Getting Organized

I have been spending time on Pinterest pinning different organizers and printables to my pin boards. The first week I did really well. What was I thinking trying to get all planned out and organized right in the middle of the holidays? I should have been shooting for something a bit more attainable like brushing my teeth at least four times in one week or maybe eating one meal this week while sitting down. Luckily the holidays are coming to an end and I can get things back on track. Well, except for the fact that I am sick and so are all four of my kiddos. You know what I am going to try anyway! Right now I am finding this planner really helpful. It is found at Finding Home. I love the way it is layed out and so far works really well for me. I really like the font she used. I do not know why that would be important but for some reason it is to me. In the meantime here is a real glimpse into my life :

This is from my son's birthday last year. I am not organized enough to have more recent photos. That is not stopping me from moving forward and trying to be more organized!!!

Room for One More?

At one point, it was taught that we should always have room at our tables for one more. I know that during the depression era there were lots of misplaced folks that benefited from the kindness of those who had extra to share. Is this something that is taught anymore? Do we instill in our children that there is plenty and we should share with those in need? I know I have fallen short on this many times in my adult life. I see that there is always room for one more in our life of plenty. In fact, there is room for several more to sit around our table and break bread with us. I would love an opportunity to welcome Sophia to my table. She is a sweet 5 year old that has no family. What a joy it would be to know that she had a permanent place where she is part of a family. Are you that family? Is there room for one more at your table?

Isn't she a sweetheart! If you would like to help Miss Sophia please visit Reece's Rainbow. She is one of the children that is on the Angel Tree. Please share and donate so that we can meet here $1,000 goal!!!

The Right Words

I search today for the right words to use to introduce you to Miss Zoey but I am truly unable to find them. Zoey is 6 years old and weighs about 10 lbs. I have a 6 year old and he weighs about 50 lbs. My mind simply cannot comprehend this difference. My heart is broken for this little one. She is in desperate need of a family. To learn more about Zoey you can visit Reece's Rainbow. Please pray that this little one's family finds her soon!

Russell!!!!

This is a picture of my sweet Angel Russell. It was the picture on his profile last year when he was on the Angel Tree. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this were his last year on the Angel Tree!!! Could you please help us get Russell home with his family next year? You can share his picture. You can donate to his Angel Tree fund. You can also pray with me that his family finds him soon!!!

Abbott!!!

Let me tell you what, I am excited about featuring this sweet boy today. He has such a sweet sweet face. Look at the kindness in his eyes. Look at all the wonderful things they say about him too!!!

"Abbott is a child with whom everyone falls in love immediately! He is a very kind and very cheerful child! He easily finds common language with adults and children. Abbott understands how to properly play with the different kind of toys and loves to play. He is not speaking yet but he is easily understood. Abbott is an active child. He likes to run, walk and see new places."

But wait what is this in bold that I see..... URGENT NEED – TRANSFERRED


My heart is now breaking. Do you know what this means? "Recently he has been transferred to an institution and nobody knows how he is now." This sweet boy with the kindness in his eyes is in an institution. Is he able to run? Is he able to play? Doubtful? Will someone help him to speak? Not likely.

 So what can we do? Share his picture every chance you get! Donate to his adoption grant! Go visit Hooked on Hope and purchase an amazing crocheted item because 25% of  each purchase goes to this sweet child. Above all else please pray. No child should ever be in an institution. They should be in a family.


If you want to know more about Abbott just click on his picture.

 

 

 

Angel Tree 2012

Hey folks!! Or should I say my one reader. I am stepping out big this year and I am going to be cheering and praying and fundraising for a sweet little boy named Russell! My goal is to raise $1,000 but more importantly to find this little one a family! If you have the heart to donate please click on his picture and it will take you to Reece's Rainbow. You can click on his picture over to the right! For every $35 donated you also get an ornament with his picture! Let's make a big difference in this little one's life this holiday and as always prayers are truly appreciated.

