Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Brothers in Arms
Sports awards: Brothers in arms to take on gymnastic world
Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 09:00 JON OWEN ThisIsStaffordshire.co.uk
Ben, aged 23, and Billy, aged 12, from Fenton, both [edit: have] Down's Syndrome.
They train at the Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastic Club during the week, and are both part of national display teams.
The brothers, who compete in various gymnastic disciplines including floor routines and vault and single bar, have once again had a fine 2009, achieving success both at home and abroad.
"They both love competing and they enjoy training during the week," said their mum, Pat.
Read more...
They train at the Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastic Club during the week, and are both part of national display teams.
The brothers, who compete in various gymnastic disciplines including floor routines and vault and single bar, have once again had a fine 2009, achieving success both at home and abroad.
"They both love competing and they enjoy training during the week," said their mum, Pat.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Meet the Families of Reece's Rainbow - Grab Button
We are excited to start this new addition to the Reece's Rainbow blog. We are hopeful that you will find these families blogs and follow along with them on their journey of adoption.
As you follow along, we'd love for you to pray for them. Some specific ways you can pray are:
1. God's covering for their finances.
2. Cooperation from employers, agencies, etc. involved in the process and paperwork.
3. God's covering and protection over their child during the wait.
4. As well, that things would happen smoothly and quickly so they can get the child home quickly!
5. God's protection over the finances of those who are to help support their adoption through donations to their child's or their adoption fund. The donations that people make are crucial to their adoptions.
6. Also pray a covering over those who are lifting them up in prayer. We need to pray for those who stand in the gap on these families' behalf.
7. Praise God for these children and the families who have chosen to bring them into their family!
Please feel free to put our Meet the Families blog button on your blog!
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
And as always, thank you for all you do to support Reece's Rainbow! Read more...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Angel of the Week
Meet Brent!
Little Brent is such a sweetheart! As his informations states, he is healthy, no heart conditions and an orphanage favourite! I can see why, he is precious! Would you consider giving Brent a family? Your family?
Brent (35)Boy, Born June 21, 2005
Look how darling this little one is! He has "love me" and "catch me first" written all over his face! :) Brent is HEALTHY, with no noted heart conditions. He is active and an orphanage favorite. He is already 4 and will be facing the institution soon. Please give Brent a chance!
Grant be adopted with SPENCER.
For more information, please contact Andrea directly
As One We Can..
As one we can come together to help the families who are on their journeys to bring their child home.
I owe an apology to the families..since bringing our own son home life's been really full...really hectic. Like most other families right now, money is tight. Stress is high and my mind has been clouded. I'm sorry that I haven't been as dedicated to the 'As one' cause as I should be. I started this cause because I saw many families still in need of financial help for their adoption come to the travel time & still be in great need. I knew that by pulling together & giving a little from alot of us the financial burden would be lifted..even if just a little. So many children end up not with families due to the financial aspect of the adoption. If your reading this, then you've either been on this journey, are on it, or are praying about taking it. From experience, it's been the most beautiful trip I taken :D
I hate to admit that my giving has slowed down a great deal. I owe not only the families an apology, but the Lord one too. In this hard time I've started to rely on my self & my husband again & haven't been trusting Him like I should. After reading about little Dennis, my heart has been very convicted in how small the things I have to worry about are in light of this beautiful boys life being on the line. Today, I recommit to you, the families.
This is Ezekiel (I love this name!~it's one of my son's names too :)
Ezekiel is in the Philippians waiting to come home. His family is due to travel in February. He's a handsome little guy who'll be coming home to a nice big family of 6 siblings :)
This little lady is Zoya. Her family submitted their dossier not to long ago. Lord's willing they'll be traveling for her soon. She's the blessing they've been waiting for to start their family. I have no doubt she'll be a huge blessing to them :) Isn't she a doll?!
God is amazing, His grace is like non-other. He hasn't forgotten His beautiful children. He knows each one of them. May He stretch our gifts, no matter how big or small, in a mighty way for the families. Please keep both the families in prayer. You can read more about the families of Zoya & Ezekiel here as well as give your love gift too.
God bless~ one blessed mama.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Couple of Reminders...
There is less than one week left for the Reece's Rainbow Derek Loux Memorial Fund.
