Surviving Storms!

In case you were wondering... We all survived the storm last night!!  Good grief!!  That was a massive one!  We live in the woods and are surrounded by a lot of pine.   Pine trees are a nice barrier against the wind so we don't USUALLY know when the winds are high.  NOT LAST NIGHT.  Our pine trees were bent over and some of them were snapped in two.  Aaron was a bit freaked out by the whole show!  Especially when we lost power!  He spent an hour this morning walking around dragging limbs into the woods.  He doesn't like mess except when it comes to his toys... Go figure!

Elijah was at Boy Scout camp and they fared the worse I fear. Everyone survived and no one was hurt but the camp was apparently pretty torn up.  They are closing down until further notice.  Rob went to get him this morning.  Elijah thought it was the COOLEST EXPERIENCE EVER to sit outside in a storm that immense.  I don't think I would have shared his sentiments.  I'm glad he is on his way home!  This Mama was very worried.

WOO HOO .... $292.40 WAS DONATED FOR PORTER YESTERDAY!!

$707.60 more dollars and ANOTHER $1000.00 will be added to his grant account!!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

$55.00 WAS DONATED FOR THE ROGERS YESTERDAY!!

 

We need $945.00 to reach their goal to get ANOTHER $1,000.00 in their account.

And as an added incentive for digging even deeper... THE ROGERS HAVE BEEN OFFERED ANOTHER $500 IN MATCHING FUNDS.

So that means that instead of $945.00 we really need to raise $1,445.00 and their grant account will increase by another $1,500.00!!!  That is HUGE!!

Please don't stop giving.  I know it is holiday time. I know people are saving their pennies for their summer vacations.. I know that shopping for school is just around the corner... I know.. I know...

But Porter needs out yesterday and the Rogers are leaving soon!!

So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DIG DEEP AND HELP ME GET THOSE GRANTS MATCHED.

For the Matching Grants on this blog we still need $2,152.60...

PLEASE WILL YOU HELP?

To donate to the ROGERS FAMILY CLICK HERE.

To donate to PORTER'S GRANT ACCOUNT CLICK HERE.

And the Menges family still needs help getting their matching funds so if you want to match for them... PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND WIN SOME COOL PRIZES!!

Who can resist helping them bring this cutie home???

Matching Madness

On this Fatherless Friday - I'm doing a Matching Madness Day!!

I don't know if today is Payday or not.  It wasn't for us but whatever... We are still going to have fun!!

Matching Madness makes the little bit that you have - stretch even farther.

In this matching madness... Your five dollars becomes ten.  Your ten becomes twenty.  Your fifty becomes one hundred.

Isn't that fun?

All the matching funds today are going to some desperately needy situations!!   We're raising ransoms here because all these kids are either in terrible situations or are headed that way very very soon.  

This is Porter.  The sweet little boy in the gray shirt.

You have met him several times this week on my blog.  He is in Aaron's old institute and SHOULD NOT BE THERE!!  His story has broken hearts all over the internet.  Well someone has offered a $1,000.00 matching grant for Porter that we can't turn down.   WE NEED TO GET HIM OUT AND FRANKLY - IT IS MONEY THAT IS STANDING IN THE WAY!!  He can't wait for a family to gather the funds together before they can commit to him.  He needs out yesterday.  But families don't have 24,000 in their back pocket.  So those families who have inquired about him are hesitating.  They KNOW that they need to move FAST to get him.  But the financial barrier is daunting and cliff jumping into that kind of debt is profound.  Please help me make the financial barrier a little less steep.  Porter currently has $2285.60 in his grant account.  If we match the $1,000.00 being offered than Porter will have 4,285.60.  That isn't 24,000 I know but it is 2,000 steps closer and maybe, just maybe, a family will step off the cliff to get him with 4,000 in his account. 

Porter's matching grant is going to be open for two weeks.  So if today is not Payday... You have two more Friday's to help me raise his ransom!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO PORTER!

You have also met Bernadette before...

She is 16 and is currently in a decent institute.  Because she has Down Syndrome, even though it is a decent institute, she gets to sit in a room all day hidden from the other children who are free to roam the halls.  But even though she is doing virtually nothing all day, her life is a piece of cake. Where she is headed is a living nightmare that makes her current situation look like the Taj Mahal.  We yelled and yelled for Bernadette and the Rogers family listened.  They stepped up and agreed to not only adopt Bernadette but they are bringing Mason home too.  He too sits in that same boring room.

