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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.
Dean and Andi Cassel have been married for eight years, and have three wonderful children, ages 7, 5, and 3. They met while both were serving in the Marine Corps, and married a few years later. Now out of the military, they have settled in Virginia, and truly live dependent on the grace of Christ.
The Cassels have felt the call of adoption on their hearts for several years, but over the years, the call has matured with new light and life. It took seven years for them to act on God’s prompting, but it was through those years that they realized God was preparing them for a specific adoption. He had grown their hearts and turned them toward the child with special needs; and more specifically, to a child with Down syndrome. This seemed out of the blue, and perhaps bigger than they thought they could handle; and yet there was no fear. Only peace, and excitement.
Dean and Andi feel humbled and privileged at the same time, and whole-heartedly anticipate the arrival of their newest little one. The whole family is excited about the prospect of bringing home their daughter/sister, Shawna!
They would appreciate Prayers, and if you feel compelled, financial support as they move forward in faith to bring Shawna home!
10/28/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Ben and Tracy met as teenagers through Scouts. They became pen pals and stayed in touch by writing (since they lived on opposite sides of Texas!). After a couple of years hiatus of not writing, Tracy decided to start writing Ben again while he was on a Navy deployment. They fell in love after that and have now been married for 17 years. Ben works as a Utility Forester and Tracy stays at home and homeschools their 4 biological children (ages 15, 9, 5, and 3). Both have had adoption on their hearts for years, but had not expected Reece’s Rainbow to be where God would lead them. Tracy had always been moved to adopt from the Russia area while Ben had thought of adopting domestically one day. A deployment to the Horn of Africa with the Navy changed Ben’s thinking about children overseas. While there, he was able to volunteer to work at a boys’ orphanage and was moved by the plight of children overseas. The Thorp’s children were also able to help by collecting items for the orphanage which Ben then gave to the base Chaplain’s office to distribute. The adoption snowball has been rolling ever since.
Please pray for Margaret and Merry, and for this family as they work to bring these precious girls home – together – to their Forever Family. Any financial support you can give no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated as it helps to bring these girls that much closer to being home.
10/24/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at alwaysroom4love.blogspot.com
Christian and Kayleigh are very excited to be beginning this journey! They’ve talked about adopting since they were first married, but the time has never been right. Recently, things started coming together in ways that they never could have imagined. With all these indications that it was finally time to make this happen, they’ve decided that it is their sign to jump in!
They already have four wonderful children at home, and they can’t wait to add to their family. They are in awe of how amazing Theo is, and can’t wait to meet him.
They would appreciate any financial support or prayer you can offer as they proceed on this adventure.
10/22/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Marc and Katie have been married for six years and adoption has always been an important part of their lives. As an infant, Marc was in foster care and later adopted. The Regiers were foster parents with their state department of social services and they adopted their oldest daughter through the foster care system. They now have three children, one through adoption, and two by birth. Marc and Katie thought that their family of five was complete, however they realized that God had other plans for their family as He placed adoption on their hearts once again. The couple spent increasing amounts of time researching international adoption, and they began to prayerfully consider what it would mean to open their lives up to a child with special needs. Your prayers are appreciated as they place their trust in God and follow Him on this journey.
10/21/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at isaiah40vs31.wordpress.com
Margo is a Christian woman and family medicine doctor who desired to be a mother. God provided that opportunity in 2009 with her first adoption from Ethiopia. She now has three daughters adopted from Ethiopia, ages 9, 5, and 3. Her 3 year old has Down syndrome. By the grace of God and love of her family and ffriends, this little girl went from only being able to roll over, to being able to sit up, crawl, then walk, sign, and speak a few words, all within 1 year.
Margo and her daughters are excited to add a precious boy to their family!
10/21/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Jake and Dalas have been married for four years and God has blessed their marriage with two beautiful children, Evangeline (3 yrs) and Stephen (1 yr). Jake is the pastor of a rural congregation full of wonderful people with loving hearts. They have a supportive community and feel so blessed to do ministry there. Dalas stays at home with the little ones and supports Jake as he serves the Church.
Jake and Dalas have talked about adoption since they were first married. They have done advocacy and fundraising for orphans and their adoptive families for the last few years and they are ecstatic that God is finally opening the doors for them to have the privilege of being the Mommy and Daddy to a child who is so worthy of that love. The Mueller family is one that loves to laugh and have fun, take adventures learn new things and enjoy life. They cannot wait to bring Juri into their family and share that same joy of life with him.
