Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

Blog

Explore My News,
Thoughts & Inspiration

RSS Feed

| by | 66 Comments | Views 0

Jodi and I would like to introduce our sweet little Emi
Adison Deetlefs. We celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary on Friday
night, and 8 hours later we welcomed Emi into our family.  We had to have an emergency C-section,
but mommy and baby were just fine. She was born at 8:20 a.m. on Saturday,
October 31st and being a typical girl she doesn’t really want to
share her weight.  

We want to share with you some photos of her first few days.
We are in awe of this little miracle and can’t believe the capacity of our
hearts to love this little girl so deeply. Please pray with us for favor in
quickly getting through the red tape to get her American passport, and for her
Jodi to recover quickly from her surgery.  We look forward to being back in Swaziland soon. Marius has
had to buy new shirts because his chest is so proudly swollen.

Lots of love from the Deetlefs family!

Marius, Jodi, and little Emi

66 responses to “Our sweet little Emi girl!!”

  1. Jodi and Marius,
    Emi is absolutely beautiful! The pictures of her are precious and thanks for sharing them with us. We will be praying for you all as you enter a new stage of loving a little one.

    Peace and grace,
    Bonnie Carlton

  2. This is so exciting! I’m so happy for your new family! And I’m amazed at how much hair she has. I’m praying for you all! Be blessed.

  3. Good gravy! We’ve been waiting on this news!!! Emi is beautiful and we cannot wait to get our hands on her! I absolutely LOVE her hair. We’re praying for the three of you. What a blessing! Your lives will never be the same.

    Love and miss you bunches.
    Tonya & Doyle

  5. This just made my entire day!!!!!! Thank you for the precious photos. I LOVE the one of little Emi staring at her momma. My heart is full of joy to the say the least for you guys. Can’t wait to meet her one day. Jodi, i pray that you heal quickly girl. We love you three. XOXO Anna and Scott

  6. CONGRATULATIONS, you guys!!! She is just a little angel from heaven! I am in awe! What a beautiful, beautiful little girl you have! Love all that hair! I am so glad that you all are okay. Chris and I have been thinking of you and praying for you in anticipation of this event, and we will continue to do so in the coming weeks. Enjoy every second – she’ll grow up way too fast! Absolutely BEST WISHES to you all and many prayers that all goes well for you in the next few months. Please, please don’t hesitate to email me if you need ANYTHING. Or call, or I can still try to figure out that skype thingy, too. I’ll work on that this weekend for you.

    Give her loads of kisses and hugs for me. I can’t wait to see her in person!

    All our love!

  7. Hallo Marius and Jodi

    First time on the website and what amazing news! Congratulations to both of you. She is beautiful. Enjoy every moment,they grow up too fast.

  10. Jodi & Marius,
    Congrats on your precious new baby girl! She IS beautiful and what a great head of hair. Enjoy every minute, as they grow so quickly. My prayers are with you, Jodi, as you recover, and with your entire new little family!
    Marj

  11. She is beautiful; isn’t God amazing, especially when it comes to giving life in the form of babies. Still praying for the both of you and your family.

    Harry

  16. I was so happy to open my email just now and read your wonderful news! Aren’t we so blessed to have the technology to share info from so far away. Blessings on your days together with little Emi. She’s just precious!

  17. She is beautiful! i would love to hold her and i bet i know a Nana that would too. Congratulations! We love you, kaka

  18. What a little sweetie! I am so happy for y’all. I know that the Swazi children are going to absolutely LOVE this new baby sisi and what a great family of uncles and aunties she’ll have growing up!

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

  19. She is absolutely beautiful! I know that you guys are just “over the moon”!! Thanks for sharing this precious event with us!! (((HUGS)))

  20. Emi is absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for keeping us posted and sharing the incredible pictures. We’ve been praying for you guys and will continue to do so. What a beautiful and blessed family!!

