tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86500131516081685622024-03-21T08:17:49.587-05:00Love's RansomGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-57708664066964030942017-09-18T08:24:00.000-05:002017-09-18T08:24:01.519-05:00If you wandered over from the Journal Star: WelcomeHi there, friends.<br />
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I know this blog is sorely overdue for some new writing. I hope the time to do that will be very soon. I have plenty to tell you about the kids.<br />
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But for today, because our family's story was <a href="http://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-couple-credits-each-other-god-on-raising-their-adopted/article_c7df57b4-d3e2-5565-b3d1-3b961052a55e.html">featured in the Journal Star this morning</a>, and because some of you might have wandered this way from the link provided, I want to provide some information on how you can help the orphans of Pleven.<br />
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As you may know, Chris and I have been working for the last few years to help the children
remaining in the orphanage where Sam, Tony and Hannah came from. There
have been endless roadblocks and SO much spiritual warfare surrounding
this work.<br />
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Well, recently, God did something huge <span class="il">for</span>
the children of Pleven. By God's grace, another existing 501c3
Christian orphan ministry has agreed to absorb the work of the Pleven
Project. I know the directors of Ting Ministries, Brian and Stephanie Carpenter, first hand. I know their hearts are pure and their work is absolutely saturated in prayer. And, they have many years of expertise in Orphan Care, Missions, and Adoption.<br />
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Currently, Ting Ministries' work in Pleven will include providing babas (grandmotherly figures who come in
to spend one on one time with children), medical and psychological
specialists, specialized formula, and medical procedures for children
with complex special needs.<br />
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There are currently 70 children living in
the orphanage as well as 30 children coming in for day services.<br />
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You can learn more about Brian and Stephanie and <a href="http://www.tingministries.blogspot.com/">Ting Ministries</a> here. <br />
If you feel led to contribute financially to Ting Ministries' work in Pleven, you can make a donation:<br />
<ul>
<li>by sending a check to 904 State Drive, Lebanon, Pa 17042 (write Pleven in the memo line) </li>
<li>or <a href="http://www.paypal.me/tingministries">through paypa</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">l</a> here. (Again, be sure to mention Pleven so Ting ministries knows where your donation should be given.)</li>
</ul>
100% of all donations will go directly to the ministry of Pleven.<br />
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I cannot wait to tell you more. God is certainly on the move.<br />
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Lot's of love to all of you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tegtmeier clan, minus Madi, who wasn't able to make it in to Lincoln for the photo :)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-38341146388167801122017-05-18T12:44:00.000-05:002017-05-18T12:44:04.992-05:00Hannah Joy, Finally FreeAs I'm writing this, Hannah is just 5 feet away from me, curled up in a pink kitty cat play pen, a blue fleece blanket covering her up, face to toes. She literally dove into bed, head first in a clumsy summersault when we came back to the room after an emotional breakfast. It's been a busy first few days, and her little brain just needs to shut down for a while. Underneath the blanket she is playing quietly with a rattle and her new sunglasses, and sucking away on her tongue. It's hard, emotional work learning to be part of a family.<br />
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The newest tiny Tegtmeier has been a very brave girl. On Monday we walked out of the orphanage and said goodbye to the only home she's known for 15 years.<br />
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She was overwhelmed upon our arrival, shaking her head furiously back and forth, walking this way and that, avoiding eye contact and averting our attempts to touch.<br />
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But within moments she was ready to leave.<br />
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We grabbed onto her hands, one for mom and one for dad, and walked to the car, no looking back.<br />
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She had little need to say goodbye. There was no pomp or circumstance. No tears on either side. Hannah probably having no idea she would not return, and for the staff, this being just another day at the office. Her baba was the only exception. She handed me a red paper gift bag holding a small wooden memento of Hannah's birth country and a tiny bottle of rose oil, tears welling in her eyes the same way they had when we met her 4 months ago.<br />
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I can only imagine that for Hannah, everything since Monday's events has been a whirlwind. She's been a champion traveler, which is a relief as we look forward to traveling all the way home in just a couple short days. Even riding from Pleven to our hotel in Sofia, a two hour drive, she was content, seemingly soaking in the experience.<br />
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By necessity, we've been out and about a fair bit.<br />
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Yesterday we made our way to a clinic for her medical exam including blood work, a vaccination (per U.S. requirement), an uncomfortable test for venereal diseases (also thanks to our dear country), as well as a quick once over by both a general practitioner and an ENT (by our request). After desperate prayers for her comfort beforehand, we were all relieved to see our prayers answered with a yes.<br />
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We've also had outings to multiple drug stores, a pharmacy, a grocery story and even an H&M for some undershirts. Here's Hannah after our stop in one of the drug stores with a few new treasures.<br />
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We're thankful she loves her sunglasses, as her eyes seem to be quite sensitive to light. Her new toys are both rattles. Of all the toys she's met, rattles are the only things that seem to spark an interest. She liked these two rattle even better before I took them out of the boxes. Sorry about that, Hannah Joy!<br />
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As to be expected, Hannah's first night in the hotel was difficult. Because Hannah is taller than either Sam or Tony was at pickup, we had decided to try letting her sleep in a small pullout bed next to ours.<br />
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Here's how that worked out.<br />
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Poor baby girl has never slept in anything other than a crib. Near midnight on that first evening we ended up calling down to reception for a play pen. This is her safe place right now. We're so thankful the hotel was able to accommodate Hannah's needs in this way (and truly also in so many others).<br />
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Hannah has been doing some extremely hard emotional work when it comes to eating.<br />
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We know she is hungry and thirsty. It's written all over her face. She <i>wants</i> to eat! But its so so hard for her to allow herself to eat. Or drink. We're taking things slow and thankfully are getting enough food in her stomach to sustain her, but we would sure appreciate your prayers for her in this area.<br />
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We are completely smitten with our newest little angel. She is a delight. A seriously special, one of kind, more-than-we-deserve kind of girl. Gentle, brave, sweet beyond belief, sensitive, and just beautiful inside and out. She already feels ours and we know she'll fit in just right with the rest of our crazy crew.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-5659321496666784432017-02-23T15:56:00.001-06:002017-02-27T13:09:15.697-06:00UPDATED! Sneak Peak At our Silent Auction (You're Not Gonna Wanna Miss This!)Michaela and I did a little bit of work on the silent auction today, and I just had to come here and share some photos will all of you. I can hardly believe the things people have donated to help bring Hannah home. There are some GORGEOUS items here. Some are handmade, some are brand new and beautiful, some are fun, some are practical. There's something here for almost everyone. And there will be more coming!<br />
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Check out what we've got so far, and if you haven't yet, BUY A TICKET to the Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction so you can shop! We still have plenty of seats available, and we'd love to fill every chair. If you're not able to come, would you consider sharing this event with a friend? A lot of love and hard work have gone into planning this event and we'd be so thrilled if we could just pack the place out for our Hannah Joy. </div>
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To reserve your tickets, call our church office at 402-476-1567. Or, if you're part of our Calvary family, you'll be able to buy tickets after each worship service this Sunday.</div>
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Thank you all for your support.</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRjLF13q_gUEqYeM80jRf1o6ZZ4jPrJhZY4m9o08rlCyBXW5Guj53Wdhhge7Dy5jZ-EY860fDM4tghpVPUG_rgZO3sUN94SyQ1ifmzOGHF7yyDgTtFpot4CmOtZP_CuKEWen8aMnw5G4I/s1600/DressesCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRjLF13q_gUEqYeM80jRf1o6ZZ4jPrJhZY4m9o08rlCyBXW5Guj53Wdhhge7Dy5jZ-EY860fDM4tghpVPUG_rgZO3sUN94SyQ1ifmzOGHF7yyDgTtFpot4CmOtZP_CuKEWen8aMnw5G4I/s400/DressesCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bid on the Little Girl's dress of your choice from Celandine Lane Boutique on Etsy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHYqCccwKxJPOndKAiJ4VKXILRkBYmLX4QhKZ5J0EflehQUA0nmgGUuXqzNELchyETHpYyvJ8HN_4juMzwXwy4L4O9LzcH8dTE4TYUVXv9d1NYImhkC_3z-QFDHhghIBdthQv04jb5FMo/s1600/Butterfly+Bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHYqCccwKxJPOndKAiJ4VKXILRkBYmLX4QhKZ5J0EflehQUA0nmgGUuXqzNELchyETHpYyvJ8HN_4juMzwXwy4L4O9LzcH8dTE4TYUVXv9d1NYImhkC_3z-QFDHhghIBdthQv04jb5FMo/s400/Butterfly+Bakery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basket of Baked Goodies from Butterfly Bakery (Yum! Chris and my favorite!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKkBa7GnJwJX-wgGnIf8dIX3N8QpYmpIY0oB8S4DVN_A6go8r3jh0g_z9zjwCwBI1p_nxiXPA7bNKjyDncsYc4mPcNip8iIUd2HXwH64Bh_ijP0KsMZLgSQSq2sElndKZeMlKmRomWnTX/s1600/woodwork+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKkBa7GnJwJX-wgGnIf8dIX3N8QpYmpIY0oB8S4DVN_A6go8r3jh0g_z9zjwCwBI1p_nxiXPA7bNKjyDncsYc4mPcNip8iIUd2HXwH64Bh_ijP0KsMZLgSQSq2sElndKZeMlKmRomWnTX/s640/woodwork+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 Handmade Wooden Decorative Pieces by Conrad Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKDwYzBG7qZtWT3xR2O0MjBjCPPQyXlug7-paRdkX34jDQOOqYt8bypUMl9LeuWL_XnRkzeabLOsOAaNKcUhktfPI1xSWnW_TnNZCll5q9C_7LxKRXvKQvr1VywQAiZl_H98iDQLopuAQ/s1600/auction1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKDwYzBG7qZtWT3xR2O0MjBjCPPQyXlug7-paRdkX34jDQOOqYt8bypUMl9LeuWL_XnRkzeabLOsOAaNKcUhktfPI1xSWnW_TnNZCll5q9C_7LxKRXvKQvr1VywQAiZl_H98iDQLopuAQ/s400/auction1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Living Essential Oils Beach Day Basket </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF0q_7OJ3FvhrueKMMBJhHQ8q8KT2iJ0sEpMS-jkVPjp4VGY0bvrjEh6VQriHp7ii-y0hU1FOfvQSagOcrfF2fDLw9B6xRlPv1L7hsNOk6M3kwpVJTaTuZ7sGyTIYYehOmKg21gHBSuWK/s1600/Auction6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF0q_7OJ3FvhrueKMMBJhHQ8q8KT2iJ0sEpMS-jkVPjp4VGY0bvrjEh6VQriHp7ii-y0hU1FOfvQSagOcrfF2fDLw9B6xRlPv1L7hsNOk6M3kwpVJTaTuZ7sGyTIYYehOmKg21gHBSuWK/s400/Auction6.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SeneGense Manicure Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vTDPqHq_1hDBgYHoPhDTOrVHQ0ibwIcJU_yAgr4EvQEq1wt__rwK7P5PL_76Wb3gJhkhBC7uDax6WIOgCIkCm1Nub_n9JRgRdoWcjpMv5nCIboFs95oKHPRCUFttW_5Rcvhas4u3c7uo/s1600/Auction7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vTDPqHq_1hDBgYHoPhDTOrVHQ0ibwIcJU_yAgr4EvQEq1wt__rwK7P5PL_76Wb3gJhkhBC7uDax6WIOgCIkCm1Nub_n9JRgRdoWcjpMv5nCIboFs95oKHPRCUFttW_5Rcvhas4u3c7uo/s400/Auction7.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Activity Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim02zeVNiRjP9yVQymFKnUpDPincg-ndyE9MxYF_dSiWdyJk2V-ff-4dbxlM6NcpYZeQ07I_PY90Xu7S3nsjQ_H-kOf3un2jtcQD_vPp6ueKn44Hjwk9geuTn6UQ9TPDOZQHRY6BZd0dg/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim02zeVNiRjP9yVQymFKnUpDPincg-ndyE9MxYF_dSiWdyJk2V-ff-4dbxlM6NcpYZeQ07I_PY90Xu7S3nsjQ_H-kOf3un2jtcQD_vPp6ueKn44Hjwk9geuTn6UQ9TPDOZQHRY6BZd0dg/s400/IMG_3220.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Necklace from the Noonday Collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jGIn3ZS24FNOGAMXR0IjK3mIbVSjDuY5CxM5X_a5f6OLhluoozWNwj3UFE0klFYFfdCgg4OPFyzgv1qO0neqhZYW5dyi92LPlpfbBH0A95Rn2cj450I4TB12lJ_paB-4nonF9yIImKBS/s400/IMG_3223.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Necklace from the Noonday Collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7jK0l8ikQXMz6vj_dn5ajgIX8n4Qn1iEmrtb6DDSee0SLj015RM2CeFNJVeD94kFxaKiGrePx3NricCX5pt8RiTnuSk2mMhUNGzQQ6vGXL91pFj5h1TxQBetfz1ldxxQrrFOHWDkKtyR/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7jK0l8ikQXMz6vj_dn5ajgIX8n4Qn1iEmrtb6DDSee0SLj015RM2CeFNJVeD94kFxaKiGrePx3NricCX5pt8RiTnuSk2mMhUNGzQQ6vGXL91pFj5h1TxQBetfz1ldxxQrrFOHWDkKtyR/s400/IMG_3225.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Manicures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRfXYhAcP4u9iHVHDHlmKdgtIL-w8ItPKS047SZuCT5D7m1lBUXdGGgmNWD8kJhw6VMLcntrWU0dGqo1GhSqd3ZfmXHh3S93t5MYqiaMZgSvpr4vKUuhu85TV9u6RfQ2n9Ip4i7NzNmt9/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRfXYhAcP4u9iHVHDHlmKdgtIL-w8ItPKS047SZuCT5D7m1lBUXdGGgmNWD8kJhw6VMLcntrWU0dGqo1GhSqd3ZfmXHh3S93t5MYqiaMZgSvpr4vKUuhu85TV9u6RfQ2n9Ip4i7NzNmt9/s400/IMG_3237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden truck, handmade by Dean Johnson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSeYedNDaAZFmrDzVgbxiG5M6JMHDt5R58gbHIRRNnwCCTDWAwYbUGUYLJC1f2V36Nuk8cPMR-GObex9SNiqOY_BwL87G1EzYFkJf0Otg0Pe9lvfWcSjD8Q-lmaz_KKa52DNKe0QmNcc/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSeYedNDaAZFmrDzVgbxiG5M6JMHDt5R58gbHIRRNnwCCTDWAwYbUGUYLJC1f2V36Nuk8cPMR-GObex9SNiqOY_BwL87G1EzYFkJf0Otg0Pe9lvfWcSjD8Q-lmaz_KKa52DNKe0QmNcc/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden firetruck handmade by Dean Johnson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig23BPY9jIbj3lG7FEeCgz-nefkydRwBJCyD-lGg7hyphenhyphenixhUx73_HvKGtffgfDpqKsMz7aQQljcXazfQauShm1Et8V-xmauCvAxMl2pW4iIfA4B3PIuBS5X1jfdPFe85lLm2BxLeBlVK2E_/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig23BPY9jIbj3lG7FEeCgz-nefkydRwBJCyD-lGg7hyphenhyphenixhUx73_HvKGtffgfDpqKsMz7aQQljcXazfQauShm1Et8V-xmauCvAxMl2pW4iIfA4B3PIuBS5X1jfdPFe85lLm2BxLeBlVK2E_/s400/IMG_3195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee Cocktails Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93gcXukTdxbWR0mRlH4m7rKD0L5ewQNZexyyuz9qeRC9m7y5GXglXTaicUVHB8CTvDeKAew_VIMuFz5l9-Pji01pUCi4Eo_LgVBlz7wuheqe4SdzQHvFcrA0nGzJn0bcFxB40F2VEPHbG/s1600/IMG_3199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93gcXukTdxbWR0mRlH4m7rKD0L5ewQNZexyyuz9qeRC9m7y5GXglXTaicUVHB8CTvDeKAew_VIMuFz5l9-Pji01pUCi4Eo_LgVBlz7wuheqe4SdzQHvFcrA0nGzJn0bcFxB40F2VEPHbG/s400/IMG_3199.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen Utensils Basket </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWazYPCs4Adjg_EXGip1O4HDR-O-fWhPx4ekEsiwCSB6UmPWueotLfIgAn4Zzzh9c0BfEWb94UuiH2xm6yXRj2TgUtHmgAXpk1Nh_lCOxUCKn6n5E7m9BvXrEqwMwYhadJz04yuk532Xl5/s1600/IMG_3198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWazYPCs4Adjg_EXGip1O4HDR-O-fWhPx4ekEsiwCSB6UmPWueotLfIgAn4Zzzh9c0BfEWb94UuiH2xm6yXRj2TgUtHmgAXpk1Nh_lCOxUCKn6n5E7m9BvXrEqwMwYhadJz04yuk532Xl5/s400/IMG_3198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Mary Kay Cosmetics Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufj0LSd-YaMxFYIm5QCDXVUeXrltFaUX19NkoTkehG2oXIQRvgDmErSBgY2N3YBoyOvD-JMSNiPSwsK5yaoKxgeB61tgyVdaGvlDxiur60M7FymiJXorST7ge45Nb7NJz6RU4DcKhoMEH/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufj0LSd-YaMxFYIm5QCDXVUeXrltFaUX19NkoTkehG2oXIQRvgDmErSBgY2N3YBoyOvD-JMSNiPSwsK5yaoKxgeB61tgyVdaGvlDxiur60M7FymiJXorST7ge45Nb7NJz6RU4DcKhoMEH/s400/IMG_3227.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Original Painting by Jamie Jacobsen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b3c8pvge6mHj0nRj_JV-FMOBD0OLVH7nOuBhZZKOemvXoIfQljaibq-8A84FRBtbEMhyecSdYY70Einhyphenhyphenuzofb52QmoYOwWdLNIzrEyuNUL_pNVj5BXrnBu9BNItEPq54R1SE3sK7TtK/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b3c8pvge6mHj0nRj_JV-FMOBD0OLVH7nOuBhZZKOemvXoIfQljaibq-8A84FRBtbEMhyecSdYY70Einhyphenhyphenuzofb52QmoYOwWdLNIzrEyuNUL_pNVj5BXrnBu9BNItEPq54R1SE3sK7TtK/s400/IMG_3201.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professional Grade Electric Toothbrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA0hxGvWSziLxocBifq_L0EjcjakSlagVNj7zhpzkyTrf1Y28IVzp-bq1UILFQjNucJV0buk94jUmKylS4ZM8BbX8P0X8AZvhYYFBHVi_hD560h2ssrs9WtzRh_KgGlQSrJiKdsgBm4BA/s1600/IMG_3205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA0hxGvWSziLxocBifq_L0EjcjakSlagVNj7zhpzkyTrf1Y28IVzp-bq1UILFQjNucJV0buk94jUmKylS4ZM8BbX8P0X8AZvhYYFBHVi_hD560h2ssrs9WtzRh_KgGlQSrJiKdsgBm4BA/s400/IMG_3205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Kay Perfume and Body Wash Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSImht6vg3W-5i8naRH6gggTaYABbtf9eANNEvSwyM3Ry_rt0GlzCV1IHqtBZNX7OrSkO2JCLPKl70P7ZsxKDP9wo-KR5r6Lszz_MlhrCZynBXj3hXMaQS1zeX4Sz1Wun7thVfm0bHAibc/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSImht6vg3W-5i8naRH6gggTaYABbtf9eANNEvSwyM3Ry_rt0GlzCV1IHqtBZNX7OrSkO2JCLPKl70P7ZsxKDP9wo-KR5r6Lszz_MlhrCZynBXj3hXMaQS1zeX4Sz1Wun7thVfm0bHAibc/s400/IMG_3207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoCmsOPHlU99Qb0qSTghpiJSmc9gc0280ccBPMY6pGshB_18DdvjwrM75OMREq6zTKmxQ5Wwyz743QqyhaZonV9y3GwHoN8mHmnUUbWPQV0ieaUUbjGJQuAkOT2Q1J6G7DI-D7tlOa_TI/s1600/IMG_3204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoCmsOPHlU99Qb0qSTghpiJSmc9gc0280ccBPMY6pGshB_18DdvjwrM75OMREq6zTKmxQ5Wwyz743QqyhaZonV9y3GwHoN8mHmnUUbWPQV0ieaUUbjGJQuAkOT2Q1J6G7DI-D7tlOa_TI/s400/IMG_3204.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Candles and Chocolate Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj5ULuxoV3Rw5djfdPlns9h9WJ_NUES_pDsEp-_f7dsn2MaSWVk05jrIls5DX-CIPFIG_qzl7s941Qjsp0E3yQ5QREk_FYIr9F3g7nTH4Wx75-3i60Wj5IESHprIBqSwd4hGqj6P90bl6/s1600/IMG_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj5ULuxoV3Rw5djfdPlns9h9WJ_NUES_pDsEp-_f7dsn2MaSWVk05jrIls5DX-CIPFIG_qzl7s941Qjsp0E3yQ5QREk_FYIr9F3g7nTH4Wx75-3i60Wj5IESHprIBqSwd4hGqj6P90bl6/s400/IMG_3213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirty One Travel Set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdJ5gHSyuOqmqkRztLPpPFjblpKonA45X_Vb0ii2ZzF_7I2HSRGcixhAtPhGmCwETiWjWLW3Z3jiKEuhCSE4ERcyoOLFqOeb9swuTTYXFmWu51fShEIMrI8w2Ua-WteQIjxKE1Qw3eNpK/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdJ5gHSyuOqmqkRztLPpPFjblpKonA45X_Vb0ii2ZzF_7I2HSRGcixhAtPhGmCwETiWjWLW3Z3jiKEuhCSE4ERcyoOLFqOeb9swuTTYXFmWu51fShEIMrI8w2Ua-WteQIjxKE1Qw3eNpK/s400/IMG_3215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirty One Insulated Bag Set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwnOCM0eH0Lij35O0f-k0u3Cdcis87R3Y2QwF-MEdVgUCYJ3adzlTyrMMKxYJrcHKF80Fk-kwb-jlZDYqrMnJ-hsnjdZbCQ68EX61T5piXga61BWZur4XvhxIBpVQlyzZyJDj8sCsaURm/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwnOCM0eH0Lij35O0f-k0u3Cdcis87R3Y2QwF-MEdVgUCYJ3adzlTyrMMKxYJrcHKF80Fk-kwb-jlZDYqrMnJ-hsnjdZbCQ68EX61T5piXga61BWZur4XvhxIBpVQlyzZyJDj8sCsaURm/s400/IMG_3216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirty One Purse and Thermal Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_nPJpy3j0VlK4nb8vmO6_Ee0vwzs71dD8QMkrMmT2ivTu6CyKOBAQXPmn4s0r1Ya5azgXDPOFAnGrv1fj055SwFhqK9NIsxCPjkKbk3tU3WDe3x1dSDQzCTWhbCQ_lFesqBnvuzV9-RF/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_nPJpy3j0VlK4nb8vmO6_Ee0vwzs71dD8QMkrMmT2ivTu6CyKOBAQXPmn4s0r1Ya5azgXDPOFAnGrv1fj055SwFhqK9NIsxCPjkKbk3tU3WDe3x1dSDQzCTWhbCQ_lFesqBnvuzV9-RF/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Kay Manicure Set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN1sHYCymuoBDkHZ9x9NOQJM2qcnMvdiIgezjETDAefWwt9jfygZhpTDsLrkBnXS1WFXwu0BbSlyizfJWwHY6wELPytPGKv0tRlN1hz1vDgUdcEffZAp8cYpLVNgza_bjZKhZYBn8d7Kf/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoN1sHYCymuoBDkHZ9x9NOQJM2qcnMvdiIgezjETDAefWwt9jfygZhpTDsLrkBnXS1WFXwu0BbSlyizfJWwHY6wELPytPGKv0tRlN1hz1vDgUdcEffZAp8cYpLVNgza_bjZKhZYBn8d7Kf/s400/IMG_3230.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock Handmade by Leonard Rettig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHNdiH8alwFjtOIQ2XLYey-O_wzfrdL5Wuluolt1Zj-IWVBa9VV6Z8cHG_YGL_lLk320jejBIpADMRhSRRCk9b_wa8ESkOhtAwB9dQONC9ICNBmgS9UPUr4LcCsiALsD_b11Dob6hydkL/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHNdiH8alwFjtOIQ2XLYey-O_wzfrdL5Wuluolt1Zj-IWVBa9VV6Z8cHG_YGL_lLk320jejBIpADMRhSRRCk9b_wa8ESkOhtAwB9dQONC9ICNBmgS9UPUr4LcCsiALsD_b11Dob6hydkL/s400/IMG_3239.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse Handmade by Leonard Rettig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGla1lk7ubwMRQMUcr7Tga796VPEF8cC2qLdTPMXJE-aUY59QjY7HzsdG9vKGGXZSn5QHUb9Q2knWaJu8ABASyajW8NCJ6odmBEU3x39ExgFn22r6FzhqPh_mKA5Eu5XYi3947_d-OsS8/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGla1lk7ubwMRQMUcr7Tga796VPEF8cC2qLdTPMXJE-aUY59QjY7HzsdG9vKGGXZSn5QHUb9Q2knWaJu8ABASyajW8NCJ6odmBEU3x39ExgFn22r6FzhqPh_mKA5Eu5XYi3947_d-OsS8/s400/IMG_3242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solid Walnut Table with Live Edges Made by Dick Rockenbach </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhixX7zFutTdu46jhpuFBAMK88nrcIh946pXxSetVBd7YVxC0z0KWwVEJpqPwXnlcC63G6rLTULTYaRjBsc-afTXT2nUzunONlSzoV18GITcMWhBobqQ-8ptrY_zcQhBlmIHlGNhUvxlW/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhixX7zFutTdu46jhpuFBAMK88nrcIh946pXxSetVBd7YVxC0z0KWwVEJpqPwXnlcC63G6rLTULTYaRjBsc-afTXT2nUzunONlSzoV18GITcMWhBobqQ-8ptrY_zcQhBlmIHlGNhUvxlW/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhixX7zFutTdu46jhpuFBAMK88nrcIh946pXxSetVBd7YVxC0z0KWwVEJpqPwXnlcC63G6rLTULTYaRjBsc-afTXT2nUzunONlSzoV18GITcMWhBobqQ-8ptrY_zcQhBlmIHlGNhUvxlW/s200/IMG_3243.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-61876602439454165102017-02-13T22:24:00.002-06:002017-02-13T22:27:10.801-06:00Single Girls-There's Nothing Wrong With YouThis Valentine's Day I've got a strange bit of heaviness in my heart.<br />
