The Red Thread Kids

For Baxter:

2012-01-21T18:32:00.001-07:00

Krysten

2012-01-20T23:37:00.003-07:00

Just moving Krysten back up to the top. :)

Do it Anyway:

2012-01-20T23:26:00.007-07:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway.
--Mother Teresa

Ok people...

2012-01-19T00:06:00.007-07:00

...I have, sadly, had to post about this before. I guess its time again. Leaving comments like, "Nice blog entry," then leaving a link to get your cabinet's refurbished or, "I like your blog, Come check out my beauty supplies at --another spammed web url--" is not okay. It's spam. And personally I feel its rather rude.

Please, this is a blog about adoption and such things. Not a place to try and sneak spam in by saying two nice words first; which loose their meaning when it turns out to be merely an advertisement. These comments are immediately deleted or marked as the spam that they are. So, please don't even go there in the first place. Thank you.

Now, please, lets focus our efforts on Krysten in the post below -- and stop trying to sell haircare and beauty products off of these entries. Again, thank you.

Meet Krysten:

2012-01-17T03:33:00.005-07:00

Hi everyone. Today, I would like to introduce you to the little girl in the picture to the left - Krysten. I have never met this child, probably I never will. I realised today that it has been a very long time since I posted a child needing adoption on this blog, and friends, little Krysten really, really needs a family to love her and I am beyond honored to include her today.

Let me back up a little here to say that I don't know why I was browsing "AdoptUsKids.Org" hopeful I guess, that some of the kids I posted before might have been adopted by now. But I know I felt led there. And soon, after seeing this sweet little girl's face, I knew why.

Little Krysten is only 7, and she lives with a disease/condition called metachromatic leukodystrophy. Folks, my heart broke into a million pieces, this is a life-shortening disease. Let's get her a family to live it with for every blessed second she has got? Is she your daughter? If you can't adopt her can you please pass word of her along; on your facebook, your blog, the next time you are out with a neighbor? It doesn't matter where. Her family is out there. These kids deserve love and a family too. Like little Julia who had previously been diagnosed with Cockane Syndrome, who came home last year after an outpouring of love brought her to her family's attention?

The following is from Krysten's profile at adoptuskids.org:

Krysten is a sweet little girl who loves being in the midst of family activities. While she can contentedly watch TV, her favorite activities are having regular time with favorite adults, including visits by her birth mom, and being around children who interact and play with her.

A medically fragile child, Krysten's overall development is much like that of a non verbal baby who communicates primarily by facial expressions, such as smiling, or pointing and gesturing. While her care needs are extensive, Krysten seems to be content and accepting of what life has to offer without much complaining.

Krysten has an inherited condition called metachromatic leukodystrophy (or sulfatide lipidosis) caused by the lack of an essential enzyme, which results over time in an accumulation of metachromatic lipids in tissues of the central nervous system, kidney, spleen, and other organs that impact her health and her life expectancy.

In addition, Krysten has global (overall) developmental delays, a neuromuscular disorder, and seizures. Her special needs require that she be fed through a G-tube.

Krysten's routine care and treatment include daily medication and feeding regimens, frequent medical appointments, and attendance at a specialized school program for children who have significant developmental delays. Her adoptive parent(s) will need the interpersonal skills to interact effectively and cooperatively with doctors, therapists, and special education teachers on a regular basis, and will need to be proactive and creative in advocating for Krysten's needs.

Krysten is doing well in her school setting. Her IEP includes physical, occupational, and speech/language therapies, and incorporates goals for increasing her developmental growth and acquiring life skills.

Her physical and occupational therapies are helping her to increase her strength and range of movement in her limbs. Currently, Krysten's right arm appears to be stronger than the left arm and she is using it more than the other, but she moves both of them and is able to point and grasp a hold of toys and other objects. Although she has a wheelchair, she also crawls and walks about. When out of her wheelchair, Krysten really must have a caring adult nearby to provide highly attentive supervision as she has a propensity for getting into whatever is within her reach.

Her adoptive folks will need to have experience caring for medically fragile and/or significantly developmentally delayed children or, at the very least, be able and willing to learn a new specialized skill set.

It will be important for her adoptive family's well being to be able to strike an emotional balance between investing wholly in Krysten's growth and development while knowing that they may lose her prematurely; many children born with metachromatic leukodystrophy do not live into their teens. Given the circumstances of her special needs, Krysten deserves to experience life to her fullest capacity and to belong to a family and know that she is wanted. Patience, kindness, and the capacity to love and nurture will be parental traits that Krysten and Krysten's family recruitment team will value highly.

