A Delayed Post....

Okay, I've been meaning to write this post for a very long time. The first week, I was in shock. I still am now, but I'm so glad. Sabrina has gotten a family! But wait! There is more! They are traveling now, and have already met her! I am overjoyed for this little girl! Now, if only Wilson, Simeon, and Chase could get a family!

In Desperate Need

All the children on Reece's Rainbow (RR as some people call it) are in desperate need of a family. Some look healthy and happy, and go to heaven, like Margaret. This makes me worry for the ones who don't look healthy. A video was made for these kids in desperate need. Sonny, Donovan and Marla are in this video, but also so many more.





It breaks my heart looking at their desperate faces. And it hurts me to know that there are so many more on RR that look just as bad. It makes me feel so helpless. There is so much I wish I could do but can't. It feels like so many people are closed to the truth. All I can do is pray.

But, on a less depressing note, Sabrina has been put on Angel Tree. And she has an AT warrior! She will get at least $1,000 put into her grant, and people will be spreading the word about her. I couldn't be happier for her! Hopefully her family sees her and falls in love. Angel Tree is where people will pick a child (or children) and they will advocate for them from November to December. They make a goal of $1,000 to put into their accounts by the end of the timeframe, and then go and tell people about their child(ren). Is anyone here going to be the first to donate to her account? Click Here to donate.

Finally on their way....

Remember baby Keegan? He was one of the first five children I advocated for when I started my blog. I have wonderful news! His mom and dad are going to travel and see him in three weeks! There is only one thing standing in their way. Their FSP says $6,871, and they need $15,000. Can they raise it in three weeks?  Of course! With God, all things are possible. Please pray for him, and his family. Give if you can, ask others if you can't. God saved this boy from entering an institution, and he can help this family if we obey and give.

 

You can find his info here: http://reecesrainbow.org/38047/sponsorgardner

But I have more good news! Right now, I have Wilson, Beau, Simeon, and Chase on here. Well, time to scratch one out, an adorable boy with CP.

Beau has a family coming for him! I am so overjoyed at this! I had wondered if he would ever get one! I am so happy for him! He is an orphan-no-more!

I have an all-boys list I am advocating for right now. So, I think it's time to add a new face to the bunch. This is Sabrina. She is a five year old little girl with HIV. Isn't she adorable? I thought she was a cutie, and thought she would have a family soon. But, she was still on RR. So, I thought it was time to add her on. Please pray for Keegan, and his family, Sabrina, Wilson, Beau and his new family, Simeon, and Chase. 

Those who are hurting.

I showed you Wren and Marla, and how much danger they are in, how abused they are. But they aren't the only ones.

This is  Sonny . He is an adorable little boy, except that he has been treated horribly. He would look so much happier and healthier with a mom and dad, brothers and sisters.
Why him? Why is he one of the worst looking, most abused children on Reece's Rainbow? Why do some kids in these orphanages seem almost healthy, and others so close to death. This little boy doesn't deserve this. No one does. God knew what he was doing making him.

And this is Donovan. He looks so small! But that isn't what makes me fear for his life. That almost transparent part on his head is the lining of his skull! He has no diagnosis for that, that is neglect. Why is it that we, as Christians, can sit back and watch these children sufer for something that was not, and never will be, their fault? It could have been you, it could have been me. These pictures need to rock our worlds. They have mine.










And of course,  Marla . This poor, poor darling. She wouldn't look like this if she had her family. I know this. Even with her CP, she would be so much better. With my sister, if she had been left like this she would look no different. If you look at her past photo, you will notice she has been left in the same position both times. She isn't moved around or helped. She would be walking, running, laughing, talking, everything you can do. She may struggle in some places, but she would be a different child if someone saved this little girl.









Don't forget these kids. These are the least of these. The ones we are called to help.

Don't Forget Me.

Every child. Every face. The pictures themselves scream. "Don't forget me!" Every one. They need us. But never, ever, has one screamed so much to me.  



