Not-So-Sweet Sixteen

Sorry I haven't blogged lately - Blogger hasn't been working on the computer. I'm on my mom's laptop right now but hopefully I'll get it working again soon! Anyway, here is my post for the day...

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Today is my birthday...and I had a great day! Spending time with family and friends, eating pizza and pie (yum!), swimming (or watching kids swim, which is probably more fun!), opening presents. I had so much fun! Birthdays are supposed to be fun, right?


They should be. But not for everyone. My heart breaks for those who have to be alone on their birthday. For them, it's not exciting. It’s just another day. Just another year closer to transfer.

It’s “my” Dayna’s birthday this month. She will be three. I love her so much, and my heart aches to imagine her day on her birthday. Did anyone even pick her up? Did she get to go out of her crib? What did she get to eat? Was it just like any other day for her? I’m sure she didn’t get any presents or cake or friends and definitely not family. I’m sure it wasn’t a happy birthday for her. I only pray that next year it will be.

Jared

Jared and Trina will be 16 in a few months. Unlike me, they won’t get to spend time with family and friends. They won’t have anybody carefully choose a gift for them. Nobody will wish them happy birthday. They won’t get a specially decorated cake and they won’t get to blow out any candles. It’s not a “sweet sixteen” for them. They will age out of the orphanage. All chances of them being adopted will be gone once they’re 16, and they’ll be sent out on the streets to live by themselves. That doesn’t end good.

Trina

So today, on my birthday, I want to honor these three children. “My” little Dayna, who spent her third birthday alone yet again, waiting for a family. Jared, who will soon age out and will be sent out on the streets. Trina, who won’t be getting to do anything special, but will only lose all hope of ever having a family.

All these things I sometimes take for granted...spending time with family and friends - they don't even have family. Eating pie and choosing dinner - who knows if they will even have dinner? Getting presents - they don't have anything to call their own. Especially anything lovingly picked out for them.

Please pray for these three. Pray that next year, on their next birthday, they will have a family. That they will have someone celebrate them.

I’m so thankful to be spending my birthday with family and friends, people who care about me. But my heart just breaks for all the ones passed over, who have to spend their special day alone. So here's something to think about, for me on my birthday, and on your birthday when it comes. I am so thankful for what I have - and I'm trying to make a change for the ones who don't get any of these things. There isn't too much I can do, except pray, and post about them. So please, please, say a prayer, and post their picture on Facebook or your blog! You never know how your posts and prayers make a difference - but they do. 

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Our goal was to have Lilly's puzzle filled by my birthday - well, we still have a ways to go, so if you want to sponsor a piece, now is the time to do it! :) But I just need to say - thank you SO much if you sponsored a piece! Every single one made me so excited, and we are getting this sweet girl closer to a family! You can go to Sarah's post to see the latest update (just skip the weird pictures of me...).

Did you see??

Silas is on the My Family Found Me page!!

So many kids have found families this past week, and I'm SO excited for Silas! Soon, he will be home with his family instead of waiting in the orphanage! ♥

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And of course, don't forget about the puzzle! There are only 9 days left until my birthday!

Waiting Wednesday

Two new kids have been listed on RR a couple days ago - Libby and Suzy. They are both so precious! I was going to say that they both need a family, but I just found Libby on the My Family Found Me page earlier today! :)

This is Libby. She was born in February of 2012, so she's just 3 months old. She has Down syndrome, and is otherwise healthy. I've seen so many posts about her, on Facebook, blogs, etc, and I've heard lots of people say "aww, she's so sweet! I just love Libby!" How could you not? She's adorable! And praise the Lord, she now has a family! I knew it wouldn't be long before this precious bundle got scooped up.

The other little girl - Suzy - still needs a family. But I haven't seen any posts about her. I haven't heard anyone say how cute she is and how they just love her.

Why?

This is Suzy. As you can tell, she obviously looks different. She has a skin disease that covers her entire body. But how does that make her any less lovable? Any less in need of a family? To me, she's just precious. It's not her outward appearances that matter - not what her skin looks like - but who she really is. My heart breaks for her, that people just pass over her because she's not a "regular" looking child.

Suzy is seven years old. Her profile says that she is outgoing and loves to play games, and is good at socializing. Imagine how much fun she could have with sisters and brothers to play with! People might stare at her. She looks different. But really - who cares? She needs a family. I don't want her to be ignored because of her skin. It just breaks my heart.

I'm not saying that it wasn't good to post about Libby. I'm not saying that you should ignore the babies. Maybe Libby's family found her because someone posted about her, and I'm so happy for each child who is saved. But the truth is, babies are chosen more than "older" kids. Especially kids who don't look "normal." We need to get Suzy's face out there - just as much as the babies - so somebody can fall in love with her and see past her skin - look to her inward beauty - and bring her home where she can truly blossom.