Ok everyone, let's past this on? Let's find her family. For more information visit her profile. Information for "the next step" is there. Thank you very much and have a wonderful day.

Little Angel Tripp...

2012-01-15T15:59:00.005-07:00

One of the world's sweetest angels, Tripp, has gone to Heaven today. I found this on his mothers blog, posted Dec 11, 2011:

The Brave Little Soul

By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?"

God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!"

God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love.

Priorities became properly aligned.

People gave from their hearts.

Those that were always too busy found time.

Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God.

Parents hugged their children tighter.

Friends and family grew closer.

Old friends got together and new friendships were made.

Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together.

Everyone prayed.

Peace and love reigned.

Lives changed forever.

It was good.

The world was a better place.

The miracle had happened.

God was pleased.

Rest in Peace Little Angel, and know all the wonder and beautiful changes you brought to the world, the people you touched the lives you changed. Sweet Dreams.

January 8, 2011:

2012-01-08T18:52:00.004-07:00

One Year.

Everything changes. No one forgets. My heart goes out to you, your families and loved ones.

Rest in Peace those lost in the Tucson Shooting.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3674595221543443747

January

2012-01-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

...is here. Happy 2012.

Happy New Year:

2011-12-31T20:23:00.002-07:00

So, this is the last post of 2011. For a odd-numbered year, I really have to admit -- it wasn't that bad :) Yes, there were ups and downs. But I've had some really good ups -- I got a new niece and nephew, Kayla and David; and they are precious. And, last April, I got to see, a dear, wonderful friend I've known for half my life again. Levi, you are precious to me too.

There were other things of course. Over all, a wonderful year. I am glad for my life, every bit of it, the ups and downs. I just wish it wouldn't go so fast. Cherish, everyone, cherish, every day. I didn't set resolutions this last year. This coming year, I think I will decide just to live.

Take care everyone, out there, have a happy, wonderful, safe New Year.

Joy to the World:

2011-12-25T21:02:00.003-07:00

"Fear not, for behold I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger."

This is perhaps the greatest declaration ever made, period. The greatest symbol of hope, peace and love, the greatest sacrifice for all mankind. Merry merry Christmas everyone, and happiest of new years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSknasrE3k

The Faith of a Child

2011-11-11T01:59:00.004-07:00

Hi everyone.

Here is part two of what needs catching up on after my absence.

Its odd, things that connect us; things that connected us years back that had always been there but we don't know about until the time is right?

Having run into the plight of orphans a few years back and having found Reece's Rainbow and a little girl there whom inspired this blog. [That little girl has since been adopted by a wonderful family.]

This past summer attention was drawn to a little girl in a EE Orphanage whom is being called Katerina. She is 9 and weighs maybe 11 pounds, I think, something like that. It hit the net like wildfire when her mom went to adopt her. Since, other children in that orphanage have had families commit to them too. Katerina's mom is an amazing woman though I have never met her. She is a strong voice for these kids and I have been following her blog The Blessing of Verity and have featured it on here before.

And its a small world. Oh my gosh, it is.

A few years back I met a wonderful person, a dear friend of mine now whom I've only ever had the privilege to know though the internet. Her name is Kristi. She is a mommy to six wonderful kids and I am so glad to have met and know her. As it turns out, Kristi is also friends with Katerina's soon to be mom. Up to this point I didn't know this. Now, how and why all this is coming up? Katerina's plight caught their attention too. Kristi has a ten year old daughter, K, whom is now advocating for Carter on Reece's Rainbow as a Christmas Warrior this year.

Long story short, the dots connected. The ten year old daughter of a friend of mine is advocating for a special needs orphan for Christmas this year. She's ten, and has noticed the plight of these kids, and hasn't looked the other way. The Faith of a Child, right? And a little child shall lead them? Amazing.

I wrote to Kristi and asked if I could feature her daughter's blog on mine. Please stop by her blog, say hi and if you can help her help Carter with thoughts, funding or prayers. Thank you everyone.

About Bella

2011-11-11T01:47:00.006-07:00

Hey everyone...

After a bit of an absence during the month of October, I am back.

It's been an odd time. But things over here are alright. There are a couple important things I need to address from my absence though.

The first is Bella.

She is a little girl I had noticed on another blog last year at this link that goes to another blog where someone posted about her.

