Lions, Babies, and a Sanctuary.

I've been wanting to blog for a few days, but my internet was out. I have so much to say, but don't really know how to say it. Hopefully I'll be able to sort through my thoughts.

We are done working at the hospital. I think the babies came home, but I haven't been to the baby house to see. I hope so, they were so close! As exhausting and disheartening as it was the first couple of days, I am really glad that I worked there. I got to know some of the mothers and prayed with them. One of the nurses was around my age and we talked some. I really like her and she has such a kind heart. Being there just made me appreciate the things we have in America, the medical care and everything. I had to give my baby medicine. If any of the machines beeped, I would have to get up to get a nurse every time. No buttons to call for them and it wasn't like they weren't around. They simply didn't do their jobs. I am glad that I was there to fight for and care for that baby. He really does have my heart now. I've missed him the past couple of days!

On Saturday Susan got sick. I went to the hospital alone Saturday and Sunday. It wasn't that bad. I just stayed with my baby and then fed and changed the other one when it was time. It was kind of nice actually, because it was different and passed the time better. I was also very proud of myself because I remembered how to get to and from the hospital on my own. I mean, I have people I could have called if I needed directions, but I didn't. I was impressed because usually I am TERRIBLE with directions and get lost everywhere. Also on Saturday, I watched the USA soccer game with the nurses in the other ward. The babies were sleeping, so I just checked in on them whenever there was a delay. The nurses told me that since I am here I need to act like them and cheer for an African team. I said, "No, I cheer for America!" Then, one of them starting humming The Star Spangled Banner. She kept talking about the USA and how she wanted to go there. They all kept laughing at me. I was jumping up and down and groaning and yelling the whole time. USA lost and at the end they said, "Sorry, it's just part of the game." I just shook my head and tried to be a good sport. I was very disappointed, however.

Yesterday, we went with Lindsay and Emily to the Lion Park. We took three of our kids. It was so much fun! We saw animals and walked outside all day. It was really refreshing and fun to see the kids' reactions. Most of the babies don't really go out of the baby house unless they go to the clinic or something. It was also, more than likely, their first time seeing animals. They seemed to really enjoy it and it was good for them to be out and about. The oldest boy we took is at the Toddler House; he is 2. He talked a little bit and would point to the animals if we asked where they were. I tried to get him to pet the giraffe, but as soon as we got close he started wiggling in my arms and whining. He loved to look at it, but wouldn't get closer than 10 feet to it. It was really cute. We really enjoyed it and it was good to see Lindsay and Emily after not seeing anyone from DOH for a week.

This morning started out as a great morning. About mid-day, though, I got very tired, discouraged, and homesick for no reason. I honestly cannot figure out why I started feeling that way. We went to a coffee shop to get Wi-Fi and in my email I found a nice little devotion that spoke right to my heart. I get devotionals sent to me from Proverbs 31 ministries. This one was about finding your sanctuary. It talked about how a sanctuary isn't a place, but it's the presence of Christ and the Father. It used a passage from Psalm 73 and Hebrews 6. The passage from Psalms reminded of another Psalm on my friend Karin's Facebook. The passage from Hebrews was similar to one used by Louie Giglio in his message that Susan and I watched this morning. It was another one of those things where I hear something over and over and finally go, "Oooohhhh! Ok, I get it now, God!" I really loved the message that Louie spoke (it's one of my new favorites, called Un-thinkable). When he read that passage I knew there was a reason that I was listening to it. And I had just told Karin the other day that I loved that verse. It wasn't until in the coffee shop that it all finally clicked. Throughout the past week I saw these scriptures and heard others talk about them, but it wasn't until that moment that it finally came together. When Christ died for us, God tore down the curtain in the Temple. We can now go to the Holy of Holies and meet with God and know God. (Hebrews 6 and 9) When our foot stumbles, His love saves us. (Psalm 94:18) If I am disheartened, God is the strength of my heart and my portion. (Psalm 73:26). It's pretty amazing, isn't it? We are definitely not worthy, but God is pursuing a deep, intimate relationship with us. He wants to be our strength and hope. Jesus suffered on a cross as a sacrifice and then rose from the dead to be the high priest so that we might know God. It's crazy. It's "Un-thinkable."

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

"When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."

Psalm 94: 18-19 (ESV)

"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the

purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

Hebrews 9:11-15 (ESV)

Little Ones to Him Belong.

