tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61400306015964999012024-03-13T00:14:18.379-05:00Three Little Birds (plus one more)Life in Matthews Landlisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-39754683396100776742013-06-13T17:57:00.002-05:002013-06-13T18:07:10.989-05:00A Brilliant List Made By a Fellow Blogger<br />
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This is a blog post (most of it, anyway) taken from the blog <a href="http://www.danoah.com/">Single Dad Laughing</a>. If you haven't read it... give it a try.<br />
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This is something that EVERYONE should read. No... really.<br />
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Courtesy of Single Dad Laughing at <a href="http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/how-much-did-your-kid-cost.html">http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/how-much-did-your-kid-cost.html</a><br />
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What do you notice about this photo?<br />
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<a href="http://www.danoah.com/wp-content/uploads/adoption-etiquette.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.danoah.com/wp-content/uploads/adoption-etiquette.jpg" /></a><br />
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Hopefully you just see a father and son. Maybe you see a beautiful bond. Maybe you see love. Maybe you see two awesome human beings. Hopefully you don’t see a damn price tag hanging from Noah’s ear or a child who will never know true happiness.<br />
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You see, today when I was at the store with Noah, somebody had the nerve to ask me, right in front of Noah, “how much did he cost?” And this was the second time somebody has asked that absolutely ridiculous and insensitive question to me; I know his mom has heard it too.<br />
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You may have noticed that Noah is of a slightly different race than his old man. He’s a quarter Panamanian, quarter Jamaican, and half Caucasian. Noah is my son. Noah was adopted. Trust me, I couldn’t pass on genetics to a kid this beautiful.<br />
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And since he was placed with us, his parents, I have learned just how insensitive the world can be to kids who have been placed through adoption. People don’t realize how fragile the minds of young children are. People don’t realize that wording things certain ways can hurt a child, and badly. And with that, I present to you the following list, all taken from personal experiences in the past three years:<br />
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<b>Single Dad Laughing’s Guide to Adoption Etiquette: </b><br />
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<b>Never, ever, ever, ask how much a child costs</b>. This includes the phrase, “how much did you pay for him?” First of all, it’s none of your business. Second of all, if you’re interested in adoption, research it through the appropriate channels. Speak with an adoption agency. Adoptive parents don’t purchase children. They simply pay legal fees and agency fees. Just like biological parents pay hospital and doctor bills. Don’t turn the child into nothing more than a commodity. <br />
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<b>Never ask if a celebrity inspired the adoption.</b> Believe it or not, Tom Cruise, Connie Chung, and Angelina Jolie did not convince me one way or the other in the biggest decision of my life. Are you serious? <br />
Never ask “where is his real dad?” Forget the fact that it will hurt my feelings. How do you think it will affect my son’s feelings to feel like I’m not a real dad to him? Adoptive parents arereal parents. The term you’re looking for is “birth mother” or “birth father”. <br />
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<b>Don’t say things like, “as soon as you adopt you’re going to get pregnant” when you find out somebody is adopting</b>. First of all, there are usually many, many years of pain and financial burden strapped to infertility, treatments, and heartache. Do you really think that what you’re saying will help them? Secondly, while it is funny when it happens, it’s rare. <br />
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<b>Never say, “why did she give him away?”</b> Do I really need to explain why this one would hurt a child? The proper term is “placed”. A birth mother and birth father place their child for adoption. And again, it’s personal and none of your business, so don’t ask if you aren’t my BFF. <br />
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<b>Don’t say, “it’s like he’s your real son”. </b>This is similar to number three, but worthy of mentioning. He is my real son, damn it. <br />
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<b>Don’t say, “do you love him as if he was your own?”</b> Ummm… probably more than you love your little terror, that’s for sure. And again… he is my own, damn it. <br />
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<b>Never say things like, “you’re so wonderful to adopt a child”.</b> I am a parent. Just like anybody else with kids. <br />
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<b>Don’t start spewing your horrible adoption stories.</b> “This one time, my friend’s sister’s aunt’s dog’s previous owner’s niece adopted a baby and the real dad came back and they took the baby away after they had him for two years.” First of all, it probably isn’t true. Second of all, how would you feel if I told you about all the ways you could lose your child. Adoption is permanent. And in the extremely rare circumstances that something like that happens, it’s not something you should spread because the hurt that exists for all the parties involved must be immeasurable. <br />
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<b>Don’t say things like, “is it hard for him to be adopted?”</b> Well, it wasn’t, until you asked me that right in front of him. <br />
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<b>I don’t want to hear about your second cousin who was on a waiting list for twelve years and never got a baby.</b> Granted, this one was much more annoying when we were going through the adoption process. Nobody wants to know that some people never get chosen. Show some kindness. Especially to those who you know might have a long wait ahead of them. <br />
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That’s all I can think of right now, but I know there are more. Just be sensitive. Don’t put your nose where it doesn’t belong. Respect my father-son relationship for what it is and don’t lessen it. Don’t talk about my son like he’s not even there or too little to understand. Or do, if you’re okay with a swift kick to the face.<br />
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I understand that I’m not being super politically correct here, but I’m a little bit ticked off about what happened today. And understandably, so is the old woman I sent away with a major grunt of disapproval. I know she meant no harm.<br />
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Dan Pearce, Single Adoptive Dad Laughing<br />
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Now I'm going to answer his question "What do you notice about this photo?" <br />
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What I notice is a handsome man and an equally handsome little boy who look very happy and relaxed. The little boy has skin that glows and looks as if he's been dipped in honey. He's absolutely GORGEOUS. The man looks happy and proud. That's it. It didn't enter my mind that he might be adopted and even if he was... what would be the point of asking? It's rude and hurtful to be singled out and reminded that you look different from those around you. <br />
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I know that this is going to happen with Crista. There will be (at some point) the inevitable questions and comments. It's true that her facial features are very similar to mine and her eyes are a beautiful deep brown like her father and brothers' eyes. But where we are all pale and pink, Crista is lovely and golden skinned. <br />
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Which is actually funny since we live in Texas and there is a large Hispanic population here. She doesn't stand out at ALL. People assume she's Hispanic. lol She's not, btw. Ethnically, she's Roma (or Romany, Romani... Gypsy, if you will). <br />
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None of that is really important to anyone except us, though. To us, she's our little Bulgarian beauty... our golden girl, our precious daughter. We love her and she loves us. That's all that should matter to anyone outside of our family and close friends. <br />
