Monday, December 31, 2012
We got it!
Today we finally got it! What we have been waiting for for months! We got our approval for our homeschooling waiver and now Micah can start the new year being homeschooled!
God is so good!
Praising The Lord!
Be blessed
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Russian Adoptions
As many of us have heard Putin, Russia's president, has signed into law banning adoptions. Many people have spoken, many pictures of rescues children have been shared. People are saying this will be a death sentence for the children and it will, but I am here to say something a bit different.
I have been thinking a lot about Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I don't worry about the situation in Russia because I know my God is bigger than Russia. He has a plan and a purpose. We don't see what He is doing in the midst of the circumstance. If we can seek God in the middle of the circumstance we will see what to give Him praise for. I heard that last sentence at church today and it is such a great thought. Don't give satan the testimony only God.
Because of this new ban so many people are talking about the Russian adoptions. People that don't know about adoption are talking about this. This is opening up the lines of communication on adoption and orphan care. We can talk to so many people about the orphan crisis. The crisis that so many didn't know about now is becoming known. Main news stations are talking about orphans. Praise God! More orphans from all over the world will find their homes now because people are learning about adoption because of this horrible law.
Please remember that God works all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He loves those children more than us, more than we could ever imagine. Each and every one of them that suffers He feels that and He doesn't want that for them. He has a plan and a purpose for their lives. Because of this ban people all over the world are praying for those children, praying for orphans! Oh how wonderful is the of prayer. The Bible says the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. God is up to something, something big. Praise The Lord.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I am so grateful for the comfort God's Word brings in these times. Continue to pray for those children.
Be blessed
I have been thinking a lot about Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I don't worry about the situation in Russia because I know my God is bigger than Russia. He has a plan and a purpose. We don't see what He is doing in the midst of the circumstance. If we can seek God in the middle of the circumstance we will see what to give Him praise for. I heard that last sentence at church today and it is such a great thought. Don't give satan the testimony only God.
Because of this new ban so many people are talking about the Russian adoptions. People that don't know about adoption are talking about this. This is opening up the lines of communication on adoption and orphan care. We can talk to so many people about the orphan crisis. The crisis that so many didn't know about now is becoming known. Main news stations are talking about orphans. Praise God! More orphans from all over the world will find their homes now because people are learning about adoption because of this horrible law.
Please remember that God works all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He loves those children more than us, more than we could ever imagine. Each and every one of them that suffers He feels that and He doesn't want that for them. He has a plan and a purpose for their lives. Because of this ban people all over the world are praying for those children, praying for orphans! Oh how wonderful is the of prayer. The Bible says the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. God is up to something, something big. Praise The Lord.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I am so grateful for the comfort God's Word brings in these times. Continue to pray for those children.
Be blessed
Text to donate
Well although these dates may change I should be heading to Bulgaria in just a couple weeks. Before I go we wanted to raise 5000.00 if you look at the ticker on the side of the blog we are a little short. I'm not worried though because if God is for us who can be against us. Actually if you add the money on the ticker 3160. To the money in our FSP on Reese's Rainbow, 945.00 that is 4105. So to meet our goal of 5000. we only need 895.00 I'm not sure if we cause the money from Reese's Rainbow but I am counting it!
So to raise some money before our trip we have a text to donate fundraiser going on right now. All you have to do is text beckadopt to 28594. Super easy and a great cause! I can not wait to meet our boys that we have loved and paper chased for for the last 9 months! I can not wait to show you all pictures of our children, the children you helped us get to. Please spread the word and help us bring our boys home.
Be blessed
So to raise some money before our trip we have a text to donate fundraiser going on right now. All you have to do is text beckadopt to 28594. Super easy and a great cause! I can not wait to meet our boys that we have loved and paper chased for for the last 9 months! I can not wait to show you all pictures of our children, the children you helped us get to. Please spread the word and help us bring our boys home.
Be blessed
Friday, December 28, 2012
Caseworker came to town
Yesterday Micah's caseworker flew in from Houston and was here for at most an hour. He did not bring any notebook to take notes, he barely spoke. I talked most of the time, but that is not hard for me to do, lol.
Micah was on the potty when he got here so I told Micah to get done and he wiped, flushed, washed his hands, dried them, turned off the light and put a clean pull up on. When he came out I lotioned him again because his skin has been dry. I dressed him.
After a while he said he needed to talk to Micah. The cw went over to the couch Micah was sitting on and sat next to him. He then asked Micah who this was, pointing to one of the girls. Micah got up off that couch walked across the room and sat on the other couch. I laughed and said "I told you he doesn't like you." LMBO!
I told Micah that the cw needed to talk to him and he needed to listen. So he did. He was ask the name of each sibling and he answered them all. That was it. No more questions. Then I was talking about Micah and Micah started showing off. Then he jumped up and gave the cw a hug and tried to kiss his cheek. The cw backed away disgusted and said, "ok. I'm done with that." Yuck! Seriously! You work with children. I don't allow Micah to hug or kiss anyone who isn't family but that was huge for him not to be afraid of the cw or shut down like he use to.
When my caseworker got there she ask if Micah's cw thought he had changed and the guy was like, no, not really I mean he hasn't talked a lot. Well guy that's because he doesn't like you and you expect nothing from him. He told him he had a nice sweater on and Micah said thank you and the guy about fell out of his chair. He said wow! He couldn't believe Micah understood a compliment. How sad is that? He didn't bring a notebook or anything. He didn't take notes. He didn't ask anything other than name those people and he got very uncomfortable when we ask about the waiver to homeschool.
I can so not wait to have him out of our life forever. To be completely done with that CPS office and those apathetic people who don't care about the children's welfare.
Oh well it was what it was. I'm glad my son is doing so well and thriving and I don't need him to show off for a caseworker that doesn't care about him.