 Last week I begged people to donate to them and a few did.  They needed 10,000 and now they only need 8,000.00.  It isn't enough.  They are leaving in a few weeks.  

Again - a matching grant has been offered.  A $1,000.00 matching grant for the Rogers.  We have two weeks to raise it but frankly... even if we match the $1,000 - they are still going to be $6,000 short.  I don't know how to fix that problem.  I wish I could materialize the difference but I can't.  

So I'm just putting it out... Can we take the 1,000 and not just double it but quadruple it??  Will you give over and above for the Rogers?  I met their kids.  I held their babes.  Bernadette and Mason are going to thrive in this family.    They are going to be allowed to RUN FREE on their property!!  Please help the Rogers!! Please!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE ROGERS FAMILY!

And finally... there is one more matching I want to share...

Do you remember little Ian.

He's in Plev*n - In the WORST orphanage in his country.  NOT an exaggeration.  In a few weeks his Mama and Papa are going to meet him.  For one week they will be holding him and loving him.  They will be counting his fingers and toes.  They will be kissing his little cheeks.  All the while silent tears are going to be streaming down their faces because they won't get to bring him home.  They will have to wait another 3-5 months before they can go back and carry him out.  They will carry him out of the WORST orphanage in the country.

Ian's family has been offered some matching grants that will get them FULLY FUNDED.  Oh I like that!  Every dollar donated has an end in sight.  Fully Funded means they can concentrate on helping the other Plev*n families get what they need.  Fully Funded means they can spend their time praying and preparing instead of worrying.  Yeah!! 

The Menges family was offered the one matching grant several weeks ago.  But they didn't post it.  They were actually rather terrified that they wouldn't be able to match it.  Fear is funny!  It too often keeps us from stepping out in faith!  It freezes us from doing what we know we should.  A few of us had to stand behind them and basically shove them off the cliff to get them to post their grant.  PLEASE PROVE US RIGHT!  Show them that cliff jumping is exhilarating.  Their first matching grant is for $2,500.00.  Their second grant is for $1,000.00. So they need 3,500.00.

If you donate to the Menges - You will be entered into a NICE Giveaway.  The prizes are FUN and more are being added so keep checking back.  The more you donate.. .the better your chances of winning something.  

CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND ENTER!

SO ALTOGETHER... ALL THREE OF THESE MATCHING GRANTS EQUAL $5,500.00

WILL YOU HELP ME RAISE $5,500.00???  IN TWO WEEKS??  

PICK ONE... TWO OR ALL THREE... Donate whatever you can and see it doubled.  Let's help raise the ransom for these FOUR children. 

PLEASE!!

Is There Room?

Remember a few weeks ago when we yelled for the Dewberry family because they needed 32,000 in 2 weeks? 

Well they are across the ocean and are now the PROUD PARENTS of one very precious little girl!!

Doesn't that just melt your heart???  Your gifts gave them what they needed so they can bring her home!  

WOO HOO!!! SHOUT OUTS FOR MATCHING GRANTS AND FAMILIES SAYING YES AND GENEROUS DONORS AND A LITTLE GIRL NESTLED BETWEEN HER NEW MAMA AND PAPA!!!

Nicole is on a mission over there.  She isn't just focused on her little girl.  She's got two little boys who have totally captured her heart and she is now SHOUTING OUT for them!!!

This is Lance.  You've seen him on my blog before!!

Nicole describes him as being a ray of sunshine.  She has spent time with him everyday and has been so impressed by his behavior and attitude.  He is a happy little guy with an infectious laugh.  He is described as being extremely well-behaved.  He loves to help and takes responsibilities without complaining.  He shows NO sign of any attachment issues and would make an amazing son!!  

PLEASE GO CHECK OUT HIS RR PAGE.  Would someone look and see if there is room at their table for him??  A little boy with a happy heart who wants a Mama and a Papa of his own.  He will light up your life!!  I guarantee it!

This is Steven.

Nicole says this little guy just makes her weak in the knees!!  She absolutely adores him.  He is kind and loving and  extremely tender-hearted!  She thinks that he is definitely going to be a Mama's boy because he LOVES hugs and cuddles!  