But, as with everything, there is a season for play and a season for work. Now is the time for some hard work and sacrifice to bring their new son home. Jake and Dalas are totally committed to this boy and they are prepared to do everything it takes to hold him in their arms. They ask for your prayers and support and would love for you to join them in their journey as they take this leap of faith.
8/26/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at crunchylutheranmommy.com
July 2013 marked the 15th wedding anniversary of Jon and Christella Hudson, and 18 truly wonderful years together! At the ages of 17 and 15, they met and have been inseparable since! God has blessed their marriage with love, acceptance, support, patience, forgiveness, and friendship. They are a Kentucky couple with a burden on their hearts for orphans. God placed that burden in their lives through orphan aid trips to El Salvador. They believe the Bible clearly gives all Christians a mandate to care for orphans, and that He has provided adoption as the best means for their family to obey this command. They love children, especially the little ones He has already entrusted in their care: 9-year-old and 5-year-old daughters, and a 3-year-old son born in South Korea.
The Hudson’s also believe a loving and nurturing family environment is the most conducive to allowing children to become caring, responsible citizens who make the world a better place. They say, “The Bible shows us from the very beginning that God intended for human beings to be in a family where they received love, support, and companionship. There are simply too many children in this world without families and homes. We have decided we cannot sit by and do nothing when we have the love of Christ in our hearts, and the commission to share Him with the world. We have a close-knit family where we understand love is not biological.” God is blessing their family again through a match with a beautiful 3-year-old boy currently living in China! Oliver has stolen their entire families hearts, as well as their friends and church family. He has the special need of albinism, which the Hudson’s have thoroughly researched. They feel their family can provide all the help his special need requires, and are ready to have him in their arms!!
Since making their decision to adopt, they hit the ground running on fundraising. A job change this year significantly lessened their income, but the Lord is showing His provision regardless. They currently need to raise about $18,000, and are working on their 5th and 6th fundraiser events. More information can be found at www.afamilymadebylove.blogspot.com. The Hudson’s would like to express their sincere appreciation to anyone considering donating toward their adoption expenses!!
10/18/13—DOSSIER COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at afamilymadebylove.blogspot.com
Jared and Crystal have been married for six years and have five awesome kids! Ashlyn who is 10 is Crystal’s from a previous relationship but she calls Jared “daddy”, Grayson who is 4 was adopted from Eastern Europe this spring, Callen who is 3 was also adopted from Eastern Europe out of the same orphanage Grayson was in, Kaeden who is 2 was adopted domestically at birth, and Savannah who is 1 was also adopted domestically at birth.
From the very first date they shared Jared and Crystal knew adoption would be in their future. Crystal’s father was adopted at the age of 2, and Jared has volunteered and ran fundraisers for Child Advocates, which is a domestic organization to help children in foster care and be those children’s advocates to the courts. Crystal is a stay at home mom and Jared works for a non-destructive testing company as a manager, and also does training on the side.
After the adoption of their two youngest domestically Crystal kept being drawn back to the beautiful faces on Reece’s Rainbow. In the summer of 2012 another Reece’s Rainbow family posted on Facebook about a girl from Eastern Europe needing a host family for the summer, they thought this would be a great opportunity and excitedly agreed to host her. They fell in love with this thirteen year old girl and started making plans to make her their daughter; up until this point Jared had not really been on board about going overseas for adoption. God had even bigger plans for them; they both felt someone would still be missing from their family. After much prayer they found Grayson and knew he was meant to be theirs as well. God still was not done in his plans for this family. The 13 year old girl was not able to be adopted by Jared and Crystal due to some extended family that she still had, and even though this devastated them they believed it was in God’s hands even if they could not see the plan yet. Just as God had led them to Eastern Europe he had then led them to Callen who was in the same orphanage as Grayson. They lost a daughter on that trip but gained another son.