Be blessed
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas
Just wanted to say Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours. I feel so blessed. I serve an amazing God who never fails, never lets me down and always shows up. I have a beautiful family. My quiver is certainly full! We have received more donations toward our adoption. 600.00 in the last couple days!! Thank you whoever you are!!! After Christmas I will be traveling to meet our 2 new sons. My oh my the thought just overwhelms my soul. I can not believe God chose us for this hard tiring fantastic life.
This will be Micah's first Christmas home. So far we have had 2 days of present opening thanks to the blessings from family and friends He doesnt really seem to understand the whle idea but is thrilled none the less. I can not wait until tomorrow. This year we were even blessed by a local place who gave us giftcards, 21 boxes of cereal, turkey, pie and 3 bags of groceries. Oh as well as clothes for all the kids. God is so good! We were able to get the kids a trampoline with the gift cards that were given to us. Not only does God supply every need, but also the little things we dont ask for because they arent a need but a want. He saw the desire of my kids hearts and gave it to them. What a Papa!
Tonight was our Christmas Eve service at church and it was amazing. I love hearing the same scripture and getting something so different from it.
Matthew 2:1-12
The gift has 2 values. It assigns a value to you but also speaks of the sacrifice the gift giver gave. The gift speaks not only about the person giving but also yourself.
Gold- it was meant for the kings and royalty. It spoke that there was royalty in their midst.
The 3 kings represent mankind. It represents the man giving his best and worldly possessions. If God don't have your money he don't have your heart. We are being deceptive if we don't give Him the best of the best. The best of what we have. Of our gifts and power.
Frankincense: very rare and expensive. When they gave it to him they said He was worthy to be worshiped. It says about the wise men that they believe He is worthy. He is worthy of our adoration, our praise.
Luke 4:8 psalm 5:1-3
If its a substitute it isn't coming from God. We look to different things first then at the last we go to Jesus.
Go to God first.
Myrrh: normal use of myrrh was used for special occasions to anoint the cloth of the dead. It spoke to us that from the moment He was born He was destined to die. It said of the wise men that they knew and believed He came to die.
Luke 14:26-30
God says, I want your stuff, I want your worship and I want your life. We don't count the cost and when we get halfway building we stop because its too hard. God wants it all and says if you are going to come after me you have to count the cost.
The wise men came to sacrifice and lay down their life.
Luke 14:32-33
Our hearts and lives are full and we can not wait to share this with our two new sons. I will post travel dates as soon as we get them!!!! So super excited! Please continue to pray for us. We feel them. Pray for our boys, for their health and safety as well as their hearts.
Have a beautiful Christmas.
Be blessed
This will be Micah's first Christmas home. So far we have had 2 days of present opening thanks to the blessings from family and friends He doesnt really seem to understand the whle idea but is thrilled none the less. I can not wait until tomorrow. This year we were even blessed by a local place who gave us giftcards, 21 boxes of cereal, turkey, pie and 3 bags of groceries. Oh as well as clothes for all the kids. God is so good! We were able to get the kids a trampoline with the gift cards that were given to us. Not only does God supply every need, but also the little things we dont ask for because they arent a need but a want. He saw the desire of my kids hearts and gave it to them. What a Papa!
Tonight was our Christmas Eve service at church and it was amazing. I love hearing the same scripture and getting something so different from it.
Matthew 2:1-12
The gift has 2 values. It assigns a value to you but also speaks of the sacrifice the gift giver gave. The gift speaks not only about the person giving but also yourself.
Gold- it was meant for the kings and royalty. It spoke that there was royalty in their midst.
The 3 kings represent mankind. It represents the man giving his best and worldly possessions. If God don't have your money he don't have your heart. We are being deceptive if we don't give Him the best of the best. The best of what we have. Of our gifts and power.
Frankincense: very rare and expensive. When they gave it to him they said He was worthy to be worshiped. It says about the wise men that they believe He is worthy. He is worthy of our adoration, our praise.
Luke 4:8 psalm 5:1-3
If its a substitute it isn't coming from God. We look to different things first then at the last we go to Jesus.
Go to God first.
Myrrh: normal use of myrrh was used for special occasions to anoint the cloth of the dead. It spoke to us that from the moment He was born He was destined to die. It said of the wise men that they knew and believed He came to die.
Luke 14:26-30
God says, I want your stuff, I want your worship and I want your life. We don't count the cost and when we get halfway building we stop because its too hard. God wants it all and says if you are going to come after me you have to count the cost.
The wise men came to sacrifice and lay down their life.
Luke 14:32-33
Our hearts and lives are full and we can not wait to share this with our two new sons. I will post travel dates as soon as we get them!!!! So super excited! Please continue to pray for us. We feel them. Pray for our boys, for their health and safety as well as their hearts.
Have a beautiful Christmas.
Be blessed
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Stop threatening people.
The last week I have gone to bed at 5am and up by no later than 8 almost every night. I don't know why. That coupled with some sugar eating that I really shouldn't have, daily headaches , allergies and the daily stresses of life with 6 kids and I am not a happy camper. So today was really not a day to mess with me ya know. :)
It started off good enough. Different appointments and things that needed to be done. The constant headache made it seem like I had way more to do than I really did. The sun didn't help either shining s bright in my face, but every time I thought that I thanked God for the sun. I would hate it if it were dark and dreary all day long.
Right as I was leaving one appointment and heading to the next the phone rang. Paul said the school called and ask if I got the message. My heart kind if stopped for a second. I mean after last week and all that happened at Sandy Hook school and then all weekend and all this week different stories of gunman and schools I was nervous. I hadn't got a message. He said the nurse called and said to come pick up Micah he was sick, stomach flu. Well then my thoughts went to the children with DS that were thought to have the stomach flu and then got really bad. One died. Paul talked with the nurse and ask about what he had to eat. She said it wasn't that. She knew it was the stomach flu because if ow bad he smelled. I was a good bit away as was Paul. He was not convinced it was an actual sickness. The nurse said that he had 6 bm in 30 mins. Yup. That's his MO when he has too much dairy or sugar, especially sugar. Paul ask if he could go home on the bus she said she would ask.
