Homestudy In Process
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Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome... |
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JOAQUIN for the Spence family — KY
Back in 2002, Lynn was raising her two children and going to the University. One afternoon she received a phone call from her sister, who was on a work trip in Nevada. Her co-worker John was with her at the time. John picked up the phone and began to chat with Lynn. They discovered a similar sense of humor and many mutual interests: hiking, kayaking, traveling, books, music, etc. History was made.
Fast forwarding several years, after being a family of four, with two growing children, their family grew even more and they were blessed with 2 more wonderful children. Their family now includes four extraordinarily bright, talented and loving children including a son (20) in college, a daughter (15) and two younger sons (7 and 5). With their oldest son enjoying success in college and getting out on his own, the time seemed right to try to fulfill a dream of trying to help a child in need.
As a teenager, and after reading of the struggles of Eastern European orphans, Lynn dreamt of being able to help, to be able to give them the life that every child deserves with a loving family. John, who has an adopted cousin, was on board with the idea. Both John and Lynn believed that no child should be denied the basic things we often take for granted. Loving parents, a supportive family, education, and good healthcare, in a place where people with disabilities may enjoy every opportunity.
In their search, it only made sense to reach out and try to help a special needs child, one of many such children all too often overlooked by adoptive parents because of the potential challenges they may bring. Little Joaquin was challenged at birth with Achondroplasia , a common form of dwarfism. He also has minor heart defects, and developmental delays, most likely for institutionalization. He will need continued monitoring for hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and orthopedic problems that are common with his condition.
Joaquin touched their hearts from the moment his sweet little face showed up in their search. The more that they learned about him, the more that they realized how very well he would fit in to their family. If already felt as though Joaquin were a part of the household. Gage, the youngest in the family wrote Joaquin a poem about how much he loves him. Matthew the next oldest is trying to find the perfect spot to put Yoan’s firetruck bed. The older children just cannot wait to meet their baby brother. The whole family is excited and anxious to help bring him home to his “forever family”.
Now, John and Lynn are trying their best to expedite Joaquin’s adoption. He has already been an orphanage for too long. He is behind in his development and needs to come home to bloom and flourish. John and Lynn’s desire to speed up Joaquin’s adoption are further fueled, by the knowledge, that in Bulgaria, when a child turns 4 , they will most likely be transferred from the “baby” orphanage into one for all older children. Imagining the fear a child would go through leaving the only people he has known to go to a whole new orphanage, John and Lynn decided to do whatever they could to try to avoid that and to make his next move be to their family instead.
Please join them along their journey to give Joaquin the life, love, family, and opportunities he deserves. Any help with fundraising and prayers to allow them to complete this process before he has to move again would be greatly appreciated. Blessings from our family to you and yours.
12/11/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
LUCILLE for the Barth family — KS
When Randy and Kate married almost 22 years ago, they couldn’t wait to start a family and have children. They soon had four biological children and were a very a busy family. However, they knew there was room for their family to still grow and they all had a desire to adopt a child that had been waiting much too long for the love of a family. In 2012, they traveled to Russia to adopt their daughter, Olga. Olga has quadriplegic Cerebral palsy and has forever changed their lives. She has been such a blessing to them and has brought their family such joy over the past two years. They all agreed that they wanted to adopt and grow their family through adoption again. This time they feel called to adopt Lucille in China. Lucille has neurological issues and developmental delays, but they all feel that with love and proper care, she will thrive and be a wonderful addition to the family. They can’t wait for her to be her and join the family!
