Dear Lilly

Dear Lilly,

You don’t know who I am, but I know who you are. You a precious and loved child of God, and a princess of the King! As for who I am, I’ll get to that in a minute.

You were born with Down syndrome, but it doesn’t define you. Never let that diagnosis define you or make you less than you were meant to be. It may make things a little harder to accomplish, and goals harder to reach, but you still can do it! You have a fighting spirit, I know you do or you would have given up living long ago. And that fighting spirit, and persistence will get you far in life. And I’m positive you will accomplish great things and change many people’s lives, because you already have make an impact on so many lives.

Because of your Down syndrome, you were abandoned when you were born, and sent to an orphanage, where you spent the last five years of your life. You have learned what hunger is, what neglect is, what laying down rooms are, what lying in a crib all day long every day can do to a child, what sedative drugs are, what the stench of unchanged diapers and soiled sheets is, and what death of those around you is. (**See note at bottom of letter.) You have been treated cruelly and unfairly, and it is not right that you have to know all this at such a young age.

But – it is by no fault of your own that you are stuck in that awful place. It’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong, and please don’t ever blame yourself for what happened to you. You did nothing to upset your mother, she loved you and wanted you. Sadly, because of the messed up ways of your country, and most countries around the world (including my own, in a way), individuals with Down syndrome are often seen as useless and worthless human beings. So they cast babies like you out and send them to hidden orphanages and institutions where no one has to see them. That is where children learn all the things you have learned, and where you learned all you have.

I told you I would tell you who I am, so I am: someone who loves you. I can’t explain the love I have for you easily. It wasn’t love at first sight. In fact I probably would have never noticed you if my friend, Rachel, hadn’t pointed your beautiful face out to me, and told me we should advocate to find you a family. For Rachel it was love at first sight. She saw your picture and was drawn to your face and your helpless eyes, begging for a family of your own. But with time, my love for you started growing more and more. The more time and effort I put into finding you a family, the deeper my love for you has gotten. And now I love you soo much that it hurts badly to think of where you might be, how you are neglected and how your heart it hurting (both physically and emotionally).

My heart breaks for you, and because Rachel and I haven’t been able to find you a family yet. We’ve been trying for a year. There have been many, many people that have told us they would LOVE to adopt you but can’t for one reason or another. It’s they don’t meet the requirements for your region, their husband isn’t ready to adopt yet, or they are waiting for God to make a way. Because of this, we are convinced there is a very special family that has been chosen since the beginning of time for you. Since before you were conceived, God had a plan for your life, and he still does. We are still struggling to find that special family, but we think we are very close. We just keep praying that all fears and doubts would be taken away and that this family would come get you as soon as they can! They need to get you quickly, because you are out of time, and you need to get out of that horrid place.

Beautiful girl, don’t give up. Keep fighting, for there IS a life better than the one you know now. You are beautiful inside and out, don’t ever forget that. I love you to the moon and back sweet girl!

Love,

Auntie Sarah

(**Note to readers: We have no proof of any of this, but from what we have been able to find out, she most likely is at a pretty bad place, and in pretty bad shape, so we are assuming these may be the conditions she is living in. We can not find out any more until she has a committed family.)

Neal, Kristopher, Silas, and Jessa!!!!!!

During my break from blogging, several kiddos I've advocated for have found families!

Like precious Neal! You can read about his family here, and visit their blog here.

And Kristopher, who only had 6 days to find a family! He did find a family in that six days, but we didn't find out until later. And... I don't know who they are yet, so I can't tell you! :)

Mr Silas!!! PRAISE GOD!

You can read about his family here, and visit their blog here!

And my little Jessa Blessa! :) Another one of "my babies" in 15H!

 SOO excited for her and her family!! Not many people can resist that cute little face with the button nose, and the big grin!

Please take a moment to bless Neal and Silas's family by going over to their blog and leaving them a note of encouragement! The beginning of the adoption process can be scary and nerve-racking with the thought of all that lays ahead (esp the paperwork!) and all the unknown!

