The Gift of Play

If this little girl has captured your heart like she has mine, you may be interested to know that you are invited to take part in her first real birthday celebration. Dasha will be turning 7 years old in just 10 days.

Since she came home in September, Dasha has unwrapped the gift of family, education, home, security, and the gift of childhood- among many other things. Now we all have the opportunity to give Dasha a very important birthday present; the gift of independent play.

Click on the link below and you can read more about the special bike that the Friedl family would like to give Dasha for her birthday. It will allow her to ride a bike freely, without her cerebral palsy standing in the way. This bike will be a vehicle of independence for this special little girl as she conquers the world.

Giving the Gift of Mobility

An Over-Abundance of Happy

This Christmas Dasha and Leana experienced their first Christmas at home.

Leana got to be a birthday princess for the first time.

For the first time ever they celebrated New Years with their family. Dasha had her first dance, an experience every little girl should have with her daddy.

And on Monday Dasha went to school for the first time!

I am so proud of these girls and so thankful for the amazing family that God created for them to be a part of.

Now I hope and pray that next year at this time we can celebrate these firsts for this beautiful girl, Yelena. I know it is possible!

And remember how I mentioned a missionary friend of mine who gets to hug one of my sponsored children on a regular basis? Well, there are many perks to that, and here is one:

Miss Tadiwa on Christmas. My friend said that she was undoubtedly the happiest child in the orphanage that day!

(Unlike Dasha, Leana, and Yelena, Tadiwa is not eligible for international adoption. But, she is eligible for sponsorship. This sponsorship helps her orphanage give her the care that she needs to thrive. Tadiwa still needs sponsors at the $25 and $30 monthly levels. Join Tadiwa's dream team or check out other Zimbabwe children who need sponsors here.)

Running Around in my Dreams

A little over a year ago I wrote a post, The Way She Laughs, about my dreams for Dasha (who we then knew as Bethany).

As I reread this post today, I am overwhelmed with joy because Dasha and her sister Leana are home with their forever family, and so many of these dreams of have come true.

I wrote in that post:

"I can see her running through the park, giggling as the kite chasing behind her soars through the air."

and

"I can see her playing hopscotch and jumping rope, doing cartwheels and learning to rollerskate."

When I wrote The Way She Laughs, I knew from Dasha's profile that she had delays in physical and psychomotor development. What I didn't know at the time is that this girl, who had been running around in my dreams, has cerebral palsy and has never even walked.

I am happy I didn't know that then, because if I did maybe I would not have been so bold to have dreamed these dreams for her. But I did, and now more than ever, I believe that dreams come true.

I have heard the way she laughs.

Today, as I write this post, Dasha has just had her last set of casts taken off of her legs. Mamma and the doctor have put on her socks, her leg braces, and her tennis shoes, and are anxiously waiting to see if  Dasha will take her first step.

Today, at six years old, Dasha begins a new journey in life: Learning to walk.

I hope you will continue to join me praying for Dasha, dreaming big dreams for her life, and celebrating with me as these dreams come true.

Tomorrow

This beautiful little girl here will start kindergarten!

And this sweet one here is focusing on getting all of her medical needs taken care of.

Praise God they are home where they belong, but please continue to keep these precious ones in your prayers. 

Calling on Angels

Most of you all are very familiar with Dasha and Leana, but for those of you who are new around here, I'll take a moment to introduce you.

Dasha and Leana in the orphanage, 2011

On August 16, 2011, I became Dasha's warrior through Reece's Rainbow. Dasha was five years old and because of her special needs (cerebral palsy and HIV+), she would soon be facing an adult mental institution if not adopted.

Dasha

A few months later, when I found out that Leana is Dasha's sister and that they were available together, I also became Leana's warrior.

Leana

On August 16, 2012 (exactly one year to the day that I became Dasha's warrior) Dasha and Leana officially became part of the Friedl family.