They talked about going back for the girl if her circumstances were to change, but as the days went by they realized that the circumstances were not going to change even though they did not share their realizations with each other. God’s plan started to present itself right after court for Grayson and Callen when a little girl that Crystal had been a Guardian Angel for received a donation. This same girl Crystal had shown Jared several times before, but he would not listen at those times since they were already committed to a boy and girl. Jared knew that another year and a half of fundraising and saving would be too difficult with two new children being added and would take away from the bonding time that they needed with their new kids. After Berkeley received this donation Crystal mentioned what her account was, and little did she know that Jared was working behind her back already with Reece’s to check more on her and asking other people what they thought Crystal’s reaction would be after having just been devastated over the girl they had originally came for, and he was informed how Crystal had been inquiring about her non-stop, so Jared approached Crystal about her, and like he had been told she was ecstatic. They both knew that they would need to move fast on this and God had done his part of making that easier to do, and now it was up to them to take yet another leap of faith. The night before Jared was scheduled to return home they talked and decided to commit to Berkeley on one condition. That condition would be if their current kids were on board. When Jared arrived home he spoke with Ashlyn, and right away she began begging Jared to go get her, and bring her sister home. Ashlyn thought she would never have a sister close to her age after the 13 year old could not come, and as Jared discussed Berkeley with her she became very excited.
They thought at the time that God was leading them to Eastern Europe to adopt a 13 year old, but they now believe God was leading them there to find 2 boys and eventually open the door for Berkeley and her Guardian Angel to be united. He used the 13 year old as the vehicle to bring them there and open Jared’s eyes to what Crystal had been seeing all along. They are now ALL very excited, especially Ashlyn to be adding Berkeley to finish out their family.
7/16/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at buildingourfamilythroughlove.blogspot.com
Jacob and Sarah had that “love at first sight” moment 10 years ago at Dallas Baptist University and never stopped living the fairytale. Jacob is a risk manager at Alliant Enrisk and Sarah stays home with their 4 children ages 2, 4, 6 and 7. After the birth of number 4, they knew they had room in their hearts and home for one more and started looking at Recce’s Rainbow for the perfect child with “something extra.” They were surprised when the “something extra” turned out not to be a chromosome but a sibling. Their plans changed the moment they laid eyes on them and suddenly their hearts and home found room for 2 more. The whole family is so excited to welcome their new brother and sister.
10/14/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at justusholts.blogspot.com
Jon and Amanda have been married for nine years and have five beautiful, tender hearted biological children.
Jon is an insurance agent and Amanda is blessed to stay home where she homeschools the children. Amanda tends to think with her heart while Jon is the more practical one but together they felt called to adopt shortly after their youngest child was born. Around that time, Amanda heard of Reece’s Rainbow after following the story of a family who adopted a severely neglected little girl with Down’s syndrome. She saw her remarkable progress after being in a loving family even after a short time. Even so, Jon and Amanda were not in a place in life where adoption was feasible. They prayed and continued to research adoption options. Little by little in many miraculous way, God began to make the path straight and the circumstances right for adoption. They got started on the path to foster to adopt and wondered how they would know which child was meant to be their child when the time came. Their path was suddenly diverted when they learned of a precious little girl in Eastern Europe. At the tender age of four, she was aging out and facing imminent transfer to an institution if a family did not commit to her soon. They felt in their hearts that God had brought Mirabel to their attention “for such a time as this” – His perfect timing. She was the child they were meant to love as their own!
Amanda sent a message to RR and the motions were quickly set in place to begin the adoption of this little girl. They and their children are so excited to continue watching the Lord move in miraculous ways to bring their new daughter and sister home at last.
Update- Shortly after committing their hearts and future plans to Mirabel, Jon and Amanda found out that sweet little Ernie is living in the same orphanage. They are absolutely thrilled to also pursue the adoption of this precious little guy and pray that God will continue to lead and provide for their growing family. Soon they will have four daughters and three sons and couldn’t feel more blessed.
9/8/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at takemyhand2014.blogspot.com
Gary and Teresa have been married for 11 years and have 5 beautiful children. They have 1 boy and 4 girls ranging from 10 down to 3. In 2009 their daughter Hope was born and unexpectedly diagnosed with Down syndrome. This has been the biggest turning point in their lives. It changed the way they look at everything. She became everything they never knew they always needed. She brings so much love and joy to everyone around her. She is nothing short of perfection in their eyes. This led them to adopting #5 from Russia in 2012. Mila is 4 weeks younger than Hope and also has Down syndrome. In a lot of the Eastern European countries a diagnosis of Down syndrome is shunned and at birth these mothers are told that it is best to leave them at the hospital where they are soon transferred to the orphanage, where they will stay until they turn 4-6 years old, where they are then transferred to a mental institution.