I'm soo happy these deserving babies found families to love them and cherish them, and I pray many many more will find families soon! Because each and every orphan is soo deserving of a family!

Waiting Wednesday: Tommy

Today I come to you friends begging. Begging for a family for a boy little boy who has broke my heart. His name is Tommy.

He is older than me, almost 16, and he has NEVER known the love of a family. NEVER. And that just plain breaks. my. heart.

Instead of trying to find the adequate words to describe the need of this little boy, I will just share with you the words of Susanna, an adoptive mama who is doing amazing things for the children she had to leave behind at Katie's orphanage. Please read her post below. Please.

Rise up, Church! Rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus!

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Rise up.

“Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God…” 

Some wonderful things are going on with Verity.  She had her happy birthday yesterday, but I haven’t typed one word or uploaded one picture of her comprehensive two-year-old update.

We’re seeing Katie make more progress, including onemajor milestone she reached this week.

I have so much to tell you about both our little precious girls, but I just can’t.

The words are dying in my throat, because of…

Tommy.

Do you remember Tommy?  I know for sure that four of you remember him and pray for him, because you have told me so!

Tommy is never out of my mind.

When I think of all I have to report about Verity, this two-year-old child of privilege who has been unstintingly loved and gotten the very best support for her needs from the time I saw two lines on the pregnancy test, I think of the fifteen+ years of Tommy’s life that have been totally and unnecessarily wasted.

When I watched Katie reach her big milestone this week, and cried tears of joy for her, they were mixed with aching tears that in less than a year, she has learned skills that Tommy could have learned an entire lost childhood ago.

When I work with my two little girls with their feeding skills, using all the little tricks that are so easily learned and utilized to help a child with low muscle tone and tongue thrust, I think of Tommy.  I wonder if prospective parents can’t see past his tongue thrust.  It is invisible to my eyes when I look into his face.  It should not become his death sentence.

Our little girls are safe and thriving and being loved.  Not like Tommy.

When I’m alone, my thoughts turn to prayer that God would open up someone’s heart and put Tommy in there to stay, no matter what.

Every time I check email, I look hopefully for the message that says…the boy with the million-dollar smile has a family coming for him.

I hope for the message that says…finally! finally! at the eleventh hour, he will be taken home and thoroughly loved.

When I read this important blog post, I wept, “O Lord, please have mercy!”  How I pray that every one of you would click on that link, read every word, look at the photos, watch the videos, and then do whatever God wanted you to do about what you saw.

And when I read that post, I thought of Tommy.  He’s almost out of time.

How long will he keep smiling when he’s lying in the bed at the adult mental institution?  How long until he decides to give up, because he no longer has even a baba to get him out of bed and hold him for a few hours a week?

Listen, friends!  These are not unsubstantiated words typed out of a vivid imagination!  If a family does not commit to adopt this tiny gentle boy with the sunny disposition, he will end up in a place that makes even the bad baby houses seem cushy by comparison.

I haven’t been silent about Tommy because I’ve forgotten him, no longer care about him, or have lost hope for him.  Honestly, at this point, if I blogged exactly as I pleased and thought it would actually help instead of scaring you all away, I’d show you his photo and talk about him everyday.  I’ve actually toyed with the idea of explaining calmly that I will post more about our two cute little superstars when I’ve heard from five hundred people who promise to pray for him until a family comes forward for him.  No, make that a thousand.

I know by looking up our blog stats just now that many of you did share the last post about him.  Thank you to every single one of you!

But here’s how it stands now.

There is no way to help financially toward Tommy’s adoption until he has a family.  God has seen to it that all has been done to make him available to be adopted.

ALL TOMMY NEEDS NOW IS A FAMILY.

He needs a flesh-and-blood family with love in their hearts and room in their home to say they will adopt him.  As soon after that as Shelley Bedford gives me the word, we can start helping them raise the funds as quickly as possible so that money doesn’t hold them back from kicking off their shoes and running for all they’re worth to get him.