11/26/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
EMMA GRACE for the Brook family — FL
The Brook family has had quite an eventful past few years! Isabella (Haliegh on RR) was adopted from Ukraine and home in 2012. Seven months later they adopted Kolya, (Tucker on RR), also from Ukraine, he was home in 2013. Also in 2013 Dawn’s oldest daughter Tiffany, married another Reece’s Rainbow family’s brother! Life has been eventful and beautiful the past several years! Dawn and Rich both said many times they were done with adoption and they would both just pray, share and give when they could to help other families in process. Then, a little girl’s picture and story showed up on their computer screen, and they knew it was time to go again. She also has that special “something” just like Isabella, and the joy that comes from having a child with Down syndrome is really a blessing. This little girl has waited so long for a family of her own, and she deserves to have one! You can follow them on their blog at
12/1/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.theyareprecious.wordpress.com
RITA and NIYA for the Erb family — WY
Almanzo and Heather have felt God’s call on their lives to adopt into their family those who are neglected or abandoned. Last March they took a step of faith and adopted a little girl who is visually impaired, from Armenia. Aida turns 9 this year and adds so much to their lives.
They decided to wait longer to adopt again… as they have other children in the home. Lane is 8. Anna is 6. Grady is 5. And Wade is 3…and felt busy enough. And everyone was content.
But God had other plans…
Heather first came across Rita’s story several years ago. And didn’t realize she was available for adoption. Until she saw her story through Maya’s Hope and spoke to Maya about the desperate care Rita needed. Almanzo and Heather felt burdened and ready to trust God in his provision. They only recently realized that Reece’s Rainbow had been advocating for this sweet girl.
While getting around paperwork, they learned that Rita has an older sister. A sister who will turn 16 in November and age out of the program. They decided that they would also proceed and try to adopt Rita’s older sister as well. It is ultimately her choice, but it will be her last chance at finding a forever family.
Would you please consider and helping the Erb family make this step of faith?
10/30/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
OWEN for the Viljoen family — NC
From the time they started planning their nuptials, Jacques and Tabatha Viljoen knew they wanted to grow their family with adopted and biological children. Fourteen months after they were wed, they were blessed to see two pink lines on a pregnancy test! In early 2013, they welcomed their son Hans into the world!
During her pregnancy, Tabatha felt there were other children somewhere in the world who belonged in their family. She prayed and prayed, without knowing exactly *who* she was praying for! Nine months after they announced they were going to pursue adoption, Tabatha was sent the profile for Owen. After sharing his information with Jacques, they decided that they wanted to make him a part of their little family.
In order to pay for the adoption, the Viljoens sold their first home in the city and bought a more affordable home in the small town where Tabatha grew up. Tabatha has also taken two temporary jobs in order to help bring their little boy home! Needless to say, this is a couple that believes that hard-work and dedication win the race!
The Viljoens are doing everything in their power to make Owen a member of their family, and greatly appreciate any help they receive along the way!
11/22/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at steadfastparents.blogspot.com
OLEN for the Stewart family — ND
Harlan and Andrea met in junior high, became friends in high school, started dating in college, and were married in June of 2012. They were both born and raised in rural North Dakota and attribute their values of hard work, family, friends, and faith in God to their upbringing in this area.
Harlan and Andrea developed a love and passion for working with individuals with special needs while working at a local summer camp devoted to providing services to children and adults with disabilities in North Dakota.
The subject of adoption came up frequently and was talked about as something they would do “some day.” A divine encounter with a mom of a child adopted through Reece’s Rainbow changed their whole outlook on the plan to adopt. This mom told Harlan about the journey they went through to bring their son home – sparking an urgency to their plan to adopt.
Harlan and Andrea made the decision to grow their family through adoption. They are very excited to make this dream of theirs a reality. They appreciate anyone who chooses to partner with them by supporting financially, emotionally or through prayer for their little boy.
“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” – Exodus 33:14
8/20/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at www.journeyforteddy.blogspot.com
DYLAN for the Gagnon family — AZ
“We looked out at the whole world and have been blessed to choose a beautiful child named Dylan to be our son.” The Gagnon family is excited to welcome home Dylan! Darren and Stacey have 5 children and know that God is calling them to bring home one more. The Gagnons are blessed with a large home, big family and lots of love to spread around. Dylan will be welcomed by three brothers and two sisters. He will be embraced by a daddy and mommy who love Jesus and can’t wait to see the wonderful plans God has for him. Daddy is a teacher and mommy is a nurse, so he will be in good hands with his medical and physical needs. But best of all, Dylan will know the love and hope of a family.
