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

What is Prison Ministry?

Mom, the boys, and I with the founders of SACDEM.
They are blessings, I love them so much!

 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "'Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?'" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'" Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
    At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'" "'No one, sir.'" she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,'" Jesus declared. "'Go now and leave your life of sin.'""   ~John 8:3-11

   
   I wonder what Jesus was thinking as he knelt there, writing in the dirt? This passage is beautiful to me, because I know I have come to Jesus many times, asking Him to forgive me, even though I don't deserve it. This woman deserved to be stoned. She hurt her family, hurt her husband, and disobeyed the Law. She was supposed to be judged accordingly, and killed.  But Jesus demonstrates an important point here...how many times have you judged someone harshly because of what he/she did? Do you think of people in prison and immidiately remember the mistakes you have made, acknowledging that what they did was no worse? Does your heart break for those in prison today who are there because of murder, theft, or drug running?

    
   When we were in Argentina we had the opportunity to do prison ministry. It was incredible.  Orphan ministry has always been my passion, and although the idea of prison ministry excited me, I didn't think of it the same way I think of orphan ministry- that it isn't an option. We are commanded to do it. When God tells us to take care of the orphans and widows, I can't imagine He is saying "If you feel called to, if you get around to it, go ahead and take care of the orphans." He is commanding us to do so. And I'm not going to take that lightly. I now feel the same way about prison ministry. I don't believe it's something to say "Oh, how cool that Julie does that! But, I'm just not called to it."
We are called to be like Jesus, and prison ministry seems to me to be the very embodiment of Christ.

I also believe that, as my mom would say, " a sin is a sin is a sin". My disobeying my parents this morning is no worse/better than Bob robbing that bank. We both sinned. Bob, however, must go to jail for his crime. So why don't I go to jail for mine? We all deserve to be in jail, guys. We are all ugly, sinning creatures.

So. Back to Prison Ministry.
  "Were you afraid?" is a question I've heard a few times. I wasn't at first. When we arrived and I actually realized "they're locking us in this gate, oh my goodness!" I did feel a stab of fear. But once we met the first woman that was completely gone. Actually, I forgot I was in a prison. I so thoroughly enjoyed loving on these precious people, I didn't want to leave!
  When Mason got up to preach, I wiped my eyes. The lady next to me (who had been crying during worship) leaned over and put her arm around me.
My heart, from that moment out I knew, was going to forever go out  to those in prison. An inmate in prison-- someone some would find frightening-- comforted me.
She comforted ME. Wow....I love that lady, and when I hugged her back, totally forgot that we were in prison.

The earrings the guard gave me. Please pray for her!

  When we painted the prison for those with infectious diseases, it was a similar story. The guards were precious, fixing us lunch and making sure we were comfortable. They were so grateful for us being there, and that gratitude touched my heart.

I complimented one of the guards on her earrings...and she gave them to me, as a way of saying thank you, she said. Here I am again, in a situation I would have never dreamed of...hugging this prison guard, filled with love for her, telling her I will be praying for her. And I have been, ever since. I love that guard, my friend at the prison, and the others we met so much that sometimes I just want to cry.
Neat, isn't it, how when we obey God He blesses us so abundantly? My new friendships are absolute blessings. And found in the most unlikely of places. 

 I challenge you all to serve outside of your comfort zone. You will be blessed, I promise.
Your Blogger,
Claire

Of one heart and soul...Argentina, 2012

(Traducción al español a continuación para todos mis seres queridos en la Argentina.  )


Dear Readers,
   Argentina was absolutely incredible.  Incredible. God did so many beautiful things on this trip, I can't even find the words for them. I will try, but know that this is just barely touching what He did...

  First of all, thank you again to all of you who made it possible for this trip to happen. Without you we couldn't have gone, and that would truly break my heart. Thank you, also, to everyone who encouraged  us and prayed for us as we went on this new journey into uncharted waters. I'm so grateful to you. So very grateful.

  For me, the trip, and the church we were with, can be summed up in this Bible verse:
 "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony tot the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all." ~Acts 4:32-33

  Precious families opened their hearts and their homes to a group of teenagers from Arizona. They fed us, got us where we needed to be on time, shared their lives with us, sacrificed personal family time, and loved us.  Spending time with my host family was my favorite part of the trip. They are a gift from God, and truly blessed my heart.  Thank you to everyone in Buenos Aires who hosted each of us...I love you so much! May God bless you for truly being His Hands and Feet.



