Oh the number 3...so many peaceful and mysterious connotations with the number 3. I will take comfort in the TRINITY today, facing our departure in 3 days is stressful, but with those 3 in my arsenal, we should be just fine. (I wish I felt just as confident as that sentence sounds.)
So, the 3 of us will board a plane in 3 days. . .to fly 3 million miles away to claim the child that God has destined for our family. In 3 days, our lives will never, ever be the same. Amazing how life really can change in the blink of an eye.
Eli still asks about Pasha and prays that he will come and visit. Depending on how things pan out in country, perhaps we will get to meet him and support his new family. You never know. ..
So, I have not been actively blogging or posting on facebook lately as all of the loose ends that need to be nicely wrapped up are overwhelming me. It all makes me want to take a very long nap. Sorry for the absence...
On the GREAT news front, we have been offered a matching grant! A matching grant! We were $1350 away from being fully funded and we now have the opportunity for an extra $1000 in our fund! That's right! A matching grant for $500! This grant has been offered by "the Finishers" and "Anonymous Angels" and both groups are heaven sent to us! We will receive our matching grant when our FSP reads $8167! Please if you can donate, do! It would mean so much to us and take away a little of the stress from this situation.
http://reecesrainbow.org/38523/sponsorlittle I know, we still have Pasha up on our link...his little face still makes me smile. I will miss him so much.
We should be posting more by Monday. . .and by then we will know exactly who our child is going to be. Are you as blown away by this as we are?
Showing posts with label Discernment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discernment. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Baby Steps
I feel like Bill Murray in "What About Bob." Completely. Baby steps to the kitchen, baby steps to the fridge. .. all day long.
Losing Pasha has thrown us off our game. My husband has been traveling SO much lately that we have only had a few moments here and there to sit down and talk about what we will be doing with this adoption process.
After some tense conversations and a lot of prayer, we reached a consensus. We are both terrified. Unsure of our tentative steps, trying to step out in faith, but afraid to let go of the safety railing. You know the feeling.
SO, we are keeping our appointment in country. We have NO idea who we are to adopt, though we both believe that we were led down this path for a reason. So, in 2 weeks, we will be in route to see what God has planned for our family. I personally feel that God is offering us a child, all we have to do at this point is accept it. Why would we turn away from such a gift?
This is an adventure for sure, one that will likely make my hair turn gray over night. We have not stopped praying and likely will not stop until we are home.
Losing Pasha has thrown us off our game. My husband has been traveling SO much lately that we have only had a few moments here and there to sit down and talk about what we will be doing with this adoption process.
After some tense conversations and a lot of prayer, we reached a consensus. We are both terrified. Unsure of our tentative steps, trying to step out in faith, but afraid to let go of the safety railing. You know the feeling.
SO, we are keeping our appointment in country. We have NO idea who we are to adopt, though we both believe that we were led down this path for a reason. So, in 2 weeks, we will be in route to see what God has planned for our family. I personally feel that God is offering us a child, all we have to do at this point is accept it. Why would we turn away from such a gift?
This is an adventure for sure, one that will likely make my hair turn gray over night. We have not stopped praying and likely will not stop until we are home.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Adrift with Yoda
I always prided myself on my stability. I was strong. ..rooted. Not to be moved. I could handle bumps and bruises and move on unfazed. I had my faith and it held me together, helped me to stand straight and firm. I rarely wavered. I had pride to spare. So confident in myself and my capabilities. .
Oh the questions that plague me. Was I truly that strong? Was my strength my downfall? What the heck has changed? Was that confidence an illusion? My last adoption was FAR more difficult. I was on my own. .. I have support now. And yet. . .
Is that the difference? I had no one to count on before but God. .. I literally took a beating last time. But I did get up. I AM fine. Am I deluded in thinking that I was steady before? Was I blinded by my own ego. . .by the idea that I was strong and capable and self contained?
I am confounded by this. In my head I hear a wise voice.. "The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is. "
On the flip side, I am finding joy in my honesty. I am no longer afraid to share this journey with people. All of it. I do not feel the need to paint a happy or strong face where there is not one honestly there. I do not believe tears to be a sign of weakness. If people deem me to be weak, lost. . .that is their judgement and I am not concerned with their judgement. There is only one Judge that I am concerned with.
