Liza's "Brother's and Sister's" - Brody

I've shared before about some of Liza's friends that she grew up with who are still waiting. Recently a friend who is adopting one of Liza's friends referred to these other kids as her son's "brothers and sisters" and I realized that she was right. These kids were the only brothers and sisters that Liza knew until we brought her home. They fought just like siblings do. As I was told Liza and Victoria did quite a bit before V was transferred. I really hope that a family finds her soon and that we can get the girls together again. I'd love to see what they think of each other when they don't have to fight for the attention of the adults in their lives.

My friend, Andrea was able to spend lot's of time with all of these children and since she has returned home it has become her greatest hope to see them all adopted by loving families. She posted recently about Brody.

When we were in Ukraine we were able to meet Brody and I haven't been able to forget him. Poor Brody just cried constantly and even at times would harm himself by banging his head on the floor as hard as he could. Unfortunately, when he did this no one tried to stop him :( It was almost as if at four years old he already felt that all hope for him was gone. It totally broke my heart and I prayed for him to receive help from somewhere. To have someone who would love him no matter what. Andrea did just that every chance she had, but we all knew that her time there was going to come to a close and we worried what life for Brody would be like then.

Praise God that before Andrea left Brody was transferred! Wait, since when do we rejoice about a kid being transferred? This transfer turned out to be a good thing for Brody. Andrea said he is much calmer, his head no longer has ping pong ball size knots on it, he is loved and treated with respect. That is something worthy of praising God for! It would be even better, though, if he had a family. Please go and read Andrea's post about Brody. If you know of someone looking for a sweet boy who has so much potential. Who just needs to continue to have hope poured back into him, please share Brody's story with them. He is worth it!

5/5/5 Warrioring

I love to say Warrioring :) I don't know if it's even really a word, but I just like the way it sounds and what it stands for. It means we are literally fighting for the lives of kids who have no one else to fight for them. I never really thought of myself as a fighter until I realized how passionate I was about the least of these. Whether it's the orphan around the World, the young man in the grocery store who no one else wants to look at because he has an extra chromosome, or even just my little brother who, at 6 years old, had the audacity to step on the brand new shoes of one of the high school football players (that's a story I should really share someday).

As of May 5 Reece's Rainbow has launched a new Warrior program to advocate for all of the children listed who are five years old. Why only the five year olds? Because five is the average age that a child will be transferred to the institution. Liza was TWO months from turning five when we took her from the orphanage and I know that's where she would've gone if we had been denied her referral, which almost happened. She actually should have gone at four but because they knew we were coming and she was a favorite they held her as long as they could.

Those of you who have met her:

Can you imagine this child living in an institution?

I know how far she's come in the amount of time she's been with us and I shudder to think what a transfer would've meant to her. New faces, new routine, all new caregivers. Maybe she wouldn't have been the favorite anymore. Maybe her tendencies to try to be in charge of everyone wouldn't have been seen as cute and endearing. Maybe her Drama Queen moments would've landed her on the bottom of the pyramid when it came to attention, feeding, bathing, and all those other little things that are needed to keep at least a semblance of health and happiness. Just thinking of the possibilities causes me to praise God once again for changing the circumstances that could've kept us from receiving her referral in Ukraine. That's another story I should tell someday....

So, now we come back to sweet Callie.

We originally planned to adopt from China but then weren't qualified. So, she is my China baby of my heart till her Mama finds her :)

She is in China, she's five, and she desperately needs the same chance at a new life that Liza has been given. Please help me find her Mama or donate to her fund to help her Mama/Papa find her.  Do it because you have a heart for orphans. Do it as a tribute to Liza. Do it because we are commanded to care for the Widow and the orphan. Do it because Callie has no voice except the one that we give her. 

Spreading the Truth Pandemic

My Sweet Friend, Carolyn, founder of Project Hopeful made this video with her family and some friends a while back. I shared it on Facebook but never posted it here. I watched it again today and cried. Again. The truth is so beautiful. Really, isn't it? All I can think is if the truth in this video is spread how many children left alone and dying could be saved. Their lives literally saved as they are placed in families who are willing to love them and give them every opportunity to be healthy and to just be children.

