I just wanted to share something I've discovered. I have had a stinker of a time trying to leave comments on blogger blogs that I follow. It was entirely frustrating when you are trying to leave a word of encouragement, and it just won't go through. Even when I tried to post as Anonymous of OpenID. Well, someone recently suggested trying another browser and that it seems to be an Explorer issue, not a Google issue.
I have been using Internet Explorer forever and hadn't ever thought about changing. My husband switched to Mozilla Firefox at least a year ago and he loves it. He claims it's faster and safer... I wasn't sure. Anyway, in a desperate attempt, I finally downloaded Firefox last week and started using it for my web surfing. Guess what!? I can post comments ever single time I try, and on the first try! Without having to go through the login screen one hundred times. So, if you are having any trouble leaving comments on any blogs, you might just try another browser product for leaving comments. I know there are a few different ones out there, (Google Chrome is another) but so far Firefox is working great for me. I think I'll stick to it.
Just thought I'd share that little something I learned this week. :)
TTFN,
Carrie
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
God's Timing Will be Perfect
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive." - Jeremiah 29: 11-14
I sit here and my heart is sad... We just found out that there will be a delay in processing adoptions in the girls' country. The government is going to restructure and reorganize their adoption system for a while. Not real sure how long that while will take. Maybe a few months. I hope it's less. I sit here wishing the paperwork processes weren't so meticulously tedious, and that the government bureaucracies weren't so painfully slow some days. But it is what it is. We knew the delay was a likely, future possibility, but now it's finally planned. There is no way we can get everything we need to submit before the delay starts.
And hundreds of children in the system will continue to wait. Many on borrowed time. Some with little or no time left.
And hundreds of children in the system will continue to wait. Many on borrowed time. Some with little or no time left.
So we, too, will wait. We will put our hope and trust in the Lord, the One who made the Heavens and the Earth. The One who made each of us. He's the One who loves our girls more than we ever could. He's the One who PROMISES to give all of us a future and a hope. He's the One Who PROMISES to deliver Shawna and Lindsay from their captivity and to bring them home. We will be standing in the gap to seek the Lord and call on Him. We will pray to Him and search Him out, with all our hearts. And He PROMISES to be found and to listen to our hearts as we pray for our girls.
Sleep tight my little angels. I'm asking Jesus to keep you safe. It may take us a little longer to get there, but we won't give up.
"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
- Psalm 27: 13-14
Carrie
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Official - New Commitments!
We are now officially listed as a newly committed family on Reece's Rainbow New Commitments page! How exciting! Another small step forward! And to see it "in print" makes it feel even more real.
Our Family Support Page (FSP) is set up with a PayPal button ready to receive donations from folks who would like to help toward our adoption expenses. Contributions to this fund are made through Reece's Rainbow and are tax-deductible, as allowed by IRS regulations. Donations can also be paid by check and mailed directly to Reece's Rainbow (* info below). These grant funds will be made available to us only after we receive our travel date and have the appointments to meet and officially adopt our girls in their country.
It is estimated that the total adoption costs will be around $30,000 for both children. The government of their country does NOT receive any money specifically for their adoption. They only receive the fees to process and generate their passports to leave. The bulk of the costs will go toward our travel expenses to their country and housing and transportation while we are there (4-7 weeks), as well as paying the facilitators in-country who will handle all of the ground work with paperwork filing, processing and arrangements to make it all happen within their legal system.
Yes, it seems like a ridiculous ransom, but the value of their lives is priceless. I just remember the ransom of Jesus' life that God chose to pay for us to live eternally with Him, and this money pales in comparison.
A super friend is already working on a fundraising opportunity through her business. I will share more info as we get the details finished. Another quilting friend is working on a couple of beautiful giveaway items. Oh, I can hardly wait to see the finished products! And still others have already expressed interest in helping us with other activities to raise funds. I'm so very thankful and humbled by their generosity of time and talents. God is already answering our prayers for provision.