I am not sure what the lesson is. I am sure, completely sure that there are valuable lessons being learned on this journey. So many changes have already taken over me.. . I was chatting with a friend today and he told me that I was always so nice. I was completely floored. For the most part my friends describe me a sarcastic pain in the ass. . .nice? Not really used so much.. Changes are afoot and I do think good things will come of them! " You will know... when you are calm, at peace, passive."
I have been asking a lot of my friends and family on this journey. I know this. I am grateful for the patience, support and love that I am getting in return. I truly am. Can I ask for more?
I believe that I will only find stability standing again is if I return to my knees. Own my shortcomings, fears, angers and my humanity. Offer them all up, honestly. Please feel free to join me on this journey. Not to watch but to participate, to pray, follow and support. . .it is really going to be amazing! Join me?
Perhaps it is my low center of gravity assisted. . I don't know. I also don't know where that steadfast stability has gone. That blatant and pompous confidence. But it does appear to have fled the scene. Vanished completely. Perhaps I have only lost the illusion of strength and fortitude. It seems that the smallest bump can send me careening. Instead of standing strong, I am treading water in the middle of a tsunami. I feel washed this way and that. . .completely unmoored... . adrift. It feels so un-Becki.
Oh the questions that plague me. Was I truly that strong? Was my strength my downfall? What the heck has changed? Was that confidence an illusion? My last adoption was FAR more difficult. I was on my own. .. I have support now. And yet. . .
Is that the difference? I had no one to count on before but God. .. I literally took a beating last time. But I did get up. I AM fine. Am I deluded in thinking that I was steady before? Was I blinded by my own ego. . .by the idea that I was strong and capable and self contained?
I am confounded by this. In my head I hear a wise voice.. "The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is. "
On the flip side, I am finding joy in my honesty. I am no longer afraid to share this journey with people. All of it. I do not feel the need to paint a happy or strong face where there is not one honestly there. I do not believe tears to be a sign of weakness. If people deem me to be weak, lost. . .that is their judgement and I am not concerned with their judgement. There is only one Judge that I am concerned with.
I am not sure what the lesson is. I am sure, completely sure that there are valuable lessons being learned on this journey. So many changes have already taken over me.. . I was chatting with a friend today and he told me that I was always so nice. I was completely floored. For the most part my friends describe me a sarcastic pain in the ass. . .nice? Not really used so much.. Changes are afoot and I do think good things will come of them! " You will know... when you are calm, at peace, passive."
I have been asking a lot of my friends and family on this journey. I know this. I am grateful for the patience, support and love that I am getting in return. I truly am. Can I ask for more?
I believe that I will only find stability standing again is if I return to my knees. Own my shortcomings, fears, angers and my humanity. Offer them all up, honestly. Please feel free to join me on this journey. Not to watch but to participate, to pray, follow and support. . .it is really going to be amazing! Join me?
(TOTAL DISCLAIMER: I really have NO idea where the idea to use Yoda came from. . .but it was fun. Can I thank my husband's geek side? My ex-boyfriend's love of all things Star Wars? Honestly, on a good day I can differentiate between Star Wars and Star Trek. . .any other day, I could not care less. Sorry, that is also the truth. . .)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Maybe
Maybe- one of the most hopeful words I have heard in a long time. Maybe- a word that often gets overlooked; under utilized and misused in this household. A word I didn't realize I was longing to hear until I heard it yesterday.
Prior to yesterday, I really didn't love the word maybe. It was often used to put things off or to dismiss them altogether. It was an easy way to stop a conversation in it's tracks.
Yesterday maybe was said in earnest. With thought, with fear and hand wringing. With wide eyed honesty. My heart rate increased. My mind went into warp speed and I was filled with hope and possibility and trepidation. I nearly cried. Okay, I cried, but just a little bit.
In the past I have been a "yes" woman. I always sang my loudest in church when "Here I am" was played. "I will go Lord. .." But I have gone and I have struggled and I have been tested.
The past few years I have spent far too much time nursing my wounds and slowly crawling back to myself and to faith. Any progress is good progress in my book, and I am coming to terms with the journey that I am on and where that road has led me in the past. I wish I could see the reasons in God's great plan for the things that have occurred, but today I am still reveling in the power and the hope of tomorrow. Dreaming of where life will take us and eager to begin. . .
