Bittersweet...New Hope For The Ones Who Wait

Last week, it became clear that the ban on American adoptions from Russia would remain in place for the foreseeable future. So many families are hurting over this decision and even more children will never know the love of a family. It is a very hard time for the families who had committed to children, and in many cases met them, before being told they would never get to bring them home. My heart and prayers go out to these grieving families and children.

As many of you are aware, Reece's Rainbow provides grant funds for orphans with special needs. Many of the waiting children in Russia had sizable grants, but no committed family. This week, staff of Reece's Rainbow has started the tedious and time consuming process of reallocating the money from the Russian waiting children, to waiting children in other countries. Out of the ashes of a terrible loss, comes New Hope. Many children are now receiving significant grants that will hopefully help families to feel confident in stepping out to claim them as sons and daughters. 

Here is one of my very favorite New Hope recipients. Please allow me to introduce you to Frank.

Frank wants a family. He is very tiny, but he is almost 13 years old. He has a mild mental delay and was living in a boarding house when, for reasons unknown, he was transferred to a level IV adult mental institution. This boy is smart, kind, has very good language skills and just needs out of there. Frank received a New Hope grant from Reece's Rainbow and now has nearly $12,000 in his adoption grant. Please, if you are considering a son...or maybe adding one...please consider Frank. There are many photos and videos of him available and I can even put you in touch with someone who saw him for 7 weeks last year while adopting their boy. Please share Frank far and wide so his family can find him.

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=frank

If a family is already headed to his country for an adoption, Frank's grant would more than cover the fees for adding him. If a family is starting from scratch, his adoption is around 2/3 covered and he as several advocates (myself included) who will happily help out with the remaining funds. Please help us find a family for Frank.

Next we have sweet little Vytas

Vytas is a darling boy who turned 5 this month. He is very small due to having Down Syndrome and being in an orphanage, but he would thrive in a family where he can get therapies and interventions. Vytas also has a couple great advocates pulling for him over at Hope for Vytas

Vytas' grant currently has over $10,600! What a blessing to his future family!

http://reecesrainbow.org/40627/vytas

And Brandi

Look at that happy smile and sweet pigtails! Brandi is 5 years old and has Cerebral Palsy and microcephaly (smaller head size). She is described as "physically active" and her profile even has a picture of her enjoying time on the piano. Such a gorgeous little girl!

Brandi should be getting ready for kindergarten, not a mental institution. 

Brandi received New Hope funds and her adoption grant now has over $10,600! 

There are more to come later, but for now, I would love it if my followers would consider praying for these children to find families. Please share them on your own blogs and social media sites. It was through a Reece's Rainbow posting on Facebook that I first started scrolling through pictures of orphans. It was there that I saw our sweet Carolina's face. It was reading the blogs of other adoptive parents and advocates that my heart was completely broken and changed for these kids. It was people sharing their experiences and their fundraising ideas that we finally gained the confidence to step out and BE one of those families. 

Our little one will soon know that she has a Mama and Daddy who love her. 2 years ago, I never would have thought we would be doing this now. You just never know who will see one of your advocacy posts and realize they are seeing their child. So many people loved Carolina before I ever saw her. Take it from me, there is a special place in a Mama's heart for those who helped advocate for her child. 

I'm havin' a bad bad day (sing along with me)

O.k. so maybe you think I am off my rocker about now. You would be right, I am, but that's a whole different topic. Today I would like to introduce you to Callum.  This sweet little boy, reminds me so much of one of the minions in Pixar's movie, "Despicable Me." I know that sounds awful, but truly, it's a beloved movie of my four children.

Callum is 7 years old and still waiting for a family. He was born at 25 weeks gestation and has some special needs as a result. Callum has vision issues as a result of his prematurity. Obviously, he has been able to get glasses to help correct this issue and they only make him more adorable! Callum has good self-care abilities and is toilet trained. He needs someone to work with him and see he gets the needed therapies to overcome his delays caused by prematurity and being raised in an orphanage. Imagine this sweet boy sitting on his Mama or Papa's lap enjoying a bedtime story. Picture his joy as he begins to learn to read himself. Imagine his face beaming with pride as his speech therapy helps him to speak better. Think of all the possibilities which are open to Callum if he can just be given a chance. Callum currently only has $10 in his adoption grant. Let's help get this number higher! Don't forget to share Callum's photo. If you are able, please consider a tax deductible donation to his adoption grant. And never underestimate the power of prayer. Pray Callum's family are inspired to look for him. Pray for their eyes to be opened to see him and know he is their son. Callum's  Mama and Papa are out there somewhere, they just haven't found him yet!

Ryan's family found him!

Well...that sure didn't take long. Ryan has been officially moved to the "My Family Found Me" section of Reece's Rainbow. This is excellent news! Ryan currently has $167 in his adoption grant, but his new family is going to need much more before they bring him home, so if you can, please still donate to Ryan's adoption grant. Let's help get this little guy's family to him ASAP! I am incredibly excited for this precious boy and his new family!