PS -
You'll notice in the pic below that Miracle and I are bundled up. It has been COLD here! In the high 40's at night. Seriously. And we have no heaters, folks. I like it, for the most part, cuz I get to wear some clothes that otherwise stay in my closet. ;)

Miracle Baby

My Nigerian parents, Reverand Haruna and 'Mommy', took care of Friday, their nephew, for seven years. Just recently Friday died from a sudden sickness at age 12, which devastated Rev. and Mommy. However, God was so good. The day before Friday passed, Mommy was at work at the community health clinic, where she stays for a few nights at a time, since it is outside of Jos. Someone brought in a newborn baby with her umbilical cord still attached. The baby had been abandoned and covered with sand. She was discovered because a dog was biting on her umbilical cord and she began to cry. The mother of the baby, of course, was nowhere to be found. The police interviewed different women in the neighborhood and decided that Mommy was the best candidate to look after the baby while they tried to find her mother. Mommy was caring for her when she received the news that Friday had died. So Mommy bundled her up and took her home with her.

In the midst of the intense grief, God provided a miracle baby to bring joy, comfort and purpose to their lives. I went to their home the day we received the sad news about Friday. When I saw the baby and heard her story I said to Mommy "You must name her Miracle, for indeed she is." She agreed and that is her name. :)

Two months have passed and Miracle continues to bring happiness and God's love into their home. They see how the Lord was so good to them and His timing was just incredible, giving Miracle to them the day before Friday passed. Rev and Mommy have been wanting to have another baby (have 2 older children), but it has not been possible. They are working on formally adopting her.

This picture was taken on Sunday, Miracle's 2 month birthday. She was dedicated at church, which is why she has some eye makeup on - something the Nigerians put on baby girls for special occasions.

Allah ya ba mu godiya kowace rana. Ku kwallo masu! = God gives us blessings every day! Watch for them!

Whew

Whew - we made it. The past month for me, as for many of you I am sure, was a whirlwind of parties, guests, food, music, work, traveling, kids, kids and more kids. It was one of my favorite Christmas' EVER. Dee and Tilly came from Chicago and we had a blast being together and spending every waking moment with our boys and girls. Many of our boys went to a relatives house for Christmas (as part of our reconciliation process - getting kids back into a home environment), but many kiddos were 'left behind'. So we took it upon ourselves to shower love onto them. I will post pics soon.

ALSO, I turned the big 3-0 on January 5th!! I was not so sure how I would feel about leaving the 20's behind, but now I am feeling comfortable with this new season in my life. A few people have reminded me that Jesus started his ministry when He was 30 - my first thought is - HOW did He live so long without sin? Second thought - WHY would He leave heaven to spend such a long time on earth? 100% man. 100% God. Cannot wrap my head around it. But, thank You, Jesus.

Update - Ladi, the young woman in a recent blog of mine, returned to her family in the village on Christmas day!! She is recovering well and Gay Lynn and I hope to visit her next week. Again, pics to come....