We Love You Julia because...

Julia, My heart has forever been blessed by knowing you. Your adoption of Aaron, your posts of the Lost boys broke my heart, you changed my heart & helped me to find Gods purpose for my life. I may have not adopted yet but you have been non stop encouraging me along the way of my advocating. Leah H.

Julia is one of my dearest Ukraine buddies that came alongside my family in a VERY big time of need to raise financial support and have prayer over our family as we moved to adopt and bring our daughter Tania home from Ukraine, then Stopha and well then Bogdan, Kristjan, Angelica, Viktor, Vova......lol! I have no idea if Julia did not step up to be the hands and feet of Christ would ANY of my children named above make it home. The photo above is our family minus 1. 8 of our children would not be our amazing kiddos if it were not for Julia's listening to God and moving on behalf of our family. Nicole Dewberry

''Our family is very grateful for her. She helped us make huge leaps by sharing our family to her blog and donating items to our giveaways! She is very selfless and kindhearted'' Amanda Mcquinn

She was a huge help for us to bring our kids home! Kayleigh Bloom

Julia has been such a blessing to our family. We didn't know her when we adopted our 3 kids with special needs , but she inspired us to fundraise for other orphans and we've been touched by her blog and of course her own adoption journey. She says what's in many of our hearts When we moved to VA we were blessed to get to meet Julia and since then, she has shown love to our kids with special needs and has encouraged us. I have a couple stories.... When my daughter's were raising money for the Rodger family, they handmade lots of bracelets and crocheted items....which were accidentally taken to Goodwill after a yard sale! Julia shared about what happened and alot of people donated....which was a blessing to not only the family but to my girls. Then when our adopted son Joshua was in the ICU on a ventilator critically ill, Julia came to pray with us on one of his worst days when they didn't think he would make it. That meant so much to us (thankfully God restored his life). We are thankful for her friendship & how God helps orphans through her! Traci Adamson

Julia became part of Little B's Super Hero Team back when I was in process in 2012/2013. I was blessed to have so many have their name on his team wall, but Julia's was special. As I became part of RR and as I contemplated the process (as well as through the following years) I have watched as Julia has been a motivator, a cheerleader and a fundraiser for waiting kiddos and for families in process. She gets RR's name and mission out there. So truly just about every child who has come home with the support of RR has been blessed by Julia. She brought attention to the plight of these kids and showed families that people are willing to help raise funds if you take a leap of faith and work hard. I truly don't think anyone will ever know the actual number of kids whose process was touched by Julia. So many are home because of all Julia has done. Even if she never posted again, so many are now involved because she touched them in some way. These people will spread forth the mission that Julia has worked so hard to support and will get others involved. Great thanks to Julia for blessing so many. Her boys have blessed her and I am confident so will a certain little girl. Beth Baird

This is Aeson. We found him through Reece's Rainbow because Julia advocated for him on her blog. Aeson has been home a little over four months now. He is smart, loving, healthy, well-adjusted and has exceeded every expectation we had by a million light years. Without Julia , we never would have found our son. I can't thank her enough for all the tireless advocating she does. It truly does change lives. Mary Sanders

Before adoption

And after

Well she shouted for me on her blog, donated to me, and was a MASSIVE encouragement to me. Terri C.

Julia is a dear friend (local to me). We have helped each other through our adoptions. She was very generous to us with help. I haven't joined in your giveaway as I have another plan for my donation to her. Here is a current picture of my girls. She has taught them at homeschool co-op too!! Love Julia!! Julie Snell

Julia is an encourager, a warrior for children and families and just a whole lot of fun to be with!! She came to Ukraine help bring my 3 children home and our epic 16 hour overnight train ride to Kyiv will never be forgotten! God Bless your journey to Mary Julia!! Love from Carla and the whole Dobrovits family.

Julia, We have all been blessed by you & we wanted to share our thankfulness. Hope God continues to use you & bless you like you have done for all of these families.

Because we love you, we want to help you bring home Mary.

To Help Mary come home to the Nalle family http://reecesrainbow.org/117343/sponsornalle-2 I have a awesome Giveaway going here http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2017/04/faith-trust-love-giveaway.html

You could win a brand New Kindle Fire 

Or other cool prizes so check it out! Giveaway will end May 18th.

WE LOVE YOU JULIA, & WE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU BRING HOME YOUR GIRL!

