YAY Phoebe!!!

Guess what?

Phoebe found her family!

For those of your who don't know, Phoebe is the 2 year old cutie who captured my heart way back in February.

I've been thinking about her for a few days, just knowing in my heart that she had a family committed to her.

I don't know why. it was just this feeling I had that I knew was true!

So today, when I finally couldn't take it anymore, I hopped onto the Reece's Rainbow website, did a quick search for this little girl, and lo and behold:

YES!!!

Even tough I already knew, my heart still lurched. Because it's AMAZING news!

I'm so excited for her. She's just barely 2, so she's going to get out of the horrible orphanage she's in an into a clean home with a loving family before she's even 3 years old!

She's a lucky duck, this girl.

Don't get me wrong, just because I knew it was coming doesn't mean I'm not freaking out. Trust me, I still freaking out!!! 

I'm just amazed my the way God opens the hearts of families. Almost all adoption stories start out the same way. "We didn't know we wanted to adopt, we didn't think we could adopt, but when we saw that face, we dove in."

No plan. Most of he time, no money. Just a rock solid faith in God and the willingness to believe that miracles DO happen.

No news, on who Phoebe's family is yet, which means her family has just found her, maybe even within the past week!! 

Adoption is just a calling. It can come to anyone and everyone. The journey is long and crazy. But the reward... is priceless! 

Go sweet Phoebe!!!

{Please keep Phoebe and her soon to be family in your prayers. They will need them!}

Remarkable Faith: Prayer!

Yippee! This week I'm participating in Mary's Remarkable Faith series at Giving Up On Perfect. (This is the second to last week! Oh, no!) This week is on one of the best topics ever: prayer!

I love to pray. Seriously. I tell people I'm praying for them all the time, and I really do. I'm like a little prayer queen or something.

It makes me feel connected to God. And I know that He answers EVERY prayer we pray, whether that be with a yes or no. I'm still working on this one though: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words." I hope He wasn't serious about that! No, my prayers are really long, but they aren't just empty words. I mean something.


Anyway, if I had to pick something/someone that I pray for the deepest, that's a piece of cake: Reece's Rainbow. For those of you who aren't regular readers here, Reece's Rainbow is the International Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry. I'm totally in love with all the children listed through Reece's Rainbow, just waiting to find their forever families.


I pray night and day, so hard for these little cuties. Let me tell ya, when you log on to check their page and you see the words, "My Family Found Me" written under their description, it's seriously as if you yourself are adopting them. It's the best feeling in the whole world!


If you want to see just a little bit of how crazy I get about these things, please please read these posts (in order!): 


NO WAY!


TRYING TO CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!


TAYLAH HAS A FAMILY!


Here's an excerpt in case you don't feel like it: 


Miracles Happen!


I'm so excited and thankful I can't even think. Max has a family!!!!!!!!!!
He was on my mind for a while, but I only just posted about him last Saturday! I it wasn't me that helped him though... I mean, no one even reads this blog! However, I was praying so hard for him. Anything is possible with the power of prayer.
I don't know any details, but I will try to find them out soon. All I know is that I logged onto Reece's Rainbow, looked up Max, and low and behold I saw that his family has found him. 
i am over the moon. I can't believe that this happened so quickly! I knew he would touch some wonderful parents hearts the way he touched mine... I had faith. 
I'm in awe at what the power God has. It really is miraculous.  
Of course, Max is still pretty far from home and his family will need all the financial help they can get. I'm praying that he will get some big donations. 
I had no idea what I would have to do to get Max a family, but I was willing. I had no resources, no real way to do anything. No power. But God had the power. 
I'll be advocating for Max until the day he gets home. There is no doubt about that. God is so good. Just when he knows you need it, He gives you a sign. 
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:42
Apparently, I do know now. That day, was today.
Thank you, God!!!