The more time that goes by without a family committing to Tommy, the more urgent his need grows.  Time is moving inexorably toward his sixteenth birthday.

In other words, Tommy’s need for a family to commit to adopt him is more urgent now than it was two weeks ago.

So if you haven’t already helped to spread the word about Tommy, could you please do it now?  If you have already told everyone you know, could you contact them again and ask them to pass it on, and so on, and on, until the right family hears about him and comes forward?

And friends, if you might be Tommy’s family, please email Shelley Bedford without delay!  shele337@gmail.com

We’re praying for a miracle.  We’re praying for the mighty army of the church of God to MOVE for Tommy.

Tabitha's Birthday

Yes... I know this post is a little overdue. In the middle of May, Tabitha had a birthday. I posted about it here.

Tabitha is very special to our family (unfortunately, as I've said before, we do not qualify to adopt her), and we celebrated her birthday last month. We had a cake, and prayed it would be her last birthday without a family.

Blue and yellow candles for Down syndrome awareness! :) It would be because that's Ukrainian colors too, but Tabby isn't in Ukraine!

Isaac

Anna

L to R: Cranky Jonathan, Dad, and Elijah

Rachel

Oh how I pray her next birthday is spent with a family who loves her!!! We love you Tabby girl!

forever a family.

I got mail the other day... and I was soo excited when I saw what it was!!!!

Katie Ruth has been home for just over a month and she is absolutely blossoming with her family. She acts if she has always been there. You can read about her amazing progress on her mama's blog here - The Simpson Six. Katie Ruth was the first of "my" babies in Region 15 to find a family and come home... and I pray many more will follow her home to their families!!

But today is also a very special day for Katie Ruth, it's her birthday!! Today she turns 5 years old! And I can imagine she is going to have quite the birthday party, since she missed the first 4 birthdays of her life! :) Today is her first birthday WITH a family, and she will NEVER have to sit alone in the orphanage another birthday WITHOUT a family! The Simpson's are FOREVER a FAMILY, and Katie Ruth is a part of it.

See that million dollar smile in the picture above?? That's how excited she gets about everything! She love life, and is living it to the fullest. And that is why I continue to blog about child after child, until they are home. So that more children will be able to experience life, and be able to love life like Katie does. And not only love life, but get loved by so many around them. And blossom from that love.


Welcome Home and Happy Birthday Katie Ruth!!! I love you girlie!


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Today is also a special day for our family. Because one year ago today, became an older sister to a little boy named Jonathan. One year ago today my parents were in Ukraine, and they had court, and they passed, and Jonathan became a member of our family!! And we, like Simpson's are FOREVER a FAMILY!

Dad, Mom, and Jonathan shortly before court during a visit at the orphanage. This is NOT the same Jonathan in the picture that is my little brother now. He is soo different, in a good way, and he has come soo far! Someone must have switched him out for a different child sometime in the past year! ;)

This past year with Jonathan has been absolutely amazing, he has come soo far, and I am so glad he is my little brother and I got to witness (and still am) his amazing transformation, and the strides and jumps he has taken.

I love you Jonathan, and I can't wait to see what the next year with you in our family will bring! You'll always be my little big baby though! :) We are FOREVER a FAMILY.

very urgent prayer request!

*****Update from Adeye below. PLEASE keep praying!


Saturday update:  (From those who are working very closely with government officials):  With regards to PRECIOUS Sol and Christine and their kids....ALL pertinent government officials have been engaged since early this morning. I am confident that everything that can be done IS in fact being done by our government to resolve this issue and reunite this family. Please continue to pray for a QUICK release. This is an innocent family, this has been a terrible act of injustice......BUT, God...."

The family has asked now that people NOT contact government offices or media outlets at this time! Things on the ground are in the works, and at this time all they NEED is prayer.

Please keep praying, church!   



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Please read Adeye's post below and please friends, please pray for this family!! Our God is MIGHTY to SAVE, so please pray that He will move mightily on behalf of this family.

