Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I have something special planned.
Valentine's Day 2013 was the day that Jason and Claudia came home from Colombia, a day I will never forget. That day, Claudia became a US Citizen and our family was finally home together. This year I would like to help a dear friend of mine bring her son home.
My friend Hannah has been there for us since before Claudia came home. Hannah is the sweetest woman with the most gentle soul I know! She and her husband have three wonderful children, and are working hard to bring home #4. Hannah and Joe have been trying to adopt an infant with Down syndrome for quite a long time now, they had some hopeful prospects and some heartbreaks along their journey, but God was calling them to something much BIGGER!
One day, Hannah posted about a little boy in Macedonia who desperately needed a family. It took some time but eventually Hannah and Joe came to realize that this child was meant to be their son and until God closes that door, they are believing this to be true. The problem is that there were no adoption agencies in the US that worked with Macedonia, even though it is a Hague country. After talking back and forth with several people and agencies, Hannah and Joe took a huge leap of faith and will be the pioneers for a brand new Macedonian adoption program with a US agency. If all goes well, they will help pave the road for several other children with special needs to become available for adoption into the US. I cannot do their story justice, please read through their blog
HERE!
Hannah and Joe have done some fundraising here and there but have been putting the adoption spotlight on Hannah's parents who are currently in the end of the adoption process for her little brother! (Amazing family see!) Now that her parents adoption is nearly funded and coming to and end, it is time for Hannah to receive some financial help for her adoption as well. So, this Valentine's season, I would like to donate 75% of my Origami Owl commission towards the Butler family adoption. Any order placed through the following link will go towards helping Hannah and Joe pay for their adoption.
Origami Owl Ordering Link
If you are not interested in Origami Owl but would like to help support the Butler family, you can make a tax deductible donation to their Reece's Rainbow FSP
HERE.
Below are just a few examples of Valentine's Day goodies that can be created with Origami Owl. Each locket is personalized for you! If you would like me to send someone your Origami Owl wish list, please comment on this post with your email address so I can email you a wish-list form, I can then email it to the person you hope will purchase the locket for you!
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| The back of the plate says "and back" |
The other 25% of my commission from sales through the
link will be split between two older children available for adoption in Chance and Callie's country.
I have posted a few time about Annalise who is Callie's friend but I will post about her again below:
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Annalise http://reecesrainbow.org/66593/annalise
From her Reece's Rainbow profile:
Girl, Born August 2003
Down syndrome, CHD (repaired)
This energy filled and vibrant little girl was born with Down syndrome in August of 2003 and is ready for an active family with lots of structure. She can understand and speak two languages, including English. She had surgery to repair a heart defect in 2003, but has required no additional treatment. Annalise is beaming with sunshine and loves cell phones and cameras, like all curious little girls! She loves to be the center of attention and is very smart!
Updated April 2014:
Annalise is an active, friendly girl who speaks clearly with an extensive vocabulary. She uses short sentences and understands two languages, one of them English. Annalise walks independently, including up and down stairs.
Annalise has great self-help skills. She eats and drinks as well as dresses and undresses without assistance. She can wash her hands and brush her teeth on her own.
Annalise attends school where she has learned to count, recognize 25 letters, cut with scissors and paint. She can re-tell a short story and participates in simple games. Annalise likes to listen to music and dances very well. She would thrive in a loving family. |
The second child I will be donating my commission to is Alexis:
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Alexis: http://reecesrainbow.org/84908/alexis
Alexis was born in August 2006 and has been diagnosed with pelvic positioning of the left kidney, congenital hypotrophy, and mild cognitive delays. Alexis can walk independently, is potty-trained, dresses and undresses without help, and feeds herself.
Though a bit shy with strangers, Alexis is sociable, communicative, and gladly participates in games and activities. She is described as obedient and easily follows directions from her caretakers. Alexis likes to recite poems and sing songs, as well as play with toys like dolls, purses, etc. Alexis’s teachers note that she is able to learn and reasons well. In November 2013, she could count to ten and had just begun learning her letters.
Additional photos, video and reports available upon request from the agency. |
