143 Million Less One

MAN UP AND GO

2012-02-14T19:07:00.000-08:00

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48)

My family has been given much. We have God. We have each other. We have our health. We have a roof over our heads, food on our table, clothes on our backs, a car in our garage, running water, electricity and a source of income. We live each day with the understanding that every bit of what we have comes from God. All of it. We also understand that what we do with what God has given us is far more important than what He has given us.

Over the past couple of years, I have also come to understand that the long and bumpy road to China and home was in reality the shortest portion of our incredible adoption journey thus far. Through our travels, the Lord has taken us through unanticipated valleys and glorious high places. We have traversed the landscape of self doubt and fear only to arise through God's grace renewed and strengthened by His unshakable truths and steadfast love. We have had the opportunity to meet incredible people from Cape Town to Chicago and places in between and been blessed to make life time friends along the way. Two of those people are Jason and Janna Clement. We met this amazing couple during the early summer of 2009 when we were raising funds to bring LJ home. We immediately knew that there was something different about them. To say that they have been a blessing to our family is an understatement. They have been a much appreciated source of support, encouragement and inspiration and we are so grateful for their friendship. Which brings me to the point of this post. I am very excited to share with you the following information regarding their involvement in the "MAN UP AND GO" mission trip this summer to Ethipoia and Uganda. If you have never heard of it, I encourage you to visit the following web site: http://www.onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/ to see what they are all about.

The trip is scheduled for August 14th -26th, 2012 and Jason is one of the team leaders. He tells me that the trip objectives are three fold . . .

* To share the Gospel message with orphans, widows and men in Ethiopia and Uganda.
* To "LOVE BIG" to the fatherless.
* To demonstrate how to love children, widows and Jesus.

Jason's team will seek to accomplish their objectives in Uganda by spending four to five days at various orphanages, children's prisons, and remote villages. While in Ethiopia, they will spend three to four days in orphanages there in addition to visits with the people of the village of Korah, which is built on a trash dump. The following two links below will connect you with videos complied from the inaugural "Man-Up" trip to these locations in August of 2011. These little snipets provide a small taste of just how the team is working to fullfill their objectives, who they are serving and how much fun they are having in the process! Check it out . . .

Video 1: This video was made by a group called "Dude Perfect" who participated in the first "Man Up" trip. They are a group of guys who have become an internet sensation by performing trick basketball shots. They joined "Man-Up" and performed a couple of their trick shots for the orphans and people of Korah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ww0RzmkDKY

Video 2: A documentary film team joined the original "Man Up" team. They are currently in the process of making a film centered around five men from the trip in an effort to illustrate the orphan problem in Africa and the important impact that mission trips like "Man Up" have on the people in these countries: http://vimeo.com/29805267

I hope you have been inspired. I know I have been. It is my prayer that you will GO BIG and LOVE BIG wherever the Lord leads you. Whether it is across the street, across town or across the ocean to Africa or beyond . . . I hope you will just MAN UP AND GO!
For additional information and/or to reserve your spot on the August 2012 "Man Up" team, please click on the following link: http://onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/#/application-form/ or contact Jason at Jason@sportadvisory.com

LOVE-COURAGE-HOPE

2012-02-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

Born August 10, 2000 in South East Asia to a very sick mother, this lovely little girl immediately entered the care of a Holt International Children's Services partner organization. At five weeks of age, she was placed in a foster family, in whose care she has thrived. Over the past decade, Holt’s partners in South East Asia have had the incredible opportunity to watch her grow up. Through home visits every two to three months, they have been able to document her emerging interests, development and personality.

At just seven months of age, the visiting social worker wrote, “She is a cheerful, alert little one.” Two years later, she was described as a “Bright, talkative and expressive little girl.” It was reported that she liked to eat noodles but not garlic. Her favorite color was pink and she liked to play in the water. Over the past decade, her Foster Family, social workers and teachers alike have all grown increasingly enamoured with her. She has been described as thoughtful, gentle with children and helpful at both home and at school. Shortly after her seventh birthday, her social worker wrote, “She teaches all concerned adults the meaning of love, courage and hope.” A year later, she reported, “She is a delightful little girl that any parent would dream of.” Her favorite subjects in school are math and science and she dreams of one day becoming a doctor.

Now, if you are anything like me, you are probably wondering at this point exactly WHY such a precious child has not already been adopted into a permanent family of her own. Why has she had to watch as her foster siblings have left home to join adoptive families of their own?

Unfortunately, stigmas die hard and next to the many glowing comments about this sweet girl's personality traits is the sad revelation that HIV was transmitted to her from her mother in the womb. It is no wonder she has so much to teach the rest of us about love, courage and hope.

Fortunately, with the advancement of medical therapies, children born with HIV are now expected to live a full life-span. Unfortunately, however, ignorance and fear are still pervasive among the general population and most orphaned HIV+ children get overlooked simply because of their medical condition. For those adoptive families who have stepped forward to welcome these children into their homes, they have learned first hand that HIV is no longer a death sentence but rather a chronic, manageable condition. Although a bit small for her age, this little girl is reportedly healthy and strong and has encountered few if any complications from her illness. As a matter of fact, she did not even know she was HIV+ until about a year ago. When she found out she worried that people might discriminate against her but her Foster Mom was quick to reassure her that they have always known about her HIV status and have always loved her just the same.

Unfortunately, her aging Foster Parents are less and less able to care for her. She deserves a family who can see beyond her diagnosis and accept her for the remarkable gift that she is, regardless of her condition. Within the embrace of a permanent loving family, the future for this deserving little girl has never been brighter. It is my prayer that a family somewhere will step forward soon with the same love, courage and hope that this brave little girl has shown and help her to achieve her life dreams.

For additional information about this beautiful child, please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

LUXURY OR NECESSITY?

2012-01-26T04:08:00.000-08:00

How frequently many of us take for granted what most would consider to be the "basic" necessities of life. Like clean water. Food. Clothes. A roof over our heads at the end of the day. The love and support of family. How infrequently many of us stop to realize that for more than three quarters of the world's population these "basic" necessities are in fact a luxury.

I don't know about you but next to my relationship with God there is nothing more important to me than my family. To me, they are a slice of heaven on earth. A green oasis from the outside world. They are my joy and I can't imagine doing this life without them.

Which brings me to the beautiful sibling group in the above photo. Life for these three soft-spoken boys and their three year old sister has not been easy. They lost their parents to HIV/AIDS three years ago and currently live with their impoverished grandparents in a tiny, one-room house in their homeland of Africa. Now, their grandfather has fallen ill and their grandmother is losing her vision. They are unfortunately no longer able to provide the care that their grandchildren need.

The children are all reported to have tested negative for HIV and to be in good health. They have a very strong bond and need placement in a family that is willing to keep them together.

They are also reported to be intelligent, active and well mannered. The brothers, Alex, Keith and Mark all enjoy playing soccer. Alex loves school and his favorite subjects are math and science. Mark enjoys taking care of his grandparents’ garden and Keith likes writing. At three years of age, little Sadie is very inquisitive and enjoys listening to stories.

Like all people, these precious children want and deserve the very same things in life that so many of us take for granted. Like clean water. Food. A roof over their head at the end of the day. The love and support of family. Someone to cheer them on, pick them up and love them unconditionally. It may not be easy but I believe that with your assistance and prayers we can help them. We must help them.

For addtional information please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

WELCOME HOME LUKE!

2012-01-25T13:38:00.001-08:00

One of the great perks of maintaining this blog is the opportunity to publicly welcome home children to their forever families. The Bratloff family is no exception. We had the pleasure of meeting this sweet family back in 2009 during our churches annual Missions and Ministry Fair while we were waiting to bring our son, LJ home from China. During the next few months, we had the opportunity to meet with them again to share our adoption experience and to help answer their questions about the adoption process. As passionate advocates for the world's waiting, special needs children, you can imagine our joy when they soon informed us that they had placed an application to bring home a special needs child from The People's Republic of China. With so many waiting children around the world and so many families pursuing "healthy, infant girl" adoptions, this news was in my book, nothing short of a small victory.

Having said that, it is with immense pleasure that we join Carey, Nadalie and Hayden Bratloff in welcoming their absolutely ADORABLE new son, Luke, into their family. Thank you for stepping out in faith and for providing such a beautiful example for the rest of us. WELCOME HOME, LUKE!

A CRISIS INDEED

2012-01-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention recently through several opponents of inter-country adoption, that the "Global Orphan Crisis" doesn't actually exist. In fact, there are some who would have us believe that it is nothing more than the manifestation of an imperialist, evangelical adoption machine, to rob the third world of it's children in order to indoctrinate them with it's religious ideology and promote it's political agenda here at home. Similarly, many opponents of international adoption would also argue that UNICEF has mislead the world with it's accounting of the actual number of orphaned children worldwide, by including those children in their statistics who have lost only one parent. By this accounting the actual number of orphans would decrease dramatically from about 163 million to around 18 million. Wow, only 18 million orphans. What a relief. Hardly the stuff a global "crisis" is made of, right?

Numbers aside, this hair splitting game of semantics begs the question, exactly how many orphans does the world need before we allow our collective conscience to define a problem? A "crisis" if you will. 200 million? 500 million, perhaps? In my book, one child without parents is one child too many. And it is certainly a crisis for that one child.

And then there are the widely exaggerated reports that the entire international adoption process is run a muck with rampant abuse and deleterious practices. Unfortunately, lack of regulation and oversight of the adoption process as well as the potential for financial gain in certain countries of origin, have led to some incidences of corruption and abuse. Sadly, the growth of an adoption industry in some countries where profit takes precedence over the welfare of at risk children has resulted in bribery, parental coercion as well as the abduction and sale of vulnerable children. Fortunately, most countries are aware of these potential risks to children and have ratified the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption which was designed first and foremost to protect the rights of children through the promotion of ethical and transparent processes. It also provides assurance to prospective adoptive parents that their adoptive child has not been the subject of unscrupulous and illegal practices.

Rather than judge the motives of people who are actually trying to make a difference for the better, perhaps the critics of international adoption should instead focus their energy on finding long term solutions to breaking the tragic cycle of poverty, inequity and disease that so often lead to the abandonment and/or displacement of children in the first place. For those who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the children being "indoctrinated" by the so called, "Evangelical Adoption Movement" perhaps they should consider adopting the world's orphans themselves.

It never ceases to amaze me how the loudest critics are often the ones doing the least to help. I wonder how many critics have actually been inside the walls of a third world orphanage and had the life changing experience of looking into the eyes of an institutionalized child. What's the age old saying? "If you aren't a part of the solution then you are just a part of the problem".

A NOBLE BOY

2011-12-06T20:50:00.001-08:00

"Travis"
DOB: July 27, 2004

Unable to be properly cared for by his birth mother, this beautiful little seven year old boy was taken into protective custody at just three days of age in his native country of Uganda.

Since coming into care, he has grown into a strong and healthy youngster with an expressive and outgoing personality. He is in the top of his class at school and is fluent in both English as well as his native language of Luganda. In fact, he is so articulate that he has begun to cultivate the art of storytelling. He has also developed a love for song, dance and football and enjoys building with blocks. He is described by his caregivers as a highly independent and hard working child who makes friends easily and is very popular with the other children.

Unfortunately and through no fault of his own, this bright and deserving little boy has also tested positive for HIV. Fortunately, it is reported that he is responding very well to the medical treatment he has been receiving.

It is my prayer that this little boy's family is just a heartbeat away and will answer God's call to bring him home soon. Once nurtured within the context of a loving and supportive family of his own, the noble qualities of this intelligent and gifted little boy will no doubt continue to flourish.

For additional information and/or to view this child's file, please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

COMPELLING ENOUGH?