Some of the things stated in the video that stick out to me - that I really need to remember for those conversations with folks stuck in the 80's are:

• There has NEVER been a case of HIV transmission in a normal family living situation (that's not 1 or 2 cases here or there. that's N.E.V.E.R!!)
• HIV is considered a chronic, but manageable disease. (like diabetes, psoriasis, Celiac's, and Chrohn's)
• HIV is 100% preventable! WOW! Did you see that?  ONE HUNDRED PERCENT :)
• HIV can be controlled with medication so that it can become UNDETECTABLE in blood tests. Umm, let me say again - WOW!
• HIV is only spread 3 ways - Mother to infant (birth or breastfeeding), sharing drug needles, unprotected sex. 

These are the truths about HIV/AIDS, but so many don't realize. They really are stuck in the 80's. Even including people in my family. But, that's ok because I know these truths now and I use them every chance I get to try and change mind-sets. It's important, not for me but for the ones who wait. 

Like Angie! O.M.G! If you don't want to snatch her up and kiss her sweet face there is something wrong with you. Just sayin'. She is in the place Liza came from so I can tell you lots about it if you're interested. She waits only because of a diagnosis of HIV, seriously? And people go home from this country all the time because they weren't shown children under ages 3 or 4 without "serious medical concerns". I say to them, "PLEASE people! Get over yourselves!"

There's also Marcus. Oh, this sweetheart just looks like he needs his Mama :( Where ARE you Marcus' Mama?!

PLEASE look at this Beautiful baby boy! Wow! Sutton is gorgeous, ain't no two ways about it, he just is. The region he's in is FAST and easy. Someone is missing out on this baby boy. And they say there are no healthy children under 6 in this country. Guess that depends on your definition of healthy, now doesn't it?

Here's Wyatt. He's in the same region with Sutton and has the sweetest smile. His bio describes him as a wonderful little boy. He just needs a family to encourage him to continue to grow into a wise and caring young man. 

Handsome Avery. He's available to be adopted by single moms. Hooray for single mommies! (There should be a song for single moms, I imagine it to the tune of Beyonce's "Single Ladies"... LOL) Somebody, Single Mommy or Married Mommy, snatch him out of there and into your family.

Sweet Little Benji-baby (that's Noah's middle name and I use to call him that.. don't tell him I posted that here!) This little fella is also where Liza is from and I think I may have seen him once or twice but am not positive. If it was him he was a very friendly little guy- sweet and CUTE!

I can't leave out Larisa. Such a beautiful girl! She also represents all the "Older kids" who will age out and have almost no options because of Orphan status compounded by HIV status. This is SO wrong! Please someone take a chance on her. If it's not you then spread the word about her until her family sees her face and realizes they are missing her. Please....

Kaylee, because I have always had a soft spot for her. I am almost sure I have posted about her before but am too lazy to go find a link. We all thought she had a family, but just recently found out that she still waits. Dad-gum it she is CUTE! I know there is a family waiting for her somewhere, perhaps somewhere near me ;o)

Anna B, has also stolen my heart. I don't know why, maybe because of her beginnings, she was a preemie who they didn't think would make it the first year and then she just blossomed! I love it when the under-dog proves everybody wrong. I think she will accomplish whatever she sets her mind to, she  just needs a family to help her along the way. Plus, she just looks like a little fairy or an elf, doesn't she? :)

There are so many more kids who are waiting, you can see them here on Reece's Rainbow. Only because they have a diagnosis of HIV. Now that you know the Truth, aren't you wondering, like me - WHY? Please go to Project Hopeful for more info on adopting a child with HIV/AIDS.  

Meeting Cool People

Tonight we had the honor of attending a fundraiser for another family in our area adopting a Reece's Rainbow child. The House family is adopting Martin from a country that is almost a relative to the one Liza is from. It was such a fun night. We got to meet some really nice people and sow into the adoption of another child. Martin has actually already been sent to an institution and the Melissa and Charlie are working really hard to get him out of there as soon as they can. Please consider going to their Family Sponsorship Page and helping them with a donation.