So yes, I'm very passionate about the cause (to say the least). Well, in celebration of their 5 year Anniversary, Reece's Rainbow has a new 5/5/5 Warrior Project. They picked out every single 5 year old orphan in the system, with Down Syndrome or other Special Needs and make them eligible to have a 5/5/5 Warrior. 5/5/5 Warriors are supposed to help find their child a family, and also try to raise $5,000 by the end of the year.

I was shocked by the site of how many orphans has $0 in their grant funds. I found Nasira, and she tugged at my heart. What a sweetie! Nasira has CP (Cerebral Palsy) and she is 5 this June. 

I'm her warrior now. I will pray my heart out for her, and ask for God to grace this little girl with His presence! I'm honored to be praying for such an adorable girl, and I know God will hear what I have to say.He'll get her through this, but it's all up to Him.

So there you have it. I simply LOVE to pray, and especially for those that are in need (in my case, they are usually in need of Mommy's and Daddy's, but you know, I'll pray for anyone who needs it. Don't we all?)

"Pray without ceasing," - 1 Thessalonians 5:17


Blessings!

NO WAY!!! TAYLAH HAS A FAMILY!!!

Oh...My...Goodness!!! Can you tell how excited I am from the look of this post title? I'm psyched! On top of the world! Thanking God with all my strength!

TAYLAH HAS A FAMILY!!!

I can't adopt through Reece's Rainbow yet. I'm not 25. But friends, I've been "adopting" these little cuties in my heart, mind, and soul for a while now!

I first saw sweet Taylah on January 20th, when I did a big Wordless Wednesday dedicated to Reece's Rainbow. She was the cutest thing in the entire world! I was praying so hard that she would find a family. She had her 3rd birthday in February, and I was just pleading with God that she would  get a family committed to her NOW! Once these orphans reach 5, many of them are sent of to a bad place...

I can't tell you how many times I've stayed up way past when I should have, sitting there with my Bible praying fiercely for this little girl (and Phoebe!) I've spent many a day when I was supposed to be focusing, accomplishing goals, just thinking about Taylah and everyone else, not getting a single thing done.

I hadn't checked her Reece's Rainbow page in a few days, so I went to do so. I swear, I almost passed out when I saw the words MY FAMILY FOUND ME written under her listing!

Now, I'm all teary-eyed and slightly crazy about this news. This is the best day ever! (I know, I make it seem like I'm the one adopting her, but I'm just this excited that she's finally coming home to her forever family. It's about time!)

Here is what Reece's Rainbow has to say about the White's, Taylah's new family:

Sarah has always had a heart for adoption, and prior to getting into a committed relationship with Todd, she told him she could only marry him if he would someday be willing to bring a child home through adoption. He agreed that he could love a child through adoption just as easily as a bio child. Now, after eight years of marriage and with three little boys to keep them busy, Sarah came across Reece's Rainbow and realized in her heart that the time to adopt was upon them. Todd had reservations at first; after all, they are a busy household already, why would they want to create more work for themselves? But he realized Sarah's request was upon him, and decided he still felt he could love an adopted child just as much as he loves his three little boys. After much prayer and consideration, the couple agreed that they would follow God's lead and journey wherever he takes them. The family is blessed with open, compassionate hearts, so whenever fears of the unknown come along, they remind themselves that God is leading this journey to care for the orphans just as He commands. The boys are excited about the prospect of finally having a sister! Sarah is a special education teacher turned stay-at-home mom, and Todd works hard as a school administrator. The family is blessed with a large extended family, so their new daughter will be not only gaining new parents and siblings, but lots of grandparents, aunts, and uncles as well. It is a journey that started in the heart long ago, and they are thrilled to finally be moving along the road to bringing their little one home!

How awesome is that? I just have to say, THANK YOU, GOD!

So here's a lesson... GOD CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS! God is God. He can do whatever in the world He wants. A few days ago, He decided it was time to being Taylah's family to her. So He made it happen.

All I'm trying to say is... NEVER GIVE UP! Always have hope, because with God, there will always BE hope. We just have to believe. Have a little faith. Trust our amazing GOD!