Paul then suggested I run to the school and pick him up then he would leave work and meet us at home. I could drop Micah off and then head out to the next appointment. So I went over the school. I wasn't happy because this was exactly like last year at school. In his records they would feed him and then he would have this and wasn't sick and they would call and try to get foster mom to pick him up. She rarely did. Not the same school but same situation. He does not have the stomach flu.
While I am at the school talking to his teacher and picking him up the school nurse calls my husband again. This time he didn't get the phone because he was driving home from work. She left a voice mail saying that if we didn't come pick him up and this other person on his emergency contact list didn't pick him up she was turning us in to CPS. Yup! Are you freakin kidding me? My child has never been sick in school with us, he has never needed us when we weren't there. There has not been one school meeting we have missed, or a call from a teacher we didn't take. So how then do you make the leap from pick him up to OR ELSE I WILL CALL CPS!!?
Well the tired, cranky, overworked underpaid mama bear thought it best to tell my husband to handle this as I was in no mood to talk to anyone. I felt it was very rude for a woman who doesn't know me or my child and who has never talked to me or dealt with my child before to threaten me. Plus, I had already picked him up when she left that nasty message! Grrr. My caseworker called as she is his emergency contact. She said the school called her and ask her to come pick up Micah. She was really confused and wanted to talk to me. So when I dropped Micah off at home I called her. She said it was very inappropriate for a nurse to threaten to call CPS and there was no evidence of any abuse either. I told her Paul called the principal and he said he would call him back. She wanted to know what he would say.
Oh how I long not to send my child back to that school!
The principal called and didn't care. He didn't seem to want to talk to Paul very long and the only thing he said was "thank you. I will talk to her." Ugh!
Why when people are upset with others or when spoiled children don't get their way or when a doctor thinks you can't possibly know more about your own child than they do they threaten you with CPS? Maybe that is why the system is so overrun. Maybe too many people are seeking revenge and the children that really need help either don't get it or have to wait and wait and wait.
Micah has been fine all night. It isn't the stomach flu. He had juice at school and although it was a little bit it was still pure sugar. He probably would have been fine but then he had canned peaches in syrup and that probably sent him over his maximum allowed sugar intake for the day. Then it caused the reaction he normally has. The smell they talked about was the smell of him that he had in foster care while he was pooping 10x or more each day. I know that smell well, gag! So he is fine. We are fine. I'm just a little annoyed and hurt someone would threaten my family. Oh well...
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Be blessed
It started off good enough. Different appointments and things that needed to be done. The constant headache made it seem like I had way more to do than I really did. The sun didn't help either shining s bright in my face, but every time I thought that I thanked God for the sun. I would hate it if it were dark and dreary all day long.
Right as I was leaving one appointment and heading to the next the phone rang. Paul said the school called and ask if I got the message. My heart kind if stopped for a second. I mean after last week and all that happened at Sandy Hook school and then all weekend and all this week different stories of gunman and schools I was nervous. I hadn't got a message. He said the nurse called and said to come pick up Micah he was sick, stomach flu. Well then my thoughts went to the children with DS that were thought to have the stomach flu and then got really bad. One died. Paul talked with the nurse and ask about what he had to eat. She said it wasn't that. She knew it was the stomach flu because if ow bad he smelled. I was a good bit away as was Paul. He was not convinced it was an actual sickness. The nurse said that he had 6 bm in 30 mins. Yup. That's his MO when he has too much dairy or sugar, especially sugar. Paul ask if he could go home on the bus she said she would ask.
Paul then suggested I run to the school and pick him up then he would leave work and meet us at home. I could drop Micah off and then head out to the next appointment. So I went over the school. I wasn't happy because this was exactly like last year at school. In his records they would feed him and then he would have this and wasn't sick and they would call and try to get foster mom to pick him up. She rarely did. Not the same school but same situation. He does not have the stomach flu.
While I am at the school talking to his teacher and picking him up the school nurse calls my husband again. This time he didn't get the phone because he was driving home from work. She left a voice mail saying that if we didn't come pick him up and this other person on his emergency contact list didn't pick him up she was turning us in to CPS. Yup! Are you freakin kidding me? My child has never been sick in school with us, he has never needed us when we weren't there. There has not been one school meeting we have missed, or a call from a teacher we didn't take. So how then do you make the leap from pick him up to OR ELSE I WILL CALL CPS!!?
Well the tired, cranky, overworked underpaid mama bear thought it best to tell my husband to handle this as I was in no mood to talk to anyone. I felt it was very rude for a woman who doesn't know me or my child and who has never talked to me or dealt with my child before to threaten me. Plus, I had already picked him up when she left that nasty message! Grrr. My caseworker called as she is his emergency contact. She said the school called her and ask her to come pick up Micah. She was really confused and wanted to talk to me. So when I dropped Micah off at home I called her. She said it was very inappropriate for a nurse to threaten to call CPS and there was no evidence of any abuse either. I told her Paul called the principal and he said he would call him back. She wanted to know what he would say.
Oh how I long not to send my child back to that school!
The principal called and didn't care. He didn't seem to want to talk to Paul very long and the only thing he said was "thank you. I will talk to her." Ugh!
Why when people are upset with others or when spoiled children don't get their way or when a doctor thinks you can't possibly know more about your own child than they do they threaten you with CPS? Maybe that is why the system is so overrun. Maybe too many people are seeking revenge and the children that really need help either don't get it or have to wait and wait and wait.
