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Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome... |
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These families are in the process of completing their HOME STUDY, and still very much need your financial support!
Thank you for your generous gift of life and love!
Sponsor one or more families to help with the financial burden of their adoption journey.
The Taylor family is excited to start yet another adoption journey. With three adopted and four biological children the Taylor household is abounding in love and noise! Phrases frequently heard in the Taylor household are, “Mom, Dad, when do we get to adopt again?” and “It feels like someone is missing. Who are we going to adopt next?”
The Taylor’s adoption journey began because of the faithfulness of fellow believers. After watching friends foster and adopt children for many years the Taylors humbled their hearts and obeyed God’s call to love children who were not theirs biologically and who they might not even be able to adopt. By God’s grace, the first two children placed with them became permanent Taylor-Tots in a joyful adoption ceremony 16 months later. The foster/adoption journey gave the Taylors a glimpse into the pain experienced by children who have been severely neglected, and the joys of having God use them to bring healing beyond all expectations.
Two months after that adoption God gave the Taylors their fourth biological child, who happened to have many special dietary and developmental needs. Those needs introduced them to the world of medical and dietary specialists, which would come in handy two years later when God literally dropped the opportunity to adopt a special baby into their laps. This baby came with her own special needs and spunky personality.
Somewhere between Taylor-Tots #6 and #7 God introduced the Taylors to the Musser family, who were in the process of adopting their little girl from Bulgaria. The Taylors ‘knew’ that special needs orphans did not receive adequate care in orphanages around the world, but through the Musser’s adoption they realized just how little hope special needs orphans actually had. After much prayer, God provided the way for the Taylors to begin a special needs international adoption.
God planted the seeds of love in their hearts for Sara & Samuel long before they knew the siblings existed. The Taylors have been reading the blog of Julia Nalle for quite some time and had their hearts broken for The Lost Boys. When Julia announced that Samuel & Sara were available for adoption, the Taylors quietly began to petition God for them. After reading about the children’s special needs the Taylors rejoiced to see how God had been preparing them all along to parent Sara & Samuel, through their other adoptions and through the support of a sweet and determined friend who also happens to ride a wheelchair.
The Taylors are in absolute awe at how God has ordained each of their adoptions. They can’t wait to see what God has in store for Sara & Samuel as well. All the Taylor-Tots are clamoring to bring Sara & Samuel home as soon as possible! Now the phrase, “When do we get to bring Samuel & Sara home?” reverberates through the house.
2/25/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at taylor-made-for-his-purpose.blogspot.com
Roberto and Louisa have been married for 20 years. They have been blessed by God with four children, ages 12, 12, 9, and 6. They were each welcomed home through the blessing of international adoption from Russia (three) and Guatemala (one). When Louisa discovered Reece’s Rainbow, she recognized God’s merciful, perfect love among a group of people who were joyfully caring for and rescuing the most outcast littlest members of our world—the child with special needs. Shortly after they welcomed home their fourth child, an older boy from Russia in 2011, they made plans to return to Russia to adopt another child from Russia. But then Russia decided to close its doors to American adoptions. This was a bitter disappointment. As in all trials, when God closes a door, he opens a window. After a time of prayer, He showed them a beautiful baby girl in Eastern Europe who happens to have Down syndrome. After talking over the prospect of a fifth child and sibling, and a baby at that, with their other children, Robert and Louisa decided they wanted to bring baby Justice home for their fifth child, youngest daughter, and sister to her two brothers and two sisters. The Ramirez Family would like to express to their family, friends, and Reece’s Rainbow community, and most of all, to our Lord Jesus Christ, their sincerest thanks for making this special adoption possible.
4/2/13—-HOMESTUDY UPDATE in PROCESS
Adoption has always been a part of Brian & Sara Tyler’s plan for their family. They currently have 2 biological children. Will who is 3.5 years old & Megan who is just a little over 1. Brian & Sara say they couldn’t imagine a child not getting the same love & support as they pour over their biological children.
When Brian & Sara first saw Leah, it was love at first site. They just knew that she was the perfect fit for their family. Leah was born with a cleft lip & palate, which was repaired when she was 6 months old. Since her surgery, Leah has now developed moderate hearing loss. She is just 2 months younger than her sister, Megan, so she will have an instant playmate! Sara & Brian can’t wait to bring her home & have her meet her forever family!
