Showing posts with label advocate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advocate. Show all posts
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Look What Love Does!!!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Precious Marlena...let's FIND HER FAMILY!!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Why I Advocate
Toby's story was written up by my sweet friend in Philadelphia on the No Hands But Ours blog!!
We found Toby on my friend's blog who was advocating for a family for him. Because we have been SO BLESSED BY TOBY I give my time to finding families for children. (And now I've discovered that I was looking for Esty's family...and it was US!!)
Please go delight in the tale...(click here!)
A tale of obedience...of risk...of stepping out in faith...of adoption...a tale of complete and utter joy!
A tale of TRUE LOVE!!!!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Finding a Home for Yuri and Zhenya
I'd like to introduce you to these two special kids: Zhenya and Yuri. They are orphans who live in Ukraine. I am trying to help find them a forever family.
Because they are biological siblings, the Ukraine requires that they be adopted together.
That's a VERY good thing for Zhenya who is already too old to be adopted--she is 16 going on 17. (trying not to break into song here...)
In the Ukraine, children are no longer eligible for adoption after they turn 16.
However, the loophole is that her brother, Yuri, is only 15. Because HE is eligible still...so is she!
Ukraine places a high value on keeping siblings together. Thank you, Ukraine.
So here's the scoop on this MOST precious orphan sibs:
They have only been at their orphanage 3 years. Before that, they were at home with their single mom...where they knew love...and extreme poverty. Tragically, she passed away. Before she did, she made sure these two were carefully placed in a Christian orphanage.
Why do I know so much about these two? My friend, Sheryl, had the blessing of being their host family last summer for 4 weeks. She is deeply desiring to find them a permanent family. In her words, "She has cried buckets over these two, but for some reason God has said no to us...so we are hoping desperately for another family will come for them."
Yuri is 15 years old but in early December he turns 16. He is described as being quiet, extremely polite and kind, embarrasses easily, socially shy, laid back, non-aggressive. He does well with with other teen boys, and does not take advances from girls. If a girl even spoke to him he would blush! He is not into sports, but rather is interested in working with his hands. Yuri would thrive in a family where the dad farms, is in construction, or electrical, etc. He is very handy. He has a goal of owning his own electrical business. He is a dreamer and very goal oriented! He wants to work for a living, as opposed to going to school. Would not do as well in suburban life...prefers the country. After he went home Sheryl said he has really become focused on his academics. (I think she was an awesome host mom!!)
Zhenya, pronounced"Jania,"
is described as loving to bake, be in the kitchen, and do crafts. She is very good with little children. She loves anything artsy. She is more obstinate than her brother, but zero trouble at all. She has more of a controlling personality than her brother. She is desperate for a family! She wants to come to America permanently so badly! She could really use prayer for a very big life altering decision she must make on August 31st regarding her future.
They come from a pentecostal orphanage, required to dress in a certain way--no jeans at all, only skirts. When they were here they showed great respect for this and continued to be modest, even when it was not required.
Both loved Christian music and only wanted that downloaded to their devices.
The family who comes for them must have paperwork done by first week of December due to Yuri's birthday. They would be perfect for family with home study already done.
Sheryl believes they would fit in well in a family with other teens so they can bond.
These two will be coming back to America through a hosting program June 25-July 29! They will be here in Ohio, so if you wanted to you could meet them and spend time with them!!
Please consider these precious brother/sister pair!
If you are interested, please message me or leave a comment with your contact information. (I will not publish it but get back to you privately.)
 |
"They are truly amazing kids with really tender hearts! We've been to Ukraine, we've been to the orphanages, and these kids are really amazing!" ~Sheryl, host mom summer 2012.
|
Because they are biological siblings, the Ukraine requires that they be adopted together.
That's a VERY good thing for Zhenya who is already too old to be adopted--she is 16 going on 17. (trying not to break into song here...)
In the Ukraine, children are no longer eligible for adoption after they turn 16.
However, the loophole is that her brother, Yuri, is only 15. Because HE is eligible still...so is she!
Ukraine places a high value on keeping siblings together. Thank you, Ukraine.
So here's the scoop on this MOST precious orphan sibs:
They have only been at their orphanage 3 years. Before that, they were at home with their single mom...where they knew love...and extreme poverty. Tragically, she passed away. Before she did, she made sure these two were carefully placed in a Christian orphanage.