Beans Beans Beans!!!!

I am a wanna be gardener. This year I planted two different types if green beans. I planted Kentucky Pole beans and Contenders. I planted them a few weeks before the big drought set in. Needless to say it was a rough go. I watered twice a day and they barely grew. The pole beans did manage to make it up the fence and then they all turned brown and crispy in August. They were dead. Worthless. Not even a bloom. I left them on the fence and just pretened they weren't there. The bush beans were still green (kinda) but the grasshoppers were eating what was left of them. So I started ignoring/neglecting them too. Then last week God sent rain. Not just a shower burst but a 24 hour rain. Those plants burst back to life. Even the ones that were burnt up and leafless. In the past few days I have picked 3 quarts of beans. I had given up but God had not. He had a plan for those beans to feed my family. Something so minor so unworthy of his notice but it mattered to Him. If God cares about my beans can you imagine how much He must care about the children of this world that are tossed aside and considered worthless. Psalm 68:6 "God sets the lonely in families." Children like Brandi.

There is not a lot of info on Brandi. But what I do now is, if God cared enough to make my beans so abundant under harsh conditions think of how much more he can do for Brandi. All she needs is a loving family to step forward and bring her home. Can you imagine how much she could do if she was in an environment of love and encouragement that only a family can provide. Imagine if she were able to live to her fullest potential. If you would like to know more please go here. This is what we do know about Miss Brandi. Girl, Born August 31, 2007 Little Brandi is much loved….she has CP and microcephaly, but is physically active and in need of a forever family. From her medical records: “lack of development of brain from birth” ,”specific problems of psychological development”, “loss of hearing in both ears”

Tuesday's Child

This week we are on vacation, so I am using this time to get organized and back into advocating. Our summer was crazy busy with the garden and canning and just doing summer things. I couldn't help but to stop and think about all the kids locked up in orphanages. For so many there is no change in their daily life that says summer. The same walls, same foods and in so many ways same prision. How many nights I stayed outside till dusk with my boys chasing fireflies. We played in creeks. We roasted marshmallows and collected cicada shells. Nothing crazy or over the top, just the simple things in life that I enjoyed from my own childhood. This year we also picked lots of fresh strawberries and all kinds of goodies from the garden. We set out on the porch eating watermelon while it dripped down our faces. For Samantha and Kristina their summer looks so different. Let's just imagine that they got sent to a summer camp. It's not the summer camp you went to when you were young. There is no mom and dad to write to, to beg that they come and get you early or send you a box of goodies. No this camp is just hot. It is barren. You have broken tennis courts and no toys to play with. No arts and crafts to do. It's that way because these girls are considered broken by their society. Their country does not believe that they deserve kindness and compassion. It is heart breaking. They are children. They are a blessing. My prayer and hope is that next summer they are with their family roasting hot dogs in the back yard and catching fireflies. Please spread the word and help us find a family for these two beautiful girls! Samantha (the oldest), on the top: Brown hair and stunning green eyes! Microcephaly, mental retardation, crossed eyes, physically capable, friendly and affectionate girl, will do well in family environment. High likelihood of fetal alcohol syndrome. Kristina, on the bottom: cognitively delayed, physically capable, helpful, friendly, likes to play, good girl. To get more info on these two girls please go here. If you would like to read more about what summer camp looks like for these orphans please visit here. This couple is in country right now adopting 3 children.

Feels Like Home

Please take a moment to watch this video. It is so sweet and just so amazing!

Darryl 15H

I can think of no better way to start my day than to look into the wonderful cheerful face of Darryl! He is at the wonderful age of 5 and just so full of smiles despite living in an orphanage and not having a mommy or daddy to wake up to every day. Can you imagine the sweetness and hugs you could wake up to every morning if you were his momma!I can easily see Darryl running out the door to greet his daddy every evening when he arrives home from work.