Court Day in Ukraine- August 16, 2012

Although I did not personally connect Dasha and Leana with their forever family, and although the amount of money I was able to raise was merely a drop in the bucket of what is needed for international adoption, the experience of being part of these girls' journey was more than amazing. Being one of the many who prayed Dasha and Leana into the Friedl family was a great honor, and seeing them together as a family is a joy that I cannot put into words.

Dasha and Leana at home with their heavenly appointed sisters 

Once Dasha and Leana arrived to their new home, I knew I wanted to warrior for another child. For the last several weeks I have been praying over children on the Reece's Rainbow website, trying to select an "Other Angel" to become a "Guardian Angel" for, and so many of them have stolen my heart.

Like Presley who is four years old, who- in addition to his special needs- also has leukemia (and is not receiving the necessary medical treatment he needs for survival).

Presley needs a family, and a Guardian Angel

Or Shaun, who is going to turn five next month and has Trisomy 18. This is the same disability that my brother was born with, and passed away from just days after birth. Children with this condition rarely live past infancy, so if every life is a miracle, Shaun is a super miracle.

Shaun also needs a family and a Guardian Angel

But when I started having dreams about one particular little girl, just as I had of Dasha, I knew she was the one.

I would like to proudly introduce to you "Yelena."

Yelena is from Eastern Europe and is HIV+. There is not a lot of available information for this cutie, but she is eight years old and according to her profile she really wants a family. I am sure many or all of the children on the Reece's Rainbow's website really want a family, but rarely do I see it stated on their profiles. I am guessing that Yelena has really expressed this desire and that she is very aware of the family shaped hole in her heart for it to show up in writing.

When I became an advocate for Dasha and Leana, many people expressed their doubt that finding a family for these older girls was possible, especially because of their HIV status. But I really had faith and I knew in my heart that their family was out there. Now, once again, I have faith that Yelena has a safe home, a warm bed, and caring parents out there, they just don't know it or just have not found her yet.

Although I did some to spread awareness and raise money for Dasha and Leana, God really impressed on my heart that my biggest role in their adoption was prayer.

Now, for Yelena, I feel like God is really impressing a need for spreading more awareness and raising major funds to get her home.

I would love if you all would join me in this mission to find Yelena's family and get her home. The first step you can take to do this is to help me spread around Yelena's picture and profile to everyone you know, and if you would be willing, to ask others to pass it on as well.

You can do this a few ways:

1. Share this blog post on facebook, twitter, your blog, and other networking sites.

2. Add Yelena's button to your blog by copying the code in the grab box below her picture and pasting the code into your layout as an "html" code.(This button contains a link to Yelena's Reece's Rainbow profile.)

<a border="0" href=" http://reecesrainbow.org/12873/yelena5904" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x376/shebecomes/Yelenathumbnail.jpg "/></a> 

3. "Like" the She Becomes community by clicking on the link below. This will be my main source of sharing information about fundraisers and events for Yelena.

Thank you for joining me in being a voice for some beautiful and amazing children.

Also, take a moment to read Breaking Down Barriers and the importance of adoption grants.
 

 

Home

Home has never been sweeter. 

Dasha cooking something up in the play kitchen

Dasha with her sister Madison

Leana found her older sister's makeup and accessory closet

Happy. 

Candy for the Soul

Wonderful things you should know about: 

My friend JD over at Compassion Can is taking a trip to Haiti with her daughter, Jillian. Check out what they will be doing on their trip, and you will soon understand why this is very near and dear to my heart.

If you want to be amazed and inspired, check out the Paralympics, happening now through September 9th. As far as I know they are not airing on U.S. television (you may possibly find them on cable or satellite, I am not sure), but the good news is that everyone can watch through live-streaming on the website www.paralympic.org

And last but certainly not least, these little girls have been broken out of the orphanage! 