They know that they cannot “Change the world” BUT, they CAN make sure that the world does not change them. They CAN make a difference to someone’s life…an Earthly, and Eternal difference. They have the most accepting and wonderful children. They accepted Mila immediately as if she were always theirs.
They have fallen in love with a little boy with Ds, who needs a family. He is such a happy little boy despite his living arrangements, and never having a mother to kiss and hug him. He came so unexpectedly, but the love was undeniable. They cannot wait (especially their oldest son, Van) to bring home a sweet, little boy and always make him feel wanted. They know that they will learn as much from him as he will from them… together… as a Forever Family.
10/12/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at gatheringoursunshine.blogspot.com
Kevin and Heather have been married for 13 years and have 3 daughters – Norah, Lucy, and Daphne. Kevin is a financial advisor and Heather stays at home and homeschools their girls. While Kevin and Heather had talked about adoption from early on in their marriage, it wasn’t until about a year ago that they were confident that this was something that God wanted them to do.
Kevin, Heather, and the girls were introduced to Reece’s Rainbow as they followed the adoption journey of some church friends. The girls began asking to get on the website so they could look at pictures and pray for various children listed with RR. Through the Reece’s Rainbow website, they followed many families through their adoptions of children with special needs. The girls would literally squeal and jump up and down as they rejoiced over the newly committed families.
As Kevin and Heather began the adoption journey, they knew that God had directed them to Reece’s Rainbow for a reason. After much prayer, they knew that God was calling them to adopt ‘Brandon,’ who will be called Levi.
Kevin and Heather ask that you would join them in prayer as they walk this journey to bring home their son. They also thank you for prayerfully considering supporting them through this process.
9/18/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at theswinigans.wordpress.com
Steve and Chrystal met as bridesmaid and groomsman in a wedding 13 years ago. A short year and a half later they were married and stepping out on a lifelong journey together. Steve’s career brings him in close contact to at risk youth, everyday, and he sees firsthand the need for a strong, loving family structure that can provide a safe and secure environment for children to live. Chrystal is a stay-at-home mom, home schooling their oldest son, who just started kindergarten. She also serves on the board of directors for a non profit organization that raises money to build safe homes and care for orphans around the world.
While dating, they found out that both of them had a desire to adopt at some point in their lives. Five years later, as they tried unsuccessfully to start a family, they wondered if adoption would be a reality sooner, rather than later. God blessed them, however, with their first biological son, who is now 6. He is such a sweet and caring boy, and is a joy and blessing greater than they could have ever imagined! Three and a half years later they welcomed their second son, now almost 3. He is spunky, rambunctious, full of life, and makes every day an adventure. Through the years, each would express the continued desire to adopt “at some point”, but those conversations never developed into action. As they prayed about adding to their family again, they felt the Lord leading them towards adoption. They announced their decision to their families and friends, and began exploring the process and options for adoption. Chrystal came across Reece’s Rainbow early in their search, which started to stir the desire in their hearts to adopt a waiting child.
Fast forward through five months of prayer, research, hoping, and doubting (lots of doubting!), until one day when Chrystal came across Tavin’s profile. They couldn’t get him out of their minds. There was something in his eyes that captured their hearts. They knew they needed to do everything they could, to make him a part of their family, and they began their journey.
Adoption is like skydiving – totally worth it…but its hard to jump out of the plane! They have finally jumped. Will you help them land?
10/8/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at daffodilsandearthworms.blogspot.com
Dave and Kathy met in 2001. Both were single parents to 7 and 5 year olds. After two years of courtship they married and made an instant family of 6. They soon started the process to adopt each others children. One year later the papers were signed and they felt their family was complete. They worked on strengthening their blended family.
In 2007, the family was shocked to find they were expecting another child. In the spring of 2008 a little girl was born to the family that was truly the “tie that binds.” She was the bond between everyone. God blessed them! Little did they know, God had more plans for the Speichers. In August of 2011, their sixth child was born five weeks early. After the dust settled on his early entrance, the family was informed that their youngest bundle of joy had Down Syndrome. Though they desperately loved their youngest child, they didn’t know how to feel. So their newborn led the charge, and showed them that life was okay and that an extra chromosome was just different, not bad. The whole family was very happy and fulfilled. People often joked about them having”his-hers-ours, you just need a ‘theirs’ to complete the family.”