<br />
Now, to be fair, I've been married just under a year and a half now, so this year, for the second time in my life (34 years, y'all!), I will not be alone on Valentine's day. I have a husband I absolutely adore and we will be together.<br />
<br />
But, of course, I remember those pre-marriage Valentine's Days. Whether I admitted it then or not, those days always stung. Maybe that's the case for you today.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I see you</i>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf25OXE8oUUMsVV1X_I7RvHpXKpyVdfFFCFSq8Ew-NR3jjESAQZwrbe4vBG81q40rtiZdKfyeGOzetUaV3SvTgPRoklVVqc5rYuaGhiaM9c1tf0kgNKV6feQ6c5QL3ZhwmF7taaE0YUDAH/s1600/vday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf25OXE8oUUMsVV1X_I7RvHpXKpyVdfFFCFSq8Ew-NR3jjESAQZwrbe4vBG81q40rtiZdKfyeGOzetUaV3SvTgPRoklVVqc5rYuaGhiaM9c1tf0kgNKV6feQ6c5QL3ZhwmF7taaE0YUDAH/s320/vday10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't count the number of times I've sat across the table from a sweet, beautiful, Jesus-loving, all around stand up young lady with tears in her eyes. Although I do sometimes have that affect on people, the tears I'm talking about here are tears of loneliness. Tears that fall freely at the thought that "happily ever after" has not arrived, and may in fact not be coming.<br />
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And so today, this dreaded day of hearts, I've come here with a heart full of love to say to you, single girls: <i>There is nothing wrong with you.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wYlpJU94rKI1HJ6l-EZxYz2wQvD8Eq1I9HoSdqHf1Hh8CzvAncU-XyKuGuMITr_brpYBgZ1FPPrDjMTORjhWmj7LcLW9SAei9ZVcNUiYKogrfmwBR7KkFzwwZNyH0JisCjugcr2QSpRx/s1600/vday9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wYlpJU94rKI1HJ6l-EZxYz2wQvD8Eq1I9HoSdqHf1Hh8CzvAncU-XyKuGuMITr_brpYBgZ1FPPrDjMTORjhWmj7LcLW9SAei9ZVcNUiYKogrfmwBR7KkFzwwZNyH0JisCjugcr2QSpRx/s400/vday9.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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I know, I know, I really and truly know from the most honest of places, the lies that go through your head. The lie that you're not the kind of girl guys are looking for, that maybe you're not worth being pursued, that you're somehow fatally flawed.<br />
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I know this because it hasn't been long since those tear-filled eyes belonged to me.<br />
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I spent my 20's and early 30's regularly phasing in and out contentedness and longing. There were times when those seasons of longing stretched on endlessly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExqXwvScn1qtN5D_xKesvDxWGn1rYvUXL-ojfCfCSQTEjnSAralsj4dRqp-N8AQKezXMCAxeeruompLMNBFVvORi1d1ZWZRim9v3RYVNjf_PPI9LFclKJCXRsnhlCRgcKv4-nTfEFvvlB/s1600/vday12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExqXwvScn1qtN5D_xKesvDxWGn1rYvUXL-ojfCfCSQTEjnSAralsj4dRqp-N8AQKezXMCAxeeruompLMNBFVvORi1d1ZWZRim9v3RYVNjf_PPI9LFclKJCXRsnhlCRgcKv4-nTfEFvvlB/s320/vday12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In one such season I remember sitting on my front porch in the pitch black night, kids in bed, drink in hand, with my best friend by my side. "I'm going to be alone forever," I said, quite out of nowhere. The words just seemed to fly out of my mouth without my permission and then hung there in the thick humid air. Try as she may, I could not be convinced otherwise.<br />
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And then of course, add to my drama that I was a single mother of two. I'd been warned multiple times during both adoption processes to literally kiss my chances goodbye. "No one will want you now," I'd been told. (How's that for encouraging?)<br />
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It was all too easy to think I'd been passed over because no one could want a single mother of kids with special needs.<br />
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But that wasn't the only lie that would taunt me. Nope, of course it didn't stop there.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You're not pretty enough.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Or thin enough. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You talk too much.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You're a handful.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Your job is intimidating. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You're getting old. You've missed your chance. </i></blockquote>
Sound familiar? I'm guessing some of you have been there.<br />
<br />
Can I tell you something? Actually a few true things to combat the lies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbBes7j7Rg5VSpFpNhYTnhAFmM2fZ9mwG6O0seMdGcvJMDLKSgk74Qk4qG65dLVv2H82TLN1TYCVRgeWup7mV2QLEX6tg58-uj_h5ED4ryunbDNax3Xm_IOSwiaJ3GfqGJP3t_K6Ym0BE/s1600/vday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbBes7j7Rg5VSpFpNhYTnhAFmM2fZ9mwG6O0seMdGcvJMDLKSgk74Qk4qG65dLVv2H82TLN1TYCVRgeWup7mV2QLEX6tg58-uj_h5ED4ryunbDNax3Xm_IOSwiaJ3GfqGJP3t_K6Ym0BE/s400/vday11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
First, I need you to know, to <i>really know</i>, that you are precious. You are lovely. You are enough. That is a fact. God is not holding out on you. And He is certainly not cruelly dangling marriage out in front of you, just out of your reach, because He's waiting for you to be perfectly content in Him. That's not a real thing.<br />
<br />
Secondly, it also seems to be true (by my humble observation and limited research) that we Christian women outnumber our Christian male counterparts. I don't think you're imagining things. There really does seem to be more of us than there are of them. Frustrating and unfair, I know. But this is why, for good reason, you continue to wait. Do you want to enter into a lifetime, covenant relationship with someone who doesn't share the most important and only eternal part of your DNA? Likely not. Which leads me to...<br />
<br />
True thing number 3. Girl, you do not have to settle. (I know this one from experience.) Again, do you want to spend <i>the rest of your life</i> with a partner who has no desire to chase after the things of God? Right this very minute, just as you are, you have the freedom to follow the Holy Spirit in all things, even if that means its just you and Him for a while. See the world. Share the gospel. Change somebody's life. Do something brave. Make a dream come true. Allow the Spirit to help you find a new dream! I don't think you'll regret your time together.<br />
<br />
Date or no date, get out there and love and be loved this Valentine's Day.<br />
<br />
Hold your head high. There is <i>nothing </i>wrong with you.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4xBWjTAIPC0WTwwAckJoPh6VyqqYp3aRzBnElwqwvWOoSXSxvqXyp7YJqRTWb8TPhrZjUwVxuJSQ-FUNC4hhoKK1LauL9xQEHopKsWmdQHIhJIPbqA-wDPNZ8Xz9761_Ctpd1t_IFAN7/s1600/vday8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4xBWjTAIPC0WTwwAckJoPh6VyqqYp3aRzBnElwqwvWOoSXSxvqXyp7YJqRTWb8TPhrZjUwVxuJSQ-FUNC4hhoKK1LauL9xQEHopKsWmdQHIhJIPbqA-wDPNZ8Xz9761_Ctpd1t_IFAN7/s400/vday8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lots of love to all of you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-12181488615195256722017-02-07T11:18:00.000-06:002017-02-07T11:18:55.654-06:00T-shirts! Get your t-shirts here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As promised, they are here! (And they look even better in person!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, let me say these are the softest most comfortable t-shirts. Any Lutherans out there have a Thrivent shirt? These are the same brand. You will absolutely love them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.fundthenations.com/">Fund the Nations</a> helped me come up with the design. You may recognize Hannah's future state (Nebraska!) featured in white with an imprint of Bulgaria over our hometown, Lincoln, and a heart over hers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We love the verse referenced, 1 Peter 1:3-9, for Hannah JOY. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A3-9&version=NLT">Check it out.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And for all you Husker fans out there? Y'all, these shirts are for you! Next time you head out to a husker game, you can represent Hannah Joy in all your red and white Nebraskan glory. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2iKVD3H4ptD01UDAmIXNBNKXe8UldSMiyFtPoQVRZuVvlayP062T8ftGCLdWu1gxvNbEnxbg2JFZHmGBuG6TdefzcKRT8Dr0YPyetX8N9hAVfDjrQqYIrU4SqPn5la-hMXcwSYbv8Y_c/s1600/Hannah+Joy+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2iKVD3H4ptD01UDAmIXNBNKXe8UldSMiyFtPoQVRZuVvlayP062T8ftGCLdWu1gxvNbEnxbg2JFZHmGBuG6TdefzcKRT8Dr0YPyetX8N9hAVfDjrQqYIrU4SqPn5la-hMXcwSYbv8Y_c/s640/Hannah+Joy+Shirt.jpg" width="582" /></span></a></div>
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Here's how to order!<br />
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1.) Click on the donate button on the right side of the blog.<br />
2.) Pay for your shirt(s). $20 each<br />
3.) You should receive an invoice from Reece's Rainbow via email after you pay. Please forward that email to mrs.tegtmeier@gmail.com, so I know you've paid.<br />
4.) You're almost done.<br />
5.) Send me another email to mrs.tegtmeier@gmail.com <b>telling me your size(s) as well as an address for shipping</b> (or personal delivery if you're local).<br />
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I have a limited number of shirts in stock right now that can be shipped out right away. If your size is no longer in stock, you can expect to receive your shirt within 4-6 weeks. (I will be placing a second order for shirts in two weeks. Those shirt orders will be shipped to you as soon as I receive them.)<br />
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<b>Thank you so much for ordering! Every dollar you spend (minus the cost of shipping) will go directly toward the cost of Hannah Joy's adoption.</b><br />
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<i>*A BIG thank you to <a href="https://www.thrivent.com/">Thrivent Financial</a> for funding this project! If you're a member and haven't checked it out, take a look at their Action Team program. They have been so helpful to us in our fundraising. </i><br />
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Lots of love to all of you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-73055916066814175442017-02-06T14:10:00.002-06:002017-02-06T14:10:52.279-06:00Come Party With Us for Hannah Joy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I may have mentioned at one time or another that Chris and I have some pretty incredible friends and family.</div>
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Well, can I go ahead and say it again?</div>
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We have some pretty incredible friends and family!</div>
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Some of our most favorite people have teamed together to host a <b>Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction </b>for our little Miss Hannah Joy. (But, as we call all gatherings of people when talking to our kids, let's go ahead and call it a PARTY!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq8Qqq9hsWHs-MwgZSn7Eci4pLfZFFxAHt2kntayiOcEf2V4piUrmAhVNwik1IcJGPPm4gxSzww9y3wgXBvx8Tk6c_WSmiGPmFOc0CJpBeEs4-pXM2F6jIuUeEWbv9lAicNres4ibOHXP/s1600/balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq8Qqq9hsWHs-MwgZSn7Eci4pLfZFFxAHt2kntayiOcEf2V4piUrmAhVNwik1IcJGPPm4gxSzww9y3wgXBvx8Tk6c_WSmiGPmFOc0CJpBeEs4-pXM2F6jIuUeEWbv9lAicNres4ibOHXP/s640/balloons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And of course, <span style="font-size: large;">you all are invited</span>.</div>
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My friend, Michaela, decided on a puzzle theme, which we think is just perfect, as Hannah is our missing piece. And you can bet there will plenty of balloons in honor of our girl who thinks balloons are the best thing that ever was. </div>
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Did I also mention there will be a silent auction? Some incredible, brand new, exciting donations have been pouring in. We think you'll love shopping through them for that perfect gift, or even treat for yourself!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tickets are on sale now!</span></b></div>
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Mark your calendars. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">March 4th, 2017</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5:00pm</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Calvary Lutheran Church</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2788 Franklin Street, Lincoln, NE</span></b></div>
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Tickets are available NOW by calling our church office, 402-875-1324.</div>
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Adult tickets: $15</div>
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Child tickets: $8</div>
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Children 0-4 eat free!</div>
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We <i>can't wait </i>to see you all there!</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
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<b>******************************</b></div>
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Also! Stay tuned for our Super-Cute-Tshirt fundraiser. </div>
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(NEBRASKA FANS! See what we did here?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfFGK9g4TaWQc3NrMXDwS69Xk3k98G7M6-HWuQ3t7nmJ7OlgL1FeJ9RFN4AEGdc2v_pxQJ3rNdDgSHjymyUOymcv51F7Iq_fWGpIPgS-8zOXtq8J6fX7qvVKLq6-RtB8pFyz7A382Bo6h/s1600/Hannah+Joy+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfFGK9g4TaWQc3NrMXDwS69Xk3k98G7M6-HWuQ3t7nmJ7OlgL1FeJ9RFN4AEGdc2v_pxQJ3rNdDgSHjymyUOymcv51F7Iq_fWGpIPgS-8zOXtq8J6fX7qvVKLq6-RtB8pFyz7A382Bo6h/s640/Hannah+Joy+Shirt.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-23615867259994728522017-01-25T07:52:00.002-06:002017-01-25T07:55:02.318-06:00Their Most Tremendous Gain<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Maybe you've heard about it or thought about it before. </div>
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It's a sad truth. Hard to swallow.<br />
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Adoptions don't always work out. </div>
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Sometimes, for all manner of reasons, an adopted child can find themselves in need of a family. Again.<br />
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(I should clarify here that this is not a post about my own family. Stick with me.)</div>
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Linny Saunders, who blogs at <a href="http://www.linnysaunders.com/">A Place Called Simplicity</a>, shared several months ago about her family's experience adding just such a child to their crew. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although another family wasn’t a good fit for our handsome son, he was a absolutely perfect fit for us. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually we are certain, God brought him to the other family so that he would make his way to ours...</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And anytime I think of how Nehemiah joined our family I am forever grateful to our great God that we were the ones who were able to bring him home. </span><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Someone else’s loss was our most tremendous gain. </span></strong></i></blockquote>
Maybe read that last part twice.<br />
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And take a look at her <a href="http://www.linnysaunders.com/2016/08/a-disruption.html">original post</a> if you can spare the time.<br />
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This family adopted a child out of the most difficult of circumstances. Their little guy's first adoptive family, for whatever reason, was not his forever family. But he has been happily a part of his now <i>always and</i><i> absolutely</i> <i>forever </i>family<i> </i>for several years.<br />
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Someone else's loss (not to be taken lightly!) was this family's <i><b>most tremendous gain</b></i>.<br />
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Because you see, however or why ever it should happen that an adoptive family would seek a new home for an adoptive child, one thing is certain. God never loses track of a single hair on that child's head. His good plans for them remain sure. His love for them is unmoving. He can still bring healing and life.<br />
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All that being said, can I entrust you, dear readers, with a most important mission?<br />
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A most precious, beautiful, worthy mission.<br />
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A little girl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RdMHm_li63BcGHgQQ47QBn7hN_b83cCy3pcedc9KJ_ArQt_f1rZ7P-9uw8V1KPAMSubalxqeElTo6e_Un0oF8s0EhIc6dG6f52cJ0rQptHpmLEXUPJFOYYYMjPizypU04IIrzoBwtEFu/s1600/Sophie+blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RdMHm_li63BcGHgQQ47QBn7hN_b83cCy3pcedc9KJ_ArQt_f1rZ7P-9uw8V1KPAMSubalxqeElTo6e_Un0oF8s0EhIc6dG6f52cJ0rQptHpmLEXUPJFOYYYMjPizypU04IIrzoBwtEFu/s400/Sophie+blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was contacted recently by Lifeline Children's Services in hopes that I would ask all of you to help me find this little girl a <i>new </i>family. Her <i>always and</i><i> absolutely</i> <i>forever </i>family.<br />
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I agreed. Because I know many of the good people who join me here at Love's Ransom. I know your hearts for the least of these. I've seen you fight hard for justice for other children. (Y'all have blown my mind advocating for <a href="http://lovesransom.blogspot.com/2016/12/because-we-all-know-i-know-how-to-pickem.html">Dawn</a>. I hope to have update to share with you about her soon!)<br />
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If you're up for it, and I know many of you are, here's the mission that has been entrusted to us: to spread the word that there is a little girl here in the States who needs a family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ahPe4gMqKLCYlCs0MG7Nai214VhqTXuaf_tb3TBFwhi1KdR3_g-kU-DwhfdK5LaciZ8LGjI0GGlVzf5UQpljSi9f-B1yhZ3KyZHiI5q7888PzENFQZjMvqxvYSxOmykpipw5_jwQeRk8/s1600/Sophie+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ahPe4gMqKLCYlCs0MG7Nai214VhqTXuaf_tb3TBFwhi1KdR3_g-kU-DwhfdK5LaciZ8LGjI0GGlVzf5UQpljSi9f-B1yhZ3KyZHiI5q7888PzENFQZjMvqxvYSxOmykpipw5_jwQeRk8/s400/Sophie+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's what I can tell you about Little Girl.<br />
<ul>
<li>Little Girl is an absolutely beautiful child. She is ten years old and was adopted from Bulgaria four years ago.</li>
<li>She is currently nonverbal, developmentally delayed in most areas and has been diagnosed with institutional autism. She has moved through periods of progress and regression. She has in the past been able to acquire some language and toilet training but is currently in a period of regression. She struggles with self harming and other institutional behaviors. </li>
<li>Little Girl is usually described as a happy child who can be extremely affectionate. She enjoys physical activity, being outside and jumping on the trampoline. Her favorite inside activity is working puzzles and she can put a 50 piece puzzle together on her own. </li>
<li>Since Little Girl's adoption, her family has added 4 additional children to the family by birth and one by adoption. At this time, her family indicates that Little Girl's needs have exceeded their ability to care for her in the most effective way. </li>
<li>Little Girl will require a family that has a strong understanding of the impact of the orphanage experience on a child’s behavior and development. A family that might best fit her needs would be a family with older children who would be able to understand her needs and the time required of parents to invest in her care. It is felt that with help (counseling and therapy) she has great potential for growth and healing.</li>
<li>Out of respect for Little Girl and her family, I am limited in what I am able to share here in the public forum. If you would like to know more, or are interested in learning about how such an adoption process would work, please contact Lynn from Lifeline Children's Services at <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">lynn.beckett@lifelinechild.org. </span></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I would also invite you to feel free to share this post, while also urging </span>(although I would expect nothing other than kindness from all of you) that we would all, me included, refrain from casting judgement or pointing fingers. Let's keep our focus solely on one precious girl's future. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Let's treat this with the utmost respect. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Lots of love to all of you.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16437712946803788657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-33057710831314519312017-01-14T09:15:00.000-06:002017-01-14T09:15:17.839-06:00The Beginning and The EndFifteen years into her time here on earth, Hannah Joy will walk down the stairs of an orphanage and into a new life.<br />
