Fall 2013
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Does Down's Syndrome Limit a Life?
I hope that after reading this post, you will never consider a "no" answer to that question again! First, I want to tell you about a very special woman that I will call "Hannah." Hannah is around 30 years old and the daughter of one of my mom's friends. Like other adults, she is employed (working for an insurance company) and has someone special in her life. She loves listening to music on her iPod and talking with friends on her cell phone. Hannah is an athlete who has competed nationally and internationally. She races sled dogs and is an advocate for others like her. Hannah has done things I would never imagine trying - she is amazing! The fact that Hannah has Down's Syndrome has not limited her experiences - perhaps it has even given her opportunities that most of us would be afraid to take. I decided to share a little about Hannah after reading a story of another young lady with DS who is not limited by what society often expects of people with DS. I hope that Sarah's story (yes, a different Sarah) will touch your heart like it did mine and make you really think about your perceptions of people with different abilities - not disabilities.
Listening when we are called
As I shared in my previous post, I had planned to tell you the story about our donation to Reese's Rainbow next week. But, I woke up this morning with the strong sense that I was supposed to tell this story NOW. So, I did... and went about my day. I've been busy with schoolwork while waiting for my sweet hubby to get home from a very long work day (about 60 hours). I decided to take a break from studying and look at my blogger dashboard. Sarah (Duncan's Christmas Warrior) had posted this week's winner in her giveaway and guess what? Mark and I won!! I was so excited! More importantly, I was incredibly moved by her post about us and especially the PS that she added. Please take the time to read it by clicking here. When we listen to God's call, He truly rewards us for being faithful. I have been blessed by my long friendship with Sarah and her family - they have been a precious gift to me, more than I can ever express to them!
Christmas Tree Angel Donation Story
I had planned to post about this next week, but when I woke up this morning - I really felt led to tell you the story today so here I am...
A couple of weeks ago, I told you about Duncan - a little boy on Reese's Rainbow who needed a forever family. RR has a great Christmas Angel project to raise adoption grant funds to help bring Duncan and other beautiful children home to their forever families. Many families would love to bring these angels home, but find the cost and required travel times of international adoption insurmountable. By helping with adoption grants, RR makes it easier for families to adopt children with Down's Syndrome or other special needs.
I had hoped to be a Christmas Warrior for one of the children on RR, but realized that it just wasn't feasible this year. Instead, Mark and I decided that we would donate to Duncan's adoption fund through my friend Sarah who is his Christmas Warrior. If you click on the above link, you can find out more about Duncan. She is doing some fun giveaways as part of this, too!! I am happy to report that Duncan now has a family committed to bringing him home - YAY!
Another blog I follow is raising money to bring Olga home for a forever family and I wanted to help Michelle out in her efforts as well.
Finances are a little bit tighter this year so I was wondering how I would come up with money to donate to these 2 children. I asked Mark if he was ok with me cashing in our "change jar" and donating whatever amount was in there. He readily agreed, but cautioned me that he thought there was only about $35-40. Ok... I was a little disappointed but decided that was still something we could contribute. Michelle and her family were going to match funds if you donated $10 on certain days. Plus, if you donate $35 to a specific child on RR - you get a porcelain Christmas tree ornament with a picture of the child whose fund you have donated to - and I was excited about having Duncan's ornament to hang on our tree! So, I figured that we could come up with $45 to give to both of these efforts.
Off I went to the credit union to get the change counted. I stood there watching the "counter" as the numbers went up... past $45 - whew... past $55 - nice... past $65 - yay... past $75 - wow... past $85 - REALLY? And still the machine kept going... It finally stopped at $104.98!! I was ecstatic - the lady at the counter probably wondering what the heck I was grinning about. I also had some dollar bills from the change jar as well so all totalled, I had $114.98!!
My first thought was to donate $10 to Olga's fund and the rest to Duncan's fund. However, the more I thought about it - the more I was convinced that we needed to make a difference for more children. We could donate $35 each to 3 children (Duncan and 2 others) plus still give the $10 to Olga's fund - total $115 - of which we already had $114.98!! YIPPEE!!! It was so fun to look at all the Christmas Angel Tree Children and decide who to select - I wanted to help them ALL. Still had to choose, though so here are the angels whose adoption grant funds we are donating to.
Such cuties!! If you would like to see more about them or any of the other Christmas Angels, click here. Would you consider "giving the gift of a family" by donating to their grant fund or becoming a prayer warrior for one of the RR children? Every child deserves a family to call their own - parents to tuck them in at night, kiss their "boo-boos," and love them to pieces!! And I believe that when we reach out to help others, God honors those efforts - how else would $35 turn into $114.98??
A couple of weeks ago, I told you about Duncan - a little boy on Reese's Rainbow who needed a forever family. RR has a great Christmas Angel project to raise adoption grant funds to help bring Duncan and other beautiful children home to their forever families. Many families would love to bring these angels home, but find the cost and required travel times of international adoption insurmountable. By helping with adoption grants, RR makes it easier for families to adopt children with Down's Syndrome or other special needs.
I had hoped to be a Christmas Warrior for one of the children on RR, but realized that it just wasn't feasible this year. Instead, Mark and I decided that we would donate to Duncan's adoption fund through my friend Sarah who is his Christmas Warrior. If you click on the above link, you can find out more about Duncan. She is doing some fun giveaways as part of this, too!! I am happy to report that Duncan now has a family committed to bringing him home - YAY!