Just look at the sunshine on his sweet face. Oh how much joy he could give to a family. I can easily see him in my back yard playing ball with his brothers and sisters. You can read more about Darryl here. Date of Birth: June 2007 Gender: Male Eyes: Gray Hair: brown Diagnosis: Down syndrome What a sweet, sunny little boy! Darryl is going on 5. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Darryl is growing well, phsyically active, friendly and sociable. More medical info available from the agency! Single moms welcome! Please pray that his mommy and daddy find him soon! Also please share his info!

Tuesday's Child

Today's child is Quinten. He a sweet little boy who is three years old. He is in Russia Region 2. This region has had a few hiccups as of late. We are hoping and praying that it will get past these issues soon as there are parents who are currently waiting to get their children home. We do not want the children that are there waiting on families to be forgotten. Please pray for the children there and spread the word!

Date of Birth: August 2009 Gender: Male Eyes: Gray Hair: red Character: noisy, active Down syndrome Diagnosis: DS, delayed development, protein-calorie deficiency, non-malignant growth You can donate to Quintens fund here.

Fatherless Friday

When I was a child I always looked forward to Friday cause that ment Daddy was home for the weekend. Saturday morning we would wake up to the wonderful smell of waffles. I loved it when my dad made waffles because he would make them as long as we kids would eat them. Then that afternoon he would take us swimming and fishing in local creeks. Then on Sunday we would go to church as a family. What a blessing to be able to have that in my life. I would like you to meet Miss Marcia.

Marcia is not blessed with a father to cook waffles for her on Saturday. In fact the enviornment that she has been placed in has been so hard on her that it is recommended that she only be placed in a family with older children or as an only child. This is not how a child should be spending their days. Please pray that her family finds her soon so that she will be an orphan no more!

Marcia has been transferred, and is not doing well — she needs a family, urgently! Marcia has a mild form of paraparesis, pelvic organs dysfunction, instability of hip joints; stemming from her main diagnoses — compensated hydrocephalus (treated with a shunt) and operated spina bifida. MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE, MARRIED COUPLES AND SMALL FAMILIES ONLY. Due to Marcia’s institutionalization and the negative effects it’s having on her, the ideal family would be one with no other children, or only older children. She will need a lot of attention You can read more about this sweet little girl here.

An Update on My Sweetie Lyla

I am so blessed to be a prayer warrior for sweetie Lyla. The family is in need of prayers as they are trying to get the paperwork expedited. That means this sweet little girl could be home much much quicker! What a blessing that would be since her mama has been waiting 2 years to get her girl home!

And folks we are so closs to getting this family funded!! Only $2805 left. To read more on all the wonderful things going on just skip on over here to take a look!

Andrey

Today's Tuesday child is Andrey. Such a precious little one who needs a family. He is said to be personable, active, friendly! You can read more and get info about Andrey here.

Miss Lyla

Doesn't this sweet girl have the most amazing eyes you have ever seen! I am so blessed to be her prayer warrior. Miss Lyla has had a rough start to this life and is a very sick little girl who also happens to be an orphan. What I want more than anything is to see her home with her family asap! Who would like to help? Head on over to Love Multiplied Giveaway! You have a chance to win many prizes including an iPad3! All to help this little princess get home to the care and love she so desperately needs. You see there is a very special family that went to meet her a few years ago because they loved her and knew that she was ment to be their daughter. They got to hold her and love her but she was so sick and expected to die so was no longer available to adopt.They were terribbly heartbroken to not be able to bring her home but our wonderful Lord had a plan and they met two other sweet blessings that they were able to add to their family. Then the impossible seemed to happen Miss Lyla lived!!! She was made available to be adopted but another family stepped up and committed to her. This family was unable to complete the adoption (prayers for them please I know they are heartbroken) but now Lyla is available again and we are trying so hard to get her home to the mama who was able to hold her and love her so long ago. Please share with your friends and help where you can. You can follow Miss Lyla's adoption story here: Lucky to Love Lyla.

