Looking Back...

And Praising God!

Tonight as I was sitting unpacking boxes

full of clothes that just arrived on the sea

container, I couldn't help but think where

we were at this point last year.

Last year, about this time, we just got

our 3rd placement and our first little girl.

We had a few things for her clothes wise,

but I remember the day after I got her going

into town to try and find some clothes for her.

This was a challenge because the clothes could

be found, but the clothes within my budget (what

I would liked to have spent) were cheaply made. 

I was fearful to buy those because I knew they

would not hold up being washed regularly. On the

other hand there were good quality (carter or other

brands I knew) clothes too, but I couldn't justify

spending $15 for one of those onesies.

And now just one year later, we have been so blessed

by peoples generosity (Praise Jesus for clearance racks!)

and we now have tubs full of a variety of sizes, and 

styles for each gender.

Its such a blessing being able to welcome littles

in, knowing we have everything we need

to properly care for their physical needs. 

Meet Little A

Yesterday around noon I got a call asking if we could

take in a 1 month old for a few weeks. I told them

we would love to, and then I was informed she was

at court now but I would get a call when court was

over. I tried to get as much ready, without making

it obvious to Neiah when she would get home from

school just in case the baby didn't come I didn't want

her to be disappointed.

At 4:30 I still hadn't gotten a call so 

I called CDA again to check in and see if

we for sure would be getting a baby that night, or

if plans had changed. I was told they had not and

at 5 we were called to come collect Little A from 

the CDA office.

Neiah was BEYOND excited that Jesus had

sent us a baby to care for. She ran right into CDA 

and I thought she was going to take the baby right

out of the social workers hands :)

 Neiah once more smoothly transitioned into the role

of big sister, holding, reading to, and singing to Little A

Little A arrived with a nasty chest cold, but Praise

Jesus thanks to the help of oils, and a humidifier,

she had a peaceful night sleep.

 Brita didn't know what to think of Little A. She

just continued to walk circles around her and every

once in a while would bark at her. :)

 We had Little A less then 24 hours, but Neiah

soaked in every possible min. she could loving on her.

So Thankful for a few hours to love on this little girl.

An added blessing to getting to love on Little A. Was when we

picked her up at CDA last night we got her from Mrs Henry (the head of

the CDA office in MV). She was the one who also picked her

up today to take her to Kingston. When she came (Along with

Ms Lyons who is now working with the kids in the court system and knows

 when kids get removed and are in need of placement.) both her and Ms

Lyons were able to go through En Gedi for the first time and were

so excited to see the new place, and how we are now better

able to accommodate babies. And also Mrs Henry could not believe

how much better (sick wise) Little A looked and sounded in just 

a short time with us.

Praise God for his healing over little A, and for continually providing 

steps forward for us.

Please be praying for Little A as she transitions into her

long term placement.

Thanks.

Little Things

We were blessed by a donation from some local 

Jamaicans who have heard about En Gedi. They 

have some boys who are older now. As they 

were cleaning out, and getting rid of things they no

longer needed they thought of us, and blessed us

with some boxes of baby things.

So thankful for peoples continual kindness to

us here at En Gedi.

This past week, Friday actually, we were finally

able to get someone from CDA over to En Gedi.

She asked to come early afternoon, but then got called

out of the office for the rest of the day. She told me, when she 

called me at 5 that night, (they close at 4:30 on Fridays, I think)

that she had originally called to cancel the visit, but if I was 

okay with it, she would be willing to come then and keep

her scheduled visit to En Gedi. We gladly welcomed her

(Neiah of course is open to any visitors we can get to come)

and she spent the next hour plus talking through things with us.

What a blessing that she was willing to give up part of her Friday

night visiting with us here at En Gedi instead of simply going

home after what I am sure was already a full week.

I am so thankful for these continual little things that

keep up focused and remind us that God is still

right here running along side us.

Blessings