Trip Two

(sitting in the waiting room)

We survived our second round of casting at Shriner's, and I can say without reservation that the staff was quite relieved that round two is behind us!!  Oh My!  Who knew our sweet little dimpled-faced Aaron has the lung capacity to scream like a banshee and is so strong that even with 4 grown men, 1 nurse AND his tiny mother holding him onto the table while they cast his feet, he can still manage to fight hard enough to crack the cast open, requiring more plaster to be added.

Don't be fooled by the innocent smile on this little guy's face.... (pre-casting mind you....)

He's a terror in the casting room!!!!!

 My ears are still ringing.  Going through that process is a gut-wrenching process that brings me to my knees.  Keeping our eyes on the prize is the only way we can do this because seeing tears leaking out of our son's eyes as we made the long journey home is heart-wrenching.  Our one BIG positive though is that they did not cast his knees this time.  They are hoping that Aaron will walk in the casts in order to stretch the tendons in his feet.  So they gave his knees a break for a week.  He is now sporting bright flourescent orange casts and despite putting up a huge fight, the doctor was able to get his feet into a much flatter position.  Since he is still out cold from an exhausting day yesterday, I will post pictures of his new look at a later date....

(Week One)

(Week Two)



Thursday's Treasures

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moths and vermin destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

(PEYTON - TRANSFERRED)

where moths and vermin do not destroy

(DENIS - TRANSFERRED)

and where thieves do not break in and steal.

(BOBBY - TRANSFERRED)

For where your treasure is,

(JASON - TRANSFERRED)

there your heart will be also.

(ALEX - TRANSFERRED)

(SILAS - TRANSFERRED)

(VITALY - TRANSFERRED)

(EMMITT - TRANSFERRED)

All the TREASURES on this page have been transferred to mental institutes in Eastern Europe. 

Lost.  Boys.  Alone.  Helpless. 

In the world's eyes - they are of little value - damaged goods to be tossed aside - hidden away. 

In God's eyes - Priceless - Cherished - Loved.

Treasured.

How do I know?  How do I know that God cherishes and treasures these Lost Ones?  Because God moved a mountain when the church rose up and prayed for Davids.  Sweet Davids.  He has a family.  God did the impossible.  From Lisa's website - Here is a little bit of info about this family:

This family is ALREADY in process to adopt from Latvia!  They ALREADY have all the required paperwork DONE and their dossier is ALREADY filed in Latvia.  They are adopting a small-for-his-age soon-to-be 16 year old boy - sound familiar??? - and are preparing travel for his adoption.  They are adopting ONE child... but are ALREADY approved to adopt TWO! Happily ready to add Davids to the mix and adopt BOTH at ONCE.  Davids will join his soon-to-be brother Peters (notice anything similar about their first names in relation to our American names)!


We serve a Living God.  A God who hears and listens to the cries of His people.  A God who answers the pleas of a child in a faraway land who wants a family.  A God who cares about the widow and the orphan.  A God who calls us to give up the treasures of this world and to seek Heavenly treasures. 

 

Company

I love days when we can look up from our tiny corner of the world - when we look up and around us and realize how many others are shouting beside us.  I love the reminders that the church is alive and that God is honoring our cries to the throne.  This morning I have tears in my eyes as I see His grace and mercy played out in the church.  Maybe I'm simple, but I take delight in knowing that I am in good company.  Reminders that we serve a Living God.  Reminders that we are not shouting alone.  God is good.

Davids has not been forgotten.  Sweet Davids.  Maybe set aside by the world but not God.  He has two weeks to find a family before he turns 16.  Two weeks before he is turned out on the street.  Two weeks.  Impossible.   But God's people shouted.  Loud.  And Davids has hope.  Not fully realized yet - prayers need to continue to be lifted for this sweet child - but hope.  Money has been offered, several families have stepped forward and God is making a way in the desert.  Grace. 

I rejoice in Davids story.  I also rejoice when I stumble upon a blog written by four girls.  Just four girls who live in different parts of the globe.  Four girls who don't even know each other apart from the internet.  But these four girls have banded together to help the orphan.  They give me hope and make me want to shout and holler.  Go check out their blog HERE.  They make me want to laugh out loud.  I'm cheering them on from my corner of the world.  Four girls making a difference.

Our sweet Aaron has begun to laugh again.  

The resilience of a child.  He still hates the casts and has definitely become quite demanding about how we care for him, but he is finding ways to play. 

