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Thank you for your generous gift of life and love! |
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Thank you for your generous gift of life and love! |
Lin is a single mother of nine, 6 are grown and on their own, the oldest, Sara, has Down syndrome and lives at home as do as her brothers, Cody and Logan, who also have Down syndrome. The boys are two of Andrea’s originals and were adopted from Ukraine in 2008. Raising the boys has been a challenge and a joy for Lin and she can’t imagine her life without them. For years Lin has kept an eye on Reece’s Rainbow kids, helping out when she could. Dawn was a particular favorite and she had been praying she would find a home. When she heard from a friend that Dawn would age out in a matter of days, Lin decided she wasn’t able to let that happen. She managed to submit her needed paperwork to USCIS and they accepted it the day before Dawn’s 16th birthday, the day she would no longer be eligible for adoption. The family is excited to see Dawn come home and Sara can’t wait to have a sister at home to even things out. As a single, older (older with a capital O!) mother this will be a financial stretch, but Lin knows she will see a way and would greatly appreciate any support and encouragement.
7/12/2017 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Raymond and Alison Vis met in high school and after losing contact for a few years have now been married for almost four years. They have two adorable biological children, Katie aged 3 and Ezra aged 1. They have their hands full with two young toddlers and were not planning on expanding their family again so quickly. But, God!
Alison stumbled across the blog of a fellow Reece’s Rainbow adoptive family and was instantly drawn to their story. Many late nights and prayers later Raymond and Alison both felt called to expand their family through international adoption of a child with special needs from Eastern Europe.
They began scrolling through profiles on Reece’s Rainbow and stumbled upon baby Drake. The Vis’ initially kept scrolling on past Drake as they though that their adopted child should be the youngest in the family. However, God had other plans. Both Raymond and Alison could not shift Drake from their minds and eventually realized that it was Drake that God was clearly telling them to bring into their family!
Drake will have a brother the same age as him and a very excited older sister to watch over him. Raymond and Alison are thrilled to be moving quickly in this journey to bring Baby home to his forever family!
7/12/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at bringinghomebrave.wordpress.com
We always viewed adoption as a part of our family’s future. Mom was born with a metabolic disorder called Phenylketonuria (PKU) that when treated immediately and consistently throughout life, allows the individual to pursue a happy, healthy life. Untreated, PKU causes cognitive delays and other neurological problems. Because our home is already set up to accommodate the treatment, which is a strict low protein diet and specific dietary supplements, when we heard of children with PKU needing a family, we decided to pursue adoption.
In May 2015 we were blessed with two sons with PKU who joined our family through adoption. Our family of four can be crazy, fun, and joyfully loud, and we can’t stop falling in love with the children we and other adoption advocates are working to find families for. We are currently pursuing the adoption of two of these boys with PKU.
One future son is eight and he seems to be a great kid! He can be shy, but looks out for other kids in his orphanage. We spoke to a volunteer who met him and she shared some touching stories about their time together, referencing his excitement at the zoo, his caring nature, and what a joy he was to be around.
The other boy we are adopting is a young man who was hosted in the U.S. recently. Though his PKU has not always been well maintained, we have heard from his host family how wonderful this sweet boy is. Along with our army of support, we are confident that with proper treatment of his PKU and a lot of love, he will flourish.
These boys will love living in a house with three other brothers, a house full of PKU-friendly food, a lot of music, laughter, and outdoor activities with their new family! Every dollar donated gets our family one step closer to bringing them home. The oldest one ages out on his fourteenth birthday in a few short months!
8/9/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Michael and Elizabeth are eagerly waiting to bring Cara home! Michael comes from a family of 14 siblings, and has always wanted a house full of children. Together, Michael and Elizabeth now have 8 children. They both serve at their local church, where Michael helps lead worship. Theirs is a house full of music and worship. Elizabeth is a full time mother, and home-schools their children on their small farm in Oregon. She has had a longstanding desire and call on her life to adopt a child with special needs, and has been patiently waiting for the time God would open that door in her life. Several months ago, the Lord began leading Michael and Elizabeth down a meandering path to prepare for adoption. Doors seemed to open and close, but each bend in the road only reinforced their confidence that God was leading them. They began a homestudy to prepare for a child they had not found yet.