Grab This Button
Also, have you been to the Reece's Rainbow Shop to order your Valentine's Day gear? All funds raised from this Valentine's Day's promotion will be shared amongst our OTHER ANGELS, specifically the older children over the age of 6. These children have other special needs, not Down syndrome, but are still patiently waiting for their "forever families" to find them and bring them home.
If you have a blog, be sure you get the Loux Legacy button and our Valentine's Day buttons!
As always, Thank You for all you do to support Reece's Rainbow!
Read more...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Raising a Deaf Child....
Raising a child brings a diverse range of experiences to a parent throughout the years: successes, disappointments, surprises, and more successes.
But the struggles, the efforts and the sacrifices are all performed towards the same universal goal: to raise a child so that he may one day become an independent adult and capable of enjoying a happy life.
Your deaf child can do everything in the same way that....
read more here Read more...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Connecting the Rainbow
I am very excited and pleased to introduce all of you to the newest addition to the Reece's Rainbow ministry: Connecting The Rainbow. www.connectingtherainbow.com
Connecting The Rainbow is the section of RR that will focus on assisting families in Eastern Europe that have chosen to keep and raise their child with Down syndrome. This part of the ministry focuses on those children who are NOT orphans, and our desire to support these families as they work to change the minds and hearts of their entire culture.
These families are fighting an uphill battle. It is one that they WILL win, but they need our support. Currently, we have the unique opportunity to partner with the APCDS, the parent support group in Bulgaria. I have met many of these families personally and was so impressed with their determination in the day to day fight that they endure to have their children as a part of their society. Eventually, this program will expand to include working with parents in Ukraine and Russia. However, right now, we have an open door and an established relationship with the families in Bulgaria. I am in constant communication with them and know their needs and the level of support that they need. You will find all of that information on the Connecting The Rainbow web page. We are currently in need of lots of donations to assemble parent packets for these families!
We are also in the process of setting up a sponsorship program. This program will allow families that have a child(ren) with Ds to "sponsor" a family in Bulgaria and provide friendship, encouragement and support to that family, as well as the opportunity to assist in meeting the unique needs of that particular child. It is our hope that this part of the RR ministry will open the door to many new people joining the RR family by partnering with us in this project.
This project is not designed to take the focus away from orphans with Down syndrome. That need is still great and the primary focus of RR is not changing. However, the ultimate mission of RR is for there to be no need for this ministry to exist. The first step in making that happen is to support families that have kept their children from becoming orphans.
I invite you all to visit the Connecting The Rainbow website and to consider helping us as we collect supplies for the children in Bulgaria. We have been given the unique opportunity to make a real and lasting impact on these families and to ease some of the burden that they face as they struggle to meet the needs of their children in a society that does not yet accept them. My prayer is that one day, seeing a person with Down syndrome walking down the streets of Sofia (and Kiev and Moscow) will be just a normal every day occurance. These young children and their families are the start of making that happen.
Please partner with us as we move forward to Connect The Rainbow.
Shelley Bedford
If you have any questions for Shelley about how you can be a part of Connecting the Rainbow you can either contact her via the Connecting the Rainbow web site or feel free to CONTACT US and we will forward your info to her! Thank you!
Read more...
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Erika And David's week to SHINE ( Other Angels)
Erika and David are both waiting for there family's. Both kids can be adopted together, as they are both in orphanage(33).
Erika was born December 8th of 2007. What a beautiful little girl she is. Red hair and all. Couldn't you see her playing with dolls and also dressing up as a princess. What a true blessing she would be for a FAMILY.
David was born June 10th 2006. What a handsome little guy he is. I can see him playing with his trucks and cars. David's face would just light up with a BIG hug and kiss from a Mommy and Daddy.
Erika and David are waiting because they have HIV. Both children are taking anti-viral medications.
If you are interested in adopting Erika or David please contact Andrea at bamaroberts@comcast.net
For more information on adopting and raising a child with HIV please visit www.projecthopeful.org
You can also visit reecerainbow's other angels HIV to see many more kids waiting for familys.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Angel of the Week
Meet Alec!
Just as Dennis is in an urgent situation and needs a family to come forward quickly, Alec is just on his heels. He faces transfer as his birthday is coming up fast! As you can see, he is a precious little one, he will thrive in a family that can care for him properly. As well, Dennis and Alec both face the same institution upon transfer and there is little hope for the children there. Please prayerfully consider how you can help these children find their forever families!
One way you could help is by posting about Dennis and Alec on your blogs it could be just what they need to find their forever families! Thank you!