Preston

Preston's Reece's Rainbow page

Boy, born October 2005

Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Character: smart, active, social

FACING IMMINENT INSTITUTIONALIZATION

Preston is an orphanage favorite! He is 6 now and needs a family of his own. He does have a heart condition, but he is active and doing well despite this. His adenoids and tonsils are enlarged (very common) and should probably be removed.

Preston has $15048.14 available toward the cost of his adoption!

Mulligan Stew

Hey folks! Head on over to Covenant Builders for some Mulligan Stew!

Duncan and Samuel both have families!

God is so good! Our prayers have been answered. You can "meet" Samuel's family here:

http://reecesrainbow.org/34247/sponsormorton

And Duncan is on My family found me here:

http://reecesrainbow.org/33492/duncan

Praise God for all His good works!

Duncan and Samuel

(From the Reece's Rainbow Prayer Warrior blog.)

Samuel is the first picture. Duncan is the second.

Duncan and Samuel will be aging out of the system soon in their countries. At age 16 they will no longer be available for adoption. Both these boys are in desperate need of families. The chance that they will enter into a life of crime is very high if they do not have a family come for them.

From a family who met him in Feb 2012: Duncan very much wants a family. He is smart and works hard. He gets along well with others. Duncan struggles with facing the future here in his native country. He knows that unless a miracle happens and he gets adopted (or a family commits and gets USCIS approval) in the next few months, he is going to be sent to a mental institution, even though mentally, he has no issues. Duncan appears to have CP, and he is small for his age (about the size of a 13 year old). Duncan's medical information is en route from the orphanage now, but the family who met him and who he approached to ask for a family and the facilitator want to go ahead and get his information and picture out there. Duncan uses a walker to walk and is independent in mobility. Duncan is a compassionate teen and one who says he "fears even to hope for a family, because he doesn't think anyone would want him because he isn't handsome". In fact, when it was time to pose for this picture, Duncan worried that someone would see it and then not want him. Duncan needs a family to show him God looks on the heart to see beauty (even though he's a quite handsome boy regardless)- and so do Christian families. Duncan's heart is big, and he is well-loved in this orphanage. Many worry for him if he doesn't get adopted
before he turns 16 and it is too late. Please, if you are interested, contact RR
right away. The family who met him is also very willing to talk to anyone who
wants more information.

From a family who met him in Feb 2012: Sam is an AMAZING young man!
He is friendly, good-natured, has a good sense of humor, and loves soccer (futbol). He is very good at soccer, and has gone to a camp for great players in Poland a few
summers ago. Sam very much wants a family in America- he approached a family
adopting there and asked many questions about it, and has talked to the
orphanage staff before about how much he wants a family- for parents to love
him, encourage him, and support him. Sam's disability is very minor- he has
malformed fingers on both hands that appear to be due to banding of some sort.
Otherwise, he is healthy. Because of this disability, he was sent to a special
needs orphanage. He is very smart, has already started learning English in
school at the orphanage and is well-liked by his friends. Sam's faith in God is
very important to him and he would like a family who also worships God, who will
encourage his gifts in soccer, and who will tell him "I love you" and listen to
him as he talks. Sam has goals for the future, and would like to play soccer and
go to college, but he knows his life in his home country will not give him those
chances. He is very intelligent, very respectful and has a great perspective
about adoption, because he has a friend already adopted into the US. The family
that met him in February 2012 will be happy to answer questions about him as
well. Sam eagerly posed for the pictures, and begged the family and facilitator
to please not forget him and to find him a family fast!Dear Lord, please
lead both of these boys' families to them. Allow for funds to not be an obstacle
to both of these boys having a family. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Sweet Bernadette

Here is a sweet child that is in desperate need of a family to love her. She is only available for adoption until November. After that she will never be available for adoption. This situation is URGENT! Please pray for her family to find her. http://reecesrainbow.org/32733/bernadette