Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Aperts Syndrome Adoption

Hi everyone. Still remembering Mara in prayer. Lots of prayers please...

For those of you whom come in off the search engines, while we wait I am posting a few other sweet Aperts Kiddos looking for homes as well:


BOY, February 22, 2007

Look at this little love! So happy to finally have more info about him. Jonah has APERT syndrome. His fingers are fused and he has mild cranio-facial issues. He is considered very high functioning, intelligent, physically able, and the director really wants a family for him.

Jonah is facing the institution very soon (probably where Brady and Heath are, the Lost Boys), so I hope we can come together to fundraise and find a family for Jonah!

Find Jonah at Reece's Rainbow HERE [you might have to scroll a bit.] Thank you.


Nastya

From her file at Reece's Rainbow:
Girl, Born February 23, 2009
Sweet Nastya was born with Apert syndrome. She is going on 2 years old now, and will so greatly benefit from cranial surgery and reconstruction of her hands as necessary. Even fused, her hands are quite functional and she is able to use them well. She is very personable and laid back.

From her medical records: Apert syndrome, singaphylia (fingers attached together), cleft palate

From an adoptive family who visited with her in December 2010: Little Nastya is a sweet lil doll. Shes not walking yet but can pull herself up and walk around furniature. She can crawl all over even. Shes very friendly and smiley. She even loved to wave to us. she certainly would be a sweet lil daughter and so needs medical care for her Apert Syndrome.


Jeanne

From Her File at Reece's Rainbow: This little blonde haired beauty appears to have Apert Syndrome. You can see in her photo that her hands are fused as well. If you have information about other possible diagnoses, please let us know.
Waiting for more medical info, please check back soon!
3wcv -6
Jeanne W.

Date of Birth: October 2005
Gender: Female
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark
Character: social, friendly, smart


2 trips

1st trip, Both parents for 5-7 days

Wait 2-3 months for court

Both parents travel for 2nd trip, one can leave after 4 days, the other waits 10-25 days

This particular region *often* waives the 10 days, but parents must be prepared to stay

No family size restrictions

Both parents must be younger than 60 years

Total program and travel fees under $25k

Fee includes a $500 orphanage donation

Married couples and single mothers may apply

Find Jeanne at Reece's Rainbow HERE [again, you might have to scroll a bit.] Thank you.



Kody

From His File at Reece's Rainbow: Boy, DOB: March 01, 2006
Main Diagnosis: Apert Syndrome

Kody has had surgery on his skull and he is developing on target both physically and mentally.

He walks steadily and runs well. He climbs up and goes down stairs without support while alternating the two legs. He throws and catches a ball well. He rides a bicycle with three wheels. He has well developed visual-motor coordination. He draws circles and lines. He turns the pages of a book and looks at the pictures. He glues figures from several elements. He winds up and unwinds devices. He strings small figures on unstable axis while combining the elements according to a certain sign – color, form and dimension. He models simple forms with play dough. He plays well with blocks. He speaks using complex sentences. He asks questions. He sings songs correctly. He learns rhymes. He has built up perception for 1 and 2 and can count to 5. He shows and names some of the main colors. He shows and names familiar images on a picture. He is caring and affectionate with young children. He is observant and initiative. He wants to participate in everything. He cheers up when praised and when familiar persons appear. He shows curiosity in new objects and toys. He participates in the group and individual activities. He plays with the toys according to their functional designation – he drives the cars, plays the musical toys.

Find Kody at Reece's Rainbow HERE [you might have to scroll a bit]
Find Nastya and Jeanne at Reece's Rainbow HERE [again, you might have to scroll a bit.]

Thanks everyone for reading! Have a good day!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Havn't Forgotten...

...just holding our breaths. Two words more important than anything else right now:

FAITH

and

PRAY.......

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Thinking...

...it is encouraging to see the same thoughts on this matter, before we even know we are having them. I faithfully believe in God -- through my own hardships -- how can I not? How can I think for a second that he isn't there? I guess its the opposite question that some others ask: how can I believe he's there?

My friends, it is easy -- first you have to believe if you ever want to see, and despite it all, no matter how crazy the situation facing you may sound -- you will not stand for anything to shake that belief.