Could you be his family?
Alec (9)
BOY, Born June 2, 2006
Baby Alec....goodness, even at 3, he is still so much a baby. Alec is HEALTHY, with no heart condition. He does struggle with rickets (lack of Vitamin D), which can be helped once home. It is critical to get him home so his bones are not permanently damaged from it. He has also has cryptorchidism. This can often be corrected with surgery (if just undescended). He needs a mama who can love him and hold him and not leave him sitting all day long. He needs SUNSHINE!!
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
I have $ 5000 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Derek Loux Memorial Service
If you weren't able to watch this tribute to one of the true heroes of the orphan, Derek's memorial service is now available...
Original Source: http://www.ihop.org/Articles/1000059490/Derek_Loux_Memorial.aspx
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day!
CLICK HERE to go to the Reece's Rainbow Valentine Donation Page.
Click HERE to see our amazing collection of Valentine items, including notecards, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, tote bags, and cool teen-wear!
Here is a preview! Scroll Down.
All proceeds (from ANY items from our store, Valentine or otherwise) between January 15th and February 28th will be equally shared among these very deserving children as adoption grants. These items make great gifts for family, friends, and teachers, and serve as a year long reminder of your support of this ministry. Items purchased will ship directly to you within days of your order!
Grab Our Valentine's Day Button!
The code in the box below will put this button and slide show on your blog's sidebar.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
You are also welcome to donate directly (without a purchase) to the child of your choice via check to:
Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 4024, Gaithersburg, MD 20885
or by clicking the Paypal link below!
***BE SURE TO DESIGNATE THE CHILD YOU ARE SPONSORING IN THE NOTES SECTION OR SUBJECT LINE***
Thank you for all you do to support Reece's Rainbow!
Read more...
Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Hallelulah!
This is definitely worth watching! AMAZING! BRILLIANT! Oh, and if you are anything like me, have a tissue ready... This is brilliant on so many levels!
After you watch this, Become a Facebook Fan! So proud of her and I don't even know her!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
11th Hour Crisis! - Dennis
All, regrettably, the family who was hoping to adopt Dennis and Anna will not be able to complete the adoption.
The most difficult part is that Dennis is literally WEEKS from transfer to the institution, one he can not be adopted out of. We are desperately seeking a paper-ready, USCIS ready family who would be willing to specifically request him so he can be saved. Other photos available, we have had several families adopt from this orphanage previously as well.
Dennis (9)BOY, Born March 18, 2006
I LOST MY FAMILY!
Dennis has lost his family at the 11th hour, and is in crisis need of a paper-ready, USCIS approved family to save him from an institution he can't be adopted out of.
Dennis is a darling little boy with blonde hair and big blue eyes. He is not very active, and he struggles with pulmonary artery stenosis and rickets. He needs to get HOME, so he can have adequate medical care, sunshine, nutrition....so he really has a chance to achieve his true potential. He is an orphanage favorite, but he won't survive a transfer to the institution. Please consider rescuing this munchkin!!
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
I have $5000 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!
Read more...
Further donations are helpful, but the crisis now is to find another family.
Dennis is in the same orphanage as ALEC, who is also still waiting and faces the same fate in June. If there is ANYONE out there who is ready for Eastern Europe, please contact me ASAP at bamaroberts@comcast.net Parents must be no more than 45 years in age difference from Dennis.
You can see all of the waiting children in orphanage 9 at www.reecesrainbow.org/eelittles.html and www.reecesrainbow.org/atriskwaiting.html
Thank you for your prayers tonight, for this little boy who has no idea what March 18 holds for him...for this family who must so very sad to not be able to save him...and for a new family to be ready in the wings and waiting to save Dennis.
Andrea Roberts, Executive Director
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org
KATYA (25) 5 years NEEDS A FAMILY NOW
Katya is 5 years old already. Her future looks GRIM if she does not find a FAMILY real real soon. Do you think you can help little Katya? Or do you know anyone looking for a little girl to add to there family?
Katya had head trauma at birth, which caused a deformed head. Her official diagnosis was Crouzon Syndrome also known as Craniofacial Dystosis. Katya was examied by a doctor from the US, and she believes that Katya does not have Crouzon Syndrome. Katya's caregivers said that Katya is very well developed and a smart girl. She loves to draw and walks and runs. Katya can take care of herself, and has a sweet personality.