Why do I know so much about these two? My friend, Sheryl, had the blessing of being their host family last summer for 4 weeks. She is deeply desiring to find them a permanent family. In her words, "She has cried buckets over these two, but for some reason God has said no to us...so we are hoping desperately for another family will come for them."
Yuri is 15 years old but in early December he turns 16. He is described as being quiet, extremely polite and kind, embarrasses easily, socially shy, laid back, non-aggressive. He does well with with other teen boys, and does not take advances from girls. If a girl even spoke to him he would blush! He is not into sports, but rather is interested in working with his hands. Yuri would thrive in a family where the dad farms, is in construction, or electrical, etc. He is very handy. He has a goal of owning his own electrical business. He is a dreamer and very goal oriented! He wants to work for a living, as opposed to going to school. Would not do as well in suburban life...prefers the country. After he went home Sheryl said he has really become focused on his academics. (I think she was an awesome host mom!!)
Zhenya, pronounced"Jania,"
is described as loving to bake, be in the kitchen, and do crafts. She is very good with little children. She loves anything artsy. She is more obstinate than her brother, but zero trouble at all. She has more of a controlling personality than her brother. She is desperate for a family! She wants to come to America permanently so badly! She could really use prayer for a very big life altering decision she must make on August 31st regarding her future.
They come from a pentecostal orphanage, required to dress in a certain way--no jeans at all, only skirts. When they were here they showed great respect for this and continued to be modest, even when it was not required.
Both loved Christian music and only wanted that downloaded to their devices.
The family who comes for them must have paperwork done by first week of December due to Yuri's birthday. They would be perfect for family with home study already done.
Sheryl believes they would fit in well in a family with other teens so they can bond.
These two will be coming back to America through a hosting program June 25-July 29! They will be here in Ohio, so if you wanted to you could meet them and spend time with them!!
Please consider these precious brother/sister pair!
If you are interested, please message me or leave a comment with your contact information. (I will not publish it but get back to you privately.)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
It's Time to Party!
This sweet girl has been waiting in China for a family...
 |
| At 4 years old |
And waiting...
 |
| at 7 years old |
and waiting...
.JPG) |
| at 9 years old (current) |
But it's time to PARTY!!!!
WHY????
BECAUSE SHE HAS A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This precious little girl who has lived so long waiting, wondering, hoping she would be chosen and loved has finally been chosen.
This kind of news bring me joy unlike any other!!!
But this little girl has a particular family that is close to my heart...
Look below and you will see why!
keep going...
Yes! She is OURS!!!
We joyfully announce our daughter waiting in China...
Esther Marilyn HanHan Shaw
"Esty"
See?
It IS TIME TO PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
"The Lord has done it this very day, let us rejoice and be glad!"
Psalm 118:24
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Help! Emily Needs a New Family!!
Sometimes things go differently than we plan them.
This is the case for Emily.
Oh, she is precious, friends!! I have seen her sweet face. I have read her story.
But her story is FAR from over...and I suspect it might include YOU!
Let me tell you a little bit about this situation and WHY she needs a new family.
Sweet Emily was found only days old in southern China and has been raised in an orphanage.
Sweet girl waited for TEN LONG YEARS to be chosen for adoption.
Finally, she was chosen!!
A precious family with other daughters previously adopted from China came forward for her. They were given Pre-approval from China to adopt Emily.
They even sent Emily a care package with clothing and pictures of them so she would know how she is cared for, loved, and wanted.
Sadly, something has happened that stops this adoption short.
Her almost-adoptive Mommy calls Emily, "The Child Who Saved My Life" and here is why...
In order to update their home study, the mother needed to have a physical. (Trust me, with many kids at home, our own regular healthy checks definitely get forgotten!) But because of the desired adoption, this Mama went in for a check up.
At that visit, the doctor discovered it had been a while since she had undergone a mammogram. So one was ordered.
Very soon afterwards, she received a frightening phone call.
She had a mass that was very dense. She needed an ultrasound.
The results came back that she the density was Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She had a biopsy to confirm and then soon after a lumpectomy.
The cancer is very aggressive and had grown even within that time.
This Mama begins chemotherapy this week.
