Love can do so much!

Children with Cockayne can do so much given

LOVE

Proper therapies, and Medical attention.

I want to share with you one of my favorite children who happened to have Cockayne syndrome. Miss Eden was a delight to know and she has amazing parents. Cockayne syndrome does not mean confined to a bed all day...

--These little wonders are capable of

 SO MUCH MORE--

Like riding zebras in the living room!

Eden it was an honor to know you, to love you and we miss you sweet girl!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ-l6DMynPc&feature=related

Arms to Hold!

Yes!

A family for Julia....??

Waiting on DETAILS!!!

God has shown His unfailing LOVE thorought the story of a little girl with Cockayne Syndrome, who has never known life outside of four walls of a crib.

 I am in awe but not surprised. No,not one little bit.

My God, He is Love. He is Mercy. He is arms, legs, voice of the weak.

HE IS AMAZING!

Waiting and Trusting

"Have you heard anything?"

"Does she have a family yet?"

"What do you think will happen?"

I don't have answers to any of the questions...but I know who does. One mighty saviour, whose plan for Julia was already put into motion before she was born. He formed her inward parts, she is fearfully and wonderfully made. Early on questions swirled in my own head about Julia and her fate but I have had to release and rest it all on Him as we wait on His plan to be revealed.

What does it mean to wait on the Lord? The ability to wait comes from being confident and focused on the nature and character of God. Trusting in who He is and what He is doing. Placing all trust in His wisdom, love, understanding of what is going in our lives, and His timing. His promises all are true, His faithfulness endures forever.

We are called to wait and trust.

Ps 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall stregthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Ps 130:5-6: I wait for the Lord, my sould waits, and in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Ps 52:8-9 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.  I will praise You forever, because You have done it, And in the presence of Your saints

I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

Lord, thank you for wrapping Julia up in comfort. I know she is your precious child and though it is so difficult waiting on the outcome of Julia's future I will continue to praise you as I wait...yes wait with confident expectation...on your lovingkindness to rain down.

"Treasure Her"

This passage was posted on the Reece's Rainbow group. It is a passage from the book, The Clowns of God, by Morris West. In the book, a deposed pope has gone through many trials and tribulations and it is the time of the Second Coming. When he meets the Returned Christ, the former pope is afraid and unsure much like the apostles when Christ first arose. This passage takes place in a mountain hideaway where children from a school for Down Syndrome are among those present. The Returned Christ is speaking about one of these children as he holds her. If you have ever held and loved a child with special needs you know how much they are treasured!

"I know what you are thinking. You need a sign. What better one could I give but to make this little one whole and new? I could do it;but I will not. I am the Lord and not a conjurer. I gave this mite a gift I denied to to all of you...

Eternal Innocence. 

To you she looks imperfect--but to me she is flawless, like the bud that dies onopened or the fledgling that falls from the nest to be devoured by ants. She will enver offend me, as all of you have done. She will never pervert or destroy the work of my Father's hands.

She is necessary to you. She will evoke the kindness that will keep you human. Her infirmity will prompt you to give gratitude for your own good fortune. She will remind you every day that I am who I am, that my ways are not yours, and that the smallest dust mite whirled in the darkest spaces does not fall out of my hand...

I have chosen you. You have not chosen me. This little one is my sign to you.

Treasure her!"

Never a burden, always a blessing

Two weeks ago, I knew her as Julia...the name given to her by Reece's Rainbow to protect her identity.

Last week I discovered Julia's real name but by learning her true name, I also discovered details about her life which brought me to my knees sobbing. Details of her care and her existence were almost too much to bear. Anger as I felt my flesh yelling "How DARE a child be treated this way!"  I spent the entire day crying like I haven't cried since my daughter Emma passed away. You see...

Julia could be MY CHILD.

If my own Emma, my "little bit",who had the same disorder as Julia, had been born in another country to someone else, she could have ended up in a crib, left alone, taken out only to be fed and changed never knowing the way it feels to be held, loved and cherished. A burden on society, deemed not worthy of the care needed to help her thrive.

 No one would have ever known ...

THIS Smile.

Emma was so much more than what you saw on the outside, many perceived her as not comprehending anything. But she did! She learned sign language, learned to sit up, played pat a cake, ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, stole her baby sister's pacifier right out of her mouth, waved bye to her physical therapist when she was DONE with being tortured! She held her arms up into the air when she wanted to be held, and cried tears when she didn't get her way.  She squealed with joy when her daddy walked through the door and snuggled up in her mommy's arms every single day.


She was ADORED.
















And Cherished.

Despite a life threatening condition, she flourished through love.

Her daddy was her hero.

She knew the love of her grandparents.