Again - PLEASE CHECK OUT HIS RR PAGE.  This little guy needs a family so badly!  Maybe you are looking for TWO precious treasures because both these little guys can be adopted together!!  

Finally....

You guys all know my deep love for Jack...

Most of you know that Jack lost his first family... Many of you know that Jack had a 2nd family who almost committed but then found out that a baby is on the way and they had to back out...

So Jack is back on the list for needing a family.

Oh sweet Jack....

There is a Giveaway going on for Jack that you can find HERE.  

Jack, Steven and Lance all have HIV just like PORTER who was transferred to Aaron's mental institute!

If you want to learn more about adopting a child with HIV - please go to PROJECT HOPEFUL!

I have friends with kids who have HIV and they consider it the easiest special needs out there!!! 

Four boys... All needing families.... 

Is there room at your table?

WREX

I know I left everyone hanging last week about our trip to Delaware.....

So here is Part Three....

We traveled to Delaware... we spent three days at the Ronald McDonald house... 

So Aaron could be fitted for a WREX.

Don't ask me what it stands for - I only know what it does.

Using bands and gravity it gives Aaron a makeshift bicep muscle.

Aaron can't actively lift either of his arms.  The only way he can get an arm up is to use his shoulder muscle to swing his arm in order to pull it up.  

The WREX holds Aaron's arm up and then Aaron can do what Aaron does best... use his shoulder muscle and his barely functioning tricep muscle to push his arm back down.

With the WREX Aaron is able to move his arm up and down, sideways and can even put it somewhat behind his back.

With the WREX Aaron can reach things more or less at eye level. Which means he can go around with a marker and draw smiley faces all over Mama's doors before Papa catches him!!!

He can reach up and rub his eyes.

He can hit his brothers... ooops.... okay.. NOT a good idea...

By tightening, loosening, removing or adding bands we can adjust the Wrex to give Aaron the best function depending upon what he is doing.

The bands along his upper arm pull his arm up.  The more bands, the higher his arm will go.

The bands at his elbow pull his arm in toward his chest.  These bands are the ones Aaron likes the least because when they are tight - he is getting serious range of motion therapy on his elbow.  It is like a built in therapist at our house!!  

The bands on his lower arm raise his lower arm up.

The WREX is not a cure-all for Aaron as it doesn't resolve one of his greatest issues and that is his inability to grasp or grip anything with his hands.  When eating, the WREX gives him the ability to lift the spoon now but eating is still a struggle because of his hands.  Eating with ease is still a work in progress!

Aaron doesn't mind wearing the WREX as long as it is for short periods during the day.  Thus, we have him wear it off and on during the day depending upon his activity.  

As far as walking with the brace -  Aaron walked on his toes for so long that he tends to pitch forward even though his feet are now flat.  We were afraid that wearing the WREX would upset his balance but we have actually not had a problem with that.    When he wears it and walks he is actually walking with a slightly more normal gait because the back brace keeps him from leaning forward!  

We are so grateful to the men at the duPont hospital for their work.  It was obvious to me how much they cared about helping Aaron gain as much function as possible using the WREX.  They were actually really impressed with how quickly he figured it out.  He is mechanically very smart and within just a few minutes of wearing the WREX, understood exactly what the bands were doing and how it was affecting his arm.  He was quick to give them instruction on what bands to place where which cracked me up!   

The nice part of the WREX is that all the parts are easily replaceable so if something breaks.. we can just call and they will send new parts.  

Now if we can just get someone to make a WREX for Aaron's hand.....

When Will The Madness End?

My heart continues to grieve for Porter.  I am beyond tears.  

Sending Porter to a level 4 mental institution is madness.  Pure madness.

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND WATCH THIS VIDEO.

THIS IS PORTER.

THE LITTLE BOY IN THE GRAY SHIRT.

DO YOU SEE HIM??

Do you see?

He's laughing and dancing!!  Just a little boy.  He's been described as being talkative and happy.

He is NOT severely mentally disabled, nor is he severely physically disabled.  Those are the criteria for Level 4 institutions.

I truly cannot understand why Porter was sent to a level 4 mental institute.  It is completely beyond me to understand why he is there.

It scares me.