Finally, when they saw Cara’s profile on Reese’s Rainbow, they both fell in love. They found the little girl who had been waiting for them! Cara is an amazing, shining little girl from eastern Europe. Michael, Elizabeth and all of their children are excitedly and impatiently waiting to bring Cara home. Their home is overflowing with love and affection for this little girl. Please, won’t you consider investing in making this family whole?
8/2/2017 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Follow along on the family’s adoption journey at: grandtdreamteam.blogspot.com
Janet is so excited to start this family expansion by welcoming in this Deaf child. She is a hearing daughter of two incredible Deaf Parents. She works as a Sign Language Interpreter at Stanford University’s Hospital. So as you can see bringing in a Deaf child… just fits perfectly! Janet and her extended family are so excited to share her language of ASL, her Deaf culture, her family, her friends and extended community with Royce.
Janet has never been married, but her yearning to be a mother has never wavered. This is what led her loving heart right to adoption. She decided to allow God to direct her path to her future as a Mother, and he led her right to Royce. Royce is a bright, cute, energetic preteen that is in need of a signing & stable home. She is only a few miles from the best School for the Deaf in the country in Fremont, CA. He’s already so loved and has so many excited to meet him and help guide, and shape this young man. Janet feels incredibly blessed to be on this journey towards him across these 5552 miles that currently separate them. Thank you for your time to read this biography and donating to her path towards motherhood.
8/14/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Andy and Kelly have been married for almost 29 years. They have been blessed with seven biological children over the course of their lives together-six sons and one daughter. They now have four adult children that have left home so that leaves only three at home.
In 2010 they were introduced to the beautiful world of Down Syndrome when their youngest child was born. Although the learning curve was steep and Jamison suffered from numerous medical challenges in the first few years he is now a healthy, thriving and delightful 6 year old who is the absolute delight of their family!
Kelly has had a desire to adopt for a long time. Before Jamison was born she discovered Reece’s Rainbow and she and her daughter, Abby, would spend many hours looking at the waiting children and wondering if there would be a time that adoption would be a part of their family. The timing wasn’t right.
Following Jamison’s birth and a cross country move the Kesti family settled into their new community. They discovered and became active in their local Down Syndrome advocacy group, DSNetwork of Arizona all the while becoming more and more aware of the awesome-ness of these special people blessed with an extra chromosome.
Once again Kelly began looking at the waiting children on Reece’s Rainbow and becoming part of Facebook’s DS adoption advocacy community. Now after a year of looking for their child and beginning an adoption savings they found their daughter, “Merryn” right where this all started-on Reece’s Rainbow!
“Merryn” is a very adorable little 5-year old girl with Down Syndrome who is waiting for her family to come and bring her home. Andy and Kelly are her mom and dad and are working hard to get her home as soon as humanly possible! They can hardly wait until the day they will bring their sweet girl home where she can feel the love of all of her family that waits for her!
The Kesti family has already seen so much support and enthusiasm as they are beginning this process. They know there are generous people that would also like to help by donating so they can make this process as smooth and as fast as it can be!
Please consider making a donation; any amount will help!
8/14/17—HOMESTUDY APPROVED
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at bringingourspecialangelhome.blogspot.com
Cal and Melissa have been married for 22 years and have eleven children, nine biological and two from Liberia. Their oldest at nineteen is married, so they just have ten still living at home. Both Cal and Melissa had a desire to adopt even before they met. Melissa worked in an orphanage in Hong Kong for a year and a half. It was there that she had the joy of looking after many babies with Down Syndrome and hoped to adopt a special one of her own one day.
God had an exciting surprise for Cal and Melissa, their third child was born with Down Syndrome! Soon after this they discovered Reece’s Rainbow, gushing over the children and donating when possible. There was always the dream of adopting a little girl with Down Syndrome. Life got busy, until recently when God made it clear that He had a special little girl for the Calhoon family.
Everything is perfect in God’s timing, He prepared a large enough home, a great job for Cal, and after what was thought to be a phone call of inquiry, our little girl. We ended up doing things a little backwards and had pre-approval within a few days of calling to ask if our family was too big for adoption!
We have just completed our home study and are trying to remain patient while we wait for our little darling to come home.
