Listening in the whirlwind

I've been slacking.

I know it and, to be honest  I'm somewhat ashamed.

In the middle of the whirlwind, it can be so easy to push aside the names and the faces, to separate from the pain, the loneliness, and the  death that is far too common in the lives of  these kids.

Funny, how when things seem the craziest it can be the quietest voice that calls you back. . .

This week a dear and precious lady names Julia wrote  about  their adoption trip and the little girl they  left behind - Cadence.

Cadence was one of my 16 this year, the  children I've prayed for, the children I bring up when someone is crazy enough to open the door  to a conversation on adoption and let my poor heart spill out. Julia's post was a quiet call back to the importance of these children who still wait  in the  whirlwind of our lives.

Children like Marissa

And children like my Christmas angel Claire

Honestly, in the whirlwind anything felt like too much: too much sadness, too much work, too many barriers.

Then this quote popped up in my memories

"We often ask God to show up. We pray prayers of rescue. Perhaps God would ask us to be that rescue, to be His body, to move for things that matter. He is not invisible when we come alive." 

— Jamie Tworkowski

It honestly doesn't take much to give these kids a chance. While adoption would be the biggest change not everyone is called to adopt or even adopt right now. That said, anyone can learn about the needs of the children who wait, can exchange the cost of a coffee with assisting a waiting child's grant, contribute to an organization like Maya's Hope that works in country helping the children day in and day out. Anyone can raise their voice and  shout for these kids - sharing their stories and raising them up in prayer.

All it takes is listening to that voice in the whirlwind.

It's been an odd year.
Also, I may be in the running for queen of the understatement.
It's not that I mean to  run away from this blog but sometimes the thoughts in my head outrun the rest of me and I need time to  think, time to process, and time to let my heart find it's pace.

This year I've encountered a lot of talk about adoption and advocacy and not all of it  has been positive. There are questions why one would advocate to take a child out of their home country, why don't people support change overseas, why not  be happy with the family  that is given?

Thanks to my tendency  to either have a severe case of silence or word vomit (one day I will find a happy medium, in the meantime be patient with me) and the fact that there isn't a clean, clear answer the answers to those questions can be  messy so please bear with me as I stumble through my  thoughts.

We advocate adoption, be it local or international, because lives are on the line and  those lives are precious. The  sanctity of human life is reason enough and if reading stories and seeing families is  what  it takes to drive home the humanity of these children and the need that is out there, then that is a reflection on our society and advocate we will.
Sometimes the need is obvious, when you see the  stories of children who have been institutionalized - starving and injured or wasting away under lack of resources or treatable conditions- the  urgency cannot be denied  the reality is accepted or turned off our screens as  we move to more comfortable things.

Yes, it would be wonderful if there were the resources, the supports,  the acceptance  for these children to remain in their own countries but the fact is, in most cases, that support network has not been established. There are some wonderful organizations working the front lines supporting families and making new inroads with children who are in their local systems. They need support too. Change, sustainable change, takes time though, especially when it needs to shift at legal and cultural levels and the hard truth is most  and more  likely all of the children currently listed will age out, die, or live their lives in institutions  before these changes can be made. Change cannot come quickly enough to  make a difference for them, but a family can.

Adoption is expensive though, in  each and every way. With changing laws, financial requirements, travel times, not to mention the adjustment afterward - the grief, the  trauma (oh complex trauma,  there's a class I wanted to weep through), the catch up on medical care that has  long been left aside. Adoption is messy because it is lived out in every aspect. Life and love are messy business.

So we advocate through the mess. We advocate for change for the  parents who wish they could have kept their family together, we advocate for orphans who could literally face life or death based on that choice, and we advocate for families  who live out a messy reality of family born out  of grief and trauma.


This year Reece's Rainbow marks another round of MACC the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign. Families select one child to advocate  for who's already waiting  and  for who local change will not come quickly enough. The goal being to help families learn about adoption, raise money to grow the grants of 105 children, and help these kids find families willing to step up.

Each year RR asks volunteers to select three children for MACC assigning the top choice of the three who are eligible.

   

These were my three choices out of hundreds Cadence, Clair, and Marissa (not their real names). One is mine to advocate for but the reality is they are all worthy. In the end debates will always remain. Let's face it, humanity loves to disagree. These children and others like them are fighting a clock though and, debates aside,  they deserve so much more out of their futures.

Not everyone can adopt, not everyone can donate, not everyone can pray but everyone can do something  and as someone pointed out to me this week, we never know the ripples are actions will make. 