I am creating coin banks to collect pocket change to "Change a Child's Life." Our credit union allows us to cash in loose change without charging the typical 1% fee of the popular coin machines. If you would like one, please email me, and I will arrange to get one to you. These funds will be used to help offset the up-front costs of adoption (home study and USCIS applications) and are not considered a tax-deductible donation.
Your prayers, encouragement, help and support are vital to this rescue mission. Thank you!
TTFN,
Carrie
* Checks can be mailed directly to Reece's Rainbow, PO Box 4024, Gaithersburg, MD, 20885. Please designate "For Eubanks/Shawna & Lindsay" on your check so they will be accounted to our FSP.
Our Family Support Page (FSP) is set up with a PayPal button ready to receive donations from folks who would like to help toward our adoption expenses. Contributions to this fund are made through Reece's Rainbow and are tax-deductible, as allowed by IRS regulations. Donations can also be paid by check and mailed directly to Reece's Rainbow (* info below). These grant funds will be made available to us only after we receive our travel date and have the appointments to meet and officially adopt our girls in their country.
It is estimated that the total adoption costs will be around $30,000 for both children. The government of their country does NOT receive any money specifically for their adoption. They only receive the fees to process and generate their passports to leave. The bulk of the costs will go toward our travel expenses to their country and housing and transportation while we are there (4-7 weeks), as well as paying the facilitators in-country who will handle all of the ground work with paperwork filing, processing and arrangements to make it all happen within their legal system.
Yes, it seems like a ridiculous ransom, but the value of their lives is priceless. I just remember the ransom of Jesus' life that God chose to pay for us to live eternally with Him, and this money pales in comparison.
A super friend is already working on a fundraising opportunity through her business. I will share more info as we get the details finished. Another quilting friend is working on a couple of beautiful giveaway items. Oh, I can hardly wait to see the finished products! And still others have already expressed interest in helping us with other activities to raise funds. I'm so very thankful and humbled by their generosity of time and talents. God is already answering our prayers for provision.
I am creating coin banks to collect pocket change to "Change a Child's Life." Our credit union allows us to cash in loose change without charging the typical 1% fee of the popular coin machines. If you would like one, please email me, and I will arrange to get one to you. These funds will be used to help offset the up-front costs of adoption (home study and USCIS applications) and are not considered a tax-deductible donation.
Your prayers, encouragement, help and support are vital to this rescue mission. Thank you!
TTFN,
Carrie
* Checks can be mailed directly to Reece's Rainbow, PO Box 4024, Gaithersburg, MD, 20885. Please designate "For Eubanks/Shawna & Lindsay" on your check so they will be accounted to our FSP.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
It's Official - We're Adopting!
So this is where our adoption story begins...
We have been married 10 years. We have three terrific kids, and one of them just happens to have Down syndrome. He has been a blessing to our lives and our family and we wouldn't change him for anything. We have made so many terrific friends through the blessing of an extra chromosome in our families.
While researching resources related to Down syndrome, I happened upon Reece's Rainbow about a year after our second son was born. I fell in love with those precious little angel faces. A seed was planted in my heart for these children. My heart ached for these children to know that they were left behind in orphanages and institutions around the world. They were left behind because they had Down syndrome, or some other birth defect or disability.
Through a series of recent events, I was brought back to Reece's Rainbow's waiting children once again. Once again, my heart ached to see their faces, knowing that they just didn't have the chance and opportunity that my child has here in America. They don't experience the love of a mom and dad in their orphanages. They don't have much beyond the very basics of care, if that. Oh, how my heart ached. And then to read what awaits these children once they leave the somewhat stimulating environment of their baby houses, when they are transferred to the adult mental institutions between 4-6 yrs old. Oh, how my heart broke. So many will lose the will to live and will die within the first year. Those that do live, will only exist until they die, however long that takes.