What was she thinking as the picture was taken? Was she scared? Did she know what was going on?

Her name is Wren. She is a ten year old little girl, made special by God, and is in a terrible place. You can easily see her arms are much too thin, she has bruises and black eyes, on both eyes. Her lip is bloody. And one thing, most orphanages will make the kids look better when people come to take pictures. This could be her at her best. A poor little orphan.


Now, where are we? Where do we stand here? I tear up every time I see this face. What about you? In one day, we get more blessings than this girl can even imagine. To you, a good day may be your car starts up, you get a promotion in your job, and you come back home to your comfy, warm house. For her, a good day is to have her diaper changed two times, to have someone touch her a little more gently than normal, for someone to even speak to her. To have her clothes changed, to have a few extra minutes to eat instead of having to nearly choke by sucking it down. I could keep going, but I won't. For this little girl's sake, don't forget her. For this little girl's sake, show her picture around. Don't let her be forgotten. She needs you.

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³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me,I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. We need to help these children, they are starving.

I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in. She has no family, no one who even tells her that they love her. All she hears is Worthless.

I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me. She may go with the same outfit for days, as it gets old, rotted, disgusting.

I was sick, and in prison, and you did not look after me.....

She needs us! All of the children need us! If only a small percentage of Christians would step up and help these children, the orphanages would be empty! 

Ten into Twenty

Marla's matching grant only has five days left! If 46 people donated only ten dollars, she will make it. This will push her grant up really high! We can't forget this adorable little face. So many times it already has been. I know more than 46 people read my blog, so please give a little, even if it's only ten dollars. That ten will become twenty. Click here to donate to this precious child of God.

Now, I enjoy listening to music, and mostly listen to the radio. There is a song called Children Of God, by Third Day. I liked the song, but never really watched the video for it. A few days ago my mom told me to watch a video. I had told her I knew the song. She just said to watch the video. I now ask you to do the same.





When we all look at ourselves in the same position as these children, our viewpoints change. I never said adoption was easy, it isn't supposed to be. It wasn't easy for Jesus to die on the cross for us either. It was a painful experience. But he loves us enough to die. These children are made by God too. We are all adopted. What lengths will you go to save a child, specially made by God?

Five Loaves, Two Fish.

A $500 dollar matching grant is going on for Marla! I am so excited for her! It's an anonymous donor, who really wants this girl to get a family. Every dollar turns into two! It reminds me of the story about Jesus who was preaching, and they needed to feed the five thousand people. And he turned the five loves and two fish into enough food to feed everyone. All he is asking is for you to give a little, and he can turn it into so much more! Please give, even if it is only a dollar.

 

You can donate Here.

A Sad Loss.

I hate to have to mention sweet little Simeon again. I wanted to talk about him arriving home, but not this. He lost his family. He doesn't have a mommy and daddy coming for him anymore. He is an orphan again. Poor Simeon. Please pray for him, please pray another family sees his adorable face. I am at a loss for words, even now. We can't give up on him.

Artwork and Books.

Two wonderful things. I just love to draw and read. But, after I read a book, sometimes I never touch it again. They sit, useless. The girl I talked about, Marla, still needs a family bad. So, there is an auction going on to help her. We are auctioning off books! These Hardbacks of Hope will make a huge difference! Click here to see the auction. I can't wait to see the day someone sits down and teaches her to read. She hasn't probably seen a book.

Then there is drawing. Most of the time, I draw, and then the pictures, once again, sit. My entire family loves drawing, so we made an auction for Haven, of pictures and crafts. Click here to see the auction. Anyone can join. There is a four year old boy who drew a picture and it is up to $3. That  is all going to Haven. It is amazing what God can do with our talents!




Keep praying for these kids.
Grace.

I Want, God Wants.

I want. One of the most used phrases you will hear.