The past three days have been a blur.. I have gotten approximately 6 and 1/2 hours of sleep since Tuesday at 7:30 am. So much has happened between then and now. Just to warn you, this will probably be a long blog and scattered due to lack of sleep...

Tuesday started out wonderfully. First thing I did was drive as quickly (and safely) as possible to the post office to pick up a package from my mom. The package was perfect, everything I hoping for! Thanks again, Mom! As soon as we got back to the house we got a call from Kate, the director of DOH, asking if we would be willing to work night shifts this week at the hospital with our sick preemies instead of the day shifts we were scheduled for at the baby house. We said yes..it was a bit overwhelming and a quick decision, but we decided that is where they needed us and there was a reason she asked us instead of the other volunteers or aunties. So we have stayed at the hospital the past two nights.

Let's start out with something fun! Tuesday afternoon we went with Lindsey and Ferdi and one of Ferdi's friends to an Irish Pub to watch the Bafana soccer game. It was packed! We had to sit outside and there was a guy at the table in front of us wearing a ridiculous hat, so I had to stretch to see the TV...but it was so much fun. Every time something good would happen in the game, everyone would started screaming and clapping and blowing Vuvuzelas. When something bad would happen, they would all groan and yell at the television. It was great.

Tuesday morning Stephanie drove us to the hospital and told us what to expect while we were there. We also talked about how a lot of our smaller babies were attempted abortions. One of our three month old girls in the baby house, who happens to be one of my favorites, is one of them. Lindsey had told us about that a little bit. She said that a lot women will go to witch doctors or really sketch places trying to get an abortion and a lot of times it doesn't work. The witch doctors usually just give them something to drink or put something on their skin. Then, the mothers won't take care of themselves because they think they had an abortion and the babies end up being born early. It is so sad. We just watched three Louie Giglio sermons using Psalm 139, which I mentioned something about in one of my other blogs. He didn't say anything about abortions, but that is what I think of every time. EVERYONE was fearfully and wonderfully made. His works are good. God doesn't make mistakes; He knows what He is doing each and every time He knits a baby together in a mother's womb. He has a plan for them, their days are numbered. I am so thankful for DOH and places like it that are willing to take care of these babies. These babies just need someone to fight for them. Like Stephanie said, "I just have to be faithful and leave the rest to God. I'm not the one fixing them. I just love them and fight for them the way God calls me to." I am also thankful for mothers who bring their babies to the orphanage or put them up for adoption when they know they cannot care for them. They know at Door of Hope their babies will be taken care of. The ones that put babies up for adoption have faith that they will go to a Godly home.

So, Tuesday night was kind of crazy, we have never stayed alone at a hospital with a sick child. Much less with sick preemies. We had no idea what to do. We talked to Beth and she told us more of what to do. We figured it out pretty quickly. The one I am staying with is a 2 and 1/2 month old boy who weighs about 3 pounds. He is adorable and officially has my heart! The hospital is huge and is not easy to get around. We were parked in the parking garage at 5:57 and didn't get into our rooms until 6:15ish. It doesn't take that long for us to get there now that we know where we are going. The public hospitals here are not well-kept or well-staffed. The private hospitals have more similarities to the hospitals in the U.S. We are at a public hospital. The nurses can be very rude (and if you think you've met a rude nurse before, you would be surprised). They only check on the babies twice in a 13 hour period, when they start their shift and when they end it. They make the bottles for the babies, but they just leave it in the kitchen for the mothers to get. You have to ask for clean linens (we bring our own from the orphanage) and they don't sweep or mop the floors. The bathrooms are disgusting and smell strongly of cigarette smoke. I want to take these babies and bring them to America so that they can be looked after properly. Most of the nurses or doctors couldn't care less about the babies. One of them asked Lindsey last week why she cared and took care of the babies. Lindsey said that they needed love and some one to fight for them. She said the nurse just gave her the oddest look and said, "I don't care. I'm just in it for the money." Isn't that crazy? I mean I'm sure that there are plenty in America that are the same way, but here they don't even pretend to care. So far, I have only seen 2 of the 5 night nurses do anything productive without being asked. The first night there was just the one that seemed to care. It drives me wild, I don't understand it.