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We're proud of our daughter's heritage and love the country where she was born. I never imagined that I would do more than just enjoy a visit to a foreign country... that I would ever fall completely in love with another culture, but I did. Bulgaria is the most amazing place and the Bulgarian people are (in general) kind, generous, and welcoming people. Please don't think I'm looking at Bulgaria through rose colored glasses of naivete. I'm not. Bulgaria is an eastern European, post-Soviet country that has been through an enormous amount of upheaval since the fall of the Soviet Union. It is one of the poorest (economically) countries in Europe and although it is a part of the European Union, it's economy is still too weak for them to be able to switch to the euro. <br />
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Bulgaria is a country of contrasts. It is as old as civilization itself and yet as a modern post-soviet nation, it is still very young and still finding it's way now that it has regained it's independence. The streets of the Capital (Sofia) sport shops like Bulgari, Versace, Lacoste, and many others. Italian designers and their shops sit just around the corner from open air markets where you can buy cheap souvenirs and "soviet memorabilia" (99% fakes, btw). Wealth and poverty blend in a mishmash of new wealth and old world destitution. It is a country of extremes in certain ways. To western eyes, it can be shocking to drive down the highway and see farmers taking crops to town in horse drawn carts made of old pickup truck beds, or sheet metal slats that have been tied together around a flat cart in order to contain their cargo. In smaller towns and villages, the streets are clean and tidy. Not because they have street sweeping trucks like almost every city in America. But because groups of housewives roam the streets in the early mornings chatting and gossiping while they sweep the streets and sidewalks clean with their brooms. <br />
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I'm sorry. It seems that I've left my original subject and gotten lost in my memories of my dear Bulgaria again. It's strange to think that although I only had two weeks in that beautiful land, I miss it very much. It felt like home in so many ways that I can barely describe. Even the food reminded me of my grandmother's cooking. Which makes absolutely NO sense since she was descended from Scottish and English ancestors almost exclusively! <br />
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I know that I should spend more time and round out this blog post... make it a bit more structured and organized. But I'm not. I'm just going to leave you with this:<br />
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Any time you meet a family that includes a child you think "must" be adopted... don't ask. Really, it's none of your business. All that should matter is that they are a family and a child is in a loving home. If you want to learn more about their story or about adoption, get to know them. Make friends and take the time to get to know them well enough for THEM to feel comfortable bringing up the subject if they choose to do so. But whatever you do, don't ask questions in front of their (or any other) children. Even if the family is open about their adoption, you may be planting the seed of "I'm different" or "I don't fit in" in a child's fragile heart and mind. And make no mistake... the hearts of adopted children are fragile and extremely easy to hurt even if they don't show it to you. <br />
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With love to you all... more to follow, <br />
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Lisa<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEc_dy2KkEpMHzvSDdvt_vnm1sW307i4T86UJqlyU_kqr4n2JzQaO83OtnZoba9Xs_M1BoUbzITWZwYTxRgvoVzYC-8obIm2HlBJ8qRNKGDVNwHDl3-t9E5p6dh-txMmtVffRkix3Xp8l9/s1600/422775_525273684181576_397871610_n.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEc_dy2KkEpMHzvSDdvt_vnm1sW307i4T86UJqlyU_kqr4n2JzQaO83OtnZoba9Xs_M1BoUbzITWZwYTxRgvoVzYC-8obIm2HlBJ8qRNKGDVNwHDl3-t9E5p6dh-txMmtVffRkix3Xp8l9/s320/422775_525273684181576_397871610_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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A photo of Crista with her kind and loving foster mother</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSScVBMK9G_M2UHlweZ3FR5N7IJ_bfE9IV1q1m46dtvalL9mjhmNdMMo503MzPsC0NKaHPOjt0nCRygTF676NGKYoV_0YyGZNqOvfMFvOQTMXblyEU5tycA1DK3dgUhlWlM9wrRLy-Sv/s1600/467065_593759803975989_42857265_o.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylSScVBMK9G_M2UHlweZ3FR5N7IJ_bfE9IV1q1m46dtvalL9mjhmNdMMo503MzPsC0NKaHPOjt0nCRygTF676NGKYoV_0YyGZNqOvfMFvOQTMXblyEU5tycA1DK3dgUhlWlM9wrRLy-Sv/s320/467065_593759803975989_42857265_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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A photo of Crista's wonderful and beautiful foster sister Aleksandrina. </div>
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My daughter was blessed to share their home for 5 wonderful months while she waited for us to be able to bring her home.</div>
lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-47771062925828887532013-05-28T17:18:00.001-05:002013-05-28T17:18:34.638-05:00I've been terrible...We're home with Crista! We brought her home in mid-March. <br />
Things have been so hectic... so amazing and crazy that I have completely neglected my blog. <br />
I'll update this soon and tell you all about our gotcha trip. <br />
Here's a little photo for you all until then....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_i_DM32vCwFWk1zAUZJYhHOB_sb_LcP1uOhydkSMwc02pH1If9V6aUCu0GP_g79eSqyVVcb7CIj-yIZ0ZYf5l7yEZOpvT0-LzVkql8ermUSVq8wI6NPscgvi6sHG2M1yLr8ron6OLYuS/s1600/20130324_140332a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_i_DM32vCwFWk1zAUZJYhHOB_sb_LcP1uOhydkSMwc02pH1If9V6aUCu0GP_g79eSqyVVcb7CIj-yIZ0ZYf5l7yEZOpvT0-LzVkql8ermUSVq8wI6NPscgvi6sHG2M1yLr8ron6OLYuS/s1600/20130324_140332a.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-60238443715153083952013-02-10T19:06:00.001-06:002013-02-10T19:06:03.155-06:00Share and win during LentJust visit this website to find out how! It's called <a href="http://fortytoforever.com/2013/02/11/surprise-sharing-party/" target="_blank">Forty to forever</a>. Their goal is to help 39 families and one sweet orphan raise money for their adoption costs and to spread the word about these children and their need for loving homes. <br />
Please consider making <a href="http://fortytoforever.com/2013/02/11/surprise-sharing-party/" target="_blank">Forty to Forever</a> part of your Lenten season this year. <br />
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<a href="http://fortytoforever.com/2013/02/11/surprise-sharing-party/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVOyim1i8DVMYxCVffUs7ZxYkiE_lL3vap7vWnjpf2SGEQYbMbKQineteiHkJeLHqXKIL_T_uxq94CtcUmJyci9IIK05qeGpsNVavYt_8OpON2blqkWUj4TAVVfl5WCRv3StkN998_WVp/s1600/img_0038.jpg" /></a></div>
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Because every child deserves moments like this.</div>
lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-12188413176503820442013-02-10T13:56:00.002-06:002013-02-10T13:56:54.729-06:00Listen up! <br />
I was just told that someone made a disparaging remark on Facebook about the fact that we need to take one of our children with us for the gotcha trip and I would like to clear up some misunderstandings. (Before anyone asks... it doesn't matter who said what. That's not what this post (rant, diatribe, etc) is about.)<br />
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Yes, we are taking on of our children with us on our trip to bring Christiana home.<br />
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We are not taking our son who has autism. (Deacon) He will be staying here at home (his Rara (grandma) will be staying with him.. and with Jasper) because his autism would make a trip like this EXTREMELY traumatic for him. He could not handle the sensory issues involved in airplanes, airports, new foods (he has feeding issues and gi issues), etc. We will be spending almost 24 hours travelling nonstop. We would never want to put him through that kind of stress and hardship. <br />
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We are taking our son James (who is 6). He can handle the trip much better than our 3 year old can... and unlike Jasper... he will be able to benefit from this experience. <br />
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I want to stress this to everyone... WE ARE NOT doing this frivolously. We aren't taking him because it will be "fun" or like some kind of vacation. We're taking him because we need to take one of the kids with us and he is the child that will do the best on the journey and we hope that he will learn from this experience and grow in his spirit, heart, and mind.<br />