I could seriously ramble for hours about Taylah, Reece's Rainbow, and God, but I'll spare you. I'll leave you off with this:

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13) 

Blessings!

Please keep Taylah and the wonderful, amazing White family in your prayers! They have a long ways to go... but they're GOING, and that's all that matters. :)

Visit Sarah White's blog to keep updated on Taylah, Here!

Hope for Two Teens

Most of you know that I am BIG on advocating for orphans. I’m here every week posting about different orphans, family news, ways to help, etc.

Usually, I’m advocating for the younger ones. The 5 year olds who have just been transferred to mental institutions. The 2 & 3 year old blonde girlies on my sidebar. I love them all!

However, some orphans aren’t as lucky as all those on my Rescued Angels page. They don’t get rescued by age 5. They have to wait.

Christy, over at Hope for the Forgotten, has been doing some serious advocating for 2 little boys named Maxim and Emmitt. Only they really aren’t that little. They are both thirteen.

Yes, 13! An age when boys should be going to the movies, or hanging out with friends. NOT lying in cribs in foreign countries.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Their situations are so desperate. Both boys are bedridden. They are hopeless. We must give them hope.

Emmit is listed on Reece’s Rainbow. This is what they have to say about him:

“Emmitt is a sweet boy.  He is living in one of the mental institutions, and has been for many years, yet he remains sweet, intelligent, and kind.  Two of our adopting families met him while they were there, and are pleading for a family to save him.  From his medical records:  myelomeningocele  (spina bifida)   From one of our adoptive families:  ” Emmitt has a severe deformity of his legs.  He cannot walk at all.  He is very friendly, funny, and talkative. He desperately seeks out attention.  He was talking to my husband, and holding Zack’s hand, which he then put on top of his head for Zack to rub his hair.  He is extremely intelligent, and just precious!  I brought him paper and crayons, and he drew me a flower. J ”

We are seeking more official medical information about his condition, but hope someone out there will see this sweet young man and know his kind and loving spirit.”

That is so, unbelievably sweet! It makes me want to cry. Emmitt is no different than any other boy here in America. He loves people. He draws pictures! All he needs is a forever family to save his life.

Maxim is listed through Life2Orphans.

Maxim is 13 years old and bedridden. He is being sponsored to receive medical care, but he needs more than that. He needs a family. Everyone who meets him is touched by his beautiful spirit.

In just 3 years, Maxim is going to turn 16. He will not be eligible for adoption any longer. After he turns 16, he will be left to spend the rest of his life in a bed.

What gets me the most about Maxim and Emmitt is that they are teenagers! They aren’t toddlers anymore. They’re 13 years old!!!

Help breath hope into the lives of 2 teens in need. Keep them in your prayers! J

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Blessings!

Alexander's Family News! (Trying to contain my excitement...!)

Okay, so I have seriously been DYING to post this all day!

I saw this awesome news on A Perfect Lily this morning. I wanted so badly to post it then, but I had to get ready because I was one of the few people not off today. Ugh.

No big deal, I thought, I can do the post from my cell phone! Well, it turns out that my phone was laying under a recliner chair in our living room (How? Why? Don't ask me!) all night and the battery was dead. Lovely, right? So I had to be patient and wait until now.

Go watch this video, now, before reading on... it's only 17 seconds! (I can't get it to post here!)

Yes, if you were wondering, that is ALEXANDER!!!

Alexander, the sweet little boy who captured my heart a few weeks ago... and subsequently got a family committed to him!

Apparently, I was not the only person who fell head over heels for this little cutie. Someone else, a lovely lady named Christie (Visit her sweet blog, T-cubed: 3 boys, twins, and Trisomy 21), saw him too. She was lucky enough to be part of the over 25 crowd, of which I am not, that is eligible to adopt, so she and her husband Shawn committed to him! (Read the full story here.)