I want a new phone, I want a new game, I want a new car, a new house. I want, I want, I want. I admit, I have said it before. Everyone struggles with it. God is blessing us for a reason. I am not saying it is a bad thing to want something, but think about this, why do you want that? Do you need it? Ask a child, like this little girl, Marla, what she wants.

I want, to be fed today. I want, someone to touch me. I want, to have my diaper changed. I want someone to talk to me, hold me, tell me I am not worthless. I want someone to look at me, notice me. I want to know I won't die tomorrow. I want a mom, and a dad.

I get chills looking at her picture. Not only because she looks so badly, but she has another picture, an older one, that looks much better. She has regressed so much. You may think she is beyond therapy, and she would die anyway, so why get her? I'll tell you why. She is not beyond therapy. She is not worthless. She is a child, made specially by God. She is a living being with feelings and hurts. And I know, she would be a beautiful child if someone would look at her and give her a chance. She needs a mom. I don't want to see her on In Loving Memory, like little Margaret. She needs love.

So, I want children without families to be adopted. I want to have them never worry about food or water again. I want them to smile. I want them to get out of a crib and see the sunlight, possibly the first in years.  I want someone to step up and say: "That's My Child."

It's time to step up, and not turn a blind eye to the children who are dying. What if it was you?

In Loving Memory.

My heart is broken. A little girl across the world died. She was called Margaret. A beautiful little girl, with so much potential. She reminded me of my sister, Cassie, who as I have said also has Cerebral Palsy. She could have been saved. She could have had a wonderful life. She has my sister's same red hair, and that wonderful smile.



 So, why is it, that people can sit around and not care? This could be my sister. Now she is in the best place, heaven. But why didn't she have love here on Earth? When I say we need to help these children who are dying, I am not kidding. Even the ones that look almost healthy, they are too. All I can think is who is next? I look down the list of children who have gone to Jesus and cry. Too many. They didn't know love. Twelve died in 2011, three in 2012, two in 2010 and then fifteen others without dates. That is thirty-two children. But they aren't the only ones. Those who die in institutions, and ones not listed for adoption. All I wonder, who is next? Will it be Chase? Beau? Wilson?

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

I'm in love.

Yep. There is a little boy, in the same orphanage as Simeon, that is adorable. Chase.




This is a newer picture of this sweetheart. Isn't he adorable? I am adding him with Beau and Wilson. All three of these boys have waited for their families far too long. They are all in need of a family so much.

Keep on praying,
Grace.

Sweet Simeon.

I have to say, the last few months, my favorite page on the entire internet is My Family Found Me. Mostly this last week. Here's what happened.

I was half asleep, trying to decide whether to get out of bed or fall back asleep. My sister comes in. "Grace? Grace? Are you awake?" she asks. I mumble a yes and sit up in bed. I asked her what was wrong. She said my mom had something she needed to show me. The firs things that came to mind for me was Beau had a family. I got to our computer room and mom tells me to look at Simeon's  category. There wasn't Other Angels, or Orphanage 42. All it said there was My Family Found Me. I pinched myself. I couldn't believe it. Simeon has been on our hearts since the first time we saw him. I was so glad he has a family.

Prayer is SO Powerful!
Grace.

The facts, the truth.

I saw the world's tear-jerking photo today. Thought I should share it with you.

  My expression after reading this? What?!?!?!

I know people with HIV/AIDS are contagious in some ways, but seriously? So many people in the world think it spreads by going within three feet of them. That is wrong. Just wrong. Let me separate the myth from fact for you.

True or False: You can get HIV from kissing someone with HIV/AIDS.
Answer: False. There hasn't been one case of someone getting HIV from kissing. Never.

True or False: There is no cure.
Answer: True. No, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. There are medicines that help slow the progression of the disease though. People with HIV/AIDS can live as long as anyone else with these medicines.


There are two main ways of spreading HIV/AIDS. That is by any sexual encounter, (I think you know what I mean) and from mother to infant. My only question is why are these kids still treated as if you come within three feet you will be sick?

