For this child I have prayed

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him." ~1 Samuel 1:27

Dear Readers,

In December 2011, I saw this picture.

She grabbed my heart. I had just found out about Reece's Rainbow, an adoption ministry that helps orphans with special needs find their families. I had scrolled through several pages of children, my heart breaking at each picture. But for whatever reason, hers was the one I was drawn to. I couldn't stop thinking about her. 

And so I prayed and hoped with all of my heart that she would have a family. 

On the day I found out she was transferred to a mental institution I sobbed. I learned that she was struggling with the change and had lost hope. I pleaded with God to rescue her from that place. 

Over a year after I had first seen her beautiful picture there, she was unlisted from Reece's Rainbow. It seemed that she was not going to be adopted. Friends, a mental institution is a rough place. Especially for a child. It's hard for them to leave their baby house, the only home they have ever known, to go to a place full of crying children and adults. It is hard to sit in a bed all day untouched because there just aren't enough nannies to go around. Many children die in these places. 

I thought that was going to be Marcia's fate. I framed a picture of her and placed it in a prominent spot in my room. I was afraid she was never going to have a family place her picture on their refrigerator, and so I wanted to honor her in that small way. I prayed for her to feel God's peace, hope, and even joy. I checked occasionally to see if she was still listed on another site, knowing that the day she was unlisted from there she would most likely be with Jesus. I flinchingly prayed for His will to be done in that sweet girl's life. 

God knows every day of sweet Marcia's life, and He has perfectly planned each one. 

I found out a few days ago that Marcia walked out of that institution with her mama. As I type, the tears well up again. She is free. She is home. 

God had a plan for her, and His plan was for her to be adopted in her home country. What a beautiful, beautiful plan. 

Will you jump up and down and scream for joy with me, friends?!?!? It deserves a million exclamation points--

MARCIA IS HOME WITH HER FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lord is good. And He is in control--even when it feels like evil is winning out, He is in control. 

Will you continue to pray for Marcia and her family with me? Will you pray that she knows her Father who loves her so greatly? 

And please, in Marcia's honor, do not forget all of the other millions of orphans in the world who are still waiting to come home. 

I never knew how greatly you could love someone you've never met until I loved Marcia. I know that sounds ridiculously cheesy, but it's the truth. That girl has a special place in my heart, and she always will. I love her dearly, and pray for a day in Heaven when we can meet and I can finally hug her close. 

This will be my final post about Marcia. I am honored to have been able to share her story with you all, and to have been a voice for her these past couple of years. 

I wish you so much joy, beautiful girl. Know that you will always have a friend across the globe who is praying for you and loving you from afar.  I love you, Marcia. 

Your Blogger,

 Claire

Marcia...

Dear Readers,

  

     So many thoughts are going through my mind right now...

I just read a blog post about the horrible reality of institutions for people with special needs in Eastern Europe. As I think of beautiful Marcia, I shudder to think of the bruises and black eyes she might have, as the author of the post I read's daughter did. What kind of world do we live in that sends five year olds to a life sentence of imprisonment in an institution? Many children die after their first year in the institution. Marcia has been there for about a year, but I have reason to believe that she is still alive. 

This week Mason and I were blessed with the opportunity to volunteer with some of our friends at Vacation Bible School. I had a group of four kids, ages ranging from three to five years old. They were rambunctious and silly, and although I'm exhausted after it's over, I loved getting to shepherd them all week.  I want Marcia to be able to go to VBS, I want her to get to play and laugh. I want her to be in my MiniMoez class, dancing and singing. I want her to be able to go swimming and have her nails painted and wear princess dresses...

I want her to be a little girl, with all the joys my four little kids from VBS get to experience. 

I don't have a way to tie this up in a bow, because her story hasn't been tied up in a bow yet. But I do know that it will be. Someday she will be in Heaven with Jesus, and all of the pain she experienced on this earth will be forgotten. 


Well, I sat down to write a completely different post than I ended up writing. Marcia was just on my heart...and these words came out. So here you have it. 


Please remember to pray for little Marcia, and all the orphans. 