2011-11-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

As most of you hopefully know by now, November is National Adoption Month. It is a time of cumulative effort by adoption advocates everywhere to raise awareness of the global orphan crisis and to encourage families both in our churches and in our communities to get involved in some facet of orphan care. As a part of our church's Adoption & Foster Care Ministry, my husband and I have recently had the honor of working with a small group of passionate individuals to plan and organize an "Adoption Sunday" event at our church. Fortunately for us, we have been well equipped for service by a Pastor who has a big heart for children's ministry and whom wholeheartedly supports our ministry's efforts.

As a part of our upcoming event, we have been working with our team's talented videographer to shoot a short film highlighting key aspects of the orphan crisis as well as families who have either adopted or fostered children. In theory, this would have been a wonderful opportunity to share our adoption experience within a broader context. In reality, however, our moment to shine quickly faded as the little jitterbug sandwiched between us on the interview couch wiggled and squirmed like a bucket full of crabs while attempting to confiscate my microphone and mumbling distracting little comments under his breath like, "Mama, I need a cookie" and "Hold me, I'm scared of the lights". Alas, neither my husband nor I could concentrate on the interview long enough to articulate even one complete thought and I am sure most of the tape ended up on the editing room floor! Fortunately, we serve a God who can move mountains and so we take comfort in knowing that He can stir people's hearts on behalf of the world's needy children with or without our testimony.

By the end of the session, the very last thing the videographer asked us to do was to give the viewer the most compelling reason we could come up with for people to get involved in orphan care. Geez, that should have been an easy one, right? I mean, if there was only one question we should have been able to answer with even the slightest modicum of integrity it was that one. Yet, where were we when our proverbial ship sailed in? Were we ready with a convincing response? No, we were too busy picking goldfish pretzels out from between the sofa cushions while attempting to reel in the slippery little eel that was sliding off the edge of the couch.

So, with filming behind us and my little super hero tucked safely in his bed, I find myself here tonight at my computer grateful for second chances. With a clear mind, I am focused and prepared to offer the most compelling reason why I believe we should ALL be doing our part to care for the world's orphans. My answer is simple, unfiltered, pretty straight forward and it has absolutely nothing to do with my opinion.

WE SHOULD CARE FOR ORPHANS BECAUSE GOD TELLS US TO CARE FOR THEM.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before the Father is this: to care for widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)

The simple fact is, that as Christians, orphan care just isn't an option. When we commit to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, we don't get to pick and choose the parts of His message that fit neatly and conveniently into our own particular circumstances. In fact, God's Word can be down right inconvenient at times and often calls us to step out of our comfort zone and out of our selfishness for the good of something bigger than ourselves . . . for the poor, the needy, the lonely, the sick, the ORPHAN. In the end, God's word should be the only reason that we need to get involved in orphan care. After all, if the word of our risen Savior isn't a compelling enough reason for each and everyone of us to stand up for the world's fatherless, then anything I have to say really shouldn't matter anyway.

THE CHANGING FACE OF INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

2011-09-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

If I had a nickel for every time my husband and I have been described as admirable for bringing our son home to his family, well, let's just say I could quit my day job. Seriously. Those of you who know us best know that neither one of us plays the harp and we certainly don't wear a halo. In fact, we can be best described as two pretty ordinary people who happen to serve an extraordinary God who enjoys doing remarkable things through people willing to let Him use them for His purposes.

If you are reading this and you have ever adopted a "Special Needs" (SN) child, then chances are you know exactly what I am talking about. Case in point. You are visiting your neighborhood playground with your child. Someone strikes up a conversation and begins inquiring about your adoption experience. At some point during your exchange you hear something to the effect of, "Wow. It takes a very special person to do what you guys have done. We could never do that". At which point this little voice inside your head starts screaming, "Special? You think I'm special? Of course you can do this!"

As domestic adoption gains social acceptance overseas and more and more countries experience an upward trend in economic growth, an increasing number of "healthy" children are being placed with adoptive families in their birth countries. While this shift in international adoption is in my opinion a positive trend, it also means that the majority of children currently needing placement are categorized as "Special Needs". Unfortunately, many families considering international adoption for the first time often buy into the misperception that 1) There is something drastically wrong with these children and/or 2) They are not personally equipped to parent a child with special needs. In most cases this couldn't be further from the truth. While individual needs vary from minor to moderate, and not every family is a match for every child, many of these deserving kiddos come to their families with nothing more than a limb difference, a birth mark or a small scar from a cleft lip/palate repair. Born without his right hand nearly three years ago, our beautiful son is a joyful, intelligent, humorous little boy and we can't imagine our lives without him.

I say all of that to say this: if you are even remotely considering a SN adoption then I want to encourage you! Our family was apprehensive at first but now looking back, we are so grateful that we didn't allow our concerns to stop us from moving forward. In the end, SN adoption doesn't require special parents. It doesn't require us to be equipped in any special way. What it does require is a willingness to allow God to do remarkable things through us for His glory in spite of our weaknesses and limitations. With God's help, you can do this! For further information on international adoption please contact erinm@holtinternational.org

LOVED BY EVERYONE

2011-09-17T04:48:00.000-07:00

ID: B10_52 (DOB: February 3, 2007)

This happy, healthy, little sweetheart was born on February 3, 2007 at 34 weeks and was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome. At that time, he was also noted to have VSD and ASD of the heart which were surgically corrected in April 2007. He remained in the care of a foster family until September 2007 when he was transferred to the Institution. He currently receives early education and musical therapy as well as physical and speech therapies 4-5 times per week. He is noted to be making great developmental gains and is reported to be, "loved by everyone". His house mother describes him as having a stable and calm temperament and states that he always wakes up smiling . . . a smile which I might add, absolutely melts my heart :) He is also described as a loving, playful child who exudes a spirit that shines through every time he laughs . . . which from what I understand is quite often! He enjoys reading and singing his favorite song, "The Three Bears".

This special little boy deserves a family who is comfortable with his diagnosis and who can provide him with the therapies and medical care that he may need. What he needs most, however, is the love of a permanent family.

For additional information and or to view this precious boy's file, please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org Thank you!

A GODLY FATHER

2011-08-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

When I began writing this blog exactly one year ago, I had absolutely no idea what God would do with it. I just knew that he had called me to advocate within my own personal sphere of influence on behalf of those who had no voice of their own. By grace, He had already shown my husband and I the merits of a life lived in total obedience to Him rather than a life marked by indifference, complacency, convenience and self-reliance. He had taken us out of our comfort zone and to a far corner of the world to show us that life is so much bigger than ourselves. Once we felt the beating heart of an orphaned child against our own, it became impossible to turn a blind eye toward the suffering of this broken world. And so, one year later, I continue to write. I write with a passion and a hope that God will continue to use this tiny platform to move the heart of yet one more person on behalf of the fatherless children of this world.

Which brings me to the point of this post . . . my sweet boy's father. For it is the love, integrity and selflessness of this man that the Lord used to pluck my sweet boy out from among the overwhelming statistics of fatherless children. Yes, and in the eyes of our son, his BaBa rocks his little world. And in the eyes of this blogger, who proudly and humbly submits daily to this man's leadership, my dear husband deserves more than a post. In fact, I could write a book about how he wakes daily to serve our family. It is by his example and his servant spirit in our home that our son is learning daily what is means to be a "Godly man". I heard it said once that any man can procreate but it takes a special man to be a father. While I believe this to be true, I also believe that it takes an exceptional man to be a "Godly father". To say that my man, is an exceptional man, is an understatement at best. Fully committed to personal, quality time alone with God every morning through Bible study and prayer, my husband equips himself daily to lead his family by example. He understands all too well the fine line between making a living and making a life and helps provide daily for the material, emotional and spiritual needs of our family. He is patient, kind, gentle and faithful. He completes me and deserves nothing less than my total respect and admiration. The truth is, that I often wonder what I ever did to deserve such a gift in my life. The answer is nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet the Lord has blessed me anyway. Such a marvelous mystery. Oh, thank you, Jesus, for your abundant and unmerited favor on this humbled sinner's life. Please make me worthy of your calling.

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

HOPING FOR A FAMILY

2011-07-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

I.D. G10_91 (DOB: 03/02/1999)
On a cold winter day in February 2000, in front of a community center in the industrial city of Wuxi, in the People's Republic of China, an eleven month old baby girl was found. Attached to her little sweater was a note indicating her date of birth as March 2, 1999 and that she had epilepsy. Unable to locate her parents, the authorities deemed the baby girl "abandoned" and sent her to live at the Wuxi Social Welfare Institute. She remained in the care of the orphanage for about one year before being placed with her current foster family.
Today, this lovely, dimple cheeked young girl clings tight to the hope of being united with her forever family before she permanently "ages out" of the adoption process. She is described by those who know her best as a shy girl who enjoys art, music, surfing the Internet, watching tv and helping with household chores such as washing dishes and doing laundry. She currently attends the fifth grade, knows a few English words and homework is admittedly not one of her favorite subjects! Despite frequent early seizures, she started medication therapy to control them at age seven and has been seizure free for the last three years. A recent EEG test was found to be normal.

Unfortunately, she cannot remain in the care of her foster family for much longer and without a family to call her own this beautiful child will always remain on the margins of Chinese society.
While aware of her circumstances yet uncertain about life in a new country, she is nevertheless willing to leave her birth land for the promise of a new life. In her own words, "I hope for nothing except a family adopting me". Like all children, she hopes only for loving parents and a safe, supportive place to call home.

To adopt this deserving young girl, applicants must be between 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 net worth. Previous adoption experience as well as an understanding of the grief and loss issues associated with older child adoption are preferred. For additional information and or to view this child's file please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

AN UNCOMMONLY BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT

2011-06-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

(I.D. B11_25) Born in East Africa on Christmas Eve 2004, this beautiful little boy spent the first three months of his life in the care of his biological mother. She reportedly left him often in the care of an elderly woman's daycare service and for reasons unknown, she one day simply failed to return for him. He remained in the care of the elderly woman for the next five years until she could no longer provide the kind of care a growing boy of his age needed. It was at this point in time that the woman brought him to a local care center.

Shortly after coming into care, a child protection officer at the center described him as, "an extremely outgoing, jolly child who loves to care for the younger children at the center". She went on to say that he is, "a responsible child who is turning into a good leader" and "fits easily into the center without challenge". He is reportedly in good health and gets along well with everyone. His uncommonly beautiful spirit, however, is agreeably his most outstanding quality. Despite his circumstances and despite the long wait for a family to call his own, this patient little boy is noted to exude a spirit that will undoubtedly continue to illuminate his path in life.

This child is in need of a family who has parented past his age, preferably has experience in older child adoption and who understands the loss and grief issues associated with inter country adoption. Couples must be between the ages of 25 and 44, married for at least two years and have no more than five children already in the home. For additional information please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

THE JOY SOURCE

2011-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Considered by his institution caregivers to be the "joy source" of his orphanage, Zane was abandoned at the tender age of six outside of the Xiamen City Fire Department in The People's Republic of China. Upon admission to the SWI in Xiamen City, it was determined that he was deaf, mute and a carrier of Hepatitis B. He has remained in good health since coming into care and continues to develop well both physically and cognitively for a boy of his age. It is reported by those who know him best that Zane has embraced the obstacles set in his path and thrived in spite of his adversity. He is an excellent student who is reportedly fond of learning and excels in both Chinese sign and written language. He also enjoys a variety of sports such as basketball, soccer and ping-pong. He is noted to have an easy going nature, a great sense of humor, an extroverted personality and to exude self confidence, wisdom and joy. He also enjoys playing video games and is not afraid to say that he’s pretty good at them!

An American Non-Governmental Organization working with the Xiamen Social Welfare Institute has offered to personally prepare Zane for adoption. Because he will age out of the system on his 14th birthday, his future family needs to have a dossier in China or have completed an adoption from China less than one year ago.