This reminds me of the lepers in the Bible. They didn't have anyone in their lives. They got these diseases, diseases of the skin, but they did nothing wrong. Like it isn't your fault if you catch a cold, it isn't their fault that they have this sickness. They were abandoned, on the side of the streets, starving and alone. But there was one person who wasn't afraid to come near them, he healed them. Jesus. He loved the lepers.

Now imagine a modern day Jesus. There are no 'lepers' on the side of the road anymore, except for HIV/AIDS children and adults. The term "What Would Jesus Do?" comes into my mind. Jesus would love those people, and he said for us to be like him. We should be the ones going to all people with special needs, bringing them into our lives with open arms.

Ever since I saw the faces of these kids, I haven't been worried. My mom asked me once, "Aren't you afraid of getting the sickness?" I told her that it didn't matter to me. Everyone will die one day. I also told her that there was nearly no chance of getting it. We all need to think about these things.

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Timing Is Everything.

For the kids in orphanages, these words are true. Timing is everything. The longer they are in these places, the worse their diagnoses may get, depending on the diagnosis. Children with CP could get to the point of never walking. Children with HIV could get weaker, and possible get AIDS. These are not jokes, they are lives.

Many people fundraise, and right now, there is one for these two cuties!


                       




      Darina                                 
 













 and                          


  












     Ivan











For these kids, we are selling 31 bags, and 25% of the profit is going into their grants. Now, when I say timing is everything, this is great. They are selling backpacks, which is great for the back to school time which is approaching fast. There are also tote bags, great for taking to the beach. And a June special, buy $35 worth of items and get a large tote bag for only $10.

Check it out here: 31 Gifts

Our Beau and Wilson are still waiting for their families, don't stop praying for these boys. They are waiting, and I can't stand the thought of that. Wilson needs to wear his All-American shirt in America!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Where my heart is.

I feel like I am with these kids right now. They are all I can think about. All the children that seem to be forgotten. I love all the children on Reece's Rainbow, but it seems like the HIV kids are being forgotten. Downs Syndrome kids are getting families faster. So I made a video to help these kids get seen by more people.





They are all so precious. Even Wilson is in this video. Maybe with this his parents will find him. Pray that all these kids get families soon.

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

What Made The Difference.

I remember that my mom had been telling me about the kids who were in orphanages a while. It hurt, yes, but I didn't really understand it. What broke my heart? A video. Seeing it with my own eyes. I have watched many, many more videos about adoption, and they all broke my heart and touched me. The statistics that were astonishing, the faces of the kids, everything about them. So, seeing how Downs Syndrome is mostly being advocated for, my sister and I made a CP (Cerebral Palsy) video. CP is what Simeon and Beau have. I encourage you to watch it. These children are wonderful to be around. Cassandra, my sister, has CP also, so everyone should realize it isn't the end of the world.




Share it to everyone you know! Spread it around. I want this to go to the ends of the Earth and back!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Around The World

I am shocked when I look at the page-views here. The amount, and where they come from!

United States 344 Russia 27 Germany 5 United Kingdom 4 Canada 3 Ukraine 2 Malaysia 1

Isn't that amazing? I'm so happy that so many people around the world are praying and caring for these orphans. I still pray that Beau and Wilson find their families soon! I would be overjoyed to know who has been reading these overseas. Don't stop praying for our boys!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

It's puzzling....

It is puzzling that thousands of children go to mental institutions every year since no one would come for them, even though they have minor problems. It's puzzling that these children go to sleep at night not knowing if there is anyone who loves them. I can't imagine being alone like that.

A family is bringing a girl named Xenia home soon, they are with her now, but they have to come back to America to get the last $7,000 - $9,000 needed. Her mom is doing a fundraiser. She is going to give her little girl a puzzle when she gets home, one already finished. If you donate $5, you get one of 300 pieces. Your name is written on the back, so when this little girl is grown, she can see all the people who helped her get a family. Easy, right? It doesn't take much, and if you read my last post, you will see that it really is worth it.