I find it encouraging that a family in love with this little girl and I have both used the same graphics, the same notions and ideas --- before we ever even knew about each other or met. This beautiful flower Mara has been planted and grown for a reason. God knows where her home is and I have faith in that. We are still waiting to find out.

Take care,
Debrah

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Well...

...a bit of positive, one 'woot' has been posted by the family wanting to go get her! Keep praying everyone! They are being heard, and know whatever happens, weather yes or not --- this little girl is definitely in God's hands. Pray, pray, pray! Not kidding you all, He loves her and is hearing us!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

No News Yet...

...I know I keep repeating it but there is power in faith and in prayer...

"And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

Matthew 17:20

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Jeremiah 29:11

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope

Acts 17:26

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live

Psalm 139:15-16

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Pray...

...everyone, pray, pray, pray every chance you get that God might favor Mara coming to live with her family. Its on my heart, please... God won't ever forget her -- we need to speak up so others don't either. Thank you, everyone.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

God is Great!

She has a home! A wonderful family will go get her. They need prayers! That is what they are asking for. Pray hard for the situation to be in their favor, and that the people making choices will have a fire lit in thier hearts that will burn so fiercely for them to do what they need! She has a home, everyone! My sweet little baby has a home.

I've seen other pictures of her now, and her sweet little face knows she is so pretty! I love you miss Mara. Baby girl, you are coming home.

Prayers needed everyone, God knows what we are asking for. Just pray for her and God will know. I cannot thank you, ever, enough.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Aperts Syndrome Adoption

I am still here ...still blogging for Mara. I still would try to save her but if anyone can, please, please go to her. Two other people were blogging for precious orphans and I am happy to announce that both those kiddos now have homes. Mara is ten. What a pretty little girl she really is. Thank you to those whom have linked to and visit this blog. Visit Mara at Reece's Rainbow [you will have to scroll a bit to find her, but she is there] for a little more about her today.

There is also a little boy with Aperts, Gregory, on the same page and a bunch of other kiddos with different special needs as well. Someone please go see her updated pic there today!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

...an addendum to the post below this one...

...that says it all, I think, more appropriately and justly than I ever can:

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

-- Matthew 18:10

Friday, April 23, 2010

On Another Blog I Follow...

...that some of you may all know, someone made a comment to the effect of -won't he scare the other kids- referring to a little boy with some facial reconstruction and a glass eye whom had visitors at his home. The mother of this child responded appropriately, and more politely than I would have I think. My response would have been along the lines of: oh grow up! This isn't grade school anymore -- and you know what, even most grade school kids are not so superficial! How absolutely SHALLOW and what sort of a person, an adult even, could ridicule the physical differences of a little boy too young to even understand them???? This is a safe version, in this stance I might be a little more descriptive if this wasn't a public blog.

I mean, really, this sort of thing sets me off. What kind of human would say that about a little boy's differences when he has no control over how he was born? It feels almost racist to me -- to judge someone's physical features because they are white or black is, but apparently someone with cosmetic facial differences or any differences is not? Call me extreme, call me what you like, but know that it will be deleted/won't be published if you do choose to react negatively. That's not what this is about.

I think you are adorable little one, the little boy mentioned and Mara alike. You two have a beauty that goes beyond 'face' value. Always, always remember that.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Daddies and Daughters

"Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express."

--Joseph Addison

When I was a little girl in our church we would have an annual overnight "daddy/daughter" camp out. My dad has five daughters, four of us still on this Earth. My some of my favorite memories involve him packing up to go to this -- with four little girls. Other families were there yes but all I can say is this ...my dad was/is a very brave man.

Other memories I have are as in the Alan Jackson song Drive. Every time I see this video I think of my dad -- we did exactly that; pack up his old white truck and drive it off to the dump while he let me drive while sitting in his lap [the leather seat was hot on my legs, I was a girly girl and often wore those frilly dresses]. I had to be very young then, but I remember it.



