More than $500,000 in Adoption Grant Funds Available!

There has never been a better time than RIGHT NOW to adopt a child internationally. After an historic Angel Tree fundraiser, Reece's Rainbow now has more than $500,000 in available grant funding to save our waiting children.   The majority of our kids have more than $1000, and many with more than $5k and even $10k grants.  Children ages 2 months to 10 years are waiting for their "forever families" at the end of Reece's Rainbow.  Our goal here at RR is to eliminate the financial barriers to adoption.  Not only does this save the life of an orphaned child, it blesses the adoptive family and sets a powerful example for BIRTH parents here and abroad about how cherished our children truly are. If you are interested in learning more about adopting a child with Down syndrome or other special needs internationally, please click here. If you would like to add to a waiting child's grant fund, or help a family who has already committed to save a child, please click here.  Tax refunds are coming, this is the perfect time to share :) If you are CANADIAN and would like to learn more, please click here. You don't have to adopt to make a difference, but there has truly never been a better time!  If you never ask, you will never know! Our little ones are facing mental institutions and living on borrowed time....don't wait. Even if now isn't the right time for your own family to adopt, please share this message with everyone in your Down syndrome and special needs communities.  JUST HIT "FORWARD" to everyone in your address book.  www.reecesrainbow.org

This email was sent to lucille@reecesrainbow.org by Andrea Roberts, Executive Director (andrea@reecesrainbow.org). To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list. Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry | PO Box 4024 | Gaithersburg | MD | 20885

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More than $500,000 in Adoption Grant Funds Available!

Going GREEN at tax time!

Dear Reece's Rainbow Advocates and Donors, At Reece's Rainbow, we are keenly aware of how far your pennies go in saving the life of a child.  Throughout the year, we are good stewards of your gifts to our Voice of Hope fund, and try our best to keep the operational costs as low as possible. One of the ways we can do this is by minimizing the number of tax receipts we have to send out by snail mail.  The cost of postage, paper, printer ink, envelopes, and TIME seem such a waste, when we could send most of these via email.  Help us maximize the impact of your raised funds by doing the following easy things: 1. If you have movedthis year, be sure your new mailing address is updated with Michelle. 2.  If you typically donate via Paypal, be sure THAT address is correct.  We had so many Angel Tree ornaments and donation receipts returned this year because folks didn't update their addresses in their own Paypal account.  This was a big waste of postage for us as well.  3.  If you typically donate by check, please include your email address with your next donation so we can communicate with you electronically.  Checks are our preferred method of donating, as it doesn't cost us anything in Paypal fees.   4.  When you fundraise through Chip Ins and giveaways, ask your donors to include their email addresses as well. Another important part of tax season at Reece's Rainbow is "paying it forward".  We have so many families in urgent, last minute need of donations, and there is no better time to give than when your tax refund arrives.  Many folks will receive sizable tax refunds this year as a result of their 2010 adoption....consider donating some of that to help your fellow RR family members bring their children home in 2011.  Donate for a committed/traveling family Tax receipts are being mailed and emailed over the course of this week and next.  Please be patient, as we have more than 5000 to send out! Thank you for your help!  www.reecesrainbow.org Sincerely, Andrea Roberts, Executive Director andrea@reecesrainbow.org

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Going GREEN at tax time!

Miracles...

Jill Spicer hosts the 'After the Rainbow' group for parents who have adopted Reece's Rainbow children and is also an adoptive Mum of five children, along with their 3 'homegrown' kids... she is also one of the loveliest people I've had the privilege of getting to know since I've been with Reece's Rainbow. This post is borrowed from her blog because she so eloquently has shared this urgent prayer request. Please read her post, please pray, and then wait with us for a miracle...

We recently had a guest speaker in our Sunday school class, a man who speaks about ministering through your workplace. One of the questions he asked our class was, "Do you ever see supernatural events (miracles) in your workplace?"

For a second, I simply dismissed the question as irrelevant to the chronically unemployed mommy that I am. Then it occurred to me that although I didn't have a paying job, I do volunteer with Reece's Rainbow and that is a workplace of sorts for me.

As soon as the thought hit my brain a smile spread across my face. I see miracles all.the.time. Weekly or even daily sometimes. I have a front row seat as some of the most amazing, unbelievable, 'didn't think it could happen again but it did' events have transpired in the lives of families adopting children with special needs.

