Have you read Isaiah 58:6-12?

If you do not recall what this talks about, I encourage you to read or to re-read it!

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO WORSHIP THE LORD!

*Remove the chains of prisoners chained unjustly!
*Free those who are abused!
*Share your food with everyone who is hungry!
*Share your homes with the poor and homeless!
*Give clothes to those in need!
*Don't turn away your relatives!

THEN YOUR LITHE WILL SHINE LIKE THE DAWNING SUN!.... WHEN YOU BEG THE LORD FOR HELP HE WILL ANSWER "HERE I AM!"

*Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them!
*Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless!

THEN YOUR LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK, YOUR DARKEST HOUR WILL BE LIKE THE NOONDAY SUN!... THE LORD WILL ALWAYS GUIDE YOU AND PROVIDE GOOD THINGS TO EAT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE DESERT....

***Do you notice that twice this passage tells us to feed the hungry and share our homes with the homeless? I wonder how many times the bible talks about us as Christians taking in the poor, the hungry, the lonely, the orphans, the homeless, the strangers, the widows ... and caring for them, sharing all we have with them? Maybe it is just where my passionate heart for God is most called, but I recall more references to caring for those in need than any other specific calling I can think of in the Bible! The great commission .. "GO and make disciples of all nations..". How many times is that in the Bible? Don't mistake me, I am not downplaying that, but I am very much talking "UP" about the calling for Christians to take a stand, arm themselves for battle, and make a real and willing difference in the lives of those God deems neediest!

How many Christians have an extra room, extra time on their hands, extra funds, a retirement fund, a large security savings? I am not telling you how to deligate your funds, but I am asking you to prayerfully consider how the Lord is calling you to use the blessings of abundance HE has given to you!

There are children DYING who never know the love of family, a full belly at night, the feel of fresh green grass in between their toes, the comfort of a mothers love when they are hurt, daughters who never know that there are good men... DADS who will stand up for them and respect them! HOW can they know their heavenly Father loves them when they are steeped in their miserable existence? GOD has given the earth the gift of children and we have thrown so many away! How my heart cries for the misery of these precious little ones! How I pray I am doing all God commands of me to help ease the suffering and bring JOY to the lives of those that I can! The closest thing to heaven is a child and yet look at how so many are treated? Is that how Heaven is to be treated????

Can you not hear the trumpet of the Lord ringing out the call to arms? Can you not feel the buzzing of your whole body to stand up and make a difference? Maybe the adoption of a child won't change the whole world, but for that one child the whole world will change! -- CR WHAT MORE CAN WE ASK FOR OUR LIFES PURPOSE?????

delays, delays....

ugh! I wanted our HS done by the end of May. BUT the Drs. decided they need to see EVERYONE of my kids for a physical to fill out the forms required for the HS. ON one hand I understand, on the other they have seen them at least every year since they were infants, if they really weren't healthy, stable kids it would have shown up before now! AND James [foster son} Dr. wants to see him too, although he had a physical in Oct. Who knows if he will judge him based on how he is now, or how he was before he was with us! So, with all those appt. we are looking at June 18th for the last physical, not to mention the co-pays on everything! YUCK!

And we still have to do our 10 hours of on line education per Hague country requirements. It is SO easy to pin John down and say "do this".... NOT!

On a good note, or regular physicians agreed to do the psychiatric part of the form, so that saves time and money!

I want our HS done. I really am needing to be a step closer than we are... just to keep my spirits up and my motivation fresh! I still feel like the girls are a dream, and not "real" sometimes.

A Large Family and the sacrifices it takes....

My questions are:

1. "Do you think that expecting your kids to be part of a large family is fair, when having a large family means sacrificing lots of fun things that other families get to do or have such as big vacations, the latest technology, having your own cell phone, your own computer, your own room, newer clothes, more toys or more of your own toys, more one on one time with mom and dad and so on.... Do you think it is fair?