 I know you all probably remember my fears and my prayer requests as we left...well...not only did God answer them all beautifully, but He surpassed all my expectations.
    God did miracles on this trip, dear ones. Absolute miracles that I am still trying to sort through.
 But let me start by saying that the people from La Puerta Abierta are genuine gold. They jumped in and lifted Benjamin and his wheelchair wherever it needed to go. They hugged and kissed us and welcomed us in even though most of us spoke not even enough Spanish to get by.  I love that kind of Acts 1 fellowship. Again, just like that verse I shared above.  My heart was full the whole trip!


   This post really doesn't even scratch the surface of all that God did while we were in Argentina...I can't even communicate the love I have for these people. I can't communicate what a blessing they were to my heart adequately enough. Words just aren't there for any of this. I feel like I am a different person now that I've gone.  And, God willing, I will definitely be back.



   God is doing amazing things in Argentina, but the work is not done. We painted one prison room bright colors...but that's only one. We were able to feed the homeless a meal...but they are still hungry. We passed out clothes to people...but more are cold. We talked with the guards...but they are still lonely.

  Do you see my point? I know God is going to continue the works He is doing in Argentina..I am praying He will guide people in Buenos Aires' hearts toward prison ministry.  And I am praying He will bring more of YOU there...your heart will be blessed, your faith will be grown, and you will leave even more in love with God and this world He created.

  So are you ready? Go!

Your Blogger,
 Claire  (PS keep scrolling past the Spanish translation for photos!)

Estimados lectores,
   Argentina fue absolutamente increíble. Increíble. Dios hizo tantas cosas bellas en este viaje, ni siquiera puedo encontrar las palabras para ellos. Voy a tratar, pero sabemos que esto es apenas tocar lo que hizo ...

 En primer lugar, gracias de nuevo a todos los que hicieron posible este viaje a suceder. Sin ustedes no podríamos haber ido, y que realmente me partiría el corazón. Gracias, también, a todos los que nos animó y oró por nosotros a medida que avanzábamos en este nuevo viaje en aguas desconocidas. Estoy tan agradecido. Así que muy agradecido.

  Para mí, el viaje, y la iglesia nos encontramos con, se puede resumir en este versículo de la Biblia: "Ahora, el número total de los creyentes tenía un solo corazón y alma, y ​​nadie dijo que ninguna de las cosas que pertenecieron a él era el suyo, pero tenían todo en común. Y con gran poder los apóstoles daban testimonio tot la resurrección del Señor Jesús, y abundante gracia era sobre todos ellos. " Hechos 4:32-33 ~

  Familias preciosos abrieron sus corazones y sus hogares a un grupo de adolescentes de Arizona. Nos daban de comer, nos dieron a nosotros, donde teníamos que estar a tiempo, compartieron sus vidas con nosotros, el tiempo de sacrificio personal, familiar y nos ha amado. Pasar tiempo con mi familia fue mi parte favorita del viaje. Son un regalo de Dios, y verdaderamente bendecido a mi corazón. Gracias a todos en Buenos Aires que organizó cada uno de nosotros ... te amo tanto! Que Dios te bendiga por ser verdaderamente sus manos y pies.

 Sé que todos ustedes seguramente recuerdan mis miedos y mis peticiones de oración cuando nos fuimos ... bueno ... no sólo que Dios les responde en toda su belleza, sino que superó todas mis expectativas.

 Dios hizo milagros en este viaje, queridos. Milagros absolutos que aún estoy tratando de clasificar.

Pero déjame empezar diciendo que la gente de La Puerta Abierta son oro puro. Se saltó y levantó Benjamín y su silla de ruedas allí donde necesitaba ir. Se abrazaron y besaron con nosotros y nos dio la bienvenida a pesar de que en la mayoría de nosotros no habló siquiera el español suficiente para salir adelante. Me encanta ese tipo de actos una beca. Una vez más, al igual que el verso he compartido anteriormente. Mi corazón estaba lleno todo el viaje!

    Este mensaje en realidad no tiene ni siquiera arañar la superficie de todo lo que Dios hizo cuando estábamos en la Argentina ... ni siquiera puedo comunicar el amor que siento por estas personas. No puedo comunicar lo que una bendición que estaban a mi corazón de forma suficientemente adecuada. Las palabras simplemente no hay nada de esto. Siento que soy una persona diferente ahora que he ido. Y, si Dios quiere, voy a estar de vuelta.