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There was some discussion about overnight layovers in foreign countries (Paris, for example) in one of the adoption groups. I know that at least one family plans to do this. If our flight had an overnight or very long layover, (some do, most don't) it would be awesome to see a city like London, Frankfurt, or Paris (typical stops for flights to B). But it's not likely and we're not tying to do that. Sure, it would be fun... but it would also be a large, added expense. We're trying not to have any of those!<br />
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We are VERY mindful of the money that we have been entrusted with! Please note that I don't say "given". We haven't been given these funds. We've been entrusted with money that is intended for a specific purpose - paying for our adoption and adoption related travel expenses. We are budgeting very strictly and have already planned to donate any remaining money (once we're home) to other families in need. I've posted this before. <br />
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I don't look at this as "our" money. I never have. That's why I've always (with a couple of exceptions... money to pay shipping costs, for example) asked that donations be made to our FSP. I've wanted as much as possible to be designated "her" money so that if something happened with our adoption... Crista would have a better chance of finding a family - and that family would have an easier time bringing her home. <br />
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Once we're home, we plan to continue fundraising for other adoptive families and orphaned children. We plan to begin with families who are still working toward their OWN gotcha trips. There are a LOT of families out there who are in need and we plan to help them as much as we are able. <br />
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We are not treating this money frivolously and we will not waste any of it. We are doing what we feel is really necessary. <br />
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Once we're home (and before we leave if we can get our tickets bought and food/lodging paid for) I will still be crafting, selling, donating, and advocating my butt off! I know that some people see their gotcha trip as reaching "the end of the rainbow". Let me tell you, folks, it's not. You can ask anyone who has adopted... the gotcha experience is JUST THE BEGINNING. It's just like having a baby. Pregnancy ends once you give birth (adoption process), but a whole new journey begins at that point! You're getting to know a whole new person and adding them into your family. It's a process that changes everyone. <br />
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We haven't committed ourselves (and our lives) to just Christiana. We've committed ourselves to orphaned children AND the families who are adopting them. We plan to keep moving forward. Whether that means just advocating and helping other families or adopting again in the future... I don't know. I do know that we're in this for the duration. <br />
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And with that in mind... we will continue doing what we've done all along in this process. We'll be budgeting, pinching pennies, crafting, fundraising, and trying to get the most impact from EVERY CENT we're entrusted with! <br />
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I'll try to wrap this up now. Yes, we're still fundraising. We still need around $400 to meet a small, last minute matching grant that was generously offered to us. Once we have that, and the proceeds from the facebook auction that ends on Tuesday, we should have enough money to pay for our plane tickets, food, hotel, and embassy costs (pretty minor... an exam and a small fee, I think) for our daughter's visa to enter the US and become a United Stated citizen upon arrival. That's it! That's all we have left to raise... all we have left to do to complete our adoption and get our daughter home. <br />
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One more thing I would like to add... <br />
This blog and my voice on facebook has done more than just record our adoption journey and boost our fundraising efforts. I'm very proud to say that because we've shared this with all of you, seven families have come to me privately to either inquire about a particular child, ask advice about choosing an adoption agency, or for advice on committing to adopt a child. It has also allowed me to have support when I've needed it during this last year. <br />
Communication is an amazing thing. I urge you to give it a try. Many days you will think you have nothing to say... that no one will read it... that it won't matter. I've thought these same things so many times. <br />
But this week I was shown by my dear friend "Ammu" that I was wrong. People are listening and my words matter. <br />
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I'm going to end (I know... finally!) with the Starfish Story because "it matters to this one" is my favorite message and one that we all should remember.<br />
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Starfish Story</span></em></h3>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">adapted from </span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Star Thrower</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="text-align: center;">by Loren Eiseley</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">(1907 - 1977)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">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, so he walked faster to catch up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">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."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">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!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As if he hadn't heard, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he turned, smiled and said, "It made a difference to that one!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Make a difference.</span></div>
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<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-44007846191786928282013-02-05T15:24:00.000-06:002013-02-05T15:26:09.147-06:00Some good news: the final pushOn Thursday, the 7 day mandatory wait will have ended and our adoption decree will be final! Our daughter will OFFICIALLY be a Matthews! <br />
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I'm so very excited. The following week we should receive the dates when we can travel to bring her home! As soon as her little foot steps onto US soil... she will automatically become a US citizen. How amazing and beautiful is that? <br />
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Other good news... we've been offered not one, but TWO matching grants totaling $1,250! For those who don't know - a matching grant is one where a donor asks you to raise a certain amount of money and when you meet that goal... they give you the same amount, doubling what you have already raised! <br />
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Once we match the $1,250 that has been pledged, they will donate the same amount and WE WILL BE FULLY FUNDED!!! We will be able to go and bring our daughter home as soon as her government says we can! <br />
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So if you want to get one of my mystery gifts (hair clippies, key fobs, button bobbies, and more), just go to our link and make a donation! Then email me at rhianonmat@gmail.com and I will send you something amazing as a great big thank you for helping me bring my baby girl home!! The link to our adoption fund is at the top right side of this screen. <br />
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I'm so excited. I wish I could make you all understand just how VERY excited I am. In just a few weeks I will see my daughter again. But this time... I won't have to say goodbye. Not ever again!!<br />
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One last thing...<br />
Could I ask another favor from those of you reading this? Could you please share this on your own blogs, Facebook pages, etc? <br />
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Hugs,<br />
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Lisalisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-43376161667882036472013-02-02T10:31:00.001-06:002013-02-02T10:31:21.370-06:00The best news yet!Our adoption has been granted! Crista is officially our daughter. <div>
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We have a mandatory 7 day wait for the judge's ruling to be final and then another 4-5 days before our lawyer gets our court decree. </div>
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But she's ours and in about 2 weeks, we should receive our travel dates to bring her home for GOOD! </div>