Through new local Down Syndrome contacts, the name Reece’s Rainbow would soon be discussed. Kathy searched their website to understand why so many people interested in it. She scrolled through the pictures and prayed for those children. Then she came to to a picture of a little boy. God brought her to her knees. There was a line from a popular worship song that kept echoing through her head; “break our hearts for what breaks Yours!” Kathy knew that was God telling her to go and do. She proposed the adoption to Dave. Dave is one to analyze and process ideas and so had to really be in prayer about adoption. Two months of prayer resulted in God revealing to Dave this was the right thing to do. So now as they work through the paperwork to bring home their 7th child, they ask that you pray for their journey. If you feel lead to help financially, the family would certainly be grateful!
10/07/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at 9willbejustfine.blogspot.com
Kevin and Monica Gerber met in college at Liberty University and have been married for over thirteen years. They have 2 biological girls and 1 adopted son from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and have been amazed how God has grafted their son seamlessly into their family. God has used a simple act of obedience to love an orphan for his glory and they have watched with joy as countless others have had their hearts softened toward the plight of the orphans around the world.
They and their children are thrilled to be claiming York (Kennedy) and Flora (Ruthie) as their own from Asia. Kennedy is unable to walk due to post-operative hydrocephalus and Ruthie has Down syndrome. It is their sincerest hope that the gospel and God’s love for the fatherless would be made famous and multiplied. They would be so thankful for your prayers and financial support.
10/16/13—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS
Johnny and Amy Dasher have been married for 30 years. They have 11 biological children and three adopted children. Their eleventh biological child Jillian is six years old and she has Down syndrome. After she was born they have often wondered why the diagnosis of Down syndrome is taught to be such a fearful thing. Their journey with Down syndrome has been an adventure!
Amy discovered Reece’s Rainbow in 2007 and the dream was set in place to adopt another child iwth the same diagnosis as Jillian. Jillian was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2008. Adoption was set aside while she went through treatment. By 2010, she was in remission and doing very well! In April of 2010 they began their first adoption journey. In June of 2011 they brought home a little girl named Josie from China. Josie had a heart defect that was repaired after they brought her home. In nine months the transformation they watched was incredible! In 2012 they adopted Janna and Jamie who also have Down syndrome.
They are now in the process to adopt a little boy with Down syndrome from China. They would appreciate your prayers and financial support as they prepare to make the journey again!
10/8/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at anincrediblejourney-dashers.blogspot.com
Adam and Karen LaDuke met in college where they became fast friends. A college professor paired them up to share a painting studio assuring Karen, “Adam will be a great influence on you.” Though the professor was speaking in artistic terms, his statement proved to be much more true than he ever imagined. Karen and Adam were married in 1999 and their birth daughter, Naomi, was born to them four years later. Parenting rocked! They loved every bit of it and enjoyed their time with their sweet, sensitive, and imaginative Naomi at home. A week before Naomi turned three, she came to her parents and announced that they were to have another baby. “Her name is Sally and she doesn’t have a Mommy or a Daddy. Mommy will be the Mommy and Daddy will be her Daddy.” This was a remarkable statement for any nearly three year old, but it was especially breathtaking because Adam and Karen had been praying for about adding to their family. Having discussed future plans for adoption before they were even married, they weren’t sure if their next child should be biological or adopted. Their discussions had all taken place after bedtime and out of earshot of Naomi’s room, so they felt stunned by her “proclamation”. They were particularly shocked to find a little girl from China three weeks later on a waiting child website with the name “Sally”. When Karen called and asked for information concerning Sally’s special needs and found out that Sally had the same medical issues that Karen herself had dealt with as a child! Continuing to pray privately as they collected information, Adam and Karen needed to make a decision about adopting. No one had mentioned Sally to Naomi during this time, but praying with Naomi a month after her announcement, Karen asked God to send her just the right brother or sister at just the right time. Naomi, now three, interrupted to interject, “Yeah, God… Send us Sally.” Sally came home one year later and the two have been extremely close since Day 1. Six years have now passed and Adam and Karen felt God nudging them toward adoption again. This time, Karen saw “Ava and Mia” on Reece’s Rainbow and immediately saw the kind of loving relationship between them that Naomi and Sally share. The age difference between the two girls was the same as well. Upon seeing the girls’ picture, Adam immediately felt God calling him to say “Yes!” When the girls’ picture was switched from the “Newly Listed Children” category to the “My Family Found Me” category, Naomi cried tears of joy and Sally screamed and did cartwheels. GOD IS GOOD! Please join with Adam and Karen as they pray for “Ava and Mia” in Africa and await for the girls to unite with them as their forever family.
