Our Adoption Story

$10,000!

2012-03-01T17:44:00.001-08:00

Our Sunshine Girl is at $10,000 in her grant! She had $372, when we started the giveaway 12 days ago. Isn't God great! He loves this sweet orphan girl and He wants to see her in a family. She's halfway to a full grant. Will you please help us push hard these last two days of the giveaway and raise her grant. Pray, pray, pray that Bernadette's Mom and Dad will see her beautiful smile and know that she is meant to come home to them.

The Giveaway is here and you could win a Kindle Fire by simply sharing it on your facebook wall! Do what you CAN! You CAN share! It doesn't cost a thing and it may be your post that leads Bernadette's family to her.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

A year ago...

2012-02-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

Samuel,

A year ago, today, you were only a picture. A precious, little boy in overalls, who stole our hearts with your sweetness. We decided to take a step of faith. It was time for us to quit hugging the beam and begin to walk purposefully toward you. They say a journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. So, we took the first step, we signed the papers that would be the first of many stating that, "Yes, this boy is our son!" We committed our hearts to you one year ago, today.

Since then, we have had the great JOY of meeting you and learning about you. We know that you are loving, generous (a trait not often found in an orphan boy), that you laugh easy and often and that you love with your whole self. We have also learned that you are willful and headstrong and are going to be our greatest parenting challenge, yet. We look forward to showing you love, while giving you the boundaries that will allow you to reach your greatest potential.

Mostly, as we acknowledge this 365th day of waiting for YOU. We want you to know that we don't regret one second, of one minute, of the journey. We are so in love with you and eagerly await the day when we will be yours and you will be ours forever. You still have no idea what's waiting for you. My precious boy, you are going to be a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend. You are going to be cherished, chosen, loved, valued, adopted. We can hardly wait.

We couldn't let this day pass by unnoticed. It's the day we put all our cards on the table. We told God, "We're ALL in!" Our lives began to match our words of faith, as we stepped into God's calling for our family. I can't tell you how blessed this year has been and how often we've found Jesus waiting in the most unlikely of places. We will never be the same and your life is forever changed.

We love you, little boy and we're coming soon.

I wanted to add, that all it took to give Samuel a home, was obedience. We're not special people, we're not chosen people, we're simply obedient people. There are many children waiting for a home, waiting for obedient people to come and redeem them into a family. Sweet Bernadette is one of those precious children. A year from now, she will either be at home with her family or she will be locked away forever in a mental institution. Please, pray and share Bernadette's story with everyone you know. So that one day soon, we can read a love note written to Bernadette from her family and we can smile and know that we had a little part in her miracle.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...They're worth it!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

A Generous Gift

2012-02-25T06:15:00.001-08:00

"All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:4

I come to you with these stories of God's people and their faithfulness to our family and to His calling on this journey to our boys. Each time, I am certain that I have seen Jesus in the face of the giver and I cannot wait to get back here and share the overwhelming mercy and faithfulness of God.

God began to weave this next thread into our tapestry in June of this past year. I know, it was June, because I met my new friend at our big yard sale fundraiser. I believe she contacted me on facebook after the event and we began to chat. She had been touched by our boys and had messaged me to let me know that she had collected money for us at her church. She wanted to know when I could meet her and what else she could do to help. This stranger, who from the moment I met her, exuded the awesome love of Christ.

My friend has had a rough year and even when her life must have felt in shambles, she came alongside our family and did anything she could to encourage and support us. It was one of my greatest griefs to learn that while I was in Eastern Europe meeting my boys, my precious friend walked through the most difficult season of her life. She waited til I was home to tell me that her husband was no longer living with them. Just weeks before Christmas, my friend suddenly found herself the single parent of two beautiful children, the sole provider, with no job, in a community who's jobless rate is tipping the scale at one of the highest in the country. My heart grieved with and for my friend. My kids and I were making weekly trips out to visit them. Did I mention she also home schools her kids?

I saw that when others would have felt beaten down by life, my friend still had JOY. She was ever clinging to her faithful, heavenly Father and He was making provision at every turn. It has been a great joy to Marty and I to witness God's faithfulness to our friend, to be a small part in caring for her and her children in this very difficult season.

So, yesterday, when my friend messaged me and wanted to meet when I came into town, because she had something to give me. It never entered into my imagination that when I went to meet my friend at the mechanic's shop (where she is getting an estimate to repair her broken car, so she can get to her new JOB in a few weeks, told you God is faithful) that she was going to hand me a card with an extravagant gift. I won't share the amount, because some of you know my sweet friend. It was an extravagant gift, because it was given from her need. My friend, who is struggling to find her way after being a stay-at-home Mommy for 10 years and suddenly finding herself on her own, is giving our family a gift.

I said, "This is too much."

She said, "I've been watching the ticker and praying that you wouldn't get funded before I had the chance to give."

Seriously? I am humbled and grateful and more convinced than ever that the road less traveled is truly where we meet Jesus face to face.

I hope you continue to be blessed as we watch God faithfully provide for our boys to come home. The mountains continue to melt like wax in the presence of the Lord.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

ONE Family

2012-02-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

Well, Bernadette would like the attention back on her and who can blame her? I'm am praising God this morning at the many miracles He is accomplishing! Bernadette's grant took a HUGE jump this morning!

She's at $5,400!!! Do you remember where she was on Saturday? $372.30. How GREAT is our GOD?

He is MIGHTY to save and He loves the fatherless! Is this sweet girl your daughter? I don't believe we've come this far to allow her to end up in an institution. We need to HOLLER louder, ya'll! She's not had ANYONE inquire, yet?

Let's keep sharing and praying, it only takes ONE family to save Bernadette. She doesn't need 100 inquiries, just ONE! Just ONE Mama and Papa ready to be "water-walkers." Just ONE Mama and Papa ready to step out of the boat and lock eyes with Jesus and never waiver in their mission to bring her home. ONE family called to be her family!

Are you the ONE? Will you consider being the ONE? God is moving mountains for Bernadette and we're praising Him for it!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

A Broadcast Break...

2012-02-23T04:40:00.000-08:00

For about a week, our channel has been set to Bernadette. I love Bernadette and am amazed at the miracle God is working for her. Her grant is almost at $1,000! So keep sharing and praying. We need to find her Mama and Papa.

Now for your commercial update: Breaking Adoption News...Our dossier has been processed and is waiting on one signature. The signature that allows us to get a court date! I will travel to pick the boys up about a month after court. Please, pray for that pen to fly across the paper.

We're coming boys! Very soon, Joseph and Samuel will be sons, brothers, cousins, nephews, friends, chosen, cherished, redeemed, ADOPTED! It's so close.

Please pray and don't forget Bernadette!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Sunshine Girl Update!

2012-02-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

Well, our Sunshine Girl Giveaway is going well. Once the money from the chip-in makes its way over to Bernadette's grant she'll have $826 in there! That's more than double what she had on Saturday. I would love to see us double that number again in the next two days! I know that seems like a lot, but just keep sharing and praying.

God is moving! People are asking questions about Bernadette, wanting to know about adoption. I know, we must be close to finding her family. No one wants to see our Sunshine Girl lost forever...

We've created a Facebook event to make it easier to spread the word and invite your friends to help find Bernadette's family. Just go here, join the event and select invite friends. You can earn a free entry by inviting your friends, too! There's a lot more information about Bernadette on the Facebook event page. Read through the comments and see how much people care about Bernadette.

There's a page on Reece's Rainbow, where the kids with large grants get listed. In order to make it onto that page, where lots more people will see her face, Bernadette needs to have $2500 in her grant! Let's see if we can get her there by Friday. Once, she moves over I'll post a link to the page and you'll be able to see and share in this little victory.

The BIG victory comes when Bernadette moves to the My Family Found Me page on Reece's Rainbow! Keep sharing and we'll have a celebration, along with all of Heaven, when someone chooses this sunshine girl. If you have questions about adoption or Bernadette, I'm happy to try to answer them. If I don't know, I'll find someone who does. You can simply click my picture under "about me" on the right hand side and then email me from there. It's easy and I look forward to hearing from you!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Sunshine Girl

2012-02-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

I shared with you all, yesterday, that Bernadette is heavy on my heart. I'm not kidding when I say that. Her image is imprinted on my mind and heart and I cannot get away from it. I'm telling you to be careful when you ask God for things. I wanted Him to open the eyes of my heart. He did and this is where I found His purposes, in the fatherless children, in the least of these.

Some would say our family is doing it's part. We're going and bringing home two little boys. It's not enough. It will never be enough as long as there are children waiting for families in dark and lonely places. As long as there are children tied to beds, left to sit in their own waste for hours, existing on little to no food. It will never be enough. Not this side of Heaven.

My heart cries out for the day when Jesus will make all the sad things come untrue. When He will ride in as a white knight on horse, the hero come to save the world. Until then, He has ~~called~~ commanded us to be His hands and feet, to show His love to one another, especially to the "least of these."

Back to Bernadette, my friend, Julia, called her a Sunshine Girl. Julia got it right!

This Sunshine Girl needs a family, desperately, urgently needs a family. She is going to spend every day of the rest of her life in a mental institution if she is not chosen by November.

I have seen our community rally around a child, I know we CAN, but will we? Will we look at this sweet sunshine girl and say to the world that she has value, worth, that we will not allow her to spend the rest of her days in an institution?

I don't have much to offer, but here's what we're prepared to do. For every person who donates $10 or more to Bernadette's grant, you will be entered to win a Brand New Kindle Fire from Amazon.

We bought one of these prior to our first trip over to meet the boys and it is great. You can read books, play games, watch movies and videos, access the web. It's really great!

You can also earn an entry by sharing this giveaway on facebook or your blog! Help us spread the word that Bernadette needs a family, NOW!

This is the link to Bernadette's Reece's Rainbow grant. Leave me a comment and let me know you donated, if you'd like an entry for the Kindle Fire. Her grant is at $372.30, right now. A full grant is $20,000. Let's see how close we can get in 2 weeks, this giveaway will end on March 3rd or when Bernadette is fully funded (yes, I did have the audacity to say that)!

I'm hoping to have a button on the sidebar of the blog that will link you directly to Bernadette sometime today. So keep watching the right hand side bar.

Update: I'm adding a chip-in to the right hand side for Bernadette. If you use it there's no need to leave a comment, I'll be able to see who's giving. It is linked to Bernadette's Reece's Rainbow grant and is still tax-deductible. It will just take a few days to show up in Bernadette's grant, because Michelle at RR has to enter it manually. If you'd rather use the grant, just be sure to leave a comment so I can get you entered to win.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Does not walk...

2012-02-18T06:04:00.000-08:00

When did "does not walk" become the terminology for "does not need a family?"

Pryce

I have to wonder...ARE YOU THERE, CHURCH? Sorry, for yelling at you, but this is where I am right now. I am frustrated that there are children waiting for HOMES and FAMILIES, while the CHURCH continues to build bigger buildings, with cushier chairs, that lead to more complacency.

There are some (and you know who you are) that the Spirit of the Living God is rising up on the inside and saying, "ENOUGH!"

We will not sit idly by, while they are sent to institutions, because they can not walk?

Vitaly

Aren't you thankful that God didn't leave you in your broken, sinful condition? That the God of the Universe reached down grabbed hold of your hand and snatched you up out of your despair? He's commanding us to do the same for these children. Children, who's minds are very much intact, but who will be locked away forever. Mostly because they can not walk.

My heart is breaking. God's heart is breaking. Will you not DO SOMETHING?

"This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. do no wrong or violence to the alien, the FATHERLESS or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood." Jeremiah 22:3 (the emphasis is mine)

Their blood will ultimately be on our hands. Once we know the truth, we are accountable with that truth and we will one day stand before a righteous God, one who requires justice and He will want to know what we did for the fatherless?

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

Bernadette

2012-02-17T06:58:00.000-08:00

Bernadette

This is sweet Bernadette. Look at the JOY on this girl's face. Bernadette is unaware of the reality she's facing. You see, Bernadette will turn 16 years old this November. I can barely hold back the tears as I type this next part. If Bernadette is not chosen before her 16th birthday, she will be sent to a mental institution for the rest of her life. Forever locked away. Look at the JOY the world is going to miss out on. Where is her family?

Mama, Papa? Bernadette is waiting for you. I know, it seems scary because she's 15 years old already, but Bernadette is about the size of an eight year old and probably enjoys all the things a "typical" 8 year old girl enjoys. Her report says she is friendly and was so excited to have her picture taken.

God doesn't call us to easy, but I have a feeling that as scary as it may seem to some of us, that Bernadette is going to be easy to love. She has captured my heart this week and caused me to look further inside and consider the possibilities of adopting an even "older" child sometime in the future. Our family can't get to Bernadette in time. Someone else is going to have to go!

Please, help find Bernadette's family. Ask yourself if God is asking you to bring Bernadette home.

Let's not allow this beautiful girl to be locked away in a place that will steal her joy and may even take her life. We must do something!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

Doctor Details

2012-02-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

So many things on my heart this morning. I'm going to tell you about our day, yesterday, and then I will probably have another post before the day is over. First I must tell of God's goodness and faithfulness to our family, once again. He is truly concerned with every detail of our lives.

About the time we came home from our first trip, I began to think about a pediatrician for our boys. Eli and Julie are very healthy and normally, only see a doctor once, maybe twice a year. We live in a small town and don't have a lot of choices when it comes to doctors. I knew our boys (especially Joseph) were going to need someone experienced. I prayed. I asked God to please show me who to take these precious gifts to for medical care. During our homestudy classes I met a wonderful couple who had brought their son home from Haiti. Mom had met him while doing medical missions work and had sent me a friend request on facebook. Sondra is a NICU nurse and I just felt like God was leading me to ask her for a recommendation, so I messaged her and she made one.

Sondra recommended the doctor who was with her on the medical missions trip to Haiti when she met her son. He has done an excellent job of caring for Sondra's boy, since they've been home and she felt like he'd be a good fit. I called about a month ago and asked for a consultation and that's where Marty and I found ourselves, yesterday. In a consultation room, where we waited to meet Dr. S. for the first time. His degrees were hanging on the wall and Marty was happy to see that he started his career in service to his country. His initial training was received while he served in the US Navy. He went on to receive many other degrees. Very educated and well-trained on paper.

Then, the door opens and in comes a kind face, with a friendly smile and hands full of material on Down Syndrome. What my friend, Sondra, may or may not have known is that Dr. S. loves people with Down Syndrome. He shared how until recently he had set on the board of the local Down Syndrome Society. He didn't have to read notes or look things up. He gave us names and phone numbers of local people who would be so helpful to us on this journey. He talked about how early on in his medical career he had a Mom with a little girl who had down syndrome. He said he learned so much from them and that he continues to learn. He also, sees lots of internationally adopted children.

I could go on and on, but I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say we have never been more impressed with a doctor. He is intelligent and humble at the same time. He is going to be a good fit for our boys and warned us to "pack a bag" for our first few visits, because we'll be there for awhile. He read over the boys' reports and began to form a plan of action. God wants to be involved in every detail of our lives. We simply have to surrender to Him.

I want to say, too, that I am so grateful for the Mom who went before us and helped teach a young doctor. We are reaping the benefit of the seed she planted. That first Mom was an advocate for her daughter, willing to work alongside a young doctor and learn together the best ways to care for her daughter.

Give it to God. Whatever "it" is. He wants to help. He's faithful in every detail. He loves us all the same.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Put on Love

2012-02-14T05:03:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed by the people that God has surrounded our family with on this journey. I have said often that if people knew about the added side bonus of becoming part of the Reece's Rainbow family and the Down Syndrome Community, they'd be fighting their way in. Not only is our family receiving the gift of two new sons, but we've already received the gift of new family and community. I just can't explain what a blessing it is, but you're going to have a better idea about the people I'm referring to, when you read the rest of this post.

I asked a couple of weeks ago, in this post for people to share with me about their journey into Holland. Holland symbolizes life spent loving a child with down syndrome. Not everyone who wrote needed to be the parent of a child with down syndrome. So, let's begin and see where we end up...

My friend, Tonya, is very new to Holland, but she's jumping in with both feet. This Mom of 4 beautiful children was enjoying life in Italy, thankful for the blessing of 4 healthy children and then...

"...all of a sudden I saw Maxim. My heart leaped when I saw him, eyes crossed, tongue sticking out, and a huge smile on his face. As I read all about him, his love for balls and cars, and laughing every time he farted, I felt it in my soul that he belonged in our family. Suddenly the trip to Italy didn't seem quite as desirable anymore. I would rather have the privilege of loving and caring for someone that the world says doesn't matter than having a perfect easy life in Italy...So I guess right now I'm living in Italy, but I'm sure praying that God has a trip to Holland planned for us."

Maxim

Another advocate wrote these precious words about how praying for a child with down syndrome changes the way your heart feels..."I became a Christmas Warrior and later a Prayer Warrior for Wyatt 26HA on Reece's Rainbow. He started out as just a picture of a poor little orphan boy far, far away. Then as I began to advocate, raise money and pray for him, little Wyatt became a small precious boy, just as real as my own children. His needs are great, but our Lord is good."

It's amazing how prayer causes faith to rise up in us and we begin to see those around us with new eyes. Eyes filled with the love of Christ.

Wyatt

Wyatt's Warriors

Sight becomes "seeing" when we put on love. Colossians 3:14 says this in the Message version, "And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." My friend, Susan has also "put on love." She has been a huge help to us on this journey to our boys. She has encouraged me, every step of the way. When I read the words she left in the comments last night. I became a weeping mess...

