Burdened...

I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones, or what, but I have recently been finding myself overwhemingly burdened for little Jacob.  I have been having dreams of trying to find him in Bulgaria, walking up in the mornings thinking about him, pleading with God to find him a family, then not being able to go back to sleep.  It pains me to think of him lying alone in an awful crib all day. 

Today I asked God to take the burden from me, but then retracted that prayer.  Should I be less burdened?  Should I continue my life happy and ignorant to the fact that this little one never even sees sunshine, or feels a loving embrace?  Is that what I want?  Selfishly, yes, sometimes, but I know it's not right.  It's ok to be burdened, to want something better for someone I have never met.  I know God care deeply for His children, that He is ANGRY when they are mistreated, and that those who reach out to help these children are greatly rewarded here on earth and in Heaven.

Here are two families and children who have recently given me hope (and actually more burden) for Jacob.  The first is a family who recently adopted a little girl with almost the same situation as Jacob; Almost 5, kept in a crib all day every day, fed only bottles, 14lbs, and she was heavily medicated to keep her sleeping and silent at all times with a medication that was toxic.  This family has had her home for about 6 weeks, and I can see the rapid change and growth in her:

In a matter of weeks, this little girl, so similar to Jacob in their inhumane treatment when from this:

To this:

I don't know if this little girl had ever smiled before, ever felt happiness before.  Read about this amazing, and current transformations here:  www.nogreaterjoymom.com

The other family adopted a little boy named Andrew from Bulgaria of all places who is blind, and kept in his crib his entire life for 5+ years.  His adoptive parents even saw some abuse towards him while visiting.  When they first got him, he was so weak, he couldn't even lift his head and ate from a bottle.  He is now walking.  Watch this video of their first night with him:  http://blessedbyachild.blogspot.com/2010/06/watch-this-video-of-andrew-first-nite.html

So, yes, these stories bless me.  They give me hope for Jacob and his potential.  But they also frighten me to know that there is so much of a chance that this potential could be lost.  That he will remain in that godawful crib for the rest of his, what will be, short life and never swing, smile, walk or be rocked to sleep. 

So now what?  I don't know.  I really don't.  Our art fundraiser got pushed back until August, the month before his 5th birthday.  Please pray for him, donate, or suggest to me a great idea that could help him.  Think about taking him into your home, or suggest it to some momma you know. 

The cutest cake!

How badly do I need to make this cake!?

I also love the dotted table cloth it is on :)

Perhaps I should make it for a sweet girl named Hilary who is returning from a missions trip to Fiji today!  I am just so proud of that awesome girl!

The first day of bible study she proudly announced, "I don't believe really in the bible!"  "That's alright," we said.  "We are happy you are here and you can believe anything you want!"

Well, now look at this angel serving the Lord with her whole heart the mothers and children in need across the globe in Fiji!  God is so good and changes hearts with his love and truth!

(She the cute blond one holding the child.)

p.s. She LOVES owls, so on her first bible study back, I think this cake will be a great celebration!  So proud of you Hil!

A poem about children with Ds

My face may be different
But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you
To teach you to love
As God in the heavens
Looks down from above

To Him I'm no different
His love knows no bounds
It's those here among you
In cities and towns

That judge me by standards
That man has imparted
But this family I've chosen
Will help me get started

For I'm one of the children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I'll do it as you do
But at my own pace

 

                                                -Connor, waiting for his family

                                        -Victoria, waiting for her family

                                   -Trenton, waiting for his family too

Updated medical info on Jacob :(

Oh my goodness, this description just makes me want to cry.  He is being treated so unfairly, but you can see that he wants to be learning and active.  This boy needs a mommy quick to rescue him.  14 pounds!?!?!?  For an almost 5 year old, that is just pitiful, just wrong.  Poor baby.

Boy, DOB: September 10, 2005
 Main diagnosis: Down syndrome
lagging behind in physical and mental development

He has already been transferred to a mental institution

Jacob is over 4 years old and weighs just 14 pounds. He is still very much a baby, even though he’s already been transferred to an institution. He lives in an environment with children that are completely cared for by staff and does not have opportunities outside of the institution.
His motor skills are significantly delayed. He can sit up unassisted, but does not crawl or walk. His report says that most of his time is spent lying in a bed. He shows interest in his environment and in toys and other objects. He recognizes his name and responds to it. His speech is significantly delayed but he is beginning to make sounds. He eats from a bottle and does attempt to hold the bottle by himself.

SINGLE MOMS, OLDER PARENTS, & LARGE FAMILIES WELCOME, EASY TRAVEL

Oh my, he just needs a little love.  A little stimulation.  Maybe to be put in a walker, or jolly jumper to get his legs stronger.  A family would change his life.  Please spread the word of this boy.

How is your week going?  Mine is just fine.  Last night when I walked into small group, I was shouted at, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" and surrounded by sorbet colored ballons and streamers.  My girls are so sweet.

Today, my husband tore up my to do list, and put me on bed rest.  I am sick, and have been much longer than I ever have been.  I have a cold, a frightful cough, and the flu :(  To make matters worse, my doctor has canceled on me twice, this week and last week, so I have been have these nightmares the past two nights of sonograms with crying, sick babies, etc.

