Oh, how I love babies!

I know the posts lately have been few forgive me for that.  This one has been rolling around in my drafts for quite some time.  The purpose of this blog is to paint with words what God is doing in my life and the lives of those around me.  As a relational person this helps me share what the days are like despite the distance that separates.  It also helps me to write about my experiences and to share with partners how to pray.  This one is slightly emotional for me to write and it has been difficult to find the appropriate words to express.  But, I have my cup of tea and I will attempt to push publish.
 
Ever since I can remember I have LOVED babies!  As the oldest of four I suppose for the sake of all involved that is a good thing!  My mom and I share this love for brand new faces, precious little toes, and the little squeaks that come out of their little button mouth.  My baby loving heart is having its highs and lows these last few weeks.  The anticipation of my new niece and nephew with the hardship of being so far away is difficult!  It is one of the most difficult aspects on this exciting journey.  It is hard to not be there for the big event and its hard to think about the time that will pass before I really do get to hold little Adelynn and Sawyer.  My youngest sister Christie who continues to be a wonderful encouragement reminds me by saying, "but remember how many kids you get to love on that don't have anyone to do so!!"  It is true and I love her for reminding me but it is difficult which she can also empathize.  Sure fountain diet cokes, desserts, and Target are all things I miss.  But, as the lump forms in my throat my fingers type the hardest sacrifices of living on the other side of the world.  I miss my nieces Shelby, Bella and Adelynn along with my nephews Ethan and soon to make his appearance Sawyer.  I miss my siblings and their spouses and the way they make me laugh.  I miss my friends, mom, mentors, dad, grandparents, hugs from church.  Birthdays are celebrated, Holidays Shared, and similar experiences in a home culture are understood by friends/family.  With that said at the same time this is the challenge of trying to describe the circle of emotions for I couldn't be happier trying to type this message living here in my Tanzanian home surrounded by my relationships that God has blessed me richly.      

The God of love is faithful and I am thankful for the little ones who I have been able to love in the midst of my missing home.  Above is Emmanuel's little boy who I got to meet in the last weeks.  I decided that with the help of Loserian one of our national leaders that I would visit Emmanuel, his family, and see the new baby.  I was a little nervous because I selfishly wondered how much my heart could take.  I wondered as I packed the bag with sugar, tea, a baby outfit, cloth diapers.  I put my rubber boots on and met Lorserian at the gate.  We slopped through the flooded area and the mud.  Emmanuel was anxiously waiting my arrival at his gate.  Such a sweet man who was so proud to show me yet another dirt house to enter.  One other tender thing that I have yet to inform is that he had a baby born within the last year who died barely living a month.  The little baby boy had difficult breathing and slowly slipped away.  But, this day there is new life within the dirt walls and I was there to welcome him to the world.  I was able to go back into the dark hole like room with the women.  The baby was quickly placed in my arms.  He is small oh so small.  Never in my baby visits in the States did I have to make the health assessment but I quietly examine the baby.  The baby in my arms he begins to stir and I ask if I can pray a blessing over the baby.  They inform me that a name has not yet been given to the baby.  Emmanuel wanted to name the baby after me but through my tears I informed that my Biblical name is also the name of their first born so that wouldn't work.  My other names not being Biblical names he said they thought about Meshack or Abednigo.  He wanted me to choose.  I read the story out loud found in Daniel 3 while holding the baby and then began praying a prayer of blessing of the characteristics found of the great men in scripture.  Being a man of worship, courage, one who always followed the Lord, and stood up for what is of truth.  It was a moving time for all of us and after I gave him the name Meshack.  (It took me 20mins to figure out what they were saying when they told me the other name so I also took pity on the baby!!)  I was honored and moved by the moment shared in a dirt filled room.

Then word arrived that Lomayani had a baby boy!  Which was a surprise to many!  Ariane meaning "very Holy" arrived April 28th.  He is one of the most beautiful babies I have seen.  Below is Ariane getting to meet Mwalimu Wendy for the first time.  Annelle and I got to visit with Lomayani and his family for part of the afternoon last week.  It did my heart good to fill my arms with a precious little baby.  The night before I Skyped with Adelynn who is my new niece born May 2nd.  This might be close to the end for this post cause the lump in the throat is forming again.  Adelynn is beautiful and I want to hold her so bad!  Rachel and my mom have compared her to Christie's baby pictures and when I Skyped with them on Mother's Day I have to say that I can see the resemblance as well.  Bella proudly says, "here is my baby!"  As hard as this is to paint this picture "yes" I love the babies that fill my arms here in Tanzania.  But, I am a bit homesick and missing these moments in Indiana.  My family has been through a lot so to see my siblings gathered yesterday on Mother's Day with the kids playing in the play room, a new baby making her rounds to many arms, watching Lindsey's pregnant belly for movements from Sawyer, and all of them but me around the dinner table is very difficult to hang up from.  Its just hard to be so far away sometimes!

Adelynn Skyping with Aunt Wendy

Prayer Points~

• my homesick heart
• Meshack, Ariane, Adelynn, and Sawyer  May they bring joy to their families and grow to be great men and women of faith!  

The promises of God will surely come to pass.  I'll stand upon His Word

And trust and see how faithful He will be who died for me.  

For He exalted His Word Above all His Name.  The promises

of God will surely come to pass.  

Roy Hicks Jr. 

My sister Rachel and my brother in law Mike with Bella and Adelynn