I love her story. I love adoption. I love orphans! Funny(ish) story:

Last weekend I was checking out some cute photos at Dear Laura... Love Sissy, when my sister came into the room. She saw what I was looking at and said, "Why are you so in love with babies that have Down Syndrome?" I didn't really answer her, but I knew the answer. I love orphans because they don't have anyone else to love them. As for the Down Syndrome part, well I just can't stand that a simple extra chromosome would give parents cause to give theirs kids up and send then off the a life in an institution. It's a sad beginning for those kiddos... but I want to do all I can to make it a happy ending!

I'm just amazed by what God can do. He can save lives. He can answer prayers. He can do whatever he wants, people! I'm just so thankful to have seen Alexander, and I will faithfully follow the Taylor family on their journey of adopting him.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -Luke 18:16

God is so good, everyone!

Blessings!


P.S: Alexander is not on my sidebar anymore, but it's not because I stopped caring about him (never)! I transfer all the Reece's Rainbow cuties that find families over to my Rescued Angels page. I still pray for them everyday! I would have kept them on the sidebar, but you know, room is limited...

NO WAY!

I just barely mention beautiful Alexander to everyone, and what do you know...

ALEXANDER HAS A FAMILY!!!

I guess that's just the awesome way God works!!! I'm so excited!!! I've expressed special interest in daveing two little boys (Max and Alexander) and like 2 seconds after I mention them here they get families!!! I don't understand that, at all, but I guess I'm catchingthem right when it's their time to be adopted? Again, I know I really didn't get the chance to do anything at all for either boy.

If this keeps happening, if every little angel I pick out of the mix get a family committed to them within a week of me posting about them, I'd be extatic. Bring it on! But I really do want to HELP an orphan.

I've picked 2 little girls from Reece's Rainbow for my next adventure. (They were both a part of my Wordless Wednesday, Reece's Rainbow edition, in mid- January and I totally fell in love. They are just too cute for words!)

TaylahDate of Birth : February 2008
Gender: Female
Eyes: Blue
Hair: blond
Character: calm , affectionate, friendly   

FULL MEDICAL RECORDS AND MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE    The girl is active, affectionate, easily bonding to adults. She can exhibit inadequately aggressive reactions to some stimuli. She is not picky at table. She eats well, but not very tidily. She falls asleep slowly and easily gets up in the morning.   Her hearing is good, her vision concentration is a bit lower (weak convergence, nistagmus).  The attention span is poor. She does not like to look through books or pictures.  Her motor skills: she walks, sits, walks over barriers, goes up and down the stairs, but her movements are not very well coordinated. She can build a tower of 3 cubes, collect a pyramid out of rings not observing the sequence of sizes. She does not scribble. She does not know even the concepts of color, shape and size. She performs tasks learning from her mistakes.  She understands what is said to her. She knows her name and turns to it. She knows the names of familiar adults. She reacts to different speech tones.  She repeats syllables, does not repeat words.

PhoebeDate of Birth: April 2009
Gender: Female
Eyes: Gray
Hair: light brown
Nature: Calm    Oh, look at the glow on this munchkin!  Too cute!  Wispy blonde hair and blue eyes, this one has a smile that can light up a room.  She is so young and at a perfect age for early intervention!   From her medical records:  Congenital heart defect: secondary atrial septal defect, additional chord in the left ventricle.  Phoebe is described as a delightful little girl.  She is active and engaging.  She rolls over, follows an object with her eyes, fixes her stare, grabs toys, manipulates them (bangs, waves, etc.).  She smiles, coos, starts to babble, smiles when somebody talks to her.

FULL MEDICAL RECORDS AVAILABLE, MORE PHOTOS ALSO

So there you go! I'm pretty excited to figure out what I cab do for them. I would LOVE to host a giveaway if I could get the resources!

Taylah and Phoebe would be such a wonderful addition to a family out there. Taylah is turning 3 sometime this month! Happy Birthday, Taylah! Phoebe is still one until her birthday in April!!! I'm excited to advocate for these 2 because they are a little ways away from institutionalization (the average age is 5). If I can help them NOW, then that will be 2 less orphans fighting time to get a family in a few years.

