Control

What a slacker blogger I have turned out to be. I apologize for my absences. I didn't plan to be absent but don't be sad or angry, none of you wanted a play by play of the paper chase. Trust me. Unless you're an insomniac, then perhaps THAT is exactly what you wanted out of me.

There are so many aspects of my life right now that are out of my control, the least I could do was filter. . for the kind folks that read my blog. Control *giggle* what a misnomer, eh? The illusion of control is a good frenemy to me, despite the fact that it is indeed an illusion. I am a fair weather friend to control. I only want the illusion of control in some instances, mostly when I want to control others... .Yes, I am that lovely.

I do not want control over myself. NOPE. For example, I claim NO control over my weight. Nope. . .it cannot possibly be my addiction to donuts and ice cream. . .those pesky 15 are simply out of my control. . .I swear!

The sad state of my hair. .. also outside my realm of control. It literally boggles the mind. . .that I finally got my hair cut and it looks like THIS... hmmm....I would be better off with a flo-be.



Instead, I like to believe that I have control over my 2.5 year old. .. even when faced with the truth that I have NO control over when it is that he decides to loudly MOAN in the middle of Mass. I also have no control over the fact that my dear husband decides to respond to this moan with some sort of pro-wrestling move meant to restrain said 2.5 year moaner .. .but instead turned that moan into an ear piercing scream. That. That I believe I should have some sort of control over. . ..

I don't, but I CAN pluck my hair out by the handful. Because THAT helps! (it helps just as much as over the top wrestling move in the middle of Mass...just saying because had you been in church with us yesterday you would have witnessed both awesome responses..Kara doesn't that MAKE you want to move here?) Side note- 2.5 year old and Momma went to time out in the lobby for the rest of Mass.. .kneeling on cold lino is my penance....

I sat down thinking I could control my mind and fingers enough to complete a post this morning, but my child is choosing to ask what is on every spoonful of cereal prior to placing the spoon into his mouth. A super fun game for all involved.

I believe that God is up there answering prayers and watching over his beloved people. . .just waiting for us to turn to Him and ask for a hand. . ..but most of us (like me) instead choose to fret about our inability to turn water into wine.. .and resign ourselves to the sad truth that if there is to be wine, it must be purchased...I wonder if God is up there rolling his eyes at me. 

So why is it that I cling so tightly to this illusion that I can control the totally uncontrollable thing? Ie, my child, my husband, this adoption. . ..the driving habits of the person in front of me. It is a lesson in frustration and yet I persist.. ..

Just pondering my pigheadedness makes me crave a donut. .. . and a larger pair of yoga pants.

For those that came here hoping for an adoption update, I am sorry. You have absolutely no control over what I post here. . .sucks, eh?
I relent. We should be submitted on Thursday and then if all goes well (begging God for this to be the case) we should receive travel dates in 5-6 weeks.. ..
In the meantime.. . if you want updates, these can be purchased from me ..haha. Totally kidding..but please DO share our giveaway and keep us in your prayers!

Oh my God

I am not taking HIS name in vain, I assure you. Adoption is not for the faint of heart. The unknowns are many; the paperwork is vast. You must find some perverse pleasure in jumping through hoops. Or maybe all you really need is love. And faith. Faith is truly helpful.

Not only are you opening your heart and home to a child for the rest of your life, you are opening your life to the public. .. opening yourself up for scrutiny. Hoping that people will join you on the journey, to pray and support you. For the most part, this has been the case. People, you have been AWESOME! There are however, people lurking in the shadows and that live to tear down. Sad.

Pasha.. . I KNOW you are worth all of it and more. Every child needs someone to stand up for them. Every. Single. Child.

