Happy Birthday, Bennett!!!

I am extremely sentimental and nostalgic these days so I have to write something about my Bennett on his birthday today.

Let me back up a bit.  Bennett was kind of a surprise.  It took a long time to get pregnant with Preston (2 years), so I just assumed it would take a long time again.  Boy, was I wrong!  It took 2 months... Bennett is literally 2 years almost to the day younger than Preston.  And this was not planned.  We were definitely trying to get pregnant, just not expecting it to happen so quickly.  I remember asking my prayer partner at the time, Rebecca Pruitt, to pray with me about conceiving another child.  I think she must have a pretty direct connection to the Lord because it didn't take very long for this prayer to get answered.  I am sure grateful for my sweet Ben Ben.

My pregnancy was great, no complications.  I did get sick once from dehydration.  I had gone to visit Matt at Super Summer.  It was the hottest summer on record (until this year, Lol.)  But, no worries.

Anyway, we wanted to know whether it was a boy or a girl.  And honestly, we were hoping for a girl this second time.  Matt and I actually thought maybe it was a girl.  I had a dream the night before my ultrasound that it was definitely a boy.  In my dream, I was wearing a T-shirt that said I am the Mommy to PB&J.  (My "J" named girl is still out there just waiting for us...) Anyway, the next day we went in for the ultrasound.  The nurse asked me if I wanted to know what it was.  And I said it's a boy, without even looking at the screen.  She was surprised and asked how did I know.  I said the Lord had told me in a dream.

All that to say, we were THRILLED to know our second Prince Charming was on the way. 
We scheduled my C-section for October 2, 2006.  The reason we didn't schedule it for October 6th (Preston's Birthday) was that they did not do C-sections on Fridays, so Monday, October 2, 2006, we welcomed Bennett Michael Wolff (BMW). 

I was all prepped and ready.  The Doctor started the procedure, then looked up at one of the nurses and asked, "Where's the Father?"  Somehow in the midst of all the craziness, no one remembered to go get Matt.  So, one of the nurses sprints down the hall and grabs Matt.  He walks in the door JUST in time.  That was kind of funny, looking back on it.  The first thing the doctor said was, "It's definitely a boy and he's peeing everywhere!!!"  LOL!  He was born at 8:06 A.M. and weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces.  (You know how I love number coincidences!)
In the video, you see me shaking and my teeth chattering.  I was freezing.  Don't know if that was the room or all that epidural medicine!  

After this, family came.  Meemaw and Papaw Wolff, Uncle Mike, Mama J and Papa J.  We also had several Cameron Baptist Church friends come visit as well.  Then Preston met Bennett after his Mother's Day Out that day.  He was a little skeptical at first.  But, it didn't take him long to come around.  Preston is the most amazing Big Brother to Bennett.  One of the sweetest memories I have as a Mom to these two precious boys is their joyful laughter.  There was this belly laugh that Bennett had that only Preston could make him do.  It brings tears to my eyes just remembering that.  They both have the best laughs.  And I am so thankful for the joy that they bring to so many.  It is contagious.

More about Bennett on his special day.  He is such a sweet, compassionate, intense, affectionate little man.  He loves to play in the dirt or sand, digging for dinosaur bones or buried treasure.  He has killer dimples.  His smile is irresistable.  And when he hugs you, he squeezes with passionate intensity.  He has always been artistic.  He loves to draw pictures for everyone.  He loves Mickey Mouse.  And he loves to sing and dance or shake his tail feather!  He LOVES coins.  It is hilarious to see him unabashedly ask for your coins.  He is probably already pretty wealthy through all his coin collecting.  He loves younger children, especially his cousins.  He has always had a special way with my two neices.  It is quite sweet and yet another reason he would make an incredible big brother to a little sister.  (Wishful thinking).  He is super intense and passionate like his Papa J, which is a bit intimidating.  My Dad and him are a lot alike, which scares Papa J and me and Matt, LOL!  He can still take a nap during the day and when he wakes up, we call him Mr. Squishy, because it takes him a long time to get back to himself.  He wants to cuddle for a bit.  He loves school and his teachers really love him.  He is pretty independent and does not need to always play with someone.  He can handle playing on his own, which is different from Preston.  He gets more confident when he is around his Big Brother.  The two of them crack me up.  Bennett has a natural mercy and nurturing care for others just like his Daddy.  I cannot even remember our lives without him in our little family.  He speaks with wisdom far beyond his years and says some of the sweetest things.  He is quite charming.  I have had some of his past teachers admit that they let him get away with more just because of how he is.  This is something we will deal with forever I am sure.  His love for his family is so beautiful.  He prays for people by name and knows where his Mama J is and is so very sensitive.