"I could have gone to Holland. I didn't buy that ticket because no one else I knew had. Then I met Terri Lynn; she had a warrior or two. Then I met Mandy. Then Adeye. Then a dozen more that had bought a ticket. When we filled out the medical needs form for our adoptions, Down syndrome was one of the first I said "no" to without a second thought. This past year has opened my eyes. I should have given it another thought. Holland is not a scary place, after all. It would have been a wonderful trip. We are done building our family, but we are not done caring for orphans. I might not have bought my own ticket, but I'm here to help others as they prepare for their journey. On a side note- I have four boys. The girl name I never got to use? Holland."

Wow! I bought a ticket to Holland. I have never thought about it, quite like that before. I have another friend who bought a ticket to Holland this year with me. We have become great friends as we journey to bring our boys home from the same country. Jessica tells about how she and her husband, Wes decided to buy a ticket to Holland here on her blog. It's a three part story and you will fall in love with my friend and her boy, if you take the time to read it. Here's part of the comment she left me...

"Danny is special to us because he is the promise of God to build our family. No, it's not in the way we ever would have expected, but we are thrilled to have him as part of our family. We pray that he is the big brother our future children love and adore and wouldn't trade for the world. We also pray that he is not the only special child our family has, but that's up to God! I have prayed for a son, much like Hannah in the Bible....and he will belong to the Lord all the days of his life."

Whitaker Family Sponsorship Page

There were so many more of you, who shared your stories. I could only choose a few. I hope you all will be blessed by these love stories, today. I hope you will choose to "put on love" above all else. We are praying and fasting, today for our littles who still wait across the sea. Will you take a few minutes, today, to pray for not only ours, but for all the others who are waiting. Check out Reece's Rainbow, today and consider making the ultimate love purchase and buy a ticket to Holland. It's lovely here.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

P.S. The winner of the wooden shoes is Andrea R. I'll be in touch Andrea.

Time for an UPDATE!

2012-02-13T10:55:00.000-08:00

I know many of you would like to know where we are in the process and last week we got some news to report! Our Article 5 letter was picked up from the US Embassy in the boys' country and our 2nd Stage Dossier documents have been submitted to the MOJ (ministry of justice, who oversees adoption in country). Normally, the turn around is one month from the time you submit to the MOJ until you have a court date.

We're praying to know a court date the first part of March and be able to guesstimate travel/pick-up from there. Tomorrow, we're praying and fasting for our boys and all the other children in their country. For their families paperwork and processes to move along smoothly and quickly. Please, feel free to join us in the ultimate expression of love and pray for the fatherless tomorrow. That one day soon they would belong to a family.

Our hearts are a little sad each time a Holiday rolls around and we don't have all of our children here to celebrate it with. Marty and I don't do much for one another for Valentine's Day, but we take great delight in celebrating with our children. Giving them little "love" gifts and letting them know how much they are loved and valued. We don't ever want them to feel like they need to look beyond their own front door for love and affirmation. We can't wait til next year when we'll have four little blessings to celebrate!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Mountains Melt like Wax!

2012-02-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

God's promises are "YES" and "Amen." God has used this adoption to take our family on the biggest Faith journey of our lives, so far. I have had so much peace since I wrote about how God was going to slay the giant of our financial need for us. I had people come to me with doubts, but God kept our spirits at rest with the decision we had made to give it to Him!

Yesterday morning, I was riding to the grocery store and I heard the DJ on K-love quote this verse, "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." Psalms 97:5 The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "That's how it's going to happen for you. I'm going to melt the mountain like wax." I went home and looked up the verse and shared with Marty what I knew God was telling me. Sometimes, we say to the mountain, "MOVE" and we feel like it looks back and says, "NO." It's not allowed to do that. God was saying, it may not happen as quickly as I'd like for it to, but slowly and surely the mountain is melting like wax.

I spent a great day with the kids and some Godly women, yesterday, brainstorming about a new orphan care ministry we're starting in our local community (more later, I promise). Then, I got a phone call to meet a friend yesterday evening. She had something for me and was so excited to give it to me. This family has given and served alongside our family from day one of this adoption. As soon as they heard what we were doing, we couldn't have asked for bigger cheerleaders. True servants. When I arrived at their house, imagine my surprise when her husband hands me an envelope full of cash. Not one thousand dollars, not two thousand dollars, not three thousand dollars (are you excited, yet?), but FOUR thousand dollars! I was almost too stunned to speak and barely held it together while I got my kids back in the car.

Eli said, "Mom, God really is going to do it!" Yes, sweet boy of mine! God is really going to do it! God is melting the mountain like wax. We just keep giving it over to Him, covering it in the word and prayer, standing where He has called us to stand and He is moving the mountain! How good is our God? How Big is our God? Is your faith growing? Mine, is. Our family's faith is getting bigger by the minute. No one gets the glory here, except for God. God who uses willing vessels. People yielded to His call. He used our dear friends, who from the outside looking in, were not likely to have a spare $4,000. I know, it was a sacrifice. I know, they gave until it hurt and I know that God is going to meet them in their obedience and continue to pour out blessings on their lives.

God is melting the mountain like wax and we are the spectators watching in AWE of His work. Keep watching and check out the ticker, we're so close to walking over the mountain, laid flat by the hand of God!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

How BIG is God?

2012-02-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love my friends. All of you, who are in a little bit of a panic, since I posted about ending our fundraising efforts. All of a sudden, a light switched "on" for many of you. I have received numerous messages from friends saying, "Can we fund raise for you?" It makes me giggle a little bit and I want to tell you why.

Two weeks ago, we were happily fundraising along and my friends assumed that Marty and I would get this done. Somehow, in everyone's minds Marty and I would be more than able to raise $7500 in the next 3 months. Then, I said, "I'm giving it back to God" and something like panic ensued. So, it begs the question, "How BIG is God?"

I can promise you, He's way bigger than anything Marty and I could ever do or even imagine doing. Don't ever put your trust in man, when God is so much bigger than man. Don't put faith in the created thing, rather than the Creator. God told me to take my hands off of it. I don't know what He's telling you to do, but...

I trust you to do whatever God is telling you to do.

You don't need my permission to fund raise on our behalf. If God told you to do it, then by all means, have at it. However, if you really do just feel panicked, please, don't. God knows what He's doing! God will use whatever vessel is yielded to Him and obedient to His voice. That's how He rolls.

I can't even begin to tell you how much peace has reigned since I posted It's not about the Giant. I am focused on getting the kids through this year's schoolwork. Which had honestly fallen behind with all of the adoption stuff. I'm looking forward to preparing for our sons' arrivals. Purchasing car seats, clothes, diapers, etc. God is dealing with the Giant! If you don't believe me, just check out the ticker.

So, "How Big is God?" He's bigger than any problem, mountain or Giant that you find yourself facing. He's certainly bigger than our need. Our boys are coming home! We're excited to see who God uses to help get them here. Please, watch and find out "How Big is God?"

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Wooden Shoes

2012-01-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

Back in April of last year I posted about how We're planning a trip to Holland, in reference to this poem by Emily Perl Kingsley:

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability-to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip-to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say, "What do you mean "Holland"??? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in "Holland" and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for awhile and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, "Yes that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But, if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland.

*********************************************************************************

Since, I wrote that post, Marty and I have, literally, been to Holland (well, at least the airport, there). While we were there we picked up this pair of wooden shoes, because they are a beautiful symbol of Holland and all that it means to live there. We bought these thinking we'd be using them in our final giveaway, just before travelling to meet our boys. Now, that we've given the funding Giant back to God, we're just going to give these away! It's so much fun to be able to just bless our friends, knowing that God is going to provide in His way and in His time.

Here's how this is going to work. I want you to leave me a comment about your trip (planned or unplanned) to Holland. Or about how you advocate, pray or support an "extra-special" orphan. I'm going to choose a winner from the comments on Valentine's Day. I'm hoping to do a post with some of your comments from this post on Valentine's Day! If you send me a picture of the "extra-special" person in your life to go along with your comment, you can have two entries to win these little wooden shoes.

You can contact me using my profile on the right hand side. There's a link to email me there.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Witnessing a Miracle

2012-01-31T05:51:00.000-08:00

It's not every day we get to witness a miracle. A couple of weeks ago, I told you about our friends, Chandres and Scott, who were stepping out in faith and joining us on this adoption journey. You can read about that miracle here. I told you then that when they got matched with their daughter, they would have 7 days to come up with the $7200 they needed to continue to move forward. They were matched 6 days ago. Tomorrow that money comes due.

Chandres and Scott are so loved. Their family and friends are so excited for them and have rallied to help bring them within $2000 of their goal. Their little girl is nine years old and has Down Syndrome, she is waiting in the same country as our boys. They are choosing adoption as an answer to the Biblical command to care for the orphans. Please, check out their blog, Upcycled Purpose and see how you can help. They have two great giveaways happening. One for a vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN! Another for a local family to win a year long family membership to the YMCA. Both giveaways have matching challenges attached to them, so every dollar you donate becomes two!

The best way to share this family's story and reach as many people as possible is to share the Facebook event. It's entitled 1 of 1,000. If we can find 1,000 people to give at least $10 each this family will be well on their way to bringing home their girl. Some of you will remember that early on we had a 1 of 1,000 challenge hosted for our family. They really do get the word out.

I'm telling you, you will never make a better investment in the Kingdom, than when you invest in the life of a child. It has been my privilege this week to watch as God moves a mountain for this family. Re-affirming that they are answering His call on their lives. Their process is moving so quickly and I can't wait for the day when you can see pictures of Scott, Chandres and all of their children, together. Don't just witness a miracle, be a part of one.

"And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields, or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need." Acts 4:34-35.

Scott and Chandres are part of the Kingdom family. They have need and we are privileged to help meet the need. "For the King and His glory..."

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Grace was made for lives like this...

2012-01-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

I love this song and I'm so blessed that my friend, Rebecca, has once again made us an amazing video. We're so grateful to each of you who have prayed, encouraged and supported us on our journey to bring our boys home. We hope it encourages your heart and helps you to know that, "There are no orphans of God."

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Edited to insert higher quality video :)

Forever Family Friday

2012-01-27T05:15:00.000-08:00

Maxim, dear sweet Maxim. I have a friend, who is in love with you. So many have seen your picture and just passed you by and now, my friend is praying for you to find a family. Honestly, I was guilty of passing you over. Your picture didn't make my heart skip a beat, but it did hers. When I learned how much she loves you, I went back and looked, again. Now, I see it. Sweet Maxim, forgive me for overlooking you. Once, I put my "love" glasses on, you began to sparkle. I read the words of other Moms, who've met you and realized how much potential everyone is overlooking.

Here's what one Mom had to say after meeting you in October of this past year...

Maxim is one of the sweetest little boys I've ever met. He pats my arm in the most adorable, gentle way, and it absolutely melts my heart! He is now walking with very minimal assistance, and crawls faster than any other child I've ever met. He is a smart boy, and will follow directions (for example, come over to the carpet). He has an amazing attention span, and will bounce a ball back and forth with me for at least 20 minutes straight. He has the most wonderful laugh, and is a very joyful little guy! He has so much potential, someone please choose Maxim!!

She saw it! All of your potential, the promise of who you CAN be! Another Mom saw it, too. My friend, Tonya, saw it just by looking at your picture...

You made her heart skip a beat! What will happen when your Mama finally sees you? Oh, Maxim, we HAVE to find her, because she's missing out on YOU! You are a treasure, sweet boy and we will find her for you.

Please, share Maxim's story, his Reece's Rainbow profile. Help find his family. He has almost $5,000 in his grant and it costs around $25,000 to adopt from his country. Please, don't let all this JOY be sent away to a mental institution. Let's find his forever family.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Maxim is waiting!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Full Hands

2012-01-26T05:19:00.000-08:00

Joseph is going to be a lot of work and a lot of fun. We have to work harder for his smiles, but when they come, the whole room lights up. Our littlest boy has our hearts. To say we're smitten is an understatement. I was choosing a video as Marty was getting ready for bed. He's coming in off a 12 hour night shift. He comes back down the hall and says, "I'm so tired." My response, "Why aren't you in the bed?" "I heard my boy."

People have heard our story and often say, "Wow! You're going to have your hands full!" We've learned to respond, "Better to have full hands than empty ones." Our hearts are already full and we're looking forward to the day when our boys are home and are hands are full, too.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

This makes my heart smile...

2012-01-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

Samuel is so much fun! I can't wait to have this boy home, so he can play with his brothers and sister.

I'm going to share one of Joseph, tomorrow. We miss these boys so much. Our paperwork is doing it's thing over in their country. Will you, please, continue to pray for a speedy process? Our goal is to have them out of the orphanages before Joseph's 7th birthday, on April 7th. We've been told it's an attainable goal, but we can't have any more snags. So, we're asking you to pray with us.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

It's not about the Giant (Part Three)

2012-01-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already, be sure to catch the beginning of this story in Part One and Part Two.

I have to confess, my attitude was ugly. I was tired of fighting the Giant and just would not acknowledge what God was (repeatedly) trying to tell me. What would other people think if I did what He was asking?

I said to other people, "I don't want us to be that family. The one who needs to travel and lacks several thousand dollars to do so. I mean, what have they been doing for the last 12 months or so?" Such an ugly attitude. Such a critical spirit. I was going to slay this $35,000 Giant, all by myself. I would work hard and raise the money and if God joined me, well then, I would welcome Him to the team.

I'm not exaggerating. My heart was ugly and full of pride as the number we needed to raise got smaller and smaller, so imagine my dismay when God spoke and said, "Take your hands off of it! It's MY Giant and I'm going to receive the glory when it's slain." This was not the first time I heard this message. I've pushed it to the side for months, now. I mean, I'm doing this God. The number is shrinking, so just let me work myself to death, beg, plead, borrow my way to bringing our boys home, because this is how it's done.

As of February 14th (when the current fundraisers end), you will no longer see a ticker on the blog. Nor, will you hear any reference to our need for funds.

Do we need them? Yes, but it's not my Giant!

It never was and it's not about the Giant, anyway! It's about the Giant slayer and His glory! When this HUGE Giant falls (and it will), God will receive all the glory, because Mandy couldn't do it by myself. Marty and I started this journey with NOTHING to offer financially. God uses the least likely of candidates to be sure He receives all the GLORY! It's all about making His name famous. Our lives should be beacons of light that point the way to Him. He has the money. He speaks to hearts. He will finish what He started. Where He guides, He provides.

We are turning our focus back to advocating and sharing our story and our boys with you. In an effort to show you that if God can use our family, He can use yours, too. This is what He called us to do, to passionately share the need of the orphan with you and to help find families for lost children. No more begging for money. The Reece's Rainbow donation box will remain on the sidebar. If God tells you to give, I pray you will be obedient. This is a huge step of faith for our family. One we don't take lightly, as there is no plan B. All of our hope is in Jesus, our Rescuer and Provider. The Ultimate Hero and Giant Slayer.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Sidenote: This is not a post against fundraising. I will continue to support and encourage my fundraising friends, but our family has to be obedient to the direction of God for our lives and our journey. Just remember not to allow your journey to become about the Giant! It's NOT about the Giant! For the King and His Glory...

It's not about the Giant (Part Two)

2012-01-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

If you didn't read part one, you might want to start there ;)

So, there I set. God has my full attention. All week long, He's been trying to teach me a lesson from David and Goliath's story. What is it? What am I missing? "It's not about the Giant!" Well, I wouldn't say I was missing that, I just wasn't applying it to my own circumstances. Again, I set through another powerful message about David and Goliath.

What is MY Giant? What circumstance do I need Jesus to step in and be the Hero? When we started our adoption journey we met with our Pastor and his wife to share our hearts and where we thought God was leading us. We didn't just start this adoption with the end goal of adding a child/children to our family. We began to walk down this path as a way to let the light of Christ shine in and through our lives. We wanted others to look our way and see that if God could use us to bring home two very special little boys, then He could use ANYONE! We were doing this for His glory! We wanted to honor Him with our lives, by being obedient to walk where He was leading.

The Giant we feared the most at the beginning of this journey may not be what you would think. It was finances. We had nothing to start or finish this $35,000 adoption with (when we started we thought we were looking at $25,000, but then we added a second child). NOTHING! If we were going to bring our boys home, God was going to have to slay this Giant for us.

Somewhere along the journey, I decided to become David. Not only did I decide to be the David in our story, but I wanted to wear Saul's armor into the battle. You see convention in David's time said you went to battle in full armor with a helmet, a sword, a spear, this armor weighed over a hundred pounds at times. Saul put his armor on David and David could barely walk, I'm sure. God wasn't asking David to go to battle dressed in Saul's armor. He had a specific plan. It involved obedience and some stones. I wonder what the outcome of David's story would have been, if he'd headed to the battlefield in Saul's armor, instead of following God's direction?

This was God's question to me. How can He receive the glory if I insist on being David and wearing Saul's armor? I was trying to wear Saul's armor into battle against Goliath, when God clearly had a better way. I saw everyone else fundraising their hearts out and I jumped right on board. This is how it's done. When all along there was a quiet nudging in my Spirit...

You'll have to keep reading to find out what God is telling us about our Giant!

It's not about the Giant!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

It's not about the Giant! (Part One)

2012-01-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

We went to visit my Grandma and Uncle Roy for his 52nd birthday (more on the birthday celebration later). We so enjoy our time with them and we especially love to visit their church. Their pastor always has an on-time word. I'm going to wrap this story up with parts of the pastor's message, "It's not about the Giant!"

First, let me tell you about our week. On Tuesday, I decided to begin to cover some Bible stories that I feel like Julianna has missed because we're not in Sunday School. We do devotions and keep our Bibles handy throughout our day, but don't often find ourselves diving into stories like David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale, Noah's Ark. Julie has a basic knowledge of these stories, but she has more knowledge about who Jesus is and how to come to Him in worship. Anyway, our history is important and these stories have faith building aspects, while pointing the way toward our story's hero, Jesus. I felt an urgency to start with David and Goliath. No particular reason, just a nudging in my spirit. So, we opened our word and read the story. We talked about how the Israelites must have felt cowering on their hill, waiting for a hero. We talked about good versus evil. We focused on the details.