It isn't easy.  He doesn't want us out of his line of sight and calls out every few minutes with a persistence that makes Job look downright wimpy in comparison. 

He needs constant reassurance and interaction which is making it quite difficult to get any work done (both Rob and I are in the midst of writing history curriculum). 

But he is starting to laugh again.  After 3 solid days of seeing tears leaking down his face, it is pure bliss to see his dimples again! 

So I have many reasons to rejoice.  God is good.

Please continue to lift up the Parker family.  Exhaustion is setting in for these dear people.  Both children are now in the same hospital, although they are in separate rooms.  Two desperately sick children who definitely need us to lift them to the throne.  Their Caring Bridge journal is HERE.

$1,691.00

Day three.  Aaron finally fell asleep last night at 1:30 with both Benadryl and Melatonin to help ease him into sleep.  He woke up at 7:00 crying but we were able to convince him to go back to sleep.  At 9:30 he woke up again.  Miserable.  We washed him to screams of "it's coldna".  So hoping and praying that his day improves.   It does help a bit when Grandad comes over to watch Pooh Videos....  No smiles for Mom but at least he isn't fussing!!

Thank you for all your words of encouragement, stories and personal experiences.  Last night I was overwhelmed as I took Ben and Elijah to drama practice at how many families reached out to hug and encourage me.  We have been especially blessed by all the AMC families and RR families of children with physical disabilities who have come out of the woodwork and hollered words of encouragement our way that we are on the right track with this process.  It is so easy to second guess our decision when our little one's dimples have disappeared off his face!   There is never an easy time to put full leg casts on a child.  Especially when that child uses his feet for everything. 

For those who have asked - it is going to take 2-3 months from beginning to end.  I can't even begin to think about the length of this as we muddle through the hour by hour part of this journey. 

As far as helping Aaron understand - We have tried to explain to him what is happening.  He is six years old.  He speaks limited English. We don't know how much of his native language he understands anymore.  We have explained with pictures and simple language what is happening.  He has seen a video.  I don't think he would fully understand even if language wasn't a factor.  How do you explain to a six year old that he has to wear casts on his legs?  How do you explain that?  I grieve that I have to figure out how to tell him.  Sadly, we will have many more events in his life that we will struggle to explain.  Many more.  For this week we are telling him that on Friday he gets to wear BLUE casts.  We are focusing on the positive.  One day at a time. 

On a happy note.... One that I have wanted to share but have not had the energy over the last few days...

THE ENVELOPES THAT WERE SENT TO ANDREA FOR THE ANGEL TREE....

THOSE ENVELOPES CONTAINED....

1,691.00 DOLLARS.... 

One Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety One Dollars. 

Most of the money arrived in tiny bills.  Ones, Fives, Tens.  That is a lot of envelopes.  That amounts to a HUGE amount of prayers and love for the Least of These.  What fun to look at the different accounts and see how many of the money amounts ended with an odd number (ie - 1,002.00) - knowing that those odd numbers reflected all the envelope gifts.  The widow's mite.  Precious in the sight of God.

I KNOW for a fact that there are a number of families who are working right now towards committing to several of those Angel Tree children.  I know this because I have received e-mails for prayer, advice and encouragement.  Please pray for these families.  They so need us to cover them in prayer as they step out in faith.

Pray too for the children.  So many of them are barely hanging on.  I know that sounds extreme but it is true.  Though most of the Angel Tree children are still in the Baby House orphanages - it is not a life of ease.  Some of those Baby Houses are poor and the children struggle.  Many, many of them are left in cribs - all day - every single day.  Many are neglected  or worse by caretakers who are there only for a paycheck.  It is a sad existence and will only get worse once they are transferred.  Please pray for these little ones. 

Sunday Morning Blues

Little one is still not doing well.  Thus, we are all feeling like we have gone 10 rounds this morning.  We think that he thinks that if he cries enough, we will take him back to that nasty doctor to get the casts removed.  Oh, how I dread Friday when we do take him back to get the casts removed, only to have the 2nd set applied.  I just don't even want to be in the room. 