Suzy

C-W
Girl, born 2005

Suzy is an outgoing little girl who enjoys playing games with other children. The other children at her institute like her very much and she is very good at socializing. Suzy was born with ichthyosis, a skin disease that covers her entire body. The orphanage staff treats her ichthyosis with ointment once a day. Her skin itches due to her condition and her caregivers say that it also makes her “afraid” of the sun. In the wintertime, the condition tends to worsen. When we asked how her condition affected her in other ways, thenannies said that in the past her gait has been abnormal, but now it is better although she still can’t run as fast as the other children. She is described as a talkative girl who speaks well and speaks a lot.

She is able to walk with one foot in front of the other, stand on one foot, and she is able to name animals and know what their sounds and behaviors were. The orphanage staff say that they haven’t sent her to school yet because she is too young, but she appears to be on target and able to complete tasks that other 5 year olds can do. She is able to do basic self-care tasks such as toileting, washing her hands, and dressing herself. What she could really use is a family who could give her the love and care that she needs and who would help her get appropriate treatment for her skin condition.

There is a total of $9800 in financial aid (made up of a $4,200 Promise Child grant for eligible families for this adoption and a $5600 waiver for the orphanage fee) — details available through the agency.

$24.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

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And don't forget about Lilly - I'm tired of my sweet baby being passed over!

Robert

I just got new pictures of my little guy, Robert! A family adopting from his orphanage got to see him and take pictures. I was so excited when I got these!! Now all he needs is a family.

Isn't he so handsome??

He just melts my heart ♥

Such a happy boy! I love you Robert!

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And of course, don't forget about Lilly's puzzle!

I Don't Understand...

I don't understand. I just can't understand how my sweet girl - my Lilly love - doesn't have a family yet.

She is beautiful. Gorgeous. I see her as a true gift from God. A beautiful princess.

So why doesn't she have a family?

Maybe it's because everybody doesn't see her the way I do.

Maybe they're not paying attention to her beauty, to her precious face. Maybe they're just thinking about the cost of adoption.

How can they look into her eyes, and say no? Maybe they are thinking about how long and hard the adoption process is.

How can they hear of how she needs a family so badly, yet deny her that chance? Maybe they're only thinking about how they would have to travel thousands of miles to get her.

How can they turn down a helpless child's plea for a family, to be saved? Maybe they are thinking how hard it would be to adjust and cope with her needs.

How can they say no to my girl? Maybe they are thinking of all the medical treatment she will need for her heart condition.

I love her. So many people love her, so many people have donated and shared about her...but yet she is still sitting in a crib, barely lasting in an orphanage or institution as she waits to be saved.

What ever made her deserve this? Why does she have to lie day after day in the same old crib? She deserves to be doted on and spoiled by parents, siblings, grandparents. She deserves to get her hair grown out and to get pretty bows in it. She deserves to have people lovingly pick out clothes for her and get her dressed in the morning. But she doesn't get any of that.

Why? Because, the gap between her and her potential family is - lots of money, waiting, paperwork, heart condition and possibly surgery, Down syndrome? Why can't people just see a little girl who is in desperate need of someone to save her?

I wish they would see my Lilly as a beautiful child of God, and see past her Down syndrome. See past her heart condition. See past the money, the travel, the paperwork, the waiting. See past two pictures on a screen, and see a real little girl. A little girl who will die without you. A girl who needs love and care and isn't getting it. A precious little treasure who is waiting to be saved. A little girl who needs someone. Anyone. They don't have to be perfect. They just need to have some love to share. To share with a sweet girl who needs you.

I wish everybody would see her that way.

Forever Family Friday

I completely forgot to post my FFF post yesterday...my bad (I do have an excuse, just ask Sarah! I was slightly busy... ;))! But, you get it today :)

So, you all know Chandler, right? I posted about his family, the Marbles, a while ago (here) for Forever Family Friday. Well, the Marbles decided to bring home not one, but TWO precious treasures! They are working towards bringing home none other than 'my' baby Nadine!

I still can't believe I was there, holding Nadine's hand, when these pictures was taken! I looked her in the eyes and silently prayed that this beautiful girl that I was blessed enough to meet, would soon have a family. And now she does! I can't wait until I can see pictures of her smiling. Of her being held by her mommy and daddy. I just can't wait until she's home!

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Don't forget, the puzzle fundraiser for Lilly is still going on! Be a piece of the puzzle, to help find this sweet girl a family and bring her home!

Waiting Wednesday

Today, meet a handsome 6-year-old boy named Hanson. This sweet boy has already been transferred to a mental institution. :( He is a "lost boy," and desperately NEEDS a family so he can be found. I can't imagine a little 6-year-old boy living in an institution. Hanson does not have Down syndrome, but he has several other medical issues. Please, see past his medical info and see a precious child who needs you, before he becomes a "lost boy" forever!

Hanson

Boy, Born September 2005

HELP!   I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED!