Added after I wrote this post: After writing this, Cate and I walked outside to get the mail. We saw two little baby birds (and by little I mean itsy bitsy) running along the road, frantically chirping. It was easy to see that they were lost from their mother. One little fella took shelter under a car. It broke my heart to see them lost, and I just wished their mother would find them. As I looked at the one under the car, this Bible verse came to mind: 

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7

I was comforted to think that this little bird was not forgotten by God...and as I thought of that verse and how special that bird is to God, I knew Marcia was worth much more than that little creature. God has not forgotten her, either. 
Your blogger,
 Claire

Orphan Sunday: Reece's Rainbow

Dear Readers,

Every time I go on to Reecesrainbow.com, I go to the search box and type in the name "Marcia".

And every time I type that up, the above picture is my answer. I had allowed my heart to hope just a little bit in the moments between the home page and the no results page. "Maybe she will be there this time!!" But Marcia is no longer listed on Reece's Rainbow. So instead of her sweet little picture, 

I'm greeted with this dismal message: "NO RESULTS FOUND". 

But does the fact that she is no longer on Reece's Rainbow mean she no longer exists? Of course not!

Somewhere this precious girl is locked in a mental institution. Somewhere halfway around the world from me Marcia is hurting.  This sweet girl is in desperate need of a family. She needs someone to hug her and kiss her and wipe all her tears away. She needs someone to scoop her up from that crib she spends all day in and tell her she is loved. Marcia needs medical care for her Spina Bifida and love for her tender little heart. 

This picture makes me cry every time. Seeing her little fist on those metal bars...that hopeful look in her eyes! When I was able to get updates on her from Reece's Rainbow they said she had lost all hope. 

Lost all hope. 

Today is Orphan Sunday. 

Marcia is one of millions. There are hundreds of millions of children in the world who go every day without a mommy or daddy tucking them in at night. Like Marcia, they have no one to tell them they are loved. 

If you jumped from foster family to foster family because they couldn't handle your extensive emotional needs, or disabilities, or even just your personality, how would you feel? If you were left in a cold bed all day, never feeling a loving touch, would you feel loved?

Here are some staggering statistics from Show Hope: 

 43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa, 87.6 million orphans live in Asia, and 12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
 1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe alone.
 At any given point there are over 500,000 children in the U.S. Foster Care system.

Do you know what "public care" means? Public care means a mental institution where they lay a five year old down on a bed the day she arrives, and she will hardly ever leave that bed again. Public care means laying in that crib with nothing to listen to all day but the screams of the others in there. Public care means stimming and biting yourself because you are so, so bored. 

Today is Orphan Sunday. Today we need to do something for those children who are in Foster Care in the US. Today we need to do something for the millions dying in orphanages and mental institutions around the world. 

Today we need to pray.

       

Snapshots of a life...

These are all raw pictures of Marcia. I haven't edited them to make it look like sunshine is coming through, I haven't blurred out the orphanage background. This is her. This is her reality.
Sometimes I don't even know what to pray for her...a lot of times I have to just trust that God hears my moans for her and understands because, honestly, what can I say? Her chances of adoption are so slim...and even if she is adopted it will take so long...sometimes I wonder if God's plan for her is the same fate as so many other orphans. My heart cries out for Him to give her a family! She can't die alone. That would be so wrong, so unjust. Yet it is the fate of so many...

Marcia deserves someone to tell her she is beautiful.

I question people every day...how can there be so many? Surely more people are able to adopt? I ask my parents. Surely more are able...yet they don't come. Is her diagnosis turning you away? Or is it her age?

When you are in Heaven and God asks you why you didn't help her, are you going to look into His eyes and say "I just couldn't handle Spina Bifida!" When you meet her in Heaven will you tell her "I'm sorry I didn't adopt you--you were just too old. You weren't cute enough. You couldn't walk. That was all!" Is that really what you will say??
Choose now to make a difference before it is too late. Help Marcia before it is too late.

(Taken from http://www.4alittleloco.blogspot.com/)

That picture above isn't dramatized...this is her reality.
She deserves so much more than that!

This child deserves to be held, and loved!

Marcia deserves someone to play with her...

She deserves someone to take dozens of pictures of her--not just referral pictures--pictures taken out of love.