7/18/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Matt and Sara have been married for 15 years and have 7 children, 2 of them adopted from Ukraine. Shortly after their 5th child was born, they saw a photo on the Reece’s Rainbow website of a young girl who looked like she could be their daughter. They began the adoption process, and God richly blessed their journey and unique way of adding to their family. They also brought home a young son that year. The transition has gone well overall and both kids are absolutely amazing! They are so loving, and the family cannot imagine life without them. Looking back, it feels like they have always been with them. Their other children have been very supportive and also want to adopt someday.
Fast forward to 2017. Matt and Sara have never stopped thinking about adoption and whether adopting again would be right for them. Would they still be supported if adding to their family again? After all, even 7 children is far past the national average in America. Would others understand the great need that is out there? After a recent road trip with much time to think, they saw two boys newly listed on the Reece’s Rainbow website and decided to follow their hearts and step forward in faith once again. It truly felt like their family was not yet complete and that adoption would grow their family yet again.
One evening, their oldest daughter also asked for the Reece’s Rainbow website address and began looking through photos of waiting girls. She brought a few to Mom and Dad’s attention, and soon 3 of the girls were looking at profiles together. As a result, the family also hopes to bring home an older daughter if it is God’s will. Altogether, it would even out the kids – 5 girls and 5 boys.
In addition to road trips across the US and Canada, the Baerbock family enjoys nature walks, family movie nights, and trips to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and State Fair. They are also involved in their church through Sunday School and the church council. The girls enjoy track and gymnastics, and one daughter has even made it onto the local gymnastics team!
The family would be honored and humbled by your support and encouragement to help bring their children home. Please pray for them that all may go smoothly. You can follow their journey at their blog: www.postzero.com/adoption_journey
7/30/17 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Thomas (Rusty) and Rachel have been married for 11 years. They have two boys Hunter 10 and Mason 6. They felt a longing to adopt but didn’t know how until a family friend introduced them to Summer hosting. After conflicting schedule issues they had to regrettable turn down hosting after falling in love with sweet Gulliver. God wasn’t through with this story there. He had been warming the hearts of a local adoption advocate to bring Gulliver to visit and hopefully find a forever family. The two families through family friends met and expressed desires to meet. The lady asked Rachel to travel with her to get Gulliver when he arrived from Asia. Rachel followed Gods calling and packed for the road trip. The family fell in love with Gulliver and the story began. Rusty and Rachel submitted to adopt Gulliver before he ever left the states. Little did they know it wasn’t God’s timing. Rachel was not quite 30 which is a requirement for his adoption. Rusty and Rachel prayed and trusted the lord until the phone call came that Gulliver was still available. They immediately applied for PA and were approved. God has showed up and out all in this family’s story. The family of 4 will soon be a family of 5.
7/13/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Please meet the Romeros. Teresa and Robert are the parents of two girls, a sixteen year old and a four year old. They are a family with strong faith. They always wanted to adopt, it was originally part of their family’s plan. However, they never felt financially secure enough to move forward. This past January Teresa was part of a mission trip to El Salvador. During the trip Teresa worked in very poor communities. The poverty was like nothing the family had previously experienced and Teresa was deeply distressed by the plight of the children. When she returned home, she shared her experiences with her family and they decided it was the right time to move forward with the adoption. The Romeros wanted a child that had special needs and over the age of 2, but also wanted to adopt in birth order so the child needed to be younger than their 4 year old toddler. They were ecstatic when they found the most adorable little guy, called “Patrick” on the agency profile. They inquired about him and had their doctor review his medical records. They were so excited to say “yes” to the adoption of Patrick. They quickly realized they would need to fundraise in order to make their dream a reality and have set up several fundraisers already.
The Romeros are totally committed to loving Patrick and making him part of their family. Please help the Romeros bring Patrick home.
7/13/2017 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
A family of five, following God’s call to become eight, we are pursuing the adoption of a sibling trio, ages 14, 16, and 18. We hosted the oldest and youngest in our home during the summer of 2016. We loved them, but let life and excuses get in the way of pursuing them further. After 6 months of working in both of our hearts, we had a heart-to-heart with one another and realized we need to be obedient to God and become V8. We hope to bring home our teens mid-late 2017.
We live in a small town in southwest Minnesota. We have a 4-year old son and 2-year old twin girls. Our 4-year old asks regularly when the teenagers can come back because he believes we need to be their family. Our response: God’s will; God’s time.