  21. I can’t wait to hold you Emi baby! Only 2 more days and I’ll be ther to take my turn rocking and spoiling you. Love you guys. Ouma Cheryl

  22. She is so BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks for sharing your precious one with us. I hope recover from the surgery fast!
    Fred

  23. She is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Congratulations! We rejoice with you in the arrival of such a blessing! Love you all!!!

  24. We are SO SO estactic for you guys. Emi is beautiful and you guys are amazing. Wish I was in SA to celebrate with you. One day my friends one day…

    Love the Quigley’s

  25. She is beautiful

    Matt and Denisha had a 9 pound 8 ounce, 23 inches long, Monday 8 pm, Isabella Reese Bruce will send pic

  28. She is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! We are so happy for you guys!!! I cannot wait to hold her someday!!! We love you very much and are praying that everything works out with the passport and Jodi’s recovery!!!

    Love,
    Chris and Becky Ridler

  29. awhhhh – sys pragtig BEAUTIFULL!! baie baie baie baie geluk!! hope that she is just a blessing for u 2!!! lotsoflove xxxxx

  30. Jodi and Marius,
    I am so happy for you! She is so cute and I praise God for being with all of you and bringing her here safely. Sorry Tricia and I just missed being in South Africa at the same time as you. May God bless you all.
    Love,
    Marty

  33. She is wonderful! What a beautiful girl! I’m so excited for you and I’m glad to hear that all is well. Blessings on you all.
    Annika

  34. So very glad to get word for Emi’s arrival. She is a beautiful little girl! No doubt you will forever remember the moment you first set eyes on her….it’s overwhelming in such a wonderful way, don’t you agree? Jodi, hope you are back to the “new normal” soon. Blessings to you three.

    Love, Cindy

  36. We are so happy for the three of you. Welcome to a new journey and the most rewarding one you will have. enjoy all the new changes and joy of your new addition.

  37. Jodi and Marius!!!!! wow – she is so incredibly beautiful but of course!!!! I loved all your pictures and I cried when I saw the one of Jodi and Emi just looking at each other -every tiny baby is such an incredible miracle and we are all thrilled for you both! We’re praying for a quick recovery from the c-section and sweet time as you all get to know each other. We love you! Wendy for all the Gibsons xoxo

  38. OHHHHHH!!!!!! She is a DOLL! Oh I just love her already! She looks so big! We can’t tell you how very happy and proud we are for you guys! Welcome sweet Emi!

    Much love!
    Charlie & Erika

  40. Jodi and Marius. I have goosebumps!! She is so beautiful! I love the one of Emi in her bed looking at her Mommy in the other bed.
    I love you,
    Gail

  41. Congratulations!! What a sweetie! She is a KEEPER! and a beauty; We are so glad for you both. Say “Hi” to grandma and grandpa when they get there

  42. Congratulations,
    I think I can see some Stancil in that face…well done and enjoy that gift of life!!!

    Steve

  43. My goodness what a sweet looking baby. Congratulations! The church is beaming with you and your family. Blessings, Jill

  44. Praise be to God! Hallelujah! I rejoice with you both and with our Lord and the angels! Emi Adison is soooo beautiful! Her eyes are so bright, already shining the love of Jesus. And that head full of hair! The Lord’s richest blessing be upon you and His Presence be manifest all around you. A sweet young couple who live in my neighborhood (Todd and Julie Garrison) had a baby girl today, Audrey Elise. The Lord had me call right when she was born and I got to hear her first cry–Wow! My birthday was yesterday–she almost made it then! Two new precious daughters of the King born to bring us joy–
    what cause for celebration! Love you and praying for you.

