Jumping in - What are we sailing?

     We have an update!  04/01/2015, we received the MOJ signature and now we are just waiting to hear our court date!!  In the midst of waiting and waiting, we were told many times that once our children are home this wait would only be history and we would forget all about it.  I realize that these words were intended to be an encouragement when they were shared with us.  However, I don't want this wait to ever just become history... it is more of a legacy.

     This wait no matter how long signified that "Alonzo", "Sadie", and "Sophia" are worth whatever the cost.  That the line was drawn that they would no longer be orphans but beloved son and daughters.  It is a legacy of children that wait so long to come home even when a family has been found.  And it is a legacy of children that have an even longer wait to be seen and to know love.

     Yesterday the adoption community lost a dear friend, Elizabeth DeHority, who advocated for orphaned children tirelessly even when she became sick and throughout her last days.  She did not become history but rather left a legacy.  A living, loving legacy that continues to hope, seen in the lives of every child she helped to bring home.

     The next two book excerpts are a little long.  They are part of history that speaks vividly about the choices we have in the legacy we leave.  I hope you enjoy them.

     Radical by David Platt (p 169 - 171)

     "In the late 1940s, the United States government commissioned William Francis Gibbs to work with United States Lines to construct an eighty-million-dollar troop carrier for the navy.  The purpose was to design a ship that could speedily carry fifteen thousand troops during times of war.  By 1952, construction on the SS United States was complete.  The ship could travel at forty-four knots (about fifty-one miles per hour), and she could steam ten thousand miles without stopping for fuel or supplies.  She could outrun any other ship and travel nonstop anywhere in the world in less than ten days.  The SS United States was the fastest and most reliable troop carrier in the world.

     The only catch is, she never carried troops.  At least not in any official capacity.  The ship was put on standby once during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, but otherwise she was never used in all her capacity by the U.S. Navy.

     Instead the SS United States became a luxury liner for presidents, heads of state, and a variety of other celebrities who traveled on her during her seventeen years of service.  As a luxury liner, she couldn't carry fifteen thousand people.  Instead she could house just under two thousand passengers.  Those passengers could enjoy the luxuries of 695 staterooms, 4 dining salons, 3 bars, 2 theaters, 5 acres of open deck with a heated pool, 19 elevators, and the comfort of the world's first fully air-conditioned passenger ship.  Instead of a vessel used for battle during wartime, the SS United States became a means of indulgence for wealthy patrons who desired to coast peacefully across the Atlantic.

     Things look radically different on a luxury liner than they do on a troop carrier.  The faces of soldiers preparing for battle and those of patrons enjoying their bonbons are radically different.  The conservation of resources on a troop carrier contrasts sharply with the opulence that characterizes the luxury liner.  And the pace at which the troop carrier moves is by necessity much faster than that of the luxury liner.  After all, the troop carrier has an urgent task to accomplish; the luxury liner, on the other hand, is free to casually enjoy the trip.

     When I think about the history of the SS United States, I wonder if she has something to teach us about the history of the church.  The church, like the SS United States, has been designed for battle.  The purpose of the church is to mobilize a people to accomplish a mission.  Yet we seem to have to have turned the church as troop carrier into the church as luxury liner.  We seem to have organized ourselves, not to engage in battle for the souls of peoples around the world, but to indulge ourselves in the peaceful comforts of the world.  This makes me wonder what would happen if we looked squarely in the face of a world with 4.5 billion people going to hell and twenty-six thousand children dying everyday of starvation and preventable diseases, and we decided it was time to move this ship into battle instead of sitting back on the pool deck while we wait for the staff to serve us more hors d'oeuvre.

     Are we willing to obey the orders of Christ?  Are we willing to be like him?  Are we willing to risk our lives to go to great need and to great danger - whether it's in the inner cities around us, the difficult neighbor across the street, the disease-ridden communities in Africa,or the hostile regions in the Middle East?  Are we willing to fundamentally alter our understanding of Christianity from a luxury-liner approach that seeks more comforts in the world to a troop-carrier approach that forsakes comforts in the world to accomplish an eternally significant task and achieve an eternally satisfying reward?"