You can read more about it here.

Please send this on, it will make a difference. You may not think it will, but even if me writing this post gets one person to donate, it will be worth it. This lady also has a $1,000 matching grant going on, so if you donate $5, it is equal to $10! Please give a little, it makes a difference.

Prayer is powerful,
Grace.

Giving what we have.

My sister has cerebral palsy, like Beau, and she also has a blog here. She is seventeen and will never drive, or have a job. Now, she found $20 the other day, set aside for her. My parents gave her the money, and asked her what she wanted to do with it. My mom and I thought she was going to want to buy something at the store, or something any other teenager would want. After a few minutes of her trying to figure out what she wanted, she told my mom she wanted to give it to a girl named Darina. My sister has her on her blog as well. Now, she didn't say "some of it" she said "all of it". That is very special to me. Most other teens would have spent it on themselves. I respect my sister so much.


So, my question is, why aren't we all like that? I know we can't give everything, but why don't we give a little at least? If she could do it, I know anyone could. Even five dollars. I challenge you to do that, whether little Darina, or anyone.

Prayer is powerful,
Grace.

There are no orphans of God.

It's true. There are no strangers, no outcasts, or orphans of God. A family made a video, one that needs to be shown to all Christians everywhere. Not only does this video have a powerful meaning, but listen to the songs. They mean a lot.






So why not show it to your church? Your family? Friends? Everyone you know. The link to the video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGbRhcXJYlU&feature=share. The ten minutes it takes you to watch this video are ten minutes that will change a heart. Pray for these children, ours and the others that don't have a family here. Pray that love will take them in.

Prayer is powerful,
Grace.

A great achievement.

What else can I say? Simeon's matching grant was a success. He will be seen by many more people on the large grants page soon. That is wonderful! I hope that his family sees him there soon! He is too much of a sweetheart to be stuck in the orphanage. I wonder, why not Beau and Wilson? Why isn't there money for them? They need to be seen too! Pray someone steps up or puts the money in by themselves. I will be so happy when these boys get homes!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

When We Join Together...

For a few months now, our family has been touched by a little boy. He is so darling, and we just love him. We would like this boy to get a family as soon as possible. He turned five not too long ago, and here is the hardest part. At about this age, most children that have special needs in orphanages are sent to institutions. Mental institutions. At five years old, they should be going to kindergarten, making friends, learning so much and being loved. But they are not. Now, the only way to get these kids out is by adoption, that's why we pray and advocate to get them families.

Now, this little boy, Simeon, he is having what is called a 'matching grant'. This means that someone has volunteered that every dollar put in his account they will match, up to $500, but it only lasts 24 hours. This is a lot of money, up to $1,000 for little Simeon. If he gets this, then he will be in the sizeable grants page, and more people will see him on Reece's Rainbow, and then maybe his family will too. These are the times when every dollar counts.
   This is Simeon.

His story is terrible. He had a twin sister, but since he has cerebral palsy, and she didn't, she got adopted and he was left there. This little boy needs a family soon. Pray for him, and, like I said before, every dollar counts, so why not give one? Even one counts right now. But send this on. Tell it to your friends, and tell them to tell it to their friends! These 24 hours, let's get his grant up!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Our baby boy.

Sweet little Keegan. In danger of going to the institution. Oh you poor...wait. Hold it. That isn't right. Be glad for this little guy, he has a family! I am so happy for him, the first of my boys has someone working to get him here! Pray they don't back down!



Oh Keegan!!!

But now, I have a wonderful story to add.

Every time I checked Sarah's page, I would search it. But the first girl to pop up was a different Sarah. I saw her every time I looked for our other Sarah. She was a cute girl with HIV. I remember thinking that when my next kid gets a home, I'll add her to the blog. Well, as I searched for her to put her picture and link up, I looked down and read that she has a family! I'm leaping for joy! Since I have told you about her, let me show you a picture of this sweetheart!