  45. What a head of hair! She’s amazing. Absolutely beautiful and adorable. You’ve been on my mind a lot this wk. Been praying for you steadily. Will continue to pray for a speedy recovery so you can perform all the new motherly duties. Thank you so much for sharing the photos. Made my day to see you both healthy and beautiful. Congrads and Praise the Lord. May the Lord Bless and Keep you.
    Love ya,
    Dee

  46. Congratulations! We’re so proud of you. May God bless you as a family.
    Marius – sterkte met die doeke! Die beste ding wat jy vir klein Emi kan bied is om elke dag liewer te wees vir haar Ma!
    Jodi – wish we could give you a hug. We’re so glad God blessed you with a baby. We know you’re going to be a great Mom, as you are a great wife, daughter and friend!!!!
    Heinrich & Elmarie Viljoen
    (Kathu in the Kalahari)

  47. Hi Marius and Jodi

    Congratulations on Emi, she is gorgious. can’t wait to meet her in person. God is amazing as to how he can create such miracles. enjoy her as much as you can everyday, as time goes by so quickly and when you look again she will be big.

    God Bless you all.

    Darrell, Laura, Lauretta and Micaela
    SOUTPAN

  48. We are SOOOOO excited for you all!! Love the pic where mom and Emi are looking at each other =). I think she looks like Kris!! =)

  50. I’m teary! So beautiful 🙂 Praying for your full recovery sooner, rather than later!

  52. Congratulations to the new Daddy and Mommy. She is beautiful. Get well soon. God is an awesome God!

  53. Congralutions to the both of you! It won’t be long before you will start asking yourself how did we ever live life without you!

  54. Congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family. I will pray that little Emi allows both of you to get plenty of sleep the next few months.

  55. Hallelujah!! Emi looks just like Jodi!! She is so cute and beautiful. I am so happy to hear that all well with you, Jodi. Our family and my church in Japan are praying for you guys so I am glad that I can share this great news to the church people on Sunday! Hope all of you can sleep well (specially little Emi-chan so that mama & papa can sleep well, too!).

    We love you so much!

    Juri, Masaki & Haluto

  56. Isn’t God Awesome! What a wonderful gift HE has given you after 4 years of marriage.She is absolutely beautiful but what did I expect from 2 truly beautiful and amazing parents! Blessings on all 3 of you and a quick recovery for Jodi.

  58. Jodi/Marius:

    Congratulations to all three of you! God is so gracious and faithful to answer your prayers asking to be Parents. Emi has beautiful skin and a gorgeous face. You are going to have such fun putting ribbons and bows in Emi’s hair. My prayer for Emi is that God will continue to bless every breath that this tiny miracle takes, now and forever more. May God continue to bless both of you as continue your mission as wonderful parents and missionaries.

    “Bring up your daughter to know the Lord and she will ALWAYS have a built in chaperone.” (Virginia version)

    Congratulations on a magnificent miracle.

    Praises,
    Virginia and Jerry

  59. Marius & Jodi, She is SO beautiful and with all that hair. We are so happy for you. Now you get to experience a new level and understanding of God’s love for us. Love Chris

  60. Hey jodi and maruis

    congrats on the new bundle of joy u have a wonderful time with her. she is the most cutest thing i have ever seen i miss u guys very much hope to see you soon

    love u terry-leetjie

  61. Wow, thank you so much for sharing. She looks absolutely precious! All LOVE! God Bless you both!

  62. Every time that I look at these pictures, I die! The second picture of her looking at Jodi is so precious! I hope that you guys are having a great time with your parents! We are loving Savannah being here, if your parents want, they can stay there for a couple more weeks than planned… hehe :o) Love you, Sweet Friends! Can’t wait to see more pictures!!!!!!

  64. oh my.. what a sweet, precious little girl! the pictures are great–thanks for sharing!!! so excited for you both. 🙂

  65. Jodi & Marius, she is so beautiful! Look at all that hair. Congratulations and I know you guys are so happy. I can’t wait to get my hands on her and your Momma is so proud. I hope all is well with all 3 of you. You take care and just love each other everyday and thank God for the many many blessings in life.
    We love you all very much.
    Sandra & Randy