Sunday Spotlight 17 for 2017

Sunday Spotlight is back and what better way to start than to highlight a few of our 17 for 2017 :)

First up is Merida

Merida will be turning 14 this year meaning she could qualify for a 10 000 grant from RR to help bring her home. Her file lists her as having hearing loss  but little else despite her being listed for 4.5 years. This is most likely due to her having been moved to an institute or older children facility.

Next we have Shirley

This sweet girl will be 13 this year meaning she has just 1 year left before her country's rules place as being to old for adoption. According to her profile

Shirley is a sweet girl who has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and high muscle tension in her legs. She has had surgery to help with the tension in her tendons. Shirley loves to play dress up with her dolls. She is currently attending a primary school and is learning a lot! Shirley has been living in a foster family since 2006 so that she could get more individualized attention. She go to therapies every day to make her body stronger. Shirley is able to take care of all her personal needs and is very independent. She has been taught about adoption and would like to be adopted!

Third is Nadene.

Miss Nadene turns 12 this year and is also eligible for up to 10000 from RR to help her family bring her home. Miss Nadene has been waiting for so long and has regressed since being transferred. 

Finally, we have Charissa

Look at that smile! It one of those light up the room types. How this sweetheart has been listed for 3 years I cannot fathom. Could she be the missing piece at your table? Charissa has 2 years before aging out and is also eligible for a grant from RR to help families with the financial aspect of adoption.

16 . . . 17 for 2017!

It's that time of year.

Christmas is over. The decorations have been put away. Daddy's back at work. The day to day mundane yet chaotic reality that is our life has returned. In our world this means, therapy pre-school (homeschool style), and learning our way around another new town (third town in 2 years, hoo boy).

That also means that MACC is over for another year.
This year was so exciting.
 Each child in the campaign met their $1000 grant goal and 9 children found families in those 2 months (with another stepping forward since the new year).
In some ways, after such a big push, it can feel tempting to put aside the advocating as the new year and all it brings comes rushing in. Although this year was successful I couldn't help but reflect back on the kiddo's who had been part of prior campaigns and were still waiting or who had aged out.

Can  I be honest? It hit me hard to get confirmation that  my Christmas kiddo had, in fact, been moved to an institution.
Sometimes you wonder if one voice can make a difference . .  .

Which is why anything worth doing is always better with a few like minded friends! One dear lady suggested picking 16 kiddo's to focus on throughout the year. 16 faces to bring forward in blogs and social media in order to help keep these kiddo's from being forgotten.

And here are my 16

16 precious children who deserve to know that they are loved daughters. 16 little  girls who need families, medical care, and love. 16 little ones who don't deserve to be forgotten

Merida, Brandi, Waniya, Priscilla, Lucie, Hana, Shirley, Emma, Harlowe, Charissa, Nadene, Claire, Elinor, Christina, Cadence, Dolly

Well, since it is 2017, it only makes sense to add one more Ginny!

Here's to 2017

New Year's Eve is coming and I can't wait to party

For the last few years I've attended a unique New Year's Eve party that's right up my alley.

The dress code is casual and comfy, the food is bring your own, and it's also very family friendly, in fact, most of the night is centers on families and children.

Did I mention this party also takes place online? That means you're invited too!

Parties  are a lot of fun and this one is no different. There always seems to be a few jokes, some reminiscing, and a good time all around. Unlike most parties, this one is a party with a purpose.

December 31st is the last day of the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Campaign (I know, I can barely believe it either) on New Year's Eve a group comes together to give one last push for the wee ones who have captured our hearts this year.

We celebrate those like Walter, Brandi, and Elinor who met their goals financially while still pushing for the ultimate goal of their forever families

      

We push for the ones who are still short their financial goals, children like Priscilla, Emma, and Ginny knowing that each share could be the one to help them come home and every dollar helps ease  the burden on that family.

    

We also celebrate the children who were part of this campaign and are now home because sharing these families burdens through donating, prayer, and practical support if you're local and sharing these kids and bringing light to the situations facing thousands of orphans around the world. It works. It honest to goodness works and there are hundreds of families who can attest to how their lives have changed since meeting a  child in a picture and saying yes.

I know New Year's is a busy time but maybe when you're people out at the party of have a minute to spare while you're sitting in the passengers seat, come and spend a few minutes with us and see what a difference the smallest actions can make.

Christmas with special needs may not look like a traditional celebration.

It may mean cancelling family gatherings despite desire or disapproving relatives because your child simply cannot handle even one more second of new sensory input.

It may mean learning new ways of making dinner to incorporate different food needs.

It may mean grieving expectations and celebrating every little victory, even when others think you're nuts for celebrating something they don't understand.