And when the Lord began to call her home,

She was wrapped in the arms of her mommy, and was HELD.



















My eyes have been opened. God has shown me his heart for orphans. I have not a clue the outcome this will have on my life but I thank Him for orchestrating a plan designed to glorify his holy name! I know there are no accidents - I learned about Julia for a reason, whether it be advocating for, ministry to orphanages or adoption in the future I thank God for opening my eyes, for burdening my heart.

Through faith and listening to His call, a bridge has been formed straight to Julia. Julia, and all children born with special needs are not a burden, but a blessing.

She will soon be held.

Praise God!!!

God is truly pouring out his mercy, grace and unfailing love over this sweet child!!!

When I began this journey I had no idea the turn it would take. My hope was to find a home for Julia...this hope has grown into so much more. God is showing his mercy and grace through the life of one little girl, a little girl who has never known the word Jesus...

A week after I started blogging about Julia another incredible woman began blogging about her.

Thank you Jesus!

This person knows Julia...met her earlier in the year, this lady loves Julia. Read here... http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/ for more.
Because of this incredible lady's  blessed blog..Julia now has nearly $12,000 in just a few days!!! Praise God!

Not only is this incredible woman, Adeye, helping raise money for Julia's adoption fund...she is bringing attention to Cockayne syndrome! Amazing!!!

One precious little girl halfway around the world has no idea how much she is loved. I pray she will soon be wrapped up in arms, snuggled and told what a beautiful child of God she is. I have been brought to my knees in joy, thanks and overwhelming emotion. Such a contrast to the sick, sick feeling I had just a few days ago when I learned of the condition of Julia's life and care.

Just absorbing the awe inspiring glory that is God's love..huge. His love is being shown through one little girl's story.

I sit here Amazed. In Awe. Moved. Never Broken. For He is good...all the time.

Oh my soul...

As I embarked on this journey of spreading awareness for Julia a week ago, I had no idea of the images I would see, the things I would read. My heart has been equally heartbroken over conditions of children living in certain orphanages and inspired by the many stories of adoption.

God has placed this little girl right into my heart and I am called in His glorious name to spread her story. The conditions of where she lives and her care are beyond heartbreaking. They are horrid and gut wrenching. I am a mom who has buried a child so to hear about this innocent child, Julia, left all day in a crib in her own urine, not taken out of the same clothes for days, sedated...well it creates so much intensity and anger in me. But I draw back and focus on God, not my flesh. My flesh wants to scream and sob until I fall into a heap.

But God wants me to DO SOMETHING.

DO SOMETHING

DO SOMETHING

And when the whispers in my head begin screaming, what can you do...you are just one person!

I know this doesn't come from God. God whispers to me, DOUBT?...He says to my DOUBT....."Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."

God can do anything, His love for Julia is greater than the love growing for her here on earth. She belongs wholly to Him...we are simply called to TRUST his plan. He is one mighty God.

He is calling us to form a bridge of faith straight to Julia. For one family out there...she already belongs to you. By continuing to spread her story we can all help Julia.

An amazing woman who has adopted children from the same area as Julia is raising money through an IPAD give away to go directly to Julia's adoption fund. Please, please visit the website at http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/  and one last thing...

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!! Get Julia HOME, Get her out of there and into a mommy and daddy's arms...

TO BE HELD...IT's MY PRAYER FOR JULIA..

Thank you to everyone for caring, for reading, for praying. God does amazing work...I am even more in awe when we stop to listen to what he is calling us to do.

Blessings!

You Can Help Julia...How?

So many have said they would like to help or would love to take Julia home but financially it is just not possible. But there is still a way you can help Julia, even if you are not in a position to adopt her!

First, it is imperative to note that with Julia, time is a CRITICAL issue. Children with Cockayne Syndrome can begin to go downhill quickly and it is imperative any family considering adopting her be ready to hit the ground running, including having the proper finances in order to make the process go quicker. It is alot of money...and for many families fundraising efforts must take place before even beginning the journey.

With Julia having Cockayne syndrome, which leads to shortened life expectancy, her future forever family would be truly blessed if there was money available in Julia's adoption fund right from the beginning. Any family making the commitment to adopting her is not going to have the months to spend fundraising to get their finances in place...and then begin the adoption process.

This is how YOU can help Julia....by donating any amount you feel led to offer to her own adoption fund through Reece's Rainbow. This would ensure the money would already be available to her future family, alleviating months of fundraising, increasing the chances of bringing Julia home quicker. Reece's Rainbow is an adoption ministry but also a fundraising and advocacy ministry - raising money through many efforts to help get every child on their site adopted!

