Like the New Look?

I am definitely not blogger savvy, especially when it comes to changing the way things look. But, I think I did a pretty decent job using the new templates blogger offers. Now, if only I could figure out how to put a picture in my header and get the sidebars to not be transparent I would be really happy. Anyone with Know-how got any advice for me on how to figure those two things out without breaking everything? :)

Missing Kids

I've been Dreaming again. Anyone remember why it can be dangerous when I dream? Especially if I'm dreaming of kids? Oh yeah, that's one of  the final signs that convinced me that we really were supposed to travel halfway across the World and bring this little treasure home.

I love it that God speaks to me in dreams. I don't really know why but I do, I think because they tell a story the way I can better understand. I am so much more a visual learner than anything else. God probably wants to hit me over the head so that I'll "get it" I sometimes think. When I dream and it feels so real, like it sticks with me for days, I know that God is speaking to me. Sometimes I'm not sure what the message is or I try to put my own spin on it, but He's given me good friends who can usually help me put the pieces together. Or the message is pretty simple and straight forward.

So, what's the point and where do the missing kids come into all this? Yeah.....

Lately, I've been having dreams of my own children, but they're children I've never met, or that I don't remember giving birth to. I have "lost" these children and can't seem to find them or even, sometimes, know where to begin to look for them. But, once I realize I'm missing them the urge to find them and make sure they are safe is so strong that I usually wake up with a yearning in my heart that I can't get rid of. I have dreamed a version of this dream at least three times that I can remember in the past couple weeks. Sometimes there are multiple children, sometimes only one. Sometimes boys and sometimes girls.

Last night I dreamed that I had given birth to a little girl, but I didn't remember it. I found out about her through a friend, I believe, and once I knew of her I had to find her. It seems that she had been born with a random genetic condition  and the doctors and nurses felt it was better for all if we didn't know of her, if we just forgot about her. (Sound Familiar to anyone?) When I found her she was alone, tiny, frightened, and I knew that she was slated for death. I took her and challenged any doctors, nurses or even well-meaning friends to stop me. They didn't.

What exactly does this dream or the others mean? I don't know. Maybe this latest one was just a different re-telling of Liza's story. She was alone, frightened, tiny, and she was destined for a place where her life would have held no importance to anyone. I challenged anyone to stop me from getting to her. They didn't.

 Maybe it means there are other children out there that are missing from our family? I really don't know, but I am praying that if there really are children missing from this family that God would make it clear and He would make a way. Of course, I already have a few that I would love to go and get if I just got the go ahead.

What I do know is that there are lots of children waiting for their families to find them. They ARE missing from their families and right now maybe their Moms and Dads don't even know they're missing them. I pray that God would reveal this to the ones who are supposed to parent these children. 

Missing Kids- all over the World. There are about 147 Million plus! Missing, but right under our noses. Please pray with me that their families would find them. Would realize they are missing them. Pray and ask God if maybe you are missing someone or a couple/few someones from your family. 

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'....

The Greatest Daddy

When I was really young my parents got divorced. I grew up not knowing my Bio Dad and not having a close Father/Daughter type relationship with my Step-dad. Most of my girlfriends all had that close relationship with their dads. You know what I mean, where Daddy is the best guy in the World, when he gets home from work you run to give him a hug, it's no big deal to just curl up on Dad's lap while you both watch TV. I never understood it, but I knew instinctively that I was missing out on something. It bothered me for many years and is probably why for too long I allowed myself to fall for the wrong kind of guy just to feel like a man cared for me.

When I was pregnant with Austin and found myself alone living with friends I started going to Church and rededicated my life to the Lord. One night I was laying in my bed thinking of my baby soon to arrive and really feeling the "loss" of a DADDY throughout my life. I was crying and asking God why I never was allowed to have a Daddy/Daughter relationship like so many of my friends had with their dads. This was His answer to me:

"MY Child, you have never been without a Daddy. I've ALWAYS been with you."

That night I finally got it and have never forgotten, even when I have wandered off my own way. God is my Daddy, He is the greatest Daddy I could ever hope or dream of having.

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.*

Two and a half Months

Then (first day we met)

Now (Christmas day)

That's how long Liza has been out of the orphanage. Only two and a half months. In that time she has begun to change and develop SO much. I'm not sure anyone who knew her before would believe what a different child she is.