   Dios está haciendo cosas maravillosas en la Argentina, pero el trabajo no se hace. Pintamos una prisión brillantes colores de la habitación ... pero eso es sólo una. Hemos sido capaces de alimentar a los desamparados de una comida ... pero todavía tiene hambre. Pasamos por la ropa a la gente ... pero más frías. Hablamos con los guardias ... pero siguen siendo solo. 

¿Ves lo que digo? Yo sé que Dios va a continuar las obras que Él está haciendo en la Argentina .. estoy orando Él guiará a la gente en el corazón de Buenos Aires hacia el ministerio de prisión. Y estoy rezando para que traerá más de vosotros ... su corazón será bendecido, su fe se cultiva, y se irá aún más en el amor con Dios y este mundo que Él creó.

 ¿Están listos? Go!
Su Blogger,
Claire

Making meatballs to feed the homeless...
going to deliver them was an incredible experience.
The needs are the same everywhere...

Hacer las albóndigas para alimentar a las personas sin hogar ... vamos a ofrecer una experiencia increíble. Las necesidades son las mismas en todas partes ...

The boys and I with the founders of Sacdem, Daniel and his wife Maria Elena. God has used these two to bless so many lives...mine included! I love them so much.
Los chicos y yo con los fundadores de Sacdem, Daniel y su esposa María Elena. Dios ha usado a estos dos para bendecir tantas vidas ... incluido el mío! Los amo tanto.

One day during our trip we spent the morning with  the kids at high school. We got to talk with their classes, and afterward play with them during PE. Here Benjamin and I are playing with the girls who are triplets, also! It was such a blessing to meet them.
Un día, durante nuestro viaje pasamos la mañana con los niños en la escuela secundaria. Tenemos que hablar con sus clases, y después jugar con ellos durante la PE. Aquí Benjamin y yo estamos jugando con las niñas que son trillizos, también! Fue una bendición para hacerles frente.

Here I am with my sweet host sisters, Nico and Cami.
These two girls blessed my heart immensely...I will thank
God for them for the rest of my life!
Aquí estoy con mis hermanas de acogida dulces, Nico y Cami. Estas dos niñas bendecido mi corazón inmenso ... voy a agradecer A Dios por ellos para el resto de mi vida!

After we went to the high school we spent the afternoon
at the primary school. These children are little angels!
We got to worship with them in English, here is a picture of that
beautiful experience.
Después nos fuimos a la escuela secundaria pasamos la tarde en la escuela primaria. Estos niños son angelitos! Tenemos que adorar con ellos en Inglés, que aquí hay una foto de ese experiencia muy bonita

I got to serve in Nico's class, here I am braiding her hair!
I got to teach an English mad lib to her class, that was an amazing
experience I'll never forget. Her teacher was just
precious and we had the best time!
 Having the opportunity
to influence children should never be taken lightly.
Children are one of God's createst gifts!
Tengo que sirven en la clase de Nico, que aquí estoy trenzando el pelo! Tengo que enseñar a un lib Inglés loca a su clase, que era un increíble experiencia que nunca olvidaré. Su maestro era preciosa y tuvimos el mejor tiempo!  Tener la oportunidad de para influir en los niños nunca deben tomarse a la ligera. Los niños son uno de los mayores dones de Dios!

We spent a few days near the town Colon ministering
to the people there. Or rather, they ministering to us!
 In this picture I'm with one of my friends
 trying fruit mate for the first time. I love it!
Pasamos unos días cerca de la ciudad de Colón, el ministerio a la gente allí. O más bien, que el ministerio a nosotros!  En esta foto estoy con uno de mis amigos  tratando compañero fruta por primera vez. ¡Me encanta!

Triplets!! :)

When we got home to Buenos Aires, one of the things
we did was to go to a little Barrio and sort through
clothes to be donated to those who lived there.
(the girls did this while the boys laid down a foundation)
I tried on this ensemble..what do you think? ;)
Cuando llegamos a casa a Buenos Aires, una de las cosas que hicimos fue ir a un barrio poco y ordenar a través de la ropa para ser donados a los que vivían allí. (las chicas lo hizo, mientras que los chicos establecido una fundación) He intentado en este conjunto .. ¿qué te parece? ;)

While parents got clothes, we played with the children.
This was one of my favorite parts of the trip!  (second to my home stay and prison ministry)
The kids were so sweet...here we are teaching them "Ring around the Rosie"!
Mientras que los padres tiene la ropa, jugamos con los niños. Esta fue una de mis partes favoritas del viaje! (segundo de mi estancia en casa y el ministerio de prisión) Los niños estaban tan dulce ... aquí les estamos enseñando "Ring Around the Rosie"!