If you want to help her or are looking for more information to adopt Katya PLEASE contact ANDREA at bamaroberts@comcast.net
PLEASE visit reecerainbow.org, go to other angels, girls and you will find Katya and her GRANT fund. PLEASE HELP KATYA she is 5 and out of time:(
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
As One Families: The Sisemore's and Litzke's
Wondering what 'As one we can families' are all about? If your in the adoption process, you should know! Find out here: http://asonewecan.blogspot.com
This is Jeremiah, cute huh?
Time is moving quick, and his family needs our help to bring him home as soon as possiable. He needs medical care and everyday without it is a hendrance to him.
JEREMIAH for The Sisemore Family--Haughton, LA
Bobby and Tami have a heart for children others think of as special needs but in reality they are just special. Those babies that others think are hard or difficult, to this family are the answer to many, many prayers. God touched their lives with adoption when HE bridged the ocean in September 2008 to bring their first son Noah home from Taiwan! This time their going add little Jeremiah to their family.
Your Gifts to help the Sisemore Family would be so appreciated. They are very thankful for any prayers and financial support through this journey. EVERY PENNY helps bring Jeremiah one step closer to being home where he can get the medical care, therapy, and the love of his families waiting arms!
I have $176 in my FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!
Follow the Sisemore family adoption journey on their blog at http://www.tillgodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com/
This is Lunae, how cute is she? :)
Lunae's been waiting along time. Lord's willing the Litzke family will be traveling very soon for their little lady.
LUNAE for The Litzke Family--Marysville, OH
Dave and Mandy Litzke were no strangers to adoption. God had already blessed them with several children in miraculous ways, 4 of which had special needs. They had learned the joy of offering a child a forever family and knew there was nothing in this world that could compare.
This young child had been waiting for sometime for her family to come along. In Gods perfect timing He would orchestrate the moment when they would find one another. The Litzke's anticipate travel this summer and the family cannot wait to bring their daughter home and love and care for her forever.
10/5/09---HOPING TO TRAVEL IN DECEMBER
I have $35 in my FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!
Your gifts can be given here: http://www.reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipgettingcloser.html
*MAY GOD STRETCH OUT GIFTS IN A MIGHTY WAY FOR EACH FAMILY**
From the families, a thank you. Have a blessed day! Read more...
Monday, January 11, 2010
Meet Corinna!
This little flower just needs a home and she will blossom! Corinna is a loving little girl just waiting for her family! Such a tiny little thing. Are you going to be part of Corinna's success story?
 Corinna (1) Girl, Born January 12, 2003 Corinna is a beautiful little girl who has spent the last 2 years of her life in a mental institution. She has SO much potential, and is close to walking, but spends much of her days lying in bed for lack of anything else to do. She was sent to this facility from another baby house we work in now, so it is imperative that she be saved! She does have some strabismus, but no heart condition. She is able to stand on her own, but is not walking quite yet. She is very much a baby, even at 6 years of age. She is only 21 pounds at this time :( But she will really blossom in the care of a loving family, and has every reason to be able to walk and run and really thrive. There will be very little left of this "shell" once she gets home into her new life! She has tremendous potential, and could be another amazing success story! The orphanage staff tell us she does like to play with toys, is interactive and affectionate, and has "potential to improve". More photos available! Please contact Andrea for more information |
THE LISTINING PROGRAM & DOWN SYNDROME
I've been using the Listening Program for about 2 years now on my older children. My oldest (now 12, but 10 when we started) has some learning disabilities & watching her struggle thru doing school was killing me. I was willing to try anything to help her. Once I saw the HUGE improvement just listening to these c.d.'s made I started using them on my then 7 year old & 5 year old too. Again, I saw improvements in their attention time, their concentration times, as well as their absorption of what they were learning & more. As a homeschooling mom, I was able to see first hand their improvements begin, and continue as I charted their progress. I will admit, it's a little costly (about $400.00 new for the 8 Cd set of the classic program along with the headphones they recommend to use with it...about another $100.) I found our set on eBay and paid about half the cost. On the web site below it's recommended to buy from them and work with a specialist. Our funds simply wouldn't allow it. I've had no problems utilizing the program at home on my own by simply following the direction provided with the Cd's. Like I said, it's costly, but with the improvements I've seen, I'd gladly pay the price again. Not to long ago I got this email. It doesn't surprise me one bit that it works on our little ones with Down Syndrome. It's recommended to start using at about 5 years old. In April when Isaac turns 5 he'll for sure be listening to the beautiful classical music that I've seen help my other kids so much. You can learn more about the Listening program here: http://www.thelisteningprogram.com/
FYI: it also works wonderfully with on us mom's & children with Autism as well..my girlfriend Jen swears by it for her 4 year old Autistic son.