2. "Do you think it increases their potential to be caring, compassionate, and productive adults?"

3. "How much influence should your children be given about the size of your family? Whether through adoption or your biological children, where should you or do you draw the line? "





Please feel free to comment. Not in a hurtful way, mind you, but in a respectful and honest way. And I am not knocking any SMALLER size families out there! Just wanting your take on big ones. :)

And the greatest of these is LOVE!

I am weighed down by negativity with the adoption of the girls today. People I care about , strangers, it seems like today is the day to attack me about it. It gets to me. I wish it didn't, but it does. I start to think "Am I crazy?"...

But then I cease looking at the things of this world, and instead look at the heart of my Heavenly Father. I look at the pictures of my girls. I look at the truly AWESOME WONDERS OF GOD, ALL THAT HE HAS CREATED, ALL THAT HE HAS PROMISED, ALL THAT HE COMMANDS OF US.... And my JOY is revived once again!

Praise the Lord. He is good, all that time! A quote our pastor has referenced which I love is:

"Either HE is Lord of ALL, or He isnt' Lord at all!"

You can't have it both ways! Is He Lord of all in your life?

They can not see the suffering, they are physically blind....

WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE?



Irwin will be 6 in October. He has a long list to face: Microphtalmia, blind. Considerable lagging behind in mental and motor development. All this without the love of a mom of dad! It isn't fair!





Little Wendy! Just like in Peter Pan, but she won't get to be forever young. She has never had a childhood worth remembering. She will be 3 in July, but that is nothing to celebrate. She also is battling Cerebral Palsy. She needs a mom and dad to encourage her, love her, and show her the love of Christ Jesus!



Michelle will be 3 in September. She can not walk, though there is no medical reason for this. She needs a family to encourage her! Just because her eyes do not see, does not mean she should wither away in an institution w/o a family of her own! She has so much potential and love to give!!! Give Michelle a miracle, let God use you as an instrument of His love and bring her home into the protected grace of a family!

***There is also an adorable little boy names Dimitry who will be 4 the day after Christmas. There are pics of him, but I couldn't get the small enough. He really is a total snuggle bug! Don't you want to snuggle him? He has so much to give, but because he can't see he was not deemed worthy of a family! Won't you adopt this precious little one and help him "see" how good life can be? GODS heart is for him! IS YOURS?

Please visit www.reecesrainbow.org/otherangels.htm for further information!



Because You Loved ME:

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Don't stand before God having to explain why you looked the other way! Speak with Him now, right this minute and see what He has in store for you. IT might just be one of these little ones coming into your life!

Surprise from Big Sissy!!

Dear my sweet little sissies,

I broke onto Mommy's blog to write you a little love note. ;] I figure, she won't mind too much. I just want to let you know that I absolutely can not WAIT to get you home to me! We're going to have so much fun.

Yeah, some days I'll be a butt and won't help much with you, but there will also be the days when it will just be us girls - you, me, and Quincy. Those will be fun! We can climb trees, build forts, and play in the sprinklers. You know, girl stuff. ;]

Anyway babies, I just want you to know that I miss you and can't wait to show you off to all my friends. Casity will adore you, Aly will love taking pictures with you, and Mollie will love to play with you. Oh, and of course I'll make Ryan hold you. You're gonna love him - he's great fun when you need a laugh. Yana, you can take off his shoes and socks. He's pretty ticklish - make sure you tickle his legs.

Until then, sweethearts, stay strong for sissy and I'll come get you out of ******** soon! And remember - Jesus is with you and he's holding you in his arms. I'm counting on him to keep you safe and warm (you hear that??).

Love forever,
Riley

Adoption is Greater than the Universe....