It may mean massive coordination to set  up therapies during holiday hours and find time to start filling out the funding paperwork that comes up every new year.

It may mean facing the holidays like any other day.


You know what though, love covers all.


We planned our pj and cartoon day with weighted blankets and extra naps. We learned new recipes.
This Mama even has no shame admitting I cried when our little man excitedly wanted to dance during our Christmas Eve service, joy shining in his eyes before totally sensory overload hit that night on the phone with Nana and Papa.


Our little guy came to us after an absurdly long labour that left this Mama sore and recovering for months (seriously pregnancy and I do not get along and labour is worse). Over his 3.5 years we've gained more insights into what makes him tick and how to best meet his unique needs and I'm not going to lie,  it's hard work, frustrating work, and sometimes you just don't know so you take it minute by minute.


In so many ways adopting a special needs child is even harder.
Your life is completely turned upside down as financial costs are faced, medical needs  are assessed and treatments are devised, the child is faced with the loss of their environment, their culture, a language, the family is faced with the loss of their structure/time/finances/sleep.

Adoption is risky love.
 I have to wonder how many of us have become afraid to risk because I know how easy it is for my own spirit to sink back into the safety of complacency.

           

We're afraid so we do nothing and real children sit waiting. We're  not all called to adopt internationally but we can do something. There's domestic adoption, volunteering with local CAS, prayer, fundraising for international adoption through organizations like Reece's Rainbow and the MACC. you can share a child's picture you may not be the family for Priscilla, Walter, Ginny, or Anna but maybe someone you know is  - the power of sharing is underestimated every time.

When you can't

"When you can't run, you crawl ... and when you can't crawl, when you can't do that... 

 'You find someone to carry you.'" 

(firefly)

I remember as a child being utterly fascinated by the thick newspapers that graced my Great Grandpa's footstool every weekend. Not only did they have the best comics  and word searches which he continued to pass along to me until he passed away my first year of college, but, for many year the local CAS would feature a child or sibling group in need of a family.

Adoption was something I always remember being aware of, let's face it, as a Canadian everyone up here has heard of a certain red-headed orphan girl from P.E.I. But I was the weird child who read a story and needed to know what was behind it so I started researching. 

I found vague statistics that saddened me as a child (yep back in the pre-google days) and mostly put it to rest due to a lack of connection. When college came I stumbled upon Reece's Rainbow and that interest was renewed  only this time with more passion. Now there was internet, research, I could double and triple check the facts (did I mention that the term nerd is often used when describing me? I think it's pretty accurate and usually loving). I didn't like the facts.

Did you know that if  orphans founded their own country they'd be the 10th most populated?

Did you know that many children with special needs will not face happy futures after aging out falling victim to trafficking, drugs, gangs, poverty, suicide, or wasting away in an institution?

Did you know that the brain develops differently when faced with trauma or lack of human interaction?

How does one face a situation when hundreds of thousands of lives are being set up to fail and falter.

I remember reading a blog,

It  told the starfish story and I allowed my thinking to shift. 

How  do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

How do you help the orphan crises? One step at a time. 

It's really the only way to do anything. One step and then another, walking in faith.

But sometimes it wears on me and I see that weariness in others too. 

Life keeps us firmly unable to do anything but write, shout, and try to help raise funds to brings these kids home before it's too late though my heart aches to do more.

But sometimes it feels like I'm standing on a beach covered with starfish and no one's getting to the water.

My first Angel Tree girl has aged out. She will never have a family and faces life in whatever system her country has  established. We shouted and fundraised but no mama or papa stood up.

My second child still waits with a larger grant than most. She's waited 2 years already and continues to wait, her file has information, though dated and yet no one steps up.

My current girly is sitting at the bottom of the  tree

With so little information and a dated picture, interest just isn't there despite my efforts and my heart breaks as i see her slipping through the cracks.

I'm tired and  weary and my heart longs for things I can't  control. Today would you help me out and share this little girl, share the Christmas Campaign, because I'm weary and heavy hearted  and could sure  use someone to help carry me today.

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.

But he seems so high functioning . . .

"He must be very high functioning"

"I didn't realize he was autistic"

"Oh, I forgot"

Some people may think these are things that would warm a Mama's heart. 

Evidence that the appointments, the therapy, the research, the tears, the struggle was all worth it as your little one was meeting societies norms.

After all,  what Mama doesn't  feel their heart yearn to see the little one succeed after so many struggles.