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She gets a clean slate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExkdGqvvIAZhozCtt8Ecv0LKBPdFdwTnDVcg2bm7KhN0xBYNLEcuixpIQC3cI_8iiDZgdsnKy3IyIDFJ9f3-NI8wtQgcZdu7HoFU2vydw7FmdzI09GpUn3RR1lj4JBhAGEO1Vtq4-rsqz/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExkdGqvvIAZhozCtt8Ecv0LKBPdFdwTnDVcg2bm7KhN0xBYNLEcuixpIQC3cI_8iiDZgdsnKy3IyIDFJ9f3-NI8wtQgcZdu7HoFU2vydw7FmdzI09GpUn3RR1lj4JBhAGEO1Vtq4-rsqz/s400/IMG_3154.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It's true that her pain will follow her, but like a new baby, we'll carry her home to everything new. New bed. New family. New routine. New world. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlxI0ZO0JejIjn2OR5mHn02P8TQt2ibq5CmIXQA5bpHXfYu7PejnbA4UoxBZ08DZtfB2UIsiIvDFuBHmSYOd8f8a600TxxzH5_r-3Y80VA7MUnlXW23qh6h-fov8qDpfwGjRHszjo0tlQ/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlxI0ZO0JejIjn2OR5mHn02P8TQt2ibq5CmIXQA5bpHXfYu7PejnbA4UoxBZ08DZtfB2UIsiIvDFuBHmSYOd8f8a600TxxzH5_r-3Y80VA7MUnlXW23qh6h-fov8qDpfwGjRHszjo0tlQ/s400/IMG_3113.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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She'll have opportunities for growth around every corner. Therapies for eating, communicating, and familiarizing herself with all manner of new input for her senses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JzcPEDZQ8JNqQsSyLQXpnEvsN7L7y7Za7iJAazzCQ8Asrfpy0K8fN9gQwSKyKPoPP78HQuRPGV1gABm_CWlpvRphnAyoamYEAzMdkIP78dxTB6j5aZqrMdWlroGIS2diKmLJx5mztZg6/s1600/IMG_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JzcPEDZQ8JNqQsSyLQXpnEvsN7L7y7Za7iJAazzCQ8Asrfpy0K8fN9gQwSKyKPoPP78HQuRPGV1gABm_CWlpvRphnAyoamYEAzMdkIP78dxTB6j5aZqrMdWlroGIS2diKmLJx5mztZg6/s400/IMG_2941.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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She'll see half a dozen doctors in short order, who'll look her over and treat her from head to toe, inside and out, optimizing her chances for a long healthy life.<br />
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Everyday she'll be greeted with a veritable feast of fruits and vegetables, healthy meats and starches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEJDvPaA3mwPR2bD3VaNPMg83QjnzBOmFAVqH6EMjYMvkArrGvBQKA3jUS2hm3dfEEi5WsG2kw8pwRRGHhK8egjwPcFfHi6EntSsAeNrvkGVT9cqcK1IA3GuFakgKcFMEwLQnN18V84m3/s1600/Blog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEJDvPaA3mwPR2bD3VaNPMg83QjnzBOmFAVqH6EMjYMvkArrGvBQKA3jUS2hm3dfEEi5WsG2kw8pwRRGHhK8egjwPcFfHi6EntSsAeNrvkGVT9cqcK1IA3GuFakgKcFMEwLQnN18V84m3/s400/Blog2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And she'll never be alone again.<br />
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Whether she likes it or not, our whole family is prepared to love her for the long haul. She may push us away at times, as love is a tricky thing to learn for those unfamiliar. But over time she will likely come to know that she is safe and sound with us. Cherished forever.<br />
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We're already enjoying thinking back over our time with our soon-to-be-daughter and recognizing all the family resemblances. She has Tony and Sam's beautiful dark brown eyes. A sensitive soul like her mom. Pays attention to every little detail like her dad.<br />
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We're thinking creatively about her space and how we can best make her feel at home. And shopping around for clothes to fit her long lanky little body.<br />
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We're noticing things we imagine might make her smile and and we're paying attention for any triggers that might make her nervous or sad.<br />
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We've thought through our journey home with her, three flights long and how we'll make her comfortable.<br />
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We're praising God that He would see fit to use us to bring about this sweet treasure's <i>new beginning</i>.<br />
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Somewhere across the country from Hannah lays another tiny teenager. Maybe she's still sleeping in a crib, too. And drinking from a bottle.<br />
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So many similarities. A lifetime of not enough. Abuse. Neglect. Yet precious, worthy, infinitely valuable.<br />
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The difference?<br />
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She will have no new beginning. Her time, in fact, is coming to an end.<br />
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She will finish out her days in an adult mental institution. She will fight for food and fight for attention, of both there will not be enough. Eventually she will lose her fight.<br />
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The world is a cruel place when you're an orphan.<br />
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No one will come for this child who has already spent 15 Christmases and birthdays alone.<br />
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She has nothing.<br />
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She has no one.<br />
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Her time is coming to an end.<br />
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Chris and I were able to speak with a friend about Dawn while we were in country visiting Hannah.<br />
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Even with only one month left on the clock before she ages out, we are told that it is not too late for her to be adopted.<br />
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She is available for adoption by either a single mother or a married couple (one of which must be at least 15 years older than her). She has very little time left, so a family who has a previous homestudy that could be updated would be helpful. Dawn needs a family to be able to complete a homestudy and get immigration approval before her birthday.<br />
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There is now $15,000 available toward the cost of her adoption.<br />
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And now, within days, with the hope that someone will <i>see her</i>, someone will be visiting to gather new photos and videos to share with prospective families.<br />
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I know, I know. Posts like this inundate our facebook feeds too often. The need is heartbreakingly awful and can seem hopeless, especially if you're reading this and you know that you can't be this child's family.<br />
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But, who's to say that there's not someone out there who could be?<br />
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You may not be the kind of person who usually shares this kind of post because its a downer. And nobody likes a downer.<br />
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But what if, in your sharing, we were able to find a family for Dawn?<br />
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It only takes one person saying yes to change her life forever. To give her a new beginning.<br />
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Do you want to know more? Is there a chance you, crazy as it may seem, are her family?<br />
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Please contact me at mrs.tegtmeier@gmail.com.<br />
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I will quickly put you in contact with an agency that will soon have her file.<br />
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If it's you, if the Spirit is calling, please don't delay.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.<br />
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-81151632785713435642017-01-04T13:43:00.000-06:002017-01-04T13:43:14.173-06:00Through and ThroughAs much as we could possibly learn about Hannah in one day, I do believe we learned today.<br />
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Amid some high highs intermixed with some very sad lows, we confirmed once again that this child is ours, through and through. </div>
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We had several glimpses into her pain-filled heart, leaving both Chris and I biting our cheeks to keep from all out crying. </div>
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It was a very big day for Hannah, for several reasons. </div>
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Our visits were longer today. We spent three hours straight together just this morning, and 2 more this afternoon. That's a lot to think about for a little one who knows little to nothing about mommies and daddies. For someone who has undoubtedly spent much of the past 14 years alone.</div>
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Chris and I had the opportunity to feed her for the first time ever. We'd been told that she eats slowly, but that she eats well and finishes her food without fail. When her snack came into our visiting room in that familiar silver bowl, we fastened a bib around her neck with velcroe, sat her in a beanbag chair (the only furniture in the room), loaded the spoon with food and...rejected. She was terrified. After trying for 20 minutes or so without success, a care giver was called in to finish feeding her. We watched intently, from a safe distance, as she ate. She opens wide, tilts her head back and swallows without closing her lips around the spoon or around the nipple of the bottle from which she drinks. </div>
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In our afternoon visit, we had the opportunity to try again. She allowed mommy to feed her more than half of her snack (one bowl of bread softened with liquid, and one of some sort of fruit puree.) "Bravo, bravo!!", we encouraged, enthusiastically. "Bravo, Hannah! You are so brave. Good eating!"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured in the background is Hannah's Lelya (aka baba). <br />She is a lovely, softhearted woman who very obviously loves our daughter very much. <br />We are thankful to God that she will see Hannah nearly every morning <br />until we return to pick her up.</td></tr>
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As part of our afternoon visit, we loaded up into two taxis (Chris, Hannah and I, our agency representative and a staff person from the orphanage) to travel to the town center for Hannah's visa photo. We had no idea what to expect taking her out on the town, but lo and behold!, such bravery from our girl once again. She thrilled in that short car ride, sitting up tall with a seatbelt fastened across her lap and over her shoulder, like a pro. She seemed to enjoy watching the hub bub of the city out her passenger side window. The taxi dropped us off a couple blocks from the photo shop. She was completely oblivious to the stares of strangers as she walked proudly holding dad and mom's hands, smiling all the way, our field trip a solid success.</div>
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When we arrived back at the orphanage, we journeyed upstairs via tiny elevator, through a corridor and down the hall, to the room where we enjoy our visits. Along the way, Hannah spotted a group of 4 colorful balloons hanging on the wall and made a beeline for them. We vaguely asked permission for her to keep them before handing them over and continuing on our way. </div>
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I didn't think any child could love balloons as much as Samantha does, but her sister may give her a run for her money. Hannah + balloons = love at first sight. From then on out, those balloons were all she could see. (Sam, did you hear that? Just like you!) </div>
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She loved them so much,in fact, that she very obviously wanted (aka <i>desperately needed) </i>to get those balloons upstairs to her room to be stored safely in her bed. Her caregiver shared with us that she hoards a little pile of favorite things in the corner of her crib. Some of those things she brings in and out with her each day, while others she hides for safe keeping from the other children. </div>
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At any rate, it became quite the emergency situation that Hannah couldn't get her balloons to her safe spot, resulting in a heartbreaking meltdown that was probably 1 part exhaustion from the day and 1 part her inability to set her thoughts on anything other than those darn balloons. We are confident she will be feeling much better tomorrow after a good night's sleep. </div>
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As a side note, I need to throw in a big ole' "Good job, Bulgaria!" because we were on several occasions today pleasantly surprised by kindness, charity, and good will. </div>
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One of our taxi drivers today was absolutely enthusiastic about our adoption. He also noted that there are many needy people in Bulgaria, living outside, isolated from society, that "might do even better than <i>us</i> (referring to himself) if they just had some help." I wish I could remember more, but that should be enough to give you an idea. His words were a blessing to us on our way to visit Hannah. </div>
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Then, on our way out of the orphanage today, we came upon a Bulgarian couple bringing two large bags filled to the brim with clothes they wanted to donate. </div>
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Later on at the photo shop, the woman who took Hannah's photo was genuinely kind to her and patient as she took shot after shot after shot trying to get one acceptable photo for the visa. </div>
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Back at the orphanage we saw on more than one occasion, a parent from the community walking in with their disabled child for therapy...and then walking back out with them to go home. Praise the Lord! </div>
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And last, but not least, we saw a young man with Down Syndrome walking down the sidewalk with his daddy today. He was obviously very well taken care of. What a gift that was to my heart.</div>
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Thank you all, really and truly, for your ongoing prayers and support. </div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
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Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-6764426278659870572017-01-03T12:06:00.002-06:002017-01-03T12:09:23.152-06:00Meeting Our Hannah JOYHow do you begin to describe those first, holy, life changing moments with a child?<br />
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I fear it won't be possible to find the words.<br />
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We were nervous. Excited, yes. But there were jitters. Even especially from me. This place!<br />
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Our nerves may have put a damper on our visit...had she not been absolutely perfect.<br />
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God did it again. Our hearts seemed to have already been inextricably woven together with hers. There is overwhelming peace. Between Chris and I about our decision. Between us and Hannah. She is completely ours.<br />
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Someone already told us she looks a little like her mama, although I look at her sweet little lips and I'm sure I see her daddy.<br />
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She was cautious throughout our first visit, so we spent a lot of our time walking with her in circles around the room. This kid learned how to walk at age 12, and hasn't stopped since. She has a lot of time to make up for!<br />
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She already seemed to recognize us when she walked in for her second visit, warming up to us quickly. Chris has been praying for her the last couple days, that God would help her to be brave in getting to know us. We already sense Him answering that prayer.<br />
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We were able to remain in closer proximity to her this afternoon. She would hold our hands or hold our arms while she walked. She liked laying down next to us on the red activity mat, reaching out to lightly touch Chris's beard, or to touch my hand. All on her terms.<br />
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She loves to laugh and laughs a lot! And they're big girl laughs coming out of that teeny, lanky frame.<br />
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Speaking of big girls, she knows she's a teenager. She's very interested in phones and purses. All things lovely and feminine very well may be the way to this little girls heart. She carried my purse around for a while today and was all smiles, so proud.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0dpdmQviscmYdym-fWeodmTb72fClH4t4I4HOjJn0m9zE4F6VaYBpTZPLtgFlFnMAxK0XMVPGj4soI1rPxBAqGOBoHcFntlXG39h7NZqF38gBUiBZeNNp-PmjZqACTNGGuP6UaPa-p2g/s1600/Hannah+and+Daddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0dpdmQviscmYdym-fWeodmTb72fClH4t4I4HOjJn0m9zE4F6VaYBpTZPLtgFlFnMAxK0XMVPGj4soI1rPxBAqGOBoHcFntlXG39h7NZqF38gBUiBZeNNp-PmjZqACTNGGuP6UaPa-p2g/s400/Hannah+and+Daddy.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't show her face quite yet, but here she is laughing with her daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWBDzgtyRnevlFY1j3eyOERYm88Ifc3FamomWlnZgT8nN8drvM0P287_RlRiA4TJ_qcm69YT4dccK5vvv9lkYzrQb1uCKeYvhmhTYB49rjLtOg-uHdEFm85DGjwlwxLdSoxLSo5YOIxVi/s1600/hannahtickle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWBDzgtyRnevlFY1j3eyOERYm88Ifc3FamomWlnZgT8nN8drvM0P287_RlRiA4TJ_qcm69YT4dccK5vvv9lkYzrQb1uCKeYvhmhTYB49rjLtOg-uHdEFm85DGjwlwxLdSoxLSo5YOIxVi/s400/hannahtickle.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing, laughing, laughing.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dancing with mommy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking with daddy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Again, we can't show her face, but here's an audio of her laughing! I dare you to listen to it only once.</span></div>
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In addition to all of the fun we've been having with our girl, we've had the opportunity, over the last couple of days, to learn a little bit more about the suffering our girl has experienced in the last 14, almost 15 years. It is more than we can fathom. Years upon years of unimaginable pain brought on by complete negligence and deliberate abuse. And yet. God, in His grace, because of His "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love" (<i>Courtesy of the Jesus Storybook Bible</i>) preserved this child's joy-filled heart.<br />
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Chris and I have loved <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TFxgGb6SBM" target="_blank">this song</a> throughout this adoption process as it gives words to the pain we feel for Hannah and all we pray God will accomplish in her redemption. Take a listen if you would.<br />
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<i>We're gonna take back all the enemy has stolen</i> </blockquote>
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<i>It's in the blood of the One who's worthy</i></blockquote>
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<i>I know God has not forgotten all that's lost and broken</i></blockquote>
We are so looking forward to helping Hannah take back all the enemy stole from her.<br />
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Please continue to pray for our Hannah Joy.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-40643527366247120952016-12-29T12:14:00.001-06:002016-12-29T12:30:56.604-06:003, 2, 1...Hannah, Here We Come!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stuff's about to get real here in the Tegtmeier family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chris and I will be traveling to spend time with our Hannah Joy <i>TOMORROW</i>! As I type, we have less than 24 more hours to wait before boarding our first plane. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are feeling all the feels over here this afternoon. Excited, nervous, overwhelmed with all of the preparations that need to be completed before we leave our precious kiddos home for a week to visit our new addition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our minds, and even our dreams (I had a weird one two nights ago!) are filled to the brim with questions and wonderings about our girl. <i>Our girl. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She's really real. And we're really about to see her face to face, kiss her cheeks and feel the warmth of her skin. It doesn't <i>feel</i> real yet, but oh how we cannot even wait for that first look, that first memory with our daughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been feeling a little nostalgic these last few days, remembering those crazy, scary, miraculous first moments with Sam and Tony.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My very good friend, Anna, captured my first moments with Samantha on her blog. I love these words the best. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">The joy was written all over her, she just kept saying over and over again, 'she is perfect, Anna, she is perfect!' And she is."</span></span></blockquote>