My cat lucy is so sweet.  All she wants to do it cuddle.  Piper on the other hand... all she wants to do it demand.  Yesterday I had a sardine samwhich (seriously) for lunch, and she cried her eyes out the entire time.  Haha, I gave her the juice.



 

Austin Blogging

We're in Austin, and we love it.  The food, the people, the things to do, the open spaces.  I'm not gonna lie, we are so happy being here.

"I've never been happier since I moved to Austin," said out super cute, shy waiter who was about 19, then drew us a map to his favorite local spot.

Ok, so first today we went to Ladybird park.  It was nice.  A bunch of joggers runnin around it.  Lots of fish ready to be caught.

Families on bikes, couples with picnics.  You get the idea.

SO then we were off to Clarksville, on the way, I saw this:

hmmm, looks like things are doing better than back in Cali.

The food here has been incredible.  For lunch today we ate at Sago, some modern Mexican place.  I'm telling ya, delish.  Last night we has more mexican outside in a field with large shade trees strung up with twinkle lights.  It was pretty idealic.  Good amount of people out too, but never crowded.  The weather is warm enough at night to eat outside in shorts and a shirt.

After lunch we went to a street called "South Congress" where we stopped at some cafe's, pet some rescue animals and poked around.  It was awesome.

Here are some SoCo memories:

Mmm, my Texas Tea from this place:

It's called:

There are alot of activists in Austin, including for animals.  They had the cutest dogs and puppies being rescued.  This was Paris, she loved me and was going to be killed this morning, but these guys rescued her.  Cute in a bandana!

There is an awesome used clothing store here with a pair of boots Andrew has his eye on.  We might swing by tomorrow and pick 'em up.  Texas boots, can't beat em.

This was a delicious smelling open air market.  Pass the bbq sauce.  You  can kinda see me in this next shot.

we love austin

This guys was awesome!

Imagine when you're looking at this that you're smelling the best BBQ ever, and listening to live musica by the guy in orange shorts.

A belly shot, proving it's true

Oh my!  Perfect!

Can't be Texas without some open spaces, right?  A whole lot of land out here, it's wonderful.

Tonight we're getting some real Texas BBQ, seeing Mason Jennings play on 5th, and touring downtown.  Tomorrow we're going swimming at the green belt, and maybe jumping off some big rocks while we're at it.

Hope you liked the pictures as much as I liked taking them!

My heart is SO happy!

This is totally not just for dads, because it spoke to my heart too!



Speaking of hearts, mine is just BURSTING RIGHT NOW!

SUCH GOOD NEWS!

Sweet, beautiful Cordelia was committed to today!  Cordelia was first placed on my heart by my friend Kate who began fund-raising for her.  She is SO beautiful and now doesn't have to live life without a family!

 She is just so sweet, be still my heart!

Another reason my heart is bursting, is becuase GOD IS GOOD, and let me tell you why (preach it girl)

Ok, so my high school girls and I made the cutest little prayer cards for Jacob.

Ok, so these might be hard to read from here, but they say:
1.  Pray that a family commits to him soon.
2.  Pray for his growth and development in the institution.
3. That he is shown love by his caretakers
4.  That he knows Gods presence
5.  That our group can raise enough money for him.

We passed them out last week, and have been praying for him daily.  Fast forward 3 days from Wednesday, to Saturday.  Saturday, my friend Jessica and I had planned a garage sale to raise money for her missions trip to Fiji.  That same week, she received in the mail MORE than enough money to fund her trip.  Praise the Lord, right, well, He's not done.  Remember, six lovely young high school girls have been praying daily for Jacob for a couple days now.

"Why don't we STILL have the garage sale, but donate all the money to Jacob??"says Jessica, the night before.

WOW!  I think, until Saturday morning...

when we realize we really don't have that much stuff to sell.  She has a couple bags, I have two bags, and our first customers leave rolling their eyes at the waste of time. 

Bummer. 

I decide to go upstairs to Jessica's mom's room.  Hoarder?  Um, perhaps.

We slowly start to go through the items in her large room.  (Which is devine intervention in it's self, have you seen the show, "Hoarders"?  These people and there stuff don't usually part without screaming and crying, which only happened once during this garage sale) I find my self taking armfulls of item down to the sale, over and over again. 

Nice stuff. 

25 pairs of new shoes.  25 pairs of new jeans.  15 new purses.  I mean, there was about fifty trips of NICE stuff.  Jessica is wheeling and dealing below.  She gives a fair price and sticks to it--she won't be taken advantage of.  We are making money, alot of it.

The stale muffins we were selling from the Panniken sell like HOT CAKES.  Ever last hard croissant and corn muffin.  The people were delighted. 

At noon, Jessica's mom's room has NEVER looked better, you can actually WALK in her closet.  We count the total......


$430 FOR JACOB!  NO JOKE!  Has a random, almost unplanned garage sale ever made that much in history?  The story of that boy with loaves and fishes come to mind.  So.... strange?  You know what I mean. Thank you God. 

Wait--

Debbie's friend comes over and says if we sell his dirt bike for $400, we can have 300 for Jacob.  We sold it.  $300 more dollars for Jake.  Now God's just showing off, and we LOVE it!  :)

HURRAY!!!  HURRAY!!!

Please keep praying for him,  especially that a family commits to him soon!  Oh buddy....