We also got to meet the Dirkes Family. Kelly and Kyle were so nice and easy to talk to. They are bringing home a little girl they are naming Charlotte and already call Charlie. I love the nickname Charlie for a little girl, so cute! That was pretty cool, and then later on I looked around and saw a cute little face I recognized from her Mama's blog. Bethany and her family were there and it was really neat to finally talk "In Real Life" to someone whose blog I've followed since a little before we committed to Liza.

BUT, the MOST amazing thing about tonight was meeting this beautiful Lady! An angel to all of us who have adopted or are adopting children we fell in love with because of Reece's Rainbow.

Yep! Andrea and her family were there! It was so awesome to watch her meet Liza for the first time. She cried, I cried, Liza hugged her and went back to eating. LOL I have said to myself many times since we brought Liza home that Andrea is our hero. If not for her we would never have known of Liza, we wouldn't have Liza with us now. People Magazine had it right when they honored her as a Hero Among Us - she truly is. If it wasn't real to me before it became real tonight when I saw how seeing Liza happy and healthy blessed her to the point of crying happy tears.

Tonight was a great night!

Miracle for Masha

Masha has over $17,000 in her Grant!!

Masha

Kind of a sappy sounding title, but whatever, I guess I am a sappy kind of person. Masha needs a family ASAP, and she doesn't have time for me to try to gather my thoughts and think of something witty to say or a title that might grab somebody's attention. She's set to soon, very soon, be sent to an institution that no child has been adopted out of. That is pretty much a death sentence for her, especially since right now at 4 years old she weighs 13 pounds and is the size of a ONE year old!

My friend Shelly and her husband are at her orphanage right now adopting their daughter and have visited with Masha. Here's what Shelly has to say about her:
"She has FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) and is the sweetest little muffin. Do not by any means let the diagnosis of FAS scare you off as Brian and I were blessed yesterday to be able to interact with her for close to 15 minutes and in that time she dispalyed more skills and cognitive abilities than most children we have encountered. Oh my is she a complete doll with a great sense of humor and a smile that lit up the room. We started playing peek-a-boo and immediately she copied us and just giggled up a storm! She also was talking to us, in Russian, but nevertheless she was talking. Then I started blowing her kisses and she acted as if she was catching them then laughed out loud.
Ok, so this is where I need you and please just take 2 minutes to help. You see we just found out yesterday that Masha was getting her physical, not to give her general medical care, but to prepare her for transfer to the adult mental institution. The very same place that Reagan is in now. The very director who has never allowed one single adoption. The place where a small child will be left to lay around with no interaction or love. The place these children are sent to die. Masha is 4 years old yet she weighs about 13 pounds and is the same size as our little Carrington. Currently prayers are being sent up all over this world for our little Reagan as Monday will be the day we face the biggest mountain yet: the Director. This woman will determine whether or not Reagan will have the chance to know the love of a family and whether or not Reagan will even get to see her next birthday. We have every bit of faith God called us over here to bring Reagan home but our emotional distress is over Masha and her future."


So, please help us find Masha's family! Post this to Facebook or twitter or wherever. Just get the word out so that this child can be saved from the place that she will be sent. Thanks!

Help Me Out HERE!!

Can someone please go and get these kids already??!! Every day I check the My Family Found Me page hoping to see at least one of them on there and every day I am disappointed. Please put me out of my misery by committing to one of these babies or sharing with someone who has been missing them and may not have known it until they see their face.

Andrey S

This little guy will soon be the ONLY CHILD with DS left in Liza's former orphanage. On one hand that's great! So many will be going home soon or already have, but on the other hand it's sad for Little A. He has no one who seems to even be interested in him :( This little boy is deserving of a family just like all the other kids that have left or are leaving deserve theirs.

Charity

Oh my goodness!! I have fallen head over heels for this little cutie, and every day I  say to myself, "Self! What in the World are you thinking? Self... I'm talkin to you!! Don't even think about it!" As much as I may wish, we just can't go back right now for Charity or any other child. So, please save my Self from myself ;o) You know by adopting her or finding someone who will. Me, myself, and I would really appreciate it!

Sonya :)

Sonya was Noah's Christmas Stocking Angel, and now he has her picture printed out to remember to pray for her. We would be ecsatic if she was to have a family - soon!