Receiving rude, demeaning, ill founded messages from people that hide in their anonymity. ..it is this generations version of bullying. Sticks and stones. Sticks and Stones. When I was growing up, if you were going to be awful to someone, you had to own up to it. . man up and do it face to face. This version, well it is just sad. It saddens me and it prompts me pray for those poor souls that feel the need to be mean and then to hide. The internet makes it so  much easier for sad and angry people to lash out. A side effect of the ease, convenience and accessibility that the internet provides, I guess.
Someone recently claimed that bad things WOULD happen BECAUSE God is good. Hmmm.
The God that I know is kind and loving. For Pete's sake HE sent his ONLY SON for me to suffer unspeakable pain. Little old me. That alone tells me that GOD is here. With me. Loving me. Regardless of my failings and my insecurities. Even when someone tells me that HE doesn't love me. I know. My God loves me.

What must life be like for someone that believes that God is capable of orchestrating hurtful and painful scenarios. .. not for any good. The world must be very scary, empty and unsettling. I am again asking for prayers. Please continue to keep my family and Pasha in your prayers, but please include a plea for people that are hurting and are trying to spread that hurt around. God can heal.

Oh, my God. HE is good ALL THE TIME. He wants all things that are good for us. I will not be afraid. I will not dwell on the unknowns, I will trust in God because HE IS SO GOOD! I will not hide. I will not retaliate. I will stand strong. Because God allows me to.

My name is Becki and I endorse this message.

Little Ladies

Well, we are surviving here. . ..the pox have us down, but don't count us out just yet. Thankfully the chicken pox will be here for a finite period of time. How would we deal with this if it appeared there was no end in sight?

What if our reality was one of suffering, despair, neglect and hunger? What if that was all we knew? What if our condition appeared so hopeless and severe people started assuming that we simply would not survive. . and gave up on us?

Two days ago, one of the first faces I ever saw on Reece's Rainbow vanished. No one knew what had happened to Ksenia. The worst was assumed. She had been living in an adult mental institution and was not thriving. It appeared she was barely surviving. We thought that she had been unable to survive the conditions in which she was living. Thankfully, she is still alive and she still deserves a family. .. she desperately needs rescued! We are getting a second chance to advocate for her. ... I for one don't want to let this little girl down. She is available to Canadians only at this time.

This is Ksenia after being sent to the institution. 

Sweet girl before the institution.

alck-7

Ksenia K.

Date of Birth: February 2003
Gender: Female
Eyes: Gray
Hair: brown
Nature: Calm

Diagnosis: Down syndrome

The transformation of this little angel is horrifying 

Available to Canadian families only at this time.

Meet Gemma. She has also been transferred to a mental institution at the tender age of 5. Can you imagine your precious children suffering such a fate. What would you do to make sure your children were loved, fed and cared for? Gemma needs to be rescued!! She needs to be tickled into smiling. . she needs to feel loved!

Girl, born in January 2007

Blue Eyes

Hair light brown

The nature of calm

Diagnosis: Down syndrome

I know people are tired of me talking about these children. . .but seriously how can I stop? How would forgetting them help? I would not sleep any easier. . .. what these children are living through is unimaginable. .. .helping is as easy as saying a prayer, clicking share. . .donating $5. It will not solve the problem for every child, but you would be amazed by what you are capable of doing. One person can make all the difference in the world to one of these children! There are 2 billion Christians worldwide, 132 million orphans. If the Church stepped up, each child could be provided for 15 times over. Change is possible. Throwing up our hands achieves nothing. Apathy is death for these sweet babies. 

Even Chimpanzees "get it!"

So I went to the movies last night. This rarely happens. I have no social life. Well, I do but it is definitely limping along. . ..on life support. I had a lovely date with my Mom and sisters. I am SO very blessed with the family that I have.

Not sure why on our lighthearted outing we decided to watch October Baby. ..but we did. And through the tears and today's residual "wow that was so sad" I recognize the importance of that movie. . .I recommend it. HIGHLY. You can watch the trailer here.

Previews still remain my FAVORITE part of going to a movie and there seem to be a lot of really great movies to be released. One preview grabbed my heart and had me crying even before October Baby started.

My meeting with Father T went awesome. He is fully supportive of a church mission to benefit special needs adoption. He also agrees that our parish can do better to foster a community where these children and their families would be accepted, supported, applauded and loved. We will meet again to discuss concrete plans, so if anyone feels that they have something beautiful and concrete to send my way. . ..feel free! I have my ideas but I am not convinced that they are the best.