Sol and Christine, with their boys Ethan and Isaac.

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very urgent prayer request.

Body of Christ, I come to you tonight begging for your prayers.

I got an urgent prayer request passed on to me from a friend tonight. This is too urgent NOT to share! This family so desperately needs us, the church, to intercede on their behalf. They need us to RISE UP and pray without ceasing! They are fellow adoptive parents trying to adopt a sibling group of FOUR children from Ghana. Unfortunately, things have gone horribly wrong and tonight they are in prison in Ghana--falsely accused of child trafficking! They are separated from the children they are trying to adopt AND their beautiful biological children who are so little. I simply cannot even imagine!

"There is a family in Ghana right now that has been arrested on (unfounded) charges of child trafficking. The family's 6 children (2 bio & 4 newly adopted) have been rendered to the care of a government orphanage while the parents sit in a jail cell in Accra! The bio kids are only 4 & 6 and do not speak the languages of Ghana. The family had their court paperwork with them and the children were all still removed from their parents! PLEASE PRAY for this family!!! The parents' names are Christine & Sol. The US Embassy in Ghana has stated that nothing will be done until Monday, even though there are American born minors affected! PLEASE PRAY for God to intercede and redeem this family! Thank you.

The family's blog is here.

And you can meet them here too.


Meet The Moghadams from AdoptTogether on Vimeo.

Please, please share this everywhere you possibly can! This is completely unacceptable that nothing is being done in a huge hurry to reunite these sweet children with their parents. Six children have been separated from their parents today and put into a horrific orphanage while their parents are in prison! Two of those little children are American minors who do not speak the language.

We're standing together as the body of Christ and trusting that TRUTH will be revealed and that the captives will be set free! We're believing that our family-in-Christ will be reunited with their children very soon and that the enemy WILL BE DEFEATED!

No plan of the enemy will win, in the name of Jesus! Our God is mighty to save the orphan!

I will keep you updated as I get word. THANK YOU for BEING the body of Christ!

Little Lilly Lovie.

Our little Lilly lovie.

Picture taken November 2010

 Almost 5 1/2 and still waiting for a family. She has been available for years, and she always gets passed by. 

Praying that soon her parents will take notice of her among all the other faces, and she will be blessed with a family.

Picture taken November/December 2009

But for now, we are the blessed ones.

Because we have been blessed with a new (to us) picture of her. It's older than her other two, from Dec 2008.

But still. To have one more glimpse of her is so special.

It was filed wrong and not with her other pictures so that is why no one found it until now.

It makes us so sad though. 

Her beautiful blonde wispy hair that was shaved off. 

Her eyes that were longing and begging for a family even then.

Picture taken December 2008

Sweet little Lilly lovie.

Oh where, oh where is her family?!?! 

She has been waiting far to long. 

Please don't let her suffer the same fate as all these children. 

She deserves better.

Are you her mama??

Waiting Wednesday: Sergey

Oh sweet Sergey. He has been waiting soo long.

Sergey

Boy, Born October 15, 2007

This little monkey has a whole host of medical complications, but he is so darling and will surely perish if he is not adopted.  He will end up in an institution, bedridden for his very short life.     Please consider Sergey!

From his medical records:  secondary post-hemorrhagic obstructive internal hydrocephalus, spastic tetraparesis, convulsive disorder, mental disorder as a result of organic affection of brain, additional chord of the left heart ventricle, partial optic atrophy, congenital nystagmus, crossed eyes, delay of physical development

Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope.    All of the children are tiny and undernourished.  These children are immediately transferred at 4.  All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need.  Please consider one of these children soon!!

$5028.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Not only has he been waiting a very long time, he has been listed for a very long time. So many have saw his sweet little face and passed him over. So many have been scared away by his medical needs and lack of updates and new pictures. And so he still waits. Waits for a mama, waits for a papa, waits for love.

He has been waiting soo long, and is quickly running out of time. He will be 5 in September, and is most likely already transferred. PLEASE don't make him wait any longer. He doesn't deserve to have to live a life like this!