8/17/2017 — USCIS APPROVED
God has been working miracles in their hearts, and the Harmon family is adding a sweet little boy to their family! As their own four children slept safely in their beds, bellies full of food, hearts knowing they are loved, Nikki and Mikey wept as they scrolled through profiles of abandoned children who did not know the safety and love of a family. As they scrolled through page after page of profiles, they kept going back to one little boy who had touched their hearts. He was familiar to them somehow, and before the night was over they had emailed the agency for more information. They hardly slept that night as the weight of these forgotten children weighed heavily on their hearts and wet their pillows with tears. Over the next few days it became clear that God intended for this little boy to teach them about sacrifice and love. Suddenly their perspective had changed and nothing felt as important as bringing him home. Their children did not hesitate for a moment when Nikki and Mikey told them there was a child without a home who needed a family. They cannot wait to hold Landon in their arms!
7/12/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at theharmonsadopt.blogspot.com
Mark and Rachel Parkinson have been happily married 16 years. We have three beautiful children.. Christian, Naomi and Ella. We have a fun farmette where we enjoy all of our animals and plenty of fresh air!
Adoption has been on Rachel’s heart since she was a little girl…she dreamt of having her own orphanage one day. As time has gone by and prayers for direction made, the Lord opened their eyes to the needs of the orphans of Eastern Europe. Thus has begun our amazing journey leading us to commit to a beautiful little girl “Emma”. We feel so blessed to be called to bring her into our home and call her our own……she is in a very tough place and we are raising funds to bring her home as soon as possible!
5/25/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Jason and Alex Parsley have been happily married for 13 years and have a beautiful family of 5 (now going on 6!). They have 3 biological children: Lily, their oldest daughter, of 12 years old; Laila, their 2nd daughter, at 10 years old, and Jed, their son, who is now 6 years old. Jason and Alex have both been very active in ministry for many years and are very passionate about loving people. Over the last 3 years a stirring began in their hearts for the Orphan Crisis and they began seeking to make a difference . Alex and Lily were led to a mission trip in Asia last year to work with orphans when they met Ethan. They loved him from the moment they saw his sweet little face and he stole a very special place in their hearts. The Parsley family spent almost a year praying over him, praying that he would have the loving family he needed, and asking the Lord to lead them to the child He has for them. After months of searching for his file, accepting that they might not, and praying over many other children, God lead them right back to Ethan. And they are so ready to have this sweet little angel in their arms. The Parsleys are doing everything they can to be good stewards of what they have and raise funds creatively as well. However, they still need help, and would be honored if you would support them in bringing Ethan home.
You can follow their adoption journey at www.spiritorchard.com for regular updates. Thank you in advance for your considerations, support, and donations.
5/22/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Laura is a clinical social worker, founder of a nonprofit called EB Promise that advocates for orphans with EB, and a fierce EB advocate. EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) is a rare genetic skin disorder in which any sort of friction against the skin causes the skin to blister or tear off completely. Things like seams of clothing, rubbing eyes, brushing teeth and other simple daily tasks we take for granted can cause pain and harm to individuals living with EB. Many people with EB have open wounds all over their bodies, wear bandages from head to toe, and endure painful dressing changes that can last several hours. Infections can be extremely dangerous. If all that weren’t enough, EB also affects people internally. Children with EB are often referred to as “Butterfly Children” because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. EB became a part of Laura’s life in 2009 when her friend’s son Jonah (pictured with Laura above) was born with EB and it has since become her life’s passion and work.
We could go on and on about how Jonah and EB has impacted Laura’s life, but it is much shorter to say this: There is only one explanation of why her life has been so impacted by Jonah and EB, and that is Jesus. There is no earthly reason why she should care so much about EB – a disorder that has no direct impact on her life or the lives of any of her family members. But God put EB on her heart and it’s changed the path of her career, her life’s work, and the call on her life. She has known for years that God was calling her to adopt a child with EB, and she is excited to say that the time has finally come!
6/29/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
You can follow Laura’s adoption journey at her blog www.adoptingabutterfly.wordpress.com
Brian and Cortney are excited to go back to Eastern Europe to adopt another child with special needs. A little over four years ago, they adopted two children with special needs, a son with Down Syndrome and a daughter with cerebral palsy, from the same country. This came after God opened their eyes to how children with special needs were languishing in orphanages, and they realized that He had equipped them to help. After struggling with infertility, they are eager to build their family through the gift of adoption once again. They were smitten the first time they saw Adley’s photo and it was soon after that they realized he would be the perfect addition to their family.