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We're almost fully funded for this trip, but still need to raise another $2600 to pay for our travel. So... I've decided that anyone who donates $20 (or more) and forwards their email receipt to me will get a thank you gift from our family! The gifts are mystery gifts. After all... doesn't everyone love a surprise? You could get a key fob, a hair clippie, or any number or other things. It's our way of saying thank you for helping us bring our baby home. </div>
lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-52610663365333937112013-01-31T11:13:00.001-06:002013-01-31T11:13:48.378-06:00Big news!I know that I haven't been the best blogger. I always seem to be apologizing for that. <br />
But what can I say? Life gets in the way of good intentions. I have 3 small boys, am in the middle of an adoption, and have other friends who are adopting and need help. I stay pretty busy. <br />
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For those of you who don't read <a href="http://theblessingofverity.com/" target="_blank">The Blessing Of Verity</a>, you should go over today and read the post about 40 to Forever. We're one of the 40 children and families who will benefit from this event. It's an amazing project that goes through the Lenten season. There will be devotions and prize giveaways every day! It's going to be amazing! Our day to be featured is February 25th (day 11). <br />
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Ok... now for the big news! <br />
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Since my last blog, we've gained our I800 approval from the US government and the ministry signature from our daughter's government. If all goes well, a judge will approve our adoption tonight in the wee hours. (They are 8 hours ahead of us, so they will be working while we still sleep!) Our daughter will officially become a Matthews 10 days later (their mandatory waiting period for the adoption to take effect). <br />
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So please pray hard for us tonight dear friends. We're so close to our goal! If all goes well and our adoption is granted tonight, we will be able to bring her home soon! We're hoping to travel in early March.<br />
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lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-68144220282551404142013-01-11T08:33:00.003-06:002013-01-11T08:34:47.538-06:00Why We're AdoptingToday a friend shared a conversation she had with a person who changed her mind about donating an item for our auction when she realized we were adopting Crista from overseas. It was very sad and it frustrated my friend. She has a kind and giving heart and was upset that someone would refuse to help a child just because she wasn't born in the United States.<br />
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I know that many people look at international adoption as a "status thing". While I'm sure there are some people out there who adopt from abroad for that reason (they like the idea of an "exotic" or "special" child), most don't. In fact, I've never met a single person adopting a special needs child internationally who thought this way. <br />
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When we decided to adopt our sweet daughter, it wasn't because we were planning to adopt a child or felt that our family needed to be larger. The truth is... we felt a connection to this little girl. It wasn't a case of "we want another child". It was a case of "this child needs US". <br />
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We have been criticized for not saving/raising more money <i>before</i> beginning our adoption process. The answer to that question (why didn't you wait) is pretty simple, too. Crista's file was due to be returned to the ministry within two weeks unless someone stepped up to commit to her. At the time, we thought this meant she would lose her only chance to be adopted because she is considered "un-adoptable" in her home country. (Yes, I know some people would argue this point, but it it plainly and sadly stated in her referral paperwork) We searched our hearts and took a leap of faith. We decided that this sweet girl should be our daughter and we took the first steps needed to begin the adoption process. <br />
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We didn't realize that people would focus so much on where she was born! In our minds, that was a minor detail. Yes... travel would be a hurdle that we would have to overcome, but our focus was on her. She needed a home, medical care and therapy and we could give those things to her. After all, we already have a child who has autism and has needed many therapies and interventions in the past. We felt good about the fact that we were already educated about and prepared for many of her special needs. <br />
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I know that there are many children here in the United States who need good and loving homes. I know that the adoption of one of those children would be much less expensive and take less time. I think domestic adoption is great. It's a wonderful thing and needs to happen more often. In the past, Jason and I had talked about domestic adoption as a "what if". <br />
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We never intended to adopt a child internationally. But God chose differently for us. <br />
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I spent many hours praying and asking God if this was the path we should take. I asked for guidance and a sign that we were doing the right thing. I believe his answer was "yes". Every time I've asked for guidance, I've gotten it in the form of encouragement from strangers, paperwork "miraculously" being processed <b>super</b> fast, receiving surprise donations or items or funds, and many other things. <br />
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I guess what I'm saying is please don't judge us if you don't know us. We're not looking adopting from abroad because we want a "status child" or because we don't believe American children aren't just as deserving of a loving home. <i> We're adopting Crista from overseas because that's where she is</i>! If she had been born here, we would be adopting her domestically. Heck, if she had been born on Mars, I would be trying to figure out how to book a space flight! (just joking... kind of)<br />
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The point is... it doesn't matter where she was born. She's a child and we're her family. That's really all that should matter.lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-26041554914630147782013-01-02T19:03:00.002-06:002013-01-02T19:03:48.810-06:00Please don't worryPlease don't worry about our adoption. We're not directly affected by the Russian adoption ban. The country we're adopting from isn't Russia... isn't even close, really. lol Our adoption is safe and still very much in process. We hope to be bringing our daughter home in early March if things move quickly and smoothly. <div>
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But don't think we haven't been affected by the ban at all. We have. We have very good friends in the adoption community that have been devastated by this ban. Their hopes and dreams have been dashed and the children that they love may be left as orphans... unable to be adopted even in their own country because of their disabilities. </div>
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Of the 46 families who have gotten court decrees of adoption from Russia, only 6 had passed the mandatory 30 day wait ordered by the Russian courts. We have been told that the 6 will be able to bring their children home. But for the other 40 families who were still in that 30 day period... things are much more uncertain. The US government is working to negotiate the completion of these adoptions and everything that can be done is being done by Senators, Ambassadors, etc. There are many Russian politicians and judges who are working hard to unite these families also. </div>
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Please pray for them all. Pray for those families whose hearts are breaking right now. Pray that the hearts of those Russian politicians who passed this law will soften... and let them see that it is right to let those children be placed in the homes of those families who love them. </div>
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And please pray that the amendment to the adoption ban will pass that allows for special needs children to continue to be adopted internationally. The bill should be presented on January 14th, I believe. </div>
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Last of all... please pray for all the orphans of the world. American, European, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Colombian, Mexican... all of them. Pray for their health, safety, and for their forever families to find them quickly. </div>