Meanwhile, as is customary, she shared the news of her cancer with China. They gave her some devastating news:
She was no longer able to become Emily's mother.
This completely wrecked her.
Can you imagine? Such double bad news??
But we know that in ALL THINGS God works them for good to those who love Him!! (Romans 8:28)
And so, we search now for another family who can step into the vacancy created by cancer.
A family is needed for 10 year old Emily who is a healthy little girl. This precious orphan who must be very heartbroken to learn that after waiting for so long and finally being chosen...that it isn't going to work out.
Will you consider adopting precious Emily? Her file is listed with a particular agency, but they are willing to release her file to whichever agency will process her new adoption.
Pray for Emily...as well as for the cancer treatments and the devastated heart of her almost-mommy!!!
Please contact me if you want to learn more about how to become Emily's family.
This is the case for Emily.
Oh, she is precious, friends!! I have seen her sweet face. I have read her story.
But her story is FAR from over...and I suspect it might include YOU!
Let me tell you a little bit about this situation and WHY she needs a new family.
Sweet Emily was found only days old in southern China and has been raised in an orphanage.
Sweet girl waited for TEN LONG YEARS to be chosen for adoption.
Finally, she was chosen!!
A precious family with other daughters previously adopted from China came forward for her. They were given Pre-approval from China to adopt Emily.
They even sent Emily a care package with clothing and pictures of them so she would know how she is cared for, loved, and wanted.
Sadly, something has happened that stops this adoption short.
Her almost-adoptive Mommy calls Emily, "The Child Who Saved My Life" and here is why...
In order to update their home study, the mother needed to have a physical. (Trust me, with many kids at home, our own regular healthy checks definitely get forgotten!) But because of the desired adoption, this Mama went in for a check up.
At that visit, the doctor discovered it had been a while since she had undergone a mammogram. So one was ordered.
Very soon afterwards, she received a frightening phone call.
She had a mass that was very dense. She needed an ultrasound.
The results came back that she the density was Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She had a biopsy to confirm and then soon after a lumpectomy.
The cancer is very aggressive and had grown even within that time.
This Mama begins chemotherapy this week.
Meanwhile, as is customary, she shared the news of her cancer with China. They gave her some devastating news:
She was no longer able to become Emily's mother.
This completely wrecked her.
Can you imagine? Such double bad news??
But we know that in ALL THINGS God works them for good to those who love Him!! (Romans 8:28)
And so, we search now for another family who can step into the vacancy created by cancer.
A family is needed for 10 year old Emily who is a healthy little girl. This precious orphan who must be very heartbroken to learn that after waiting for so long and finally being chosen...that it isn't going to work out.
Will you consider adopting precious Emily? Her file is listed with a particular agency, but they are willing to release her file to whichever agency will process her new adoption.
Pray for Emily...as well as for the cancer treatments and the devastated heart of her almost-mommy!!!
Please contact me if you want to learn more about how to become Emily's family.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Pleading Prayers for Matthew
I have advocated for several orphans over the past year.
Usually I choose the ones that particularly grab my heart, and in some cases completely break me.
Matthew is one of those.
I want nothing more than to find his family.
I have sought God's face intensely about him becoming a part of OUR family, but God's answer was no.
There MUST be someone else.
Where are you, sweet family?
If you are like me, my precious Toby was advocated for by many, many bloggers and I never saw it.
So you, future family of Matthew, may never see these words.
But friends, prayer is POWERFUL.
You are seeing this.
You can pray.
"Oh Lord of heaven and earth, please bend your ear and hear our prayer! We call on your defensive nature of the fatherless. Your child, Matthew, has grown up without the love of a mother and a father. He is a fine young man. You have blessed him with a great experience at a camp for orphans and then beautifully orchestrated Rob's following summer to reunite them. Lord God, please draw his family to him! We pray with all our hearts that you will bring them quickly. Allow the doors to blow open between them and Matthew. Allow the time to work out. September is coming so fast, Lord. Yet you know you have plans you have for him. Plans to give him a hope and a future. Please provide a loving family for this treasured young man. Please do not allow him to enter the world alone...at age 14. We ask these things in Your Name, Jesus, Amen."
