Sunday, October 28, 2012
I just wanted to take a minute to let everyone know that $1715 was sent to Annabelle and Haysa's orphanage. 

Thank you everyone for supporting us and the orphanage. God bless!

We still have to shave my husband's head...

Right now, I just need a moment to chill.

In the meantime, please don't forget about these precious children still waiting for their families to find them.
The only one you can find on Reece's Rainbow right now is the little boy Owen. The rest of the children have to be requested. Requesting is no big deal...it just has to be done. Leave me a comment if you'd like to talk to someone about any of the children not on Reece's Rainbow.








Penny - Penny's file has been sent back but she can be requested again. 
Please don't let her disappear. Someone, this is your daughter. She needs you.




Owen
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
There are so many families that are adopting and Adeye is trying to help them all! She is truly a remarkable person! Check out her blog here...


Whatever you can do, please help them even if the only thing you can donate are kind words. 
Believe me, kind words are needed!


Friday, October 19, 2012

I'm a mother to a 16 year old girl who has the mentality of a 3-4 year old
and still wears diapers.

If disabilities were so scary and unmanageable I wouldn't be advocating for these children.
I wouldn't be adopting another one myself.

Disabled children are just as fun and lovable as non-disabled children.

These children's files have been sent back to their home country but they can be requested again!

Without you, these pictures convey all theses children will ever be.

With you, they will thrive.

When I visited my Annabelle, I came to the sad conclusion that she shouldn't be as behind as she is. She's "in there" and fully capable but no one helped her. She laid in a crib all day. After 8 years, she finally started walking. Had I been her mommy from day one, I have no doubt in my mind that she would be only slightly behind.

The children in these pictures have the same possibilities! But they need the love and care from a mom and/or dad.








Penny - Penny's file has been sent back but she can be requested again. 
Please don't let her disappear. Someone, this is your daughter. She needs you.




Owen

This little guy is the only one who's file is on Reece's Rainbow.
All the children above haven't found a family within the given time frame so their files have been sent back. The same will happen to this boy is he doesn't find a family.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Today was the first day of our new ministry. We didn't plan this ministry, God did.

What is our new ministry? To bring awareness of orphans in distress who are available for adoption and of families who are adopting these children. 

Our Pastor gave us the platform today at our church. It's a small church but that doesn't matter because God is bigger than anything.

We first talked to our Pastor when we read Susanna's blog post about her precious Katie at TheBlessingofVerity.com. We are adopting from the same orphanage as Susanna's Katie and the story told by Susanna was perfectly put. 

I immediately emailed our Pastor and asked him to read "Katie's Story". These are his exact words in his reply to us, "Wow - speechless. Would either of you be open to giving a presentation at church on a Sunday morning, both regarding your adoption, but also helping us all better understand the seriousness of these children's needs?".

Today was that Sunday. Tomorrow is another day and we will continue until God calls us to quit.

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED

These precious children need families NOW!

Please, one of these children have to be yours.
Don't let bad pictures mislead you.
I have met some of these children and they are adorable!
They each have smiles waiting to be given to a mommy and daddy.
Click on the child's picture to be taken directly to their Reece's Rainbow account.







Penny - Penny's file has been sent back but she can be requested again. 
Please don't let her disappear. Someone, this is your daughter. She needs you.


I just found this little guy newly listed on Reece's Rainbow

Owen
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Before I announce the winners, I just have to say that Annabelle is the true winner. She won a family. Thank you everyone.

NOW...

The winners of the $25 Gift Cards are...
(Please let me know which gift card you would like)

Cheryl Topley
Amber Kreeger
Kathleen Eschbach
Sarah Pavel


The winner of the iPad or Galaxy (winners choice)...

Joy Weaver

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When we started this fundraiser, we never imagined going over $600. In fact we were simply hoping to raise at least $600 to cover the cost of the gifts. :)

God blessed this family and surrounded our fundraiser with an army. Each and every one of you. He sent people from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, South Africa, Lebanon, Lithuania, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Russia, Germany, Finland, Greece and of course the USA. (Forgive me if I forgot your country.)

