Stepping Out in Faith

Every year as the new year rings in, people decide on a New Year's Resolution. It usually involves losing weight, excising more,  eating healthier, or things like that. At first, I was going to make that kind of resolution. But then I started talking to a friend of mine who is also adopting. Their family is also short on their funds for their adoption. We found out that another family is as well. So instead of making a New Year's Resolution that was about me and my life, I wanted to make one that would help others. 

This year my New Year's Resolution is to set up a fundraiser for not only our family but for other families that have more than $10,000 to raise and are facing a travel date in the very near future!

I am praying that this fundraiser will work, and if it does, I will continue this fundraiser once EVERY YEAR as long as Reece's Rainbow is running, to benefit three families who are struggling to get their funding. I want to be the stone that creates a ripple effect that can continue from person to person. I want to make a difference not just in the life of one family, but in the life of as many children and families as I can. I want to help these families bring their children home! There are also some other families that while they do not have as much to raise, still need all the help they can get. I will become an advocate for these families as well. You will see their beautiful children on the side of my blog. Please, take a moment and look at their children, look at their name, look into their eyes, and do not turn away. Learn more about these families who have also stepped out in faith and offer them your prayers and support.

Why is this important to me?

When we committed to Sydney and Lucien they did not have any grant money, no angel tree money, no warrior money. However, we did receive a blessing that before we had become "official" in our commitment, Lucien did get a little bit of angel tree money, and people can still donate to him, even though he is not able to get any of the angel tree benefits such as matching donor money. 

The whole purpose of the angel tree is to help children FIND their families and since we have found him, that extra help is gone. Some children have been listed a long time, they need the extra boost to help encourage a family to reach out and open their hearts to a child. 

It is very scary stepping out in faith, and wondering if you will be able to raise the money in time. When stepped out, we stepped out knowing that we would have to put all our trust in God for this one. $30,000 is NOT easy to raise. We have raised (counting our money we have saved) $5000. We still need to raise $25,000. We have until around April to raise this. 

We hope to encourage other families and be an inspiration to families who see children who have little or no grant money or warrior/angel tree money. We want these families to know that they can step out in faith and others will be willing to step up and help them. 

YES, it is scary! This is the scariest thing I have ever done. Each day I have to force myself to NOT compare our fsp to others. I have to tell myself to NOT get discouraged. I have to tell myself that God works on HIS time NOT mine. And I have to believe that we WILL be ok, we WILL be able to make it to Sydney and Lucien, and we WILL be holding our babies and bringing them back home sometime in April/May.
One of the hardest things for me is that I feel like I am having to step out of my comfort zone. I am normally a somewhat quiet person who just really loves to spend time with my family. I would rather sit down and play Scrabble or Sorry Sliders with my family than go out shopping or to parties. I find myself putting myself out there now, trying to tell everyone about the wonderful work that Reece's Rainbow is doing and how children with special needs ARE worth it. They are so very worth it! 

I want others to find their special little love too. I want to see other families bring their little ones home. I have to give everything to God, put it all in his hands, because this is one of those times when there is only ONE set of footprints in the sand. God is carrying me today, I am leaning on him. And I know, he will see us through.
I am so blessed to have him to lean on, and I know that it will all work out, I am certainly having to learn patience and taking an extra helping of faith. Please keep us in your prayers. Please pray that we will be able to get our little ones home and in doing so, we will inspire others to set out in faith as well, and be willing to commit to children who have little to no funds to start with. Let's show that it CAN be done!
Please pray! 




I want to tell you about a little girl. Shannon is only five years old and has already been transferred to an adult mental institution. Her family is VERY close to their goal and just needs to raise $3000. Stay tuned to hear more about Shannon!! I will be featuring her in our blog tomorrow along with an amazingly adorable picture of her!! I can hardly wait to share her story!!

Become a Warrior for Orphans

Will YOU be a Warrior for Orphans??

Every day, orphans at the age of 4-5 years old are transferred to adult mental institutions. These children need hope, WE are their hope! They need our help! They need a family! Let us work together to bring them home! Let's work together so they NEVER have to go to an institution!  Right now, Sydney and Lucien are WAITING for us to get there and bring them home. Can you help us get them home??