So, with a heart of joy and increased confidence in my message of adoption, I went to the movies.

And saw this:

I cannot wait to see this movie despite the fact that I will have to bring an entire box of tissues. . .

What excuse can a human have after watching this? Chimpanzees get it. Adoption matters. It is the right thing to do. What are the alternatives??

Now

Then

My husband thought I had mislabeled these pictures. Sadly. No. Ksenia was a beautiful little girl with down syndrome that was transferred to an adult mental institution at a very young age. As you can see from the NOW picture, she is NOT THRIVING. THIS IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO ADOPTION. Children suffering. It has to stop!

No words of my own. ..

I had a day. It wasn't too bad, it wasn't too great. Just another Tuesday. I had planned to vent about Martha Stewart and Hugh Grant. And boy o boy was it a good rant.. .but as I was preparing for my meeting tomorrow (yes, still preparing. This is THAT important to me!) I came across something more worthy of my time and yours. Perhaps I will postpone the Martha/Hugh rant . ..someone remind me. . .

A couple of blogger/RR friends told me to check out the Archbishop of Philly. Since I always do what I am told. . .I did. And I was blown away. Literally. I am sitting here in tears. Not the pretty, silent streams of tears. . . nope. The emotional cries of someone voicing your thoughts more eloquently than you thought possible. I want to cheer and crumple into sobs all at the same time. I think I love this man. Intensely. (Intensely is really the only way I do anything. .. unless I have eaten too many corn chips and jelly beans; which is sadly not a rare occurrence.)

I have a new hero. . . .and this post will simply be quotes from him. I will follow his train of thought tomorrow in my meeting. Brilliant.

Meet Archbishop Chaput through his amazing passion for life. .. ALL LIFE. Booo-ya!

Every child with Down syndrome, every adult with special needs — in fact, every unwanted unborn child, every person who is poor, weak, abandoned, or homeless — is an icon of God’s face and a vessel of his love. How we treat these persons — whether we revere them and welcome them or throw them away in distaste — shows what we really believe about human dignity, both as individuals and as a nation.


The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is never between some imaginary perfection or imperfection.  None of us is perfect.  No child is perfect.  The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is between love and unlove; between courage and cowardice; between trust and fear.  That’s the choice we face when it happens in our personal experience.  And that’s the choice we face as a society in deciding which human lives we will treat as valuable, and which we will not.


These children with disabilities are not a burden; they’re a priceless gift to all of us.  They’re a doorway to the real meaning of our humanity.  Whatever suffering we endure to welcome, protect and ennoble these special children is worth it because they’re a pathway to real hope and real joy. [.....] That’s why we march.





WORDS TO LIVE BY, Thank you Archbishop Chaput for 


speaking them so beautifully! 

Ollie

       

It all came to a head today. . . . .

So, perhaps I am what you would call eccentric. . . single minded. .or focused. Um, tenacious? I am not sure that there is a term for what ails me. I know that my head appears normal enough from the outside but there is a lot that goes on inside that may not be so normal.

I am committed. Maybe overly so, to the plight of special needs orphans. Please, please, please check out this link. Failing to do so will cause you to miss out on supreme cuteness like this:

Juliette (L)

My commitment is in part due to my recent miscarriage of a down syndrome baby boy. It is in part due to my upbringing (a separate but highly entertaining story.) But it is also in part due to the fact that my husband turns a deaf ear my way on  this subject, and therefore I must speak about it twice as much (and twice as loud) in hopes that a little bit of it breaks through. . .yes, I am that person. (Isn't my husband just the luckiest man ever?)


A few weeks back, when I didn't feel like enough people were listening or cared about these children I reached out to a local priest (at 2am) via email. I brought the issues to him and outlined how I thought the parish could help. Well, I have a meeting with him on Wednesday to further discuss the possibility of a new parish mission. YIPPEE!! Right? Well, YES and no.. . see I am not sure that I have the words, the panache, the eloquence to convince him that he REALLY WANTS to support a church mission. I am the bull in the china shop. . .. .really I am so nervous that I will muck this meeting up royally. The last time I attempted something similar on World Mission Sunday, I was to speak during the homily. I lasted 2.5 minutes before slurring into the microphone, "I'ma pathhhh out now." And then I did. My fainting act did bring in 10k that weekend, but still. . .