We have read, "Guess How Much I Love You."  There is a line in the book that says "I love you to the moon and back."  Well, guess what he said to me just this morning... "I love you all the way to Heaven and back." 

Bennett Michael Wolff, I feel exactly the same way.  Happy 5th Birthday!  You are becoming a little man right before me.  And I am so grateful to be your Mommy!  I love you all the way to Heaven and back, sweet boy!

Anticipate. Experience. Reflect.

Recently, I received 3 devotion journals from Visiting Orphans.  The first is called Anticipate.  It has been so encouraging.  THREE WEEKS!!!  I cannot believe it. 
I am anticipating and expecting great things. 

"God has opened doors for you to go on this trip.  He is calling you to grow in your faith, to become someone better than you are right now.  He is opening your eyes to live differently than ever before.  The challenge for you will be not just to know the right things to do but put them into practice.  And to do this, not just on your upcoming trip, but from now on... People will see a difference, you will experience joy, and you will take another step toward becoming the disciple of God that you are meant to be."

May it be so, yes Lord!

Anticipate.  Experience.  Reflect. 

2 Corinthians 10:15b-17
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Let this be my heart's cry every day.

Glory to Your Name, Jesus!

Rite of Passage - Africa

So, I am going to Africa in less than a month... whoa!  That is just crazy, but so great.
"Lord, You're so amazing to me, how can I find the words..."
I keep finding myself having so much to say, but without enough words to describe this journey.  It overwhelms me.
Sunday was a blast.  We had our first teleconference with the team.  WOW!  I cannot wait to work alongside these incredible people, who have a huge passion for orphans, and also love Jesus with all their heart and are living it out.  Again, WOW!
I know in my last note, I mentioned the need for supplies.  I have already received some donations for these purposes.  THANK YOU!!!  You all sure know how to give.
If you would like to know what is needed, please see my last blog.  The latest need that has been mentioned is pipe cleaners.  We need thousands.  Pipe cleaners for Africa!!!
Again, THANK YOU!!!  We are also going to make Salvation bracelets.  I will have more details on this soon.  Thank you so much!!!
The team leaders shared a little about the itinerary.  I simply cannot wait.
In Kenya, our teams will be working with the 320 children at Hope Community Center.  We will work and stay at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage. This orphanage is run by a former orphan who dedicated his life to rescuing orphans after realizing the amazing love and care of His Heavenly Father.   In Uganda, this team will work with the children's prisons (yes, you heard correctly!) through the wonderful ministry of "M".  The team will also travel to Jinja and stay at Canaan's Children Home ministering to the children in this orphanage and working with the people and children in the "least of the least" called the Karamajong tribe.  

I am overwhelmed once again.
Thank you for all you have done and for your continued prayers.
I wanted to share this with you.  I can't seem to get over it!
(2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

Generosity Encouraged

 ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

   “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

 ¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 ¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 

You are loved!!!

Update on Africa

So, technically, I am not breaking my Facebook fast by sharing this news with you via my blog. I just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to everyone who has given. I am overwhelmed and not surprised at the Lord's provision. He is always so faithful, unwavering and constant. Happy Joy!!! I can't contain it!
All that to say, thank you! The trip is paid for in full with some extra to spare. Thank you. I thank my God for you, each one of you.
You are impacting orphans in Kenya AND Uganda. WOW! Thank you!
I am now going to be collecting supplies to pack in a suitcase that will go straight to the children at these orphanages.
If you have any:
-school supplies (pencils, sharpeners, pens, markers),
-medical (children's pain reliever - liquid and chewable, triple antibiotic ointment, hydro-cortisone creme, bandaids),
-Flip flops (all colors and sizes),
-sports (jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, balloons, deflated soccer balls, footballs, kickballs, ball pump with needle)
-art supplies (I will have more info on specifics later)

So, if you can supply any of these things, please email me at shilohwolff@hotmail.com

I do still have Acacia necklaces. (I had to request more, which is so cool!) again, thank you!!!

And Visiting Orphans Go.Be.Love t-shirts are coming soon!