Blown away by the power of a maybe.
Prior to yesterday, I really didn't love the word maybe. It was often used to put things off or to dismiss them altogether. It was an easy way to stop a conversation in it's tracks.
Yesterday maybe was said in earnest. With thought, with fear and hand wringing. With wide eyed honesty. My heart rate increased. My mind went into warp speed and I was filled with hope and possibility and trepidation. I nearly cried. Okay, I cried, but just a little bit.
In the past I have been a "yes" woman. I always sang my loudest in church when "Here I am" was played. "I will go Lord. .." But I have gone and I have struggled and I have been tested.
The past few years I have spent far too much time nursing my wounds and slowly crawling back to myself and to faith. Any progress is good progress in my book, and I am coming to terms with the journey that I am on and where that road has led me in the past. I wish I could see the reasons in God's great plan for the things that have occurred, but today I am still reveling in the power and the hope of tomorrow. Dreaming of where life will take us and eager to begin. . .
Blown away by the power of a maybe.
Monday, April 9, 2012
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.
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mega Millions
As I sit here and dream about what I would have done had I won MegaMillions I am overwhelmed with how much easier my life would be. Surely I could adopt Mark and any other child that caught my heart as money would be no object. I could help so many other children secure families with that money. I would live in a house with storage, not a 1920's house built before closets were "discovered."
I could help my kids at Nyumbani. The children that first stole my heart. Taught me unconditional, fearless love and unending faith. The children that taught me more than I could ever verbalize. . .thankfully I think they all know the depths of my love for them.
I could do SO much good with that money. Not just could, I WOULD. I really thought that God SHOULD let me win!! I would be an awesome rich person.
But then I think back to the years I spent traveling to and from Kenya. Kenya became my sanctuary. The one place that never failed to center me. The truth of the matter is this: Kenya was my sanctuary due to the simplicity of my life there. There is SO much freedom in simplicity. It is really indescribable.
Life was not easy in Kenya. There was so much heartbreak. So much poverty. Poverty. The likes I had never seen before. So much unrest. So much hard work. But there was also joy. Loads of joy. Boundless faith. Love.When I first arrived in Kenya the slow pace of life threatened to drive me mad! I could not downshift from the break neck pace of life I had in Oregon. Once I got over that, my days seemed to last forever, filled to the brim with unforgettable moments. I never lost time in Kenya. I can easily lose hours here.
I cannot claim to own too many belongings. I do not live an extravagant life. I do not wish to. However, what I do own still seems to easily distract me from what is most important. Life is SO short and yet I waste quite a bit of it in front of the TV. Watching other people live and experience life. What a waste!
I rarely missed TV in Kenya. Hot showers- those I often missed but it never ruined my day. Having to wash my laundry by hand and hang it to dry. . ..not fun. But it was worthwhile work. The lack of fast food was sometimes difficult since I really do not like cooking, but even that was do-able and there was joy when I was actually able to cook on the makeshift stove I had.
The beauty and wonder of my surroundings were never lost on me. It was all I had sometimes to occupy my mind. Well, that and my little Lazarus. (I will definitely need to blog about him and my attempts to adopt him sometime.)
I could help my kids at Nyumbani. The children that first stole my heart. Taught me unconditional, fearless love and unending faith. The children that taught me more than I could ever verbalize. . .thankfully I think they all know the depths of my love for them.
I could do SO much good with that money. Not just could, I WOULD. I really thought that God SHOULD let me win!! I would be an awesome rich person.
But then I think back to the years I spent traveling to and from Kenya. Kenya became my sanctuary. The one place that never failed to center me. The truth of the matter is this: Kenya was my sanctuary due to the simplicity of my life there. There is SO much freedom in simplicity. It is really indescribable.
Life was not easy in Kenya. There was so much heartbreak. So much poverty. Poverty. The likes I had never seen before. So much unrest. So much hard work. But there was also joy. Loads of joy. Boundless faith. Love.When I first arrived in Kenya the slow pace of life threatened to drive me mad! I could not downshift from the break neck pace of life I had in Oregon. Once I got over that, my days seemed to last forever, filled to the brim with unforgettable moments. I never lost time in Kenya. I can easily lose hours here.