Research News: New Down Syndrome Study Demonstrates The Listening Program from Advanced Brain Technologies Improves Listening, Speech, and Language
Study: Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of The Listening Program® for Improvement of Auditory Skills and Speech for Children with Down Syndrome
Study: Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of The Listening Program® for Improvement of Auditory Skills and Speech for Children with Down Syndrome
Investigator: Gwyneth Jeyes, Caroline Newton
Abstract: Nine children with Down Syndrome ranging in age from 5 yrs. to 12 yrs. from the United Kingdom participated in the study. Parent surveys confirmed improvements in listening, speech, and language skills in all but one child, who completed The Listening Program® method of music listening therapy. Several children showed improvements in attention, following directions, compliance, coordination, and sleep patterns.
Presented at: The World Down Syndrome Congress in Dublin, Ireland August 19-22, 2009
Hope you find this helpful! :) alysha~one blessed mama
Read more...
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Is Braille Outdated?
I found the following article to interesting not to share!
“We stopped teaching our nation’s blind children how to read and write. We put a tape player, then a computer, on their desks. Now their writing is phonetic and butchered. They never got to learn the beauty and shape and structure of language.”
Read the article, printed on December 30, 2009. Listening to Braille Read more...
New Buttons!
With the brilliant success of the 2009 Christmas Angel Tree, the Reece's Rainbow family is growing fast! The following are some new families who's adoption journeys I'm sure you will want to follow! Please put their buttons on your blogs and keep these lovely families in your prayers!
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Driving Licence!
Congratulations to Clayton Marr! Yet another brilliant young man who just happens to have Down Syndrome, disproving the many misconceptions about what having DS means.
Down syndrome teen gets licence
By TRACY NEAL - The Nelson MailLast updated 13:00 28/12/2009
COLIN SMITH/Nelson Mail
WHEEL EFFORT: Clayton Marr, 19, of Waimea West, who has Down syndrome, proudly displays his driver's licence.
His skill behind the wheel is because the bar has been set higher for him, and now, according to his family, the 19-year-old has become the second – and youngest – New Zealander with Down syndrome to get a driver's licence.
Clayton passed his learner licence test two years ago with a score of 100 per cent, and in early December he achieved an 82 per cent pass for his restricted licence.
"It's not that hard," he said.
He has now progressed to a natty little Mercedes-Benz smart car.
"I help Mum and Dad put the wine in boxes, tape them up and take them to the supermarkets in my smart car," Clayton said.
He also enjoys driving to the local video store to get movies and a Subway sandwich, and to the gym, where he continues a disciplined training regime for his sport of powerlifting.
Clayton recently returned from his first Special Olympics National Summer Games in Palmerston North, where he won three gold medals and a silver.
His parents Jeff and Sophie Marr say it has been "quite a process" helping their son achieve independence, and has taken a fair bit of lateral thinking.
The building blocks were the same as for their other children, Sean, 18, and Alex, 16, who also learned to drive in a rural setting.
Clayton had ridden a motorcycle from a very young age, when the family lived at Okiwi Bay, Mr Marr said.
"When they started driving, they had `paddock cars'. If they can, all young people should learn to drive on a farm so that when they hit the road, all they have to think about is the rules."
Clayton has learned precision driving. "Work in the vineyard means there's only a few centimetres' clearance down each side of the row. Clayton spends 25 hours a week on the tractor and he's only ever run over one post," Mr Marr said.
Mrs Marr said Clayton had an automatic "paddock car", but kept looking at his feet on the pedals. "So Jeff took him there at night so he couldn't see his feet."
Another step was the addition to the family fleet of a special "scooter car", which Sean found for sale on Trade Me. The 50cc scooter, which is registered as a moped, has two seats, side by side. The family intend to make it available to other families teaching special needs youngsters to drive.
Support and encouragement from the Automobile Association and a driving instructor convinced the Marrs to let go.
"It was a big decision to put Clayton out there on the road, from his perspective and for other people," Mr Marr said.