So, that is where my head and heart are today. Totally. This does not mean that I am neglecting Eli at all, he really wouldn't allow that, but what it does mean is this:

Eli and I went to Wally World today. I never, ever go to Walmart if I can help it. Well, my distracted brain couldn't find a reason to avoid it. . . so we went. They did not have what I went there for. . .epic fail. I did pick something up for myself though. . .
Here's the back story. I never have time to get my haircut. It is ridiculous. I normally choose to wear my hair quite short, which needs upkeep that I never give it. It normally is shoulder length before I find the time to get it back under control. In the interim I simply look ridiculous. I live in headbands and helmet hair. It is lovely. If I take some time to do something with it, it can be passable. . .but really who has the time or motivation? So, I bought myself this:

If this picture is not clear enough, this is the baby sister to the Crimping iron of the 80s. It is supposed to give me lovely wavy hair in under 10 minutes. Okay, so I added the under 10 minutes part, but I thought that this would help me in the ugly grow out phase I am in.

We got home, I fed Eli lunch and I put him down for a nap. I was eager to try out this new contraption. .. so I plugged it in right away.

I ate "lunch" while I waited for it to heat up. My lunch consisted of jelly beans and corn chips.

And then I went to work on my hair. It did make it wavy/kinky pretty quickly, though the end result was frizz. Lovely frizz. I was not sure if the sugar high was clouding my judgement so I stopped the experiment with just the front of my head, threw my headband back on and returned to   preparing for my church meeting.

My husband came downstairs as I was still working and still eating corn chips.. .. .he sat down on the couch and said. "uh, you look weird. Deranged really." He laughed hysterically when I showed him the super straight hair still hanging from the back of my head. Really, I am relieved there is no photographic evidence from this experience.

I took a break from researching for my meeting to call and make a hair appointment. I would hate to muck up this meeting before I even have a chance to open my mouth.

See why I need your prayers?? PLEASE PRAY!! God can make this happen. . . .. .

So much is riding on this meeting!

Girl, born October 2011

BOY, Born November 26, 2004

The ABCs of this Orphan Crisis

A: ADOPT! ACT! ADVOCATE!  I seriously cannot say this enough, everyone should be shouting out for this kids. Fundraising, donating, advocating. All children should be protected, ESPECIALLY those that cannot but lie in their cribs, accepting their harsh, cruel situation.

B: Believe that change is possible. Bring this issue to the feet of Jesus. Bring your gifts to this cause. YOU could be the missing link that solves the problem. Blog about it. Be brave; brave enough to step out on a limb for a child. This is a battle. A battle for life, for hope. It is a battle that CAN be won.

C: Cheer on all the families working in earnest for these precious souls. Claim a child as your own. Commit yourself to this problem for the long haul. Church: take the plight of these children to your church communities. Prayer can and will move mountains. TRY IT!


Something has to give for the REAL ABCs of this issue:

A:        

Alexander 





Alexandra

B:  Brett



Beau

C:

 

Claudia







Cole

If there was ever something worth fighting for, this would be it! What else are you spending your time on that is worth as much as one of these children. Yup, the cold hard truth about these ABCs. ... get off your butt and get involved! 

What I love about being me!

This will be quick as my kiddo decided breakfast was optional today. I normally collect my thoughts over a nice hot cup of coffee, while Eli smears his food all over his hair, face, chair and anything within reach. Hahah, honestly he isn't doing that today, he has just decided that half a banana and 2 raisins is more than enough for his breakfast. Arguing is futile.

So, I have had just such a moving Triduum and Easter weekend. So many graces, inspirations and revelations this weekend. Blessed time with family. LUCKY ME!