When we first met her she tried to scare us away with a "dragon noise" she had perfected somewhere along her journey thru life in an orphanage. It's hard to describe but it was almost like a hissing and was very obviously aggressive. She also had only two sounds that she communicated through, and they really weren't anything anyone could understand. She would say, "Ah papa papapapa" when she was conversing with you and "Ah wuh ah wuh" when she was telling you what to do. When she started with the "ah wuh's" you knew you were in trouble cause you were supposed to get busy doing something, but only she knew what it was! Usually that was when she would grab you by the hand and direct you to whatever it was. Let's hope you figured it out or you were probably gonna get a smack. Hey, orphanage behaviors! This is all she knew. She taught herself to take on the role of being in charge and watched everything that happened around her. She got really good at imitating and because of that we have a pretty good guess what things are like in the place that she came from. I, for one, would love to shake the hand of whoever taught her to go around blinking, pointing, and saying," Ah-hummm!!!" when something's happening she doesn't agree with (that's a little sarcasm there - in case you couldn't tell). Honestly, though all the little behaviors like that are part of who she is, they can be annoying, but they also make us smile.

The other day I started writing down all the signs she's learned since she's been with us and I was amazed! I didn't realize just how many she has learned until they were written down. She learned about 10-12 while we were in U***** from me and from other Moms we met. Since we have been home she has fallen in love with Signing Time and would watch it all day if I would let her. she has learned about FIFTY signs from watching ST. I was just blown away when I started counting them! this girl is smart, and I'm not just saying that cause I'm her Mama.

She also has started to say words. She actually had a few just a couple weeks after leaving the orphanage. I think her first word was Dog, and to that she has added Hi, Oh yeah, off, up, and really. She can also say Mama, Papa, Noah, and sometimes Austin. She just seems to prefer to sign everything right now though. The funniest thing she does is instead of talking to us she has started making what we call the "piggy noise", it comes from the back of her throat and we can't figure out how she does it. Sometimes she will carry on an entire conversation with you just oinking at you. It's really cute, but I hope she starts to try to use actual words someday and not just oinking.

Some other things that have changed are her eating habits and mobility. She used to pack her mouth full of food until she would choke. I stopped letting her feed herself early on because of this. Now she most of the time takes bites of her food and waits before she tries to put more in her mouth. She is back to feeding herself and for the most part does a really great job at it. She learned to walk maybe eight months to a year ago and was still very unsteady when we met her and preferred to ride in a stroller or be held - now she is starting to try to run and wants to walk most of the time. She also learned to jump and it's one of her favorite things to do.

We are hoping she will start school two days a week soon at the local public Special Ed preschool. She amazed the teachers when she went to be evaluated the other day. I had a feeling that might happen. We really want her to have a full year of preschool and then go on to kindergarten at 6 almost 7, but right now that's up in the air since that particular class has never allowed children that old to stay in the program. I guess we'll see what happens.


We have been so amazed at how she has come out of her shell and showed us just what she's always been capable of. There are so many kids who still wait for someone to see the potential in them and just give them a chance to thrive like Liza has done in just the short amount of time that we've known her. We are so blessed to be her family and get to see first hand just what God has in store for her life. We know that this is just the beginning.

Blind Bartimaeus

I decided to take the challenge to read the New Testament thru in 30 days and continue to do that each month of this year. (Check it out at YouVersion if you're interested). The other day I was reading Mark 10 and I got to the story of Blind Bartimaeus and I just read it over and over again. Here's what it says:

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

It made me think of Maxim and all the kids on Reece's Rainbow, and all the kids just waiting somewhere to be seen - to be heard. What if they are Bartimaeus in this moment? What if we are their voice? What happens if we don't cry out for them? 

They are crying out for Jesus to have mercy on them. It's up to us to decide if we will be their voice. Or will we be the ones who tell them to be quiet? That Jesus is too busy for them. When really it's us who are too busy for them, aren't we? 

I saw this quote the other day and I loved it: ““We will go before God to be judged, and God will ask us, ‘Where are your wounds?’ And we will say, ‘We have no wounds.’ And God will ask, ‘Was nothing worth fighting for?’” — Rev. Allan Boesak” 

I'd like to stand before God and proudly show off my battle scars, knowing that I have tried my hardest to be the hands and feet of Jesus. When I see a "blind Bartimaeus" who needs to me to be his voice I want to do what it takes to yell at the top of my lungs on his behalf: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on them". 

Do you notice at the very end of those verses Jesus tells him to go his way, but instead he "followed Jesus on the road"? I believe that is what these ones who we bring before the Throne will do. They will follow Jesus and shine such a light that they will cause others to turn and follow Him to.

Please don't be afraid to be the voice of a "Blind Bartimaeus" today! Whether it's a child in foster care who know one else is willing to take a chance on, the homeless man you see on the street every day, or a child like Maxim who waits for some one to be his voice. Our wounds will be so worth it someday.