I'll keep everyone posted, but for now I'm just thinking and asking for an oppurtunity to help them to come around.

I may not know much, but one thing I know for sure is... GOD ROCKS!

God Bless,

Sydney

P.S: They look kind of like sisters, don't they? Same haircut! They aren't though: Taylah is from the 25th region in Russia and Phoebe is from the 9th.

Meet Alexander... The 5 year old who has captured my heart!

Isn't he precious? Alexander, like Max is already over 5 years old. NO ONE HAS EVER INQUIRED ABOUT HIM! I'm wondering how this could be true. His perfect Mommy just hasn't come across him yet...

Alexander is already in an institution. They shaved their heads this past summer, so that's why the bald head. I look at his face, and I wish I could just pick him up and hold him. He doesn't deserve to be lying in a crib, heavily medicated and underweight. Institutions are terrible, scary, heart wrenching places. I'm crying for him.

He doesn't have any serious complications. He is a healthy little boy. Here is what Reece's Rainbow says about him:

 Born April 13, 2005

HELP!  I HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED!!

OH, what a difference a new picture can make!!    Alexander has been listed with us for more than 2 years, and not a soul has ever inquired about him.  Up until now, the only photos we have had of him were laying down in a crib, never showing him up and mobile and active!     But look at him!!   What a great smile, and so much life in him! 

  

Alexander is a handsome little boy who really needs a loving family. He has light brown hair and blue eyes.    He is already 5!    He was born with a minor PDA, but does not have pulmonary hypertension. He also has flat feet. Please give Alexander the chance to grow up in a loving family

HEADS WERE SHAVED FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS.

I want so badly to help him. I feel for him like he is a part of my family. The thing is, I don't know what I can do.

I've donated to him, and he has $7626.00 so that's good. The thing is I'm just not sure how to spread the word. Not many people read this blog, but I don't care about that. I would host a giveaway, like Patti (check out the lovely Pure Love Giveaway), but I don't have the funds or the followers to do so.

I'm not going to let a few obstacles discourage me though. I am trying to get the word out about Alexander, as well as I can. Otherwise, I'm just praying for a miracle. I'm asking for God's direction, for his help. I cannot do this on my own. Please God, help me to save Alexander...

In the meantime, please spread the word. I don't know exactly what to do as of yet, but I'm hoping for some divine inspiration.

God Bless,

Sydney

Patti's God's Pure Love Giveaway



Happy February Everyone!

What does February mean to you? Ground hog's Day, Valentines Day, Patti's big Pure Love giveaway, President's Day... wait a minute. Patti's big Pure Love giveaway? What's that all about? I'll tell you!

See those three adorable little faces above? They belong to Kareen, Olga, and Peter. Patti from A Perfect Lily is hosting a major giveaway to raise money for these three special children.

People have been donating items for the giveaway left and right. It's going to be really amazing. Patti's is aiming to get Peter a full grant. That's over 20,000 dollars!

Already, people are showing there love for these children. Yesterday, before the giveaway even began, a woman named Sara donated 1,000 dollars to Peter! Isn't that miraculous? It's merely the first day out of ten and already (as of 5:00 pm) Peter has $4,445 towards his adoption! That's roughly triple what he had the majority of last month!

In return for people generous donations (you only have to donate $10 to enter) Patti is giving away loads of wonderful prizes:

• A brand new iPad with accessories
• Nikon D90 digital Camera
• 14 carat diamond earrings
• Lia Sophia bracelet
• Lia Sophia necklace
• Happy Hooks Crochet Etsy shop designer baby hat
• $35 gift card to Etsy shop Lil' Sis Designs
• itty bitty icing Etsy shop designer baby headbands
• Tutu, onesie, and matching headband made by Elissa from Sound's Like Life To Me (see the Fabulous Blogs I Follow sidebar!)
• (3) $10 Starbucks gift card donated by Katy from Diary of a Zookeeper 
• A tote bag and mother daughter aprons donated by Cassie from The Crazy Eight