     While that illustration was used for the church... I can't help but think even beyond the church as a whole, what about us as individuals?  He said "things look radically different on a luxury liner than they do on a troop carrier."  Are we looking different?  You can't miss radically different.  Radically different stops people right where they are and causes them to ask why.

     Another part that shouts to me is, "And the pace at which the troop carrier moves is by necessity much faster than that of the luxury liner.  After all, the troop carrier has an urgent task to accomplish;  the luxury liner, on the other hand is free to casually enjoy the trip."  153 million orphaned children seems extremely urgent....  153 million children without a family, without a place they call home, without the simple assurance that love brings, yes that is for sure more urgent then most of the things we would seek to become a luxury liner.      

     It really comes down to knowing what we were made for.  The SS United States was created for battle.  That purpose was never achieved everything it was made for was lost as it was transitioned into a luxury ship.

     Have we lost our purpose?  Have we sought after more things while there are people dying from the most basic of needs - clean water, shelter, LOVE.

     Here is a little history about John Harper.  John Harper knew his purpose.  He lived his purpose!

     From - Stories for the Extreme Teen's Heart (p107-109).  True Hero of the Titanic.  Moody Adams, from The Titanic's Last Hero.

     'John Harper was born to a pair of solid Christian parents on May 29, 1872.  It was on the last Sunday of March 1886, when he was thirteen years old, that he received Jesus as the Lord of his life.  He never knew what it was to "sow his wild oats."  He began to preach about four years later at the ripe old age of seventeen years old, by going down to the streets of his village and pouring out his soul in earnest entreaty for men to be reconciled to God.

     As John Harper's life unfolded, one thing was apparent... He was consumed by the Word of God.  When asked by various ministers what his doctrine consisted of, he was known to reply, "The Word of God!"  After five or six years of toiling on street corners preaching the gospel and working in the mill during the day, Harper was taken in by Reverend E. A. Carter of Baptist Pioneer Mission in London, England.  This set Harper free to devote his whole time and energy to the work so dear to his heart.  Soon, John Harper started his own church in September of 1896 (no known as the Harper Memorial Church).  This church, which John Harper had started with just 25 members, had grown to over 500 members when he left thirteen years later.  During this time he had gotten married, but was widowed shortly thereafter.  However brief the marriage, God did bless John Harper with a beautiful little girl named Nana.

     Ironically, John Harper almost drowned several times during his life.  When he was two and a half years of age, he almost drowned when he fell into a well, but was resuscitated by his mother.  At the age of twenty-six, he was swept out to sea by a reverse current and barely survived, and at thirty-two, he faced death on a leaking ship in the Mediterranean.  Perhaps God used these experiences to prepare this servant for what he faced next.

     It was the night of April 14, 1912.  The RMS Titantic sailed swiftly on the bitterly cold ocean waters heading unknowingly into the pages of history.  On board this luxurious ocean liner were many rich and famous people.  At the time of the ship's launch, it was the world's largest man-made, moveable object.  At 11:40 p.m. on that fateful night, an iceberg scraped the ship's starboard side, showering the decks with ice and ripping open six watertight compartments.  The sea poured in.

     On board the ship that night were John Harper and his much beloved six-year-old daughter, Nana.  According to documented reports, as soon as it was apparent that he ship was going to sink, John Harper immediately took his daughter to a lifeboat.  It is reasonable to assume that this widowed preacher could have easily gotten on board this boat to safety, however, it never seems to have crossed his mind.  He bent down and kissed his precious little girl.  Looking into her eyes, he told her that she would see him again someday.  The flares going off in the dark sky above reflected the tears on his face as he turned and headed toward the crowd of desperate humanity still on the sinking ocean liner.  As the rear of the huge ship began to lurch upwards, it was reported that Harper was seen making his way up the deck yelling "Women, children, and unsaved into the lifeboats!"  It was only minutes later that the Titanic began to rumble deep within.  Most people thought it was an explosion; actually the gargantuan ship was literally breaking in half.  At this point, many people jumped off the decks and into the icy, dark waters below.  John Harper was one of these people.

     That night 1528 people went into the frigid waters.  John Harper was swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal.  Mr. Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris.  Reverend Harper asked him between breaths, "Are you saved?"  The young man replied that he was not.

     Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man, who was near shock, reply no.  John Harper then took off his lifejacket and threw it to the man and said, "Here then, you need this more than I do..."  and swam away to other people.  A few minutes later Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation.  Of the 1528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats.  One of them was this young man  on the debris.  Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how that after John Harper had led him to Christ, Mr. Harper had tried to swim back to help other people, but because of the intense cold had grown too weak to swim.  His last words before going under in the frigid waters were, "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

     Does Hollywood remember this man?  No.  Oh well no matter.  This servant of God did what he had to do.  While other people were trying to buy their way into the lifeboats and selfishly trying to save their own lives, John Harper gave up his life so that others could be saved.

     John Harper was truly the hero of the Titanic.'

     Our experience of knowing and choosing what we were made for will probably not look anything like John Harper's with being on a ship that is sinking and having to lay down our lives.  Yet, we all have that same choice to make.

     Once we know what we were created for, once we know we are to be love, once we know we are to feed - invite in - cloth - look after- and visit, we have that choice to make too if we are going to live out that purpose or seek after that luxury ship.

Matthew 25:35-40     35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

     As our pastor was teaching the other day, he shared this verse from Matthew 21   

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

     What is the Lord telling us He needs... does he need our homes to open up, does he need our families to love... does He need our hearts so that whatever it is He needs of us we trust to give a yes whether it makes sense to us or not?  I want to live like that!  

  

Lyrics:

Live Like That

By:  Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think

What will people say of me

When I'm only just a memory

When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love

When no one else would show up

Was I Jesus to the least of those

Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that

Am I proof

That You are who you say You are

That grace can really change a heart

Do I live like Your love is true

People pass

And even if they don't know my name

Is there evidence that I've been changed

When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me

I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that, I want to live like that

  

Not my fight, but I learned the lesson

     Sometimes my children argue (I know, sorry but it is true!).... I haven't discovered that one perfect ultimatum that stops everything abruptly in the midst of those times.  However, a few weeks ago my heart was beyond full when I realized they get it.

     It was a typical brother-sister conflict.  It was loud, neither was stopping yelling back and forth as my husband and I called to them be done arguing.  When I reached the room they were in, my mind quickly searched for what privilege they should lose or what consequence they would have.
     "Get a piece of paper.  Write 25 things that are worse in this world then what you two are arguing about.  After you write 25, pick one from the list.  Write the first paragraph on your thoughts about the topic you picked and write the second paragraph from facts you research on the topic."  I am not sure that I expected anything even near the depth of the 25 things each of my children listed.  I cried the next day as I read their lists, realizing no matter what is going on around us they see - they hear - they understand!

     This is what one of my children wrote:
..........................................................

Abandoned Children

Children being abandoned and orphaned is worse than what my brother and I were fighting about. These children are begging for families and I am fighting with mine. The children are mistreated, not cared for, lonely, abused, and some have lost hope. I will focus more on the children in need instead of fighting with my family.

There are an estimated 153,000 orphans in the world. One out of five orphans are severely underweight. 19,000 children under the age of five died everyday in 2011 alone. Many do not get to go to school, some are considered untouchable, they are unloved and unwanted by much of society and most never find families.

........................................................

     I saw a woman's post this week.  She was responding to another woman that mentioned she had been adopted.  The woman commenting on the post said, "I was an unwanted child but unfortunately never got adopted. I spent my teenage years in group homes."   

     Her comment stuck me... she lives with that forever - feeling that she was unwanted!  Then I look back at the last sentence of my daughter's writing... "Many do not get to go to school, some are considered untouchable, they are unloved and unwanted by much of society and most never find families." Remember, the second paragraph were facts she found somewhere.  Those were things that are wrote as statistics or truths!!  Seriously... We cannot get so caught up with things that we miss that. There are children that are not being loved, they believe they are unwanted.  And what if we look at the part of that sentence that reads "some are considered untouchable"  ... some really aren't touch at all, they are left in cribs or even tied to their cribs.  Can we fathom that?  The fact that a woman can look back and refer to herself as an unwanted child... I don't ever want to read that and simply move to the next sentence.  

There are three children waiting to come home that have spent their lives as what those statistics would have called "unwanted children".  That opportunity to love them through that hurt and show them they are wanted will not be lost on us.    