Friday night, we had family dinner at the Mexican restaurant after gymnastics practice. Marty was talking to the kids about what they had learned this week and began to question Julie about David and Goliath. Marty and I had talked the night before about the direction I was heading in with her Bible time. Honestly, she didn't remember much (I always feel like a failure when this happens) and I just tried to encourage myself that the seed was planted and we'll continue to teach and tend her heart's garden.

Came home, Friday night, put the kids to bed, set down at the computer and our Pastor had posted a link to a sermon on facebook. The message was an awesome one and it covered how everything in the Word and in our lives should be and ultimately is for HIS glory. He spoke about how we often want to identify with David in the story of David and Goliath. We're out to slay our Giants and be mighty warriors for God and His Kingdom. Umm...that's not what the story is about. We would be the Israelites and Jesus (the greater David) would be the hero of the story. David coming to save us from the evil enemy who would stand against the armies of the living God. Guess what? He's always the hero of the story! He chooses the least likely of people (like Paul, the chief of sinners) to accomplish His missions, because then He's sure to get all the glory.

Okay, God has our attention at this point. We've been hearing references to David and Goliath for 4 days. (Did I mention that on Thursday night we found Eli reading his Bible before bed and what was he reading? The story of David's life.) Then, this weekend, I took the kids to visit Grandma in NC and go to visit her church. Sit down, look up on the wall and what is the title of today's message, "It's not about the Giant!" Yes, God you have my attention!

I am going to pause here and tell you the rest of the story soon. Get ready because it's good and it's all for His Kingdom and His Glory! He is always the Hero of the story!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2012-01-20T05:56:00.000-08:00

Oh, my heart...it hurts...

When I saw this little boy's photo on facebook this week, I thought, "How sad."

Then, I saw where someone said it was an update photo of Nicky Z.

And, my heart broke.

I knew, immediately who Nicky Z was and I thought that can NOT be the cute baby with the comb over.

This is the Nicky Z that came to mind.

Cute baby, with chubby cheeks and what looks like the softest hair in the world.

Isn't he the cutest?

Things are not looking up for Nicky Z. I went to his profile on Reece's Rainbow and read the words that always break my heart..."not a single soul to inquire about him."

Nicky Z has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for quite awhile. He was there last year when we committed to Samuel.

"Not a single soul to inquire about him..."

God help us.

We looked away from this sweet baby and this is what happened...

In the words of Mother Teresa, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

Nicky Z is 3 and 1/2 and faces the institution next year!

You can read more about him on his Reece's Rainbow profile.

Please, search your heart and ask God to show you if you are Nicky Z's family.

If you're not, please, pray and share his story, so his family will find him.

I beg you, do not look away!

Nicky Z's life is depending on how we respond.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

Another Update

2012-01-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

I know, you can't believe it! Two updates in one week! Score! Yesterday, our I800 provisional approval came in the mail. In English, this is the document we were waiting on from USCIS to move forward with things in country for the boys. Now, we can file our second stage dossier documents and wait for a court date! It is such an emotional journey. Having your life and the life of your children rest in the hands of others. We're so thankful they have been competent and efficient hands. We're praying for more of the same on the other side of the ocean.

Another thing I want to address is our finances/fundraising. I had a comment left here on the blog from Beth. I didn't post it in the comments, because I wanted to address it here in a post. Beth was asking about all the donation boxes on the blog and what they mean. It's a little confusing for me sometimes, too. The fundraising ticker at the top of the blog is what we still need and what we currently have towards that goal. To make it simple, that's the one you should use to see where we are in relation to our goal.

I'm happy to tell you about the chip-in and Reece's Rainbow donation box, too. Okay, the chip-in is set up to deposit into the Reece's Rainbow account. It just doesn't happen automatically. There's a couple days worth of delay on that. The reason then for the chip-in is so I know who is giving. If you make your donation directly to the Reece's Rainbow box or our Family Sponsorship Page (these are the same) those donations are anonymous and I don't have access to the donor's information for giveaways, etc.

I know our Reece's Rainbow grant says it has over $6,000 in it, but most of that money was already spent on our first trip to see the boys. That's the reason for the ticker at the top of the blog, so we're all on the same page. I guess, I just needed to catch everybody else up. The total on the Reece's Rainbow grant does not decrease when we withdrawal money. I have to check with Michelle (at Reece's Rainbow) to know how much we have in there (exact dollar). I do my best to keep up with the amount, but I double check with Michelle every once in awhile to make sure I'm doing it right and haven't missed anything.

The goal on the chip-in is just whatever number I plug in there. It won't allow donations over the set amount, so I usually set a large number ($5,000). We do get donations handed to us from time to time and I try to add them into the ticker at the top immediately. Those donations are kept in a completely separate bank account and that bank account has a third party on it for accountability. We knew going into this adoption that if we were fundraising we needed to be 100% transparent with you.

If you notice money growing in the chip-in, but see that the ticker on the top of the blog hasn't moved, it's because I wait for the chip-in to close and add the entire total at once. It's just easier to keep up with. I hope all of this makes sense. If you have any questions, please, don't hesitate to ask. We want to keep you in the loop and we want you to know where your donations are going. Every dollar given has gone and will go to bringing Joseph and Samuel home. We do need $6,000 before court and then travel money for our second trip. That's the number on the ticker at the top of the blog. Once, we hit that $9,500, we will be done!

Thanks for plowing through all of this with us.

Blessings,
Mandy

An Update

2012-01-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

I'm a bad blogger. I tell you things, like how we got a request for evidence from USCIS and then I forget to come back and tell you that I (along with the help of a couple other people) fixed the paperwork and had it mailed out the following day. Things should be moving along nicely again and we're just waiting on word of the final approval.

I called, this morning and set up a consultation with a pediatrician to review the boys' medical files and get started on a care plan for when they get home. Will you pray for wisdom and discerning as we make important decisions about who to allow to care for our sons? Eli and Julie are so healthy. They really only see the doctor once a year for check-ups. We won't be using the practice they currently go to for our boys. Hopefully, we'll switch all four kids (wow, four kids) to the same office in the near future.

We're still lacking those medical forms for our second stage dossier packet. Will you also pray we have them in hand this week? Can't go to court without them. This has been the most difficult piece of paperwork for us. I will be thrilled to have it done and on it's way over the ocean.

Continue to pray for funds. It's starting to look like we're going to end up in a crunch at the last minute. I'm believing God is about to show up big time. We just keep moving forward by faith. We keep doing our part and trusting God to do His. I know, it's going to happen, but sometimes it's hard to push down the fear.

Okay, you've been updated.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Ties that Bind

2012-01-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

When Marty and I started our adoption journey, we were attending a church where we had been members for 10 years. We loved our church family (still do), but God was clearly calling us out of that body and into a new one. We fought Him. We struggled for months with the decision to leave. We met with our Pastor, who we love and respect. We shed tears. We were like disobedient children, who hold their hands over their ears, so they don't have to hear what their Daddy is saying. We had just returned to our beloved church family after 5 years away while Marty was in the Navy. Yet, God was clearly telling us to move from that place. Our spirits had been fed and ministered to after a long, dry spell and now, we had to leave. Much like Abraham, we didn't know where we were headed only that we were following God.

We left that church and were at home for about 4 weeks, just praying that God would lead us where He wanted us. We live in a small town and we heard about a church that we had never heard of before. We live in the Bible belt and there are a lot of churches in our town. After 2 weeks, God made it clear that we were to go to this new church. We went and it was different. Not bad or good different, just different than anywhere we'd been before. We hesitated to share our adoption journey, because we didn't want anyone to feel like we were coming looking for financial assistance. We were embraced and made to feel like part of the family. We are growing, so much. Our faith is being stretched and challenged and we are excited about this new beginning.

I know, you're thinking get to the point, already. This is an adoption blog and what in the world does this have to do with adoption? It's coming. Within a month of being at our new church, we were asked to give our testimony about our adoption and how God led us to our boys. Little did we know that there was a family in the congregation, who had been called to special needs adoption, but had put it on the back burner while dealing with some other things. I have been in contact with the Mom (Chandres) of this family for a few weeks now on a fairly regular basis. I have been privileged to have an inside look at how God has opened doors and led them to their daughter.

My friend, Chandres and her husband, Scott are in the process of committing to their daughter this week. She is nine years old, she sports an extra chromosome and she's living in the same country as our boys. Can you believe how good God is? He is so faithful! At times, this has been a lonely journey, but when we started out, our prayer was that other families in our church would watch our journey and be inspired to bring home their own children. God answered! He had to move us to a new church family, so that He could provide the very thing we were praying for and now, it all makes sense.

I hope this encourages you to say, "Yes" to God, even when it's painful, even when it's illogical, even when it's uncomfortable. He always has a plan. He just needs us to be obedient. He alone can thread our hearts together with the ties that bind. We are forever bound to that first church family. We love them and we grew up so much in our faith under that ministry. Now, we have the privilege of being tied to another church family. The best part is knowing that in the end we are all connected by the same thread. The crimson red thread, that is Jesus Christ, himself. He has tied us each together and made us stronger with His love.

My friend, Chandres has a blog and they also have a need. They are sending their commitment documents tomorrow and they need to send $7,000 within 7 days of sending the documents. This is the upfront cost and it's not tax-deductible if you give, but I know many of you just don't care about the tax-deduction and want to help. Here's the link to their blog Upcycled Purpose. There's so much in that name. Chandres started the blog as a place to display the projects she was working on. Turning trash into treasures. It has morphed into their adoption blog and I think God knew all along what the real Upcycled Purpose for Chandres and Scott's journey was going to be. Taking a child that another society deemed unworthy of love and bringing her home to be a daughter of the house. That's an Upcycled Purpose to get excited about.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

So Excited!

2012-01-14T05:28:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about our newest fundraising opportunity. Mostly because this fundraiser came about when Carrington's family was in the process of bringing her home and needed to raise additional funds. Joy, from Joy Belle Jewelry decided to use her talents to help this family and designed a beautiful necklace.

The Carrington Necklace-

Joy created this necklace to help bring Carrington home and has decided to continue her good work for the orphans by allowing our family to sell these beautiful necklaces to help bring Joseph and Samuel home. I know what you're thinking Joseph and Samuel are going "from orphan to prince" or "from orphans to heirs."

From now until February 13th, you can order one of these necklaces and $25 from each sale will come back to our family to help with bringing Joseph and Samuel home. How generous is Joy? A necklace will cost you $28, plus $2 shipping and Joy is giving us $25 of every sell. Joy is also working on a new necklace for our family and I hope to have it up in the next couple of days.

Here are the new necklaces, Joy has created. You can shop through the same link and just let Joy know your choices at checkout!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

If you want a crystal or pearl attached to this one, just let Joy know at checkout.

Pray, Advocate, Adopt...

Isn't it beautiful? Make sure you let Joy know which color pearl you want at checkout. I'm so thankful to Joy for making these and sharing them with our family. Leave me a comment and let me know which one you choose.

If you want to order one of the Carrington Necklaces and help our family, click here and follow the simple steps at Joy's store to place your order. If you're local and would like to pay me, I will be happy to place an online order for you.

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray, encourage and support our family. The boys will be home soon!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Can we send them?

2012-01-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

I want to tell you about another adopting family. I want to ask you to help them. I know, it's bold to be asking my friends and family to help another family, before we're funded ourselves, but I had to do something. So, here goes...

The Shpak Family is in the process of adopting "Shannon" from Eastern Europe. "Shannon" is 5 years old and living in an adult mental institution. That's right, at 5 years old, she's already been transferred and is waiting in an institution for her family. The Shpak family has faithfully and diligently filled out all the paperwork necessary to file their dossier (the paperwork required by the foreign government) and it's ready to go. One thing is missing, the money to send it. Before the dossier can be submitted, fees must be paid. The Shpak's need another $900 or so to submit their dossier. They have an amazing giveaway happening on their blog, right now. Go there and use the chip-in to donate and help them reach their goal.

Isn't "Shannon" pretty? What a sweet little girl this family is going to be blessed with calling their own.

You may be wondering why I am posting this in the middle of our own fundraising. Here's why? In the midst of filling out their dossier paperwork, the Shpak family has been with their son, Ethan, in the hospital while he fights for his life. I am amazed at this family's perseverance and dedication to all of their children during this very difficult time. They are committed to bringing "Shannon" home, even while they're walking through the darkest days of their lives. I don't know how they've done all that they've done. This battle has raged in their family for months. God has truly been their strong tower. Now, I feel like they need their family to help them. Can you imagine the relief they would know, if they woke up in the morning to find their need met?

"Shannon" shouldn't have to keep waiting because of $900. Can you help? Can we help? I hear people say they can't adopt, but we're all commanded to help the orphan. Will you do your part? "Shannon" shouldn't be an orphan for a day longer than necessary, especially not because of a lack in funding. They're ready to go. Can we send them?

Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let's give a sacrificial gift to help this family. Let's Do Something that will impact the Kingdom.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Brooke's Fun Fundraiser!

2012-01-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

My friend, Brooke, who I've met since we started our adoption process and who has become a great friend, put together a facebook giveaway for us. Here's how this is going to work. I have a chip-in on the side of the blog. Love Chip-ins (they're like the easy button of fundraising). For every $5 you donate you will earn 3 chances to win, for every $10 you will earn 8 chances to win, you can earn one free chance to win by sharing this blog (once per day). Oh, wait! What can you win? Here's a Link to the photo album with the prizes Brooke has gathered. After you donate to the chip-in, Brooke will email you with your numbers, then you can choose which item you'd like to place your number under.

For example, if I wanted to win the Scentsy warmer, I would donate $5 and wait for Brooke to send me my numbers. Then I would go to the picture of the Scentsy warmer and post one comment with each number. It would look like this:

Comment 1: Mandy R ticket #301
Comment 2: Mandy R ticket #302
Comment 3: Mandy R ticket # 303

Or I could leave one comment under the Scentsy warmer and one under this beautiful scarf my friend, Deb made and donated to our giveaway.

And, my third entry I might place under this Mary Kay gift set donated by Brooke:

I love the idea behind this giveaway, because you get to choose which prize you're most interested in winning. Brooke is so creative and she worked long and hard at finding donors and putting this together for us. We'll begin to draw winners when we reach $1,000 on the chip-in or on Thursday, February 2nd. Don't miss your chance to win and remember donations made through the chip-in are tax-deductible.

There are lots of other prizes, just click this link to see them all! If you share, leave a comment below, so Brooke can send you your free entry number.

This is all about bringing our boys home. We still need to raise another $8,000 ($4500 is coming due shortly). They're worth every dime and we're thankful to each of you, who has sacrificed to help bring our boys home. I love doing these giveaways, because we're able to give a little something back to you.

Blessings,
Mandy

Request for Evidence - Again

2012-01-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

It seems I am a failure at filling out forms. Seriously, just got a letter from USCIS requesting more information before they can issue our approval to adopt the boys. One form they need, I've never heard of before receiving my notice, today. Just didn't send it in, because I didn't know it existed = fail.

They also need a document in the original language (which I'm 99% sure we included) for both boys. I will have to wait on new ones to come from our attorney in country. I am in serious need of prayer, because every time it feels like we're nearing the end of this ride, we hit another bump in the road.

I am still going to try to get the fundraiser up tonight, but maybe you'll forgive me if I just wait til tomorrow? I'm off to have a good cry, now and then I'll feel better.

Blessings,
Mandy

All Of Me

2012-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

This song reminds Marty and I of the moment when we finally met our boys and gives us hope for the days ahead. They (along with Eli and Julie) are worth all of us. We will do everything necessary to see that each of our children know they are loved and worth every tear and every prayer. It is our greatest privilege to love and nurture these blessings God has granted to our care.

Neglected

2012-01-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

That's what our blog has been this week. Neglected. Will you forgive me? I have something FUN that my friend, Brooke, organized for our family and we're hoping to go live with it tomorrow. In the meantime, will you say a prayer for us? Our lives have been really hectic this week and on top of all the things we're trying to get done, Marty and I are both sick. It's amazing that no matter how busy life gets Joseph and Samuel are never far from our hearts and our minds. Please, keep praying that the process continues to go smoothly. We still need to tie up some lose ends with our paperwork. Praying that will happen this week.

The short and sweet version of this post is I'm back and I missed you all. Can't wait to start our newest fundraiser tomorrow. This one sounds like FUN?!?

Blessings,
Mandy

Crafts, Anyone?

2012-01-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

I have some items that my Mom and Aunt made to help us raise some funds for our adoption. So, here's how we'll do this. I'll post the item picture, description and suggested donation. You claim your item in the comments and chip-in the required amount and I'll send you your item. Easy.

Okay, I also have some super cute change purses that Mom and Aunt Pat didn't make, but we're going to add them in too! Let's start with the change purses.

Donate $5 or more and I'll send you one of these change purses with pictures of Joseph and Samuel on them. This is a photo showing both sides of the bags. I have 15 left, so get yours, now!

Kitchen towels with toppers made by my Aunt Pat. These are so great! $4 each or both for $6 shipped. If you're only buying one, make sure you indicate which one in your comment.

Fun, fish washcloths made by my Mom. $3 each or $7.50 for all three shipped. Let me know, which one you're buying in the comments.

Matching hand-made burp cloths $5 shipped for the set. These are super soft and would make a nice gift, too.

