I have not posted at all, because it would be about as exciting as watching paint dry. Nothing has really been happening. Jim and I have done everything we can at this point, and now we just wait to hear from the government in "Yasmine's" country. We were told that the average time between trips is 4-6 months and we just passed the 2 month mark...not that I am counting - LOL!
The kids have all finished school and the there is a couple week lull until the summer activities really kick in...so except for an occasional baseball game, we are just relaxing.
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Given that this blog is about the adoption and the orphans, I really want to take a few minutes to address the needs of so many little ones. The lists of children on Reece's Rainbow, and other similar organizations, contain endless numbers of names. It is easy to think of them as just lists or as a problem that doesn't really impact me; however, they are not just lists or others' problems, they are real people....God's children, just like you and me. We are called to help those less fortunate and to treat others as we would want to be treated....if you cannot adopt, please do what you can to help advocate for these children and pray and/or help those families who are adopting.
While Jim and I had talked about maybe adopting someday, we never really set any time frames or discussed details. However, once I became aware of the plight of these little ones in Eastern Europe, I felt called to go and save someone. Jim took a bit of convincing, but was quick to acknowledge that our Ian would have likely found himself in an orphanage if he had been born in another part of the world. We said lots of prayers. It also really helped to watch our close friends, the Saders, go through the adoption process.
I realize that adopting a child with special needs can be very intimidating, yet, the "special needs" in question may be something very minor or easily repairable. If you have ever felt a longing to adopt, I beg you to please consider a child with special needs. Look through the available children, say prayers, ask questions about the special need, in other words, educate yourself about the situation.
In so many of the countries in Eastern Europe, the children age out of the baby houses around age 4 and are placed in adult mental institutions. The figures are sobering as to how many of these children fail to survive more than a year or two. PLEASE pray for the children that have already been transferred, that they may find their families.
God bless you! Cathie