From the very start, I was amazed as I witnessed while two different 5 year old children who had only lived in cribs were lifted out, chosen by families who hadn't adopted before and didn't even have biological children with Down syndrome. That's a miracle. God worked a miracle in the hearts of those moms and dads to see past the dirty clothes and faces, the crossed eyes, the sickly pallor, the malnutrition and the blank looks; those parents didn't turn away because they saw their child.

I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've seen families who are days away from traveling to adopt their child(ren) with special needs and are short thousands of dollars. Equally as often I've seen God finance their trip. He uses all different means to accomplish it, to be sure. Sometimes he uses a whole bunch of people to contribute $5, $10, maybe $25. Sometimes He sells something for them and they get more than they'd hoped. Sometimes an anonymous donor shows up and gives them all they need. No matter how He works it the results are the same: a miracle.

I had the privilege of watching a miracle unfold in Ukraine last summer. A family went to adopt their son with arthrogryposis from a mental institution. He was the first to be sprung from that place and probably the first ever to be adopted in that village. The family, adoption novices, had to live with a peasant lady for weeks because there were no hotels. The accommodations were primitive, at best. They had no assurance that the judge would even hear their case (the problems with that issue seemed insurmountable for quite some time) and that, once hearing it, would grant their adoption. I'll never forget the imagery they used to console their anxious hearts as they walked to their long-awaited court. They knew the Reece's Rainbow family (and many, many others) were praying for them: they imagined thousands of bowed heads behind them as they testified before the judge, thousands of bowed heads pleading with a just and loving Lord to work on the judge's heart, thousands of bowed heads crying out for a boy to be saved from a horrible life. Their precious son is now home in Virginia, a miracle.

More recently, a family went to adopt child #7 and while in Ukraine found out that a little girl they had wanted to adopt (but were denied by the orphanage director) a couple of years earlier was now available; the orphanage director had his heart changed toward adoption and the little girl is now living in Florida with seven brothers and sisters. A miracle.

A couple of weeks ago the call went out around the internet for a boy in Latvia who was about to turn 16 and would thereafter be on the streets, kicked out of his orphanage, lost forever from adoption and family and hope. He had been to America and stayed with a host family and thought he had a family pursuing his adoption. The family decided not to adopt him but never told anyone until finally, with less than 2 weeks until his fateful birthday, the sad news was discovered. The boy, Davids, was crushed. Hearts all over the world were broken for him. The most desperate problem was that a family had to be found who had a special, Hague approved homestudy that said they could adopt a 16 year old, was current, and the family had to be able to file with the US government to adopt him before his birthday, an expensive proposition. It seemed so impossible. But God...

I still cry thinking about it. God brought forth a family that was already adopting an almost 16 year old from Latvia, their homestudy was perfect and allowed for them to adopt two children although they were originally going for one. Every detail was taken care of. Between the time the call went out for Davids and the time the family was found, almost all the money necessary for this new adoption had been raised for them. A miracle. A big, fat, could only be from God, better than we could have expected miracle.

How could we not praise such a God? How could we not trust Him over the details of our lives?

Today, right this very second as I type, I am just waiting for the next big, fat, could only be from God, better than we could have expected miracle because I believe God is setting up the situation perfectly. While we sleep tonight, a judge in an Eastern European country is going to be approached by an adoption facilitator and asked to set two court dates for two Reece's Rainbow families who are each adopting a child with Down syndrome. Both families have met their child, fallen head over heels in love with their child, and have been waiting months to go back, have their court date and bring their precious little one home.

Much like the family who adopted the little boy from Ukraine, this judge may not even grant a court date. That's the first hurdle and, like I said, it's happening while we sleep tonight. If that doesn't happen then three children will not get their families.

Three?

Yes. Another family, better known as my wonderful friend Ashley of the Chaos Diaries, is also in the process of adopting a princess with Down syndrome in that same region of that same country. If the first two families don't get a court date, Ashley won't be allowed to proceed either. If the families do get a court date but are denied the adoption of their children (which we have been led to believe would be due to the judge's predjudice against Down syndrome), Ashley won't be allowed to proceed in her adoption of Baby J.

Can you imagine? These families have been in process for over a year. Well over a year. If you haven't adopted this may seem a bit strange to you, but I can assure you that in their hearts these children are theirs already. They've been imagining and daydreaming about just how their new child will fit in the family, about all the glorious and wonderful new things they'll show their new child, all the love they'll lavish upon their little frames.

At this point, everything is out of their hands except for prayer. Like I said, it's the perfect setup for God to work. I think He lets us muddle around, grasping and trying and getting increasingly desperate, knowing it's all a prelude to His mighty work, started at the foundation of the world.