The one that is resonating SO loudly with me today is this: being Becki and being Catholic is more than a trip to church on Sunday. It means that when I see something wrong. When I KNOW that Jesus would have me act on something, I am CALLED TO ACT. It doesn't cross my mind that people may think that I have gone off the deep end. I don't identify with people that believe it is just too hard or too sad to do the right thing. Fear does  not register. IT IS WRONG.

There are children being horribly mistreated. Living horrifically deprived lives. Dying preventable and awful deaths. CHILDREN. BABIES. Who can look the other way? Who would CHOOSE to? NOT ME.

I am going to repeatedly quote these Bible verses. .. . maybe until they sink in for someone else. Until I can quote them from memory.  All it takes is ONE person to make a difference. . .

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth  (Isaiah 43:5-6)

You are the helpers of the fatherless.  (Psalm 10:14)

It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:27)

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of the needy. (Proverbs 31:8,9)


I have heard from more than one person that life should be fun. .. .about the pursuit of "fun." Really? I hope for a much richer life experience. I believe that if you are living as Jesus would have you live, there will be joy. An abundance of it. A reduction of fear. An outpouring of love. I would take that over fun ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!  I have on occassion, experienced this joy and freedom. It is well worth the effort!

I proudly state that I am Catholic. I hope my actions speak even louder. I work to make that the case. "Let them know we are Christians by our LOVE."  The Scriptures above do not say "take care of the needy if you feel like it." "if you have a big enough retirement account." "After you have purchased the house/car/vacation of your dreams" These are instructions, period, and I for one will continue to follow. I will not pick and choose which instructions I choose to make mine. Jesus knows me and calls me by name.

This DOES NOT mean that I have never made mistakes. I have fallen. I have strayed. My joy comes from brushing myself off, time and time and time again, to charge headlong back into the race. .. .

What an amazing journey it has been. I do hope and pray that more people brush themselves off and run with me.
For the love of God.
For the love of children.

Alexander I. 8W

How can you not LOVE these lil ones?


Side note:

MAN, I LOVE blogging! I can speak my mind without having to see the faces people make when they hear what I have to say! hahaha. It is AWESOME! I should have started this AGES ago! What freedom!

What a Blessed Day!

He has truly risen. AMEN! Mass today was so beautiful, it gave me goosebumps. I was emotional. It was awesome. It is often difficult to pay attention in Mass with a 2 year old that would rather I pay attention to him. Or he would rather focus on going "potski" ten times an hour. Literally. Today, despite all of that, I was really present and the reward was immense and so needed!

I am reveling in this glorious day, but want to leave some promising information regarding the kiddos in Pleven. Our prayers are being answered. Hallelujah!!

Please read the update here. It is thrilling to hear that eyes and hearts are being opened. .. lives are changing. .. .good news is ALWAYS welcome here!

I will leave you with my super smart looking kiddo. .. ..because he is just far too cute for me not to share.

The Second Station: Jesus carries His Cross:

What a moving Good Friday I have had. Such a heavy heart today. I went to Stations of the Cross today prepared to beg for the children of Reece's Rainbow. To unite their suffering with Jesus'. God was prepared for me. Left me speechless. I am going to print the prayer that was impossible for me to voice with the rest of the participants. I am inserting the pictures I had in my head as I was praying. (You're welcome.)


"Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of  the Lord been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth;




 there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at Him,

no appearance that would attract us to him.

He was rejected and avoided by men,

a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,

one of those from whom men turn away, and we held him in no esteem." (Is.53, 1-3)

(From the same station)
"Father in heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ still carries his cross in his persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world. Make us feel the needs of all persons so that we might as readily help them as we would help Jesus himself."


I gave that one a BIG Amen (the only word in the two above paragraphs I was able to say out loud.)

God was ready for my pleas, he understands the need. He calls US to act. He calls ME to act.

Please God, knock down all the barriers in my life that prevent me from fully welcoming these children into my heart and my home. Show me how to help carry the cross these children bear. Resurrect my soul from the despair of inaction.

AMEN.

Knackered

Oh, I feel like complaining. And I shouldn't. At all. Precious Eli was up several times for no apparent reason. I thought he had a nightmare for the way he was crying and shaking. I hate that hiccup cry, it breaks my heart. Yes, perhaps I am a complete pushover for my son, but there you have it.

