Worth it.

I haven't been blogging as much lately. 

But don't worry, I'm still praying for precious kids that need families. 

In this season I've been trying to fix my eyes on Jesus more than I ever have. 

So while this blog has been quiet, my heart hasn't been. 

There are a few kiddos lately have really captured my heart and have become regulars in my prayers. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/77188/ivey

Ivey.

Sweet sweet Ivey.

A family that met Ivey this year said the followring:

"When we were in there, she asked the staff if it was possible to get a family for herself, but they felt the answer would be no- because no one would want someone as badly disabled as she was. . .  I am praying with all my heart that there is a family out there that recognizes that a person’s worth is not measured by what they can physically do- and will cross the ocean to call her daughter, because I truly believe she would be an incredible addition to a family. She’s spunky and overcame her hesitation about potential rejection, in order to ask me if I would please see if I could find her a family." 

This sweet girl ASKED for a family. 
Even though she thought the answer would be no, she asked anyways. 
My prayer is exactly what the family above said, that there is a family out there that sees that a person's worth isn't measured by what they can do physically. 
I know that there's a family out there that will look at her picture and know that she's their daughter.
They'll know that she's worth crossing oceans for. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/64331/lynda

Lynda. 

This little sweetie threw her arms around my brother-in-law's neck and rested her head on his shoulder. 

She's not a favored child in her orphanage. . . mostly due to her mental delays. 

Hair cropped short, no pretty dresses to wear or bows in her hair. 

She desperately needs a family. 

A family to treat her like the precious girl she is, that they will see her potential. 

Because just like Ivey, Lynda is worth it. 

I was looking through photos on my phone a few days ago. . . 

I found the first picture I ever saw of my nephew. 

This photo of him sparked this post. 

I found it the other day when I was looking through files on my computer. 

I couldn't shake the look on Sam's face in this photo. 

After I saw Sam's face in late 2012, I started praying for waiting kiddos like Sam. 

They saw his worth and they crossed oceans to make him a beloved son. 

Sam nowadays.
A beloved son, brother, grandson, and nephew.

 The world may not see the two girls I listed above as "worth it", but I do and so does Jesus.
He sees their beauty and thinks that they are perfect.
I pray that he comforts them in their orphanages in Eastern Europe, that he sends people to love them while they're waiting for their families.
I pray that Jesus works in the hearts of the future mothers and fathers of the two girls I listed above.

My Week in a Relatively Large Adoptive Family.

So this post happened because of a joke my sister-in-law made about me writing a blog post about my stay out of state with her and her fam. I laughed pretty hard when she brought it up, but the more and more I thought about it the more it made sense. A lot of people think bigger families are weird and unnatural, I used to be one of those people. (I'm not saying bigger families are for every person. . . ) Before going to visit I had already changed my opinion on bigger families, my trip confirmed my change of heart. 

Big families rule, seriously. 

So some of you that know me personally, know that my SIL and her husband brought home two children from Eastern Europe last year. They also have two other children (and one on the way). I got to hang out with their crew for just over a week. There's a bit of chaos but it's pretty controlled, it was weird coming back home to my quiet life. . . I may be crazy but I've missed the chaos. I actually have dragged my feet writing this post because of how hard it was for me to transition back to my quiet life after my trip. 

One major thing that I really took away from being part of the crew is the importance of not stressing over the little things. The simple life is awesome. Maranda and Ed don't double as short-order cooks for their kiddos and I LOVED feeding their kids lunch for that reason .(Everyone got the same thing and there was minimal whining!) The kids know they have schedules and in between homeschool lessons they have access to the backyard where they're able to run, play, exercise, and explore. My nieces and nephews get to be kids! There are tablets, computers, and TVs in the house. . . but they don't spend their days in front of screens. These kids know how to play and have great imaginations, they bring me so much joy. 

S (who once spent all of his days in an Eastern European orphanage) would tell me of his adventures as a pirate and all about the fish he saw during his time at sea. J is the sweetest "puppy" you'll ever meet, complete with doggy sounds. R and D have become a pretty dynamic duo (R lived in the same Eastern European orphanage as S), you can often find these two dancing or collecting branches, leaves, and toys in the yard and making "sculptures" and "machines". 

