Chosen Family of The Month: The Vargas Family

Hello lovely people!  It's been so long since we've written a post, or updated the blog, and we're sorry for that! Life has been hectic (Like every other time we've stopped writing!), but we're trying to navigate, and rearrange our *new* adult lives so that we still have time for blogging. :)

As you know we like to fund-raise for families every month, though we took the last two months off, we are right back at it again, and this time our Chosen Family is the Vargas family!  This sweet family is adopting three lovely babes, Alonzo, Mary Ellen, and Sophia, from Easter Europe.  They have already traveled to meet their blessings and are now waiting for another set of travel dates.  We want to help ease the financial burden that comes with international adoption by holding a fundraiser that will benefit them.  So, to kick off the fundraising this month I have a handmade (by me!) 8in X 10in  canvas that quotes "the answer is still and again love."

(Click on the photo to enlarge.) 

I felt this quote was fitting, adoption is centered around love, whether it be the love these children have lived without, or the love that the Vargas family will be bringing to them, or the fact that now that these babes have a family they will never be without love again.  Love is always the answer.

We will be holding a giveaway that will run for 5 days (starting today 08/4/2014) and ending this Saturday (08/9/2014).  You can enter this giveaway 2 ways, and earn up to 2 entries.  One way to earn an entry is by donating $5 (or more, whatever you feel like giving!) to the donation button on the right hand side of the blog named "Vargas Blessings".  You can also earn 1 free entry by sharing this fundraiser on your Facebook!  If you have chosen to grab that free entry by sharing on your Facebook, please be sure to comment below and let us know so we can count your free entry at the end of this giveaway! :)

I know this canvas isn't much, but when you consider giving please think of Alonzo, Mary Ellen, and Sophia.  The Vargas family has so courageously stepped out in faith the pay the ransom for these lives that have been deemed worthless.  When you give that $5 it may not seem like much, but I can guarantee you that it means the world to this family.  Let's help them bring their babies home.

With love,
Alyssa

Even If It Hurts, Don't Turn Away

This wont be easy to read, and you will probably leave this blog with a hurting heart.  But I would just like you to remember that this is the everyday reality for these kids, they don't have the option to turn their eyes away, they can't pretend like it's not happening, because they live it.  So please, even when it hurts, don't turn away.

The life of orphans in other countries is far from what you may think.  Most days are spent in their crib, with no interaction, no toys, these kids are lucky if they get their diapers changed even twice a day.  With nothing to their name, they live on borrowed time, waiting for something, or someone to come along and change their everyday routine.   If the child is lucky they will get a care taker who sees something special about them, and pays a little more attention to them than the other kids.  But most days are spent alone, in a crib, chewing their hands, or hitting their head trying to feel something, anything.

Please, don't stop reading, don't turn away.  Remember, this is their life that they cannot escape from.

Feedings are scary to think about, I've heard stories, and watched documentaries of feedings.  The older kids have gruel shoveled into their mouths, so fast they don't have time to swallow.  I wonder how many older kids dread feeding time for fear of choking? But yet they know that might be the last time they are aloud to eat for who knows how long.  Babies, and children who don't have the ability to sit up are laid on their back in a crib, with the bottle propped up, as this think substance pours into their mouth faster than they can swallow.  Not having time to breathe, causing them to aspirate this think gruel into their lungs, but since they cannot sit, they cannot cough it up, and often times get so sick from this.

Please, don't stop reading, don't turn away.  Remember, this is their life that they cannot escape from.

At the age of 4 their time runs out, and they are made to leave what's been their "home" for the past years, they are sent away to an adult mental institution, where their heads are shaved, unneeded medicine is given to keep them quite, and they are tied to a crib for hours on end.  Statistics say that most children who are sent away to an institution wont last their first year, and I believe it.   In most cases it's extremely hard to adopt children once they have been transferred, because their institution directors don't see their value, and don't see the point in letting families rescue them.

When a child is born with a special need in other countries, they are deemed worthless, and parents are told that their child will never contribute anything to society.  Or in some cases the families aren't able to provide the proper care for their child, and doctors *convince* them that the orphanages will be able too.  I hurt for those parents, the ones who are trying to do what's best for their child, and have no clue what the orphanages are really like.

