Phoneraiser for adoption. If you have any old cell phones or printer ink cartridges we are collecting to help raise money for the adoption costs. There's a company that will pay for them...some are only worth a couple dollars but others are worth a little more. Every little bit helps. If you work at a business and can put up a collection box that would be awesome too.
Update:
I'm getting a great response to the Phoneraiser for our adoption. Just found out in addition to old cell phones and ink cartridges I can all turn in old: Laptops & Netbooks, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Digital Video Cameras, GPS Devices, Radar Detectors, Kindle & Sony Book Readers. If you have these laying around (outdated, broken, unused....) or want to put up a box at your work, let me know. They aren't worth a whole lot individually but together it will add up and every little bit helps. If you don't live close by but want to help I can send you a label to ship in directly to the company for us. Thanks so much!
The story, the journey, the heartache, the joy, the frustrations, the celebrations, the emotions and my life as a mom adopting from Haiti.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Color Blind
So I've been a terrible blogger. There is much to say about our adoption process.... the wait, the papers, the comments of those who don't support it or don't believe it will ever happen or should happen.... did I mention the pain of the wait? I spend a lot of my time analyzing everyone else's blogs and timelines and helping others in the process of their Haiti adoptions. I pour over the pages of several FB Groups filled with other families and mothers who understand what it's like to love a child conceived in your heart and not your womb. There are few that really get it, and I'm okay with that. I don't believe we are all called the same things in this world. We each have our own calling, our own purpose and I would never tell you that the desires of your heart were wrong or that you shouldn't follow them so I don't understand why people think it's okay to tell me my dreams or desires or passions are wrong. I was under the impression those desires were put there by God, not by anyone down here so if I'm wrong I'm sure He'll let me know.
I've been reading about fitness trainer Jillian's recent adoption of a little girl from Haiti (and secretly a little jealous that she's home so quickly) however, it's the comments people make on those articles that is causing me frustration. They are the same comments I have gotten myself and the same ones I read after the earthquake in Haiti and I'm sure they are the comments that people say in their heads but are at least nice enough to keep them there.
"Why adopt/help a child from another country when we have people here that need help?"
I have several thoughts and responses to this.
1. If all those complaining about people who help others out of the US would step up and do something themselves here IN the US then there would be so much help given that they would NEED us to help other countries because all the needs would be met here.
2. Since when did those born in the US become more important and valuable than anyone born any where else? Jesus made it clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan that it's not about your physical neighbor and those closest to you in distance....it's about seeing a need and meeting a need. For me, that need is in Haiti. Where's the need you are supposed to meet and what are you doing about it? Don't spend so much time getting upset with others who are using their lives and resources to help others simply because those aren't the ones you would help if you were doing something. Take that energy you have worrying about us and go do some good for those you are worried about.
3. A child is a child is a child. How can anyone get upset at anyone helping a child? As a former foster and adopted child from the US I really do get the need for domestic adoptions. I am a product of it, but I don't see how it matters what system an abandoned child comes out of, that child needs a home. If you are worried about the kids in the US foster care system then become a foster or adoptive parent yourself.
4. A child is a child whether that child is white, tan or black. I guess I must be color blind because I just see children in need. I see them in our schools, in our foster care system and in the orphanages I work at in Haiti. I just see kids....I see eyes that tell a story there aren't words to....I see smiles from a simple hug....I see hearts in need of love and somehow, somewhere along the way I miss what color their skin is. It's probably because I'm not looking at that. When I see a need I don't decide if I should help them based on where they live or what color they are. I help if and when I can as often as I can.
This was put out there for those who "just don't get it". Maybe you still don't get it but maybe you will at least understand how or why I do.
I've been reading about fitness trainer Jillian's recent adoption of a little girl from Haiti (and secretly a little jealous that she's home so quickly) however, it's the comments people make on those articles that is causing me frustration. They are the same comments I have gotten myself and the same ones I read after the earthquake in Haiti and I'm sure they are the comments that people say in their heads but are at least nice enough to keep them there.
"Why adopt/help a child from another country when we have people here that need help?"
I have several thoughts and responses to this.
1. If all those complaining about people who help others out of the US would step up and do something themselves here IN the US then there would be so much help given that they would NEED us to help other countries because all the needs would be met here.
2. Since when did those born in the US become more important and valuable than anyone born any where else? Jesus made it clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan that it's not about your physical neighbor and those closest to you in distance....it's about seeing a need and meeting a need. For me, that need is in Haiti. Where's the need you are supposed to meet and what are you doing about it? Don't spend so much time getting upset with others who are using their lives and resources to help others simply because those aren't the ones you would help if you were doing something. Take that energy you have worrying about us and go do some good for those you are worried about.
3. A child is a child is a child. How can anyone get upset at anyone helping a child? As a former foster and adopted child from the US I really do get the need for domestic adoptions. I am a product of it, but I don't see how it matters what system an abandoned child comes out of, that child needs a home. If you are worried about the kids in the US foster care system then become a foster or adoptive parent yourself.
