The Gift of love

The gift of love is such a precious gift on this Christmas eve,

4 Years ago, we all were tight on funds so we as a family decided acts of service/time spent together would be our gifts to each other. And I was perfectly okay with that.

Both my Mom & Brother participated in helping gift wrap to spread the awareness of Reece's Rainbow. And my other brother gave me his change

The week of Christmas we went grocery shopping like we always did but I didn't understand why we were getting all the groceries & yet I knew we couldn't afford it. Then when I saw the gifts underneath the tree I was still wondering. 
It was when we opened gifts my dad handed out cards telling what he appreciated about each of us & that a group of people had chosen to bless us with Christmas gifts. 
That Christmas, was the one I will always remember not because it was about gifts but because it was about the gift of Love.

Over the years I have gotten several gifts of love this was what I got this year from a complete stranger who so kindly offered up her bag of goodies she got from the When Calls the Heart heartie reunion which I didn't get to attend. 

Like I said Love is a precious gift, one I don't take for granted. I'm so thankful for the Love of family God has blessed me with. 

Their are so many kids out there that don't have the gift of love.

Do you have room in your heart to give the gift of love?

Do you have a extra spot at your table so next Christmas I'm celebrating with you?

If you can't adopt do you have even $5 to spare to help whoever can adopt me?

Give the Gift of Love this Christmas by helping support these kids on the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign! Because all they really want for Christmas is a family.

To donate to any of these kids go here & look for their picture or donate to another child http://static.reecesrainbow.org/macc/

A Letter to my Mama

Dear Mama, I know you are out there somewhere perhaps you might not be thinking of adopting me. Maybe your dreams are a bit different? Or you think adopting is for other people, My needs are too challenging, could I do this? 

You could be on the other side too,

Praying for me, pouring your heart out to God that perhaps I might be the son you are waiting for.

Let me tell you something,

I'm worth the time,

The energy,

And the Cost to add me as your son. 

You don't need to give me everything.

I don't care about lots of toys or fancy things because all I need is you.

I need to be cuddled, 

I need to laugh with you,

I need to show my emotions,

I need to experience life outside my crib,

I need for you to show me LOVE.

So PLEASE SEE ME!! Love Otto http://reecesrainbow.org/107864/otto

Friends, on this weekend won't you please share Otto so that his forever family will find him?
My awesome friend has this giveaway going 

that Otto & 4 other children will benefit from. Have I mentioned truly how awesome the prizes are? These are just a few to see all check out her Giveaway here http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2016/07/shadow-children-giveaway.html

I mean come on who wouldn't want to go on a cruise for two?
                                                              And one of my favorite prizes a pick a child or family to donate to on Reece's Rainbow :) 

It's not just about the prizes but helping kids get adopted is the best prize of it all. GIVEAWAY ENDS MONDAY!!! EVERY LITTLE BIT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, PLEASE SHARE, DONATE & PRAY!!!

Love Conquers All...There once was a Boy

There once was a Lost Boy, One without a family to call his own. Little did he know the tiny ripples he would have in this world & how much his story impacted my advocating for orphans. 

Back around 2010, I read a blog about a journey to this lost boy. I read, cried, & my heart broke for the ones they had to leave behind. 
I read posts like this one http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2010/10/grieving-for-lost-boys.html & this http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2010/11/sad-reality.html 

And that along with some horrific videos I watched I knew I would never be the same & could not turn my back on these lost ones. 

I never thought I would be meeting this same boy but two years ago at the Reece's Rainbow Reunion I finally got to meet him & his mom, both who inspired me into this passion of mine.

This Boy continues to amaze me, he was at the Reunion this year. 

As awesome as it is to see him doing so well their are others who are still waiting for their forever families to come get them.
Like these 4,

They thankfully have a family coming for them but what about Otto? To Learn more about Otto, http://reecesrainbow.org/107864/otto

Want to help them come home to their forever families? My friend is doing this Giveaway for them with some awesome prizes!
You can check it out here http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2016/07/shadow-children-giveaway.html

Let's Make this happen for these lost children! Every $5, every share, every prayer said IT MATTERS & MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!