I guess I'm one of the odd ones. For every little leap of  joy my heart makes as my little guy makes  his steps forward I'm painfully aware of all the little steps happening behind the scenes, to the side, and turn us all around as we try to navigate the craziness of our son's journey with autism.  I'm aware of the meltdowns, the pain, the confusion, and the fear my little one faces in a world that is always on the go and overloading his brain with stimuli it wasn't built to naturally process.  I'm aware of  the hasty retreats to quiet, the calming down, the sensory supports, and the tears from when the effort of fitting  in with the demands of the world become too much.

With that  awareness comes sadness and concern for what my son may face because he seems  "so high functioning"

When people think of autism they think of the extremes. The child who's non-verbal and lives in their own world or the individual who lives no differently than a neurotypical peer.

But autism isn't necessarily a condition of extremes. Autism is a spectrum and one  case does not necessarily fall on the spectrum the same way as another (This comic is an awesome introduction). Our little one  can be quit the talker, laughing and yelling and having fun. However, external noise,   sensory input, and transitions can all throw him into a meltdown which is why I've become a big fan of online shopping. A large portion of his speech falls under the category of echolalia  with his relying on memorized phrases that will come out at random times and heaven help the person who doesn't know the script.

I'm honestly  thankful that people see so many sides to our little guy: his love  for music, his manners and compassion, his smile, his energy but I worry that by forgetting his diagnosis they actually do him a  disservice. By recognizing his autism you don't have to label my little guy that's a  personal choice but you do have to recognize that he may interact  differently and need different supports to reach his full, untapped potential. By denying his  diagnosis he's also denied that support and left, with us, to face the  consequences of circumstances that expect him to act in situations where he is at a  deficit. 

So what does this Mama's heart hope for?

I hope one day, instead of the "I forgot's" and the minimizing comments it becomes more common to hear "how can  we help him continue to succeed"

Sunday Spotlight

Another Sunday.

The hardest part of these posts is picking the faces, how do you choose a handful out of pages and pages of faces, sadly aware that these are just a small representation of the thousands and thousands of unseen orphans waiting around the globe.

I'm never quite sure aside from the fact that following your heart is always a good place to start.

So here are just a few of the faces that plucked at my heart this week.

 

Otto is  such a little thing for a boy who turns 9 in 2016 but oh the ripples he's created these last few weeks. Otto was one of the recipients of the Shadow Children Giveaway . As a result, Otto  has over 4700 in a grant to help bring him home. This little love has a wide host of conditions noted on his file  including FAS and autistic features. however, he also has some wonderful insight into his personality for interested families thanks to a 10 day stay at camp last summer where he apparently "came alive".

Scout will also be 9 in 2016 and look at the grin in this picture. Scout is listed as having CP as well as club feet which were corrected a few years ago. She  came to the orphanage at age 3. She's listed as a spunky little girl who is quite the talker, has self-care skills and is helpful. 

Waniya is also 9 in 2016, what a wonderful age! He file lists her as being diagnosed with Cerebral palsy; Mixed specific developmental disorders; Coloboma of optic disc. This little girl has been waiting on RR since 2012 and needs a family to call her own.

Shirley will be 12 in 2016 and has 18 months until she becomes ineligible for  adoption :( She is described as a sweet  girl who wants to be adopted and has had the concept explained to her. Diagnosed with CP, it is said to mainly affect her legs and she has received some surgery for her condition. Due to her age Shirley is eligible for an older child grant with RR of 10000.

Rounding out this week is Judith.Her file is almost as small as her grant at the moment  :( Listed  as having  Cp and dual hemiplegia.  This little girl has a smile that outshines anything else.  At only 4, the benefits of therapy and family can  not be overstated for this sweetheart.

Not everyone can adopt but maybe you can share or contribute to a grant, visit  RR and see the other children who wait, advocate, or whatever uses your strengths and abilities.

Not everyone can adopt but everyone can do something and that's how lives are changed.

Sometimes it's too late and sometimes we just need to try again

It's been a hard  few months for those who follow the  goings on at Reece's Rainbow.
The advocates, the quiet cheerers, the families, the would be families.

You see, on RR one of the big things is movement.  There are the children who don't move - the ones who sit on lists unseen as they wait for years with grants  that don't grow or  only grow during Angel Tree.

There are those that move to my family found me and slowly move from page to page until they are home with their families.

Then there are the other children who move and leave us wishing they hadn't. Children like these three.
                   

Cameron, Cristoff, and Judah who joined the 66 other children who have died while listed on Reece's Rainbow before they were able to be adopted. 69 small lives that deserved so much more.

Some children move to yet another page - aged out. These are the children who are no longer eligible in their country for adoption due to their age and immigration laws on both sides of the equation. Children of 14 and 16 who have lost their chance forever and now face a future that, statistically, is not in their favour.