I wrote something similar myself,<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0px;">I know it doesn’t happen this way for everyone, so I don’t take it for granted that right in that moment, she felt nothing but mine...</span><span style="background-color: white;">I was finally feeling that “thing” that parents have, rising up inside of me. I knew in that moment where the gumption to care for her was going to come from. It wasn’t something I was going to have to conjure up. God gave me an unstoppable, unconditional love for Samantha that day."</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NldfE4P57lxxgqzxVYBeNw718gAb4O7FXgmElDhNBPFiD1nQb-ENB_nJkxaaLRAjuh8jSWaQgKwzFyRTtFouOXJpdGXRQF27JgiqMlkXs-rI1ZnzL7tgua1_aTCblnACtfQH75w6_NxK/s1600/Look+at+Mommy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NldfE4P57lxxgqzxVYBeNw718gAb4O7FXgmElDhNBPFiD1nQb-ENB_nJkxaaLRAjuh8jSWaQgKwzFyRTtFouOXJpdGXRQF27JgiqMlkXs-rI1ZnzL7tgua1_aTCblnACtfQH75w6_NxK/s400/Look+at+Mommy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recorded my own first moments with Tony immediately upon returning to our hotel after visit number one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"...</span><span style="background-color: white;">I have peace in my heart and a strong confidence that he belongs with us. </span><span style="background-color: white;">He fits. </span><span style="background-color: white;">He fits in my arms, and he most definitely fits in my heart. As I've been hoping and praying for, there is room for him. There is love enough for he and Sam and I can see now how we all fit together. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Little man of my dreams is now real. Living, breathing, precious, perfect little man. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Truly, he is perfect."</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIUhKjISmb_L_GrsN2OyCogCJCkBJcNFmCx2qidJdE3bf9a-DJJfXKK32CbzxwtsUr0-g7io8AIql_4iUAwNQQDtmGhswDwYRuy4_tB1aVPDr-24SVhj4ln1vc92fhE6qnspkResMhwH6/s1600/2014-02-24+08.57.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIUhKjISmb_L_GrsN2OyCogCJCkBJcNFmCx2qidJdE3bf9a-DJJfXKK32CbzxwtsUr0-g7io8AIql_4iUAwNQQDtmGhswDwYRuy4_tB1aVPDr-24SVhj4ln1vc92fhE6qnspkResMhwH6/s400/2014-02-24+08.57.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has been a beautiful experience for me this last year and a half to be present for Chris's firsts as a dad. Those firsts may have looked different from mine, but they were miraculous, none the less. He took to fatherhood, and our kids took to him in such a way that we have no doubt God was orchestrating it all from Heaven. Especially his relationship with Tony. I do not doubt that Tony knew Chris was his daddy long before we were married. Maybe even before we were dating, as our boy got the first date with Dad, weeks before Mommy finally did the same.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScbNtJkZkOTQlEU-8hoCVg9eAyNPd75wUp1_sDVpDO47ABls3lUm9zh1VJ6dAapErAPdUDs5hs-WaYxr9grUao_Zcti_vNBZlvxI3-mGYt1ViO1vvzxTExrwVI1t8SuUDAuxu8MOy3hOe/s1600/Dad+and+Tony3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScbNtJkZkOTQlEU-8hoCVg9eAyNPd75wUp1_sDVpDO47ABls3lUm9zh1VJ6dAapErAPdUDs5hs-WaYxr9grUao_Zcti_vNBZlvxI3-mGYt1ViO1vvzxTExrwVI1t8SuUDAuxu8MOy3hOe/s400/Dad+and+Tony3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Chris and Tony on their first date to the zoo. I had asked Chris <br />
to snap a few photos for me of their trip and he far exceeded my expectations. <br />
Some of my favorite photos of these two are still from this trip.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEeoXFZkyJn8uCdy-wFlXyVwzsjqji5jQHwjEssZROQX9xOoTsquL7fYdavPMP68UO4MSnouRKMU58TQ7vjLQdDgHg7RfMaZJMVhdGXCoqo1tnXpVkXyluqGnMjw14YXz80EXLXGpdwPz/s1600/Dad+and+Tony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEeoXFZkyJn8uCdy-wFlXyVwzsjqji5jQHwjEssZROQX9xOoTsquL7fYdavPMP68UO4MSnouRKMU58TQ7vjLQdDgHg7RfMaZJMVhdGXCoqo1tnXpVkXyluqGnMjw14YXz80EXLXGpdwPz/s400/Dad+and+Tony.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, you can't look at this picture and not see it. He was always his daddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last week, after more than a year of already being Sam and Tony's dad, Chris and I went to court and made it official. Now those birth certificates will read, as they should, that our children have two parents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwUc-VCn5_ZVRhTNCZmAFGPrh2BGONr5-862Il2N6a_NQfIOeQ76FGQZ1d0jNj-shkaoQHYDnNzh5hKUcpOl_hcaDeJZNQt__R7h6MSs4eTAd2aoMTdZ03W3B9io8kTw5n9uxQs6svbRE/s1600/Chris+adoption.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwUc-VCn5_ZVRhTNCZmAFGPrh2BGONr5-862Il2N6a_NQfIOeQ76FGQZ1d0jNj-shkaoQHYDnNzh5hKUcpOl_hcaDeJZNQt__R7h6MSs4eTAd2aoMTdZ03W3B9io8kTw5n9uxQs6svbRE/s400/Chris+adoption.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Adoption is a crazy, strange, beautiful journey full of twists and turns and unknowns. Of course, we're nervous to meet our new daughter. Nervous because there's no way of knowing how we'll connect with her or how she'll respond to us. We can't fathom the hurts in her heart or her level of understanding. But if there's one thing we do know it's that God has brought us together. He has good plans for us and for her. We, and she, are sitting comfortably right in the center of His will for us. There's no safer place to be.<br />
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Actually, I should say there's two things we know for sure. We also know that for better or worse, Hannah is ours. The deal is done, there's no going back. We're choosing her now forever.<br />
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We would love for you to join us in prayer over the next week as we travel, and more importantly as we meet our newest daughter. The following are a few things we thought of that we know will need to be covered in prayer, but please also just pray as the Spirit would lead you. He knows best.<br />
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<ul>
<li>For Sam and Tony as we're away. Please pray especially that God will protect our attachments to both of them and that they will continue to feel secure in our love for them while we're away. </li>
<li>For Madi and Christina and everyone who will help to care for them while we're away. </li>
<li>For safe and timely travels, both our flights over, and our driving in country.</li>
<li>For or marriage, that God will protect and strengthen us through this time together, and especially as we experience adding a child to our family <i>together </i>for the first time.</li>
<li>For Hannah Joy. That God would prepare and protect her heart to meet her forever mommy and daddy. And that he would also prepare that mommy and daddy to be what she needs. </li>
<li>For protection over our home, our family, every caregiver, and every aspect of this trip, here at home and in Bulgaria, that the enemy would have not power over us. And that we would look to Jesus in all things. </li>
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Thank you all for your love and support. We are excited to share our journey with you as it happens. Please know you're invited to check back in here for updates all along the way. We can't wait to introduce you to our daughter.</div>
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Lots of love to all of you. </div>
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-69180931604976131622016-12-13T20:23:00.001-06:002016-12-13T20:23:06.994-06:00This One's For Hannah Joy (the whats and whys and how you can helps)<div>
It's been five and a half years since I first read the staggering statistics. And that was <i>after</i> palling around with orphans in three different countries over the course of a dozen years. I had no idea the problem was so big. So devastatingly pervasive. </div>
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Maybe you've heard this statistic before. You might have even heard it from me, or read it here on this blog. </div>
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Here it is again. Today's as good a day as any for me to be reminded. Maybe it is for you, too. </div>
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(I was feeling sorry for myself today. I, who have <i>not a need in the world</i>.)</div>
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How does one even begin to understand that kind of number? That's not the kind of math most of us are used to dealing with every day.<br />
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How about visualizing it this way?<br />
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I read today that if all orphans formed a country <b>it would be the 10th largest country in the world.</b><br />
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There's no way around it. That is a lot of very vulnerable kids.<br />
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Now add to that statistic, this one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQh5dIZrE_5J2zP9x9GlfZKp6spzAlkFjUY7aRxwodqKNUX5Sq5g5HG6q67FqP8ZyYv1GDO1NlWtIMQjKuuHKEu9G0xgqr_D3q93yZNSQFxnVZj1muQPQ7g-bDpja10PWSBA7uyal4250/s1600/older-orphans-are-less-likely-to-be-adopted.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQh5dIZrE_5J2zP9x9GlfZKp6spzAlkFjUY7aRxwodqKNUX5Sq5g5HG6q67FqP8ZyYv1GDO1NlWtIMQjKuuHKEu9G0xgqr_D3q93yZNSQFxnVZj1muQPQ7g-bDpja10PWSBA7uyal4250/s640/older-orphans-are-less-likely-to-be-adopted.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eighty five percent of children who <i>are</i> adopted are under the age of 11. Nearly half are under 6. There is a marked shortage of homes open to taking in older children.<br />
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(This illustration shows a 16-18 age group, but children, like <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/4398/dawn-17-1" target="_blank">Dawn</a>, age out of their chance to be adopted into the United States at age 16.)<br />
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Statistics like these can seem so overwhelming that we'd maybe be tempted to try and forget about them. What can we do to change that kind of number, anyway?<br />
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Well, we can help one.<br />
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Our children very easily could have lost their chance at a family, hidden away in a dark place for many years. They were well past the age of 6 when they were finally listed for adoption. For this reason and so many others, the odds were stacked against them.<br />
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If you're new here, this may be hard to read, but you should know that they grew up in a place where they were left to lie in their own filth. They were fed non-nutritious goop from glass bottles propped in their cribs, liquid rushing down their throats and dripping down their necks. The hole in the nipple of their bottles was cut to the size of a dime to make meal times faster for their caretakers. They were abused and neglected, left to lie in cribs for years without being taken out for so much as a walk or a cuddle. Starving for food and for love, they were stunted physically, emotionally, and mentally.<br />
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Sam and Tony's only hope for life was adoption. A family to love them back to life and health and humanity.<br />
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Hannah grew up in the same building, under the same dark circumstances as Sam and Tony. Abused and neglected, stunted physically, emotionally, and mentally. We have a picture of her from several years back. She was probably 9 years old at the time. She was skin and bones, so weak and frail she almost looked translucent. Her face gathered and wrinkled like the face of an old woman, crying in the arms of a caretaker's less than gentle hold. We know she saw the worst of it.<br />
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Hannah's been in that place for so long, she's now lived through the orphanage's transition from darkness to light. In fact, because of the help of many kind folks, like those with the <a href="http://www.plevenproject.org/" target="_blank">Pleven Project</a>, Hannah's orphanage is drastically different with a much brighter future ahead. We're thankful she has seen some better days. But like orphans the world over, her days are numbered. She can't stay in that baby house forever. She'll be 15 and a few months when she boards that airplane with us to come home.<br />
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Praise the Lord, Hannah will not be another sad statistic. Plucked out of obscurity, her file hidden and gathering dust, she was listed right in the nick of time. (Toni, we are forever thankful to you for finding her.) She will be, as so many children only hope, a daughter.</div>
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We view this beautiful child as a gift to our family, straight from the Father's hands to our home. </div>
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That's not cheese rolling off my fingers. It's truth. The simple fact that God chose <i>us </i>of all people, is still beyond me. Our children are our greatest joy and a privilege to parent. </div>
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Our motivation to adopt Hannah is so much more than all of the statistics, although the facts do matter. <i>Orphans need families.</i></div>
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We are also simply <i>drawn to her</i>, and to children like her. We both passionately adore children with special needs. Our kids make sense to us and to our family. We love everything about them, just as they are. </div>
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And we know that we've been called by God. </div>
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Not everyone is called to the same things. We know that more and more. In our close friend group we have folks who are caring for children right from our own community, folks who have families living with them, to help them through hard times, folks who serve the Lord through a <a href="http://www.lincolnfoodfort.com/home.html" target="_blank">feeding ministry that they founded</a>, folks who are passionate about Christian marriage and sexual purity who have helped many people through the destructive ramifications of pornography and infidelity, and folks who are called to support all of the above. God is in it all. We seen Him moving with our own eyes.</div>
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We, though, have been called to adoption. Particularly to children with special needs from hard places. It's our little piece of the Kingdom. We know God is in this. We see Him moving here. </div>
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Adoption is costly. Especially international adoption. </div>
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When all is said and done it will cost somewhere near $36,000 to bring Hannah home. </div>
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This money covers everything from the cost of a home study, plane tickets and hotels, to lawyers, adoption agency fees here and in Hannah's country and immigration. </div>
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I am happy to report that by God's grace, we're halfway there.<br /><br />Through lots of hard work, and also some help from our friends, we've got our cost down to $18,000.<br /><br />With close to $18,000 already paid, I'd say our glass is half full!<br /><br />God has most definitely been exceedingly generous with us throughout our journey toward Hannah Joy.<br /><br />He turned two large church garage sales into $5,000. He's surprised us on multiple occasions with checks from friends and even from people we've never met. And He's stretched our work income, helping us to carefully budget and cut our expenses, making small sacrifices that add up over time, enabling us to pay each large bill that's come our way.<br /><br />We can tell God is working when things like this happen...<br /><br />We had a payment coming due to our agency in the amount of 2,937.50. Leading up to the day when Chris would write the check, our garage sale brought in exactly $2,460.72 Which we thought was a gracious provision.<br /><br />Until...the next day when we received a check for $500.<br /><br />I'm sure you can do the math, but I'll go ahead and spell it our for you anyway.<br /><br />God gave us $23.22 to spare!<br /><br />That just seems to be the way he deals with us. He loves adoption. He LOVES Hannah Joy. And He even loves us.<br /><br />Now to see how He'll provide the rest!<br /><br />We will be traveling to visit Hannah VERY soon. We received our official referral a little over a week ago and expect our travel dates any day now. Things are moving right along. </div>
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This means that we'll soon be booking plane tickets and hotel rooms, and paying our largest fee yet to our Bulgarian placing agency. </div>
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It also means that, as with every other stage of this adoption, we will need to be vigilant in prayer. The enemy does not like seeing children rescued from darkness. Adoption is the very undoing of his work. Hannah has been trapped in darkness for 14 years, right where he wants her. As God enables us to pull her out of his grip, we'll need your prayers as well. Prayers for protection, endurance, positivity, energy, persistence, patience...the list goes on. </div>
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We would humbly invite you to join us on our journey toward Hannah.</div>
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If God would ever put us on your heart, would you lift us up in prayer? Especially Hannah.</div>
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And if God is calling you, we would invite you to minister to Hannah Joy by helping to fund the cost of her ransom. </div>
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You can make a tax deductible contribution to Hannah's adoption through Reece's Rainbow. We have an account through their Family Sponsorship Program. Donations can be made on the right hand side of this blog, or you can go to <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/113462/sponsortegtmeier" target="_blank">our sponsorship page on the Reece's Rainbow website</a> and donate there. If you would like to avoid any fees being taken out of your donation, you can send a check:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Reece’s Rainbow<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />PO Box 277<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Monrovia, MD 21770</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Please include a note telling them that your donation is intended for our family, the Tegtmeiers, adopting "Belinda" (Hannah's name on Reece's Rainbow).</i></span></div>
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Thank you. Really and truly, thank you for you support. Adoption can be a hard, sometimes lonely road for many families. It blesses us that we are surrounded by so much love.</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
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Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-75776630973551600262016-12-11T20:21:00.001-06:002016-12-11T20:21:54.802-06:00We Are a Force to be Reckoned With--Don't stop.One thousand three hundred and thirty four sets of eyes read about her need, likely seeing her deep dimples and squinty brown eyes for the first time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmUxLNqJH20ywolJTp0usJhqnZgZ1f1LbORsogY91dxohcKU9p8w5VVO-yqxXouK9vmhE_bQNM1RSTkqZo-G5nVEzHG-4v6L4fGwpGE0ivW_y2y4DGz9efEruYAMpyAuVRw2iq17idcd4/s1600/Dawn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmUxLNqJH20ywolJTp0usJhqnZgZ1f1LbORsogY91dxohcKU9p8w5VVO-yqxXouK9vmhE_bQNM1RSTkqZo-G5nVEzHG-4v6L4fGwpGE0ivW_y2y4DGz9efEruYAMpyAuVRw2iq17idcd4/s400/Dawn2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I lost track of how many times the post was shared on social media.<br />
<br />
Many folks reached out to say their hearts had been moved or that they were praying.<br />
<br />
One young couple even hurriedly contacted me to ask about the process because they had begun to pray about adopting her. (Sadly they were not old enough to fulfill Bulgaria's rule that adoptive parents must be 15 years older than the child.)<br />
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My church has added her to our prayers. Maybe yours has, too.<br />
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No, we have not yet found a family for Dawn.<br />
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But we, friends, are a force to be reckoned with.<br />
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Can you just see it? Close your eyes for a moment right now to really picture it.<br />
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1,334 of us loving her. Praying for her. Sharing her need with our friends and families and churches.<br />
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I'd have a hard time believing there wasn't a family out there for her somewhere. A family to love her imperfectly, but unconditionally and forever. A family with room at their table, and food to spare. A family with big hearts and lots of questions who could hold her close and teach her about love and about Jesus.<br />
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I know they're out there.<br />
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Maybe, there's someone out there like me, several years ago. Single and unwilling to sit around waiting any longer for her life to begin.<br />
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Maybe there's a family with older children who would love to teach her how to throw a ball and run through the sprinkler, who could make her laugh big belly laughs.<br />