Wednesday morning, that was yesterday, right? Sorry, this staying up all night business is making me all confused. Anyway, Wednesday morning Susan and I were both exhausted and not happy. So, I napped and she rested as soon as we got back. Then, we got ready and got in the car to head to Sandton to meet Reggie Bush (running back for the New Orleans Saints) with Stephanie and some others. Our car wouldn't start. We were about to go meet one of the most famous American football players while we were in South Africa and our car wouldn't start. We girls, not happy. More importantly, we were stressing about how we would get back to the hospital that night. We called the car rental place and a couple of hours later they showed up with a Hyundai and took our Toyota away. It's the same color and similar style, but the Hyundai is a bit more compact and cuter. We named it Ariel Boo Belle. (Ariel from the Little Mermaid, Boo from Monster's Inc, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast.) Oh, did you know that our GPS is named Mufasa Rafiki Zazu? We like Disney...sorry, I'm getting distracted. Must be the lack of sleep...We were very disappointed that we didn't get to meet Reggie Bush. Really though, it was nice to be broken down. We walked down the block to the mall and bought a couple of books and some socks and drinks. Then we had more time to sleep before the USA game/getting ready for the hospital. Plus, it's a good thing that we broke down at the house rather than in the middle of Joburg or Sandton or the hospital. God works everything out. Even when we don't get to meet famous people, it ends up being a good thing...hahaha!

My baby is sharing a room with two other babies and their mothers. They are very nice, but sometimes the communication is off. It's hard to understand them sometimes and then they just look at me..then I eventually get it and we all three just laugh. They are very kind people and they love their babies so much, which is great to see! Everyone keeps asking where I am from and why I am here. It surprises a lot of people that I am here just to work with babies for 10 weeks and that I would volunteer to stay in the hospital with them. I have been asked at least

six times in the past two nights if I have kids of my own. To which I reply, "No, I don't" and smile..There is one girl here who is 21, married, and just had twins. She is really strong Christian and it was refreshing to talk to her tonight, I mean last night. She said that it is a miracle that she and her babies are alive right now. Her story is amazing. She was sick during her pregnancy and didn't find out until later that she had meningitis. She also had a brain mass, so she was in a coma while in labor. The doctor said that she would probably never walk or see again, but she is now perfectly healthy. Her babies were born prematurely and caught a virus at the hospital when they came in for surgery. But, the babies are starting to do better and she kept talking about how great God was and how He was in control.

Tonight, well last night, while I was feeding the baby I randomly started singing "Jesus Loves Me." I have sang that song over a million times in my life, I'm sure. It's probably one of the first songs I learned all of the words to. For some reason tonight, though, it just hit me how true those lyrics are.

"Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me...."

I guess it was just the fact that I was holding this "weak little one" in my arms and knowing that He belongs to Jesus and is loved. No, he doesn't have a mother or father like the other babies in the ward. He does have a heavenly Father, however, that created him and put His signature on him. God is strong and the little ones belong to Him. He lead this baby to Door of Hope. He lead me here to take care of him, to fight for him. God has this baby's days numbered. Whether he gets better and lives to be 80, or if God takes him next week, it is part of God's plan for him. I want this baby to get better so badly. He has such a big part of my heart now, even though I've only known him for less than 48 hours. I know God has big things for him, no matter what happens.

"Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause"

~Hosanna by Hillsong United

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

~Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

"But Jesus called them to him, saying, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall nor enter it.'"

~Luke 18:16-17 (ESV)

By Your Side.

I worked with the babies today! I love them so much! It makes all of the cold, homesickness, and bad coffee worth it! (Luckily, I don't have to deal with the bad coffee much longer because I have an amazing Mom that sent me the good stuff!)

Aaron, one of our "big boys," was crying non-stop all day! He was sick earlier this week and I think that he still wasn't feeling 100% today. He just didn't know what to do with himself. I held him and he cried. I put him down and he cried. He sat in my lap and if I moved at all, he cried. I had to hold him and stand in this certain spot by the window and rock back and forth in order for him to stop. I felt bad because Susan had to keep doing all the other stuff with the big boys, but she told me it was ok because keeping him from crying was a job in itself. In the middle of it all the song By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North came on and I came up with an interesting connection.

Part of the lyrics are "I'll be by your side wherever you fall, in the dead of night whenever you call, please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you."That is how I felt all day. When Aaron fell, I'd pick him up. When he cried, I would try to soothe him. He would get in fits like he was mad at me and would push me away, so I'd give him space. Less then a minute later, though, I would reach my hand out to him because he would still be crying. Isn't that the way God is with us? He's our strength and comfort. Sometimes we push Him away, but He never really leaves. He opens His hands to us every time. We can always cry out for Him and He'll be there.