Keep praying for Beau and Wilson!

Prayer is powerful,
Grace.

Our girls!

I'm jumping up and down, grinning ear to ear, and I'm bouncing off walls. Why? Aleksa's family found her! That means our first three girls all have a family. Isn't that great? Praise God!

I couldn't be happier for these girls. Now our boys are next! Beau, Keegan, Wilson, just wait a little bit longer, they are coming soon!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Keegan and Wilson

Oh sweet little Keegan, still in danger of being put into an institution. I can't wait until your family steps up for you! I'm still praying that they come soon! Your Down Syndrome and heart defect don't matter, you can live in a loving normal family just fine!

      How sweet....

And Wilson. Your HIV doesn't make you worth less than anyone else. I wish I could see you on My Family Found Me. I keep praying they step up soon.

   Just wait, they are coming!


Continue praying for these boys, as well as Beau and Aleksa. That their families come. And for Harper's and Sarah's, that everything goes well for them.

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Beau.

I have something about Beau. No, he doesn't have a family yet. But I have something that will melt your heart.




Isn't he adorable? I believe this is a little old, but it is still very cute.  Here is a newer picture.



Keep praying for him, Keegan, Wilson, Aleksa, Sarah, and Harper.

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

A Wonderful Thing to Hear!

Praise God! Sarah has a family! Yes. It's true! She is on the MFFM category! (My Family Found Me) Continue to pray that they get all the funds and everything goes smoothly.

Aleksa needs a home still. I ask you that you pray that if there are any families unsure whether to get her or not that they will have peace about the situation and pick her!

Harper's family is doing well. They also have a blog going here. Pray for her and her family that all goes well.

 Wilson and Beau still don't have a family and Keegan's money is almost to $2,000. Their families are out there. Continue to spread the word and pray!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

News!

I can't tell you how happy I am to be writing this! Yesterday, Harper got a family! Praise God! I was jumping up and down. I couldn't believe it. I told you prayer was powerful, and I meant it. Let's keep praying for her, so that the family will have the funds to get over there as soon as possible to pick up their girl!

Since Harper has a family, and prayer is so wonderful, I think we should add a new face to our blog, and a new name to get advocated for. Here is Wilson.

Standing tall, ready for a family. Look at his shirt, guess where he belongs? He should be in America with us, don't you think?

Sadly, I have bad news. Poor Wilson only has until May/June until he loses chance of getting a family forever. But not all is lost. Remember Laurel? I told you about her on the first post. She only had until June too, but has a family and won't be institutionalized. I believe that God has the same planned for Wilson, we need to pray and advocate for him for it to happen though!

One of the kids we started with was Sarah, and I think she is so cute! But there's something more I need to tell you about her.

Poor little Sarah. Most kids in orphanages have special needs. What does Sarah have? She is blind and has CP. Another thing about Sarah? She has two weeks to find a family before she loses all hope. I can't imagine seeing her in an institution. Pass the word on, she needs a family soon!

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Listening to God's Calling.

I've been watching the kids grants and praying for their families to come soon. I have so much to say, but first, an update on the kids.

Hooray for Keegan! When I made the blog yesterday, I had checked his grant (and the other's). He started with $1,189.50. Now he is at $1,240.00 as I write this. I can't wait until it goes up more!

Sarah's grant went up $90! Amazing for this little girl. I will be jumping up and down once she gets a home!

Praise God for Harper! Exactly $1905.75 is in her account that goes to her adoption!


Aleksa can't have grant money, until she gets a family. And Beau's has stayed the same. Please continue to pray for all of the kids!

Now, I've been so happy to watch God work wonders for these kids, and am so excited for when they get families! Lately, I have had a few songs in my head that work perfectly for these situations. You may or may not have heard this song by Casting Crowns.



The words go like this.

If we are the body,
Why aren't his arms reaching?
Why aren't his hands healing?
Why aren't his words teaching?
And if we are the body,
Why aren't his feet going?
Why is his love not showing them there is a way?