I believe that this incredible, resiliant young man deserves the opportunity to build on his many talents and to thrive in a loving family of his own. Won't you please consider if you might be the right family for him? For additional information about adopting this amazing boy please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR ZANE! PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND LET'S HELP FIND HIM HIS FOREVER FAMILY!

BOYS NEED FAMILIES TOO!

2011-05-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Since bringing our son home from The People's Republic of China in 2009, we are often asked the same question by people, "How in the world were you able to adopt a little boy from China?" This is an understandable question given China's long standing history of placing infant girls for international adoption. An unintended consequence of their One Child Policy, China has become well known for their abandonment of girls in alarming numbers. What most people do not realize, however, is that often times boys, especially those with medical conditions or special needs for which their families cannot afford adequate care, are also abandoned. Minor to moderate correctable conditions such as birth marks, cleft lip and/or palate, limb differences, club feet and heart murmurs are just a few examples of some of the reasons families will chose to abandon their boys.

That having been said, if you are thinking about adoption, I urge you to consider the adoption of one of the many deserving little boys in China waiting to be matched with their forever family. Please help spread the word . . . boys need families too! For additional information about adopting a boy from The People's Republic of China, please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

NINE YEARS AND WAITING

2011-04-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

DOB: 12/13/2001
It is hard to believe that this bright eyed young boy was abandoned in East Africa when he was just one day old. Soon thereafter, he was brought to a children's care center where he has lived for the last nine years of his life while awaiting his forever family.

He loves to play football, dance, sing, sprint and build with blocks. He is reported to have delayed speech and struggles with certain sounds. The excitement his peers express, however, when he overcomes a challenge – when he puts the proper sounds together to count or recite letters – gives him the courage to overcome the next challenge. He attends formal school two days per week and since attending occupational therapy classes his speech has greatly improved. Unlike many children who grow up without the nurturing, attentive care of a permanent family or foster parents, it is reported that he has no other developmental delays. His caregivers describe him as a friendly, peaceful and happy little boy who makes friends easily with both children and adults. He always wants to be involved in activities and often cares for the younger children. Most of the time, he is playful and loving but he can occasionally be short tempered - a behavior his caregivers believe will change as he matures.

Applicants with previous adoption experience, parenting past his age as well as access to the speech services he needs are preferred. For additional information please contact Erin Mower at erinm@holtinernational.org.

NO MORE EXCUSES

2011-03-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

EXCUSE: "A reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense; an attempt to lesson the blame attaching to the fault or offense; to seek to defend or justify; to seek to remove blame."

After recently listening to Josh Wilson's song, "I Refuse", I couldn't help but think of all of the earthly excuses we humans tend to come up with in order to avoid doing the things our Heavenly Father calls us to do. Like children failing to turn in a homework assignment on time claiming, "the dog ate it", we are inclined to turn a deaf ear to that which in our finite thinking we determine does not apply to us.

Take orphan care for example. I think I have heard every excuse in the book to avoid it and admit I was guilty at one time of at least one or two of these myself. Adoption is too expensive. It takes way too long. It involves way too much paperwork. I don't like foreign travel. I am too old. I am too young. I don't have enough room in my house. I like things just the way they are, thank you very much. I think you get the point.

Last night, I had a dream. Actually it was more like a nightmare in which one of my children was far from home and in grave danger. Let me just say that I refused to wake up until she was safe and sound and under my roof.

And then my dream got me thinking . . .

Thinking about the lengths to which my Heavenly Father went to rescue me. Thinking about the lengths I would go to rescue any one of my own children or grandchildren. As he often does, the Lord then reminded me that there are 143 million children out there in the world far from home and in grave danger. Cold, hungry, alone and in desperate need of love. Now, I ask you to pause with me here for just a moment and imagine that one of these least among us is YOUR son or daughter. What lengths would you go to ensure his or her safety? How much money would you be willing to spend? How much paperwork would you be willing to fill out? How long would you be willing to wait? How far would you be willing to travel? How big would your house really have to be to bring YOUR child home? If you are anything like me, I bet you would spend your last penny, walk over hot coals and circumnavigate the globe to ensure their safety. I bet you would give your last breath for your kids and so would I.

So in the end, perhaps it's all about perspective. Perhaps we need to stop thinking in terms of "those kids" and start thinking in terms of "our kids". Perhaps we just need to stop making excuses and do our homework.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

2011-03-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

ID: B09_192 (DOB: August 1, 2000) This handsome young boy dreams of one day flying airplanes! He came into care when he was approximately one month old. Upon admission he was noted to have a cleft lip and palate which was surgically treated in May 2005. He has received extensive speech therapy since then, however, his speech is reported to still be unclear and he may benefit from further corrective surgeries in the future. He is currently attending school and will ask his teacher if he needs help after class. He is reported to be well liked among his peers and has several good friends at school including both boys and girls. At camp he was the first child to raise his hand to go up on stage to introduce himself! He enjoys drawing, playing chess, hide and seek and jumping rope. He is in need of a family who preferably has experience parenting past his age and who can provide him with any medical care or therapies that he may need. To adopt this deserving child, applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than 4 children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view this young man's file please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

CHILDREN OF GOD

2011-03-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

THIS VIDEO IS WELL WORTH THE WATCH! (Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of the page and mute my "Playlist" prior to viewing)

A HOME FOR QIONG?

2011-03-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

ID: G11_26 (DOB: 9/30/1997)
On August 4, 1999, this shy, introverted little girl was found near a vegetable market in China. She was given the birthdate of September 30, 1997 and brought to the local Social Welfare Institute. Upon admission, Qiong was diagnosed with rickets. With improved nutrition and care, however, her O-shaped legs self-corrected and she has grown into a delightful 13 year old who is described as "active and lovely". She is noted to be self-sufficient, hard working and very helpful. She can cook, wash and enjoys her boarding school. She has reduced vision in her left eye due to a corneal leukoma and in June 2009, testing showed her to have thalassemia (β654 heterozygote). She has reportedly been an otherwise healthy child.

This beautiful young girl deserves the opportunity to have a full education and to thrive within the context of a loving family. She is in immediate need of a forever family who is aware of the unique circumstances of older child adoption and has already started on their paperwork in order to have enough time to adopt her before she permanently ages out of international adoption eligibility on her 14th birthday. Like sand through an hourglass, this precious child's time is quickly running out. To adopt her, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than 4 children in the home may be accepted. For additional information and/or to view the file of this lovely girl please contact either Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

BRINGING DANIL HOME

2011-02-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, when Mark and I answered God's call back in 2008 to bring our son home from The People's Republic of China, adoption was about the furthest thing from either of our minds. It stands to reason, therefore, that we didn't have the $23K necessary to facilitate his adoption just laying around under our mattress. We did, however, make the choice to step out in radical obedience, humbling ourselves before the Lord and placing our total trust in Him to provide whatever resources we needed in spite of our limitations. With the support of family, friends and total strangers we did a lot of fundraising and in the end, God was faithful to meet us at the point of our every need on that long road to China and back. That having been said, I consider it to be a blessing to be able to use whatever platform God has given me through this blog to advocate on behalf of other families working through the fundraising aspect of the adoption process . . .

Which brings me to the beautiful little boy in the photo to the left. "Danil" as he is known, is currently waiting in an Eastern European orphange while his family works tirelessly to complete the mountains of paperwork necessary to bring him home. What makes this family's story so unique, is how God has so perfectly orchestrated the events of their lives to prepare their hearts to include the adoption of a very special little boy a world away with Down Syndrome. You see, Bryan and Laurie are the biological parents of three energenic little boys, the second of which was born to them with Down Syndrome five years ago this April.

As stated in their own words upon receiving the news of their son, Chase's diagnosis with Downs . . .

"Our walls came crashing down and we felt alone and confused and were left asking God the question: Why us? This wasn't supposed to happen. But then again, when we were least expecting it, we found out that having a child with Down Syndrome didn't make life horrible. It made it better. We learned to slow down. We learned (and are still learning!!) acceptance and compassion and unconditional love. We learned determination from a boy who took 23 months to take his first step and three minutes to figure out how to climb from the chair to the counter to get to the cookie jar. We learned to celebrate everything and to wear our emotions out in the open where they belong"

I don't know about you but I am in awe of a God who can transform a question like, "Why us?" and turn it into "Give us more of this blessing, Lord!" I am in awe of a family who is willing to make one more place at the supper table for a little boy who has already been counted among the discarded.

Laurie and Bryan invite you to follow their adoption journey to Danil by visiting their blog at http://addingtothemaddness.blogspot.com/

I invite you to please pray about how you can make a difference in the life of this very special little boy by making a tax-deductible donation via credit card or PayPal through the International Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry, Reece's Rainbow at http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsormaddex Please be a part of the blessing and help bring Danil home!

"DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD FROM THOSE TO WHOM IT IS DUE, WHEN IT IS IN YOUR POWER TO ACT" PROVERBS 3:27

PRETTY IN PINK!

2011-02-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

ID: G11_5 (DOB: 12/19/2005)
This adorable little girl has been in care since January 2006. She is currently living with a foster family and is reported to be very close with her foster parents. Upon admission, she was noted to have a urogenital abnormality for which she received surgical treatment in October 2008. It is reported that she enjoys playing with other children but that she can be quite shy around strangers. She is noted to have clear speech and can form 5 to 10 word sentences. She can identify parts of the body as well as identify many animals. She is in need of a family who is comfortable with her diagnosis and who can provide her with any therapies that she may need in the future. Experience parenting past her age is preferred. To adopt this precious child, applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to adopt this special little girl please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

BROTHER AND SISTER

2011-02-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

ID: BG11_15 (DOB: 10/17/03 & 1/6/07)
These reportedly healthy siblings came into care after being relinquished by their birth mother because she was no longer able to care for them following the deaths of their birth fathers during a recent natural disaster. The sobering reality that this is a decision that countless mothers around the world are faced with every day absolutely breaks my heart.

Both children are both noted to be transitioning well into their new environment. The older brother has been in care since November 2010 and upon admission was found to have a urinary tract infection which has been treated. He is noted to have good motor skills and is developing typically for a child of his age. He enjoys playing soccer and going to the park to play with his peers. He is also reported to get along well with his caretakers. In January 2011, he was 40 pounds and 109cm tall. His younger half sister has been in care since June 2010. Upon admission she was found to have a respiratory infection, urinary tract infection and anemia for which she has received treatment. She has clear speech and is also reportedly developing typically for a child of her age. She is said to have a good relationship with both her peers and her caretakers who state that she can be a bit shy. She enjoys playing at the park, playing with baby dolls and playing hide and seek with her peers. In January 2011, she was 30 pounds and 94 cm tall. These siblings do have a younger half sibling who is still living with their birth mother. They would do best in a family who has experience with children of this age group.

For further information and/or to view the file of these beautiful children, please contact Erin Mower or Danielle Walters at erinm@holtinternational.org. Previous adoption experience is preferred. Couples must be 35-50 years of age and married ten or more years. One divorce each is accepted. Single women 35-50 years of age also considered.

THREE MONTHS AND COUNTING

2011-01-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

ID: G11_8 (DOB: 05/15/1997)
As I stated in my last post, there are thousands of "Bellas" in the world. This beautiful "Bella" was just brought to my attention and I plan to do everything I can over the next three months to help her find her forever family before it is too late. Will you PLEASE help me? A simple click of the mouse on the "SHARE IT" icon to the right of this post is one quick and easy way you can do that.