This is why I am here, to show these babies the love of God our Father. Luckily, I had great parents who showed that to me, but these babies don't have that. Even if they don't understand, it still makes a difference. By the age of 3 children have a foundation and understanding of whether they will be cared for and loved. I think that everything up to that point makes a difference. I can show love to others because God loved me first. I am learning more about God and His character everyday. Through His word or random connections like today. I don't even know if it makes sense to anyone else. It could be one of those "reaching" moments where everyone else is just looking around trying to figure out a connection. But, for me it clicked. I am so blessed to be here.

BY YOUR SIDE -TENTH AVENUE NORTH

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

Woven Together..

Winter has hit Jo-burg! It is so cold outside! I think it's even colder inside the house..our room is freezing! It's June, why am I wearing sweaters and socks? tanks and flip-flops, please! I would love to have a bonfire and sit under the stars and go swimming the next morning...but I am here for a reason, and even though it is freezing at night, it's going to be ok....haha.

Just completed 3 days of work..wow! The weather is getting to the kids, so they all have runny noses..today they were ALL fussing pretty much non-stop. This is the first day they have been this way. It was tiring.. but I love those babies so much! We have been here 3 weeks and I can't even imagine leaving them! I don't understand how anyone could leave these babies or not want them..it's absolutely crazy..I mean, in the long run I think it will be better. Especially because a lot of them are just here because the parents were not able to care for them, but still. It's wild.

One thing though, is that God definitely wants them! He loves them so much and them being at Door of Hope is all part of His plan for them. Three of them were adopted this week! It is so exciting to see them getting good homes, God is working it all out.

This weekend, Susan and I watched another Louie Giglio DVD..this one is called "Alive." It is one of my favorites...he used the scripture from Psalm 139 (which as always been one of my favorites, just so you know). It reminds us of how we are made, God knows us and knitted us together. He didn't just throw us into a ball and say "ok, that's good enough." He took His time on each one of us to form us EXACTLY the way He wants us..there is nothing about His creation that is a mistake. He created us the way we are. He wants us to look this way, to have these personalities, these senses of humor, beautiful smiles, crazy hair, curvy body...He created everything about us, just for us. It's pretty amazing, huh?

I keep remembering that He created each one of those babies just that way for a reason...there is one boy that screams when he gets excited..I mean like super-high pitched screech that is the cutest/most annoying sound you've ever heard in your life!! Today, all of kids kept crying, but he just kept screeching that excited little joyful squeal! At one point, I just wanted it to stop so that there would be less noise, but then I realized that he was the only happy baby in the room. I just laughed! God gave that chunk of a boy a squeal of excitement, just like he gave me a stupid giggle of joy. He has all of their days numbered, He knows when they will leave DOH and who they will go to. He has it all planned out for them and I am so happy that I get to be a part of that journey....

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them." ~Psalm 139:13-16 (NASB)

Vuvuzelas. A Lot of Vuvuzelas.

Hello all! I know that it's been a while since I updated..sorry, Anna! ;)

In the past week I have been busy, but a good busy! Wednesday we saw a movie for 18 rand each, which is approximately $2.33. MUCH cheaper than movies at home, so we'll probably be going to the "cinema" quite often on Wednesdays. Also, at noon on Wednesday everyone in the Jo-burg area blew their vuvuzelas..i'll attach a picture of one at the bottom of the post...there were also people blowing car horns, sirens, yelling, screaming and dancing..it was all to show support for Bafana Bafana (the SA soccer team).

Thursday, we worked in the baby house. I love those kids so much!! One of big boys walked for the first time! He took about 7 steps through out the day...Susan said that her goal was for him to walk by the time we leave, and she helped him do it! It was fun to be there when it happened, all of the Aunties were so excited about it!

