Today I am participating in a "Blog Blitz" for Reece's Rainbow....this is where bloggers from all over our little RR 'family' is coming together to shout out for 63 children who have been listed on Reece's Rainbow for years. They have been passed over, laying in cribs all these years, waiting for a family who never comes.
I can't convince you to adopt. My blog posts, Facebook statuses, and ramblings probably won't change anyone's heart. So I'm going to let the children do that today. I'm going to show you the pictures of these precious children and let them tell you their story...
 |
| Sweet Tina. Isn't she beautiful? http://reecesrainbow.org/728/tina-9 |
Tina has Fetal Alchohol Syndrome. It's not fair that she is in that orphanage right now because of a mistake her mother made. But her adoptive mom who I know has to be out there can make sure she's not put in a mental institution because of the mistake she made.
"Dear Mama,
Where are you? I don't understand why I'm here all alone...I need you right now! I'm hungry, Mama. And I'm so cold...please come and pick me up! I'm tired of laying in this crib...my back is so sore! Oh, Mama, I know you are going to come. I just know you are on your way. I want you to know that it's okay that you're taking so long, I forgive you. I love you anyway, Mama. I'm waiting for you, Mama....waiting....waiting...." ~Tina
Here is Alexandra. When I first saw her, I thought she was a baby, she's so tiny. But actually, she's a five year old with Oestogenesis Imperfecta, or Brittle Bone Disease. Despite the name "disease", this isn't a terminal illness or even contagious. OI simply means that her bones are very fragile. Because she is in an orphanage without proper care and therapies, she is unable to walk or sit up. Due to her OI, a fall or even a hug that's too tight could break her bones. I'm worried that the reason Alexandra has been listed for so long is because her special need seems too "big". Families might look at this tiny, fragile little girl and feel afraid. "What if I pick her up wrong and she...breaks?" "What if she falls out of bed when I'm not looking?" "What if I hug her and the results are disastrous?"
The possibilities seem to be endless, and they turn away from that sweet little face because they are too afraid of hurting her. But what do you think is worse, friends--laying in that bed all day, having no loving family to interact with, no hope for the future, and eventually death in an institution, OR having a loving family, having hope for the future, and, most importantly, being able to LIVE--with a few broken bones here and there?
There are solutions so that your child doesn't break bones everyday. Wheelchairs so falling isn't such a threat. Bedrails, toilet rails, shower chairs--so your house isn't such a danger to her. And as for hugs, how did you know not to slap your newborn's head? Education and common sense goes a long way. Yes, there may be broken bones, tears, misunderstandings, and pain in Alexandra's future--but isn't there in every child's? If she could tell you, I know she would say she would rather have your imperfect family over no family any day. Broken bones can be casted, fixed. But if Alexandra dies without a family, well, there is no way to fix that.
"Dear Mommy and Daddy,
I am here waiting for you to come get me! I am very ready to be a part of your family...I have waited for so long. I often dream of the day you, Mommy, come pick me up out of this bed and hold me close to your heart. But when I wake up it's just me, alone in this bed, with no smiling face looking down at me or arms reaching out. And there are so many others waiting, moaning and crying. A lot of them lose hope and just give up. But I won't, Mommy and Daddy, because I just know you are coming for me! For now, I will content myself with my dream..." Until then,
Alexandra
I'm not the only one who blogged for these kids today. Here is a list of the other blogs, most of whom have different kiddos who they're advocating for. I encourage you to read their blogs and to open your heart to what they have to say. Cry over these children, and pray for them with your whole heart.
"Dear Mommy and Daddy,
I am here waiting for you to come get me! I am very ready to be a part of your family...I have waited for so long. I often dream of the day you, Mommy, come pick me up out of this bed and hold me close to your heart. But when I wake up it's just me, alone in this bed, with no smiling face looking down at me or arms reaching out. And there are so many others waiting, moaning and crying. A lot of them lose hope and just give up. But I won't, Mommy and Daddy, because I just know you are coming for me! For now, I will content myself with my dream..." Until then,
Alexandra
This sweetheart is Talia. She has to be one of the cutest little girls I've ever seen! Her smile lights up the whole picture, and even with her strabismus, her eyes are just gorgeous. I can already imagine her sitting at the kitchen table fingerpainting, making up stories with her dolls, and cuddling with her mommy before bedtime. Are you her mommy? Can you see yourself tickling Talia to urge this sweet smile out of her? Talia's birthday is March 17, 2007. She is five years old and has been listed on Reece's Rainbow for years. That sentence makes me want to vomit. Years. How could sweet Talia have been overlooked for so long? How is this possible? In fact, how is it possible that ANY of these kids have been looked over for so long? They are in desperate need of families. For basic needs--clothes for their cold little bodies, food for their starving tummies, therapy for stiff, cold muscles, and teaching for minds capable of so much if given the chance. But Talia and all the other children listed are in dire need of something much bigger than all of that. love. These kids need someone to love them, to hold them, to teach them about the love Jesus has for them. They need someone to celebrate all their "firsts" with them. The protective hand behind Talia in this picture makes me wonder if maybe she was just learning to walk when this shot was snapped. It is so sad to me that she had to experience this without the love of a mommy. Not sad for her, neccessarily, because she won't remember, but sad for that woman who is missing out on this precious little life.  |