Another blog I follow is raising money to bring Olga home for a forever family and I wanted to help Michelle out in her efforts as well.
Finances are a little bit tighter this year so I was wondering how I would come up with money to donate to these 2 children. I asked Mark if he was ok with me cashing in our "change jar" and donating whatever amount was in there. He readily agreed, but cautioned me that he thought there was only about $35-40. Ok... I was a little disappointed but decided that was still something we could contribute. Michelle and her family were going to match funds if you donated $10 on certain days. Plus, if you donate $35 to a specific child on RR - you get a porcelain Christmas tree ornament with a picture of the child whose fund you have donated to - and I was excited about having Duncan's ornament to hang on our tree! So, I figured that we could come up with $45 to give to both of these efforts.
Off I went to the credit union to get the change counted. I stood there watching the "counter" as the numbers went up... past $45 - whew... past $55 - nice... past $65 - yay... past $75 - wow... past $85 - REALLY? And still the machine kept going... It finally stopped at $104.98!! I was ecstatic - the lady at the counter probably wondering what the heck I was grinning about. I also had some dollar bills from the change jar as well so all totalled, I had $114.98!!
My first thought was to donate $10 to Olga's fund and the rest to Duncan's fund. However, the more I thought about it - the more I was convinced that we needed to make a difference for more children. We could donate $35 each to 3 children (Duncan and 2 others) plus still give the $10 to Olga's fund - total $115 - of which we already had $114.98!! YIPPEE!!! It was so fun to look at all the Christmas Angel Tree Children and decide who to select - I wanted to help them ALL. Still had to choose, though so here are the angels whose adoption grant funds we are donating to.
Duncan
Jeffrey
Anastasiya
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful Thursday
1. Adoptive Families - Last week, I posted about Duncan - a precious little boy with Down's Syndrome who would be institutionalized if he did not find a family soon. I am happy to share that Duncan now has a mommy and daddy to call his own. 14 of the waiting angels on Reese's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree Project have already found homes this year. Please consider donating to the grant fund of one or more of these beautiful children. You can find out more by clicking here. I'll share more about our donation next week.
2. Tasha - 5 1/2 years ago, a special little girl named Tasha came to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle - my dear friends, Jeanne and Ken. Her summer trip turned into a permanent move and she now calls Jeanne and Ken "mom and dad." I have been blessed to become Tasha's "honorary" aunt and know that my life is better because she is a part of it. Time goes quickly and the 7 year old is now a beautiful young lady of almost 14. Spending time with Tasha is a gift to me - I love her dearly!!
2. Tasha - 5 1/2 years ago, a special little girl named Tasha came to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle - my dear friends, Jeanne and Ken. Her summer trip turned into a permanent move and she now calls Jeanne and Ken "mom and dad." I have been blessed to become Tasha's "honorary" aunt and know that my life is better because she is a part of it. Time goes quickly and the 7 year old is now a beautiful young lady of almost 14. Spending time with Tasha is a gift to me - I love her dearly!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tough Day
Our hearts are aching tonight. It has been a very difficult afternoon and evening. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, I am going to be vague in details. This afternoon, we received news of 2 separate situations that involve people we care deeply about.
The family of one of Mark's closest friends suffered a tragedy that resulted in the loss of life as well as multiple injuries. We don't know much about the circumstances yet, but do know that the effects will be far reaching.
Equally heartwrenching is news that I received from some friends who Mark and I consider to be part of our family. They are facing some personal challenges and really need to feel God's love and healing touch right now.
I know that it is sometimes tough to pray without knowing what specifically to ask for, but would you please take a few minutes just to ask God to comfort both of these hurting families who are so, so precious to us. He will hear your prayers and know who they are for.
The family of one of Mark's closest friends suffered a tragedy that resulted in the loss of life as well as multiple injuries. We don't know much about the circumstances yet, but do know that the effects will be far reaching.
Equally heartwrenching is news that I received from some friends who Mark and I consider to be part of our family. They are facing some personal challenges and really need to feel God's love and healing touch right now.
I know that it is sometimes tough to pray without knowing what specifically to ask for, but would you please take a few minutes just to ask God to comfort both of these hurting families who are so, so precious to us. He will hear your prayers and know who they are for.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday and Saturday
Nothing new on the adoption front, but I got to go to Harbor Freight tool store. I got a new cordless drill and the main thing I went for was to get a winch for Melanie's new four-wheeler so we can use the snow plow. The winch lifts the plow off the ground. I was able to fit the plow on Melanie's four-wheeler by adding a few feet to the plows framework.
Saturday I was able to get it all together after making a mount for the winch. It seems to work great.
Saturday I was able to get it all together after making a mount for the winch. It seems to work great.
Adoption Portfolio - the important stuff!
I started looking more closely at the adoption portfolio file that I had uploaded and realized it is missing some very important information - a welcome to those reading it, as well as our journey to adoption and plans for parenting. I've uploaded those documents - unfortunately, they are in a separate file for now. When I get them combined into one, I will update the link - but for those of you who looked at our adoption portfolio before - be sure to check out the new link. You can click here or in the upper left corner of our blog. This will give you a little better idea of how we came to adoption and how we view the future with our child.
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