Adoption and the heart of God

"I rejoice in the growing vision for the sacred calling of adoption. The pain and pleasures of parenting are multiplied with every child we embrace -- whatever age and by whatever means. The rewards are partly in this life, but mainly in the next. Jesus does not call us to maximize our securities and comforts here. He said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." The short-term risks of adoption are huge. The long-term risks of love are zero. God will make all grace abound for every day's demand. Nothing is impossible with Him. There will be no regrets for parents who love in the power of Christ. May God multiply churches that live this truth."

--John Piper

"Heavenly Father, PLEASE make a way for us to bring our girls home! Each day I look at the road ahead, reminded of how impossible it is for us. Then I remember you are with us, every step we take, and that nothing is impossible for YOU! When you are with us, who can be against us? Allow us to awaken each day in delightful anticipation of what is to come, and how your glory will shine in the adoption of Yana and Shawnee! In your name Lord, let all be to Your glory! Amen."

-Kelly Mayden

Look at what I made!

A cool button for myself and my family and friends to wear!

Thought for the day:

Having kids means having "faith in future grace"!

"I trust in you, O LORD; I say "You are my GOD" [Psalms 31:14]

3 Cheers for "Ergo"!!!

What a great company! I emailed inquiring if they could help me out by providing me with a discount on a toddler front carrier. Within 24 hours I recieved a very nice email, and an offer of a nice discount on a carrier. I will be giving their toll free number a call either today or Monday in order to purchase a carrier!

THANK YOU ERGO!!!

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

Ergo baby carriers

I decided I need a toddler front carrier to really help not only with bonding with the girls once they are home, but also just for ease in caring for them both since neither one walks on their own yet.

Anyone care to hazard a guess if the "Ergo" company will give me a nice discount on there $110+ carriers? I figured it is worth a try to contact them.... I wonder if I will even get a response? I am probably not the only one to give it a shot, but you just never know!

adoption verse of the day:

"Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)


I seem to have an affliction. Ever since we started the process 4 years ago with our first adoption, almost every verse I read brings adoption to mind and Gods heart for it. :)

With the addition of any child into a family, either by birth or adoption, I believe the Lords hands will be in the circumstances, the process and the outcome!

In adoption, Gods heart is so very apparent. A heartbreaking situation where one set of parents can't or sometimes won't take care of a child, and one set of parents that have had a child birthed by another placed on their hearts by God. Gods 'voice' is strong enough to compel those that have been called into action.

Adoption is not for sissies. There is SO much work involved just to be allowed the privilege of being considered as a family for a child, usually an unidentified child! Along with this come all the questions.... Who? What? Where? When? How? Can I? Will they? What if I? What if they? Am I? Are we? Money? Room? Gods will? etc....

Then there are the comments from others, some of which are very sweet and some of which are not! I will not repeat them here, but lets say you most likely can expect to hear some of the negative comments, even from those closest to you!

But in the end... to quote Mother Teresa "In the final analysis, it is all between you and God. It was never between you and them..."

So take heart, take it to God, talk with him about it, and listen with your heart. Adoption is beating strong in the heart of God! We are His by adoption, and as such we are joint heirs with Christ. I believe that each time a heart is motivated to adoption, Gods heart overflows with JOY!

Adoption requires FAITH IN GOD! The answers won't always be there, but God will be! Let God build your house, your family, your life! Do not labor in vain!

slow but progressing...

A short update:

We have our Homestudy almost done! I know that once our HS is done and we send in our app. to USCIS this will begin to feel very real to me! I can't wait! Please pray with me that our HS gets done by the end of May!!!! I am SOOOOO excited! I keep dreaming about my girls!

My Mother always said "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"

ADOPTION ... It is becoming a more commonly heard word in todays society. Sadly, even though the word is heard more and more, the feelings that it strikes in the hearts of those who hear it remain more negative than positive.

I have found throughout our journey of domestic adoption, foster care, and now international adoption that a common attitude is that "Adoption is a wonderful thing for someone else's family."