Micah has been fine all night. It isn't the stomach flu. He had juice at school and although it was a little bit it was still pure sugar. He probably would have been fine but then he had canned peaches in syrup and that probably sent him over his maximum allowed sugar intake for the day. Then it caused the reaction he normally has. The smell they talked about was the smell of him that he had in foster care while he was pooping 10x or more each day. I know that smell well, gag! So he is fine. We are fine. I'm just a little annoyed and hurt someone would threaten my family. Oh well...
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Be blessed
Monday, December 17, 2012
Kindle fire Winner!!
Today was our drawing for our kindle fire Hd giveaway. We got 285.00 in donations and the fire was 200.00 so we made 85.00 in this fundraiser. God is so good! We are moving closer and closer to our goal.
So here is the list of contributors:
Melissa Burger - 11 <----WINNER!
Kay Brady - 5
Adrienne Sullivan - 1
Joanna Camero - 25
Kim Ayers - 1
Brett Grayson - 13
Wendy Parlett - 13
Christina Burrell - 5
A list was made of those names and the number of times listed all in random order. Then a number was chosen between one and 69. The number chosen was 54. Number 54 on the list was Melissa Berger!!
The winner of the giveaway is Melissa Berger! Yay! Congrats Melissa!!! Your kindle fire is on its way!
We are still selling bracelets if anyone would like to purchase one.
https://www.wepay.com/stores/wristbands
I should have my travel dates within 3 weeks and will be headed to Bulgaria in January. As you can see by the ticker we are still short some of the money. We would love to have 5000. Before travel. If anyone can donate please do. We appreciate you all so much. It is because of all of you that I will soon be holding my boys in my arms. I still can not believe it! Praise God!
https://www.wepay.com/donations/EE-adoption
Be blessed
So here is the list of contributors:
Melissa Burger - 11 <----WINNER!
Kay Brady - 5
Adrienne Sullivan - 1
Joanna Camero - 25
Kim Ayers - 1
Brett Grayson - 13
Wendy Parlett - 13
Christina Burrell - 5
A list was made of those names and the number of times listed all in random order. Then a number was chosen between one and 69. The number chosen was 54. Number 54 on the list was Melissa Berger!!
The winner of the giveaway is Melissa Berger! Yay! Congrats Melissa!!! Your kindle fire is on its way!
We are still selling bracelets if anyone would like to purchase one.
https://www.wepay.com/stores/wristbands
I should have my travel dates within 3 weeks and will be headed to Bulgaria in January. As you can see by the ticker we are still short some of the money. We would love to have 5000. Before travel. If anyone can donate please do. We appreciate you all so much. It is because of all of you that I will soon be holding my boys in my arms. I still can not believe it! Praise God!
https://www.wepay.com/donations/EE-adoption
Be blessed
Friday, December 14, 2012
Verbal Approval!
That's right folks our verbal approval was given Dec 12th 2012 and now all we need is a signature and then I will be on a plane flying across the world to see my boys! It is really happening. I am so excited and nervous.
If you could join us in prayer we still need money to travel so pray that all comes in before we need to leave.
Also please pray for us to get our travel dates by Christmas! I don't mean travel by then I just mean dates. That would be a super cool Christmas gift!
God is so good and so faithful. We are just abundantly blessed. Thank you all for your support and prayers and donations and just everything y'all have done for our family and our boys to bring them home. Soon I will hold them in my arms and whisper to them "I'm your mama."
I will not leave you as orphans. I will come for you.- John 14:18
Be blessed
If you could join us in prayer we still need money to travel so pray that all comes in before we need to leave.
Also please pray for us to get our travel dates by Christmas! I don't mean travel by then I just mean dates. That would be a super cool Christmas gift!
God is so good and so faithful. We are just abundantly blessed. Thank you all for your support and prayers and donations and just everything y'all have done for our family and our boys to bring them home. Soon I will hold them in my arms and whisper to them "I'm your mama."
I will not leave you as orphans. I will come for you.- John 14:18
Be blessed
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Upsetting news at the orphanage
Our children's orphanage was not a good one. The director that was there did not treat the children right. Children who were 8, 10, 12, 15 16 years old were the size of babies. Our own boys very tiny for their age. Misha 5 years old 18 pounds and 28 inches. Judah who is 10 weighs a mere 25lbs. He likely will be smaller than his 5 year old sister. It is said the director is responsible for hundreds of childrens deaths. (Would not wanna be her on judgement day!)
The director was out and things were looking up. The kids were finally being fed. They even started to grow a little. Their teeth which were rotten and putrid were starting to get fixed and the new director was a complete God send. Well satan did not want to see those kids thriving. Trouble began. She was met with resistance but still reports were good. We were all hopeful.
Today we found out that "3 judges in Bulgaria ruled the old director of the orphanage in Pleven did not do anything "significant" to the children, and so, she will be re-instated as director of the orphanage, which also makes her guardian of all the children"
That is horrible! We all need to pray for these children. Pray for the families that are fundraising and paper chasing and working tirelessly to bring their kids home. Please help us reach our goal so we can travel. They expect I will be able to travel in January and that is not that far off!!! Our goal is to get 5000. before travel. We are at 2606. That just leaves 2394.00 left before January. God can do it! We still have a little over 10,000. needed to be fully funded.
Ways to help:
Pray
Spread the word
Donate
https://www.wepay.com/donations/EE-adoption
Tax Deductible donations can be made here
http://reecesrainbow.org/36043/sponsorbeck
Fundraisers we have currently are
bracelets
kindle fire hd giveaway (ends Dec 17th)
Amazon -shop and use our link and we get some money from it. Yay!
Below is the post that has all the links on it for each fundraiser.
http://continuingourjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/fundraisers.html
Am I worried? No. If God is for us who can be against us? I know my God is able to do exceedingly above all we could ask or hope for. (Ephesians 3:20)
That does not mean I get to sit around and wait for manna from Heaven either. I want and need to do my part. But God is faithful. Paul and I both know this and believe it. I pray if you feel led to give that you would and that God would bless you 10x more than you gave.