We thank you for caring about our Annabelle as we do. We thank you for your kind words and prayers. We thank you for your financial support.

It makes me cry (happy tears) when I think about all of you who care for our Annabelle. A little girl hidden away for 11 years...now has people from around the world loving her. Soon, she will feel that love in our family. Thank you.

Not only did everyone send money our way to help cover our final adoption costs but you also gave to help buy a used van for the orphanage. This van is vital since it transports the children to and from medical appointments. Every child who is still waiting at the orphanage benefited from all of you! You people are awesome and our God is truly the Almighty! Praise God!

The final total for the van is $1715 (after paypal fees). I have already talked to Shelley Bedford and we are making arrangements for the money to be sent. Thank you so much everyone!
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Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 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.’
____________________________________________________________________

I wish I could convey in words our tremendous thanks but I can't. There just isn't a word or words that can tell you of our gratitude.

We pray for everyone. We pray for you to be blessed.

Love,
The Booth Family


Monday, October 8, 2012
10/12/2012 UPDATE: $1715 for the van!

There's only a few hours left for the fundraiser and I can't tell you how grateful we are to everyone. We really didn't think we would raise one dollar for the van but thanks to all of you, we raised over half! 

God bless everyone!

Remember we will be announcing the winners tomorrow by 12:00 pm EST! So make sure you check back. Each winner will have one week to respond. If I have your email address, I will send you an email as well. I will try and contact you several times if I don't get a response. Check your junk mail!



10/11/2012 UPDATE: $1612 for the van!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone!

10/10/2012 UPDATE: $1304 for the van!


Here is a quick update on the funds raised so far for the van needed to transport the children for medical needs.

The orphanage is in need of $2800 to buy a used van. The price includes all tax, titles etc.

So far there is a total of $1038. This total includes the overage from the funds everyone so generously donated to our final costs. And everyone was being so generous so fast that I wasn't able to get the new widget up in time for the van. (THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE)

The $2067 shown on the Chipin widget reflects the amount left that is needed. The final total will come to about $2900. (That's because Paypal has to take their cut). So behind the scenes, the amount is exact or near exact.

I hope this made sense...

Once again, we just have to pour our hearts out in thanks. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I am working on a post that praises God for all He has done. Mountains have been moved and the glory of God has been shown to us. I really want to give all honor to God so please stay tuned for this post. I'm going to talk about all the amazing things God did throughout this adoption.
Friday, October 5, 2012
UPDATE: There is currently a total of $933 for the van!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

WE ARE FUNDED! 

PRAISE GOD!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

All funds are now going towards Annabelle and Hasya's orphanage.
The van used to transport the children for medical care broke down and they are in need of a new one. 


UPDATE: I just created a new widget because we are funded. The new widget reflects the amount needed for the van minus the $500 already raised and the fees that get deducted by Paypal. Thank you everyone!
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If you have been following this blog for any length of time, one thing you might have noticed is that I'm truly not a gifted writer. My posts are normally short, and I would like to think, sweet.

Words often fail me. And more than anytime in my life, words are failing me now. We are so incredibly, unbelievably thankful to everyone for your kindness. Your words of encouragement takes my breath away. I have been on my knees praying for blessings to be poured out onto all of you. I wish I could hug each and every single one of you. We send our love. God bless.

If you came here from Adeye's blog post, I have to tell you her post brought tears to my eyes. She has such enormous heart. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever known. I am blessed to have her as my friend. I thank God for our friendship. We are kindred spirits.

Please pray for all the children still without a family.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD!

These are our two precious girls. It's amazing how much they look alike!


P.S.
We promised to do something crazy to Todd (my husband) for every $500 we raised up to our goal. 
We raised the money so quickly that we didn't have time to "torture" him. BUT! We will! 
He also has to shave his head! LOL!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

One of the most profound things I learned about Annabelle when I visited her in August was that she does not know how to play. I know that sounds crazy. I didn't think it was possible for child to not know how to play. It's suppose to be basic instinct for child...right? Turn them loose and they go crazy or make you crazy.