The Seays want to thank all their family and friends who have helped them not only in the process of adopting their first children, but have also helped in the joy of raising them! Mostly they want to thank Jesus for saving us, calling us into His marvelous light, and enabling us to follow Him into His unexpected (and wonderful) plan for their lives.
8/15/2017 — USCIS APPROVED
Follow the family’s journey on their blog: homeismeanttobeshared.blogspot.com
Justin and Tara have been married for five years and have a two-year old biological daughter who loves to read and loves Mickey Mouse. As soon as Vivien was born, she was loved beyond comprehension by two parents who prayed for her and would show her the love of Jesus. This love grew and overflowed, and God began to give Tara and Justin hearts for the unwanted and unloved children in the world. Over the past two years, they have been praying about how God could use them in real, tangible ways, like fostering or adopting, to bring the light of Jesus and a forever home to a child in need. God has opened doors where they never even thought to look and He has led their hearts to precious little Jenny.
6/21/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Please follow the family’s journey on their blog: thejourneytojenny.blogspot.com
Jenny has received a $468 Waiting Child Grant.
Hi there! We are Chris and Elizabeth Graham. Newlyweds. Mama and Daddy to Worth. Adoption advocates. Chipotle lovers. A musician and an artist.
In early 2015, I (Elizabeth) was living the single lady life when I had the craziest dream. In my dream, I was marrying the love of my life, and there right next to us was my precious, adopted child. It was breathtaking and vividly real.
By mid-2015, I was home study approved and eagerly learning the world of international adoption. After setback and heartbreak, I finally met my son, Worth, in May 2016, and he was in my arms forever on October 17, 2016.
Somewhere in the middle of that beautiful chaos, I met Chris and immediately knew he was the man of my dreams. Chris asked me to be his wife right before we traveled together to pick up my son, now our son. Loving Worth together has been the greatest joy of our lives. Some days are hard and messy and full of tears, but every day is overflowing with love.
Our prayer as a couple is that our love be so abundant that we have plenty to share with the world; now is the time to share our love with two daughters, two sisters for Worth. After months of praying and advocating for “Anna,” it became clear that she was supposed to join our family. Right now, she is locked away in a mental institution for adult men. Soon, she will be ours, forever home in our family.
With all signs and dreams pointing to adopting two girls, our hearts were led to “Dolly.” Without a doubt, she is our missing piece! “Anna” and “Dolly” are already in our hearts. Now we just need to get them home!
Thank you for being a part of this beautiful story. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
6/20/17 — COMPILING DOSSIER
John and Mary Ellen Keno have been married for 32 years and are blessed to have eight children — three birth daughters and five adopted children — over the past 31 years. They are also blessed with four beautiful grandchildren and a great son-in-law. God has been nudging them to adopt a teen boy with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe. Their whole family is excited to welcome their son/brother/uncle home.
5/16/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Robert and Louisa have been married for twenty-three years. They are the parents of five children, all through the blessings of adoption.
While traveling to Russia, Guatemala and Ukraine, Robert and Louisa saw the unforgettable faces of children in orphanages they had to leave behind. They witnessed the heartache and misery that comes from growing up without the care of loving parents and living in austere conditions. As Roman Catholics, they believe in the sanctity of every human life.
It was through Reece’s Rainbow they learned about children with special needs needing families. In 2013, they welcomed home a baby girl with Down Syndrome. Being older parents, they thought their family was complete. But, God helped them to trust in His plan. One day, a little boy caught their eye. Something about him spoke to their hearts. He was three-years old and still waiting for his forever family. They knew right away they wanted him. After many prayers they decided to say, “Yes!”
Robert and Louisa want to thank their family and friends that have loved and supported them over the years. Most of all, they want to thank Jesus Christ for His sacrifice on the cross. It would mean so much if you would pray for Bruce and the Ramirez Family. Reece’s Rainbow is so worthy of any support you can give.
6/2/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Brian Dupuis and Jennifer Shea met through mutual friends and began dating over 12 years ago. They both fell in love with each other’s honesty, humor, and love of life. They were married almost 9 years ago in a beautiful church just down the street from where Jennifer had grown up.