Please pray for the safety of not only our children but all the other children in this orphanage. Pray that more families come forward to adopt the children left and that this horrible place will be shut down.
Be blessed
The director was out and things were looking up. The kids were finally being fed. They even started to grow a little. Their teeth which were rotten and putrid were starting to get fixed and the new director was a complete God send. Well satan did not want to see those kids thriving. Trouble began. She was met with resistance but still reports were good. We were all hopeful.
Today we found out that "3 judges in Bulgaria ruled the old director of the orphanage in Pleven did not do anything "significant" to the children, and so, she will be re-instated as director of the orphanage, which also makes her guardian of all the children"
That is horrible! We all need to pray for these children. Pray for the families that are fundraising and paper chasing and working tirelessly to bring their kids home. Please help us reach our goal so we can travel. They expect I will be able to travel in January and that is not that far off!!! Our goal is to get 5000. before travel. We are at 2606. That just leaves 2394.00 left before January. God can do it! We still have a little over 10,000. needed to be fully funded.
Ways to help:
Pray
Spread the word
Donate
https://www.wepay.com/donations/EE-adoption
Tax Deductible donations can be made here
http://reecesrainbow.org/36043/sponsorbeck
Fundraisers we have currently are
bracelets
kindle fire hd giveaway (ends Dec 17th)
Amazon -shop and use our link and we get some money from it. Yay!
Below is the post that has all the links on it for each fundraiser.
http://continuingourjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/fundraisers.html
Am I worried? No. If God is for us who can be against us? I know my God is able to do exceedingly above all we could ask or hope for. (Ephesians 3:20)
That does not mean I get to sit around and wait for manna from Heaven either. I want and need to do my part. But God is faithful. Paul and I both know this and believe it. I pray if you feel led to give that you would and that God would bless you 10x more than you gave.
Please pray for the safety of not only our children but all the other children in this orphanage. Pray that more families come forward to adopt the children left and that this horrible place will be shut down.
Be blessed
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Wanna free Kindle Fire HD
Kindle Fire HD giveaway!!!!
Soon we will get travel dates and then it id off to Bul*aria for me!!! I will get to meet our boys. The ones we have fought for, fundraised for, begged money from people for, saved ever penny for. In order to go when they say GO! I will need travel money. We believe God will provide this, but we arent just gonna sit around and be silent expecting people to just give. We have been fundraising our butts off. Our newest fundraiser will be a Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!
To enter just click on the link and donate
https://www.wepay.com/donations/kindle-fire-hd-giveaway_1
Here's how many entries you get for each amount of money
$5.00 - 1 entry
$10.00 - 2 entries
$20.00 - 5 entries
$35.00 - 9 entries
$50.00 - 13 entries
$75.00 - 19 entries
$100.00 - 25 entries
Please help us bring our boys home and one of you lucky donors will get a new Kindle Fire HD just in time for CHRISTMAS!!!!! Yay!!!
Hurry because you only have until Nov 30th because the drawing will be Dec 1st 2012 !!!!
https://www.wepay.com/donations/kindle-fire-hd-giveaway_1
Be blessed
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The mercy seat
Exodus 25:17-21
The mercy seat
17“Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.
When people do things to us it's hard to show mercy. We want mercy shown to us but its hard to give it especially when we are hurting.
That's where I am at. I am feeling very alone right now and upset. When I extend myself and open myself up I risk getting hurt. When I get hurt I think...I don't want to do it anymore.
When I meet new people and we become friends and then they walk away because of whatever reason I get hurt. I think... I don't want to do this again. I will keep to myself.
Today in church I felt like the Pastor was speaking to me. The one part of his sermon he was talking about the mercy seat and judgment. He was talking about what we say to ourselves when we dont want to show mercy. "I don't want to release them because they will do it again. What if they get away with it?" They may. That is hard for me. I am a people pleaser by nature. I want people to like me. I dont like to start trouble and dont like when someone says something about me or my family that I know is not true. I feel a need to prove that it isnt true.
I guess what I need to realize is that people will always think what they want. I can't change that. Telling them that what they heard isnt true is not going to make them believe it. So when people wrong me, talk about me, call me names, think they know me because so n so said this about me, I need to extend mercy. God will deal with them just as He will deal with me about my sins. So I need to let Him deal with it because His ways are better than my ways.
Over the last week while things were happening to my family I was so upset. Daily headaches, crying most of the day, not wanting to leave the house. I was angry and tired and weary and weak. I didnt really understand grace. What I was thinking was someone can hurt me and then God forgives them because of grace? People can abuse me and God's grace covers that? Does no one get a shift kick in their rear? ;) But then today I heard grace isnt a get outta jail free card. And it was starting to become a bit clearer. God cares when people hurt me and He deals with them in His way.
Matthew 7:1-2
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Declaring truth is not judging. We are to speak the truth in love. In Acts it says we are to command men to repent.
Judging means to sit on the throne as judge and pass sentence.
We are talking about people's motives. I can apply the word to their actions. Your motives never justify you.
God desires mercy over judgement. The place of the mercy seat is low. The judgement seat is high n lofty.You can't see clearly on the judgement seat. If we are going to see God's people the way He does we have to do so on the mercy seat.That means when people hurt me even if they never get found out here God knows and that needs to be enough for me.
Mercy is delaying judgement. When you judge you're blind, you're unable to help and you are gonna get judged.
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
So today I feel is the first day to healing from this incident. Today I am choosing to show those people mercy. To wish them well and let God deal with them as He sees fit not as I do. I walk away. I move on. And I always remember to show mercy and still speak truth.