My heart broke, and God wouldn't let the pain go away. I came upon two precious little girls that have captured my heart in this pain. They are both 7yrs old now, and blessed to still be at the "baby house" where they have grown up. They have beautiful smiles in spite of their circumstances. They are tiny for their ages. Probably smaller than my 4yr old daughter. They are together in the same room. And they are literally within a few months of being transferred to an adult mental institution - at 7 yrs old!
God wouldn't let me go. I love my son and I know the value he brings to our family and our community. I see that same potential for these girls, but only with a family who loves and encourages them. They need a family, too, and I had a discussion with God about it.
"What am I supposed to do about it?"
"That's an insane amount of money to come up with in a short amount of time! How's that going to happen?" "You'll see," He said.
"What's my husband going to say? You're going to have to talk to him about it, God. Because I'm not doing it!" "I will," He said.
"I can keep praying for them to find a family. I can donate and help the ones you send to get them." "Yes, you can," He said.
"I know it's Your will for all of us to help the orphans, wherever they are. Your Word says so. But is it Your plan for US to adopt, or is it to step in and help others in their journey? I need to know!" "I will show you," He said.
I continued to pray about it, hoping for a clear direction from God. He kept working on both of us. As much as I contemplated the decision, I continued to have an amazing and indescribable amount of peace about saying YES. It was His peace. I finally mentioned it to my husband, and he had already felt in his heart that it was the right thing to do. I decided God wouldn't put such a burden on my heart, if He weren't going to be right there in the middle of making it happen. We have room in our hearts. We can make room in our home. We know that having Down syndrome is not a big deal. We know there will be challenges, but there can be challenges with any kid - by birth or not. We know that God will help us make it past those challenges, and to come out better for it.
I contacted Reece's Rainbow and we have begun the home study process with a social worker. We will work next to assemble the paperwork that will be submitted as our adoption petition to their country.
The two girls that we hope to adopt are listed on Reece's Rainbow as Shawna and Lindsay. These are not their real names, but an alias that is given to protect their privacy. They are considered wards of the state in their native country until the adoption is granted by a court in their country. I can only tell you that they live in Eastern Europe. We will travel to their country to meet them and bring them home.
We are stepping out on our faith in God, and walking this journey filled with Hope. And we NEED your prayers. That's why I titled this blog - "Living on Hope and Prayers."
Please pray for the paperwork process - that it will go quickly and smoothly.
Please pray for the financial provision we will need to make this happen. I know the money is chump change in God's eye's, but it's pretty big in our eyes. And we will need it within a few months of time.
Please pray for favor - we are hoping the orphanage director and officials will be willing and able to keep the girls there at the baby house until we can get there in a few months. There is no certainty that they would remain adoptable if they are moved to the institution. Even if they remain adoptable, I want to minimize the number of moves and the trauma of too many changes for them.
Please pray for the arrangements we will need to make for the care of our 3 children while we travel.
Please pray for our family and our new girls, that we will all be prepared for the changes and transitions that will come.
Please pray for the facilitation team that we will be working with in their country. These are people we have never met, but we will be putting our trust in them while we are there to get us through the intricate process to adopt our kids. Pray they will be honest and will do their jobs efficiently and well.
We appreciate all of you that will support us through this journey in whichever way you can. If it's with your prayers, friendship, encouragement, assistance or financial gifts, however large or small, it's ALL appreciated! The lives of our newest children depend on your help to get us there and back.
TTFN (ta-ta for now!)
Carrie
We have been married 10 years. We have three terrific kids, and one of them just happens to have Down syndrome. He has been a blessing to our lives and our family and we wouldn't change him for anything. We have made so many terrific friends through the blessing of an extra chromosome in our families.
While researching resources related to Down syndrome, I happened upon Reece's Rainbow about a year after our second son was born. I fell in love with those precious little angel faces. A seed was planted in my heart for these children. My heart ached for these children to know that they were left behind in orphanages and institutions around the world. They were left behind because they had Down syndrome, or some other birth defect or disability.
