Friday, July 30, 2010

Congratulations Meredith & Family!!! Monroes new Mommy...

Friday, July 30
Monroe Has a Family!!
Written by Meredith Cornish....
God has touched his family’s hearts and spoken to them! He used their pastor, this Sunday, to confirm the call. Not having spoken with their pastor yet, they had just prayed that God would use someone on Sunday morning to give confirmation one way or another about whether they were supposed to adopt Monroe.

You see, when it’s not a question of “can we” but instead “should we,” the answer is sometimes difficult! Monroe’s family was waiting for that little extra push from God that says “yes”. And this is what they heard in the middle of their sermon on Sunday:

“This picture I took represents to me the broad path and the narrow path, and all of us have opportunities to make decisions. Today, when you leave here, you’re going to have the opportunity to make a decision, this week you’re going to have all kinds of opportunities to make decisions. Will you choose the path of least resistance, the broad path, or are you going to trust your heart into God’s hands and follow him into whatever path He leads you in? It’s a matter of trust, and you cannot have love without trust. God wants us to learn to trust him. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts higher than our thoughts and when we learn to trust him because of His love, it’s easier to follow him, down the road. Learning to live in God’s love…”

At that point in the service they looked at each other and laughed, knowing that God had provided the confirmation and peace-at-heart that they had prayed He would provide, and on Sunday afternoon they committed to Monroe!

Still wondering who that family is? Or… were YOU at church with us on Sunday? :)

YES, WE ARE ADOPTING MONROE! :) (Mereidith Cornish)

In the first week that he was available, I didn’t even read his profile. I saw his photo, announced his grant, and was amazed to hear he didn’t have that family I thought he would have in 48 hours. It wasn’t until I sent out my second plea on my bl0g that I went and read more into his profile and looked at the older photos of him. Then, prompted by Shelley and Lyndi (yes, I blame them LOL), I sent a link to

Monday, July 26, 2010

You might find this informative

21 Foster Parenting Truths As Seen By a Veteran Foster Parent
from Keith Thompson

My wife and I have been doing foster care for 17 years. Along the way,
we've learned a few things that seem to be givens when
working for our children.

1. Love may not be enough, but when you add unlimited patience and a
sense of humor, you can usually get through.
2. Things go best when you go by the book - but you have to be using
the right book!
3. Having a spirit of contention accomplishes nothing - especially
when you are trying to work with the "system".
4. You can't help every child, but you can still cry for them.
5. You can't help every child, but you can still pray for them.
6. Some people know how to fix a broken child, and some people know
how to fix a broken system - very few people have the time
and talent fix both!
7. You can feel close to God when changing a diaper.
8. Foster Care is the worst paying job in the world.
9. Foster Care is the best paying job in the world.
10. Enjoy the good days when they come - on the bad days, find someone
to serve.
11. Kids who've had it rough in life need good, strong parenting.
12. Kids who've had it rough in life need someone to serve them.
13. Knowing when to be a parent, and when to be a servant brings the
greatest joy and success.

This is the one I'm most partial to:
14. Abused kids are used to being yelled at - try using funny voices
instead!
15. Never let a child go to bed without a "tuck-in".
16. A 10 year old who's never been allowed to be a 10 year old, will
not become a 10 year old upon arrival in your home - pick your
battles and conquer one behavior at a time.
17. ALWAYS expect that the children will not resemble their "resumes".
18. Children are more important than furniture.
19. Work as if everything depends on you - Pray as if everything
depends on the Lord!
20. The greatest lesson the Lord has ever taught me about fostering
children came during a church meeting one Sunday. Our newly
arrived, nine year old foster son came in during the meeting and asked
me to tie his shoes. My first thought was to scold him for not
being able to tie the shoes himself. My next thought was to kneel down
and tie them for him. My final thought was - I am kneeling at the
feet of the Savior!
21. And since I have still not learned everything, my most recent
lesson comes from someone I only recently met. When we ask
ourselves why a child had to be born to such an abusive parent,
remember that the birth of a child is the keeping of a promise made
in heaven.

MONROES IS GOING HOME!

Monroes's new family could have him home by Christmas if all goes well! Please pray for him to come to America soon..he has some medical issues that need attention...
Thank You Lord for this family stepping forward!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

MONROE HAS A FAMILY!!

So happy to learn this today! I think I know who!! And what a great family he will be going to !! To be announced on Reeces Rainbow soon!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Boys Room Done!

Finally have one room completed & newly painted..bunk beds are together and look great! Now to paint my room...Did I mention I hate to paint? But I love it all done...so here we go again...Pictures coming soon...!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Two Inquiries for Monroe!!! $20,000 Grant!