For those who have asked - Yes, we are giving him over-the-counter drugs for pain.  He cries even with the drugs.  We are also giving him drugs for itching.  He cries anyway.  He is not allowing himself to sleep. Each time he drifts off, he startles himself awake with fighting, kicking, rocking - anything to ward off sleep.  Two sleepless nights so far.  Aaron does NOT take naps.  Not once since he has been home with us.   I think 6 years of being forced to lie in bed for 2-3 hours every afternoon, whether he was tired or not, was quite enough for him.  We think we are going to invest in some sort of mild sleep aid for tonight - either for him or for us.  Yikes!

We have set up a TV right in his little play area, and he has a nice little couch where he can lie and watch videos if he wants, which is a privilege because we usually limit videos fairly strictly. We're treating the casts like an illness. TV soothes him a little, but he is so exhausted and miserable that they only take the edge off.  He is holding onto his Pooh bear for dear life.  Thankfully Pooh is no worse for the wear.  We decided that Brown Bear needed to have casts on his legs like Aaron.  Poor Brown Bear. 

The reason Aaron's casts go so high on his legs is so that they can not only correct the angle of  his ankles, but also twist and mold his footbones into a more natural position. The insides of his feet are turned inward and down from birth, and we need to correct the whole position of his foot. The longer cast provides more torsion for making these corrections. An added benefit of casting above his knees is that we can also increase the range of motion in his knees, which has been limited from birth.

I just keep whispering to myself that this too will pass.  It is short-term agony for long-term gain.  He is loved.  He is not alone.  He has a family.  All will be well in the end.

A Long Winter

My Mother's heart is feeling trashed this morning.  After a night of laying next to my youngest, holding him and listening to him weep in pain and in frustration - I just want to crawl into a hole and not come out again until this ordeal is over.

 I know that what we are doing is right.  The long term benefits of getting Aaron's feet flat will far outweigh the pain and agony he is enduring right now.  He can't continue to toe-walk.   It is dangerous.  The scars all over his little body testify to why we needed to get the process started as soon as possible. I know all of this in my head, but my heart - that is another story.   I hate every single part of it.  I want to just sit down and weep in pain and frustration with him and for him.    There is so much on his body that needs to be 'fixed.'  So many treatments that will cause him pain and frustration.  So many.  All we can do is take it one single step at a time.  One single step. 

The calm before the storm...

Aaron meeting Ben and Sophia who were adopted a little over a year ago.  They both have Arthro just like Aaron, and are in the final stages of their casting process.

What an absolute joy to meet these two sweet children whom we have only known through the wonderful world of blogs!!

We met several other families with Arthro kids but unfortunately I didn't get pictures!  What a blessing to meet others who are walking down the same road.  

All total - five of the Arthro kids we met were adopted. 

Five. 

I just want to stop the day here.  Happy, silly - Aaron.

He looked so little sitting there.  So little.

This morning after a long, hard night.  A picture speaks a thousand words.

It is going to be a long winter.



Their Choice

Given a choice of whether to stay home, attend swimming and basketball, watch TV and eat junk food, relax without Mom giving them jobs to do every 10 minutes and experience 2 solid days free of their little brother underfoot...

Given the choice to stay home or drive 6 hours one way to Philly, sit in a crowded mini-van with little leg space for their ever-growing bodies, spend a night in a hotel without a pool, stand around the hospital all day Friday with nothing to do... given that choice....

They chose Aaron. 

They chose to go.  Without hesitation.  Without any pause between question and answer.  Both of them.  Discussions over.  Despite the warnings about the long ride and the long day.  Despite the discomfort of one of them sleeping on the floor and the other sharing a bed with the floppy little brother.  Despite it all, they chose Aaron. 

People wonder if adoption is fair to the biological children.  Is it right to force them to accept this new brother or sister into their home?  Doesn't it make them feel less loved, pushed aside?  Wouldn't they be jealous and hurt?  Won't it take away from them since you will have less time and money for them?  Shouldn't you wait until they are grown? 

I can't speak for anyone else.  All I can say is, they chose Aaron.  They chose their little brother.  They chose to go stand by his side and hold his hands because they love him.  He is their brother.  Completely.  Fully.  Theirs.  Grafted into their hearts, their minds.  Their lives are no longer complete without him in it.  He's their obnoxious, bossy, unbelievably cute, grumpy, funny, loud and silly little brother.  With all of his quirks and all of his style. 

They chose Aaron.  They chose love. 

