What it means to LOVE! ♥

Exactly one month ago today. Exactly 4 weeks ago last Thursday.

That was a horrific day. It was the worst day of my life that I can remember. I cried more that day than I think I had ever had before, and my heart was torn more that day that I care to think about. For those new readers of mine, you can read about it here – hardest post I have ever had to write.

Healing from those events is still taking place for many. Many families are still in the midst of deciding the next step to take. And many warriors are now plugging on for others who need help desperately too.

As for me, I am mostly healed. I have become okay with where Logan is, at least he’s getting cared for a lot better and will never go hungry! He will be loved, and maybe someday adopted by a Ukrainian family. But there are still times when I can’t hold back the tears, like when I am listening to my Meredith Andrew’s CD, and Logan’s song (read on, it’s explained below) comes on. Of course it just happens to always be on at the same time I am putting on my Logan necklace, and then the tears come.

My Logan necklace. I got it from a fundraiser Sterling's mama did to help bring him home!

Note: Logan is the little boy who is plastered all over my header who I met, held, and played with last summer on a mission trip. He stole my heart in the short time I was with him, and is the one who propelled me into the world of orphan advocating.

Someday, when I return to Ukraine, I hope I am able to visit my sweet boy, and give him all the love I wish I had given him more of when I met him. But part of me doesn’t want to see him for his sake. I’m quite sure that he will be a little frightened by this strange lady who talks weird, is a crying blubbery mess, and is squeezing the living daylights out of him! J Yet I dream of and long for that day… even if it never happens.

That sweet boy, Logan, changed my life forever. He opened my eyes to the plight of the orphan, and those with special needs (we didn’t have either of my brothers home at the time I met him). Who knew that a ½ hour (probably less) with a sweet 2 year old could change me forever?

Logan, you have truly has shown me what it means to LOVE, and I am forever grateful! You will always be a big part of my heart, and I will continue to pray for you, sweet boy! I LOVE YOU more than you know!!!

Please take a couple minutes to watch this video I made for him, with “his” song.

I couldn’t have changed a word if I rewrote this song for him, so I’ve dubbed it Logan’s song. That’s why this blog is named after the song, and Logan, because he has shown me what it means…to LOVE!

Heaven gained an angel....

Yesterday, heaven gained an angel....

Tripp, you will be forever remembered and loved! You were such a strong fighter and you endured soo much pain in your short life time. You made such an impact on so many people, and we are glad you are pain free and have peace now. You made the world special just by being in it!! ♥ I know you are doing your best drumming ever dancing at the feet of Jesus! We love you and miss you!!! ♥♥♥


Please leave some love and encouragement for Tripp's sweet mommy Courtney here - http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/01/heavens-little-drummer-boy.html

Faithful Friday - The Grove Family

Two days late, but better now than never! :) Today I want you to meat Alice's family!

Aren't they beautiful?? So is Alice...

...and the other little girl they are adopting - baby Mara!!

ALICE and MARA for the Grove family — UT

Kevin and Kelly Grove have felt strongly since they were teenagers that they would adopt a child with Down Syndrome. God placed the love for people with Down Syndrome in their hearts from an early age. When they met and began dating, they shared their desire to adopt special needs children and were thrilled that they were on the same page! They have had many opportunities to volunteer and be involved in the Down Syndrome community. They have enjoyed donating to many families' adoption funds via Reeces Rainbow. Kelly also runs a domestic adoption ministry to find homes for newborns with significant special needs. Kevin and Kelly are blessed to be parents of several children with special needs, but for years they have longed for a little girl with Down Syndrome to join their family, yet it never felt quite right. That all changed when they saw Alice and Mara's photos on Reeces Rainbow. The bond was strong and instant. Kevin and Kelly knew that they had found not only one daughter but two that were meant for their family! The girls' region has given the Grove family special permission to bring the girls home together despite being unrelated.  Kevin, Kelly and their children are beyond excited to welcome these sweet angels to their forever family. They need financial help to make this dream come true and little time to raise it. Alice is overdue to be transferred to an institution and so needs to come home ASAP. 

1/4/12—HOME STUDY UPDATE IN PROGRESS

Follow the Grove family's adoption journey on their blog at www.extra-chromosomes.blogspot.com

$10.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Alice's new name is going to be Alyssa, and Mara's new name is going to be Mary! Because Alyssa needs to come home before soon before she is transferred to the institution, and we all know what can happen there! And Mary needs to get out of the orphanage as soon as possible so she doesn't have any institutional behaviors. This sweet family would really appreciate any financial help, but more important they need your prayers!!!

And I just have to share this too for any of you who think that adopting affects a families other children in a bad way. It affects them, but not in a bad way! Check out this adorable video of Alyssa and Mary's new parents telling their siblings! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI5aSvzJRw&feature=youtu.be

Please consider helping this awesome family bring home their girls!

This post is part of Jane's weekly Sharing Sunday!

Anastasia too!

She has a FAMILY too!!! Like all the other children on that page, and I am soo happy for her and her new family! She needed a family urgently, because she is very close to be transferred to a TERRIBLE institution. Praise God that won't happen now!

I'm lovin' it!

This is absolutely amazing! Now sweet Michelle has a family!

I haven't posted about her, but I've always loved her!

 I guess it's because I love blind kids! (No wait, I didn't say that... yes, Yvonne I am regretting saying that! LOL) 

I am soo happy for her and all the others who found a family the past few days!

Psst! Go check out Victoria's new family here!:)

Disclaimer: Despite the title of this post, I absolutely HATE McDonald's!!! Unless it's Ukrainian McDonald's then it's pretty good, because the Ukranian McD's food actually looks and tastes like the advertisments unlike the gross American McD's. :P Did you know in Ukraine people dress up to go the McD's like a fancy restaurant??? :)