Through a series of recent events, I was brought back to Reece's Rainbow's waiting children once again. Once again, my heart ached to see their faces, knowing that they just didn't have the chance and opportunity that my child has here in America. They don't experience the love of a mom and dad in their orphanages. They don't have much beyond the very basics of care, if that. Oh, how my heart ached. And then to read what awaits these children once they leave the somewhat stimulating environment of their baby houses, when they are transferred to the adult mental institutions between 4-6 yrs old. Oh, how my heart broke. So many will lose the will to live and will die within the first year. Those that do live, will only exist until they die, however long that takes.
My heart broke, and God wouldn't let the pain go away. I came upon two precious little girls that have captured my heart in this pain. They are both 7yrs old now, and blessed to still be at the "baby house" where they have grown up. They have beautiful smiles in spite of their circumstances. They are tiny for their ages. Probably smaller than my 4yr old daughter. They are together in the same room. And they are literally within a few months of being transferred to an adult mental institution - at 7 yrs old!
God wouldn't let me go. I love my son and I know the value he brings to our family and our community. I see that same potential for these girls, but only with a family who loves and encourages them. They need a family, too, and I had a discussion with God about it.
"What am I supposed to do about it?"
"That's an insane amount of money to come up with in a short amount of time! How's that going to happen?" "You'll see," He said.
"What's my husband going to say? You're going to have to talk to him about it, God. Because I'm not doing it!" "I will," He said.
"I can keep praying for them to find a family. I can donate and help the ones you send to get them." "Yes, you can," He said.
"I know it's Your will for all of us to help the orphans, wherever they are. Your Word says so. But is it Your plan for US to adopt, or is it to step in and help others in their journey? I need to know!" "I will show you," He said.
I continued to pray about it, hoping for a clear direction from God. He kept working on both of us. As much as I contemplated the decision, I continued to have an amazing and indescribable amount of peace about saying YES. It was His peace. I finally mentioned it to my husband, and he had already felt in his heart that it was the right thing to do. I decided God wouldn't put such a burden on my heart, if He weren't going to be right there in the middle of making it happen. We have room in our hearts. We can make room in our home. We know that having Down syndrome is not a big deal. We know there will be challenges, but there can be challenges with any kid - by birth or not. We know that God will help us make it past those challenges, and to come out better for it.
I contacted Reece's Rainbow and we have begun the home study process with a social worker. We will work next to assemble the paperwork that will be submitted as our adoption petition to their country.
The two girls that we hope to adopt are listed on Reece's Rainbow as Shawna and Lindsay. These are not their real names, but an alias that is given to protect their privacy. They are considered wards of the state in their native country until the adoption is granted by a court in their country. I can only tell you that they live in Eastern Europe. We will travel to their country to meet them and bring them home.
We are stepping out on our faith in God, and walking this journey filled with Hope. And we NEED your prayers. That's why I titled this blog - "Living on Hope and Prayers."
Please pray for the paperwork process - that it will go quickly and smoothly.
Please pray for the financial provision we will need to make this happen. I know the money is chump change in God's eye's, but it's pretty big in our eyes. And we will need it within a few months of time.
Please pray for favor - we are hoping the orphanage director and officials will be willing and able to keep the girls there at the baby house until we can get there in a few months. There is no certainty that they would remain adoptable if they are moved to the institution. Even if they remain adoptable, I want to minimize the number of moves and the trauma of too many changes for them.
Please pray for the arrangements we will need to make for the care of our 3 children while we travel.
Please pray for our family and our new girls, that we will all be prepared for the changes and transitions that will come.
Please pray for the facilitation team that we will be working with in their country. These are people we have never met, but we will be putting our trust in them while we are there to get us through the intricate process to adopt our kids. Pray they will be honest and will do their jobs efficiently and well.
We appreciate all of you that will support us through this journey in whichever way you can. If it's with your prayers, friendship, encouragement, assistance or financial gifts, however large or small, it's ALL appreciated! The lives of our newest children depend on your help to get us there and back.
TTFN (ta-ta for now!)
Carrie
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