Oksana is Home!

I had a button on my side bar that said "Bring Oksana Home" - so I just wanted to update and tell you that Oksana is home. She has a family - a wonderful family! The journey has been amazing. Read all about it here.

That Little Tug

I will resume normal blogging soon, but I want to share something that is on my heart. I have posted several times recently about Reece's Rainbow, but I want to share today WHY this ministry has tugged at my heart strings. I mentioned my friend, Erin, first introduced me to RR a couple of months ago as her family began their adoption process. As I scrolled through the pictures - I cried. Cried for each of those precious babies who doesn't have a home, a family. They don't have a mama or dada to love on them. They don't have brothers or sisters to hug them and play with them. My girls are praying faithfully for several of these children. They pray for the girls at least 3 times a day. I often hear Lucy randomly praying for these girls all throughout the day. In less than a month 4 of the 6 girls we have been praying for now have families. Only God can do that!!

Now let me tell you about Brooke. She is one of Lucy's friends. Brooke's parents are GREAT friends of ours and Brooke's sister, Kate is one of Norah's best friends. Karen and Jeff didn't know before she was born, but Brooke has Down Syndrome. I know Karen would tell you that they are the blessed ones with Brooke in their family. She is funny, happy, and lovable. She is a favorite at school - she would have been one of my favorites, too!! What makes me mention her today is that when I first looked at the RR website I started wondering what Brooke's life would be like if she didn't have the family that she has, if she hadn't received the therapies that she has, if she didn't go to the school that she does. Thankfully, Brooke was born into an incredible family - one who loves her dearly and will always do what is best for her - no matter what the cost. She is doing incredible!! Karen just told me recently that in many areas, Brooke is developing just like other "typically developing" kids her age. Brooke is an incredible little girl and we have been blessed just to be her friends!

So, seeing her grow and thrive and love life is what makes me sad for all these children you will see on Reece's Rainbow. Even if these children were born into great families, the families have been trained that babies born with a disability are shameful. They are taught not to love them and to abandon them. Reece's Rainbow is working hard to change this mind set, but it will take time. So for now, these babies are abandoned.

Last night as I was trying to fall asleep I had a picture in my head of the story in the Bible about Jesus calling the children to Him. He didn't just say, "Let the healthy, strong, typically developing children" come to me. He said "Let the little children come unto me." All of them. All. of. them. These precious children need our help too.

James 1:27 says, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

Proverbs 24:12 says, "Don’t excuse yourself by saying, 'Look, we didn’t know.' For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."

Like many of you, we have not been called to adopt, however, I think we are all called to help these children somehow. As part of World Down Syndrome Day, Reece's Rainbow is asking people to help ease the financial burden that adoption can bring to a family. Most of the families who are adopting through Reece's Rainbow probably can't afford it in the eyes of the world, but I know that God's plan is so much bigger. He can and will provide.

I am asking you to help little Milana today. Please help her family bring her home. Can you donate $5? $10? What about $21 for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21? Can you skip eating out one time this week and give to Reece's Rainbow instead?

In my heart I know that when I stand before God, I don't want to make excuses and say "I didn't know these children needed families or I minister in other areas or we give in other areas, we couldn't give here too." I want to stand before Him knowing in my heart that I did as He called me to do. I want to know that I am using His money to further His kingdom. Please click on the "Chip-In" button on my right side-bar and help Milana's family bring her home.

God is Amazing!

Just days after posting this, I learned that Milana has a family!!! Praise God for this! However, it is still an expensive adoption so I would again like to ask you to give a little to help fund their adoption. As I said before, it will cost around $25,000 for this family to bring Milana home. The sooner she gets home to her new family the sooner she can begin the therapies she has missed out on for 2 1/2 years and she will begin getting the love that she has not felt yet. Please help us be a "Warrior" to this family and to little Milana - click the Chip-In button on the right of my blog!!

World Down Syndrom Day 2010

Did you know that March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day? Instead of me just reiterating what that is, you can read it here.

We have decided to become a "Warrior" for one of these children and to help provide funds for a family to adopt this child.

We have chosen to become a Warrior for Milana. She is 2 1/2 years old. This is the description on Reece's Rainbow under Milana's picture. "Look at this beauty! Milana is healthy, with no heart condition. She is walking on her own and doing very well. She does not have a lot of self-help skills yet, but she is still very young. She has a few words, but will definitely blossom in a loving family environment. "

As you may have read on Reece's Rainbow, the average cost to adopt one of these children is $25000. Knowing that may be enough to hinder families from bringing one of these precious children into their lives. Help us change the life of this little girl!! Click on the Chip-In button on the right and help us raise money so Milana can be adopted by a loving family.