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Be blessed
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Aziza
Today a little girl in Canada that I had never met in person died. Her mama and I talked before on facebook because she was adopted out of foster care,I prayed without ceasing and begged God to heal her on earth. I cried, begged and prayed. It wasnt fair. I have never wanted Jesus to come back more than I have lately. Then through tears and shock I read that Aziza went to be with Jesus. Death sucks! I think about things like the last facebook status, the last picture, the elf on the shelf picture with him laying with the rectal thermometer. I think about the pretty bow her mama had made for her and it was a gift for Christmas. 20 days before Christmas. The presents! It isnt fair! I dont understand how this happens and sometimes if I let it it scares me. The last time, the last conversation, the last picture and how we dont know that then. How death is sometimes right around the corner and we dont have a freakin clue!
I am heartbroken. I get sad when orphans and babies die. I get sad when anyone dies but all day all I did was cry. Why did this child have such an impact? Was it the down syndrome and now I have a child with DS and that is it? I dont know but I know that I grieve for this family. How empty her mama's arms are right now.
All I can do is pray. That seems so small but God is so big and He will take care of them. Oh how I long for Heaven. Come back soon Jesus. Please pray for this family. Pray for the mama who now has joined a club no one wants into. A mama who knows a hurt that will change the rest of her life. Pray for a sister who has to grow up and learn about loss and how to live without her baby sister. Pray for the family.
You know I dont get it. Horrible people in this world are alive and well and she is gone. It doesnt seem right or fair! I dont care if the world isnt fair. This isnt right. I live in a time where the church is apathetic and we cover our eyes and ears to things we dont want to know about and we pay for pretty stuff and buildings and babies die. Babies die, orphans are alone hurting abused and not fed and men and women sleep on the street. Mother is separated from child and we all just pretend nothing bad exists, except I see it. I see it everyday and I wanna scream WHY DOESNT ANYONE CARE?! I just want Jesus. Im weak and Im weary and I just want Jesus because this world sucks.
Be blessed
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Stress and updates
My goal the month of November was to blog everyday about adoption. That did not happen. A lot has been going on here and I am not sure just how much I am going to share right now. Our Bulgarian adoption is going so well. We need some more funds but fully trust God to provide. The paperwork is all in order and we should have an update soon. Dossier has been submitted and should be approved by next week. Then travel dates come after that.
So what has me stressed? Our other adoption. Sigh.
CPS chose us to be Micah's mom and dad, brother and sisters. They read our file. We had no secrets. They chose us. I never promised to keep Micah in school indefinitely. They knew we were a homeschooling family. Our caseworker said we think so outside the box that we would never get a child and yet Od laughed and here Micah is, our son. When he came home I fully intended to send him to public school. Just think how easy it would be. He would be gone most of the day. I wouldn't have to change diapers or anything. How easy. Then the specialists, the ped, the therapists all said he needs to be at home not in public school. This would be best for a child that has had no medical care, no therapy, was starved and abused in foster care and is currently functioning on about a 2 to 2.5 year old level. Could I really do it? Could I each Jim? Dal with him all day? Up until this int we weren't really bonding. I mean I never saw him and the school gave us no communication other than how "bad" he was, every single day.
I started asking for a waiver to homeschool. The answer was a quick and firm no. Funny, I had ask for medical records and our caseworker sent messages to them about the foster home Micah was in and what doctors were saying but they never answered the phone or email then. But I ask for one thing and I get an immediate no. Do I stop there? No. I sent them the letter from the genetics doctor who sees Micah. They tell me thanks but no. As if to satisfy me or pass the buck they say they will have their doctor look at the note and decide.
So I call. I get a personal cell phone number and I call. The supervisor of Micah's deadbeat caseworker answers. Now we will talk, finally, after 3 months of silence. I ask her the most important question first. So this doctor that you will have decide if Micah should be homeschooled, has he seen Micah? No, she answers. Ok. So how does a man who has no speciality in children, or children with Down syndrome, and who has never seen my son, get to decide to agree or disagree with a specialist that is my sons doctor, is prominent in the world of Down syndrome and has examined and also had a psych eval for my son??? * As a side note this same supervisor said that my son has no medical records because he was never taken to the doctor.*
Enter lawyers. Yes, I called the lawyers for the homeschool coalition of Texas. I was tired of the bull that CPS was trying to feed me. They were wonderful to me. I found out that the commissioner of CPS for the state of Texas said I am entitled to a waiver because Micah is in permanent situation or a situation leading to permanency. So here's the change of command as I see it, caseworker, caseworker supervisor, supervisor, asst. commissioner, commissioner. Now the commissioner doesn't even know I requested a waiver because the request is being stopped at the supervisor. She says no and that's final they say. Nope. Not by law. The lawyers say the only reason I don't have a waiver is because I have an anti homeschooling caseworker. Yup. A caseworker, cw supervisor, and supervision who has not so much ask about how my child is doing in the last 3 months.
Enter State Rep.
I had enough. The stress alone is taking its toll on me. I know have a uti from not driving anything, I am barely eating and my other kids education is taking a back seat because I have to fight this and fight the school. I made the call to the state rep who helped us bring Micah home. They were very upset that CPS is not doing what is best for Micah. That CPS has not checked on him as they were suppose to. I told her they refused to acknowledge our concerns or look into the foster family that we know abused him. She is gang to be giving them a call.
As I fight for what is best for my child I am constantly reminded that if I don't shut up and stop fighting then they will take him from me. They have done it before and won't hesitate to do it again. CPS likes to prove they can't be beaten, they can't be stopped and what they say goes. They are bullies. Bullies who hide behind their title. Saying this can get my son removed from home. You don't think that scares me? We in CPS custody he had no medical care, no therapy, was abused and mistreated, was looked at like he would never amount to anything because he was in their words "retarded." In CPS custody he was given to a foster family who told us he would probably "outgrow his Down syndrome" and was in a school where he had no educational goals in his IEP and was strapped to a chair in school (seen by the caseworker and put in his report like it was no big deal).