Will you be a WARRIOR for them??

 

Thank you so much for the love and support you have shown Sydney and Lucien. Please fill out the form so we can always remember who helped give Sydney and Lucien a chance to be part of a family and loved just the way they are. 

WARRIORS FOR SYDNEY AND LUCIEN

 

Become a WARRIOR

for

SYDNEY AND LUCIEN

and change their lives

FOREVER!

The goal:

50 Warriors, $500 each 
Each warrior commits to attempting to raise a $500 donation for Sydney and Lucien. 
All donations are tax-deductible.  
We want you to know how much your hard work means to us! 
As a special Thank You, each Warrior will recieve*:
A special Warrior photo mug
Sydney and Lucien's Warrior Magnet
A
personalized Thank you letter and 4x6 of Sydney and Lucien AND  you
will receive a SECOND update letter once they are home along with a
wallet size portrait 
One of a kind homemade cross
And a delicious treat from Sydney and Lucien's Kitchen!

How to become a WARRIOR FOR SYDNEY AND LUCIEN:

Fill out this form 

to indicate your interest in helping bring Sydney and Lucien home.
You can hold a fundraiser, donate the money yourself, have a bake sale, host a giveaway... the choice is yours!
If 50 people commit to raising $500 each,
We will be FULLY FUNDED to bring Sydney and Lucien HOME!!
$25,000 is a lot of money.
$500 is a much more manageable figure don't you think?
Can you find a way to raise $500?
If you can, will you do so?
Will you be a warrior for two orphans that so desperately want to come home?

Fill Out This Form

to say ...
YES, I WANT TO SAVE SYDNEY AND LUCIEN FROM A LIFE AS AN ORPHAN, 
I WANT TO BE THEIR WARRIOR!

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE



*Warriors who donate or raise the full $500 will receive the full thank you 
package. Those that do not may receive a smaller version (depending on 
funds and availability of items.) Gifts will be ordered and distributed
in bulk (so as to save on shipping costs,) so please wait patiently for
  your thank you gifts. Thanks for your understanding!




THANK YOU 
to
SYDNEY AND LUCIEN'S WARRIOR!

Ripples

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." Scott Adams

"Perform a random act of kindness for someone:
a smile, compliment, or a favor just for fun. These will multiply and spread very rapidly." Steve Brunkhorst

 I want to send out some very special Thank Yous!

I have had two very big, fall over type shocks this December. I want to give a big shout out to Kristi B. and Ryan W. I do not have words to express how thankful we are that you have been so gracious in your donation. The emotion that I have felt is beyond words, the gratitude, I do not know how to put it into words, you take my breath away.

I would like to thank Elaina L, Terry B, Ariel F, Kelly L, Rosemary M, Lara F, Anne P, Dayna W.C, Thomas M, Molly C, Christopher S, Angela B, Gianna M, Jemma W, Catherine P, Kristin T, Layla A, Linda and James B, Theresa M, Debbie M, Annie T, Cynthia W, Bart G, Martha M, Rachel D, Julia N, Shannon S, Sara S, Karen F, Karen H, Heather C, Rhonda C. all of you have been so wonderful. Your love and support is amazing. Thank you for becoming part of Sydney and Lucien's villiage!!

I would also like to thank all of those who have supported us with prayers, with blog shares, and your supportive words of encouragement.
You are not just helping to change the life of two orphans you are helping to change the world!! The wonderful thing about helping others is that it creates a ripple effect. You are such blessings!
If you did NOT see your name, it is not because I forgot you!! I still have many names I need to post Thank Yous about. I will be saving those for another post!!

Dear Sydney and Lucien

Dear Sydney and Lucien,

You do not know us yet, but we are going to be your mommy and daddy.