I was also in the little miss pageant when I was a little girl. I am thinking I was five or six? Not sure. But I remember this event too from what seemed like the llllooonnnnggg walk from the hotel to where the pageant was at [it was just across the lawn in the same hotel but it seemed so very far]. There is a picture in my mother's hall of my dad posing with me and my crown when I became a 'finalist' in the event. That picture too, is one of my fondest memories.

He taught me to swim [jumped in the lake/pool after me many times], he taught me to ride a bike, [cuts and bruises and crocodile tears, oh my] he taught me to drive. He is still a big part of my life and a hero to me. He still gets silly with me and when I am at his house I am still his little girl. We are 'night owls' together. If I am at his house he will be up at 2 a.m. with me making grill cheese sandwiches. I love my dad. "I am a princess" to him. I want to be like him, I still say that, at 30 something years old today.

Is Mara your little girl? Are you her daddy or mommy? Yes I want her but more I want a family for her and for her to have beautiful memories like these. Thank you all for coming here, and for caring, and for passing word of her on.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

"On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer."
~Douglas Horton

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Happy 10'th Birthday Mara!

Here is wishing you a very happy year. Who knows what it may bring -- maybe home? 10 years today, happy birthday sweetheart.

Monday, March 15, 2010

All Girls Are...

...when I was growing up I was in love with the story "A Little Princess". I actually had the original book form of the story of Sara Crewe. Recently, after perhaps a decade of not even thinking of it, I stumbled across the 90's movie of the book on You Tube. I remembered when it had been made but never got a chance to watch it. I finally did. And not two days later, I found an "I am A Princess" blinkie...

...talk about timing. Thus encouraged I put the blinkie on this blog.

Mara, you are a princess. Don't ever think different. I am still working my way to that something crazy, but am a step closer as I've had my first book released. One step at a time, one step at a time and a lot of faith. After all, I am a princess... all girls are....

Monday, March 1, 2010

About Stones...

To find what you seek in the road of life,
the best proverb of all is that which says:
"Leave no stone unturned."

--Edward Bulwer Lytton

Friday, February 19, 2010

One Little Girl

By now, most of us has seen the following story in one shape or form. But it does have a wonderful meaning behind it... maybe give it a read through again?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE STARFISH:

From the "Star Thrower, By Loren Eiseley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

...so back to Mara's adoption. Nope, I can't afford it. Nope, don't meet the income bracket - yet. So what is my plan?

Well, I am a writer, yes published, newly published but still. Its all I got. That said, I plan to write book after book after book if I have to to do this - to bring up my income bracket. Because the place I am working at is a no-go for promise of anything at the moment but I am not going to let it get to me. If I tried, I can probably turn out one or two books a month. Right now, that's the plan. As I get one finished I will post about it and link up my writer's blog to this one. Thanks to all of you who have been asking and encourgaging me that this far flung adventure of mine can happen with prayer -- no matter how physically impossible it is. Unfortunately, I've hit a few bumps in the road to getting these books going but I am hoping soon to get them ironed out. Really though, please, if you can get to this little girl first please please go. It won't break my heart instead I would probably be leaping with joy. Please visit her profile today at reecesrainbow.com. You may have to scroll down the page to find her but at this posting she is at the top of the list. And someone had added to her adoption grant! THANK YOU! You can make a difference to this one.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day!!



Grab This Button

Matthew 18:5:

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

Friday, February 12, 2010

...passing a torch...



...this song was made in the eighties, when I was a little girl. Its time to pass it on down.

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."
~Rabindranath Tagore

I am not forgetting you honey...

...nope, not ever. That's just not the way I work. It seems it might take a little longer than I hoped to make a dent in the first couple of problems I am facing and probably I am needing to learn how to manage that - but I've not forgotten and just wanted you to know you are in my prayers.

And yes, about my posting below about the big news -- I am going to try to go and get her. But I am by no no no means whatsoever even nearly physically or financially ready -- but this child already has my heart. That said, if ANYONE OF YOU out there who read this can move faster than I can to get her, PLEASE DO SO, I just want her home and with her family, thats what is most important - this isn't about me, its all about her. Thanks for reading and pray for Mara if you pray, pass word of her along? I can sit and write pages about her beautiful smile -- and yes I really think she is beautiful... how can I not? Hers is a face so beautiful to me that I would be willing to travel halfway around the world for.