I love my children, I love their hearts ... I decided to write my own list of 25 things that are worse in the world than anything I am facing, and when I am in the midst of a struggle, I have been reminding myself to pull my list out and pick one of those things to focus on in that moment.

It has been so helpful to really stop and search my heart on these things in the moments when I get caught up on something.  So it wasn't originally my fight when my son and daughter were bickering.  Though it easily could be.  How often are we fighting being busy, or disappointed, annoyed or feeling misunderstood?  I really needed this lesson too!  

Thanking God for all that He teaches me through my children.  

"There is no situation so chaotic that God 

cannot, from that situation, create 

something that is surpassingly good.

He did it at the creation.

He did it at the cross.

He is doing it today."

- Bishop Moule      

       

Why is there water all over the floor?

     The other night as I was washing dishes, the sound of a chair being pushed across the floor meant my five year old was on a mission to help!  Her mission then became her two year old brother's mission as well.  This meant I was not really close enough to the sink to wash the dishes myself.  I spent most of the time reaching for them as they were moving all around causing the chair to try and tip one way or another.  They fought over the dish cloth, and then over the little brush for pans.  The floor was wet... my socks were wet... they were pretty much covered from head to toe in water.  Lelia was attempting to wash a pan and her little brother started washing the same pan.  She was about to get really upset with him, so I pointed out how he wanted to help her because he loves her so much.  "Oh my littler helper", she says to him.  "Thank you for helping me", she told him.  Yes we were wet, there was water to clean up... but in that "little helper" moment there was so much more that was happening.  I put a towel on the floor committing to come back to clean it up and headed with the two littles to get them bathed and ready for bed.  As we get upstairs I could hear my husband asking from the kitchen, "Why is there water all over the floor?"  (I love that man!)
 
    The mess from the water and the good in that mess kind of takes me here.....(Long book quote - sorry.  One of my favorites!)

    Kisses From Katie (Chapter 18 - Counting the Cost)  "For eight months, Grace loved to take a bath.  One day, she simply would not get into the bathtub.  So I didn't make her.  I let her get in bed dirty that night.  The fight just wasn't worth interrupting everyone else's bedtime.  But on the second night, I couldn't ignore her again.  She really needed that bath.  So we began the struggle, and it continues to this day.
    
     Night after night, we go through the same motions.  The scene unfolds like this:  I ask Grace to get into the bathtub, to which she quietly replies, 'I don't want to.'

     I, in my kindest, sweetest Mommy voice, explain to her that she is three years old, that she does not always know what is best for her, and that she does not always get what she wants.  I tell her that this is about her health and well-being; everyone has to take a bath!  She simply looks at me, not understanding at all what I am trying to say.
  
     Not to be deterred, I try a different approach, saying excitedly, 'Come on, Gracie!  Let's go play in the bathtub!' 

     At this point she blinks her eyes very fast, and big crocodile tears begin to run down her cheeks, another plea for sympathy.  When she sees that her tears are not getting her anywhere, she begins to shriek, 'No bath, no bath, no bath!' as if the water would melt her.
  
     I say it more sternly the next time, 'Grace.  Bath time.'

     I then lift her to her feet and practically drag her down the hall to the bathroom.  Her sorrow turns to anger.  She makes her best, 'I don't like you, Mom' face, folds her arms, and plops to her bottom.  'I don't want!' she shouts.

     So I pick her up.  She kicks and screams, and eventually I get her into the bathtub.  She flails around in there for a bit, letting me know with her wails that I am ruining her life and she may never be happy again.

     And then, a funny thing happens.  As she splashes water on herself, she remembers:  She likes the bath!  The bath is fun.  Not to mention a really great way to get clean.
 
     By the end of the scenario, Grace usually enjoys her bath so much she doesn't want to get out of the tub.

     The bath time struggle never is about the bath at all.  It is about obedience.  Grace is three years old and she simply does not want to obey.  She thinks she should be the one to decide whether she gets in the tub or not.  She is three years old, and she is trying to figure out just how much control she has in her little life.  At this point, not much.

     Maybe I am a bad mother for not disciplining Grace more severely for her disobedience, but the reality is, little disobedient Grace reminds me of myself. 