I tried to fit as many as I could into my lap...
I'm pretty sure we are laughing at my Spanish here!
Me trató de encajar tantos como pude en mi regazo ... Estoy bastante seguro de que se están riendo de mi español aquí!

These sweet girls made my heart smile!
 The love they had for each of us upon
meeting us was endearing.
The one on the left went around with her arms around my legs
telling everyone that we were amigos!
Estas chicas dulces hizo que mi corazón sonría!  El amor que se tenían para cada uno de nosotros cuando cumplir con nosotros fue entrañable. El de la izquierda dio la vuelta con los brazos alrededor de mis piernas diciendo a todos que éramos amigos!

This young mom and her sweet kiddos touched my heart.
 She has 5 kids and another on the way...each of
them was so sweet and my interactions with them were huge blessings.
Please pray for them all!
Esta joven madre y sus dulces kiddos tocó mi corazón.  Ella tiene 5 hijos y otro en camino ... cada uno de que era tan dulce y mis interacciones con ellos eran enormes bendiciones. Por favor, oren por todos ellos!

La Puerta Abierta is a precious church...
filled with precious people. I am so blessed
 to have met some of them! Here I am with my dear
friends Sol and Ana Clara, who I love like sisters!
La Puerta Abierta es una iglesia preciosa ... lleno de personas valiosas. Me siento muy bendecido  de haber conocido a algunos de ellos! Aquí estoy con mi querido Sol y amigos de Ana Clara, que me encanta como hermanas!

My precious host "brother", Renzo, and I. I cherished each moment I got to hold him!
Mi anfitrión preciosa "hermano", Renzo, y yo he apreciado cada momento llegué a tenerlo

I sang Cate's lullaby to him, saying "Goodnight, Renzo" instead of "Goodnight, Cate".
It made me smile to think that the same song I used to comfort my little sissy
for so many years I'm using again to comfort this sweet boy all the way around the world!
That is a memory I will cherish forever.
Canté arrullo Cate a él, diciendo: "Buenas noches, Renzo" en lugar de "Buenas noches, Cate". Se me hizo sonreír a pensar que la misma canción que solía consolar a mi pequeña mariquita durante tantos años que estoy usando de nuevo a consolar a este chico dulce, todo el camino alrededor del mundo! Es un recuerdo que se aman para siempre.

Family picture take one!
 Foto de familia tener uno!

Family picture take two!
Foto de familia toma dos!

Family picture take three!
 This family blessed me immensely and I cherished every moment with them.
 God had the perfect plan when He placed me in their family for those weeks, and I'm so
blessed for it!
Foto de familia tener tres!  Esta familia me ha bendecido muchísimo y me apreciaba cada momento con ellos.  Dios tenía el plan perfecto cuando Él me colocó en su familia por esas semanas, y estoy muy bendecido por él!     Los amo tanto.

I LOVE this picture!!
Me encanta esta foto!

So many of my dear ones all in one picture...makes me smile!
Mom and they boys' host family was also precious...
I loved getting to meet them!
Así que muchos de mis seres queridos en un solo cuadro ... me hace sonreír! Mamá de la familia los niños y los de acogida fue también preciosa ... Me encantaba llegar a su encuentro!

We spent our final day shopping in La Boca...
the day was a sad one...but the area very colorful!
Pasamos nuestro último día de compras en La Boca ... el día fue triste ... pero la zona muy colorido!

Sweet Debora and I! She was such a blessing...
I'm sad I only got to spend a little time with her,
but look forward to spending more time with her when I go back! :)
Dulce Débora y yo! Ella fue una bendición ... Estoy triste, sólo tengo que pasar un poco de tiempo con ella, pero esperamos poder pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vuelva! :)

Entering my mission zone...