Since being in our family Micah has stopped having diarrhea 10x a day like foster mom said. He has had an exam from the ped, the eye specialist, the genetics doctor, has started therapy for speech and is finally off the wait list and ready to start pt and ot. He has had several tests done that children with Down syndrome need to have. His thyroid was checked and he has seen the allergy doctor and has been tested for allergies. He has several upcoming blood tests. He has had an X-ray for his neck per the doctors orders because in kids with DS you have to check one of the vertebrae to be sure everything is ok. The eye specialist says he needs tear duct surgery and has a stigmatism and both should have been taken care of years ago. GI says he may need a scope to figure out why he had so much diarrhea but our thoughts are he was malnourished and fed junk food. If you give him too much sugar he will have diarrhea.
He came to us showing signs of abuse, all forms of abuse if you get my understanding. He bite, hit, stole food and acted out in a manner no 6 year old should know. Foster mom and CW said he was non verbal. Micah does not show any of those behaviors anymore. Also his speech is amazing. He is very verbal right now. If you ask him to repeat you he will. Potty training was never on the foster family's list to do. Here he goes on the potty, not trained yet but getting better each day. Micah has an incredible fear of dark places, doorways and locks on doors. Beyond a logical fear. We are working with him to make him understand he is safe. When people come over that he thinks are caseworkers he gets very nervous and wants me to leave. He won't go near them or talk to them.
Micah was on the football team and completed his first season. He made many friends and even scored a touchdown. Next we want to try horse back riding. His life with us isn't perfect but it is a good one. He calls us mom and dad, he will pick things up and say "Micah's?!" He knows he belongs here. AJ is his best friend and little teacher. The other day I overheard her,"what Micah? Say the whole thing...go..out..side..to..play..with..me. Ok yes let's go play!" She sits in on every therapy with him. They use the iPad together and she teaches him how to do things he didn't know how to. The other day I saw her hand over hand with him helping him with an app. What a beautiful relationship that is enriching both their lives. And yet CPS would dare to say shut up or I will take him away.
What grounds do they have? Why did they take away another couples two children simply for standing up to them? Now I have to say I wasn't told by CPS directly it was more indirectly thorough another worker. I should not have to live with this fear. And who is giving this fear? 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us God doesn't give the Spirit of fear, but the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound mind. Then who gives us this fear if it isn't God? Satan. Why would he give me fear? To make me stop doing what is right. All it takes for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing.
I want CPS to know it isn't my intention to fight. I have better things to do. It isn't my intention to harm them or make them look bad or even the process of adoption out of state care look bad. I believe when done right and cw actually do their job and make the child a priority it is an amazing program. Ever orphan deserves a loving home no matter where they live. What I. Am trying to do is what the doctors say is best for our child. What I know is best for him. After all isn't that what they want me to do and why they chose me to be his mama? I want him to have the best life possible.
I wanted to put it out there so that others know our situation and story and if they do come after us all this is out there. If they think I am a bother now oh boy do they not want to mess with my children. Please pray for us. This is very stressful. We have the law in our side, the commissioner of CPS on our side and doctors and documentation on our side. Most importantly we have God on our side.
I believe before Micah was even knit together in his mothers womb God chose him to be our son. I believe that adoption has redeemed this child. I believe God has a hope and a future for Micah and that satan does not want to see this happen. I believe that this is not a fight with flesh and blood alone but with the principalities of darkness. I believe that if God is for us who can ever stop us.
We have been attacked a lot lately and it is wearing very thin so please please pray for us. Pay for God's peace and provision and will in our situation. Pray that the hearts of the CPS workers involved in Micah's case would be turned toward God. Pray that this situation will be used for God's glory, because I ow my God never wastes a hurt.
Be blessed
So what has me stressed? Our other adoption. Sigh.
CPS chose us to be Micah's mom and dad, brother and sisters. They read our file. We had no secrets. They chose us. I never promised to keep Micah in school indefinitely. They knew we were a homeschooling family. Our caseworker said we think so outside the box that we would never get a child and yet Od laughed and here Micah is, our son. When he came home I fully intended to send him to public school. Just think how easy it would be. He would be gone most of the day. I wouldn't have to change diapers or anything. How easy. Then the specialists, the ped, the therapists all said he needs to be at home not in public school. This would be best for a child that has had no medical care, no therapy, was starved and abused in foster care and is currently functioning on about a 2 to 2.5 year old level. Could I really do it? Could I each Jim? Dal with him all day? Up until this int we weren't really bonding. I mean I never saw him and the school gave us no communication other than how "bad" he was, every single day.
I started asking for a waiver to homeschool. The answer was a quick and firm no. Funny, I had ask for medical records and our caseworker sent messages to them about the foster home Micah was in and what doctors were saying but they never answered the phone or email then. But I ask for one thing and I get an immediate no. Do I stop there? No. I sent them the letter from the genetics doctor who sees Micah. They tell me thanks but no. As if to satisfy me or pass the buck they say they will have their doctor look at the note and decide.
So I call. I get a personal cell phone number and I call. The supervisor of Micah's deadbeat caseworker answers. Now we will talk, finally, after 3 months of silence. I ask her the most important question first. So this doctor that you will have decide if Micah should be homeschooled, has he seen Micah? No, she answers. Ok. So how does a man who has no speciality in children, or children with Down syndrome, and who has never seen my son, get to decide to agree or disagree with a specialist that is my sons doctor, is prominent in the world of Down syndrome and has examined and also had a psych eval for my son??? * As a side note this same supervisor said that my son has no medical records because he was never taken to the doctor.*
Enter lawyers. Yes, I called the lawyers for the homeschool coalition of Texas. I was tired of the bull that CPS was trying to feed me. They were wonderful to me. I found out that the commissioner of CPS for the state of Texas said I am entitled to a waiver because Micah is in permanent situation or a situation leading to permanency. So here's the change of command as I see it, caseworker, caseworker supervisor, supervisor, asst. commissioner, commissioner. Now the commissioner doesn't even know I requested a waiver because the request is being stopped at the supervisor. She says no and that's final they say. Nope. Not by law. The lawyers say the only reason I don't have a waiver is because I have an anti homeschooling caseworker. Yup. A caseworker, cw supervisor, and supervision who has not so much ask about how my child is doing in the last 3 months.