Most of the time the kids like Porter who have no obvious disability are sent to the internats - the boarding schools for older orphans.  Places where they are schooled and trained.  They are not Disneylands by any stretch, but they are also not level 4 mental institutes.  

The boys at Aaron's institute all had some kind of physical or mental difficulty that was obvious.  They were the type of boys who would stand out on the street, causing people to stare.  That is one of the main reasons they are there: so that they can be hidden from society.  That's why our Aaron was sent there, even though the director admitted that he was smart - because his body made people stare. I understand that; but still, MY HEART GRIEVES FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BOYS!  To hide them away from society just because they make people uncomfortable is wrong.  It is just wrong. 

What shocks me about Porter's situation is that Porter wouldn't make anyone stare.  Whatever Porter's difficulties may be, they are well hidden.

So why did they send him to a level 4 mental institute like Aaron's?

It scares me.

If Porter is being sent there... what about all of the other RR kids who are HIV+?  How many of them are heading for the mental institutes instead of the boarding schools?  

What about the happy little girl in the video above wearing the white turtleneck and denim shirt.  She is an RR babe - Erin.  She's HIV like  Porter.  It had been assumed that she would go to an internat; the fear had been that her sister, Bethany, would go to the mental institute because she has CP (You can't see Bethany in that video but she is sitting in a chair and watching).  The way things are going now, would they both have been sent to the mental institute? They do have a family coming but...

  

Has there been a policy change?  Is anyone paying attention?

When will the madness end?  

My heart is breaking for these kids.  All of them.  There are too many.  Too many.  

And too few are fighting for them.

Way too few are raising their voices on their behalf.

When will the madness end? 

Crying Out for Porter!

My heart broke into pieces on Friday.

When I saw the message on my Messenger I just wanted to weep and cry.

I have walked around for 2 days in shock and sorrow.

The little boy in Pink.

TRANSFERRED.

A little boy I had never really seen on RR before. 

Unnoticed.

Just a little boy in a pink shirt with a faraway look in his eyes.

TRANSFERRED.

No, Lord, NO!

 I had never noticed him before Friday, but I see him now.  I know him now.

Why??  Many kids are transferred.  Though I grieve at their transfers, I don't want to weep and wail.

Why this one?

This little boy in the little girl shirt.

BECAUSE I KNOW WHERE HE IS.

 I know the gates that keep him locked inside.  I know what building he is sleeping inside.  I know the floor he is living on.  I know the caretakers who are watching over him. I know the smells that assault him.  I know the sounds that terrify him.  I know.

My heart broke in pieces on Friday for one little boy who was transferred to a level 4 special needs mental institute for severely and mentally disabled boys BECAUSE I KNOW WHERE HE IS!

AARON'S OLD INSTITUTE.

I know where Porter is living.

I know and my heart is shattered for Porter.

SEE HIM, PEOPLE, SEE HIM!!

There are NO balloons in his world.

There are no presents.

There are no programs.

No colorful chairs and tables.

No toys.  No books. 

There are only sheds and empty rooms.

Oh DEAR PORTER.   How my heart breaks for you.

 I know where you are little boy!  

I KNOW.

You are in a stage four mental institute for severely and mentally disabled boys because you have HIV and because you have some speech and mental delays.  You couldn't answer their questions.  You couldn't tell them what they wanted to hear.  Your words didn't come out quickly enough and because of this Porter, you were condemned to spend the rest of your childhood in a facility that is closed and hidden and out in the middle of nowhere.  

Everything you have ever known in your life has been taken away from you.  That special present you opened is gone.   Those clothes you are wearing.  Gone.  Those nannies who have held you since you were a tiny babe.  Gone. Those friends who have shared the same room, the same playpens, the same toys.  Gone.  The medicine you received in the orphanage.  Probably Gone.  You are a LOST BOY.   

You are LOST because up until now no one has ever seen you.  They haven't looked in your eyes and heard a whisper that screamed in their ears.. GO!  THAT IS YOUR SON!

But maybe now.  Maybe someone will SEE you.

Maybe someone will read HIV in your description but see SON when they look in your eyes.

Dear Lord.  

Heath.  Hanson.  Porter.  All the others.  Lost.  Wasting away.  Sitting day after day in their hot sheds with nothing to do but listen to the groans of the other boys.  Smacking their own heads.  Smacking the boy beside them.  