2/25/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Dewey and Suzanne met in Lexington, MO in 1995 while taking care of a terminally ill patient and his family. With much encouragement, by the family, Dewey asked Suzanne out. After 3 short months they married and have now been together over 17 years. When they married Dewey had 3 children, living with him, and Suzanne had none. She had been told, by Doctors, that she never would have any. Dewey knew Suzanne had a desire to go to China and adopt and that she had been saving money for that reason. But, God is kind and gracious and two months later, Suzanne found herself pregnant. They now have 7 living children (ages 29-3), one in heaven, and 5 grandchildren and twin grand daughters due in June 2013. They still have 5 children living in their home, but know there is room for more. Daniel and Abby are both home schooled and in the 10th and 9th grades. Aaron currently attends early childhood education at the local school, to receive speech therapy, to correct a speech deficit, caused by frequent ear infections and hearing loss. Hannah (who has down syndrome) started attending early childhood education this year, where she gets speech, physical and occupational therapies.
Clara joined our family in May of 2012, through the Special Needs Adoption Program from China. Clara, like Hannah, has down syndrome. She also came to them with many other medical needs. Since her arrival in the US she has had her cleft lip and palate repaired, tear ducts enlarged, tubes in her ears, which returned hearing to her right ear, had her tonsils removed and major dental work done. In January of 2013 she had open heart surgery to repair her ASD, VSD and PDA. For the most part her surgery was a success. After surgery it was discovered that her PDA had partially burst open, due to high pulmonary pressures, and at her post-op visit it was noted that her pressures were decreasing and they are hoping that in 6 months she will be able to have her PDA ligated during a cardiac cath. Clara and Aaron will both start kindergarten (home schooled) in the fall.
Shortly after returning home, they were approached about a little girl they had met while in China. After much prayer and discussion they agreed that they should return and bring this sweet girl home. She too has down syndrome and a heart defect called ASVSD. They are in a race against time to get her to the USA for surgery. They kept getting updates and pictures wand there was always a second little girl in them. They prayed more and decided they should bring home both girls. The second little girl has down syndrome and a repaired TOF.
They are waiting for the girl’s files to be finished and working on their home study and dossier. They are hoping that once the girl’s files are finished they will be able to lock them and expedite the remaining parts of the adoption.
3/5/2013–HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com
Chris and Jill met on a blind date then married 5 years ago on New Years Eve and now have two beautiful girls.
When Jill was pregnant with their oldest daughter in the Fall of 2008, they learned that their baby might have Down Syndrome. The doctor was tickled, and outwardly expressed so, when they said they didn’t need an amniocentesis to confirm, nor any discussion of their “options,” because they were having a baby, not a diagnosis.
You see, Jill and Chris had an advantage… Jill’s sister, Lisa, was born with arthrogryposis 43 years earlier, and Jill’s brother-in-law, Joe, was in an accident with a drunk driver as a young man, suffering a head injury and leaving him with some intellectual challenges. All of this helped Jill and Chris to know that Down Syndrome was hardly an insurmountable issue. A year later, after a scary, yet amazing year in which their 2 month old had open heart surgery to repair 3 holes in her heart and then started developing through therapies and their determined focus, the Reffett’s brought home their second daughter. The two girls, just 13 months apart, have grown, pushed, and challenged each other while being fun, fast friends.
After her oldest daughter was born, Jill changed her career path to help as many people with intellectual disabilities as possible to find their own ability to do anything they set their hearts on. Chris, quietly strong, shifted his already focused educational passion to helping those kiddos and families who are trying to navigate the special education system. Chris is a principal and special education coordinator in a small, rural school district and Jill is an area director for Special Olympics Illinois.
Shortly after having their oldest daughter, a friend shared the Reece’s Rainbow site with Jill and the couple began to discuss their plan for “someday”… then, Tabitha’s story impacted them and their journey began to bring Tabitha home. This little girl who looked so much like their biological daughters called to them… it could have been their daughter that was in an orphanage just because she had Down Syndrome, and so they decided that, well, yes she is going to be their daughter! For now, they are on-hold with little Miss Tabitha, until things change in her country. THEY ARE NOT GIVING UP ON TABITHA, just adding to the loving home she will be a part of when she can come home to them.
The journey to bring Tabitha home has strengthened the Reffett’s conviction, as well as that of their extended family and friends, that no child should be left without a home or without love. This conviction has led the Reffetts to work to bring home another little one, little Miss Shelley. Little miss Shelley, this beautiful little 2 yr old, needs and deserves to be loved and cared for by a family that is ecstatic for her to join them soon. . What started as a journey to save one child just got a whole lot bigger!!
The Reffett’s greatest joy is experiencing all that every child CAN do… the hardest part of this journey is knowing just how many kiddos need a family to love them and to help them grow into a productive member of our society. But, they hope that sharing their journey will show other families that they too can do this…
Please help Jill and Chris bring home little Miss Shelley, they can’t do it alone.