     I shudder to think what I could have missed in life because of my disobedience.  I am so thankful that God in His grace does not allow me to win.  Because usually, the fight is not really about what He is asking me to do.  It is not about the bathtub.  It is about me, trying to figure out just how much control I have over my little life.  At this point, not much.   I would like to be able to say that I always do exactly what the Lord asks of me.  I would like to say that I always seek Him first when a difficult situation presents itself.  While I am getting better at it, sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I still think what I do with my life should be my decision.  God asks, and reasons, and encourages.  He gently explains that I do not know what is best for me and that I do not always get what I want.  And I just look at Him, not understanding at all what He's trying to say.  Sometimes, I even whine and sob and shriek, just like a tired, angry three-year old. 

     So God picks me up, exhausted from struggling, and plops me in the center of His will for my life.  Ant then a funny thing happens.  As I kick and scream and struggle, I remember:  I like being in the center of God's will for my life.  God's plan is usually pretty great.  It is a whole lot better than mine anyway.  I am so glad that He does not allow me to win. 

     The more I strive to live in the center of God's will, the more He asks me to give up, the more uncomfortable I become.  He teaches me, over and over again, that He does know best.  The "bathtub," the uncomfortable places, they get only more difficult.  But I am learning to remember, before I even get there, that eventually this will be what is best for me, and more important, what is best for His glory."      

     I really appreciate that entire book... but that lesson, yeah I get that one so vividly. 

     Time and time again, I find myself with the floor wet from splashing - not understanding what God is asking of me and not sure if I am ready to.  Then that moment comes, and I am reminded how absolutely good He is, how completely faithful He has always been... and I know whatever He is asking I want more than anything I may have been holding onto.

     So many times I find myself in that place.  Even during our adoption... I so thought the boys we hosted the summer of 2013 were ours.  It seemed like the biggest obstacle was going to be getting approved for a sibling group of five when we had six children already.  I loved them, we loved them.  They loved us, called us Mamma and Pappa... they didn't want to leave and we imagined it only being for a short time.  I made calls, sent emails, and no sooner did we start when we got the email that the grandmother had came and taken all five children home. 

     I am not sure if the wet floor would have been more from me crying or from my "splashing" for what I felt would have been best.  They didn't have any visitors at the orphanage for the two years they were there...  they were just starting to heal and trust and love when they had to leave.  I did stop the splashing, remembering God is good and loves those children.  If He allowed them to go home, He did so in love. 

     And then we saw our son, "Alonzo" listed.  Expecting my husband to need more time to process, I was so encouraged that he looked at him and said to contact whoever I needed to.  In a different post I shared when the girls were spoken to my heart.  I remember trying to "reason" or "splashing" at how that seemed impossible - I knew nothing about their needs... but I also remember clearly when I knew God was promising they were a treasure and asked if I would go.  My splashing ended as my husband's was just beginning... and then He too was reminded how good it is to be in the center of God's will, dried off from the splashing and walked in it with faith. 

     Yet, almost every time we are sure we know what God may be asking and exhale giving a yes... there is something else we find ourselves in the midst of asking why, or how.  I splashed so hard when it was beginning to become apparent we weren't going to be able to bring "Mary Ellen" home.  I cried out asking why we were there then, why He allowed us to go, to love her.  We asked for the evaluation, we waited for translations, our translator talked everyday we were there with the orphanage doctor trying to make even a little sense.  Lots and lots of splashing....  some days I am still splashing over it all.  I don't understand the timing of things, I won't pretend to.  Though I am sure it always has to do with those greater things that are happening that I can't see yet.

     And then "Sophia" gets ill from her shunt failing.  We had no idea until a month later as she is being taken to a hospital.  More splashing on my part begging that she stay alive, that we could go to her. 

     Joy comes as we can bring "Sadie" home ... splashing over many the details getting to that point.  Then finding out there is another mother also experiencing some splashing as she had and still loves "Sadie" so much and was working through not being able to bring her home as we had with "Mary Ellen".  My splashing began again... "God are you sure....this family loves her too, they went for her first....I don't understand.  I know that hurt and it is awful."  But each and every time I start splashing again, He reminds me just as I was reminded at the sink with my children in the midst of the soaking wet floor -  there is so much more happening than what I can see.  And while I don't understand it all, He does.  He knows the details and they are so much better than any I could arrange.  So, I stop splashing... I cling to Him and say I am sorry for the wet floor again.