This lovely young lady is in need of a special family before she turns 14 on May 15, 2011. She has been in care since May 2000 and has been living with her foster family since August 2002. Her caregivers report that she has made a lot of progress since joining her foster family. She has scolosis of the thoracic spine and to date has not received any surgical intervention. She is reported to study hard at school , enjoys music, reading, cartoons and playing with her friends. She is described as a polite and obedient girl who is noted to dislike noisy environments. She is in need of a family who is comfortable with her diagnosis, is able to provide her with any therapies or medical care that she may need and who is able to adopt her before she turns fourteen. Experience parenting past her age is preferred. To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For additional information and/or to view this beautiful girl's file please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

A DOOR CLOSES FOR BELLA

2011-01-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

If you follow this blog, then it is likely that you are familiar with a little orphaned girl in China known as, "Bella". To say that this sweet child's face will be forever etched in my memory is an understatement. If you are a first time visitor, I invite you to read more about her story in the posts, "Final Plea for Bella" and "Watching and Waiting".

One of the most remarkable things about Bella's story is how God has used her circumstances to move the hearts of so many people to action on behalf of a little girl a world away. Unbeknownst to Bella, her "thread" has been viewed on a popular on-line adoption forum well over 14,500 times since December and her story has been shared numerous times on a variety of social networking sites. She has been the subject of much conversation, a bit of controversy and a lot of prayer. Unfortunately, despite the cumulative best efforts of many people, the harsh reality is that Bella still does not have a family to call her own. Moreover, when she marks her fourteenth birthday in a few days she will no longer be eligible for either domestic or international adoption. With the heartbreaking sound of that door closing firmly behind her, I have found myself asking over and over again this past week, exactly what are we to make of all this?

For me, it has been a huge wake up call as to the overwhelming need for everyone to step up advocacy measures on behalf of these at risk children. The stark reality is that there are tens of thousands of "Bellas" in the world, each with a story equally as compelling. In the interest of human decency, I believe that we all have an undeniable, moral responsibility to at very least raise awareness of the global orphan crisis within our own sphere of influence. For those of us within the adoption community, this will hopefully include a broader reach toward those on the outside. I mean, can you imagine the collective impact we could have if there were 14,500 adoption advocacy "shares" on outside social networking sites? Talk about "viral". So, if you haven't already, I encourage you to please SHARE this blog. Or better yet, start one of your own. Perhaps, organize an adoption ministry within your local church or community. We need to spread the word and we need to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

With this mindset, it is my prayer that one day children like Bella will be matched with forever families long before the arrival of their fourteenth birthday so that every birthday can be a cause for celebration.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked".

Psalm 82:3-4

LOOK AT THOSE EYES!

2011-01-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

ID: B10_18 (DOB: 2/15/2009)
This striking little boy with big brown eyes was found at a hospital when he was just 23 days old and he is currently living in a foster home. Upon admission, he was diagnosed as having been born prematurely (at 32 weeks) and to have congenital heart disease, including right pulmonary artery stenosis, which is currently being monitored. He is also noted to have growth and developmental delays. In June 2010, his occupational therapy report noted that he has good visual tracking, is able to get into a sitting position from the floor, can crawl, can pull to a standing position with support, can take a few side steps with support and can grasp well with both hands.
This adorable little boy is in need of a forever family who has access to the medical resources that he needs. To adopt this child, there must be no more than 45 years age difference between the older parent and child and a maximum of 85 years difference between the combined age of parents and child. Single applicants are accepted on a case-by-case basis and up to four children already in the home are allowed. For further information and/or to view the file of this child please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational .org.

CHARMING BOY!

2011-01-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

ID: B10_45 (DOB: 8/1/01)
This charming little boy has been in care since birth and is currently in foster care. Upon admission he was found to have bilateral cleft lip and palate which have been surgically repaired. He reportedly enjoys singing and dancing and his teachers describe him as an enthusiastic learner who does very well in school. He is in need of a family who can provide him with any therapies that he may need and who preferably has previous experience with older child adoption. Applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 net worth. More than 4 children in the home may be accepted. See country criteria for complete requirements. For additional information and/or to view this special child's file please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

FROM GRIEF TO CELEBRATION

2011-01-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

I am blessed to have an amazing friend. (Please see, "SPIRIT EYES" ) Her name is Gary and we met one another in the third grade when we were paired up as skaters in a "marching band" in our community's annual ice skating show. Her courageous spirit and shinning example have taught me a lot over the years about how to embrace the unexpected parts of this crazy life.

You see, seventeen years ago this past summer her second daughter, Alex, was born to her with Down Syndrome. That day marked the beginning of an incredible journey in the life of her growing family as they transitioned from initial grief to eventual acceptance to a daily celebration of the magical life that their beautiful daughter has brought them.

My dear friend is also a gifted writer and maintains a daily blog which I encourage you to check out by clicking HERE. I am also excited to say that she has just penned a book which shares her passion around disability awareness and highlights the extraordinary opportunities that exist in our world by way of acceptance and inclusion of ALL people with disabilities. By now, you are likely wondering what all of this has to do with ADOPTION! Since so many of our adoptive children come to us with obvious physical differences and/or special needs, I believe that her book will be a powerful resource. In fact, I believe that her book will be a powerful resource for all of us . . . with or without children with special needs. Having said that, I encourage you to order your own copy of "From Grief to Celebration: How One Family Learned to Embrace the Gift of Down Syndrome" by Margaret Bender for only $13.99 via the paypal on her website.

THE BIG SISTER

2011-01-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

ID: GGB10_173 (DOB's: 9/25/06, 11/28/07, and 7/13/09)
For several weeks now I have been studying the faces of this precious sibling group. Like the little girl in the middle of the photo, I too was once the "big sister" of two younger siblings. While I can so relate to her fiercely protective posture, I cannot even begin to imagine what it would have been like if my sisters and I had found ourselves in their situation. And so tonight, I pray that God has a plan to keep these precious children together and unite them quickly with their forever family . . .

These adorable siblings have been in care since June 2010 when their birth parents were no longer able to care for them due to economic reasons after losing their home. The oldest girl is in her 2nd year of kindergarten. Upon admission she was treated for a urinary tract infection but is now reportedly healthy and doing well. She has clear speech and enjoys going to the park, playing with other children and singing gospel music. She is comfortable with her caregivers. The middle sister is currently in her 1st year of kindergarten. Upon admission to the center she was rather shy but she is now more interactive and comfortable in her new environment. She was treated for anemia but is now reportedly healthy and doing well. She has clear speech, enjoys playing with baby dolls and swinging at the park. The youngest brother is also reportedly healthy although he was treated for a respiratory infection when he first came into care. His caretakers describe him as a happy little boy who rarely gets tired. His speech is unclear. He enjoys playing with his older sisters as well as his friends at the center and is comfortable with his caretakers.

These siblings are in need of a family who preferably has previous adoption experience, is knowledgeable about the potential effects of trauma and who is open to the delays and unknowns of this country's adoption program. Couples must be between 35-50 years of age and married ten or more years. One divorce each is accepted. For more information and/or to view the file of this beautiful sibling group please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

WELCOME HOME ELIJAH!

2010-12-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

As author of this blog, there are few things that give me greater pleasure then being able to share with all of you when a waiting child has finally been united with his forever family. For those of you who have been following their story, you know that our dear friends, Jon and Kari Greene embarked upon their third and final trip to Russia this past week to bring their son, Elijah home. Well, I am overjoyed to share that after a year long journey full of ups and downs, lost luggage, and multiple weather delays, the Greene family welcomed home the newest member of their beautiful family on Christmas Eve. Our family rejoices with them this evening! Praise God for His constant provision and protection along their long road to Russia and home. Thank you, Jon and Kari for your unswerving faith and obedience to where the Lord called you. You have been an inspiration to all of us. Welcome home, Elijah!

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

2010-12-21T21:13:00.001-08:00

As our family prepares this year to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I am reminded once again of the beautiful illustration God has provided for us through the Christmas story of His awesome ability to transform lives. Born in a lowly stable, Jesus emerged from such humble beginnings to become King of Kings and the eternal Savior to an entire world. Not before nor since has a single individual had such a far reaching impact on all of humanity.

For many of us with adopted children we are painfully aware of our son's and daughter's start in life. Like baby Jesus, they too came to us out of humble beginnings. Our son was abandoned under a stairwell shortly after birth. A friend's daughter was left in a noisy train station and yet another was found adjacent to a garbage dumpster. We have also been blessed to witness the miraculous transformation of these children as they blossom and thrive within the embrace of the families who love and nurture them.

That having been said, when you gather together this Christmas to celebrate God's great gift to the world, will you please take pause to say a prayer for all of the children left behind? For those little ones who still wait for a place to call home and whose lives have yet to be transformed into all that is possible through the far reaching embrace of the Christ Child.

HANDSOME BOY OUT OF TIME

2010-12-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

ID: B10_151 (DOB: 2/9/97)
While doing my best to advocate for Bella this past week, God has once again put this handsome young boy on my heart. You may recall that I first advocated for him back in early October. He has been in institutionalized care since the age of five and like Bella, is currently at high risk for aging out of the adoption process if he is not matched with a family before he turns fourteen on February 09, 2011.

He reportedly attends school and his teachers describe him as an average student with excellent problem solving skills and a strong desire for knowledge. He likes his caregivers, teachers and friends and is said to be respectful and caring toward the people around him. He is also described as an honest, brave, well behaved young man with a clear sense of right and wrong. He is usually rather outgoing but he can sometimes be shy in new environments. He enjoys drawing, reading, playing with remote control planes and cars and playing ping pong. He reportedly has a history of Hepatitis B. He is in need of a family who has experience parenting past his age, can provide him with any medical care he may need and who has a dossier in country so that he can be adopted before he turns fourteen. As always with these high risk children, I implore each reader to share his story with as many contacts as possible within your sphere of influence and please pray that he is matched quickly as time is of the essence for this child.

To adopt this handsome boy applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view the file of this young boy please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

STILL WATCHING AND WAITING

2010-12-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

It has been six days since I first posted about a little girl known as, Bella (please see, "Final Plea for Bella") who as of today has less than eight weeks to find a family before she permanently ages out of the adoption process. I made a simple request of everyone who read this feature to please pass along Bella's story to anyone and everyone within their personal sphere of influence. Some folks clearly took this request to heart because her post was viewed this past week over 1200 times by people all over the United States as well as in sixteen different countries. Unfortunately, Bella still doesn't have a family. Fortunately, we serve a God who is greater than he who is in the world and I have not given up hope on this precious child finding her forever family. In moments of frustration when we are most tempted to ask God why He doesn't do something about this child's situation, we need to be prepared to look in the mirror and ask ourselves the same question. We need to remind ourselves that WE are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world and it is through US that His great love for the needy is manifested. That having been said, I would like to take this opportunity to challenge anyone who has not yet shared Bella's story to do so NOW. Immediately to the right of this post is a small gadget which allows you with a single click of your mouse to share her story with folks you know via Facebook and/or Twitter. You can also forward this post directly to your email contacts. It doesn't matter how you get the word out . . . only that you do . . . and QUICKLY.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." (Matthew 25:45)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

FINAL PLEA FOR BELLA

2010-12-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

When I was thirteen years old, I was still playing with Barbie dolls and washing off the "cooties" that were left behind when a boy touched me. I dreamed about one day becoming either a ballerina or a nurse or both. It was a simpler time and in my childhood innocence, I was still a little girl in every way. Which brings me to the beautiful child in the photo to the left . . .
Last week, I received an email from a mom who this past July adopted the adorable baby girl who used to sleep in the crib adjacent to our son in his orphanage. In her email, she told me about a beautiful, healthy little girl in China referred to as Bella, who if not matched with a family before her fourteenth birthday in February 2011, will permanently age out of the adoption process. Now, I don't know about you, but as a mother of a once thirteen year old daughter, I have had a very difficult time sleeping this past week just thinking about the uncetain reality of this little girl's future. That having been said, I implore each and every reader of this post to study this precious child's face. Think for a moment about your own children and then examine the longing in her lonely eyes. Most importantly, when you hit your knees this evening, PLEASE PRAY FOR BELLA. Ask your heavenly Father how he would use YOU to change her life for the better. Please forward this post to EVERYONE and ANYONE within your personal sphere of influence with the hope that SOMEONE would read this story and be touched by God to reach out to this child and bless her with the family and the future she deserves. For more information please contact kathy@wiaa.org and reference Child #4 "Bella" (DOB: 02/02/1997)

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY . . .

