So this morning my little missy decided she was very hungry at 4am.  She’s been doing great at sleeping through the night that past two weeks, with a few nights of waking here and there.  Actually, it’s just enough to tease us and then she gives us a zinger in there about once or twice in a row.  Oh well….we’re getting there.  She’s still in our room….I haven’t quite felt comfortable moving her into her room as I don’t quite trust her “roomate” fully at this point.  Plus everytime I think about moving her in for the night…..she wakes up in the night so for now I guess she’s staying put in the pack and play in our room. 

Anyway….getting back to my point of this post!

As I sat with my small space heater pointed on me (it’s cold at 4am!) and hearing the sounds of a gentle rain (very rare for June!) and I was promted to pray for a friend of mine.  Actually check that….I was burdened to pray for a friend of mine….to the point of tears.  And while I don’t know any details, I just know I promised her I would pray  for her every day….along with so many others. 

So there I sat, tears running, feeding Piper in my living room where there was stillness all around me…..it was a beautiful moment. I then went to burp her on my shoulder while still continueing to pray.  I had noticed her nuzzling me but I wasn’t quite paying attention.  When I was done I opened my eyes to see that she had nuzzled to the point where her head was resting on my chest…..skin on skin.  She had nuzzled my shirt out of the way so she could hear my heart and she was fast asleep and so peaceful. 

I thought it was so appropriet……drawing near to the Lord in our times of trouble or praise, He’s ready and waiting to hear our hearts and draw near to us in return.  And oh what a sweet place that is to be…..resting in Him…sometimes that’s all you can do. 

I remember thinking, “School is such a long time away….it’s a good thing I don’t have to think about that anytime soon!”  Well, that thought was about 2 years and 2 months ago and it sure doesn’t feel like it was that long ago.  It seems like only yesterday that I was holding Andrew, a newborn baby, in my arms…..and now today we’re talking about school options! 

That’s right folks…….as of next Monday, my little (or not so little) baby boy will be going to Happy Home Academy!

Doesn’t he look ready already?  

A dear friend and church member runs a small day school program in town.  Kev and I had been mulling the idea of sending Andrew over in our brains for awhile and Edith (the school’s owner) kept saying, “You should send him….he’s ready, it would be great for him!”  Since Andrew doesn’t have other children his age on the property to play with, this means that he spends a lot of time with adults or Mason and Mpula which are a bit out of his age bracket.  (They are wonderful with him though!)  A few months ago I knew it was time to get him some interaction with other kiddos his age and also to help him blow off some of that never ending energy he has.  We’ve been taking him to the playground during playtime at school where he interacts with the other kids and he really loves it so we were feeling as though he was ready for something. 

Plus….and I know every mother thinks this, but Andrew is very smart.  I think his mind is far older than his little body and I think some brain exercise will do him good too.  He’s so close to putting full sentences together and is learning new words daily!  His new favorite thing to do is look through his 100 words book and say all the ones he knows….it’s amazing! 

So, we went and signed him up today!  He’ll go 3 half days a week and if it works well and he likes it, we’ll consider doing more, but for now just a slow start.  As I was filling out the forms and seeing all the children my heart began to beat fast and I started having second thoughts……What if he hurts himself? What if he cries? What if he’s not quite ready for all of this?  What if the other kids are mean to him?  What it what if!  The truth is, I can’t always protect Andrew and this is a concept that I am having a hard time with.  I want to be there to sooth and kiss every owie.  I want to be there to watch him learn new things and play with other kids.  But I can’t…..I can’t keep him in the bubble of my protection forever and well at only 2 years and 4 months old…….I still wonder if that’s too little go out of “mommy’s protection”.  I guess we’ll see, but in my heart, I know he will really love it!  That’s why I know I have to try it.  

Edith assured me with a loving pat on the arm……”Sometimes the moms cry more than the kids when they get dropped off and you know……that’s okay Sarah.”   So Kev’s thinking he’ll take Andrew to school on Monday.

I guess it won’t really be too long before we start thinking about this little Missy too……time is already going too fast!

***In other news…..it’s been crazy weather wise here in Botswana!  It’s June and we’re getting rain storms! (As a reminder, our rainy season is from about December through March!)  They forcast rain for the next three days and the Government issued flood warnings for our area!  Crazy!  Kev and I went to have our weekly meeting off the property to get some work done and we found ourselves freezing!  The rain and the cold temps were really unheard of.  At the same time though, it’s nice for a weather change!