 Dear Readers,
  Argentina has never been on the list of places where I wanted to go. Honestly, it hasn't. I have dreams of going to Uganda to visit our sponsored child, Moris, and am hopeful that one day I can go to China-- either to get my own child or to go serve children in orphanages. As I blog for Reece's Rainbow I have fallen in love with children from Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine. I have cried over the conditions these sweet ones live in, and have daydreamed of one day going to one of those orphanages and living there..feeding mouths, kissing foreheads, wiping little chins...and most of all showing God's LOVE to these children who are dying with no love at all.  Watch this video and your heart, too, will break for these children who lay, starving, cold, and desperate for love all day long. My Marcia is in a mental institution, losing hope, as I type...
    I'm getting off track here. :) (You see what I mean? I'm passionate about missions...and have several places I would love to go!) But God hasn't opened the doors to any of those places (yet!). He HAS however, opened the door to a place I would never have imagined myself going to. He has paved a way for me, my brothers, and Mom to go on a mission trip through our high school ministry- something I not only thought was impossible for all three of us, and also something I, quite frankly, wasn't comfortable doing. We are going to Argentina in 3 days, dear ones.... Three days!!!!!!
  
    I think I have gone through this whole process in a kind of daze...attending meetings and learning about the culture, furiously practicing Espanol, feeling extremely blessed by the outpouring of love so many dear ones have sent us in the form of prayers, phone calls, emails, and donations that have brought us to where we are. Sweet family and friends, not only did your donations provide us with enough money for my family to go to Argentina, it also provided us with enough money for two other people to go, plus a few 'bonus' checks we received this week that will cover some of our ministry costs. How amazing is that? God is big, and He could not have shown me any clearer that it IS His will for us to go on this trip.
 
  argentina. three days. argentina. argentina. i will be in argentina in three days. argentina argentina argentina!
 
  I can't believe it, really, I just can't! I'm scared and excited and nervous and surprised and blessed and trembling.  Oh, readers, even though Argentina was never on my list of places to go, at this moment I'm feeling so very blessed that I get to go! I have a feeling it will be on my top favorite memories list for the rest of my life. I have a feeling God is going to do great things in this country, and I have a feeling that I am going to be grown so much through this experience it's going to make me cry and God laugh!
haha
 
  Just the fact that I'm going to be spending a week in a stranger's (who doesn't speak English!) home a country away from half of my family and a street or block or house away from my other half of my family is a scary thought. I don't know how I'm going to handle it...I'm the girl who panicked after a weekend at camp! I don't do well away from my family, not well at all. The fact that we have never been to Argentina and have no idea how wheelchair accessible it is is a scary thought. The thought that my mom and brothers may be in an entirely UNaccessible home and I'm not there to help them frightens me. The fact that I may have to share my testimony (which as of right now seems to be nonexistent as far as anyone but me is concerned...I can't get it out of my mouth to save my life) frightens me hugely. And the fact that my Dad and little sissy aren't going makes me nervous.



   This trip is going to be different than any trip I have ever been on before.. I am going to have to cling to God for dear life!
   
I am really looking forward to drawing near to God this trip. I am also afraid of the circumstances that will draw me near to Him, but overall I am excited.
  I used to look at mission trips as things that you go on for God to use you to grow/bless others. But now I am realizing that He also uses them to grow and bless you!
 
  Please pray for our entire team as we leave for Argentina this Wednesday. We leave around noon. Please pray for all of the kids in our group, that as they leave their families and the familiarity of AZ behind that they will cling more and more to God, and build supporting relationships with each other. Please pray that no petty riffs will come between us, that we will all come together and love each other fully. Please pray for safe travels, and that we will stay healthy as we leave AZ's sunshine to Argentina's winter chill. Please pray also for God to make a path for Benjamin's wheelchair in Argentina. Please pray for little Cate and Dad and Uncle Lenny at home, that they will be okay without us. Please also pray for me as I am staying in a different house from Mom, Benjamin, and Mason and am nervous about that. Please pray for the people of Argentina to feel God's love through us, and for His Will to be done. Please also pray for Scottsdale Bible's other mission teams that will be going out while we are in Argentina.

  Thank you, my readers, for praying with us and for supporting us as we embark on this new journey. My mom over at theblessingcounter.blogspot.com will be blogging while we are on our trip, and I will be back with pictures galore!
  Much love and God bless,
 Claire

Remember Natalee

Dear Readers,
I'm participating in a link up with a fellow Reece's Rainbow Prayer Warrior, Renee. My post today will be how I invision Natalee, the child I will be writing about, in the future. So, come with me and imagine this sweet girl in 5 years, home with her forever family...