So, this my friends, is why Kaitlyn and I fight for these kids.  This is their reality, their fate, and without advocates, and willing families, these kids will die in the hands of people who could careless about them.  Without you, and me, these kids will pass away without ever knowing what it's like to feel love, or to have mommy snuggles, and a daddy to wrestle with, they will know nothing other than the lies that have been fed to them over the years.  They will believe the lies that they are worthless, unwanted, a burden, and have no purpose.  You, and I know that those things aren't true, and we know that they have potential, and are wanted.  Will you fight with us?  Will you join us, and help end this horrible injustice?  In the words of Eric Ludy  "We will rescue these little ones"

God is Moving

Alyssa and I (Kaitlyn) have had a pretty rough week with emotional ups and downs, but with all that has been going on I remember more and more that God is in control and that everything happens for a reason.  Our tomorrow is His yesterday.  It's in His hands and he already knows what's going to happen so there isn't any point in worrying or stressing over it.  And sometimes God let's things happen so he can teach us a lesson in all of it, and I feel as if I have learned a lesson from the last week.  I realized how long it had been since I turned to God and asked for help and guidance in our small organization.  Instead I tried to solve everything on my own and ended up in a mess and feeling overwhelmed,   Alyssa and I discussed this together and decided that it was time we turn everything over to Him and give HIM the *glory* for all things!  He has brought us to these places in our lives and he will surely bring us through them!  He never fails and is always faithful!

For example, with a rocky start to April and not raising anything for the Obenauf family we felt hopeless!  Then God provided over $100 for that wonderful family, even in our doubt!  

Fast forward to more recently and Alyssa and I are launching a tshirt fundraiser expecting to sell a bunch instantly, and we failed.  It was day 3 of the fundraiser that would benefit our May fundraiser and we were still at zero.  With both of us praying our hearts off and trusting that God would again provide I go and check up on things tonight and we've sold 2 shirts TODAY!  Which is a huge deal to us!   Proof below:

Alyssa's reaction 

Here's the proof that God hears our prayers and knows our hearts.  If we trust in him, he will answer.

He gives and takes away! <3

 Alyssa and I have been struggling.  Things have been really tough these last few days.  But we do feel as if God is constantly reminded us that he is right here beside of us and know our hearts and intentions are pure for this organization. 

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

                               We know that God is holding us in his hands, and we're not afraid. :) 

                                   We will do ALL things in CHRIST who strengthens us! 

To purchase one of these t-shirts please use the following link: http://teespring.com/Hashtags4Lyfe

Family Warrior!

I (Alyssa) never thought I would sign up to be a Family Warrior,  not because I was against it, but because I never thought a family would appear and totally steal my heart.  Well last night that family "appeared"  and I want to share this family with you, because they literally mean the world to me.

The Thomas family has been a part of my life for about two years now, I "met" them while for advocating for a sweet one named Anastasia, a precious little girl that was born with Down syndrome, who they were so anxious and excited to make their daughter!  About 3 years ago I was Anastasia's Angel Tree Warrior, I fought for that little girl, I really did.   I was so overjoyed when I found out that she had a family, and even more excited when I found out that they were an extremely sweet family!This family traveled, and met their sweet daughter (she is just the most precious girl.), they took pictures,loved on her, laughed with her, kissed her goodbye, and said they would be back for her.  Now at this point I'm trying to keep myself from bawling, because my heart still hurts for Anastasia...sweet one got caught in the ban, sweet one is currently stuck in a place that no longer allows Americans to adopt from.   Even after the ban her family fought, they fought for so long, and did everything in their power to get sweet one home, but right now God is saying "Wait."  He's saying "I have a different plan, please just trust me"

So this is where their story changes, this is where God says "I have another little one that I need you to love."  and so they have stepped out in faith and are embarking on the journey to bring home another little one, this little one is absolutely precious and was born with Down syndrome too.  Lily, is 5 years old, and will be coming home to the most amazing family, and I couldn't be more happy to announce that I am the Thomas family's official Family Warrior.  I will be shouting, sharing, and praying for this family until Lily is HOME.  I am so, so, blessed to know a family as truly amazing as the Thomas family, and am so blessed to be a part of their story. :)   I'm also excited to help raise their adoption grant, to help with the major cost of adoption!

Meet sweet Lily, who I will be shouting for until she is home, safe, and loved in the arms of the Thomas family. :)

For $13 you can purchase on of these t-shirts, and the profit made from this t-shirt will be donated into the Thomas families adoption grant. :) To Purchase A Shirt Use This Link: http://teespring.com/LetsChangeTheWorld