How the years have flown since I left my beloved Ugandan home. My time at Amani Baby Cottage was so precious and special to me. I can hardly believe 5 years have passed since I said my good-byes and came back to the USA.
In that time, I said my earthly good-bye to my sweet mother, watched my grandson Nathan beat Cancer twice and remain Cancer free,  I went back to school and advanced my degree, I was promoted to Clinic Operations Manager for a local Colorado Community Health Center, bought a home and now have a mortgage and school loans.
I am not complaining but life was so much simpler (not to mention debt free) when I lived in Uganda. I truly wish at times I could return permanently, but though half my heart is still there, I know that is not where God wants me. I am where I was led to be, and I feel extremely blessed. I hope to be able to take a missions trip for two weeks next year back to the Baby Home. It will be very different, but I sure miss those mamas and Uncles, and those sweet little hands and feet.
Last year we had our first of many Bi-annual Amani Baby Cottage Reunion's in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was absolutely amazing and emotional for all of us. I am blessed to be able to host next year's reunion here in Colorado. It will be in Grand Junction, Colorado ( the gateway to the the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa). I am working on firming up plans now for a venue and a block of rooms which we hope to release soon, so families can start planning for it. It will be held July 27-29, 2018. I can hardly wait for next year to come and see all those precious children I and many others took care of and nurtured while they were at Amani. Just seeing how they are growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Chris and doing so wonderfully with their forever families brings me so much joy and I cannot even begin to explain it.
My grandchildren now number 22. Some of them are now adults and a couple more are close to being full adults. The oldest is 25 and the youngest is 4. Quite a spread.
In addition to working as a nurse/manager, an advocate for health care for all, I am also doing professional photography "Soxx Photography" which is one of my passions. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me in the coming months and years. I continue to be his vessel and serve wherever I am called.

Not The Plan....

It has taken me till today to finally post on my website. I had posted a few weeks back about trying to raise the funds for another mission trip to Amani Baby Cottage. Well, obviously, you now know, I was not able to go.
I had to have a deadline for fundraising, not only common sense sake, but also for my job. I needed to give them a deadline in order to find coverage for the two weeks I would have been gone.
I was not able to meet either. It would seem God has other plans for me this year. Going to Uganda, was not one of them.
I wanted to go so badly, and support the baby home I spent so many years serving. I truly believed it would happen.
As yesterday was the 10th Anniversary Celebration, I believe strongly God has a reason for everything, though I deeply wish I could have gone and spent this time at Amani.
I know that Amani had an awesome celebration yesterday and that many former Amani children were able to attend this celebration. I am so excited for what God has in store for Amani and the next 10 years.
Though, I received some funding, I did not receive enough in time, so now I need to take care of business.
Those of you who so selflessly blessed me with financial support and sent money need to let me know how you want me to return your donation.
Here is a few choices to think about and let me know what to do with your donation dollars.
1. I could return your check or money order to you
2. I could shred it and render it obsolete
3. I could hang on to it for a future trip (which I pray will be within the next year)
4. I could donate it back directly to Amani Baby Cottage or another Christian organization

Some of you have already contacted me to let me know, what you want me to do with your funds. Will those of you who sent or gave funds, take a moment to drop me a line and let me know what you would like me to do with your donation funds.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you who gave both financially and prayerfully. You bless me, even though God chose to keep me here and not in Uganda. Thank you for loving me and these sweet awesome kids I will one day again, Lord willing, get to minister too.
May He bless you and keep you!!
Thank you

Mission 2013 to Amani

Dear Friends and Family;

                Once again, the time has come for a mission trip to Uganda again. I have been blessed to be a part of Amani Baby Cottage (ABC) for as long as I have and I am inviting you to be a part of it.

As most you know, ABC has been a significant part of my life over the last 8 years.  To be called as a missionary to a foreign field is not for the faint of heart, nor is it something to be taken lightly.  In the last 2 ½ years, I have found my way back into the fast lane of America.  I have looked for ways to continue my relationship with my Uganda home while serving from the United States.

                On October 5, 2013, ABC will host a gathering and celebration to mark 10 years as a Christian based, Non-governmental Organization. Amani Baby Cottage (ABC) continues to steadfastly provide love, hope, shelter, food and a home to many of Uganda’s orphaned and neglected children ages newborn to age 5.

                It is my desire and that of my Amani family that I participate in this unique celebration and I need your help.  In order to take this short mission trip, I will need to raise the funds necessary to go.  I will help Amani in any way necessary and give of my time, however short it might be.

                I will be gone for two weeks and will need approximately $3500 total. This will include all the airfare, accommodations, food and cover expenses here back home. I have been given two weeks off to make the trip but will not have vacation time to cover it.

As before, donations to Reaching Hands Mission to Uganda, can be made as a tax deductible contribution if you so desire. I would greatly appreciate your help in getting me there.

Make checks payable to:

Canyon West Worship Center

P.O. Box 448

    Fruita, Colorado  81505 

Note on the memo line: Reaching Hands mission trip 2013

 

Donations are needed now!! Please send ASAP

 

 

PLAYTIME

I just wanted to share with you the amazing gift that Amani Baby Cottage just received. It is something we have been wanting for a long time and what a blessing it is!!! Praise you God for whom all blessings flow!!! Thank you dear friends; the men from Berean Baptist Church of Burnville, MN. and TILT-A-WORLD plus numerous companies donating supplies.

As you will see in the last photo, they placed a permanant memorial honoring those children and teachers that were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary!!

Please rejoice with Amani and enjoy the smiling and joyful faces on their new playground!!