If you would like info on adopting him, please email me at forhisgloryhandiwork (at) gmail (dot) com. He is(was) in the same orphanage as my brother Elijah was, and I'll get you in contact with the people you need to talk to! :)

WE DID IT!!!

Brady's son Nash :)

WE DID IT!!!! BRADY WON!!!! 

THANK YOU ALL SOO MUCH FOR VOTING!!!!

I'll keep you all updated on when you can watch him on TV! :)

LAST DAY TO VOTE!

Today is the last day in this round to vote for Brady Murray and his video about orphans with Down syndrome!


BUT! The rules have changed a little, and now we are only supposed to vote once per day! Please go read this post by Julia about it.


SO PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND GET AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AS YOU CAN TO VOTE SO WE CAN MAKE UP FOR THE VOTES WE ARE LOSING BY ONLY VOTING ONCE PER DAY!!!


Remember... you don't have to be logged into Facebook or have a Facebook account to vote, and it only takes a second.


SO GO VOTE!!! Thanks so much! :)

Grab This!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Please remember to say a prayer for the fatherless like Mark and Owen today.

Mark

Owen

Lilly (Handiwork for Lilly)

The need a daddy to wish Happy Fathers Day to... Wouldn't it be special if Father's Day was the day you said yes to adopting them on?

And Happy Father's Day to my own dad!!! Thanks Dad, for everything you do!

Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome!

I'm back!!! Or as my favorite Star Wars character Jar Jar Binks would say it "MESA BACK!" :) I've missed blogging, and I have a whole host of posts lined up! Lots has happened since I took my break, and I can't wait to tell you about it - the good, the bad, the exciting, and disappointing.

But today, I want to bring attention to a very important cause! A very awesome guy, by the name of Brady Murray, has a son with Down syndrome, and has a heart for helping orphans with Down syndrome. He is also a racer- a triathlete. But he doesn't race in just any triathlons, he does Iron-mans. So her put the two together, and we get this:

Grab This!
And now, we have a chance to help him!!!! I'll let Brady tell you how by reposting his blog post.
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Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome

My family and I have loved being able to work on behalf of the children on Reece's Rainbow since finding this great organization.  It's for this reason that I had a hard time sleeping because of the excitement after hearing about this announcement!

Two months ago, Ironman announced a contest called Kona Inspired.  How it works is they have given the general public 

an opportunity to submit a 90 second video based around the theme, "Anything is Possible".  Winners receive a spot 

to race in the Ironman World Championship in October, but most importantly, they will race as a media athlete and have 

the opportunity to share their story on NBC's nationally televised broadcast of the championship this year!  THIS COULD 

BE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN'S STORY WITH THE WORLD!!!

After reading Ironman's press release we immediately went to work.  This is an opportunity to help these children in a 

way that I never imagined possible!  The video came together with the help of many wonderful people and we submitted

 it.  105 videos were submitted.  After over a month long preliminary public voting, we just received word that we 

are one of the top 15 videos and will compete in the final round of voting June 4 - June 18!!!

Please take a moment to WATCH, VOTE, and SHARE our video as much as possible throughout the day from your home computer, work computer, laptop, phone, etc!  We need to be in the top 2 videos at the end of the day on June 18.

KONA INSPIRED VIDEO LINK

Thank you for your time and willingness to make the dream of these orphans of finding their forever family a reality!

Brady and Nash

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So there you have it! An amazing way to spread awareness for orphans with Down syndrome, and support Brady along the way! You don't have to have a Facebook account to vote, even though it is on Facebook. You can vote as many times as you want through the day, I just refresh and vote again and again! And it doesn't cost anything but a offering of a little of your time to vote. So go vote!
Thank you soo much for helping to spread awareness!!!! What an awesome opportunity this is for the orphan advocating community! Let's make the most of it!
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Oh, and as always, please go get a puzzle piece if you haven't yet! We didn't make our goal of having it filled in by Rachel's birthday (see last post), but we came close!