     There have literally been times that I have walked in the bathroom after any of my children are done bathing and had to ask how water got on the ceiling... yes the ceiling.  I know there are times God must see me splashing and ask how I managed to get water on the ceiling.

(Just adding this song!  It wasn't in my original post.  A friend shared it after letting me know she read this entry.  I had never heard this song.... if you haven't either take a moment to listen.  It speaks to all the splashing we may do and more importantly to the trusting we come to when we stop splashing.  I love this!!  Thanks so much Darla for sharing it with me!)

 

"Letting go of every single dream,

I lay each one down at your feet

Every moment of my wondering,

Never changes what you see.....

I tried to win this war I confess

My hands are weary

I need your rest

Might warrior King of the Fight

Now matter what I face You're by my side

 

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When you don't give the answers

as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You....."

 

 

 

     Sharing about all my "splashing"  just to ask.... have you maybe been splashing too?  Could any of your splashing possibly have to do with this.....
 
     There are so many children waiting to be a beloved son or daughter.  It can seem a little scary when we know we are being asked to do something or go somewhere that we have never anticipated going.      

     A friend had shared her experience with some splashing of her own.  She had pictured the child she would adopt.  Then God spoke an older child with special needs to her.  Yes, she did splash some or a lot  ... but she had a friend who encouraged her that it sounded like she knew what to do.  She made that child her daughter!  She gives thanks always that God knew best.

     I am not sure of the proper way to advocate for a child that you love and thought was your daughter.  There is no one that teaches you how to do this...

Could "Mary Ellen" be your daughter?  Recently our agency has gotten an update that she may be responding to sight and sound again.  It has also come to the attention of our agency that a surgery having to do with one of her diagnosis may improve some of the conditions that were present when we met her.

    



     Her official special needs include: Arnold-Chiari syndrome; hydrocephalus (shunt installed); spina bifida aperta-surgically repaired. Mary Ellen gets sick frequently. She recently was hospitalized for pneumonia.  A team visited with the orphanage director in November 2014. Based on that conversation and previous observations of Mary Ellen, it appears that she needs surgery related to her Arnold-Chiari syndrome. An evaluation by a neurosurgeon in Bulgaria is being arranged, though it is highly likely that the surgery can not be done there. Mary Ellen needs a family that can get her home to the US so that her medical needs can be fully addressed.  (SB/RR)

     Could you be Joshua's mother?  

Joshua - almost 7 years old. His special needs are listed as: moderate mental delay; significant disturbance in behavior requiring care and treatment; slightly hyperkinetic behavior

From a team that visited him in January 2015: 

He was recently transferred form an orphanage for children up to 4 years of age. Currently he is 7 years old. His behavior seems correspondent to that of a little bit younger child but we should keep in mind that he has been living with children who are significantly younger than him.
At first glance he makes the impression of a very charming, beautiful boy, although one can right away sense his excitability. There are a few things in his behavior that a person would notice: the child’s behavior appears chaotic, he seems overwhelmed and expects presents right away, he is a little bit overstepping other people’s personal boundaries, and prone to get angry if he does not get what he wants.
He mostly seeks the company and the attention of the adults around him, instead of involving in games with his peers and the rest of the children at the Centre. He is jealous when the caregivers are paying attention to the rest of the children and usually reacts negatively.
He needs individual attention and a strict and firm approach of handling the unacceptable traits in his behavior. In order to modify these, he would need a structured family environment, consistency, learning how to build his own personal boundaries and how to respect other people’s boundaries, he would need to learn about his emotions, how to recognize them and handle them, he would need to develop skills for self-control and self-observation in order to overcome the emotions which result from frustration.  (SB)

Or Marv's family?

Born October 2001
Special need - Crossed-eyes, development delays

From someone who met him:

Marv is a very sweet, happy boy. He loves to play soccer, even though his vision problems make that very difficult for him. He has been living in a boarding school for typical kids, and receiving his own private lessons, but recently was transferred to a facility in another region specifically for children with special needs. His favorite class is math, and he gets great grades in math. His least favorite class is Ukrainian. He is said to learn more slowly than other children, which is why he has required private lessons.