Kathleen

Isn't she cute?! She was Austin's Christmas Stocking Angel and we have her pic printed too. Kathleen's family? Where are you? Come on out and make our day!!

Antonio

Oh. Em. Gee!! I can not get over how cute he is! Antonio is another one who will watch all his friends leave soon but he will still be there. I can't believe no one has stepped forward for him yet... Come on, PLEASE!

Evan :)

My little buddy, Evan! Still waiting and still just as cute as he can be :)

Maxim!!

Also still waiting :( I don't know how much more I can take of every day looking to see if Maxim's been moved to the MFFM page and every day seeing that he's still on the Older Boy's page. Every time the shared grant on that page goes up into the few thousands I think "this time is his time", but so far I've been wrong :( 

Below are a few more cuties, a couple with HIV or CP, who are still waiting. So deserving of families - each and everyone of them. Please help me get the word out abut them.

Ali

Arlene

Beckett

Andrew

Anjelica

  

Kate

Dima

Heath

                                                                                                                     

Honestly, I've tried to be funny here and keep everything light, but these kids NEED families! And there is a big part of me that just doesn't want to be nice about it anymore. Sorry, but that's the way it is. If you say you love Jesus and you care about what he cares about - then you should care about every single face you see here. If you say you have a heart for the orphan and "someday" you want to adopt, then I say to you, "what's the hold up?!!" Get down in the dirt, it's time to get dirty! Just sayin'....

One More Who Will Be One Less

Sweet Tanya

Remember the beautiful little face above? I do. I think of the one those sweet cherub cheeks belong to almost every day. Yesterday I got some of the best news since Rick told me he wanted us to adopt Liza.

TANYA IS GETTING A FAMILY!!!!

I was so happy when I heard the news from Andrea that I couldn't even type a coherent reply back to her. All I could do was cry. Thank you God for Tanya's family! I may never know them but I will be forever grateful to them for being the answer to my prayers for this child that I grew to love in just three short weeks.

In my happiness though, I can't help but continue to remember the ones who will once again be left behind when Tanya goes home with her new Mama and Papa. 

Vika!!

Oh, sweet Coca-Cola! Every time I see this picture of her I am just reminded how much I love this girl. She is so full of fire and life and I SO want to see her taught to channel that into a passion for Jesus. Just imagine the damage one little fired up Coca-Cola girl could do for the kingdom of God! Kinda gets me fired up just thinking about it :) Vika's family where are you??!!

Maxim :)

Then, of course, I could not finish a post about the kids who wait without including my buddy Maxim. More and more of the older boys on Reece's Rainbow are being chosen. But, day after day Maxim still waits for his turn. I wonder if it's because the place where he's at is considered "not that bad" . He is fed, clothed, kept from the cold and from harm. But is he being encouraged to be everything that he could be? I wonder if he had been born into a loving family where he would be right now? Would he be in Kindergarten today? Learning his ABC's and 123's? Would he be a lover of Signing Time with a sign vocabulary that would blow us all away? Would he be a music lover learning to play the piano? Maybe you think he doesn't have a  lot of potential. To that I say, I say, "So what?". So what if he doesn't live up to your idea of "potential". Especially if you are a Christian and a pro-life Christian (which if you're Christian you ought to be pro-life! Just sayin'). Who decides Maxim's potential? You or the God who created him just the way he is?


I am celebrating Tanya's Victory today. Soon she will have what she's been longing for - her own Mama and Papa. But, at the same time I mourn for those ones who I love who seem to be overlooked over and over again. Waiting anxiously for the day that it will be their turn to be the chosen ones. I pray their day comes soon!
*Please click over to this link on Andrea G's blog for the faces of some other sweet kids who wait from Liza's orphanage! Most of them are also listed on Reece's Rainbow here and here.*

Music and Life: This Christmas

I love this song. It has been one of my favorite Christmas songs by a Christian artist since it was first released. the story of the little boy touches you and draws you in. It just makes you remember what Christmas is really supposed to be about.

But THIS Christmas it hits me so much harder. This Christmas everytime I hear this song I can't help but look at my daughter and ache for the Christmases that she was alone, but in the same moment rejoice that she is now no longer an orphan. That This Christmas she will celebrate with a family. She will belong.