"The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"Defender of the fatherless, defender of widows--this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families and sets the prisoners free and gives them joy." Psalm 68:5-6
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...speak up for the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8 and 9
Please, I beg you to share the story of Matthew with your friends. Keep on talking to Jesus about him too! Here are a few places you can go to read about him: Reece's Rainbow (donate here towards his specific adoption even though his family has not been found, the money will be held for him in particular!); Rob's blog sharing about personal time with Matthew: here, here and here.
Usually I choose the ones that particularly grab my heart, and in some cases completely break me.
Matthew is one of those.
 |
| Ever good natured and kind, Matthew needs you! |
I want nothing more than to find his family.
I have sought God's face intensely about him becoming a part of OUR family, but God's answer was no.
There MUST be someone else.
Where are you, sweet family?
If you are like me, my precious Toby was advocated for by many, many bloggers and I never saw it.
So you, future family of Matthew, may never see these words.
But friends, prayer is POWERFUL.
You are seeing this.
You can pray.
"Oh Lord of heaven and earth, please bend your ear and hear our prayer! We call on your defensive nature of the fatherless. Your child, Matthew, has grown up without the love of a mother and a father. He is a fine young man. You have blessed him with a great experience at a camp for orphans and then beautifully orchestrated Rob's following summer to reunite them. Lord God, please draw his family to him! We pray with all our hearts that you will bring them quickly. Allow the doors to blow open between them and Matthew. Allow the time to work out. September is coming so fast, Lord. Yet you know you have plans you have for him. Plans to give him a hope and a future. Please provide a loving family for this treasured young man. Please do not allow him to enter the world alone...at age 14. We ask these things in Your Name, Jesus, Amen."
"The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"Defender of the fatherless, defender of widows--this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families and sets the prisoners free and gives them joy." Psalm 68:5-6
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...speak up for the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8 and 9
Please, I beg you to share the story of Matthew with your friends. Keep on talking to Jesus about him too! Here are a few places you can go to read about him: Reece's Rainbow (donate here towards his specific adoption even though his family has not been found, the money will be held for him in particular!); Rob's blog sharing about personal time with Matthew: here, here and here.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Gotcha,Toby! (And middle of the night musings)
It is silent. Dark. I hear the sound of even breathing. I clear my throat hoping desperately not to disturb the sweet slumber of those so precious to me.
How in the world am I ever going to sleep?!?! This new child of mine doesn't need nursed through the night as the bio ones did...but their momma still loses sleep. Why????
Cause it turns out its dreadfully hard to sleep while your heart is bursting at the seams with joy!!!!
This child we will officially adopt in a matter of hours was once a "waiting child."
He was unchosen.
Unwanted.
He sat on the Shared List month after endless month since he was just 3 or 4 months old. (The Shared List is China's central listing place for children with mild to severe special needs. All agencies that work in China draw from it.)
And no one came forward for him.
Many people advocated for him.
Many people clicked on his picture.
But for one reason or another, he still waited.
Turns out, he was ours.
{smile.}
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but since God has moved so mightily, I've got something to say and I do hope you will stick around to hear it.
Toby has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Geesh that sounds scary, but guess what? Underneath that long name, he is just a boy who needs a family.
Just a boy who needs a family.
This time, WE were that family.
And ohhhhhh...if you could have seen him throw his head back and giggle tonight, you would NOT SAY to me, "Oh he is SO LUCKY."
You would say, "Wow, your family is SOOO LUCKY to be chosen to have him!!!!"
(Then I'd say that luck has nothing to do with it. That God alone did this uniting!!)
Let me tell you something.
There are millions more orphans waiting.
MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS.
It is true that not all are eligible for adoption, but many are.
Many, many, many wait.
Who do they wait for?
A Super Family "who can" to come along and say, "I'll save you from that fate!" ?!?!?!?
No. Definitely no.
Such people should shake in their shoes, for they CANNOT save. They cannot rescue.
They can only obey.
Adoption is not about people saving people.
Adoption is obedience.
(No, I do not think we ALL are to adopt. But we are All to have a part in caring for orphans. ESPECIALLY if you say you follow Jesus. You are commanded in Scripture to play some role in caring for the fatherless.)
Adoption is not showing off a calling.
Adoption is not done for oneself.
Adoption is hard, painful and messy. Just ask any adoptee who has or is growing up. The holes in their life story, the ache to know "what if" things had been another way...it is a part of their very fabric. A tension that never leaves.