Natalee squeals with delight as a friend spins her wheelchair around one last time. As the music fades out, she feels her wheels begin to slowly come to a halt. Her heart slows and she just sits there smiling, unable to contain the joy of her moment! You see, Natalee has just finished her first ballet production. They performed "Cinderella", and she was one of the dancers at the ball- and also a little mouse! Natalee may not have been able to say how she was feeling, but everyone around her knew how much she loved them--and ballet! She loved to don her pink tutu (even though the tights were difficult) and to grace her orthotics with dainty ballet slippers.
But even though all that was wonderful, her favorite part was the music. She would sway and gracefully swing her arms to the music whenever it played. She absolutely loved music. Her mom thought music was the best therapy for her, and played it constantly.
They giggled at "Silly Songs with Larry the cucumber" together, and her mom spun her around to Tchaikovsky's famous Nutcracker tunes. Her mommy heart ached for those years when Natalee lay alone in the orphanage with no music or loving care.

As Natalee's friend, Sasha, skipped down the stage in time with Natalee's speeding wheels, Natalee heard her parents gasp. She was afraid, for a moment, that something was wrong. Her parents were so precious to her...she hated for them to be sad. Her fears were soon put to rest, however, when she felt herself being enveloped in a huge hug from Mom, who was crying and saying "You were amazing! Just beautiful." Next she was crushed in her dad and brothers' grasps, relishing the fact that she was loved.

Natalee had spent 5 long years in an orphanage..but now she was home.


Oh, how I long to take Natalee's hands and help her dance, twirl, and spin! I pray that she finds a forever family who will help her soar to new heights.

But as cheerful as this story is, for Natalee there currently is no Mommy to love her or ballet productions to take part in. Right now Natalee waits.

Step with me into a gray room, a few years from now. I'm going to introduce you to Natalee, and what her future looks like today. Yes, that is her, the pale, thin child lying in bed with haunting eyes and almost no hair.
She is 13 years old...yet the size of a 6 year old. She wishes she could reach out to you...please help her!
She doesn't know a loving hand. She is neglected because there are simply too many kids who need care- no time to pamper any of them. And by pamper I don't mean long bubble baths. I mean frequent diaper changes. Natalee hasn't had a diaper change since yesterday morning. She shivers as she lays in wet, sticky sheets. Her nose is runny, her feet are cold, her bottom is sore. Her stomach feels the aches of hunger and malnutrition. Sweet Natalee has no one to hold her, or sing her to sleep. She doesn't cry, because no one would hear, any way. She just lays there. And she waits.

Please help change Natalee's future...please pray that this precious daughter of the King will not have to endure any of this horrific nightmare.
And if you are her Mommy or Daddy...please come bring your baby girl home.

Your Blogger,
Claire

Benjamin, Mason, and me!

 

Dear Readers,
 
   I love celebrating birthdays! Our birthday is next Wednesday. However,   I just got the sweetest birthday present and wanted to blog about it! :)
  My sweet NICU nurse and her family came to visit these past two days! It was such a gift.

  Just to backtrack, Benjamin, Mason, and I were born at 28 4/7 weeks...Benjamin weighed 2 lbs 15 oz, Mason weighed 2 lbs 5 oz, and I weighed 2 lbs 11 oz.  Hearing about my mom's pregnancy makes me feel so guilty--she did so much for us! Her story is amazing..hop on over to theblessingcounter.blogspot.com to hear it. : )  We appeared on the scene  April 18th, 1997.

  My mom, however, didn't get to see us right away. We were whisked away to the NICU, to doctors, medicine, and...sweet nurses! Laura Curatolo was my primary nurse. I don't remember my days in the NICU, but I have seen so many pictures...

From my mom's scrapbook :)

Nurse Laura put oxygen in my water so Mom could give me a bubble bath!



  Our family has remained in contact with Nurse Laura since our NICU stay (which means our birth!! So very cool.) , and it has truly beeen a gift. Nurse Laura and her husband, Mr.Jay, encourage me so much...they are such blessings! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate having a relationship with them through all these years..because I find it amazing and so special.  I loved getting to see them and meeting their dear children.

And today!

Before my baby dedication...