So, I picked him up and he asked for "rock n roll" which he asks for when he wants me to  cuddle him and rock him in the rocker. So cute. I squeezed him until he was able to quit hiccuping. Until he grew heavy in my arms. Until his sweet eyelids fluttered closed. Until my eyes grew heavy again. And then a bit longer. And a little longer after that. When I eventually put him in his bed, he slowly lifted his head and said "hi mama" and fell back to sleep. He is my little love bug.

But then I could not  sleep.  How LUCKY my sweet Eli is to have a Mama so willing to hold him when he is scared. Comfort him when he is sad or hurt. Snuggle him when he would rather be playing. He has what so many kids don't even dare to dream of.

Not just kids in Eastern Europe. Not just children with Special Needs. I feel very called to bring a Downs child home because of my personal life experience. Not everyone feels called to that. I understand that. On the flip side, God instructed us to care for widows and orphans. PERIOD. Not if it fits into our plans. Not if it is comfortable. Not if we feel called to it. He told us to care for them. PERIOD. This does not seem open to negotiation.

Those babies are crying, with no one to revel in the warmth of their cuddles. To watch their eyes slowly closed, secure in their Parent's arms. Every child deserves this, but SO MANY go with out. THAT IS THE BIGGEST SHAME. A crime. A reversible wrong.

I had committed to posting a child a day on my Facebook page for the month of March in honor of  World Down Syndrome Day. I am sure people are groaning into their coffees right now. . .but I cannot stop. My heart and conscience will not allow it. These children get no break. No respite. So how would I justify one?

Kolya 15H

Boy, Born July 2000

6e1n-15H

Look at the personality in this kid! Oh My Goodness! He is so full of life, And hope. And promise. And here I am feeling grumpy for my lack of sleep. I need to learn from this little love! My life is surely blessed!

I leave you snippet of my favorite church song.

This is your mission if you choose to accept it. . . .

1.  The first and the easiest thing you can do is look at Reece's Rainbow. And talk about it. With your friends. You husband. At your church. At the coffee shop. On your Facebook Page. On your blog. In your sleep. Talk about these children as if they matter. . . .because they do! Spread the word!

I am serious about the effectiveness of option #1! I have emailed the local priests asking them to add this mission to their homilies. To be honest, I suggested that each parish "adopt" one child to pray for, collect donations for and advocate for until that child is adopted. . .then "adopt" another one. This work cannot take a day off!! I have also emailed local newspapers and radio stations. The more eyes and hearts that are opened the better. .. .. try it!

2. If that does not  satisfy your need to help (I certainly hope it doesn't) then Pray! You can sign up to be a Prayer Warrior for a specific child or children. It is free and it's effective! Becoming a Prayer Warrior allowed me to join a super secret society of AWESOME people all praying and advocating for these lovely kids.

3. Donate. It doesn't have to be much. Every little bit helps! Collect your loose change. .. you will be surprised what you can come up with! There are also oodles and oodles of fundraisers and charities for these children. I am going to make it super easy on you and list some great options here:

*The Give a Granny program  pays older women to visit and care for one or two children.
*The Caring for Konner Giveaway is raising funds to help cover adoption expenses
* Reece's Rainbow allows you to either donate to specific children or to families in the process of adopting. The stories are really moving!
*Assist in providing medical care to the most neglected children by donating to the Pleven Medical Fund
* Project Hopeful works to advocate for special needs adoptions as well. There is so much information and fundraising on that page, you really just need to check it out!
*You can help purchase new cots through the cwuha

4. If you are flexible and have the funds (then I am super jealous of you) look into volunteering. These children would benefit SO much just from the attention and care you give them. No qualifications necessary, just a desire to love these children. Again, to make it easier on you, I will list some of the volunteer options I have discovered:
*One Heart lists volunteer opportunities. Look into it!
* Volunteer in the Pleven Orphanage! These are short term volunteer placements.  .totally doable and worth the time! Let's work to fill these placements!

