Why?

Just the other day someone very close to me asked, "Jodi why do you want to adopt another child, especially one with special needs? Why don't you just have another one of your own, a normal child?"

This is why!

Meet Lynette. She is an 11 year old girl who lived and died alone, with no family to call her own. The only home she has known is the place where she spent all 11 years of her life, an orphanage or worse, a mental institution. She was the size of a 3 year old because she didn't have the nurture and stimulation to help her grow. She had no one to hold her or to comfort her when she was ill. She had no one to give her hugs and kisses and whisper, "I love you!" She had no one to help her reach her fullest potential. The only family she knew was the orphanage staff who I am sure did their best to take care of her but she couldn't call them mom or dad. She didn't get to enjoy the blessings of a family. My heart aches! Her spirit is no different than mine own or my other "normal" children. She is a child of God and deserved better. This is why we have chosen to adopt a child with special needs. This is why we have stepped forward to help another little girl along her way. Susan does not have to live her life in an orphanage. She is worthy of a family and deserves better. She has a family who already loves her and wants her to be happy. We have been led to Susan and this is why.

Reece's Rainbow has an "In Loving Memory" page and sadly Lynette has joined that page. To quote what Reece's Rainbow has to say about these angels "Each of these children inspire each of us, and help us understand the true sense of urgency of our mission. We pray they will watch over this ministry, and guide us through the coming years to save as many others as we can. It doesn't have to be this way…..every penny you give to sponsor a child's adoption grant brings an adoptive family ever closer to bringing that child home, to a loving family, proper medical care, and LIFE."

If there is anything more I can say tonight it is this. 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. Please consider helping our family and sponsoring Susan to help us bring her out of an orphanage and into our home where she belongs!

God bless you Lynette! You're in the arms of an angel!