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Maybe there's a mama who can look past the orphanage clothes and hair to see a beautiful princess of a child who would be beyond darling in a Christmas dress with a bow in her hair, and her very own church shoes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4VXhE1sUpM4Uly8v3yNhWSJzNSXt4i7JkYyrs21PAMXr-baS7SFPRitNGelXfLOsRagOe4F-kEut_dPlSgjWbYmUoAlyvm2DH1b1ZZLzdP4sTObo9C2i54sUOzKGp7QPSin4fJoB40m/s1600/Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4VXhE1sUpM4Uly8v3yNhWSJzNSXt4i7JkYyrs21PAMXr-baS7SFPRitNGelXfLOsRagOe4F-kEut_dPlSgjWbYmUoAlyvm2DH1b1ZZLzdP4sTObo9C2i54sUOzKGp7QPSin4fJoB40m/s400/Dawn.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Maybe there's a daddy who would love nothing more than to throw her up on his shoulders or spin her around wildly until the both of them lose their breath from the hilarity. A daddy who could speak love and life back into her eyes.<br />
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It's still possible.<br />
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With this many of us praying for her and sharing her need, it is really and truly still possible.<br />
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But it won't be possible for long. Her time is very nearly up. Two months. That's all she's got left until her future is sealed.<br />
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For those who have asked and for others who are wondering, here's what needs to happen.<br />
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A family would need to complete a home study (or update a recent one) and have their 800 A approved <i>before</i> her birthday. Two months is not a lot of time to make that happen, but it is possible!<br />
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Our adoption agency, who we <i>love</i> has offered that they would be willing to walk a family through expediting these processes. They have experience with this kind of situation and have assured us that it can, in fact, be done. But it needs to happen quickly. You can email me at grayc77@gmail.com and I'll go about quickly introducing you to our case workers at Lifeline Children's Services.<br />
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If you are willing, please keep sharing, praying, and prayerfully considering. I know we can't "save them all", but by God's grace, we'll save this one.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-27313997060577385492016-12-05T19:30:00.002-06:002016-12-05T21:50:46.250-06:00Because We All Know I Know How to Pick'em<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's no doubt about it. Sam and Tony have a lot of fans. And why wouldn't they? They're ADORABLE! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun2YVjmT_0F-s-3EXOrccBkTbpiQAhtFTpVb3by_jLQuDyey476HJ5ejrD4CkA-_MKOzD5SMYhi8rsTuomeE70UzebXpJ3zHnwJlLQS76R7KtxfTc6VUTv5wJEEzjYjnuAVFAyrb7jRr9/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun2YVjmT_0F-s-3EXOrccBkTbpiQAhtFTpVb3by_jLQuDyey476HJ5ejrD4CkA-_MKOzD5SMYhi8rsTuomeE70UzebXpJ3zHnwJlLQS76R7KtxfTc6VUTv5wJEEzjYjnuAVFAyrb7jRr9/s400/IMG_2483.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And not to mention funny.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEtWpg2fj6Z5bNc1t9T7tGR836sNYbkEwAZSDrIU6HgYKqUV-RfZv0-dWJeJqRqLf7dWkt3d_lz3-UA-YcLzK3Dm5WWl-J2oYbHDW-eSxcJ6KQVrBIbrNiWKVAvwtYqtp6L_F5EwMPF6-/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEtWpg2fj6Z5bNc1t9T7tGR836sNYbkEwAZSDrIU6HgYKqUV-RfZv0-dWJeJqRqLf7dWkt3d_lz3-UA-YcLzK3Dm5WWl-J2oYbHDW-eSxcJ6KQVrBIbrNiWKVAvwtYqtp6L_F5EwMPF6-/s400/IMG_2372.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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They're sensitive and affectionate.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0xKINf4DirbKFnQI94H0knz48HMs7WEUhCG4u_BwnZSZVogBZY09r4QgPjqNiiZC-Qs_MPEz9uFRcIKbC8TI1wRno53bZUTOHouWsZXQREy0AUKxefy7T4aDN1drdIXx6fl_tWkyJizE/s1600/IMG_2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0xKINf4DirbKFnQI94H0knz48HMs7WEUhCG4u_BwnZSZVogBZY09r4QgPjqNiiZC-Qs_MPEz9uFRcIKbC8TI1wRno53bZUTOHouWsZXQREy0AUKxefy7T4aDN1drdIXx6fl_tWkyJizE/s400/IMG_2215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Sam with her friend, Simon, also adopted from Pleven. <br />
She brought him one of her favorite toys and then sat in his lap for a chat. </td></tr>
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They're smart, talented and determined.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8xCrpaNhGUiYeMrbRcjghArcOkOr_yKi_LPdnZ0lmHGB-bD3DVvHr6o7PYe1sMgyTy4XGISA7hhCtLXVP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Basically, they're all around incredible little people.<br />
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What can I say? I know how to pick'em! (Grin)<br />
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But seriously, our kids are everything we could have never known they would be from first reading their files and seeing their photos.<br />
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<br />
There's a little girl on the other side of the world, not too far from the place our two grew up, who urgently needs a family. Like Sam and Tony, she has Down Syndrome.<br />
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Also like Sam and Tony, she's a uniquely sweet, smart, loveable baby in a big kid's body. And she's been living in an institution for far too long...almost 16 years.<br />
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This little girl deserves to swim with a mommy and daddy, to feel grass between her fingers and toes and sunshine on her face. To have her own bed and her own family. To be loved, finally and forever.<br />
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The reality, though, is that within a few months, Dawn will age out. She will permanently lose her chance to be adopted. Statistics are clear that children won't live long past Dawn's age in an institution. They'll lose the light from their eyes. They will die. That's the terrible truth. I know, it's uncomfortable to hear. It's extremely uncomfortable for me to say! But, again, its the truth.<br />
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This photo was taken of Dawn several years ago.<br />
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This is Dawn now.<br />
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We're praying, praying, praying in our house for God's hand of intervention in her little life. We believe her chance has not passed. It's not too late for her. A family would have to work quickly to get to her in time, but it is possible.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And, precious Dawn is eligible to receive a $10,000 older child grant from Reece's Rainbow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/4398/dawn-17-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Read more about Dawn here.</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For additional questions, contact <b>childinquiry@reecesrainbow.org</b><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px transparent; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14.95px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">******************</span>********************</span></div>
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to parent a child with special needs? Particularly a child like Dawn, Tony or Sam- older children with Down Syndrome who've been institutionalized for many years? </div>
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In case it should be helpful to anyone considering this type of adoption, or even considering Dawn in particular, here are a few thoughts from Chris and I on parenting our kids.<br />
<br />
I should mention here that my incredible husband volunteered his help with this section because this is a topic very near to his heart. As a new dad to a family of kids with special needs, he has a perspective that I no longer do.<br />
<br />
<b>In general, what are some of the primary needs an older child with Down Syndrome would have upon joining a family?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We have found that, above all, our children need <b>consistency</b>, <b>safety</b> and <b>security</b>. They continually need to be reminded that we love them and that we will never leave them. We do this in a number of ways. (And trust me, we've learned this slowly, over time.) The first is by providing a consistent routine. This helps our kiddos to feel confident that their needs will be met, especially that they will never go hungry again.<br />
<br />
We also work hard to meet this need by loving more than we discipline. Of course, we have to correct our children. We do this a lot actually, as all parents do. But, it is done quickly and calmly and followed up with large doses of encouragement and love.<br />
<br />
Our attachment with both children is very strong, but we also consider it a work in progress. We don't take their love for granted. We spend intentional face to face time with both kids, giving hugs and kisses, singing, reading, holding them, dancing - things any parent would do with their children. But, for our children, this is medicine, or therapy, if you will. It brings healing, and strengthens our relationships.<br />
<br />
<b>Are kids like Dawn, Sam and Tony still capable of growing or learning new things after joining a family at such an older age?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The answer to this question is a resounding YES! To varying degrees. A lack of food, love, security and stimulation is extremely harmful to a child's brain. BUT, our kids are growing and learning daily. Neither of them will ever speak fluently (or maybe at all, in Sam's case). But both kids are excellent communicators, showing us daily that they have not yet reached their threshold for learning.<br />
<br />
One thing our kids are absolutely capable of learning, and that they continue to learn, is appropriate boundaries and behavior. They are improving in this area all the time. The more comfortable they become in our home and family, the more responsive they become to our teaching.<br />
<br />
Without a doubt, our kids have also learned that they are a son and daughter, and that we are their forever parents. I really and truly believe this. We have to work to maintain this, but it is there. This may not be the case with every adopted child, but it is the case with ours.<br />
<br />
(As a side note, you should know that I took a break after that last paragraph to tend to the kids and get a few things done around the house, and in that time, Sam snuck into the bathtub fully clothed. Twice. So, there you have it.)<br />
<br />
<b>Do kids like Dawn, Sam and Tony need supervision during all of their waking hours?</b><br />
<br />
<div>
Our kids are actually able to play independently at times. Or at least hang out independently without too much help or supervision. And each day, they both take a nap or rest time, safely in their beds. So, Chris and I do have periods of free time within our routine. You will often find Chris or I reading or doing household chores while the kids are busy doing their own thing. Especially Samantha, who has a knack for finding creative things to do around the house. You might be curious to know that at certain times of day our house is, in fact, surprisingly quiet. </div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>What resources are available to help me parent a child like Dawn? </b><br />
<br />
I'm sure Chris and I haven't even begun to plumb the depths of all that is available, but I can tell you that resources are many. Our kids have received physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy from a private provider as well as through the public school system. They have one on one help at school as well as teams 10 people strong each to teach and resource them. I've also received A LOT of help and support from the online adoption community as well as other special needs parents and friends who work with students with special needs in our area. Not to mention medical personnel! Oh! And, in our city, there are at least two churches who provide respite nights for families with kids with special needs. We take advantage of these every time they are offered.<br />
<br />
I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, if you are willing to look and ask around, resources are everywhere.<br />
<br />
<b>What qualifies a person or couple to adopt an older child with special needs. Do I have what it takes?</b><br />
<br />
I'll let Chris answer this one. His answer is short and succinct, but it says it all.<br />
<br />
"Patience. Resiliency. Daily Dependence on God."<br />
<br />
Chris and I are in many ways inadequate. But aren't all parents? Do any of us have all of the answers all at once?<br />
<br />
I work at a church, so I meet new people and train new volunteers often. Whenever I speak to someone who is nervous or scared about a ministry task, I tell them this is the perfect place for them to be. I'll say, "If you were overly confident right now, that's when I'd be worried. God can best help those who know their need for him."<br />
<br />
Patience.<br />
<br />
Resiliency.<br />
<br />
Daily dependence on God.<br />
<br />
That's at least the goal.<br />
<br />
Praying tonight that this girl will be in a family very soon. God can do that. Please help me spread the word about Dawn.<br />
<br />
Lots of love to all of you.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-52409849204854931262016-11-05T15:57:00.000-05:002016-11-05T15:57:00.598-05:00How She and We Came to Be<div style="text-align: left;">
S<i>etting: Late evening, early Spring. Kids are down for bed. Mom and dad sit wide awake. Thinking. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Grace:</b> So, do you have any names in mind, yet?<br />
<br />
<b>Chris:</b> I don't know. Do you? It's kinda early to be thinking about names. Isn't it?<br />
<br />
<b>Grace:</b> I mean, maybe. Not really. I know you're thinking about it. What'dya got?<br />
<br />
<b>Chris:</b> If you haven't given any thought to it yet, why don't we wait. Seriously, Grace. Let's not do this right now.<br />
<br />
<b>Grace: </b>What if I can guess the name you're thinking? Will you tell me, then?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Chris:</b> Grace...<br />
<br />
<b>Grace: </b>I'm gonna guess! Hannah??<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Long, very long pause.</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Grace:</b> It's Hannah, isn't it?! I knew it. (Smug grin)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>End Scene</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>*******************************************</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We knew within days we would be married. And we knew almost as immediately that we'd adopt again. What we didn't know yet, was how soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was a little girl we'd fallen in love with. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well she's <i>little</i>, to be sure, but more accurately, I suppose, she is a young lady. She's all kinds of sweet, with an equally soft personality. And a killer smile. Oh, and did I mention she has that extra chromosome that we've come to love? She was close friends with our son, Tony. (Michaela and I met her and were immediately smitten.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The only problem was, she's long since aged out of the system. Never to be adopted. Never to know the love of a family. So, after we'd felt God calling her to mind for a period of time, we decided to respond in obedience and make sure, once and for all that there was nothing that could be done for her. That we couldn't, by some other means, bring her home.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We decided to pray and trust God with all the faith we could muster, knowing that there is nothing, absolutely nothing He can't do. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our hearts broke for her. We did our due diligence and found out what we had been afraid was true. We were several years too late. Her situation was complicated. It was not to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But by this time, the doors of our hearts had been swung wide open, and we knew we had room at our table for one more. Even if not this tiny love we'd been praying for. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enter Hannah Joy on the scene. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ-DoCDPMKm_ZutsV7uujQQ5WkobkOqDlC8ZzAAVvk5WYAImd_RV0e44bHUgiLGhFFmjF1bKLX_o3dzisTP7AdNlXoyV0_AmKnO9AxDudBCnPW-Mi6ySZ7NjkhYLCnBA2b5gAjtTdQ8qf/s1600/3_Boyana+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ-DoCDPMKm_ZutsV7uujQQ5WkobkOqDlC8ZzAAVvk5WYAImd_RV0e44bHUgiLGhFFmjF1bKLX_o3dzisTP7AdNlXoyV0_AmKnO9AxDudBCnPW-Mi6ySZ7NjkhYLCnBA2b5gAjtTdQ8qf/s640/3_Boyana+09.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As God's timing would have it, Hannah was listed for adoption right as we received that final verdict. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>*******************************************</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
If you know me well, or, well, not that well, you've probably noticed I've made some pretty big decisions these last several years. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moving back home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2rUi4AEZSS4G7gnmxYVYSfEFFvuX7lx_Fco4hY6Q7b0AMvnCWI1mpGxw2jw0nibeA9wfgQF0eudbJ_CIjeIc8GZZIBjd23ZeOC5HV_VxZrc-567jrXYXSKST9elEDdTZqlgCJ6UPxUdg/s1600/Nebraska+Sign.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2rUi4AEZSS4G7gnmxYVYSfEFFvuX7lx_Fco4hY6Q7b0AMvnCWI1mpGxw2jw0nibeA9wfgQF0eudbJ_CIjeIc8GZZIBjd23ZeOC5HV_VxZrc-567jrXYXSKST9elEDdTZqlgCJ6UPxUdg/s640/Nebraska+Sign.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Taking a job at the church. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Getting involved in Haiti.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxm1T-7fgxxHRN9m0_h9gy-PNBnusZsUi2PwOeyYHRfpYAaVNXlpIkgRf_chzI6_f7cyCSb20O6yTOd_55FKGBugCQR8CZ7rKcnkpBZybw6-v2OlOjIEXzKsrNAQ-7dCuEViI0xMOgEPk/s1600/Me+in+Haiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxm1T-7fgxxHRN9m0_h9gy-PNBnusZsUi2PwOeyYHRfpYAaVNXlpIkgRf_chzI6_f7cyCSb20O6yTOd_55FKGBugCQR8CZ7rKcnkpBZybw6-v2OlOjIEXzKsrNAQ-7dCuEViI0xMOgEPk/s640/Me+in+Haiti.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBUaZFfmIzNIEFlpa6lZsgZQmLx9835-TO0Qgkj-7cC5QqofbdiRFP-hu7RsOByV9S1n38t4xPksXfBUD38Fx9H6MVz2UJ_2-4XOzC5gD9HRbxUWv4vOAzmagGw3NcsFDohD3fXyDmOR-/s1600/Haiti-After+499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBUaZFfmIzNIEFlpa6lZsgZQmLx9835-TO0Qgkj-7cC5QqofbdiRFP-hu7RsOByV9S1n38t4xPksXfBUD38Fx9H6MVz2UJ_2-4XOzC5gD9HRbxUWv4vOAzmagGw3NcsFDohD3fXyDmOR-/s640/Haiti-After+499.jpg" width="640" /></a>Adopting Sam </div>
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<div>
and Tony. </div>
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<div>
Marrying Chris. </div>
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<div>
Decision making is different as a single woman. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Although I've had generous help from my community, I was the only one truly responsible for my decisions. </div>
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Well, God and me. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
But that was then.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
When you're married, though, two brains that share one life need to somehow "know" at the same time. Right?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We took our time deciding to adopt Hannah.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We both felt it. We <i>felt </i>called back to adoption. We already had a love for Hannah and a passion for orphan ministry. But we wanted to know that we knew. You know? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
But how does a couple make a decision like that together? How could we know for absolute sure that this was God's will for our family. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Under Chris's humble leadership, we dug into God's Word and leaned in close to hear our Father's heart in prayer. We decided to put the issue away. We wouldn't talk about it. We wouldn't talk about Hannah. At least not to each other. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We'd talk to God. We'd read His Word. We would seek wise counsel.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
So, that's what we did. For several weeks we went on like this, before finally we would make a call to our pastor, explain the situation, and ask that he would call together our church elders to pray over us and offer us their wisdom. Submitting ourselves to their authority, we agreed that if there was not consensus that we should move forward with the adoption at this time, that we would let it go, knowing that we were not God's plan for Hannah.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I don't know about Christopher, but I surely had butterflies in my stomach the day we sat around a table with the godly men who lead our church. They'd already been in prayer for several days before we met. One by one they went around the table. They asked questions. They shared their concerns. And then, </div>
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<br /></div>
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They offered wholeheartedly their approval. More importantly their support. </div>
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They were honest, though. They know it won't be easy for us. But they are behind us all the way.</div>
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And so, we went on our way to confirm our decision. Again, under Chris's leadership, we asked ourselves one last time the following questions.</div>