Brian and Jennifer have always realized that they were incredibly blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends. They always knew that they had a lot to give… the couple had talked about adoption off and on for a few years and had even looked at a few adoption sites over those years, but they had never felt that it was the time to act. However, this past December when Jennifer saw a little boy “Pauly” on the Reece’s Rainbow website, she felt an instant connection. For the next several days she woke up thinking about him, he popped into her head at random times throughout the day, and she went to bed praying that he felt safe and loved- and that he would find a family soon. After sharing her experience with her husband, he agreed that it was time to move forward.
Although the couple does not currently have any children of their own, they have many amazing nieces, nephews, and godchildren who they adore. And with the most supportive family and friends by their side, they cannot wait to bring their adopted child into their extended family filled with unconditional love!
6/16/17 —HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Almost 3 years ago while preparing his file for families to review, adoption worker Stefani Ellison first saw the chubby little face of an endearing toddler boy. His special need was Down Syndrome and he had an extra tiny thumb protruding from his right thumb. That should have been her first clue. He was giving her the “thumbs up” sign no matter what direction she looked at him from. He needed a privacy name and she named him WILKIE.
Months, then years passed, no family came for him. His file left her agency and was assigned to multiple agencies. Still, no family came. His file again returned to her agency and he was included in an Advocacy Camp in November 2016. Stefani was assigned to be one of the traveling staff and her teenaged daughters Alexa and Jaeya were lucky get to go help too.
Alexa has had an extra special place in her heart for Wilkie. She has watched him for years as he waited. She wanted to be assigned as his advocate SO BADLY and in the end she was. She did a fundraiser to earn her plane ticket. They went to camp and needless to say, Wilkie was amazing, utterly ready for them to be friends. While in Asia, Stefani made repeated online posts and plead for someone to find their son Wilkie. Why was his prospective mother not listening?
Camp ended and they said their heartbreaking goodbyes and watched him taken into the elevator with his caregiver. The doors shut on that bright face. Sob. They made the arduous journey home missing Wilkie with their whole hearts.
A few days after returning home, Stefani’s husband Stephen called her from work. He declared, “I need to sell my truck”. To ever see Stephen with that Dodge Mega Cab 350 truck was to know that the beauty was his baby. Stefani wondered what on earth must be broken with it and steeled herself for what was coming next. What she didn’t prepare for was the answer to her question why when Stephen replied, “I need to sell my truck because I think I am supposed to be Wilkie’s dad.” Simply that and hearts were turned and future’s changed.
They have received pre-approval, Stephen’s truck sold and other tender mercies have been shown to them. There is no doubt today that Wilkie is an Ellison son and brother. His time waiting for a family to know he was theirs had finally ended.
The Ellison’s have blended a family, adopted 12 children, been foster parents, and have stepped up many times to help kids from very hard places. It has been painful and sometimes utterly challenging but they are certain they need to step up one more time and bring Wilkie home.
So, they walk towards Wilkie. They enfold him. They will do battle for him. They will sign every piece of unending paperwork with joy in their hearts that they get to be part of this blessing. Please walk with them. Be a partner in their journey. Together be awestruck by what Wilkie will bring into our lives and in what he will give the world.
5/5/2017–AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Darrel and Shonette have been married for 28 ½ years. Darrel is retired AF, and is now in law enforcement. Shonette is a stay at home mom and homeschools five children who are still in school. They are active in First Baptist Church, in their city.
They have ten children, four biological and six adopted. They have always been led to adopt overseas. They finally took that leap of faith back in 2009. They started out to adopt one little girl and that fell threw. Then they picked another little girl, which could not be adopted because paper work wasn’t ready for her. In that entire process, they wanted to God to lead them to the one that was to be their daughter. Their agency sent them five more little girls. They prayed that whichever one was paper ready, was to be their daughter. In April 2010, they landed with their little girl from Ukraine, AnnaKae Hope. AnnaKae was weeks from being transferred. They knew AnnaKae was meant to be their daughter. They have been praying for years about adopting another one so AnnaKae could have a little sister.
They were praying about Priscilla on Reece’s Rainbow. Then Shonette heard she was going to be transferred in August. She knew it was time to jump again. God has called them to a place that a lot of people don’t want to go. Darrel and Shonette have a heart for orphans and know it’s their passion. They are rushing to get everything done, to get to Priscilla before she is transferred. They are excited about adding another little one to their family and can’t wait to get her home.