Over the past few weeks I’ve felt a bit well…..worthless.  You see life right now for Sarah Witt revolves around two very small people by the name of Andrew and Piper.  While I love being a mommy I sorta miss being the missionary too.  I miss mixing with people.  I miss people at the office.  I miss using what little Setswana I actually know.  While there are needs all around me of people, I find that the needs of my little family of four are what get my attention these days.  I’ll admit, I struggle with this sometimes. 

Yet I am reminded by His gentle words that resonate in my heart….

“Sarah you are right where I want YOU!” 

I love how out of the blue today Jana says to me…..”You’re a beautiful mommy…..and you’re doing exactly what you should be doing!” 

I am definitely walking through a season right now and while at times it’s hard and a bit lonely at times, I know that the Lord is stirring things within my heart that let me know that the “missionary” is very much still there and alive! 

I read something that really touched me tonight and well Angie’s words just are a lot better than mine so I hope she doesn’t mind that I’ve snagged them. 

“So how do we manage to combine the beautiful calling the Lord has on our lives while actually living our lives?  Do you ever feel like you want to make an impact but your life doesn’t feel big enough? It isn’t right-thinking, but it is natural.

I think my highest calling is to be a Godly wife and mother, and that is what I try to focus on. But I also want to feel more like a “city on a hill” in my everyday life than I normally do.

Taken from http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2009/06/her-here.html

As I sit here a bazzillion miles away, stuck right smack dab in a country where the needs are all around me, I do find myself getting a bit comfortable.  I know some might not think that’s possible here in Africa, but if you’ve followed me for any period of time you know that I don’t live in a mud hut and I do have electricity and running water.  My point is, even as a missionary I sometimes get lazy.  I sometimes see the need and don’t always stop to meet it because I am tired or even in a hurry. 

What I am reminded by in Angie’s words are that even though I might not be on the “front lines” right now, ministry is all around me just like it is in the US.  I was reminded of the times when I would go grocery shopping with Brick when she lived here.  Often times she would grab a candy bar and bless the cashier in line.  This always brought a huge smile and often times the ladies in Spar would be like, “No you come to my line!” when they would see her because they knew she often would buy a candy bar for them.  Or even the time when my husband asked the man who sits outside of Shopright every day in the same clothes and shoes that barely stay on his feet because they are so worn, if he wanted to join him for a meal at Nando’s across the street.  It’s all around me……people. 

I’m also reminded that as I serve others, my children will learn by my example.  Angie wrote about how her children put a cooler of the trash men’s favorite drinks on the curb and how they can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they find it.  Oh how I long for the day when Andrew and Piper do something that I’ve done because they learned by mine and Kev’s example!  I want to be that type of parent…….I want my children to have a heart of servanthood to others!  That’s why I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be……

I am still both a missionary and a mommy! 

Something that I have done with Andrew since he was just weeks old was whisper in his ear…..

“I’ve gotta secret…..mommy loves you!” 

It didn’t come from anyone, just something that I made up.  I do it to Piper now too.  It’s just “my” thing I guess. 

Today, Andrew crawled on my lap (I love it when he does this on his own free will!) and snuggled in close.  I leaned in to his ear and said…..

“I’ve gotta secret…..mommy loves you.”

He turned and looked at me with those big charming eyes and said,

“Again mommy…..”

Then he pressed his ear up to my lips.  As I whispered it to him he said, “wuv woo” 

Nothing like a “drive by post”, but I really should be in bed, but I also feel like writing……I miss my blog these days!  So…..here’s some updates, bullet point style!