There are really not a lot of volunteer organization groups for Bulgaria at the moment. I have emailed the Catholic Medical Mission Board as well as the Catholic Volunteer Network to see if something can be organized.
(will my name begin to be despised?? Who cares. . .here comes another email from yours truly!)
5. Fundraise. Hold a garage sale. Hold an auction. A party with all proceeds going to these children. Though this might take a little work. . .. it could be very fun AND go a long way in paying a ransom for a child. Talk to your friends, your family, your church. With a little bit of teamwork, a lot can be accomplished!


6. Shop! Yup, it can be that easy! There are several etsy shops that fundraise for Reece's Rainbow. Check them out!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToCatchRainbows?ref=ss_profile
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WrappingupRainbows?view_type=list
http://www.etsy.com/people/reclaimedfundraising

I know there are more . .. I have seen them but when I went back to search for this post, I could no longer locate them. If you know the shops, feel free to email me or comment them below!



7. ADOPT! Open your home and your heart to one of these precious children and you will be rewarded many times over. This is the greatest thing you could do for one of these children, for yourself and for your family. I pledge to assist in fundraising and moral support if you are willing and able to take this on. I PROMISE!

Off the deep end

So my dear hubby is convinced that I have gone and lost it. Completely. Maybe he is right? I am so grateful for the love and support and camaraderie I have found with the Reece's Rainbow crew. Their mission mirrors mine and I am so thankful to have found them! There are some really amazing people doing even more amazing things. . . .sacrificing all for the little angels that are in so much need.

Families are praying. Fundraising and adopting. It is really so incredible. Sadly there is trend in messages on there however, MEN, you are the brawn in our families. The heads of our hearts. The big, strong shoulders we rely on. It is time for battle. This is bigger than our desire to love babies. WE NEED YOUR HELP! This IS a problem you can fix! Our lives can no longer be about building a more comfortable life for ourselves, though we appreciate that sentiment. It can no longer be about finding the easiest path and staying on it forever. There is a wrong being committed and WE MUST STOP IT! HOW????? Open our arms, open our wallets and give our lives over to those that need us most. Complete sacrifice. How scary is that?? REALLY FLIPPING SCARY. But MEN are designed for battle. They are our protectors, so WHO BETTER to assist in this ministry?? Gear up soldiers!! Head into battle! This is one that we can WIN! These children cannot help themselves out of this hell, it is our responsibility. I, for one, will not look away!

Hahaha, I am sitting at my kitchen table crying. Perhaps I have crossed the line and am completely off my rocker.

I have been having such a difficult time sleeping these days, which really does not help my mental state. As I say my evening prayers, the faces of each child pops in my head. Visions of emaciated children. Vacant stares. Children that may never live to know how precious they truly are. I am not wired to handle it! It is just too awful.

I remember the Ethiopian famine. I remember hoardes of Actors and Musicians eager to assist. I remember"We Are the World."  I was moved to tears then. I just really believe that children SHOULD NOT SUFFER. It is a tragedy. The (INSERT numerous curse words here. .. . I just had to break for my son to have his morning constitutional and the first key I hit wiped out an AWESOME rant!)))) @#$@#$%%%$#
The shocking nature of the orphan crisis in Eastern Europe is that it is not resulting from a drought, natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstance. Nope this is brought on by a drought of kindness. Of love. A complete surrender to fear, to selfishness. This can and should be something that NEVER happens. NOT ON OUR WATCH! This is a holocaust that needs to be brought to an end.

So I tried everything to sleep last night. Nothing worked. When crying myself to sleep didn't work either, I decided to take my case to a higher level. To the CHURCH.
Oh. .. .to be those poor Priests that received my email this morning. hahah, please join me in prayer that they don't just write me off as a mentally unstable woman. This is a matter that our faith community should know about. ... be heartbroken about and RECTIFY!

We are called to community. We are called to love. LOVE is what will bring these children home. Please pray that my emails strike a chord and homilies shout out the cries of these children. Let's pray that legions of people are shaken out from under their cloaks of indifference and spurred into action.

It is my fervent prayer that Churches around the world rise up to answer the call of these children. Join me in battle!!