We are working so hard to get you home. Your daddy is working extra hours at work and we are trying to save as much as we can to get you home. We have sold candles, we have made crosses, and we are having as many fundraisers as we can to get you home!
You want to know something really special? There are people ALL OVER THE WORLD that are trying to help get you home too!! Isn't that the most wonderful thing you have ever heard? Yes, people all over the world heard that you are in an orphanage and they want to help get you home. They want you to be able to sleep in your own little bed, with your very own clothes, and your very own toys! They want you to have a mommy, a daddy, a family! Some of these wonderful people are people we know, they are trying so hard to help raise money for you, some are amazing friends we have met online, they too are working hard to help get you home, and then some, some my little loves are people who are strangers that are giving to help bring you home just because they believe it is a good thing to do, because they know how important it is for a child to grow up having the love of a family.
Did you know your mommy is making you something very special for your room? She started making this for you when you had your very first donation. When it is all finished it will be on your wall. Want to know what it is? It is a picture box that has the name of every single person who has donated to you, and in the center, is a picture of the world! We can hardly wait to hang it up!  Won't it be so wonderful growing up, knowing so many people cared so much about you, that they wanted you to come home?
We know where you are right now, people may not understand how very special you are. They may not understand your value and worth, but we do. You are our little prince and princess. Our sweet little ones who deserve to have a life filled with unconditional love and acceptance. That is what you will have when you come home and we can hardly wait.

Do you know what else you have?

You have three sisters and one brother! When they found out that you were going to be part of our family they were jumping for joy! Your sisters and brothers have even been helping raise money for you! They love you so much. They are looking forward to having a little brother and sister to give piggy back rides to, push in the stroller, and when you are older, even help with your homework when you need them to. They will give you pushes on the swing in our yard, they will play games with you, and they will love you forever and always.

But that is not all, no that is not all. Sweet little ones... you have something else! You have your own puppy!!  He is a chocolate lab puppy and will almost be a year old when you get home. He is a good puppy and is very friendly. He has been going to puppy school and is learning a lot of good manners.  He can hardly wait till you are home. He is so sweet and never barks or growls.

There are so many things you will have, but do you not agree that family is the most important? Oh little ones, we love you so. Every night I say a prayer that you will be safe and that others continue to help to get you home. I pray that God will touch their hearts and they will see your beautiful little faces and not be able to look away.
We love you Sydney and Lucien, with all of our hearts and we are coming for you, coming to love you, coming to bring you home.
Love Always,
Mommy and Daddy
Sydney and Lucien

ABC World News

Some of you may have watched the ABC World News tonight and that may have made you think of our blog.
Many other people around the world have been checking out Reece's Rainbow and it has made the site crash!!
If you would like to donate to Sydney and Lucien PLEASE donate with the chip-in, NOT the Reece's Rainbow button. At this time, the Reece's Rainbow button is not working and is only showing children listed on the website, and not showing Sydney and Lucien.

Again, until this is fixed, please make sure all donations are by Chip-in Rather than the Reece's Rainbow button. Once the FSP (Reece's Rainbow button) is fixed I will make a new post so you will know when it will go to Sydney and Lucien.
Thank you for your understanding!

One More Orphan

We will be bringing home a second child!! "Lucien" is in Sydney's region in Eastern Europe and we will be adopting him in addition to Sydney. One look at him and we were head over heals in love.
Lucien has down syndrome just like Sydney.

Yes, despite the pink, he IS a little boy. In orphanages children do not "own" anything at all. Not even clothes belong to them. They are put in whatever is handy. You can see from this picture, that not only are the clothes too big for him, they were also meant for a girl.  We can hardly wait to bring him home and put him in little boy clothes.

Matthew 18:5“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God gave his son up, so that we may live an everlasting life. Is it too much to ask of us, to give up eating out every day, or giving up Starbucks coffee, or that trip to Hawaii to save a child? To offer a child a family? We are more than willing to give up these things to save the life of a child. We do it gladly.  

We made the News!!

You can read the news article they wrote up on us at http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/25/waiting-to-adopt-two-children-with-down-syndrome-s/

Our Blogs

We have two blogs. This one which gives you just the basics and the facts of our adoption but without any of the personal day to day stuff.
Or we have the more personal side of our adoption journey, which also talks about our family in addition to our adopting. We welcome you to visit that blog at  http://becauseyouareloved.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking an interest in our story. We hope that you will follow along on our journey. We have made amazing friends through this process. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!

It Matters!!

If you are anything like I have been over the last few years, and still am, you click on your dashboard and look to see which of your friends has made a new post. Some of you may look to see if there is a good picture to go along with the text. Some are more into the text itself.