Patti is playing a huge loving part in this giveaway, but in the end, its God's Pure Love giveaway. Patti has had the compassion and diligence to follow through and never stop advocating, and it's God who has granted Patti her biggest hopes and dreams in saving these children. It's God who has gotten so many people involved in advocating (might as well make this the word of the day!) for Peter, Kareen, and Olga. Patti's purpose is clear: she is the wonderful messenger God is using to carry out some of His most important work with Reece's Rainbow. Without beautiful Patti and her beautiful Lily, where would Olga, Kareen, and Peter be right now? I'm starting to cry. I can't thank you enough Patti, for the true "surrogate" Mama you have been for these children. They are so blessed to have you on their side. Thank you. I have all the faith in the world that we can work together to get Kareen and Olga (SHE HAS A FAMILY!) home sooner, and Peter a full grant. It's a big order, that's for sure, but nothing is to big for God. 

Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7 

We've got to get these children home. It's been long enough. If God has previously raised $12,000 for Olga through Patti's advocating, I just know he has something even bigger in store for this giveaway.

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." (I know you all know what song this line is from... hint hint: its in bold!)

He loves Kareen. He loves Olga. He loves Peter. He will not let then die. He has big things in store for these three children, and nothing puts a stop to God's plans. Donate, pray, and  ask for a work to be done in Peter's future family's heart so that he can get adopted really soon, along with Olga and Kareen!

I'll keep you updated, but be sure to read Patti's heartfelt post about the giveaway, and check her blog frequently as well.

"But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish." - Psalms 9:18

God Bless,

Sydney

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12

FYI: Keep praying for Max (click here to read my post about him) as well. I want to get him out of the institiution so badly it hurts!

Mission Max... Please Help Save Him!

My heart goes out to this precious little boy. As you all know, I did a big "(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday" post this week featuring 16 beautiful faces from Reece's Rainbow. I'm praying for all of them. However, one little boy in particular caught my eye, or rather... my heart: Max. On his Reece's Rainbow page, in big red letters in says, " HELP! I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED!!" Oh no. Max is already five and a half, so he was taken from his baby orphanage and put into a mental institution.

On Wednesday night, after my post, I was praying for God to provide me with a way to help someone. I didn't want just anything. I needed divine inspiration. Suddenly, it just came to me. MAX. I had this sudden epiphany. I knew that that was what I had to do. I couldn't shake the feeling. It was like God talking straight to me, telling me what I already new deep down inside: that I can't pass by knowing of Max's troubles and not do anything at all. That is no longer an option for me.  I know this is the direction God wants me to go in. Max, beautiful Max, is truly suffering. We have to do something for him.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is tha good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke
Max was born with a heart condition and he also has strabismus (when the eyes don't line up to the same direction they are focusing on. It is commonly known as cross-eyed.) However, he is such an adorable little blond haired, gray eyed boy. He is of a quiet nature, but the reason for this is the way his life has been.

On Patti's blog, A Perfect Lily, she posted an interview with Adeye Salem. Adeye has adopted 4 children, 2 of them from Reece's Rainbow. One of her daughters, Hailee, was living in the laying room at an orphange. A room where  cribs are jam packed into a small area, where children NEVER get out of their cribs, and  the only attention they get is when they are fed.

And in institutions, oh I don't even want to think about the horrors. Children are CHAINED to their cribs and they are heavily sedated so as not to "burden" the employee's. Adeye's baby, Hailee, weighed only 15 pound on her 5th birthday. Babies should weigh 15 pounds at a few months old!Ann Curry from thetoday Show went to Serbia to see hands on what these instititutions are like. There is a 5 minute video clip, but I was so higly disturbed and sickened that I couldn't finish it. To think of Max, sleeping the  numbered years he has away in a dark, dirty, horrible place, so severely underweight and underdeveloped, so deprived of love and nurturing, its HEARTBREAKING. This is why I know that I have to do SOMETHING.