My Aunt Pat made this apron, too. It comes with a matching pot holder and hand towel that hook on a button attached to the apron. The apron is reversible. Blue jean on the other side with large pockets. $15 shipped.

Check out these cute search and finds my Mom makes. These are great for car rides, doctor's offices, church for the littles, anywhere you need your kids to be quiet and entertained.

Here's a sample of what your card might have your child find. I have a few of these in both designs. $6 each shipped.

Roll up felt boards with shapes, potato head or itsy-bitsy spider cut outs. All your cut-outs store in the little pocket on the bottom and roll up for travel. 3 designs available.

$8 each shipped, don't forget to indicate which ones you want and which cut-outs you're most interested in. I'll try to include the cut-outs you choose, but I only have so many of each design.

This sale will be open for one week, ending on Sunday, January 8th. I'm going to ship on January 9th. We still need to raise quite a bit of money before we're funded and our next chunk is due before court. $6,000 in fees must be paid prior to court. We're hoping for court before the end of February and you can see from the ticker above that we still need about $4500 to make that goal. Please, help us spread the word.

Blessings,

Mandy

Called, Chosen, Special?

2011-12-31T05:20:00.000-08:00

I had the most interesting conversation with a friend in the grocery store, yesterday. I hadn't seen her since before we went to meet our boys and so naturally, she asked about our trip and the boys. I love this friend. She is beautiful inside and out, because she loves Jesus. Imagine my surprise when she asked me, "Don't you think it takes special people to do what you and Marty are doing?" Followed by, "Don't you feel like you were called to do this and your boys were chosen for you?"

Would you like to hear my answer? I think it might surprise you, because it surprised my dear friend. No! Marty and I are not special or "called" to adopt. I've touched on it here before, but let me be clear. If you love and serve JESUS you are commanded to care for the orphans! None of us gets a free pass. It doesn't make Marty and I special, because we're on this journey to our sons. We just answered when God commanded. Our sole purpose here on earth is to serve and glorify God. It's what we were created to do. So, when His word says that the religion He accepts as pure and faultless is to care for the orphan and the widow, who are we to do anything but follow His command?

How about were our boys chosen for us? I think, this will surprise you, too. I believe that God is writing the story of our lives. He led us to our boys. That being said, I also believe God had a better plan for our boys. A plan that didn't involve a sin fallen world. A plan where children are born into the families that God created them to be in and those families are able to love and care for them. Ultimately, the best place for both of our sons would have been in the families they were born in, but because of SIN that is not an option. Our world is no longer perfect and so, we look for a better home. We walk by faith where He has ~~called~~ commanded us to walk, so that we might be the hands and feet of Jesus. If we love Him, we will love them. We will be a part of making the sad things come untrue, so that men might see Jesus in us and glorify HIM! Not us, Jesus!

Now, let me ask you a question. Do you love Jesus? I hope that your response is a resounding, "YES!" If so, let me leave you with John 14:21.

Words of Jesus: "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Do you love Jesus? Then, do what He commands!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Q and A time with Marty

2011-12-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

Q. When did you first realize what it means to be an orphan with special needs?

A. I remember that I didn't want to think about it at first. Mandy wanted me to watch a news special about orphans with special needs and I kept putting it off, because it wasn't something I wanted to face.
It's one thing to hear about the reality of orphans with special needs, it's another thing to see it.

Q. What did you think would happen if you really looked and saw the need?

A. That I'd have to realize the truth, which is that there are children out there that need families, homes and love. I knew I would feel responsible to do something, if I was capable of helping, but I didn't want to have to, so I tried to ignore it.

How did you make the leap from "maybe one day" to "the time is now?"

Well, I don't know that I went from "maybe one day." I went from, "No, I'm not doing that."

Once I realized what was happening and that I could do something. I still didn't want to make the life long commitment, but I asked myself what if this were Eli or Julie, would I have turned them away?

I've always loved children, but I wasn't sure about down syndrome. At first, I wanted it to be a different special need, something I was more familiar with, because I wasn't comfortable with down syndrome. I got Godly advice from our Pastor and talked with other people who knew someone with down syndrome. I did some research online, too. The more I learned about down syndrome, the more comfortable I became. I went from, "No" to "Why not two?"

I still wasn't sure how comfortable I'd be until we went there. After meeting our boys, I realized they really are no different than any other child.

Q. Why 2 boys?

A. I honestly don't know, now, because I wish we were bringing home a girl, too. I think we chose boys, because boys are easier.

Q. How did you choose?

A. We picked em out online. The short and sweet version is we picked Samuel, quickly. He fell into the country, age, sex, category we were looking for. We looked at so many other little ones and then Joseph. I just knew he was ours. I don't know how to explain it. He was just ours.

Q. Did you have any questions or concerns from family, friends, or co-workers about your adoption?

A. Yes, lots. Most people didn't question the adoption part. People were concerned that we were adopting boys with down syndrome. Family mostly, I think, because of how they were raised and what they were taught about children with down syndrome. They were worried about the amount of time and effort it would take to raise a child with down syndrome. Overall, we haven't had a lot of negativity and we were worried that we would.

Q. Do you have concerns about bonding with the boys once they're home?

A. No. Personally, I feel like our boys are going to want love and attention and we have that. They're going to love us! (Marty's words, not mine)

Q. Do you worry about the future for your boys?

A. I don't worry about their futures, but I do think about it. I think about whether they will go to college, get a job. I don't really think about what they will do as much as I think about what we will be able to do for them. Like, can we provide them with the life skills they need to leave home. If they never leave home, that's okay, too.

Q. How did your faith play into your decision to adopt?

A. God's always provided for us and I knew this wouldn't be any different.

Q. Does the lack of involvement in orphan care from the church in general concern you?

A. I think the church as a whole should be doing a whole lot more than they're currently doing, but I'm glad for the few people that are answering God's call for the orphans.

Q. Why is it (normally) harder for men to agree to adopt?

A. We typically have our lives planned how we want them to go. For me, I have goals of things I want to accomplish and adoption feels like a wrench thrown into the plan, making it harder to reach those goals.

Q. What's the one thing you would tell a Dad who's hesitating to begin an adoption of a child with down syndrome?

A. Maybe we men need to stop thinking about ourselves and think about what God has planned for our lives.

Q. Will you adopt again?

A. Yes, I will consider adopting, again. Next time, I'm hoping for a girl.

I'm so thankful Marty took the time to do this. If you have any other questions, ask in the comments and I'll try to get him to answer them, too.

Blessings,
Mandy and Marty

She's waited long enough...

2011-12-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have looked at this little girl's picture again and again. I've read her story. How in a country where children with extra chromosomes are shut away and deemed less worthy, Kate has found a place. She is so amazing that even people taught to believe she is less worthy have seen value in her life.

What does Kate still need, though? A Mom and a Dad. It's quite simple. She's an orphan. No matter how you look at Kate's circumstances they are less than ideal, because no child should have to grow up without parents. I happen to think this one is pretty spectacular. She is funny, loving, smart and waiting to be loved. She is beautiful.

Today is Kate's 8th birthday. 8 years this precious Christmas baby has waited to be chosen. I'm praying that this will be Kate's last birthday without a family. Her last birthday as an orphan. Will you please share her story? Here's her profile on Reece's Rainbow, where you can learn more about her: Kate

I am resolving to do more for the orphans this year. Will you join me? Let's give more, pray more, advocate more and maybe even adopt a couple of our own in 2012. What do you think? You have a place in orphan care. Will you do what you can to find out what that place is and then walk in obedience?

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Reece's Rainbow on ABC News!

2011-12-26T17:51:00.000-08:00

Link to video! I'm excited to share this video with you. Marty and I enjoyed following along on the Cox Family's Blog as they journeyed into the Ukraine to pick up Mia and bring her home. We were so blessed to watch as Mia became part of a family, knowing that we were at the beginning of our own adoption adventure.

We can't wait to have our boys home, too! Look what fun Mia is having on the other side of the (Reece's) Rainbow!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Save a Life!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Away in a Manger

2011-12-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head

The Stars in the Sky looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

Be near them, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay

Close by them forever and love them, I pray

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care

and fit us for Heaven to live with thee there

2,000 years ago, He came.

He stepped out of Heaven and into the flesh of humanity.

He came to make the sad things come untrue.

He came to bring light into a darkened world.

He came to be Emmanuel-God with Us!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We're so glad you came.

Wishing you each a Merry Christmas and the JOY of knowing the truth (Jesus)!

Blessings,

Mandy

One Year

2011-12-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

Marty's working and the kids are in bed. I'm sitting by the Christmas tree, enjoying the peace and quiet. Thinking ahead to what next Christmas will be like. I will be the mother of four children. Next year, I will have a 10 year old (where has the time gone), two 7 year olds, and a 5 year old. Life will be so full that I wonder if I will have a quiet moment to collect my thoughts, to reflect on the year gone by.

Look at what this year has brought into our lives. Last Christmas, adoption wasn't even on our radar. God was changing some things in our lives, shaking things up, stirring up old gifts. We had that unsettled feeling like God was calling us somewhere, but where? We were pressing in, like never before, trying to hear His voice in the busyness of life. Then I saw a picture of a little girl, named Olga.

I stumbled upon my friend, Patti's blog, a few weeks before Christmas I read this post. I read these words, "Olga turns five next month. In Eastern Europe, babies with Down Syndrome are deemed unacceptable at birth. Olga has spent her life in an orphanage...until now. Soon she will be transferred to a mental institution. Forever." I thought, "What is she talking about?" My journey into the world of what it means to be born with down syndrome or any other special need in Eastern Europe began here. Thank God, for Patti and for the obedience of Andrea who started Reece's Rainbow to help these precious children. Over the next couple of months, God would break my heart, Marty's heart, Eli and Julianna's hearts until it moved our hands and feet. The staggering reality that we have so much and they are dying hit home like never before.

Did we want to turn away? Did we long to pretend that we had not seen and did not know the truth? With every part of our humanity. We were comfortable. Our lives were full and blessed and we didn't need any more children. But, were there children who needed us? I am weeping as I type this post. God used Patti to open our eyes to the truth. God used Olga to shake us out of our complacency. God began to speak clearly to our hearts. He had at least one son waiting for us on the other side of the ocean. Were we brave enough to trust Him? Could we step out of the boat and keep our eyes focused on our Savior? Could we answer the call to help the orphans?

We didn't think we'd qualify. Who were we to think we could adopt extra special children? Who did we think we were that anyone would trust us with such an awesome responsibility. Yet, we knew God wanted us to do this.

We're not special. We're not "called" to adopt, anymore than anyone else. We don't feel like we're doing anything admirable or praise worthy. In fact, it feels strange when people tell us how blessed our boys will be to have us. How lucky they are that we chose them. Very strange, because we know that we are the ones who are blessed. James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." We're not doing anything extraordinary or radical. We are simply living out our faith.

It's amazing to know that one blog post, written by one of the most faithful women I have come to know on this journey, helped us find our sons. God simply needs yielded vessels, willing to do whatever He asks. If you love Him, you do have a place in orphan care. Your life will change forever, if you'll allow Him to break your heart until it moves your hands and feet.

Check out the reward...

Next year, these boys will be under our Christmas tree! We'll be on a new adventure and we can't wait to see what God has in store.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something, you won't regret it!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Praising God this Morning!

2011-12-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

I just can't explain the JOY I felt when I read this post! God is so much bigger than we will ever begin to understand. The way that He weaves our lives into a beautiful tapestry that gives Him the glory. What seemed hopeless a week ago, now has HOPE! Shane and Oleg have a family coming!

Not just any family, but one who is ready to bring them home, now! They will be heading over to pick the boys up in January. God knows, He sees. There is nothing too big for Him. When we pray, He moves.

Only God could tell this story, so well. I am reminded, once again, of just how small I am. How I don't see the bigger picture. I keep hearing the verse from Romans echoing in my heart, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Praising God that He is working things out for the good of two little orphaned boys. What a wonderful Christmas gift.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...it matters!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Questions and Answers from Marty?

2011-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

Wondering if you'd like to hear from Marty? It's not often we get to hear the Dad's perspective. We're thinking of doing a Q and A post, where Marty answers commonly asked questions about our adoption and our boys. Do you have a question you'd like Marty to answer? If so, ask it now, this may be your only opportunity to hear from my man. Ask whatever you'd like to and don't worry about offending us. We're not easily offended. We'll do our best to give you real, honest information.

Blessings,
Mandy and my reluctant husband, Marty.

New Blog Design?

2011-12-20T17:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, I need honest opinions. Do you like the new design? I'm still working out some kinks and technology is not really my friend. I think, it's easier to read. I enlarged the font size, went to black and white, because I had some complaints about the color scheme. I updated the boys pictures at the top. Just let me know if there's anything I should change. I hope you like it. I tried to make it comfortable and welcoming, so you'll stop by more often.

Blessings,
Mandy

White Elephant Gift #3 Winner

2011-12-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

The winner of our third gift is Brooke K. Brooke is great about sharing our story and even does giveaways for us sometimes, so it was nice to see Random.org choose #3 and realize it was Brooke! What did Brooke win?

A $10 Target Giftcard and a copy of the book,

Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith: What If You Gave It All to God?

I'd love to post a picture, but my computer is being crazy. For instance, it's capitalizing everything i type. How strange?

Anyways, congratulations, brooke! I'll be in touch.

Blessings,

Mandy

It's Christmas Time...

2011-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time...we love Christmas at our house. We love the celebration of Jesus' birth. We love the family time, the giving of gifts to friends and family. It's not feeling like Christmas time this year, though. We are struggling to find the Christmas Spirit. There are two little boys who are missing from our home. There are gifts ready for them under the tree. There are empty beds and empty rooms. There are closets quickly filling with little clothes. There are books waiting to be read. There are arms waiting to hold and secrets waiting to be told. Two little boys missing, it's making Christmas time a little sad in our house this year.

Then, at church this morning came the gentle reminder from Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." Our sons were born under the law, just as we were. They were born under a law that said they were useless and worthless and not worth keeping. Sound familiar? Thank God that when the time had fully come He sent his Son. At the beginning of this journey, we knew that we were being called to help make the sad things of this world come untrue for our boys, just as Christ has done and is doing for each of us. The law and the demands of the law have been met in Christ Jesus. We are free! Our freedom is what allows us to love our sons so much and so completely. Not to see flaws or imperfections, but to see the beauty that God sees.

This year God is giving our family the gifts of faith and trust. He is encouraging our hearts and renewing the belief that everything works together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. If this pain is a necessary step in the journey to our sons, we will take it, knowing that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion...

They are coming home, just not as soon as we'd like them to. But God has a plan for our lives and in the fullness of time, at exactly the moment of His choosing, our sons will come home. Not by accident or by chance or by coincidence, but by divine appointment and intervention and direction. Because He willed it to be so...they are coming HOME.

I think, I wrote this post more for my own heart than for anyone else, but I will publish it and pray that it encourages you. That no matter what the circumstances are in your life, God has a plan, an appointment with your circumstances. We don't get to set the time or move God's hand for Him, we just get to trust that Daddy's got this! The battle is already won and victory is ours, because Jesus finished it all on the cross.

Blessings,
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-12-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

The news is not good for these two little boys. I shared them last week and I'm going to share them, again, today. They need families or a family, now! The orphanage can not hold them any longer. They are being transferred to an adult mental institution. My heart is breaking. Little Oleg is 6 years old and the size of a 2 year old (sound familiar) and I don't know how long he'll survive in an institution. Here is a new picture of him from this week...

Please, understand that age is just a number. Oleg needs a Mommy and a Daddy. He has over $7,000 in grant money. That means he can come home for around $18,000 more. If you add Shane in along with his grant of $2500, you're looking at a little over $15,000 to save both boys from life in a mental institution.

Here's Shane's new picture from this week.

Please do not allow these boys to become "Lost Boys." You can read their Reece's Rainbow profiles. Shane and Oleg, they need to come home. Share their stories. Pray and cry out to God to move mountains on their behalf. What can you do to change the lives of these little boys? What will you do to change the lives of these little boys?

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

White Elephant Gift #3

2011-12-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the break. Busy getting some Christmas stuff together. Anyways, back to our White Elephant giveaway. Today's gift is something to read and encourage your heart, along with a little something to spend. Hopefully, it will be enough to make you smile.

Same as before...free entry for sharing and two entries for every $5 you donate. A winner will be drawn tomorrow around noon. I hope you're enjoying our little giveaways as much as I'm enjoying blessing my friends.

Every dollar is a dollar closer to our boys coming home. Keep sharing!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Blessings,
Mandy

White Elephant Gift #2 Winner!

2011-12-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

The winner of today's White Elephant Gift is Cherona F.

It's this great thermal tote from 31 in Paparazzi Dots.

I hope you enjoy it Cherona!

Thanks to everyone who donated and shared.

There is another White Elephant Gift coming soon!

Blessings,

Mandy

White Elephant Gift #2

2011-12-13T17:06:00.000-08:00

How much fun is this? First a photo of yesterday's White Elephant Gift and the winner is Jaime K.

A mid-size Enchanted warmer from Scentsy along with a Black Raspberry Vanilla Bar and a Sweet Pea and Vanilla Bar. I told you it was going to be good! I hope you didn't miss your chance. If you did, no worries. I have more prizes!

We'll keep using the same chip-in on the right hand side of the blog. Your donations are dated, so it's easy to know who's entering the current giveaway. Today's gift is less about a number and more about keeping your food/drinks cool in style. I hope you like the Paparazzi as much as I do. To earn your chance to win is simple. Share this post for one entry and make a $5 donation for 2 entries. Every $5 earns you 2 entries, so if you give $20 you earned 8 entries. Easy enough?

This giveaway will close tomorrow night at 8pm EST. Don't miss your chance to enter and as always, thanks for helping bring our boys home!