Marcia deserves someone to tell her "You can do it. You are beautiful. You are important."



Will you be that someone for Marcia?

Baby Mine...

Dear Readers,
   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

  When you look at Tina's picture, what do you see?  She is beautiful...she has captivating, blue eyes, and hair that would be gorgeous long and flowing. But there is also a grimace on Tina's face. She doesn't seem to be very happy...But then again, why should she be? Tina is in one of the poorer orphanages.  Sadly, all of the children here are malnourished and small. They are immediately transferred at four years old. My Prayer Warrior child, Marcia, was transferred a few months ago. The effects break my heart. Knowing Marcia is in a mental institution right now makes me sick. Absolutely sick. You can stop this from happening to Tina. She still has a chance! The children in Tina's orphanage are in dire need of being rescued. Please do something before it is too late.

    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

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?

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.

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,

Claire

http://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

Reece's Rainbow and you

Dear Readers,
I hope all of you have been having a nice February! We are enjoying the nice weather as much as we can-- taking bike rides, roasting marshmellows--it has been so much fun! I love my family and all the fun things we get to do together.

February is here, and even though I am still shocked by its arrival, it is time for me to write my 'child of the month' blog post! I have some good news... Marcia now has $ 907.50 towards her adoption! This means that the family who adopts her will have that much less to pay to bring this precious girl home!

Marcia needs a Mommy and Daddy!

Please, please help me find her a forever family! She is four years old and will be sent to an institution when she's five. Once there, her chances of ever getting out are dim, and she will be bedridden for the rest of her short life. She is a cuddle bug and is not thriving in the orphanage- she really needs a family to cuddle with. So if you are her mommy or daddy please come quickly and rescue this sweet girl! Also, for those of you who do not feel called to bring this sweetie to your home, please lift her up to her Heavenly Father! I pray that she knows He has not forsaken her. Even if she is sent to the institution, she has a Heavenly Daddy who loves her. But my goal is for her to SEE that love in the form of an earthly mommy and daddy!

Now, I know I said I would be blogging about different orphans each month. But I just can't get Marcia off my heart! So, until she goes home, I will continue advocating for her and beg you to do the same. Please share her story with everyone you know, mention her on your blog, Facebook, Twitter- anything! Please pray for her and the family that I know God has ordained for her.

This is my orphan of the month blog post. Here is the definition (from Webster)of the word orphan; "one deprived of some protection or advantage". It also says abandoned means " forsaken or deserted" Marcia is both.

What is the Bible's definition of an orphan? You. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. " Romans 8:14-16
We were adopted into God's family. We, the Gentiles, were not His Chosen People. He took us in, adopted us, if you will. So, then- if we ourselves are orphans, how could we NOT have compassion for others who are? Marcia is one of thousands. I am one of thousands. You are one of thousands. We all are children of the King. So, please- show Marcia and the other orphans of the world His love for them.

Your Blogger,
Claire


"He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." ~ Mark 10:14-16

Dear Readers
  Have you ever felt like you just wanted to escape to a deserted island with your closest dear ones? Although no one ever really means this (how would you get healthcare, food, evangelical oppurtunites, etc??) I know sometimes my family jokes about it. When the weight of the world come crashing down full force, it can be easy to want to escape to your own tiny nook free from troubles!


   "For the Lamb at the center of the throne
            will be their shepherd;
      He will lead them to springs of living water.
   And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." ~Revelation 7:17

Doesn't that sound just like your island? Except even better.  Some days God gives us little glimpses into what it will be like, and I think Christmas generally does! The time to be goofy with your family is always  much appreciated in my house.

I tell Cate I want pictures..and this is what she does! haha love that girl

She does this,too...





Christmas baking makes for some goofy pictures,too!





And then there's the silliness that comes in a box full of gingerbread!

I thought you might like to see the final project just for fun...

This one's me being goofy...giving aerial photography a spin!
I thought this one turned out really pretty,though

Another birds eye view! Haha this one looks REALLY goofy!





And the triplets who wrapped all their gifts up in ridiculous boxes!

I looked forward to the sugar cookie decorating ALL DECEMBER. We finally did it on Christmas eve!