2010-11-30T18:41:00.001-08:00

I have been blessed with an amazing husband. A classic Gemini, he can be a man of many words . . . or as was the case today, a man of few words. At exactly 2:30 pm this afternoon, he telephoned me at work and announced, "It's 2:30". Pause. A little slow on the uptake,"Huh?", was about all I could muster. "It's 2:30", he repeated himself, "and your son is standing outside your door." Before he could finish his sentence, I was already half way through my department's exit door and careening on two heels into the hospital lobby. There on a small bench next to his BaBa sat my sweet boy, feet crossed at the ankles and face eager with anticipation. Clutched between his hands was a single, red long stem rose wrapped in green tissue and tied carefully with a green silk ribbon. I paused briefly to etch the moment in my mind before he spotted me and took off across the lobby exclaiming with a big hug, "Mama! Flower for you!" Attached was a tiny note card that read simply, "Mama, one year ago today our red thread was it's shortest."
You see, one year ago today at exactly 2:30 pm in a very cold government office in Nanjing, China, we held our son in our arms for the very first time. Not only was it a defining moment for our family but it was a moment that God used to change us forever. We remain so grateful that He chose US to be LJ's family. Happy 1st 'Gotcha Day, LJ! We love you!

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." - Ancient Chinese Proverb

JUST A STATISTIC?

2010-11-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

"A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic". I shudder as much today when I read that quote, supposedly attributed to Joseph Stalin, as I did the first time I read it some 35 years ago. I can't help but wonder on occasion, however, if this isn't the way many of us view the global orphan crisis. I can't help but ask myself if our world's 143 million orphans are for the most part nothing more than a statistic in the collective conscience of the masses. Have we become so desensitized to the suffering of a broken world that we turn a blind eye toward that which in our minds often times seems abstract? Despite my questioning, I have learned first hand that once we put flesh to statistic our entire perspective changes. For once you have looked into the eyes of an orphaned child, held him in your arms and felt his heart beat against your own, it becomes impossible to turn away. When you look into the very face of our risen Savior, children are miraculously transformed from numbers to names and from facts to faces. Lest our hearts become hardened to "the least of these" among us, we must remind ourselves daily that behind each one of these 143 million statistics there is not only a name and a face but a heart that beats with the same hope and dreams as all children.

A CALLIGRAPHER IN THE MAKING

2010-11-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

ID: G10_92
(DOB: 8/1/02)
This lovely, intelligent little girl was found in a public square at the age of two and has been in foster care for over five years. Upon admission she was noted to have a urogenital deformity with post surgical scars but is now reported to be healthy and developing normally. Currently in the second grade, her foster parents report that she does well in school and excels in her native language class. She wants to continue practicing her handwriting skills with the hope of one day becoming a professional calligrapher. In July of 2010 she was observed to be an extroverted, confident and well liked child with good cognitive and language skills. Some of her favorite activities include reading, art, music and sports. She enjoys playing games with other children and has been very close to two particular friends since pre-school. When asked about adoption she gave positive responses and said she would like to have older brothers and sisters. She will begin additional class work in English next school term and hopes that she can improve her language skills so that she can communicate with her new family. This remarkable child deserves a family who has parented past her age, understands the complexities of older child adoption, is comfortable with her medical diagnosis, and has access to any medical resources she may need in the future. To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For additional information and/or to view her file please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

FUTURE SPORTS HERO?

2010-11-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

ID: B10_162
(DOB: 8/15/1999)
As we were driving home last night along a grueling stretch of Florida's I-4 , we passed a huge billboard that simply stated, "Babe Ruth. Orphan to baseball legend". Wow, I thought to myself, I never knew that. I began to ponder all of the talent and promise that has been lost in our world because so many children never realize their God given potential. And then this morning, in His perfect timing, the Lord brought to my attention this young boy . . . yes, with a love for sports . . . in need of a family! He came into care in August of 2005 when he was approximately six years of age. At that time, he was reportedly in good health, able to tie his own shoes, draw shapes and speak clearly. In August of 2006 he began attending a private school where he currently resides. It is stated that he is an orderly child who is able to care for his daily needs independently. His teachers report that he is a studious, respectful, goal oriented student with a lot of great ideas! Not only is he fond of sports but he has joined a few competitive sports groups at school!

This healthy, handsome boy is in need of a flexible family who has experience parenting past his age and is open to the unknowns of his early life. Previous older child adoption experience is preferred. To adopt him, applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 in net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view the file of this child please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org. Thank you!

COOKING FOR ELIJAH!

2010-11-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have been following this blog for awhile now, you are probably familiar with the Greene Family and their journey to adopt their son, Elijah, from Russia. For those of you who may not be familiar with their story, I invite you to check out my posts, "Hope for Elijah" and "Please Help Bring Elijah Home". As you know, their adoption expenses total nearly $40K and they still need to raise another $9K within the next month in order to bring their son home. As I am sure you can imagine, this is crunch time for them but it is also an amazing chance for the rest of us to help out! Just in time for Christmas, they have compiled years of secret family recipes in one beautiful cookbook entitled, "Cooking for Elijah". These wonderful cookbooks also make great birthday or 'anytime gifts' throughout the year. What an awesome opportunity to bless this family and enjoy some great Southern cooking at the same time! To place an order for your cookbooks in plenty of time for Christmas, please go to their website http://www.hopeforelijah.com/. LETS HELP BRING ELIJAH HOME TO HIS FAMILY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

THE BURDEN OF DISOBEDIENCE

2010-11-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

I would like to preface this post by admitting that I am not what most people would consider to be a very politically correct person. In fact, I have spent most of my adult life rocking the proverbial boat and marching to the beat of a different drummer. I have always cared about being in the center of God's will more than I have cared about what other people thought of me. I also tend to be fiercely passionate about the things I perceive to be of great importance. These are not necessarily bad qualities, just ones that on occasion need to be tempered a bit for risk of alienating people who may have opposing viewpoints. So, over the years I have at times learned to use the "soft sell" approach when what I really felt like doing was wielding a megaphone from a top floor window.

Today, I will do my best to find some middle ground . . .

Yesterday, while sharing her adoption testimony, a dear friend revealed that after years of God preparing her heart for the eventual adoption of her son, she no longer had to live under the immense burden of disobedience. Wow. I so appreciated her transparency. If we are to be truly honest with ourselves there isn't a single believer among us who hasn't struggled at one time or another with disobedience to either God's word or His will for our lives . . . which brings me to the point of this post.

God loves orphans . . . all 143 million of them.
Put bluntly, so should we.
He commands us to care for them.
We are without excuse.
"Once our eyes have been opened we can't pretend that we don't know what to do; for God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know and holds us responsible to act. "(Proverbs 24:12)

As believer's we must respond to His call if we are to remain obedient to His word. Unfortunately, however, through the collective inaction of the church millions of children worldwide have either died or languish in both institutionalized care and on the streets. What if the church simply embraced the central theme of it's faith? What if just 7% . . . not 100% . . . but just 7% of the world's two billion self purported Christians adopted one orphaned child? Theoretically, there would be no more orphans left. What a concept. In the final analysis, orphan care may look very different for each one of us but it must look like something.

Did I mention, WE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE?

There is work to be done and no time to sit on our hands. No time for a "soft sell". No time for disobedience. There, I've said it. Hopefully, I didn't alienate anyone in the process as that was not my intent. In the end, however, this blog was never intended to be a platform from which I hoped to gain even a modicum of popularity. It is about being a voice (albeit a small one) for the 143 million orphans who will go to bed again tonight without the love, hope and security that only a family can bring them.

ADORABLE SIBLING GROUP

2010-11-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

ID: BG10_168
(DOB: 3/30/07 & 12/30/09)
These adorable siblings have been in care since April 2010 after their birth mother was no longer able to care for them due to economic reasons. Upon admission they were both treated for anemia but are now stated to be healthy and doing very well. The older brother just started attending school and likes playing soccer and hide and seek. He reportedly has a good relationship with his caregivers and enjoys being around his peers. His younger sister is described as an alert and jovial baby who is always smiling. She is able to walk with help and enjoys being around people.
These siblings are in need of a family who has experience parenting past their age. Adoption experience is preferred but not necessary. Couples must be 35 - 50 years of age and married ten or more years. For additional information and/or to view the file of these beautiful children please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

2010-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

As I watched our sweet boy blow out the candles on his birthday cake earlier today, I must confess, that it was a bitter sweet moment. Don't get me wrong. Marking the passage of two years and all that God has done to bring this precious boy into our family was cause for great celebration . . . and celebrate we did. In the midst of our joy, however, I was also reminded of the reality that two years ago today our son was abandoned under a stairwell and one year ago today he spent his first birthday far from home in a Chinese orphanage. Ahhh, what a difference a year has made in the life of this child! Sadly, however, there are still 143 million more children in the world who are waiting for someone to help them celebrate their birthdays . . . waiting for the encouragement, hope and love that only a family can bring.
Dear LORD, please move the hearts of your people to step out in radical faith and obedience on behalf of these forgotten little ones.
Happy Birthday LJ. Amen.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
(John 14:18)

COULD YOU BE MY FAMILY?

2010-11-07T18:48:00.001-08:00

ID: B09_213 (DOB: June 11, 2003)

This handsome young boy came into care in December 2007 and has been living with his foster family since July 2008. Upon admission he was found to have a scar on his chest from an unknown cause, otherwise he is reported to be healthy. His foster family describes him as an active and polite little boy who can take care of his daily needs independently. He enjoys building things with sand and playing with toy cars. Could this precious boy be your son?

This child is in need of a family who has experience parenting past his age. To adopt him applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For additional information and/or to view the file of this handsome young boy please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org Thank you!

CAN YOU SEE HER HEART?

2010-11-02T20:09:00.001-07:00

ID : G10_140 (DOB: 10/01/2001)
Prior to posting about a particular child on this blog each week, I pray first that the Lord will show me which child to feature. With so many kids in need of families, the responsibility to highlight just one can sometimes seem a bit daunting . . . which brings me to the little girl in the photo to the left. She has been on my heart all week and so I feel lead to post about her this evening. Before I do, however, I would like to share a quick story about a brief but very impactful encounter we had while in China last winter. It was a cold December evening and we were taking in the unusual sights and smells of an area in Beijing known as 'Snack Street'. As we made our way through the crowd we came upon an elderly Chinese woman who's legs were severely deformed. Laying on the cold pavement with her face pressed against the asphalt she clutched a beggars cup in her hands as passersby literally stepped over her like a discarded newspaper. Kneeling down beside her, Mark placed several Juan in her cup and gently whispered, "Jesus loves you". In a predominately atheist country where the disabled are not even an afterthought and the word used to describe the handicapped translates as, "worthless", this woman clearly had little on which to hang her hope.

Now getting back to the resilient little girl in the above photo . . . as you may have noticed, she like the beggar woman on the street was born with a bilateral foot deformity. She is able to walk very quickly on the instep of her feet, however, and does not allow her special differences to slow her down a bit. When I study her sweet face I am hopeful in the knowledge that a FaMiLy of her own is her best defense against a future on the street. I am also reminded that without a family willing to claim her as their own, we were given a small glimpse that night on the streets of Beijing of the bleak reality that likely lays before her. And so, she remains on my heart tonight . . .