Blessings,
Mandy

White Elephant Gift!

2011-12-12T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm going to do some super fast giveaways over the next few days. The catch is you have to trust me, because we're doing this White Elephant style. Our first gift will be a delight to your "scents"es. Your guests this Holiday season will love the smells coming from your home and there's no need to worry about burning down the house. This giveaway will end in 24 hours and I will ship the item to the winner on the next day.

How do you enter? As always you can earn an entry by simply sharing on facebook. A $5 donation will get you 2 entries and let's just keep this simple and say each additional $5 will earn you 2 additional entries. There's no minimum that we need to reach. I have the item here and I want to bless one of you with it! I promise, you will love it!

I will post a picture of the prize when I announce the winner, so don't be disappointed if you don't get an entry in and miss out on this awesome prize.

Spread the word!

Blessings,
Mandy

Winners of the Christmas Cash!

2011-12-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

All winners have been notified! I will list them here with first name, last initials only. I'm so excited for those of you who won and I hope it makes each of your Christmas' a little brighter! It's so fun to be a blessing. I wish I had gift cards to give to each of you who have prayed, shared and donated as we take this journey. All entries were assigned numbers and Random.org chose the winners.

Amazon $250 gift card goes to Kristin W. Kristin shared our giveaway nearly 20 times and her persistence paid off! Don't ever think your sharing doesn't make a difference. There are lots of people who come to this blog regularly, now, because of Kristin's faithfulness. It is a pleasure to be blessing her family with this gift for Christmas.

$100 Wal-Mart gift card goes to a youth pastor with a huge heart for orphans, Jonathan B. I've never met Jonathan, but he's been a big supporter ever since he learned of our adoption. Thanks, Jonathan!

$50 Sears gift card to Sabrina G. I don't know Sabrina and she didn't leave any message with her chip-in donation, so I'm hoping she'll give me details when she responds to my email saying she's a winner. I'd love to know how she found us. In fact, if you follow here, I'd love to know how you found our blog. Please, feel free to share in the comments.

$50 Lowe's gift card to Kathleen B. Kathleen left us a lovely note of encouragement. She is the Mom of a 22 year old young man with down syndrome. Thank you Kathleen for giving and encouraging us. I can't wait to one day be where you are in this journey. To look back and know that we've been loving our boys for longer than they were orphaned, to see the young men that God wants them to become.

$50 Toys R Us gift card to Christine S. Christine is a fellow adoptive Mom. She's in the process of adopting a little boy with down syndrome from the same country as our boys. I'm always amazed by the generosity of our Reece's Rainbow family. They give and give and give some more, even when their own needs are great.

Our family is incredibly blessed by each of you and your generosity. There will be more giveaways in the future and some fun things happening between now and Christmas, so don't feel like you missed out, just keep on coming back. We love you and pray for you daily that God would bless you and encourage you in the same way you have blessed us.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Change for Change?

2011-12-10T04:04:00.000-08:00

Wondering how many of my friends will stop whatever they're doing, RIGHT NOW, and clean out the change from the bottom of your purse, the couch cushions and the car. Then, donate it through the chip-in on the right hand side of the blog. It's tax deductible and will earn you at least 1 entry into our Christmas Cash Giveaway. Who knows? Maybe you're spare change will become a $250 Amazon gift card in time for Christmas shopping.

Go NOW or send your children on a hunt. It will make a difference. I know, you're thinking my change couldn't possibly be enough to matter, but it is! If you go on a change hunt and make a donation, leave me a message here or on the giveaway that you did so. There will be a little something "extra" in it for you. Take the time to be the change you want to see in the world. It matters to these two...

Today, is the last day of our Christmas Cash Giveaway. Help us finish strong, so we can bring these boys home!

Blessings,
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-12-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been quite a long break. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures and stories of our visits with Joseph and Samuel. As much as I'd like to just stay in this happy place, it's really not about me.

It's about the fatherless children who are waiting to be chosen. There are so many of them. I want to share some boys with you that many won't even consider. I'm not judging, we were there at the beginning of our adoption journey. We were sure we'd be bringing home a little boy, under the age of 4 years old. Everything you read tells you that who a child will be is determined by the time they're 5 years old and that you can't ever catch up on those first 5 years, if the early childhood education is missed. After spending a week with our Joseph, I can honestly say, "They're wrong." Those experts have obviously never been where we've been or held the precious child who is 6, 7, 8, 9 years old and still waiting to be loved, chosen, accepted.

Children are children. Age is really just a number. They want to belong to someone. So, here are the boys who wait, because they are boys, because they are "older" children. Under each boys photo you can click on their name to learn more about them on Reece's Rainbow. Please, join me in praying and advocating for these precious littles who just simply need families...

Oleg lost his family this week and is facing transfer to the institution. He has a grant over $7,000 and can be adopted with Shane (pictured below). They look like they belong together to me.

Shane also has a decent grant ($2500) and needs a family, now!

Samuel is 11 years old and only has $11 in his grant. Is he your son? If not, maybe you want to help Samuel by sharing his story and donating to his grant.

Andrue, who was taken home by his birth family until he was nine months old. At nine months old, he was abandoned at the hospital, when it was determined that he had down syndrome. My heart is breaking, is yours? Andrue has been waiting, in an orphanage, for over six years for a family to choose him.

Mitko is doing so well according to his report. He's only missing one thing...a family!

Please, take a few minutes and pray. Ask God to show you if one of these boys or another from the Older Boys page on Reece's Rainbow is your son. They're just children who need families. It's really not as hard as we make it. They need a home and we have homes. Let's be Jesus to these children.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

Just pictures of the boys we miss...

2011-12-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

Joseph hanging out with his Daddy. Such a tiny love...

Beautiful, blue-eyed boy...don't be fooled, he's about to get into something.

Missing our boys, today. Praying they're safe and warm.

Thank you to each of our friends who have joined us on this most incredible journey.

We're in the homestretch and we have a feeling it's going to be the hardest part of the journey.

We need you all to be our intercessors and encouragers as we finish this race.

We love each of you and thank God that he sent you this way.

Blessings,

Marty, Mandy, Eli, Julie, Joseph and Samuel

What's Comes Next?

2011-12-07T03:11:00.000-08:00

We're home from our first visit with the boys and guess what happens now? More paperwork! It's not nearly as much as the first time around, but it has to be done. I'm finally feeling awake enough to conquer it, so our goals for today are Christmas decorations and 2nd stage dossier preparations. We will have to submit with the USCIS (United Stated Citizenship and Immigration Services) and wait for their final official approval of our adoption. Then, a judge will be appointed, a court date set. At that court date the boys will become our legal children and we'll be able to pick them up within a month of court. This whole process should take 4 months, if we don't hit any snags. Please, pray we don't hit any snags. We want our boys home!

What else will we be doing in the next 4 months? Finishing up our fundraising. How much do we still need?$9,500. I'm going to find a new ticker and get it set up so everyone can watch as we knock this last $9500 out. Ways you can help?

By entering to win some Christmas Cash! We have $450 in gift cards, we're giving away, here. Enter for your chance to win and help bring home Joseph and Samuel.

By making a purchase through Ordinary Hero and using Rhodes, Amanda as the affiliate at checkout. There's a link on the right hand side of the blog. We have an additional giveaway going on with that. You can read about it here. Special thanks to Susan, again, for taking the time to write that post for me.

By praying and praying some more. Maybe you have no money to give, but prayer changes things. It moves hearts. You can also share our story with your friends and family. Maybe they're looking for someway to be a blessing to an orphan this Christmas season.

In 4 days, we're going to start a couple of really fun, fast giveaways. 24 hours each and you should have your gift by Christmas. Entries will only be $5 this time around, so maybe some friends who haven't been able to participate in the past, we'll be able to win a nice gift in time for Christmas.

We'll also be giving away a small gift to random friends, family and strangers who have given, prayed, shared throughout this past year. You don't have to give anything else, we just have a list of friends who have participated in our journey and we'll be choosing some to give a little something extra to. We know that's not why you gave, prayed, shared, encouraged, but we want you to know that we realize we could not be here without you.

Blessings,
Mandy

They're more than numbers-Part 2

2011-12-06T02:38:00.000-08:00

You can read Part 1 here. Now, where were we? Right, the unlikely candidate.

In a group of 20 children, a little girl, who we will call Lily-Anne (changing names for privacy) is around 8 years old. She is clearly the leader of this group. She is like the oldest child in a family, because really that's what this little group is to each other. They fight like brothers and sisters and they love like brothers and sisters. Lily-Anne is the caretaker. She settles their fights and has a true sense of fairness. She hugs the little ones and comforts them when they fall. Lily-Anne has a beautiful smile, tan skin, dark eyes and hair. She is Roma in her heritage (Gypsy) and in her country that fact alone is why she remains an orphan. No one will adopt a Gypsy child. Lily-Anne looks and acts just like any other child in her situation would. She seems so strong. She watches as parents come and choose her friends to be their children and she still loves.

I lost count of how many times we watched as Lily-Anne shared her snack with a younger child, broke up a fight, ran an errand for a teacher. She has such a helper's heart. Marty and I watched as this precious child smacked herself in the face with a toy one afternoon. She was taking it from one little guy to give to another and he let go faster than she thought he would. The plastic toy struck her hard in the face and caused her lip to swell and bleed, just a little. We've all been there and it hurts. I put my hand on Lily-Anne's shoulder. I wanted to be sure she was okay. Lily-Anne lifted her tear filled eyes and smiled at me. She would not allow herself to cry or to be comforted and she walked away for a few minutes by herself. Marty and I looked at each other over the tops of little heads and our hearts broke even more.

We only had just a second to think about Lily-Anne, because there were at least 6 others demanding our attention. We talked, later, about how sad it was and God just kept bringing Lily-Anne back to my mind. Lily-Anne's only special need is that she needs a family. She is the hands and feet of Jesus to the other children in that orphanage. She is mothering them. Yet, who holds Lily-Anne when she's hurt? Who is her safe place? When does she get to just be a child? Where is her Mama? God was asking, "Do you see? Do you feel what I feel? Is your heart breaking?"

God's heart is breaking for Lily-Anne. She was born into a broken world. She doesn't feel valuable or lovable or worthy of being held and comforted. You can point fingers at a society who doesn't except her because of her skin color (we aren't to far from that place in our own history, so I'd be careful) or you can point a finger at the church. While God's heart is breaking for Lily-Anne it is also broken I'm sure by the lack of compassion coming from within His own body to care for Lily-Anne and all the others like her.

God used Lily-Anne to show me that each child has a story. They are all more than numbers. They are little souls waiting on us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They will wait and hope until the day they turn 18 and even then they will wish for a family.

Special needs, boys, girls, healthy, Gypsy, Black, White...they all need families. We all need families. They all have a story. They are all more than numbers. They laugh, cry, love and hurt the same ways that our children do. Please, do something. God is watching how we will respond to these children and their great need. We have the answer. We are the answer. The church has everything it needs to end the orphan crisis. We have enough beds and hopefully, enough love to go around.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Please, pray for Lily-Anne, too.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

They're more than numbers-Part 1

2011-12-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

The mission was clear. We were there to meet our sons. We knew the numbers, the statistics, the sad reality the orphans were facing and we were there to do our part. Then, we walked into an orphanage and the numbers stopped mattering. The mission changed, again. God said, "Do you see? Do you feel what I feel? Is your heart breaking?"

We were prayed up, prepared, ready to go and then, their little faces were in front of us. Not just "our" boys, but all of "God's" children, too. They were smiling and hoping for a kind word or a gentle touch. Some were shy and hung back, inching their way closer to see this American Mama and Papa who had come for their friend. Others came full steam ahead and planted themselves in our laps and in our faces. They loved with abandon, soaking up all that they could until the next Mama and Papa on a rescue mission came through the doors and offered a warm lap to climb in and it was heartbreaking and soul-crushing to see them there. They climbed into our hearts and now they won't let go.

All of the children we met during our first week had special needs. They were the "least of these." There was no physical beauty that would make you desire them. There needs were great and our hearts broke a little more each day. Then, we moved on leaving one son behind and heading to another place to meet our next son. What we found here was different. Our child and one other were the babies and 2 of only 3 with special needs. I wouldn't even say they have special needs, really. And, we thought we could breath, again. The weight felt a little lighter, easier to bear. As we witnessed these 20 children, in an orphanage hidden away at what felt like the end of the world, play and laugh and love each other and their teachers/caretakers.

It was different here, but God wasn't finished teaching. He said, "Do you see? Do you feel what I feel? Is your heart breaking?" These aren't just numbers either. God always uses the most unlikely people to change our hearts the most, but that's the rest of the story and you'll have to come back tomorrow to hear it...

In the meantime, Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...they're more than numbers.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Day 4 with Samuel and a Guest Post

2011-12-01T10:09:00.000-08:00

I told Marty when we walked in the door that I was exhausted and didn't feel much like blogging so he said, "Just post a few pictures." While I waited for my camera to load them to the computer I checked my email. My friend, Susan had written a post for me. How great is God? Every little detail covered. So, you read Susan's post and then you will find pictures at the bottom from today's visit. Susan is my friend who told me about Ordinary Hero's to begin with, so this is fitting.

Change the World for One Family

Ordinary Hero's slogan is "Change the World for One," but we have an opportunity to do more than that! We can come together and help change the world for one family. I've never met Mandy and Marty, but I've followed their story since this past May. Remember when we were all waiting for Mandy to reveal the boys' names? So much has happened since then and so much more needs to happen to bring their sons home.

Ordinary Hero has kicked off a grant contest with the top three sellers receiving a $500 grant. There are 70 followers of this blog. If we all use the button on the side bar to go to the OH store, we can make a difference. If we all buy a Christmas ornament for $10, that would be $700 in sales. Mandy and Marty would get $280 of that and most likely be a top seller (based on totals of past grant winners) and win one of the $500 grants. That means you invest $10 and they get $780! The ornaments are a perfect reminder that you helped Change the World for One FAMILY!

Don't need another ornament? Go to the "Product Donations for Children in Africa" and you can change the world for a child in Africa as you help the Rhodes family. Bibles and raincoats are just two of the needs. If we all bought a bible, that would be $1746.50 in sales; $698.6 of that for the family plus the $500 grant would mean $1198.60 to bring those boys home! There are shirts and jewelry and other items as well.

To be sure the Rhodes get credit for your purchase, you must choose Rhodes, Amanda from the long drop-down menu at check out. It is located under your billing address, and labeled "Affiliate Name."

I'm going to kick things off with an ornament and a bible. But, I'm going to do something else, too. For anyone who makes a purchase before the grant ends on Sunday December 11th at 11:59pm CST, your name will be put in a drawing for a silver OH travel tumbler. Check them out in the "On the GO" section. Mandy will have to say weather she can see who makes a purchase or if you need to leave a comment below to be entered.

Are you wondering by now why someone who's never met this family would be so interested in seeing Joseph and Samuel come home? Because that is a side-effect of adoption. I have adopted two boys that were considered "special needs" and found that their biggest need was the love of a forever family. That is what Mandy, Marty, Eli and Julie can do for Joseph and Samuel. And they will get so much in return.

So, while Mandy and Marty love on their boys and travel home, we can do something here and now. We can Change the World for One Family.

The link is on the right hand side of the blog. Thanks, Susan for doing the hard work for me, today! You were right on time.

Here's your pictures...

Happy to see Samuel this morning.

It was Mommy's day for squish your face off loving.

Which quickly turned to wipe your nasty green snot all over Mommy's face, so she has something to remember you by. It was hysterical!

What's not to love? I'll take whatever he's giving...

Blessings,

Mandy

Day 3 with Samuel

2011-11-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

There just are not words to tell you how sweet this little man is. Unfortunately, he's every bit as rotten as he is sweet. He and his little friend are the babies at the orphanage and to say they get there way is an understatement. Who knew you could spoil an orphan? He's very good at getting what he wants. Like when he wants his Daddy to tickle him, he bribes him...

I said, "Oh, Marty, he's got your number." Marty said, "They all do." Which is so true. The easiest way to get this Daddy to co-operate is to give him some love and they all know it!

We had so much fun, today. Samuel pretended his blocks were a car and drove the car on the table for awhile. Then, we played ball and with his sing-a-ma-jig. He is just so much fun. This afternoon we played outside, again. It was cold and he has a nasty cough, so we only stayed for about an hour this afternoon. Samuel's favorite thing to do is clean! He loves to dust and sweep. We need this child at our house. The sooner, the better. Okay. I'm rambling. Here's what you're waiting for...

Mommy and Samuel

Daddy and Samuel

Favorite of the day...

Thanks for checking in on us! I hope you enjoyed the pictures and video. We get to go back tomorrow!

Blessings,

Mandy

2011-11-29T21:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a moment where you're sure, positive, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are seeing God revealed in the life of another? I had one, yesterday afternoon. I came home and was simply exhausted. Our days are long and full and tiring. I pulled up facebook and in just a few minutes had a message from a dear friend. My friend, Connie and her family are adopting a little boy named Ethan from the same country as us. In fact they will travel this same path in just 3 weeks time. Connie has 5 beautiful daughters. They are fearfully and wonderfully made and while they are stunning on the outside, the Jesus on the inside of them is breathtaking.

I tell my children often that we are the salt and the light of the world, that God is calling us to lay up our treasures in Heaven. I have posted about the enormous amounts of money that we will spend as a nation on Christmas, while children wait to be rescued, while children starve to death. We will buy those much needed video games, electronics, toys, things, junk. Idols the enemy uses to distract us, to ensure that when we arrive in Heaven our treasures will be light and easy to carry.

