When we decided to adopt Timothy, we knew that it would be a
very expensive process. We knew that
there was no way that we’d be able to come up with the money that we would need
in the timeframe that we would need it.
God blessed us SO much with wonderful friends who helped us
with our fundraisers, and we were able to do a newspaper interview/story that
got the word out that we were working hard to bring home a sweet little
Ukrainian boy with Down syndrome. We
were blessed with “small” things like the photo lady at a local store did our
passport pics for free. People came to
our fundraisers and gave or purchased.
We even had a wonderful couple whom we’d never met give us the bonus
that they had earned from their job!
That same couple came to meet us and the next day, the woman drove us to
the airport so we could head to Ukraine!
She and her son were there with hugs and smiles to greet us when we got
home too! All of the things that people
did to help us get our little guy home meant more to us than anyone will ever
know. We are blessed.
Even with the blessings though, I fought bitterness,
jealousy, and bad thoughts about people who didn’t give. I remember one particular person whose family
is “well off” who complained one evening about a big purchase that she and her
husband where trying to decide on. They
disagreed about what extras to purchase.
It was a very frivolous purchase, and I couldn’t be sympathetic about
their problem because all I could think of was “WHY can’t they donate that
money to our fundraising?!” Couldn’t
they see that we were having a tough time?
Didn’t they care? Didn’t they want our little boy to have a
family!? I was bitter, and very
unforgiving. Even now, I am so ashamed
of how I felt.
Looking back, I can see that God had a plan. He knew that we would raise the money. He knew that Timothy would be home, He knew
when, and He knew how. He is the One who
put him in my heart; He is the one that sent my friend back into my life so
that I would find my son. We were
blessed, even if we didn’t realize it at the time.
I have so many friends who have much the same story. Find their child, the one that God has placed
in their hearts, work hard to bring that child home, happy ending when they are
finally in their arms.
It’s that middle part that is the hardest… the work to bring
them home. I know how hard it is. I pray for my friends. I pray for their children. I try to spread the word that they need
help. I give encouragement, I give
items, I give time, and I give money. I
want to do more. I wish I could write a
check and make their money worries go away.
There are several families on my heart every day. I want to share two of those families…
First, the Hogeland family.
Kate is a sweet friend who has also been through the craziness of
adoption. Early this year they traveled
to EE to adopt their little Eva Maria.
When they went, they were there to bring home two little girls. They found out though that their other
daughter wasn’t available for international adoption until her 5th
Birthday. Sadly, they had to leave her
behind. The brought home Eva, but now
they have to return to bring home “V”.
They got to meet her and love on her, and promised her that they would
be back to bring her home too. They made
a video of their story…
They have several fundraisers happening right now, including an auction page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/336209183127751/ or put in 6littlehogelands to the search and it should come up!) they have
already been submitted in “V”s country, and are awaiting their travel
dates. It could happen within the next
few weeks, and they are still VERY much in need of funds. About $9000…
PLEASE visit their blog and consider donating to help them
bring home their daughter.
Next is the Sharp family.
I “met” Tracey when we were in process for Timothy, they were working on
bringing home Kullen. Though we’ve
never met face to face, Tracey is a special friend to me.
A little about the family…
George and Tracey Sharp have been married for 21 years and
have been blessed with 14 children,
1 adopted and 13 biological. They range in age from 21 years down to their youngest who just
turned 1.
They have always felt that urge to adopt one day, but that day did not come for many years.
Then in August of 2005 they were blessed with twins, one of whom was born with a skin
condition called epidermolysis bullosa or EB for short. With this condition our daughter lacks
a protein which is like the glue that holds a person’s skin on thus needing special bandaging
on a daily basis. This is how their journey as special needs parents began. It was difficult at times
but has taught them so much and has certainly made them much better parents as they learned how
to take care of her unique special needs and to embrace the challenges before them.
Then at the end of December 2009 they began to feel God guiding our family towards adoption. They knew they were meant to adopt a special needs child since they already knew what amazing
blessings they are and how other countries do not embrace these differences. They began to
educate themselves on the many different conditions and special needs that a child may have.
Then in April they came across the picture of a beautiful little boy in Ukraine that had
achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, and fell in love. They struggled but worked diligently to bring
him home and in November 2010 he joined the family. They have truly been blessed yet again
with such a wonderful little boy, who they named Kullen. He has taught them all so much as well
as what the love of a family can do for a child. He went from a very scared, small, bedridden
little boy that would have ended up in a mental intuition to a very happy, active, well adjusted,
loving son who has so many amazing possibilities in his future now.
After bringing Kullen home and witnessing the amazing changes in him they just knew they were
meant to bring another child into their family through the blessing of adoption. They will be
adopting a little girl from China, who will be named Rowyn and a little boy named Zekiel. She is
3 ½ years old and he is one year old, they both also have achondroplasia. There are many
medical issues associated with this condition which is why orphan children with achondroplasia
are often overlooked. Achondroplasia is a serious lifelong medical condition that requires many
surgeries throughout childhood.
1 adopted and 13 biological. They range in age from 21 years down to their youngest who just
turned 1.
They have always felt that urge to adopt one day, but that day did not come for many years.
Then in August of 2005 they were blessed with twins, one of whom was born with a skin
condition called epidermolysis bullosa or EB for short. With this condition our daughter lacks
a protein which is like the glue that holds a person’s skin on thus needing special bandaging
on a daily basis. This is how their journey as special needs parents began. It was difficult at times
but has taught them so much and has certainly made them much better parents as they learned how
to take care of her unique special needs and to embrace the challenges before them.
Then at the end of December 2009 they began to feel God guiding our family towards adoption. They knew they were meant to adopt a special needs child since they already knew what amazing
blessings they are and how other countries do not embrace these differences. They began to
educate themselves on the many different conditions and special needs that a child may have.
Then in April they came across the picture of a beautiful little boy in Ukraine that had
achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, and fell in love. They struggled but worked diligently to bring
him home and in November 2010 he joined the family. They have truly been blessed yet again
with such a wonderful little boy, who they named Kullen. He has taught them all so much as well
as what the love of a family can do for a child. He went from a very scared, small, bedridden
little boy that would have ended up in a mental intuition to a very happy, active, well adjusted,
loving son who has so many amazing possibilities in his future now.
After bringing Kullen home and witnessing the amazing changes in him they just knew they were
meant to bring another child into their family through the blessing of adoption. They will be
adopting a little girl from China, who will be named Rowyn and a little boy named Zekiel. She is
3 ½ years old and he is one year old, they both also have achondroplasia. There are many
medical issues associated with this condition which is why orphan children with achondroplasia
are often overlooked. Achondroplasia is a serious lifelong medical condition that requires many
surgeries throughout childhood.
Tracey says, “We certainly have the room in our home and
most importantly
the love in our hearts to make them a part of our big amazing family.” You can follow their journey here: www.adozenreasonsandmore.blogspot.com
the love in our hearts to make them a part of our big amazing family.” You can follow their journey here: www.adozenreasonsandmore.blogspot.com
Right now, there is an auction happening on a special blog
that has been set up by a few of us who are working hard to get Rowyn &
Zekiel home with their family where they belong.
There are a lot of great items being auctioned, PLEASE visit
: http://goodthingsinsmallpackages.blogspot.com/ I bet you will find something great to bid
on!!
If for some reason you aren't feeling led to donate or to bid, won't you PLEASE PLEASE pray? Pray for these three little ones. Pray for their families who are desperately trying to get them home. Thank you so much for your little part in the miracle of these families.
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