He has 2 families that are interesteed and thinking about adopting him...we are all praying on the support group that he is committed to soon!

Time for Finger Printing..

We received our letter to get our finger prints done...So we will go to Philadelphia
in 2 weeks ..hoping we can go sooner...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This came from Lu's husband..so well put!

It isn't that the enemy is attacking you (us all)... it is that by helping the orphans we are going behind enemy lines... we are attacking the enemy and he is simply defending his territory.

So, when things go wrong, just keep in mind, YOU are making a difference and are a threat to the enemy or he wouldn't feel the need to defend himself against you. :)

MONROE HAS A FULL GRANT!


Monroe (12)

BOY, Born February 4, 2005

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Monroe is a sunshine of a little boy! He is already 5 and blessed to still be at the baby house. He needs a family right away!



From an adoptive family who visited with him in June 2009: Monroe has CP. It appears that he is unable to use his arms and legs and is not sitting up on his own. He has the most beautiful smile and I don't think there is much of a cognitive delay. He loves to be held and his whole face lights up when you come near him."

*** Monroe has an incredible benefactor who has offered a FULL GRANT of $20,000 for his adoption. He is facing imminent institutionalization, and will regress quickly once he is transferred. Families who are qualified (www.reecesrainbow.org/newfamily.html) to adopt internationally and who are approved to adopt a significantly delayed child should contact Andrea for more information. This is a very fast program and it is very possible to have him home before the end of 2010! ***

MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE

I have $20,000 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

This little boy is in the Orphanage where my 3 girls came from and recently visited! Please consider Monroe to be a a part of your family!

TRICKY TRAY / YARD SALE ~ SUNDAY JULY 18

YARD SALE BEGINS OFFICIALLY 10 AM IF NO RAIN~ 11 AM IF RAIN UNDER PAVILLION
TRICKY TRAY STARTS 11 AM FOR VEIWING BASKETS ~ DRAWINGS START BY 1:00
PICNIC FOOD & BEVERAGES AVAILABLE

$6.00 ADMISSION TO TRICKY TRAY INCLUDES 1 SHEET OF 25 NUMBERS OR 4/$20
KIDS GAMES 25 CENTS AND UP...WINNER EVERY TIME!

MUSIC

Thursday, July 8, 2010

SHUT OFF MUSIC BELOW TO WATCH THIS VIDEO>>BOTTOM RIGHT SIDEWAYS EQUAL SIGN

Our 3 Beauties from Ukraine are in this video..The picture with the little one with hand on the hip is our trio!

Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome

Shut off music below to watch videos..Bottom right grey box..hit the side-ways equal signs

COMMERCIAL TIME...SUSHI & DANCE CLUB!


This is a great place to eat & have fun! We will be having 2 gift certificates from the owners of DESAKI Reastaurant & Night Club at our fund raiser! I have known this wonderful couple & family for many years! Please check thier place out in Swiftwater PA...

DESAKI SUSHI RESTAURANT


"A Deliciously Dynamic Destination"

Restaurant Hours are from Tuesday - Saturday: 4-10pm and Sunday: Noon - 10pm

Desaki Japanese Restaurant's entertaining Hibachi chefs prepare all of your favorites like filet mignon, lobster, scallops, chicken, and shrimp right before your eyes to ensure it's just the way you like it. Desaki's ultra fresh Sushi menu includes traditional items as well as our chef's own unique creations. More than delicious dining, Desaki is an entertainment experience where adults and children of all ages can enjoy the dance floor, game room, and a ride in their authentic Rickshaw.


Dance Club Hours are Friday and Saturday: 10pm - 2am

Desaki Dance Club offers the most chic and sophisticated night life in Northeastern, PA. Enjoy a signature martini at one of the four fantastic bars and dance the night away to pulsating rhythms set to the backdrop of the most mesmerizing light, sound, and video show this side of New York City.

My Wonderful Son waiting for his new brother most out of anyone!

Doing hair in the Ukraine..exhausted but fulfilled!



Thankful that the Lord allowed me to participate in the missions group with Pastor Sasha & his team.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Love this picture in his blue United Colors of Benneton Shirt!

Need another Home Study...

I am waiting for another Home Study to come in the mail...The other one is good just that the notary signed in black ink...so both Social Worker & Notary must sign in blue ink...so I have sent one of the other copies to USCIS..they don't care about ink..LOL and one other copy will go to apply for a grant. So none will go to waste..the third one is a copy for me to carry to Europe when I go..I have a copy of my whole dossier in case we need something while in country.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Missions Trip to Vorzel Ukraine

Check out this link..http://almazgo.com/news/14/

New Client Today!