"We took him in to the AA and they were encouraging, and we enrolled him with Kevin Bannan Driving Tuition. The instructor said, `I think he could get there'. He had to get everything spot on, so in a way it was harder for him."
They also firmly believe Clayton's success is partly linked to him attending the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology's Supported Training Programme. It was announced recently that the programme has been axed to make way for a new one.
"It's important young people with Down syndrome keep in touch with mainstream kids. One reason they achieve so much this way is because they set goals against their peers," Mr Marr said.
Clayton said his aim now was to get his full licence and take a friend on holiday to Wellington. Read more...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Special Angel AARON (23)
UPDATE...AARON FOUND HIS FAMILY :)
Born 2004
AARON has been TRANSFERRED to a INSTITUTION.
This CUTE little man NEEDS a family today! Aaron's BEAUTIFUL smile will disappear so VERY VERY soon in the institution :(
Aaron was born with arthrogryposis. Arthrogryposis does not slow him down a bit.
Aaron is very high functioning, cognitively normal and able to walk on his own. His feet are nearly normal and his hands are only effected minimally.
Can you help this boy find his forever family? Also let's all try and knock down one road block that may stop so many family's from adopting, by donating to Aaron's GRANT FUND.
Please contact Andrea at bamaroberts@comcast.net
You can read more about Aaron at http://www.reecesrainbow.org/angelboys.html
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
As one we can families of the week~The Mayden's & The Lewandoski's
So what's 'As one we can' all about anyway? Find out here: http://asonewecan.blogspot.com
Ready to start this new year by giving in a grand way?! Lords willing this will be a year full of giving hearts for both the children & our families on their way to bring them home :)
This little guy is Hunter & he's about to meet his family! On January 26th the Lewandoski's will have their appointment in country to start the process there to bring him home. As of right now, they have NOTHING in their family fund to help them out...Let's change that together. Donations for Hunter can be given here: http://reecesrainbow.com/familysponsorshipalmostthere.htm
And then we have another very special family...The Mayden's!...most of you might not know it, but every week there's a post here on the RR blog written by Kelly herself. She's an advocate for the other angels & on January 17th her & her husband, John will have their first trip to Bulgaria for their own two precious angels. Yana & Tavi will be coming home to 7 waiting siblings! How exciting! These pictures are older ones of the girls. Yana will be 7 in March, and Tavi's 4. Right now the Mayden's have $620. in their family fund. Let's pull together this week to give them more help. Donations for the Mayden family can be given here: http://reecesrainbow.com/familysponsorshipgettingcloser.html
**MAY GOD STRETCH OUR GIFTS IN A MIGHTY WAY, IN A WAY ONLY HE CAN**
Blessings to all.
Read more...
Angel of the Week
Meet Katie!
This week's Angel of the Week is this precious little one, Katie! She has such a gorgeous smile, doesn't she? How she will thrive when she gets home with her forever family! Could you be her family?
 Katie (1) Girl, Born August 28, 2002 This beautiful Katie is in the same institution with Miss Corinna, below. They are both just waiting and waiting, day after day, month after month, for their forever family to save them from this miserable existence. Even through all of this, Katie finds a reason to smile and wave to the world with her tiny, precious little hand. Katie has light brown hair and the brightest blue eyes! We are waiting on medical info for Katie, but from our missionary who visited with her: "Katya looks pleasant, she is very happy and smiling a lot. She is able to indicate her wants and needs. She does not have any words yet, but she tries! She has good use of her hands, she plays with dolls and toys. She is crawling, can sit and tries to walk (with help). She likes blocks and other toys, sensory toys, dolls, pencils, crayons and books!" Many more photos available, please consider saving or sponsoring Katie's adoption! Would love to see one family adopt both girls! We have already lost at least (5) children with DS from this institution, let's make a chage for these kids and find some adoptive families! More photos available! Please contact Andrea for more information |
Sunday, January 3, 2010
"We Give You Back to God, Derek"
I don't do "goodbyes" very well. I can barely see through my tears as I write this, because the loss is so great. In the beginning of the service, before the feed went out, the minister there said "we pray that God will light MANY lamps, to replace this ONE that was so bright".....