Take care everyone.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Among those called "No Truer Words"...

"...our purpose on this earth is not to see what we can get out of it, but to see how much we can give."

--Thought for the Day; http://the30dayjourneyforhope.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Edging in on my "Something Crazy"

In the light of my last post I've spoken with two of you, there is one more I would still like to talk to about my 'Something Crazy' thought. But in light of my last post I've been shaking like a leaf with the idea that this is a real thought, and I, whom am extremely prone to having absolutely no motivation what so ever and whom greatly literally shies away from all forms of confrontation -- will have to face head on. This is a matter of courage, by far not just a dream, the only thing I keep thinking is despite everything else that has got to fall into place. If it is meant to be, God will clear these hurdles. If not, I will know that answer as well.

But in gaining this courage, not even really striving to gain it, its sort of like, its just rising out of no where for lack of better words, I have been searching to know if this is something I am supposed to really go do. But i feel encouraged [more on this thought in a later post].

I found the following this morning through another blog's link. But on the 22 of January the author of this blog wrote:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these brother’s of mine, you did not do for me.’

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I BELIEVE that when Jesus said, “I tell you the TRUTH,” He meant just that, that His words were true and He wasn’t kidding. YES, I believe that I am saved by faith through GRACE. Grace that is freely given and cannot be earned by anything I do. But I also believe that sometimes we rely so heavily on the Grace of God to cover our sins that we blatantly disobey His word and feel ok about it. “Depart from me you who are cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” THAT is what Jesus will say to those of us who do not care for the least of these. I believe this is true because I believe His word is true, EVERY word is true, plain and simple. That is a heavy, heartbreaking thought. How often have we neglected you, Lord?

“I’m sick,” He said, “will you look after me? Will you invite me in?”

Yes."


Ever get the feeling you were supposed to read something when the moment was just so? Isn't it funny how it shows up right when you need it.

Okay God, that goes for me too.

Take care everyone. I will break my silence to what I am thinking soon. But I think you already know. Have a good day today.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Like I Wrote on my Other Blog...

I am thinking something crazy -- even for me, and I can't seem to put this thought aside especially since I found out something recently. My ...oh ...my...

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I've read that...

...there is more pictures and a short video available of Mara for interested families. Please someone won't you step forward to make this angel girl yours? I can't get over that smile of hers in her most recent photo - she seems so happy, if only she knew what a family she'd only blossom so much more, smile more, love more, live more.

Someone out there has to be looking for their daughter. She's just so lovely -- I am not giving up. Take care you all.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Does Anyone Know How...

...to make those cute little 'grab this button' buttons with the html text to highlight and copy for other people to put on their blogs and websites? Leaving me a comment is the quickest way to get to me. Thnx ahead.

Blogging for Mara

Hi,

Its me, Debrah in Arizona from theredthreadkids.blogspot.com, for a while now I've been searching for a home for a little girl in an overseas orphanage named Mara. You see, Mara is ten years old, she loves dolls and has beautiful brown hair and expressive brown eyes just like any little girl. Mara also has Aperts Syndrome, which is a gift I think, to show people true beauty and love. I cannot adopt her myself, but I can tell the world about her - and plan to do just that. And so, without further adieu, introducing little miss Mara:

...Mara will be ten soon which is the age her country requires orphans to be transferred to institutions that may be like this one. This situation seems similar in many Eastern European countries as well. In these institutions they live in unlivable conditions for the rest of their lives, which is more often than not quite short due to little food and medicine and often unsanitary conditions. They are warehoused into cribs or beds, stop growing and their bones become bent, stiff and frail. Fortunately arrangements have been made to spare Mara this fate if it comes to it, but she will be sent to a orphanage for older kids who are not special needs, and they may victimize her for being different.

This child is beautiful - look at that glowing smile. She radiates such confidence right now, lets see that it goes on. Lets find her a family to love her like she deserves to be. Please help to save Mara. You can donate to her adoption fund through the link below.

You may have to scroll down a bit but more information can be found about Mara at www.reecesrainbow.org
Aperts Syndrome Adoption