Adoption is obedience to the Father who did not reject us because of our sin, but gave His only Son up to death so we could be forgiven and then ADOPTED as sons and daughters ourselves...completely made new. Completely clean. No history of our past sins tacked on to us like a tattered, dirty orphanage blanket--COMPLETELY FORGIVEN.
We adopt not because we are amazing, but because HE IS.
Reality is, we are weak. We are selfish. We want comfort, luxury and we want to self indulge. We are completely unfit for this calling.
And that is where the secret lies: when we say "Yes," to God when He asks us to adopt, we acknowledge a call to a lifelong, daily, blow-by-blow dependence upon Him.
A super natural strength is required.
But WE do not have to supply it. We merely have to get ourselves out of the way to channel it.
Jesus calls it "dying to ourselves,", "picking up our cross and following Him,"..."suffering for His sake."
Not our favorite verses, are they?
But something happens to us when we donwhat is counter intuitive. When we obey instead of indulge.
When we say we will trust Him for the "hows" and not even TRY to figure it out ahead of time.
We find joy.
Invigorating joy.
We learn to walk emptied of self (although the struggle daily remains to serve self!) and are given abundance.
We live with purpose. Meaning.
Did I mention joy??!?
We found our Toby because two women, Sarah and Kelly, partnered together to tell his story and do what the Bible tells us to: speak up for those who have no voice.
Toby had NO MEANS of telling us, waaaay over lost in our lives in America, that he needed a family. He had no method to do this. No concept of his need even!
But Sarah and Kelly did.
They didn't adopt Toby, but they advocated on blogs, told his story and therefore played a VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
Many, many MANY of you gave us money to come here and bring him home. You did not adopt him. But you played another VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
And I have no measure of those of you who prayed for Toby while he was referred to as "Bo" on different sites and those of you who prayed for him after we recognized God calling us to him...but you played a VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
This was a huge group effort! I believe all adoptions are.
Are you feeling a tug on your heart? An ache to do something more for orphans?
Don't shush that voice.
Listen.
Obey.
The road is not marked out with nothing but roses anymore than life as a Christ follower is, but there are some very real promises that ARE given.
What is impossible for man, is possible with God.
You will be given abundant life.
Your fruit will always be in season because your strength does not come from your circumstances but from Whom you draw your strength.
My goal in this post is not for you to adopt.
My goal is not for you to become a foster family.
My goal is not that you will finance adoptions, advocate for orphans or anything other than to LISTEN TO GOD'S CALL TO YOU, SPECIFICALLY.
If you do the latter, you may well do (many of) the former. You may do something completely different in regards to orphan care.
But the point is you will no longer sit along the sides and NOT be part of it.
Seriously?? Listen to me: You WANT a piece of what God is doing. You want to obey His plan for your life.
You want meaning, purpose and fulfillment.
Living for yourself gets old and stale. An insatiable hunger that is never satisfied. Stop it.
My life is über blessed because of this little orphan sleeping in the crib at the foot of my bed. Tomorrow he will go from orphan to son. My blessing will only swell.
Is the road ahead smooth? Easy? Fun?
Most likely no.
But i never ever want to even think of what it might be like had we not said "yes."
Isn't it time for YOU to say yes too?
(Disclaimer: this post is a stream of consciousness from a 3 am writing on an iPad that has given me fits. I'm not proofreading for fear of losing it all...so i am sure there are mistakes and run on sentences and the like. I apologize for those now but hope at the end of it all you will be moved to ACTION on behalf of the orphan rather than picking and chewing this messenger apart!!)
How in the world am I ever going to sleep?!?! This new child of mine doesn't need nursed through the night as the bio ones did...but their momma still loses sleep. Why????
Cause it turns out its dreadfully hard to sleep while your heart is bursting at the seams with joy!!!!
This child we will officially adopt in a matter of hours was once a "waiting child."
He was unchosen.
Unwanted.
He sat on the Shared List month after endless month since he was just 3 or 4 months old. (The Shared List is China's central listing place for children with mild to severe special needs. All agencies that work in China draw from it.)
And no one came forward for him.
Many people advocated for him.
Many people clicked on his picture.
But for one reason or another, he still waited.
Turns out, he was ours.
{smile.}
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but since God has moved so mightily, I've got something to say and I do hope you will stick around to hear it.