Friday, we worked again..it was such a fun day! Let me start at the beginning, 5:35 am our alarm goes off, first thing we hear are vuvuzelas somewhere down the street..we knew from the start that is was going to a crazy day! Friday was the World Cup opening and you could feel the excitement everywhere you went..we arrived at baby house around 7:00 and the Aunties were blowing vuvuzelas at whoever was walking in the house. They all had on their South African hats, jerseys, flags, face paint, everything! We took a lot of great pictures! Three of the volunteers who had been working there left this weekend, so on Friday we had a party for them. Also, two of our big boys turned 1 so we had another party for that...needless to day I ate way too much junk food between those two parties! haha...then, right before 2:00 one of the Aunties brought a televisions upstairs so that we could watch the opening ceremony and the game. Between all of this we were feeding, changing, and loving the babies..at 4:30 was the kick-off for South Africa vs Mexico..when South Africa scored all of the Aunties started screaming and yelling and blowing vuvuzelas and jumping all through the house..(ps- the older boys HATE the vuvuzelas)..it was so funny! The game ended up being a draw, but a tie isn't bad..so, Friday was a very very busy and crazy day!

It is so neat to be here during this time. This is the first time that this country has experienced this kind of unity and joy. One of the Aunties was saying that in her whole life, she has never seen this much joy. She said that for once, people are not talking about killing each other or racial issues, instead they are coming together for a common goal..it's crazy that something as small as a soccer tournament (yes, i know that it's the World Cup) can bring a fighting country together..We all just pray that it lasts after the games are over..

Last night we went to Lindsey and Ferdi's to watch the USA/England match. It was a pretty tense game, although both teams were having some trouble.. Our goalie was pretty awesome, I must say.. Becca is from England so she was heavily out numbered, but she was a good sport. She was so fun to watch the game with. It was good to relax and laugh with friends.. it feels like we fit here more..

Church this morning..we went to the one that we attended 2 weeks ago..we work every-other weekend, so only get to go every 2 weeks..but it was good, again. Everyone has been kind and welcoming to us. The pastor and some other people from the congregation are gone on a trip to Jordan so a different man spoke. He gave a good message. He spoke from Ephesians 2:1-10. This week I started reading through Ephesians, and I was very touched by chapter 2, verses 1-7.. So when he said to open up to that passage, Susan and I just looked at each other and smiled because I had just been talking about it a few days ago. Isn't it great how God does that? He always finds a way to speak to us, especially when we are listening.............

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:1-10

VUVUZELAS

Chips! Here Comes the Ribs!

The title of my blog is from my favorite billboard..yes, I have a favorite billboard. We pass it everyday on our way back from DOH and I laugh EVERY TIME! I know it probably doesn't make sense to you, but, really, it's great!

One of our big boys went down to a different part of the orphanage today. We didn't work today, but we found out this weekend. It will be so weird to go back to work on Thursday and him not be there. He went downstairs to the Starfish program. We see some, but not often. The starfish program is the part for developmentally challenged babies (i guess that's the best way to say it). It really is great, and it is good that he is down there so that he can get more help. But, we are definitely going to miss him. Oh, you are probably wondering why it's called Starfish..here is the story:

The Star Thrower

There was a man who was walking along a sandy beach where thousands of

starfish had been washed up on the shore. He noticed a boy picking the

starfish one by one and throwing them back into the ocean. The man observed

the boy for a few minutes and then asked what he was doing. The boy replied

that he was returning the starfish to the sea, otherwise they would die.

The man asked how saving a few, when so many were doomed, would make any

difference whatsoever? The boy picked up a starfish and threw it back into

the ocean and said "Made a difference to that one..."

The man left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had

said. He soon returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping

the boy throw starfish in to the sea....

~Loren Eiseley

Isn't that great?!? They know they can't fix everything about every baby, but they do what they can to make a difference..I love it!

Yesterday we were working, therefore missing church. So, we watched a Louie Giglio DVD..he is such a great speaker..we watched part 1 of "The Gospel According to Krispy Kreme"..I highly recommend it..we actually bought 4 different DVDs of him speaking. I'm excited to watch them all!

Today, Susan and I went to Bruma African Flea Market with Dale and Lou (two of the Aunties, from Canada). It was so much fun!! They had both been there before, so they helped us a lot with getting deals and talking to vendors. We got some good stuff and will probably go back before we leave! It was so neat to see everything and talk to people. It's crazy to think that this is how most of these people make their living. There were a few people that I was not so fond of, the ones who constantly nagged us to buy things and were completely in our faces..but there were some who we really liked. One of them gave us a great deal on some stuff because Lou had bought from him before, he was really nice! There was another one who Dale knew and she was so kind and joyful! She has been going through a hard time financially, but the joy if the Lord showed through her. There were a few people that came into her shop just to say hi, and no one did that at the other vendors shops...she said that it happens all the time. Lou said, "It's because you don't hide your light under a bushel! You let God's love shine!" I totally agree with that..