I cannot claim to own too many belongings. I do not live an extravagant life. I do not wish to. However, what I do own still seems to easily distract me from what is most important. Life is SO short and yet I waste quite a bit of it in front of the TV. Watching other people live and experience life. What a waste!
I rarely missed TV in Kenya. Hot showers- those I often missed but it never ruined my day. Having to wash my laundry by hand and hang it to dry. . ..not fun. But it was worthwhile work. The lack of fast food was sometimes difficult since I really do not like cooking, but even that was do-able and there was joy when I was actually able to cook on the makeshift stove I had.
The beauty and wonder of my surroundings were never lost on me. It was all I had sometimes to occupy my mind. Well, that and my little Lazarus. (I will definitely need to blog about him and my attempts to adopt him sometime.)
Is he not the cutest little bundle of trouble?? Oh how I love him!
I always marveled at past Lottery winners complaining about how the winnings ruined their lives. I often mocked them and thought how I would never have the problems they experienced. I had discipline and morals. . ..right? I had focus and I didn't need or want to accumulate too much stuff, I just wanted life to be easier.
Back to Kenya. Life was not easy, but I can honestly say, those years were the HAPPIEST of my life. I would not change anything. It does not mean that I am not happy now. I have my family and I could not be more fulfilled. But Kenya, my Kenya. You have given and taken so much from me . . . and it was all worth it. The absence of a TV, a Car, hot showers, McDonald's, more than 2 pairs of shoes, the absence of pride, of comfort. . . .it gave me more than any mega millions win could have.
So, what a long and meandering way to make my point. It is trite and glib to simply say that "money doesn't buy happiness." Well in really considering what life would be like had I had the "good fortune" of winning Megamillions, I wonder what would have been lost. How distracted I may have become from what is really important in life. How many experienced tainted by luxury and how many friendships soured by suspicion and greed? Perhaps the money and responsibility of it would be become burdensome. Perhaps my marriage would have suffered. WHO KNOWS. It is a gift that I won clarity and simplicity instead of money.
Friday, March 30, 2012
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!
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!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Ignorance is NOT bliss. It is just ignorant.
I committed myself to posting one child a day from Reece's Rainbow on my facebook page for the month of March. March is drawing to a close and I am frantic. There are far too many children still waiting. TOOOOOOOOOO MANY!
I have 253 friends on facebook currently. I assure this isn't a brag, but think about it. 253 people have been seeing the faces of these children for nearly 30 days. Surely this is reaching people, right?? How can it not? How can it be ignored? I am sad to admit it is likely pretty easy to turn a blind eye. This breaks my heart.
There are 240 orphans in dire straits in Pleven. I urge you to look at these pictures. I BEG of you. This should not be easy. It should shock you. Make you cry. Make you angry. IT IS WRONG! Children should not look like this. EVER.. . ..
Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs on our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act" Proverbs 24:12
I feel a little stuck at this point, but I am SURE God is working miracles behind the scenes right now. If I had the right to make an arbitrary decision today, I would be adopting. Pronto. And probably more than one child. I cannot bear to see this happen anymore. Since I cannot adopt, I am screaming at the tops of my lungs to ANYONE that will listen. So, back to that number. .. .253 friends, 240 orphans wasting away in Pleven. . .. If each of my friends picked just one child to pray for; talk about; donate to or adopt, then surely this situation would look totally different.
I know, this is really naive of me. People get so comfortable. Life can be so easy here. It is scary to put yourself out. It is scary to care. However, I totally believe that ignorance is not bliss. . . ignorance is simply ignorant. Ignoring the plight of these children is equal to telling them how much they don't matter. A sad fact that they already live and believe.
I often think about choices and the impacts that they have. .. .the ripple effect. What if Mary had said no? What if Joseph could not be bothered to marry Mary in her current state? What if ? What if?
Those are grand and sometimes nebulous questions. Let's bring it closer to home. What if my Mom said no? What if I were 14 years old and only weighed 14 pounds? What must my life have been like? What if I did not know what it felt like to have my cries answered? What if my son or daughter was left to lie for hours on end.. .never being loved or kissed or cuddled? Can you even imagine such a fate??