Many mornings I woke up to a softly spoken , "I love you Aunt Family" from R or was the recipient of a random hug or kiss on the cheek. Not because I asked for those things but I think when you have lived life without a family and true acts of love. . . even the little things are a big deal. If I have to sum up R in one sentence. . . it would go something like this, "R loves harder than most people I've met and adores making people happy." Maranda and I would sit on the couch some afternoons and we'd watch tiny R pull her almost 11 year old Brother J around in the wagon. . . her little tiny cheeks turning pink as she strained and J clapping in the wagon behind her. I can already see Jesus working R's life and I can't wait to see her grow in him. 

Then there's Mr. S. Before I went to visit I had kind of prepared myself for S to take awhile to warm up to me. I planned on a handshake and maybe a short hug. The first morning when I walked into the living room, S greeted me like we'd always known each other. S is a tiny warrior, he has an upper body that is about 95 times stronger than mine and he is one tough cookie. S is VERY brilliant and catches on very quickly! One of my favorite moments with him happened when we were on the trampoline. . . I was teaching his sisters how to do back bends and back walkovers (when you kick your legs and use your upper body to flip backwards out of a backbend) and he goes, "I try Aunt Family!". Within five minutes this boy was flipping his whole body weight over using ONLY his upper body. I can't wait to see what Jesus has in store for S, I believe that his story will touch thousands. 

God places the lonely in families. . . (Psalm 68:6)

Most of you know that I advocate for waiting children on Reece's Rainbow. These two are a big part of the reason why I've chosen to advocate for these precious kiddos. These kids aren't just faces on a screen in a country across the ocean. . . YOU can make a difference in the life of an orphan today. 

(email me to learn more.) 

I love a good before and after. . . (S&R haven't even been home a year yet!) Once orphans, now beloved members of a family. 

This is what redemption looks like. 

Here are some children from S&R's country that are waiting for their story to begin. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/52873/cara

http://reecesrainbow.org/64331/lynda

http://reecesrainbow.org/24193/gina

Family.

So I've realized that I've been wrecked in the best possible way . . . when I first started this blog I never dreamed that it would become more of an orphan advocacy blog than anything else. But God had other plans. . . Since I've been raising money for Lanie for Angel Tree, it's become more and more clear that as a believer and follower of Christ that I need to be outspoken for the orphan. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be, I just know it. Those of you reading this that know me in real life know that I have no problem being outspoken. Recently I've had people close their ears to me and the topic of orphan care/justice, people close to me. I'm learning more and more to brush myself off, say a couple silent prayers, and remind me that it's not about me. . . at all. 

A couple months ago, I read a book called "Orphan Justice" by Johnny Carr. I could quote this book for days. (But I'll let you pick it up yourself, it's worth buying.) If there is one quote that I want every person to read it is this one. 

“Man made orphanages for children, but God made the family for children… As followers of Jesus we cannot be satisfied with children living in orphanages as a long-term solution.” -Johnny Carr 

Let that sink in for a minute. . . 

I'm lucky enough to have been introduced to some incredible people that not only advocate for the orphan. . . they make them part of their family. Children that were once discarded are now beloved sons and daughters, many of their precious faces flood my Facebook's news feed. (I'm even related to some of these precious ones that are orphans no more!). 
I know that Christmas is rapidly approaching and money is tight, but I urge you to support some of these families. Some of these families are in country adopting right now or will be traveling soon. If you can't donate monetarily, pray for these families, or just take a minute to share this blog post. 