| Talia looks so happy in this picture, I long to scoop her up! http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Talia When I took a break from blogging today I went and played the piano. While I played the song "Baby Mine" from Dumbo, I thought of Talia, Alexandra, Tina, Austin, Nana, Marcia, and all the others. What these babies would give for a mama to hold them! But what, also, would a mama give for the right to hold these babies? I know their mama is out there...aching for this child, even if she doesn't yet know it. I'm praying for her and all the other future-mommies. Will you join me, please? Mothers are the greatest gift. Baby mine, don't you cry Baby mine, dry your eyes Rest your head close to my heart Never to part, baby of mine Little one when you play Don't you mind what they say Let those eyes sparkle and shine Never a tear, baby of mine If they knew sweet little you They'd end up loving you too All those same people who scold you What they'd give just for The right to hold you From your head to your toes You're not much, goodness knows But you're so precious to me Cute as can be, baby of mine And this is dear Austin! My only little boy in the whole group, he recently had a birthday. For many children, a birthday is a reason to celebrate. But not for Austin....this birthday just marks another year being without a family. Another year closer to the institution. Many children are lavished with gifts, a party, and relatives telling them how grateful they are for their lives. Austin deserves all of this. And yet he doesn't have any of it. He's had too many birthdays like this...let's pray for him to have a family this time next year, friends. And maybe his birthday after that will no longer be spent alone. "Dear Mom and Dad, A lot of my friends have gone home already. I watched as one of my closest friends' parents came to get him...they brought so many presents, even a picture book with pictures of his siblings. He ran into their arms and sobbed as his mom held him close. I though the hug would never end! And then a few weeks later he was gone, and once again I was alone. Why haven't you come for me yet? They always tell us to believe in mommy and daddy...but I'm not so sure you even exist. After all, if you're really out there, then why am I still alone? Please come and get me, too. I want to love you. I want to believe in you. I long to run into your arms, too. I don't want to be left alone again." ~Austin |
 |
| Dear Austin. He has the cutest smile! http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Austin |
 |
| And last but not least--darling Nana. When I saw the list of children featured this Sunday, I chose group 9 because I had already fallen in love with this precious little girl. http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Nana Oh, sweet, sweet Nana. Nana has such potential. Even though this picture makes her seem non-responsive, I know with love she would just blossom. She may never be able to walk or talk, but I want to tell you that some of the sweetest kids I've ever met have been unable to do either. Nana can still communicate her feelings even if she is unable to talk. So if this is what's holding you back from adopting her--don't let it!! She is able to teach you so much more than you could ever imagine, and love you with her whole heart. Ignore what the picture might seem to say. BUT at the same time, Nana may be able to walk, talk, run, and skip--and she will still be an immense blessing! No matter what this child's abilities are, it comes down to this: she is here on this earth for a reason. Not just to simply exist, but to LIVE. Are you willing to give her that chance? All of these children are those in the most dire need. These are the ones who have watched friends leave with their forever families, year after year, while they are still alone. They need people to stand up for them, be their voice, and most of all, pray for them. Will you? |
Thought I was done? So did I! But it turns out I wasn't. As I was collecting these blog addresses (below), I realized a new child had been added to our Blitz list-- Emmitt. He is a sweet, kind, intelligent fourteen year old living in a mental institution. He has Spina Bifida and has been living there, sadly, for many years. God has blessed him, however, and he still is bright, funny, and kind. He would be a wonderful son. Here's what Reece's Rainbow says: Emmitt is a sweet boy. He is living in one of the mental institutions, and has been for many years, yet he remains sweet, intelligent, and kind. Ttwo of our adopting families met him while they were there, and are pleading for a family to save him. From his medical records: myelomeningocele (spina bifida) From one of our adoptive families: " Emmitt has a severe deformity of his legs. He cannot walk at all. He is very friendly, funny, and talkative. He desperately seeks out attention. He was talking to my husband, and holding Zack's hand, which he then put on top of his head for Zack to rub his hair. He is extremely intelligent, and just precious! I brought him paper and crayons, and he drew me a flower "
There is so much need, y'all. My kids isted above aren't the only ones in dire need. Emmitt is also waiting. And there's millions more. Let Emmitt be a reminder to all of you that the work is never done. Even when we think it's finished, "oh, She adopted a child" or "oh, I went on a mission trip" the work is NOT done. There is still so much God is calling us to do if we just listen. So. I'm not going to stop at one blog blitz. I'm not going to stop at one prayer! And I sincerely hope you won't, either. Remember these children.
Your Blogger,
Clairehttp://gilda-findingpearls.blogspot.com/
http://wholelottalovin.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://melissa-roomatthetable.blogspot.com/
http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/
http://www.multitaskingmama.com/
http://4alittleloco.blogspot.com/2012/07/blitzing-for-love.html
http://departtoserve.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://answeringthecallfororphans.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://motherslittlehelper004.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://savinghissparrows.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://wonderofboys.blogspot.com/
http://butbygraceitcouldbeme.blogspot.com/
http://supermomwithoutacape.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://www.savingsullivan.blogspot.com/
http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/
http://the-scenic-route-momto6kids.blogspot.com/
http://thestarsaligned.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://www.zerothezeros.blogspot.com/?m=1
http://onechildonevoice.blogspot.com/?m=1
I loved this!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart. You did a beautiful job.
ReplyDelete