Tonight, I saw the stars for the first time since we have been here. It was great! I mean, you could kind of see them before, but tonight they were shining brightly! Seeing the stars made it feel even more like home..I was so thankful for that..

I'm feeling more comfortable here everyday..whether it's at work or going out or remembering the next road to turn onto before the GPS tells me..it's feeling more like a place that I am staying and living instead of some new place where everything is backwards..it is a very reassuring feeling. Everyday I am more encouraged by the things around me and I know that I am right where God wants me.

I still miss home a lot, especially since this weekend was Matthew's graduation and Davis' birthday..but my family has been behind me 100% and that means more to me than they will ever know!

"What does God want from you more than anything else today? Well, He doesn't want your service and He doesn't want your service more than anything else. So, what does God want from you today, more than anything else? God wants your affection." -Louie Giglio

"Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You." -Psalm 63:3 (ESV)

Prayer Request.

I know that all of you have been praying for me and the people that I come in contact with during my time here and I appreciate that so much!

Today, I ask for you to pray for the Aunties that are permanent workers at DOH. They do such a great job caring for and loving the babies..but they need just as much encouragement, if not more, as the volunteers do. Also, for the women and men in leadership roles. They make all of the bigger decisions, like which house the new babies will go to, etc. Even though they are not in constant contact with the babies, they are the decision makers and need wisdom and peace. They have been on my heart today...

Thank you all so much for your continued prayer, support, and encouragement! You have no idea what that means to me! (=

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words ;)

Just a few pictures from the baby house..we aren't supposed to post any with a clear shot of the babies faces..but I hope you enjoy! These are from our first couple of days working. (=

Random Act of Kindness.

I miss America..just thought I'd throw that out there....

BBuuuuuuttttttt.........*drum roll*...............we worked in the orphanage for the first time today! It was our first official day and it made everything worth it! The kids are great! So cute and mostly really good babies..some of them have a little more trouble than others, but I think most of that comes from their pasts. Door Of Hope really spoils the kids. They get the best food, are very healthy, and get more than enough love from the staff and volunteers. You can tell that everyone working there has such a big heart for these kids and for Christ. It such an encouraging environment to work in, even though it is tiring. I am working with the 6 month to 1 year department. There are 12 kids in that age range. The oldest 4 are boys and are called "The Big 4." We get to spend more time with them than with the younger ones because they are on a different schedule. They are all so precious! They love to laugh, smile, dance, and play. Being at DOH today made me feel confident that I was in the right place for the right reasons. I am so happy that God lead me here!

Susan and I are becoming master chefs. Haha! We have cooked supper for ourselves 3 nights in a row and it's actually been very good! I really enjoy cooking, but washing dishes by hand is not so great! We have enjoyed being together so much and are excited getting closer to the other Aunties at DOH! Becca, the Bristiah 18-year-old, helped us out a lot today and we get along with her really well, so hopefully we'll get closer to her.

God is teaching me so much about adapting to situations and letting Him take care of my plans. We kept trying to figure out every little detail of what we were going to do this summer and it was kind of stressing me out because I knew that it shouldn't be that big of a deal. So, of course, my devotion last night was about God's will and it not mattering what our specific plans. Instead, we need to follow 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.The Bible states that it is God's will for you to pray, give Him thanks, and cultivate joy. If we do these things the opportunities and plans will fall into place..it's pretty cool how God can show you something like that in His word right as you are going through it..

Also, today was really great because we had a guy at a traffic light be really nice to us..i had gotten in a turn only lane and I needed to go straight at a red light. The guy beside us saw us trying to figure out what to do. He yelled out of his window and said, "Hey! Do you need to go straight?"Susan and I both yelled "Yes!" and nodded our heads. He pointed in front of him and let us go first when the light turned green. It made us both so happy..he was one of the first kind people we've met since we've been here..i mean other than the ones we work with and such..it was just a nice gesture and made us feel more comfortable here...now please don't read that and think that everyone here is just rude and hateful. People just aren't as conscience of acts of kindness and such..

Anyways..I am very thankful to be here and hope to adjust more, and fast! I can't wait to work with the babies again tomorrow!! (=

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

"When you go to the Scripture for insight on the will of God, you don't find a lot about things to do, places to go, or people to meet. That's because God's will is not so much a place, a job, or a specific mate, as it is a heart and a lifestyle." ~Nancy Leigh DeMoss