My first angel tree girl. Sweet Tara

made her journey over to the aged out page this month. Though her birthday is in September it's too late to start the paperwork and, therefore, too late for her.

I was her warrior two years ago. At that point her profile was at least a year old and was  not able to be updated until the day it was moved over. Her grant grew into the thousands, 15  000 in fact and still no Mama or Papa saw her. So she waited and time ran out.

It's hard when the time runs out because it's not just a  deadline it's a child, in this case a girl staring down her 14th birthday and the realization that no one is coming. Sometimes it's just too late.

That's hard. so hard. It makes me want to run away from blogging and Reece's Rainbow and all the children who's faces I see and who break my heart in my frustration  at the system, the circumstances, and my own feeble whispers against  a world that doesn't have the time.

Did you notice I disappeared when Tara moved? 

While some  see a deadline missed or a picture moved. 

For others, it is potential lost and a young girl who's path is now set on a much harder path than seems fair and that's okay to grieve,  in fact, it's good to grieve the Tara's and the Cristoff's - to note the injustices of life  and the losses.

It's what you do with that grief and your time and there are still so many treasures waiting.

                        

Sunday Spotlight

June is birthday month in our house.

2 little boys in our house, at least 3 cousins, a few aunts, sister in law, grandmothers - every time we turn around from June 1st until July 1st there is another set of congratulations to send along. Birthdays are a happy thing, a time of celebration and reflection . . . unless you're an orphan.


Depending on where you're from, if you're an orphan birthdays mean you're that much closer to aging out and either left to fend for yourself or destined to remain in a lonely adult mental institution that has probably been your home for a few years already.

For some kids on Reece's Rainbow the birthdays left are getting far too few for comfort.

Winnie

Clara

Morris

Soleil

Scottie

Shirley

Tatumn

For some of these kids there are no birthdays left. This is there last year to find a family before that door closes forever. It's a sad, simple fact and after celebrating with my own babies this past week, one that my Mama's heart finds harder and harder to understand. Every child deserves a parent to love them and celebrate with them. One that won't bypass their hurts and griefs of which these kids have had more than their share. Please share one this week, or hop over to the aging out page at RR and find a child to share so that their last birthday might just be their last one alone.

Sunday Spotlight

Have you stopped by Reece's Rainbow lately?

In honour of the tenth anniversary the website has undergone a massive overhaul. It's definitely worth going over and taking a look. As with any major reno it takes some time to work out all the kinks in the system so it may take a few extra minutes to spot the page you're looking for or the page may be down for a few more days.

But while you're looking you may just find

Hana

This little sweetheart will be 9 this year. She's noted for her amazing laughter, agreeable nature, intelligence, and hard work. She loves piano and colouring. She also has spina bifida and loads of potential.

Emma

Emma turns 7 this year. She's reported to be friendly and calm although she does struggle with delays. Emma's orphange can only keep her through the summer at which point she will be transferred to a school orphanage for mentally delayed children.

Lucie

Lucie is 7 and lives in an adult mental institution. This is never the best option for a child this young and yet Lucie still has her smile.

Lexi

Lexi is almost 12 (children age out at 14 in her part of the world) This sweet lady has lower spine issues and an issue with her right knee. At her last update she was reported to love singing, was smart, and had formed close friendships with other children.

These are just four of the reasons why Reece's is overhauling their website and gearing up for another busy decade. No child should be forgotten, every child deserves to be loved and wanted. So celebrate with me by checking out the new website, finding a few new faces, and helping spread the word.

Sunday Spotlight

It's hard to believe but Reece's Rainbow turned 10 this week!

It's been a crazy ten years and almost 1600 children have be united with their families since those early days.

While there have been some changes over the years, the focus remains the same bringing orphans home. One of the more recent changes involves the oldest children on RR, the aging out who's window for rescue is starting to narrow.

Thanks to a pooling of resources all older children are eligible for a 10 000 grant (until the fund runs down which i'm told is many, many adoptions from now). This 10 000 goes a long way to helping families combat the high cost of international adoption and the lower fund raising time which can accompany these older kids.

Kids like

Irina

Already listed for over 6 years and still waiting :(

Haven

Listed for over 5 years

Angela

Maiya

Maddie

Each listed for 4 years

And Tara my first Angel and so close to aging out who's been listed almost 6 years :(

Each of these beautiful young ladies have been listed for years, a quarter of their lives waiting on a site that advocates getting these kids seen. Sometime change is hard but in this case I'm so grateful that the older children are now eligible for this amazing grant and hopefully these girls will celebrate 11 years of Reece's with families of their own.