Reece's Rainbow has had several inquiries about Julia...families who are willing to commit to take the step, that leap of FAITH, and proceed with bringing Julia home. We can all help send Julia home to her mommy and daddies arms by donating.... small, medium or large - any amount, go with what your heart is telling you to do.

Together, we can make a difference in Julia's life. Just think...if 500 people donated $20 that would be $10,000 to help get her home.

When donating for Julia, just make a notation that it is to go to her adoption fund. It will stay with her until she is adopted.

Click HERE to donate to Julia's adoption fund.

Other ways you can help - paste Julia's website link on your blogs, facebook pages, twitter accounts...http://www.ahopeforjulia.blogspot.com/

God Bless You!

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Prayer Warriors Needed!

After looking at the information on Julia again, I realized she is two 1/2 years old. Her birthday is listed as early 2008. There is not much information on her current medical condition. When children turn 4, they face being institutionalized. The age may be 6...trying to get accurate information.

Please, please all prayer warriors out there - pray a family finds their way to Julia. The adoption process for her is fairly quick - average 7-8 months.

For children with Cockayne time is a crucial consideration, months can equal years as their physical condition declines.

Her family is out there...Gods plan is perfect and every child He creates is perfect and holy in His name and for His Glory!

Sweet Julia,
"I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." 2 Ti 1:3

Find Funding for Adoption

Prospective funding opportunities for adoption worth looking into:

The National Adoption FoundationNational Adoption Program makes quarterly grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 to adopting parents. There is no income requirement. Contact them at (203) 791-3811.

OneCause and the National Adoption Foundation have teamed up to help you fund your adoption! OneCause is a nontraditional fundraising program that helps you earn money for your adoption through a variety of everyday opportunities. You can pay agency and homestudy fees, travel expenses legal costs and more just by enrolling and participating in their programs. Your friends and relatives can even get involved to help you finance your adoption faster, you can download a letter or brochure to send to family and friends.

Hebrew Free Loan AssociationHebrew Free Loan Association offers adoption loans (interest free) to Jewish families who demonstrate financial need and strong desire to adopt a child. Northern California residents.

Loans
The ABBA FundThe ABBA Fund provides financial assistance to Christian couples who need help with the "cash flow crunch" posed by adoption expenses. Adopting couples may request financial assistance in any amount, based upon their needs. The couple will enter into a covenant agreement with The ABBA Fund whereby the couple agrees to reimburse The ABBA Fund in manageable monthly payments. Financial assistance provided by The ABBA Fund is interest free. Couples seeking assistance must complete an application, and assistance will be provided by The ABBA Fund in stages as the adoption process moves along.

A Child Waits FoundationA Child Waits Foundation provides low interest loans for families who do not have any other option than to request a loan in order to proceed with international adoption.

Institionalized for Life

Due to confidentiality issues, the exact location of Julia's orphanage can't be given on this site. However, it is important to pass on certain information to highlight the crucial need for Julia to be adopted.

Following is information from an organization which helps provide support to disabled, institutionalized children in the country Julia is living.

"Children with disabilities are placed in orphanages shortly after birth and remain institutionalized for life. "Unlike in the United States, where early intervention and therapy services help children to achieve the best possible quality of life, children with special needs in face a grim future and a greatly reduced life expectancy. “Staff at the orphanages need education, tools, and equipment to provide the early intervention and therapy these children need to learn, grow, and develop.”

Direct link to information on adopting Julia HERE

Please continue to pass on Julia's website to your churches, civic groups, prayer groups, friends and family.

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16

Up and running!

God's love is greater than we can imagine...there has been so much love shown for Julia already. I know as word spreads of her story that there will be a family waiting for her...they are out there! Please continue to blog, use facebook, twitter, yell on the streets about Julia and her need to be adopted...information on adopting her can be found at www.reecesrainbow.com contact name is Andrea.

I am not affiliated with Reece's Rainbow but I discovered Julia on their site...I am a mom who has had an angel baby with Cockayne Syndrome. The journey I took with her changed my life and my family...every child with Cockayne deserves to be held...

Spread the word...Julia needs a HOME!!!

This blog was created to help a little girl find a forever family. Julia is a two year old little girl living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. She desperately needs to be adopted. Julia has Cockayne Syndrome, a rare disorder which causes advanced aging.

Julia is left in a "laying bed" all day but she deserves to be held, to be sung to and adored. The conditions of why she was left in the orphanage are unknown but she possibly was abandoned after the diagnosis of Cockayne Syndrome.

Children with cockayne are friendly and have smiles which light up the room. once you meet a child with cockayne your soul is forever changed.


This blog is very, very new and updates will come...

Help spread awareness of Julia's story through this blog or a facebook page created for her under Julia's Hope.

Information on adopting Julia can be found at www.reecesrainbow.com Contact name is Andrea.