Sorry it's been so quiet lately but  . .  . we are now successfully moved in and it's been an undertaking. Despite walking our little guy through the steps, involving him in packing, showing pictures of the new house, watching the truck load/unload, and setting up his room asap his poor brain is overwhelmed to the point of melting down whenever he sees a box and reverting back to mostly communicating through echolalia,  As a house we're exhausted even with the supports we've put into place and all the incredible growth our little J has made thanks to the therapists and autism support we have access to locally.

Which makes me think of 100 other children all with needs far greater than our little J, with far less supports, and no one walking them through the confusing twists and turns of shifting orphanages and transfers to institutions  or older children's homes if they're lucky when they should be getting excited about Santa and Kindergarten. 

I see  the confusion in my little boy's eyes as he surveys his room and methodically checks for his safeties and wonder how many children in the MACC feel safe tonight,  how many have carers  who can take a minute to cuddle a scared child in a room with too many children and too many worn out staff.

I think of one little girl who's file hasn't been updated in so long I can't remember if it has ever been updated. 

Who remembers the children as they threaten to slip between the cracks?

Ginny is 8 years old this year. In her country  she's most likely been moved around at least once. She was probably not walked through the process and in her country pictures would most likely have made things worse. After reading some stories, I don't want to imagine where she is or what regressions she may have experienced because I'll be honest, it's heartbreaking to see what happens in laying down rooms.  Day in and day out those are living, breathing children who deserve so much more than what is waiting for them at the end of that road and it's easier to imagine these kids frozen in the moment of time their picture was taken.

The truth is every single child in the MACC is facing a bleak future without intervention and while staying in the bleakness of this future seems even less palatable during the holiday season it should spur us on towards the hope that marks these holidays.  

MACC exists to raise awareness, funds, and find families for these children and what is more hopeful than that?  Children who were on Angel Tree last year are on their way home for Christmas this year and while the journey may be difficult there is still hope in the redemption and introduction of a life with possibilities. 

So please take a minute and share, let's face it most of us spend too much time  on social media anyway (am I right?), incorporate RR into your Christmas gifts, pray for these kiddos, or maybe even examine whether or not 2017 is the year your family looks into adoption. Who knows maybe the person who pulls a child back from the cracks is  you/

A Time for Traditions and a Time for Miracles

It's seems like everywhere is already buzzing with anticipation  of the upcoming holidays. 

Personally, I'm horrible for it. 

As soon as Remembrance Day  (November 11th here in Canada) has passed outcome the Christmas Cd's, decorations, and holiday traditions.

Some traditions hold a special place in my heart through their power to connect: past to present, generation to generation, people near and far.
As a shy, little introvert  I spent a lot of time feeling disconnected as a child and I adored  the holidays  that allowed me to look at a world where connection seemed a little easier and hope seemed a little more commonly  anticipated.

This year, one of my favourite traditions is looking to bring some hope and connection to 100  very special children  who are in desperate need of both.
As of November 1st the   Miracles of Adoption Christmas Capaign  (formerly  known as Angel  Tree) has officially begun for the 2016 Christmas season.
For the next two months, 100 orphans with special needs will be shared, advocated for, funds raised for their ransom, and maybe with the hope of Christmas  miracles have some find families who are willing to start the journey of bringing their son or daughter home.

2016 is my third year advocating  for one of these precious  kiddo's.
 Sadly,  Tara aged out this year and is now ineligible for adoption according to the rules in her country. Tarsha still waits with a grant of over $3000. Although not part of this year's campaign  Tarsha is still equally in need of a family and may pop up from time to time along with this year's very  special  kiddo.

But first an explanation. When it comes to MACC or Angel Tree, I was notorious for signing up late. As in, look up at the calendar realize sign ups end the next day and frantically go to see who's left. As a result, one very special  little girl who has been on my heart for  years was never eligible  for the campaign. This year, along with the name change, all children on Reece's Rainbow - regardless of diagnosis, this meant that after so long in the shadows, it's finally time for this little girl to shine.

I'm so excited  to introduce you to my  kiddo for MACC. Ginny.

Ginny

I'll be  honest, despite holding my  attention for so long, very little is known about this precious little girl.  This is the only picture I can remember beside her name. Her description has never wavered from a year of birth and her list of diagnoses. This precious little girl is so much more than a dated picture and a list of medical terms that could be, at first glance, be frightening. She's worth fighting for, sharing, shouting out from the rooftops for, and raising a ransom for. She deserves the title of daughter  and the chance to be in a family.

Please, take a minute to explore this year's MACC, look at the faces of these kids, each with their own story and so deserving of being seen. Take  a minute  and share their story, share the campaign, donate some dollars to their grants, pray, and come back periodically to see the  difference a few small actions in one very special tradition can make when we all come together.