But, still the tears come. My throat clogs up and I can't talk. Because This Christmas I remember the faces of the children who are still there. The ones who will be all alone This Christmas. I can't stand the thought. I'm crying as I type this. "My" sweet hearts - the ones I held and loved on. The ones I saw from across the room because I wasn't allowed to go in to them and they were never allowed to come out because they can't walk, or they can't see. These faces are haunting me This Christmas. I can't stand the thought that there are children who will pass Christmas day as if it were just another day. Now that I have seen them and held them it is so much more real to me. My heart is breaking.

This Christmas my prayer, my wish, the only thing I really want is for them to have families who want them. Who will move Heaven and Earth to bring them home. That truly is my hearts cry.

Please visit Reece's Rainbow. I beg you to especially take a look at Maxim or Evan or Kate or just any of the hundreds of kids listed who need families so desperately.

Music and Life: Can't Forget What I Saw

I've shared this song before but the video was slightly different. I have loved the song ever since the first time I heard it, I felt like she was singing my heart's cry. But, since I have been here and so many of those faces have become real, and not just pictures on my computer screen, this song has even more meaning.

I saw what I saw and I really can't forget it. People talk about how there is a hunger in the children's eyes and it makes you tear up, but it's not real until you've seen it yourself. Until you've held them in your arms and you know that when you leave you can't take them all with you. I laughed when they chased after us for snacks and attention, but I cried my last day there knowing I was leaving them behind.

Come on just imagine for a minute. Can you see what I've seen? The need is so great, but we have been called to meet it. All it takes is one step of faith. I promise He will meet you there. He is FAITHFUL and He has called.

Religion that God our Father accepts as

pure and faultless is this: to look after

orphans and widows

in their distress and to keep oneself

from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Please consider giving a donation to Reece's Rainbow today to give these children a home, a hope, and a future. You could donate to Evan, my Christmas Angel, or any of the other kids listed on Reece's Rainbow. The only thing that stands in the way of all of these kids having families is money. It's the honest truth, in the last few months I have seen at least 3 kids have families commit to them the MOMENT there grants were fully funded. Please give or go. Allow yourself to see what I, and so many others, have seen. It is SO worth how your heart may break!

Maxim

Mr Maxim is in the same region as my Liza, and as we've been in this process I have gradually fallen in love with this little boy and if we were approved to bring home 2 we would be bringing him home with Liza.

Please someone step forward for him and be the family that he absolutely deserves. Take a chance on this little boy! It will be the best bet you will ever make in your lifetime. I just know it in my bones! He will be a tremendous blessing to you and every one that his life touches. I would be your biggest cheerleader if you just step out of the boat. Please!

This is his Reece's Rainbow profile: (the link will take you to his page, he is 17 down)
"Maxim is a precious little boy who has already been sent away to the institution. He needs a family immediately!! He is 5 1/2 years old, with blonde hair and blue yes. He struggles with strabismus in both eyes and a significant tongue thrust, but surgery/glasses and OT will help with that! Please give Maxim the chance to grow up in a loving family, so he can realize his full potential!!



We have already had a family adopt from this institution, so Maxim still has an opportunity to be saved and to live the life he so richly deserves!"

Getting Our Fifteen Minutes

Tomorrow a lady from our local paper is coming to interview us. We get to talk about our adoption, Liza, Reece's Rainbow, and I guess whatever comes out of our mouths at the moment. And with Rick, well, you just never know....

Seriously, I am looking forward to it and hope that it will bring local support to us as a family as we continue to fund-raise in these last few weeks before bringing Liza home. I also am really hoping to see more families right here in my area step forward and adopt, I would LOVE for someone local to realize that they've been missing someone in their family and find that someone in one of the faces on Reece's Rainbow.

If you think of us between 8:30 and 10:30 pray that every word we speak would be Spirit led. I want to touch hearts; not just for our own sakes but also for the kids who are still waiting. Thanks! : )

Now Featuring

Us on the Reece's Rainbow blog! Reece's Rainbow's own Lu, over at Poppies Blooming, does a series called "Meet the Families" for all the Reece's Rainbow families in the process of adopting and it was our turn. So, if you've wondered why we're adopting or how we decided on Liza there are a few answers there. It sure was nice to see my Girl's picture front and center!