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Is this decision Biblical and right for our family?</div>
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<i>We do believe so. Yes.</i></div>
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Do we have the passion?</div>
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<i>Yes. Absolutely.</i></div>
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Do we have the skill set to match our passion?</div>
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<i>Humbly, yes. And we have terrific professional and personal support to back us up.</i></div>
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Have we prayed for a period of time and sought wise counsel?</div>
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<i>And to this, we could now also answer, yes.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>*******************************************</i></div>
</div>
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Sitting at my office desk, working away, my husband walked in and pulled a chair up next to me. He placed his right hand on my knee and said quietly, "I'm in. I think she's ours."</div>
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<i>*******************************************</i></div>
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We love the name Hannah because of the strong meaning behind it. The biblical story of Hannah is a beautiful example of a woman, longing for and crying out to God for a child...for a family. And of God, in His mercy, answering her prayer.</div>
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Our Hannah has been an orphan for 14 years. And now, in His mercy, God is giving her a family, too. Hannah's name means 'grace' and 'favor'. We think it fits her just right. It is by God's grace that Hannah will have a family. And his favor toward us that we get to be it.</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-39756634333411675212016-10-27T22:12:00.000-05:002016-10-27T22:12:42.311-05:00How to LoveAfter several years in the limelight, we (particularly me) have enjoyed a season of relative peace and privacy. <div>
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Chris and I are convinced that both are good. </div>
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Sharing the story God is writing in and through us is a good thing, no doubt. But taking a step back for introspection and enjoyment of all He's done has also proved to be good and right for a time. </div>
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We've been feeling the nudge for a while, though, that maybe we should consider reentry. So, with hearts that are open, if not a little bit tentative, here we go public again. </div>
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<div>
I've missed you all. This blog has been something of a holy place for me, providing a reason and a place to process and remember God's faithfulness. I've seen His faithfulness through you, too. Through your love for us, your generosity and camaraderie. There's been such beauty in sharing life with you in this way. My prayer is that this new chapter will bring more of the same.</div>
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During my time away from the blog, life's thrown us many an opportunity for stretching and learning. And redefining things I was certain I already understood. Like <i>how to love</i>. (Married folks, was this true for you in your first year of marriage, too?) </div>
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With my sin ever before me, marriage is teaching me to dig deep and offer love that is vulnerable and without condition. To serve when I want to fight. To listen and work hard to understand when everything in me wants to shut down or walk away. Even more so, to receive and accept a love that is way more than I deserve. </div>
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Ours is a love I didn't expect. </div>
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<a href="http://lovesransom.blogspot.com/2014/06/all-single-ladies-all-single-ladies.html" target="_blank">Remember this post?</a> </div>
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I sure do. I remember how I felt as I wrote it, and for weeks after as I heard from so many of you with whom it resonated. It was the pep talk I needed myself, and knew I had to share with all of you. </div>
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So maybe you can understand when I say I wasn't sure this day would come. The day when I'd put metaphorical pen to paper to give words to my new journey as a wife. <i>Someone's other half.</i> In that post, not so long ago, I was coming to terms with the reality that marriage might not be in my future, and that that was ok. I would follow God with my whole heart anyway. I remember clearly holding onto hard-fought contentment with white knuckles like it was my job. Squeezing the life right out of it. </div>
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And of course, that's when he walked in. (Single girls, please don't hear me offering this as instructions on how to meet at man. I promise you, no matter what anyone says, no amount of contentment will make a man appear on your doorstep.)</div>
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Actually he'd been in my peripheral line of sight for a while. I'd been preoccupied, and ...well, scared. But there he stayed. Until I was ready. </div>
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Three months from that very day came a ring. And one month later we promised forever. Just like that. </div>
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I'm convinced God must have had this man on hold for us. You should see the way he cares for our kids. The way he leads me. (I'm a stubborn old ox, but he can handle me.) The way he teaches by example. He loves and corrects. He prays with me and for me without fail. He shares my heart for vulnerable children. He has great empathy and compassion. And he loves the Lord with his whole heart.</div>
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Our marriage is yet one more blessing from heaven for me to marvel. And another chapter for us to share. </div>
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Well, there's actually more to this chapter that we're excited to share with you. </div>
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Some of you may already know, but for those who don't, Chris and I are happy to announce that we'll be bringing another little life into our fold. Together. A byproduct of our love for one another, and even more so, of God's great love for us. </div>
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Meet Hannah Joy.</div>
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My friend Michaela and I met sweet Hannah girl two years ago when we were in Bulgaria picking up Tony. Her smile lit up the whole building. She loves purses and baby dolls and all things girly. She laughs loudly, has <i>the </i>most perfect, darling ears, and has great determination, learning how to walk independently at age 12. Now, at 14 years old, we're told she can even run!</div>
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It is our absolute JOY and privelege to bring Hannah into our family. We think she'll fit in just perfectly and we can't wait to bring her home!</div>
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We look forward to sharing our unfolding story with Hannah as we plan to fly overseas to visit her before the end of the year. </div>
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Until next time.</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-89681512607249971682015-11-23T21:01:00.000-06:002015-11-23T21:01:00.119-06:00He Gave Us a New NameA lot can change in a year.<br />
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A brokenhearted, angry little boy can begin to heal. He can finally understand what family is. And that he has one.<br />
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A little girl who'd already blown the lid off of my expectations can reach milestones I wasn't sure she'd ever see.<br />
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A perfectly sweet 17 year old girl can reach her one year milestone living in our home, loving and being loved, and selflessly serving our family as if it were her own.<br />
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A mama who'd seen enough sadness to last a lifetime (or so I'd like to think), feeling overwhelmed and in over her head can reach the light at the end of the tunnel. She can begin to smile again. And breathe. And occasionally shower.<br />
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And after 33 years of waiting and dreaming and cautiously hoping, God can ever so swiftly and unexpectedly answer every prayer, spoken and whispered. He can answer the prayers I wouldn't have even known to pray. He can bring our family the gift of a godly, selfless, humble, strong, compassionate <i>husband and father</i>. He can show me a love I've never known on earth. So far beyond my expectations it's almost too much to take in.<br />
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He's here. The one we've waited for.<br />
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He's given us a new name.<br />
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And with that new name we've also been afforded yet another new start. A reimagined idea of what family can be. A safe haven from the storms of life. A warm, soft place to land at the end of a long day. Smiles and laughs, hard work and new expectations. A brighter future for each of us.<br />
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Yes, God gave us Chris. Very possibly the only man who could have taken us on, this crazy little family of ours. This man who God has quite obviously been preparing for this role, for this family for years.<br />
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He's given us a new name. And for every last thing it stands for, the sound of it is so sweet<br />
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-34407079198321142112015-02-16T20:31:00.001-06:002015-02-16T20:31:28.347-06:00Celebrating SamWe are celebrating a BIG double-digit birthday in our family today.<br />
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Samantha Love is 10 years old!<br />
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I've been feeling extra sentimental this past week, often catching myself imagining what baby Sammers may have looked like. She was tiny; that much I know. Less than 5 pounds.<br />
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Its hard to imagine my little squish quite so small. The cuteness is almost unbearable.<br />
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I tell her, "I bet you were the sweetest baby there ever was."<br />
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I can say that because, let's be honest. She was the sweetest baby there ever was.<br />
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I've also been taking every opportunity to tell Sam how special she is. To be sure, she really doesn't understand a whole lot of what I'm saying to her. But I know she feels extra loved.<br />
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We smile at one another, her face only inches from mine. She cocks her head to one side and then to the other, then lifts her sweet, chubby little hands up to hold my face while I tell her,<br />
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"Do you know that Mommy is so proud of you?<br />
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You are <i>such </i>a good girl.<br />
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And you are SO beautiful. Do you know you are SO beautiful?<br />
<br />
I love your laugh. And your smile. And I love the way you dance.<br />
<br />
You are so funny. And smart!<br />
<br />
And you are kind. You are such a good friend to have. Everyone should be so blessed to have a friend like you."<br />
<br />
She giggles and giggles.<br />
<br />
"How in the world did I ever get to be your mommy? I <i>love </i>being your mommy, precious girl."<br />
<br />
I don't think there's many days that go by where I don't say aloud, "I wish I was more like Sam."<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sam was celebrated today with a special surprise.<br />
<br />
She had never had a playdate with a school friend before, so I asked her best buddy, Charlotte, and Charotte's mom to join us for lunch and a trip to the children's museum- another first for Sam.<br />
<br />
The girls had a great time.<br />
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<br />
Sam was happy as a clam all day long.<br />
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She loved every minute of her special day with with her friend. <i>Thank you Jesus for the gift of a friend.</i><br />
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Sam had even more fun at the children's museum than I expected. It was as if they knew she was coming today. There was a music exhibit filled with instruments that Sam was able to try. Obviously, she was great at all of them. She could have stayed in that room all day. She had the best time.</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFOKRWmmgJDP1V2VgVCvLAax3tP8JkHNYHqiSEwAI_gfrlwFt2I4hQkRaG2645TsV0vfC-VEqxHloR-xroLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Sammers has such a natural talent and love for all things music. I love that we can share that passion with one another. We may not ever be able to communicate with words, but we'll always have music.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLG4_CGfRc4IrKpD34ekltz0Hy_Rl12xKqL4ZVLDvY_s9_Y6FnWe8LWIqml86SokkvD0j-xCJW8ArDf-RVzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And joy of all joys, there was a water exhibit, too. This little chick was in heaven. </div>
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And let's be perfectly honest here. I was just beside myself with pride watching her play and love and get into things, and just thoroughly enjoy herself. God has done a great work in this little baby girl's heart. She is happy and healthy, a joy to all who know her.</div>
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Speaking of which, Sam also enjoyed a few phone calls and visits from people who love her dearly. </div>
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It was a lovely day, for an absolutely, delightfully, perfectly lovely girl. </div>
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(Well, Tony might have a slightly different opinion, haha. Sisters can sometimes cramp your style. Dog pile anyone?)</div>
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<div>
Please, keep praying for Pleven. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3C0tEydE-T6TkENklupU54DYVO9oRns1ai4at3SGdQ9ynDKu_XlV6Bto0JoX2ls2eDMleZRioyVwS0Kbqam5NyhL6l6iXm14GcBpj_jyWAFLZkiDLD69phF5nASQn6AQCMm_jaedctiB/s1600/Pray+for+Pleven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3C0tEydE-T6TkENklupU54DYVO9oRns1ai4at3SGdQ9ynDKu_XlV6Bto0JoX2ls2eDMleZRioyVwS0Kbqam5NyhL6l6iXm14GcBpj_jyWAFLZkiDLD69phF5nASQn6AQCMm_jaedctiB/s1600/Pray+for+Pleven.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For those who are willing, let's change our profile or cover photos on facebook to remind people to pray for Pleven. Its just one small way for us to show our solidarity. We will not stop hoping and praying for victory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our beloved older children, who have already suffered so much, will be transferred <i>tomorrow</i>. I can't even bear the thought.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know you can't bear it either. I've heard from so many of you whose hearts are broken. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We will not give up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This story is far from over; God is working. This I know for sure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you to everyone who has written letters and prayed. Please, keep praying! And if you haven't, <a href="http://www.lovesransom.blogspot.com/2015/02/urgent-help-and-prayers-for-pleven.html" target="_blank">write a letter</a>! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope to be able to share good news soon. Or at least more ways you all can help. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until then, lots of love to all of you.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-45440616955820844352015-02-13T13:42:00.000-06:002015-02-13T16:35:02.939-06:00For Those Who Will PrayI don't want to be one of <i>those </i>people.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you know the ones. (P<i>oints finger at self.)</i><br />
<br />
Those well intentioned people who say, "I'll pray for you," but then, well, <i>don't.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
But I was convicted this week in Bible study as we wrestled with Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>"Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one."</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
Or maybe you've heard it said, "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no."<br />
<br />
How much weight do my words hold, if I, in my busyness or doubt, make a promise here and offer to pray there, with a heart that is whispering <i>maybe?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I never mean to leave people hanging. But do I?<br />
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<br />
I'm evaluating my own heart as I am struggling to give myself over completely to prayer for the children I so love on the other side of the world.<br />
<br />
I want to pray with absolute desperation to God, knowing that He holds the very answers we are crying out for. He and He alone.<br />
<br />
Only God can take what was meant for evil and turn it into good.<br />
<br />
Only He can thwart a disastrous plan, that must have been in the making for months, that is only just now coming to light.<br />
<br />
Only He can protect those 12 fragile, and most precious, valuable little people.<br />
<br />
He alone can win this battle. He alone will have the last word.<br />
<br />
So what can we do? We can pray.<br />
<br />
We don't have to bear the burden of this catastrophe on our own human shoulders. We really don't. (And I repeat again, to myself. <i>Seriously</i>, <i>self, </i>we don't.)<br />
<br />
But we can pray with all boldness.<br />
<br />
We can change our posture. We don't have to live in the fear of "But, what if He doesn't come through..."<br />
<br />
We just pray. We can literally hand it all over to Him. And then repeat. Trusting Him to do it, because He's faithful. And He will do it.<br />
<br />
We can offer God our yes because He's the one doing the work. And He knows best.<br />
<br />
He's got this.<br />
<br />
We're just agreeing with one another and agreeing with Him.<br />
<br />
<i>(Y'all can remind me of this the next time my voice starts to waiver.)</i><br />
<br />
Yes, God. I am joining my prayers with people all around the world for the older children of Pleven. I am lifting my voice on their behalf. Praying that today You will save.<br />
<br />
Yes, God. I believe that You can turn this thing around.<br />
<br />
Yes, God. I believe that my prayers, and the prayers and those who turn to You <i>matter</i>.<br />
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Yes, God. I want to see this thing through to the end.<br />
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<b>For those of you joining in this battle, lifting your voices to heaven on behalf of 12 tiny children with a desperate need. For those of you who've given your yes. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Thank you.</b><br />
<br />
Please keep praying.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And as you pray today, will you please hold up our friend and the children's greatest advocate, Toni. </span></b><br />
<br />
Toni is fighting on the frontline.<br />
<br />
Please pray that God would give her strength, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray that God would stretch her time and give her great wisdom.<br />
<br />
And, don't forget to share <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/74792/brandon-11-44" target="_blank">Brandon</a> and <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/71864/mikah-11-43" target="_blank">Mikah</a> today. Today just might be the day they find their families.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYCjxPCAEIQiDpkT-Sjx7vw2zVsC7vTxEDldsDHqV4PW7R97ymZLz1Ws-nudZWCC-D7Cck_2Ux0IAKA3wt2HeXEC5dUh4XtNwVReCSXRmvplmyTzsMBaKfwcpSltud8g6KjNO-K0uPH0D/s1600/Brandon-2014-300x272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYCjxPCAEIQiDpkT-Sjx7vw2zVsC7vTxEDldsDHqV4PW7R97ymZLz1Ws-nudZWCC-D7Cck_2Ux0IAKA3wt2HeXEC5dUh4XtNwVReCSXRmvplmyTzsMBaKfwcpSltud8g6KjNO-K0uPH0D/s1600/Brandon-2014-300x272.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sending lots of love to all of you.<br />
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-28842007675149306982015-02-12T18:08:00.000-06:002015-02-12T21:52:18.657-06:00Urgent: Help and Prayers for Pleven Requested<div class="tr_bq">
Y'all.</div>
<br />
I know I have been absent<br />
<br />
Like real bad.<br />
<br />
Embarrassing.<br />
<br />
And I am so sorry.<br />
<br />
I think about y'all all the time, and everything I want and need to tell you...but life keeps happening...and, well...<br />
<br />
Here I am.<br />
<br />
And let me tell you this was not how I wanted my first post back to go. But this is, as the title says, urgent. And you, my faithful, loving, supportive, big hearted friends. I need you.<br />
<br />
Pleven needs you.<br />
<br />
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10 minutes before my alarm went off, I woke up to a high pitched message alert on my phone.<br />
<br />