  We're now almost 15 years old... There are babies, I know, who were in the NICU just like we were  who didn't ever get to reach 15 years. So I have decided that I will never, ever get to a point where I will talk about my birthday as "I wish I wasn't another year older" or (as an adult) tell kids I won't tell them my age because it's rude.  I want to always be able to say "Wow, God, I can't believe You gave me the gift of LIFE. Thank you for letting me live to be ___ years old!" And I will always thank Him for the people who helped me get here.

  Your Blogger,
 Claire

 




 

Thank you!

Dear Readers,
   I need to say thank you. Thank you for reading my last post, which was not even written well, and sharing with everyone. Thank you for praying for Duncan. Thank you for posting my blog on Facebook. Thank you for believing that our Mighty God can do amazing miracles.  Because you know what? He did.
  Duncan has a family!! I can hardly believe it, but it's true--he has a forever family waiting to bring him home! Please continue praying for him as he waits, and please pray for God to continue providing- for Him to provide peace to the family as they wait, for Him to provide finances and resources for them, for Him to keep Duncan safe, and for the government to cooperate.  I know God has this all in His Hands, and I feel so at peace--so grateful, so content!  I don't think I have ever seen Him  answer a prayer so beautifully. Thank you all for praying that prayer!
    "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked of Him." ~1 John 5:14
  This was all God. It was His Will for Duncan to get adopted. We played a miniscule part in all of this, but I will eternally be grateful for  taking part in God's amazing plan for this boy. I'll never forget how you all came together and supported him.  Words can't even describe how thankful I am!!
  
    I am also thankful for all of you for making  it possible for us to go to Argentina. As the trip draws near (only 70-something more days!) my worries are slowly melting away and my level of excitement is quickly mounting. (I never even thought that possible!) I am loving getting to know our team, they are all precious! And then there was the adventure of clothes shopping this weekend..and the hours of Spanish...and the amazing missions meeting...and the thank you card writing...I am reveling at it all! Thank you. Thank you.

  God is so good and my readers are so sweet! I love you all. Please be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. : ) Miracles will happen if you stay close to God!
  Much Love and God bless,
 Your Blogger

Please.

~Note~ If you are going to read this and then completely forget about this child I do not want you to read it. I only want those who are going to DO something to read this. Duncan doesn't need you to sit here and feel sorry for him- he needs you to DO something. So, if you are willing to get down on your knees, I beg you to read this. I beg you to remember him, and to mention him to your friends. Blog about him yourself, print out his picture to keep in your Bible, post about him on Facebook,- what ever you do is appreciated. So long as you do it. Thank you.

Dear Readers,

 

 I love children with special needs. I wish every single child knew how much they are loved. But the sad fact is--they don't. There are many children in the world who don't know they are loved, and it tears my heart to pieces. A lot of these children were given up for adoption because of their special need. There is nothing wrong with them, they are not defective, they are made exactly the way God wanted them to be. Yet some of them don't know that.  Duncan is one of them.

  

He actually worried someone who saw his picture would decide not to adopt him
because he was ugly. Break. My.Heart. (again!)

My brother Mason, and my shadow signing I love you to him. :)

Duncan is almost 16. Once he turns 16, he will be sent to a mental institution. A mental institution is a terrible place. For many, it is a death sentence.   I picked him to write about because he reminds me of Mason. Duncan has Cerebral Palsy and uses a walker to walk. He is very smart and compassionate. He does not deserve this life. He did not choose this life. And I am going to do everything in my power to make sure the rest of his life is different. I beg you to do the same.
Here is what the family who met Duncan said about him:

"Duncan very much wants a family. He is smart and works hard. He gets along well with others. Duncan struggles with facing the future here in his native country. He knows that unless a miracle happens and he gets adopted (or a family commits and gets USCIS approval) in the next few months, he is going to be sent to a mental institution, even though mentally, he has no issues. Duncan appears to have CP, and he is small for his age (about the size of a 13 year old). Duncan's medical information is en route from the orphanage now, but the family who met him and who he approached to ask for a family and the facilitator want to go ahead and get his information and picture out there.

Duncan uses a walker to walk and is independent in mobility. Duncan is a compassionate teen and one who says he "fears even to hope for a family, because he doesn't think anyone would want him because he isn't handsome". In fact, when it was time to pose for this picture, Duncan worried that someone would see it and then not want him. Duncan needs a family to show him God looks on the heart to see beauty (even though he's a quite handsome boy regardless)- and so do Christian families. Duncan's heart is big, and he is well-loved in this orphanage. Many worry for him if he doesn't get adopted before he turns 16 and it is too late."
 