They will be spending time in their birth country for another week or so with their mom and dad while they await paperwork to be finalized. Please pray for comfort for Dasha and Olena, as leaving the orphanage and beginning this new journey is quite scary. Pray that they would feel safe and secure with Craig and Bree, and that they would be able to sleep peacefully. 

Happy Beginnings

It is with overwhelming joy that I introduce to you:

Craig and Bree Friedl with their daughters Darya Joy Friedl and Olena Faith Friedl.

Bethany's real name is Darya, and Erin's real name is Olena.
Reece's Rainbow changes names to protect the identity and privacy of the orphans that they serve.

In a little over a week Darya (who goes by Dasha) and Olena (who goes by Leana) will be traveling home with their mom and dad to be with the rest of their forever family.

Over the last month the legal process has been completed successfully, and Craig and Bree have been able to spend much time getting to know their daughters.

It has been such a joy to be able to share in this experience through photos and updates. From having my heart break for these girls, to many nights of prayer and tears, to finally seeing them in the arms of their momma and daddy (which meant many more tears- but the happiest kind), it has been one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of.

Meeting Day:

Leana meeting her dad

Dasha meeting her mom

Dasha's reaction to learning that Craig and Bree are there for her and Leana!

Dasha is described by her mom as a leader (although she needs some guidance in channeling those leadership skills in a positive direction).

Leana is described by her mom as being intuitive, quiet, and kind.

Thank you so much to all of you who have followed along on this journey of "Bethany" and "Erin" finding their forever family. Each prayer, share, and dollar have come together to make a difference in the lives of these amazing sisters.

Please keep praying for Dasha and Leana, as well as the entire Friedl family, as they make this huge transition. This story is just beginning. There are so many changes ahead, and surely there will be some bumps in the road, but let's pray that with every bump they grow stronger as individuals and closer as a family. 



When Dreams Come True

Bethany, 2010

I don't know why it was her face that I couldn't forget. Out of hundreds of children, her smile made a home in my heart more than any other. My dreams for her have been big and beautiful. Maybe these dreams that God has given me for Bethany were her own, and I was just given the priveledge of praying them for her life. Or maybe these dreams for her are grander than she could ever imagine.

But either way, these dreams, they are coming true.

In a short time, Bethany and her sister Erin will be going home with the Friedls, their forever family.



They will know a Momma and Daddy who love and cherish them. They will have siblings to laugh and play with. They will have a safe home. They will even have a sweet bedroom prepared with all the love and care in the world, that any little girl would be blessed to have.

These little girls, they are so very loved.



Bethany and Erin, 2011


And soon, they will get to experience this love first hand.

Please, join me in praying that as Craig and Bree travel to pick up their daughters, that all will go impossibly smooth. Pray that communication would be open between them and the girls, as well as all the officials they must go through in the adoption process.

The Friedl family is still in the process of raising funds for travel, which is SOON, so if you would like to help them get to Eastern Europe to bring these sweet girls home, any amount of support would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made through their Reece's Rainbow page, which can be found by clicking

here:

I'll leave you with a couple of the most recent photos taken of Bethany and Erin. As you can see, these girls need to come home.

Erin, 2012

Bethany, 2012

One Step Closer

My friends, this week Reece's Rainbow revealed the wonderful family who is working towards adopting Bethany and Erin! Prayerfully, in the near future, Bethany and Erin will be going home to their parents Craig and Bree, as well as their 4 new siblings.

There is still a long process ahead to actually get theses girls home, part of which is raising the necessary funds. I have updated the link on Erin and Bethany's button. It will now direct you to their family's page, where you can read more about the awesome people who are welcoming these girls home, as well as make donations towards their adoption.

To go to their new page you can click on their button, and if you would like to continue helping me spread the word, you can grab the code in the box below.

<a border="0" href="http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=friedl" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x376/shebecomes/BethanyandErinButton5.jpg "/></a>

I absolutely dream of the day I see these sisters in the arms of their daddy and mamma.