"Do you have any time to talk today? I just go some really bad news about Pleven and the older kids."<br />
<br />
<i>Oh Jesus, no. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
My heart immediately dropped to my stomach. I've felt sick ever since.<br />
<br />
"Of course. What can you tell me <i>right now</i>?"<br />
<br />
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I had been waiting to tell all of you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd been sooooo excited to tell you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My church and I have been working with the Pleven Project to raise money for the older children of Pleven.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You know, the kids who've been there forever long, who've been abused and neglected beyond comprehension.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've been working to raise money to build a group home for them. A place where they would have their own space. Their own staff. Their own equipment for therapies. Their own specialized programs and diets. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It wouldn't be a <i>home </i>home, with parents. But, for those children who have aged out and won't be adopted, it was our opportunity to allow them to live out the rest of their lives with dignity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Without this home, their only other option was that they would be transferred...to adult mental institutions and group homes, where, because they are not verbal or mobile, or at all self sufficient, they would <i>die. </i>Literally.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An architect was drawing up plans. Nearly $10,000 had already come in. And I hadn't even talked to <i>you </i>yet! I was elated watching God move mountains for these beloved children. Finally, finally. Redemptions for these, the most vulnerable.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Today I had to send the following email to all of the parents of precious children who've been adopted from Pleven. This is just an excerpt, but you get the drift.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi there fellow Pleven mama. I hope and pray you and your family are doing well.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I received word this morning of a situation happening right now in Pleven, and I am writing to you on behalf of Shelley, Toni, and the Pleven Project to ask for your help.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today we received word that a group of former orphanage employees, who we know to be unsafe for the children, have banded together to start their own group home for the older children of the Pleven orphanage. They have funding from a EU non-profit organization who provides no accountability or oversight. They are scheduled to move our beloved children to their new facility on Tuesday of next week. We know this to be an unsafe, inappropriate environment for the children. We also know that the staff have ulterior motives.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I know this is a lot to take in, so I am contacting each Pleven parent privately, not only to inform you, but also to tell you, that if God would move you to do so, there is something you can do...</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You caught that, right?</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The former director's right hand man, and her former cronies. The people who abused my children and hundreds more. The people who intentionally, criminally stole the life out of these, the most sweet and vulnerable of souls. The people who put a huge cement building filled with tiny humans through a true holocaust.....have swooped in and undermined the work many people</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">have been doing to ensure their better future.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We won't stand for this. I hope you won't either. These children deserve so much better. </span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I said it to my precious Pleven parent friends, and I'll say it to you. There's something you can do. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually there are 2 somethings.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can PRAY with all your might that we can take back control of this project. Tomorrow through Tuesday, anyone who is willing is invited to fast and pray that the Lord would intervene, as he has for these precious little ones time and time again. That He would rescue and provide more than we can even think to ask or imagine.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can WRITE A LETTER that will be sent to the US Embassy in Bulgaria, The County of Pleven, and the Minister of Labor and Social Policy. The goal in writing these letters is to express our interest as a community to fund a private group home for the older children of Pleven who cannot be adopted. We also want to specify that we want to make sure the children will be appropriately cared for and that money will not be given to people we know to have abused funds and children. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a form letter to follow.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">February 12, 2015</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">To whom it may concern:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">[Please start by briefly explaining what you know of the abuse and neglect of children you know from the Pleven orphanage, as well as changes you have seen in them since their arrival home.]</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">[Then, feel free to edit the following or copy and paste it as it is.]</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">I understand that 12 older children from the Pleven orphanage are scheduled to be moved to a group home that will be run by the very people that abused___________________ and many other children. </span></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">The same people that abused them year after year before the new director came to care for them. They are being handed over to their abusers. This should not and cannot be. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">I, with many hundreds of people behind me, am willing and eager to fund a private group home for the older children from the Pleven orphanage who have lived through a true holocaust. We want the opportunity to make right the wrongs that have been done to these children for so many years. Please, help us to help these children live out the rest of their lives with the dignity all humans deserve. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">We, under the supervision of the Pleven Project, are specifically requesting that we be allowed to fund and manage a private group home where the children can be properly cared for. This will ensure that all authority and financial responsibility be removed from the individuals who have criminally abused children and misappropriated government funds, and put into the hands of a board with oversight and accountability for the future.</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">Sincerely,</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">John Doe</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">1111 Street Ave.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">Lincoln, Nebraska 68951<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1">United States of America</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">All letters should be signed and scanned to Shelley Bedford at </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="mailto:shele337@gmail.com">shele337@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shelley will send letters to Toni, our attorney, to be translated and delivered. </span></div>
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Of the 12 sweet children who will be transferred on Tuesday, there are two who are still available for adoption. And for them, this would be their absolute best chance. Redemption in the truest sense of the word. Will you share their beautiful little faces today. Or everyday until they find their families? If we find these babies' families soon, we can save them from a whole world of additional heartache.</div>
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This is <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/74792/brandon-11-44" target="_blank">Brandon</a>,</div>
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and <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/71864/mikah-11-43" target="_blank">Mikah</a>.</div>
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I'm sure you already know, but it has to be said. Each of these boys is beyond precious. Diamonds in the rough. They would do so, so, so well in families.</div>
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Thank you for standing with us in believing that God will make all things right. Thank you for seeing these children's worth. Thank you for your hearts that say "yes" to God, even when the things coming from his hands, at times like this, bring difficulty and heartache. Thank you.</div>
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Now, if you feel so led, will you share this post all over social media. Send it to anyone and everyone who might be able to help. Especially to people who will pray. Like, <i>really pray</i>. We need whole armies of angels in the coming days. These kids need God to fight for their lives. And the power that raised Jesus from the dead is inside of each of us believers, so we must pray. Will you comment here and let me know that you're joining the fight in prayer? Or that you're sending a letter? </div>
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Don't you just love watching God win? Here we go again...</div>
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Lots of love to all of you.</div>
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Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-9419263825526825432014-09-27T22:56:00.000-05:002014-09-27T22:56:17.169-05:00A Little Piece of Our RealitySometimes true reality doesn't fit nicely into words.<br />
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I think about y'all everyday. All you lovely folks who've supported us so fiercely these last few years. Hanging on every word and every picture, loving us, giving of yourselves for us, even some of you we've never met.<br />
<br />
I don't mean to leave you hanging. Wouldn't it be great if we could sit down for a cup of coffee together? Maybe at our place, in case there are tears, and so we can enjoy the quiet that comes only after two active little people have fallen asleep for the night.<br />
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Since we're gathering here from far and wide, and since I've not yet found my new normal (for real though, it's got to be coming soon), and because honestly, time for a coffee date might not be in my near future, I'm gonna give this whole *writing my thoughts down* thing a try.<br />
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Side note: I'm drinking a big old cup of chai tea. Maybe you want to break and grab a warm cup of [fill in the blank] and when you come back we'll chat. I promise this will be the most jumbled conversation you've ever had with me here. I 'm afraid that's all I got today. Forgive me.<br />
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<b>How's Tony? Is he loving life in his new family?</b><br />
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You know, Tony rocked that first week in Bulgaria. Michaela and I paused several times to say to one another, "This is almost too easy..." And it was. He was calm, content, affectionate, and loving every minute of his new life. Exploring the city? No problem. Living in a hotel? Super awesome. Adult to child ratio 2:1, yes, please! Three plane rides, long layovers, waiting in line over and over again? He didn't really mind.<br />
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Home has brought a new set challenges. I weaned Tony off a med he was taking for ADHD because, well, he's not ADHD. But, that med may have been taking the edge off of his anxiety. This last month and a half, he's been experiencing a full range of emotions as I assume he is grieving his old life and growing accustomed to a new one. He's testing every boundary and he's testing me. The question I think is often on his mind is..."Will you still love me if I...(this is different by the day)" There's anger and uncertainty and anxiety, all of which I trust God can heal. But it took nearly 15 years for such pain to build up in his little heart. I can't, and don't expect that he will be healed overnight.<br />
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There are a few things I'm discovering he loves, though. He has a stuffed puppy that lights up and sings. It is a great comfort to him. He LOVES to play the piano. He could sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" all day. I mean allllllllll day. And the boy can <i>dance</i>.<br />
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Let's see, what else about Mr. Tony? Ooh, yes! He is brilliant. Like beyond brilliant. And actually I think that explains so much of his pain. He has an acute awareness of his surroundings. He watches and listens and notices everything. He's already learning how to sign. And he can feed himself. And, he has on several occasions gone potty in the toilet. These are all things he's learned just since coming home! However, as I'm learning how to love him, and trying to win his heart (Oh, I have so much more to learn) I'm sure now that I need to back off of trying to teach him and just focus my efforts on trying to love him well. That'll be the springboard for all he'll be able to accomplish in the future.<br />
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I think all that teaching is the reason he and I got off to a bit of a rough start in those first weeks home. I was noticing all he was capable of. "He can feed himself! Well, let's work on that." "He woke up dry! Quick, run to the potty!" "He can sign! Say 'please', Tony. Can you say 'more'?" In my mind I just kept thinking about all the years of his life that were completely wasted. Thrown away. And I had this driving desire to win back all he'd lost. And in doing so, I kind of lost myself and all I know about attachment parenting. He has so much healing to do. I need to meet those most basic needs before I can teach him anything. Our relationship needs to come first. So, I'm back to feeding him and I'm backing off of potty training and signing, for the most part. We're also experimenting with essential oils and they really seem to be working. They're not <i>the </i>solution to healing his hurt. Only God can do that. But God seems to be using them as a small piece of the puzzle and I'm thankful to have found them.<br />
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We've had several doctor appointments so far and I am happy and grateful to report that Tony is surprisingly and miraculously quite healthy. His echo was perfect, his x-rays looked great, his bone age is 9 (incredible, seriously, considering his history), his blood work: better than expected. He did test positive for H. Pylori and just finished his first round of medication for that. He's continues to struggle with vomiting and diarrhea, but that could be from the antibiotics. He's been to the dentist, too, and just followed up with a dental surgery yesterday, which leads me to the most crazy news yet...he had no cavities! What?! All of the big black "holes" the green/gray/rotten looking color of his teeth, his bleeding gums, the terrible, awful smell...it was all calculus. That nasty, smelly stuff built up over the last 15 years and probably protected his teeth. The dentist said calculus is very uncomfortable and his mouth probably felt like it was filled with splinters. So, though his mouth was probably sore when he woke up (he had 7 baby teeth pulled), it still probably feels better than it has in a very long time.<br />
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<b>How about a Sam update? What does she think of her new brother?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Can I just say that Sam is a rockstar? I don't mean to brag (except that I do), but she is just the most incredible little joy baby you'll every meet. She exudes happiness as she bounces around our house, taking her balloon for a walk, opening every drawer to search for treasures, drumming on every surface, each move she makes is music.<br />
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I couldn't stop laughing a few days ago when she emerged from her room where she'd been playing. She walked through the living room, pulled stuff off of every surface she could reach and casually threw it behind her, coughed twice, pulled a long red ribbon out of her mouth and then walked back out of the room. Haha, what? She cracks me up.<br />
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Parent teacher conferences were last week, and Sam's teacher and I both teared up talking about how far she's come, how special she is. My favorite quote from Mrs. Smith, her sweet new first grade teacher- "I hope you never worried about how the other students would treat Samantha at school, because they all love her. And they're not babying her, either. They are really friends." She went on to describe how she's had to ask the other first graders not to rush the door when Sam comes in the room, everyone eager to greet her. "That might overwhelm, Samantha," she tells them. And so the solution is that students take turns. And whoever is the class helper for the day gets to walk right over to Sam's desk and and say hello. They also get to ride along with her in the elevator when they go to specials. Several students enjoy taking turns reading to Sam, and two little girls, who I adore, claim Samantha as their best of friends.<br />
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Sam has just taken off, and it is completely a God thing. Actually, even before I left to pick up Tony, she was developing an independent streak. She just knows what she wants and doesn't often need help doing it. Now, I still take care of all of her feeding/hygiene needs and such, but as far as keeping busy, Sam is just full of fun ideas all day, moving from this toy to that instrument, from this trouble to that mischief. It's beyond amazing. I had to put a baby gate up in the bathroom doorframe because she learned how to turn the doorknob and was, several times a day, helping herself into the bathtub and treating herself to a bath with clothes on. (Well, short baths. Just long enough for mom to hear the water and ruin her fun.)<br />
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Sam likes her new brother. I thought she'd be the jealous one, for sure, but she is gracious to share her toys and her mom with Tony. More than once she's taken my hand and placed it on her brother. So generous, that girl! Tony is still not so sure about Sam. He had to compete for adult attention at the orphanage and still seems to view Sam as a threat. I've been forcing the together time issue and hope that one day very soon Tony will realize the friend he has in Sam.<br />
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<b>How are you adjusting to being a mother of two? Is everything what you expected?</b><br />
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You know, I went into this adoption knowing it was going to be hard. I've been preparing people around me for a long time that things were going to be rough for a few months, maybe a year. Maybe forever. Taking Tony's age into account, and what I know of his history, it just made sense that this transition would not be easy. I was right. The thing is though, you can <i>know </i>that things are going to be hard. You can read the books, gather advice, set up your home...all of those things helpful. But you'll never be prepared for hard. Not <i>really. </i>I wasn't prepared for this, but I can't say that's a bad thing. I can already feel a tension brewing in me. Or maybe its a leaning in. I need the Lord right now. His nearness is my biggest desire. What more can a person need than a constant reminder of their need for Him. Life is hard, regardless, right? We all feel it, the world getting uglier by the day? I needed Tony to remind me to lift my head. Stop distracting myself. To bow my knee. I <i>need </i>him. We need HIM.<br />
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Well, y'all, it's getting late. I'm out of tea, and I bet you are, too. Maybe we ought to call it a night. Let's do this again soon, though, huh?<br />
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More to come.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-58831074467635949902014-08-13T10:21:00.002-05:002014-08-13T10:29:17.529-05:00Got'im!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I asked people to pray for Tony, that God would prepare his heart, that he would be ready...</div>
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I confess I wasn't sure it would happen.<br />
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I just knew, after almost 15 years in that place, without a family, without love or home, family, security, or anything that was his, without any of the comforts we're accustomed to that give us strength to go out and face the world each day...<br />
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That he may be afraid. That he might be hesitant leaving his familiar and entering the unknown.<br />
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But praise be to God, I was wrong. He was ready.<br />
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This boy of mine jumped into my arms and held on for dear life. He was uninterested in saying too many goodbyes, quite literally pulling me by the hand to the front door. Let's get out of here, mom!<br />
