Africa to start a work in us that is ongoing each day. He has blessed us far beyond what we could ever deserve.

Tim & family

After being in South Africa for almost a month for his cancer treatment, Tim was initially given the all clear to travel home. Unfortunately final tests done last week revealed that the cancer has spread to his spleen and some of the surrounding glands - at this stage it is inoperable.

This has delayed their plans to return home indefinitely. The doctors want Tim to start chemo treatment as soon as possible, but are unsure of how Tim's body will react.

Apart from all the "normal" side effects of cancer treatment, Tim's medical team & family has to deal with the fact that his type of cancer is rare and they have no historical cases to refer too.

Please join us in praying for a miracle.

" Lord, we bring Tim, Felicity, Natani and the rest of Tim's family before Your throne.

- We know Tim is precious in Your sight and we pray

that he will experience Your love & presence daily.

- As they grow weary and homesick, please renew their strength.

Surround them with mighty prayer warriors.

- We pray for peace in this storm.

We pray that they will keep their eyes fixed on You

as You enable them to "walk on the water" whilst the storm is raging.

- We pray for the availability of the right medication and

medical support both in South Africa and here in Zimbabwe.

Lord,

we know that it doesn't matter what the doctors say,

how bleak they paint a picture,

You are the true Healer and You are able to save.

Ps 139 says "that all the days ordained for us were written in

your book before one of them came to be "

and we thank you Lord for each of Tim's days,

those he had and those to come.

We thank you Lord for our precious brother in Christ and his family. Amen"

1st Anniversary of Samuel's Adoption

It has been 1 year already, unbelievable!!

It feels like just the other day, yet it also feels like a life time ago.

From the moment George & I set eyes on this little man at

the gates of BH, I knew he would always have a place in my heart.

What a blessing and privilege to have him as part of our family.

He spreads so much joy each day and teaches us so much.

God has used him to change our lives forever.

Happy 1st Adoption Anniversary Samuel.

Chocolate chip cookies (part 2)

Due to a somewhat "over busy" weekend, Ellen only did her

Family / Consumer Sciences lab today.

Wanting to be a little different, she opted for chocolate chip fingers.

Again I was amazed at how quick, efficient and neatly Ellen worked.

The verdict........ absolutely delicious.

Yes, we again had a cookie monster, this time the "stealing" finger belongs to Marina who found her sister's choc chip fingers hard to resist.

I definitely see more free time in my future....... and of course even more baked goodies :)

I so love my 3 daughters :) Feel more blessed than I could ever deserve to be.

Chocolate chip cookies

One of the subjects in Ellen & Marina's curriculum this year is Family / Consumer Sciences.

This is a lot like to old Home Economics (Huishoudkunde) that is no longer available at many of the schools. We had our first lab work this weekend, this was more of a test to me than them :)

A bit of background for those who don't know me to well. I love my kitchen - when I stress I bake / cook, when I'm happy I bake / cook, when I miss my family in South Africa I make their favourites as if that would bring them closer. I love traditional food like melktert, bobotie and hot puddings like malva pudding and roly poly.

Although the girls have helped with pasta dishes in the past, the baking part has been pretty much a "mommy" zone only - they are the experts on icing, especially cupcakes for bake sales :)

So for their lab, the twins had to bake chocolate chip cookies - unassisted, NO interference !!!

Marina was first and I had to hang my head in shame :(

She was neat, organised and followed the recipe and instructions carefully.

When Samuel sneaked into the kitchen, she took time to explain to him that the area close to the oven was a "no go" zone.

Her cookies were so delicious, I was lucky to have the remaining 6 for a photo.

I felt so ashamed for not having giving them an opportunity earlier to be more active in the kitchen :(

Tomorrow is Ellen's turn, so I'll be posting about chocolate chip cookies again.

I took this photo of Samuel, our little cookie monster, between the cookie photos. The 1st photo had 6 cookies and as I wanted to take a 2nd one, Samuel's little hand came into the frame & "stole" a cookie! Unfortunately his hand was faster than my camera setting, so no action shot there :)

Yvonne is enrolled for this course in the second part of the year.

I'm looking forward to actively sharing my entire kitchen with the girls !! :)

Father's Day

George: "Sitting here, I feel like the richest man ever :)

Being surrounded by our children, reminds me

of how blessed I am."

This being Samuel's 1st Father's Day with us, made it extra special.

And although George was worried about being an "older" Dad,

Samuel sure didn't care about age!

Then there is Oupa (my Dad),

always on hand when we need a helping hand;

the best project manager (ever!!!) on any building project;

a loving Oupa.

We also remember the Dads / Oupas whose photos are not on this post.

We remember their unconditional love.

We continue to miss them.

We are deeply grateful to our Heavenly Father for our fathers.