Enter State Rep.
I had enough. The stress alone is taking its toll on me. I know have a uti from not driving anything, I am barely eating and my other kids education is taking a back seat because I have to fight this and fight the school. I made the call to the state rep who helped us bring Micah home. They were very upset that CPS is not doing what is best for Micah. That CPS has not checked on him as they were suppose to. I told her they refused to acknowledge our concerns or look into the foster family that we know abused him. She is gang to be giving them a call.
As I fight for what is best for my child I am constantly reminded that if I don't shut up and stop fighting then they will take him from me. They have done it before and won't hesitate to do it again. CPS likes to prove they can't be beaten, they can't be stopped and what they say goes. They are bullies. Bullies who hide behind their title. Saying this can get my son removed from home. You don't think that scares me? We in CPS custody he had no medical care, no therapy, was abused and mistreated, was looked at like he would never amount to anything because he was in their words "retarded." In CPS custody he was given to a foster family who told us he would probably "outgrow his Down syndrome" and was in a school where he had no educational goals in his IEP and was strapped to a chair in school (seen by the caseworker and put in his report like it was no big deal).
Since being in our family Micah has stopped having diarrhea 10x a day like foster mom said. He has had an exam from the ped, the eye specialist, the genetics doctor, has started therapy for speech and is finally off the wait list and ready to start pt and ot. He has had several tests done that children with Down syndrome need to have. His thyroid was checked and he has seen the allergy doctor and has been tested for allergies. He has several upcoming blood tests. He has had an X-ray for his neck per the doctors orders because in kids with DS you have to check one of the vertebrae to be sure everything is ok. The eye specialist says he needs tear duct surgery and has a stigmatism and both should have been taken care of years ago. GI says he may need a scope to figure out why he had so much diarrhea but our thoughts are he was malnourished and fed junk food. If you give him too much sugar he will have diarrhea.
He came to us showing signs of abuse, all forms of abuse if you get my understanding. He bite, hit, stole food and acted out in a manner no 6 year old should know. Foster mom and CW said he was non verbal. Micah does not show any of those behaviors anymore. Also his speech is amazing. He is very verbal right now. If you ask him to repeat you he will. Potty training was never on the foster family's list to do. Here he goes on the potty, not trained yet but getting better each day. Micah has an incredible fear of dark places, doorways and locks on doors. Beyond a logical fear. We are working with him to make him understand he is safe. When people come over that he thinks are caseworkers he gets very nervous and wants me to leave. He won't go near them or talk to them.
Micah was on the football team and completed his first season. He made many friends and even scored a touchdown. Next we want to try horse back riding. His life with us isn't perfect but it is a good one. He calls us mom and dad, he will pick things up and say "Micah's?!" He knows he belongs here. AJ is his best friend and little teacher. The other day I overheard her,"what Micah? Say the whole thing...go..out..side..to..play..with..me. Ok yes let's go play!" She sits in on every therapy with him. They use the iPad together and she teaches him how to do things he didn't know how to. The other day I saw her hand over hand with him helping him with an app. What a beautiful relationship that is enriching both their lives. And yet CPS would dare to say shut up or I will take him away.
What grounds do they have? Why did they take away another couples two children simply for standing up to them? Now I have to say I wasn't told by CPS directly it was more indirectly thorough another worker. I should not have to live with this fear. And who is giving this fear? 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us God doesn't give the Spirit of fear, but the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound mind. Then who gives us this fear if it isn't God? Satan. Why would he give me fear? To make me stop doing what is right. All it takes for evil to prosper is for good people to do nothing.
I want CPS to know it isn't my intention to fight. I have better things to do. It isn't my intention to harm them or make them look bad or even the process of adoption out of state care look bad. I believe when done right and cw actually do their job and make the child a priority it is an amazing program. Ever orphan deserves a loving home no matter where they live. What I. Am trying to do is what the doctors say is best for our child. What I know is best for him. After all isn't that what they want me to do and why they chose me to be his mama? I want him to have the best life possible.
I wanted to put it out there so that others know our situation and story and if they do come after us all this is out there. If they think I am a bother now oh boy do they not want to mess with my children. Please pray for us. This is very stressful. We have the law in our side, the commissioner of CPS on our side and doctors and documentation on our side. Most importantly we have God on our side.
I believe before Micah was even knit together in his mothers womb God chose him to be our son. I believe that adoption has redeemed this child. I believe God has a hope and a future for Micah and that satan does not want to see this happen. I believe that this is not a fight with flesh and blood alone but with the principalities of darkness. I believe that if God is for us who can ever stop us.
We have been attacked a lot lately and it is wearing very thin so please please pray for us. Pay for God's peace and provision and will in our situation. Pray that the hearts of the CPS workers involved in Micah's case would be turned toward God. Pray that this situation will be used for God's glory, because I ow my God never wastes a hurt.
Be blessed
Thankful
Earlier this week I said this was going to be my easy week. Then Noah needed to be rushed to the ER. It hadnt happened in so long that I almost didnt know what to do. My body fought it. I refused to go to the childrens hospital and I made Paul come with me. I just didnt have it in me to do again after the weeks I have had. We went to a stand alone ER, Noah in his mask., all the while preparing for the fight. No fight. No people there. In and out. Great doctors and nurses. It was really nice.
I am so thankful we are home this holiday.
Be blessed
Be blessed
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