I obviously cannot adopt Max. I'm  just not in that stage of life yet. I'm not even out of my teen years yet (but soon!).  However, if I could, I'd be their in a heartbeat. I know that there is someone out there that IS in the right stage of life. Someone who will love and cherish Max. Someone who will show Max the light he has never seen. I am so fearful for what will happen to Max if he is not adopted soon, but then again, I'm not. I know the Lord is watching over Max and I trust that Max will get a chance at life. I'm praying so hard for him, and I hope you will do the same. I DO have hope.

Please, God, watch over Max. Help him to find his perfect family VERY soon. He could use his guardian angels right about now. Please, save him!

Pray if you will, donate if you can, and spread the word!

God Bless,

Sydney

P.S: Please, please, please don't forget about Olga, Kareen, Peter, etc. They need a place in your prayers just as much as Max!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18 

Some of my very favorite Bible Verses!

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Pray!

God Bless (Reece's Rainbow children and you!),

Sydney

P.S: Actual words about the precious children on Reece's Rainbow (and how you can help them out!) to come within week!

Reece's Rainbow

Happy Birthday to A Perfect Lily!

Isn't that just the sweetest face ever?! This precious baby, Lily Anne Rice, is turning one year old today! Happy Birthday Lily!

I've never met Lily, but I'm in love with her Mama's blog, A Perfect Lily. I came across Patti's blog a few months ago, and I've been obsessed ever since!

Lily was born with, as her Mommy says, "a magical extra chromosome." A Perfect Lily is Patti's blog of letters to Lily, who is her tenth child. She blogs about how she has felt throughout Lily's whole situation and diagnosis. Though Patti was scared before Lily was born, once she was here on Earth, Patti knew she was just perfect. Lily may have down syndrome, but she will never feel short on love.

A Perfect Lily is one of my favorite blogs. I check it daily for updates on sweet little Lily. The best part is that after almost every one of Patti's sweet, heartfelt messages to Lily, she posts pictures! There must be a thousand pictures of that beautiful little girl on A Perfect Lily.

Patti is a wonderful mom, woman, and servant to God. Even though I don't know her, I can just tell by the way she writes. Patti's other blog Notes from Home, is a blog about her entire family and their life. Notes from Home is great as well, and I love the music!

Lastly, we can't forget about Patti's daughter, Mackenzie's, blog to Lily. I just discovered oh, dearest lily bird a few days ago when I heard about it on Patti's blog. Mackenzie loves her sister Lily so much! Her words to Lily are so sweet. They just melt your heart.

In addition to her parents, 9 siblings, family, and friends who love Lily, she has someone else. Her heavenly Father. He will always be there for her because he loves her. He will always be with her family, as well. God will guide us through life, past the hardships, so we can embrace the wonderful things. Trust Him with your life, and let Him lead you, just as the Rice family has!

I wanted to post the most precious video of Lily's first year, but I have no idea how! Instead, I'll settle for posting a link. Click here to watch the video!
Don't forget to stop by and visit the Rice family at their awesome blogs!


A Perfect Lily

oh, dearest lily bird

Notes from Home

God Bless,

Sydney
P.S: On A Perfect Lily, Patti blogs a lot about some very special children on Reece's Rainbow, the International Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry. The stories of these children are heartbreaking, but there is definitely hope. Patti has raised thousands of dollars for 2 specific children on Reece's Rainbow: Olga and Kareen. Kareen is so blessed to have recently found a wonderful family. However, something has come up, and the family that wanted to adopt Olga had to back out.
Also, I can't forget about another baby on Reece's Rainbow, a boy named Peter. He is about to turn 4, and he is facing an institution. Patti has asked everyone to pray. Please pray for Kareen, Olga, Peter, and all the other precious children on Reece's Rainbow that are still in need of families. Thanks!

Visit Reece's Rainbow