If you would like to donate directly to Visiting Orphans, you can go to their website as well. Visitingorphans.org
You can designate it specifically to our trip which is October 12-24, 2011 Kenya/Uganda.

Again, I do not need any more financial support personally, but just wanted to share the opportunities that are still available if you would like to support.

Asante (Thank you)

34 days!!!

So much in store.

Love you all. Thank you for everything.

Blessings,
Shiloh

Last year's blog written by Mom for my Birthday

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Happy Birthday to you, Shiloh

June 28 is Shiloh's birthday. It is also her husband Matt's birthday and Matt's twin brother Mike's birthday, so happy birthday to the three of you. I think Jane, Matt and Mike's mom, said the twins were born at some early hour of the morning. Shiloh was born at 8:46pm on a Wednesday.

I just read a blog by a young woman who literally wrote a six part blog, with six "cliff hangers", about her recent baby being born. Although I think it was a bit much, I know the feeling because having a baby is something you remember in minute detail. I remember almost everything that happened that day, even though it was some years ago.

So, I am going to make Shiloh seem awfully old to any of you young women who are just having your baby today, like Chantel and Mike, congratulations on your Katie Jane born Thursday.

Although I was young and naïve back then, these days I would never take for granted this everyday normal birth. I am so very thankful for everything about it.

We lived in a small town in Missouri. I worked in the hospital where I had the baby, just down the hall in the pharmacy. I knew some of the nurses and aides and then the people in the pharmacy, so that was nice for me. I had worked that day until 3:00pm. This day was 3 weeks before my due date of July 19, so everyone was surprised at how quickly everything happened. I happened to be driving a pickup truck and we had a friend who needed to borrow it, so my girlfriend picked me up from work. We had planned to go swimming that evening, (yes, it seems odd now), but that was our plan. Anyway, I started feeling bad, not that she or I thought it was labor, but that I was just sick. As we drove through the little town where we lived, we saw Jay's truck at the "filling station". Apparently he had had a flat tire. We put a note on the truck and then went to my parent's house. My father thought I might be in labor, since, as he described it later, when he looked at me, I had the "wild eyed" look first time heifers get when they have their first calf. Remember we lived in the country.

Jay got to my parent's house and we decided to go to the hospital around 6:00pm. I had a pretty easy time, well once they gave me some Demerol, and had the baby within a few hours. And guess what, we didn't know if the baby was a boy or a girl until she was born. Hence the term "it's a girl" was literally said when the baby was born.

My parents didn't follow me up to the hospital, but decided to go ahead and go to church since it was Wednesday night. They drove up to the hospital later and were surprised when the doctor said they could come back and see the baby. Then, as this was still the day of the "party line", Jay tried to call his parent's several times and got a "busy signal" so they didn't even know until the next day. We sure take all this instant communication for granted.

So, I had the baby at 8:46pm and then went to a room by around 10:30pm and then Jay just went home. Actually, he probably went to a late night breakfast with our friends and then went home. The dad didn't generally stay at the hospital unless there was something terribly wrong. The next day, he could come in, but the visiting hours were restricted. The dad's could stay a little longer than other family, but generally you had visitors for about an hour in the afternoon and an hour in the evening. And there were certainly no children under 14 or so allowed to visit, unless there was a really good reason.

So that was Wednesday night and I stayed Thursday, then Friday, then Saturday, and yes, actually until Sunday, for just a normal delivery. I saved the hospital bills from my delivery and stay in Shiloh's baby book. Shiloh and I got them out and looked at them and now Shiloh is going to seem really old. The bill for baby girl Douglas was $160 or around $39 per day for room and board. The bill for me was $303, with $225 for the delivery room and about $15 per day for room and board?? I don't know how in the world they only charged $15 per day, but it is true.

I wouldn't trade all the technology available for mothers and babies today. I know my staying in a hospital for 3+ days was not necessary, but my goodness, now you just pop in and pop out. But really, there was nothing like the thrill of hearing "it's a girl" that evening.

Happy birthday Shiloh, you changed our lives forever.

Thanks, Mom!  I missed you so much yesterday.  There was a package on our front porch and I immediately thought you had sent me something, forgetting you aren't here.  It was a weird feeling. 

I had my first dream about you today.  You were bringing the boys home from doing something with them.  You were happy and healthy.  Everything seemed so normal.  You looked great.  

I am grateful God gave me a happy picture of you for my birthday, even in a dream.  I love you and miss you every day.  I still struggle with wanting to call you at some point every day.  Another odd feeling.  

