When Life Gets in The Way

Writing for me comes in waves which makes for a bad blogger. I am so impressed with bloggers who have fun, witty, and/or thought-provoking posts on a near daily basis. I have had many thoughts lately, but more in status update form than able to expand on (or bore you with) for a blog post. Or so emotional that I worry it would become a rambling mess of ranting, wailing diatribes. So for now I am working on these things I want to share off-line so that I can get my thoughts together and emotions under control.

One thing I want to share though is congratulations to my friend who has brought home her Ugandan Sweetie, and prayers for safe travels for two friends traveling to meet their children in Haiti. One left today, the other in a month. Both still have about a year or more to wait to bring their child home (still can't wrap my head around that) so prayers for patience, peace, and that all the paperwork would get done swiftly would be appreciated too.

An EASY Way to Raise Money for a Wonderful Organization

Please go here and support this amazing organization! And while you are there read through their blog posts, learn about the organization and Maria's Big House of Hope. It is pretty amazing!

Thank you!

If You See Me Crying...

Once again the amazing and talented JJ Heller and her hubby Dave have written a song that at once breaks your heart and gives it wings. If you see me on the road and I am bawling while trying to keep my kids for noticing chance are this song is playing. JJ, I love your music but good golly girl!

Congratulations "W" family!!!!

My sweet friends have officially added a sweet little girl to their family! Of course she has been a part of their hearts for months, but the papers have been signed, stamped and whatever else so that the government recognizes her as a "W" and she can finally come home! Please take a moment to learn about a couple of organizations (here and here) who are helping children from the same area this sweet baby find their forever families. You can also check out my friend's blog to hear more about their amazing journey and God's unwavering faithfulness!

Still Waiting

As I have mentioned before, I am a Waiting Child site stalker. I torture myself pray while looking at the pictures and reading the profiles of the children who are waiting for their Forever Family. I have done this enough to "know" many of them, to notice when a new face arrives and to rejoice when a familiar face is gone faithful that they are safe at home. Their forever home.

Some pictures grab my heart. There is a definite profile that I seem to be drawn to. Certain children that are waiting homes that I can actually see in my home, in my family, as my child. Little day dreams I occasionally allow myself to have to explore this longing in my heart. A pair of brothers had such an effect on me. I would check back on them frequently and by now practically have their profile memorized. And then they were gone. I knew I was supposed to rejoice but I didn't. Not entirely. I was sad for a little while. And then I continued to pray for them and their new parents and their future.

But they are back. My heart sank when I saw those beautiful face smiling at me from my computer screen. My heart breaks for these boys and all the other children who sit waiting for a months or a year or several years - waiting for someone to say, "I want YOU!" But until then they smile at the camera, talk to the videographer, and wait.

Children of Teen Moms At Higher Risk?

Teen moms get a bad rap. Set aside your personal judgments about choices they made (or failed to make) because once that plus-sign shows up on the pregnancy test your thoughts and judgments don't really matter. At that point what these young women need most is support and understanding. Sadly, it seems, many are faced with ridicule, anger, abandonment, and insane pressure to terminate, give the baby up, or keep it - perhaps all three from different sides. I am not making assumptions here. Sadly I know many women who were teen moms and very few have stories of love and support.

Recently I heard that less than 1% of teen moms give their babies up for adoption. Not that I necessarily think that is a bad thing in and of itself, but it is the implication of this decision that makes me stop and think. From what I could find out there are not a lot of support systems available to teen parents outside of what their own families provide. Sadly, the statistics show that a good number of children in the foster care system have moms who had her first baby when she was a teen (under 22). 60% in one article I found. This article also found that children from teen moms were also in the foster care system much longer than those from parents who were older.

In a perfect world all children would be born into loving households to married couples whoa re financially, mentally and emotionally prepared for parenthood, and who has a strong support system in place. But our world is not perfect so what can we do to make the best of the world we have? Better education to help prevent teens from getting pregnant? Better support and education for teen parents? Hopefully a little of both. What are your thoughts?

LOVE this video!

Please take 10 minutes and watch the very moving and inspiring video on the work Project 1:27 is doing.