Back to my Jesus encounter. Connie's 13 year old daughter, Victoria decided to give her Christmas money toward our family's adoption. All of it. Do you know how humbling that is? How encouraging it is to our hearts? To see that the next generation gets it. Her parents have lived life in such a way that Jesus has spilled over into her. She has been led by example, discipled and encouraged to walk in Kingdom truths. She is running hard after the heart of God, longing to be used, to be the hands and feet of Jesus and so she gives. She gives ALL that she has to give, with no thought of herself.

I think of all the times I've asked my friends to simply give up a Starbucks and the response is sad. Then I see Victoria's gift and I know a little child shall lead them. Will you be encouraged by Victoria's generous gift? Will you meet her here with an offering? It doesn't have to be to our family. There are so many who need money to finish their adoptions. In fact you can read Victoria's family's journey to Ethan here. Will you let your light shine?

Victoria, shining brightly...

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Victoria does!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Any encouraging words you leave here for Victoria, I'll be sure to pass along.

2nd Day with Samuel

2011-11-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

He has the sweetest laugh, ever. He has so much personality and knows his own mind. He can turn that pout on quick. Obviously, we're going to have work on that when he gets home. For now, it is too cute.

We met lots of people at the orphanage, today. We met Samuel's doctor, his favorite teacher and his speech therapist. They all love him and he loves them. His teacher is his FAVORITE!

They will be sad to let him leave. He is well loved. There are only about 20 children in his orphanage. He and his best friend (a sweet little girl who is a month younger and also has an extra chromosome) are the youngest here and the only with special needs. The other children are very kind to them and they are all willing to share their food and toys (which is huge for children in an orphanage). He's being well taken care of and it will make leaving him behind a little easier. We're so grateful that God has him in such a good place.

We didn't get a lot of pictures, today. Our camera batteries died pretty early into our morning visit. We have lots of videos, but they take FOREVER to load, so this will have to do for now. We're going to watch a movie before bed. Then, we'll do better with pictures, tomorrow. For now, here's a favorite from yesterday.

Thank you to everyone who continues to give and encourage us! Thank you for loving us and our kids.

Blessings,
Mandy

Our first meeting with Samuel

2011-11-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

What a long and wonderful day. To say that we are blessed, just doesn't even begin to cover it. Let's start at the beginning...we left our hotel and drove for nearly 2 hours before we found the orphanage. They don't want people to know they have forgotten children here, so the orphanages are often in remote villages. This boy was worth the drive. We met the director and chatted for a few minutes and then in comes our boy. He has a haircut and has grown some, so he looks different, but I only need to see his little bent right ear to know it's really him. He is so full of life and personality. We knew he was going to be different than Joseph and we gave him his space and let him come to us. It took about 10-15 minutes and then, he was in my lap, cuddled up, like we'd been friends forever...

He's very healthy and seems to be happy and well loved at his orphanage. I was a little concerned that they had moved him, not long after we committed to him, but he has handled the move just fine. It probably helped that his little friend went with him. I'm going to see about getting a photo of the two of them, so he'll be able to remember her. He liked to play ball and be tossed in the air by his Daddy and by Marty (Toni's brother, I know, it's confusing).

In the afternoon, we played outside with some of the other children. We really enjoyed seeing them all and were encouraged to see how well Samuel interacted. He shares well and only pushed a couple of times. He likes to ride the little car and is very co-ordinated. We're already thinking about baby gates and ways to wear this boy out. He's busy! Alright, here's what you're waiting for...

When he wanted to be thrown up in the air, he would point up and bounce a little. He knows how to get his point across.

He also pouts, if Marty doesn't move fast enough to suit him. It may be difficult to tell this one no.

He is beautiful with his big blue eyes...

Checking out his family. Love his expressions.

He loves to ride this car and the older kids are very nice and share with him. He's one of the youngest here and the older children seem to be very kind to him.

To all of my adopting friends, do not leave home without one of these little magnetic boards. You can get them at Wal-Mart for $1 and so far, both of our boys have loved them. All the other children like them, too. Marty and I think we will bring some back for them when we return.

Friends, I want to say this, too. We have no idea how we ended up so blessed. God gave us Eli and Julianna and then led us down this path to Joseph and Samuel. We are humbled by the process and in awe of God's mighty hand working in our lives. If you are considering adoption, please, don't hesitate. There are many beautiful children, who just need Moms and Dads to love them. They long to be a part of a family. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, you'll end up so blessed, that you'll forget you were trying to serve.

More tomorrow, in the meantime...Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

The Work of God Displayed in a Life

2011-11-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

As I'm reading my Bible, today, these words from John 9:1-3 leaped off the page at me.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him,"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

Many will look at our boys and see their differences and may ask, "Who sinned to cause this child to be different?" I assure you that Marty and I have seen God's purpose in Joseph's life clearly on display this week. It was not because anyone sinned that our boy was born with an extra chromosome, but simply to allow the work of God to be displayed in his life.

We so often question whether a Holy, Righteous God loves us. The miracle that is happening for our boys should prove without any doubt that God loves each of us. That he would take the time to move heaven and earth for an extra-special orphan boy means he is compassionate in his care toward each of us. Whether or not Joseph ever learns to talk or walk (and we believe that he will do these things) his life will forever display the work and glory of God. We will share his testimony, the one about a boy frozen in time, waiting 6 and 1/2 years to be chosen. Waiting for someone to be obedient to God's call and to snatch him back from death. You see not too much longer and Joseph would have been transferred to a different kind of place, a sadder place, where he most likely would not have survived. God called and we obeyed and Joseph's life has the fingerprints of God all over it.

He was not born with Down Syndrome, because someone sinned, but so that God could receive the glory for the work he would do for Joseph. He sets the lonely in families and our family is overwhelmed by his greatness in allowing us to love this lonely child. He will come home and grow and learn about Jesus and be a favored son of the house. The work of redemption and restoration started this week and will continue for many years to come for Joseph.

If you're considering adoption, consider the next words of Jesus in John 9:4-5.

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

The voice of Jesus calls. He longs for us to be a light in this dark world, to do the work the Father has laid out for us. There are many more lonely children waiting for families. Won't you join us and watch as God performs miracles in your own life and the life of a child?

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something, the night is coming.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Black Friday

2011-11-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving at home. We're missing the day with Eli and Julie and the rest of our friends and family. We're thankful for the time here with Joseph and next week with Samuel, but it's still hard to miss a special day with our other kids.

Tomorrow will be an even more difficult day...Black Friday. Normally, I love to shop on Black Friday. This year it seems to have a whole new meaning. Black Friday. The day we will leave Joseph behind and pray that God will continue to watch over him and speed our journey back here to him. Our 20 pound, 6 year old, who lives mostly in his own world, we'll leave him behind. Covered in prayers, we'll stand firmly believing that God has him in his hands. It will still break our hearts.

While our friends and family spend hundreds of dollars this holiday season, starting tomorrow with Black Friday sales, we are faced with the challenge of $10,000 that still stands between us and bringing our boys home. It's a daunting task.

Do you love us? Have you fallen in love with Joseph this week? Will you help or will you turn away? Your silence speaks volumes. We need you. We even have prizes...Christmas Cash Giveaway. We're praying that God will move on your hearts. If you're going to shop tomorrow, will you skip Starbucks and help bring our boys home instead?

It's humbling to ask for help again and again, but when I look at this beautiful boy, I know it's worth it.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Day 4 with Joseph

2011-11-24T03:50:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful visit with Joseph, today. We missed the afternoon visit, yesterday. Joseph had an allergic reaction and had to go to the infirmary. He had a shot and is all better, today. We were able to take him out into the city to have his Visa photo made. What a chore. They need a head shot that shows both ears and our boy is not an easy one to photograph. After many tears, we finally got an acceptable shot. It's not great, but it will do.

He was quite out of sorts by the time we got back to our little room to finish our visit. It took about 30 minutes for him to settle in and relax. Then, imagine my surprise when after another 15 minutes or so, Joseph turned around on my lap to face me. This is huge for him. He doesn't like to make eye contact or have you in his space, so he mostly faces away from us when we hold him. Marty didn't get to hold him except for on the car ride, because he was so distressed when we made it back to the orphanage and once he settled, we thought it best not to move him.

We have one more visit this afternoon and one visit tomorrow morning and then it is time to leave our boy and head back to the capital city. We will be so sad to say, Goodbye. He is a love and we can't wait to have him home with us. I've been calling him Cookie Monster, because he loves food and he makes a sound that sounds just like Cookie Monster...nom, nom, nom.

Here's your pictures :)

Riding in Mitko's van. He loved the vibrations, the bumpier, the better.

He loves to have his hand and arm rubbed.

He flipped himself over and got comfy.

He decided maybe he'd like to see what this Mommy business is all about.

Favorite of the visit! Don't you want to squish those cheeks?

Thanks for taking the time to check in on us! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Mandy

Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

It will be Thanksgiving soon for our friends and family at home in the USA. I know you are all probably sure of what I am thankful for today. I think this post will surprise you some though.

Our journey into Eastern Europe and the time spent with the people here have impacted us a great deal. One man, in particular, our driver and translator, Mitko (Meet Koe) has opened our eyes to this country and all that we have to be thankful for in ours. Mitko is a soft spoken, gentle, kind-hearted man. When Mitko talks you want to listen. As we travel and dine with Mitko, he shares about his country and his life. He talks of a childhood, where his favorite memories were time spent on his grandparents farm. He paints a beautiful picture of a loving God-fearing couple. He tells how his grandfather used to pray before meals, much the way that Marty and I take time to bless our food and give thanks to God for providing it. Then, he says that communism robbed most of this country of their faith. "Most of us are athiests, now."

You see, there are many in the USA, today, who would like the government to provide them with things free of charge. Mitko would tell you with great certainty that nothing comes free of charge. It has been an honor to see this country through Mitko's eyes. Mitko's grandparents and their neighbors were forced to leave their homes, so that the government could tear them down and build apartments. People were allowed only to own one one-bedroom flat/apartment and no more, regardless of the size of their family.

It is amazing to hear Mitko talk of his nineteen year old daughter and how she is going to University in Italy. On one hand the Dad wishes for a more traditional life for his daughter and on the other you can hear the pride in his voice. You can also hear the awe. At one time not too long ago, Mitko would have needed a special pass or permit from his government to travel within 10 miles of the border. Only the most trusted citizens were ever allowed outside of the country.

Mitko never mentions the end of communism without telling you exactly how long it's been since it ended. 22 years ago the communist reign ended here in Eastern Europe. Mitko doesn't estimate. He never says around 20 years ago, it's always 22 years, like he's counting the days since he was set free. That's exactly how he describes it, too. This new life without communist rule has been a struggle for this nation, but they are finding their way. They are enjoying their freedoms. They do not take these freedoms lightly. They value the ability and privilege to be able to work hard and carve out a place for themselves and for their children. Mitko often says that when under the communist reign people never had to think for themselves and so, even your thoughts are a new freedom here. Deciding where to go and when to go and what job you will work, all freedoms that we take for granted.

I want to remember to be thankful that I was born free. I know nothing different. My prayer is that we will not allow that to change for our country. That the few who would like to push us into socialism would realize that nothing in life is free. You will give up liberties that our forefathers fought and died to provide for us. We never want to be a recovering communist nation. So, today, I am thankful to be an American Citizen and I love the land of the Free and the home of the Brave.

We're praying for Mitko, that he would fall in love with Jesus. He is already such a blessing and a wealth of knowledge. He has seen so much and lived through so much. There is wisdom oozing out of him. Believe with us for Mitko's salvation and the restoration of his family and his country to the Kingdom of God.

Blessings,
Mandy

Day 3 and a little from Day 2 with Joseph

2011-11-23T04:05:00.000-08:00

I did not blog after our afternoon visit, yesterday. We were tired and Joseph is a little cranky in the afternoons. However, in keeping with the rest of the Rhodes' kids, he decided to make a liar of his Mommy. I said, he wouldn't walk in yesterday's post. Well, apparently, he will walk for the "right" motivation.

Having Daddy hold you is motivation to walk. His caregivers say they can normally only get him to take a few steps by offering him food. He loves his Daddy. Oh, the beds in the background are where he takes nap during the day. He goes to a special Day Care on the bottom floor of his orphanage and the Day Care kids sleep here.

Today, we had a quiet morning visit. We were given a private room with a couple of chairs and a couch. We started the visit off by having Joseph walk from one side of the table to the other, by offering him Gerber Puffs. He is very grumpy about being made to walk, but it's long past time for him to learn. Then he dug through his bag and dumped everything on the floor. He likes the etch and sketch best. He was very proud of himself when he made a few marks on it and it's the most focus we've seen him give to a task. It lasted about 3 minutes, before it was tossed into the floor along with all the other really fun toys.

When he was ready for a little break in all the fun, he came back to Mommy's lap and totally relaxed. This is the most we've seen him relax, too. He normally holds himself away a little, but not today. He melted right in and we rocked. He likes to rock or vibrate. He's going to need a bouncy chair fit for a king.

That's all for now. We took a short walk through the city and are going to rest for about an hour before our afternoon visit. I'll leave you with my favorite of the day.

We love this boy!

Blessings,
Mandy

Second Day with Joseph

2011-11-22T03:44:00.000-08:00

Our boy seemed happy to see us this morning. He doesn't make a lot of eye contact, but was quicker, today, to look for us. He reaches for Marty, often. Marty is so amazing with him. It's a beautiful thing to see. He played with us for about an hour, before he scooted over to his ball pit to sit in the sun. The sun comes in through a window and hits the ball pit. He likes to sit in the sunshine and I bet he loves to be outside. If it warms up some we're going to take him out this afternoon and see how he does.

He gets anxious as it gets close to lunch and nap time. This is when he rocks and shakes his head and hands. We saw a lot less of that this morning than we did yesterday. I think, yesterday, was incredibly overwhelming for him and I hate that we have to leave him and start the process all over again in a few months. He relaxed more while we held him today and snuggled in some. He prefers to face outward, but will lean back for a few seconds at a time. Here's what you all want to see...

He really loves his Daddy...

Daddy's are so much fun!

Love this smile!

He's like a limp rag when you try to stand him up. Just not happening...

I sure do love him, though!

We'll go back for a visit this evening and will have him in a private room. I'm hoping to get his measurements, so we'll know what size clothing we're buying. I'm guessing an 18 month. His shoes are a size 6, but he could do a size 5 still. Sweet little man.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,

Mandy

We Met Joseph!

2011-11-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

Our first visit went well. We arrived a little after 10am and were taken to the director's office to chat about Joseph. We had about a ten minute visit with her about visitation hours and just chatting about some of the other children who were recently adopted from this orphanage and how they're doing. Then, the door opened and in walked one of the workers carrying a very disgruntled Joseph. Obviously, he was in the middle of something very important back in the playroom and really couldn't be disturbed with meeting Mommy and Daddy. I handled it like a veteran Mom and imposed myself directly into his personal space. Sorry, buddy, Mommy waited a long time for this day.

We have tons more video, but it's taking forever to load. We stayed for about two hours and loved on our boy as much as he would let us. He loves to sit in the ball pit and make all kinds of noises and funny facial expressions. He did take to Marty more than me, which I totally expected. He would let me hold his hand, but would reach for Marty to pick him up. He even snuggled in for a few minutes.

Isn't he precious? A Daddy's boy already. Marty is so good with him. They make strange noises together and blow spit bubbles. We're even more anxious now to get our boy home and love on him and watch what God can do in his little life. He has so much potential, we just have to help him find and reach it.

In case you were wondering, Joseph weighs just 20 lbs and is 5 days older than our Julie, who is a small six year old herself. She weighs 44 lbs. We knew he was small, but to hold him. Oh my heart...it's like holding a toddler. Such a tiny love. We're so thankful God has trusted us with the care of this little love.

First Day in Country!

2011-11-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

We explored the city, today. We found a McDonald's and had lunch there. The food in our hotel is yummy and we ate here for breakfast and dinner. We leave this hotel tomorrow and we'll come back next weekend, in between regions. The service here is excellent and we've made a friend. His name is Dido (die doe). He works here in the hotel and is ALWAYS here. So far, he's been our bell-hop, delivered our room service and waited on our table for breakfast and dinner. I'm going to see if I can get a picture of him, so you can see him, too. He speaks English, but it's limited and it's hilarious to try to hear us have conversation.

Another funny story from this morning. They serve a buffet style breakfast here at the hotel, very similar to what you find at most hotels in the USA. However, they do not serve biscuits and gravy. They do have yogurt with nuts mixed in that Marty mistook for gravy though. Marty does not eat yogurt. He did eat his bowl this morning. We're big on not offending anyone and try to eat anything we have on our plate. It was hilarious to see Marty's face when he realized his mistake. I knew right away that he had a bowl full of yogurt and not gravy. I don't eat yogurt, either, and felt no need to help him with his. I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me at some point this trip.

Other than that, we've been resting and preparing to meet Joseph, tomorrow. We got new information on both boys when we got here. It seems like Samuel was transferred a week after we committed to him. Which is very sad, since he had been in the same orphanage from the time he was 3 weeks old. Every move is traumatic for a child, especially one who has no family to take with them and help them adjust. One more hardship that he just didn't have to go through. What's done is done. Hopefully, he's adjusted well in the past 8 months.

Tomorrow's post should be full of pictures of us meeting our boy! Pray we have a good internet connection at our new hotel. We'll update as often as time and the internet access permit.

Blessings,
Mandy

It's Finally Here!

2011-11-18T07:49:00.000-08:00

I'm writing this post from the airport. We're about an hour and a half from boarding our first flight. The flight that starts the journey to our sons! We'll be meeting Joseph on Monday! We're beyond excited and hope that you'll continue to pray for our safety as we travel. I'll post an update and share some pictures of the city on Sunday, if not before then. Thanks to everyone who's watching and praying and celebrating this journey with us. We appreciate each one of you!

