ZOEY

As I sit here by the phone, anticipating a call that we've been waiting for, for 3 days now, I'm thinking about no matter how that phone call goes.........we have hope.

It doesn't matter if we hear the word benign or malignant.........we have hope.

It doesn't matter that we're facing a surgery, regardless of which of those two words we hear........

We have hope.

We know and serve a mighty God and He knows us.

WE HAVE HOPE.

This little one my friends, has no hope........

UNLESS someone rescues her SOON.

She is almost 6 and weighs about 10 lbs. She exists in the confines of her crib day and night. She is tube fed, and it's evident, that is not enough.

She is a child of God, just like you and I, created in the image of her Father. But she will never be what God intented her to be, unless you and I ACT on her behalf.

Today, you and I are her only hope. Unless you and I become the hands and feet of Jesus..........Zoey has no hope.

"Once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls know that we know and holds us responsible to act."

Today, I am Zoey's voice. Please search your hearts and ask God to break your heart for the things that break his.

He will. And He will give you everything you need to ACT on behalf of these precious treasures.

For more information on Zoey, contact: Shele337@gmail.com

I GET TO

       

Sometimes I catch myself so caught up in the "awe" of this adoption thing. Gabe is so funny and just keeps us in stitches most of the time. He has facial expressions that I have no idea where they come from and now verbal expressions to go along with them! He puts so much JOY in our lives. Sometimes I think, "Wow. What if we had missed this. Can you imagine??"  No, I can't. I can't imagine not having he or Cole.  They define me. They make me a better person.  They are my light at the end of the tunnel. They are my rainbows after the raging storms.  And sometimes we have storms pretty regularly around here!!  A friend of mine said that a person could describe our place as being "one tent short of a circus!!"  And how right she is!  But you know what.........I wouldn't change one thing.  Alot of people my age already have an empty nest or will soon, but for me....... that's something I never have to worry about!  Lonely days and nights.......out of the question. And as I type these words, and one boy is continually trying to get my attention for one reason or another, I have to smile. Well wait a minute.........I don't have to smile........I choose to smile.  I smile because, we GET to do this. We get to be these boy's family. We get to parent these boys who were once orphaned.  We get to love them.  We get to teach them and tell them about God's love for them and us.  And so many times I wonder........who are we, that we get to do this, we GET to partner with God's heart for orphans.  And there is that "awe" again.

You have probably heard the saying, " God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."  We are living proof of that statement. We are not special. We are not. As a matter of fact, we are FAR from it! But we were willing, and because of that.........we are GETTING to spend the rest of our lives with two incredible, special boys. 

Is your nest empty???!!! Or will be???!!! Hey, I can help you out!! Go to  Reece's Rainbow and see which way God nudges you.  Lots of ways to help and something for all ages. 

And don't forget the RR Christmas Angel Tree and my little angel, Orson.  He wants and deserves a family of his own. Will you please help me, help him?   Go to the Angel Tree and click on his picture or use the button on this blog. Thanks and  Blessings to you and yours.



AWESOME ORSON

It's that time again! The Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree is in full swing and I need your help!  We are this little guys Christmas Warriors this year and we have pledged to raise $1000 for his grant fund. This is so important for him as these funds will go to help the family that finds him and wants to make him their son. I have a donate button on the right side of my blog that you can use to make a donation for him. Or you can go to the link above, find his picture (and any other kids you want to give to) and donate that way.  If you don't want to use this route, you can mail me a check and I will send it to RR for you. Some believe that money is the only thing keeping families from adopting these precious kids. Please help me, help Orson, and let's add $1000 to his fund. And may you be blessed for giving.

Hi, my name is Orson!

I'm 4 1/2 yrs. old and I live in an orphanage in Russia. My caretakers say I'm a good boy and that I have big beautiful brown eyes.

Here's a picture of me when I was just a little bitty guy!

I think I might have been having a bad hair day :)

I'm so glad I'm on the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree this year.

If I can get some money in my grant fund then maybe a family will see it and it will help them say "yes" to making me a part of their family.

And then maybe next year I will be HOME to celebrate Christmas.