5/3/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Hi! We’re the Pattersons. We’ve been married for 23 years (Wow, time flies!) and currently have five children. Our two oldest are in college, our next two are in high school and our youngest is in fifth grade. Four years ago we adopted our youngest, Joseph. The past four years have been challenging but SO rewarding.
For over 2 years we have wanted to adopt again. We had been in process with another country when the adoption could not move forward. We were heartbroken. When we saw Camila’s picture we were so excited! We had been praying about who our next child would be and hoping that we could adopt a little girl with Arthrogryposis. Joseph was born with Arthrogryposis and we have become quite familiar with the ins and outs of the medical procedures and therapies that are necessary. So, when we inquired about Camila and were accepted to pursue her adoption we were thrilled! Despite the unknowns, we are ready to plow through the paperwork to bring our little girl home as soon as possible!!
We appreciate your prayers and support so much as we begin this journey.
4/11/17—HOMESTUDY UPDATE COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at hiskindness.wordpress.com
Priscilla and Dave are experienced parents and adopters who have had their eyes opened once again to a precious child in need. They are pushing full steam ahead to bring their newest blessing home, and would love your support and prayers as they work as hard as they can to bring her home where she can know love, family, support and get the medical care she desperately needs. She will be joining her three older brothers and older sister who can’t wait to have her home to dote on. Please join the Morse family in their journey across the ocean once more, to gently gather their sweet baby girl into their arms and shepherd her home.
4/12/2017 –AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Shannon first discovered international adoption – and Reece’s Rainbow – in 2008 after a heartbreaking miscarriage. She instantly knew adopting internationally was something she wanted to do, but Troy wasn’t so sure. After serving as missionaries in Haiti (Troy) and Paraguay (Shannon), they knew first-hand the difference that good medical care, good nutrition and love made in the lives of children – but Troy felt they were busy enough with their 4 children and worried about the cost and risks involved. Two more miscarriages and finally a surprise baby boy followed over the next 8 years, but the dream of adopting a child in need never left Shannon’s heart – and the reluctance to adopt never left Troy’s!
As soon as they saw the photo of Carrie, a precious little one in pink with melting brown eyes and a fluffy white teddy bear, they BOTH knew they had to do everything in their power to bring her home as quickly as possible! They got through the paperwork as quickly as they could, but sadly, a week before they received USCIS approval (the very last step!), they found out that Carrie had gone into foster care in her country and was unavailable. They believe that God would not have so clearly put their feet on this path for nothing, and are pressing on and looking forward to meeting the special kids He has picked out for them!
8/1/17 —USCIS APPROVED
The humanity in all of us is touched by thoughts of the loneliness experienced by any child waiting for adoption. The story is all the more profound if the child has some special medical need that means his/her passage into adulthood without the love and protection of a family will result in an already desperate prospect having a truly hopeless outlook–most especially when the special need secures little sympathy or help from in-country institutional sources.
This is a story about a little girl called Temperance, and the family she was meant to have.
Temperance has just turned 8. Her prospects of adoption are hugely compromised not only by her age but also and more particularly by her very special need—a chronic blood disorder which is not well understood in her country. She does well in school and is respectful to adults. She is pretty and sweet, but she will not survive under the current circumstances.
The Sims married later in life but faced the prospect of a childless marriage because Dean had the exact same medical condition that Temperance has. Consistent care, persistence, intelligent medical management and the advance of science not only enabled him to manage this condition and live an active, healthy life but it allowed Mary and Dean to have two healthy biological children. This story, if we had space to share the details, would itself leave you watery eyed in terms of its improbability.
Mary and Dean want to try to give something back by way of thanks for their good fortune. Their age now puts them just over the line of ineligibility for many adoption programs, but their preparedness to embrace Temperance into their family and their unique ability to offer medical care and personal experience in successfully managing her condition has opened up an opportunity for them to adopt Temperance. The cost of this adoption (nearly $60,000) is a harrowing obstacle even after making sacrifices and putting aside other wants and needs as all adoptive parents must do. The high cost is due not only to the extensive in-country fees, but also to the requirement for a six-week stay in country for the whole family.