People like to appear to support adoption, but truly they seem to be more in support of the "idea" of adoption being a good thing. They however, do not want it to require anything of them. Time, Money, Feelings, Effort, Understanding, Sacrifice... all these things may take away from their current lifestyle.

When so many believers and non believers refuse to support adoption and orphans in some way, I begin to wonder if God doesn't take it as a personal affront to Himself. And if He doesnt' think of when His eldest Son was so horribly rejected by so many here on earth. Jesus came as a gift for us, that we may have eternal life, and yet was rejected by so many. God blesses us with the gift of a child on this earth, and yet that same child often times dies w/o knowing anything but rejection by human hearts! "Where is the voice is the desert" crying out for justice??? For healing? For love? For family? For compassion? How many children have to waste away before we as believers cry "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"?

Supposedly not all are called to adoption [and you better believe that it is A CALLING from GOD]! Yet, there are other ways to help besides the adoption of a child, such as PRAYER, DONATIONS, VERBAL and PHYSICAL SUPPORT... etc.

I dont' know why, but so many people, esp. family, tend to get ugly about the issue of adoption. Things are said that you can't take back, and lines are crossed that you can't mend easily.

For all those who have been hurt by friends and family, for those who do not understand why others do not share our joy and promise in this child of ours take the time to let the words of this song heal your heart. When God is with us, who can be against us?


Oh No You Never Let Go:

Happy Mothers Day!

Today is Mothers Day! Happy Mother's day to all you moms out there! Do you realize how special you are?

Do your realize that your children are yours specifically according to Gods plan for your life and theirs? That God looked all around for the perfect mom for each of your children and out of all the moms in the world He chose YOU? No matter what your issues, no matter what your children may struggle with, no matter how tough things get... you have some undeniable, much need quality that will help your children become all that God has planned for them to be? Now tell me, how SPECIAL does that make you feel?

I love knowing when I am on my knees crying out to God that I don't know what to do to help this child or that child, that I dont' know how to go on parenting them, wondering if, in my most dreadful moments, I should even have been a parent that God is up there holding onto my hands reassuring me that THESE children of mine are with the mom HE had always pre-destined for them to have! That they NEED me to be strong enough to parent them because God has a MIGHTY calling for their lives and I am a part of HIS plan! Praise the Lord! What a MIGHTY calling it is for MY life to be a part of theirs!

So to all you moms, when you are feeling like maybe you aren't so special afterall... THINK AGAIN! YOU are GODS perfect plan! YOU are who and where you are supposed to be! YOU ARE MOM! And I do not believe that anything on this earth quite compares with THAT! HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!

I have 2 minutes, are you there God?

I often wonder if my life is an isolated phenomenon, or if others live the
way I do. Here it is, 8:13, as I sit down on the computer for a well deserved [?] break. ;) Here is a time line of my morning... and it is fairly typical, though somedays are a bit calmer.

1. 4:45 AM wake up to a thunderstorm, so let my big dog out because thunder makes her pee on the carpet. I wait, she pees, and comes back in. I wipe her feet.

2. 5:00 AM I get back up and switch the laundry to make sure everyone has dry socks for the day.

3. 5:30 AM I hit snooze

4. 5:40 AMI turn off the alarm, get up and get the first kid up to take a shower.

5. 5:45 AM I am folding the load of laundry I awas too tired to fold last night.

6. 6:00 AM I get the next kid up to shower and hurry her along a bit, shes moving slow! So far, neither kid wants to go to school. Typical for May!

7. 6:10 AM I am waking 4 more kids up, I put away laundry, I find their clothes for the day.

8. 6:20AAM I am setting out the choices for breakfast. My cat is hanging off the kitchen window screen outside, she got left out all night and is apparently freaked at the water falling from the sky! I let her in and clean up the muddy footprints she dragged with her....

9. 6:30 AM I urge everyone to get on breakfast, to keep moving! Turn off the TV! I wake up my husband and urge him to run to town as I forgot to get cash for one of my kids band day field trips. He apparently didn't like the idea, but I just smiled and said thankyou, and he left shortly.