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart". 1 Samuel 16:7

To adopt this little girl applicants must be between 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than 4 children in the home may be accepted. For further information and to view the file of this child please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

WAITING TO GO HOME

2010-10-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

ID: G09_33 (DOB: October 2002)

This beautiful young girl has a smile that could brighten any room and warm any heart. She loves to play games outdoors and to sing songs with gospel lyrics. She has been in a Care Center in Africa since she was approximately nine months old and is stated to be in good health. She is reported to be meeting motor and social milestones for her age and to have excellent interpersonal skills. She does have a speech delay for which she attends an early learning and occupational therapy center where she receives speech therapy.

She waits for a family who has parented past her age and who has access to the speech therapy she needs. To adopt this child, couples must be between the ages of 25-44 and married for at least 2 years. They may have up to five children in the home. For further information and/or to view the file of this waiting child please contact http://www.holtinternational.org/ or call one of their Africa staff at 541-687-2202

PLEASE HELP BRING ELIJAH HOME!

2010-10-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been following this blog since it's inception you may recall that my very first post, "HOPE FOR ELIJAH", featured a young family who for the last year has been in the process of bringing home their son, Elijah, from Samara, Russia. The Greene family is very dear to our family's heart for several reasons. First and foremost, they are a living testimony to what God can accomplish through the lives of His followers when they choose to step out in total obedience to Him. Last summer, with the help of our church Life Group, they also spearheaded an amazing fund raising event to bring in the remaining funds we needed to bring LJ home from China . . . in total about $6800. To this day, we remain humbled by that experience as we witnessed the hands and feet of Jesus come together on behalf of a little boy on the far side of the world.

For those of you who don't know the Greene's personally, I am thrilled to update you that they were finally able to hold Elijah in their arms for the very first time this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, the adoption process in Russia requires two additional trips in-country before they are able to travel back to the United States with their son. If all goes according to schedule, they hope to travel to Russia again in about a month and may actually be able to have Elijah home with his family in North Carolina as early as Thanksgiving.

As you can imagine, the added expenses incurred with these extra travel requirements mount quickly and the Greene family needs to raise an additional $9000 ASAP. This is where you can help! I would like to ask everyone reading this post to please pray about how God can use you to help them raise these much needed funds as quickly as possible. Perhaps you have some frequent flyer miles you'd be willing to share? As most of you already know, November is NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH. What a wonderful opportunity to not only recognize this important month but to honor and bless the Greene family in the process.

We invite you to make a contribution of any amount via the PAY-PAL account on their website, http://www.hopeforelijah.com/ or by mailing your donation directly to them. Thank you so much! Let's help them bring Elijah home!

Jon and Kari Greene
3504 Cokefield Court
Fayetteville, NC 28306

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

2010-10-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

ID: B10_151 (DOB: 2/9/97)
This handsome young boy has been in institutionalized care since the age of five and is currently at high risk for aging out of the adoption process if he is not matched with a family before he turns fourteen in February 2011. I will address the ramifications for children like him in a future post but for now please understand that without a family this boy's future is very bleak.

He attends school and is reported by his teachers to be an average student with excellent problem solving skills and a strong desire for knowledge. He likes his caregivers, teachers and friends and is said to be respectful and caring toward the people around him. He is also described as an honest, brave, well behaved young man with a clear sense of right and wrong. He is usually rather outgoing but he can sometimes be shy in new environments. He enjoys drawing, reading, playing with remote control planes and cars and playing ping pong. He reportedly has a history of Hepatitis B.

He is in need of a family who has experience parenting past his age, can provide him with any medical care he may need, and who has a dossier in country so that he can be adopted before he turns fourteen. Previous older child adoption experience in preferred. Please pray that he is matched quickly as time is of the essence for this child.

To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view the file of this young boy please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

2010-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

If you have been following this blog you may recall that I featured this waiting child in one of my prior posts entitled, "Healing Hands". You may also recall that she had found a special place in my heart because she was hoping to one day become a nurse. After waiting far too long and at risk of aging out of the adoption process in less than a year, I am over joyed to report that she has finally found her forever family. Please remember her in your prayers tonight that her transition into her new life would be a smooth one and that her dream to become a nurse would one day come true. Praise God for happy endings and new beginings!

HOPEFUL SMILES

2010-10-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

ID: BG10_43 (DOB: 1/1/05 & 1/1/02)
This sweet brother and sister are currently in foster care in Africa. Their dates of birth were estimated when they were found alone in a house in March 2008. The older brother is reported to be well coordinated and likes to play outside on the swings. His teacher states that he is progressing well in school and his best subject is mathematics. He can count from 1-20 in English and is eager to learn to speak more English. He is reportedly a curious, well behaved child who follows instructions easily. He enjoys music and playing the drums, likes to watch TV and wants to learn to use a computer. His younger sister was originally reported to be a bit shyer than her older brother. She likes to play with dolls but was noted to be short-tempered when someone else wanted to play with a toy that she had. She is reported to be more outgoing now, to know some English and to follow directions in English. Their foster mother reports that both children were very thin upon entering her home but have been eating well and increased their overall body weight. The children did spend some time on their own but are reported to be developmentally on target and have adjusted well to living in a foster family. Like all orphans, these beautiful children deserve a permanent home of their own. Please pray that someone will step forward quickly to claim them.

These siblings are in need of a family who has parented past their age, has experience with older child adoption and understands the impact of multiple placements and child neglect. To adopt these beautiful children, couples must be between the ages of 25-44, married for at least 2 years and may have up to five children already in the home. To view their file or to obtain additional information about this new program please contact http://www.holtinternational.org/ or call one of their Africa Staff at 541-687-2202

SEEKING THE FATHER'S FACE

2010-10-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

I once heard it said that God's purpose for your life is where His word and your circumstances intersect. I've also heard it said that if you are genuinely seeking the Father's face then you need to be seeking out the things that matter most to Him. It is no mistake that the Old Testament alone contains more than forty scriptural references that bear evidence to God's concern and compassion for the fatherless. Simply put, orphans matter to God so they should to matter to us as well.

When Mark and I first answered God's call to adopt we realized immediately that He had invited us to experience Himself in a truly profound way. In retrospect, the invitation was less about our "rescuing" a little boy, if you will, and more about our coming to know the heart of God, how he feels about orphans and His plans and promises for them. As Believers, we already knew the love, joy and security of being adopted into God’s family and recognized what a beautiful illustration the “Father to the fatherless” had provided for us when He adopted us as His children through the shed blood of Jesus. Adoption is clearly at the heart of who God is and I believe that it is the Father's desire that we lavish this same love, mercy and provision upon this disenfranchised, neglected and all too often forgotten segment of society.

God has also used our adoption journey to draw us more intimately into relationship with him by allowing us to parent a child that He could have just as easily "rescued" without us. After all, He is God . . . almighty, omniscient, omnipresent King of Kings. He really didn't need the help of two ordinary, middle aged folks from Florida. To assume that he did would be to relegate God to nothing more than "co-pilot" status in our lives. No, He didn't need us but He has used us for His glory and we have been blessed beyond measure in the process.

For those of you who don't know, November is National Adoption Awareness month and Sunday, November 7, 2010 is officially known as, ORPHAN SUNDAY. Recognized by churches the globe over, it is an attempt to raise awareness and to mobilize the body of Christ to care for our world's 143 million orphans. I read recently that if only 7% of the world's 2 billion Christians stepped forward to care for a child in need then there would be no more orphans left. If you really want to know the heart of God I urge you to cry out to the Father and ask just how He wants to use you for His glory in the lives of these vulnerable children. For further information on how to organize an "Orphan Sunday" event at your church please contact http://www.showhope.org/

GOING HOME

2010-09-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to report that since featuring this precious little girl in an earlier post she has finally been matched with her forever family.
Glory to God!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18

ALL FIRED UP

2010-09-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

Last autumn, Mark and I had the awesome opportunity to attend a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game at Raymond James Stadium with some friends. We had a great time but to be perfectly honest I can't recall what team they played much less who won the game. What I do remember, however, was the contagious, electrifying feeling in the air as fans with painted faces and strands of beads cheered the players on through a sea of red and black. Let's just say that absolutely nothing deterred this hard core crowd from demonstrating their loyalty to their team . . . not the heat, not the intermittent rain showers, not the over priced tickets to get in. I also remember thinking to myself how amazing it would be if the church demonstrated this same kind of enthusiasm for their risen savior . . . for a man who did way more than run a ball down a field. I mean, we're talking about a man who carried a rugged cross all the way to Calvary and paid the ultimate price for our salvation! Now that, folks, in my book is something to paint your face over and jump up and down about. Please don't get me wrong here. I have absolutely nothing against football. I like to put my feet up with a plate full of nachos just like the next guy. I am simply asking, wouldn't it be remarkable to see the body of Christ fired up like that at the mere mention of Jesus name? Can you also imagine the eternal impact that churches could have upon the global orphan crisis if they were filled with people who moved forward in the power of Jesus with that kind of enthusiasm? Just a thought . . .

IS THIS YOUR SON?

2010-09-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

ID: B10_113 (DOB: 11/28/05)

This adorable, determined little boy was found in April 2006 at the age of five months at the gate of one of his country's many state run orphanages. At that time he was noted to have a congenital limb difference of his left hand and medical reports state that he is missing the left carpal, metacarpal and digital bones. He is described as a very active little boy who loves to run around and play with other children. As of July 2010, he is in kindergarten at the institution's school. He can point to his eyes, ears, and nose and reportedly follows instructions very well. He can coordinate his hands to do tasks such as building a tower with blocks and unscrewing a bottle cap. This special little guy is in need of a family who has parented past his age and has access to the resources that he needs. To adopt him applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view the file of this sweet child please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

DID MY BIRTH MOTHER LOVE ME?

2010-09-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most frequent comments we receive from people when they meet our son for the first time is, "How could a mother abandoned her own child?" I imagine the same question posed from the child's perspective might sound something like, "Did my birth mother love me?" Like an impending rain cloud on the horizon, I know that it is only a matter of time before these inevitable six words proceed from our son's mouth. Oh, and how I want to be prepared for when they do. While we will never know exactly how China's social, political and cultural influences shaped his birth mother's decision to abandon him, we do know that she cared enough to leave him in a place (beneath a stairwell in a busy hospital lobby - see photo above left) where he was certain to be found quickly and taken into care. With that choice, however, their life paths diverged from one another carrying them both into the future and into each other's past. In a country where many "imperfect" children are reported to be drowned after birth like an unwanted litter of kittens, she opted to give him life and hope and for that I am eternally grateful. Having said that, I also believe that what we as people perceive in our limited wisdom to be God's "Plan B" for an individuals life might actually be God's "Plan A" all along. Just as I have difficulty comprehending a mother's ability to abandon the flesh of her flesh, I don't always understand God's ways. I have, however, learned to trust them.

So, as I prepare both of our hearts for the tough questions yet to come, I take comfort in the following words from scripture . . .

“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! (Isaiah 49:15)

. . . and as I prepare, dear LORD, please fill his birth mother's heart with peace. Please let her know that the the child she borne is healthy, happy, safe and growing daily in your love. Amen.

WAITING IN THE SILENCE

2010-09-11T21:12:00.001-07:00

ID: B10_131 DOB: 6/10/06

This adorable, playful little boy was found abandoned in October 2006 at the age of four months and has reportedly made great progress since coming into care. In July 2007 he received a hearing test which confirmed bilateral deafness. He quickly began rehabilitation for his communication and motor skills and is noted to make occasional sounds, to have considerable understanding, reaction speed, and imitation capability. He is able to communicate through eye contact, lip reading, and simple gestures. He is also noted to be a helpful child who enjoys painting and can care independently for his daily needs.

This charming little boy is in need of an experienced family with access to the deaf community and whatever resources he may need. Please help spread the word so that this child can be matched with his forever family as soon as possible!

To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted. For further information and/or to view the file of this adorable little boy please contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower @erinm@holtinternational.org.

