Reality...

It's 3:00am.  I just finished going through the last things in my room and packing up as many things as I can.  I still have wet clothes on the line, brilliant planning.  I have a pile of things lined up along one wall of my room for each of the missionaries.  I had a great dinner with some missionaries and am consistently blessed by each of them.  I am not excited about the 30 something hours of travel ahead of me...5 plane rides...4 plane tickets.  I can however keep myself calm because I know I'm going straight to the beach with my family and some of my absolute favorite people in the world to soak up the sun and do absolutely nothing else.

Today I had one of the sweetest moments I've had when it comes to goodbyes.  I am not too close to most of the older children on the base.  I usually keep my affections directed at my adorable babies.  But there are a few I just can't resist.  Well, today one of these guys came up to me after church.  I had been prayed for at church but first took a few minutes to say thank you to each person who has love me, taught me, and lived life with me.

So after church Inacio came walking up.  He just looked up at me with big telling eyes.  I had told him a few weeks ago that I would be leaving to go back home, but I don't think he realized tomorrow was it.  I asked him how he was and what he was thinking.  He responded with short answers.  I gave him another hug.  Then he looked up at me again with tears streaming down his face.
I pulled him close and reassured him as I remember my parents reassuring me so many times as a child.  The part that tore at my heart was that I knew I won't be here to hug him and calm his fears from here on out.  I am learning what it means to truly trust the children I love into God's hands.  He knows better than me.  And as much as I'd love to pack all my kiddos in my bag and bring them with me tomorrow, I know I can't.  Although I have truly considered it...a few of them are VERY small!
I know this move is right.  I know I made the right decision.  But that doesn't make the present any easier.  That doesn't put my broken heart back together again.  And that doesn't give me the words to say to children I know will be reintegrated before I ever get to come back for a visit.
I am full of emotion, yet peaceful.  I am dreading tomorrow, yet somehow ready.  I am at a loss for words but have plenty of hugs and kisses to go around.  As I put my babies to sleep one last time tonight I went into each room, gave each little one a hug, and said good night.  They each in their little way reminded me of their personalities, filled my heart with love once more.  It was a time to cherish.  It was a time I'll never forget.
Tomorrow is goodbye, until we meet again...

Growth!

We have lots of babies growing and developing at the moment.  I absolutely love living everyday life with kids because they can always surprise you.  One day I walk in and they can barely sit then the next it seems they are tottering over to me at the door.  Lots of babies have hit milestones recently and we have certainly celebrated with them!
Igor is walking!  He began his time with us at the center like this in February 2011 with only enough energy to sit and smile...

And today he is happy, healthy, and on the move!

The twins, both Amelia and Maria are walking!  If you remember this is them upon arrival last June.

And this the them today...taking over the Baby House one step at a time!

Silvia is also doing amazing.  She came to us last November TINY...do you remember her and her brother, Horacio?

In the last few weeks she has learned to pull herself up.  She cannot stand to view life from the floor anymore...watch out world, here comes Silvia!

And lastly we have Inacio...he came to us 1.5kg (3.3 pounds)...

...and now weighs almost 3kg (6.5 pounds)!

God is at work in these lives and so many others here at the center.  We could not care for, protect, and love all these babies if it wasn't for a loving heavenly father who makes it all possible!

The Colors of Moz

Just take a look at the colors of Mozambique...Gorgeous!

It's getting cold outside...

I know what you're thinking...it's Africa, it never gets cold.  You're wrong!  At the moment I'm sitting under 4 blankets snuggled in with my hot water bottle.  There is a cold breeze blowing outside.  Now. I will admit that 65 degrees feels quite cold to me these days.  When you have experienced 125 not too many months before, 65 is COLD!  And you have to remember that we don't have heating or air conditioning so whatever the temperature is outside, it's the same in my house!  There are probably some of you thinking, 65 inside my house sounds like heaven about now.  Well, if you bumped your thermostat down a few degrees and took my little babies from the Baby House to stay at your house...this is what you would see.  I was finishing up even medications the other day and went to quickly take a little boys temperature in Room 1, the oldest of the Baby House.  This is what I found...

Each one of them was under 2 blankets!  They weren't just snuggled in but COMPLETELY underneath the blankets.  It's probably a bit hard to see, but there are 2 kids to each bed with 2 blankets covering each little body.  So funny!
As I laughed to myself and snapped a photo, little Neto popped up to see what Mana Meghann was doing!  I love these kiddos!

Reintegration

Reintegration is the word we use to describe when a child who has been living here at the center is moved back into the house with his or her family.  This family could be a grandmother, a parent, or another relative.  It all depends on the child's individual story.  Some of our children are full orphans but others are with us because of social, economic, health, or other issues.  Sometimes reintegration happens because the ministry was able to build a house that allows a family to care for their children again.  Sometimes the child is older or their health issues have resolved.  It all depends.
If you remember, in April we said goodbye to two sets of twins in one day (if you don't remember, you can read here).  One set was Lena and Enoque, age 3.  They went to live with their grandmother and other brothers and sisters now that they are older.  Just last week we were able to go and visit them in their house.  They live only a 15 minute walk from our front gate!  It was amazing to see reintegration working for these two kids who I love dearly.  They were happy, well dressed, clean, and healthy!  Their family is loving them and caring for them.  It was an amazing confirmation that even when there are sad stories, there are joyful ones as well!

Here is Lena, Enoque, and I with their aunt in the background!

 They are just as precious and joyful as they were in the Baby House!

Day In and Day Out...

You all know I am a nurse.  My main job here at the center is to work as a nurse with the children, babies in particular.  Of course I mother, play with, and care for the children in other ways as well...and often choose to share these stories with you to give you a picture of life for these kiddos.  But, here is a taste of my daily life in pictures...the day in and day out life of a nurse here at Zimpeto...
There are always medications to be given, sores to be cleaned, hugs needed, temperatures to be taken, laughs to be had, lungs to be checked, inhalers to be given, babies to be fed, cries to be soothed, smiles to be cherished, ears to be cleaned, love to be shared, and souls to be touched...

Thanks Sam for all your patience and picture taking abilities!  You are amazing!

Passing on the trade...

Speaking of kites...you can look here if you haven't yet read about toy trends!  There are some boys who make amazing kites and others struggle to get theirs off the ground.  Stelio makes some amazing kites.  Check out his kite!

He also has the skill it takes to keep his kite soaring...not always simple when other boys are running around trailing their own creations!  There are many tangled strings...but not Stelio!

Stelio is the oldest of 3 brothers who live here at the center.  Last Sunday I found the 3 boys all together, and Stelio was passing on his trade.  Edson the middle brother is very energetic and can't sit still well, but they were all enjoying their kite less from their older brother!