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lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-27376862160281925192013-01-02T18:49:00.002-06:002013-01-02T18:49:59.923-06:00We have a matching grant... but We have been offered a matching grant of $250. But time is short. We have until the end of the week to raise another $148. Once the money is in our FSP, the grant donor will donate another $250!<br />
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That means we would be $500 closer to being fully funded. If you can help, please donate to http://reecesrainbow.org/36029/sponsormatthews.<br />
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$5, $10, $2... every dollar helps. We're getting so close to being able to bring our baby girl home. All of our adoption "work" is done. We're just waiting for tonight (which will be the morning of the 3rd in Bulgaria) so our attorney Toni can file our petition and second stage papers with the minister. Once we have the minister's signature, we can get a court date. THAT is when our adoption will be granted. <br />
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We're hoping to be given travel dates at the beginning of March and we're SO close to being fully funded for travel. We're saving every penny, cutting every corner, and doing everything we can to finish raising our travel money. <br />
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We're in the home stretch!<br />
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<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-51596517487051850182012-12-19T21:44:00.002-06:002012-12-20T21:56:09.300-06:00Ok... I was wrongIt took more than a few hours to get back to blog. I apologize. So much has happened. <br />
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First, we were given our I800 approval to adopt Christiana and our article 5 letter from the US embassy in her country should be in our Lawyer's hands in just a few hours. She already has all of our court documents, so now we begin the process of formally petitioning for her adoption. <br />
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In the coming days and weeks Toni will present our documents to the Ministry and gain the minister's signature that is needed to be assigned a judge. Once we're assigned a judge, he or she will assign a court date for our adoption proceedings. After that... it should just be a matter of weeks before we can bring her home!<br />
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All of our adoption fees and country fees have now been paid and we're beginning our final fundraisers. All that is left to pay for is her homecoming. We need round trip airfare for 2 adults, a 1 way ticket for Christiana, funds for 7-10 days (hotel and food) in her country, and about $300 to cover taxis, medical exams (for the US embassy), etc. <br />
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So far, we've raised around $1300 of the approximately $7000 we need to be fully funded for our trip. So in the coming weeks (and there are very few left) we will be working hard to raise the remaining $5700 that we need. <br />
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In order to do that... I will continue to take orders for key fobs and other crafts and we will be having another auction and a large item giveaway that will include diamond jewelry, celebrity autographs and memorabilia among other great items! <br />
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As always, donations can be made directly to our Chipin or to our FSP at Reece's Rainbow. All donations made through Reece's Rainbow via Paypal or check are fully tax deductible. <br />
If you would like to donate to our Reece's Rainbow fund via paypal, just click this link. If you would prefer to send a check, please send it to Reece's Rainbow (be sure to put "Carissa/Christiana for the Matthews Family" on your check) at:<br />
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Reece's Rainbow<br />
PO Box 4024<br />
Gaithersburg, MD 20885<br />
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We will also be having a "Text To Donate" day on December 23rd that is being sponsored by Wish Upon A Hero. Any time on the 23rd of December you can donate $5 by texting <span style="font-size: small;"><strong>"WISH" to 80077 . </strong>It's that easy! Just remember to click "YES" to confirm the charges. </span><br />
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Please help us make this a success by sharing this on your blog/website or your Facebook or other social websites. Tell your friends and family, please! This will be a one day only event.<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-2287500940962819412012-12-17T12:29:00.001-06:002012-12-17T12:29:55.700-06:00Pre-updateSo much has happened in the past few weeks. I'll be back tonight to give a real update. Until then... I would like to announce that Sevenly has chosen Reece's Rainbow as their charity to sponsor this year! <br />
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<strong>Sevenly.org is an organization</strong> committed to raising awareness for the many charities around the world through their hip and trendy shirt designs! Each week of the year, one charity is chosen. Sevenly design artists create a unique graphic for that charity, and fundraise through the sale of those items over a 7-day period only!</h5>
THIS week, December 17-24, Reece’s Rainbow is Sevenly’s chosen charity! We are SO BLESSED to have this incredible opportunity to <strong><span style="color: magenta;">*reach outside of our existing Down syndrome/special needs/adoption community*,</span></strong> and to share our ministry and the needs of these children with the general public. HELP US MAXIMIZE THIS SPECIAL WEEK BY:<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">1) </span><a href="https://www.sevenly.org/"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy a shirt or two</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">, they make great gifts, even for teenagers and us 40-somethings who *think* we’re still 17!</span></h5>
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2) Share the link <a href="https://www.sevenly.org/">https://www.sevenly.org/</a></h5>
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3) Take one of the various “headers” shown here and<em> change your timeline cover pic on FB.</em><br />4) Grab one of the blog buttons and add to your blog.<br />4) Follow RR on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/ReecesRainbow">https://twitter.com/ReecesRainbow</a>) and be sure to RT our posts multiple times a day.<br />5) Same goes for Facebook and your blogs.<br />6) Continue to reach out to celebs and other influential folks to help you tweet.</h5>
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Please help us support Reece's Rainbow. They're the reason we found Christiana and they've helped us so much! All of the money that is raised will be used to find homes for waiting children.</div>
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lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-2657346758856157392012-11-26T17:31:00.001-06:002012-11-26T17:33:31.546-06:00Please help the Davis family! I just received this from Denise today. They are desperate for help because they have been told their fees are due ASAP. Like me last week... they thought they had more time. <br />
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Could anyone please, please donate to their fund and help? These are good people who desperately need help to get to their boys overseas. They've had many setbacks this year and if anyone deserves help this holiday season... it's them.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">From Denise Davis<br /> Please I am asking for everyone's help!<br /> I know this is probably the worse time of the year<br /> to ask for donations with Christmas coming.<br /> But we need help now during this part of our adoption.<br /> So please help both Braska and Zack.<br /> <br /> WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME TO RAISE THE FEES WE NEED FOR OUR AGENCY :o(((<br /> AND I am at the point of begging everyone for help. We are due for a court date IN A MATTER OF DAYS and WE need to pay on our agency fees NOW. <br /> Like most families this last 2 weeks all agency fees are due prior to court and there are no exceptions.<br /> I HONESTLY THOUGHT WE HAD MORE TIME AND WE ARE WHERE WE NEED HELP.<br /> There is little time to try and raise these funds with my daughter in the hospital.<br /> <br /> IF We do not come up with these funds:O(((((we will not be assigned our court date this next month.<br /> THIS MEANS ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON PAPERWORK AND TRIP ONE WILL BE LOST.<br /> I know a lot of you read my posts and think, oh my..<br /> But honestly I would not post if I did not love our children Braska and Zack.<br /> I promised them with my heart we would come back for them.<br /> And now our children will have to wait once again for the medical care they need to survive if we do not raise these funds in a matter of days.