Toby has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Geesh that sounds scary, but guess what? Underneath that long name, he is just a boy who needs a family.
Just a boy who needs a family.
This time, WE were that family.
And ohhhhhh...if you could have seen him throw his head back and giggle tonight, you would NOT SAY to me, "Oh he is SO LUCKY."
You would say, "Wow, your family is SOOO LUCKY to be chosen to have him!!!!"
(Then I'd say that luck has nothing to do with it. That God alone did this uniting!!)
Let me tell you something.
There are millions more orphans waiting.
MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS.
It is true that not all are eligible for adoption, but many are.
Many, many, many wait.
Who do they wait for?
A Super Family "who can" to come along and say, "I'll save you from that fate!" ?!?!?!?
No. Definitely no.
Such people should shake in their shoes, for they CANNOT save. They cannot rescue.
They can only obey.
Adoption is not about people saving people.
Adoption is obedience.
(No, I do not think we ALL are to adopt. But we are All to have a part in caring for orphans. ESPECIALLY if you say you follow Jesus. You are commanded in Scripture to play some role in caring for the fatherless.)
Adoption is not showing off a calling.
Adoption is not done for oneself.
Adoption is hard, painful and messy. Just ask any adoptee who has or is growing up. The holes in their life story, the ache to know "what if" things had been another way...it is a part of their very fabric. A tension that never leaves.
Adoption is obedience to the Father who did not reject us because of our sin, but gave His only Son up to death so we could be forgiven and then ADOPTED as sons and daughters ourselves...completely made new. Completely clean. No history of our past sins tacked on to us like a tattered, dirty orphanage blanket--COMPLETELY FORGIVEN.
We adopt not because we are amazing, but because HE IS.
Reality is, we are weak. We are selfish. We want comfort, luxury and we want to self indulge. We are completely unfit for this calling.
And that is where the secret lies: when we say "Yes," to God when He asks us to adopt, we acknowledge a call to a lifelong, daily, blow-by-blow dependence upon Him.
A super natural strength is required.
But WE do not have to supply it. We merely have to get ourselves out of the way to channel it.
Jesus calls it "dying to ourselves,", "picking up our cross and following Him,"..."suffering for His sake."
Not our favorite verses, are they?
But something happens to us when we donwhat is counter intuitive. When we obey instead of indulge.
When we say we will trust Him for the "hows" and not even TRY to figure it out ahead of time.
We find joy.
Invigorating joy.
We learn to walk emptied of self (although the struggle daily remains to serve self!) and are given abundance.
We live with purpose. Meaning.
Did I mention joy??!?
We found our Toby because two women, Sarah and Kelly, partnered together to tell his story and do what the Bible tells us to: speak up for those who have no voice.
Toby had NO MEANS of telling us, waaaay over lost in our lives in America, that he needed a family. He had no method to do this. No concept of his need even!
But Sarah and Kelly did.
They didn't adopt Toby, but they advocated on blogs, told his story and therefore played a VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
Many, many MANY of you gave us money to come here and bring him home. You did not adopt him. But you played another VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
And I have no measure of those of you who prayed for Toby while he was referred to as "Bo" on different sites and those of you who prayed for him after we recognized God calling us to him...but you played a VERY CRITICAL role in him being adopted.
This was a huge group effort! I believe all adoptions are.
Are you feeling a tug on your heart? An ache to do something more for orphans?
Don't shush that voice.
Listen.
Obey.
The road is not marked out with nothing but roses anymore than life as a Christ follower is, but there are some very real promises that ARE given.
What is impossible for man, is possible with God.
You will be given abundant life.
Your fruit will always be in season because your strength does not come from your circumstances but from Whom you draw your strength.
My goal in this post is not for you to adopt.
My goal is not for you to become a foster family.
My goal is not that you will finance adoptions, advocate for orphans or anything other than to LISTEN TO GOD'S CALL TO YOU, SPECIFICALLY.
If you do the latter, you may well do (many of) the former. You may do something completely different in regards to orphan care.
But the point is you will no longer sit along the sides and NOT be part of it.
Seriously?? Listen to me: You WANT a piece of what God is doing. You want to obey His plan for your life.
You want meaning, purpose and fulfillment.
Living for yourself gets old and stale. An insatiable hunger that is never satisfied. Stop it.