You used to say "I feel like we haven't talked in ages."  Even after one or two days of not talking on the phone.  I miss that.  I miss you.  

This was a great birthday.  We are so blessed and have so many people that love us.  I am so grateful.  

I just miss you and love you on yet another tough milestone.

My Birthday Wish...

Today is my 33^rd birthday! 

A few weeks ago, I asked for prayer for clarity and direction.  The next day, a very dear friend of mine called.  She said she felt like she needed to share this opportunity with me.  I had no idea that when people interceded on my behalf, the Lord would do something this big.  This has always been a dream of mine and a calling in my life.  I am humbled and honored and so incredibly excited.  SDG!!!

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans...in their affliction.”  James 1:27

“There are no orphans of God.”   

This October 12-24, 2011, I have an amazing opportunity to visit an orphanage in Kenya,

Africa.  That’s right AFRICA!!!  This 12 day mission-trip is being organized by a Christian, non-profit ministry called Visiting Orphans.  Visiting Orphans organizes trips for Christian groups to visit orphanages all over the world.  

You can learn more about them at: www.VisitingOrphans.org .

I am writing this on my birthday to ask you to partner with me on this trip by praying, encouraging and financially supporting me.  Please pray that our team will have unity and that our travels will be safe and we’ll remain healthy.  Pray also that God will teach me more about Himself and especially pray that we’ll be able to communicate God’s love to the children we meet.

The cost for me to attend this trip is approximately $3,000. This includes all my travel, lodging, meals, and translators. Once I’ve reached my goal, any additional money raised on my behalf can go toward orphanage donations on our trip.  The large portion of this money ($2,000) is due to Visiting Orphans by August 13th.  The balance will be due around the end of September, three weeks before my trip.

You can make your donations online at: visitingorphans.org .  Click on Make a Donation.  Under Gift Designation, please indicate October 12-24, 2011 Kenya Trip.  Next, click Yes to “Would you like to designate this donation to a specific team member?”  Team Member’s Name is Shiloh Wolff.

You can also send me a Facebook message or mail donations to me directly.  Just message me and I will send you our address.  Please make checks payable to Visiting Orphans.  All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for considering being a part of my support team. If you need to contact me with any questions, please email me at: shilohwolff@hotmail.com or send me a Facebook message.

Thank you for listening to my heart on my birthday.  I appreciate your support and encouragement.

After our trip, I will send you a letter explaining what happened on our trip and show you pictures of our time there.

Yours in Christ,

Shiloh Wolff

June-uary

So, I cannot believe it is June.  I still feel like it is January.  It is such a weird feeling.  But, the ever present smell of sunscreen and outside sweaty boys reminds me that it is overwhelmingly summer. 

I am grateful to have this summer with my boys.  We have packed it full of activities.  Swim lessons, T-ball, Water park, Library story time, Piano lessons, Movies, plus upcoming trips, etc.  It is a little bit of a psychology thing for me.  Maybe if we stay busy enough, the void won't seem so big. 

Believe me when I say, for me, sadly, it is just another reminder of our significant loss.  It is so hard.  I was telling Matt that tonight.  Everything that we do just reminds me that she is no longer here.  I miss her and wish there were better words to describe this feeling.  Missing her seems kind of blah.

Since I last wrote, we have celebrated Easter and Mother's Day without my Mom, I went to San Antonio, Preston started playing T-ball, Bennett finished his days at Mother's Day Out, and Preston graduated Kindergarten. 

With each milestone and moment, the inevitable firsts, the ache and empty feeling remains.

I really had no idea...

But, not to leave on a sad note, I will try to sandwich this post out. 

So, here goes.

I do have a birthday coming up.  My Dad asked me what I wanted.  (My Mom was always the gift giver.)

It will be interesting to see what this year holds.  I feel like there are some huge possibilities, Lord willing.  Would you all just pray for God's wisdom for direction?  I am still in A.D.D. mode, so it is hard to hear His Voice above the madness. 

I have contemplated mission trips, foster care, adoption, travel agent, writing, school, therapy, TOMS shoes sales, and pretty much any cause that crosses my path apart from breast cancer, especially anything with helping children. 

This is just a glimpse.  I don't have a lot of clarity on much of anything these days. 

So, for my birthday, would you all please pray for me? 

What do you get someone that is blessed and doesn't "need" anything? 

Prayer for what is next.

Thank you.