 

For over a year, I have read blog after blog, living through other's adoption stories until I too was in the position to adopt.

I’ve been where you are now.

I have sat reading someone elses blog, hearing them talk about their fundraiser.

I look over and see where they are now and how much they have raised so far.

I notice there is still a really long way to go. I look at my $1 or $5 and ask myself and wonder if I should even bother, I mean, is it really worth it?

After all, I was planning on buying a coffee with that.

Will it matter?

There have been times when I did not feel like I could give more than $5 to a friend. So that is all I gave. Before we started this process I did not understand the full extent of how much my $5 could do.

I did not understand the value of just $5. I often wondered if I should even bother. I wondered if it would make any difference at all, if it would matter.

Let me tell you that YES it does matter. It DOES count. Every single penny, it all adds up. Not just in the money it takes to get Sydney home, it doesn't just count as money, it counts as your support. It counts as you saying "We feel you are doing a good thing, and we want to help you."

 

With every single donation, no matter how big or small, it all counts.

 

It lets us know you are choosing to support us.

That you too are making a sacrifice to help.

 

When you look at the big picture, it seems like such a large amount that is needed.

But when you break it down, by how many people need to donate, the number seems a lot more manageable.

Please know that EVERY donation matters to us. We celebrate every single penny raised.

One of the first things we do every day when we get home is check to see if Sydney's got any new donations. We check to see if there are any comments on our blog.

 

You see, I have been where you are now... reading a blog, wondering if I should actually click the link and donate or not. So does it matter? Will it really make that much difference? Will even $1 count?

 

YES!

Please stand with us in this journey. Be part of Sydney's village.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to bring a child home as well.

We can hardly wait till we can share pictures with you of our first meeting her. Of our gotcha day, and then share with you how she is doing throughout the years. But before we can do that, we have to be able to get there.

 

It all counts, it all adds up.

Friends, you can make a difference.

 

A bigger difference then you may understand, unless you too, are on this side of the adoption blogs.

 

Don't let the amount stop you from donating.

 

It all Counts!

 

 

Mark has been hard at work making crosses for Christmas. This is the first time he has ever tried this but the more he makes the better they look. We are thinking, if there is enough interest, that he will continue to make some even after Christmas. We can make them in almost any color of your choice and you could request some small ones or larger ones. We are also thinking of just making the down syndrome ribbon in the yellow and blue without the cross. Another thing we were thinking of was Easter! We will be playing with the idea of making Easter Eggs (yes it is a long ways away, but if someone would want a basket full, or several, it makes sense to start early) Each Easter egg would be able to "rattle" and because it would be breakable it would be for decoration, not to be used as a toy.

So now that you have gotten to see him "at work" with the crosses... we thought we would tell you WHY he is making them. You see, there is a little girl on the other side of the world who is in need of a daddy, and there is a daddy here who loves his little girl very much and wants to bring her home.  Mark finds time to set up the clay and get to work on making crosses for our sweet little angel on the other side of the world. His works until he is so tired he just can not do anything more.

I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such a wonderful husband. He is always there for us, he is so loving and caring. He is sharing his love for his little girl by making these crosses. We would like YOU to be able to have one.

HOW?? You Ask??

From now until Dec. 15th, we will be having a fundraiser.

Here are the prizes...

Here are a few of the crosses Mark has finished. The larger one is meant to hang on a wall the smaller ones can be used to hang from a Christmas tree or anything else you might want to hang it from. 

AND a lovely breakfast set which includes coffee, jam, pancake mix, and two beautiful mugs.

$10 will get you 2 entries

$20 will get you 5 entries

$50 will get you 15 entries

$100 will get you 50 entries

If you share this with your friends/family you will get 1 entry.

Please make sure that you comment with the amount donated so we can keep track of who donated and how much you donated so we can add you to the drawing. On December 15, we will do a random draw to see who the winners are.

There are 4 crosses and 1 gift basket, and they will be awarded to 5 very wonderful people!!

Show your love and support this holiday by helping an orphan, "Sydney", get home!

Show Mark your support and encouragement by donating so he knows his crosses are as loved by you as they are by us!

Thank you!