I sure hope you will help me. I really am a good boy. Thank you,

                                                                                 Orson



WHILE WE WAIT

“As we get older, our vision should improve. Not our vision of earth, but our vision of heaven. Those who have spent their life looking for heaven gain a skip in their step as the city comes into view. After Michelangelo died, someone found in his studio a piece of paper on which he had written a note to his apprentice. In the handwriting of his old age the great artist wrote: “Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time.” Well founded urgency, Michelangelo. Time slips. Days pass. Years fade. And life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time.” Max Lucado.

Have you ever felt that “urgency” in some area of your life but you just keep coming up with excuses as to why you can't act on that urgency? You keep finding reasons that it would be better to “wait” instead of pursuing what ever it is thats telling you, the time is NOW.

In the world of adoption, (as in other areas too), there are lots of excuses people use to NOT act with urgency or to not act at all. And this includes me as well. Here are a few.

1. It cost too much.
2. I have enough kids.
3. I'll wait till the kids get older.
4. It will take away from Susie's senior yr.
5. I have to save for Susie's college fund.
6. It might effect the other kids.
7. My house is not big enough.
8. I don't have enough time for another child.
9. I'm not called to do that.
10. I don't know anything about special needs.
11. I'm too old.
12. I'll pray about it and see what happens.

Don't you like that last one??!! Now don't get me wrong here. I believe in prayer......oh how I believe in prayer. But I think, sometimes, we use those words simply because we don't want to do what we know we should do. We sit and wait around for God to speak to us the way WE want to hear Him. And when we don't hear Him in that way (our way), then we say, “well, I prayed about it but nothing happened, guess I'll just keep on waiting for an answer.” Have you ever thought you could be using that line as an excuse to NOT do something the Lord would be in favor of?? Ok, I'm alittle biased when it comes to the question of adopting a child in need verses not adopting a child in need. I understand fully, every excuse listed above. But I'm gonna tell ya, God's heart is for the orphaned kiddos. He is going to rise above EVERY single excuse you can come up with. He is bigger than any obstacle that you believe might be standing in the way of you doing this. If you have thought about adopting one of these precious kids and your just waiting for the right time......................please stop waiting. Because while we wait, THEY WAIT. And they have waited long enough. Sooooo, “Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time!”

There are so many kiddos waiting. Please take a minute and pray for these that you see, and for the millions more that need a family to come for them. We serve a mighty God, and all He needs is ONE willing heart and the ripple effect from that one heart could mean MANY lives are touched and perhaps saved.

Will YOU be that ONE???



 

EXTRA WHAT???

Most people are aware that Down Syndrome is due to an extra chromosome.

October is the month chosen to be "Down Syndrome Awareness Month".

And while I am fully aware of both of these facts......

I am WAYYYYYYY MORE AWARE,

OF THE JOY, THE BLESSING, AND THE HONOR IT IS,

TO BE THIS BOYS MOM.

EXTRA CHROMOSOME SOME SAY????

Hmmmmmmm......

I say......EXTRA determination, EXTRA funny, EXTRA appreciation, EXTRA sensative to others, EXTRA joy, and most definitly.....

EXTRA LOVE.

Thank you Lord for continuing to teach me of YOUR love through the ''extras" that come with this precious child. Thank you for the opportunity and chance to say "yes". All glory and praise are forever YOURS.



Crystal Clear

I've been searching for words.......

I close my eyes and I see it so clearly.......

but the words don't come.

Some days........

No......Alot of days,

I feel like more of me is there than is here.

Truly the hardest part of Gabe's adoption???

Those we left behind.



A FIRST AND A LAST

Today Gabe started first day of school. 

Kindergarten here I come!!

And I have to admit......I cried all the way home.

But he sang all the way to town, and threw in a "woo hooooo Gabe go to squewlllllll!!" Quite the happy camper!

And then there's my Cole man.

Today is the first day of his LAST YEAR of school.

I can't believe he is a senior!

This child has taught me so much about life and the simple joys of living to the fullest, the life God gave us. He is truly my hero.

Ok. The tears are starting again, so I'm gonna stop here.

What a blessing to be these boys mom.

They are the best!!

BE BLESSED SWEET BOYS.........