<br /> Both Braska and Zack have lung issues that require additional medical care and need to come home quickly.<br /> This pass month both children have been having breathing issues and need this extra medical attention.<br /> <br /> OUR FAMILY'S FSP account needs to read at least $6500. At the moment there is only $148 available to use.<br /> Much of the prior funds were used for my airline ticket to travel on trip one.<br /> ALL funds donated after today will be given directly to our agency to help secure a court date. <br /> And I can show a receipt for these funds given to view.<br /> If we do not have help we may lose our children and little Zack will be transfer even if he is sick.<br /> And both kids will be separated, so this is these kids only chance to stay together.<br /> PLEASE if your church or organization wants to help a family during Christmas please consider our family.<br /> Gary and I are hard workers and love our children with all our hearts.<br /> <br /> My husband and I had carefully planned and save towards this adoption but we had some major medical problems with our children.<br /> Again this is nothing we chose to happen during our adoption.<br /> With two of our children Makayla & Samantha in the hospital this pass month much of our savings is gone for their medical. <br /> And their illnesses were not minor ones. Our Makayla is now being treated for over 30 brain tumors and being able to meet little Braska and Zack.<br /> We adopted Makayla at age 3 years and have been caring for her major medical care for years without any additional help.<br /> So this means a lot for our daughter Makayla and the rest of our family.<br /><br /> Again I am praying and now begging for some help with donations.<br /> All donations are tax deductible through Reece's Rainbow<br /> Or you can immediately donate to our PAYPAL CHIP IN.<br /> <br /> If we do not send in all fees within the next few weeks we will have to update much of our paperwork.<br /> And this may also cause further delays.<br /> I have cried over and over and again and I have saved every nickle we have to complete our adoption travels but this is now going towards remaining agency fees.<br /> Please again I ask or your prayers and support.<br /> I truly love these children and pray for them nightly that they do not suffer with any additional illnesses till we bring them home.<br /> God bless and help us save our children.PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ALL..<br /> Gary and Denise <br /> </span><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/27579/sponsordavis-2" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #660000;">http://reecesrainbow.org/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>27579/sponsordavis-2</span></a><br />
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lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-69900998853213594432012-11-19T10:44:00.001-06:002012-11-19T11:30:11.046-06:00Our Christas gift auction! Please take the time to visit our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore" target="_blank">Christmas gift auction</a> on Facebook. We have lots of beautiful things including some lovely hand crafted pottery bowls that I brought home from Bulgaria with me.<br />
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We also have some beautiful boutique style items that are just darling and were donated by their makers. <br />
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It's very easy to bid on the items. Just visit the auction page and click "like"... then leave a comment in the comment area with the photo of the item you are bidding on with the amount of the bid. Easy-peasy. If you're not on Facebook and would like to bid... <a href="mailto:rhianonmat@gmail.com" target="_blank">just email me</a> and I can tell you the current bid amount and post a bid for you if you would like. <br />
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I am also still making <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317356478372122.76840.317342238373546&type=3" target="_blank">lots of key fobs</a>, so please remember them, too. <br />
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If you love great tshirts, <a href="http://www.adoptionbug.com/threelittlebirds/" target="_blank">visit our AdoptionBug fundraising store</a> and buy an awesome adoption advocacy tshirt! Every sale from our shop raises money for our adoption!<br />
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We still need to raise around $7000 in order to complete our adoption. That includes $4000 in country fees and $3000 in travel, lodging, etc that we will need to bring her home. <br />
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We're praying that we will be able to bring her home early in the new year. lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-35603829841359175572012-11-17T19:02:00.000-06:002012-11-17T19:02:06.230-06:00Back from BulgariaWell... I got to travel to Bulgaria to see my daughter on October 26th. It was short notice. Basically I had 5 days to book my trip (normally you have about 3 weeks to do this), get ready to leave Jason in charge of the three boys for a week (scary), pack, and somehow get over my fear of flying. <br />
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I did everything except the last thing. I'm still scared of flying, even after flying halfway across the globe - twice. Turbulence isn't nice... but landings terrify me. It didn't help that we skidded on the runway while trying to land in Frankfurt. (Icy runway and LOTS of wind) It also didn't help that the turbulence was so bad on my flight into Sofia that almost EVERY row I passed (I sat near the back) on my way off of the plane contained at least one used "sick bag". Ick. That plane smelled awful by the time we landed!<br />
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But I made it and it was worth it! Christiana is amazing. She's so beautiful, smart, and just all around perfect. <br />
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This is what happened when we met. She came right to me and lifted her arms up so I could pick her up. Her foster mother says she loves to be held and cuddled (she does). </div>
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That's the other big news... she's in a professional foster family! It's to help her learn to live outside of an orphanage... in a family home before she comes home with us. The hope is that this will make the transition easier for her. Before you worry... let me set your minds at ease. She's in a professional foster family. They've been trained to work with children who have been institutionalized and to NOT promote bonding to themselves. They know that she's being adopted and are glad. I got to meet them mother, father, and sister. (not the son, though) They're truly amazing people. You can tell from her appearance and attitude (smiles, laughs, and hugs) that she's well cared for. </div>
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I got to spend a few hours with her foster mother, and although we had to use a translator to communicate, we learned quite a lot about each other. The main thing that I learned is that she truly cares about the children that she fosters. She had lots of things to tell me about our girl before I even had time to ask her all of the questions I wanted to ask. In the end... I forgot to ask a lot of them. But it didn't matter. Most of my questions were answered by just spending time with Crista and playing with her. </div>
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I learned that she's smart. Her file indicates significant mental delays, but if you show Crista something ONCE... she's got it. She may have to practice it a little, but she will remember how to do it. </div>
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She's still very tiny as you can see from the photo above. Although she's grown (weight and height) since leaving her first orphanage, she's still a tiny little bird... wearing 18month and 24 month clothing sizes. Her little foot is only a size 7... 3 sizes smaller than Jasper's even though she's over 2 years older than him! </div>
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My tiny 5 year old!</div>
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Mad because we wouldn't let her leave the terrace. She's pouting.</div>
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Little miss "I can do it!" trying to blow up the beach ball on her own after watching me start to blow it up. She finally gave up and gave it to me to finish. </div>
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Playing with my phone. She didn't like taking pictures, but she loved pushing buttons and exploring!</div>