  Wow. Are tears streaming down your face?? Duncan has so much to offer the world. Please help him.
 I realize there are lots of people hurting, and the orphan crisis might not be your "thing" you want to support. Trust me, I get that. But look at Duncan. How long does it take for you to post his picture to Facebook? To print out his picture? To pray for him?
 There are so many children in the world who don't know how much their Father loves them...I can't imagine a bigger blessing than showing them He does.
Your Blogger,
 Claire
  

My week and random thoughts from Claire

  Dear Readers,
  Just have to say...sometimes ( I mean a LOT of times!) I can't believe all the pain of the world, and it crushes my spirit. But then there are times like this week, when I can't help but jump for God's greatness! Times like when Mason goes to Special Ministries with me, and we get to worship with 17,000 other Christians, and --oh, yeah- you read that right! He went with me!!
 
  He has wanted to go because every night I come home with bunches of stories to tell, and he has been wanting to meet all these people who have become so dear to me. So...he went. And I feel so thankful that he did go. Of course I have many  reasons for this, but the main one is that now he gets it.  When I come home from Special Ministries, I feel like I want to laugh and cry at the same time. You see, these people make me laugh with their hilarious jokes, and I can't help but smile as I think of all the ladies who told me my brother was "pretty cute". I love going there and helping the other people at our table sign the songs so our Deaf friend can feel more involved. I love going there and meeting new people every week who love so much and seem to have enough hugs to go around four (or ten!) times. I love hearing everyone praise the Lord together, and I  love singing "Silent Night" in February because its one of the student's favorite songs.

  But it also makes me cry. Sometimes I just have to cry because I can't believe God has brought me here. I  can't believe He has let me use this beautiful language to bring His Word to someone else. Sometimes I just cry I feel so blessed my heart could burst.
 But   sometimes my heart bursts and a  torrent of tears comes out. Sometimes I look at this woman I'm interpreting for and realize "Oh.. she has no idea what I just said!"--because she doesn't know enough ASL to get by. Sometimes I'll feel so helpless and upset that she has no means of communication with those around her.
Sometimes I hear stories that break my heart.  Sometimes I watch a girl have a seizure.
 And  when those  things  happen,  I go home and write it all down in my prayer journal, praying for each of them. 
   And Mason got that. He started telling Mom that is was hard, but that he loved it. And, of course, I finished his sentence and said "You want to laugh and cry at the same time, right?" I feel so blessed to have these triplet brothers of mine who really do get it. And I'm blessed to have a place that contains so much joy as  Special Ministries! I'm learning so much and treasure each minute.

  This week we went to the Rock and Worship Road show. It wasn't nearly as fun as it could have been because my Dad wasn't there, but it was still pretty amazing. My favorite part was the crowd. 17,000 Christians worshipping the Lord together is a powerful thing! I palpably felt the Lord's presence.  Arms in the air, voices lifted, so and so band playing glorious music--I felt  that must be what Heaven is like! Although... when I first heard Lecrae, I didn't like him. But his love for God was so strong he ended up winning me over! I just hope I never have to interpret a rap concert. :O
   
    I read a few blog posts on a girl who shares my name. Only this girl has rhabdomyosarcoma, and has just been told there is nothing more they can do for her. It breaks my heart to hear the anger, fear, and  brokenness  in her mother's posts. The fact that she shares my name serves to remind me how easily she could have been me. And I hate how ugly, and scarred, and bruised our world is! But then I have an experience like last night, and I realize that no matter how many tears are shed, lives are taken, or babies abandoned, this world belongs to God. Satan is not going to win!
 So stay strong this week, friends, as you want to laugh and cry at this temporary home. Please remember that it is all in God's hands, and that He will have victory! One of the hardest things about advocating for  orphans is that I can't help but wonder "If God has a perfect plan for everyone, what is His plan for those who are stuck in an institution for their short life??" And although I still don't have an answer, I kow this- God is going to take those little ones into His arms once they are in Heaven. Even if their life was so short and so broken, He is going to make all of that disappear when they reach Heaven. I know He is, in the end, going to take the victory as He holds His precious child! And the Marcia's of the world will realize, once and for all, that they are loved. I find peace in the fact that even in the most hopeless situations, God will win!

Much love,
 Your Blogger Claire

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 8:31-39 (taken from Biblegateway.com)

I love my Readers! : )