3/7/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at justclimbingdown.blogspot.com
Isaac and Amy will be married for seven years in May of 2013! They have five biological children, Elizabeth, Naomi, Abigail, Maverick and one little princess in heaven, Eden Rejuvenate. They always dreamed of having a big family and knew from the beginning that adoption would play a role in growing their family. They had considered adopting a special needs child even before their sweet Eden was born. She suffered a severe birth injury resulting in a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. She graced them with her presence for 2 1/2 years. She taught them so much. Though she could not eat, speak or walk, her smile said it all. She taught them that they were stronger than they ever knew. She taught them what it means to be selfless and to have a deeper expression of love than they knew they were capable of.
When their family saw beautiful Gwendolyn on Reeces Rainbow, they knew she was the one! Gwendolyn has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They are so excited to make her a part of their family. They have a lot of knowledge and skills to help her thrive to her fullest, and look forward to nurturing and loving her. Naomi especially likes to brag that she has a new sister and likes to draw pictures of their family, including Gwendolyn. Please partner with the Goocher family in bringing this precious child of God home to her forever family. Donations and prayers are deeply appreciated! Thank you!!!
4/3/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Some might refer to The Longeneckers as the real life family that the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen” was based on! YES! Even the frog on the dinner table. The Longeneckers are abundantly blessed with 9 children (working towards that dozen!), ranging from 3 in college all the way down to one in Preschool.
It was love at first sight for Mark and Jan who have been happily married for over 20 years. They had always talked about adding to their family through adoption and finally had the opportunity in 2008. God made it abundantly clear to them that Special Needs is the way He wanted them to go. They began the process of pursuing a child with Down Syndrome Internationally, but God had another plan. They received a call about a little boy in the US and after submitting their info to the birth mother they were selected to parent this precious little boy.
Chase was not what they expected. They were very familiar with Down syndrome, as a matter of fact; Jan has never known life without it. Her only brother Jason has Down syndrome. Down Syndrome however, was the least of Chases problems. He was born cocaine/ heroin positive. His heart defect was more complex than anticipated. He spent 310 days in the NICU. Two open-heart surgeries later and the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease as well as failure to thrive resulting in a g-tube and he is stable and beginning to thrive. He was not what they expected… He was so much more! They were forever changed! Not just Mark and Jan each of the children. Just like the verse in Proverbs 24 says…. “Once our eyes have been opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act”!
The most utilized machines in their home…. you guessed it, the dishwasher and the washing machine, doing 30 loads a week! Although the grocery carts and laundry baskets are overflowing, so is the love and laughter in the Longenecker home. Mark and Jan receive the greatest joy out of hearing the banter and play that occurs daily among their children. They would be thrilled to add another voice to this fun-loving atmosphere. What keeps a family like this running?? Glad you asked! The most important element of the Longenecker family is their faith in God. They understand that God has given them a great responsibility to care for and raise children who will continue sharing God’s love with the world. They rely on God to give them wisdom and patience, love and compassion for each child they are privileged to parent. With God, all things are possible. They would count it an honor to be able to parent another child with Down syndrome.
9/26/12—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at http://www.chancedavid.blogspot.com/
Dale and Carrie have been married seven years and have two sweet children named Patricia (5) and Brayden (4). The call to adopt has been a growing nudge on the Bradford’s hearts as they considered growing their family. Dale works as an IT director in mental health and Carrie works in Special Education. She has been working with children and adults with Disabilities for ten years in various activities including Special Olympics, Special Needs Sunday School, tutoring, and Special Education. God has orchestrated so much in leading this family to Reece’s Rainbow. Early on in Carrie’s life, her parents made an example of investing in the lives of two children in need of love through the foster care system. Carrie’s brother, a source of inspiration and much love to both Dale and Carrie, also has special needs and has been a primary motivator for their commitment to special needs and the tender spot in their hearts for each of these children. However, loving children through a career did not feel like enough, and they are ready to open their home to a precious child with Down Syndrome. They humbly and prayerfully ask for your support as they begin this journey to bring a child in need of a family into a forever family.
3/11/13—HOME STUDY UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at brad4dadoptionjourney.blogspot.com
Eric and Elizabeth have been married for 8 years and have three children – their oldest, a boy named Isaiah Victor is 7, next is Annie Faith who is also 7 and then is Eva Isabelle who is 1. They have been amazed to see how God has perfectly orchestrated their family… combining them into something beautiful. Their family is excited to add Kurt to their lives. They first saw Kurt’s picture and short profile on an advocacy website. His big, brown eyes were worth remembering! Their previous adoptions (of Isaiah and Annie) have centered around children who were at significant risk of being “lost in the system.” We believe strongly in the verse from Proverbs 31 that we are to “defend the rights of the poor and needy; speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” They want Kurt to know that he is loved and that he is a precious child of God who was created for a purpose. Please join them as they pray specifically for God to protect Kurt physically and emotionally and that Kurt would be ready to receive them as his family.