I met a new woman today that was referred to me! I like new clients being that after 30 years doing hair and being a busy Mom it gets me out once in a while to keep my identity! I highly recommend this to mothers of many! LOL

What was so great is she was a retired teacher of 35 years! She had very good insiteful information. I wasn't sure what I should do with an older child coming from Eastern Europe as far as schooling and the language barrier..she reassured me that putting him right into the intermediate school he will learn the language fast and love it! She has had kids come to her classes from other countries and they did very well..and also learned how to pretend a little longer that they didn't know English to skip some homework!! Funny Funny kids are...Anyway she made me feel more confident to just put him right in the school & keep him busy..I agree with that..My older sister told me once I had kids I wouldn't have time for my own worries & fears and problems! She was sure right about that and I am thankful God gave me so many children so I don't have time to whine...Lord knows I would be.

What about Now?

Have you ever considered adoption? There are many children in the US that are in need of a family through Foster care with little or no costs involved...Kids are kids no matter their age and still need love and hope in their lives. Yes some will come with issues, but a little inconvenience builds character! Come on out of your comfort zones and consider adopting or Fostering this summer.

We were told our family is too large to adopt from the US, so we adopt Internationally..Unfortunately there are major cost factors with over seas adoption.. So we must do some fundraising to conquer it. It isn't easy asking for money or donated items for our tricky tray, but it is humbling.

God talks about pure religion because people were trying to be religious only hearing THE WORD OF GOD BUT NOT DOING IT...just like today ..in James 1:27 it points out pure religion is taking care of widows & orphans...we create useless rules and standards for the religious "wanna bes" and then we measure ourselves by those same standards to see if we are keeping up...meanwhile there are millions of orphans with no homes while we contimue to build & spend millions on the next church project..yet the same people won't lift a finger to help an orphan or other families who are willing to..This is completely contrary to what religion is...
trade in the tie for a towel...and get dirty for Christ's sake.

If you cannot adopt yourslef..please help another family who can...go to reecesrainbow.org to the committed families page and pick one you can donate to...
You will be glad you did..and the family will be so appreciative.

Reece's Rainbow was started in 2004 as an outreach program serving new families with babies with
Down syndrome at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. The nurse who attended me post-partum with
Reece, Mrs. Kim Wood, RN, called me one day out of the blue and asked if she could use Reece's name
for her hospital service project. She asked if I would come talk to new families and share everything I have learned with them before they were discharged from the hospital. I was moved, honored, and terrified. Would I be able to face a new grieving mother? Would I be able to HELP and not break down again? YES.


Since that time, we have met countless numbers of new "colors" of Reece's Rainbow. We have made so many wonderful friends, and our life has been blessed in a million ways. Our network of friends and families continues to grow. But the one constant is REECE...the beauty and innocence that a child with Down syndrome brings to the world is truly one of Divine nature. God has led me through some very difficult times, but waiting on the other side of that "rainbow" for me was enlightenment, empowerment, compassion, mercy, and a tremendous "calling" to reach out to other children like Reece who were not as fortunate as he to have a loving, supportive family to grow up in.



In 2006, the program expanded to include promoting the international adoption of children with Down syndrome. By raising money to offer adoption grants on waiting children, we are able to give adoptive families the extra financial help they need to bring a child with Down syndrome home from a miserable existence in overseas orphanages. Our Sponsorship Program provides a unique opportunity for anonymous donors to contribute to the adoption journey of our families. These children are viewed as outcasts with no ability to learn or be functional members of society. They languish in mental institutions, hidden away from the world in shame. Even if you are not able to adopt a child at this time, you truly can change the course of a child's life by helping adoptive families afford the costs of international adoption. $20, $50, $1000....whatever you have goes into an interest-bearing fund for ANY family adopting a child with Down syndrome. Click here to learn the many ways you can help!




Families interested in adopting should visit our New Family page for more information on our country programs, our waiting children, the costs, and the process in general.







The primary goals of


To raise awareness regarding the plight of children with Down syndrome in foreign orphanages and their availability to be adopted

To raise adoption grant donations for each of our waiting children

To seek new adoptive families for orphans with Down syndrome internationally

To provide adoptive families with additional fundraising opportunities.