10. 6:35 AM I clean up cat puke! Which one puked, there are 3 choices?

11. 6:45 AM I am urging all to BRUSH YOUR TEETH! I pull Quincys hair into a pony tail, leaving the tangles hidden :).

12. 6:52 AM the bus comes, 4 kids get on. HOORAY! I then make my 14 year old son a toaster strudel for breakfast, because he just wants to put one song on his I-pod!

13. 7:00 AM I am telling him to brush his teeth at which point he yells at me that I must think he is stupid since I am always telling him what to do. I say sweetly back that if he would brush them on his own, I sure wouldn't have to remind him.

14. 7:15 AM Riley and Logan leave for school. Riley drives now. FREEDOM!:) However, true story, I clean up cat puke again, from all over the side of a chair. It was semi dry. Wonder how long that has been there?

15. 7:20 AM I let the two dogs back outside. The puppy isn't picking up on housetraining quickly, so I have to stand out there with him till he goes. Done. I shut them on the deck to dry a bit.

16. 7:30 AM How did this happen? 2 wasps are inside. Luke is so scared of them, I have no fly swatter so I am chasing down two very angry wasps with a book, "Don't Waste Your Life". :) Got 'em.

17. 7:45 AM The phone rings. It's John. "sorry I was mad... do you need anything from town?" He brought me a mothers day gift yesterday... 2 beautiful hanging baskets of red flowers. So I am nice and say "Nope, love you!"

18. 7:50 AM The phone rings again. Its my friend Amy. We have short conversation about foster care. Frustration overload. Not because of Amy, but because of the system.

19. 8:05 AM I make myself an egg sandwich, sit down and eat it and read a passage from the book that I killed the wasps with. :) It was awesome, I am ready to kick some "butt" for Jesus today... but wait, where will I find the time? I am sure I can find more cat puke if I look hard enough, Cale has field day today, Riley works after school, I have to go to the grocery store, laundry needs done, I have to make a phone call to our car loan company and that means being on hold for an undetermined amount of time, I have to go to the bank, Luke hates field day.. did I mention that? But I have no one to watch him, Amy [mentioned above] is working today and she is my only hope for a sitter since family isn't an option anymore and my other 2 friends that watch him occassionally are currently working [long story there!], AND I have to finish the long and probably very boring post on my blog because I want more visitors. :)

20. 8:13 AM As I sit here typing, Luke is now awake. He wants his scrambled eggs, and the Batman movie, and his juice.

So while I would love to go on, this is for now the end. But my day is far from over. I am sure there will be more puke, either feline or canine, hopefully not human before the day is over. I have places to go, people to talk to, and things to do. I will, in all this chaos of a Friday in May, find time for Jesus! Thankfully he is WITH ME. So anytime, anywhere, any reason, if I have 2 minutes God will be there and He will be listening. And tonight, when the kids are all asleep, John is out for the night, the animals are all bedded down and quiet, my groceries are put away and supper is cleaned up I will be down on my knees thanking God and wondering why He TRUSTED me with so much and how it is that I got so lucky!!!!

As Mothers day approaches, it is tradition to celebrate ones mom. And I am so thankful for mine. But I have to tell you, for me Mothers Day is more a day of undeserved wonder that I get to be MOM to 7 fantastic kids. And that God has blessed me so greatly by placing 2 more precious girls upon my heart. And that he is with me opening whatever doors are too heavy for me to open w/o Him so that they can soon come home!!! Praise The Lord!

Prayers for "K"

My friend is going through a really down and rough time. She has asked me to pray for her, and so I am asking you to lift her up in prayer also. Let's show her just how powerful prayer can be. If you say a prayer for her, will you please leave a little comment so she can be encouraged? Thank you all!

