Dear Sweet Friends... I want to apologize. I was feeling so weary tired yesterday and wrote a post that made many of you feel a bit guilty and I am so very sorry!
I have a confession to make... it is often the reason why I yell as loudly as I do for the families in process... Before we adopted Aaron, I was not the greatest of adoption supporters. I was ALWAYS excited and told them so but that was about as far as I ever went in my support. It never dawned on me how desperate families feel when they cliff jump. I had no idea how difficult the adoption process could be. I'M EMBARRASSED TO WRITE THIS NEXT SENTENCE BUT.... I never donated to those adopting unless they specifically asked. It just didn't dawn on me. I patted their backs and was excited for them but never really did much more than that.
Then we adopted Aaron. And all of a sudden I came face to face with how HARD ADOPTION CAN BE. It is a wild ride and there were many many times when we felt like we were speeding around the coaster, barely holding on and feeling like we were going to fall off at any moment. We had some AWESOME FRIENDS who supported us beyond words. We also had some who left us in the dust. I hate to write that but it is the reality of adoption and it needs to be stated.
It is the reason why I try so hard to do what I didn't do before Aaron... SUPPORT THE FAMILIES IN PROCESS.
One of the sweetest moments of support we received during our process for Aaron came at the end of our time in his country. We were downright weary. We just wanted to come home. He was finally in our arms and we were less than two days from boarding the plane. All we had left was to go to the embassy and do our final paperwork.
They didn't have our paperwork. They had no idea who we were. Even though WE HAD THE OFFICIAL paperwork - they refused to accept it since they had never received it themselves from the states. We were stranded. Stuck.
We about fell apart. Tears. Shock. Grief. A weariness that was totally beyond words.
We went back to our apartment and shared the story on our blog. Begged for help.
HELP CAME. All our supporters who lived in our area - they rallied. So many people called our Congressman's office that they had to send us an e-mail pleading for us to tell people to stop calling.
That demonstration of love meant the world to us.
We were across the ocean and completely alone yet not alone at all.
The support we received in our lowest moments is the motivation for why I shout as loudly as I do.
I know how it feels to feel abandoned. I know how it feels to feel lifted up.
Each five dollars in our bucket meant the world. Each e-mail to encourage lifted our heads. Each prayer kept us going in the darkest days.
Dear Sweet Friends - I never want to make anyone feel guilty about donating when the cupboard is bare... I totally understand why not everyone can give.
BUT WE CAN ALL SUPPORT. We can pray. We can encourage. We can walk beside. And the families who are listed below are in need of that support. Whether it is financial or emotional or spiritual support. They need us.
So please - not out of guilt - but out of love and support.. BLESS A FAMILY TODAY.
And forgive me for my pity-party rant yesterday!! I was just a grumpy old woman!
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The Spitz family adopting Lyla. THEY ARE STILL NOT FULLY FUNDED!! They too are on their THIRD adoption in less than two years. PLEASE PLEASE - LET'S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED FOR LYLA.
The Brown family - They are adopting FOUR babes - three of them are in Plev*n - which is a really bad place!! They recently brought back a number of precious treasures and so they really need our help!! They are hoping to travel SOON so please fill up their bucket!!
The Archer family - They are adopting three babes out of Plev*n. Tom has been there this week meeting the boys and they are in really sad condition!!! PLEASE PRAY AND PLEASE HELP TO GET THESE BOYS OUT. The Archers brought home two other children last year from that same country.
The Hills Family considers themselves serial adopters and I would definitely agree!! They are adopting Abbie and Piper after having just adopted so many others I can't keep track!! They are getting ready to go meet their girls for the first trip and definitely could use some help!!
Linda Duncan adopting Kolina - She is doing a back to back adoption - will be bringing Molly home first and then will go back and get Kolina.
The DUVALS are going to be doing a back to back adoption process too... They are bringing Judah home first and then will go back and get Alexis.... As you can imagine.... that is going to be a bit tough on the budget!! WE YELLED LOUDLY FOR ALEXIS TO FIND A FAMILY.... SHE HAS... NOW LET'S SUPPORT THIS FAMILY!!!
The Boroughs family is near and dear to my heart. Their hearts are totally turned toward the orphan. They have already adopted THREE RR babes and they are now going back to get another treasure. I can't share her picture on here but SHE IS PRECIOUS!! Please help them!!
The Saders brought home sweet Melanie less than a year ago and are headed back across the ocean to get Charity. Oh to see Charity out of that crib and in the arms of her Mama will be sweet to see indeed!!
See the little boy on the far left... THAT IS KOLE... He isn't home yet but his two brothers are... The little on the far right is GABE... Last year we YELLED AND YELLED FOR GABE and the House family raised their hands and chose Gabe and then chose Levi.... but they are NOT DONE. They are going back for Kole. PLEASE HELP THEM!!
The Rogers family just barely got their bags unpacked from bringing home TWO RR treasures before they raised their hands to go back again... THEY ARE THE FAMILY GETTING BERNADETTE AND MASON!! How can we not support them?? We screamed LOUDLY for someone to cross the ocean and they RAISED THEIR HANDS HIGH! Please drop some funds in their bucket to help them!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - They have so much left to raise!! Plus, I am so excited to think that these two precious treasures are going to be living in MY STATE!!
See this precious little girl??? This is Mayah and her Mama and Papa set out to get her last year but the laws changed and when they crossed the ocean they could only bring her sister home. But now the laws have changed again and even though they JUST CAME HOME they are going right back to get her!! We can't stand by and let the Hogelands do this on their own!!! SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO BRING HOME MAYAH!!
And my Dear Spencer... the Jim family adopting him just came home from adopting Vika but they heeded the call to go back so back they will go!! I will be forever grateful to them for adopting our sweet Spencer!! Don't Spencer and Vika look like they belong together??? WE YELLED AND YELLED FOR SPENCER TO FIND A FAMILY... NOW LET'S FINISH THE JOB!!
RENEE and ALAN are adopting Maxwell...after just coming back from adopting Emma!! If they can figure out how... they may try to bring home more than just Maxwell so PLEASE GO HELP THEM OUT!! It is because of their yelling that a whole host of kids have families (Bernadette, Alexis, Sam, Duncan etc) so let's support their journey back across that ocean!!
Mark and Kristen Westbrook are adopting two very precious treasures. Aren't they absolutely adorable?? They recently adopted two other treasures.... THAT'S FOUR BABES IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS!!!
The Mickschl Family is adopting 16 year old Jonathan. THIS IS PURE AND SIMPLE - A RESCUE... This boy would be ON THE STREETS in a matter of months if this family wasn't going to get him. They are snatching him out of the fire and WE NEED TO HELP THEM!! They adopted TWO OTHER CHILDREN... in two separate adoptions... THIS MAKES THREE ADOPTIONS in less than 2 years!!
THOSE ARE THE FAMILIES....
Will you help one?? Two?? Donate to a number of them?? Please?
Donate and let me know.... You just may win a cool MYSTERY prize.
HOW COOL IS THAT!!!