A NEW BEGINNING

2010-09-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

As you may recall, I posted a few weeks ago about a young boy at risk for aging out of the adoption process within the next few months if he wasn't matched quickly with a family. Well, I am thrilled to report that this handsome boy has found his forever family! Thank you, LORD for being attentive to all of our prayers and for intervening on behalf of this precious child. It is my earnest prayer that his dream of becoming a doctor will one day become a reality!

HEALING HANDS

2010-09-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

ID: G09_195
DOB: September 16, 1997
When I was about five years old my parents gave me a toy medical kit for my birthday. With stethoscope in hand I was often seen "making rounds" in my neighborhood and dispensing little candy pills to my "sick" friends. Today, after many years as both a pediatric and an emergency room nurse, I am grateful for my parents willingness to support my early dreams.

This beautiful, caring young lady also dreams of becoming a nurse one day. Unfortunately, like so many children in institutionalized care she may never realize many of her life goals. She reportedly attends school regularly and is generally among the top twenty in her class. Her teachers describe her as a responsible student who is in charge of class cleanup. She is said to be often smiling and acts like a big sister to the younger children. She enjoys reading and watching television and is able to look after herself quite well.

She has been diagnosed with ametropia and may need glasses to correct her vision. When asked about adoption, she stated that she is willing to relocate to another country, however, she is concerned about her ability to communicate in English. This lovely, outgoing girl is in immediate need of a family who has experience parenting past her age and is able to provide her with any resources that she may need. To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted.

For further information and to view the file of this precious child you are invited to complete the Waiting Child Program Application (free of charge) on the Holt International Children's Services website http://www.holtinternational.org/ and/or contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org

THOSE LITTLE RED SHOES

2010-08-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

As all parents know, there is something uniquely special about our children's first pair of shoes. We often times bronze them or hang them proudly from our car's rear view mirror. I have my daughter's tucked away in her "special box" and bring them out from time to time to recall those precious moments when her tiny feet stepped out in them with confidence into a brand new world.
We have gone through dozens of shoes over the years ranging from the practical to the bizarre but it is that first pair that is dear to this Mama's heart. Yesterday, I found myself retiring LJ's first pair of shoes. I don't know what it is about those little red shoes but there is undoubtedly something extra special about them. Perhaps it is the color. Perhaps it is the intentional, joy filled way he paraded about in them like a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps it is because like most children who depart institutionalized care with the communal clothes on their back , they were the very first material possession he could claim as his own. Either way, my son's little red shoes have found a special place in my heart right next to my daughter's and I will undoubtedly pull them out from time to time to remember when . . .

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

2010-08-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

ID: G10_93 (DOB: 03/03/1998)
This lovely, talented young girl was found abandoned at the age of three and placed into orphanage care. She was found to be healthy and developmentally on-target and in May 2001 she was placed with a foster family whom she has become very close with. She has progressed well in school where she is reportedly an eager learner who has completed the sixth grade as of May 2010. She achieves satisfactory academic scores, has an excellent memory and does very well in reading. She is also a talented young artist and loves drawing, singing and ballet. Other favorite activities include reading, computers and watching TV. She is a very social child who is said to have many long-time friends and close relationships with her teachers and her foster family.When asked in July 2010 what she aspires to be when she grows up, she stated that she hopes to be a singer!

This special little girl hopes to be adopted soon and understands that there will be certain challenges with a transition into a new place and family. She is in immediate need of a family who is experienced with older child adoption and understands grief and loss issues. To adopt this child, applicants must be 30-54 years old and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than four children in the home may be accepted.

For more information and to view the file of this talented young child you are invited to complete the Waiting Child Program Application (free of charge) on the Holt International Children's Services website http://www.holtinternational.org/ and/or contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org Won't you please help this little girl's dreams come true?

A TALE OF TWO BOYS

2010-08-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

ID:B10_94

It has been my experience that if you are waiting for someone else to do something that you can just as easily do yourself, then there is the very real probability that it may never happen. I am also a believer that every small drop in a bucket will eventually fill it.

As I put these words to type LJ is sleeping soundly in the next room after spending a wonderful day visiting with his Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Michael. Beneath his arm he has tucked the Pooh Bear that they brought with them on their trip down from New Jersey. He is warm, well fed and content in the undeniable fact that his family loves him . . . very much. It is at moments like this that I ponder the "what if" possibility of Mark and I not answering God's call to bring him home. What if we didn't trust God's plan? What if we got cold feet or lost heart some where along the bumpy road to China? Where would our son be at this very moment? I have often heard it said by genuinely well meaning people that he would have probably just been adopted by someone else. But would he have? Or would he have been passed over for years like so many kids who wait with child like hope that the sun will eventually rise on a better day for them? Would he be waiting unnecessarily because we dared not to believe that two ordinary people like ourselves could possibly make a difference or because we were waiting for someone else to do something about the world's orphan problem?

This morning I received an email with the photo of a handsome young boy who like LJ was abandoned at birth because he was born with a hand deformity. A boy who unlike LJ, however, has not shared the same fortune and after having spent most of his young life in foster care, will age out of the adoption process within the next five months unless someone steps forward to claim him before he turns fourteen on February 1, 2011. He is reported to be a kind, diligent young boy who gets along well with other children. He enjoys watching educational programing, playing tennis and studying. He will begin the 8th grade in the Fall of 2010 and his goal in life is to become a doctor. He is near sighted in both eyes and wears glasses but is otherwise noted to be healthy. It breaks my heart to think that but by the grace of God this precious boy's story could have just as easily been our own son's story.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for planting the seed of adoption in our hearts. Thank you for taking us all the way to China to bring our son home to his family. Please stir the heart of another to help this special boy find his forever family.

For additional information and to view the file of this handsome young boy you are invited to complete the Waiting Child Program Application (free of charge) on the Holt International Children's Services website http://www.holtinternational.org/ and/or contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org.

COULD THIS BE YOUR DAUGHTER?

2010-08-16T06:10:00.001-07:00

(DOB: April 8, 2000/ID: G09_217)
This sweet young lady has been in care since October 2001. Upon admission she was found to be deaf in both ears and to have a PDA, which has been treated surgically. She is currently living at a school for deaf children and is learning some sign language. She can also communicate through writing, lip reading and body language. Her teachers report that she has no difficulty communicating with others and that she has a strong desire to express herself. She is able to make the sound "a". She is described as an extroverted and outgoing little girl. She enjoys drawing and her favorite colors are red and blue. Her caregivers report that she does have some difficulty sitting still, but she is able to take care of her self independently. She is in need of a family who has access to the deaf community, who are able to provide her with any medical care or therapies that she may need and who preferably have experience parenting past her age.
To adopt this precious child, applicants must be 30-54 years of age and meet an income requirement of $30,000 plus $10,000 per additional family member, with $80,000 net worth. More than 4 children in the home may be accepted. Please see country criteria for complete requirements.
For more information and to view the file of this beautiful little girl you are invited to complete the Waiting Child Program Application (free of charge) on the Holt International Children's Services website http://www.holtinternational.org/ and/or contact Danielle Walters or Erin Mower at erinm@holtinternational.org. Let's help this sweet child find her forever family as soon as possible!

CHILD OF THE WEEK

2010-08-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

I am often asked why Mark and I chose to adopt a child from the PRC when there are so many children right here in the United States who desperately need a family. To those folks who are simply trying to pick a politically correct argument with me, I usually ask them what they are doing to help with the world's orphan problem before responding to their question. To everyone else, my answer is generally two fold. First and foremost, after exhaustive research into both domestic and international adoption as well as a lot of time spent on our knees, Mark and I were confident that God had lead us to adopt a special needs boy from the PRC. Why China? Why a boy? Why a special needs adoption? I can't possibly answer to the mysteries of God. I just know that while He doesn't lead everyone to China, He undeniably lead us there.

Secondly, unlike most people who tend to view orphans in terms of geographic and political boundaries, I believe that God sees them with no such constraints. While He may call some of us to adoption in China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bulgaria, Guatemala, India, Thailand, Russia, or the Philippines to name a few, He may call someone else just across town to foster or adopt a child in need of immediate care. The question in my mind should be less about where we go and more about do we go. Do we answer His call or do we find an excuse to fall back into our comfort zone only to judge someone else from the sidelines who has stepped out in faith?

As Christians, if we are to take God's word seriously with regard to the fatherless, then we need to understand that caring for orphans is a commandment not an option. That doesn't necessarily mean that God has called everyone to adopt but He has called everyone to do something . . . perhaps to pray for, encourage or financially support a family who has been called.

While in China, God also allowed us to witness first hand the lonely, broken hearted faces of many of the world's discarded and forgotten children. Children, who if someone doesn't respond to God's calling will be sentenced to live out their childhood in institutionalized care only to "age out" of the adoption system at age fourteen without any hope of ever belonging to a family of their own. With this awareness, God has also given me a growing passion to advocate for these children within my albeit limited but nevertheless very real sphere of influence.
That having been said, it is my intended goal from here out to post on a weekly basis the photo and bio of a child who is at risk for aging out of the adoption process. It is my hope that everyone who reads these "Child of the Week" posts will allow God to work through them in a mighty way to help advance His purposes in the lives of these vulnerable children.

IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING . . .

2010-08-08T22:52:00.000-07:00

As promised in an earlier post, I am back to answer that cringe worthy question, "If you don't mind me asking, how much did that baby cost anyway?" I want to start out by saying that the baby didn't cost anything. The process to adopt him, however, was long, arduous and yes, rather expensive. While the question of cost is often approached in a less than tactful manner, I nevertheless appreciate the inquiry because it is often times the one major obstacle in many people's minds that stands between them and a child that desperately needs a family to love. Since I am a person who likes to keep things simple, I will do my best to answer this question in a way that will hopefully reflect what I believe to be a somewhat skewed world view of money.

While adoption costs vary from country to country, the total cost to bring home our son from The People's Republic of China in 2009 was around $23,000 or if you believe the news headlines, about the cost of Joyce Meyer's toilet seat. Yes, you heard me correctly, the cost of a T. O. I. L. E. T. S. E. A. T. Or according to the Washington Post, the price fetched for former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's choppers at a recent auction. That's right, the false teeth of a notable but very dead man. But to put the cost into terms that most people can relate to, we brought our son home for about the same cost as the average American spends on a used car. Kind of makes 'ya go, hmmm, doesn't it? Now, I know that some of you reading this are probably thinking to yourself, "That's nice but I don't throw money around like that. I bought my toilet seat at Walmart" or "My car cost half that amount." While this may in fact be the case, there are some folks out there reading this who own a car that cost twice that amount. This is only an average. I think that if we are to be honest with ourselves, we are all guilty, myself included, of occasionally being less than optimal stewards of the money God has blessed us with.

In an attempt to hopefully put all of this into better perspective, I have provided below a break down of the approximate cost of our adoption so that you can see where all the money actually goes during the adoption process. I have also provided a break down of some of the places where according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditures for 2009, we, the average American spend our money. Now, before you all go flooding me with hate mail, please let me preface this next paragraph by saying that I am not a kill joy and my intent here is not to send anyone to the moon on a guilt trip. I enjoy going out to dinner and a movie just like the next guy. What I am saying is this . . . if you are allowing the cost of adoption to impede you from moving forward with God's plan for your family then this next section might just be worth reading.