Love conquers all

Last few weeks their have been crazy things going on in this world. Innocent Lives lost whether they were protecting us or they were children sitting in an orphanage waiting for their families.

These 3 children passed away all alone & with no family to call their own. 2 of these children had families who were racing to come get them.

Because these kids were not some picture on a computer screen, they were real.

AND THEY DIED ALL ALONE.
In this world THOUSANDS OF ORPHANS DIE everyday due to Neglect, Lack of nutrition, or because they can't get the medical care they desperately need in their own country.

Yet, no matter how much darkness their is LOVE CONQUERS ALL. 5 yrs ago the first child I blogged & advocated for, Quinton left the gates of his orphanage forever.

The once dark expression little boy who I so desperately wanted him to find a family,

Who I never thought I would get a chance to meet

God is so good!

And speaking of LOVE my friend Julia I met 2 yrs ago at the Reunion is helping some orphans by hosting a Giveaway. I Mean who would not want to win a CRUISE TRIP or many other awesome prizes?

SO GO CHECK IT OUT HERE http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2016/07/shadow-children-giveaway.html

On the days when your doubtful, when you think your heart can't handle anymore pain or sorrow, when the walls of darkness seem to be surrounding you with no hope, no joy, & fears of tomorrow.

Because Love conquers all things! Tis just the Beginning...to be continued

A sea of Beauty, Reece's Rainbow Reunion 2016

It was a sea of Beauty, old friends & new friends, from all nations all bonded together in this land called Adoption. All the kids in bright yellow shirts have been adopted through the help of a wonderful organization called Reece's Rainbow.

This sea, I'm greatful for. Every year since I found Reece's Rainbow back in 2010 I had longed to join them in their annual Reunion but it was just the thing I needed when we found out we were moving in 2013  to KY & that the following year the reunion would be just 45 minutes away at Jellystone Mammoth Cave. Throwback to the Reunion in 2014 :)

 

Adoption while yes it's a messy yet beautiful sea It's one I can't imagine not being apart of. As an advocate & hopeful adoptive momma someday it is very easy to become worn out & discouraged by passionately advocating for a certain child or family & fundraising for them. You sometimes get stuck in a hole, or you fear getting your heart broken when something terrible happens with a child you poured your heart & soul into becomes unavailable due to country closing or illness.

Everytime I think I can't handle anymore I attend the Reunion & it does my soul good. Don't get me wrong I love my friends but their is truly nothing like people who get it. Who I can open up, be myself & who understand my heart for the least of these.

Not too many people my own age get it & I'm glad to have friends of many ages who include me in their sea. 

Us advocates stick together :)

After this weekend, I'm feeling refreshed & recharged. I got to meet many wonderful people, some of which whose adoption stories I had followed along with. And of course I got to hold a few precious babes.

I got to see kids being kids without being judged by their abilities, making friends & just by being themselves. 

I saw Moms get some conversations, love & support

I even got to enjoy game night one evening & fellowship while the kids watched Frozen nearby.

A Beautiful sea of Joy 

Because it does makes a difference, & thankful I was blessed to go once again.

Don't you want to be a part of this beautiful sea?

I sincerely hope that at least 1 person sees this beautiful sea & decides to be apart of it because your life will never be the same.

We even got my sister to go back with us to check out this awesome place called Kentucky Down Under zoo that had all sorts of animals.

They did have a Llama but darn it couldn't be seen but I guess petting & feeding a Kangaroo up close is as good as a Llama.

If you ever get the chance to pet a Kangaroo they are soooooooo soft!

Overall I had a wonderful time at the campground at Jellystone Mammoth Cave once again. It was my 2nd time at the park but my 1st time staying there in the cabins. The staff was wonderful as always & I highly recommend the park to anyone who wishes to visit Mammoth Cave.

Thank you Reece's Rainbow & Andrea Roberts for making this a much needed time for the adoptive families & those advocates like my mom & I a refuel that it is worth it!

Oh wait I can't forget to include the famous Super Lu who represents one of RR staff who lives in the UK. This is my personal favorite I got with Super Lu & an adoptive family.

Tis always an adventure with Super Lu!

A sea of Beauty all around us we just need to look. I can't wait for next years reunion & what sea of beauty it will bring!