9/19/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Psalm 127:3 says that children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord. So often our society believes that the blessings in this life are fame, fortune, keeping up with the neighbors, getting the largest house or the latest model car. But, the Lushers believe the truest and best gifts are the children God places into our arms. Chris and Brooke Lusher have 4 children, 4 wonderful blessings. Three are biological, and one was adopted domestically. Chris works full time while Brooke is a stay-at-home mom. While fostering 3 children at once, the Lusher family really enjoyed having a large family. Even though having a larger family m ay require a lot from Chris and Brooke, they feel called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this way: to fulfill the call to look after orphans in their distress (James 1:27). We are Christians, Christ followers. So, what does that look like? For Chris, Brooke, Abigail, Liliana, Jadon and Elisa Lusher, it looks like fundraising an LOTS of it, preparing a regular size home for 5 more beds, buying a larger van, enjoying the adventures that God sends us on together. It looks like adoption. It sounds like a lot of laughter and “I love you’s.” It feels like LOVE.
We appreciate those who are praying about partnering with us to bring our children home. Thank you for helping us love on those who the world may abandon. For, in God’s eyes, they are invaluable. In His hands they are Queens and Kings. May God bring our children to us!
9/12/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at lusherfamily.weebly.com
Kathy and Scott have been married for 16 years. They have two biological sons, Noah age 6.5 and Aiden, age 3. They have a daughter, Claire age 2, who was adopted from China in January 2013. Claire was born with Cleft lip and Palate, and has had several surgeries already. She will need a few more surgeries in the future as she grows. Kathy and Scott knew they wanted to adopt again, and fell in love with Alex’s picture. HIV was always a special need they were open to, and feel very comfortable caring for a child who happens to be HIV positive. They are very excited to have another son. Noah, Aiden and Claire share Alex’s picture with whomever will look at it. They can’t wait until their brother comes home.
9/12/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at miraclesandmudpies.blogspot.com
Since she was a little girl, Tiffany wanted a large family. At 30, Tiffany decided to adopt as a single mother. With a degree in social work and a love for international travel, she traveled most of Latin America over the last 10 years. International adoption from a region of the world she loved so much seemed a great way to start a family.
A friend shared several waiting children in Latin American and Tiffany immediately fell in love with Pepe. Having traveled to Pepe’s country in the past as a tourist (and loving it), it was an even better fit. Tiffany’s work with immigrant children in the US keeps her well connected to the Latin culture, a part of her life she wants to share with Pepe.
Pepe has some delays, but is a “people person” and makes friends easily. He is an active boy and his momma cant wait to get him home and keep him busy making friends and seeing the world.
9/10/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Collin and Amanda meet while working together in 2004 and began dating in 2005. Together they have created a stable, committed, strong, and loving home. They look forward to adding to their family and the pitter patter of little feet will make their home complete. Collin and Amanda have struggled with infertility since the beginning of their relationship. They are now embarking on a new adventure and are excited about their adoption journey. Collin and Amanda have spent much of their time in research on the various adoption options and opportunities available to them. Once they saw Annie and learned about her through her profile information they instantly knew the path they needed to go. Collin and Amanda are excited to bring Annie home and are prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Collin and Amanda will be first time parents to Annie and are stepping out in faith. God brought Annie to them and they are faithful that He will also see that she makes it home. Your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support are greatly appreciated as they follow their hearts to bring home their daughter.
6/21/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at youbeliftedhigh.blogspot.com
Hello we are the Good family. We are a Christian Air Force family currently living in Virginia with our three little children. We have two biological sons and a daughter from Korea. We are very excited to share God’s journey to our second daughter! Please pray for strength during our journey and for our daughter’s heart as she waits for us in Eastern Europe. God bless!!!