I hardly knew Derek, outside of his family's experience in saving those three precious, blonde angels you saw in that webcast this afternoon. Their adoption journey with us was HARD..harder than most...and yet they persevered...they did not walk away from this calling to save these boys. Derek blogged about redemption, his feelings were so raw and so real. I never met Derek, but I knew his heart, I knew him enough to grieve him not being here anymore...enough to miss the leadership and example he was for ME personally, and enough to celebrate the true gift he was to so many. I am honored to know him, his wife, and to count them among my dearest and closest friends, because that is how they make you feel from the first moment you speak with them. I hope one day we can actually meet and celebrate together as one family. I feel empowered by the gift of Derek's life...his passion, his energy, his purity of love....empowered to continue this fight for the babies...and confident we will WIN.
*** And so, I should feel so strong about Jesus in my life too. Derek Loux is the closest human, contemporary example I have ever known to what Jesus Himself may have been like in the flesh. My faith has never been stronger than it is right now, so thank you, Derek...just for being you. And to witness the grief, but the simultaneous strength, of everyone in that congregation...to hear his own mother say "I dedicated you to God when you were born, and I dedicate you to Him now"....that was powerful and humbling. (because I feel quite sure I would not be that nice about it if something was to happen to my own child).
I can not think of a more beautiful way to change perspective on the sense of loss we all feel than to know we are simply returning God's gift to Him. That makes letting go so much easier. Renee's faith is a rock, and although I am sure she has shed her tears, she lets Derek go with an incredible sense of hope and certainty. She knows she will see him again. God entrusted Derek to this dark world, just as He entrusted His own Son, Jesus. He used Derek and his whole family to be a voice of hope and light and life for those who have none....to carry that into the orphanages and the dark places in this world. And in our ministry here at Reece's Rainbow, we take one step forward every day, in the loss of Derek and in the gift of Derek. We will use the light he shared with us to push forward, JESUS' light, to bring light and life and hope to these waiting children with Down syndrome and other special needs. We will do that until there are no more orphans. Anywhere. And the attached blog button/graphic can be found on our blog at www.reecesrainbow.blogspot.com to share on your own blogs.
Grab This!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
Not every family is called to adopt, to actually bring a child into their home. But God does place that burden on every single one of us, and He expects each us of to do SOMETHING. Your tears count....your prayers count...your time counts...your donations count...whether you adopt a child yourself, whether you fight against abortion, whether you visit the orphans and love them until their forever families can come...whether all you can do is post about RR on Facebook and MySpace....whatever you do, do SOMETHING. Don't let people tell you that you can't save the world...prove them wrong by doing it anyway.
So what I get out of Derek Loux and his sudden, tragic death....live every day like it really is your last. You are your own legacy. What you do, how you act, things you say, how you love others, and how much others love YOU....that is all up to you. Because these things happen every single day, you can't ever know when it's your time, and you better be living right and doing everything possible to serve others...that is what God call us to do.
We have just had our most successful CHRISTmas Angel Tree ever. We now begin a month of "New Year Warrioring", and seeking new families to adopt those children who have raised sizeable adoption grants through the Angel Tree. If you are a Christmas Warrior for a child who has not yet found their family, please consider extending your focused efforts during this New year Warrior time.
We will continue to pray for growth and opened hearts in more regions of RUSSIA...for opportunities to save lives in Latin America and Africa and Asia....to open doors and break down the financial barriers for all the families who are ready and willing to save these children. We pray for the chance to witness to foreign birth families, that they might stand up and choose to keep their children with Down syndrome, despite their fears and lack of resources. We pray they will band together and work for the benefit of those babies and fight for their own societies to embrace them. We pray for Timosha's family, as they celebrate their first days together again as a family. We pray for each other, that our hearts be healed from this loss, that we recognize Derek's passing as a chance to be strengthened and to draw nearer to You.
Derek Loux, we give you back to God, my friend.
Because He Lives,
Andrea Roberts, Executive Director
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Nothing Could Have Prepared Me... The 2009 Christmas Angel Tree Project
Nothing could have prepared me for the email from Andrea giving me the stats to put on the replacement Angel Tree button. You may have noticed your baubles, or Christmas ornaments, automatically changed this morning.
At any rate, without further ado, have a look and will you praise God with me? I think it fair to say that He cares for these orphans more than we!
And I think you know what I'm going to say next! Let this motivate us to continue to advocate and pray for these children!
Thank you ALL for your efforts for the 2009 Christmas Angel Tree!
If you don't have the Angel Tree button on your blog, you can get it here!
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.
**If your bauble hasn't changed, hold down the SHIFT key and then with your mouse, click on the REFRESH button and it should change... Read more...
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