In posting this entry to the link to that blog I was hoping to be part of a chain of people to bring notice to this child and had been hoping that someone might contact the author of that blog, I think her name is Desiree, whom appears she might know about Bella. That said, I want to thank you, so very very much, for the continued interest in her, that you saw her. Thank you.... thank you.

Also, I checked the post the original link leads to and at the bottom of it is a contact email, I believe. Thanks again.

September 11

2011-09-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

September 11 2001

We will never forget.

Rest in Peace.

After the Loss of Angel

2011-09-03T12:04:00.003-07:00

...an update on my Grandparents whom lost their precious Angel last month.First, I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for them. For certain they are being felt. My grandparents are doing alright. They miss her but they know they have to keep going. My Grandpa still goes out and rides his bike every day, in honor of angel, he still stops at all their stops. My Grandma on the other hand, is also ok but taking it a bit harder. She has a medical condition that doesn't allow her to do very much these days. And hearing her say how bad it hurts and watching her sadness brings tears to my eyes. These are my grandparents. I am not supposed to see them cry. I am supposed to be doing the crying. They the comforting. That's how it always was, right?

Welll, that has changed. It has changed before this. At some point the parents and grandparents stop taking care of the kids and the kids take care of the parents and grandparents -- and no one seems to notice really when this happens. It just does...

But, I did start this entry on an upbeat note and I want to end it on one as well. You see -- they are getting another little dog. We don't know what dog as of yet but they are thinking from the local shelter. They are going to get a shelter dog -- a dog who needs them as much as they need it -- and my heart soars for all three of them, for my grandparents and for the doggie to be.

Will keep you updated. Thanks again and take care.
--Debrah

Considering Adoption? [long post]:

2011-09-03T10:56:00.019-07:00

Hi everyone,

So, in the past few years I have been part of the adoption community there have been several things that weighed on my heart. One of those things is this: sometimes I feel like people are to specific about what they want in a child; not wanting to disrupt birth order or the child must be a girl, or the child must be a boy, or the child must be a toddler or younger, or maybe the child must be from China, or Russia or Ethiopia -- these are the things we want in a child, instead of letting the child be what God sees.

Now I understand that some families must set parameters; there was a family last summer whom had to turn down a special little girl because she was very 'needy' and they already had seven or so other kids, many of them with special needs. All that considered, from what I understand - the little girl needed more than they could give without it being detrimental to herself or their other children if they pursued her adoption. So, I understand it is sometimes what is in best interest of the child and everyone involved. But I want you to think about that for a moment; when you close doors to adopting one child or another -- who is it in the best interest of?

And then read the following:

"This post may not be for you.

I do not know everyone this post is written for.

I do know that this post is not written for everyone who will read it.

Who is it written for?

Maybe it is only for one person?

I don’t know.

And don’t need to know.

I do know…

“I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:”

This post is only for those of you who have deliberately closed the door marked “Adoption of a Child with Special Needs.” Whether at the first glimpse of this door, or after some research about what may lie through the doorway, you have closed that door.

But nobody is fighting over the “imperfect children.” Why is that?

Did you know the politically incorrect reality that in our attorney’s sixteen years of facilitating adoptions of children with special needs, God has so far sent her only Christian families? Families who treasure these little “imperfect” children as pearls of great price?

These families have rejected the value systems that push “imperfect” children out of the inner sanctum of personal life, the value systems that free people up to continue their valiant fight for the idols of personal peace and affluence.>

So.

Are you one who has closed that door?

Please, write down your list of reasons why you have decided not to take the next step. All the reasons. All the obstacles.

I ask only that you leave the word “calling” off your list, since that word can obscure a multitude of disobediences.

Then pick out a child from the Reece’s Rainbow website. May I suggest “Steven?”

Don’t let that bouncy seat fool you; he was put in there for the photo. He was placed directly back into his crib afterward.

You will find him unattended, in his bed.

Now kneel down in front of Steven’s crib, one hand holding your list, your other hand reaching in to his.

Look into his eyes, and please…

…tell him the truth.

“I could be doing something to help you, but I am choosing not to.

I don’t know whether God has closed the door, but I am closing the door.

Your life is not worth as much to me as [everything on my list].

I don’t believe that God has the power to help us overcome [everything I consider an obstacle] that stands between our family and you.”

Did you keep looking at his eyes while you spoke?

Oh.

You just thought you were looking at him.

You were mistaken.

You were looking into the eyes of the King.

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’”

Please, kneel back down, look into the King’s eyes, and tell Him the truth."

I did not write what is in purple above. I re-posted it from this blog. The author found a way to say something that I have had a hard time saying for a very long time because I don't want to offend anyone. That's not the point of this blog.