Dear Lord.

Who is going to go get Porter? Who will carry out Heath?  Who will rescue Hanson? Who will step up and rescue these precious treasures? 

My heart is breaking.

It is truly breaking.

Please.  Someone SEE these kids.  SEE THEM!

                              HANSON                                                                    HEATH                                  

                              $2314.00                                                                    $9133.94                                   

    

 PORTER

$2050.60

PLEASE SEE THEM!

Porter has NOT been there long.  He was just recently transferred.  Please someone SEE him.  Rescue him from a lifetime sentence of NOTHINGNESS.


PLEASE!!!

For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/

See below other bloggers who are also trying to get people to SEE Porter!


THE WONDER OF BOYS

ASKING WITH FAITH

WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

Reading Time

I'm struggling to blog right now.  I'll be honest.  I have much on my heart and getting my words onto the page eludes me.  Please be patient.  

In the meantime.... I leave you with another installment of Elijah's Merit Badge progress...

Aaron loves his reading time with Elijah!

Fatherless Friday

Fatherless but not for long....

  

Bernadette and Mason's Mom and Dad are coming soon!!

As many of you remember... A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting their family.

I held Claire and Malachi in my arms.

Yes I look goofy but who wouldn't when you get THAT KIND OF PRIVILEGE!!

Adopted only six months ago.

A definite privilege! 

ON THIS FATHERLESS FRIDAY... Will you please help the Rogers family out???

They are traveling SOON and still need to raise around $10,000 and Malachi just had heart surgery THIS WEEK and fundraising is just NOT top priority for them right now.

I  couldn't pick a BETTER FAMILY to adopt Bernadette and Mason than the Rogers family!  Those kids are going to thrive in this family as the two treasures in my arms in that picture are thriving.  

We begged and pleaded for a family to step up and adopt Bernadette.  We yelled and hollered and promised our support to that family when they did.

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!!

PLEASE HELP THEM RAISE WHAT THEY NEED!  

Click HERE to go bless them or click HERE to go buy some precious items that some very special kids have made to help raise money for the Rogers family!!  These kids have worked HARD to support the Rogers family and I would love for their hard labor to pay off.  

The Rogers need at least 10,000 to be fully funded.  They just finished an adoption and do NOT have the resources to do this again.  WE PROMISED TO HELP! Please let's do what we can!  Every donation matters!

------------------------------

BEFORE YOU LEAVE..... I want you to see these Fatherless Babes.... 

Megan                                                 Preston

                                             $23,965.50                                          $15,238.14

  

All of them are SPECIAL because there is a small group of unsung Mighty Warriors who are diligently and lovingly putting money into their accounts day after day so that SOMEONE... SOMEWHERE will adopt them. 

                                                Nicky Z                                                     Yegor

                                               $11,675.00                                                $9313.50

  

DO YOU SEE HOW MUCH THESE BABES HAVE IN THEIR ACCOUNTS??? 

                                         Alexander                                                            Heath

                                       $11,223.50                                                        $9,133.14

  

THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

                                               Celine                                                        Sergei

                                            $10,047.90                                                $10,919.60

 

Many of these kids have ALREADY been transferred!!

                                             Elden                                                    Danila

                                         $10,078.50                                            $12,856.48

  

THEY NEED FAMILIES!!

                                                 Brent                                                       Maggie

                                              $10,150.85                                                 $9,902.45

  

 I have been  aware of the efforts of these Warriors for quite some time.  What they are doing is not for personal glory or gain... It is pure and simple LOVE that is moving them.

THEY WANT THESE KIDS ADOPTED. 

SO INSTEAD OF SPENDING THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO ROT AND BREAK.... THEY ARE STORING UP THEIR TREASURES IN HEAVEN!! 

Please don't overlook these treasures.

Too many people behind the scenes are working too hard for these kids to be overlooked!!!

Pick one!!  SHARE HIS OR HER PICTURE ON YOUR  FACEBOOK PAGE OR ON YOUR BLOG!

Share about them in church.  At work.  To your neighbors.  To your husband or to your wife.

HELP THE UNSUNG WARRIORS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIND FAMILIES FOR THESE TWELVE BABES!!

Money should NOT be the reason why a family can't step up and adopt one of these babes!!