Tonight, I'll be up praying for my friends. I've said it before about my own adoptions: I'm a miracle junkie. I love to see God work in a seemingly hopeless situation. As I pray for Baby J, Kirill, and Evan, I'll comfort my anxious heart with the knowledge that ranging round the judge will be thousands upon thousands of bowed heads. I'll know that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, and I'll be waiting for news of a miracle.

Psalm 77:14--You are the God who performs miracles;
   you display your power among the peoples.

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Miracles...

The Karol's and their children..

Amanda & Fred Karol are building a special family per God's plans & not their own. Their a young couple who've been married for 5 years. Little Anna & Everett will be the Karol's first children :D What an inspirational young couple!! I love seeing God's hands move & His called moving with them. Sadly, there's no blog to follow this young family on their journey, but non the less prayers are surely welcomed.



You can give your gifts to their FSP found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/category/almostthere And Lords willing once these little beauties are home we'll be able to see updated pics of them on the RR Home page.


*HELP WANTED: To encourage more donations would you be so kind as to cross post this to your FB page &/or your blog? The more we spread the word, the more help can be poured in the cup to over flow :D Thanks so much & may your week be filled with His love, His peace & His will in your life. Blessings to ya' till next time

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The Karol's and their children..

FASD

This is an interesting article dealing with new thoughts toward rebuilding brain ciruits for children with FASD.

Motor-skill activities hold promise of rewiring children's damaged brains

The six-year-old boy plays the game Operation, skillfully wielding a pair of tweezers in a school gym that doubles as a research lab. His brain has been damaged by the alcohol his mother drank when he was in the womb, but he's adept at extracting tiny plastic bones.

“When it gets too easy we will have him switch to his left hand,” says Chris Bertram, a scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C., who is investigating whether children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD, can rewire their brains by improving their strongest motor skills. Advances in understanding neuroplasticity, or how experience can change the brain, have led to therapies that have helped people who have suffered strokes or traumatic brain injuries learn to speak again or move paralyzed limbs. Now, a growing number of scientists hope the revolution can help children whose brains were damaged by alcohol before they were born.

They are testing different approaches – including computer games and other specialized training – in hopes of helping kids with FASD strengthen connections in their brains and boost their cognitive skills. ......

READ IN FULL

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FASD

Angel of the Week (is back!)

Meet Alexander!

Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childoftheweek.png" /></a><br /> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="75%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childweekgrab.png" /></a><br /> </center>

Alexander is affectionate and social! 

From our Executive Director, Andrea Roberts regarding Alexander:
"So I was sharing with my 6-year old about our 5 year reunion/camping trip, and that he was going to get to meet some of our RR kids who have been adopted, and his eyes lit up and said "and Alexander!" And I said, "well, no, sweetie, Alexander hasn't found his family yet" And his smile turned to tears as he said "but I gave him my $6.50" ;(((((((((((((((( SOMEBODY PLEASE ADOPT THIS CHILD!"

 He needs a family soon! If you would like more information on him or any of the other children, please contact us! 

Alexander has $1021.5 currently in his adoption grant fund. So, even if you aren't able to adopt a child presently, you can still help him find his forever family by donating towards his grant fund. 

He can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/alexander-2h
Alexander-2H
Birthdate: February 2007
Gender: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: brown
Character: Calm, sedentary
Alexander is a sweet boy with brown hair and eyes.   He was born with Down syndrome and also struggles with epilepsy.   He has strabismus as well.   Alexander is described as affectionate and social.

I have $1021.5 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Please grab our Child of the Week Button for your blog. Each week this button will change to show the current week's child (you only need to add the button once to your blog). The children that will be featured will be ones with $0 or very low adoption grant funds. By hosting our Child of the Week button we are hoping to not only raise awareness for that particular child but also to hopefully raise the amount in their fund. These funds have proven to help families who would otherwise be qualified and able to adopt them, except for the cost of an international adoption, feel able to commit to bringing home and giving the precious gift of a family to these angels.

Thank you for all you do to support and help Reece's Rainbow!

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Angel of the Week (is back!)

Are You My Mother?

Please?

Are you my mother? 

Are you the mother who will gasp in shock when she sees my picture for the first time?  The one who will know that I am hers even though she has never held me or touched me?

Are you the one who will work around the clock to fill out endless piles of paper so you can adopt me?

The one who will plow through the house finding things to sell and who will sit up late into the night making crafts and baked goods so that I can come home?

The one who will beg for donations from every man, woman and child she meets so that she can raise the money to cover my adoption expenses?