What if I had never learned that Beckett had Down Syndrome? What if I still believed that Down Syndrome happened to "other" people? What if he had lived to be born and loved? Would I have still reached out to these children? What if I had never discovered these children??
I can't stand it. I don't care if people think I am a broken record. I don't care if they think I am 'over the top" or fanatical. I would gladly be called worse if it meant a better life for just one of these precious kiddos!
This life is NOT about being comfortable. It is not about taking the easy road. I am sorry, but it just really is NOT. A life lead like that is SORELY LACKING!
I am terrified and heartbroken and scared that my "yes" is not enough. I am giving my desire to adopt to God completely. He will guide us and he will make it right. I have faith in that. Until I can hug and love and devote myself to a rainbow child of my very own, I will continue to sob and scream at the top of my lungs. .. . .
Look at them!
Boy, Born July 2000
Boy, Born July 26, 2001
Girl, born September 2001
This tiny girl is ten years old! So petite!
Heather doesn't have any other health complications listed at all.
I have 253 friends on facebook currently. I assure this isn't a brag, but think about it. 253 people have been seeing the faces of these children for nearly 30 days. Surely this is reaching people, right?? How can it not? How can it be ignored? I am sad to admit it is likely pretty easy to turn a blind eye. This breaks my heart.
There are 240 orphans in dire straits in Pleven. I urge you to look at these pictures. I BEG of you. This should not be easy. It should shock you. Make you cry. Make you angry. IT IS WRONG! Children should not look like this. EVER.. . ..
Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs on our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act" Proverbs 24:12
I feel a little stuck at this point, but I am SURE God is working miracles behind the scenes right now. If I had the right to make an arbitrary decision today, I would be adopting. Pronto. And probably more than one child. I cannot bear to see this happen anymore. Since I cannot adopt, I am screaming at the tops of my lungs to ANYONE that will listen. So, back to that number. .. .253 friends, 240 orphans wasting away in Pleven. . .. If each of my friends picked just one child to pray for; talk about; donate to or adopt, then surely this situation would look totally different.
I know, this is really naive of me. People get so comfortable. Life can be so easy here. It is scary to put yourself out. It is scary to care. However, I totally believe that ignorance is not bliss. . . ignorance is simply ignorant. Ignoring the plight of these children is equal to telling them how much they don't matter. A sad fact that they already live and believe.
I often think about choices and the impacts that they have. .. .the ripple effect. What if Mary had said no? What if Joseph could not be bothered to marry Mary in her current state? What if ? What if?
Those are grand and sometimes nebulous questions. Let's bring it closer to home. What if my Mom said no? What if I were 14 years old and only weighed 14 pounds? What must my life have been like? What if I did not know what it felt like to have my cries answered? What if my son or daughter was left to lie for hours on end.. .never being loved or kissed or cuddled? Can you even imagine such a fate??
What if I had never learned that Beckett had Down Syndrome? What if I still believed that Down Syndrome happened to "other" people? What if he had lived to be born and loved? Would I have still reached out to these children? What if I had never discovered these children??
I can't stand it. I don't care if people think I am a broken record. I don't care if they think I am 'over the top" or fanatical. I would gladly be called worse if it meant a better life for just one of these precious kiddos!
This life is NOT about being comfortable. It is not about taking the easy road. I am sorry, but it just really is NOT. A life lead like that is SORELY LACKING!
I am terrified and heartbroken and scared that my "yes" is not enough. I am giving my desire to adopt to God completely. He will guide us and he will make it right. I have faith in that. Until I can hug and love and devote myself to a rainbow child of my very own, I will continue to sob and scream at the top of my lungs. .. . .
Look at them!
Kolya 15H
Boy, Born July 2000
6e1n-15H
YAY, a new picture of Kolya!!! Kolya is 11 years old. He will be the oldest child ever adopted through RR (with Down syndrome), so I am praying super hard for his family to find him!!
From his advocates and friends: " Kolya – very delicate and sensitive child who catches every touch, every word or a smile. He may long to sit next to a nice man and just hold hands, enjoying the warmth.