3/25/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at holdingoutmyheart.blogspot.com
Jeff and Molly Butler are celebrating 20 years of marriage this year. After college and before becoming a mom, Molly was a special education teacher and absolutely loved teaching kids with more significant needs. As Jeff visited her class from time to time, they both developed a keen understanding of the beauty and value all people have, regardless of their abilities. Since becoming a stay at home mom, Molly (especially) has longed for the (re)connection with kids with special needs. It has been something that has never left her heart. Jeff loves all children and has always wanted a big family.
Jeff and Molly have six wonderful children ranging in age from 5-15 years old that they homeschool. They were given a heart for adoption early in their marriage and have been seeking to follow God’s call as He leads. It has been 5 years since their youngest child came home and they thought God had closed the door to more children. They were content, believing it to be His will, and looking forward to the next phase of life. Little did they know that God had bigger and more wonderful plans! Through a series of events, as they learned about the fate of children in institutions in Eastern Europe, especially those whom society deems much less valuable because of imperfections, they knew they were being called to step out in faith and bring one or two of those dear children home.
Through all this they were led to Reece’s Rainbow and have fallen in love with “Wilson”, a tiny 6 year old boy with Down Syndrome and a significant heart condition that requires a pace maker. Everything about him seems perfect to them. They are head over heels for him. Their kids are really excited to welcome another brother into the family. They have even offered their savings to help bring him home! He’s going to be surrounded by love and attention!
Little “Wilson” is in imminent danger of aging out of his orphanage and being sent to a mental institution. The Butlers are hoping to get him home before that happens as it would be a very traumatic change for him…especially with his medical needs. Jeff and Molly are working diligently to do all that it takes to bring him home. He has spent six long years without a family or parents. It’s time he had the love and care he deserves.
Please join Jeff and Molly and share the JOY of bringing little “Wilson” into a family. They need your help through prayers and support. They are opening their hearts and home, but need your help to make it all happen. They can’t do it alone. Even small contributions add up and help and they would be so grateful! Thank you so much!
4/8/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at helpbringwilsonhome.com
Matt and Shilo are a corn-fed, Nebraska-born couple about to celebrate their 6th wedding anniversary and currently calling Phoenix, Arizona “home”. And if that didn’t spark your interest: Matt is a network administrator (that means computers) and Shilo has a high school teaching certificate, though she is currently at home with their three biological children, ages 4, 3 and 2.
Adoption has been on Shilo’s heart since volunteering at a children’s home in Romania in 2004. Deciding it was time, they began paperwork to adopt a boy born in July 2008, the same age as their oldest son, or younger. Connecting with Stellan’s profile caught Shilo offguard, but she knew he was theirs. Matt felt the same. They did not expect to find their child on Reece’s Rainbow, but they cannot wait to get to Stellan and bring him home.
4/6/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at midaia.blogspot.com
We are a big family of seven my husband and I have been married almost 12 years and are very much involved in church love the Lord and wouldn’t be where or who we are today without the Lord. We currently have fie beautiful girls that are blessed with. We never thought about adoption that is until God showed me Decker in my dreams. I didn’t understand what it all meant at first until I saw his sweet face online and we fell in love with him right away! we knew the journey would began from that moment on. We looked at Decker as if he was someone that was missing from our home all this time, I knew we would not only be helping a child, but more so God would be blessing us so much more with such a sweet gift. I have always wanted a son and my mind set was always why didn’t I have a son?.. now I know because I wasn’t suppose to have him persay,but adopt! I know this is going to be an adventure that we as a family can only walk through with God and with the support of family and friends. The end result will surpass anything we ever imagined and we are so glad we can share and bless everyone with our journey.
4/6/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Arturo and Jennifer came from different parts of the globe: Arturo from Santiago, Chile and Jennifer from West Virginia. Their shared passion for music brought them together while studying with the same cello teacher in college, and their shared passion and love for Christ has enriched their marriage ever since.
Jennifer has known since she was a child that God was calling her to serve orphans through adoption. As their relationship grew, Arturo came to recognize that same calling from God in his life as well. While perusing pictures of waiting children on Reece’s Rainbow, the plight of many deserving children touched their hearts deeply. However, it was through Shawna and Seth’s photo that God told them that now was the time to begin their adoption journey. They started slowly, first signing up as “Guardian Angels” for the siblings and committing to pray for the children daily and fundraise for their adoption grant. Barely a week passed, however, before God was again working on their hearts. Being Guardian Angels was just the beginning. They realized that their role in Shawna’s and (hopefully) Seth’s lives will be as parents, not only as prayer warriors.