Don't mind the pink shirt, this is a boy!  

From his medical records:  Congenital defect of the central nervous system, rachischisis of transverse part of spine, internal hydrocephalus, ventriculoperitoneostomia, flail legs (low extremities paraparesis).

Hanson has been transferred to the mental institution already.  He is living in a very rural place, and is a "lost boy" now.    Hope someone will advocate for him!

$1304.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

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Nadine!

This sweet girl...

...has a FAMILY! Yes, 'my' baby Nadine, who I met and took pictures of in Ukraine, has a family working hard to get her!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! I got to hold her sweet little hand and take pictures of her - and soon, she will be holding her mommy and daddy's hands. They will finally give her a reason to smile!! I love you, little Nadine, and don't worry, your parents are coming! ♥

As soon as I know who her family is, I will let you all know!! I'm so excited to find out!

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I'm going to post this at the bottom of each post, just to remind you about the puzzle fundraiser in case you haven't gotten a piece for yourself! :)

Set This Butterfly Free!!!

Written by Sarah

Somewhere on the other side of the world there is a beautiful butterfly just waiting for her cocoon to break open so she can be set free.

But she got stuck in her cocoon and wasn't able to come out the same time as most of the butterflies her age. She is soo beautiful on the inside, and just needs love to help her break free to the outside.

So here's where she needs your help. She needs you to help set her free from the cocoon (orphange/possibly institution) she is stuck in.

You can help set Lilly love free by sponsoring a piece of her puzzle!

Her butterfly puzzle! That's right we are doing a puzzle fundraiser!

After the puzzle is filled up, it will be glued and given to Lilly's future adoptive parents when they bring her home. One day, Lilly will be able to look at this butterfly and see all the many people who loved her and helped her break free!

To sponsor a puzzle piece:
Donate just $5 (times whatever amount of puzzle pieces you want to sponsor if more than one) to Lilly's grant. You can donate by:
-Using the chip-in on our sidebar (which goes directly to RR, just we can see who has donated)
-Using Lilly's account directly on RR
-Sending a check to:
Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
(BE SURE to specify in the memo line it's for 'Lilly 3G').

After you have donated, you have to email us telling us how many pieces you sponsored, what names you would like on them (we are just doing last initial), and what method you used to pay. Our email is handiworkforelijah (at) gmail (dot) com. If you do not email us, you will not get your names on the puzzle! You can sponsor a piece for every member of your family, or you can sponsor a piece in honor or loving memory of someone!

We already have a good start on it, since we have put the names of everyone who has ordered from us while we have been raising money for Lilly. There are 500 pieces, and only 37 have names on them. That leaves 463 left.

What we have filled in so far! The upper right wing.

My 9 yo sister gave $5 of her own money to get her name on puzzle piece, and $5 is a lot of money for a 9 yo! Can't you give too? PLEASE help us set her free!

But here's the catch. Our goal is to have it filled in little less than a month from now. In other words, we want to have it all filled in by midnight on May 28th. You know why May 28th? Because that is this girl's birthday:

Rachel. My other half, and best friend. Also Lilly's warrior, and the one who first fell in love with Lilly. I quite frankly, could not  keep this blog running without her help.

She's turning 16, and I can tell you for a fact without even confirming it with her, that there is nothing she wants more for her Sweet Sixteen then for Lilly to have a family. Nothing.

And you can help get Lilly one step closer to that goal by being a piece of the puzzle. Becoming part of her butterfly! Help set her free!

Please bless Rachel, but more importantly, help Lilly find a family by getting your name on a puzzle piece!

Think 463 a lot?? I don't think so! Not for God! Let's knock out that number, shall we? Thank you!!!

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This is the post Sarah wrote yesterday about the puzzle fundraiser we set up. And she is definitely right - all I want for my birthday is for our sweet girl to have a family. I do not want Lilly living in an orphanage/institution any longer - I want her to have a loving family! Please, please, help us set our girl free!

Go here for the original post.

Waiting Wednesday

Today I want you to meet a handsome 15 month old boy! Keegan has Down syndrome and a heart defect, but he doesn't need surgery. That's the only reason he's cast off and forgotten in an orphanage. But even worse - soon, this baby is going to be transferred to an institution. Yes, he is just 15 months old, and he is going to be transferred soon. The baby house he's living in is shutting down, and he has nowhere else to go. This little boy needs a family SO badly! Please, pray for Keegan, post his picture everywhere so his mama and daddy see him, donate to his fund if you are able, or consider adopting him!! I don't know how long a little baby can last in an institution, and I can't picture Keegan's sweet face in one. Please pray that a family will save him!

Keegan

Boy, Born January 2011

Brand new baby boy!  It's not often we get to list one so young!   Isn't he a little doll!?
He has Down syndrome and a heart defect – a defect of the chamber divider, but surgery is not recommended.  He also has issues with his eyes crossing.

$1952.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!