Would you be a Prayer Warrior for an orphaned child?

http://www.reecesrainbow.org/prayerwarriors.htm

Check it out! Prayer is, as always, free! Time and again, at Reeces Rainbow we have seen prayer make a huge difference! Imagine praying a child into a loving family, seeing Gods hands at work and knowing you were a part of it!

My Brown Eyed Girls

My brown eyed girls! Their eyes are so beautiful. Can't wait to see them sparkle when they laugh!

Verse of the day: Romans 12:2

2 Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect.

Can we ask for anything more today than to know what God wants for us, what is good and pleasing to Him?

I so WANT to pleas Him! I want to do what is good and perfect before Him! So much of "me" and what I "want" gets in the way and the lines get blurred, and I end up not knowing up from down!

I pray God that you give me clarity in all areas where it is needed. I pray that You give me a powerful passion to want to do what is right and pleasing before You! God I pray, continuously thankful for Your undeserved grace, and that when I fall before you and go my own way, that you lead me back with loving arms ready for me to begin anew! Amen!

With Mothers Day coming up on Sunday:

Alot of you have probably read this before, but I love it so I am still posting it. :)

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

27 days left and half way there!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have entered the fundraiser to win the Walmart gift card! I can't believe it, but we are half way to our goal... with only 7 contributors! WOO HOO!

There has also been $100 donated to our Reeces Rainbow sponsorship page! And I have a $50 check in my hand as a donation. Praise the Lord for the generosity and caring of you all! I pray that your are rewarded greatly by our Heavenly Father, and for those of you in the adoption process... I pray your fundraising efforts exceed your wildest expectations!

Thank you all again! For those still interested in winning the gift card there are 27 days left. All it takes is $5 to for each time your name is put in the bucket to be drawn out on June 1st!

**Remember that if you donate to our sponsorship page via the princess button on the right you will be mailed a tax deductible receipt by Andrea @ RR.

More on the Heart of God...

This brought tears to my eyes. I felt Gods joy overflowing!

Taken from the www.teachingsofjon.com website:

There have been studies that show that siblings of people who have mental retardation are more responsible, more independent, patient and compassionate, and oftentimes assume leadership roles in humanistic fields.

Let God move you...

If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes, please pray that God lets you understand. This is TODAY for these children, and so many more. You CAN make a difference.

"Adopting a child may not change the world, but for that child, the world WILL change!" -Christine Reed

** don't forget to pause the music on the teddy bear on the right [middle button]


*** check out this blog! I found the video on here: http://www.davidkmercier.blogspot.com/

I love this picture... Time goes by so fast.

This was taken on during a family vacation with Johns family. I loved this place for a picture. It is actually from May of 2006, but I liked it so much I thought I'd share it with you all. Luke is only 3 months old being held by my middle son, Nolan. I am in the hot pink v-neck t-shirt and glasses. The kids have all grown SO much. John [green/gray shirt by me] and I look about the same. Johns dad has since passed away. The kids think this photo was from SO LONG ago, and to me it was yesterday. Time goes so fast...

3 kids I would love to see find a family....

Thomas is 4 years old. He has CP, but can walk holding onto railings. His caregivers love this smart little boy. I just can't see this smile hidden away in an institution for the rest of his life!

Ruslana just turned 4. She has Down syndrome, and is being transfered to a mental institution soon. She can not walk yet, so she will be bedridden for life most likely. She has not had therapy of any kind. She has a $5350 grant! Please don't let her life end alone in an instition!



This is Kenny. He has Down syndrome and just turned 4. He is walking and active and just looks like a perfect little boy to go fishing with daddy! Don't let him be sent away to an institution!


Now maybe you dont' think international adoption is for you. Maybe not the adoption of an older child. But open your heart and let God speak to you. He makes all things possible. Do not let finances hold you back! There are WAYS! Please visit www.reecesrainbow.com for more information. Mention the kids by name and Andrea will get right back with you! Or ask me and I can point you in the right direction! Thank you!