They are resolved to make it happen. They feel they have to. Without this lifeline, Temperance would seem to have little chance at a full and happy life. In fact, now that she is eight, she may be moved to the school for children with mental challenges, which is where many children with miscellaneous conditions seem to end up. This would be a terrifying prospect even for an adult, but imagine yourself looking through the eyes of a smart and aware, but defenseless, little girl! Even without that, she could find herself suffering extreme prejudice and hardship upon aging out, due to her health condition (if she remains healthy long enough to age out) as well as having spent time in a school for mentally challenged children (of which she was not one). In the arms of her family she would be loved and nurtured and have her condition safely managed so that she could have a full, happy and long life of achievement and strong relationships.
We hope you will join us in bringing this precious child home, and saving a soul worth saving. Maybe in the process, we can begin to break down the bureaucratic paradigms that prevent other children in similar circumstances from finding salvation. But for now—Temperance.
3/15/17—COMPILING DOSSIER
Joseph and Samantha Siebold’s decision to add to their family through adoption began in November 2015. They never could have guessed the many ups and downs they would experience when they began.
One year from making the commitment to adopt – after things going so very unexpectedly – they have had their hearts opened wider than ever. The big picture here is one they never could have envisioned or created on their own. Their story is one they never would have written for themselves. The world is an imperfect place full of imperfect people. But, if all of us come together in small ways the world can be changed.
They are so honored and excited to become this beautiful girl’s adoptive family! Adoption is never perfect because it comes from loss. The Siebolds’ goal is to meet “Roxy” where she is at and give her everything they have to give. She deserves the world (and more) and they want to try to change it for her!
(You can help them change her world too!)
When she joins the Siebold family, “Roxy” will have a Mama and Daddy ready to unconditionally love and advocate for her. She will have two big sisters and a big brother to dote on her for a lifetime. Not to mention a big extended family and community to support and embrace her.
3/15/17—COMPILING DOSSIER
Read more about the Siebolds and follow the family’s adoption (and beyond!) through Samantha’s blog: www.NonfictionFairytale.com
As a family, Jonathan and Laura Dale have a unique set of skills. The Dales were blessed with two biological children, the 2nd of which was born with severe medical complications and mental delays. It was a privilege they were able to enjoy for 12 short years before their daughter passed away from these chronic issues. During this time they also were foster parents to several long term placements and eventually adopted two more children. Again, one a typical, thriving child and one medically complex. In their 21 years of marriage they have learned so much about how to be parents of children with severe trauma and medical issues that it has become their families “normal”.
In January 2017 they saw “Clarence” on a You-Tube video, a little boy in Eastern Europe, who has significant medical needs and has been in institutionalized care his entire life. Laura was smitten and soon Jonathan was on board too! Shortly upon actively starting the adoption process for him, they were introduced to “Aria” a little girl in another region in the same country. Jonathan immediately “claimed” her as his. Laura’s heart followed as well. Their family has decided that both of these children are to be a part of their forever family. Their older boys are on board and excited to meet their soon-to-be siblings.
Being patient and handling “red-tape” is not a concern for this family – it is money that is the greater challenge. Jonathan works three jobs (handyman, mechanic, farm hand) and Laura works from home 40-60 hours a week making baby items and selling them online or at farmers markets. They have also started working every weekend selling hard scooped ice cream at local events to add to their adoption funds. This process is long and tedious.
Adopting two children, from two different regions is incredibly expensive. It is a financial hurdle that can be very frightening. The Dales are up for this challenge and are committed to seeing these adoption through.
If you are willing or able to help them with the financial burden of saving this 4 year old boy and 9 year old girl from living the remaining part of their lives in a crib, this family would be forever grateful!
8/17/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
The Ewer family has started their adoption journey to adopt a little boy named Jonathan.They are so excited to bring him home and call him their son! Along with the title son he will also gain the title of “big brother”, “little brother”, and of course gain the title of “orphan no more!”
Jonathan will not only have parents who love him but ten siblings to love him as well! Unfortunately Jonathan has been living in a place that no child should have to live. He spends his days in a room with no toys, no books, no positive interaction of any kind just a room full of boys surrounded by benches. He desperately needs medical care, dental care, an education, but most of all LOVE and a FAMILY! International adoption is very expensive but they know that this is the path God has called them on. Please help them get to their son by helping them chip away at the mountain of expenses that lies in their path! Thank you so much!
“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” – Radical by David Platt
8/22/17 —HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