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It's been six long months since I've seen this kid, and I promise you he remembered. He absolutely knew his mama was coming back for him.<br />
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Isn't this photo awesome? I should caption it, "Thank you God! You never forgot about me!"<br />
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He loved loved loved his new clothes. He tugged at his shirt throughout the day, kind of waving it around as if to say, "Look at my new shirt!" He was so proud. And guess what?! His new shoes fit just right.<br />
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We walked down the stairs...</div>
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Said one last goodbye to the new director of the orphanage...</div>
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And quite literally did not look back.<br />
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He was such a big boy, sitting in his booster car seat.<br />
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He was nervous when we started driving. His body went a little stiff and he was shaking, but he got the hang of it pretty quickly.</div>
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Especially once the snacks came out. He ate some squeezy fruits off of mommy's finger.<br />
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And then relaxed all the way to the hotel. For most of the ride he was holding my hand on one side and Michaela's on the other.<br />
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When we finally arrived at the hotel, he had another snack and then we settled in for some quiet time.<br />
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Oh does this boy love to cuddle!<br />
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He showed mommy and Michaela how he can stack rings! Well a few anyway, and then he decided he'd rather throw the rings and cuddle some more.<br />
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I also asked y'all to pray that Tony would be able to get out of the hotel and enjoy the city without fear. Well we got out a bit on that first day and he enjoyed taking it all in. Here's his first trip to the grocery store!<br />
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He's had many other firsts since then that I can't wait to share. But here's one more I can't resist.<br />
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He met his sister for the first time!<br />
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They both loved visiting with one another! Sam kept giggling, and Tony wanted closer and closer to the screen, even laying his head on the table to be closer yet.<br />
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Here we are all together for the first time!<br />
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Thank you all so very much for your love and prayers. God is answering every one of them and then some. All is most certainly well here in Bulgaria.<br />
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And for any of you back home, if you see my Sammer girl today, wish her a Happy Gotcha Day! Its been two incredible, life-changing years with her. My best years yet. She made me a mommy for the first time, and I couldn't love that title any more. Can't wait to squish her in just a few more days. Love you so much, Samantha Love!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my princess yesterday on her first day of first grade!!</td></tr>
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Lots of love to all of you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-8572820465303355412014-08-09T00:50:00.000-05:002014-08-09T01:00:42.122-05:00Getting CloserTony, it's finally time!<br />
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Mommy's on her way to get you.<br />
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I love these pictures of you walking toward me. I look at them and picture you making your way down that hall one last time.<br />
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One. Last. Time.<br />
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On Monday morning when you step out of that elevator, I'll be there waiting.<br />
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I'll bring a handsome new outfit for you to wear. And new shoes! I hope they fit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsxuKkduw_qKgMShqqdVCq-ZK1YZBXBaSb6gl4Cy6KgexK_9Syg9tjJ1bX-nmrctA4mTjEKidM2j9hHhdt4sD2MwF1gB-KWmM1i0yJwBmWOcOiB6Lok-xet5pnhoZhAGkNk9WI_666iJW/s1600/_MG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsxuKkduw_qKgMShqqdVCq-ZK1YZBXBaSb6gl4Cy6KgexK_9Syg9tjJ1bX-nmrctA4mTjEKidM2j9hHhdt4sD2MwF1gB-KWmM1i0yJwBmWOcOiB6Lok-xet5pnhoZhAGkNk9WI_666iJW/s1600/_MG_0731.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And even though you're my big boy, I'll scoop you up and carry you down those big front steps. We'll wave goodbye for good. We won't look back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf50Iz9hgoBu5_ixpx4gRpbN3IGcUm3td247KafDFmaHSKAO1UwteCNJo93424EoiKtCrLB_dfV19aJ05Oc-EBghp2gwKeD2GuVLe81jmcI7QDvdrTUeyIjTNPLpkHp6BYrlTVVYZxcQa3/s1600/_MG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf50Iz9hgoBu5_ixpx4gRpbN3IGcUm3td247KafDFmaHSKAO1UwteCNJo93424EoiKtCrLB_dfV19aJ05Oc-EBghp2gwKeD2GuVLe81jmcI7QDvdrTUeyIjTNPLpkHp6BYrlTVVYZxcQa3/s1600/_MG_0732.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh I cannot wait to share this big, big world with you. I hope you're ready! I've been praying that you might be able to enjoy your first week of freedom, exploring your home country for the very first time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6bASuDQ95VQB6gev9UZjJh7ZM77uR9YQxRhmfg1ZlfO19Ve7eZvwEtV1-5yplXjrFr1nBEoxG3UOSj-nk48ri4smwvVRgZxQ94wajx8WlkGjThHabe-aSKmxQ6Zy8kXz5dccL5XvtVwL/s1600/_MG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6bASuDQ95VQB6gev9UZjJh7ZM77uR9YQxRhmfg1ZlfO19Ve7eZvwEtV1-5yplXjrFr1nBEoxG3UOSj-nk48ri4smwvVRgZxQ94wajx8WlkGjThHabe-aSKmxQ6Zy8kXz5dccL5XvtVwL/s1600/_MG_0733.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are parks to be played in, and there's sunshine to soak up. Maybe we'll find a toy store. Or try eating in a restaurant. Maybe, if you're up to it, we'll do some site seeing. I can't wait to see what you think of it all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixFU_JgxUtR0nMk55SwQMyp06iYaszgsb5rVsDkps9BK2vHAjzSDQgpMoDuPcTmN3vc6DXmzhIqpTS_dgv6eQfKOXJQuLuNoRt0oTDtkkUPX5IYy3zzmnYdW4yTYklqIq_IMY0R2nVvXp/s1600/_MG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixFU_JgxUtR0nMk55SwQMyp06iYaszgsb5rVsDkps9BK2vHAjzSDQgpMoDuPcTmN3vc6DXmzhIqpTS_dgv6eQfKOXJQuLuNoRt0oTDtkkUPX5IYy3zzmnYdW4yTYklqIq_IMY0R2nVvXp/s1600/_MG_0734.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Tony, you don't know it quite yet, but your mommy loves you like crazy. I think you are the cutest, smartest, bravest, sweetest little man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKT5AqFWwvUBzC4YGlzEKQPn9KAgvHVGc5_Q0Lc3Wg429zb9J3IU7nI77k30QTmDvGRuY7kIXDBrw-17uusM1A-g_DKLbKo_qO2cNzHLLGfe5bEJ709ggSSym4o7_5kvDyIyRLYykZK5n/s1600/_MG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKT5AqFWwvUBzC4YGlzEKQPn9KAgvHVGc5_Q0Lc3Wg429zb9J3IU7nI77k30QTmDvGRuY7kIXDBrw-17uusM1A-g_DKLbKo_qO2cNzHLLGfe5bEJ709ggSSym4o7_5kvDyIyRLYykZK5n/s1600/_MG_0735.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And your sister? Well, she doesn't know it yet, but I think she's really gonna love you, too. You guys are going to be great friends. (Don't worry if it takes a little while for her to warm up to you. She's a mommy's girl, but she'll figure this whole sister thing out...eventually.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq37oA6nPnH3Lv21lfNtnarxfwwZSSqcX_SJsT_qTKEEjxl7c3PJRVPw_XSFk2Kdm_n6S8hBYq_o95XGXkk6WN1TzdX6yF5lZyN84Y3JCfio9D94nk_kPjSWIA11GppzmadDVXbuqklVj/s1600/_MG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq37oA6nPnH3Lv21lfNtnarxfwwZSSqcX_SJsT_qTKEEjxl7c3PJRVPw_XSFk2Kdm_n6S8hBYq_o95XGXkk6WN1TzdX6yF5lZyN84Y3JCfio9D94nk_kPjSWIA11GppzmadDVXbuqklVj/s1600/_MG_0736.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
See you soon, my little buddy. Forever starts in just two more sleeps.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Fundraising update!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For all of your who responded so generously to our last minute plea for help with funding, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. We have almost reached our goal! So far, we've raised $2,307 of the $3,000 needed to fund our trip. If you'd still love to help bring Tony home, I have a sweet little offer to share with you. An online friend has offered up this hand-stitched quilt as a giveaway for one lucky donor. So, for the next two days, until I pick up Tony, anyone who makes a donation of $5 or more toward Tony's ransom will be entered to win. Just comment below when you donate. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AO9FxGtVOXHLYM_-P2F71nLS2azp-LRH-nPTA-Bncw2CVTeB08kAiJzf2-EyzmwG4nXhzbut28c5XZoTgvrV4GxtOQDlpYKlJYeNcAQYTPivHCEfldVpdHbqzOq__AnAjzQpTp_bjp9s/s1600/fish+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AO9FxGtVOXHLYM_-P2F71nLS2azp-LRH-nPTA-Bncw2CVTeB08kAiJzf2-EyzmwG4nXhzbut28c5XZoTgvrV4GxtOQDlpYKlJYeNcAQYTPivHCEfldVpdHbqzOq__AnAjzQpTp_bjp9s/s1600/fish+quilt.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fleece rag quilt measures approximately 84x50 inches <br />
and would be a perfectly adorable addition to any kid's bedroom. Love it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
********************</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Prayer requests!<br />
<br />
My friend, Michaela, and I would sure covet your prayers this week.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRIDUAKcwLaj-7OR1l0XY5RyqaFwa8XH_Kll-dvMmVHkZR07p9dwOZOM1hVDxuHpuzYTGdeHVuj9Ajq91CcybrrUURK8doq0GbMIcb-rTJZ46uPJzPdvxGCozroRRpcspKtS4Utk4nw-S/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRIDUAKcwLaj-7OR1l0XY5RyqaFwa8XH_Kll-dvMmVHkZR07p9dwOZOM1hVDxuHpuzYTGdeHVuj9Ajq91CcybrrUURK8doq0GbMIcb-rTJZ46uPJzPdvxGCozroRRpcspKtS4Utk4nw-S/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Our church is all wearing these bracelets while we're gone as a reminder to pray. They'll be praying over a list of requests we prepared. We'll lay those same requests before you. Thank you so much for journeying with us.<br />
<ul>
<li>For protection from the enemy before, during and after our trip. For us, our families and everyone we love.</li>
<li>For our travels, that angels would surround and protect us as we fly, that we will make all of our connecting flights and arrive on time, as we will pick up Tony first thing the next morning. </li>
<li>For the safety and care of our children while we are away. Pray especially for Samantha as she will have her first week of 1st grade while I am away and for Levi who has never been away from his mom for this long.</li>
<li>For our hearts as we enter the orphanage, see waiting children, and have to leave them behind. For the children who wait, that God would be near and that He would come to their rescue.</li>
<li>For Tony's adjustment as he leaves the only home he's known for 14 years and experiences love for the first time. For his healing emotionally, physically, spiritually.</li>
<li>That Tony will be willing and able to eat, drink and sleep during our week in the hotel. That his body will be able to handle the change in environment and that he will not need medical intervention before we get home. </li>
<li>That Tony will be able to leave the hotel during our week and get our and enjoy some fresh air and new experiences.</li>
<li>For Tony during our travel home, please pray for God's peace to quiet his heart and allow him to rest.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
********************</div>
</div>
<div>
The next time you hear from me I'll be on the other side of the world. Here we go!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lots of love to all of you.</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-60428255784155147192014-07-29T20:33:00.000-05:002014-07-29T20:33:00.784-05:00Tony is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That tiny, sweet boy of mine. Oh, how I LOVE him!</div>
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He is silly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZByo1lsTwZMLYwdItJhoLeS60Q7t16npHwOEuiQAdA-3XAkSMc44_1LMkRUu84XaOKGlkTJiTzu4R2uuS7eKY2I-_D0lA3ZQfgQSffpEXG3Zxt2_J-V97IOhDqu2ftavrD8JjKLyjgs/s1600/_MG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWZByo1lsTwZMLYwdItJhoLeS60Q7t16npHwOEuiQAdA-3XAkSMc44_1LMkRUu84XaOKGlkTJiTzu4R2uuS7eKY2I-_D0lA3ZQfgQSffpEXG3Zxt2_J-V97IOhDqu2ftavrD8JjKLyjgs/s1600/_MG_0939.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He is hilarious, and he knows it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx5SCL3JfGMU5GauBAN5oxEECLP_R5ful_Iosf-WxVUR1UShz1aelnGEcZo_tfRIuV60k4p71ACaHMF3I70_xigb22w6PcdzXDDrPu31yQVIABJmKJGnkF0kJl6zk97l1tKSraaBpby4J/s1600/_MG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx5SCL3JfGMU5GauBAN5oxEECLP_R5ful_Iosf-WxVUR1UShz1aelnGEcZo_tfRIuV60k4p71ACaHMF3I70_xigb22w6PcdzXDDrPu31yQVIABJmKJGnkF0kJl6zk97l1tKSraaBpby4J/s1600/_MG_0927.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He is attentive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduRnu-gXA0ztun6xda0QACQGSbWvO_H7rKtb6Wh2QiBBmds_-q9aHXh0EeZpqwBaxx-V26P60Z1mtpPMza9d6z0u5zRAhsdIPN0Liqt2p2aLcsxfuxE8KcbcYDJDntdoRZDB_dQqDXwzs/s1600/_MG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduRnu-gXA0ztun6xda0QACQGSbWvO_H7rKtb6Wh2QiBBmds_-q9aHXh0EeZpqwBaxx-V26P60Z1mtpPMza9d6z0u5zRAhsdIPN0Liqt2p2aLcsxfuxE8KcbcYDJDntdoRZDB_dQqDXwzs/s1600/_MG_0914.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He is weird, like his mom. Ha!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETD-aGVuTBbPqX3jPpM557aPgxHBjqU2QM-GGAQD4fGMt1mewsl0dCYdRkbY9m5gOffahrFvREYprZcMZvIFg1DUzKOnR9bleWfv85Nwi72ocQEmiXPqv2ntdBrL9k3QjmpnpHQqNahDG/s1600/_MG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETD-aGVuTBbPqX3jPpM557aPgxHBjqU2QM-GGAQD4fGMt1mewsl0dCYdRkbY9m5gOffahrFvREYprZcMZvIFg1DUzKOnR9bleWfv85Nwi72ocQEmiXPqv2ntdBrL9k3QjmpnpHQqNahDG/s1600/_MG_0933.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He is all boy! My little man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipymdJWZQczI6sObSBI8dphpWVHqg5lw_cjDPwVtdpO2NBepBG6DUPKvBnhm9EtVqPSqXWy0fGtCjXgj-mSP2Vcm49i81DOudctZMfffNjSyMj7q81wzORaDTceQlf79pOYzme7MBflHmk/s1600/_MG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipymdJWZQczI6sObSBI8dphpWVHqg5lw_cjDPwVtdpO2NBepBG6DUPKvBnhm9EtVqPSqXWy0fGtCjXgj-mSP2Vcm49i81DOudctZMfffNjSyMj7q81wzORaDTceQlf79pOYzme7MBflHmk/s1600/_MG_0937.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He gives the best hugs!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrC_UM6_8OD42MQsKd_W9x49SQPPTkmo6X2vtvJNAeU0JIyxNSpVWvCWoiPHnoTz2KtP9BtFGgyLGng_xJ0onfIGhZfpU5k4WnAriqeMaUqr-XQKimiQwx8mFYgrw1fw-_E2QlQRQdRQq/s1600/_MG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrC_UM6_8OD42MQsKd_W9x49SQPPTkmo6X2vtvJNAeU0JIyxNSpVWvCWoiPHnoTz2KtP9BtFGgyLGng_xJ0onfIGhZfpU5k4WnAriqeMaUqr-XQKimiQwx8mFYgrw1fw-_E2QlQRQdRQq/s1600/_MG_0957.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He gets me. And I get him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDBqjAy4eY8DcukT1JLtEg-wQiT25acBGYYoLvy5gilKIi9ZpurBi2uAR3i_sVUM7aY1sKS36NP16WbXV99zfAhaYk-Y2chLbsswhXmZRqCcWHXjvXeuWx-QIMdcTa8AFGyTa75qolH3R/s1600/_MG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDBqjAy4eY8DcukT1JLtEg-wQiT25acBGYYoLvy5gilKIi9ZpurBi2uAR3i_sVUM7aY1sKS36NP16WbXV99zfAhaYk-Y2chLbsswhXmZRqCcWHXjvXeuWx-QIMdcTa8AFGyTa75qolH3R/s1600/_MG_0925.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He will be a terrific big brother.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRaf3Ueit7kd8Sr17OuJXbbdMl1mmbpbHUjI_QlToo5DxUn2jSARzTsjcmBy0o9eU-SUQWPMcgOInoiFIkNNGWrXrmnWS52Y9nEnTcqA4QXlNHkHkKy8QW4Fy9EsR1evgpZ5Wh22b83Sk/s1600/_MG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRaf3Ueit7kd8Sr17OuJXbbdMl1mmbpbHUjI_QlToo5DxUn2jSARzTsjcmBy0o9eU-SUQWPMcgOInoiFIkNNGWrXrmnWS52Y9nEnTcqA4QXlNHkHkKy8QW4Fy9EsR1evgpZ5Wh22b83Sk/s1600/_MG_0792.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Because he knows how to love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rOKIzrpjO_SmOwyunqepGMEltIV5ONpoInYcHgDoWY6V1G3EQAZUEx4nVKac_5GskjpssneSH6k6SQjwYsE0mPX_Quw3PdYFxHtAuAHzUQq2P65NGNdCfsqKHevlqjNC-ZyqBeWaRMAe/s1600/_MG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rOKIzrpjO_SmOwyunqepGMEltIV5ONpoInYcHgDoWY6V1G3EQAZUEx4nVKac_5GskjpssneSH6k6SQjwYsE0mPX_Quw3PdYFxHtAuAHzUQq2P65NGNdCfsqKHevlqjNC-ZyqBeWaRMAe/s1600/_MG_0794.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He can definitely hold up his end of the conversation.<br />
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<br />
Oops. Looks like he's a little ticklish!<br />
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He can't get enough kisses from his mommy. It's not possible!<br />
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He has the sweetest little voice you can imagine.<br />
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He's a complete monkey baby, just like his little sister.<br />
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He's our missing piece.<br />
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And soon, so very very very soon, he will be home!!!<br />
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My friend, Michaela, and I will be boarding a plane to Bulgaria in less than two weeks. In less than two weeks I'll be breaking my little guy out and bringing him home!<br />
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But before I can do that, before we can go...we could use your help once again.<br />
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A couple months ago I had thought we were just about fully funded. I stopped fundraising, as I knew gifts would continue to trickle in and I didn't want to ask for more than we needed.<br />
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But, since that time, with the counsel of a few wise friends, I made the decision to bring a friend along with me on this trip. Tony's been in a bad place for a long time, and this could potentially be a difficult week for both of us. We may need the extra hands, and the company of a friend who loves us can only help.<br />
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Additionally, plane tickets are through the roof expensive right now. I used my credit card today to book our flights, and for the three of us the cost was $5,209.67.<br />
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On top of those larger expenses, there was also a miscommunication somewhere along the way, and the TB test that we were told Tony would not need (because of his age), he does need. Another $260.<br />
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We received a couple of generous gifts from friends this weekend, for which we are so, so thankful. Unexpected gifts, and blessings of encouragement. Thank you (you know who you are)!<br />
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We're not too far off, really, but could use your help just the same. <b>My hope and prayer is that the Lord would provide another $3,000 to help cover the cost of our travel expenses.</b> Will you prayerfully consider helping to bring Tony home? Or helping to spread the word about our need? We appreciate it more than you know.<br />
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On the righthand side of this blog there are two working donation buttons where you can give electronically. If you donate through Reece's Rainbow, your donation will be tax deductible. A small percentage of your gift is taken by Paypal if you give in either of these ways. If you would love to send a check instead, let me know in the comment section and I'll get our address to you.<br />
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I can't wait for you all to meet this brave, spunky, precious, one of a kind little guy.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.<br />
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650013151608168562.post-25986648077894040212014-06-28T23:17:00.002-05:002014-06-28T23:17:40.187-05:00Celebrating His New NameI'm lounging on the couch tonight, exhausted, legs stretched across the coffee table with a cup of hot ginger tea. I'm hoping it'll hold back the crazy indigestion I'm fighting after eating too much good food.<br />
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And strewn about in piles all around me is evidence of an evening filled with incredible, indescribable love. Congratulatory balloons and posters. Stacks of little-boy-diapers. Boy toys. (His first tractor!) A brilliantly designed name plaque for Tony's room. A stuffed dinosaur that I already know will be a favorite.<br />
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But even better than the gifts and the sentiments are the people who gave them. Who love us, who love him, and who pulled off my first ever surprise party! All to celebrate what God has done for us.<br />
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<br />Yesterday, in a courtroom somewhere across the ocean, a judge ruled in our favor and now, one lost and lonely little boy has a new name. And I have a son. Sam, a brother.<br />
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After a hard year of fighting to bring him home, of grieving and striving, it felt good to finally <i>celebrate</i>. To celebrate the life of this little man whose life is so worth fighting for.<br />
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Praising God tonight for the gift of Tony to our little family. Thank you, God!<br />
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And praising Him also for the love of these amazing friends. You all are Jesus to us. Everyone should have friends like you.<br />
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Lots of love to all of you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04169091049962529030noreply@blogger.com7