They chose love despite what the adoption cost them.  And it was costly beyond belief.  It involved months and months of non-stop stress.  It affected every aspect of their lives as we had to weigh their activities, their wants, their needs with how it would affect the process to get Aaron.  It included chaos and tears, loneliness and sorrow.  They carried a huge burden on their shoulders.  The one traveled to another country in the absolute hottest time of the year without air conditioning or even a fan until RR friends intervened.   He spent a week walking the grounds of a closed mental institute. He saw and experienced things that shocked him to the core.   He is still processing and working through those weeks.  The other was left behind.  Twice.  That wasn't what we had planned.  He wanted to go but could not.  That hurt deeply.  He too is processing and working through what being left behind meant. 

Both of them lived through 6 solid weeks with just the two of them in the house to keep them company.   Alone.    Two brothers.  Waiting, waiting, waiting for the new little brother.  They were privy to all that took place with the adoption.  They knew every single part of the story, everything we couldn't blog about, everything we couldn't say, and because of that, they grieved, they cried, they struggled.  They were afraid.  Their parents were on the other side of the world.  The uncertainty of it all came with a heavy price.  They were forced to pray harder than they had ever prayed before for their parents and for this little brother whom they had yet to love.  They shed more tears in those months than ever before in their lives.  Our family went through fire to bring back one child.  But when given the choice - they chose Aaron.

I no longer wonder if it was right to force a new sibling into their lives.  I don't doubt that decision.  They love him.  He's their brother.  They fight with him.  They argue with him.  They get mad at him.  They are glad when he is tucked in bed at night so they can have peace for a few hours.  They get tired of tripping over his toys and hate having to clean up his messes.  They enjoy the times when he is occupied, and they can play their games without him.  But... Spend a short afternoon in our house and you will see why I don't question our decision. 

Ben and Elijah love Aaron.  They just dearly love him.  He is the most hugged, held, tickled and entertained little boy on the planet.  His big brothers look out for him in a way that brings tears to my eyes - every day.  Every single day.  They went through fire so that we could get him, but instead of anger and resentment, instead of bitterness and jealousy - they choose love.  And knowing that Friday will hurt him, will cause him grief and agony, knowing that having casts put on his legs will cause him to cry and fight, knowing this - they choose to stand with him.  Hold his hand.  Encourage him.  Help him. 

That's love.  Their choice.  Their hearts.  Godly hearts.  Godly minds.  My boys growing into men. 

Giving and Dentists

I hate asking for money.  I would rather go to the dentist than ask for money.  Know this about me - I hate dentists.  Oops....I shouldn't say that because the dear ladies in our dental office read this blog (sorry), but I have to be honest. 

Okay - I'll state it in a more appropriate manner....

I dislike greatly the dentist chair, but I dislike even more asking for people to open their wallets.  I'd rather get people moving, doing, praying, going, adopting, etc.  I would rather stir the masses to action.  I would much rather drag a team of people across the ocean with me to minister to the Lost Boys than ask people to donate to them.  But the reality - the thousands of dollars it would cost to take a team over to minister is not really good stewardship.  It isn't.  That is not to say that mission teams are not worthwhile but if you really want to be honest - The best, most productive and effective ministry is done by the people who live in that country.  Truth.   And the greatest help we can offer is to support them in prayer and giving. 

So here I am... asking for money.  Doing what I dislike greatly.  But it is for a worthy cause.

This past week I have heard from quite a number of people who have encountered Alyona and Slavik.  Wow!  God hand-picked two amazing people to visit the Lost Boys.  The more I hear about them, the more impressed and excited I am about what they are doing over there.  Their ministries are vast. 

One of their ministries is to an institute that is similar to the Lost Boys except it is filled with very Lost Girls.  My heart is broken to discover that the director at that institute refuses to allow any of the girls to be adopted from there.  I just can't get my head around that reality.  Exiled for Life.

They also minister to the numerous orphanages and internats in their region.  Many of the children in these places are Reece's Rainbow children waiting to be adopted.  How cool is that thought?  They are loving on our babies! 

They are ministering in the prisons.  Sadly, when the children age out of the orphanages, unless they receive assistance from a church ministry or other organization, many of the girls end up in prostitution rings and the boys end up in jail. It is another very sad reality. Alyona and Slavik visit 50 of these boys in prison. Those boys have no heat and very little clothing and food. They go into that prison, sharing Christ and taking the boys clothes, food, soap and other items they so desperately need. To these boys and to so many more, they are truly being the hands and feet of Christ.

The list of what they do is endless.  It includes clown ministries, summer camps, facilitating mission trips (yes, you can go and serve with them) and more.