The Dobrovits family, these wonderful folks are from my neck of the woods. They are in Eastern Europe currently, adopting a sibling group of 3! It makes my heart so happy knowing that these three will grow up TOGETHER in their new loving home. (Also I have a feeling that I may or may not be asking Carla if I can come over and meet these cuties after they're all settled in.) 

http://reecesrainbow.org/57151/sponsordobrovits-2

The Tam family is traveling very soon to get their sweet girl, Caroline. Look how beautiful she is! Caroline begged for a family to come and bring her home. . . soon Caroline's biggest dream will be coming true. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/60118/sponsortam-2

The Lanz family is adopting Peter, the Lanz's also recently added two precious girls to their family from China. This family also needs help getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle and needs to make some renovations to their home to make it comfortable for their growing family.

http://reecesrainbow.org/63623/sponsorlanz-2


The Dismuke family is bringing home Johanna, there have been some bumps in the road in their adoption journey. . . but now they are SO close to bringing this princess home. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/35800/sponsordismuke

The Robinson family is traveling now! They are adopting three precious ones, they saw Caius' photo and fell in love. They also decided to add sweet Hattie and another kiddo to their family as well, please pray for them on their journey! 

http://reecesrainbow.org/60090/sponsorrobinson-4

The Williams family recently brought home two handsome little guys from Eastern Europe. I personally LOVE this family's story and cannot wait to see photo updates of the two beautiful older kiddos they are bringing home. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/61131/sponsorwilliams

The Mueller Family is working hard and doing numerous fundraisers to bring home Juri. Adoption has been on this couple's heart for quite some time and their journey is just beginning. They have dedicated so much time and effort to have this little boy in their arms and they are raising money for an Angel Tree kiddo WHILE fundraising for their own adoption.

http://reecesrainbow.org/63824/sponsormueller

The Taylor Family is traveling in two weeks to bring home three kiddos from Eastern Europe. Samuel and Sara are biological siblings and will get to start a whole new life together here in the US! The Taylor family also decided to adopt Patience as well. When they heard that Patience was not treated very nicely in her orphanage. . . the Taylor's are SO excited to show Patience what love is all about.

http://reecesrainbow.org/54201/sponsortaylor-3

Last but not least, is Renee's family. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read this family's story via the link below this photo. I read this family's story for the first time this week and me reading it is part of what inspired me to write this post. Renee and her husband are bringing home four little loves, they currently have four at home as well. . . those four are waiting for their new brothers and sisters to come home. Their daughter Moxie, begged them to bring home a brother or sister with Cerebral Palsy like her, so she could teach her new sibling how to the things that she could now do and so that she could share her mama and papa with them. (oh...my heart.)

http://reecesrainbow.org/65949/sponsor3kids

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:5-6 (NLT)

*For fundraisers that benefit adopting families, visit the link below.*

http://fridayfamilyfundraisers.blogspot.com/

For Kyle.

I had another post planned, but this is a post that I have to make. 

Late last year a certain country closed their doors to American adoptions. 
So many people's lives were altered by these events, some of the children over there had people coming for them. They were chosen. . .they still are. I know that their names are still engraved on the hearts of their parents and will be forever. They are still loved and wanted. 

I was heartbroken to hear that this sweet-faced little guy passed away yesterday. 
Someone's son. 
Kyle was chosen. 
I like to think that tonight he's sitting on Jesus' lap. . . no more tears or fear. Just love, the love that this sweet little guy yearned for his entire life. 

There is so much we can do . . . 
Yesterday after I heard about Kyle I listened to song by a band called "Take it Back!"  and they say it perfectly. 

"This has to end here .
This has to end right now.
No longer can we wait for things to all work out.
Just open up your eyes 
and look past your front door.
Your sisters in the streets and your brothers at war. 
Compassion has been lost in a nation built by greed ,
but we could be a generation that is truly free." 

Tonight look past your suburban street or your city loft. . . think of the sweet little loves that are locked away. 

In honor of sweet Kyle I urge you to pray for an orphan tonight, if you don't pray at least look at some of these sweet faces. Every last one of these children matter, they deserve to live in a home with people that love them. They do not deserve to die alone alone, children are meant to be in families. . . not institutions.

http://reecesrainbow.org/59329/phoenix

http://reecesrainbow.org/41347/ginger-jamie-twins

http://reecesrainbow.org/64331/lynda

http://reecesrainbow.org/38349/maddie-l