Application Fee - $300
The Orphanage Donation Fee - $5000
(This money is used to care for orphans while they are awaiting permanent placement.)
Home Study - $1200
Local Province Processing Fee in China - $1250
Department of Homeland Security Biometric Fingerprinting - $160
USCIS Application Fee - $800
China Center for Adoption Affairs Service fee - $750
Translation fee for child referral information - $300
US Visa Processing Fee - $465
Non Profit Adoption Agency Fee - $3595
Travel expenses - $5000
Post Placement Evaluations (3 visits @ $250 each) - $750
Miscellaneous Expenses - Doctor's Appointments, blood work, Certified copies of birth and marriage certificates, document notary and authentication fees, local, state and national background checks, Fed/Ex fees, etc. - Approximately $2500
___________________________________________________

Soda Consumption - $520
Tobacco Products - $323
Alcoholic Beverages - $457
Food Away From Home - $2,668
Entertainment - $2,698
Personal Care Services - $588
Apparel & Related Services - $1,881
Cell phone Service - $1200
Summer Vacation - $1600 (According to AAA)
Total - $11,935
__________________________________________________

Of course we don't all smoke and drink and take summer vacations but the silver lining in this list is that it helps put into perspective the non essential spending habits in almost all of our lives that we can scale back if we are looking to make an eternal investment in the life of a child. And for those of you who may be reading this and thinking that you have nothing left to cut back but still feel as if God is leading your family toward adoption, I have only five words to share with you . . . be obedient and follow Him. Our family did just that and as many of you already know our Lord was faithful to meet us at the point of our need during every step of our adoption journey.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

In the end, adoption isn't cheap. But then how do you put a price on the life of a child? I can assure you now that LJ is home and we are finally on this side of the adoption journey, Mark and I would give up our last nickel for our son.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. " (Matthew 6:19-20)

DID YOU SAY, JELLY FISH?

2010-08-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

One of the fringe benefits of most international adoption is the opportunity to travel to your child's birth country. For us, that meant the opportunity to experience first hand the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Beijing, Nanjing, Xuzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, China. Now, it has been our experience from talking to most prospective adoptive parents that amidst the excitement of foreign travel there is a certain understandable apprehension about traveling to a land which is often times on the complete other side of the globe. I so get that. First of all, there is the obvious language barrier. There are funny toilets, peculiar customs and strange food. Fortunately, my dear husband has been around the world six times and lived in South East Asia for tens years so I must confess that I, the less traveled one, took great comfort in knowing that I was in good hands as we embarked on our once in a life time adventure together.

Getting back to strange food . . .
Alone in our hotel room in the Capital city of our son's province only hours after we held him in our arms for the very first time, Mark suggested that we celebrate the day's event with a well deserved hot meal. After a long and emotional day, LJ was sleeping soundly next to us in his crib. As he would do many times over the next sixteen days, my adventuresome husband then set out, as we liked to say, to "forage for food". This usually involved a bit of a trek, a little pantomime, a lot of prayer and a final point to something that looked promising. On this particular evening, however, we opted to call for room service. Following a brief yet unforgettable attempt via telephone to have a menu sent up to our room, we finally admitted defeat and decided it would be easier to go down to the dinning room and order in person. Mark had a hankering for fish and I wanted a simple dish of noodles and vegetables. Pretty straight forward we thought, so Mark set out only to return about thirty minutes later with a small slip of paper in his hand and a grin on his face. I'll never forget the next nine words that proceeded from his mouth, "Stop me when you hear something that sounds good". That should have been my clue but alas, the eternal optimist in me was thinking something along the lines of, "Wow, so many wonderful choices he had to come all the way back upstairs to get my input". He then ceremoniously listed my dinner options for the evening . . .

Jelly fish in green onion oil sauce ~
Goose intestines and fungus in chili oil sauce ~
Ox tripe, heart and tongue in chili oil sauce ~
Ox tripe, curded duck blood, mud eel slices and ham with vegetable in chili oil sauce ~
Bullfrog and towel gourd in spicy chili oil sauce ~
Deep fried dove marinated in lemon grass ~
Stewed Chinese cabbage with cured goose meat, served in a casserole ~
Braised cucumber, fungus, baby abalone, shark fin and red bird's nest in crystal sugar syrup ~

. . . to which the staunch vegan in me replied, "Did you say, JELLY FISH? Surely you jest." To which he replied with a chuckle, "Does that sound like something I could have possibly made up?" No, he had in fact carefully copied down each item word for word from the menu as to not omit even the smallest scrumptious detail. Now, those of you who know my husband well also know that once he has made up his mind to do something there is precious little in this world that will get in his way. Standing there in the middle of our room with a small slip of paper in his left hand, I saw a look of determination in his eyes that to this day I have never seen before nor since. Yes, folks, my man was a man on a mission and he was not going to be denied his fish and my noodles and vegetables. Nor was he going to bow down to the nearest set of golden arches. Knowing that this may take awhile, I reached for another granola bar as he headed back out the door.

Bearing testimony to his perseverance, my husband returned within the hour and placed before my eyes the best bowl of piping hot Chinese noodles and vegetables I have ever eaten. And he had his fish . . . head, fins, tail and all. Much to my amazement he would come to perfect this so called art of "food foraging" during our travels through China over the next few weeks. That night, curled up together in a very cold room in the middle of Mainland China, we gave thanks and praised God as we shared one of our most memorable meals ever. To this day, that little slip of paper remains in a special place for safe keeping and every once in a while we pull it out and laugh till we cry. I say all of that to say this to those of you who may be stressing a bit about the travel aspect of international adoption . . . some of your fondest memories will likely arise out of the things you fear most. Take a deep breath, have fun and allow God to take care of the details while you enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. You will be glad that you did.

ONLY GOD KNOWS

2010-07-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

If you were to ask me what the single most frequently asked question we have encountered since bringing LJ home (next to "How much did that baby cost if you don't mind me asking?" arghh . . . yes, I do mind but please keep tuned for my answer to that one in a future post) I would have to say that it has something to do with our age. (Gasp) Yes, I know you are all stunned. Seriously though, that is what people ask about more than anything else. I can assure you that questions like, "So, what's it like starting a new family?" and "What's it like having a small child around the house at your age?" are not in short supply. At the risk of sounding defensive here, we aren't that old! And we didn't start a new family we simply added to our existing one. Our son has a beautiful big sister and she has an adorable little brother. Okay, now that we have that out of the way, I'd love to share our experience thus far with those of you forty and fifty something folks out there who may be thinking about adoption and/or foster care but are feeling a bit intimidated because of your age.

So, why, you ask did we decide to adopt during this season of our lives when we could have opted for a small degree of healthy selfishness? First and foremost, let me just say that Mark and I didn't come to adoption because it was our idea, because it wasn't. It was God's idea. How do we know this? Because once He planted the seed of adoption in our hearts He grew it there until we had no choice but to respond if we were to remain obedient to His will for our lives and the life of our son. Why God chose us specifically remains a mystery to this day. He could have chosen anyone to adopt our son. I know for a fact that there were younger, richer, smarter and better looking couples out there to chose from yet He still chose us. Scripture has revealed to us how God has used ordinary people throughout the ages to accomplish His purposes and to advance His kingdom here on earth. God has used our adoption journey to teach us first hand that as His children he doesn't require us to have all the answers. He simply asks us to trust Him and to be obedient to His calling even when it may be inconvenient, involves sacrifice and makes absolutely no sense to us. So, if you are reading this blog and have even remotely entertained the idea of adoption or foster care I would implore you to commit those ideas to serious prayer and ask God exactly what He has in mind for your family. When He answers (and He will) be prepared to trust what He says and to follow where He leads you. Small details like age and finances are just that . . . small details to God. If the Lord has directed you to adopt then He will bless you with everything necessary to accomplish what He has asked you to do regardless of your age or financial status.

So, exactly what is it like to have a small child under foot at our age? Let me just say that if grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God then grace unquestionably abounds in our home. We have done absolutely nothing to deserve such an incredible blessing and we praise God daily for our little boy. This is not to say that adoption doesn't come with certain inherent risks and challenges but then so does all parenting. It has required a willingness on our part to step out of our comfort zone and trust God that He will meet all of our needs. After all, the sweetest fruit is found out on the limb, isn't it?

GREENE FAMILY UPDATE

2010-07-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

Effective July 19, 2010 the Greene family was officially placed on the Russia Child Referral List! If all goes smoothly they are hoping to travel to Russia sometime this October to meet their son, Elijah. This of course, will be only the first of three trips that they will be required to make before they can bring him home to join his anxiously awaiting family.
When we were raising funds to bring LJ home last year I will never forget how encouraging it was to us to have so many folks supporting us by wearing his adoption bracelet until the day he arrived safely home. That having been said, if you haven't already done so, I hope that you will take this opportunity to show your support of the Greene family by purchasing your official "Hope for Elijah" bracelet for only $5 via PayPal on their adoption website http://www.hopeforelijah.com/. Let's help them bring Elijah home!

SPIRIT EYES

2010-07-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity last week to visit with a childhood friend of mine who was in town for a couple of days from Colorado. To say we have been friends for a long time is an understatement. In fact, it seems that no matter how much time or geography has come between us during the span of our 45 year friendship we have always been able to pick up right where we left off. She is my cherished friend and I am blessed to know her. She is also a devoted Mom to three beautiful children one of whom was born with Down Syndrome seventeen years ago this month.

Early one evening while we were chatting under the Florida stars she shared with me that when she looks at her daughter she no longer sees her Downs but rather the true essence of who she really is. This remark really hit home for me. Since bringing LJ home from China last November, Mark and I have often commented how we have quickly come to look beyond his obvious special difference often times forgetting that he even has one. Except for the occasional ignorant reminder from a passing stranger, we just don't notice it anymore. Looking at our son through "parent eyes" has made me wonder what it would be like to see everyone this way. I wonder what it would be like to see everyone in the same way that God sees them. After all, we have each been sovereignly crafted according to God's will and pleasure for His purposes. We know from 1 Samuel 16:7 that "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart".

It is my prayer that I can learn to see the world the way I see my son. The way my friend sees her daughter. Dear LORD please give me spirit eyes to see your creation the way you do. Amen.

MISSION BACKPACK

2010-07-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Florida Children's Baptist Home in partnership with Orphan Outreach will be conducting their annual Mission Backpack campaign to collect new backpacks and hygiene kits for neglected and orphaned children in Florida and Haiti through July 31st. In addition to the hygiene kits, the backpacks will include a new bible from Lone Sheep Ministries and stuffed toy bears from Family Christian Stores. You are invited to drop off new or lightly used backpacks at Calvary Baptist Church, 100 North Mcmullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida. You may also visit http://www.fbchomes.org/ for an official drop off location in your neighborhood and help bring a smile to the face of a disadvantaged child this school year. Thank you!

WELCOME HOME LEAH!

2010-07-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

There are few things in this world that could make me keep our twenty month old son up past his normal seven o'clock bed time. Few things that is except the arrival home from China of our friend's Adam & Elizabeth and their new daughter, Leah Rose. Yes, after a year and a half of perseverence and nineteen adventuresome days traveling through The People's Republic of China they finally arrived home last night to a group of ecstatic family and friends waiting to greet them at Tampa International Airport. What a beautiful little girl! Welcome home Miss Leah! Your Mommy and Daddy have waited a long time to meet you and we are all so happy that you are finally here!

HOPE FOR ELIJAH

2010-07-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends and a self described Army couple, Jon & Kari Greene began their life journey together as teenage parents. Although they claim that the deck was stacked against them from the beginning, they made a decision to place their trust in God's provision through the difficult times and He has blessed their young family abundantly. Ten years of marriage and two beautiful daughters later they were certain that their family was complete. As is often the case and our family knows all too well, God had different plans for them. After attending an adoption benefit in Brandon, Florida in 2009 God planted the seed of adoption in their hearts and they were forever changed. This transforming experience led them to pursue the adoption of a little Russian boy and their soon to be son whom they will call, Elijah. Our family rejoices with them! "For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD. They are plans to prosper and not harm you, to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) I would like to invite you to share in the blessing by helping this precious family bring Elijah home. In an effort to raise the remaining $15,000 that stands between them and their son they are selling "HOPE FOR ELIJAH" bracelets which can be purchased for only $5 and "The Greene Family Hope for Elijah Cookbook" which can be purchased for only $15 through the PayPal account on their website, www.hopeforelijah.com Let's help them bring Elijah home!