To fund humanitarian aid opportunities and improve the quality of life of our children waiting to be adopted

To fund educational and therapeutic opportunities for orphaned children with Down syndrome living in foreign orphanages

To fund and facilitate the development of new Down syndrome birth parent support groups in foreign countries, thereby decreasing the number of children placed in orphanages

To enact social change abroad about children with Down syndrome and other special needs through the testimony of adoption

Adoption Fundraiser coming soon! What's up with my hair? I look like a man here..LOL Thank Goodness for ....


Please join us on Sunday July 18 th at the American Legion Pavillion for our Adoption Fundraiser! We will be having a Tricky Tray ~ Yard Sale Rain or Shine

Yard Sale starts at 10 am Tricky Tray 11 am
Drawings start at 12 :45

Picnic Food & Beverages Available ~ Music
Tricky Tray ~ to play is $6 includes a free sheet of 25 numbers~ additional sheets $5

American Legion Pavillion is located at 201 East 5 th Street
East Stroudsburg, PA Near Wendy's

for more info visit trickytray.com
We will have kids games & water balloon games 25 cents and up! Prizes & Fun!
Bring the whole family and spend the Day with us as we raise money to bring home our future son Marco!

Monday, July 5, 2010

TURN OFF MUSIC AT BOTTOM RIGHT TO VIEW VIDEOS

Mark Wills - Don't Laugh At Me

Just Wondering...

...What is Marco doing now? I hope having a lot of fun and also thinking about America & his future family. We are certainly preparing for his coming.. The room where he & his brother will share are freshly painted. We moved the 3 little ones cribs out and made it back to a boys room. They have a new lilac room with larger windows to see out. It is a good view from this new room considering they don't take their naps like they should & can look outside & watch their older siblings swimming & jumping on the trampouline..

I have our Home Study all sealed up for Immigration and will mail it tomorrow since the post office was closed today...Also received a document back that needed apostilling in Florida..So I am waiting only for Immigration approval and we're done..Hoping there are no new changes in Adoption Law and all is perfect. Lord knows I need an easier process and so far it has been one.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid! The Team Meeting

From a friends blog...too funny Gillian

This video on YouTube is hilarious and will resonate with any parent who has to sit through IEP meetings for their kids with special needs. I had the pleasure of talking to Gina Gallagher, the co-author of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children, along with her sister Patricia Konjoian. The book comes out in August with Random House. Pre-order it NOW! You can also join their facebook fan page here.

Gina was delightful and she made me laugh out loud.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Home Study is here!

I can now send this off to Immigration and hope for a quick approval..This is the part that can take a long time..but I was told by their office they like to get them done in 3 weeks..well...we shall see. I have heard of many delays lately...Hoping by the 1 st week in August...This will put us right where we were hoping to pick up Marco...September sometime. It would have been better I think for August but he is in Italy until September when he starts back to school....Also it's up to Immigration. So could be later than September. I just want to get in & out of Eastern Europe before the snow falls!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

This little boy helped carry the fruits & veggies we bought from the market..He needs a family too..He is 11

Kenny needs a Family



This is Kenny..He is in the orphanage with Marco...He is a sweet boy 9 years old. He was always smiling and happy. Reminds me of Dennis the Menace..He would be a great addition to a family looking for an son/brother. For more info visit
www.worldswaitingchildren.org

From a another Adopting Family....they need help!

A few days ago, I got an email, one I had to sit on and wait for more details, but one that I thought was devastating at first. Well, now that I have details, we are a bit more optimistic, but still in a "panic".

What did we learn?
We learned that our Freddie was not born in the country we are travelling to, but instead, he was born in Russia.

What does that mean?
That means that in addition to attending court in the country he lives in, we will have to have a country lawyer go to Russia after court to obtain his original birth certificate.

How does this affect the adoption?
Other than adding a few steps, it does NOT affect his ability to be adopted! Praise Jesus for this, we were very worried until we got our details!!!

What does this mean financially and to your timeline?
It DOES affect these 2 areas!! The cost of this person to go get his birth certificate is an additional $3,000. It also prolongs our stay by about a week.
We are still lacking a couple thousand dollars to meet the demands of our little "hiccup". I know a lot of you have donated directly through RR, using the FSP page....I do not have those totals yet, but wanted you to know that I am aware of the fact that you have been doing that, and I really appreciate it!

If you want to donate through the FSP fund, just click on Freddie's picture in the right hand column and it will direct you to that page. You can also use the chip-ins in the right column or even make payments directly into my pay pal account. lyndishupp@yahoo.com is my pay pal email address! visit our blog at www.lyndishupp.blogspot.com

I thank you all for your continues support and all the prayers that are going up for Freddie and our family!