4. A child is a child whether that child is white, tan or black. I guess I must be color blind because I just see children in need. I see them in our schools, in our foster care system and in the orphanages I work at in Haiti. I just see kids....I see eyes that tell a story there aren't words to....I see smiles from a simple hug....I see hearts in need of love and somehow, somewhere along the way I miss what color their skin is. It's probably because I'm not looking at that. When I see a need I don't decide if I should help them based on where they live or what color they are. I help if and when I can as often as I can.
This was put out there for those who "just don't get it". Maybe you still don't get it but maybe you will at least understand how or why I do.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
My Sweet Wanna
I have a 7 year old daughter who reminds me of one of my favorite childhood actresses, Punky Brewster. She is full of life, love and spunky personality. As we started making our trips every 4-6 weeks to the Cabaret Baptist Children's Home in the months following the Jan. 2010 earthquake, I saw my own daughter in Wanna. I saw a girl so full of love and life but so desperate to be held and loved. I saw a girl too grown up for her age yet still holding on to innocence. I looked at Wanna the way I did my own daughter and felt the tug in heart from God telling me to love her as my own.
As I continued to lead teams on short term trips, I continued to fall in love. It was never my plan. I know the process to adopt is intense and long. I know the current law says I have to be 35 and 2 years after meeting them I'm only 31. I know many things stand in the way but I know that God put this on my heart, on Chris' heart and Christopher and Destiny's heart and they are our family already.
It's very hard to go through the motions of our lives knowing our kids aren't with us but knowing they will be one day keeps us going, hoping and praying.
It's very hard to go through the motions of our lives knowing our kids aren't with us but knowing they will be one day keeps us going, hoping and praying.
My Little Fritzon
The other day on FB I was connected with a woman who was at the orphanage the week they found Fritzon in a trash pile. He was so week he could barely open his eyes, his ribs were sticking out and they weren't even sure he'd make it.
Breaks my heart to know what he went through those first 2 years. It's been 3 years since then and he is so handsome and strong. It breaks my heart that he's still waiting for that motherly love I know he has missed out on. I know he is happy and in a place where he has many friends but having been through foster care, I know the pain that lingers. I hope and pray I will be able to love him through it all.
Breaks my heart to know what he went through those first 2 years. It's been 3 years since then and he is so handsome and strong. It breaks my heart that he's still waiting for that motherly love I know he has missed out on. I know he is happy and in a place where he has many friends but having been through foster care, I know the pain that lingers. I hope and pray I will be able to love him through it all.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Fundraiser Bracelets
These bracelets and necklaces are made in Haiti and $4 of each sale goes back to the person who made them. The rest goes towards our adoption. If you would like them shipped to you, please consider an extra $2 donation to help cover the cost. If you are interested in helping selling for me I will send extras for you. Please include your shipping address in Paypal. Thank you!!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Adoption Progress
I just returned from a week in Haiti and feel like I made some progress. I'm still waiting for the President of Haiti to sign the new adoption law but I am hopeful it will be soon. In the mean time I met with Fritzon's dad who is excited and supportive and said Fritzon's mother will be too. Same went for my meeting with Wanna's mom. I took Wanna with me to see her mom and it was heart breaking to watch her withdraw into herself. I'm not sure what was going on in her mind but she didn't want to talk to anyone while we were there and Wanna is a very outgoing child. I'm sure it was overwhelming.
After waiting for almost 2 years to begin all this, simply because of the age issue, I have finally found someone willing to work with us. I have contacted countless agencies in Haiti the past 2 years and no one was willing to work with us because of our age and even if they were the cost of the adoptions through all these agencies are so much.
I'm still struggling with raising the money needed for the Haitian fees but I believe it will work out. If you are interested in helping I have 2 fundraising things going on now and I'm always open for ideas. One is selling Haitian made bracelets from the Apparent Project. The first $4 goes to the Haitian that made the bracelet and the rest goes towards our adoption. If you are interested in buying some or selling some for us please let me know.
If you want to help let me know! Thank you for all the prayers and support. I hope I can post a picture of the entire family bringing in next year together!
After waiting for almost 2 years to begin all this, simply because of the age issue, I have finally found someone willing to work with us. I have contacted countless agencies in Haiti the past 2 years and no one was willing to work with us because of our age and even if they were the cost of the adoptions through all these agencies are so much.
I'm still struggling with raising the money needed for the Haitian fees but I believe it will work out. If you are interested in helping I have 2 fundraising things going on now and I'm always open for ideas. One is selling Haitian made bracelets from the Apparent Project. The first $4 goes to the Haitian that made the bracelet and the rest goes towards our adoption. If you are interested in buying some or selling some for us please let me know.
If you want to help let me know! Thank you for all the prayers and support. I hope I can post a picture of the entire family bringing in next year together!
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