When I handed her a toy she would drop it. Stare at it. Toss it away. Or not even acknowledge the toy at all. She did love to carry soft toys around but carry them was all she did. 

I placed her in the ball pit in the video below and she just sat there. 
Any other child would of been in "play heaven". 
Throwing balls. Climbing the slide. Running. Screaming with joy.
But Annabelle sat there...for only a few minutes then wanted to get out. I tried to show her how to play. I placed balls in her hand and used her hand to throw them. She laughed a couple times but had no inclination to do it herself. 
I climbed the slide and slid down. She thought it was hysterical but never tried to follow me.


Her lack of play skills has nothing to do with her abilities. Within the short week I spent with her I realized that if she were born into our family she would of been what is considered "slow" or maybe normal. She's all there mentally but she was never given any kind of opportunity to grow. Until now that is. 

On the last day of my visit with her, when they were about to take her from me. As I was saying goodbye with tears streaming down my face, I will never forget the look on her face as they took her hand and walked her back into that dreaded place. She looked back at me, her face as sad as mine with an expression that told me she wanted to stay with her mommy and that she didn't understand why I was leaving.

We received our official approval from the United States yesterday. Praise God!
We are now only waiting for Annabelle's country. Please continue to pray.

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We are hoping to raise $4500 to complete our adoption. 

We are also hoping to go way over $4500...why?
All funds over $4500 will be donated to Annabelle's (Makayla's) orphanage.
As of right now the funds will be used for a needed van but that could change. In one way or another any funds over our goal will be used to benefit the orphanage depending on their needs.
Shelley Bedford from Only1mom.com is looking over this to make sure all funds will reach the orphanage.

Please, please help spread the word.

PRIZES:

ONE PERSON
Will have their choice between one of the following tablets:

One Brand New Apple iPad 3 (16GB) + WIFI
Your choice of black or white.
$499.00



OR

One Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (16 GB) WIFI
$499.99 
NOTE: The device of the winners choice will be shipped directly to the winner from the manufacturer's website (Apple/Samsung). As of right now there are no delay's in shipments but that could change at any time. Please understand this ahead of time. We will do all we can to make sure the winner receives their device promptly.


FOUR PEOPLE 

will choose ONE $25.00 Gift Card 
of their choice from the cards listed below.

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The fundraiser will run from 
October 1st through October 12th.


Each entry will be assigned a number.
We will then hold the drawing on random.org using their free number generator October 13th and announce who won by 12:00pm EST the same day.


Please spread word of this fundraiser. We really need help.


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 FOR EVERY $5.00 DONATION YOU WILL RECEIVE 1 ENTRY.  

 $10.00 = 2 entries 
$20.00 = 4 entries 
$30.00 = 6 entries 
$40.00 = 8 entries 
$50.00 = 10 entries 
$60.00 = 12 entries 
$70.00 = 14 entries 
$80.00 = 16 entries 
$90.00 = 18 entries 
$100.00 = 20 entries 
$150.00 = 30 entries 
and so on...
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I could try and tell you the story of the children in my daughter's orphanage myself
but a friend of mine has told it in perfect words on her own blog.

Please follow the link to read what children are enduring in
Eastern European orphanages and how adoption is changing their lives. 


If it doesn't break you, I truly don't know what will. 

There are children suffering and they need your help.

We are adopting from the same orphanage in the story.

I was told that our Annabelle/Makayla (pictured above with me) used to lay in a crib all day. 
Some how my little girl got herself up and started walking when she was 8 years old. 
By herself, she defied many odds...just imagine how she is going to flourish in a family.
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Contact me privately at:

susanandfamily25@gmail.com


We're your average family. No fame or riches. We have our ups and downs. When it rains it pours but we always view the glass as half full. We go where our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ leads. We aren't perfect but we always try to do our best.

Annabelle. The one born in our hearts.

Kandice. Our artistic one.

Amanda. Our helpful one.

Keegan. Our curious one.

Jacob. Our sensitive one.

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