It's so true, and I hope you understand and listen to the whole song. Yet there is another one here that has a similar meaning. I can't put all the words up, so here's the video:

So, why is it so hard to listen to God's calling? I know at times it's hard for me, and I know I am not perfect. But I have been wondering what makes it so hard. I think we have all been trying to think that these things aren't happening, and that these kids are getting all the attention they deserve. I wish that it wasn't real so badly, and I know that we all are not going to be able to adopt a child. But, even children, teenagers, or adults that are unable to adopt, can still make a difference.

Here is one way I heard it. You own a restaurant and have the three best hamburger makers in the world. Yet, even if you have these, you are missing something. You have no waiters, waitresses, cashiers, dish washers, and so on. It's when all the people come together can the restaurant work. You see, the chefs, they are the people who adopt. They can't do it alone. They need people's support, and help. They need fundraising and much more. So, we need to understand that we can make a difference, even if we don't think so.

Prayer is Powerful,
Grace.

Getting Started

Wow. Looking back I never would have thought I would be having a blog, ever. When I talk about Sister Love, I'm talking about a sisterly love. One that goes through thick and thin for their family. This may not make much sense, let me explain.

My brother, James, was adopted when he was young. It was an adventure, and a good experience. I treat him as anyone else would treat a biological brother. He doesn't get less than anyone else. Learning he had autism, that was tough. Getting through the day and having patience with him is tough too, but we get through it. We learn what works, and what doesn't. If I had the chance to go back and change it, we still would still have adopted him. Yes, it gets rough, but I believe it's all worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgxNgV5SrSk   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ah_W9tS-8c 

Now, I remember my mom coming to me and my sisters and asking us to watch certain videos on youtube. We agreed and watched. My heart broke, and I begged my mom that I was done watching. She told me it got better. I watched all five videos and cried, and laughed. It was a life-changing moment. As a daughter, and a sister, my heart tore. I saw children, never being held. I saw faces, begging for a mother and father to hold them. But most of all, I saw James. In every face. The only difference between them, and him, is where they were born. He could have easily been there. I wanted to help them, I wanted to climb into the video and bring them here to America.

I beg you to watch the video, and see what is real. When I did watch it, I wanted to believe it was fake. This doesn't happen anymore. But it isn't. After I watched this, I went to Reece's Rainbow website, and started looking at kids. I found a girl, older than me, named Laurel. She was sixteen and was about to go to an institution in June. Noticed how I said about? A few days ago, she got a family. Praise God! It reminded me of how strong prayer is! But I knew in my heart she was not the only one. I began looking again, and found five children that I want to spend the next few weeks praying for. I won't stop until they have a home.

This is Keegan. He is a sweetheart, and a heartbreaker. His orphanage is closing soon, so he will be sent to an institution...forever. He only turned one in January, he is too young to be losing all hope in a family. I could cuddle him all day and night.

This is Harper. What drew me to her is how much she looked like me when I was her age. Imagine her smiling, playing with another child at a playground, or laughing as you make jokes with her. She is too precious to be there.

Here's Sarah. She's been getting so much attention lately on Reece's Rainbow's facebook page! Yet her donation fund for her getting a home hasn't moved. She needs a home, and she is so sweet looking. Can't you imagine being her sister?

I don't know what drew me to Aleksa. Maybe it was her smile. Maybe how I imagine her in five years with a family. Whatever it was, here she is. With all that is going on around her, I can't believe she can smile. Isn't that wonderful? I am truly happy that she's happy, and I hope that she can hold on long enough for her family.

Last, but not anywhere close to least, is Beau. I just couldn't pass his picture. He seemed like he could be my brother, easily. Sadly, out family has fallen in love with two other boys, so maybe he can be yours? Or someone you know?




 God loves these children, and remember that they are his children, just like you. Do you know their families? Maybe not, but all I ask is that you pray with me, prayer is stronger than you think.

God bless you,
Gracie.