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Another thing I found out... her nicknames are Crissy and Crista. She seems to like Crista better, so that's what I called her during our time together. Jason and I will announce her full name once her adoption is final, but she will be keeping her first name. I know that some people feel very strongly about changing a child's name when they're adopted, but we feel that her name is her own and she should keep it. Since she doesn't have a middle name, we'll choose one for her. In the future if she decides to change her first name, we'll support that. </div>
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I know that all of this sounds "hunky dory", but that's just because I'm excited and happy. For all her beautiful qualities, Crista does have significant physical and mental delays. In my inexpert assessment (I'm not a therapist, but I've had two children with physical, mental, and speech delays) she's functioning at a 16-18 month old level both physically and emotionally. Although she's very smart... emotionally she's still very much a baby. This could be caused by a number of things, but the biggest one is her environment from birth though five years old. She's still being treated for anemia caused by malnutrition. Malnutrition and neglect can stunt a child's mental, physical, and emotional growth. </div>
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She also has some "institutional behaviors"... at least one that her foster mother told me about. There may be more. I know that some caregivers make light of or hide these things because they're afraid the adoptive parent will change his/her mind about the child if they find out about behaviors like self-harming, rocking, banging, etc. But I'm prepared for these things as much as anyone can be. I'm studying books on the subject, have made friends with other parents whose children have similar backgrounds/issues, and have already begun working with our developmental pediatrician to form a plan of care for her. </div>
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Right now we're preparing our home for her by finishing the other bedroom, gathering clothes and all the lovely little things that girls need, and working with our boys to be ready to have a new person in our home and family. We're also still fundraising to finish raising the funds we'll need to finalize our adoption and bring her home. </div>
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I was recently criticized on another blog for this. The people there seem to think it's idiotic to start an adoption unless you already have every cent you need to pay for fees and travel. </div>
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Well... maybe so. Maybe fundraising as we go isn't the most perfect plan. But it's what we're doing. The alternative would be letting her sit in an orphanage until we were funded... where she wouldn't have a chance to live in a family home and she would have to wait through another year without a family, love, care.... all the things that we want to give her.</div>
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So maybe we're not doing it the way that some people think we should, but we ARE doing it. We're putting ourselves in God's hands and reaching out to a little girl who desperately needs a home and family. </div>
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The day she walks into our home will be one of the proudest days of my life. It will be right up there with the births of my sons. I can't wait for that day. I pray that it will be soon. </div>
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I miss her so much.</div>
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lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-66144765278728548222012-10-29T14:49:00.002-05:002012-10-29T14:49:49.450-05:00Meet our daughter. I'm so happy I could cry... and I did! I met Christiana this morning on the banks of the Danube river. <br />
I will write more later, but I wanted to share these with you....<br />
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<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-31100266329042735782012-10-27T13:44:00.002-05:002012-10-27T13:44:33.318-05:00I made it!I'm here in the Hotel Budapest in lovely Sofia, Bulgaria. <br />
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There were some bumps and scares on the flights, but it was worth it.<br />
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Tomorrow I travel to meet the orphanage director and set up visits and sign forms. I'll actually get to meet the director and C on Monday! I'm so excited. <br />
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Prayers and good wishes are welcome. <br />
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Lisalisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-34960580726774103072012-10-22T13:47:00.000-05:002012-11-19T10:51:05.737-06:00Christiana's Chance - fun crafty fundraiserI've been making and selling cute wrist-strap key fobs to help raise funds for our adoption of Christiana. <br />
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They cost $5 each. The shipping cost is $2 for the first key fob (also known as a key-chain or key-ring) and then .50 for each additional one. This cost covers the actual cost of shipping plus the shipping materials I use to package the key fobs for shipping. <br />
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Please visit my<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317356478372122.76840.317342238373546&type=3" target="_blank"> Facebook shop</a> to see other designs. I have MANY different designs and am happy to customize them if you like. I can do different combinations of color with printed or solid colored ribbon (school colors for example!). <br />
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I will also be adding more fun gift items soon like hand warmers, small plushie toys and games, and Christmas ornaments. <br />
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Everything earned from our fundraiser will go to our adoption fund. <br />
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If you would like to have one of our items, please email me at <a href="mailto:rhianonmat@gmail.com">rhianonmat</a><a href="mailto:rhianonmat@gmail.com">@gmail.com</a>.lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-85855732842589651182012-10-21T11:30:00.001-05:002012-10-21T11:30:11.119-05:00This is it!This is it, folks. We got our written referral on Thursday and our travel dates on Saturday. <br />
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Are you ready... I travel on October 26th. Yes, you read that right... I travel on FRIDAY... this friday.<br />
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We're not yet funded for this trip and I need to arrange and pay for plane tickets tomorrow, somehow! Pray for us, folks. We really need it right now. <br />
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On the plus side... all of our other issues are working out well. We were told that my husband's plant would be closed next week (we would lose a week's pay) due to an issue of some sort. That plus the week that he would have had to take off for me to travel would have really hurt us financially. But since our travel dates overlap the plant closure... we won't have to worry since we planned ahead to cover the missed paycheck during travel week! <br />
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To me, that says that God is looking out for us and intends for me to be able to travel on Friday! <br />
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So... if you can, please help us by donating to our <a href="http://lisaandjasonmatthews.chipin.com/christianas-chance" target="_blank">Chipin account</a>. We still need to raise quite a bit in order to be fully funded for this trip. <br />
If you can't donate, please consider sharing our story with others.<br />
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<object height="250" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/9874f4ef7aa900e3"></param>
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Once we have our written referral, it's just a matter of days until we're issued our travel dates. <br />
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I'm so nervous! I'm so excited! Pray for me, please. I'm about to step into one of the greatest adventures of my life so far. <br />
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Here's hoping I will have good news to post here soon!<br />
lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-82655744033139084972012-10-14T10:04:00.000-05:002012-10-14T10:04:53.555-05:00Facebook auction! Please check out our FaceBook auction! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore#!/media/set/?set=a.383282448411594.88958.304175849655588&type=3">https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore#!/media/set/?set=a.383282448411594.88958.304175849655588&type=3</a><br />
There are some lovely items that have been donated by Etsy sellers that would make wonderful Christmas gifts! <br />