Blessings,
Mandy

I'm Scared

2011-11-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

I'm scared. There I said it. I want to be honest here. I want this to be a place where you can come and find transparency. Adoption is hard. I am terrified about what is about to happen. In just three days, we fly across the ocean to meet our boys. We're excited and I'm scared and nervous. I've been on the verge of tears for most of the day, as I pack and prepare to go and meet our boys.

In less than a week, I am going to be holding one of my boys. I am already in love with these boys, but for right this minute they are still just pictures and videos. I'm about to put my hands on them, to feel the weight of them in my arms, to hear their laughter and love on them. Then, I'm going to have to leave them behind and I'm terrified, because I can, already, barely catch my breath when I think about it. Marty and I are about to leave our hearts on the other side of the ocean and that is an exercise in trust, my friends.

Can we put our feet, where our faith is? Do we trust God in every situation? Even the unbearable task of leaving our sons behind, while we finish the race toward bringing them home. I don't know if you can understand, unless you've been here. I just don't know. Pray for us, pray for our children, the ones who understand and the ones who will think that, once again, they are being left behind and forgotten. It's a difficult path that God has asked us to walk, but we'll walk it knowing we'll find more of Him along the way.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Christmas Cash, Christmas Cash, Christmas Cash

2011-11-13T17:01:00.000-08:00

We're at it, again! It's not because we're bored or have too much time on our hands. It's because these boys need to come home and we're not as close to our goal of being funded as we originally thought. I will know exactly how much we still need in a few weeks, after I figure out how much this first trip costs us, but we may still lack as much as $10,000 to be funded. That's $4,000 more than our original goal. So, while I wanted to take this month off, while we went to meet Joseph and Samuel, that is simply not an option. Here's the reason we're doing this, in case you'd forgotten...

Here's what we have to offer, Christmas Cash and lots of it! Just in time for Christmas, too. We giving away the following giftcards:

Prize #1: We're giving away a $250 Amazon.com Giftcard
(Available Now!)

Prize #2: A $100 Wal-Mart Giftcard
(Available Now!)

Prize #3: A $50 Sears Giftcard
(Available Now!)

Prize #4: A $50 Lowe's Giftcard (for the man in your life)
(Available Now!)

Prize #5: A $50 Toys-R-Us Giftcard
(Available Now!)

How's that for Christmas shopping fun? The more money we raise the more prizes we'll add. I have some other really nice gifts here, but need to see how well you all spread the word before I post it all!

We'll run this giveaway until Sunday, December 11th, so the winners will have plenty of time to use their giftcards toward their Christmas shopping.

Ways to enter:

Donations can be made through the chipin on the right hand side of the blog and all donations are tax-deductible. You will receive a receipt from Reece's Rainbow.

Donate any amount = 1 entry

Donate $10 = 3 entries

Donate $50 = 20 entries

Donate $100 = 50 entries

You can also earn one entry per day by sharing on facebook, twitter or your blog. You will need to leave me a comment, letting me know you've shared in order to earn your free entry.

We leave in 5 days to meet our boys, so I really need my friends to rally during this giveaway and share, share, share!

Blessings,

Mandy

Full-disclosure: The money to purchase these giftcards is coming from the money we raise, the Amazon Giftcard is being donated and then we have goals set for each additional giftcard to release. I, also, have other gifts to add, but we need to reach our giftcard goals, first.

I am such a SLACKER!

2011-11-12T05:41:00.000-08:00

I had such a busy day, yesterday. I think, I will never commit to blogging 30 days in a row again. Clearly, I'm not fit for the task.

Can I tell you why I'm such a slacker, when it comes to my blog, lately? We are leaving to meet our boys in 6 days! I'm very, very thankful for that, but it doesn't leave me with a lot of time to blog. You understand, right?

I do hate that I missed Forever Family Friday, yesterday...

I was going to tell you about Dwayne. Dwayne needs a forever family. Please, hop over to one of my all-time favorite blogs and read all about Dwayne: Pudge and Biggs. You should have a look around while you're over there. I go check in on LC and Jace when I need a pick me up. These two cuties are always up to something fun!

Please, keep praying for us as we prepare to leave Eli and Julianna behind and go meet Joseph and Samuel. We have a lot to do in the next 6 days.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Give Thanks

2011-11-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, I am going to give thanks for the people who leave nasty comments here on my blog. Come back. They've been deleted, no need to go looking for them. I have seen others respond and their has been discussion about whether we should address the issue of negative comments left on our blog. Here is my response.

I am thankful that you, who are skeptical are watching. I am thankful for the opportunity to let my light shine for Christ. I am thankful that you take the time to read about our beautiful boys, when others simply look away. I pray that God would ignite a passion within you to use your voice for His Kingdom and to His Glory.

Please know that you don't just exist here in Blogland. There are very real people, just like you, who we meet everyday in our real lives. You have helped prepare our hearts and our responses for the ones who simply don't get it. When a person overhears a conversation about our boys and all the ones like them who are lying in cribs waiting for a chance at life and says, "Why not just euthanize them all?" I know better how to pray and you have helped me prepare my gentle response. The word says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

I am praying daily for you and them to receive a gentle nudging from the Holy Spirit regarding the truth. Today, I am thankful, that you have challenged me to be who God has called me to be. I will walk where He calls and I will count it a JOY when others insult me.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

You see my dear friends, you have made my reward in heaven richer. For every one of my adopting friends who are dealing with negative comments in Blogland or in real life, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." If we were trying to please man, we wouldn't be taking the road less travelled...the one where Jesus walks...

Hidden in Christ (and thankful to be here)
Mandy

Day 8...Reece's Rainbow Family

2011-11-08T11:27:00.001-08:00

So, I flaked, yesterday. Making number 7 on the list of things I'm thankful for...grace. I missed it. I often do, but there's always grace and new mercies. I'm thankful for those, today.

Day 8...I'm thankful to be a part of the Reece's Rainbow family. I was emailing with another Mom, today, and I wrote, "I am blessed to be a part of the Reece's Rainbow family, too. I think, if more people knew about this added benefit to adoption, they'd be less likely to hesitate." When you commit to a child on Reece's Rainbow, you join a new family. It's like being adopted. Immediately, you are loved and accepted and one of the family. These people know how to love and love well. If you knew how much of our funding has come from other families in the adoption process or who already have their "pot of gold" home or from those who would love to adopt, but can't so they advocate their hearts out, you'd be blown away!

So many people who will cheer you on and cheer you up, when you're having a hard day. People who will deliver paperwork. People who will talk with you for hours about the questions you have regarding the process and the child you're bringing home. People who will do everything in their power to get you to your child. People who will fund raise for and with you. People who get it! Love this Reece's Rainbow family and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Today, I'm thankful that Reece's Rainbow is a part of my children's legacy. Their stories will forever be woven through with the bright-colored threads that are Reece's Rainbow.

Blessings,
Mandy

Thankful for my MAN!

2011-11-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

I'm so thankful, I've made it to day 6 in my month of "Things I'm Thankful for..." I'm thankful, today, for a Godly husband. I have no idea where I'd be without Marty. I'm thankful, he's the kind of man who listens when God speaks. He works hard, plays hard and loves well. He is the best Daddy my kids could ever have.

God knew, I would need a man who was very, very patient and he gave me Marty. The most patient, slow to anger, person I know. He serves others with excellence. Though we joke that he would only take a bullet for me if it wasn't fatal, I know he would lay down his life for me or any one of our 4 children. He is quick not only to demonstrate his love for us, but to verbalize it. He says, "I love you." more often than anyone I know.

Marty laughs when I get all worked up about some trivial thing and I laugh, too. After being married for nearly 12 years, he is my best friend. There is no one else I'd rather spend my time with. When he's working, we miss his presence in our home. My kids sleep through the night on any given night, but let Daddy be working third shift and into my bed they come. He is our security, our safe place. His arms are always open to us. I am blessed that he chose me to share a lifetime with. So, today, I am thankful for Marty, the one I love.

(He's going to kill me for posting this)

Blessings,
Mandy

Things I'm Thankful for: Take 5

2011-11-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

5 days in and I'm going to have to make a list and choose wisely. There's so much to be thankful for that once I get started it's hard to choose just one per day to share. Since, I'm sure your time is limited...

Today, I am thankful for the few Saturdays a year when we have no activities planned. The Saturdays when we get to be lazy and snuggle in, play games and read books. So, today's post is short, because we're having a lazy Saturday afternoon and we're loving it. A day full of my favorite people...I am thankful.

Blessings,
Mandy

Day 4 of Things I'm Thankful For...Forever Family Friday

2011-11-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm thankful for Reece's Rainbow and the opportunity to advocate for the littles there who are waiting for a family. I (try to) post a Forever Family Friday post every Friday and I'm thankful that from over here in my own little world, I can be a voice for God's children.

Reece's Rainbow is just kicking off their Christmas Angel Program! I've talked about it here before, because I'm Meredith's Christmas warrior. You can read more about Meredith over on our blog for her: Meredith's Miracle.

Today, I'm going to link you to the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree and encourage you to go have a look. Each child needs a family and each warrior has a $1000 goal for their child. The idea is the by choosing a child and hollering as loudly as we can and as often as we can between now and Christmas, we will (hopefully) find our child a family and raise $1000 grant to help that family get started with their adoption.

If you make a donation of $35 or more to a child's account, Reece's Rainbow will send you a beautiful ornament with that child's photo on one side and this picture on the other...

So, today I'm am thankful that I can make a difference in the life of a child. Are you?

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Be Thankful you live in a place where you can do any one or all of those things!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

The Kindness of Friends and Strangers

2011-11-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

Day 3- I am thankful for the kindness and generosity of strangers and friends. Yesterday, I took Julianna to gymnastics, which is something I do every Wednesday. Nothing unusual. I have made great friends in the long hours of sitting and watching Julie learn a skill set. We cheer for and encourage each other and share stories about our lives and our kids. If you're a soccer Mom or gymnastics Mom, you know where I'm coming from. These ladies are good people and yesterday, one of them, showed up for us!

I watch Julianna's class along with the other parents from the observation room that looks down into the gym. When I left yesterday, to head downstairs and pick my girl up, taped to the door was an envelope with "Mandy" written on the front. I hesitated and looked around the room, wondering was this really for me. I've never received an envelope taped to a public door before. Who else could it be for though? No other Mandy's that I know of at our gym. So, I took the envelope, opened it quickly and peeked inside to read the note. I saw the words adoption and boys and knew it was for me. I also saw a stack of cash and shoved it all into my purse.

Class was over and I finished those last minute conversations. The "have a good evening" and "we'll see you Friday" conversations and then I hopped in the van with my girl and drove off. Pulled out the envelope and read the note closer, only to find that this gift had been given anonymously. It was a generous gift, too...$145. That's right, a friend who I spend a couple of hours a week sharing an observation room with gave us $145 to help bring our boys home. I'm thankful that God spoke and this friend listened.

I'm thankful for the reminder that we must live our lives out loud. We must share our stories and love well the people whom God puts in our path. I am thankful for this family's obedience and their generosity. I am equally thankful for each donation we've received on this journey to our boys. It blesses us, not just financially, but it speaks to our hearts. It's like you stood up and cheered us on! Every dollar given is a dollar that says, "We believe your boys lives are valuable. We believe they belong at home with you."

Today, I am thankful for the kindness of friends and strangers.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Attitude of Gratitude

2011-11-02T06:43:00.001-07:00

One thing I've learned is that life is what we make of it. Our attitude determines how our day will go. A few years ago, I hated doing dishes. If I could avoid doing the dishes, I would. I'd grumble and complain my way through them. I still have days like that. It seems like everyone else in the world has a dishwasher and I still don't. My kids are piling dirty dishes beside me as I wash and I wonder, will it ever end?

Then, something changes. I remember a little poem that I found online a few years ago. It changed the way I will look at dirty dishes, forever. I memorized that little poem, by taping it to my kitchen window and reading it over and over, again, as I washed the dishes. My little index card is long gone, but the words have taken up residence in my heart and when I choose to remember them, I know I am blessed.

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others are going hungry,
We're eating very well
With home and health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
For by this stack of evidence,
God's very good to us.

Author Unknown

It really is all in how you look at it. So, today, I am thankful for dirty dishes, because they mean that God is providing generously for our family. I am blessed to be able to wash dishes that held nourishing food for my children.

What task do you hate to do? Can you change the way you look at it? Find a new perspective, an attitude of gratitude.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

30 days of Gratitude?!?

2011-11-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of a 30 day challenge. A challenge to focus on all that I'm grateful for. How amazing that during this 30 days I will meet two new sons. That's for another post, on another day, though. Today, I have to start at the beginning, the thing that I have to be most grateful for and that's my relationship with Jesus Christ.

To know and be known by the Creator of the Universe is no small thing, but many days I take Him for granted. I fail to find the time to spend with Him that I should. I fail to listen when I know He's calling. I'm so thankful, today, that His mercy is new every morning. He looks my way and sees His daughter. I have been adopted into His family, grafted into the vine and covered with the blood of Jesus Christ. He died for me.

I am thankful that I know who I am in Him. I am thankful, for who He created me to be. Thankful that He continues to mold me into that new creation. A creation that on it's best days points to His glory and on it's worst days is covered by His grace. I love Jesus. He's been my friend since I was a very little girl. I have felt His very near presence on more occasions than I can count. He has held me together, been my protector, my fortress, my shelter from the storms of life. He is my everything.

I pray that if you don't know this Jesus, you will search the scripture or reach out to a believer who will help you know Him. He's worth knowing. You'll never be more thankful that you took the time to make a friend.

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Discovery Toys

2011-10-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

I've decided to sell Discovery Toys to help raise money to bring the boys home and to score them some awesome toys to play with when they get here. If you'd like to order, you can check out my website. You can host a party and earn some free toys in time for Christmas. I love the busy farm and the playful patterns. Do you have a favorite product over at Discovery Toys? If so, leave me a comment and tell me about it.

Blessings,
Mandy

Life is BUSY!

2011-10-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

Life is busy for us, right now. You may have noticed, it's been a little longer between blog posts than usual. We're preparing to take a trip, you know. Life is always busier this time of year. Gearing up for the holidays and making fun fall memories. Soccer season is ending for Eli this week and then we'll be full steam ahead, getting everyone ready for November 18th!

I'm really planning two trips in my mind and it's a little stressful at times. I'm not sleeping well, because my mind is so BUSY with the things that need to happen before we board a plane to Eastern Europe. Leaving my kids for 2 weeks is no small thing. Packing my kids to be away for 2 weeks is an even bigger thing. We're ordering adapters for outlets in Eastern Europe, so our computers and camera will continue to work on our trip. We're working on a budget for the two weeks we're away. We're still fundraising, like crazy. So, if you feel like we're not around as often this is why. I promise to blog my heart out for the last two weeks in November. Complete with pictures of our boys. Until then, when you think, why hasn't she blogged in 5 days, please, pray for us :)

You can always feel free, too, to make a tax-deductible donation into our Reece's Rainbow grant, using the chip-in on the right hand side of the blog. It will make me smile and re-affirm that others are believing in us and praying for us!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

4 years ago, today.

2011-10-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

It's your birthday, sweet Samuel. 4 years ago, today, you still belonged to another Mommy. My heart had not even imagined you, yet. I'm so thankful, today, for the sacrifice she made. She carried you and gave you life and my heart is especially sad for her on this day. A day that is worthy of celebration, because our beautiful son made entry into this great big world. It's difficult to feel JOY, though. You've spent 4 long years in an orphanage alone. Does she feel regret and sadness at having to leave you? She must. I have not held you, yet, and it is painful for me not to be able to hold you, today. I pray for her heart and her empty arms. I pray for my heart and my empty arms. Mostly, I pray for you.

It's your big day! Will anyone even tell you? Will they mark this day as special or will it pass quietly by unnoticed by your caregivers?

Enough sadness for now. Today is a day of happiness! It is the last birthday you will spend apart from family and friends who love you dearly. You have survived when others have not. God found us for you and you for us and in one short month, you will know the love of a Mommy and Daddy for the first time in your life. We will hold you and love you and sing "Happy Birthday to you" our baby boy.

I pray that, today, we would be met with an extra measure of grace and compassion. You, me, your Dad and your other Mommy. We will all surely need it. I'm especially thankful that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, today.

I'm hopeful as I look forward to this next year and all the firsts we will have together. Not the least of which will be your next Birthday! Get ready, little man, we're going to throw a 5th Birthday Party like you wouldn't believe. We'll have 5 years of celebrating to catch up on.

Happy Birthday, Samuel. We love you!
Mommy, Daddy, Eli, Julie and Joseph.

Veggie Tales DVD's for Samuel's Birthday!

2011-10-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Update: No more Larry Boy! 6 Sheerluck Holmes left! Get yours now :)

I've gone back and forth with what to do about Samuel's birthday. He's turning 4 years old on the 21st. I wanted to do a giveaway, but know that I am bugging the life out of my friends and family with my giveaways :) So, when my friend, Rebecca, offered to donate some Veggie Tales DVD's for us to giveaway, I thought that was perfect! If you make a donation of $8 or more, we'll send you your choice of one of the following Veggie Tale Movies:

If you give $15 or more, you can have both. When you chip-in, be sure you include a note with your mailing address. This is while supplies last, so make your donation, now. Think of it as buying a gift for Samuel (the gift of a family) and we're including a "Thank you" when you do!

All donations made through the chip-in are tax-deductible! This is a great chance to buy a few Christmas gifts for some little one's on your list. We all love Veggie Tales!

Blessings,
Mandy

The cause of the orphan...