• Piper is growing like a little weed and changes almost every day!  She’s really starting to smile, though she reserves the big smiles for me, which melt my heart.  Yes, I might be making this up, but I swear she gives me the nice big ones!  We’re still not really sleeping through the night but she’s getting there. One thing as a parent of two is that it’s really hard not to compare your children.  By Piper’s age, Andrew was already sleeping through the night.  Sleep deprivation is a whole new concept that I really never had with him.  Thankfully all my sleepless pregnancy nights helped pave the way! I love having a little girl and I am loving seeing the differences between the two! 
• Andrew is also growing and learning new words and phrases daily!  He is in love with High School Musical 3 and “sings” right along with the songs!  He even exclaims…..”What team? Get your head in the game!”  The other day Brenda, one of our new full time missionaries taught him the song  Praise ye the Lord to which at the end he yells with gusto…..AMEN!  It’s so cute to listen to him sing.  We’re thinking of enrolling Andrew into a small pre-school program for a few days a week.  We really feel he would do well and he’s really missing the interaction with other little ones his age. We’ve not bitten off the potty training monster yet but that’s the next step!  I can’t believe how fast he’s growing…..seems like just yesterday he was Piper’s size. 
• We’re still looking for a nanny for both kids.  Serena’s time is coming to a close.  I am broken hearted to loose her, but she’s been such a blessing to our family but also the Mission.  I know her mom and dad must be missing her dearly!  Her younger sister will be flying in to visit for a few weeks and they will travel together back to the US.  Andrew has gotten really close to her.  He often just says, ‘Where’s Serena?”.  We’re beliving that the Lord has someone for us.  It’s just hard to find that right person.  Till then, I am staying with the kiddos and doing the best I can to manage my Mission duties as well. 
• I’m hooked on the “Twilight” book series….enough said.  
• Kev’s mom informed us that a trip to Disney World was in the plans for when we come home at the end of the year.  I’ll admit….it’s all I can think about lately!  I think I might be just as excited as anyone else about that possible trip!  Disney World with my kids…..well that’s just too exciting! 
• Winter is upon us.  It’s chilly in the mornings and evenings.  I love this time of year.  I love the night sky with all it’s bright stars and most of all the smell of the fires burning in the homes of the nearby village.  Makes getting out of bed at 3am for feedings a bit more difficult though!  

Okay….that’s a bit of an update for now.  My eyes are closing, but wanted to give ya’ll something to read…..quite exciting isn’t it?   I’m still learning to find a balance between normal and crazy.  Most of the time it’s pretty crazy (and loud!) in the Witt house these days.  Having two kiddos really has been an adjustment for me, but SO good too.  I know we’ll get more of a routine down as time goes on.  Till then…..well…..let’s just say, “His Grace is sufficent!”

Nothing like a “drive by post”, but I really should be in bed, but I also feel like writing……I miss my blog these days!  So…..here’s some updates, bullet point style!

• Piper is growing like a little weed and changes almost every day!  She’s really starting to smile, though she reserves the big smiles for me, which melt my heart.  Yes, I might be making this up, but I swear she gives me the nice big ones!  We’re still not really sleeping through the night but she’s getting there. One thing as a parent of two is that it’s really hard not to compare your children.  By Piper’s age, Andrew was already sleeping through the night.  Sleep deprivation is a whole new concept that I really never had with him.  Thankfully all my sleepless pregnancy nights helped pave the way! I love having a little girl and I am loving seeing the differences between the two! 
• Andrew is also growing and learning new words and phrases daily!  He is in love with High School Musical 3 and “sings” right along with the songs!  He even exclaims…..”What team? Get your head in the game!”  The other day Brenda, one of our new full time missionaries taught him the song  Praise ye the Lord to which at the end he yells with gusto…..AMEN!  It’s so cute to listen to him sing.  We’re thinking of enrolling Andrew into a small pre-school program for a few days a week.  We really feel he would do well and he’s really missing the interaction with other little ones his age. We’ve not bitten off the potty training monster yet but that’s the next step!  I can’t believe how fast he’s growing…..seems like just yesterday he was Piper’s size. 
• We’re still looking for a nanny for both kids.  Serena’s time is coming to a close.  I am broken hearted to loose her, but she’s been such a blessing to our family but also the Mission.  I know her mom and dad must be missing her dearly!  Her younger sister will be flying in to visit for a few weeks and they will travel together back to the US.  Andrew has gotten really close to her.  He often just says, ‘Where’s Serena?”.  We’re beliving that the Lord has someone for us.  It’s just hard to find that right person.  Till then, I am staying with the kiddos and doing the best I can to manage my Mission duties as well. 
• I’m hooked on the “Twilight” book series….enough said.  
• Kev’s mom informed us that a trip to Disney World was in the plans for when we come home at the end of the year.  I’ll admit….it’s all I can think about lately!  I think I might be just as excited as anyone else about that possible trip!  Disney World with my kids…..well that’s just too exciting! 
• Winter is upon us.  It’s chilly in the mornings and evenings.  I love this time of year.  I love the night sky with all it’s bright stars and most of all the smell of the fires burning in the homes of the nearby village.  Makes getting out of bed at 3am for feedings a bit more difficult though!  

Okay….that’s a bit of an update for now.  My eyes are closing, but wanted to give ya’ll something to read…..quite exciting isn’t it?   I’m still learning to find a balance between normal and crazy.  Most of the time it’s pretty crazy (and loud!) in the Witt house these days.  Having two kiddos really has been an adjustment for me, but SO good too.  I know we’ll get more of a routine down as time goes on.  Till then…..well…..let’s just say, “His Grace is sufficent!”