The Gagnons are stepping out in faith and hoping for prayers, support and excitement at the arrival of their child. Will you join them in the rescue and ransom of Dylan?
10/10/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at ransomfordylan.blogspot.com
ANTOINETTE for the Oden family — OK
Jeff and Shanda got a bit of a non-traditional start. When Jeff and Shanda met, Shanda was a divorced single mom of two boys. They quickly merged into one tight knit family though, and were thrilled to soon celebrate the birth of a little girl. A few months after the princess joined their family, they realized she wasn’t developing at the typical speed and began seeking answers. The princess was soon diagnosed with Chromosome 15q Duplication Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Not long after that, their family expanded again, this time with the addition of an 8 yr old through kinship foster care. They were later blessed to adopt this sweet boy, who fit perfectly into their family from day one. But God wasn’t done – Jeff and Shanda then welcomed the newest addition to their family – a sweet baby boy was born in December 2012! Their family now has 4 boys, ages 15, 12, 11, & 1, and one sweet little 3 year old girl. Their family was complete – so they thought. One day they read an article about the plight of special needs kids in other countries. Their eyes were opened and their hearts were broken. Children just like their sweet princess, routinely abandoned to spend their lives in institutions. The magnitude of that injustice was beyond their comprehension. Their journey parenting a special needs child and also adopting had taught them many things. It brought their family closer together, it made them stronger. It made them realize that the important things in life are smiles and love, not IQ and test scores. They learned that every child brings pride and joy and blessings, regardless of a diagnosis or a biological connection. As a family who had seen first hand the blessings of both adoption and special needs, they had to do something. So, they prayed. They knew that it was their job as Christians to join the fight against this injustice. So they prayed about how. And soon God gave them an answer – their part is to adopt. So they made plans to adopt. Someday. But God changed that plan when they ran across a picture of sweet Antoinette! They took some time and prayed over it, and God confirmed that she is their child. God has already begun moving mountains – after a long search, they recently bought a big house that could easily accommodate another child. The purchase of the house has depleted much of their savings and made the process of adopting at this time very daunting. But God promised – if they just said “yes”, that He would provide. So they enter into this adoption completely on faith that God will move the mountains and they will soon bring home another sweet little princess.
9/1/2014—HOMESTUDY STILL in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog 15milesfromnowhere.blogspot.com
CAROLINE for the Anascavage family — FL
Hello my name is Terri and I am a single mother with a 7 year old daughter adopted from the US. I am currently adopting a 13 year old girl from China with minor special needs. The greatest need that my daughter has now is that she is aging out and must be home from China before her 14th birthday. I have applied for several grants and I have contacted several different agencies that help families who are adopting, only to be told that they do not offer help to single parents. When I learned about Reece’s Rainbow I contacted them and they immediately told me to send my application in. As you know adoption is very expensive and requires a lot of faith. But, when you know that God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone and answer His call, He will provide for you.
I have met some of the most amazing families through adoption sites and on Facebook. I am blessed beyond words for all of the prayers and support that I have received so far. I have also been criticized and asked by those who do not understand, “Why would you adopt a child with special needs?” For me this answer is simple, God has called me to do this. When my daughter Addison and I looked at the new children that were placed on our agencies site, we knew immediately that this precious child that looked so sad was ours. She was turning 13 in a couple of weeks and no one had requested her file.
So, it was with a Leap of Faith, that we submitted our LOI to China on Thursday, August 28th and on Tuesday, September 2nd we received our PA.
I have heard many times that it takes a village to raise a child. Now, more than ever, I need that village and their support.
10/06/14—HOMESTUDY IN PROCESS
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