The author is adopting a nine year old girl, who weighs somewhere around 10 or 11 pounds, I think, whom was left in a crib and suffered neglect simply because she had a special need.

Again, from my own heart now, this post may not be for all of you. I cannot and will not pretend to know the what you face and I respect that. But weigh your reasons. I will fully admit here and now; I was once one of those people -- once the only child I would have ever considered adopting would have been one from China. I couldn't see anything else. And then I found out that dream would never be realised because I did not nor would I ever meet the requirements to adopt from China, which I personally feel goes a bit overboard in what they believe a good parent to be is -- but that is a different post. So, when I learned I couldn't adopt from China I struggled to let that go. I thought of Russia after seeing videos of how the kids were starving and eating fish heads there -- and that dream to adopt from Russia or Ukraine or somewhere in E.E. settled into my heart after learning about the plight of people with special needs. Though I was still restrictive in whom I'd adopt; I decided I could not adopt a child positive with HIV -- that was where I drew the next line.

Almost immediately after making that decision I noticed a little girl before I noticed her HIV status. So I swallowed hard, and said ok, and did some reading and am happy to say that I found HIV something I could work with too. The next time I went to her page she was no longer available. But without knowing it she helped to change me again and to me the message is clear. I will leave the door open too, to special needs. And have faith that with God we will not be given what we cannot handle.

This has been a long post and for that I am sorry. I guess I am trying to say in all these words: have an open mind, and an open heart, to whatever it is God wants you to do; or whomever it is he may lead you to. And so I will sum up with what may be one of my favorite bible quotations:

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it's due when it is within the power of your hand to do so." -- Proverbs 3:27

Take care everyone,
--Debrah

She's Ok..

2011-08-23T19:39:00.001-07:00

..following suit and not wanting to endanger her adoption, I too and removing Lilyana's post for now.

Angel's in Heaven

2011-07-27T15:18:00.003-07:00

Her name was Angel
She was named for everything she was not
She was not human
But a sweet little five pound dog that saved my grandparents life
She gave them reason to get up in the morning
She gave them a reason to move around through the day
She gave them a reason to keep on going
To still ride a bike at the age of 85
Angel wore birthday hats at parties
Christmas bows on her ears
She had her own party blower at News Years
And her own towels with her name on them
Her favorite food was ice cream
She is part of a long line of loving doggie friends my family has had
Max, George, Callie, Vixen and now Angel
She was the first pet my grandmother had in sixty-five years
She has gone to heaven now
After fighting five days for her life against a disease that turned her own antibodies on her
Please pray for healing and comfort for my grandparents
Whom begged me to tell everyone they were doing good with her
And they were
Another Angel is in Heaven
Goodnight, sweet Angel, Goodnight.

15 Year Old Girl Needs a Family's Commitment in 7 Days!

2011-07-05T14:24:00.006-07:00

Seven days.

God created the world in seven days.

We can certainly find a family to commit to a fifteen year old girl.

In seven days she turns sixteen. If she doesn't have a committed family by then, she will spend the rest of her life in an over-seas adult mental institution because she has Arthrogryposis - a joint disorder. She will go to a mental institution because she looks different that the other people in society, has to use a wheel chair to get around -- because her joint's do not work.

She will go there for the rest of her life.

Sixteen.

Can you imagine it?

Can you imagine sitting on a bench in a stale room day after day after day, year after year after year, and knowing that that is all there is for you, that nothing will change, this is what it will be like the rest of your life. Eventually, she will stop, just stop really living, she will start simply existing, and then she might develop the mental problems of those around her.

I have posted many many times on this blog what these mental institutions are like. I have posted videos of people dragging bone thin -not an exaggeration, these children and people in these places are honestly bone thin - people across a dirty floor just to hose them down with dozens of other men or women shoved into a single room. I have posted videos where people are left in cribs their entire lives, videos of a twenty year old in a six year old's body, still in diapers, still in the same crib he was put in when he was brought to that institution, his body locked ridgedly and contorted out of shape and proportion from the lack of movement and the years just laying still.

Its horrific people. Go to You Tube or something and look up Eastern Europe Mental Institution yourselves.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO THIS GIRL.

I have asked. I have pleaded. I have shown several faces of children over the years I have been doing this. I have to remind myself that I have to have faith. The thing is, I am talking to everyone who comes here- whether you are here accidentally, intentionally, or off a search engine looking for the 'Red Thread'.

This is the 'Red Thread'. This is your part in it.