Go make a donation today! http://reecesrainbow.org/117343/sponsornalle-2 
And please don't forget to visit her blog http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/

Two Less Orphans Update:Christian & Creed

Unlike most stories I have shared, this family was a different kind of special. We had met their family just after we moved here. They had already adopted 2 girls but felt called to go back this time for two adorable boys with Down syndrome. 

Since coming home in Sept 2015...

Christian has learned to feed himself, before he didn't know how to hold a spoon.

Creed got to enjoy Birthday cake. 

Both boys doing well & loving life!

With the help of some awesome friends I was able to take a bunch of stuff to our local kids consignment sale & made $331 for their adoption.

It takes a lot of time, hardwork, & Prayer to be able to jump into doing the consignment sale each time but I do know these boys lives were so worth it. Thank you all for your love, support, & Prayers for these boys!

One Less Orphan Update-Ian

Sometimes it's simple, falling in love with a certain child or family. But then again other times it proves challenging, needing Prayer & thinking over if this is the family you wish to support. For me, it all started with simply asking about a t-shirt fundraiser.

At that time I was just trying to dig myself back into advocating after just being so-so. I was simply just ordering a t-shirt but as I started messaging this awesome new friend of mine something about her just clicked with me. I had seen her working her tail off in the private group we were in to bring home her son & when they started doing the Family warrior program as an official thing deep in my heart I knew who I wanted to help.

They were adopting a precious boy named Ian

Through becoming their family warrior, God really shined his light & love for not just Ians adoption but really brought me through a journey I needed to see again. You can see the wonderful ways God showed up here http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2014/04/when-you-think-no-one-cares.html & here http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2014/04/gods-amazing-ways-to-never-give-up.html God always has a plan even if you don't see it yet!

Since coming home from Bulgaria 18 months ago,

He has beautiful English, recognizes lots of site words, & has gone from a Kindergarden level in Math to testing in the middle of 3rd Grade at the Beginning of the year this year. 

Ian loves making Perler Bead crafts (I enjoyed doing this when I was younger but because of my shaky hands I didn't like it enough to continue it)

He also loves having a dog. 

He is such a great brother to his siblings

I had the joy & pleasure getting to meet them this past summer in VA at the RR reunion. It was a bummer not to get a picture with Ian but I enjoyed getting to know them in person & finally meeting this sweet new friend of mine.

And I'm passing along this message from Brooke cause I think the adoptive families appreciate your support as much as I love seeing you support them. From Brooke:

We are so blessed to call Ian son, brother, grandson. He is Loved & a cherished member of our family. I can't imagine our lives without him. I will be forever greatful to my friend who shared his picture on FB, & our Bulgarian attorney who never stopped fighting for Ian or our family, and for everyone like you who came alongside us to help move the mountain of finances that stood between us & our son. 

 

From me to all my friends-I can't quite recall the fundraisers were but please know helping them meant the world to not only Ian but me too. A special thank you to my friend who was touched by their story & played a huge role into their adoption.

YOU MADE THE DIFFERENCE TO THIS ONE, THANK YOU!!!

One Less Orphan Update:Allie

Honest to goodness, "Maria" was not who I had planned on helping. I had seen her & thought she was precious but little did I know how God had weaved the messy thread that broke my heart to be a blessing to this sweet girl. I wrote about how I had to make the hardest decision here http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2014/08/break-my-heart-for-what-breaks-his.html

I was thrilled when the Cox family stepped forward to adopt her & as much as it was hard knowing that some of the funds raised originally for another girl, one I had fought so hard to find her family who still is stuck in her country due to the adoption ban I knew their had to be Beauty from ashes somewhere even if I was hurting in the midst. 

At age 12 when "Maria" now Allie came home she only weighed 33 lbs.

Though you were not the girl my friends & I rallied together to help the events that played part of your future God knew you were the one who would get to experience unconditional love. I still pray someday that girl will still get to be you but in the meantime we celebrate the joy of seeing you doing well in your family.

Since coming home...

Sitting in a restaurant in the airport after arriving in America

You love to Learn

You enjoy swimming with your family

Your getting to experience Holidays such as 4th of July & Christmas

While my friends supported MANY THINGS that played a small part in this little girls adoption & 2 other orphans one of my favorite days was my 21st Birthday that will always be dear to my heart http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/02/feb-4th-2013-night-i-will-always-cherish.html

I want to thank my friends, without you again though the path may change it took the love you showed me leading up to that day & throughout my 21st Birthday to help be a part of Allies future.