Kolya – special in every sense of the child. He will never be like other children, but this does not negate his ability to enjoy the outside world and bring joy to others. Kolya helpful, helps nurse to collect clothes, toys, clean room. He said not much and indiscriminately, but to understand it is quite possible. He has a good memory. Kolya knows the names of geometric shapes, animals, plants, likes to listen to reading, to collect and puzzles to bother with the designers. Parents need to appreciate their strength, because they need the support of Kolya throughout life. But instead, they can count on sincere affection and love from a really good and loyal man.
$1055.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!
Tanner #31-1
Boy, Born July 26, 2001
Main diagnosis: Down Syndrome. Deafness. Converging strabismus. Obstructive and reflux nephropathia.
Lagging behind in his neuro-psychical development.
Lagging behind in his neuro-psychical development.
Heather
Girl, born September 2001This tiny girl is ten years old! So petite!
Heather doesn't have any other health complications listed at all.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Patience may be a virtue, but I find patience to be impossible right now.
Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs on our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act" Proverbs 24:12
I have always believed that life prepares you for life. Wow, pretty ambiguous statement! What I mean by that is this: I believe that my experiences volunteering in Calcutta prepared me for my volunteer experience in Kenya. I believe that my inability to adopt Lazarus prepared me for my recent miscarriage. Loosely of course, as nothing can prepare someone for the loss of a child. However, since I already knew what it was like to lose the idea of Lazarus as my son.. . I had already tasted and survived a similar loss. I am now starting to wonder if that loss of Beckett was to open my heart and mind to children with special needs.
Oh, the plight of the children in Pleven are weighing so heavily on my heart and mind. I did not sleep much at all last night thinking. .. . and I cannot complain because my life is SO blessed. A 14 year old weighing just 14 pounds. How is that happening. Why has no one stopped this atrocity? Is God quietly telling me to step up? Is that why I cannot sleep?
I read a blog the other day regarding the process of discerning adoption and the author reports that she spoke to her husband about her desire to adopt and then she didn't mention it again for a month. A MONTH!!??!! She wanted God to speak to her husband and for him to come to the decision on his own. HOW?
I just am not sure that I am that great of a person. I cannot stop talking about it. It is so very important to me and so present in my heart and mind . . ..I cannot seem to keep my mouth shut.
Despite the fact that I cannot stop BLABBERING on and on and on, I fear that my darling husband has not heard a thing I have said. Lovely, traumatized, fragile Malcolm is headed to an institution in a matter of days. How do I keep quiet? That kind of trust is really difficult for me, especially when time is of the essence and is vital to Malcolm's well being.
I really was not wired to sit placidly by with the faith that things will work themselves out. I have always been one to jump in head first. .. . .
I would love any words of wisdom. Really.
I have always believed that life prepares you for life. Wow, pretty ambiguous statement! What I mean by that is this: I believe that my experiences volunteering in Calcutta prepared me for my volunteer experience in Kenya. I believe that my inability to adopt Lazarus prepared me for my recent miscarriage. Loosely of course, as nothing can prepare someone for the loss of a child. However, since I already knew what it was like to lose the idea of Lazarus as my son.. . I had already tasted and survived a similar loss. I am now starting to wonder if that loss of Beckett was to open my heart and mind to children with special needs.
Oh, the plight of the children in Pleven are weighing so heavily on my heart and mind. I did not sleep much at all last night thinking. .. . and I cannot complain because my life is SO blessed. A 14 year old weighing just 14 pounds. How is that happening. Why has no one stopped this atrocity? Is God quietly telling me to step up? Is that why I cannot sleep?
I read a blog the other day regarding the process of discerning adoption and the author reports that she spoke to her husband about her desire to adopt and then she didn't mention it again for a month. A MONTH!!??!! She wanted God to speak to her husband and for him to come to the decision on his own. HOW?
I just am not sure that I am that great of a person. I cannot stop talking about it. It is so very important to me and so present in my heart and mind . . ..I cannot seem to keep my mouth shut.
Despite the fact that I cannot stop BLABBERING on and on and on, I fear that my darling husband has not heard a thing I have said. Lovely, traumatized, fragile Malcolm is headed to an institution in a matter of days. How do I keep quiet? That kind of trust is really difficult for me, especially when time is of the essence and is vital to Malcolm's well being.
I really was not wired to sit placidly by with the faith that things will work themselves out. I have always been one to jump in head first. .. . .
I would love any words of wisdom. Really.
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