I beg you to take a few minutes and pass word of this child on, a few miniscule minutes in the grand scheme of things that can literally save her life, change her life, give her life. I know adoption isn't for everyone. I don't know you and I understand that. I understand that I cannot foresee what it is you are facing in your lives. You are not heartless, I understand that too. If you cannot adopt her can you write it on your Face-book, include her on your blog? Tell someone about her? Spread the word on?

A few miniscule minutes that can change this girl's life for good, because either way, very soon, her life is going to change. Let's help it be for the good.

Just seven days.

You can find more about her and even a picture about her here: http://jerdebwalker.blogspot.com/2011/07/sentenced-for-life.html

Happy July 4!

2011-07-04T15:07:00.005-07:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

--John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Update on the Post Below

2011-07-03T22:19:00.003-07:00

All is well, thankfully, so thankfully. Mommy and baby are fine. I am sorry that I can't offer you all more than that because it wasn't me involved. Thanks so much, again. :)

Urgent...

2011-06-28T23:00:00.004-07:00

...so urgent. Please, those of you who pray out there, please pray for my family.... that's really all I can say right now.....

If He Was My Son:

2011-06-11T06:34:00.022-07:00

IF YOU WERE MY SON:
The day I found out I was carrying you inside me would have been among the happiest moment's of my life. I would have taken your daddy to dinner, and surprised him with a cake that said he was a daddy. We would have gone shopping to pick out sweet baby things for you, we would have talked for days and weeks, picking your bed out, painting and arranging your room. If you were my son you would have been our first child and we would be bragging on how you would be the toughest of all your cousins. We would have gone through a list of names, changing our minds again and again before we we even knew if you were a girl or a boy. We been asked if we wanted a girl or a boy, we would have said, it wouldn't matter, as long as the baby is healthy.

If you were my son the day we found out there was something wrong may have been the day we found out you were a boy, it may have been sooner. If you were my son it would probably be the hardest day of my life. There would have been tears streaming from my eyes that day, out of fear for you, love for you, there would have been tears of pain, loss and yes even denial sweet baby boy. But also there would be the most tears because as I held my arms around my belly, already trying to protect you as they went through the list of what was wrong, I may have been asked if I wanted to end the pregnancy, abort you, and try for another baby later that would be healthy.

If you were my son, your daddy would have been there, holding my hand. And together we would have said no -- no way -- this is our child. With the number of abortions going on out there for special needs God trusted specifically us with your life. It is up to God to decide if he stays with us, not us. And against the people's judgement whom would have thought we should abort you because you were different - we choose to keep you.

If you were our son, in spite of every thing else, we know you are a boy now. If you were my son, we would give you a name now - Owen, the last name of whom would have been your great-grandfather, meaning noble and well-born, if you were my son.

If you were my son the doctor trips would be difficult. People would whisper and talk, and point fingers at us. But you would continue to thrive and grow, and each day would be a day we would treasure.

If you were my son, the day you were born, I would have held you close and whispered how much I loved you forever, no matter what. With tears of joy for being blessed with such a tiny precious treasure I would have told you that it was going to be alright, that we would fight for you and make sure you got the very best in life.

If you were my son:

If you were my son we would take you home. I would love you. I would give you everything I could and advocate for you when you could not. I would chase down every single lead I could for your happiness and well being. I would cherish each moment I had with you as you are a precious gift, because, like all children do, you will grow very fast, and your first birthday would come.

...and you would grow. You would go to school like all children do, play like all children do. You would have grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles. You would have family. You would have friends. When they teased I would be there for you. When you hurt I would hug you. You would learn that there is nothing to dislike about who you are, that people tend to fear what they do not understand. And we would help them. If you were my son I would show the world how beautiful you really are.

...and you would still grow. You would know there was nothing you couldn't do or be. You would love and be loved. You would blossom into someone so beautiful that, if everyone knew just how beautiful you were, they would want you for their son too.

If you were my son -- you would not have been left to cry like this:

...you would not have been left alone like this, to waste away like this, you would not have been left in an orphanage to lie like this. You would not have to hurt like this. If you were my son.

But you are God's son.

"I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you."
--John 14:18

He promises he will come for you. Hold on little boy, just a bit longer.

Ok all, the little boy in the pictures above is Owen on Reece's Rainbow. He is a living breathing child. Because he is alive I am guessing the woman whom gave birth to this child held a blessing in her hands but either pressured by society or by choice, she left him alone. Honestly, I do not know the reasons he was left an orphan.