He is cheerful, friendly, and sociable. He said several times he would like to be adopted by an American family.  (RR)

George has an urgent need for a family to come quickly!

 

Born March 2001
Special Need - Dwarfism and repaired cleft palate

 LPA has a $5,000 grant available for George.   He ages out 3/15/2015 — he needs a family in country to adopt him, prior to that date.

George’s SWI has agreed to waive his orphanage donation fee ($5,600).

George is a child who loves to dance. His dancing has awarded him “many accolades”. George is described as very much wanting a permanent family. George is known has seen 5 of his friends being adopted since he was registered for adoption in 2010. He has said goodbye to those friends and also experienced the tragic death of his very good friend one year ago. He is the last boy of his age to remain waiting for a family. George will age out of adoption options March 15, 2015. Geroge is a little person. His medical report translate it as “midgetism” but it is likely a form of dwarfism. His knees will require medical attention to which he currently does not have access. George is reported to have lower learning ability but he does attend the regular school in his neighborhood.

He is currently on the shared list.  Additional information and photos available for interested families. (RR)

Joseph waits for a family to see him.

Born Oct 2001
Special need -postoperative congenital cleft lip and palate neoplasty

Joesph needs to be adopted PRIOR to his birthday in October 2015!

From someone who met him in 2013:
Joseph is an older boy I met this past July who lives in a foster care apartment within his orphanage with two older sisters and three younger siblings. He attends a middle school in the area. Joseph excels in his Art classes and his art is displayed around his foster home and the walls of his bedroom. His foster mom was very proud of his accomplishments and made sure we didn’t leave without seeing his Artwork first! Joseph seemed a little shy but we were told he does hope to be adopted. I imagine he would smile a lot more after some braces. He may be a little self conscious of his teeth but his face lights up when he talks about his Artwork and I was able to catch a small shy smile. (RR)

Thomas

Special Need - Spina Bifida

A little from his bio - "As for his motor skills, he is doing very well having in mind his Spina bifida (for which a surgery was performed when the boy was only 2 months of age). He can take a sitting position independently, he can crawl, and he demonstrated how mobile he is going around in his special wheelchair (see video). His caregivers reported that when in his crib, he would take an almost standing position while holding onto the bars, despite his Spina bifida. They tried hard to provoke him to demonstrate how he moves around on the floor independently but the room and everything in it was new to him, he didn’t want to leave the little cover he was placed on, and he was very close to getting upset not understanding why his favorite people were deliberately keeping toys at a distance from him (he is too smart to fall for this). With regards to his fine motor skills, he demonstrated turning the pages of hard-cover books, pressing the buttons of a musical toy, throwing and catching a ball."  (SB)

Alexandre (He has the same condition as our "Sadie".)

Almost 2 years old

Special Need - Osteogenesis imperfecta type III/IV. Emotionally he is doing very well and is very communicative!

He is very emotional and sociable child. Seeks attention by an adult. Motor functions are limited having in mind the main diagnosis and disease, but he shows initiative and willingness to manipulate toys. He grabs given to him object, transfers it from one hand to another, examines with eyes, putting in mouth, tapping. He has a good visual-motor coordination in four directions.

He often vocalizes, as cheers and syllabic chains are heard / ba ba, de-di, pa-pa/. He makes sounds when he is in his crib and when meeting with an adult he gets lively and the sound production is increased. When verbally stimulated he makes sounds reminiscent of pleasure of communicative exchange. He laughs when teased.

He began to understand the hide and seek game. He reacts very positively to this type of game. He removes a cloth placed over his face. He makes good eye contact. He likes the company of an adult. He initiates interaction with others through sounds and facial expressions. His facial expression is lively, he responds to facial expressions (smiles in response to a smile). When in contact he touches the face of the adult, follows them in space with eyes and get angry upon parting. He is a sociable and cheerful in interpersonal relations. He does not exhibit irritability in the company of other children.

His sleep is calm and rhythmical. Physiological needs – no deviations, gains weight, but he is fussy for the types of food. He is in the process of spoon feeding.  (RR)

Ricky

Born August 2000
Special Need - Hyperkinetic syndrome, ptosis of the left eye, scoliosis, flat feet.