Arturo and Jennifer are thrilled to be starting their family with these two beautiful children and are excited to begin this journey of faith. They trust God to provide and guide, as He has always done for them. As Jennifer’s favorite Psalm exclaims, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
4/6/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.fromhouse2home.us
Glenn and Vashti Walters live in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and have three children, Amelia, Grant, and James Ivan. In 2011, God gave them a love for a child whose Reece’s Rainbow picture they had seen on Facebook via a Christmas Warrior. “Dillon” became James Ivan Walters in August of 2011 and has rocked the Walters’ world ever since!
Amelia and Grant started asking for a sister almost immediately and would peruse the Reece’s Rainbow “available children” looking for a sister. But it wasn’t until Amelia showed them Connie’s profile that God worked in Glenn and Vashti’s hearts and they knew they had found their daughter. Amelia and Grant both said they prayed about Connie without saying anything to their parents! God certainly does use children to do HIS work!
Connie is almost 10 years old and has been asking for a family of her own. God truly cares about the plight of orphans and Glenn and Vashti are so thankful for His mercy toward them and toward Connie!
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” ~Matthew 25:40
3/20/13—-HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at wonderfullymadebyhim.blogspot.com
Let me introduce you to a New Hampshire family whose mission field is adoption! Residing on a small farm they have named Grace Abounding Farm, this family has 2 biological daughters and 6 adopted children. They take seriously God’s command in James 1:27 which states..”Care for the orphans”. Glenn and Mary have been married for 24 years. Glenn is a self employed carpenter, and Mary is blessed to be a keeper of the home and a homeschool Mom. They are in their 13th year of homeschooling. Their eldest biological daughter is married and age 22. She and her husband have the Winslow’s 2 beautiful grand daughters who live just a few towns over. The Winslow’s other biological daughter is 17, and a senior in high school for homeschooling. Glenn and Mary first stepped out in faith to adopt 2 children from Haiti, 7 years ago. Grace, now 16, and Jon, now 9, are thriving in their home. Their next adoption came 4 years later, in 2010, when they adopted a set of 10 year old twins from the NH foster care system. Edward and Elisha are now 13. Next came little 5 year old Nicole. She was also a NH foster care child. She was adopted officially in August of 2012. She is 7 now. Their latest adoption came in the form of a private adoption of a little drug addicted baby that no one wanted. Rosalinda is now 10 months old and doing really well!
God first put a Bulgarian adoption on their hearts with a plea that came out from Adeye’s No Greater Joy Mom blog for a family for Theodore. Glenn and Mary stepped out in faith willing to bring Theodore into their family. God had other plans for Theodore, and he was matched with another family. God also had plans for the Winslows. It was last week that God made known the needs of Zoey. Glenn and Mary immediately fell in love with precious little Zoey. Knowing that according to God’s word, whatever they did for the “least of these” they would do for God Himself! They also felt called to Edward, too. Now, God is moving mountains for both Zoey and Edward to join the Winslow family! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read about our family, and to encourage us in this way! Please visit our blog for updates!
“We thank our God upon EVERY remembrance of you!” Philipians 1:3
12/11/12—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at winslowsix.blogspot.com
Gavin and Mali Kindall have been married for almost nine years; after only seven weeks of dating! You could call them crazy, but when you know you know, right! They have a beautiful two year old boy named Jeton, they call him Jet! It has always been in their plans to adopt one day. In their minds it would happen in a few years, but what they didn’t know, was that their beautiful daughters Harmony and Penelope were already here and waiting to be brought home. One night Mali happened upon Reece’s Rainbow and after a few days of falling in love with all the children and being forever changed, Mali knew God had his own plans for them. It didn’t take long before Gavin knew, too.
While in the process to adopt Harmony and Penelope, their girls’ country banned Americans from adopting. Gavin and Mali have complete faith that the ban will be lifted one day and they will bring them home. They will never forget or give up on their sweet little angels! In the meantime, they have prayed about and have decided to change countries and bring a big brother home for the girls and Jet!! Through much heartbreak has come something very beautiful and that is bringing home another son. They cannot wait to bring home their handsome and amazing Dylan!
So much love has already been shown and given to our Dylan that will help bring him home…..we would like to thank everyone with our whole hearts!
5/22/13—HOMESTUDY NEARLY COMPLETE