2011-10-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

I believe that every generation needs a cause, something to fight for, a ground to lay claim to, a difference to make. Many generations before have fought for things like freedom from religious oppression, women's rights, civil rights and equality. I'd say that the fight rages on for these things even today. I see, in my generation, a terrible apathy towards things and people that don't affect us directly. I'm telling you God is calling us to more than our own little worlds. The cause I believe God has given this generation of believers is the one of the orphan. It's not going to bring us great acclaim to fight for these children. We may be the first generation that doesn't need to storm the streets with picket signs to win our battle.

We've always had orphans, every generation through the history of time has had parentless children living among them. What's different now? The staggering number of orphans, an estimated 147 million children are orphans, today. 5,000 plus will join their number tomorrow. Why should we care? First and foremost, because God cares and He has commanded us to care. How will we win this battle? We will pray and then we will rise up and do something for these children. Whether it be adopt or support a family who is adopting, or give to an orphanage or sponsor a child, we CAN change the world, one child at a time. We don't need to riot, we just need to quietly work toward a common goal...NO more orphans! It starts with you and I choosing to make a difference, declaring ONE LESS orphan at a time.

The enemy wins when we do nothing. The statistics say that when children age out of the system at 16 years old in Eastern Europe, 10-15% commit suicide before their 18th birthday. 60% of the girls turn to prostitution to survive and 70% of boys become hardened criminals. Do the math...147 million will turn into a lot of violence in the next generation, if we don't act with compassion, now.

Some of you are scoffing that I would even suggest that we as the body of Christ could end the orphan crisis, but another statistic says that if 7-8% of all professing Christians adopted, their would be no orphans left in the world. Aside from that number is the fact that with God ALL things are possible.

Will you join us in this cause? Will you be the difference in one child's life? 7-8% of the body of believers...that's not a lot. They are worth it.

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

Let's welcome them together,
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-10-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sweet Meredith...

It's no secret, we're in love with this little one at the Rhodes' house.

She's too precious for words...

She's turning 5 years old this month!

Will you join us in Celebrating Meredith's 5th birthday?

We have a giveaway going for her over on A Miracle for Meredith.

Will you be a part of Meredith's Miracle and help by giving, sharing, praying and helping to find Meredith's family?

Happy Birthday, Sweet Meredith.

Happy Birthday to You!

Making a wish for Meredith's family to find her.

Blessings,

Mandy

Preparing to Meet Our Boys

2011-10-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

As we book plane tickets and order winter coats that we'll need when we go to meet Samuel and Joseph, I can't help but wonder what God is doing to prepare the way for us. I believe that as children of God, He goes before us into every situation. Even now, He is preparing the hearts of Samuel and Joseph to meet two strangers, who don't speak or look like them. He is whispering to them about family and love and belonging. Most importantly, He is strengthening us and them for the time when we will leave them behind, again. I already feel a little weepy when I think about it. I have to ask that you would each pray for us. Pray that God will give us the grace and mercy we will need for the hardest part of this journey.

Not only does He go before us, but He is our rear-guard, our ever-present help, our constant companion and friend. I may need you to remind me in the up-coming weeks. As I prepare to leave the two most precious gifts that I have been entrusted with to date, Eli and Julianna. As we cross the ocean to meet two new little blessings. Two sons, who need us to come to them. Then, as we leave them behind and journey back home with empty arms for the long months in between the holding. Marty and I will need our family and friends like never before in the waiting. Will you promise to pray? Will you hold us up before the throne of grace and seek God's hand on our behalf? The hand of the one who will hold us together, when we feel the world closing in.

I haven't blogged in a bit, because these things are so heavy on my heart and mind. I'm in my Word and in prayer and communion with God, working on my heart, trying to find that place of peace and comfort that comes from Him. We have been under attack from the enemy. I have had things spoken to me in the past week that don't even bare repeating. Things that have laid me out on my face before the throne of God. He is continuing to reveal His plan and I am determined to live in such a way that brings Him glory.

Please, pray.
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-10-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! YAY! My favorite day of the week, here on our blog! My friend, Brooke, decided this week to be a prayer warrior for baby Ryder from Reece's Rainbow. I thought, I would love to do my part for Ryder, too. We've been praying for him this week and I want to share him with you!

Isn't he cute? He is waiting for someone to bust him out! He's even wearing his stripes while he waits. Ryder was born in February of this year. He's a great age for a family to bring home and get him all those early childhood interventions and therapies that he won't get where he is now. If you want to learn more about this sweet boy, check out his Reece's Rainbow profile. His grant is at $0.00, which always makes me sad. Anyone want to help him out?

Let's share Ryder's picture and pray that a family comes to BUST him out this year!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Giveaway Winners!

2011-10-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

All winners have been contacted with directions for how to claim their prizes. If you need further instruction, don't hesitate to email/message me. The winners are:

Prize #1 Hope M.
Prize #2 Tiffany C.
Prize #3 Dana S.
Prize #4 Daniell S.
Prize #5 Tonya B.
Prize #6 Gail W.
Prize #7 Rebecca H.
Prize #8 Dana S.
Prize #9 Shanna B.
Prize #10 Shelley B.

Thank you to everyone who gave, shared, donated, prayed, etc. All the winners were drawn by Random.org! I hope you all enjoy your prizes! It was nice to be able to give a little back to so many who have supported us along this journey! If you missed it earlier...We're going to meet the boys! We leave November 18th. Please, pray that God will prepare our hearts and theirs.

Blessings,
Mandy

Travel Dates!!!

2011-10-05T04:41:00.000-07:00

The email I found in my inbox this morning from Shelley had those two beautiful words in the memo box: Travel Dates!!! Can you believe it's finally here? We will be leaving to meet our sons on November 18th and will fly back home to Eli and Julie on December 3rd.

I feel like I might explode with excitement!!! I'm going to book tickets as soon as I'm done telling everyone I know that we are going to meet our sons!

Anybody feel like praising God with me?

Pray we get great rates on those tickets. Also, I know I need to announce winners and I promise to do that soon...as soon as my feet are back on the ground :)

Blessings,
Mandy

(Mostly) Made with Love Giveaway has ended...

2011-10-02T17:26:00.001-07:00

Okay! It's going to take me a day or two to organize this drawing, because I need to check and see who earned entries by placing orders, sharing, giving, etc. Please, bear with me and I'll have the winners up by Wednesday at the latest. Hoping for sooner, but we'll see.

Just wanted to let you know I'm working on it :)

Blessings,

Mandy

Uncle Roy

2011-10-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I'm going to share a lot of special people this month, but it seemed most appropriate to start by sharing my Uncle Roy with you. When I was a little girl and my parents would load us (me and my four sisters) in the family station-wagon and drive us five hours to my Grandma's house, one of the things I looked forward to most was seeing my Uncle Roy. Uncle Roy is one of the most fun people I know. He always had time to play and he told us all about how he would be a lawyer when he grew up. Uncle Roy was probably well into his twenty's, but I didn't know he wasn't going to be a lawyer or that he was already a grown-up. I'm writing about Uncle Roy, because he sports that extra special Chromosome. He was the first person I knew and loved with Down Syndrome. He's a large part of the reason we're on this journey, today.

This is Uncle Roy when we visited with him this past December. This picture reminds me of one of my favorite things about Uncle Roy, he's passionate about everything he loves! He loves the Tarheels and the Carolina Panthers and JESUS! I don't know anyone else who shares Jesus with the abandon that Uncle Roy does. He lives to tell people that Jesus loves them and God is Lord! He sits on the front row of his church and worships with everything he has. He just LOVES, plain and simple. He gives the biggest hugs (you have to remind him that you'd like to breath, again, at some point). When we were kids he'd tickle us until we thought we were going to pass out and a grown-up would finally intervene. He's just fun!

Uncle Roy's not as playful as he was when I was a kid, but he still loves kids. He enjoys just hanging out with my kids when we visit and they look forward to seeing him.

Eli is playing a computer game while Uncle Roy splits his time between watching Eli and watching the ball game.

Here's Julie and Eli getting one of those big hugs. Uncle Roy gave them cards with a little bit of money in them. He knows how to give good gifts. He's generous to a fault and my Grandma (his Mom) has to reign him in sometimes.

Speaking of my Grandma, she is one amazing lady. Without her, our family would have missed the blessing that is Uncle Roy. 50 plus years ago, when Uncle Roy made his entry into our world, the doctor's wanted my Grandma to put him into an institution. They told her he would not live past age 2 (I'm sure he wouldn't have in an institution). She told them she was taking her son home. You see, Uncle Roy is the youngest brother to 7 older brothers and sisters. Grandma knew and shared with the doctor that the best thing for any child was to be loved and they certainly had enough love for Roy. So, she took him home. The entire family loved him, nurtured him and watched him grow into a young man who achieved so much more than those doctor's ever dreamed for him. Uncle Roy graduated high school and worked bagging groceries at the local grocery store for awhile. He reads some and studies his Word and just gives so much to the world by simply being who he is.

What would she have missed? What could we have missed? My heart can't even think about it. People with Down Syndrome are a blessing; a blessing that every family deserves! I couldn't think of a better way to start Down Syndrome Awareness Month, than to share the person who started our family's love of people with Down Syndrome. Uncle Roy will leave a legacy of love when he leaves this world (which will be a long time from now). He will leave that legacy in my sons, Joseph and Samuel, who are coming home because we know the JOY that comes from loving someone with Down Syndrome. Uncle Roy has changed the world and I hate to think how different the world would have been without him...

Thanks for letting me share my heart and my Uncle Roy with you! I hope you were blessed by who he is and by the love we have for him. I enjoyed sharing.

In the words of another young man with down syndrome: "Live Life Big...Love Someone with Down Syndrome!" Your life will never be the same.

Blessings,
Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-09-30T04:50:00.000-07:00

I'm going back, today. I'm going back for Darren. Darren is the second child I ever blogged about in a Forever Family Friday post. You can read that post here :) I hope you will, because it has an earlier photo of Darren. I fell in love with that picture and didn't think it could get any better. Until I saw these...

Sometimes God just blows my mind. Look at this little bundle of JOY! I knew it! I knew this boy was really something special. His little clasped hands...

Another Mom is at Darren's orphanage, right now, meeting her son. I'm so excited for their family. From all her photos and visits it looks like this is a decent orphanage. You can read their family's story and see their visits with their son here on their blog! Christie (the Momma) posted on facebook this morning and said, "Darren is the last child with Down Syndrome waiting in this orphanage." What? How amazing is God? He's sent families for those babies. I can't think of a better way to declare God's glory to this staff than to completely clear the building of every child with Down Syndrome! You know what that means? It means, Darren needs a family!

If you weren't already completely won over by this sweet boy's smile, I have one more photo for you.

Look at all that cuteness! He's the last one waiting. I know that any day now his Mommy and Daddy are going to see his outstretched arms and run to get to him. Maybe you're that Mommy and Daddy. If you'd like more information on Darren, you can check out his Reece's Rainbow profile.

Will you pray for Darren and the family whose heart God is preparing to say, "Yes!" It's a huge step of faith to realize you have a child on the other side of the ocean. It requires complete and total trust in God to make this decision. Pray, pray, pray that hearts would be open to the voice of God and to following where he leads. Darren is waiting...

You can also go to Darren's profile and make a donation to his grant. It makes a difference. I hate to think Darren would be passed over because another child has a larger grant. Or that the financial mountain would be too intimidating for his family to even consider climbing. Darren is waiting...

Share Darren's picture and story with your friends and family. You can post a link back here or one to his Reece's Rainbow profile. Let's find Darren's family by shouting from the rooftops about how he needs a family. His family may not even know he exists, yet. Darren is waiting...

I'm so thankful that God is writing Darren's story. I can't wait to see how it turns out. He is faithful! Thank you for letting me share my heart and sweet little Darren with you.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

All the Ways You Can Help!

2011-09-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've been asked by a couple of people to do a post and put everything in order, as far as our fundraising. I'm going to list everything we have going, starting with the ones ending the soonest and working my way through.

The first one is an online Thirty-One Party. We will be receiving 20% of every order placed toward our adoption. You can use this link: Rhodes Family Thirty-One Party to place your order. (Click on the highlighted words, they're the link). This Party ends at 9:00 am tomorrow morning, so get your orders in, now :) We've extended this Thirty-One Party until October 20th!

Then, we have an online Scentsy Party! We're making 20% of every order placed here, too! My friend, Heather, helped set this up for us. I've never owned any Scentsy, but I'm going to place an order. I love when I walk in a friend's house and see their warmer lit up and I'm met with a delicious new scent. You have until October 20th to order your Scentsy! (Again, the highlighted words in the first sentence are the link).

Last, but not least, we're doing an online and catalog party with Celebrating Home! We earn 50% of every sale placed on this website: Click here! There are some great candles and Christmas items. It's not too early to be thinking about Christmas buying and if it is, no worries, you have until November 30th to place an order :)

You can see we have a lot going on as far as fundraising. I like to think there's something for everyone! You're always welcome to make a donation directly to our Reece's Rainbow Grant. Donations made through our grant on the right hand side are tax deductible. You will receive an email receipt 7-10 business days after you make a donation.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. Our dossier (packet of paperwork needed in the boys country) should have been submitted, today! That means we'll have travel dates, very soon! We are going to meet our boys and are so excited!

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

Buddy Walk 2011

2011-09-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

We went to our first Buddy Walk, today! What a lot of fun. We live in a small town, so I was surprised that we even had a Buddy Walk here. Oh, for those who don't know, a Buddy Walk is a walk to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. I was excited to meet some local families raising children with down syndrome. I can't wait to be able to take our boys next year. We'll have a team in the walk and raise money for our local Down Syndrome Society.

This year, we set up a Reece's Rainbow table and shared information about Reece's Rainbow and the Christmas Warrior program. Everyone was so receptive and excited to learn more about Reece's Rainbow. I was invited to share on the stage about Reece's Rainbow and our adoption. I'm not a fan of public speaking, but somehow I seem to keep finding myself with a microphone in my hand. I was brief and then headed back to our table to answer questions.

We had lots of fun items to giveaway that Reece's Rainbow sent ahead of time for this event. Brochures, mugs, pens, notebooks, totes, etc. The biggest hit of the day for our crowd was the bumper sticker. It says, "Babies with Down Syndrome choose life, too!" What a great message and one that every person who loves someone with Down Syndrome agrees with.

My Mom, Rebecca, Julianna and her cousin Maddox all helped share Reece's Rainbow with our new friends. Here are some other fun photos from our day. Enjoy!

McGruff was Julie and Maddie's favorite at the walk!

Don't you love this boy's smile and you can see some of the great stuff we had to giveaway.

I hope your day was as fun as ours. The best part of my day was meeting some beautiful children blessed with that extra special chromosome. I'm so glad God led us here to be a part of this community of people who clearly love their children beyond measure. Every family really does deserve the blessing of a child with down syndrome...

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Blessings,

Mandy

Forever Family Friday

2011-09-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

I wrote this post once already. It wasn't worth reading. I asked some friends to pray for me. I can't seem to find the "right" words. I realized after sometime in prayer myself that I can't do the job of the Holy Spirit. I can share my heart and be a willing instrument that God uses, but I can't convict hearts. No matter how many times I look at this precious boy and feel overcome with emotion. Only God can change hearts.

I know this from our own adoption journey. God spoke to me about adopting a child with special needs long before he began to deal with Marty's heart. I shared with Marty and pleaded with him to feel the same way, but not until I took my hands off of the situation and allowed God and Marty time to work it out together, did anything happen. After some serious time in prayer and a sermon or two that spoke directly to Marty, he came to me and said, "Let's do it, because we can't do anything else." Since then we have both fallen in love with two boys on the other side of the ocean. It was our But God moment.

When I first wrote this post, I wanted to persuade you to "see" things my way. I wanted you to "feel" about this child the way that I do. I have realized, now, that I need to be praying for you to have a But God moment of your own. The moment where God changes your view of things to his view. He "sees" things so much clearer than I do, anyway. So, I'm going to share a little boy with you and pray that God will speak to your heart.

This is Tony. Tony is 12 years old and, yes, this picture is recent. Tony has down syndrome and no other medical conditions, aside from those caused by years of neglect and malnutrition. Please take a few minutes and read about Tony on his Reece's Rainbow profile. Now, pray and ask God to allow you to really "see" Tony the way he sees Tony. God knit Tony together. He created him with a purpose. Is God asking you to help Tony achieve his purpose?

I can't see it or feel it for anyone else. I can only be accountable with the things God has shown me. A large part of that accountability for me involves sharing Tony with you.

"Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person." Proverbs 3:27

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy

I am a Promise!

2011-09-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

I am a Promise

I am a Possibility

I am a Promise with a capital "P"

I am a great BIG bundle of Potentiality

I am learning to hear God's voice

I am trying to make the right choice

I am a promise to be...anything God wants me to be

These precious little ones all need homes, NOW!

They make me think of this little song we learned in Sunday School growing up.

Each of us young and full of life and potential. I promise, each of these children is full of that same life and potential. It's just hidden, waiting for love to bring it into the light.

You can find each of these children on Reece's Rainbow.

Please, pray and if you never share any other post, share this one!

Their need is desperate and immediate.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support!

Harvest Time

2011-09-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10

We know what the harvest is going to look like.

We're just a little weary in the doing that is necessary to get to the harvest.

They will be worth the planting and the tending (the paperwork and fundraising).

Sometimes, I need the reminder of why we're doing all this work and I come to find their pictures.

The reward, the harvest, the treasure found...will be our sons.

Please, consider the opportunity we're giving you to do good and encourage our family.

Check out our (Mostly) Made with Love Giveaway and be a part of helping bring our treasures home.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...

Blessings,

Mandy