My life is über blessed because of this little orphan sleeping in the crib at the foot of my bed. Tomorrow he will go from orphan to son. My blessing will only swell.
Is the road ahead smooth? Easy? Fun?
Most likely no.
But i never ever want to even think of what it might be like had we not said "yes."
Isn't it time for YOU to say yes too?
(Disclaimer: this post is a stream of consciousness from a 3 am writing on an iPad that has given me fits. I'm not proofreading for fear of losing it all...so i am sure there are mistakes and run on sentences and the like. I apologize for those now but hope at the end of it all you will be moved to ACTION on behalf of the orphan rather than picking and chewing this messenger apart!!)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Because they WON'T be home for the holidays...
I'm in a melancholy mood.
I am a highly extroverted sanguine, so it doesn't happen all that often.
But when it does, I weep for these children.
Sweet children who have WATCHED their foster brothers or sisters get chosen and adopted away internationally.
They know they have been left behind.
They know they were not chosen.
And it's Christmas.
They won't be home with a family for Christmas.
But...what if...
dream with me here...
what if...
what if...
THEY could be home NEXT YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS????
Wouldn't that be AMAZING???
 |
| Daniel |
 |
| Joshua |
 |
| James |
Go and see. Pray with your eyes open. See if God has one of these children for YOUR family.
You could be all they want for Christmas.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Jesus Loves the Waiting Children of the World..
For every family who wants to adopt a healthy baby...
there are thousands upon thousands more children who are waiting to be chosen.
In China there is a rule that once a child has their 14th birthday, they may no longer be adopted.
It's OVER.
All hope of having a mom and a dad comes to a screeching halt.
This breaks my heart.
I have learned that children who are 18 (legal ADULTS!) in our American foster care systems still allow themselves to be listed as waiting for adoption because...
they
just
want
a
mom
of
their
own.
Oh this breaks my heart too!
How often have you called your mom on the phone needing some advice?
"How do I cook a turkey, Mom?" "Remind me how to hem a pair of pants again?"
These children have nobody.
No one who will sit by their bedside and listen to their hopes and dreams at night.
No one will will correct them when they step out of line.
No one who will encourage them when they feel down.
And in China, once the 14th birthday arrives--all hopes are shut off for a family.
FOREVER.
That's why I want to introduce you to a few children.
The first is a boy named Matthew.
Matthew is 13 years old and in danger of aging out FAST.
He has only a few months for his family to find him.
Here's what a volunteer said after spending time with this special young man:
Matthew is a bright boy, and tries really hard at school! He currently attends a special education school with some of his friends where I am told he is doing really well. He has two special needs; a skull deformity and dyskinesia of right limbs. He has very limited use of his right arm and hand. However, this does not affect his life greatly. He will never be an Olympic athlete, but he is able to run around and generally play like most kids.
Matthew has waited far too long for a family. He gets on with everyone and has lots of friends! I saw him grow and mature over the year, he truly is growing into a kind and generous young man. On top of that, he is an easy-going, handsome, bright and funny boy who needs a mom and dad of his own. I do not want him to face the future alone..
there are thousands upon thousands more children who are waiting to be chosen.
In China there is a rule that once a child has their 14th birthday, they may no longer be adopted.
It's OVER.
All hope of having a mom and a dad comes to a screeching halt.
This breaks my heart.
I have learned that children who are 18 (legal ADULTS!) in our American foster care systems still allow themselves to be listed as waiting for adoption because...
they
just
want
a
mom
of
their
own.
Oh this breaks my heart too!
How often have you called your mom on the phone needing some advice?
"How do I cook a turkey, Mom?" "Remind me how to hem a pair of pants again?"
These children have nobody.
No one who will sit by their bedside and listen to their hopes and dreams at night.
No one will will correct them when they step out of line.
No one who will encourage them when they feel down.
And in China, once the 14th birthday arrives--all hopes are shut off for a family.
FOREVER.
That's why I want to introduce you to a few children.
The first is a boy named Matthew.
Matthew is 13 years old and in danger of aging out FAST.
Here's what a volunteer said after spending time with this special young man:
Matthew is a bright boy, and tries really hard at school! He currently attends a special education school with some of his friends where I am told he is doing really well. He has two special needs; a skull deformity and dyskinesia of right limbs. He has very limited use of his right arm and hand. However, this does not affect his life greatly. He will never be an Olympic athlete, but he is able to run around and generally play like most kids.