All the same, instead of having a family choosing names and painting his room he was sent to an orphanage. Instead of having love and someone to tell him it will be alright and getting him the medical attention he needs he is most likely barely getting his basic needs met. Instead of having people around him to encourage him he is most likely considered an invalid and a burden instead. Instead of having cuddles and love he probably self-stims alot, maybe by rocking or banging his head. He might sit in wet diapers or dirty clothes until someone notices him or its his turn at last. Instead of having all the beautiful things a child has and needs -- from day one he has been rejected and left in an orphanage instead.

The staff might love him. I am thinking most at most places the staff do. I hear allot about how the staff at the orphanages do love the children, but I also hear about how they are doing all they can do with the little they have among a great number of kids. To see him like this may be just as hard on them. I am very glad that Reece's Rainbow found him and chose to advocate for him and show his beautiful face to the world.

Please,think for a moment what if he was your son? What if he was born to you? What would you do? How would you react? Wouldn't you love him anyway? Think, seriously think even if you came to this blog only looking for 'the red thread saying' if he could be your son? Or more importantly - is he your son? Even if you never considered adoption before?

Please, I am joining Christine here in her plea for this little boy. I too have been keeping an eye on this little guy nearly since the day he was first posted. That said, I have to admit I almost passed her plea by, just for a few hours I told myself. I almost waited to post this, I thought, 'I will put him on my blog, tomorrow.' And I tried to move to the next site, my email, or whatever it was I was going to do next with my day.

But I couldn't get him off my mind. So I came back and posted about him. It is all I can do to be part of God's promise to Owen. Won't you be part of that promise too? If you can't bring him home, please post about him on your blogs, on Facebook, on everything you know. It will only take a little bit of your time and Owen doesn't have time to wait until tomorrow. He needs us to act now. Please click here for more information about Owen.

Thank you, everyone,
With all my heart,

-Debrah

1 Year With Jesus:

2011-05-19T17:03:00.007-07:00

For sweet little Chrissie, whom taught the people of this entire world so much, and for her dear family for sharing the precious gift of her life with us. Love goes on for ever and ever. You are all in my prayers.

Heidi:

2011-05-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, this is Heidi. This is a child I saw for the first time today. It was one of those moments where you are just scrolling and scrolling down the page of pictures hoping those kids get homes and you get to this one photo of a child - and your heart jumps, your throat constricts, your breath stops. It's a feeling of knowing you have to do something. You have to do more than just hope. God calls some of us to help some people and others to help others. So today I am including a post about little Heidi.

I admit, in light of my post below this one, I thought I would post this entry about Heidi tomorrow so that my announcement could be read. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to do this now. That is, after all, was a much more important announcement than just moving blogs.

And that announcement is that Heidi needs a home. This little girl has already been transferred, and look at her, look at the adorable trusting innocence in her face. I think about what transferred means and get cold all over.

Here is Heidi's information from Reece's Rainbow:

Date of Birth: June 2005
Gender: Female
Eyes: Gray
Hair: dark brown
Character: normal. She smiles, plays, eats well.

HELP! I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED!

Heidi is such a love! Brown hair and big brown eyes, she longs for a family of her own. Heidi is moderately delayed. She is able to walk on her own. She does have an astigmatism and strabismus, and also has an additional chord in the left ventricle of her heart.

MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE

I AM ELIGIBLE FOR AN OLDER CHILD GRANT

Heidi is listed here on the Down Syndrome page for Girls ages 6 and up. You may have to scroll a little but she is there. Heidi is also listed here as available for single women to adopt, which is where I found her originally at. Again, you may have to scroll but this time quite allot.

Yet, like all the others I have written about here, I cannot go and get her and bring her home. Can you? Do you know someone who can? This is a six year old girl we are talking about - six years old - locked up in what is likely a Eastern Europe Insane Asylum. Google those.

Then think about this little girl there.

We have to get her out.

All Good Things

2011-05-10T01:38:00.004-07:00

Hi everyone...

For a while now, many months in fact, I have been thinking of ending this blog and moving over to another I've had going for a while. Alot of that depended on what happened to a little girl I love, and just like this blog was started for and dedicated to a little girl whom captured my heart - so will the new blog be - for a little girl that I must never forget.

Who knows. I don't know for sure yet. I realize that my blog is finally starting to catch on. I have ten followers and a few hits here every day. I am hoping if I do persue this move that you all will come with me. I am hoping that anyone who is directed here might also come that way.

Take care everyone, out there, and goodnight.