His mother was single and she passed away. He has no siblings.

Every time our facilitation team visits his orphanage, Ricky asks if anyone has inquired about him.  He very much wants a family of his own!!!

 Ricky is already 14 and is running out of time to be chosen.  Please share him and help him find his “forever family”.  (RR)

Nevile

Nevil is 2 yrs old. His medical needs include: Congenital adrenal insufficiency (on a therapy with Prednisolon cortico - 1 x 2.5 mg + 1 x 1.25; Cortineff - 2 x 1/2 tabl.; Salt additive - 4 x 300 mg); Muscular dystrophy of Duchenne; Bilateral cryptorchidism; Delay in the neuro-psychical development. SB)

Lissa

4 and a half years
Spina bifida (in a condition after surgery shortly after birth), hydrocephalus, dysplasia of both hip joints. The girl is in a satisfactory general condition and has satisfactory physical development.

Her skills indicate a good course of development (she follows different verbal instructions; understands adults’ speech; expresses her wishes, interests and needs in sentences; puts 5 cubes one on top of the other; strings rings on a fixed stand; scribbles on a sheet of paper spontaneously and diligently; demonstrates good emotional tonus; interacts with both adults and children; imitates actions that she has observed).(SB/RR)

Deenah

7 years old.  

Special Need - CP

Deenah has high muscle tone as a result of the CP. She would greatly benefit from the care available in the US, such as botox treatments. She does have some movements in her limbs. She can raise her right arm to shoulder width and will open her hands. She's receiving physical therapy to assist with her movements. When placed on her stomach, she will lift her head and can control it/move it around to look at desired objects. She attempts to roll over on her back and the staff is working with her on this skill. She sits in a positioning chair and while in the chair, she turns her head toward voices or toys. 
She enjoys interactions with other people and will smile and laugh when interacted with. She cries when she wants attention. She appears to understand some spoken commands as she will lift her arm and attempt to hand a toy that she is holding to someone when asked.  (SB)

Mindie

Born 2006

Moderate hydrocephaly; spina bifida (post op); Bilateral club foot

Mindie is sitting up independently, but not yet walking.   She has been diagnosed with Prematurity, moderate internal hydrocephaly, Spina bifida /the defect has been closed through a plastic surgery/, paraplegia inferior, pes equinovarus bilateralis. According to the staff at her orphanage it’s more likely that her hydrocephaly is a stationed one which is probably the reason why she has not had a shunt surgery.  (RR)

Pippa

Born March 2012
Hydrocephalus; Meningocele

Pippa is an active and lively little girl and she loves to talk and smile. She has started to learn to talk, and she can say simple two-syllable sounds. Her pronunciation of single syllables is clear. She is a bit introverted and shy with strangers, but after a while she will be fine.

Although she has myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, she has already had two surgeries and has a shunt for fluid drainage. She can sit well, and she can freely crawl back and forth in the room. She loves to imitate others around her. When she hears music, she will rock her body along with the rhythm; it is so cute. She loves to share toys and play with other children. (RR)

Suzanna

1 year old
spina bifida (surgically repaired), hydrocephalus (shunt installed), club feet, delayed development

Suzanna smiles when someone talks to her and laughs aloud when adults play with her. She has started making sound and sound combinations. She seeks a familiar adult with her eyes. She remains seated for a while when properly placed and provided with support. She has a positive attitude towards herself and her surroundings. She looks at hanging and musical toys with interest and focuses her attention quickly.

  There are so many children waiting for someone to stop splashing and go.

Maybe what you are splashing over or through right now has nothing to do with adoption...  

Whatever it is, it is good that He doesn't let us win.  It is good that He takes  us to these bathtub moments where we are reminded in the midst of the splashing that in the center of His will is absolutely the best place to be.  

So we may need some (or many) towels for all the water on the floor... it's okay.  Being in that place where we are reminded how faithful He is and how much He loves us is always ALWAYS good even when we don't realize it, even when it doesn't feel like it - it is still good.

To find out more information about any of the children mentioned above, you can contact 

Shelley Bedford with  About A Child if the bio has a SB at the end.

or   visit http://reecesrainbow.org/  if the bio has a RR at the end.