8/30/13—HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at sawgood13.blogspot.com
Jody Johnson is a single mother with three sons. In 2011, she committed to adopt Oksana from Russia. God intervened in miraculous ways to bring her to the other side of the world to meet the little girl for which she would promise to return. Five months later, she was ready to return to court when Russia halted all adoptions to U.S. families. While she has not given up on Oksana and hopes to return for her as soon as she is given the opportunity, she knows there are others whose needs must be met in the meantime. Christians are called by God to minister to orphans and through such ministering bring glory to God. Because they are specially drawn to orphans who are difficult to place due to special needs, the Johnsons hope to touch the lives of those who have little chance to find the love of Christ and a family. Though abandoned and broken in our sin, God, the Father, sent His Son to take the punishment we deserved, that we may become His children. He loves us when we are most unlovable and through our weakness, He shows His strength.
“Adoption is a real-life illustration of the gospel. It shows us how God transforms spiritual orphans into family members. He changes our names, identities, and families by His grace. Orphan care is acts of mercy that flow from the heart of one who has been changed by the gospel.” Tony Merida, “Orphanology”
The Johnsons know from experience that the road to adoption can be long and require great patience, but they are committed to the task and will follow as the Lord leads them. After inquiring with Oksana’s placing agency about other waiting children, Jody received and accepted a referral for a four year-old boy with some significant cognitive delays. About a week later, the agency mentioned an older boy, healthy, but difficult to place due to age. Having much experience with boys, she knew she needed to give this boy a home, too. To that end, now the adventure extends to another corner of Eastern Europe where God will make two special boys a part of their family. The Johnsons appreciate your prayers and would be happy to have you follow along with them as they blog their way through the process. Please pray that throughout this journey, God will open the hearts of those who may not know Him and cause them to want to know more about the Love that drives people to seek out and rescue orphan children the way that Jesus sought out and rescued us.
8/13/13—HOMESTUDY UPDATE in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at aservantinhousebeautiful.
The heart is a strange thing. Some times it knows things that we are unaware of. And sometimes it is capable of more than we think possible. A year ago we were led on a journey neither one of us was prepared for. We were matched to adopt and bring home a beautiful princess who seemed the perfect fit for our family. Our hearts melted when we held her, tickled her, and showed her pictures of the life she was soon to have. And our family was beyond devastated to learn that bringing her home was impossible, and out of our control. She is still our daughter, and we’ll wait. But we know that right now there is another child who needs a family. She deserves two big brothers to protect her, and take care of her. She will thrive with three sisters who will teach her to dance, play dress up, and bake cookies. She needs THIS family almost as much as they need her! We once felt quite certain that our family was complete. And just as surely we now feel a void. We have chosen her BECAUSE of her special need, and knowing what a gift she will be to our family. We know that our Heavenly Father prompted our decision to expand our family in this way…and so we are again eagerly preparing our lives for the addition of one, very special, very loved, beautiful daughter of God.
8/2/13—HOME STUDY ALMOST COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at pitcherperfect.blogspot.com
Seth and Ashley Montgomery live in Western Pennsylvania and have been married for seven years. They have three biological daughters; Ava-7, Evelynn-5 and Adaline-4. Ashley and Seth always planned on having a large family. They were once again considering on growing their family when Ashley “stumbled” upon Reece’s Rainbow. From that moment on they were both in agreement that God was calling the continual growth of their family to be through adoption-specifically special needs adoption. Together they have decided to say “YES” to however many children God directs them to make part of the Montgomery Family. Seth and Ashley feel privileged that God has called them for such a special mission and are very humbled that it will only be possible with God’s provision.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
5/29/13—HOMESTUDY UPDATE in PROCESS
Alison is a single Registered Nurse. She has always dreamed of having children, but has not been so blessed. Alison has worked with children and adults with special needs in the past, including Down syndrome, and has always enjoyed it. One night, she had a dream that she and her sister were looking at a website of children for adoption with Down syndrome. When she woke, she did a search on her computer, and found Reece’s Rainbow. After years of looking at the site, and much encouragement from family and friends, she decided to give it a try! There have been many roadblocks in the process, but she has finally fallen in love with the little girl she feels was meant to be her daughter!
8/8/13—HOME STUDY UPDATE in PROGRESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at achildforali.blogspot.com