One Christian organization that is also doing a mighty work in that region is Harvest International.  They also work in the orphanages, internats and institutes.  They have a house in that region that provides a place for the boys who age out of the orphanage to go to learn a trade.  It is called the House of Hope.  How appropriate. 

Harvest International has a good working relationship with Alyona and Slavik and when I spoke to the director this week they willingly and openly vouched for Alyona and Slavik's ministry and integrity.  Alyona serves as their translator and they both give assistance to Harvest International's ministries in that part of the country.  Because of their relationship, Harvest International is more than willing to accept donations on Alyona and Slavik's behalf. All the money donated, minus the credit card fees, will go directly to Alyona and Slavik.  You have two ways that you can pay through Harvest International - by check or credit card.  Either way, check or credit card - you need to specifically state that the money is going to Slavik and Alyona.  Please don't leave this part off your donation!  The link for Harvest International is HERE and also on the sidebar. 

After looking into options for getting donations to Alyona and Slavik - Harvest International was by far the best option since they already had a working relationship with them.   Please consider making a donation - large or small.  Alyona and Slavik are already stretched financially as the need over there is great.  I desperately want them to continue to visit the Lost Boys.  They need short term and long term donations.  Please, if you are part of a church looking to support a hands-on, desperately needy ministry - this is worthy of your consideration. 

Keep checking out Cindy's blog - She is sharing stories about these people... Go read and enjoy!

Alyona and Slavik

Alyona and Slavik

Two people who are choosing to live their lives for the 'least of these.'  Two people who have taken seriously the call to minister to the orphans and widows in their country.  Two people.  Two people who deeply love God.  It is a love that compels them to action.  I've only talked to these two dear people through e-mail.  There are other families who have had the privilege of meeting them.  One of these days I hope to have that privilege.  Sooner rather than later is definitely my desire.  Would LOVE prayers in that realm. One of my greatest desires is to go back with them to visit my Lost Boys and to see firsthand the work they are doing in the orphanages, prisons and institutes in their country.

My friend Cindy (who met them during their adoption process) has committed to writing ON HER BLOG  every day this week about Alyona and Slavik.  I'm definitely going to be following along as she shares stories about their ministry.  Come along with me this week to read and enjoy and cry and consider.... Follow Cindy's blog and be changed. 

Guess What???

GUESS WHAT???

Gavin is getting a brother.  Yep.  The Lord opened the door for the House family to find the means to rescue one more little boy from his orphanage.  TRISTAN. 

Two little boys who will never see the inside of an institute. Brothers. I am so unbelievably excited I just can't put it into words.  And not only that - the names they picked out for them are straight from the Old Testament.... Gabe and Levi.  Love it!  Absolutely love it!

GUESS WHAT ELSE??

EVERY SINGLE CHILD ON THE ANGEL TREE REACHED 1,000.00!! 

There was a bunch of money donated at the very end of the week to lift all the accounts up to 1,000.00....

Let me just say for the record - EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR DONATED WAS IMPORTANT. 

Some may consider the big donation at the end to be the one that is the most impressive.  Somehow God doesn't see it that way.  I know He doesn't.  The 1.00 donations sent in envelopes have as much worth in His eyes as the great big donation at the end.  We give in poverty, we give in abundance.  We give.  We did it together.  The thousands and thousands of people who quietly, sacrifically gave so that the 'least of these' could have a chance at a family.  THAT IS WHAT IS IMPRESSIVE.  Not just the big gift but ALL the gifts.  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! 

So now we need to pray that God will send families.  Families for every single angel on that tree.  Since the Angel Tree started at the beginning of November, 30 angels now have families.  THIRTY.   Even more families committed to about TWENTY FIVE children from the older children and other angel groups on the RR site.  That means OVER FIFTY CHILDREN now have committed families since the beginning of November.  Wow!  Praise God!


GUESS WHAT ELSE AGAIN????

Aaron can now 'give me five.'   Oh the joy!  Now I know all you who have arms and hands that are hooked up correctly think this is no big deal, but to our little fellow - THIS IS A BIG DEAL!  He is so thrilled to be able to swing his arm up and drop his hand on top of your hand to give you five!  If I could capture his laughter in a bottle when he does it I would be rich indeed.

AND NOW....

I leave you with some brotherly fun from Christmas Day....

That's okay.... Big brother made it up to him later on in the week....