Due to popular demand……photo’s of the kiddos!

Mother’s Day and Piper’s Dedication…..they both look less than thrilled!

A bit better……Andrew still not looking at the camera, but looking quite like a body guard.

Andrew trying out Mason’s hat!  It’s a wonder he was even able to stand up without falling over!

The “fifth member” of the Witt family…..Serena.  We could have not made it the last 5 months with out her…..she’s been a treasure and her and Andrew are quite fond of each other.  After all, when you share a bed in Gaborone together I guess you get sorta close.  (God bless her for sharing her space with a two year old! ) 

Big Cheese!

I can’t help it…..I love this picture!  She was trying to focus on Andrew and her eyes crossed. 

Looking pretty in her pink flowers (Two months old)

Tickles while sissy looks on.

but too busy to blog!  I will try….I have loads to say and loads more pictures to post!  Please don’t leave…..if I have any loyal followers left these days.  

Where are the mothers?

This post has taken me a bit to write, just because I’ve wanted to put words to my heart, which is often hard to do.  I have a few serious posts mulling around my brain……I am trying to put words to them, but this is the first. 

Yesterday, I celebrated my 3^rd Mother’s Day.  The holiday is so precious to me because I really think it’s important to honor our moms.  Now that I am one, I can see how hard it is!!  I’m thinking maybe a month long celebration would be more like it! ha! 

When I arrived in Botswana 5 years ago I remember sitting in Jana’s office and having her eyes fill with tears as she shared something that the Lord had put on her heart……a cry from His heart, “Where are the mothers!?”   I then listened to her vision for a shelter for abandoned babies…..babies whose mothers for whatever reason couldn’t care for them.  These babies would have a safe place to be cared for and most importantly loved. 

Baby dumping is a common practice in Botswana and we hear so often of babies who have been dumped in abandoned buildings, pit latrines, or even burned to death.  If they are found alive they are taken to the hospital where they recover or wait……wait for arms to love and care for them.  Can you even imagine?  Can you hear their cries? 

Just recently we’ve learned of two babies that had been dumped…….one in a pit latrine (outhouse) and another left in an abandoned building.  Both have been reunited with their mothers in prison…..the very mother’s that abandoned them.  It’s hard for me not to judge them…..I really struggle.  As I look at precious faces of African children….as I look at my own children, I wonder how any mother could do that….just throw a baby in the toilet and walk away, but the truth is…..I don’t know their situation.  I just know it must be desperate.  I also know that the memory of that must haunt them every day……it brings tears to my eyes even as I type this.  

While Brenda (on of our newest full time missionaries and future safe house mommy! J) and I were at the hospital today taking care of some paperwork for immigration we decided to ask about one of the babies that we thought was still in the hospital.  When I asked the nurse in charge about the baby and if he had a name she said, “No….he has no name, the mother might come back for him and then name him….we can’t give names.”  I guess I hated asking for a baby with no name……my heart broke, but the Lord whispered, “I know his name.”   Oh how wonderful that we serve a God who is a father to the fatherless and knows each of their names!!! 

Love Botswana is currently going through the process of opening the safe house for babies.  It’s been a very long and trying process, however much progress is being made!  A house just a stones throw from my own will soon house babies and there are MANY empty arms waiting to hold and love on them!!!  I often look at the house and smile and think, “I can’t wait to hear baby cries and giggles!!!”  Oh what a precious sound that will be!!! 

Will you join me in praying for this safe house? Pray that the Botswana Government will act quickly!  Time is of the essence……can you hear their cries?   

I guess when you turn 30, your eyes turn too!  I’ve had great vision, but recently I’ve noticed that my eyes don’t see things like they used to.  I used to be able to read signs from a far distance, but not anymore.  Spending time on the computer strained my eyes and gave me headaches so I figured it was time to get my eyes checked.

So, it was official…..I needed glasses for computer, TV, reading and driving.  I hate glasses….I don’t even wear sunglasses because they drive me nuts.  I didn’t think they would work, but taking them for a test drive on the computer I quickly discovered…..I can see!!!  And I don’t have to squint! 

I tried to pick some stylish frames.  There were far too many choices and I wished I had brought a friend, but alas, this is what I chose………

Do they make me look smart?

Still getting used to them, but I must say……they help a lot! 

And just for fun…….

What a goober!