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It's easy to bid in the auction. You just "like" the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore?ref=hl" target="_blank">main page</a>, and then visit the photo album called the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore?ref=hl#!/media/set/?set=a.383282448411594.88958.304175849655588&type=3" target="_blank">Countdown to Christiana Auction</a>. All of the photos are of auction items. To bid, you just leave the amount of your bid in a comment. It's very easy. <br />
<br />Once the auction ends on October 26th, you make a donation in the amount of your bid (plus shipping) to our <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/36029/sponsormatthews" target="_blank">family fund</a>. <br />
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We have hand crafted pottery, key fobs, a Waldorf doll from Croatia, wind chimes, honey, crocheted owls, and much more! Please come and take a look. This will be our last fundraiser before receiving our travel dates and we are still $2000 short of being funded for this trip!<br />
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Please give us a hand and help bring our daughter home!lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-56401600041779707952012-10-01T21:17:00.001-05:002012-10-01T21:17:30.783-05:00Who's with me?<span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
Friends, if you do nothing else for me.. please read this <a href="http://theblessingofverity.com/2012/10/the-story-of-katies-adoption/" target="_blank">article</a>. </div>
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If, at the end, you still don't understand why I'm so passionate about helping children like <a href="http://theblessingofverity.com/2012/10/the-story-of-katies-adoption/" target="_blank">Katie</a> and Christiana... you never will. </div>
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<br /> "If not me, then who?" That is my motto... the words I now live by. It's the thought that makes me stand up straight and forge ahead with all the fundraising, begging, criticism, and stress from this adoption process. <br /> <br /> So many times in the past I've seen horrible things and thought "Someone should change that!" or "Someone should DO something". <br /> <br /><span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span></div>
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I've finally realized that passing the buck not only doesn't help... it makes things worse. By turning away, I was helping things get worse, not better. There are too many of us saying "Someone should do something" while we stand by and let these horrible things happen again and again. If each of us did SOMETHING... things like this would stop. <br /> <br /> Susanna Musser did it. She and Toni stood up and made a difference. Two people (and the thousands who prayed along with them) made a difference for over TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY children!<br /> <br /> Just imagine what would happen if two hundred and fifty of YOU stood up like Susanna and Toni and said "If not me, then who?"... and then did something to help. <br /> I've gotten in line to help. Won't you join me? <br /> <br /> If you think there is nothing you can do to help or that the little that you can do won't make a difference, you're wrong. Very, very wrong. <br /> <br /> Please contact me and let me tell you exactly how you can help. Even if you don't have a single penny to share or very little extra time in your day... you CAN still help one of these children find their forever family and you can also make sure their family is able to bring them safely home. <br /> I promise... you CAN help. You just have to be willing to stand up and say "If not me, then who?" and step forward. </div>
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<br /> Who's with me? </div>
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</span>lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-77574431536633366092012-10-01T15:36:00.000-05:002012-10-01T15:36:02.410-05:00Hidden Treasures AuctionPlease be sure to visit the <a href="http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures Auction</a>. It runs from October 1-7 and benefits our adoption fund! <a href="http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/">http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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There are so many amazing items to choose from... from books to hats to quilts to jewelry. Truly beautiful things and more are being added! So far only half of the items have been listed and donations are still coming in!<br />
I'm so grateful... and so humbled by the kindness of my friends and of those sweet ladies (and gentlemen) who have worked so hard to bring our children home.<br />
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God bless you all.<br />
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Lisalisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-79566681834617532622012-09-29T23:03:00.001-05:002012-09-30T07:55:25.207-05:00We have a referral!Well... we have our verbal referral for Chrisiana! Once the minister signs our referral it will be official and we will have a written referral and recieve our travel dates! Those are the dates that we will be asked to visit her country and spend time with her. <br />
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In about a month (give or take) I could be in Bulgaria meeting my daughter! How amazing is that? <br />
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Thanks to our Facebook auctions and the help of <a href="http://www.tenfororphans.org/" target="_blank">Ten For Orphans</a> and Anonymous Angels, we're now only $4600 away from being fully funded for our first trip! <br />
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Starting Monday, October 1, <a href="http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures Auction</a> will be holding an auction to benefit our adoption. It will run from October 1-7. Please check it out. There are lots of great items that would make wonderful Christmas gifts! All of the proceeds will go directly to our adoption fund. <br />
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Right now, we have two fundraisers running thanks to the generosity of some wonderful women. The first is an Ava Anderson fundraiser that ends in just a few days...<br />
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<span class="userContent">"Just a few more days to place an order for Ava Anderson Non Toxic products with the proceeds going towards Carissa's adoption! Please consider ordering something. I LOVE all the products and love that they are safe for my family! <a href="http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/faithjobes" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>faithjobes</a>"</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/faithjobes" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8EUMnA41s1lrmYAdwxB9Qx5cvBY6R8VAf9Rp3DzgrJ6ku86edKtM062XowTqBsA2_E8U_9LT2lBYMTTC_4D9JgEoAey7hS0y2Wsq8LWQ0ssIgQpRetX8Vu-olARQ1iCYNGA9x9X4yJH6/s1600/ava_homephoto_sm.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">The second is a Scentsy party being given to benefit our adoption. It runs through October 10th. Just click on the party for the Matthews Family Fundraiser to shop. <a href="https://uncandles.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy/SetupPrompt">https://uncandles.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy/SetupPrompt</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://uncandles.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy/SetupPrompt" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfhEetY41cdVw2wPTVyWkE8phuDuRIeSxpRhsyxMFjIeWuxhIdUlzrp-jGwu_QePRg8j91dB2bj-tgIa0V0WROowonW9yJR_yX9Qgvy6gb-p2bHpjRwjvEywLEIlU-ms-Gx67uRqRQdUv/s320/headerCombSaveFW12.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent"></span>lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140030601596499901.post-80544415831038642012-09-25T11:57:00.001-05:002013-02-07T15:18:50.520-06:00Pray hardPray hard folks. We've been told that our dossier should be reviewed within the next 24 hours or so. <br />
That means... IF we're approved (they could ask for more information or more documents) we should have a "verbal referral". <br />
Once we have our verbal referral, it's just a matter of a couple of weeks before we're given a "written referral" (the minister's signature on our paperwork) and issued travel dates! <br />
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That means that within a month, if we're lucky... we could be meeting our daughter for the first time. <br />
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Pray hard, friends. We're at the point of travel and we're still very under-funded. <br />
<br />lisa matthewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01229574206058162242noreply@blogger.com6