Matthew has waited far too long for a family. He gets on with everyone and has lots of friends! I saw him grow and mature over the year, he truly is growing into a kind and generous young man. On top of that, he is an easy-going, handsome, bright and funny boy who needs a mom and dad of his own. I do not want him to face the future alone..
Will YOU become Matthew's family? Help us beat the clock and find his family!! Share about him!
The second is a boy named Bo. He is 12 years old.
As you may notice, Bo is missing his left forearm. Otherwise, he is said to be athletic, active and extroverted. I got to see video of him playing in the orphanage yard with other children, giggling and running and...waiting.
Here's a tidbit from his file:
Bo goes to third class at school. Since his reception ability is lagging behind, he studies seriously and hard. He works hard at school, consult when meeting questions, forms good studying habits, the teachers are all like him.
In terms of studying, he always tells himself “I’m not stupid, I just didn’t work hard; although I’m not genius, I will continue to work hard to change my fate”. He is ambitious. He gets along well with others at school and likes to play games with others. He loves to work and help others, left a good impression at school. He is active, naughty and has a ready smile. He comes back to this big family after class and brings his little sisters and brothers to play.
In their eyes, Bo is a big brother, always helps them and takes care of them. In the caretakers’ eyes, he is mature and always tries his best to do things within his power. Once, he cleared up the chairs and did some cleaning in the absence of a teacher, he always wipes desks for teachers which make them moved. They regard him as their closest relatives and love him. He is independent in daily life and has strong power to self care. He cleans his room everyday and washes his clothes frequently. He pays attention to sanitation and always makes his clothes tidy. He is an athletic boy, we hope other children could study from him.
Is Bo your son? Will you helps spread the word for him?
A third is Cassandra. Also a teenager with limited time to become a daughter.
Cassandra is 12 years old. She is blind in her right eye and is listed as having spina bifida and unilateral club feet. She has received surgery for her feet by an American doctor, but more surgery is needed.
She is said to be hard working in her studies and is a talented piano player. She is very open and outgoing with a wonderful, ready smile. She can make friends easily and is said to be very helpful to her friends.
Cassandra is able to move and walk with assistance and has continence.
Will you be her mother or father? Will you help share her story so they will find her?
Watch the following video and see the amazing facts about the world's orphans. See how God moves your heart!
If you would like information on Matthew, Bo or Cassandra I can put you in contact with someone who can help you!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Clickety Click! Clicks for Project Hopeful
Our friends at Project Hopeful do so much GOOD.
They not only adopt and love orphans and travel around the world to serve them...
They EDUCATE.
I must admit, before I found out about them I didn't know that HIV was a manageable disease.
IT IS!!!
Project Hopeful also advocates for orphans who are shunned by society because of their positive status.
There long waiting lists of children who are orphans and sadly are
OVERLOOKED
...simply because they have HIV.
Did you know that it is easier to manage care for an HIV+ child than a child with diabetes?
I sure didn't.
Did you know that it is completely safe to live with a person who has HIV? That there is ZERO risk of infecting others in normal family life?
Did you know that a child who has HIV and is given a chance at life with the advanced medications available now can grow up and live a normal life? They can marry, give birth all without infecting others?
This is great news!!!
This is what I have learned from my friends at Project Hopeful.
In addition to these, Project Hopeful also has something called FIG accounts. This is where people can join Family In the Gap to help families and orphans who are working toward adoption. People can give to Project Hopeful (tax deductible giving) and have their money be assigned to a particular child!
All these reasons and more are why I love Project Hopeful.
I am asking all my readers and friends to click on over to Cultivate Wines and vote for Project Hopeful to be the winner to receive a grant of $50,000.
Winning this grant would mean so much to their mission of Educating, Encouraging, and Enabling families and individuals to advocate for and adopt children with HIV/AIDS and other of the most overlooked children for adoption.
It literally takes seconds to sign in with Facebook and vote for Project Hopeful to win!
They need a vote from you ONCE per DAY until the end of June. Can you go "click" "click" once a day for a few weeks to help save orphans with HIV? I thought so!! ;)
Go click!!
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