Are you the one who will rush crazily around the house washing windows and vacuuming floors so that when the social worker arrives, the house will pass inspection?

The one who will cry and weep at night thinking about me over here?

The one who will mourn that I am not at her table and that I am not safe in bed at night in her house?

The one who won't be overwhelmed at my medical issues but will trust that God will help her care for me?

The one who can no longer look at other children without thinking about me and who is forever talking about me to everyone who will listen?

The one who wonders how big I am as she wanders through the stores, picking out outfits for my closet and imagining me inside those clothes?

The one who spends much of her time on her knees before the Lord praying over every single piece of paper that is needed for my adoption, that they will pass all the endless inspections required?

  The one who panics that they are just not going to be able to raise the money needed to come get me?

(help - I have already been transferred)

The one who is having her faith stretched beyond all human understanding that God will provide everything she needs to bring me home?

The one who carries my picture around in her wallet?

The one who loves me even when I am not at my best?

The one who counts down the months, weeks, days and minutes until she can come get me?

The one who yells like she has gone mad when she receives the Golden Ticket that means my paperwork gets to cross the ocean to my country?

(help - I've already been transferred)

The one who waits with no patience for the date when she can come get me?

The one who cries out for protection for the ones she is leaving behind as she boards a plane to my country?

Please?

Are you my mother?

Are you the Mommy who longs to walk into my world, my room, my life and hold me close to your heart?

(help - I've already been transferred)

Are you my mother? Are you the Mommy I long for every single day of my life?

Please - Are you my mother?

I so very much want a mother.

I am lost without you.

ALL THE CHILDREN ON THIS PAGE CAN BE FOUND ON THE 'AT RISK' PAGE AT REECE'S RAINBOW.  THEY ALL HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH AN EXTRA CHROMOSOME AND THEY ALL FACE TRANSFER TO A MENTAL INSTITUTE IF THEY ARE NOT ADOPTED SOON. 

SADLY....

SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED!!

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Are You My Mother?

Valentine's Day Cards & Gifts Now Available...

Dear Friends and Advocates, Valentine's Day is upon us, and we have a fabulous new Valentine graphic to share with you!   (see right)  This design is available on Valentine cards, shirts, mouse pads, mugs, tote bags, and lots of other cool gifts in our Cafe Press store for purchase. $2 from the sale of each item supports our Voice of Hope Fund.  We have a BIG year ahead of us in 2011, and we need all the help we can get with operational and awareness costs.   Valentine's cards are a great way to share RR with your children's friends and teachers at school, and can help to create awareness and new opportunities to promote our youth initiave program, Change 4 A Chance.  Please save this logo (right click, save as) and display it proudly on your blogs and other forums for Down syndrome advocacy. Buy Valentine's cards now! Thank you for your never-ending advocacy efforts throughout each and every month! Sincerely, Andrea Roberts, Executive Director Reece's Rainbow andrea@reecesrainbow.org Visit our new and improved website at www.reecesrainbow.org

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Valentine's Day Cards & Gifts Now Available...

The Archer's and their boys..

Happy Monday all. I want to start this year by introducing you to the Archer family. Their a family that indeed has a heart for the "least of these". I'm always left in awe when I have the opportunity to read & learn about families that have grasped what God has called them to do & they do it. Regardless of what others may say, what obstacles the enemy sets in front of them or how much work it's going to be...or how much it's going to cost. They just do it. They put their faith in Him & they move..they move & put faith into action. Beautiful. The Archer's have adopted 11 children. 11...Of those 7 children are still at home. Their in the process of bringing home 5 more children from Bulgaria..all with DS. The 2 youngest are both 3, then the next 2 are almost 6 and the oldest is 7. At this point in the adoption the 2 youngest are the ones who will be coming home first. The RR family knows the 2 little one's as Emmet & Eric. (seen to the right) The Archer's have chosen new names for their boys. Their two youngest will be Julius Believer (in blue) and Paul Follower (in yellow). You can follow their family journey to all 5 boys by reading their family blog found here: http://theroaddownhome.blogspot.com/ and you can learn more about what's lead them down this road by reading their FSP, where you can also donate to the family in order to help them bring their boys home. Their FSP is here: http://reecesrainbow.org/category/almostthere
Below are their other 3 son's who Lord willing will be home soon as well. Prayers for them all please as they wait for their forever family to be able to come for them.

Please be prayerful in your gifts & remember that every bit helps in bringing all the boys home. Blessings to you all..

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The Archer's and their boys..