The button below can be grabbed and added to your blog if you'd like to help spread the word and get the families of Reece's Rainbow noticed. If you click on it you can find the code at the Reece's Rainbow blog.



Even more exciting than that, is this: Reece's Rainbow is featured in PEOPLE magazine! I think that is so cool. Imagine the numbers of people who will be reading about this ministry in the next few days. You'll find them in the "Heroes Among Us" section of the issue pictured below.

Reece's Rainbow Advocating

Ever read the book, "A Mother for Choco"? If not, you should really check it out. It's great for even just teaching compassion to little children. Not to mention adoption and seeing everyone as more alike than different. I love that book and read it to my boys over and over when they were small. I challenge you to look at the pictures of these kids and imagine them asking, "Are you my mother?" Come on, what have you got to lose really?

   This is Vera. Her sad face jumped out at me today on Reece's Rainbow and I couldn't stand it, I just had to get her face out so someone will see it and maybe her family will find her. Her description on Reece's Rainbow includes a caption that says, "Please come for me soon, Daddy." It really looks like that's what she's hoping for. However, she is in a country that single women can adopt from so if she catches your heart and you're a single mommy I'm sure she would love to have you! Vera's Mommy or Daddy? Are you out there? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.

This is Claire! My friend from Christmas, remember her? She just turned two years old back in January and she has a $500 grant now. She's at a really great age to benefit from a loving family and all the early intervention that she needs. I just know she could thrive if she was adopted. She's in the same country and region as Vera. So, single moms are accepted. Are you her family? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.




                                                                             
This cute little baldy is Anna B and if you look very close it looks like she's wearing earrings. She is absolutely beautiful, isn't she? I can just imagine how stunning she would be when her hair was allowed to grow out. She needs a mommy and daddy to help her reach her full potential. Do you know them? Same country and region as the girls above. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





This is Elena. I just love her DARK hair and eyes with her light complexion. And those cheeks!Isn't she gorgeous? She also is in need of someone to love her and provide her with the early intervention services that would help her to thrive and reach her fullest potential. She's in the same region and country as the other girls and all information and requirements can be found here. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





There are so many other kids listed with Reece's Rainbow, please give them a look. I could have posted one hundred pictures here and still had others that I would love see find a family. All of them just waiting for someone to fall in love with them. It really could be you and your family. So, what are you waiting for? What's holding you back?

Update on Tonya & Claire

To Give Tonya Hope
CLICK HERE

Since I posted about Tonya the other day we found out tht there IS a family that wants to adopt her but is worried about the financial aspect of adopting internationally. In other words the only thing stopping them is money. So, Lu, a friend in London has created this button to help spread the news about Tonya's need. If you are willing to help please grab the code for the button and paste it wherever it might be seen.  There is a family at her orphanage now adopting a friend of Tonya's and they say that she really wants a Mommy and Daddy. Let's see Tonya's Hope of a family become reality!
As for Miss Claire: She now has $400 in her grant fund! Yay! So, if you donated after reading my last post: Thank You! I am hoping that she will reach at least $1000 by the end of the Angel Tree and that she will have a family committed to adopting her. If you are interested in any of the children featured on Reece's Rainbow you can contact Andrea Roberts, her info can be found here.

Tonya and Claire

Look at Tonya all decked out in her pink winter outfit! Pink certainly seems to be her color. She is still waiting for a family and her profile can be found on the Reece's Rainbow site here under ophanage 24. She is also on the Angel Tree under "Help me get to $2500". Her total grants together are over $4000. This will really help to defray some of the costs of her adoption. Are you her family? Do you know someone who might be? She's been waiting a long time and is at the age she can be transferred to the institution.  I really don't want to see that happen to her.

Sweet little Claire! This is my Christmas Angel Baby, who I have not done a great job of advocating for. You can find Claire on the Angel Tree under "help me get to $500". Every DOLLAR donated to her fund helps bring her closer to having a family. But, for $35 you get an ornament with her picture on it to hang on your tree. How great would it be to pull out her ornament next year and know she is celebrating Christmas with her family and you had a part in that! There are truly families who would love to step up and commit to these children but can't because of the cost. So, the grant funds that Reece's Rainbow raises for them really are saving lives every day.