EVeryone pitched in--this is a very serious project, people! Haha





I hope everyone had a smiling-ful Christmas! And I also hope it provided a much needed breather from everything going on. I always feel like the world rushes,rushes,rushes, and while Christmas certainly isn't free from that, it does allow you to take a deep,collective breath and just 'be'.
  But my prayer is that this week, as everyone adjusts to going back to school,work, etc, it will be joyful! My mom always says joy is a choice and it is definitely a choice I'm working to make as we go back to school tomorrow.
  God has been amazing with already providing me an oppurtunity of joy. I started volunteering at our church's Special Needs Ministries this past weekend, and it was beyond amazing. I loved every minute and fell in love with the kids and the ministry. But not only that, I now get to interpret their Bible Study for a Deaf woman who attends. Those of you who know me know that this is a dream come true! I am thrilled and CAN'T WAIT for my first Bible Study this thursday. I will be blogging about it, I promise! Prayers would be appreciated. :)
  Also, I wanted to give a shout out to anyone reading this. I have fallen in love with Marcia (the orphan mentioned in my previous post) and feel desperate to get her out of the orphanage. I have emailed Jeanette and the blog "Life Rearranged" to request that she advocates for Marcia on her blog. If you or anyone you know would like to help this dear child find a home by featuring her on your blog, leave a comment! I would love that more than anything. You can also visit  this link for all the information you need on her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 Have a joy filled week, my friends. I am forever thankful for those who read my thoughts on here!
Your thankful blogger,
 Claire

Featured orphan- sweet Marcia

Dear Readers,
 It is a new year! I can't believe it. 2011 seemed to go by so quickly... and yet here we are! Happy New Year, everyone!
 This is my very first blog post to feature just one (it's so hard to choose!!) orphan from Reece's Rainbow Adoption Ministry. I will feature one each month with the hope that his mommy will be reading this! But even if you aren't a featured child's mommy or daddy, I just ask for you to remember these and the millions of other orphans around the world in your prayers. (By the way, I have had this written for a while, but waited to publish it until today, January first! haha yes, I'm goofy that way. :))

 Her name is Marcia. She is four years old and a little cutie, isn't she? Here is her diagnosis:

'Marcia has a mild form of paraparesis, pelvic organs dysfunction, instability of hip joints; stemming from her main diagnoses — compensated hydrocephalus (treated with a shunt) and operated spina bifida.'
  Marcia can walk with help, and doctors have a good outlook for her future mobility. She is delayed in speech, and is being seen by a speech therapist. Also, Marcia understands commands and is very smart! She loves those who take care of her at the hospital, and loves to cuddle. Don't you just want to scoop her up?

  Marcia, though, doesn't have a mommy to cuddle with. She didn't have anyone to love her back to health after they put the shunt in. And after a hard hour of speech therapy, Marcia doesn't get to run into the always supporting arms of her mother. It is reported that she is failing to thrive at the orphanage. She would benefit from an adoption quickly. Do the words 'failing to thrive' rip your heart out as much as they rip out mine? Sweet, dear Marcia is longing for a family, but because of her diagnosis of Spina Bifida this may never happen. If it doesn't, she will remain bedridden for the rest of her short life, suffering in an institution.

  This past week (Christmas week) my friend's dad died after valiantly fighting cancer for a year. We went to the funeral and saw a lot of people we hadn't seen since moving from that side of town two years ago. Just being in that place, seeing all these people look so much older (imagine- while we were gone kids kept moving up a grade! :) ), and having one member of our little community missing made me realize just how fragile life is. We are so breakable. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Marcia is not guaranteed another birthday, and neither are you. So why can't we give it all away? Why do we hold our money, our time, our homes, from people in need? Why do we hold grudges when we could love freely?
  If I were to die tomorrow, I would want to know that my life had made a difference. If Marcia were to die tomorrow, I would want to know that she had had the best few years she could. And living in an orphanage is NOT the best way to spend your life. In fact- it kills it.

  Please, please, please- consider your life. Consider the commands God has given us, and consider the days you might or might not have. Why don't you give it all away for Him when you can? Let's let this new year be filled with crazy, insane, give-it-all- away moments for God! Why don't we bring Marcia home.
Your Blogger,
 Claire