In just the 30+ days that the Angel Tree has been up this year 28 kids have had families step forward to adopt them. I am blown away by this and looking forward to who's moved to the "My Family Found Me" area next. Maybe it will be Tonya? Oh, I hope so! Or Claire? That would be great! OR maybe BOTH of them? That would be SPECTACULAR! :)

Reece's Rainbow Christmas Video

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

If you're touched by one of these beauties please contact Andrea with Reece's Rainbow to learn more about adoption. The adoption grants raised through RR really go along way to help each child find a family, but if you're still nervous I would urge you to check out Lydia's story. If they can do it what's stopping the rest of us? It can be done, and with all the roadblocks we've faced I can still say that. More news on that to come ;o)

Claire/The Angel Tree

Remember Claire? She's the little one I'm praying for during the Holiday's this year. she's still waiting for her Mom and Dad to come for her. To adopt her into a loving family and out of the orphanage. Away from the threat of the institution.

Even if you don't feel that you are called to adopt I encourage you to take a look at Reece's Rainbow's Angel Tree and sponsor one or more of the children featured there. There is truly no shortage of families that are ready and willing to bring these children home, but there is a shortage of funds all too often.

The NUMBER ONE reason I hear for people not adopting is the cost. So, please sponsor a child. I would love for it to be Claire, but go and take a look at the Angel Tree and decide for yourself. Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament for every $35 donation and it's Tax-deductible. It can be a wonderful way to teach your kids to pray for the orphans. Hang the ornament on your Christmas Tree or display it in a prominent place to remind you to pray every day. I can tell you, it's an amazing feeling when you find out a child you've been praying for has been committed to by a family.

Let's see the lives of some special kids changed this Christmas! To get to the Angel Tree click on the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Ornament on the sidebar or this link http://www.reecesrainbow.org/angeltree2009sponsorpage.html MAKE SURE to mark any donations with Claire's (or the child you choose) name so that the donation is marked specifically for them.

Christmas Angel Ornaments

It's almost time for the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree project again. You can't see the kids or sponsor them but you can get a button that you can add to your blog to raise awareness for them.

You can find the ornaments here. There are five to choose from. I would suggest checking out the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree page while you're at it. There is a lot of good info there about why they do what they do. The most important reason to do any of this, of course, is so that a child can find a home.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month - 2009

It's Down syndrome awareness month and I am going to buckle down and try to blog once a day this entire month. I tried this last year, and am not linking right now cause it's late and I'm lazy. Ha!

Since it is late and I didn't want to miss the very first day I'm going to cheat and post another picture. This is Claire and she is the little one I have promised to pray for from now until after the Christmas holidays. Praying for her family to find her. Is it you? Reeces Rainbow :)

Things I Ponder: 7-24-09

Tonight I am pondering how in the world I am going to go into Liza's orphanage, see the faces of the other waiting children with DS, and take her but leave them. This is seriously weighing heavy on my heart right now. It's all I've been able to think about for a good portion of this day. So, I am praying that God will send families to see their beautiful faces and KNOW that they are meant to be the families of these children.

One of the little boys has stolen my heart nearly as much as Liza has. I pray for clear direction for myself and Rick that we would know without a doubt if we are to bring him home as well. But, then I think of the other three little boys and the little girl. Why are they not just as deserving of my desire to be their mom? I try not to do that to myself, cause it's just a guilt trip that leads to condemnation and I sure don't need that on top of everything else.

So, without further ado. Here they are, and here's hoping and PRAYING that their mom or dad will show up right on time.

This is Yulia. Isn't she precious?

This Andrey P. He's the little stinker that has stolen my heart. Let him steal yours. I'm ok with that :)This Andrey S. Only 2 years old. He needs a mommy!

Mr. Ilya. He looks so full of Joy!

Last, but certainly not least: Maxim. He is already in an institution. He deserves SO much more! Don't you see that spunk hidden in those eyes?